Chapter Text
It was half past 2pm. The small Japanese bistro settled in a small corner of Teheran-ro was slowly getting less crowded as the lunch hour is over. The raven guy quickly took off his apron and hung it. Half skipping towards the blonde male who's still prepping tonkatsu sauce for the next order.
The raven pecked the blonde's cheek. "Appa, I'm off to Jimin's house."
"Jinnie, please bring this for Jimin. He loves my Katsudon!" the blonde replied.
Jin ran back to grab the bento box prepared by his appa for his best buddy.
"Thanks appa!" Jin replied while dashing out of the restaurant.
Jaejoong just stared at the closing door and shook his head at his son's childish behavior at times. He took out his cellphone to text his boy.
Appa
Jinnie, take care. And please let me know if you're not coming home for dinner. Send my regards to Jimin and his parents.
He smiled when Jin replied with a love emoticon. He placed his phone inside his pocket before he resume prepping for dinner course.
---
"Jin..hyung...oh..gosh...your...eomma cooks...really good." the mochi-liked guy said while diving his face in the bowl, trying to swallow every bits of rice there is.
"Ya! Jimin. Don't ever call him that. He dislikes it." Jin replied to the younger.
"Oops...*burps*...sorry" Jin let out a disgusted face while smacking the younger with the playstation controller that he's been holding for the past 30mins.
Jimin picked up the second console to join Jin on a multiplayer soccer game. "So Jin hyung, have you decided on whether or not are you going to accept Taehyung's proposal to work in his office?"
The elder just shrugs, as he himself is not sure what to do.
Taehyung was their classmates from university along with Jimin. It's awkward for Jin to accept Taehyung offers as the latter once confessed to Jin about his feelings. No, Jin never despised him for that, as he too is not sure that he himself is straight, just that Taehyung is too perfect. He's from a wealthy family, not to mention his looks. It felt too good to be true for someone like Jin.
Honestly, Jin did felt a little tiny bit of interest towards the guy, but his main focus now is to earn money and make his appa happy. Not that his appa is broke or anything, as the bistro is doing terrifically well. Just that, at times, when he wakes up in the middle of the night to grab a glass of water, he often caught his appa just staring out from their living room window.
Jin was fully aware of the fact that Jaejoong was his uncle before he officially got adopted by the latter. He's nothing but grateful towards his appa, who struggled through a lot just to acquire the legal rights to adopt little Jin, considering he's a single parent. Not to mention raising Jin for 19 years and saving enough money just to pay for his tuition while building their own dream restaurant is not as easy as it sounds. To him, Jaejoong is like a hero, someone he would look up to, his inspiration, his reason to live.
Jaejoong himself had a rough past that he doesn't wish to bring up anymore. From that day onward he swore will not have anything related to the Jungs. Jung Yunho and his Jung Corp to be exact. Jaejoong felt so blessed when he decided to adopt Jin. He was like the bundle of joy, that he once dreamt of having with Yunho. For some reason, baby Jinnie helped him heal from his broken heart and taught him to love.
---
"Appa, I'm home." Jin called out as he entered the apartment he shared with his appa.
"Jinnie, have you had your dinner?"
"Yes appa. I had one with Jimin."
Jin sat beside Jaejoong on the couch. Placing his backpack on the side of the couch, he stretched himself.
"Appa, do you remember Taetae?"
"Uh..hm.." Jaejoong's eyes were still focussed on the TV news while replying.
"He offered me a job to work at his friend's company. Should I take it? You know, i don't like being in debt with someone. Do you think it's fine to just accept the offer?"
"Taetae seems like a nice kid. And I'm pretty sure, that kid won't settle for an ordinary job. Must've been a legit company he's offering."
Jin thought so too, he decided he will need to sleep on it and he will decide by tomorrow. He said his goodnight to his appa and went to bed.
A little after midnight, Jin walked out of the room to take a loo. He heard soft sobs coming from the living room. It was dark, he swore he could pee his pants thinking it could be a ghost or some sort. But he knew better that it could be his appa, and he was right.
