Jungkook looked towards the direction of the bathroom, wondering what was taking Y/N so long to come out. Just as he was about to take Joon Min to go look for her, Y/N appeared and came back to the table. Jungkook flashed her a smile, looking at her worriedly.

"Y/N, are you okay?"

"I'm okay." Y/N smiled back, picking Joon Min up from his seat. "Let's go." Jungkook nodded, getting up and following along. Y/N didn't want to stay in case Joon Min see Seulgi.

Jeon Jungkook's return was originally to check on Joon Min. Seeing that his condition had improved greatly since the last time he saw him, he felt relieved as he needed to rush back overseas again.

Ever since Joon Min was a baby, he had been really close to Jungkook as he was the only older male figure in his life. "Mom, I want to send Uncle to the airport too.. Can't I come?" Joon Min pouted, looking up at Y/N with his big puppy eyes.

Y/N sighed. At first she didn't want to take him into the airport as it's crowded and busy, and she didn't want Joon Min to be exposed to any danger, but she couldn't deny him when he looked at her this way either. Joon Min was stubborn, pulling on Y/N's sleeve and begging her to let him go. Jungkook watched the mother and son duo, an amused smile on his face.

In the end, Y/N had no choice but to bring the little boy along with her. Joon Min smiled happily, running to Jungkook as he lifted him into his arms. "Thank you mommy!" he beamed. Y/N smiled defeatedly at Jungkook, who had the boy in one arm, pulling his luggage in the other. Jungkook shrugged, smiling back.

When it was time for Jungkook to check in, Joon Min hugged his neck tightly, not wanting to let go. The small boy was broken hearted that he had to be separated from his favorite uncle so soon. "Uncle Kookie, you will be back to visit me soon right?" He looked up at Jungkook, pouting cutely.

"I will be back soon." Jungkook stroked his little head, holding up his pinky. "Pinky promise." Joon Min wrapped his small pinky finger around Jungkook's. "I will bring presents for you next time alright?" Joon Min nodded happily and planted a small kiss on Jungkook's cheek.

"Thank you, Uncle Kookie." Joon Min beamed, giving him a toothy smile.

At that moment, Krystal ran up towards them, breathing heavily. "Made it." she heaved, putting her hands on her knees, catching her breath. Jungkook and Y/N laughed at her condition.

"You made it on time for once." Jungkook teased. Krystal glared at him before pulling him in for a quick hug. "I wouldn't miss sending you off for the world." Krystal joked before lightly slapping him on the arm. "Hi Joonie!" Krystal waved at her small boy still hugging Jungkook's neck. Joon Min waved back, smiling.

Jungkook laughed before turning to Y/N. "Y/N, can we talk? I have something to say to you."

Krystal lifted Joon Min from Jungkook's arms. "Come to Auntie Krystal." Joon Min nodded, letting her carry him. "Go, I will take care of Joonie."

Y/N nodded and followed Jungkook just a few meters away from Krystal. "Kookie, what's the matter?"

Jungkook rustled through his bag, pulling out a box before passing it to her. It was a simple box with a pretty white ribbon tied around it. She had noticed Jungkook put it in his bag earlier, but she didn't expect that it would be for her.

"This is...?" Y/N replied, inspecting the box.

"It's for you." Jungkook smiled. As Y/N was about to open the box, he stopped her, shaking his head. "This is your birthday gift, although it had already passed by a few weeks ago, I hope it's not too late. Open it when you are home."

Y/N smiled sweetly. "Okay, thank you Kookie." Turning away, she put the box into her bag.

'Foolish girl, you don't know what your smile does to me.' Jungkook thought to himself. Smiling sadly, he lifted his hand to stroke Y/N's hair gently like he always did. "Y/N." He called her gently.

"Yeah?" she replied, turning her attention back to Jungkook.

Y/N looked into Jungkook's eyes silently, but he didn't say anything. She felt that Jungkook was acting weird today; he seemed like he had something to say but he didn't know how to say it.

"Jungkook, if you have something to say, just say it."

Jungkook swallowed nervously. "How is your relationship with Park Jimin recently?"

Y/N blinked. Krystal knew all about her relationship with Jimin, so she assumed that she would have already told Jungkook everything. She tilted her head to the side slightly, feeling confused.

"Still the same as always." She shrugged nonchalantly.

"Are you still waiting for Joonie to recover before you divorce him?"

