Intro 1/2

Innocence’s Awakening

In the hallway, you stand, a small, wide-eyed child of 3 years old named Ji-Min, peering through the crack of your parents' bedroom door, Tyra Kim and Jun Kim.

This is a daily ritual for you.

You long for their attention, their love, their care.

But instead, you find only disappointment.

Your parents, deeply engrossed in their thriving careers, always seem too busy to spare you a moment.

Your heart aches, but you are determined to keep trying.

Amidst the confusion about your parents' behavior, you never feel loneliness. Your cousin and neighbor Jae-Min, just 7 months older than you, becomes your beacon of solace, as the two of you seek comfort in each other's presence.

Despite the emotional void left by your parents, the bond with Jae-Min brings light and warmth into your life.

He sneaks you extra sweet treats when no one is looking and stays up late into the night with you, whispering stories to make you feel safe and loved.

During this time, you also feel the calming presence of Jalen Llewellyn and Koisuke Hane, two young students hired as nannies to help care for you.

They become an integral part of your daily life, offering support, love, and companionship during the hours when your parents are consumed by their work—meaning each second of your life.

Even at the tender age of three, their presence brings a sense of stability and kindness into your world.

In those moments, Koisuke feels like a second dad, providing guidance and care, while Jalen's nurturing and compassionate manner resembles that of a mom, offering a unique kind of tenderness and understanding.

But you also have Jae-Min's parents, Han-wool Janggok and Chae-Won Janggok, your mother's little sister, who are a comforting presence in your life, offering their support and care whenever you are around them. Their presence adds an extra layer of warmth and love.

Summer Day

As you run through the grassy field with Jae-Min, Jalen, and Koisuke close behind, you exclaim, your voice full of excitement.

Ji-Min: 저기 예쁜 나비들 봐! (Look at those pretty butterflies!)

Jae-Min chimes in.

Jae-Min: 색깔이 정말 다채롭네! (They're so colorful!)

With laughter in his voice, he adds.

Jae-Min: 하나 잡자! (Let's catch one!)

As you all leap and twirl, trying to catch the elusive creatures, Jalen cheer you on.

Jalen: You can do it, Ji-Min! Just a little closer!

Koisuke join in, his voice full of encouragement.

Koisuke: 잘하고 있어! 계속해! (You're doing great! Keep going!)

After a few exhilarating moments, a butterfly land delicately on Jae-Min's outstretched hand. You all gasp in awe, marveling at its beauty.

With a wide smile on your face, you exclaim.

Ji-Min: 와! 재민이 잡았어! (Wow! Jae-Mini caught one!)

Jae-Min grins, his eyes shining with pride.

Jae-Min: 내가 했어! 이제 너 차례야, 지민아! (I did it! Now it's your turn, Ji-Min ah!)

With their support and cheers, you continue your playful chase, fill with laughter and a sense of share joy.

Months later, you still seek your parents' love.

You eagerly approached them, clutching your tiny handmade gifts in your tiny hands, hoping they would finally acknowledge you.

But once again, you faced indifference.

Your mother barely had time to glance at your offering, dismissing it with a distracted smile.

Your father often arrived home late, too exhausted to engage with you.

Jae-Min, your steadfast companion, shared in the disappointment of your parents' indifference, offering unwavering support and understanding.

You and Jae-Min still seek solace in each other's company, strengthening your bond.

Throughout this difficult period, Koisuke and Jalen remain a constant presence.

They have been with you since you were born.

You adore them, as they shower you with affection, attention, and love.

Koisuke, Jae-Min, and Jalen are an integral part of your support system, enriching your young life with love and understanding.

With their unwavering presence and care, you find a sense of belonging and family that fills the void created by your parents' absence.

The year you turn 4, spring camping

Excitement evident in his voice Jalen says.

Jalen: Ready for a camping adventure, everyone?

Brimming with anticipation you and Jae-Min reply simultaneously.

Ji-Min and Jae-Min: Yes!

Koisuke, showing you the ropes, carefully arranges the firewood and guides your hands to ignite the fire.

Koisuke: 너 자연스러워, 지민아! (You're a natural, Ji-Min ah!)

Eyes sparkling Jae-Min chimes in,

Jae-Min: So cool.

You smile at them.

As the aroma of marshmallows fills the air, warmth envelops you all, like a cozy blanket.