Jin caught a glimpse of Jaejoong's reflection wiping his cheeks from the window. He knew Jaejoong was crying again.
Times like this, Jin just don't want to interrupt whatever is in his appa's mind no matter how much he wanted to hug his appa and calm him down. Jin quietly tip toed back to his room, forgetting his urgency to pee, staring at his ceiling wondering if he's appa is happy with their current condition? What should he do to make the man happy? All he knew is that his family matters the most. Or should he just confront his appa and ask him what is wrong?
He looked at the clock beside his bed, it shows 12:30am. He cursed under his breathe as he was reminded that he needs to wake up early tomorrow to meet with Taehyung before office hour starts.
---
"Hello fellow board members, I would like you to meet my nephew, Jeon Jungkook. Jungkook have just graduated from MIT. He will be reporting to me directly for a start." said the tanned male as he placed his hands on the back of the younger male, standing ever so proudly on how far he have achieved career wise and how happy he is when his one and only nephew is back.
"Hi, my name is Jeon Jungkook. Please take good care of me." the youngest in the room replied while bowing politely.
It was a long and dreadful board meeting where Jungkook's uncle, Jung Yunho was leading the whole meeting. Not that he's not interested, it's just that he just landed literally ten hours ago and the jet lag still intact to his systems. His uncle being a workaholic and all, it's understandable for Jungkook.
"Kook, let's do some catch up over lunch now shall we?" Yunho asked he patted Jungkook's shoulder, which earned a strong nod from the hungry nephew. "Are you up for Japanese? Heard from some of the colleagues that there's a legit Japanese bistro down the street. Been wanting to try it but was too busy."
"Yes samcheon. I've been dying to eat asian food." The thought of a bowl of warm rice made Jungkook's stomach stirred in hunger.
The walk was quiet, as it feels awkward for Jungkook to start a conversation with his uncle that's been quite reserved and always into his work, barely had time to talk to his sister-in-law, Hyebin. Even the discussion between him and Hyebin about Jungkook moving back to Korea and working for the company takes no longer than five minutes for the older to convince them, or say, half vetoed the decision on the mother and son to agree.
Jungkook decided to ignore his uncle and tried to enjoy the scenery in Seoul's busiest district. It's been ten years since he last step foot in Korea. After finding out that his dad cheated on his mom, Yunho decided it's best to send his only sister to the US, in hoping she could move on from the broken marriage and raise his only nephew to be the successor of the company.
Both gentlemen stopped right in front of a small Japanese bistro, with a small yet noticeable signage 'Kore Katsu'. They sat in a corner, waiting for the orders to be taken.
"So how's your eomma doing?" the taller male asked. It's the first time, Jungkook ever looked in his uncle's eyes as the latter is either too busy working on his laptop, staring at his phone or in a call.
He could vividly remember how his uncle look a decade ago, he looks so much younger and fresh. The male sitting across him looks like he's been through a lot more than work. Wrinkles are starting to appear and not to mention how tired his almost-saggy eyes looked, but he can still see his uncle's handsome feature behind all that.
"She's doing really good with the perfume line. She'll be launching another one soon end of this year." Jungkook replied. "How about you samcheon?" Jungkook added.
"Good." Yunho looked away and started browsing the menu, trying to divert his thought from the particular person he's trying so hard to forget. "this looks good Kook. I'll get a Katsudon."
The restaurant door bells dinged. Jin entered the restaurant, walked straight to the cashier counter, grabbing his apron and putting it over his head.
"Hey Jin." the lady behind the cashier greeted him.
"Hi Seolbi noona, anything I can help?" Jin replied.
"Yes. Please take order from table 8. Junsu is taking a loo."
Jin nodded as he grabbed the notepad in a quick motion.
Brushing his apron, clearing his throat, he walked towards the corner table, plastering the best smile he could afford. It's not the best day for him as he had something bugging his mind ever since his meeting with Taehyun earlier.
"Good day, gentlemen. What would you like to eat?"
Looking up the where the soft voice came from, Jungkook was astounded by the beauty in front of him.
"...katsudon please and hot green tea for me." Yunho said to the waiter.
