The cafe was unusually quiet, with only the soft hum of the coffee machine and the distant chatter of a few customers in the background. Sarang and Yuna walked in, carrying a sense of nervous anticipation. Today was the day Jihan and Yeontan would join them — a moment Sarang had been both excited and anxious about. Yuna gave Sarang a reassuring nod, silently reminding her that everything would be okay.

Taehyung stood near the counter with Jimin hands in his pockets, trying to steady his breathing. Today, for the first time, he was going to meet Jihan, the 9-month-old baby who had already captured his heart in ways he didn’t fully understand. He had heard about him, seen pictures, but never once had he been this close to the child who was the center of Sarang's world.

As Sarang and Yuna approached with Jihan in her arms, Taehyung’s gaze locked onto the baby. Jihan, with his chubby cheeks and wide, curious eyes, was gazing around the room until his attention fell on Taehyung. Something shifted in Taehyung the moment their eyes met — an unexplainable pull, an almost instinctual connection. His heart seemed to tighten and then expand, a warmth flooding through him that he hadn’t expected.

Jihan squirmed in Sarang's arms, his little hand reaching out toward Taehyung as if he had been waiting for this moment. Sarang, surprised by how eager Jihan was, smiled softly. "Jihan, this is Taehyung. Do you want to say hello?"

Before she could even finish her sentence, Jihan practically lunged toward Taehyung, his tiny fingers grasping the air, eager to be held. Taehyung’s breath caught in his throat as he instinctively stepped forward, gently taking Jihan into his arms. The second the baby nestled into his chest, Taehyung felt a surge of emotions he wasn’t prepared for.

"Hey there, little one," Taehyung whispered, his voice soft, almost shaky. Jihan looked up at him with big, trusting eyes, a small giggle escaping his lips as he settled comfortably in Taehyung’s arms.

Jihan let out a small giggle, his tiny hands reaching up to touch Taehyung’s face, exploring it with innocent curiosity. Taehyung smiled softly, the tenderness in his heart spilling over into his expression.

“You’re not afraid of me, are you?” Taehyung murmured, his voice a gentle whisper as he held Jihan close. The baby responded with another giggle, resting his head against Taehyung’s shoulder, content and comfortable

Jimin, standing beside them, grinned. "Looks like he already likes you, Taehyung. You’ve got the magic touch."

Taehyung chuckled, though there was a hint of disbelief in his voice. "It’s strange… I’ve never felt like this before." He glanced at Jihan, who was now playing with the collar of his shirt, completely at ease. "It’s like he’s… mine. Like we’ve known each other forever."

Sarang watched the scene unfold, her heart swelling with emotion. There was something so natural, so right, about seeing Taehyung with Jihan. She had feared this moment, worried that it might be awkward or distant, but instead, it felt like everything was falling into place.

Jihan clung to Taehyung’s shirt, babbling in his baby language, refusing to go to anyone else. Every time Sarang tried to take him back, he would fuss, reaching back out for Taehyung. It was as if, in this brief meeting, Jihan had already made his choice.

Taehyung smiled down at the baby, his heart full of something he couldn’t quite name. "You don’t want to leave, do you, buddy?" His voice softened even more, a quiet vulnerability seeping into his words. "I don’t want to let you go either."

Yuna, standing quietly by Sarang’s side, smiled knowingly. "Babies know, Taehyung. They can sense when someone truly loves them."

Taehyung’s eyes flicked up to Sarang, who was watching him with tears glistening in her eyes. The unspoken bond between them was palpable, and he knew that loving Jihan came naturally because of how much he loved her. But it was more than that now. Holding Jihan felt like holding a piece of his own heart.

Jihan snuggled closer to Taehyung, resting his small head on Taehyung’s shoulder, his tiny fingers clutching at his shirt. Taehyung’s throat tightened as he pressed his cheek against the baby’s soft head, closing his eyes for a moment. He had been through many things in life, but this — holding Jihan — was one of the most profound experiences he had ever felt.

Jimin’s voice broke the silence, but it was gentle. "Looks like you’ve found your new best friend."

Taehyung opened his eyes, glancing at Jimin with a faint smile. "Yeah… looks like it."

Sarang stepped forward, her voice soft but full of warmth. "He’s never been this comfortable with anyone else so quickly. I think he knows."

"Know what?" Taehyung asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes still on Jihan.

