7

Jimin's steps grew slower and weaker as the weight of the day pressed heavily on him. He had gone to two interviews, and both had ended in disappointment. The words kept echoing in his mind: "You do not meet our qualifications." It stung each time, more so because he had tried for positions that he hoped he could handle—Barista and cake maker. But in both cases, the employers sought experienced, certified people. Jimin had neither.

As he walked, head down and lost in thought, a small voice broke through his haze.

"Appa!" It was Jae's voice, loud and filled with urgency. His son had noticed his absence.

Jimin's heart immediately fluttered with guilt and love. "Jae," he called back, his voice soft but tinged with relief. He quickened his pace, running to find his little boy.

When he reached Jae, he swept him into his arms, holding him tightly as if he could protect himself from the harshness of the world through the warmth of his son’s embrace. He kissed Jae's cheeks over and over, desperate to comfort himself through his child.

"I missed you so much," Jimin whispered between kisses.

"Appa, you left me," Jae responded, his small face showing a slight pout.

Jimin's heart clenched. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. You were sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake you." He cupped Jae's cheek. "What are you doing now?"

"Picnic and sunbathing," Jae said with a smile, his innocent joy a balm for Jimin's weary heart.

Jimin smiled softly at his son's happiness, but deep inside, he couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling of failure. Despite the love of his son, he still felt the weight of not being able to provide as he had hoped. But for now, he focused on the moment, holding Jae a little tighter, knowing his presence was all that mattered to his son.

"Sunbathing with an umbrella?" Jimin asked, raising an eyebrow as he saw the small umbrella shading Jae.

"Jae said it's too hot," Jungkook explained with a smile.

"Hot," Jae confirmed, pouting a little. Jimin chuckled softly and wiped the sweat from Jae's forehead, feeling the stickiness from the heat on his skin.

"How was your interview?" Jungkook asked, his tone careful, sensing Jimin’s low spirits.

Jimin sighed and looked away for a moment, then forced a smile. "Not my lucky day."

Jungkook placed a hand on Jimin's shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "It's okay, you can try again. But for now, let's join us and relax. You need a break."

"Yes, Appa, let's sit and eat!" Jae chimed in with excitement, his little hands clapping as he looked up at his father.

"Eat?" Jimin repeated, not expecting his son to be this enthusiastic about something so simple.

"Pancakes! Kookie Appa made strawberry pancakes. They’re sweet and tasty!" Jae said, his eyes lighting up with joy. His innocent happiness made both Jimin and Jungkook laugh, their worries momentarily fading at the sight of their son’s pure excitement over pancakes.

"Come on," Jungkook said, unknowingly grabbing Jimin’s hand and pulling him toward the picnic mat spread out under the tree. The simple contact brought a warmth that Jimin needed, yet it reminded him of the burden he felt inside. He sat down beside Jungkook, watching as Jae resumed his favorite activity—drawing with colorful crayons scattered on the mat.

Jimin’s gaze lingered on Jae, and a pang of sadness gnawed at him. His heart ached with worry and guilt. What should I do now? he thought, his mind unable to escape the constant fear of not being able to provide for his family. The failed interviews, the rejection—everything felt like it was piling up on him.

Trying to distract himself, Jimin leaned forward and asked gently, "What are you drawing, Jae?"

Jae beamed, holding up his drawing proudly. "Appa, Kookie Appa, and me!"

Jimin's heart softened as he looked at the childlike scribbles. Jae had drawn the three of them holding hands, with bright smiles on their faces. Jimin’s eyes filled with emotion. Despite everything, Jae saw happiness and love in their family. For him, that was enough.

Jaehun proudly handed the drawing to Jimin, his small fingers clutching the paper as if it were a masterpiece. Jimin looked at the picture with a soft smile, admiring the innocent scribbles.

“Wow, you’re really good at this, Jae. I must be the middle one, right?” Jimin asked with a bit of pride, thinking the figure in the middle looked the most detailed and well-drawn.

