Boss With Love (Kim Taehyung)
FIFTEEN

“Thank you, Oppa. Today you kept your promise.” Yoo Ra opened the conversation as soon as Seokjin's car stopped in front of the house.

“Wait a minute, your words sound like I've never kept my word all this time.”

“Oh, you just realized? Sorry good-looking Doctor Kim Seokjin, but that's reality.” Yoo Ra replied to Seokjin's crisp laughter.

“OK, okay. Ii'm sorry. After this I will often ask you to go on a date.”

“You're making a new appointment again?”

Seokjin laughed again. His right hand rubbed the top of Yoo Ra's head fondly. “Alright, forget. I won't promise much from now on.”

Instead of being happy, Yoo Ra scowled, his mouth was open ready to protest, but Seokjin already added. “Tomorrow afternoon I'll pick up at Joymart. I'll take you straight to KBC's office after that. You'll be live after you get home part time at Joymart right?”

“Oh? I-iya.”

“What's up? Why is your reaction so?”

“It's okay. I'm just surprised Oppa still memorizes my work schedule.”

“Ohooo.... So now you're being touched, Miss Jeon? That was just a little attention. I still have a bigger one.”

“Oh yes?”

Seokjin took something from the dashboard drawer and held it out to Yoo Ra. “For you.”

Yoo Ra was surprised. Now in his hand was the same bread that Hoseok had given to Jungkook yesterday. It's just that this one doesn't taste banana, it's strawberry. Yoo Ra's favorite taste.

“Kamarin Hoseok gives one to Jungkook. So I gave it to you so you wouldn't envy.”

“A-What?!”

“Hahaha... No, I was just kidding. I have prepared it especially for you.”

“Why?”

“Jungkook got it from Hoseok for successfully interning in a good company, right? Jungkook is an adult and his dreams are gradually being achieved. I'm so grateful for that. And as for the bread you hold now, I give it to you because you are her brother. Every success Jungkook achieved must have been your intervention, even if it was only a prayer or encouragement, but you were always by his side. To me, your role is amazing. You two are amazing. You've been working hard all this time. You're Jeon Yoo Ra's good brother. I'm lucky to be in the middle of you two.”

As if at a loss for words, Yoo Ra simply remained silent looking at Seokjin who was now turning serious. No more silly faces or crisp jokes that often appear at inappropriate times. The seokjin that looks now is completely different. The long sentence Seokjin said was a form of gratitude, but the visible expression was precisely... I don't know. Although only for a moment, Yoo Ra saw there was sadness on the handsome face of his fiancee. Maybe Seokjin is sad because he remembers the struggle of Yoo Ra and Jungkook while still in difficult times. Or is... Any other reason?

“Already night. Login.”

There is no rebuttal. Although Yoo Ra still felt something was stuck in his heart, he still stepped out when Seokjin opened the car door for him. If not now, Seokjin would have told her about it someday. There was never a secret between them. How thought.

“Yoo Ra.” Seokjin's voice came back when Yoo Ra's hand touched the fence. The man approached, then crouched down in front of Yoo Ra. His hand grabbed Yoo Ra's loose shoelace, then tightly tied it back together. Yoo Ra was not surprised at all because things like this have happened so often.

“You always worry about others, but never worry about yourself.” Seokjin said commenting on Yoo Ra's habit of ignoring his loose shoelaces.

“You can pay attention to the people around you as much as you want. But before, try to pay attention and love yourself first.” Seokjin said as soon as he stood up to face Yoo Ra. “And I will never get tired of reminding you of this. Understand?”

Yoo Ra nodded. Letting Seokjin kiss the tip of her head then step back while waving her hand.

“Goodnight Oppa.”

“Goodnight. May the dream be beautiful.”

“Oppa also.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Iya. See you tomorrow.”

That was the last sentence Yoo Ra said before leaving Seokjin who was still standing in front of the fence. Seokjin always did. The man would not leave before making sure Yoo Ra entered the house safely. It sounds like an exaggeration, but Yoo Ra likes it. He thinks it's sweet. Especially if a man as handsome as Seokjin did it.

Ahhhhh. Yoo Ra already misses that guy now. If he had the opportunity to ask for a request that would surely be granted, he would pray that Seokjin would propose to him immediately. She wants to be Kim's mistress soon. If that happens, then his happiness will be complete. Dan—

“Noona is home?”

“Yes Lord!” Yoo Ra tiptoed in shock as his sister's voice instantly sounded as soon as he entered the living room. Buyar had all his fantasies about marriage because Jungkook surprised him. And what else is this? Why is Jungkook sitting there alone without lighting? Is that boy in a ascetic?

“What are you doing there?” yoo Ra asked as he turned on the lights, placed his bag on the carpet, and sat himself next to Jungkook.

“It looks like Noona dating went smoothly.”

“How do you know?”

