"생일축하합니다.
생일축하합니다.
사랑하는 Y/n 이.
생일축하합니다."
You blow the candle on the little cupcake in your hands after you've finished singing. A drop of tear falls onto the frosting & you quickly sniff so that no more will come.
It's your birthday, but you've never felt joy on this date, because the day you were born is the same as the day you lost both of your parents.
Your life began seventeen years ago with a tragedy. Your father was rushing your heavily pregnant mother to the hospital on his old motorcycle when some irresponsible man hit them with his car & ran away.
The doctor was able to save you, but not your parents. The news all over Korea broadcasted your birth. They said that your surviving the accident was a miracle.
But after the hype died down, you were left alone & unwanted. In the end, you were sent to an orphanage because there was no family member coming to claim you.
"Papa. Mama. Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me again this year. Although you're not physically here, I know that you're singing with me in heaven, right? I'm seventeen now. Soon, I'll be an adult. Life hasn't been perfect, but I can't complain. I'll continue working hard & make you proud. I love you papa. I love you mama."
You glide your fingers over the glass cabinet that holds both of your parents' pictures & step away.
Huh.. Another year has passed.
You sigh deeply & put on your earphones.
Just then, somebody bumps your shoulder.

Jimin POV
"죄송합니다 (sorry)." I say to the girl I bumped into.
She looks at me with her big deep-set eyes & I can't help but stare, because those are the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
A foreigner. Maybe she doesn't understand Hangul.
"I'm sorry for bumping into you." I say again in English.
She doesn't say anything back & turn around to walk away.
"Hey, you forgot your package!" I grab the tiny box on the floor & call out to her, but she's exited the columbarium.
"Huh.. what do I do with this then?" I turn the box around in my hands & a waft of sweet smell hits my nose.
"Cake?" I open the box & see a cupcake with a red candle stuck on top of it.
Today's her birthday?
I look to my right at the cabinet & find pictures of a man & a woman who look similar to her. Then, I see the date of their passing.
Oh no.
I turn my face towards the exit, searching for her shadow, but she was long gone.
I place the box carefully on the floor in front of the cabinet, nod at the two pictures in it, & walk to the room next door.
My eyes light up as soon as I see the picture I'm looking for.
"엄마, 전 왔어요 (eomma, I've come)."