Jalen: Alright, now let's sing a song!

Strumming his guitar Jalen adds,

Jalen: What should we sing first?

Jae-Min: How about the Rainbow Song?

You enthusiastically nod your head.

J-Min: Yes! I love that song!

And so, under the shimmering stars and Jalen's guitar, the four of you begin to sing. Koisuke, Jae-Min, and you harmonize sweetly, the melodies carrying into the night, overflowing with warmth.

As the song comes to an end, you gaze at Jalen, Koisuke, and Jae-Min, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and belonging.

As you put your head against Jalen's arm, your voice resonates with happiness.

Ji-Min: I'm so happy we're all here together.

With a smile, Jalen replies.

Jalen: Me too. My little bundle of joy. We love you.

Koisuke adds in a warm, gentle voice.

Koisuke: 그리고 우리는 항상 널 사랑할 거야. (And we will always love you.)

The year you turn 5…

Your bond with Koisuke, Jalen, and Jae-Min grows stronger.

They are your pillars of support, the ones you turn to for comfort and love.

You still yearn for your parents' affection but find solace in the warmth and care provide by what you consider like your second ‘parents’ and your cousin.

Jae-Min's presence brought a special kind of joy and understanding into your life, enabling you to navigate the complexities of childhood with a sense of resilience and companionship.

He is your partner in crime, devising secret handshakes and silly dance routines that bring laughter into your life.

He always knows how to make you feel special on your rough days, whether with a bouquet of wildflowers or a homemade card expressing his unwavering support and love for you.

Summer adventure

One sunny afternoon, Jalen, Koisuke, Jae-Min, and you decide to venture into the great unknown... the backyard. Armed with overactive imaginations and an insatiable desire for adventure, you gather near the swing set, ready to embark on a mission of epic proportions.

His voice fills with dramatic flair Koisuke declares.

Koisuke: Alright, team, our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to retrieve the lost treasure of the legendary Pirate Monkey!

Gasps fill the air, and Jae-Min's eyes grow wide with excitement.

Jae-Min: Pirate Monkey? I heard the treasure is buried deep in the sandbox!

You nod, your face determined.

Ji-Min: We have to be brave, sneaky, and quick! The Pirate Monkey won't make it easy for us!

Jalen, always ready with words of wisdom, speaks up.

Jalen: Remember, young adventurers, caution is our ally. The Pirate Monkey's tricks are unmatched, but with teamwork, we shall prevail!

With a collective nod, you set off towards the sandbox, the imagine sound of pirate cannons echoing in your ears. As you reach the sandy treasure trove, you huddle together, strategizing your plan.

Pointing to the playhouse Koisuke says.

Koisuke: Alright, Jae-Min, you, be the lookout, let us know if any pirate mischief is afoot!

Jae-Min salutes, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

Jae-Min: Aye aye, Captain!

With Jae-Min on the lookout, you and Jalen begin digging furiously, your plastic shovels striking the sand with determination. Each scoop brings you closer to the elusive treasure, or so you believe.

Jae-Min's voice echoes from the playhouse.

Jae-Min: Arr, I hear the Pirate Monkey approaching!

You pause, exchanging nervous glances with Jalen.

Ji-Min: We have to work faster!

Sweat drips down your forehead as you dig faster, your imaginations running wild with the impending encounter with the Pirate Monkey.

Finally, after what feels like hours of excavation, you strike something hard. With a triumphant yell, you unearth... a buried action figure.

Holding up the toy Jalen laughs.

Jalen: Erm, mateys, I think we've found the Pirate Monkey's assistant.

Laughter erupts among the group, the tension of the adventure quickly fading away.

Jae-Min chuckles, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Jae-Min: Well, at least now we have an assistant for our adventures!

You nod, a smile tugging at your lips.

Ji-Min: The Assistant Monkey shall join our crew on future escapades!

With newfound excitement, the group embarks on a series of hilarious adventures, the backyard becoming a battleground for epic battles and daring quests. But amidst the laughter and wild imaginations, the true treasure remains —the enduring friendship of Jae-Min, Jalen, and Koisuke, the ones who paint your world with joy and laughter.

As the sun sets on another day of childhood adventures, you know that there would be many more stories to come, each one filled with laughter, love, and the kind of friendship that can only be forged in the fires of hilarious escapades.