“Write there.” Jungkook replied while pointing at his brother's forehead. “What are you doing today?”

“Why ask? Is it not written here?” Yoo Ra asked, pointing at his own forehead.

“Where is possible? Noona's forehead won't fit to write anything you're working on today.”

“Do not like to be curious about adult affairs.”

“I'm also an adult by the way. But yeah, the important thing is that Noona looks very happy today. So I'll pretend I don't know.”

Yoo Ra just chuckled. He then entered the room and came out again with a packet of torn bread in his hand. As soon as he sat back down, he immediately put the bread on his sister's lap. “For you.”

As expected, Jungkook's expression was almost the same as Yoo Ra when he received the bread yesterday. “From Hoseok Oppa's. He left it for you yesterday. He said it was a gift for one of your ideals that you could achieve. Sorry I just gave you now.”

Jungkook was silent. He looked at the bread with mixed feelings. He still remembers, when he was in school Hoseok once gave him that bread also when he won the archery race. Seokjin is like that. The man also always gave him the same bread every time he could get ranked one in his class.

“You moved?”

Jungkook nodded. He played a banana bread in his hand. “Should I split two? But this bread tastes banana.”

“Not necessary. I got the strawberry ones. Seokjin Oppa gave it to him. He said I took good care of you. So he also gave me one.”

“Yes God... So the two of them still remembered that promise?” Jungkook asked while laughing.

“Yes. Promise that each of us will achieve one success, then there must be this bread to celebrate.”

“That's a promise we both, by the way.”

“But we made that promise in front of them. Don't forget they grew up with us, Jungkook. So they can't possibly forget it.”

“It was a long time ago. But they still remember it.”

“How can I forget that it was very memorable?! They must remember that there used to be a small and thin boy willing to become a porters in the fish market in order to buy this bread.” Yoo Ra said in a very clear satirical tone.

“Oh yes? But the skinny boy did it just so he could give the bread to his stupid older sister.” Jungkook won't lose.

“What did you say?”

“Why? That is reality. The stupid brother always pretended to be full to give his rations to his skinny sister. And because of his stupidity, he had to be hospitalized for malnutrition. Please underline. Ku-rang-an gi-zi!”

Really, Yoo Ra really wanted to hit Jungkook, but somehow he even laughed himself considering he had experienced malnutrition when he was a teenager. But what makes the story not that, Yoo Ra chose to run away from the hospital because he knew Seokjin would sacrifice his college money to be able to pay the hospital bills for him. Because of this ridiculous incident, Jungkook and Yoo Ra hugged each other and cried last night at Hoseok's tree house. That's where the promise of —saling support through baki— was made, in front of Hoseok and Seokjin.

“Noona.”

“Hm?”

A few moments quiet. Even Jungkook who intends to say something so silenced again. The young man wanted to put a frown on his heart, but was too afraid to start. He was afraid of speaking wrongly. He was afraid of making the mood worse. He is afraid to reopen old memories that could make him and his brother again hurt. But keeping him alone for years makes Jungkook can't stand it anymore. He wanted to tell Yoo Ra but—

“Jungkook... What are you thinking?”

“No.”

“Do we think the same?”

Jungkook looked at Yoo Ra. It seemed that her brother knew what was seizing his mind. Or maybe they've been thinking the same thing since?

“Ingin sharing with me?”

Jungkook did not comment. He looked back at the bread in his hand while rubbing the wrapping plastic plan. Slowly the two sweets began to heat up. He raised his head to prevent clear liquid from escaping from his eyes. “What exactly did Hoseok Hyeong think when he left this bread for me?” Jungkook muttered with a bitter smile on his lips.

“Why? She made you want to cry? Basic cengeng.”

“Woah. Look who's talking about this. I'm sure Noona has even cried as much behind me.”

“I too. But indeed age can be a benchmark to determine who can and should not cry?”

“So you admit it? You want to cry, right?”

Jungkook did not answer. He looked back at the medium-sized bread still wrapped in plastic in his hand. Then without realizing it a drop of water fell on the bread wrapper he held. Her tears could no longer be compromised.

“Sial.” Jungkook swore a little while wiping the rough corners of his wet eyes.

It's been enough to tease Jungkook. Yoo Ra finally smiled, pulling Jungkook closer to her. Giving time for the young man evaporated the emotions and sadness he had harbored for some time. Although the consequences Yoo Ra had to let his shoulders get wet by the tears of his sister.

Doesn't matter. Yoo Ra did not mind at all. It even tightened his embrace. Next to his hand gently rubbed Jungkook's head, while the other hand was busy patting softly on the back of the young man who was several years younger than him while continuing to whisper such sentences; "It's okay. I'm here with you."

In no more than ten minutes, Jungkook had started to look calm. His back is no longer shaking. Also, his shoulders no longer went up and down indicating that the boy's noiseless cry had subsided.

