✔️ Unconditionally [Book 2] | Jeon Jungkook

• 56 •

——  ∞  ——

Hyun-Ji?"

Breathing was a near impossibility. The man that she'd only seen in her distant, fading memories, the man she thought she'd never see again was standing in front of her. He was alive. Hyun-Ji stared immobilized, a myriad of emotions fighting for dominance, all of them flitting across her face before finally settling on one:

Happiness.

Her head just barely nodded. "It's me," she whispered, her voice unable to deliver more.

Seokjin turned toward her fully, his brow drawn together. The kindest eyes she remembered even after all these years shimmered with as much disbelief as she felt. A small step was taken toward her, and then another. His arms opened in welcome and Hyun-Ji, no longer a 20-year-old woman but again an 8-year-old girl, ran to him just as she'd done countless times before, her arms spreading straight out like aircraft wings.

She crashed into him, burying her face into his chest and sobbing, releasing the anguish that had laid dormant inside her for so long. He held her just as fiercely as if she'd disappear if he loosened his grip by even a fraction, his body enveloping her in security, his cheek pressing against her head. The rest of the world faded away and the only things her senses perceived were the strength of his embrace and the frantic beating of his heart.

And with his mere presence, the missing piece in her life had finally fallen into place.

He then held her at arm's length, surveying the drastic change in her appearance, his eyes red-rimmed with emotion. "My little Koi is so big now," he said in awe, a mixture of happiness and tears thinning his voice.

Hyun-Ji laughed tearfully. "I'm twenty now."

"I know," he nodded, studying her face.

"You're related to our Hyun-Ji?" Haneul asked.

"I am," Seokjin said, his eyes never leaving Hyun-Ji.

"This is my Uncle Yang," Hyun-Ji smiled through the tears that still overflowed.

"We've been separated for years," Seokjin explained. "How did you find me? How did you know I would be here?"

"I didn't. I live here."

His brow lifted at the news, and he turned to Haneul and Jungseok who nodded in confirmation.

"Hyun-Ji has been with us for a year now," Jungseok said.

"Then I owe you a great debt for taking care of her," Seokjin said. "Thank you."

"She takes care of us, too," Haneul smiled. "Hyun-Ji is a joy to have with us."

Hyun-Ji's heart warmed even more at Haneul's sentiment, her admission accelerating her tears.

Seokjin smiled at Hyun-Ji. "I always felt the same. How did you come to live here? Your mother... is she...?" He asked, his smile fading.

Hyun-Ji looked away for a moment. "How I got here is a long story, but mom is good. She's great, actually. She's with Hyori right now."