Prequel to 14 days to my heart.
Pairing: yunjae, yoosu, min/oc | Genre: AU, romance, crack | Rating: PG(?) | Status: On-going
Summary: If life could be given a second chance, I wish I can hold on to it.
A/N: i WANTED TO make this a oneshot but it became so long i think i'm making it a prequel. hopefully i can change it to a verse.
Every Daddy’s first nightmare probably begins when his precious little gem runs home and tells him that they have found their love of their life and they are going to live happily ever after. No more “I’m going to marry Daddy when I’m older!” or “Daddy’s my prince!”
Even if he was a single parent, Jaejoong was facing his nightmare sooner than expected when his little girl came home one day telling him that she doesn’t need her dad as her knight in shining armour as she has found the one. She was 11.
Jaejoong’s world came crumbling when she finished her sentence.
The One? He thought. There is no such thing as “the one”. He snapped back to reality and watched little Yoomi prattle on about her true love. Jaejoong sighed deeply and placed his hands on her shoulders, speaking to her at her eye level.
Yoomi stopped her ramblings and looked back at him with her same doe eyes. “Dad?” She called him, tilting her head to a side which Jaejoong found absolutely adorable. For that moment, Jaejoong wanted to give her a crushing hug and ruffle her hair. He swatted the imaginary thought bubble and looked back at Yoomi who was calling him.
“Dad?”
Jaejoong took a deep breath and looked at her with serious eyes, “I don’t want to say this, but boys your age are out to suck your youth, leaving you with wrinkles early!”
Jaejoong wanted to slap his stupidity and uselessness as a father. He just made it sound as if all the men out there are youth sucking monsters and Yoomi was looking at him with dead eyes, not replying him at all. It was an awkward moment between father and child and he slapped himself mentally for being such a possessive father and coming up with such a lame excuse. If only his wife was still around to help him guide her through puberty.
“I--” Jaejoong tried to speak up.
“Yoomi doesn’t want to get wrinkles!” She screamed shaking her head side to side furiously, her braids brushing along the sides of Jaejoong’s hands.
DID SHE TAKE THE BAIT?! He shouted in his head. I’m sorry for raising such a gullible daughter.
But for that moment, Jaejoong felt triumph. At least he won back his daughter’s heart.
~/ * / * / * /~
6 years later…
Sometime in September...
Jaejoong moved his family to Japan to look after his parents and Yoomi, his youngest was already 17. Junsu his eldest, was 18.
Jaejoong was late for cooking dinner as he got off work later than usual and the public bus had to break down in the middle of the road.
“Dad’s home!” Yoomi laid lazily, sprawled across the couch, and shouted from the living room as soon as she heard the gate unlock. “‘Sup dad! Glad to see you made it back before we have supper.”
Jaejoong locked the door and clicked his tongue as he walked passed her, “I didn’t teach you to be sarcastic young lady.” He said and threw his bag on an empty couch and placed his groceries on the kitchen table.
Junsu strolled out of the room with Yoochun tagging behind. Jaejoong glanced up to see his guest and greeted him, “hey chun.”
“Hi Uncle Jae.” Yoochun smiled and crashed at the couch.
Junsu walked over to the stove and checked what Jaejoong was preparing. Kimchi stew. He watched his father quickly chopped up a few large cabbage and helped pour in his favorite can of tuna. Junsu was of a better kitchen helper compared to his sister. Yoomi was spoilt by Jaejoong since she was young and they had a term in Japan: baka oyaji*.
Jaejoong shook his head as he turned slightly to see what Yoomi was doing. Texting as usual, punching a few lines of words each times her phone chimes and sometimes smiling at what she receives. He poured in the cabbage from his chopping board and whispers softly to Junsu.
“Say, is your sister dating?” Jaejoong tried to pry something out from him. After all, Junsu was more obedient and does his dutiful son duties after their mum passed away. Junsu turns around to look at his sister and back to his father, “I don’t think so. It’s pretty normal to laugh at texts, especially if you’re involved in a group chat, dad.” He replied.
Jaejoong hummed a little. He had to be wary, after all his little daughter was his precious and they are pubescent teens right now.
x
Christmas Day…
Jaejoong was preparing his Christmas spread while the children were hovering around the Christmas tree in the living room, trying to put up any last minute decorations. Yoochun came over to help out because Jaejoong insist on having a family dinner on Christmas Day.
Junsu was sulking as he placed some fake presents below the tree.
“Stop sulk Junsu.” Yoomi clicked her tongue as she stared at her brother. “You’re ruining Christmas. At least you have your BOYFRIEND over.” She hissed, annoyed. “Be grateful, asshole.”
