𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙫𝙖𝙨 • 𝙚𝙣𝙝𝙮𝙥𝙚𝙣 + 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙣

𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖: 𝙇𝙚𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙪𝙣𝙜

𝙞'𝙢 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨.

𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗻 - 𝗶'𝗺 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱...

Lee Heeseung. His name was the one that everyone in his neighborhood kept muttering about. They said that he's blessed for having the best family that supported him in his decisions. And they were right. However, they only treated him as such like a gold trophy they couldn't have. Heeseung would often hide his dislike when they would compare everyone against him. That only lead to more of his classmates being uncomfortable with him.

He did his best in everything because he wants to repay his mother for her hard work. Heeseung wanted to honor both his parents and his birth mother. They worked so hard to make sure that they are able to provide food and a roof over their heads.

His mother worked two jobs and studied for college when she had time. If that doesn't surprise everyone, his mom had always been able to keep a stable grade on top of that. Even if he couldn't see her every time, he knew that she's working so that they could have a better life. Heeseung remembered the first time he told her his dream.

The moment he stepped inside the house, his heart thumped out of his chest when he saw his mom holding her slippers above her head. They fought over something again, yesterday, it was about who will water the garden. This isn't the best time to tell her about it. Then he sat beside his uncle who had been watching on the television over some news at this late hour. Uncle Minho only raised an eyebrow at him before giving him a bowl of popcorn in his hands.

They remained silent when she got angry because Sunoo and Sunghoon argued again. "Uncle," he hesitated as he bit his lips in nervousness. Uncle Minho is sensible, right? He'll understand his decision. "What was your dream, Uncle?" The silent man began contemplating with his fingers on his chin; Heeseung only gulped when his uncle looked at him in a pointed stare.

"I wanted to be an engineer before," Uncle answered before a goofy smile appeared on his lips. Heeseung was stunned for a moment, this smile is the one that he had rarely seen before. Mom always told him before that Uncle Minho was a goofy but serious guy before when they were children. He barely remembered what happened at that time, but he knew that it was traumatic experience.

"I enrolled in college, graduated, but then I realized that I wasn't suited for that profession." Heeseung widened his eyes in surprise, feeling conflicted but at the same time relieved. Uncle Minho was the same! Maybe, he'll be able to find happiness in his decision! "Your Aunt Nara actually made me realize that I could still take my time before getting back to what I want in my life.

"Uncle, actually!" Heeseung began to exclaim, but when he saw his uncle in the eyes, he couldn't suddenly talk about his decision. He felt like if he told his uncle, he'll tell his mother and she'll want him to give up on his dreams. Maybe dad will agree, but they'll likely fight. "Nevermind, it's... nothing."

Then he felt his phone vibrate in his pockets, and opening it, he saw the numbers of his dad written on his phone screen.

"Let me take this call," he bid his goodbye as he climbed up the stairs and to his room in which he locked the doors. His whole face brightened up when he saw the familiar face on his screen that he hasn't seen in a while. "Appa!" He greeted his father as he saw him wearing a white shirt with a black cap in his head. They must have been practicing again this late.

"Why did you call though?" Heeseung could hear his father tired from the practices for their upcoming comeback. He wished that they had enough time to themselves. Where they could loosen up and not worry about everything, be themselves, and be with their family. Maybe, that was his wish for his father.

"Your mother called me that you skipped dinner," his father scolded him, and Heeseung couldn't hide his guilt. Mother really knew him. Heeseung sighed as he hugged his legs and listened to his father rambling. He could feel his mood plummet down even further, knowing that being a trainee isn't easy.

"Appa," he began, touching the topic in a slow manner, and began looking for the paper at the foot of the bed. "I... When you became an idol, how did grandmother react?" The other line became quiet; now Heeseung knew that he was really disappointed. But then he heard him sighed, not the disappointed ones when their siblings fight. He could feel hope rising up, of course! Appa is an idol so he'll agree to sign for him.

"Heeseung, you want to be a trainee?" Heeseung looked up and saw a genuine pride painted in his father's face. He felt giddy - like someone blasted him off the cliff and he still survived... Okay that is overreacting. But now, he knew that someone is supporting him from afar. His father is proud of him!

"Yes! I mean- I still need both confirmation for the application and..." Heeseung muttered as he could feel movement outside the door. Then it opened, revealing his mother carrying a plate filled with dinner. But painted on her face was relief and hint of seriousness, she must have heard their conversation. "Heeseung? Oh, your mother is here..."

If there was anything that their family is best at doing so, they're good at knowing when to leave. Especially when Chaerin is about to scold someone. "Yeah? Oh? The instructor is here, Hyung?" Chaerin ignored the way it was painfully obvious that her boyfriend is making an excuse.

"Oh, Heeseung. I have to go now. I'll be back after the practice," his father stammered as Heeseung could see in the future. His father is not allowed to come in their house until his mother allowed him to. "Sorry, Chaerin!" His father added before ending the call.

Heeseung gulped, watching his mother set aside his dinner in a bedside table, sitting down in front of him. Ah, there it was. The usual expression that everyone saw in her was now directed at him. "Lee Heeseung," she called out with her hands crossed in her body, eyes filled with coldness.

"Yes, eomma," he answered while fixing his posture and keeping his hands tucked in his sides. Deep down, he now knew how terrifying her mother looked like. The feeling of doing something that could disappoint her is visible to him - not that he would do that.

"Tell me, what is your plan in doing that," his mother ordered. Heeseung hastily grabbed the well-kept audition guidelines in his bag. It was in a brown manila envelope along with the other requirements that Heeseung prepared days in advance. His eyes softened a bit when he noticed that he is one step closer to his dreams.

"I'll attend the auditions in the weekend, if you will give me a permission to do so. After that, I'll wait for days to see if I got in or not. But! In doing so, I will not let this disrupt my studies nor make this my top priority," Heeseung explained. He kept his eyes focused on his mother, catching the small expressions in her face. Good, it looks like she was somehow persuaded.

"Let's say that you're told to have a practice and it will end into late in the night. Hm, say that it's two in the morning," she added, "How do you plan on going home? Who are you going with? If ever every one is asleep at that time, how will you go to your room?"

With those rapid questions Heeseung could feel the confidence he excluded deflate more. "I'll go home by the bus, and if there wasn't available, I'll walk home. Most likely, I'll be going home with my other trainees before we separated. And I'll message Sunghoon at that time to open the gate."

Then it was the waiting game. Heeseung could feel the vibration of his phone with messages of his father and siblings. But he couldn't care. All he needs is an 'okay' from his mother, and everything will be over.

"You thought about this a lot," Eomma acknowledged as Heeseung couldn't believe it. "Wait- You approved? Okay, you agreed!" Tears flowed down to his cheeks as happiness warmed his heart. Then, his mother hugged and consoled him with a soft voice.

"Work hard in your dreams. Happy birthday, Bambi."

A/N: Belated happy birthday, Lee Heeseung!