2.*

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.

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