From me to you

by jikoorkive

Summary:

Jimin an ambitious journalist on a trip to Verona, discovers a love letter left in the ruins of Juliet’s Capulet former home. Intrigued, he decides to respond, hoping to reunite two lovers. But he never expected to cross paths with Jungkook, the grandson of the letter’s recipient, who is determined to make things complicated for him.

or

Jimin is a romantic at heart seeking recognition while Jungkook is a feisty young man who, despite his tough exterior, isn’t immune to Jimin’s charm.

Chapter 1: The secret of the wall

Jimin slammed the taxi door and handed the money to the driver, giving a brief "Buona giornata" before walking away. The late afternoon sun bathed Verona in a golden glow, and the laughter and chatter of the locals animated the streets of the small town. Jimin took a deep breath before heading towards the inn where he had chosen to stay. Above the door, he could read in large capital letters: Osteria di Giulietta.

Finally.

After 18 hours of flight, Jimin was standing in front of his home for the next few weeks. Jimin had worked hard to reach this threshold. After six years of study at one of the best American universities, he had returned to Seoul and was working at The Seoul Chronicle. He knew he wouldn’t be given the top assignments for his articles right away; after all, the newspaper was one of the most important in Korea, and a newly graduated journalist couldn’t expect frontline positions immediately.

But after four years of dedicated service, Jimin was more than eager.

"I can't take it anymore," he said to Namjoon, his colleague and longtime friend, slamming his coffee latte onto the desk. "When am I finally going to be able to cover more important stories, Joon? All my proposals have been rejected or assigned to others!"

Namjoon, leaning against the edge of his desk, looked at him with a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "I know, it’s frustrating. But you have to be patient. These kinds of assignments don’t come easily, especially here."

"Four years, Namjoon. Four years writing insignificant feature pieces. I keep coming up with original ideas, and every time, it's the same result." Jimin sighed, frustrated.

Namjoon shrugged, looking thoughtful. "Maybe you should aim for something completely different. Think outside the box, surprise the editors."

Jimin looked up, frustrated, but his mind was starting to churn. "Something more surprising..." he repeated softly, as if echoing Namjoon's words.

Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind, almost too crazy to be true. He sat up straight in his chair. "What if I went abroad for my next article?"

Namjoon frowned. "Abroad? What are you thinking?"

"Verona," Jimin replied, a smile lighting up his face. "I’ve heard about a legend there, you know, the famous letters to Juliet?"

Namjoon raised his eyebrows. "The Juliet from Romeo and Juliet? The tragic story?"

"Exactly. Some people leave love letters at Juliet's house and receive replies. But no one seems to know where they come from. These replies sometimes change people's lives... If I could investigate, find out who is actually responding to these letters... It could be the article I’ve been looking for."

Namjoon seemed surprised but interested. "It’s... different, I’ll give you that. But do you really think there's something to dig into?"

Jimin nodded, determined. "Yes. It may seem romantic and touristy at first glance, but I’m sure there’s something deeper. I could discover who these mysterious 'respondents' are and understand why they do it."

Namjoon shrugged, a amused smile on his lips. "It could work. It’s bold, and it might appeal to the editorial team. Go ahead, pitch the idea. You have nothing to lose."

Jimin stood up, his thoughts buzzing. This might be his chance. He needed something big, something different, and this story could be the breakthrough he had been dreaming of for four years.

The next morning, Jimin entered his editor Mr. Kim's office with a certain nervousness. He had spent the night refining his idea, convinced it was the key to finally making a mark.

"Jimin! Come in," said Mr. Kim, barely glancing up from his computer. "So, you wanted to talk to me about something special?"

Jimin sat down, trying to steady the slight tremor in his hands. "Yes, sir. I have an idea for an article... something different, something that could really capture attention."

Mr. Kim tapped his pen on his desk, still focused on his documents. "Different? Jimin, you’ve pitched so many things over the years, claiming they were different, but none were interesting enough... Anyway, I’m listening. But I warn you, with the proposals we receive, it needs to be solid."

Jimin took a deep breath. "I want to investigate the famous letters to Juliet in Verona. You know, people leave love letters at Juliet’s house and receive replies. I want to find out who is responding to these letters and how these replies change people’s lives. I want to uncover who these mysterious correspondents are and tell their stories, as well as those of the senders and the people who respond."

Mr. Kim finally looked up, intrigued. "The letters to Juliet? Sounds like an old tourist legend. Why would that interest our readers?"

"It’s more than just tourism, sir," Jimin insisted. "Thousands of people leave these letters each year, and they receive replies that, according to testimonials, have genuinely influenced their lives. Some even say that these responses are so accurate they seem almost... magical. There are fascinating human stories behind these letters."

Mr. Kim nodded slowly, his eyes narrowed as he thought. "You’re talking about doing a report on an old romantic tradition in a small Italian town... It’s not exactly what we usually do. Why do you think it would be a good angle for us?"

Jimin saw the opportunity to push harder. "Because it’s more than just love stories; it touches on universal themes: hope, loss, seeking answers in moments of doubt. These are emotions everyone understands. If I can find out who is responding to these letters and why, I believe it could reveal a fascinating truth. And that’s exactly the kind of story that captivates our readers."

Mr. Kim let out a small sigh, leaning back in his chair. "It’s ambitious. And risky. I’ve already given you more than one chance, and Verona is far away, and covering expenses for a story that might not reveal anything concrete..."

"That’s why I want to go," Jimin cut in, feeling he needed to insist. "This isn’t just a desk investigation. It’s a quest. An immersion. I need to meet these people, read these letters, see how this phenomenon really affects people on-site. Authentic stories come from direct experience."

A silence fell in the room as Mr. Kim considered, his fingers tapping lightly on his desk.

Mr. Kim stared at him, weighing each word. The silence stretched until he slowly sat up straight in his chair.

"Alright, Jimin. I’ll give you a chance. You’re going to Verona. But listen carefully," he added, pointing a finger at him. "I want concrete results. True stories, facts. If you come back with a hollow story or just tourist anecdotes, you won’t get any more opportunities here. Understood?"

Jimin nodded, his heart pounding. "Understood, sir. I won’t let you down."

Mr. Kim gave him a small smile before returning to his papers. "I hope so. Now, go and start planning your trip."

Jimin left the office, his mind racing with excitement. He told Namjoon everything, who congratulated him. This was his chance, and he wasn’t going to let it slip away. A few weeks later, he was heading to Verona, determined to uncover the mysteries behind the letters to Juliet and finally prove that he had what it took to become a great journalist.

He pushed open the old door of the inn and rolled his suitcase inside. The interior was as fresh and rustic as the exterior. Raw stone walls, exposed wooden beams, and soft lighting created a warm, intimate atmosphere. But it was as he took a few more steps that Jimin discovered the inn’s true surprise. The entrance opened onto a sunlit courtyard, a secret oasis in the heart of the inn.

In the center, a majestic lemon tree spread its branches, its golden fruit lighting up the space like tiny natural lanterns. The air was filled with a light scent of fresh lemon, and Jimin, enchanted, let a smile spread across his lips.

Jimin was already feeling at home here.

"Buongiorno, posso aiutarla?"

Jimin turned abruptly, his heart still racing from the surprise. A woman stood there, smiling, her brown hair styled in a messy bun, dressed simply but with a natural elegance. She looked at him kindly, waiting for his response.

"Oh. Um, sorry. Buongiorno. Hello! I have a reservation here under the name Park Jimin," he continued.

"Oh! Mr. Park! Welcome, I’m Stella, Maria's granddaughter, the owner of the inn," the woman replied in English with a strong Italian accent.

Stella approached Jimin with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with kindness. She handed him a wrought iron key with a leather keychain.

"Here is your key, Mr. Park. Your room is number 5, just upstairs. If you need anything or have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know."

Jimin accepted the key with a grateful smile. "Thank you very much, Madame. I really appreciate your welcome."

"It’s my pleasure, and please, call me Stella. I’m not that old," she replied with a smile. "You’re welcome here. If you need recommendations on places to visit or local restaurants, I’ll be happy to help."

Jimin nodded in agreement. "I’ll be sure to ask."

Stella gestured towards the courtyard. "In the meantime, if you’d like to relax or have a drink, there’s a little seating area over there. Enjoy the lemon tree and our outdoor space. We also have some local specialties that are quite good."

Jimin thanked her once more before heading towards the stairs, his mind already planning his first exploration of the city.

Jimin climbed the stairs and made his way to the door with his room number. He pushed the door open and entered. The interior was charming and clean. Aging wooden furniture and decorative touches gave it an authentic feel. The bedspread was blue and covered with lemons.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.

He walked over to the window and pulled aside the curtains. He discovered a small private balcony with a perfect view of the street. From there, he could see the vibrant life of Verona unfolding before his eyes. People in neighboring apartments hung their laundry out the windows, adding splashes of bright colors to the horizon. Children ran joyfully through the alleys, their laughter resonating in the warm evening air.

Jimin took a deep breath, savoring the blend of freshness and lemon scent floating in the air. He felt immediately at ease in this peaceful environment, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was exactly what he needed to prepare for the investigation ahead.

He sank into the balcony chair, his mind already planning his next steps while observing the daily life unfolding before him.

After taking a shower, he decided he would start his research the next day. He settled onto his bed and pulled out his laptop, planning his future itineraries. Three quarters of an hour later, just as he was about to close it, a call interrupted him: it was Taehyung calling via video call.

"Hey, Chim!" Taehyung exclaimed with his usual energy. That had been his nickname for Jimin since their high school days, and it never changed.

"Tae! You’re calling already? I just arrived," Jimin replied, laughing.

"Hey! Seeing my soulmate go so far is just... I don’t know, I already miss you," Taehyung said with an adorable pout.

"Haha, come on Tae, don’t be sad. I’m only here for a little while," Jimin said.

"I know... But I would have loved to join you. We could have investigated together or something... but with my new collection for the museum and the galleries hounding me... not a moment of rest!" Taehyung sighed dramatically, and Jimin could see his exaggerated expression through the screen.

"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Famous Painter," Jimin teased. "You’re a superstar now."

Taehyung laughed. "If only! But seriously, Chim, I would have loved to be there. Verona must be amazing."

"It is. I just unpacked, and the view from the inn is incredible. I’ll send you photos."

Suddenly, Jimin heard a familiar voice in the background. "Tae, did you see the can opener?" Namjoon yelled.

Taehyung sighed deeply. "Namjoon, did you check the drawer? The one where we keep kitchen stuff, like a can opener, for example?" he replied, shaking his head.

Jimin burst into laughter, hearing Namjoon grumble softly.

"It’s crazy! With him, it’s either he never really looks or he breaks everything he sees," Taehyung added, amused, before rolling his eyes. "Joon, I’m on a video call with Chim! I’ll join you in a couple of minutes, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Namjoon replied. "Oh, tell him I miss him too"

Jimin smiled, amused by the couple's dynamic. "You leave me here alone, and you make me envy your long-distance couple life. You guys are really something."

"Hey, you’re the one choosing to work alone in a romantic city," Taehyung retorted with a wink. "But seriously, you’re here for work, but don’t forget to have fun too, okay? And maybe you’ll find a charming Italian to introduce us to, who knows!" Taehyung finished with a raised eyebrow.

Jimin rolled his eyes, laughing. "Don’t start, Tae. I’m here for work, nothing else."

"Tsss, I know you too well, Chim. You always act like you’re super focused, but deep down, you always fall for a beautiful love story," Taehyung countered with his mischievous look. "Meet your future husband and then we’ll all move into a gorgeous Italian villa together, what do you say?"

Jimin laughed. "I admit, Italy is right for you two. With you, the famous artist, and Namjoon, the art-specialized journalist, you’re literally the perfect artistic team."

"That’s why we live together now," Taehyung said with pride.

"I miss you already," Jimin replied with a smile.

"Me too, Chim. Enjoy yourself, and don’t forget to call me if you come across something amazing, okay?" Taehyung concluded.

"Promise. Talk to you later, Tae. Give Joon a kiss from me!"

"Count on it," Taehyung said, laughing before hanging up.

Jimin put his phone down with a sigh, feeling a little lighter after the conversation. Even miles away, Taehyung and Namjoon were still there for him, just like they had been from the start.

Taehyung and Jimin had met in high school, one day when Jimin, running late for his literature class, had stumbled down the stairs, spilling his books everywhere. Taehyung, already sitting on the steps with his headphones on, hadn’t hesitated to help, gathering the books with a laugh. They had clicked immediately, forming a natural bond between them.

Very quickly, they had become inseparable, spending their breaks discussing everything and nothing, with Taehyung fascinating Jimin with his increasingly creative drawings and free spirit, while Jimin captivated Taehyung with his passion for writing and his attentive view of the world. Their friendship had then strengthened in college, where they met Namjoon in their first year, solidifying their trio. Namjoon, with his fascination for art and culture, quickly integrated into their dynamic, sharing this common passion with Taehyung, while Jimin remained their loyal ally, always there to listen, advise, and support.

Taehyung, with his charisma and lightness, had encouraged a shy and reserved Namjoon to step out of his comfort zone, while Namjoon brought stability and unwavering support to Taehyung’s sometimes chaotic life. Their relationship evolved naturally, and soon after, they began dating officially, finding a perfect balance between their very different but complementary personalities. Since then, they formed a solid couple, sharing their passion for art and culture, and living together in an apartment where canvases, books, and ideas intertwined every day.

Jimin was so happy to see them as partners and fulfilled. It warmed his heart to see that his two best friends had found such a strong love in each other. However, a part of him couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. He wondered if he too would ever experience such feelings—this unbreakable bond and irresistible desire to be with a loved one.

🍋

The next morning, Jimin woke up with a slight smile on his lips, stretching leisurely in bed. He had slept like a baby, lulled by the peaceful atmosphere of Verona. The temperature was perfect, neither too hot nor too cool, just right for the end of August. He could feel a gentle breeze filtering through the shutters of the room, bringing with it a faint scent of lemon tree.

He got up calmly, took a quick shower, then chose a light and casual outfit: simple jeans and a linen shirt. Once ready, he headed to the communal dining area, curious to see what the inn had to offer for breakfast.

Jimin entered the dining room and was immediately struck by the friendly atmosphere. In the center of the room, a large, unique wooden table dominated the space. Stella, already seated with her grandmother Maria, greeted him with a broad smile. Only one other traveler was at the table with them.

As he walked into the room, the traveler sitting there gave him a smile. Jimin responded politely before turning to Stella and Maria to greet them. He had not yet met Maria, the owner of the inn, and took the opportunity to exchange a few words with her.

"Buongiorno, Jimin!" said Stella cheerfully. "This is my grandmother Maria, the true owner of the place."

Maria smiled warmly at him. "Welcome to the Osteria di Giulietta, Jimin. I hope you feel at home here."

"Thank you very much, I love this place, it’s beautiful," he replied, inclining slightly. "Your inn is full of charm."

After a few exchanges, Maria indicated the available seat across from the traveler who had smiled at him.

"Please, take a seat, Jimin. Oh, and by the way, let me introduce you to the only other guest at the inn. His name is Seokjin."

Surprised but pleased, Jimin turned to Seokjin, who gave him a nod with a friendly smile.

"Hello, I’m Jimin, nice to meet you," Jimin said as he sat down across from him.

Seokjin nodded, looking relaxed. "It’s nice to see tourists coming in late August. You’ll see, there are fewer people and it’s quieter. So, what brings you to Verona?"

Jimin took a sip of coffee before replying, feeling strangely at ease. "I’m a journalist. I’ve been sent here to investigate the famous letters left at Juliet’s house."

Seokjin nodded, intrigued. "Ah, the letters... that must be fascinating. And do you believe in love stories written in the stars?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Jimin smiled, caught off guard by the direct question. "I suppose I’m a bit of a romantic at heart. And you?"

Seokjin shrugged slightly, a mysterious smile on his lips. "Let’s just say I’m open to the idea..."

Seokjin continued to look at Jimin with a friendly smile before asking another question. "Tell me, is this your first time in Verona? Or even in Italy?"

Jimin nodded, laughing lightly. "Yes, it’s my first time here. I haven’t really had the chance to travel much until now… Between studies and work…"

Seokjin seemed to think for a moment before responding enthusiastically. "In that case, you absolutely must visit the city with someone who knows it a bit. I’ve toured Verona several times, so if you’d like, I could give you a little guided tour."

Jimin, a bit surprised by the offer, blinked. "Oh, really? That’s very kind of you. But are you sure it’s not a bother?"

Seokjin's smile grew even wider. "Not at all, I'd be happy to. Besides, someone has to show you the less touristy spots. We could even end up at Juliet's house so you can dive right into your topic. What do you think?"

Touched by the spontaneous offer, Jimin felt a sudden excitement about the day ahead. "That's an offer I can't refuse," he replied with a sincere smile.

After finishing his breakfast in good company, Seokjin suggested meeting in 30 minutes to start the tour.

Jimin took the opportunity to head back to his room and respond to some urgent emails. After freshening up, he grabbed his notebook and pens, preparing for any notes he might take during the tour. With one last glance at his reflection in the mirror, he went downstairs. Seokjin was waiting at the bottom with a broad smile.

They began to wander through the picturesque streets of Verona.

Seokjin showed Jimin the most charming corners of the neighborhood: the small, shaded squares, the quaint cafes where locals gathered to chat, and the artisanal shops selling handmade local products. They passed by historic buildings, some of which seemed to come straight out of a fairy tale with their frescoed facades and wrought-iron balconies.

With contagious enthusiasm, Seokjin explained the history behind each location. "Here is Piazza delle Erbe, the heart of the city since Roman times. Markets and festivals are held here, and it's a perfect place to sample local specialties."

