Chapter Text
Seokjin was expecting his usual afternoon routine to welcome him when he got to the park that day. If anything, he was looking forward to the usual empty park, just the old lady sitting on the wooden bench who is always waiting for the sun to set or the male vendor who always offer him a bottle of cold water for free and the bunch of kids running on the adjacent playground.
He was jogging for thirty minutes when he decided to stop on the grassy side of the park. The soil and grass were sift beneath his tired body as he lay down and closed his eyes, catching his breath, pondering of all the years that he had spent here in US.
Seokjin graduated at Stanford Graduate School of Business in California. It wasn’t an easy road for him at first. The different culture almost made him gave up and went back to Korea but he promised Mr. Kim that he will finish his Masters with flying colors.
Seokjin was so grateful that he met some fellow Korean in the campus with the same age range as his, so he didn’t feel isolated. Kim Namjoon, an Economics major, whom he first met at the library, became his best friend. Bae Joo-hyun, the daughter of a chaebol in Korea, who eventually belongs to their circle when they heard her crying behind the school gymnasium for being out casted by some American girls. They were tagged as the “Korean triad” in Stanford and even though, they hated the stigma, they just ignore them and continue to study peacefully in the university.
Namjoon and Joo-hyun were surprised that when they graduated in college, he told them that he will continue his Master’s program in Stanford for another two years. But still they supported him and Namjoon even enrolled with him and decided to take his Master’s degree too. Joo-hyun decided to pursue her modeling career despite her father’s resentment and she is slowly getting recognized as “Irene”.
Their friendship flourished and no one can separate the three of them.
Seokjin sighs. Six years in a foreign country flew just like that. But he is grateful that everything is done according to his plans.
All of his tasks are finished now. He already gave the necessary documents to the university administrator and everything that isn’t accomplished can be done through emails and online transactions.
His thoughts were being disrupted when he heard his phone ringing thru his airpods.
“Hello?” Seokjin answered the call and decided to trail back to his car.
“How are you my son?” the old man from the other line sounds excited upon hearing his voice.
“I’m perfectly fine. Once I had completed my tasks here, I will go back to Korea.” Seokjin entered his car but he didn’t start it yet.
“I know I had been so mean to you when I sent you there to study but God knows how much I wanted to protect you and this is the most beneficial for you. You don’t know how much I am so proud of you son.” His voice cracks and Seokjin tried to hold back his own tears.
“I know Mr. Kim. All of this would not be possible if you didn’t help me. I owe this all to you.” Seokjin wipes his cheek as a single tear drops from his eye.
“I told you to call me Appa. You are my son right? Maybe you need to go back here so that I can force you to address me as your father.” Mr. Kim chuckled and he knew that he wasn’t kidding.
“Just give me a week to fix my things.” Seokjin smiles and he starts the car.
“Okay. Take care son and call me soon as you get your plane ticket.” Mr. Kim ended the call and another caller was waiting on the line to speak with him.
“Hello, Gavin, where are you?” the woman is screaming behind the line. Seokjin heard a loud music and banging of a metal and something’s boiling in the background.
“I went for a jog and don’t tell me you are cooking Joo-hyun-ah?” Seokjin laughs as he imagines the disaster in her kitchen.
“When will you ever learn? It’s Irene. I-r-e-n-e. Irene.” The girl sounds irritated.
“Okay Irene. Just stop calling me Gavin, okay? Why are you calling me?” Seokjin asks her even though he already knew her answer.
“Do I really need a reason to call my best friend?” Joo-hyun said and Seokjin heard her fake sobs.
“Cmon, spill it.” Seokjin is already in the basement parking of his apartment, the same apartment building where Namjoon and Joo-hyun live.
“I saw this new dish in the internet and it looks nice so I tried it but..” Joo-hyun stops and she sighs. Seokjin heard a click. Joo-hyun turned off the stove.
“Okay. I knew it. Just give me 15 minutes and I’ll go to your apartment. Don’t do anything ridiculous. Just wait for me.” Seokjin ended the call.