Y/N smiled reassuringly, seeing Jungkook's worried expression. "Kookie, you don't need to worry about me and Joonie... Our problem.."

Jungkook shook his head, cutting Y/N off. "Actually this time my mom is rushing me to go to America because she wants me to meet someone."

Looking at Y/N's face, he watched her expression closely, wanting to know how she'd react.

"Who?" Y/N asked.

"Do you remember Nancy?" Jungkook bit his lip nervously.

Y/N nodded, she had met her once before. "The one that is studying in America?"

Jungkook nodded. "My Ma says I am not young anymore. She wants me to get married as soon as possible." He paused. "Y/N, what do you think?" he asked nervously.

Y/N stayed quiet for a bit, slightly startled. Honestly, Y/N was not a clueless or dense woman. How could she not notice Jungkook's intention of saying this to her?

Y/N thought for a bit over the best way to respond. "Nancy is a good one, she has the talent and beauty. I feel you both will be compatible for each other. You guys need to get married quickly and have a kid. Auntie will be happy." She nodded in approval.

Jungkook laughed bitterly, his heart hurting over her response. "Y/N...."

"It is almost time, you should go now." Y/N cut him off before he could say any more, flashing him a smile as if nothing happened. She didn't want this to become more complicated, and she didn't want her friendship with Jungkook to become more awkward. Jungkook sighed, letting her push him playfully towards the departing gate.

He knew from the start that Y/N would have that kind of reaction, but hearing it come directly from her still wasn't easy.

After exchanging goodbyes and hugs, Jungkook left for his gate. Y/N exhaled in relief, watching his back as he disappeared from view. She turned to Krystal and Joon Min, and they returned back to the carpark.

On the way home, Krystal drove the car while Y/N sat in the front. Joon Min was sleeping peacefully in his child's seat in the back.

"What did Kookie want to talk to you about?" Krystal asked. Y/N pulled out the box Kookie her.

"A gift? What is it for?"

"My birthday present from Kookie." Y/N replied, fiddling with the box.

Krystal went silent for a moment. "Actually, Y/N, I know you are very smart. You know how Jungkook feels about you right?"

"Krystal..." Y/N sighed. "Can we not talk about this?" She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Krystal shrugged, feeling somewhat helpless. "Look at you, every time I mention Jungkook you always have the same response." She shook her head disapprovingly. "Anyway you'll get divorced with Jimin soon... So, why can't you get together with Kookie...."

Y/N shook her head. "Kookie is like a brother to me... He's family...."

"Seriously Y/N, in Kookie's heart, I doubt he had ever regarded you as his sister. If your father didn't force you to marry Jimin, I bet your husband now would be Jungkook. You would both be happier.. and you wouldn't have to endure all this wrongful treatment."

"Alright, don't talk about this anymore...." Y/N felt dizzy; she looked back at Joon Min to make sure he was still sleeping. It would have been troubling if he heard the conversation. Leaning back on her seat, she closed her eyes. This wasn't something she wanted to think about. Y/N already had plenty to deal with on her plate.

------

After putting Joon Min in his bed, Y/N returned to her room. She picked up the box that Jungkook had given her, wondering if she should open it now.
She pulled the ribbon and opened the box.
There was a photo inside.

It was a photo of Y/N from when she was younger. Y/N picked it up, inspecting it.

Y/N had known Jungkook since she was ten, but she didn't know how he could have this photo of her.

It was a photo of her practicing piano. Back then, she thought she was really stupid because she could never achieve the standard of playing that Shin Ji wanted. Because of this, she always practiced in her spare time; but in the end Shin Ji was never really satisfied.

Y/N suddenly thought of the first birthday she spent with Jungkook. It was her eleventh birthday, and she was practicing piano in the room. Jungkook was wearing a white shirt and khaki shorts. He had tapped on her window while she was practicing, smiling at her. She remembered that his smile was so warm that it could probably melt snow. That day he gave her a slice of cake and said. "Happy birthday."

Before that, nobody had ever said happy birthday to her. Her parents didn't celebrate her birthday, so every year, she wished herself a happy birthday instead.

This photo was probably taken secretly by Jungkook. It was placed in a beautiful photo frame. She noticed an engraving on the lower right of the frame.
It was the date of her birthday.

Y/N smiled, running her finger over the engraving. Her heart felt incredibly warm, and she couldn't help but feel touched.

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