Ever since my brother chased his dreams, I’ve felt stuck in a void—nothing is moving up or down, right or wrong. He was the best older brother anyone could ever ask for, but good memories fade all too quickly.
My brother wanted to be a rapper, to make it big in the music world, to share our gifts with the universe.
But our parents were fiercely opposed to his ambitions, especially our father, who would argue with him relentlessly about his dreams and future plans.
They believed his pursuit would lead only to heartache and disappointment. The arguments escalated to the point where our father threatened to disown him, to cut him off from his will and inheritance if he didn’t abandon his dreams immediately.
But the threats didn't work.
The last time I saw my brother, he stood at the front door, bag slung over his shoulder, suitcase in hand, resolute in his determination not to give up.
I remembered standing behind my mother, clutching onto my necklace as he made it clear that our parents might not realize it yet, but they had lost a son.
After he walked out, we realized he had left behind a signed contract promising to take our mother’s maiden name once our father signed it, which our father did the moment the door closed.
My mother and I were shattered by his departure, and I could never forgive my father for forcing him to leave our home.
From that moment on, my parents' arguments grew more frequent, slowly tearing their relationship apart.
There were mornings when my father would sleep in the guestroom, ignoring us completely.
My mother stopped cooking, choosing instead to take me out for meals or to her friend Sumi's houses for dinner, trying to avoid being in the same space as my father whenever she could.
Gradually, he became more absent from my life, leaving early and returning late, a ghost in our own home.
It became clear that he had developed a drinking problem and was seeing another woman regularly.
One day, after returning home from an audition, my mother and I stumbled upon my father with that same woman in their bedroom.
My mother was devastated, crying for days, unable to bear the sight of him bringing that woman into our home and leaving everything in chaos.
She had supported him through everything, but this was the final straw. The sounds of their fights in the night were unbearable for me.
All my mother could do was hold me close, her soothing voice trying to drown out the chaos, singing me to sleep and transporting me to a dreamland far away from our reality.
A year later, when their case went to court, my mother emerged victorious, securing a divorce and custody of me. She quickly whisked me away to another country when she learned I had passed my audition.
Upon our arrival, the company that had auditioned me wasted no time summoning me. I was thrust into a grueling training regimen, pushing myself to the limit in pursuit of my dreams.
As time went on, I met three other girls who had also made the cut. The oldest, Kim Aera, Kim Han-na and Park Chae-won. Together, we trained relentlessly, day and night, striving for excellence.
We were set to debut as a new girl group in a couple of years, with no room for complacency.
Our bond deepened as we shared our experiences, slowly revealing our personal stories.
While the two eldest members came from complete and happy families, the second youngest, Park Chae-won and I quickly connected over our shared struggles, particularly her mother’s infidelity and subsequent abandonment of her father.
Our friendship evolved into *sisterhood*.
After years of hard work, we finally debuted as 'OSP: Outer Space Princesses,' marking the beginning of our journey.
Throughout all these years, my brother's whereabouts have remained an agonizing mystery. It feels as if he has never truly existed in my life, a painful truth that I struggle to accept.
With each passing day, the chances of finding him seem to slip further away, and this haunting thought occupies my mind incessantly.
The longing for him is etched into everything I do; I yearn for his presence in ways I can hardly articulate.
Understanding my story, our manager Kim Mina suggested I channel my emotions into a song that pays tribute to the bond we shared.
At first, I found myself grappling with frustration as I attempted to craft the lyrics.
But then, a vivid memory surfaced—how my brother used to hold onto his necklace, take a deep breath, and dive back into his writing.
That image ignited a spark within me. Witnessing his unwavering determination inspired me to persevere, and it worked wonders!
I discovered that the key was to never give up, to clear my mind, and to let my emotions lead the way. Once I finished writing, a smile broke through the tears that had slipped down my cheeks.
I gazed at the sunlit sky and whispered, "Even though you are beyond my reach, you still feel so close. You have always been, and will forever be, the guiding light in my life. Thank you, dear brother."
With renewed vigor, I embarked on the journey of producing and recording my song.
For weeks, I immersed myself in my studio, seeking solace in the solitude it provided. My purpose there was singular: to practice, to rest, and to create.
Occasionally, my friends would stop by, delivering the sustenance I had requested.
I knew that isolating myself during significant endeavors was frowned upon by the eldest, and I braced myself for her eventual arrival, ready to coax me back into the world.
True to form, the eldest member of our group visited my studio, knocking softly before peering inside.
To my surprise, she had only left me alone for two days this time—a new record, as she had previously allowed me four uninterrupted days.
She furrowed her brow slightly and said, "Mi-Young, aren't you hungry? Han-na is cooking."