They continued their stroll to the Ponte Pietra, a picturesque stone bridge spanning the Adige River. Seokjin explained the significance of the bridge in the city's history while offering a spectacular view of the river.

After visiting these must-see sites, Seokjin took Jimin to a discreet little restaurant, a trattoria renowned for its traditional dishes. Jimin enjoyed fresh pasta, risotto, and specialties like cicchetti, savory small bites. Seokjin took the opportunity to explain the local ingredients and culinary traditions of the region.

After this delicious meal, they continued their exploration. Seokjin took Jimin to a cozy café where they enjoyed an Italian espresso while resting. The café was a popular spot among locals, with outdoor tables and a lively atmosphere. They talked about everything and nothing, sharing anecdotes about their lives and deepening their new friendship.

As they strolled through the picturesque streets of Verona, Seokjin revealed that he was backpacking through Europe. After graduating with a law degree, Seokjin had worked as a lawyer but quickly realized that work shouldn't be the sole priority in life. Knowing he wouldn’t discover the world by focusing only on his career, he decided to take a sabbatical year to devote himself to his passions and explore new horizons.

Seokjin had already traveled extensively across Europe, including Verona, which he had visited several times during his journey. For him, this adventure was an opportunity to experience new cultures, meet people, and have experiences that enriched him far beyond the walls of an office. This decision allowed him not only to step away from professional routine but also to reconnect with himself and fully appreciate each moment of his travels.

Jimin admired Seokjin, seeing him as an example of courage and determination—someone who had dared to leave a predetermined path to embrace an uncertain but exciting adventure.

Eventually, Seokjin suggested ending the day at Juliet's house. Together, they headed to Juliet's house courtyard, eager to continue their day of discovery and conversation.

It was almost 6 PM when they arrived in front of Juliet's house. The golden evening light bathed the building’s facade, creating an even warmer atmosphere.

Upon arrival, Jimin was surprised to see that there were still many people at this time of the afternoon. Contrary to what he had imagined, the visitors were not only women but also men, young and old, alone or in groups. They were standing, sitting on benches, or leaning against the walls, each absorbed in their own letter. Indeed, each person had a piece of paper and a pencil, writing down their romantic grievances or hopes. Some, visibly moved, stared at their letters before pinning them to the walls of Juliet's house. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, with letters of all sizes and colors, each carrying a fragment of personal story and romantic hope. Jimin observed this diversity of visitors, admiring how love and dreams seemed to unite people from all walks of life in this mythical place.

Jimin stopped in front of a wall covered with letters and, observing the messages carefully pinned up, felt a wave of inspiration wash over him. They were handwritten in several different languages. Some lamented their disappointed loves, others prayed to find one. He took out his notebook and began to write, the words flowing with unexpected fluidity, fueled by the emotions and stories surrounding him. Each word he wrote seemed to resonate with the hopes and dreams of the visitors.

But one question remained: who answered these letters and for what purpose?

Jimin had already asked Seokjin, who was also very intrigued. Despite having visited Verona several times, he had never solved the mystery.

Jimin and Seokjin, intrigued by the enigma of the letters, decided to wait to find out who was behind this tradition. They found a café across from Juliet's house, a discreet place with a clear view of the walls covered in messages. Seated at a table by the window, they sipped their coffee while observing the scene with keen interest.

The visitors gradually dispersed until the walls were animated only by the echo of their past conversations. Jimin and Seokjin continued to scrutinize the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious person responsible for collecting the letters.

After a long period of patience, as night slowly fell, they saw a figure emerge in the growing darkness. A man, carrying a wicker basket, approached the walls with a certain discretion. Carefully, he began to detach the letters and place them in the basket. His movements were methodical and respectful, as if he treated each message with precious delicacy.

Jimin and Seokjin, seated in the café, watched the walls of Juliet's house intently when Jimin noticed a figure emerging in the deepening darkness.

"Seokjin, look!" Jimin whispered, drawing his friend’s attention to the man approaching with a wicker basket. "It looks like someone has just started collecting the letters."

Jimin, increasingly intrigued by the process, whispered to Seokjin with palpable excitement, "You know what? I think I’m going to try to follow him."

Seokjin, surprised but amused, gave him a skeptical look. "You’re really determined! But it might be a bit risky. I’m coming with you; I’m curious too."

Seokjin and Jimin followed the man discreetly, careful not to make their presence known. Jimin gave Seokjin a subtle signal to stay back, then slipped out of the café, blending into the shadows.

They trailed the man until he stopped in front of a nondescript door. To their surprise, the man did not open it. Instead, he handed the basket of letters to a woman waiting at the entrance. Jimin recognized her immediately—it was Maria, the owner of the inn where he was staying.

He watched intently as Maria took the basket with a warm smile. She thanked the man and then entered a small office just behind the door. The man then walked away, disappearing into the nighttime street.

Jimin stood still for a moment, processing what he had just witnessed.

"That's Maria!" Jimin whispered, his voice filled with astonishment. "So she’s the one responding to all these letters?"

Seokjin nodded, his gaze fascinated. "That's surprising! I've been here for months and never suspected a thing! I wondered who was behind it all, but I never thought it would be her."

After Maria closed the door behind her, Jimin and Seokjin exchanged determined glances. They approached the door, which was slightly ajar, and managed to slip inside before it closed completely.

They found themselves in a small hallway leading to a narrow, steep staircase. They carefully descended the stairs, listening to the sounds of conversations and movements echoing from the depths of the building. The voices were barely audible but distinct enough to guide them.

As they went down, the sounds grew clearer. Finally, they arrived in front of a slightly open door, behind which animated voices could be heard. They took a discreet peek inside and discovered a cozy, well-lit room.

Inside, several people were gathered around a large table. Among them, Jimin recognized Maria and Stella, as well as others he didn’t know. They were discussing enthusiastically, some people flipping through letters, others taking notes.

The atmosphere was warm and lively, as if these people regularly gathered to handle the letters and discuss responses or actions to take.

Jimin, determined to get answers, knocked on the door.

The room quieted slightly as conversations paused.

"Come in," invited a welcoming voice from within.

They pushed the door open and entered the room. Stella, deep in conversation with Maria and the other members of the group, turned her head and showed visible surprise upon seeing them. Jimin and Seokjin entered the room, their eyes scanning the space with growing fascination. The room, warm and bright, was carefully decorated. Tables were covered with scattered letters, handwritten responses, and various items related to the letter tradition.

"Jimin? Seokjin? What are you doing here?" she asked, her expression shifting from surprise to friendly curiosity.

Jimin, taking a deep breath, turned to her and the rest of the group with a serious but enthusiastic expression.

"I’m here as a journalist," he began. "I work for The Seoul Chronicle and traveled here specifically to uncover and tell the story of the letters to Juliet. I really really like your work, and I wanted to understand how you manage this special tradition. I hope it doesn’t bother you?"

Stella shook her head with an understanding smile. "Not at all. We're in the middle of a meeting to process the letters and discuss responses. You're welcome to join us. Come, have a seat."

Without hesitation, the two men took their places around the table and began to chat with the small group. It consisted of older and younger women who were responding to the letters as best they could.

Jimin, still curious, asked a burning question.

"Do you handle all this in secret? I mean, the letters and responses are dealt with quite discreetly, right?"

Maria, hearing the question, thought for a moment before responding.

"It’s not so much a secret, but we want to maintain a certain discretion around this tradition to preserve its intimate and personal nature. The letters are often very personal and delicate, and we want to ensure that each response is as respectful and authentic as possible."

Jimin’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "And how do you choose the responses? And who writes them?"

Maria smiled, clearly happy to explain the process. "We draw inspiration from the emotions expressed in the letters and try to respond personally. Sometimes, we receive letters asking for advice or sharing very personal stories, and we do our best to offer comforting and helpful words in the name of Juliette who also endured many hardships in the name of love"

Seokjin, equally captivated, added, "It's incredible to see how well-organized everything is. You’re really doing a wonderful job here."

The group members nodded proudly, and the atmosphere relaxed into a friendly exchange of smiles and laughter.

As the hours passed, the room gradually emptied. The group began tidying up the letters and preparing documents for the evening. Jimin and Seokjin, immersed in conversation, admired the way everything was organized and handled with care. Before heading back to the inn, Maria invited the young men to return the following week to help respond to letters written in English and Korean, adding their own personal touch to the replies.

In the following days, Jimin continued working on his article while pondering how to incorporate his new experiences and discoveries.

As promised, Jimin, armed with his notebook and pen, went to Juliet’s house with Seokjin. Upon entering, they were greeted by Maria with warm smiles and gestures.

After finishing responding to a few letters, Jimin decided to return to Juliet’s house alone, as Seokjin was still occupied with one of them. He took the wicker basket and headed to the courtyard of the old house. The visitors had already left.

He walked through the courtyard, scanning the walls where the letters were pinned. The setting sun bathed the space in golden light, adding a melancholic and magical atmosphere to the place. He began detaching the letters and placing them in the basket when suddenly, a detail caught his attention. A stone slightly out of place on the wall, almost imperceptible. Curious, he approached and touched it gently. He discovered that it was actually a sort of hiding place, concealing a small compartment. Carefully, he removed the stone and found a paper hidden behind it.

No… It was a letter. The paper had yellowed, but the words written in brown ink, slightly faded by time, had an enduring elegance. On the back was an address:

𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗴
𝟭𝟮𝟯-𝟰𝟱, 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗻-𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗴
𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝟰𝟴𝟲𝟳𝟴
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮

Shocked, Jimin took the letter and the basket and headed to Juliet’s office, where he shared his discovery with the others, who urged him to read the letter.

Jimin unfolded the letter and began to read.

"𝑴𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒕,

𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒂, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝑱𝒊𝒏𝒘𝒐𝒐, 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒖𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆. 𝑰 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒔. 𝑯𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆. 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒇𝒆𝒘 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆, 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒕. 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒏𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅? 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒕, 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒎𝒆.

𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆,

𝑯."

As the letter was read, the group remained silent, deeply moved by the sadness and passion conveyed in Hana’s words. Jimin momentarily lost himself in thought, reflecting on the impact this letter might have.

Maria, visibly touched, murmured, "This letter is very old. Hana and Jinwoo must have gone through unimaginable trials."

Jimin nodded, feeling the weight of the story. He looked around, his eyes meeting those of Seokjin, Stella, and Maria. The intensity of the emotion in the room was palpable, and he knew that this was not just a story about letters; it was a profound human connection that transcended time.

"I will respond to this letter," Jimin said with conviction. "Hana deserves a reply, and I will bring her one."

The encouragement and kind smiles from everyone strengthened his resolve. Jimin was now more determined than ever to bridge the past and the present and to do justice to Hana and Jinwoo's story.

Notes:

Hello ! Thanks for reading !

Chapter 2: Hana

"A forbidden love story? In Verona?" Tae shouted from the other side of the screen.

Jimin winced, briefly pulling the phone away from his ear before bringing it back with a laugh.

"Yeah, I know. It's unbelievable, right? I can barely believe it myself," Jimin replied, settling comfortably into the chair in his small room.

Tae's voice grew more serious. "So, what's the plan? Tell me you're going to try and track them down? You can't let this go. It's like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, and you'd be like, the fairy godmother."

Jimin laughed and looked at the screen where he had taken a photo of the letter. More seriously, he sighed. "Of course, you know me, but… it’s been over 50 years. What if Jinwoo or even Hana… aren’t even alive anymore?"

"And so what?" Tae retorted, more firmly. "It’s not about whether they’re still around or not; it’s the story that matters, Chim. You came here to find something meaningful, right? Well, you’ve found it."

Jimin smiled softly, a warmth spreading in his chest. Tae always knew how to push him in the right direction, how to remind him why he pursued these kinds of stories. Now, it was about giving a chance to a love that never had one of its own.

"You’re right," Jimin said calmly, more to himself than to Tae. "I’ll try."

 

 

In the afternoon after his call with Taehyung, Jimin went to the Juliet's office. He found Seokjin engrossed in a letter, his brows slightly furrowed in concentration.

"Well, it looks like you're going to spend all your days here," Jimin said with a smile as he approached.

Seokjin looked up, a mischievous glint in his eye. "It seems that way. It's hard not to get carried away with all these stories. They’re all so fascinating."

Jimin nodded, taking a chair next to him. He took Hana's letter out of his pocket and unfolded it carefully.

"So, are you going to write a response to Hana's letter today?" Seokjin asked, curious, leaning slightly towards him.

"Yes, I think so," Jimin replied.

Jimin stared at the words for a moment, as if trying to draw an answer from the past. He took out a pen and took a deep breath before starting to write.

Jimin focused, his pen gliding across the paper. He wrote and rewrote, his words initially hesitant, then more confident. Each time he read what he had written, he found something to improve or adjust. He paused several times to contemplate Hana's letter, thinking about the best way to offer her comfort and advice.

Other members of the Juliet team passed by, each attending to their own tasks and concerns. Some exchanged smiles with Jimin, while others offered a word of encouragement before moving on. The daylight waned, and the office grew quieter and quieter.

Jimin was now alone, the silence of the office conducive to his thoughts. He continued to refine his response, rewriting each paragraph until he found the words that resonated with sincerity and depth. Finally, after hours of meticulous work, he stopped, satisfied with the result. The letter was ready to offer Hana the comfort and wisdom she deserved.

"Dear Hana,

I take the liberty of replying to your letter even though many years have passed since you wrote it.

You have expressed a pain and love that resonate deeply. The fact that you were separated from Jinwoo due to the obstacles imposed by your families shows the strength and depth of your feelings. It is clear that Jinwoo held a unique place in your life, and it is understandable that you are struggling to move on.

I encourage you to listen to your heart. If you still feel a deep love for Jinwoo and believe that your story is not yet fully written, perhaps it is worth making one last attempt to find him. Sometimes, fate has surprises in store, and it is possible that the path you take may lead you to find answers to your questions.

Whatever your decision, know that you shared a deep and authentic love, and that is invaluable. Do not let regret or pain prevent you from seeking your own happiness. Your story is a beautiful testament to the fact that true love knows no boundaries, even those of time. I hope that one day you will be reunited.

I wish you all the best, with all my sincerity,

Juliette."

He placed the folded letter into an envelope and then put it in the basket of letters ready to be sent. Gathering his things, he left.

Upon entering the inn, Jimin greeted Stella and Maria with a smile. He headed to his room, ready to rest before continuing his explorations. He didn’t know if he would receive a reply, but he was excited at the thought of sharing this story, even if just a little.

 

 

 

 

A few weeks later, Jimin was working quietly in the Juliet's office, engrossed in a stack of letters. The office was peaceful, disturbed only by the sounds of pages turning and occasional murmurs between Maria and Stella. He felt at home in this environment, both calm and inspiring.

Suddenly, a quick knock on the door made him look up. Before anyone could respond, the door opened, revealing a tall, slender young man with a serious expression. Curious, Jimin set his pen down and watched as the stranger entered. He had black hair and a clear forehead. He was wearing a leather jacket, a white t-shirt, and loose black pants, along with a pair of sunglasses that looked expensive.

“Excuse me, is this the... Juliet's Club?” the man asked in a deep voice, scanning the room.

Maria, standing near Jimin, nodded. “Yes, you’re in the right place. How can I help you?”

The young man didn’t answer immediately. He removed his sunglasses, and his eyes fixed directly on Jimin, as if he knew already that it was him he needed to speak with. “Who wrote a letter to my grandmother? Hana Jung.”

Jimin’s eyes widened, his surprise evident. Time seemed to freeze for a moment as he realized the significance of this encounter. The letter had reached Hana... so quickly? His heart raced, excitement flooding him.

“It’s me!” he said, a radiant smile spreading across his face. He stood up and walked towards the man to shake his hand. “I’m Jimin. I’m the one who responded to her letter. She received it, then? That’s incredible; I didn’t think it would happen so fast!”

The man, who still hadn’t revealed his name, gave a forced smile, more out of politeness than enthusiasm, and did not shake his hand. But Jimin, caught up in the moment’s euphoria, didn’t notice. The man cleared his throat and gestured towards the door. “Can we talk outside?” he suggested, his voice slightly tense.

Jimin nodded without hesitation and quickly got up. He didn’t want to disturb the work of the other Juliet team members and was eager to learn more about Hana’s reaction. They went out into the small alley behind the office.

The man spoke, his tone a bit more curt than before. “Why did you wrote that letter?” he asked abruptly, his gaze piercing through Jimin.

Caught off guard by the question, Jimin blinked, his smile faltering slightly. “Well… I found the letter she had written to Juliet. And I thought she deserved a response, that’s all.”

“A response?” Jungkook said with a condescending tone. “Fifty years ago, yes, but not now!”

Jimin, stung by the comment, crossed his arms. “I didn’t realize true love had an expiration date.”

Jungkook snorted, a smug smile on his lips. “True love? How old are you? Are you living other people's love stories vicariously or something?”

Jimin, even more irritated than before, stared at him, stunned. “Excuse me? I don’t permit you to judge me; I’ve been engaged. I know very well what love is.”

Jungkook burst into a bitter laugh, a false smile on his face. “You were. Past tense? So you’re single now. Everything makes sense.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and headed towards the main street, leaving Jimin standing there, mouth agape. “Who does this guy think he is?” Jimin muttered, fists clenched.

Refusing to let it end there, he ran after him. “Excuse me,” he called out, raising his voice, “Did you really come all the way from Busan just to lecture me?”

Jungkook, still not stopping, sighed in exasperation. “I came to make sure my grandmother didn’t travel alone, not to debate with a romantically-inclined fiction enthusiast.”

Jimin, surprised, widened his eyes. “Wait... Hana is here, in Verona?” His excitement surged. “But why? Did she really come to find Jinwoo?”

