The Long Fall

four

It took two years, but I was finally released from the grips of my mother and her abusive, neglectful claws. I was officially welcomed into the Huang household and was given a bed to sleep in, though still sharing a room with Tao if he ever came back.

I decided I'd still keep my name since I wanted to honor my father, but I was very happy to finally be in a family with the ones who raised me. They spoiled me more than I deserved, but it made me feel welcome and safe.

Nearly the same day as the hearing ended for the trial, I got a call from the same entertainment company that scouted Tao. They were interested in doing the same with me since they'd seen my work and found potential within me.

I was super excited and very happy to see my dreams being realized as well. But I didn't tell Tao about it. I wanted to surprise him when I got the confirmation that I'd be hired to train there alongside him. No reason to get my hopes up without the paper saying I could work for them, so why bother him about it until I was for sure about it?

We still talked every night, telling each other about practically everything. I was also able to video call often, meeting the other members and becoming close friends with all of them. It made me even more excited to meet them in person.

"We just have an issue with your name. Hwansaeng doesn't sound like an idol's name." I sighed in defeat as the manager in front of me explained my situation. He handed me a list with names on it, saying a few that he thought might sound good.

"Can I use an English name?" I asked, pausing his speech as he looked at me.

"Ah, I guess so." He replied, looking through the papers again. "Was there one you saw, or one that you thought of?"

"July," I answered, earning a nod as he contemplated my words.

"Any special meaning to you?" He questioned, earning a smile from me as I nodded.

"It's my birth month," I said, making his smile wider.

"That could work!" He exclaimed, scribbling away in his notebook. "In Hangul, it would be pronounced as Jurai, which is a lot easier and would bring a unique charm to the group you'll be placed in!"

"When will I meet them?" I asked, excited to finally be placed in a group. One and a half years of training has led to this day, the day I'd finally follow Tao to Seoul.

I happily rode a taxi home, excited to tell Aunty and Uncle the news. I dropped off my bag and then went into the living room, where I nearly fell in shock at seeing the one boy I hadn't thought to see here.

"Tao Ge? Why are you home?" I asked, shocked and surprised. Then I noticed his leg. "Why are you all patched and wrapped up? Are you hurt?"

"He's leaving the agency. They keep doing this to him, and I'm tired of it." His father spoke, anger and pain in his voice.

"I'm really tired from the trip, can we talk about this later?" He asked, struggling to get up with his crutches.

"Fine, but Huan'er, you should reconsider as well. It doesn't seem like they like us all that much." The two boys looked at me, Uncle with concern and Tao with confusion.

"What do you mean?" The younger asked.

"I, I was also scouted. They want to debut me in a few months." I softly replied, a punch of guilt hitting me like a truck as he looked at me with hurt and betrayal. "I, I was going to surprise you when I got there, but you came home instead. I'm sorry for not telling you."

"I'm very tired, so I'd rather sleep than get mad. Let's just talk in the morning." He told me, sighing as he hopped over to the room.

I watched him examine the changes to it, seeing how I made adjustments as I grew older. He sat on his bed and watched me sit down on mine, smiling at him in the hopes of his anger being relinquished.

"I need to change." He muttered, looking at me a little awkwardly.

"Do you need help? Your leg looks like it's in bad shape. I can get uncle-"

"No, it's fine. Just close your eyes, or turn around. I'll be quick." He told me, earning quick obedience from me as my face turned a bit red at the thought of being in the same room as him once again.

When we woke up, the two of us made our way to the kitchen, where his parents were already waiting with breakfast. The four of us were smiling, happy to be together again, but there was a tense nervousness in the air as well.

"So, when do they want you to go to Seoul?" Tao asked, breaking the silence and staring at me while he awaited an answer.

"As soon as the school year is over. They'll have me debut in September, just as the new school year begins." I answered, earning a nod. They had done the same to him, so it would only make sense that mine would be similar.

"And since they go to school until nineteen, you'll finish your studies alongside your debut?" He asked, earning a nod from me.

"Since it's only a couple of months away, they've got all the paperwork started for me. I just have to show up at the airport and the manager assigned to me will take me over there." I answered, earning a sigh from him again.

"I know you've worked hard for this, but do you have to go? I mean, look at what they did to Tao. Is it worth it?" Aunty spoke up, looking at the two of us with a worried expression.

"If you really want to, I can make a company and the two of us can work together there. No need to travel so far away to a country that doesn't even treat you well." His dad added, making me wonder if I was making a good decision.