Chapter 9: Building Bonds in a New World
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The world felt different to Karan—no, now Kim Jihoon. It had been seven years since he'd been reborn into this unfamiliar place, and yet the memories of his previous life as Karan, the unnoticed Bollywood scriptwriter, were still vivid. Those memories, mixed with the vibrant experiences of his childhood in Korea, often blurred together. While he now had loving parents and a roof over his head, the lingering sense of isolation remained deep within his heart.
But he was no longer alone in the way he had been before.
Back in his past life, people came and went. They were polite but distant. He knew his work was admired, yet his presence was often overlooked. Recognition and respect for his scripts were intangible dreams, never fully realized. Here, in this world, Jihoon was determined to change that. He wanted to build connections that were real and meaningful, to finally feel like he belonged.
As he grew up, he quickly realized that forming these bonds was not as straightforward as it seemed. He was still an outsider in many ways—an adult mind trapped in a child's body. While the children around him played with ease, Jihoon found himself watching from a distance, yearning to be a part of their carefree world.
It took time and patience, but slowly, Jihoon began to break through those barriers. And now, with Song Joong-ki and little Kim Soo-hyun, he felt the stirrings of genuine friendship.
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It was a sunny afternoon in the neighborhood. The sky was clear, and the air was crisp, carrying with it the sounds of children laughing and playing. Jihoon sat on a small patch of grass near the brick building he called home. Beside him, Joong-ki and Soo-hyun were hunched over, drawing shapes in the dirt with sticks.
"Hyung, look! I made a rocket!" Soo-hyun exclaimed, proudly showing off his uneven sketch.
"Wow, it's great!" Jihoon praised, ruffling the younger boy's hair. "One day, you'll draw one so good that it'll look real."
Soo-hyun's eyes sparkled at the compliment, his cheeks flushing a soft pink. "Do you think so?"
"Of course. If you keep practicing, you can do anything," Jihoon said warmly.
Song Joong-ki, who had been quietly observing, smiled at the interaction. He was usually the more energetic one, always running around and dragging Jihoon into games. But when it came to Soo-hyun, even Joong-ki adopted a gentler demeanor, as if he sensed how much the younger boy looked up to them.
"Jihoon-ah," Joong-ki spoke up, his voice thoughtful. "Why are you always so nice to everyone?"
Jihoon glanced at his friend, slightly taken aback by the question. He pondered for a moment, considering how to answer without revealing too much of his past.
"Because I know what it's like to be alone," Jihoon said softly. "And I don't want anyone else to feel that way if I can help it."
Joong-ki tilted his head, frowning slightly. "Alone? But you have me and Soo-hyun now."
A gentle smile spread across Jihoon's face. "Yeah, I do. And I'm grateful for that."
He wasn't lying. In this world, he had been blessed with parents who doted on him, who encouraged his love for books and stories. Their small apartment in Cheonghwa-dong, Seoul, might not have been luxurious, but it was filled with warmth and care—things he had only dreamed of in his previous life. His father, a schoolteacher, and his mother, a seamstress, worked hard to provide for him, never once letting him feel like he was lacking.
But despite this, the emotional gap from his previous life still haunted him. He wanted to be more than a passive observer in this world. He wanted to reach out, connect, and share his dreams in a way that resonated deeply with those around him.
Soo-hyun, with his bright eyes and innocent smiles, reminded Jihoon of the innocence and hope he once had as Karan. And Joong-ki, always by his side, was the first true friend he'd made—a friendship that seemed destined, almost as if the universe had a hand in bringing them together.
"Hyung," Soo-hyun piped up, interrupting Jihoon's thoughts. "Can we go get some ice cream?"
Jihoon chuckled, nodding. "Sure, why not? Let's get some before your mom starts looking for you."
The three boys stood up, brushing dirt off their clothes. Joong-ki took Soo-hyun's hand, and Jihoon followed closely behind, watching the two with a content smile. It felt like a family outing, and for once, he didn't feel like an outsider looking in.
As they made their way to the small convenience store around the corner, Jihoon's thoughts drifted back to his past life. He wondered what kind of man he would have become if he'd had friendships like these back then. Would he have been able to handle the rejections and setbacks better? Would he have continued writing, no matter the lack of recognition?
"Jihoon hyung?" Joong-ki's voice pulled him out of his reverie.
"Yeah?"
"Do you still want to write those stories you told me about?" Joong-ki asked, his eyes curious.
Jihoon paused, looking down at his friends—one brimming with energy and excitement, the other still a little timid but growing bolder each day.
"I do," Jihoon said softly, his voice filled with determination. "I want to write stories that will make people feel something, that will show the world what's truly important."
"What's that?" Soo-hyun asked, looking up at Jihoon with wide eyes.
Jihoon smiled gently, kneeling down to be at eye level with the younger boy. "Friendship, love, and understanding. Stories that connect people, just like how we're connected now."
Soo-hyun's lips curled into a shy smile, and Joong-ki nodded firmly, his expression serious for once.
"Then, I'll help you!" Joong-ki declared, his small hands balling into fists. "Whatever you need, I'll be there!"
"Me too!" Soo-hyun echoed, his tiny voice filled with enthusiasm.
Jihoon's heart swelled with emotion. This—this was the connection he had longed for, the genuine camaraderie that had eluded him in his past life. Here, with these two boys beside him, he felt a sense of purpose, a drive to build something meaningful together.
"Thank you, both of you," Jihoon said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I promise I won't let you down."
And so, as they shared ice creams and laughter under the bright Seoul sky, Jihoon realized that he was no longer just an orphan seeking a place to belong. He was a friend, a brother, and, someday, he would become a storyteller whose words would transcend worlds.
Because this time, he wasn't alone. He had Joong-ki, Soo-hyun, and a future brimming with potential.
No matter what challenges lay ahead, Jihoon knew he would face them with a smile—because this time, he had people worth fighting for.