“You’re in the best position to answer that question, it seems,” Jungkook replied, his tone colder.

Jimin slowed down, absorbed by the emotion of this revelation. “It’s... incredible,” he murmured, a smile forming on his face. “She came to find her first love. That’s beautiful.”

Jungkook let out a dry laugh. “Beautiful? And what if Jinwoo doesn’t want to see her? If he has moved away, if he’s ill... or even dead? What then? Do you think it all ends like a fairy tale?”

Jimin’s smile faded, and he was left thoughtful, speechless. The possibility that Jinwoo might be unreachable or unwilling to see Hana seemed harshly aligned with reality.

Jungkook shook his head, satisfied with the effect of his words. “That’s what I thought.”

He turned to leave, but Jimin, spurred by a sudden impulse, interrupted him. “Wait! I want to meet Hana!”

Jungkook turned around, a sarcastic smile on his lips. “And I want to play for the Seoul Football Club, but we don’t always get what we want in life.”

Jungkook looked him straight in the eye, his expression becoming more serious. “Listen. My grandmother surely wouldn’t want to relive all that pain. Do you really think she wants to meet someone who would give her false hope?” He shook his head. “She’s suffered enough.”

With those words, Jungkook turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Jimin standing there, caught between confusion and frustration. For a moment, Jimin hesitated, but fueled by determination, he didn’t think twice before following Jungkook. He wanted to understand Hana’s story, the reason for her visit to Verona. Most importantly, he wanted to hear her perspective, and he knew he couldn’t give up so easily.

Casting a furtive glance around, Jimin decided to follow Jungkook from a distance. Jungkook moved confidently through the streets of Verona, and Jimin trailed behind discreetly, trying not to be noticed.

After a few minutes, they arrived in Juliet’s courtyard. Jimin hid behind a column, observing from afar as Jungkook approached an elegant elderly woman standing near the famous wall of letters.

She was tall and slender for her age, her dark gray hair carefully styled into a low bun. She wore a simple but refined outfit, with pearl earrings catching the sunlight. Despite the visible years on her face, she exuded undeniable grace, and Jimin immediately knew he was looking at Hana.

Jungkook leaned in, and they exchanged a few words. From his hiding place, Jimin watched the scene, his heart beating faster at the thought of what he was about to do next.

Taking a deep breath, Jimin stepped forward slowly. He was nervous, but he knew he couldn’t back down now.

“Excuse me. Sorry, um... I’m Jimin. Are you Hana Jung?”

Hana turned to him, visibly confused, her eyes squinting in an attempt to understand the situation.

“Ah, sorry. Um... I’m the one who wrote you the letter?” he added, uncertain of his phrasing.

A flash of understanding crossed Hana’s eyes. “Oh, Juliet’s letter?” she said softly, a hint of surprise in her voice. “Thank you very much. I’m no longer Hana Jung but Hana Jeon now; I’ve gotten married. I received the letter because I never moved away. I wanted so much to meet you, but... how did you find us?”

Jimin smiled slightly, a bit awkwardly. “Oh. Your grandson was very helpful,” he said with a smile, letting a hint of irony seep into his tone.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jungkook roll his eyes, clearly exasperated.

Hana also noticed, and an amused smile appeared on her lips. “Really? I didn’t know you cared so much about others, Jungkook,” she said, laughing softly, her tone suspicious as if she was well acquainted with her grandson’s ways.

Jungkook crossed his arms, still a bit annoyed. “I’m just looking out for you, that’s all.”

Hana turned to Jimin with a playful smile. “Jungkook doesn’t really approve, which makes this all the more amusing.”

They shared a knowing laugh, while Jungkook muttered something unintelligible under his breath, clearly irritated.

“Oh, but we were about to have a drink,” Hana continued. “Would you like to join us, Jimin?”

Before Jimin could respond, Jungkook intervened abruptly. “Grandma, I don’t think that’s a good idea! We’ve walked a lot today; it’s been exhausting.”

Hana paused for a moment, considering her grandson’s words. “Very well, my dear,” she said gently. Then, with a mischievous glance at Jimin, she added, “Have a good evening then. Jimin, do you know a place we could go?”

Jimin stifled a laugh at Jungkook’s dismayed expression. Hana had a strong character, and he appreciated that.

“I have the perfect place!” he replied enthusiastically, delighted at the opportunity to spend more time with her.

 

 

They went to the inn's bar, which only opened in the evening and was located in the courtyard. A large wooden table was set up under the big lemon tree. The air was warm, filled with a faint citrus scent, and laughter created a cozy atmosphere. Upon their arrival, they found the entire Juliet team already seated.
Jimin sat down next to Seokjin, a smile on his face. Jungkook, on the other hand, sat directly across from him, arms crossed and still looking as reluctant as ever. Hana, tall and elegant, took a seat at the end of the table, observing the scene with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.

The conversation resumed around them, light and joyful, while Jimin couldn’t help but steal glances at Jungkook, who seemed constantly on edge. He knew the evening would be interesting with so many different personalities gathered under the same tree, sharing a unique moment.

“Tell us, Hana,” Seokjin began, a curious smile on his face, “can you tell us how you met Jinwoo?”

All eyes turned to Hana, who paused for a moment, her gaze drifting into her memories. She gently placed her glass on the table, her fingers caressing the rim as if to give herself courage.

“It was a long time ago,” she began, her voice slightly trembling. “Jinwoo and I both came from Korea, but we met here in Italy. Our families each had their reasons for coming to Europe. My father wanted me to complete a semester of studies in a nearby city to improve my education. As for Jinwoo’s father, he was desperately seeking work in Europe, hoping to provide a better life for his family. Our paths crossed at a dance party.”

She paused, her eyes lighting up with nostalgia. “It was a beautiful evening. I remember Jinwoo standing in a corner of the room, a bit withdrawn. He looked at me as if I was the only person in the room. At one point, he came up to me and told me I was the most beautiful girl in the world.”

A soft smile appeared on Jimin’s lips. Everyone listened to Hana attentively. “We both knew, from that moment, that we were meant for each other. He proposed to me soon after. But... my parents didn’t approve. To them, Jinwoo wasn’t up to our status. It didn’t matter that he was Korean too, or that he was the man I loved. All that mattered was social position. So, out of fear of disappointing them, out of fear of being rejected, I made a choice... and I left without saying a word.”

Hana sighed, her gaze falling to the table. “I’ve never stopped thinking about him. Even after all these years.”
Jimin looked at her, moved, and placed a hand over hers. Hana looked at him with a smile and continued.

“I understand. It’s really courageous of you to come back after all this time.” said Jimin.

Hana smiled faintly, turning to him. “What I’d like to tell him now is that... I regret being so cowardly. Leaving without telling him anything...”

Seokjin, who had been listening attentively, spoke up. “So, you came back to find him?”

Hana nodded slowly. “Exactly. And I’m sure he hasn’t left Italy. But I can’t say if he’s really in Verona, and that’s the problem.”

She sighed, her gaze losing some of its determined sparkle. “The hardest part is not knowing where to look. Every day spent searching feels like a lost day without answers. I’m determined to find him, but I... I think I know where to start.”

Jimin, his eyes shining with excitement, asked, “Where?”

Hana replied with a nostalgic smile, “In the village where he used to work. I still have the address in mind, but it’s outside of Verona, and Jungkook stopped me from going there today.”

Jungkook, shrugging, explained, “It’s because you wanted to hitchhike! And yes, ‘today’ is the key word. But I told you I’d take you there tomorrow.”

Hana rolled her eyes. “It’s because you don’t have an ounce of romance in you.”

“No, no. It’s because I’m just realistic, Grandma,” he said with a fake smile.

Seokjin, amused, added, “No, it’s because you’re grumpy.” He stuck out his tongue.

Jungkook chuckled and looked at all of them and said, “You’re crazy. You’re mad. All of you.”

They all started laughing and Jungkook rolled his eyes again.

Something that seems to be a habit of his, it seems, Jimin remarked.

After a while of chatting, everyone went their separate ways for the evening. However, Jimin quickly caught up with Jungkook and Hana.

“Wait... I... I’d really like to come with you and help,” he said, his enthusiasm palpable.

Jungkook, suspicious, raised an eyebrow. “Really? And why would you do that? Are you going to leave everything you have to do for this?”

Jimin, a bit embarrassed, explained, "Well… I admit it’s not entirely selfless. It started because I was intrigued by what the wall had to offer, and then I found the letter and was so moved that I’d like to… write an article about it."

Jungkook, with a mocking smile, replied, "Great, a journalist. You really love digging into people’s private lives, don’t you? It’s clearly your favorite pastime."

Jimin, slightly offended, retorted, "No, I’m not a paparazzi or anything like that. I just think your story, Hana, deserves to be heard. It could inspire a lot of people."

Touched by Jimin's sincerity, Hana smiled gently. "If you really want to help us, I’d be delighted to have you by our side. The more, the merrier, right?" she said, glancing at Jungkook.

Jungkook, who could refuse nothing from his grandmother said with a forced smile, replied, "Hm, sure."

They agreed to meet the next day and finally parted ways.

Jimin returned to the inn, his heart racing with excitement. He quickly headed to his room and pulled out his phone. With a broad smile, he initiated a call to his best friends.

“Joon, Tae! You’ll never guess what just happened!” Jimin exclaimed as the screen lit up with the faces of his friends.

Namjoon, visibly surprised but amused, replied, “Oh wow. You look really happy. Does it have something to do with the letter story?”

Jimin, almost bursting with excitement, detailed how he had found Hana and how he was now going to join them in their quest to find Jinwoo. He also mentioned how he had convinced Jungkook and Hana to let him write an article about their story.

Taehyung, listening attentively, couldn’t help but smile at the sparkle in Jimin’s eyes. “That sounds amazing! I’m so happy for you.”

Jimin, thrilled to share his joy, added, “Yeah, and I’m excited to see where this adventure will take us. But I had to tell you all about it! Hana is really incredible, too bad Jungkook is such a pain!”

“Jungkook? Who’s Jungkook?” Taehyung asked, curious.

Jimin explained, “He’s Hana’s grandson. And he’s so annoying you’d wonder if they’re really family. He called me a paparazzi looking for buzz. Can you believe it? Almost calling me a paparazzi. It’s ridiculous.”

Taehyung, amused, chimed in, “Uh, I see…”

A familiar small silence fell between them.

“What?” Jimin said, eyes wide and irritated.

“Oh me? Nothing,” Taehyung said with a smirk. “It’s just that it intrigues me a bit. With everything you’re saying… you don’t seem to like him much, but you’ve still mentioned his charm.”

Jimin, rolling his eyes, replied, “Maybe, and I’m not blind. But he’s way too annoying. And charm alone doesn’t make up for that.”

Taehyung knew his best friend too well. He was aware that behind Jimin’s complaints was a genuine fascination. With a knowing smile, he said, “Well, well, it looks like you’ve got a little inner conflict. Maybe Jungkook has a more subtle effect on you than you think.”

Jimin, shaking his head with an exasperated smile, replied, “Stop teasing me. I’m just excited about the whole story. And if Jungkook turns out to be a hindrance, I swear I’ll deal with it.”

Taehyung, still amused, responded, “I think you’re going to have a lot of fun. Especially with Jungkook.”

Jimin sighed, “Stop it, Tae. I’m here for work. And you know I’m not looking for anything, at least not now…especially since…”. He stopped himself from saying more.

Namjoon, compassionately interrupting, said, “We know, Chim. But don’t close off your options either. You never know what the future holds.”

“Yes, I know… Anyway, enough about me. How are things with you guys?” Jimin asked to change the subject.

Namjoon explained that he was overwhelmed with work but that the projects were going well, with new and exciting opportunities on the horizon. Taehyung, meanwhile, briefly mentioned his gallery visits, noting that the exhibition season was particularly busy. They exchanged a few more words before ending the call for good.

Jimin sent his weekly email to Mr. Kim, updating him on the extent of his work so far. He was pleased with Jimin’s progress and Jimin hoped that this story would give him the opportunity to advance within the newspaper.

He went to bed excited to begin the search to find Jinwoo.

 

 

 

                                                                                           🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

 

 

 

The next morning, Jungkook, Hana, and Jimin found themselves in front of the inn, ready for their expedition to the hamlet where Jinwoo had last worked. The sun bathed the streets of Verona in a golden light, promising a perfect day for their quest. Hana, full of hope, was as elegant as ever, while Jungkook seemed both eager and reserved. Jimin, on the other hand, was excited about the upcoming adventure and determined to help Hana find her former love.

They got into the car that Jungkook had rented for the occasion, and after taking one last look at the city, they hit the road, eager to see what their journey would bring.

Jimin sat in the back seat, in the middle, while Jungkook drove and Hana was in the passenger seat. He was re-reading the email that Mr. Kim had sent him that morning:

“Great job, Jimin! If you keep this up and give me a good article, you could advance quickly!”

He might finally become a real journalist.

The car engine hummed softly as they drove through the picturesque landscapes of the Italian countryside. Vast green fields, dotted with wildflowers and cypress trees, stretched out as far as the eye could see. Hana, sitting in the front, gazed out the window, lost in her thoughts, while Jimin glanced at her from time to time. He could almost feel the emotion and nostalgia she carried.

Hana, still smiling, broke the palpable tension. “You know, Jinwoo and I used to travel these kinds of roads. He always said that the journey was as important as the destination.”

Jimin nodded, touched by her words. “He was right. And now, we’re taking this journey… for him.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. “We’re supposed to find a man, not philosophize about the road,” he muttered.

Jimin sighed quietly, glancing at Hana to make sure she wasn’t hurt by her grandson’s attitude. However, she seemed impervious to his grumbling. In fact, she was smiling gently, staring at the horizon with a mix of hope and nostalgia.

They had traveled halfway and still had more to go, so they stopped at a picnic area midway. A wooden picnic table awaited them under a weeping willow tree.

Hana sat by the tree while Jimin took a seat on one of the benches. Jungkook, on the other hand, sat directly on the table. Jimin rolled his eyes but said nothing.

Hana continued her story a bit more.

“Jinwoo loved peaceful places like this. We used to sit under a tree and talk about everything and nothing.”

Jimin smiled. “And how often did you see each other?”

“Whenever we could. Every stolen moment away from our families’ expectations, away from responsibilities. It was as if the world stopped turning when we were together.”

Jimin nodded, fascinated by the depth of this love that had withstood the test of time. He turned to Jungkook, who remained silent, looking away as if to avoid any emotion. He sat with his hands on his knees, nervously playing with his fingers.

“It must have been magical,” Jimin murmured, almost to himself.

Hana nodded gently, her smile tinged with a slight sadness. “It was. That’s what makes the separation even more painful... But I cherish those memories as treasures. Nothing and no one can take them away from me.”

A silence settled, only disturbed by the rustling of the wind in the willow’s branches. Jimin glanced at Jungkook, who seemed strangely calmer than usual, though still defensive. He finally broke the silence, in a gentler tone than Jimin had heard him use before.

“Are you sure you want to stir all this up? Sometimes, memories are all we have left... and maybe it’s better that way.”

Hana looked at him long and hard, her gaze full of tenderness. “You know, Jungkook, sometimes stirring up the past is the only way to find peace. That’s what I want... for myself, for Jinwoo, and maybe for you too.”

Jungkook frowned slightly but did not respond, letting his grandmother’s words resonate within him.

“And besides, we’re here to find your soulmate after all!” Jimin said enthusiastically.

These words seemed to awaken Jungkook’s irritable side, as he suddenly replied, annoyed, “My grandmother’s soulmate was my grandfather. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”

Before Jimin could react or apologize, Jungkook abruptly stood up and walked away, visibly annoyed. Hana, observing the scene, placed a soothing hand on Jimin’s shoulder and smiled gently.

“Don’t worry, it’s okay. Jungkook has always been like this, very realistic, like his grandfather. He has a hard time with romantic stories. The only time he tried, it was with one of his friends… but it didn’t go well.”

Intrigued, Hana looked at Jimin with kindness before asking softly, “And you, Jimin? Have you ever known love?”

Jimin get closer and sit next to her. He lowered his eyes slightly, a bit sad, then replied calmly, “Yes... I was engaged some time ago. But I broke off the engagement.”

Hana nodded, surprised but understanding. “Why?” she asked gently.

Jimin took a deep breath. “I’ve always been a romantic, convinced that love was the most beautiful thing in the world... but I realized quite quickly that between Haein and me... there was a gap.” He paused, trying to express what he truly felt. “We wanted different things. I was ready to commit, to build something deep, but Haein... he had other priorities, a different vision for the future.”

Hana listened in silence, absorbing each of his words. “It must have been hard to recognize that.”

Jimin looked down, touched by her words. “I think I realized it too late. It was as if I was clinging to an idea of love, rather than the person in front of me.”

Hana smiled softly. “But you’ve learned, right? That’s what’s important. True love doesn’t come with a manual. Sometimes, you have to make mistakes to better understand what you’re really looking for.”

Before Jimin could respond, Jungkook returned to them, looking calmer but still somewhat distant. He didn’t say anything as he sat next to his grandmother, but Jimin knew that the conversation they had just had resonated with him too, in one way or another.

Jimin, still sitting under the tree, watched Hana move a little further away to give herself some time and space. He then turned to Jungkook, who was preparing to join his grandmother.

“Wait a moment, Jungkook, please.” Jimin gently stopped him.

Jungkook turned to him, his gaze still cold. “What now?” he asked, clearly annoyed.

Jimin took a deep breath before speaking. “I wanted to apologize for earlier. I spoke too quickly, and I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just very invested in this story, and I might have been a bit clumsy.”