Yoochun scowled and Junsu punched her on her arm. “Yeah yeah yeah says Daddy’s little angel when she’s as evil as Ursula.” Junsu groaned. “Who saved your ass for lying that Daddy’s little angel is still single and available.”
Yoochun chuckled. “Children, the living room is not your playpen so you might want to pipe down your volume. Your dad has excellent hearing.” He points towards the kitchen with his thumb. Yoomi groaned and placed a shiny red ball on the tree angrily. “I can’t believe I’m stuck at home for fucking Christmas.”
“Try arguing some logic with him. You might win.” Junsu shrugged. “It’s fine by me since I’m not his little angel.”
“Do you really want to start round 2 with me, Junsu?” Yoomi threatened.
A phone chimed before Junsu could reply. The three of them paused in the living room to make out whose phone it belonged to. Then it chimed three more times, and everyone looked towards the kitchen.
“Not mine.” Junsu shrugged and locked his screen.
“Not mine either.” Yoochun replied and put the phone back in his pockets.
Yoomi sat in the living room and thought hard where she left her phone.
“SHIT!” She cussed softly. She had left it in the kitchen by the sink while she was washing her hands earlier and Jaejoong was by the sink. Yoomi got up immediately, making a dash to the kitchen and another message came in.
Jaejoong peered over his shoulder as the screen to his daughter’s phone light up.
Jung Yunho
New message
Before Jaejoong could confirm with his eyes again that a guy’s name appeared on his daughter’s phone, Yoomi reached out and grabbed her phone in time.
It took awhile for Jaejoong to register who his daughter might have been texting and he was already suspicious. Yoomi laughed dryly as she pressed the lock screen button. “My teacher.”
Jaejoong eyed her suspiciously humming a tune like as if it was no big deal.
But it is a big deal. Which daughter texts her male form teacher during winter breaks. Was this even normal, do teachers casually give students their contact number? This ‘Jung Yunho’ was obviously wasn’t her teacher. Yoomi needed a better lie. That was what he believed.
He couldn’t let his daughter know he was a paranoid father. An overprotective father, but Jaejoong wasn’t going to lie that he curiosity got to him and he wants to know who the hell is Jung Yunho.
In addition, Yoomi was attending an all girls high school so who might it be? Jaejoong said suddenly as he took out the casserole of beef lasagne out from the oven. “Not prying into your private life yoomi.”
Yeah, not interested.
x
New year’s day…
Jaejoong brought his family to the shrine like every year and this year, Yoochun was with them. While Jaejoong walked ahead of his children, Yoomi nudged yoochun at his sides, giving him her icy cold glares which she had inherited from her father. “Bitch.”
Yoochun chuckled and ruffled her hair. She was still sore that she couldn’t bring her boyfriend along like how it was during Christmas. Jaejoong and his strict crazy parental rules over Yoomi - No boyfriends till you’re 21.
“Stay close children. Don’t want you to get lost.” Jaejoong said as he turned around once in awhile to keep check on his children.
Yoomi mumbled a few incoherent sentences softly only for her to hear. The road to the shrine was so crowded with many stalls up to celebrate the New Year. Yoomi was being pushed around side to side as people thronged through the crowds, walking slowly up the stairs to the shrine.
However, one middle-aged man shoved her hardly to the side, causing her to lose her footing. As she was about to fall in the crowd, she was afraid that she might get trampled on and her brother was already a meter away from her. Then, someone held on to her by her waist. The man hovered over her face and asked if she was okay. Yoomi stood up and straightened her winter kimono and thanked the stranger to notice that her boyfriend was behind her.
“Changmin-kun…” she called out softly, blushing and feeling nervous as she got the chance to celebrate and perhaps countdown with her boyfriend.
Shim Changmin was a boy of her age who studies at the next door all boys boarding school. They first met at the nearby park and after a few meetings, they formed their friendship and only recent Valentine’s day where they had got together.
“Why you..” She looked at him puzzled. This was her new knight in shining armour.
Changmin scratched his side burns and held on to Yoomi’s left hand. “Well… I kinda figured that it’s going to be very crowded so I thought I should quietly walked behind you just in case things happened like just now…”
Yoomi looked at her boyfriend and covered her face with the sleeves of her kimono. Changmin’s hands are warm.
“Let me text my brother first. They might be worried and I have an overly paranoid father.”
Junsu took out his phone from his pocket and read his message.
“Who’s it?” Yoochun asked as he peered over his shoulder.
“Yoomi said she got lost, but her knight was secretly protecting her. She’ll meet us at our house.” Junsu sighed and placed his phone back. “Convincing dad is going to be hard…”
Yoochun shrugged.
“Where’s Yoomi?” Jaejoong asked worriedly. “Don’t worry dad, she bumped into her friend and she’s with her family now. She’s safe.”