"That you’re someone special," Sarang replied, her smile filled with affection. "That you’re part of his family."

Taehyung’s heart skipped a beat at the word "family." It felt so right, yet so overwhelming. He looked at Sarang, emotions swirling in his chest. "Family," he repeated softly, as if trying to absorb the weight of the word.

Jihan stirred slightly in his arms, his baby eyes growing heavy with sleep. Taehyung gently rocked him, feeling an overwhelming sense of protectiveness and love. He had never imagined this — never thought he could feel this way so quickly. But as he held Jihan close, something inside him shifted. This wasn’t just about his love for Sarang anymore. This was about Jihan too. He wanted to be there for him, to protect him, to love him as if he were his own.

And in that moment, Taehyung knew — he wasn’t just falling in love with Sarang. He was falling in love with her son, too.

2 Hours Later

The cozy cafe was buzzing with the soft sounds of conversation and the clinking of cups. Taehyung was trying his best to work with little Jihan clinging to him like a koala, but despite the challenge, he couldn’t help but smile.

Jihan refused to let go of him, his small arms wrapped securely around Taehyung’s neck. Sarang again tried to take Jihan back a few times, but after his persistent fussing, she eventually gave in.

"Fine, you win," Sarang sighed, laughing softly. "You can work with Jihan today, Taehyung."

Taehyung grinned, bouncing Jihan lightly in his arms. "I don’t mind. Right, buddy? You’re my little helper today."

Jihan giggled, burying his face in Taehyung’s shoulder. Jimin and Yuna exchanged amused glances as they worked nearby, Yuna preparing drinks while Jimin handled the customers.

Suddenly, the bell above the door jingled, and everyone turned to see Hyunsoon, one of their employees, walking in with a boy beside him, around the same age. Hyunsoon looked uneasy as he approached Sarang, shifting on his feet nervously.

"Sarang, can I talk to you for a minute?" Hyunsoon asked quietly.

Sarang put down the tray she was carrying, sensing something was wrong. "Of course. What’s going on?"

Hyunsoon glanced at the boy next to him, then back at Sarang. "I… I can’t continue working here. My mom’s really sick, and I need to take her to Busan for her treatment. I’m really sorry, but I have to leave."

Hearing this, Sarang, Yuna, and Jiwoon’s expressions softened, sympathy washing over them. Yuna stepped forward, her voice gentle. "Hyunsoon, we’re so sorry to hear that. Your mother’s health comes first, of course."

Hyunsoon nodded, looking down at his shoes. "Thank you… I feel bad leaving so suddenly, but I have a friend who’s looking for work. He wants to help out here, and I thought maybe he could take my place."

Jiwoon, who had been quietly listening, raised an eyebrow. "We can’t just hire someone we don’t know, Hyunsoon," she said firmly. "We need proper information and references before allowing anyone to work here."

The boy beside Hyunsoon shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. Before anyone could say anything else, Jimin stepped in, recognizing the boy immediately.

"Wait," Jimin said, eyes widening slightly. "I know him." He looked at the boy with a mix of surprise and concern. "Why didn’t you tell me you were back in Seoul?"

The boy rubbed the back of his neck, looking guilty. "I… I’m sorry, Jimin-hyung. I didn’t want to bother you. Things have been… complicated."

Jimin sighed, crossing his arms. "You should’ve told me. We’re friends, Jungkook. You don’t have to hide stuff like that from me." He turned to Sarang and the others. "This is Jeon Jungkook, my childhood friend. He left Seoul a few years ago for personal reasons."

Sarang looked at Jungkook with a kind but questioning gaze. "Is that true? Why didn’t you reach out to Jimin if you needed help?"

Jungkook lowered his head, clearly feeling ashamed. "I didn’t want to burden anyone," he admitted softly. "I’ve been trying to figure things out on my own, but now I really need a job. I’m sorry for coming here like this, but I want to help. I’ll do anything."

There was a pause as Sarang, Yuna, and Jiwoon exchanged glances. Yuna was the first to break the silence, stepping forward with a gentle smile. "If Jimin trusts you, then we do too."

Jiwoon sighed, still hesitant but understanding. "We just need to make sure we protect this place, that’s all. But if Jimin vouches for you, I trust his judgment."

Sarang nodded, her expression softening as she looked at Jungkook. "You can work here, Jungkook. We’ll give you a chance." She smiled warmly. "But we’re a family here, so we need you to be honest with us from now on, okay?"