Jungkook sighed, his gaze still stern but slightly softened. “It’s fine.”

Jimin, with a sigh, added, “Jungkook, you also need to understand that sometimes, loving two people at different times in your life doesn’t take away from the love you feel for each of them. Love can be complicated, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less real. What I’m saying is that everyone has their own path, and even if things don’t always go the way you want, it doesn’t diminish the value of what you felt.”

Jungkook, listening attentively, seemed to reflect on Jimin’s words. After a moment, he nodded slowly, as if accepting the idea.

 

 

They resumed their journey, and after a few more hours, they finally arrived at the small hamlet. It was a simple place, almost forgotten by time. Stone houses, a small central square, and, on the horizon, the stud where Jinwoo had worked.

They got out of the car, and Hana took a deep breath.

“This is it,” she murmured.

Jimin placed a hand on her shoulder. “Are you ready?”

Hana nodded, but before she could take a step, Jungkook positioned himself in front of them, his face even more closed off than usual.

“Wait... what if we don’t find anything? What if this is all just a memory you’re clinging to, trying to resurrect?”

Hana looked at him long and hard, her eyes full of softness and sadness. “I need to know, Jungkook. Even if the answer isn’t what I hope for... I need to know.”

Jimin looked at Jungkook, then at Hana. He understood, at that moment, how crucial this quest was for her. He had never seen someone so determined to make peace with their past.

“We’re with you,” he murmured.

Jungkook sighed but nodded. Hana walked towards the door and knocked. It was only after a long moment that the door finally opened.

Chapter 3: Bloom

Jimin was sitting at the table of the hotel where Jungkook and Hana were staying. They were seated by the pool, enjoying the calm of the morning. A few vacationers were sunbathing on loungers, while others quietly splashed around in the blue water. The sky was clear, and the atmosphere light, contrasting with the palpable tension between Jungkook and his grandmother. A light breeze made Jimin’s blonde hair flutter.

Jimin, always calm, was scrolling through pages on his phone directory. He looked up and announced:

"According to my research, there are 74 Park Jinwoos in and around Verona."

Jungkook, wrapped tightly in a bathrobe, almost choked on his glass of water when he heard the number.

"74? Don’t tell me we have to knock on every door! That’s impossible. Grandma, we’re leaving tomorrow, I don’t care!"

He uttered these words while tightening his robe, exasperated by the thought of having to search for so many people. His eyes betrayed growing weariness.

Hana, thoughtful, looked at Jimin, reflecting on what he had just said. She finally asked softly:
"What do you think, Jimin? Is there a way to narrow down the list?"

Before Jimin could answer, Jungkook interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm:
"But Grandma, Jimin doesn’t think. He’s like you, he does everything with his ‘heart,’" he said with a hint of disdain. "Gran’,for once, listen to me, we should..."

Hana turned a stern look toward him. "Shut up, Jungkook."She spoke calmly, but with an authority that stopped her grandson in his tracks. Jungkook groaned but finally fell silent, though he couldn’t hide his discontent.

Amused by the scene, Jimin smiled and replied to Hana:
"As a journalist, I’m used to sorting through information. I’ll take care of narrowing down the list. Once we cross-reference some data, the number will surely drop. We’ll find Jinwoo, I’m sure of it."

Jungkook, arms crossed, gave him a skeptical look.
"Yeah, because that worked so well last time," he grumbled, referring to their previous attempt.

A few days earlier, they had knocked on the door of a man who had once worked with Jinwoo. He was an old man, kind but confused, who vaguely remembered a certain Jinwoo he had worked with in the past, but had no idea where he might have gone. They left empty-handed, and although Hana was disappointed, she hadn’t lost hope.

Jungkook, however, had been constantly trying to convince her to give up on the search. To him, it was a waste of time. He had even tried to change her mind after the failure, but Hana remained determined to find Jinwoo.

The next morning, Hana had contacted Jimin to join them at the hotel. They had to continue the search, but this time with a more focused approach.

Jungkook still had his arms crossed and was looking at Jimin with disdain.
Jimin wasn’t intimidated and met his gaze, refusing to give in to the palpable tension between them.

Concerned about easing the atmosphere, Hana intervened gently:
"Kookie, didn’t you say you wanted to swim? Go do a few laps and let us work."

Without a word, Jungkook turned away, but not before throwing one last wary glance in Jimin’s direction. Jimin rolled his eyes, exasperated by the constant attitude.

Hana, feeling sorry, sighed lightly.
"I’m really sorry, Jimin. Jungkook has always been difficult, but never like this. I don’t know what’s gotten into him."

"Don’t worry about it, Hana, it’s nothing..."

Jimin watched Jungkook walk away, nonchalantly removing his bathrobe and letting it fall onto a lounge chair. His black swim trunks clung to his figure, and Jimin couldn’t help but notice Jungkook’s perfectly defined abs.

Jungkook was handsome. Very handsome.

Jungkook dove effortlessly into the pool, his body cutting through the water with almost graceful fluidity. A few moments later, he resurfaced, water streaming down his shoulders and back. Without a word, he pushed his black hair back with a natural motion, droplets glistening in the sunlight.

Despite himself, Jimin couldn’t help but watch, feeling a slight warmth rise to his cheeks.

Focus, he reminded himself. He doesn’t like you, and now is really not the time to get distracted.

Hana, with her mischievous smile, interrupted Jimin. "My grandson is handsome, isn’t he?" she said with a wink.

Jimin, caught off guard, quickly looked away, his cheeks growing even redder. He let out a small nervous laugh, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Uh... yes, well... he... uh..." He struggled to find his words but realized he was only making things worse. He quickly seized the opportunity to change the subject.

"Hana, are you really sure Jinwoo stayed in Italy?" he asked, clearing his throat. "He could’ve gone back to Korea after all this time, right?"

Hana sighed lightly, thoughtful. "I’ve thought about that more than once. But no, I’m convinced he stayed here. He loved Italy too much to leave, especially the land around Verona. It was like... his second home."

Jimin nodded and pulled out the map he had prepared, detailing Verona and its surroundings. Several points were marked, indicating the addresses of the different Park Jinwoos listed in the directory.

"Alright, so taking into account what you’ve told me," he traced a circle on the map, grouping the points within a certain area. "I think we should focus our search in this perimeter."

Hana observed Jimin’s work with admiration. "You’re amazing, Jimin. I don’t know what I’d do without you." She then stood up, still smiling. "Get ready, we’ll leave this afternoon. I’m going to change."

She walked toward her room to get ready, leaving Jimin alone for a moment. But before he could take a breath, Jungkook resurfaced, both literally and figuratively. Soaking wet, water dripped from his tanned skin, highlighting every perfectly sculpted muscle. He approached the table, casting a direct and piercing look at Jimin.

"So, what were you talking about?" he asked, his eyes not leaving Jimin’s.

Jimin, already a bit flustered, felt a familiar warmth rising to his cheeks. He tried to maintain eye contact, but the task proved more difficult than he had anticipated. Stammering slightly, he awkwardly explained the situation.

“Uh, I... I was just telling your grandmother that... we should focus our search in... in this area...” He pointed to the circle drawn on the map, trying to remain professional, but his thoughts kept wandering.

Jungkook, as if he understood the reason for Jimin’s nervousness, gave a sly smile. He knew very well the effect he had on people, and he seemed to take mischievous pleasure in it. That teasing smile made Jimin blush even more, much to his dismay.

“Hmm, interesting,” Jungkook replied, his tone amused, as if savoring Jimin’s discomfort.

Throwing one last glance at Jimin, Jungkook smirked and said, “I’m going to change too. Seems like I’m not safe from being watched here.” He added with a light laugh, as if to emphasize the humor of the situation.

Jimin, wide-eyed and mouth slightly open, watched Jungkook walk away, completely caught off guard.

He shook his head and groaned, realizing just how embarrassed he was by the situation.

How shameful, really. He shouldn’t be so affected by someone like him. Especially since Jungkook had been cold from the start.

He tried to focus on the task at hand and on the map in front of him to distract himself, but Jungkook’s mocking smile remained fixed in his mind.

Accompanied by the sounds of Italian songs playing on the radio, the trio set off on the road. Jimin, still sitting in the back of the car, took out his notebook and began documenting everything that had happened since the beginning of their quest.

As the landscapes flew by the window, Jimin meticulously noted down every detail—he was determined to capture the essence of their journey to do justice to the story he hoped to write.

The first Park Jinwoo they found wasn’t Hana’s Jinwoo—she knew it immediately. He lived in a small village near Verona, but his characteristics didn’t match, and there was no spark of familiarity in his eyes. Hana quickly expressed her disappointment, and they thanked the man, who made her promise to return, before heading back on the road.

The next one was even less likely. They met him near the port of a village close to Siena, accompanied by several women on a boat. Hana let out an “Oh my God,” shaking her head.

Clearly, it wasn’t him.

Jungkook, unable to contain himself, chuckled a little, finding the situation quite absurd. “Honestly, we should write a book about these improbable encounters.”

Jimin, amused, laughed and gave him a playful elbow.

They got back on the road, heading to the next Park Jinwoo, whose imposing house could already be seen from the road.

“Honestly, if the famous Jinwoo lives here, I wouldn’t mind,” Jungkook said with a smile.

But, of course, once again, it wasn’t him.

“Too bad,” Jungkook shrugged as he made his way back to the car door. “I would’ve been really happy here.”

“Happy?” Jimin said, turning to him in surprise. “Wait, did you just say ‘happy’? Wow, Hana, call an ambulance, Jungkook’s feeling a positive emotion!”

Jungkook chuckled. “Don’t worry, Jimin, I have a reputation to uphold.” He smirked, crossing his arms as if to reaffirm his distant demeanor.

Jimin, amused, returned the smile.

Meanwhile, Hana, watching the scene attentively, gave a small smile, as if she could see through her grandson’s tough exterior.

The trio got back on the road, but as the sun began to set on the horizon, they decided to stop for the night at a small family-run hotel nestled by the roadside. After settling in, the three of them gathered in the hotel dining room for dinner.

The conversation revolved around the day’s events and the various Park Jinwoos they had met. Jimin, sitting across from Jungkook, finally let his curiosity get the better of him.

“By the way, Jungkook, I was wondering... what do you do for work?”

Jungkook, who was in the middle of poking at his food, looked up, surprised by the question. After a brief pause, he answered calmly, but with a hint of pride: “I work in music. I run a program that allows underprivileged people to enroll in lessons for free.”

Jimin was speechless, caught off guard by the response. He blinked, slightly bewildered. Jungkook noticed his silence and raised an eyebrow, a sly smile on his lips.

“What, you didn’t expect me to work in something that helps others?” he asked with a falsely innocent look.

Jimin shook his head, a little embarrassed. “Honestly... not really. You’ve got this snobby and strict side, so I imagined you more in finance or something like that.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes, exasperated. “Very funny, Jimin, really.”

Hana, sitting nearby, watched the scene unfold with amusement, a small smile playing on her lips, clearly pleased by the budding dynamic between the two. After a while, she gently placed her napkin on the table and announced, “I think I’ll head to bed. I’m feeling tired.”

Jungkook stood up immediately. “I’ll walk you to your room, Grandma.”

But Hana shook her head softly and, leaning in close, whispered in his ear, “Stay at the table with Jimin, okay?”

A little surprised, Jungkook hesitated but eventually sat back down, watching as Hana made her way to her room. A light silence settled between them, and Jimin took the opportunity to sip his drink, observing Jungkook.

Surprisingly, Jungkook kept talking, much more open than he had been before. Maybe the wine was helping, or perhaps the fatigue had loosened his guard. He started explaining how, for over three years, he had been funding a music program for underprivileged children and teenagers, allowing them to take free lessons. The project had already helped more than 1,000 students, ranging from elementary to high school.

Jimin listened attentively, genuinely impressed. “Wow, that’s incredible, really.” He paused, his gaze locking with Jungkook’s. “I’m... really admiring what you do. I wish I could help as many people as you do.”

For a moment, their eyes met, and Jimin smiled sincerely, letting his respect show. Jungkook froze for a second, holding his glass, his eyes locked with Jimin’s. After a second or two, he suddenly looked away, bringing his glass to his lips to hide his unease.

Jimin couldn’t help but notice a slight blush on Jungkook’s cheeks. But, unsure, he wondered if he was imagining things.

After finishing their meal, they stood in silence. Together, they walked through the hotel’s garden, where the sound of crickets and soft, dim lights created a calming, almost magical atmosphere.

Walking side by side, neither of them spoke for a moment, both lost in thought. Then, Jungkook broke the silence, his voice softer than usual. “I wanted to tell you...” He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. “I’m still hesitant about this whole letter thing. I’ve been from the start, and I still am.”

Jimin turned his head to look at him, surprised by Jungkook’s sudden sincerity.

“It’s just that...” Jungkook continued, sighing, his eyes fixed ahead. “I worry about my grandmother. She’s already suffered so much after my grandfather passed. I don’t want her to go through another disappointment, another heartbreak.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, visibly tense. “My behavior... I know it’s not easy to deal with, but that’s the only reason. For her. I just want to protect her.”

Hearing these words, Jimin felt a weight lift. He now understood Jungkook a little better—his reluctance and his cold demeanor.

“I get it,” Jimin said gently, his words sincere. “You just want what’s best for her. That’s completely normal.”

Jungkook nodded but remained silent. As they approached the door to Jimin’s room, he murmured, almost to himself, “I just hope this won’t hurt her even more...”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure it’ll all work out,” Jimin reassured him with a smile.

“Let’s hope so.”

 

The trio continued their journey, still searching for the real Park Jinwoo. They traveled to the city of Siena and met three more people with the same name, but none of them were the one Hana was looking for. With each disappointing encounter, Hana seemed to lose a bit more hope.

Jimin, aware of her emotional state, tried to comfort her. “Don’t lose hope, Hana. You’ve already endured so much and waited for so long. You have to keep believing that you’ll find him.”

Hana looked up at him with a sad smile. “You know, I’ve held onto hope for over fifty years. I’m not giving up now. I need to know. Even if it’s hard, I have to keep going.”

Her determined tone, despite her visible exhaustion and disappointment, reminded Jimin of the depth of her love and perseverance. He realized that this quest was much more than just a search—it was a journey to recover an essential part of her life.

One morning, as Jimin was writing in his notebook while having breakfast on the hotel terrace, Jungkook appeared.

“Hey,” said Jungkook.

“Hello,” replied Jimin with a slight smile before returning to his writing.

“My grandmother... she decided to stay at the hotel this morning,” Jungkook said after a moment of silence, his eyes lingering on Jimin.

Jimin looked up, but he let Jungkook continue.

“I was thinking of visiting Siena,” Jungkook added after a pause, still watching Jimin closely.

“Great. That’s a good idea,” Jimin said with a smile, taking a sip of his tea.

Jungkook, looking a bit nervous, added, “I guess you’d rather stay here and write. Have a good day.”

Jimin smiled back but felt a slight hesitation. Did Jungkook want him to come along? he wondered.

After a brief pause, Jungkook said, “Well, see you later,” and turned to leave.

Just as he started to walk away, Jimin called out, “Jungkook!”

Jungkook turned back, surprised.

“On second thought, I think I’ll join you ,” Jimin said with a cheeky smile.

So, they found themselves wandering the streets of Siena. As they strolled, Jimin remarked to Jungkook, “I didn’t mean to give you compliments, but I’m really happy to see how much you’re helping your grandmother, even if it means sacrificing a peaceful vacation.”

He added, curious, “Do you do it willingly, or did someone push you into it? Like, your parents, for example?”

Jungkook offered a shy smile and explained, “My parents were very busy with work; my grandmother practically raised me. I’m very close to her. My parents are divorced and didn’t really want to remember the child who mixed their two personalities.”

“I’m really sorry to hear that,” Jimin replied sincerely.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jungkook said earnestly. “I’m more sorry for my grandmother. She had to raise an angry little boy craving parental love,” he said with a smile.

Then he continued, “And you, how’s your family?” asked Jungkook.

Jimin answered, “Well, initially, I lived alone with my mother in Busan. Then I went to study in the United States because I got a scholarship. And now I live in Seoul. I work for the Seoul Chronicle.”

“Wait, wait. You really come from Busan?” Jungkook, surprised, raised his eyebrows as if he could hardly believe it.

Jimin, with a mischievous smile, replied in Busan dialect, “What do you think?”

Jungkook burst into laughter, his nose crinkling in an amusing way.

As they continued their walk in Siena, they found an ice cream shop. Jungkook chose caramel and vanilla, while Jimin opted for a simple scoop of dark chocolate. Jimin wondered how Jungkook could enjoy such sweet flavors.

Noticing Jimin’s puzzled look, Jungkook responded with a smile, “What? I just like simple, sweet and tasteful flavors.”

Jimin, a bit surprised but amused, chuckled. Jungkook, slightly embarrassed, blushed a little.

They then settled on some outdoor seats. While Jimin wrote in his notebook, Jungkook, licking his ice cream, asked if he could read what Jimin had written. After a moment of hesitation, Jimin handed over the notebook. Jungkook, absorbed in reading, couldn’t stop. Seeing this, Jimin laughed and said it was enough, taking the notebook back from Jungkook.

“What you wrote is really amazing,” Jungkook said admiringly. “You have a real gift for writing.”

Jimin blushed with embarrassment and asked softly, “Are you serious?”

Jungkook, eyes sparkling, replied with a sincere smile, “Yes, really. You have a unique writing style. You should definitely keep going; you have real talent. Honestly, you could even write books if you wanted to.”

Jimin looked down slightly, a bit embarrassed. “I’ve tried… but I gave up.”