'Damn, my pen.' Jin mentally cursed for not bringing it with him.
Aware of what's going on, Jungkook immediately took out his pen and offered the struggling waiter. "Here, take this." Jungkook chuckled in his mind when he spot the latter's ear reddened, unconsciously moving his eyes to the smooth jawline, to the red plump lips and up to meet a beautiful pair of dark hazel eyes, which is currently busy staring at the pen on Jungkook's hand.
'Beautiful..' is the first thing that comes to Jungkook's mind.
Jin was deliberating whether or not he should take it or he could just depend on his memory, but he decided to take the pen. "Thanks." Jin answered while staring back at the brown doe-orb in front of him as if their eyes are glued together.
"Anything for you sir?" Jin asked.
Without breaking the eye contact, he answered, "same for me."
Jin jotted down the orders and picked up the menu books from the gentlemen. Jungkook's eyes followed the waiter as he disappeared behind the kitchen door.
"Seokjin."
Jungkook's head turned back to face his uncle. "Sorry, what?" He stared back in confusion as to what his uncle is referring to.
"His name is Seokjin." Yunho rephrased. The older chuckled seeing his nephew's reaction, just like a deer caught in headlights. Yunho illustrated the name tag on his own chest to clarify how he got the waiter's name. "Pay attention to details, or you might've missed a chance. That also goes to how you deal with business, Kook.."
Yunho continued lecturing Jungkook with his tips and tricks to run a business, but his mind was somewhere else.
'Seokjin'
---
Jin entered the kitchen, gave a small peck on his appa's cheek and started prepping for the orders.
"How's it?" Jaejoong asked, both eyes and hands moving in sync from a tray of raw pork fillet to a batter-bowl of panko, before carefully placing the battered pork into the deep-fryer.
"Tae? I'm thinking of giving it a try. He said I can start next Monday. I'll join his department." Jin replied while his hands are busy scooping steaming rice into the two bowls in front of him. He then shifted to the stove, grabbing a handful of chopped onions and spread it in the pan of boiling dashi stock, letting it simmer and caramelised. "I can't help you much once I start working." Jin turned his head to look at his appa, catching any signs of reaction from the older.
Jaejoong looked back and smiled to assured the younger. "You can help me on weekends, or after work if you're not tired, Jin. Don't burden yourself with worries. I'll be fine. I have Seolbi and Junsu helping me here." Jaejoong passed him two pieces of golden brown, glistening looking pork fillet. Jin took both pieces and sliced in evenly before placing it gently on top of the saucepan before pouring half-beaten eggs on top.
"I just hope you don't lose your touch in cooking when you're spending too much hours behind desk." Jaejoong added as his panko-batter-smothered finger poked Jin's arm playfully.
"Appa! My new t-shirt!" Jin pouts.
---
"Thank you! Please come again~" Junsu's raspy and chirpy voice echoed through the empty restaurant as he greet the last customer of the day. He turned the 'CLOSED' signage outward, before joining the Kims and Seolbi on a table. It's somewhat like a tradition for them to all dine together after closing.
"Chicken wings!" Junsu squeaked as he saw his favorite food served right in front of his eyes.
"Hyung. Please wash your hands first." Jin reminded the older but to no avail. He swore, both Junsu and Jimin could have blood relation somewhere along the ancestral line. Other than the fact both shared the similar feature and habits, at times, Jin caught some similarity in their voices too.
"Jin...*munchs*..I forgot..." Junsu tried to dig into his waiter-apron pocket. He took out a piece of tissue and passed it to Jin. "Table 8...*munchs*..lunch time..two sleek looking guys."
Jin hesitantly took it with disgust face, trying to avoid touching Junsu's greasy hands from the chicken wings he's currently munching on.
Squinting his eyes, Jin found a hand writing on the tissue, rotating it slightly to have a clear view.
"What is it, Jin?" Jaejoong curiously scooted over to take a glimpse of the writing.
Jin's eyes widen as he came to a realization, unconsciously patted on his apron pocket looking for a certain item.
'I believe you have something that is mine. +82 xxxxxxxx -JJK-'
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