“You sure?”
“You can try calling her, but I doubt she’ll answer. She’s going to meet us back at our place.” Junsu replied, patting his dad’s arm. “Dad, if you’re still worried over Yoomi, then I’ll ditch you for Yoochun.”
Jaejoong punched his son’s arm. “Don’t be a brat.”
Yoochun and Junsu walked ahead of their father, hands interlacing.
Jaejoong on the other was deep in thoughts trying to connect the dots. Who is Jung Yunho? Yoomi’s boyfriend? Was her “friend” that she met, jung yunho?
Then a familiar perfume brushed past him. Jaejoong looked up immediately and turned behind to see who was that.
No one.
Weird.
He remembered that scent.
The scent of Mont Blanc’s starwalker.
x
Sometime around end of January…
Yoomi had her phone placed beside her at the dining table. Each time her phone chimes while she was eating, she hides her phone under the table, sniggering a little, occasionally glancing up to look at her father and brother while replying her texts.
“It’s nothing, dad. Just some crazy girlfriends chatting. We’re planning for our mini indoor takoyaki party at kana-chan’s house.” She lied, trying her best to sound convincing. Her brother looked at her awkwardly, obviously knowing that she’s a good lying cow in front of her dad. She kicked him under the table and glared at him with messages sent from her eyes.
Junsu smirked and turned to look at his father, “Dad~~~ Valentine’s day coming up.”
Jaejoong nodded and looked at Junsu while picking up his kimchi pancake.
“And? I’m not giving you money to buy presents for Yoochun.” He replied, munching.
Junsu shook his head. “No Dad, I was just thinking Yoomi’s very popular in her school and the boys next door might mob her on that day.”
Jaejoong looked at his son and then to his daughter.
Yoomi gritted her teeth and hissed, stepping hard on her brother toes with her heel. “YAH! You and your revenge.” Her plans with Changmin might be ruined because her gut feels tells her her dad is plotting something.
Junsu chuckled and stuck out his tongue. Jaejoong on the other hand was sulking in his seat and had a conflicting expression. He stopped eating, trying to digest his daughter’s popularity. Valentine’s Day? When was the last time he had Valentine’s Day? The last time he had one was 10 years ago when Yuri baked him his dark chocolate muffin.
Jaejoong placed his chopsticks on the table and looked at this daughter. “Darling, who is Jung Yunho?” he finally asked.
“My homeroom teacher.” She replied, deadpan. But jaejoong looked like he wasn’t convinced. Yoomi sighed and rest against the chair. “Dad, I can’t help it if you don’t trust me.” She added on dramatically, “Oh poor me. How I wish mother was here because Dad doesn’t believe me.” She cried.
Junsu rolled his eyes and threw a grain of rice at her. “Shut up and eat your food. This table is not your stage.”
Yoomi shrugged her shoulders.
Jaejoong was resting in the living room after dinner and Yoomi’s phone chimed.
Jung Yunho
New message
Jaejoong glanced over and blinked once, looking at the light-up phone on the coffee table. The name was staring at his face again. Who is Jung Yunho? He grimaced and the phone chimed twice with his name appearing. Jaejoong hesitated whether to pick up the phone to unlock and read the message. But that would mean he is invading his daughter’s privacy. However, it was equally tempting to check-- Jaejoong lost his self control and unlocked his daughter’s phone. Oh dear lord, I’m sinning!
Jaejoong quickly punched in a few lines:
> Who are you?
The reply took awhile so he took the chance and memorised the number.
The phone chimed again. Jaejoong glanced at the corridor to make sure his daughter was still in the shower.
>> Who are you? Why are you holding Yoomi’s phone?
> I’m her father.
>> Oh, I’m her homeroom teacher.
Jaejoong blinked at that line owlishly. Homeroom teacher? His daughter wasn’t lying. But it could also be his daughter conspiring with her boyfriend when the code is ‘I’m her father.’ Jaejoong slapped himself mentally. Why was he so stupid to send that to him. He scrolled up the window to check if there were any past conversations. No. Just a few incoming messages that read:
Yoomi-chan~
remember to bring it to school!
I’ll be waiting
> Are teachers so loose nowadays to exchange their number?
>> Nope, but I’m not giving her special treatment since every student in school has mine.
> Still dubious. I don’t believe you.
>> Find me tomorrow then. I’ll be at the Sick Bay.
>> Oh, you might want to delete this. Not good to invade on your daughter’s privacy.
Jaejoong hissed and deleted the messages.
Then, Yoomi stepped out of the bathroom with her hair wet.
“Did my phone ring?” She asked her father and walked over to pick up her phone.
“Nope.” He replied, innocently.
Who the fuck is Jung Yunho?