Jungkook, amused, teased, “You, give up? What a coward.”

Jimin, feigning annoyance, raised an eyebrow and exclaimed, “Me, a coward?”

Then, in a playful burst, he put a small dab of ice cream on Jungkook’s nose.

“So, is this what a coward looks like?”

Jungkook burst into laughter and, without hesitation, smeared a bit of ice cream on Jimin’s face in return. They both laughed heartily, looking at each other with complicity. They found themselves ridiculous, smeared with ice cream, but it only made the moment even more fun and lighthearted.

As they looked into each other’s eyes, their laughter gradually faded, leaving a silence charged with something new, almost palpable. The tension between them grew more intense, as if time had stopped. Their smiles froze, and for a moment, neither dared to speak or break the moment.

Feeling his heart beat a bit faster, Jimin nervously swallowed before abruptly looking away. “We… we should go find Hana, shouldn’t we?” he said quickly, almost too hastily to hide what he was feeling.

Jungkook nodded, also averting his gaze, his smile becoming more subdued. “Yeah… we should.”

They returned to the hotel where Hana was waiting patiently to resume their journey. After quickly freshening up, they got back in the car, ready to continue their quest. The roads stretched out before them, and with each stop, hope was rekindled a little, even though the disappointment was becoming harder to hide.

They met several men named Park Jinwoo, but none matched the one they were searching for. At one point, they even came across a priest with that name. Jungkook, amused by the irony of the situation, whispered with a smile, “Well, at least we know this one can’t be our Jinwoo.”

Hana let out a light sigh, her gaze growing a bit more weary with each failure, but she didn’t let her enthusiasm wane.

Another fruitless day. Back at the hotel, they found themselves once again empty-handed. Jungkook and Jimin settled at the bar, this time without Hana, who had decided to rest after so many exhausting travels.

Sitting around their drinks, the atmosphere was more relaxed. They talked about everything and nothing, letting their conversation drift freely. They touched on light topics, but also more personal ones, gradually getting to know each other. Jungkook talked a bit more about his childhood memories, his passion for music, and Jimin, feeling more at ease, shared some amusing anecdotes from his work as a journalist.

With each exchange, a new facet of each other was revealed, and the initial strangeness between them seemed to dissipate, giving way to a budding camaraderie.

Amused by the turn of the conversation, Jimin said with a smile, “Hana and Jinwoo’s story is a bit like Romeo and Juliet, but in a modern version.”

Jungkook nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I just hope Jinwoo isn’t like Romeo, though.”

Intrigued, Jimin asked, “Why?” But before Jungkook could answer, he added with a slight laugh, “Too romantic for you, maybe?”

Jungkook rolled his eyes with a small smile before replying, “Romeo was an idiot. Why waste time reciting poetry to Juliet from the garden when he could’ve just climbed up to her balcony? Me, I would’ve climbed up... and stolen a kiss.”

They both burst into laughter together, but beneath the lightness, the palpable tension between them grew.

Jimin looked at him for a moment, then, curious, asked softly, “Have you ever been that... romantic yourself?”

A brief silence fell, and the air between them seemed to fill with an unexpected intensity.

Jungkook looked down slightly before responding, his voice a bit softer than usual, “Yes, once. With my ex, Yoongi.”

Jimin, surprised, remained silent, his eyes widening slightly at Jungkook mentioning a former boyfriend.

“We met at uni,” Jungkook continued, a faint melancholic smile on his lips. “We even worked together afterward. We were together for two years.”

Jimin listened attentively, feeling that Jungkook was opening up to him in an unexpected way.

“And then, one day, Yoongi left me. Not because he didn’t love me anymore, but because he had to go to the United States... for work. He had to stay there for more than a year, and... we knew it would be complicated to maintain a long-distance relationship. But I also think it is because…he felt neglected…”

A silence fell, as if Jungkook was allowing himself to revisit some buried memories. Jimin, touched by this story, remained thoughtful for a moment, not knowing what to say, but feeling the weight of Jungkook’s words.

Sensing the atmosphere cooling slightly, Jungkook gave a small smile. “That was a while ago,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve moved on since then.” His eyes met Jimin’s, with an almost imperceptible glint.

Jimin, a bit caught off guard by this sudden intensity, returned his smile, raising his beer for a sip. He let a small silence settle, appreciating the moment without quite knowing what to say.

They exchanged a knowing look, a silent understanding forming between them.

Jimin found himself enjoying the ease that was developing between them. He had always seen Jungkook as someone distant, almost unattainable with his nonchalant airs and well-honed sarcasm. But tonight, something had changed. Jungkook was starting to drop his barriers, showing a more authentic side. And that resonated with Jimin, who realized he was doing the same, little by little. He felt less on guard, more open, as if a common ground was slowly being built between them. A budding camaraderie he had never imagined.

They set out with renewed determination. Only a handful of Park Jinwoos were left to meet, and they were determined to see them all in one day. The first appointments of the day were once again disappointing, leaving a trace of bitterness. But Jimin noticed that despite the successive letdowns, Hana did not lose hope. She clung to the idea that the next one would be the right one, that they would finally reach their goal.

As they got back in the car for another attempt, Jimin, sitting in the back, felt Jungkook’s gaze on him through the rearview mirror. He looked up from his notebook and caught Jungkook in the act of observing him. Jungkook smiled, a bit taken aback, but did not look away. Jimin returned his smile, and for a brief moment, the silence in the car seemed more soothing, less oppressive.

They finally arrived at the last address, near Siena. The sun was gently setting, bathing the small street in a golden light. Sensing Hana’s palpable tension, Jimin approached her and gently took her hand. With a reassuring smile, he murmured, “It’s going to be okay, don’t worry.”

They walked together towards the house, hearts pounding, guided by this last glimmer of hope. “Is this number 3?” Jimin asked, glancing at the numbers on the facades. Hana nodded, her throat tight.

They reached the door, and a heavy silence settled. Hana took a deep breath to muster her courage and then knocked once, twice. The sound of her knocks seemed to echo in the street, but there was no response. They waited, hearts suspended between hope and apprehension.

No one came to open the door. Just as they were about to leave, a young man on a Vespa stopped nearby. He called out to them in Italian, asking if they were looking for Park Jinwoo.

They nodded enthusiastically. The young man signaled them to follow him. Climbing onto his scooter, he led them through winding streets towards a new direction, hinting at a glimmer of hope.

They got back in the car, Hana slightly anxious but also hopeful. The landscape sped by as the Vespa took them towards an unknown destination. Suddenly, they stopped in front of a large iron gate.

 

Hana, breathless, murmured, “No…”

 

Unfortunately, her fears were confirmed.

 

It was indeed a cemetery that stretched out before them.

 

Jimin stood frozen and shocked. He watched as Hana got out of the car, followed by Jungkook. He shook off his stupor and followed them, his hands trembling. They approached the cemetery caretaker to ask for information.

The caretaker asked who they were looking for, and Jungkook replied hesitantly. The caretaker then informed them that Park Jinwoo had arrived recently. Following his directions, they walked through rows of graves until they reached Park Jinwoo’s grave. Hana, devastated, nearly collapsed upon seeing the tomb. She asked the boys to leave her alone for a moment.

The boys stepped away a bit, but Jungkook, frustrated, expressed his suppressed anger. He was irritated by what he had wanted to avoid.

“This is what I wanted to avoid,” Jungkook said, his eyes filled with frustration.

Jimin, trying to calm the situation, attempted to reason.

“I understand, but it’s possible it might not be him. It could be another Park Jinwoo. There are still more to meet,” Jimin asserted carefully.

Jungkook, visibly shocked by Jimin’s response, retorted, “No, that’s enough, Jimin. She lost him 50 years ago, she can’t keep losing him. How many times does she have to lose him?”

Jimin, on the verge of replying, was interrupted by Jungkook.

“I know you want to write your article, but taking pity stories from others isn’t going to make you a sensational journalist. You’re just pathetic at this point.”

A brief silence ensued before Jimin responded softly.

“I’ve told you before. I’m not doing this for glory, but to share a story that—”

Jungkook, bluntly, said, “You’ve caused enough damage already, Jimin, don’t you think?”

Jimin, eyes filled with sadness, remained silent. He glanced one last time at Hana, who was still looking at the grave, and then at Jungkook, who had turned away. Jimin returned to the car, leaving behind a palpable tension.

They returned to the hotel in a heavy silence, each lost in their thoughts. The tension that had settled between them made the atmosphere heavier, making every minute in the car feel suffocating. Jimin, sitting in the back, nervously stared out the window at the passing scenery. He dared not look at Jungkook, let alone Hana, who seemed engulfed in her own silent sorrow.

He felt a weight on his chest, a kind of guilt that grew heavier with every mile. He was the one who had initiated the search, the one who had pushed to find this man. And now, they were faced with a grave, unsure if it was truly the Park Jinwoo they were looking for. But the pain on Hana’s face, her heartbreaking silence, Jungkook’s anger… all of it weighed on Jimin as if he were directly responsible.

He opened his mouth several times, searching for the right words, but each time, he refrained. What could he possibly say to ease the situation? Nothing seemed appropriate, and the longer the silence lasted, the more he felt the distance between them growing.

The road seemed endless.

They finally arrived at the hotel. Without a word, Jimin got out of the car and headed straight for his room. Jungkook watched him climb the stairs, a hint of regret in his eyes. He had never been very good at apologizing, especially when he knew he had hurt someone. But as he watched Jimin disappear down the hallway, he felt a pang in his heart. He hadn’t wanted it to end this way.

As he was about to head to his own room, Hana gently grabbed him by the arm and led him aside. She had a kind but wise look in her eyes, and he knew she wasn't happy with what she had overheard.

“Jungkook,” she began softly. “I heard everything you said to Jimin earlier.”

Jungkook lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze. “I did it out of anger, Gran’. I didn’t really mean it. It’s just that… seeing you sad made me…” He trailed off, searching for the right words to express his frustration.

Hana nodded gently. “I understand. But you need to stop holding Jimin responsible for all of this. He didn’t force me to follow him. It was also my wish to find Jinwoo. If it really is him in that grave… well, that’s the cycle of life. You can’t always blame others for the pain you feel.”

Jungkook hung his head in shame. He knew she was right, but admitting it made things even harder. Hana placed a comforting hand on his slightly curly black hair.

“I know you’re a good boy. I raised you, and I know you better than anyone. And I know you regret hurting Jimin, especially now that you’ve grown closer.”

Jungkook remained silent, his grandmother’s words touching him more than he wanted to admit. He thought back to all the moments he had come to know Jimin better during the trip, all the conversations, and the shared laughter.

“Tomorrow morning, as soon as the sun rises, you need to apologize. You can’t let this linger,” she concluded softly.

Jungkook nodded, feeling suddenly even more guilty. “Okay, Grandma,” he murmured before hugging her briefly.

 

Unfortunately for Jungkook, Jimin spent most of the following day locked in his room, avoiding others as much as possible. His eyes were swollen from crying too much the night before. Guilt was eating away at him, and he especially didn’t want to meet Jungkook’s gaze, let alone Hana’s. He felt responsible for the whole situation, reproaching himself for stirring up an old story that now seemed to cause even more pain.

He had just stepped out of the shower, wearing a light white shirt and brown linen pants, with a small towel on his head to dry his still-damp blonde hair. As he was heading towards the mirror to fix his hair, he suddenly heard knocks at the door. Surprised, he hesitated for a moment before going to open it.

He came face to face with Hana, who looked at him with a gentle smile. He let her in wordlessly and invited her to sit on the couch. He took a seat in the chair across from her, staring at his reflection in the mirror for a moment before looking away in shame.

Tears welled up in his eyes again. Hana looked at him with the comforting gentleness she always had, but Jimin felt even more guilty under her gaze. She seemed to sense this and spoke softly, as if to break the silence.

“Don’t worry, none of this is your fault,” she said with a smile, trying to reassure him.

Jimin lowered his head, a silent tear rolling down his cheek. “I feel so guilty,” he murmured, his voice breaking with emotion. “If I hadn’t sent that letter back, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

Hana looked at him tenderly and then shook her head. “No, Jimin, you don’t have to regret what you did. Do you know why?”

Jimin shook his head, and Hana continued.

“Because that letter gave me the courage I didn’t have more than 50 years ago. You awakened something in me that I had buried.”

Jimin looked up at her, distressed, trying to understand her words. “But… what if it was him, and what if this whole journey was for nothing?”

Hana smiled faintly. “Even if it was him, you allowed me to close a chapter I never had the strength to turn. That’s not nothing. You gave me a chance I thought I would never have again.”

Jimin looked at her, his tears flowing more freely. “I’m so sorry…”

She gently moved closer to him, taking his hands in hers. “Stop apologizing, Jimin. What you did was brave. And I thank you for that.”

Hana still held his hands, her gaze full of tenderness. She sighed slightly before speaking almost in a whisper, as if revealing a secret she perhaps shouldn’t share.

“You know, Jungkook feels guilty too.”

Jimin looked at her in surprise. He remained silent for a moment, trying to understand. He couldn’t imagine Jungkook, who had been so cold and distant the day before, regretting his words.

"He's... feeling guilty?" Jimin murmured, his voice hesitant.

Hana nodded gently, a faint smile on her lips. "Yes, he just doesn't know how to express his feelings. He's always been like that. When he's angry, he says things he doesn't really mean. But I know he regrets hurting you. He doesn’t like to show when he’s wrong, but he’s been troubled since yesterday."

Jimin blinked, trying to process this information. A part of him felt somewhat relieved, even though the pain from their exchanged words still lingered.

"I... I don’t know what to say," Jimin said, lowering his gaze, searching for the right words. "I thought he hated me."

"You, Jimin, more than anyone, should know that he doesn’t hate you," Hana said softly, her voice soothing. "I haven’t seen him so playful and so amused with anyone in a long time. It’s as if you’ve brought out a light in him that he had tried to bury."

Jimin furrowed his brow slightly, taken aback by her words. He opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. He simply stared at Hana, her words echoing in his mind.

"I think, in some way," Hana continued, "he sees in you a presence he hasn’t had for a long time. Someone who understands him, even if he doesn’t want to admit it." She smiled tenderly. "That might be why he reacted so strongly yesterday. When we feel exposed, sometimes we hurt others without meaning to."

Jimin bit his lip, Hana’s words reaching him more deeply than he had anticipated. "I don’t know…" he murmured, his voice slightly trembling. "I’m not sure I bring anything good to him."

Hana gently squeezed his hand, her gaze full of kindness. "Yes, you do. You are much more important than you realize."

Hana opened her arms, and without a word, Jimin got up to embrace her. They hugged for a long time, the silence filling the room with a calming presence. Hana gently patted his back, then pulled away to wipe the tears still streaming down his face.

"Come on, it’s going to be alright, my dear," she said softly, a reassuring smile on her lips. She took the towel from Jimin’s hands with a tender gesture. "Let me help you with this."

Jimin allowed her to, a bit surprised but touched by her gesture. She began to gently dry his hair, as if she were caring for a child. Her movements were full of tenderness, and Jimin, though still upset, felt a deep sense of calm settling within him.

Hana managed to persuade Jimin to come down for dinner. Jungkook was already waiting, sitting with a nervousness barely concealed behind his polished appearance. When he saw Jimin, his eyes widened in surprise. Jimin, on the other hand, quickly looked down, feeling uncomfortable.

Jungkook was wearing a light black shirt, his hair styled in a wet-look effect that accentuated his nonchalant, almost elegant appearance. Jimin had no choice but to sit next to him, as Jungkook pulled out his chair like a gentleman, without a word. They sat down, and the silence was heavy.

Hana, sitting across from them, shot a pointed look at Jungkook, one that seemed to say, “Apologize and do it quickly.” Jungkook took a deep breath and then turned toward Jimin.

“Jimin… about yesterday…” he began in a low, almost hesitant voice. “I... I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Jimin looked at him for a moment, his eyes still showing traces of fatigue and sadness despite his efforts to mask it. His tears had dried, but even with makeup, it was clear that he had been crying. He eventually offered a small, gentle smile, understanding and forgiving.

“It’s okay,” he murmured in response.

After finishing their dinner, Hana excused herself quickly, claiming to be tired. She got up from the table much earlier than they did, heading to her room while giving Jungkook a knowing wink before disappearing. She left them with a silence that was clearly meant to provide the two young men with a moment alone, aware that they still had things to discuss.

Embarrassed by Hana’s gesture, Jungkook lowered his head for a moment, nervously fiddling with the edge of his napkin.

Under the starry sky in the hotel's deserted garden, Jungkook suggested to Jimin that they go outside for some fresh air. They walked in silence until they reached a large tree, its branches spreading out like a protective canopy. Jimin, without a word, lay gently on the cool grass, gazing up at the clear sky. Jungkook watched him for a moment before timidly asking:

“Can I join you?”

“Yes, of course,” Jimin replied with a slight smile.

Jungkook lay down beside him. They remained like that, gazing at the stars in silence, lulled by the rustling of the leaves in the light breeze. After a long while, Jungkook broke the quiet by sharing a memory, a bit hesitantly:

“You know… when I was a kid, my grandmother and I used to watch the stars together often. She would always tell me that there was a star for every person we loved. I remember one night, I spent hours trying to count all the stars that were shining.”

He let out a small laugh at the memory before adding more softly:

“I never found enough.”

Jimin chuckled softly at Jungkook’s anecdote, but his expression grew more serious as he turned to face him. He hesitated for a moment before asking the question that had been haunting him since they began this quest:

“Do you think… Jinwoo is still alive? That we’re going to find him?”