Seokjin went for a quick shower and go straight to Joo-hyun’s apartment. He pressed the door bell and in just a few seconds, she opened the door and hugs him.
“You’re an angel Oppa.” Joo-hyun drags him inside her apartment.
“What the h..” Seokjin stops mid-sentence when he saw Namjoon holding a wine and Joo-hyun gets the cake from the table.
“Happy birthday!” Namjoon greets him and welcomes him with a hug.
“I thought you forget my birthday.” Seokjin taps his shoulder.
“Make a wish and blow your candles.” Joo-hyun said as she brings the cake near Seokjin.
Seokjin closes his eyes and an image pops in his mind.
“I want to see you soon.”
Seokjin smiles and opens his eyes then blows the candles.
“Let’s eat. Irene cooked for you.” Namjoon smiles and Seokjin knew what it means.
“Really? Our Joo-hyun cooked? Are these even edible?” Seokjin saw the food on the table.
“I told you, it’s Irene! Aren’t you thanking me for preparing this for you?” Joo-hyun threw the apron on Seokjin in which he dodged and laughed hysterically. They really love to piss her off.
They are having their dinner while catching up with their own private lives when Seokjin suddenly lays his chopsticks on his plate.
“I’m going back to Korea.” Seokjin said which made Joo-Hyun cough and Namjoon rubs her back and laughs.
“I thought you will stay here for good.” Namjoon smiled but he can’t hide the sadness in his voice.
“I already finished what I need to do here and I think I need to go back home.” Seokjin answered and they were surprised when they hear Joo-Hyun crying.
“So this isn’t family for you, Seokjin-ah?” Joo-hyun managed to say in between her cute little sobs. Seokjin stands up from his chair and hugs her.
“You know you two are my only family for the past six years and I’m grateful that you are always there for me. But I think I need to go back to Korea. You know that I need to fix many things.” Seokjin explained.
“It’s hard because we are inseparable but yes, we know you have many responsibilities to fulfill in Korea. And bro, you can always go back here when things got rough back home.” Namjoon tapped his shoulder.
“So, I think this still calls for a celebration right? Your birthday and a mini farewell party.” Joo-hyun wipes her tears and picks up her glass. Namjoon and Seokjin got the clue and get their glasses too.
“To our dear Seokjin, more birthdays to come and we wish you good health and a good luck to your new endeavors! Cheers!” Namjoon raised his glass and they clinked their glasses and drink the tequila.
“So when is your flight?” Namjoon asked him.
“Tomorrow 6pm” Seokjin answered casually and Namjoon held his arms while Joo-hyun prepared her tiny fists to throw a punch on his stomach.
“So you are leaving tomorrow and you just have the guts to say it today? I really hate you. Namjoon-ah, hold him tight. I need to knock out his senses.” Joo-hyun aimed at his abdomen while Seokjin was laughing and struggling to free himself.
“I’m sorry guys. Honestly, I don’t know how to tell it to you but I will definitely say my goodbyes.” Seokjin said and the two hugged him and that’s when his tears fall. Seokjin is very blessed to have Namjoon and Joo-Hyun as his bestfriends.
“I hope next year, somebody will call me Uncle Seokjinnie, okay? I trust you guys.” Seokjin tries to break the ice and teased the two. He noticed that Namjoon and Joo-hyun suddenly became quiet and blushed.
“Let’s finish this and I think Seokjin needs to prepare for his flight tomorrow.” Namjoon mumbled and scratched his head.” Namjoon tried to distract them but Seokjin understands everything.
“To Seokjin!” Joo-hyun said to start off the toast. She raised her glass and the two raised their glasses too.
“To Seokjin!”
***
The butterflies flare up in Seokjin’s stomach again. He can feel his palms grow sweaty. He is nervous and excited at the same time. After the struggles of living abroad, finally he’s home. And he can’t wait to see the only reason why he strived hard and tried to survive.
“See you in a bit, Taehyung-ah.”