Falling for Your Lies(sope)

A Ray of Hope.

Authors pov

Daegu was a city rich in history, nestled in the southeastern part of South Korea. It wasn’t as bustling as Seoul or as glamorous as Busan, but it had a charm of its own. Small, cozy homes lined the quieter neighborhoods—places where families, like Hoseok and his father, carved out a humble yet meaningful existence. Their house, though modest, held years of memories. Its walls were faded from time, the roof creaked during windy nights, and the furniture was secondhand. Still, Hoseok and his father called it home. It wasn’t much, but it was theirs.

Hoseok was sitting in his small bedroom, the light from his borrowed computer casting a glow across his face. The laptop, a favor from his friend Somi, whirred as he refreshed the page for what felt like the hundredth time. His heart pounded. His father, Seojin, was beside him, sitting in his wheelchair, his eyes just as eager and hopeful as his son’s. Seojin couldn’t stand on his own anymore—not since the tumor in his brain had started worsening—but he still managed a comforting presence, one that steadied Hoseok through the toughest days.

Two schools had already rejected him, both elite institutions in South Korea that seemed out of reach for a boy like him, born without privilege. Hoseok swallowed his disappointment each time, determined not to show his father the crack forming in his heart. But this—this was the final shot. He had one more hope: New Hive International School, located in the heart of Seoul. It was a school for the rich, the powerful, the elite. But Hoseok believed in his own potential. He had the brains, the grades, the drive. If any school was smart enough to see that, they’d want him.

The silence in the room was tense, the only sound the ticking of the wall clock and the soft hum of the computer. Hoseok refreshed the page again, his breath held in anticipation. Then it appeared.

A notification popped up on the school's website, and Hoseok gasped, his chair screeching as he pulled it closer. His father dragged his wheelchair toward the screen too, both of them staring wide-eyed at the message that now blinked before them.

"You have been accepted to New Hive International School. Your presence is requested on campus in two days."

Hoseok blinked, re-reading the words to make sure he hadn’t imagined them. Accepted. He had gotten in. His heart raced, disbelief flooding him as the realization sank in.

“I… I got in!” Hoseok yelled, his voice cracking as he leaped from his chair. “I GOT IN!” His high-pitched scream echoed through the small house, filling the space with an overwhelming sense of joy.

Seojin’s face broke into the biggest smile Hoseok had ever seen. His father’s pride was palpable, his eyes shining with tears of happiness as he clapped his hands together. "You did it, son. You really did it."

Hoseok dropped to his knees in front of his father, wrapping his arms around him tightly. His heart swelled with joy as he buried his face in his father’s lap. “I got in, Dad. In two days, I’ll be going to Seoul. Our lives are going to change. I’ll make good money, I’ll find a good job there, and we’ll be able to get you treated. No more worrying about the tumor or the cancer. I’ll make sure you’re healed. I’ll take care of you, I promise.”

Seojin’s hand trembled slightly as he cupped Hoseok’s cheeks, tilting his son’s face up to meet his eyes. “I’m so proud of you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re going to one of the best universities in the country, Hobi. You’ll do great things. But remember, spend your money wisely. Save as much as you can. And make good friends. Don’t let anyone lead you astray.”

Hoseok nodded, though his heart skipped a beat at the next part. “And maybe… find yourself a good girlfriend while you’re there, huh?” Seojin added with a chuckle.

Hoseok gulped, feeling a slight pang of guilt. His father didn’t know the truth—that he didn’t like girls, that the idea of dating one had never even crossed his mind. But he smiled, masking the conflict within. “I’ll do my best, Dad. I’ll focus on my studies and work hard. And once I’ve earned enough, I’ll bring you to Seoul. We’ll get the best doctors to treat you. You’ll be healthy again, and we’ll live together. It’ll be a fresh start for both of us.”

Seojin’s eyes softened with affection, his fingers brushing against Hoseok’s hair before he leaned down and pressed a kiss to his son’s forehead. “I love you, Hobi,” he whispered. “Your mother would be so proud of you if she were here. You’ve done more than I ever could’ve asked for. Thank you for being the best son I could have ever hoped for.”

Hoseok felt tears prickling his eyes as he rested his head on his father’s lap, basking in the warmth of his love. “I love you too, Dad. Always.”

In that moment, with his father’s hand gently stroking his hair and the future bright with possibility, everything felt right. Everything felt hopeful.

And for once, Hoseok allowed himself to dream of something better.

Until it wasn't.