Jungkook’s eyes lifted, gratitude filling them. "Thank you… I promise I won’t let you down." He bowed deeply, showing his respect. "I’ll work hard. I’ll prove it."

Hyunsoon, who had been standing silently, looked relieved but also emotional. He turned to Sarang and Yuna, his eyes glistening. "Thank you for giving him this chance… and for everything. I’m really sorry to leave, but my mother needs me."

Sarang walked up to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You’re doing the right thing, Hyunsoon. Family always comes first. We’ll miss you here, but if you ever need anything — even if it’s just to talk — this place is always open for you."

Yuna nodded, smiling softly. "And if you ever need help with your mother’s treatment, don’t hesitate to come to us. We’ll do whatever we can to support you."

Hyunsoon’s lip trembled as he nodded. "Thank you so much… I don’t know what to say."

Jimin gave Hyunsoon a reassuring pat on the back. "You take care of yourself and your mom, okay? We’ll hold down the fort here."

With a final, heartfelt goodbye, Hyunsoon turned and left the cafe, a weight seemingly lifted from his shoulders. As he walked out, Sarang and Yuna exchanged a look, both wishing him well in their hearts.

Sarang turned back to Jungkook, who was still standing there, looking a little unsure. She smiled. "Welcome to the family, Jungkook."

Jungkook smiled shyly, feeling a warmth spread through him that he hadn’t felt in a long time. "Thank you… for giving me this chance."

At evening

As the cafe settled back into its usual hum, Jungkook found himself adjusting to the new environment. He had been watching everything unfold with a mixture of curiosity and relief, but there was one thing he hadn’t been able to ignore: the baby clinging to Taehyung.

Jihan, nestled comfortably in Taehyung’s arms, had refused to go to anyone else, his small hands gripping Taehyung’s shirt as though the two shared an unspoken bond. Taehyung, for his part, had remained quiet throughout the entire exchange, his focus mostly on Jihan, but Jungkook could tell that Taehyung hadn’t missed a single detail.

With a subtle smirk, Jungkook glanced over at Taehyung. "You never struck me as the babysitting type," he commented lightly, his tone teasing.

Taehyung, still focused on Jihan, gave a small smile, his eyes soft as he looked at the baby in his arms. "Things change," he replied quietly. His voice was calm but carried a weight of unspoken emotions, something Jungkook couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, clearly amused but also curious. "I didn’t expect to see you like this."

Taehyung finally looked up from Jihan, meeting Jungkook’s gaze. "Neither did I." There was something deeper in his tone, a quiet understanding that came from loving Sarang and now, unexpectedly, feeling a connection to her child.

Sarang and the others, having finished the conversation with Hyunsoon, returned to their respective tasks, leaving Taehyung and Jungkook standing near the counter. Taehyung, still holding Jihan, shifted slightly, balancing the baby as he reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone. He opened it and, without saying a word, began typing a message.

Jungkook watched him, his curiosity piqued. "What are you doing?”

Taehyung didn’t look up from his phone as he responded, "Taking care of something."

The screen of Taehyung’s phone reflected a short but clear message:

"Hyung, make sure Hyunsoon gets the money he needs for his mother’s treatment. Send one of our trusted men with him to Busan to settle everything. I don’t want him worrying about this.”

The message quickly delivered to Yoongi

He hit send, his face unreadable as he put his phone back in his pocket. Jungkook’s smirk faded as he realized what Taehyung was doing. It was a simple act, but it spoke volumes. Without saying much, Taehyung was making sure Hyunsoon would be okay — even if Hyunsoon didn’t ask for help.

"You’re really going to take care of all that for him?" Jungkook asked, his tone now more serious.

Taehyung shrugged slightly, shifting Jihan in his arms. "He didn’t ask for it, but he needs it. Sometimes, you don’t need to wait for someone to ask before you step in."

Jungkook felt a strange sense of admiration for Taehyung in that moment. Despite the power and authority Taehyung held in their world, there was a quiet, unassuming kindness to him — one that wasn’t for show but came from somewhere deeper.

"Not bad, Taehyung," Jungkook said quietly, leaning against the counter, his expression more thoughtful than before. "Not bad at all."

Taehyung didn’t respond, instead focusing back on Jihan, who was now beginning to drift off to sleep in his arms. He gently rocked the baby, his eyes softening as he watched the peaceful expression on Jihan’s face.