But Jaehun shook his head with a serious expression. “No, you’re on the right. The middle one is Kookie Appa, and I’m on the left.”

Jimin raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback. “Why am I not in the middle?”

Jungkook, curious and grinning, chimed in. “Yeah, why is that, Jae?”

Jaehun shrugged his little shoulders, thinking for a second. “Because... I-I don’t know. I just drew what I saw. Look, it’s the same as Jiminie Appa, right?”

Jungkook grinned wider, sensing an opportunity to lift Jimin’s spirits. He knew Jimin had been feeling down lately. Teasing time, he thought, smirking mischievously. “Yes, of course, it looks like you, chubby.”

Jimin’s face immediately scrunched up in irritation. “Kookie hyung! I’m not chubby!” He playfully swatted Jungkook’s shoulder, clearly annoyed by the teasing. It was something that always got under his skin.

“Awww, your hand is so strong,” Jungkook teased further, grabbing Jimin’s hand and pretending to examine it closely. He leaned in and playfully poked Jimin’s palm. “See, chubby!”

Jimin pouted, pulling his hand back. “Hyung...”

“I’m joking,” Jungkook said, unable to hide his laughter. He loved seeing Jimin pout—it was one of the things that made him seem so irresistibly cute, even at 21 years old. Jungkook couldn’t get enough of how Jimin could be so tough yet so adorably sensitive at the same time.

“But you know,” Jungkook added, his voice softening as he reached out to ruffle Jaehun’s hair. “That chubby hand is the same hand that raised this cute little Jae. He’s a lucky kid.”

Jae beamed, looking up at his uncle with bright eyes. “Jiminie Appa is strong! He can lift me!”

Jimin’s heart clenched at Jungkook’s words. Lucky? Was Jaehun really lucky to be raised by him? What had he really done for his nephew? Jimin struggled with doubts about his ability to provide, to be good enough. He had been feeling lost, uncertain of what he could offer Jaehun.

Jungkook, noticing the shift in Jimin’s expression, knew what was going through his mind. He squeezed Jimin’s shoulder, his voice filled with warmth. “Happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong, sorrows keep you human, failures keep you humble, and God keeps you going.” His words were directed at Jimin, meant to comfort and reassure him. Jungkook always knew just what to say when Jimin felt down.

Jungkook added softly, “Keep smiling, Jiminie. Jae is happy. Whenever he’s with me, he never stops talking about you. He loves you so much.”

Jimin tried to hold back his tears, but it was too hard. He felt a lump in his throat, and his eyes began to fill with tears.

Suddenly, Jae’s tiny hand came down and lightly hit Jungkook on the head. “Awh!” Jungkook groaned, rubbing his head in mock pain.

“Don’t make Appa cry!” Jae huffed, stomping his little feet in frustration. His protective instincts kicked in as he wrapped his small arms around Jimin, trying to comfort him. “Jae is here,” he said softly, brushing his tiny hand over Jimin’s shoulder in an attempt to stop him from crying.

Jimin chuckled through his tears, looking down at Jae’s determined little face. “Yeah, I know, my cute protector.”

Jungkook watched the scene unfold, shaking his head with a fond smile. “Gosh, you two are so much alike,” he said, rubbing the spots where both Jae and Jimin had hit him, feigning injury. “It’s like I’m dealing with two of the same person.”

But despite the teasing, Jungkook felt a deep sense of satisfaction seeing Jimin smile again, even through his tears. That’s all he ever wanted—to see Jimin happy, to remind him of how strong and loved he truly was.

“You’re shining when you smile, you know that?” Jungkook said quietly, his eyes locking with Jimin’s.

Jimin wiped his tears, his pout turning into a soft smile. “Thanks, hyung. Thank you... so much.”

For a moment, Jimin thought back to when they were just neighbors—how they’d exchange simple smiles and say good morning when they passed each other. Who would have thought that today, they would be sitting together like this, with a new bond that had formed—something that felt like more than just friendship. Something deeper, something that brought happiness.

Maybe... this was the start of something new.