Confetti of Happiness

The First Konpeito

Jackson rushed to the younger boy's side, his hands hovering over the shaking back of the boy in front of him, "Woah, what's wrong Chan-ie?" At the site of a familiar face, Bang Chan, broke down into tears. He clutched into Jackson's shirt's looking like a man who had lost his everything.

Jackson rubbed soothing circles on the quivering back, "Talk to me Chan-ie, what happened?"

The Australian started wiping his tears clumsily, snot smearing all over his cheeks from how roughly he was rubbing his face. Chan looked up at the older in despair, "H-Hyung, I don't know what I am supposed to do, I just debuted and all of this happened!" Chan bit his gnawed his lower lips with anxiety clinging onto him like a second skin.

Jackson tucked the younger to his side, "Hey, hey, let me understand what's going on before you act all hysterical,"

"I need to go," Chan shook his head, refusing the help the older offered and stood up on shaky legs, "I can't bother you, hyung."

Jackson had enough of this bravado, he smacked the weeping boy's head. Sheesh, the red head could barely stand on his feet.

"Now listen here, you shitty brat. You are going to tell me what happened, so I can see how I can help as it is impossible to send you away in the state you are in now!"

Chan's eyes grew glassy, "When somebody offers you help, be a good boy and accept it."

The Australian sat back on the bench, his head hung between his legs, "I-I have two younger siblings who are barely teenagers. Around a year ago, my parents died in accident, things were going fine, as both of them were in the custody of my aunt, but early this year. She couldn't take it anymore and she-," His voice cracked, peeling off the last bravado peel, in contrast with the angry tears that gathered in the younger's eyes, "They were forced into foster homes,"

Jackson took in a harsh breath, "Are they back in Aust-"

"No they are here, in Korea, I feel such a failure that I can't get them out of such a life style." Chan broke down once again. Jackson felt his hands tremble with anger, once again fate had played those atrocious cards, so cruel that it leaves you in such an awful state.

"I'm all what they have left, but I can't even take care of myself; how can I take care of them. I cannot even afford a one room apartment," Jackson clasped the bony shoulder, trying to comfort the younger, or maybe himself, "And to think that would be the end of it, but no; can life get any shittier. Lucas, he, my baby brother, he disappeared "

Jackson jumped on his feet, "What, Why didn't say that before?! You idiot, if you were going to cry about it, do something first, then cry!"

Jackson pulled Chan on his feet, "How old is he? Do you have a picture of him? Do you have an idea where he would go?"

Chan sent Lucas's picture to Jackson, the boy looked like a kid barely in his teens. "He's eight, he barely knows the area. He is all alone in god knows where," The Australian was going to have another meltdown. Jackson cupped the younger's cheeks.

"We are going to find him, I'm not going to leave you until we know that he is safe and sound."

With glassy eyes, Chan nodded his eyes. Praying for his younger brother's safety.

.....

They headed towards the foster home; which was two stops away thankfully. The one who greeted him was Chan's younger sister, falling into his arms, mumbling unstopped apologies. She should have watched him, she was the one at fault for not paying attention.

Chan put a strong front, no tears was seen in his eyes as he assured his sister that he's going to find Lucas and bring him back home safe.

They talked to the owner of the house, a middle-aged woman who had a troubled expression on, Chan bowed in apology and promised that such incidents won't happen again. Thankfully, she was understanding and prayed that they will bring the boy back safe and sound.