Jungkook’s gaze shifted to the baby as well. He couldn’t help but feel like he was witnessing something personal, something he hadn’t expected to see from someone like Taehyung.

Sarang, who had been watching from a distance, smiled softly as she saw the way Taehyung was with Jihan. It wasn’t lost on her when Yuna walked over to Sarang and nudged her gently. "Looks like Taehyung’s a natural," she teased, glancing at the way Taehyung cradled Jihan.

Sarang chuckled softly. "I didn’t expect this," she admitted, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. "But... it suits him."

As the cafe continued with its steady rhythm, a quiet understanding passed between them all. Taehyung, ever watchful and silent, had made his move in the way he always did — with quiet strength and unexpected warmth. The bond he was forming with Jihan, and the way he stepped in for Hyunsoon, spoke of a man who cared deeply, even if he didn’t always say it out loud.

And Jungkook, standing by, felt a renewed sense of belonging, knowing that in this small cafe, there was more than just work. There was a sense of family — one he hadn’t expected to find, but one he was grateful to be a part of once more with which he started to work again ..

Meanwhile

Jiwoon’s POV:

The cafe was buzzing with the usual afternoon crowd, customers coming and going, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. I watched as the new guy, Jungkook, worked behind the counter, moving effortlessly as if he’d been here for months rather than just a few hours.

He was tall, with a physique that didn’t quite match the usual employees we hired — lean but powerful, like he belonged somewhere more intense than a cozy cafe. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he handled the orders with ease.

I walked up to him, my curiosity getting the better of me. "You seem to know exactly what you’re doing. Hyunsoon only left this morning. Did he have time to show you everything?"

Jungkook didn’t even look up from what he was doing, his voice calm and confident. "Hyunsoon explained everything to me last night. He told me what needed to be done, so I’ve got it covered."

His tone was casual, but there was something deeper in it — something that made me feel like he wasn’t just talking about a simple cafe job. I studied him for a moment, trying to read the person behind that calm facade. His broad shoulders, the way he carried himself... it was like he was holding back, like he was more than just a barista.

"I see," I replied, not entirely convinced. Something about him was off, but not in a bad way. It was more like... he was hiding something. But why? And more importantly, why was I so interested in figuring him out?

He finally glanced up at me, and for the first time, our eyes met. It was like a spark of electricity shot through me, leaving me momentarily breathless. There was something about his gaze — intense, focused, like he saw through me.

For a second, I felt exposed, like he knew I was trying to figure him out.

"You don’t trust me, do you?" Jungkook asked, a hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I blinked, caught off guard. "I wouldn’t say that," I responded, trying to play it cool. But my heart was racing, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. What was this? Why did this guy have such an effect on me?

He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms over his chest, that smirk still lingering on his lips. "It’s fine. You don’t have to. I’m here to do my job, and that’s all."

But there was something in the way he said it — almost like a challenge. I narrowed my eyes at him. "I’m just making sure things run smoothly here. We don’t usually hire people without a background check."

Jungkook chuckled softly, the sound low and almost teasing. "I get it. I’m not exactly the typical cafe employee."

"That’s an understatement," I muttered under my breath, but he heard me. His smirk widened, and I couldn’t help but feel even more drawn to him.

There was a pull — something magnetic. For the first time in a long time, I wanted to know more. And not just about his work here, but about him. Who was Jungkook, really?

"Let’s just say," I continued, trying to regain control of the conversation, "I’m curious about you. You seem... different."

Jungkook’s eyes darkened slightly, but the amusement never left his face. "Different how?"

"Like you’re not just here to work," I said, more boldly than I intended. "You’ve got another story, something more than just being Hyunsoon’s replacement."

He held my gaze for a moment longer before shrugging nonchalantly. "Everyone’s got a story, Jiwoon. Maybe you’ll figure mine out one day."

And with that, he turned back to his work, leaving me standing there, staring after him. I wanted to say something, to ask more, but I couldn’t. Something about the way he said it left me speechless, and that wasn’t something that happened often.

As I walked away, I couldn’t help but glance back at him. There was no doubt about it — Jungkook wasn’t just some new employee. He was more, much more. And for reasons I couldn’t explain, I wanted to know everything about him.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I was the one being drawn in — like he was a magnet, and I couldn’t pull myself away.

To be continued …