I kept my eyes glued to the laptop screen and replied, "No, Noona, I'm fine. I already had a sandwich and two bottles of water."
She sighed, not ready to relent.
"Youngie, you need to eat something more substantial. You can't sustain yourself on mere snacks, sandwiches, and water or juice. You require a proper meal, and your friends want to see you."
I exhaled sharply, realizing I was losing this argument.
"Alright, Noona, I'll come downstairs in about twenty minutes." She nodded and stepped out, leaving me alone once more in my recording sanctuary.
As we gathered around the table in silence, Han-na Noona broke the quiet, asking, "Have you finally completed your solo song?"
I took a sip of water and nodded, responding, "Yes, I have finally finished it, Noona."
Aera Noona, the eldest, placed her spoon down gently and regarded me with a hopeful smile.
"Do you think this will finally catch his attention? Could this be it?" I paused, uncertainty swirling in my mind.
"I'm not sure, but I hope so. I composed it using some special additions to it. I also used notes we used to sing together frequently, though I intentionally excluded the special notes that were uniquely ours."
Chae-won grasped my hand firmly, understanding the depth of my longing to be reunited with my brother.
"Through this song, I truly hope he will remember my voice, recognize the notes, and come searching for me."
While the others engaged in lighthearted conversation, my thoughts drifted back to our childhood.
I reminisced about the afternoons spent singing together, lost in the melodies that flowed from my brother’s piano. The hours he'd spend trying to teach me how to play his guitar.
Our shared musical talent had created an unbreakable bond, those moments etched in my heart as some of the best times of my life.
But everything changed when our father discovered our secret.
He forbade me from singing or playing music in his presence or within the house.
It felt as though he had flipped a switch, transforming into someone unrecognizable.
My brother continued to play the piano and sing, but only in secret, shielding me from our father's wrath.
Then came the day my brother reached his breaking point, confronting our father for stifling my passion and denying me the chance to express myself musically.
The confrontation spiraled into a nightmare, leaving my brother facing threats of disownment...
...Author's POV...
A few weeks later, the girls devoted their days to rehearsing for the upcoming tour.
Ever since Mi-Young's solo song went viral, fans had been clamoring for their return.
While Mi-Young focused intently on her dance moves alongside Han-na, Aera and Chae-won warmed up their voices, each member absorbed in her own task when suddenly, their manager called them over.
As they gathered around, anticipation hung in the air. Han-na glanced at the group before asking Manager Mina, "What is it?"
With a bright smile, their manager revealed, "After your tour, you will be collaborating with the boy group, 'BTS'. "
The girls were overjoyed! They cheered loudly, already familiar with the talented members of 'BTS'.
"I can't believe this is happening!" Aera squealed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Each of them harbored a secret crush on one of the members, and who could blame them? The members of 'BTS' were incredibly handsome, talented, and well-mannered, as they had seen on social media.
After practice, which concluded around 11 PM, they all headed home to rest for the next day.
Upon arriving home, the girls freshened up and gathered in Han-na's room with their pillows and blankets. They settled comfortably in bed, the air buzzing with anticipation.
Aera exclaimed, tightly hugging her pillow, "Can you believe it?!"
"No, I still can't wrap my head around it," Han-na replied, lying on her stomach, her voice laced with disbelief.
"We're going to work with BTS!"
"This is going to be the most thrilling experience ever. I can't wait to meet Suga," Aera said, her smile widening as she daydreamed about the male idol.
Chae-won sat up, a playful smirk on her lips as she glanced at Aera. "Do I detect a hint of a crush, Noona?"
Immediately, Aera shot up, her cheeks flushing a rosy pink.
"What?! No!! I'm just excited to work with the best boy group! And who are you to talk, huh? I've seen your lock screen and bedroom walls!"
Han-na couldn't suppress her laughter. "Indeed, it's quite amusing. Your room is practically a shrine to V, while Aera's gallery is overflowing with snapshots of Yoongi!"
Aera and Chae-won exchanged stern glances, and Chae-won retorted, "And what about you, Han-na Noona?! You have a secret playlist just for RM’s songs! I heard you edited BTS songs to only feature his parts!"
They all locked eyes, but soon succumbed to uncontrollable laughter.
While they chuckled and conversed, I found myself gazing at the ceiling, lost in my own thoughts.
The tranquility of my mind was interrupted when Han-na Noona took notice of my silence.
"Hey, Youngie, what about you? You've been unusually quiet. Who do you have a crush on in BTS?"
I turned towards my three Noonas and let out a sigh before responding, "I don’t have a crush on any of them."
"Oh, really, Youngie?" Aera Noona raised an eyebrow, exchanging a mischievous glance with the others.
