ch-10

Chapter 10: Dreams Taking Shape

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Time flowed like a swift river, carrying with it changes both subtle and profound. Kim Jihoon was now 13 years old, standing on the cusp of adolescence. The world around him had shifted in more ways than one—technology advanced at a pace that often left him breathless, while the society itself struggled to keep up. Yet, it was not just the world that had changed; Jihoon himself had grown.

He was no longer the lost soul struggling to adapt to this new reality. His days were now filled with school, study, and countless conversations with his best friends, Song Joong-ki and little Kim Soo-hyun. Even as a child, Jihoon's passion for storytelling remained undiminished, and he'd begun to refine his thoughts and ideas, hoping to translate them into compelling narratives one day.

It was 1992, and the middle school in Seoul's Hwangju District buzzed with life as students filled the hallways. Jihoon and Joong-ki walked side by side, their school bags slung over their shoulders, as they made their way to their next class. The middle school building, with its beige brick walls and wide windows, was a place of learning and camaraderie, but for Jihoon and Joong-ki, it was also where they began to shape their dreams.

Jihoon glanced at his friend, who had been unusually quiet during lunch. Joong-ki, who was usually full of energy and enthusiasm, seemed deep in thought, his brows furrowed in concentration.

"Hey, what's on your mind?" Jihoon asked, nudging Joong-ki's arm lightly.

Joong-ki blinked, as if waking from a daydream. He looked at Jihoon, his expression thoughtful. "I've been thinking about what you said a few years ago… about acting."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What about it?"

Joong-ki took a deep breath, as if gathering his thoughts. "I think I'm starting to understand it more now—the essence of acting, I mean. It's not just about memorizing lines or copying emotions. It's about becoming someone else entirely, but still keeping a part of yourself intact."

Jihoon's eyes widened slightly. For a 13-year-old, Joong-ki was showing remarkable insight. "That's right," Jihoon agreed softly. "It's about making the audience believe in that person, and through that, you help them feel something genuine."

Joong-ki nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "My dad and I talked about it yesterday. He said that if I'm really serious about acting, he'll let me join an acting institute when I turn 15."

"Wow, Joong-ki, that's amazing!" Jihoon exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across his face. "You're really going for it, huh?"

"Yeah, I want to try," Joong-ki said, his voice steady. "I know it's going to be hard, but I want to see if I can do it… If I can bring stories to life, like the ones you talk about."

A sense of pride filled Jihoon's heart as he looked at his friend. It felt surreal, watching Joong-ki's passion for acting grow from a simple conversation they'd had as children into a tangible dream. He had planted a seed of curiosity, and now it was blossoming into a full-fledged ambition.

"I believe you can do it," Jihoon said sincerely. "You have the talent, Joong-ki, and more than that, you have the drive."

Joong-ki smiled, a hint of shyness in his expression. "Thanks, Jihoon. It means a lot, coming from you."

The bell rang, signaling the end of their lunch break, and they hurried off to their next class. As they settled into their seats, Jihoon couldn't help but glance out the window, his mind drifting back to the stories he'd written in his notebooks. He had pages filled with characters and worlds—some inspired by the Korean history and culture around him, others still echoing his memories of Bollywood. But he knew that someday, these scribbles would turn into something more. He just needed time.

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After school, Jihoon and Joong-ki took a familiar path to their neighborhood in Hwangju District. The narrow streets, lined with small shops and bustling activity, were a mix of old and new—traditional hanoks stood beside modern brick buildings, and the hum of early computers could be heard from a nearby electronics store.

"Let's stop by and see Soo-hyun," Joong-ki suggested as they approached Jihoon's apartment building.

Jihoon nodded. "Yeah, he should be back from school by now."

They made their way to the brick building beside Jihoon's home, where the Kim family lived. As they neared the door, a small figure came bounding out, his backpack bouncing behind him.

"Jihoon hyung! Joong-ki hyung!" Kim Soo-hyun called out, his face lighting up with a wide smile.

Jihoon bent down, his arms open wide, and Soo-hyun crashed into him, giggling. "Did you have a good day at school, Soo-hyun-ah?"

"Yes!" Soo-hyun said excitedly. "We learned a new song today! I'll sing it for you later!"

Joong-ki laughed, reaching out to ruffle the younger boy's hair. "You've always got something new to show us, don't you?"

Soo-hyun's eyes sparkled as he looked up at his two older friends. For him, Jihoon and Joong-ki were like older brothers—his protectors and playmates. He adored them both and always wanted to share everything he learned or discovered with them.

"Come on," Jihoon said, taking Soo-hyun's small hand. "Let's go to the park. I want to show you something."

They walked together to a nearby park, a modest space with a few swings and a slide. Jihoon led them to a quiet spot under a tree, where he sat down, motioning for Soo-hyun and Joong-ki to do the same.

"I've been thinking," Jihoon began, his voice soft but serious. "We're all growing up, and soon, we'll have to decide what we want to do with our lives."

Joong-ki nodded slowly, listening intently. Even little Soo-hyun seemed to sense the importance of Jihoon's words, his small face scrunched up in concentration.

"I want us to promise each other something," Jihoon continued. "No matter what happens, no matter how hard it gets, we won't give up on our dreams."

There was a moment of silence as the words settled in. Then, Joong-ki grinned, holding out his pinky finger. "A pinky promise?"

Jihoon chuckled, linking his pinky with Joong-ki's. "A pinky promise."

Soo-hyun's tiny finger joined theirs, and the three of them made a vow that day—one that would carry them through the trials and tribulations of the future.

As they pulled apart, Soo-hyun looked up at Jihoon, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Hyung, what's your dream?"

Jihoon smiled gently, his gaze distant as if looking into a future only he could see. "My dream… is to write stories that make people feel, that bring out emotions they didn't even know they had. I want to show the world that even ordinary lives can be extraordinary."

Joong-ki nodded, his expression solemn. "And I want to bring those stories to life. I want to act and make people believe in the characters you create."

Soo-hyun looked thoughtful, then nodded firmly. "I don't know what my dream is yet… but I want to be with you both, no matter what!"

Jihoon's heart swelled with warmth as he looked at his two friends. This was what he had longed for in his previous life—companionship, understanding, and shared dreams. He may not have been able to find it as Karan, but as Kim Jihoon, he was determined to nurture these bonds and hold onto them tightly.

"Then we'll stick together," Jihoon said softly, his voice filled with emotion. "No matter what."

The three of them sat there, under the shade of the tree, their dreams intertwining and taking shape. They were still young, still uncertain of what the future held, but one thing was clear:

Whatever happened, they would face it together.