RED STRING REWRITTEN

28

THAILAND – Next Morning

The sun had just begun to rise, spilling golden light into the quiet apartment. The air smelled faintly of toast and coffee. Tae and Fourth woke early, still adjusting to the new environment but strangely comforted by the warmth around them. Jimin and Suga were already preparing breakfast, moving around the kitchen like an old routine. Soon, all four of them sat together at the dining table. Plates clinked softly, but no one spoke.

The silence grew heavier with each passing second until Jimin finally cleared his throat, deciding to break it.

Jimin (smiling softly): “Taetae… you remember Jin hyung, right?”

Taehyung (looking up, surprised but with a fond smile): “Of course! How can I ever forget him? You, me, and Jin hyung—we were childhood best friends. We used to spend every day together.”

Jimin: “He’s actually here too. He lives with us.”

Taehyung (blinking, startled): “What? You all live together? How come I didn’t know this, Jimina? You never told me!”

Jimin (laughing nervously): “They shifted here only a few days ago. Everything happened so quickly, I didn’t get a chance to tell you.”

Fourth, who had been quietly eating, finally spoke up.

Fourth: “So… where are they right now?”

Jimin: “Ah, they went out this morning for a business meeting. But they should be back soon. Honestly, I thought they’d be here by now.”

Right on cue, the doorbell rang.

Suga (standing with a grin): “That must be Namjoon hyung and Jin hyung.”

He hurried to open the door. The moment the door swung open, Jin and Namjoon stepped inside, carrying the cool breeze with them. But both froze immediately at the sight before them—Taehyung and Fourth sitting at the table. Their eyes widened in shock.

Jin (dropping his bag instantly, voice trembling with joy): “My baby Taetae… you’re here? How? When did you come? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Taehyung stood quickly, rushing into Jin’s arms.

Taehyung (teary-eyed): “Jin hyung! I missed you so much. How are you? Everything okay with you?”

Jin:- I am totally fine tell me about you taetae you suddenly here?

Jin (cupping fourth’s face, emotional): “And look at you… you’ve grown so much. Last time I saw you, you were so small. And now…”

Fourth stood politely and bowed a little.

Fourth: “Nice to meet you, Jin hyung, Namjoon hyung.”

Namjoon folded his arms, pretending to pout.

Namjoon: “Hmm… maybe Taetae forgot about his Namjoon hyung. It’s fine. After all, I can’t compete with his ‘best friend.’”

Taehyung (running to hug him quickly, laughing through tears): “Ohhh, my Namjoon hyung, don’t be angry! I could never forget you. Na sorry, okay?”

Namjoon finally chuckled, hugging him tightly.

They all gathered at the table again, this time with warm laughter easing the tension. Jimin slowly explained everything to Jin and Namjoon—about Tae and Fourth’s struggles, their painful past, the reasons they were here.

Jin’s eyes softened as he listened, his hand never leaving Tae’s shoulder.

Jin: “Oh, my baby Taetae and fot… you suffered so much. But don’t worry anymore. We’re here now. From today onwards, we’re going to live like a happy family. No sadness, no pain. Only love, only comfort.”