Jungkook remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes fixed on the stars, before slowly turning his head to look at Jimin. He stared at him for a moment, his eyes gleaming with determination, before responding:

“At first, I was unsure... but now, I believe we will. We’re going to find him.”

A faint smile crossed his lips, and he added, almost as a promise:

“I’m convinced.”

They looked at each other in silence, their eyes locked. The air was thick with tension, a tension neither seemed capable of breaking. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, they drew closer. Their foreheads touched first, a light contact, but so intense it made their hearts beat in unison.

Then their noses brushed together, hesitant, uncertain. Their lips were almost close enough to touch, separated by nothing but a breath. Neither of them dared to make the first move, as if crossing this final boundary would change everything.

Jimin could no longer endure the unbearable wait. He gave in to the impulse of his heart, and in a moment of almost desperate courage, he kissed him.

The world seemed to fade away around them, replaced by a wave of emotions he had never felt before. It was as if everything he had sought, all the affection, all the repressed passion, found a perfect echo. The kiss was soft, intense, filled with everything they had never dared to say.

Jungkook, swept up in the moment, slipped his hand into Jimin’s cheek to deepen the kiss. The touch of his skin against Jimin’s made him shiver, as he moved closer, trying to extend this moment they had both so feared and desired.

Jimin, for his part, felt his heart race uncontrollably. His hands naturally found their place in Jungkook’s curls, wrapping them tenderly. He savored each second, feeling the softness and warmth of Jungkook against him, as if nothing else existed outside this moment.

Their kiss grew more passionate, each movement expressing everything they had suppressed until now.

The moment was abruptly interrupted when Jungkook pulled back, his eyes slightly widened, caught off guard by the intensity of what they had just shared. Without a word, he lay back on the grass, staring once again at the stars above, his breath uneven. Jimin, equally unsettled, followed his lead, lying down beside him, letting a heavy silence settle in.

The calm of the night was only disturbed by the gentle chirping of crickets, but neither knew what to say. Jimin’s thoughts whirled. He wondered if he had gone too far or if Jungkook regretted it. He wondered if Jungkook, too, was battling a wave of conflicting emotions, torn between surrendering to what he felt and fearing what it meant.

The silence stretched between them, heavy, almost tangible. Their breaths mingled in the night, but words remained trapped in their silence, suspended somewhere between fear and desire.

Notes:

N: I haven’t mentioned it yet but even if it is strongly inspired by the movie Letters To Juliet, many things are different such as the fact that the boyfriend main character who should’ve been jm character is not here ! I did not want to add him !

Hope, however, you still like it if you’ve made it this far !!

Chapter 4: After all

Notes:

Hey ! Finally the last chapter ! Might be little grammar or syntax mistakes and all but I’ll review it later ! I hope you’ll enjoy the last chapter of the story !!!

The morning was mild, bathed in the warm light of the sun streaming through the dining room curtains of the hotel. Jimin made his way to the dining room of the small hotel. Hana and Jungkook were already seated around the table for breakfast, but the atmosphere seemed less relaxed than usual. Jungkook, silent, was staring into the bottom of his coffee cup, clearly lost in thought. Hana, on the other hand, looked determined, her gaze distant. When Jimin arrived, dressed simply in a beige sweater and dark jeans, he stopped briefly at the entrance of the room. Something in the air told him that this morning would be different. He approached slowly, a slight smile on his lips, and sat down across from Hana.

"Good morning, Jimin," she said softly, breaking the silence.

Jungkook glanced up at him briefly before looking away. Jimin furrowed his brow slightly, a bit worried. He could tell something was wrong.

"Hana... is everything okay?" he asked cautiously.

She took a deep breath, as if to gather her courage. "Jimin..." she began, her voice tinged with a slight sadness. "I thought about it all night, and I think it's time for us to go home."

Jimin blinked in surprise. "Go home? But..."

Jungkook interrupted, his voice harsher than he intended. "I tried to convince her to stay." He sighed, clearly frustrated, then calmed himself. "But she's made up her mind."

Hana placed a reassuring hand on her grandson's arm, her gaze full of understanding. "Jungkook, it's not that I don't want to continue, it's just that I need to take a step back." She turned to Jimin, her eyes filled with sincerity. "And before you say anything, no, it's not your fault, my dear. None of this is."

Jimin suddenly felt guilty. "Hana, I..."

"No," she gently interrupted him. "I've already told you, you gave me a courage I haven't had in a long time. I haven't lost hope of finding Jinwoo. You don't have to worry about that. I'll return to Véro Sienna and search these lands to find him." She smiled tenderly. "There's no definitive end to our story. But for now, we’re going home."

A heavy but peaceful silence settled over them, filled with mutual understanding. They exchanged a few pleasantries, words of comfort, and promises to stay in touch. Then, Jimin nodded, accepting Hana's decision with respect.

"I understand," he murmured, though a part of him felt a pang of regret.

They finished their breakfast in relative serenity, then went back to their rooms to pack. The sound of zippers echoed in the quiet of Jimin's room. Once his suitcase was packed, he took his phone and called Taehyung on FaceTime.

"Hey, Tae," he said, forcing a faint smile as his friend's cheerful face appeared on the screen.

"Jimin! How's it going? Did you find anything else?" Taehyung asked, his enthusiasm contrasting with Jimin's tired expression.

"No... not really," Jimin sighed. "We're heading home, actually. Hana decided it’s best to stop here, for now."

Taehyung fell silent for a moment, thinking. "So, that's it? No conclusion to the story?"

Jimin hesitated, then bit his lip as if about to reveal a well-kept secret. "Well... not exactly," he whispered, a mischievous smile on his lips. "But... last night, there was... a little something."

"A little something?" Taehyung furrowed his brows, then suddenly sat up straight, his eyes wide. "Wait... Wait, you mean... with the grandson?!"

Jimin slowly nodded, his face flushing slightly. "Yes," he admitted, almost whispering. "We kissed."

Taehyung's eyes widened before he let out a scream so loud it made Jimin jump. "WHAT?! YOU’RE KIDDING ME, PARK JIMIN?!"

"Shh, shh, calm down!" Jimin exclaimed, laughing despite himself at his friend's over-the-top reaction.

"You really kissed? Like, a real kiss? With lips and everything?!" Taehyung was now standing, practically bouncing with joy.

"Yes, Tae, a real kiss," Jimin repeated, rolling his eyes, unable to suppress his smile. "But listen, I’m in a hurry, I need to finish packing. I’ll tell you all about it later, okay?"
Taehyung frowned, clearly unhappy at having to wait, but he nodded. "Okay… But you call me as soon as you have a minute. I want to know EVERYTHING!"

Jimin burst into laughter. "I promise, I’ll tell you everything." Then, with one last smile, he hung up.

 

He let out a small sigh, his smile fading slightly. He grabbed his suitcase, took one last look at the room, and then slowly descended the stairs. At the foot of the stairs, Jungkook was waiting, casually leaning against the wall. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. An awkward tension settled between them, the echo of their kiss from the previous night still lingering in the air. Jimin approached, the suitcase trailing behind him.

"Ready to go?" he murmured, trying to sound casual.

Jungkook nodded, but something in his gaze betrayed his unease. "Yeah," he replied softly. "Ready."

They stood there, unsure of what to say. Jimin could feel his cheeks burning as he thought back to the previous night. After they kissed under the stars, Jungkook had suddenly stood up, as if burned by the intensity of what they had just shared. He had walked away without a word, quickly returning to his room. Jimin had stayed alone, lying in the grass, his heart racing, too stunned and embarrassed to move.

And now, standing in front of Jungkook, he didn’t know what to say. Finally, it was Jungkook who spoke.

"Jimin… last night..." He seemed to search for his words, uncomfortable. "It's not that I didn't want to..."

Jimin looked up at him, his lips parting slightly, but he didn't dare speak, allowing Jungkook to continue.

"It's just that..." Jungkook sighed, frustrated with his own lack of eloquence.

Before he could finish his sentence, a familiar and warm voice interrupted the scene. "Ah, here you are!"

Hana was slowly descending the stairs, her face illuminated by a peaceful smile. She made her way toward them, seemingly unaware of the palpable tension between the two young men. Jimin stiffened slightly, while Jungkook quickly averted his gaze, jaw slightly clenched. He lifted Hana's suitcase and placed it in the trunk with meticulous care. Hana observed them for a moment with a nearly mischievous look before turning to Jimin, who was already heading toward the back of the car to sit.

"Jimin, wait!" she called out softly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She pretended to stretch, placing a hand on the roof of the car. "You know, I think I'll sit in the back. I need to stretch my legs a bit. You don't mind sitting in the front, do you?"

Jimin blinked, caught off guard. "Ah, uh... of course, no problem." He smiled awkwardly, but couldn't ignore the wide-eyed look Jungkook gave Hana.

Hana gave Jimin a warm look and gracefully settled into the backseat, adjusting her scarf with natural elegance. Jimin, on his part, circled the car and made his way to the front passenger seat. Jungkook, still frozen by the door, unconsciously clenched his fists before quickly turning away to hide his unease.

"Are... are you ready?" Jungkook murmured, glancing at Jimin as he climbed into the front. His heart was pounding more than usual, and he could feel his cheeks heating for no apparent reason.

"Yes," Jimin replied simply, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. He settled in and fastened his seatbelt, doing his best to appear relaxed, even though his own heart was beating a little faster.

Jungkook circled the car as well and climbed into the driver's seat, stealing quick glances toward Jimin without knowing where to look. When he turned the key in the ignition, his fingers trembled slightly. Hana, comfortably seated behind them, stifled a satisfied smile as she watched them both so uncomfortable with each other. She knew what had happened the night before, and she had orchestrated everything to give them this moment alone.
The car glided slowly through the picturesque scenery of Italy, the morning sun caressing the buildings in warm hues. Inside, a melodious Italian song filled the space, sung by a smooth voice speaking of passionate hearts and stolen glances. Hana, comfortably seated in the back, immediately recognized the song and couldn't help but smile. She began to hum, then, growing increasingly theatrical, she started to sing aloud, deliberately ignoring the awkward silence that had settled in the front. Her clear voice rang joyfully as she exaggerated every romantic word, tilting her head side to side to the rhythm of the music.

" Sei l’unico amore della mia vita…’’ (You are the only love of my life)

Quest'ultimo bacio ha solo confermato,che i miei sentimenti sono infiniti...(this ultimate kiss only confirmed that my feelings are eternal) "  she sang in Italian, her eyes sparkling with mischief as they shifted between Jimin and Jungkook.

Jimin, tense, desperately tried to appear indifferent. He forced his gaze to remain fixed on the passing landscape outside the window. He couldn’t focus, his thoughts constantly drawn back to the palpable tension in the car and to that embarrassing love song that seemed to narrate their own situation.Jungkook, on the other hand, kept his hands firmly gripping the wheel, his face flushed with embarrassment. His eyes remained glued to the road, determined not to meet Jimin's gaze. With each lyric of the song, he felt his cheeks burning even more. He couldn't even dare glance at Hana in the rearview mirror, fearing the mischievous smile she would undoubtedly be wearing.

" Non andartene senza un sguardo, oh amore mio, non andartene senza dire addio’’ (Don’t go without a look, oh my love, don’t go without a goodbye)" she continued, emphasizing the words with obvious joy, throwing a wink toward the two boys.

E soprattutto non mi dimentichi, perché io non lo’’ (and after all, don’t forget me, because I will not forget you)"

The awkward silence between Jimin and Jungkook contrasted sharply with Hana's exuberance. She even clapped her hands lightly, marking the rhythm of the melody, casting amused glances from one to the other. Jimin stole a discreet glance at Jungkook, who appeared even more tense than he was.The song was nearing its romantic climax, and Hana took the opportunity to finish with a small theatrical flourish.

" Ti giuro che per sempre, ti amerò (I swear that I will forever love you) "

Her voice lifted slightly on the final notes, and she ended with a soft laugh, clapping her hands with evident pleasure.

"Beautiful song, isn't it?" she said innocently, though her sly smile betrayed her true intentions. She leaned a bit forward, as if to better observe them.
"Uh... yes, very beautiful," mumbled Jimin, his eyes stubbornly turned toward the window. He wished the road would never end, just to avoid having to get out of the car where every second seemed to last an eternity. Jungkook, for his part, simply nodded stiffly, his lips pressed together. "Hm. It's... nice." His voice was lower than usual, and he had no idea what to say or how to react.

Hana straightened up, pleased with her effect."Ah, Italian love songs... They have this magic, don't you think?" She let the words hang in the air, savoring their reactions before she started humming again, this time more quietly.

The car continued winding through the lush hills of the Italian countryside, surrounded by vineyards stretching as far as the eye could see. Hana, her eyes fixed on the landscape, suddenly made a motion with her head.

"Wait!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "I recognize that wine! It's the one Jinwoo and I loved!" She pointed to a small road leading to a vineyard.

Jungkook, intrigued, slowed down and parked by the roadside. "You want us to stop?"

"Yes, please!" she replied impatiently, already opening the door. She stepped out of the car, heading toward the rows of vines, while Jimin and Jungkook followed her.

As Hana drew closer, she observed the men and women working in the fields, the sun illuminating their smiling faces. A faint nostalgic smile appeared on her face, but suddenly, she turned pale. A name, a face, everything came rushing back to her.

"Jinwoo!" she murmured, her eyes widening as she looked at a young man, of Korean descent, picking grapes in the fields.

The boys, who had heard Hana, exchanged confused looks, not understanding the full extent of her emotion. "What, Grandma?" Jungkook asked, concerned.
"It's... it's him, it's Jinwoo!" she exclaimed, pointing at a young man in the distance who was working in the vines.

The boys froze for a moment. Jungkook looked at the man. If this was Jinwoo, he had probably had a visit to the Fountain of Youth, because the man in front of him was tall and in his twenties. Jungkook and Jimin exchanged looks before Jungkook took Hana's arm.

"I think you've gotten a little too hot, Grandma. Why don’t you sit in the shade, hm?"

But Hana shook her head, refusing to give up. "No, I'm sure it's him!".
Seeing that his grandmother wasn't letting go of the idea, Jungkook exchanged a look with Jimin, who nodded. Curious, they approached the young man. What were the chances that this young man could know a Park Jinwoo, and especially THE Park Jinwoo they had been searching for all these weeks? With his heart pounding, Jungkook asked.

"Excuse me, do you speak English ? Sorry to bother you, but do you know a Park Jinwoo?"

The young man turned, surprised, before responding with a smile, "Yes, I am Park Jinwoo."

At this revelation, Jungkook, who had left Hana in the car and come closer, rushed forward, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Wait, wait... What? Is it... is it possible that your grandfather, or someone older than you, is also called Park Jinwoo?"

"Yes, my grandfather’s name is Park Jinwoo… but why all these questions?" the young man asked, raising an eyebrow, looking suspicious.

The two boys exchanged looks of surprise, their faces lit with hope.

"This is almost impossible!" exclaimed Jimin. "I don’t know if this is possible at this point, but I think your grandfather is the one we’ve been looking for for so long."

A brief silence followed before Jungkook quickly spoke up.

"I’m sorry, we’re being really rude!" Jungkook exclaimed, regaining his composure. "I’m Jungkook, this is Jimin, and my grandmother, Hana. We’re from Busan. We’ve been searching for a Park Jinwoo, and I think we’ve finally found him!"

The young man’s eyes widened, realizing the magnitude of the situation. He turned to Hana, whose face was now marked with intense surprise.

"Hana… So, it’s really you?"

Hana, still standing apart, was worried, not understanding what was happening. She strained to listen, hoping to catch fragments of the conversation. Jungkook and Jimin exchanged a stunned glance, as if they could hardly believe what they were hearing. The young man stood there, his eyes locked on. Hana, moved by what he seemed to be discovering.

"My grandfather talked so much about her... about Hana." His voice trembled slightly as he turned back to her, almost as if to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Hana, who had since approached them, was slightly startled by the small group. Paralyzed by emotion, she remained silent. She had imagined this moment so many times, but never like this. She was standing before her, not the Jinwoo of her memories, but her own reflection through a younger generation. Her hands trembled as she gazed at the boy, her eyes desperately searching for traces of the man she had once loved.

"You mean..." she stammered finally, "your grandfather spoke of me?"

The young man nodded, a gentle smile on his face. "He told me your story, over and over. Every time he drank that wine, he said it reminded him of precious memories." He glanced quickly at the boys before focusing his attention back on Hana. "He even showed me pictures... he taught me to love the things you loved together."
Hana put a hand to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. All this time, she had believed he had forgotten her, erased her, replaced her. Yet, his memories had survived, transposed in the stories passed down through the ages.

"He's really... here?" she asked in a broken voice.

The young Jinwoo nodded, and as if by a sign from fate, the sound of hooves grew clearer. All eyes turned to the path below, where a rider with gray-black hair was approaching slowly.

The man slowed as he reached their level, his eyes scanning the group before him. Despite the age that marked the deep wrinkles on his face, he still exuded an air of dignity and presence that commanded respect. The horse stopped a few meters away, and the man dismounted with the ease of an experienced rider. His eyes first narrowed toward the young Jinwoo, then slowly drifted toward Hana. A heavy silence fell over the group. Hana, frozen, her hands trembling, stared at the man before her. His face, marked by the years, still held a softness that she would recognize among a thousand others.

"Jinwoo..." she murmured, almost inaudible.

The man squinted, as if he couldn’t believe his senses. Then, suddenly, he took a step forward, his eyes widening in astonishment.

"Hana?" His hoarse voice echoed in the air, full of disbelief.

