True Blue 🎸 yungi [▶]

9

[Jongho]

Someone enters my room with careful steps.

I rise from my lying position and find our leader smiling with a tray of warm food for me.

"Have breakfast, Jongho," he says approaching. I stare blankly at him. Hoping they forget about me. My life is shattered. I'm useless now.

My voice.

Just a while ago, I had an argument with this leader of mine because of my desire to sing solo. Well, after seven years weaving the blanket of success together, it seems I got complacent and expected warmth beyond just the success of our band.

"You have to eat. Do you want me to feed you?"

I shake my head. Then I spoon warm soup from the folding table above me.

Mingi hyung smiles, a comforting smile. It's hard to believe I almost let go of our friendship for a two hundred million won contract. And it got canceled. They are now, who knows where? That record company.

Walking towards the window in my room, Mingi hyung opens the curtains that I intentionally kept closed. "Morning sunlight is good for the body. Lots of vitamin E and D," he says as he ties the two long hanging curtains to their respective hooks.

I take a few spoonfuls of rice slowly. Mingi hyung sits watching me on the edge of the bed with the gaze of a caring friend. "Tasty?" he asks with a face made to seem like he wants my food too.

I laugh and just nod.

Sorry, hyung. I'm sorry. If only I wasn't selfish to ask to leave that time. If only I didn't let my emotions flare up and go to the bar that day. If only I never met that American boss who was going to sign me. Maybe I wouldn't have just drunk the free drink that jerk gave me. Hyung, I'm sorry.

"Hyung... I really... apologize..." I force out my hoarse voice. You mess up my hair and gently punch my arm.

"Yeah, we're family, Jongho. Don't be afraid. We always stay here for you no matter how your voice goes, or anything. Just trust me, Utopia is forever. And we never stop praying: we wish you'd stand there just like the first time. Like the first time Utopia performed on a big stage, okay?" Mingi hyung smiles.

"Thank you..." I shed a few teardrops. He smiles and messes up my hair again. "...hyung... you smell!"

He laughs when I cover my nose.

This guy, what a loser.