"Are you absolutely certain you're telling us the truth? Or is our youngest member deceiving us?" Chae-won teased, a playful glint in her eye.
"No, I have no clue what you’re talking about, Noonas. I don't have a crush on any of them."
closed my eyes and smiled, but soon felt hands pinching and tickling me. I burst into laughter as they insisted I spill the beans.
After regaining my composure, Han-na Noona leaned in closer, her curiosity evident.
"So, who is it?" I shook my head, grinning.
"Okay, okay! I have feelings for Jimin. His voice is incredible, and his talent is out of this world. Plus, the way he smiles with his eyes? It's just... adorable."
Aera Noona squealed in delight, playfully pinching my cheeks. "Youngie, you have to tell him that when you meet him!"
We continued our conversation for a little while longer, our laughter echoing in the room.
However, Aera eventually glanced at Han-na's clock and exclaimed, "Alright, girls, it's time to go to bed. Our tour begins in two days, and we have training tomorrow. We should take advantage of this opportunity to get some quality sleep."
Han-na nodded and covered us with the blanket, turning off the lights.
As I lay there, I clutched my necklace, drifting off to sleep in Chae-won's embrace, reminiscing about cherished memories of my brother from days long gone.
Morning soon arrived, draping the world in a warm, golden glow. The sun's rays pierced through the delicate fabric of the curtains, gently coaxing me from the depths of slumber.
I stretched my limbs, feeling the delightful strain in my muscles, and rubbed the sleep from my heavy eyelids.
Once my yawn subsided, a realization washed over me: I was utterly alone in the room, surrounded by the stillness of the early hour.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and padded quietly towards the door.
As I stepped into the hallway, the mouthwatering aroma of Han-na's culinary creations wafted through the air, filling my nostrils with a tantalizing promise of breakfast.
I made my way toward the living room and spotted my clothes neatly laid out on my bed, perfectly arranged just for me.
I entered the bathroom and went through my morning routine, the rhythmic splash of water invigorating my senses.
I slipped into a snug short-sleeved turtleneck and a comfortable pair of jeans, finishing the look with sleek sneakers. I pulled my hair back into a smooth, high ponytail, a style that felt both effortless and polished.
As I descended the staircase, I caught sight of Chae-won Noona, her brow furrowed in concentration as she sifted through several bags sprawled across the couch.
Aera Noona buzzed around, darting in and out of the house like an industrious bee as she carried bags outside.
Meanwhile, Han-na Noona was busily packing an array of delicious food, her hands moving with practiced efficiency.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Han-na Noona glanced up, her face lighting up with a warm smile.
"Oh, Youngie, you're up! Come help me, please," she called, her voice cheerful.
I stepped into the kitchen, where she handed me two lunchboxes, their enticing smell beckoning.
"Can you take those to the car and help Chae-won and Aera Noona with the bags?" she asked.
I nodded, ready to assist, and soon found myself juggling the lunchboxes as I helped my sisters.
Before long, all four of us were settled in the car, with Aera Noona at the wheel.
Chae-won Noona began to munch on her breakfast, while Han-na multitasked, feeding Aera as she took bites for herself.
An enveloping silence wrapped around us, thick with anticipation, until I could no longer bear it.
"So, where are we going?" I finally broke the quiet.
"No one mentioned we’d be hitting the road today." Chae-won Noona paused mid-bite, a nervous chuckle escaping her lips.
"Oh, I completely forgot! Manager Mina said the tour has been pushed forward because of a printing error with the tickets. So tonight, we're flying out of the country, and tomorrow night is our first concert."
I glanced at them, their faces filled with aWkward laughter, aware of my discomfort with unexpected changes.
Inhaling deeply, I steadied my racing heart. "Okay. But where are we headed now?"
Aera Noona swallowed her bite and replied, “We’re going to the company. We have an early training session with our backup dancers. And there’s one more thing we forgot to mention... Manager Mina said you’ll be leading the practice today.”
A sigh escaped my lips as I fought to control the frustration bubbling inside me. I finished my breakfast, and soon we arrived at the company.
Just as Aera had said, I was thrust into the role of leading the dance session. We practiced and trained relentlessly until the clock struck seven.
As planned, we departed the country, and during the entire flight, I succumbed to sleep, drifting off as night enveloped us.
In the comfort of my chair, I slipped into a dream, lost in memories of my older brother and the blissful moments we shared.
But just as I was savoring those cherished recollections, I was jolted awake. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I found Chae-won smiling down at me.
"Come on, get up! We're landing," she urged gently.
I smiled back at her, stifling a yawn as the excitement of our journey washed over me.
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