Hana stifled a sob. It was him. He had recognized her. Tears welled in her eyes, and everything around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them face to face. Jungkook and Jimin stood frozen, their throats tight, barely daring to breathe. The moment seemed too precious, too fragile. They were witnesses to the reunion of two souls who had searched for each other, waited for each other, for so many years. Slowly, Jinwoo took another step, then another, until he was standing right in front of her. Hana lifted her gaze to him, her eyes brimming with tears, a hesitant smile floating on her lips.

"Jinwoo... is it really you?"

He extended his hand, almost hesitating, as if afraid this was an illusion. Then, his fingers gently brushed her cheek, and he broke into sobs, his shoulders shaking with emotion.

"Hana," he whispered again, his voice cracking with tears. "Hana... you’ve come. After all this time..."

And, without another word, he enveloped her in his arms, as if afraid to lose her again. Hana melted into him, her arms wrapping around his neck, her sobs mingling with his. Time seemed to stand still. Everything that had been lost, everything that had been broken, was suddenly repaired by this embrace. The two boys, wide-eyed, turned toward the young Jinwoo, who, with tears in his eyes, smiled gently.

"You did it," he murmured. "You found her."

Jimin didn't realize it at first, but warm tears were slowly rolling down his cheeks. Lost in the moving scene unfolding before him, he felt nothing but the intensity of the moment, the depth of the love and relief radiating from that long-awaited embrace. It was only when he felt a persistent gaze on him that he emerged from his thoughts. Turning, he met Jungkook's eyes. The latter was staring at him, his own eyes shining with emotion. They looked at each other for a moment, silently, caught between surprise and a mutual understanding.Jungkook said nothing, but his lips slowly stretched into a soft, almost incredulous smile. A smile that seemed to say: Thank you. They had truly found her. Despite all the difficulties, despite the doubts and exhaustion, they had seen it through to the end.

——

The large table was alive with laughter, passionate discussions, and the clinking of silverware. Around the long wooden table, an exuberant mix of cultures could be seen. Voices intertwined in joyful chaos, shifting from Italian to Korean, while children ran around the room, their cheeks flushed with excitement. At the head of the table sat Park Jinwoo, his face marked by the years but lit with a newfound joy. Beside him, Hana, radiant, looked at him with eyes filled with tenderness. The small family kitchen was crowded, every seat occupied by his children, grandchildren, and even his daughters-in-law. The family had gathered in record time after hearing the news of the reunion. They had all come to witness this unique moment, when their father and grandfather reunited with his first love.

The dishes were simple but delicious, a fusion of Korean and Italian flavors, reflecting the life Jinwoo had built here, amid the vineyards that stretched out as far as the eye could see. The warmth of the place, the golden light bathing the room, everything seemed imbued with a special glow, as if the entire universe were celebrating this unexpected reunion. Jinwoo gently placed his utensils down and stood up. A hush gradually fell over the table as all eyes turned toward him. His hands trembled slightly as he rose, but his smile remained, sincere and moved. A respectful silence settled, even the children halting their rambunctious play for a moment.

"I…" he began, his voice a little hoarse. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "I’m not really sure where to start."

He made a sweeping gesture, encompassing every member of the family, then his gaze fell on Hana beside him. His eyes were filled with the tenderness that transcends time. "And especially you, Hana. I never imagined we’d find each other again after all these years."

He cleared his throat, searching for the right words. "Less than a year after we parted ways, I came here, to this vineyard. Back then, it was much smaller. An old man took care of it alone. He welcomed me when I was a lost young man, without purpose. And over time, he gave me a second chance. I had nothing, no one... but I had the land. This vineyard became my life."

He glanced toward the expanse of the property visible from the large kitchen window, his eyes misty with emotion. "I built this life here. I met Maria, my wife, and she gave me a beautiful family. I lost her, though... May she rest in peace…" He gestured toward his children, who were looking at him with a mixture of respect and love.

"But…" He turned back to Hana. "Hana was my first love. The one you never forget. My heart has never stopped beating for her, even in the times when I tried to bury her deep inside me. I thought I needed to turn the page. But fate… fate showed me that some stories never end."

He then turned to Jungkook, and then to Jimin, a grateful smile on his face. "And I’m so grateful to have met Jungkook, his grandson, and Jimin, a determined and courageous young man who helped him on this journey," Jinwoo inclined his head toward them, thanking them with palpable sincerity. "Today," he continued, his voice more firm. "I am fulfilled. I’ve found my first love again, the one I had lost for so long. Maria was my second great love, and I will never stop cherishing her, even in death. She is part of me, just as my children and grandchildren are. But now…" He took Hana’s hand, gently squeezing it. "Now, it feels like the circle has been completed. Fate has brought me back to Hana, and that’s a sign." He closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if gathering courage. Then, with an emotional voice, he concluded: "Fate brought us together. I don’t know how much time we have left, but I want to make the most of it. I want to spend it with you, Hana."

Hana, her eyes brimming with tears, nodded slowly, her heart overflowing with a mix of joy and nostalgia. She stood up gently, her hands trembling but determined, and joined Jinwoo at the center of the table.

"I… I’m so happy to be here with you," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I never stopped believing that this day would come. Even after all these years."

A burst of happiness lit up her face as she leaned in to kiss him tenderly on the cheek, a gesture filled with a history rich in memories and promises for the future. Murmurs of approval and encouragement spread around the table as the family watched this touching scene. Jungkook and Jimin, sitting at the other end, exchanged a knowing look. They felt both immense joy and a slight shiver at the significance of this moment. Jimin, in particular, was deeply moved to see Hana and Jinwoo’s love rekindled with such strength. He stood up as well, raising his glass to make a toast.

"To love, to reunions, and to the new stories that are beginning," he declared, his clear voice resonating through the room. Everyone followed suit, raising their glasses with smiles, sealing this unforgettable moment.

"To love!" Jinwoo exclaimed, adding his voice to Jimin's, his eyes sparkling with excitement. The joy spread around the table, the atmosphere warm and festive, overshadowing the anxiety and sadness that had accompanied their search.

After dinner, in the garden bathed in light, the children's laughter echoed, melodic and carefree, as they chased butterflies and ran around the trees. Jimin, sitting on a wooden chair, watched this serene scene, his heart heavy. He had trouble believing everything that had just happened. Hana and Jinwoo were walking hand in hand toward the vineyards, their silhouettes blending into the idyllic landscape. This image of their reunion moved him deeply, but at the same time, it made him reflect on his own situation. Jungkook, noticing the thoughtful expression on Jimin's face, approached and sat next to him, a warm smile on his face. Their eyes met, but the atmosphere was tinged with awkwardness, each of them aware of the intense moment they had shared the night before.

"So..." Jungkook and Jimin began at the same time, but they both stopped, realizing they wanted to speak at the same moment.
"Go ahead," Jungkook insisted, giving Jimin a small gesture with his hand.

Jimin took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts. "I'm sorry about yesterday. About the kiss. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I got carried away."

Jungkook frowned, confused.

"But wait, you didn't make me uncomfortable at all. If I kissed you, it’s because... I wanted to as well."

He hesitated, searching for the right words, but they seemed to escape him. "It’s just that... he started, his voice uncertain, "I really enjoyed that moment. But now I’m wondering if I’ve completely moved on from my past relationship. I think I have, it’s been a while, but... I don't know... I’m really lost right now..."
Jimin felt his heart break slowly at these words. He had hoped that the kiss was the start of something new and beautiful, but what he was hearing was plunging him into deep sadness. "Okay," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I understand."
The pain was evident on Jimin's face, and Jungkook, realizing the impact of his words, tried to make up for it. "No, wait, that’s not what I..."

"No, it’s fine," Jimin interrupted, a firmer gesture of his hand. "I just need to be alone for a bit, please."

He lowered his eyes, unable to meet Jungkook’s gaze.

"Anyway, I’m heading back to Seoul soon. You don’t need to explain anything further, I get it."

Jimin felt a lump in his throat. He could see Jungkook wanted to explain, to talk, he could see the sadness in his eyes. Jimin didn’t understand why, after everything Jungkook had just said to him.

"Alright," he finally said, his voice filled with regret. He slowly got up and walked away, leaving Jungkook alone with his thoughts, the children's laughter becoming a distant echo in his mind.

Jimin watched Jungkook walk away, his heart tight. He knew he had to accept what Jungkook was feeling, but the pain of this inevitable separation hit him with an intensity he hadn’t anticipated. The image of Jungkook walking away blended with that of Hana and Jinwoo, two love stories blossoming again, while his own seemed to dissolve in the fog of uncertainty. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting tears silently slip down his cheeks. Jimin sat for a long while, staring at the empty garden, lost in his thoughts. But when he saw Hana and Jinwoo returning hand in hand, their faces lit with a newfound serenity, he knew it was time to go. He stood slowly, his heart heavy, and walked toward them with a forced smile on his lips. He announced his departure.

"Oh, you're leaving already?" Hana exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw him starting to gather his things.

Jimin nodded softly. "Yeah... I have to go. I need to get back to Seoul, that was the deal. I was supposed to stay a few weeks, and now those weeks are over." He tried to appear relaxed, but it didn’t quite work. Hana looked at him, tears quickly welling up in her eyes.

"Oh, Jimin..." She took him by the shoulders, gazing at him with infinite affection. "I’ll never thank you enough for everything you’ve done. You’ve given me what I wanted most in the world... I think it’s an angel who sent you to me." She hugged him tightly, her grip firm but gentle, almost like a mother saying goodbye to her child after a long absence. Jimin closed his eyes, surrendering to the embrace, filled with gratitude and tenderness.

"You’ll have my eternal gratitude," she murmured, her voice breaking with emotion.

"I’m the one who’s grateful to have met you, Hana," he whispered in return. "You’ve shown me what true love is. I’ll never forget that." He slowly pulled away, his eyes shining with emotion.

Time seemed to stretch, and eventually, all three of them stood by the car that was supposed to take Jimin away. Jinwoo stood beside Hana, a hand on her shoulder, watching Jimin with a grateful smile. The taxi had parked in the driveway, the engine purring quietly. Jimin loaded his bags into the trunk, trying not to focus on the emptiness he felt thinking that he might never see this place or these faces again.He turned back to the couple to thank them one last time. "I wish you all the happiness in the world. Truly. I’m so happy for you."

Hana shook her head, a trembling smile on her lips, while Jinwoo gave a small nod, his eyes slightly misty. "Take care of yourself, Jimin. And if you ever want to come back, our door will always be open," Jinwoo said softly. Jimin nodded, too moved to respond, and climbed into the back of the taxi. He gave one last look at them, feeling both light and incredibly sad. As the car started and slowly pulled away from the house, he watched them in the rearview mirror. Hana and Jinwoo, arm in arm, were waving at him, their figures shrinking as the taxi drove through the countryside. Jimin forced himself not to look away. He wanted to keep that image etched in his memory, the image of a love finally reunited. A part of him was filled with joy for them, but another part felt terribly alone.

The taxi sank deeper into the winding roads lined with vineyards, and Jimin sighed. He hadn’t said goodbye to Jungkook. He hadn’t had the strength. Meeting his gaze again would have hurt too much. It was better this way, without a word, without a final exchange. Because he knew that if he had seen Jungkook at that moment, he wouldn’t have been able to leave. The Italian landscape passed by under his eyes, but Jimin wasn’t really looking. His thoughts drifted to the moments shared with Jungkook—the bursts of laughter, the quiet understanding, and finally, that kiss under the starry sky. His heart tightened. Maybe one day, their paths would cross again. Maybe, like Hana and Jinwoo, they would find the courage to reunite for good. But for now, he had to continue alone. That was how it was. The taxi pulled away, carrying Jimin toward the end of this chapter of his life.

 

__

 

Jungkook came running down the driveway, but he only saw the distant silhouette of Jimin’s car disappearing around the bend. He stopped dead in his tracks, breathless, a heavy weight settling in his chest. It was too late. He couldn’t catch up.Wiping a drop of sweat from his forehead, he slowly walked toward Jinwoo and Hana, who continued to stare at the road, their faces marked by the emotion of these hasty goodbyes. Jinwoo placed a comforting hand on Jungkook’s shoulder before slipping discreetly inside, leaving them alone, just him and his grandmother.

Hana turned her head toward him, looking at him with a mixture of affection and exasperation. After a long silence, she finally said, her arms crossed against her chest: "Don’t take it the wrong way, but you’re really quite an idiot."

Jungkook let out a bitter laugh. He lowered his head, running a nervous hand through his hair.

"I know," he murmured, a sad smile on his lips.

His grandmother shook her head, watching the road where Jimin’s car was now nothing more than a memory.

"Do you really think there are many people like him in this world?" she asked softly. "Do you think you’re going to find someone as kind, as attentive, as..." She stopped, letting her words float in the air, and gave him a stern look, as if to emphasize the obvious.

Jungkook closed his eyes for a moment, tears stinging at his eyelids. He turned his gaze back to the empty road, then toward Hana. This time, he couldn’t see Jimin’s car, even in the distance. A feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time overwhelmed him. Then, slowly, he took her in his arms and rested his chin on her shoulder. The reassuring warmth of his grandmother’s embrace soothed him for a moment, but the emptiness he felt inside remained immense.

"I was just scared..." he murmured, his throat tight. "Scared to get back into something that could hurt me. So I said whatever I could to push him away. You know, I think... I think I’ve never felt this way, even for Yoongi."

Hana, looking at him with sadness but kindness, said, "I know, Jungkook, I know you well. I could tell by the way you acted with Jimin."

Jungkook’s voice cracked slightly, and he took a deep breath to steady himself. "But I think I’ve hurt him, for real, this time."
Hana ran a hand across his back, gently rocking him. "It’s never too late, Jungkook." Her voice was soft, but firm. "If you want to make it right, you can. But you have to decide before it’s too late. You have a perfect opportunity."

Jungkook gritted his teeth, his chin resting against his grandmother’s shoulder as he thought deeply. Hana’s words echoed in his mind. She was right. Jimin was not someone you easily forgot. And he had clung to his own fears, letting the best thing that ever happened to him slip away. He gently pulled away from Hana, discreetly wiping the corner of his eyes. He sat up straighter, taking a deep breath. He didn’t say anything, but a determined glint flashed in his eyes. He knew he had to gather all his courage. If he really wanted to talk to Jimin, he had to do it properly, without hiding behind his doubts, without avoiding the conversation like he had before. “Tomorrow,” he thought, straightening up a little more. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll talk to him. I’ll tell him everything I feel, without stuttering, without hesitation.”

“No do it now, Jungkook. Make it memorable, don’t wait as long as I did,” she said as a farewell, before walking back toward the house, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

 

 

—

 

 

« Are you sure that you can’t stay any longer… » ask Seokjin

« I could but…I don’t know if I really want to…not after all this shit with Jungkook…I don’t know, I need to think… »

Jimin folded his last shirt carefully before placing it on top of the pile of clothes in his suitcase. Seokjin was crouched by the wardrobe, handing him some scattered clothes. The room, though bright, felt heavy with the impending goodbyes.

“I’m really going to miss you,” Seokjin said in a somewhat gloomy voice, his eyes fixed on the half-closed suitcase.

Jimin looked up at him, a soft but slightly sad smile on his lips. “Jin, you’re going back to Seoul soon anyway. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again.” He tried to joke, but his heart wasn’t in it.

Seokjin shook his head. “No, but it’s not the same. I’m going back to Seoul to see my family, but Verona is my home now.” He placed a folded t-shirt by the suitcase, his gaze momentarily drifting as he stared at the room. “After all, it’s just a short stop there. I’ll be back here, for sure. But you…” He looked at him for a long time. “You’re really going back to Seoul for good?”

Jimin felt a sharp pang in his chest. It was the truth, of course. But he had tried not to think about it. “Maybe yes,” he murmured. “Maybe no. Who knows?”

Seokjin raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Jimin, be honest with me. Do you really want to come back here?”

Jimin opened his mouth to reply, but no words came out. He dropped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling for a moment, then sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know,” he admitted. “I love this city, I love the vibe here. It’s like everything is brighter, more… alive. But right now, I feel like I’m running away.” He bit his lower lip, hesitating before continuing. “And going back to Seoul means facing what I feel, stopping the running away.”

Seokjin sat beside him, placing a light hand on his shoulder. “Are you talking about Jungkook?”

In the meantime, Jimin had taken the time to explain to Taehyung and Namjoon the little “fling” he had with Jungkook. Seokjin was already aware that something had been between them and had waited for Jimin to tell him himself, which he eventually did.

In exchanges of messages full of laughter and hesitation, Jimin shared the delicate and tender moments they had shared, including their first kiss, which left him both euphoric and confused. Jimin had expressed his doubts, fearing he had hoped too much, but his friends reassured him, advising him to keep an open mind and be honest about his feelings.

Taehyung, sitting next to Namjoon in their apartment in Seoul, listened attentively to Jimin, smiling. At one point, Jimin spoke up to introduce Seokjin to Taehyung, after realizing he hadn’t done so at the beginning. This led to more laughter, followed by teasing from the three boys. They got along so well that they exchanged contacts.

Jimin sighed and nodded, unable to say his name aloud.

“What I feel for him… it’s still so confusing. I thought there was a chance, then everything fell apart so quickly. And now, he’s here, somewhere, and I… I don’t even want to see him before I leave.” He laughed bitterly, running a hand through his hair. “Can you believe how pathetic that is? Avoiding someone to not hurt.”

“It’s not pathetic,” Seokjin said with disarming sincerity. “It’s just human.”

He looked at him for a moment, his eyes full of compassion. “You put your heart on the line, and that’s brave. A lot of people go through life avoiding risks like that. But you took a chance.”

Jimin sighed again. “Maybe. But now, I don’t know what to do.” He shook his head, as if to rid himself of his dark thoughts. “Anyway, it’s not like I can change anything now. I’ll just go back to Seoul, try to move on with my life.”

