It's not always like that || Treasure Fanfiction

Chapter 1: Ordinary Days

Kim Solar tapped her pencil on the edge of her notebook, staring out the classroom window as the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the trees. The math teacher's voice droned on in the background, but Solar's thoughts were far from quadratic equations. It was one of those slow, ordinary days that seemed to stretch on forever.

"Kim Solar, can you solve the equation for us?"

The sound of her teacher's voice jolted Solar back to reality. She blinked, scrambling to look at the board. An equation stared back at her, and she quickly stood up, pretending she knew the answer. "Uh... 42?"

The class erupted in laughter, and Solar slouched in her seat, embarrassed. 

Mrs. Kang shook her head. "That's not even close. Please try to focus. The exams are coming up."

Solar nodded, forcing her attention back to her notes, but her mind wandered again. She wasn't stressed about the exams—she was doing just fine in school. In fact, everything in her life was just...fine. The days were routine. Wake up, go to school, hang out with her friends, study, and occasionally catch up with her older brother, Junkyu, who was living a very unordinary life since he is trainee in one of the biggest korean music companies.That part still felt surreal sometimes. She could scroll through social media and see his face on posters promoting their program Treasure Map,  but to her, he was still just Junkyu—her slightly dorky, kind-hearted older brother who used to kick her out of his room for messing with his stuff.Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her out of her thoughts. She sneaked a glance, making sure Mrs. Kang wasn't looking, and saw a message from Junkyu.

Junkyu: "Hey, practice just ended. Want to grab some food later?"

Solar smiled to herself. Even though he was constantly busy with practises, Junkyu always made time to check in on her.

Solar:"Sure! I'm done with school soon. Usual place?"

She slipped her phone back into her pocket and zoned out again, this time thinking about what to eat. It was one of the few times she could just hang out with her brother like old times. As much as his life had changed, moments like these helped keep things normal between them.When the final bell rang, Solar quickly packed her bag and headed out of the classroom. She was halfway to the gates when her best friend, Hana, caught up with her.

"You're leaving fast today!" Hana exclaimed, out of breath. "Meeting Junkyu?"

Solar grinned. "Yeah, we're grabbing dinner. He's been training all day"

Hana sighed dramatically. "Must be wild, having a trainee brother. You get to see behind the scenes of all that K-pop stuff."

Solar shrugged. "It's not as glamorous as it sounds. He's always tired, and he barely has any free time."

"I don't know," Hana said dreamily. "It still seems exciting. I mean, what if he debuts soon? You could be the sister of a K-pop star!"

Solar laughed. "We'll see. It's not guaranteed yet. He's still working hard just to debut one day."

They walked together for a while, talking about their upcoming school projects and weekend plans. Hana was as obsessed with K-pop as ever, always talking about the latest groups, but Solar was content with her quieter life. She loved music, but she wasn't sure if she's that type to want to be on stage.

When they reached the corner where Hana usually caught her bus, she waved goodbye. "Tell Junkyu I said hi! And make sure he's eating enough. I heard trainees barely get time for meals."

"I will!" Solar called after her, laughing at Hana's concern.Solar continued walking toward the small restaurant where she and Junkyu usually met. He was already there when she arrived, sitting in their usual booth with his head resting on the table, looking exhausted.
"Rough day?" Solar asked, sliding into the seat across from him.Junkyu lifted his head, giving her a tired smile. "You have no idea. Dance practice was brutal. I think my legs are going to fall off."Solar shook her head. "You really work too hard."

Even though she wasn't part of that world, she understood how much it meant to Junkyu. Being a trainee was no joke, and the pressure to debut was constant. He rarely had time to relax, and when he did, he spent it with her.

They ordered their usual dishes, and as they waited for the food, Junkyu stretched and leaned back in the booth. "How was school?" he asked, sounding genuinely interested.
"Same as always," Solar replied. "Nothing exciting."

"You sound just like I did when I was still in school," Junkyu said with a laugh. "You know, before all the chaos started."

Solar smiled. "Yeah, I can't imagine that now. Your life seems anything but normal."

Junkyu shrugged. "It's different, for sure. But it's not always as exciting as people think. There are long hours, tough schedules, and not a lot of free time. But, you know, I love what I do."

Solar admired his dedication. Despite everything, Junkyu had always stayed grounded, and she appreciated that. To her, he was still just her brother, not some distant soon to be celebrity. As they ate, they talked about everyday things—school, their parents, funny things Junkyu's fellow trainees did to lighten the mood during breaks. Solar could tell he was tired, but he never complained much. He'd chosen this path, and he was determined to see it through.

"Do you ever think about it?" Junkyu asked suddenly, between bites of food."

Think about what?" Solar asked, confused."

Becoming a trainee. You're a good singer, you know."

Solar laughed, shaking her head. "No way. That's your dream, not mine. I like my quiet, regular life."

Junkyu smiled, but didn't push. "Yeah, I know. But if you ever change your mind, I'll be there to help you."

Solar smiled back, grateful for his support but certain that the world of K-pop wasn't for her. For now, she was content watching her brother chase his dream while she stayed in the comfort of her ordinary life. As they chat, Junkyu opens up more about the pressures of being a trainee, sharing stories about his fellow trainees and the rigorous training schedule. Solar listens, appreciating his hard work but feeling increasingly certain that the trainee life isn't for her. However, as Junkyu talks, he mentions a new project the company is planning—an opportunity for sibling auditions, something meant to create buzz around potential new idols. Solar brushes off the idea when Junkyu teasingly suggests she audition, but it plants a small seed of curiosity in her mind. Could she ever be a part of that world, even if she didn't want to be an idol? After all, she's seen so much of the industry already, just by being Junkyu's sister. Later that evening, after returning home, Solar thinks back to their conversation. Though she remains uninterested in becoming an idol, the thought of unexpected paths and possibilities starts to linger, hinting that her life may not stay as ordinary as she thinks.