“You miss Eomma so much?” yoo Ra asked as soon as Jungkook withdrew from his embrace.

“Maybe no greater than Noona's longing for her.”

“It looks like I should thank Hoseok Oppa again. Because of that bread you're being very honest with how you feel right now. I know you've been holding her for a long time. You always remember it all this time. You just pretend you've forgotten.”

“How about Noona? I'm sure that those memories are even more strongly embedded in Noona's memory. But why am I the only one crying here?”

“I don't want to cry. Maybe you're right, I've had too many manic behind you. So now I don't want to do it again.”

“Lofer.”

“I'm serious.”

“Long.”

“Jung—“

“Why have I never seen Noona cry again? Noona harbors all problems alone again?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“Because there's nothing to cry about, Jung. I'm so happy now. Life's perfect. So why should I cry?”

“Noona is not hiding something from me right?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“You don't trust me?”

Jungkook then fell silent. He placed his head on the back of the chair while looking up, looking at the clear-looking sky above his head. Trying to think of the right sentence for him to convey to Yoo Ra.

“Noona, why do you think Eomma left this bread for us before he left?”

That it? Is that what's been bothering Jungkook's mind? A boy must be very close to his mother. So does Jeon Jungkook. The young man must have been devastated by the mother's departure. He was a little boy who used to cry bitterly beside the corpse of the mother who left by leaving only a packet of torn bread with banana for him. And this is what he thought?

“Entahlah. Maybe so we don't starve.” Yoo Ra replied while wiping away the remaining tears on Jungkook's cheek with the back of his hand.

“Then he should have left us his factory alone.”

“Do you think Eomma is that rich? You also know that he has to work hard to support us. Eomma is a mother who loves her two children very much. Eomma still thinks about the state of our stomachs before he leaves."

“About what Eomma can see what we're doing now? Is he happy to see our lives are so much better?”

“Entahlah. That's been my question lately, too. But maybe, if Eomma is still alive, he will be very proud of us.”

“Kneut Noona so?”

“Ya.”

“Thank God. I'm glad to hear it.”

Same. Yoo Ra is also happy to see her Jungkook now starting to smile again. Yoo Ra was relieved, he slowly followed Jungkook laying his head onto the back of the chair. Now they are looking at the same ceiling. “But I'm sure of one thing, Jung.”

“What?”

“Eomma must be so embarrassed to have such a whiny adult boy like you.”

Jungkook did not deny it. He laughed like Yoo Ra. She is grateful to have heart-to-heart talk time with her sister. At least the load is slightly reduced. He believes he will sleep well tonight.

“Nona, thank you.”

“Hm. You welcome. I'm also relieved.”

They fell silent again. Soon, Yoo Ra returned to voice. “You've eaten, Jung?”

“What kind of brother has been tonight just asking his sister has dinner or not?”

“Sorry but I'm just pleasantries. I know you've been eating. Jimin sent me a message earlier.”

“Jimin Hyeong? He really sent you a message?”

“Ya.”

“Ahhh I so remember something.” Jungkook straightened his back to face Yoo Ra. “You know, Noona? Today, once again, Jimin Hyeong went straight home and did not come to dinner together.”

“I know. I told you he sent me a message earlier.”

“Isn't that a little weird? He's always excited about every dinner in our house. But tonight is not.”

“White why? It could be that Jimin-ssi has other affairs that need to be resolved soon.”

“Is that?” Jungkook seemed to think. “Noona, may I ask you something? But... It's a little sensitive.”

“Say.”

“What... Gay couples also fight like other normal couples?” ask Jungkook in a slight whisper.

“Hei. Why ask such a thing anyway?!”

“Jawab only, Noona. I'm curious. What way do they fight the same as couples in general?”

“Where do I know, you fool!” Yoo Ra straightened his back, approaching Jungkook's ear to whisper. “What is this about the two of them?” yoo Ra asked as he pointed at the guest room with his chin.

“Iya.”

“What happened?”

“So after work I saw Tae Hyeong in the back garden.”

“He's going there? What's he doing?”

“Nothing. He just sat alone and daydreamed. Looks like he has a problem. And when I told you that Jimin Hyeong didn't come by, he just looked normal. He said Jimin Hyeong was avoiding him. I'm sure they're both fighting. So I tried to comfort him. We talk a lot about the past. And Noona, there's one thing I think is weird.”

“What?”

“Tae Hyung was very enthusiastic as I told her about our past. But as soon as I talked about Noona and Seokjin Hyeong, she looked sad. He was even very shocked when he heard that your relationship had been around for ten years. And if you remember again, at breakfast yesterday, Tae Hyeong was also very surprised when he heard Noona was going on a date, right?”

“Iya. Then?”

“Then what else? Noona time can not guess?”

“M-Thank what?”

“Tae Hyung, it looks like he..”.

To be continued...