Seokjin watched him for a moment, his gaze soft but scrutinizing. “Maybe you could come back, just to see what it feels like to be here, without all that emotional weight. Verona won’t disappear, you know. It will always be here, with or without Jungkook.”

Jimin smiled softly. “Yeah, maybe. And you’ll still be here too, right? Now that we’re friends.”

Seokjin burst into laughter, the sound echoing joyfully in the small room. “Friends? No, Jimin, we’re much more than that now. You’re like a brother.” He shook his head, amused. “We ended up in this city by chance, but I’m sure it wasn’t just fate that brought us together. We’ll see each other again.”

They sat in silence for a moment, simply savoring each other’s presence. Then, Seokjin spoke again, a teasing smile on his lips. “And hey, if you ever want some romantic drama, Verona is the perfect place for that, right? Maybe one day, you’ll come back here with someone else… or who knows?”

Jimin furrowed his brow, pretending to be confused. 

Seokjin shrugged with an enigmatic smile and then he winked. Seokjin stopped, before continuing, “Or maybe you’ll come back to find the one who got away,” he murmured, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Jimin blushed before grabbing a pillow and throwing it at Seokjin, asking him to stop teasing.

 

A little after 8pm, Jimin slowly descended the stairs of the inn with Seokjin, suitcase in hand, each step echoing in the heavy silence of the room behind him. He would turn around occasionally, as if he could still hear the echoes of conversations, the laughter of Seokjin, Maria, and Stella. But the reality was undeniable: he was about to leave Verona, leaving behind everything that had been, everything that could have been. At the bottom of the stairs, he paused for a moment to cast a final glance at the room where he had lived during these months of uncertainty. He knew that this moment marked the end of a chapter, but with every glance at his suitcase, he felt an emptiness, as though he was taking a piece of this city with him. Maria and Stella stood by the front door, their smiles soft but tinged with sadness. Stella stood a little apart, watching the scene with understanding eyes. He thanked her and her grandmother and even saw them share little tears.

Seokjin’s words lingered in the air. “If you want to run from everything, do it. But know that you can’t run forever. Maybe one day, you’ll come back here, just to see what it feels like. Verona won’t disappear. And you’ll know if your heart brings you back here.”

Jimin shrugged, forcing a smile. “Maybe. But not now.”

Jimin stood up, walking toward the taxi door. The taxi was parked right outside, ready to take him far away from this city, far from everything he had experienced here. He took one last glance at his friends, then stepped out into the cool afternoon air.

But as he approached the taxi, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. A familiar sound. A heavy breath, and a voice he hadn’t heard in too long.

“Jimin!”

He froze. His heart skipped a beat.

Jungkook, out of breath and disheveled, stood there, his hair messy, his shirt slightly wrinkled, hands resting on his knees as though he had been running for hours. He looked up, their gazes meeting in a heavy silence, filled with unspoken words.Jimin stared at him for a moment, his body tense. He had wanted to keep walking, get in the taxi, leave without looking back, but he couldn’t. The tension between them was too strong, too palpable.

Jungkook slowly stepped forward, his gaze determined, almost pleading. “You can’t leave like this.”

Jimin, surprised by the intensity of his voice, almost tired. “Jungkook…Why are you here ? I thought we tell each other everything”

Jungkook straightened up, his eyes locked on Jimin’s. “Because I can’t let you leave without trying, without telling you that what we have… it’s not over.”

Jimin felt his heart race. He wasn’t ready to face this. Not now. Not here. But something in Jungkook’s voice, in his gaze, melted the walls Jimin had built around himself.

“Over, Jungkook? It never really started. And listen, I… I have to go.”

Jungkook stepped closer, even closer, until their faces were only a few centimeters apart.

“No. Not without knowing if you feel the same. Not without trying. I want to keep going with you, Jimin. Not to erase the past, but to see what we can build together.”

Jimin swallowed, the suitcase heavy in his hands. The taxi was waiting, but his heart no longer beat for the idea of leaving. Not yet. He allowed himself to follow the impulse of the moment. Finally, he set the suitcase down. He turned to Jungkook, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“If I stay, and I’m not necessarily guaranteeing it, okay… but if I do… what guarantees us that everything will go well?”

Jungkook didn’t hesitate, his smile widening, filled with relief and hope. He stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Jimin’s with an almost painful intensity.

“Absolutely nothing,” he replied with disarming honesty. “But if we don’t try, we’ll never know. All I know, Jimin, is that I’ve never felt what I feel for you.”

Jimin felt his heart warm at his words. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, that nothing would be simple, but something in the way Jungkook spoke, in the sincerity of his eyes, gave him a strange confidence. A small laugh escaped Jimin’s lips, soft and slightly nervous. He shrugged, a smile at the corner of his mouth.

“Well… okay. I’ll extend my stay, but don’t think that means everything is settled.”

Jungkook stepped closer then, almost instinctively, as if it wasn’t just about words, but actions. He extended his hand, and Jimin took it without hesitation.

It wasn’t until a few hours later, in the shade of a magnificent sunset, that Jimin and Jungkook found themselves by the river, alone, after a day of letting words and gestures do their work. The golden light bathed the city in an almost unreal glow, and the world seemed suspended, waiting for this moment.The two young men stood there, silently, side by side, as if everything they had experienced so far had been a preparation for this exact instant. They had found each other, rediscovered each other, and now everything seemed clear. Nothing rushed, nothing forced. Just a soft and necessary reality.

Jimin slowly turned his head, his eyes meeting Jungkook’s, and a smile spread across his lips. It was a shy smile, but sincere, a smile that spoke of promises, of fragility, and yet of something deep. Jungkook leaned in slightly, his gaze captivated by Jimin’s face. A heavy, but calm breath passed between them, and without another word, their lips met, gently, tenderly. It wasn’t a hasty kiss, but a kiss that marked the beginning of a long and promising love story.

 

One Year Later

The sun was shining brightly that day, flooding Jinwoo’s large estate with light. The ceremony was taking place in the garden, beautifully decorated with flowers and garlands of lights, and a gentle breeze was blowing across the guests who had gathered in great numbers to celebrate the union of Hana and Jinwoo. Jungkook, smiling and immaculate in his suit, stood at the entrance of the house, a bit nervous. Beside him, his grandmother, now well-settled in Italy, was warmly welcoming the guests. She had been living there for a year now, having reunited with Jinwoo, and she had decided to stay.

Jungkook greeted everyone who passed by, inviting them to join the ceremony. Among the guests, he welcomed Yoongi and his new companion, Hoseok. Over the past year, Jungkook had managed to rekindle his friendship with Yoongi. Despite what had happened between them, they were friends first and foremost. He flashed them a big smile, and the three men exchanged a few words, laughing together, before the other guests continued to enter.

But it wasn’t Yoongi and Hoseok’s arrival that occupied Jungkook’s mind. It was Jimin’s. He had been waiting for him for several hours, and despite the calm exterior, a small anxiety had settled in his heart. Jimin was in Seoul for work, but he had promised he would be there on time. However, since the previous evening, since boarding the plane, Jungkook hadn’t heard from him. He had tried not to think about it too much, but his gaze kept scanning the road, waiting to see Jimin’s familiar figure.

Just before the ceremony began, Hana approached him, radiant in her wedding dress.

“Jungkook, wait a little longer for Jimin. I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance of the aisle,” she said with a smile. “But don’t forget, you’re supposed to accompany me to the altar.”

Jungkook nodded, but he stayed at the doorway for a moment, hoping to spot Jimin arriving. The guests were beginning to take their seats, and the orchestra in the background began to play the first notes of the violins. He couldn’t leave without knowing if Jimin had arrived.

Then, suddenly, he heard the sound of an engine in the distance. A loud old engine roared, and a van appeared down the driveway. Jungkook’s eyes lit up when he saw Jimin in the back, waving his arms enthusiastically.

He ran toward the vehicle, a huge wave of relief washing over him. As soon as the van stopped, Jimin jumped into his arms, all smiles, out of breath.

“Sorry, my phone died on the plane, and I forgot my charger!” he explained, laughing and quickly kissing Jungkook on the lips. “And I also lost my wallet… But this super nice guy offered to let me ride in his van. Anyway, I’m here!”

Jungkook burst out laughing, relieved.

“Really? Well, what a story, you could almost write a new article about it, right?!” he joked, squeezing Jimin in his arms before kissing him tenderly.

A year ago, the situation had been very different. Jimin had had to return to Korea after extending his stay in Verona by a few weeks. Their separation hadn’t been easy, but he had to resume work, even though it was clear that his heart had stayed in Italy. Upon returning to Korea, he had submitted his article to his boss. The story Hana had lived through in Verona, her emotions, and their encounters had touched readers far beyond what he had imagined. His article, Juliette’s Love, had been so successful that his boss had offered him a special column called Histoires de Juliettes, an opportunity to share the stories of people who came to drop off their letters and wanted to make their stories known.

Meanwhile, Jungkook had followed Jimin closely and had also returned. They tried to see each other whenever they could, and each meeting only deepened their feelings. They would travel back and forth between Italy and Korea to visit Hana, who had decided to stay there with Jinwoo, but also for Jimin’s work, gathering stories to tell.

Between Busan and Seoul, Jungkook would sometimes spend a few days at Jimin’s apartment. He would come for just a few days, eager to reunite with Jimin, making up for the time apart. The routine had become a familiar and comforting cycle: a life shared between Italy and Korea, between the warmth of their love and the demands of their respective careers.

Jungkook, smiling, took Jimin in his arms and looked at him, gently tucking his hair behind his ear. He leaned in to kiss him slowly. Then, Jimin whispered with a smile, “We need to hurry. The ceremony is about to start.”

The calm was reigning at the entrance, just before the path leading to the altar. There, on the doorstep, Hana was waiting for them, radiant in her wedding dress. She stood elegantly, and her eyes lit up when she saw Jimin, who was a little breathless after his run.

Jungkook let out a nervous laugh, the stress of waiting dissipating in the presence of Jimin. “Sorry for the delay,” he said, turning to him as he moved closer to Hana.

Jimin paused for a moment to greet the bride-to-be. His voice was soft but sincere, and his warm smile only strengthened the bond he had with her from the time they had known each other. Hana, visibly surprised but happy to finally see him, returned his smile.

“Jimin! I’m so happy to see you!”

She stepped closer and hugged him affectionately. It was a simple moment of warmth, an encounter among many, but full of emotion. She pulled back slightly, looking at him kindly.

Jimin nodded gratefully before turning to Jungkook, who was waiting patiently. They exchanged a knowing look, and without a word, their lips met in a quick, tender kiss, as if to say everything they had been through and everything they felt, without needing more. Jimin smiled against Jungkook’s lips before pulling away slightly. “I’ll leave you two. Enjoy this moment.”

He turned and made his way into the courtyard to sit with the other guests.

Hana, after giving Jimin one last affectionate look, turned to Jungkook, her hand gently resting on his arm.

“Ready?” she asked softly, a spark of nervousness in her eyes.

She nodded. Jungkook looked at her, a slight calming smile on his face.

“You look beautiful.”

His words were sincere, a testament to all the love he felt for her. They understood each other without needing to say much, and that was the beauty of their relationship. After a final breath, he extended his hand to her.

She took it, and together they began walking toward the altar in the sacred silence of the moment, to the sound of violins rising in the air, vibrating and full of grace. Each step brought them closer to the altar, but it was also a step toward a brand-new future, where familial ties and friendship blended with the love stories that had shaped their world.

The path leading them to Jinwoo seemed endless and yet so close. Jungkook and Hana walked together, their steps echoing softly on the ground, while the guests’ eyes turned to them, silent witnesses to this meaningful ceremony.

The altar itself was simple but incredibly elegant. It stood beneath a large oak tree, whose branches spread widely, offering soothing shade. At the top of the altar, a magnificent floral structure had been installed, an arch of white and pink flowers with touches of lavender and pastel blue, perfectly harmonizing with the soft atmosphere. The flowers were fresh, creating a light, sweet fragrance that floated in the air. Behind the altar, the sea stretched out, its tranquil waters merging with the horizon. The sky was a perfect blue, dotted with a few white clouds, and the air still held the soft warmth of the morning, with the pleasant coolness of early afternoon.

At the altar, Jinwoo stood, tears in his eyes, waiting for the one he had waited for so long. Jungkook gently let Hana go before she kissed him on the cheek and he moved to stand behind her. She took Jinwoo’s hands, and the ceremony began. During the exchange of vows, Jungkook searched for Jimin in the crowd.

He was sitting next to Taehyung, who only had eyes for Namjoon, exchanging knowing smiles and winks that lightened the atmosphere. Seokjin, who had become a close friend to Jungkook over the past year, was sitting across from Jimin. His presence brought a sense of serenity, and he smiled warmly, his gaze soft, as if he was happy to see all these people gathered to celebrate this moment.

Behind them, in a slightly farther row, Yoongi and Hoseok sat side by side, exchanging smiles and whispers.

Jungkook caught Jimin’s gaze, and they couldn’t tear their eyes away from each other. A look that spoke of all the things they hadn’t yet dared to say, silent but deeply sincere words of love. The ceremony ended with a kiss between the bride and groom, and the celebration began. Everyone was enjoying themselves, dancing around the newlyweds.

Jimin and Jungkook, however, found themselves alone. The party faded behind them, the music and voices gradually becoming distant murmurs, as they walked away toward the beach. The sand was soft beneath their feet, and the calm sea stretched its silver waves to the horizon. The sun had already set, giving way to a golden light that bathed the entire scene. The sky, tinged with pink and orange, blended into the waves, creating a magical, almost unreal atmosphere.

They walked side by side, in silence, savoring the tranquility but also each other’s presence. After a little while, they sat down on the sand, their feet brushing the waves that gently licked the shore. It was a timeless moment, a suspended instant, that only the ocean seemed to understand.

Jungkook finally turned his gaze toward Jimin, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Do you remember what I told you… about Romeo and Juliet?” he asked, his tone light but full of meaning.

Jimin looked at him, surprised. He ran a hand through his hair, a small laugh escaping his lips.

“Romeo? How could I forget?” He mimicked Jungkook’s teasing tone, a playful smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, I remember. You said he was an idiot for writing letters to Juliet, and that it was stupid to expose everything in writing instead of saying it directly.”

Jungkook nodded, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Yeah, that’s it. I was so convinced that we should be able to say what we feel without having to write it down. But…”

He paused, and a more serious expression settled on his face.

“I think I was wrong. It’s much harder than I thought.”

Jimin looked at him, intrigued. He turned more toward him, ready to hear more.

“What do you mean?”

Jungkook took a deep breath, then, without a word, he reached into his pants pocket. He pulled out a small, carefully folded piece of paper. It was just a simple letter, but the emotion behind it was clear.

“I wrote a letter too. With the words I wanted to say to you.”

Jungkook gently extended the paper to Jimin, a slight smile on his lips, as if handing him a secret he had kept hidden for a long time.

“For you.”

Jimin took the paper with almost sacred care, intrigued by this sudden gesture. He slowly opened it, his heart beating a little faster. On the page, words repeated in different languages. He found the one written in Korean and read the words:

"I love you."

Written in Korean, Italian, French, and other languages Jimin didn’t yet understand, the letters seemed to dance in the golden light of the setting sun. Jimin felt his heart race at the sight of these simple words. He looked up at Jungkook, who was gazing at him with an emotion he could now understand. These weren’t simple words for Jungkook to say out loud, Jimin knew that. He had always struggled with expressing his feelings verbally. And yet, it was the most beautiful declaration of love anyone had ever made to him. The kind of love he had never known before. It was as if all the pieces of the puzzle had finally clicked into place. Jungkook was the one, and no one else.

Over the year, between work and impromptu vacations in Verona, Jimin and Jungkook knew that their feelings were immense and real. Jimin had also decided to express the fullness of his feelings to Jungkook that night. He hadn’t expected to be so beautifully outdone.

He remained silent for a moment, absorbed by the beauty of the gesture. Then, he looked down at the letter again, a faint smile forming on his lips.

“It’s…” He paused, unable to find the words. “Is this all you had to say?”

Jungkook blushed slightly, as if embarrassed to have shown his vulnerability.

“No…” He let out a small laugh before taking Jimin’s hand, his eyes locked with his, misty with tears. “It’s just… it’s easier to write it than to say it. I wanted you to read it first. Before I could say it out loud. I love you, Jimin. I don’t even think I knew what love was before I met you. You seem to be the perfect definition of love. And I hope we stay together for a very long time. I can’t imagine building my life without you.”

The silence grew heavy, but it was a silence full of tenderness. Jimin moved closer to him, his heart resonating with the rhythm of the waves breaking on the shore. He looked up at Jungkook, who was waiting, nervousness in his gaze.

“I love you too, and I’m so glad I decided to stay longer last year. You really are my modern-day Romeo,” Jimin whispered, his eyes shining with emotion. “I love you so much, Jungkook.”

At those words, an immense relief crossed Jungkook’s face, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He smiled, a genuine smile, his heart pounding harder. Without thinking, he leaned in toward Jimin, their foreheads brushing before their lips met in a gentle kiss, filled with everything that had remained unsaid until then.

There, on that beach, beneath the light of the setting sun, with the sea behind them and the universe all around them, they were finally together. No more words needed, just this perfect simplicity in which love spoke, without artifice, in all its beauty and truth, ready to start they own eternal love story.

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

And Voilà !!!! The last scene ! I really like the movie Letters To Juliet and was really excited to do a jikook story about it ! I think I need to review some things but I hope you enjoyed the story ! Thank you if you read until now ! I will normally post a new story this month!