BTS HYYH Notes (Book 1, 2, BUS Game) // COMPLETE [Part 2]

2022, May 8 - Hoseok (Dongjin, Bridge & Eommeoni)

[Places: Burger joint, bridge, amusement park]

Dongjin visits me at the restaurant like he promised when I saw him at the bar.

"Hoseok-ah, do you have some time to spare?"

I walk out of the restaurant with Dongjin, who looks somewhat somber.

"What's wrong?"

"Um... Do you think I can get a job here?"

"A job? Why so suddenly?"

"I need money."

Dongjin had managed to get in contact with his family and moved out of Songju to live with his abeoji. I can't understand why he sounds so disappointed when he's supposed to be living happily.

"How much do you need? What happened to your self-reliance support fund? Are you alright? Is something wrong?"

Dongjin is silent for a while before finally answering my question. "My self-reliance support fund... I gave it to my abeoji because he said we needed a house if we were going to live together. But Hoseok-ah, I haven't heard of him since."

"What?" The unexpected answer silence me.

"I think my expectations were too high. They abandoned me once. Why wouldn't they abandoned me a second time? I wish I hadn't met them."

Dongjin's voice wavers. Today just happens to be Parent's Day, too. People - families - pass us by.

"Ya. Your abeoji would be disappointed if he overheard this. I'm sure he's busy. I'm sure it's because he's too busy looking for houses. Don't worry, I'm sure he'll contact you soon. I'll look into a job for you."

"Yeah, thanks."

Dongjin thank me multiple times before he leave.

(A/N: Nighttime)

After work, I start walking. I end up back here again. Even if there were no trains to be seen, I often lean on the railings and watch the river flow. My mind is empty during those moments that I feel at ease.

"Phew..." But not even the calm waters can still my thoughts today.

Lots of kids back at children's home want to be reunited with their parents. Jihun, who saw the rocket here, and even Dongjin, who's already left, and of course, me.

To be honest, I was envious that he had been able to get in touch with a parent... Even one who let him down. But I couldn't say that he was so upset.

"Eomma..."

(A/N: The happenings below was when he was 7. But the detailed throwback was from July 23, Year 10. 1-2 years after he was abandoned in Year 8-7, the not mentioned years.)

I close my eyes and the memories of that day fill in. Eommeoni comes to a stop in front of the carousel. Her face is shaded due to the angle of the sun and her hair moves in the slight breeze.

"Hoseok-ah, close your eyes and count to ten before you open them."

One, two, three...

Four, five, six...

Seven, eight, nine...