the 8th member | BTS [under editing]

two

"Esther!!"

Hanbyul promptly turned around, and it was her mom. Her mom looked worried as she ran towards Hanbyul while holding her bag. The older man beside the little girl quickly gets up from the seat and reaches his hand for a handshake. Her mother hesitantly grabbed his hand. "Do you know him, Hanbyul?" She asked as she eyed the man up and down.

"Nope. I didn't know him before, but now I do," Hanbyul replied softly. Her mother looked at the older man like he had done something terrible to Hanbyul. "I'm sorry. I should've introduced myself. My name is Bang Shihyuk. I'm the CEO of BigHit Entertainment." He smiled fondly at her mother.

"Ah, I'm Jessica. Nice to meet you, but can I ask why you approached my little girl?" Her mother asked. As he was smiling, he motioned her mom to have a sit first, and she gladly took a sit, "Hanbyul sang a song just now, and it was a beautiful performance, I have to say,"

"She's a very talented singer," He added. "Yes, I know that she likes to sing a lot." Her mom said as she gently patted Hanbyul's back. "And because you are already here, Mrs. Jessica. I want to ask if Hanbyul is interested in being a singer in a group," Somehow, Hanbyul felt very excited. The sight of her performing in front of people gave her slight goosebumps.

Her mother felt Mr. Bang was a bit sketchy but didn't comment on it aloud. Her mother looked down at Hanbyul, "I'm okay with everything she wants to be, and if she wants to be an entertainer. I would certainly support her," Hanbyul smiled as she heard what her mom said. "but don't you think she's too young for this?" Mr. bang smiled before responding, "She's 14 years old, right? For me, if she wants to pursue her dreams as a singer. She should start early,"

Sighing loudly, the woman cupped her only daughter's face as she brought it up, facing her face. "Hanbyul baby, do you want to do this? Do you want to be a singer? Sweetheart, I'm not pushing you if you don't want to, " she giggled softly as she nodded.

"I want to, mom. I promise that I'll get better grades too. mom, please?" She pleads. "Sure, only if you want it." Her mom then pulled Hanbyul into her embrace. "So do you want it, Hanbyul?" now it's the CEO asked. She smiled fondly as she nodded her head. "Wait, how can I ensure that you're not a random guy pretending to be a CEO? You're not playing around with us, right?" Mr. bang laughed as he shook his head, "Of course not. It's common for an entertainment company to recruit trainees on the street. I'll give you my agency's card, and we will meet at my company tomorrow. Is that okay with you?" The older man informed.

Jessica nodded, "I'm sorry if I'm judging too much. I want to make sure. We're free tomorrow," Jessica exclaimed. She didn't want the older man to feel offended in any way. "No worries, Mrs. Jessica. I understand. It's a deal then, Hanbyul. I'll give your mother my agency's number and address so you both can come tomorrow, okay?" He said. Mr. bang gave her mom his company card, and she gladly took it. Before he walked away, he patted her shoulder gently, "Hanbyul, you should come tomorrow. Mrs. Jessica, I'll get going now and see you guys tomorrow."

---

After an hour of finding an apartment her mom had already rented, the mom and daughter finally found the building. It was a well-built apartment, not too big and not too small. Hanbyul jumped around as soon as she saw the sight from the balcony. It was beautiful. There is a river not too far from her new home. People jog on the jog tracks, walk with their dogs, and cycle. "Mom, this is very beautiful."

The older woman walked towards her daughter and hugged her from the back. Hanbyul gasped but immediately replaced it with giggles. "I know. Let's have a break, okay? A break from what we had years ago."

"So, who wants to help me unpack?" Hanbyul giggled as she turned around to face her mother. "Me, mom!!"

Hanbyul quickly got into her bedroom, and luckily this apartment already had the furniture, which meant they didn't have to buy it. The girl plopped her petite body on the bed while looking out the window. She somehow likes the calmness right now.

"Hanbyul? Let's go! we should have dinner now and get some groceries too!!" Hanbyul immediately put on a coat since it was freezing outside. "Yeah, wait a sec- ... all done." On the way to the restaurant, Hanbyul caught people looking at her mom, but she immediately shrugged it off. The older woman seemed tense as she grabbed her daughter's hand tightly. The duo entered a local restaurant after they found one. "Oh, welcome!!" It wasn't crowded at all, but Hanbyul could feel everyone's gaze on her. Jessica quickly took a seat as her daughter quietly followed her.

"Mom? why did they look at me?" Her mom looked at Hanbyul while smiling as she grabbed her daughter's hands. "Oh, you want to know why? It's because my little daughter over here is cute. That's why baby," Nodding her head, she blushed slightly. She knows her mom was only joking.

Soon enough, a lady around her late 40s came towards their table. "O-oh, hello. I ... I-" She stuttered a lot. "Hello, it's okay. I can speak in Korean," That lady laughed loudly, "Oh really? I thought I had to speak in English. I'm very nervous since we do not often get foreign customers." Hanbyul hummed softly, not knowing what they were talking about.

Lucky for Jessica since her company already made her attend a Korean class that teaches the Korean language a few months ago. "So, what can I get for you and this cute little girl?" The lady asked. "Can I have kimchi stew and, for her, kimchi pancake, but not too spicy for her," The lady nodded and smiled before walking towards her kitchen. "I can't wait for tomorrow, mom," Hanbyul said softly. "You excited, baby?" The little girl hummed in answer as she kept tapping her feet on the floor excitedly.