Unbrotherly Love - Chapter 3

Once Takumi closed the door behind him with a heavy thud, he picked up his phone. Scrolling through his contacts, he landed on Hoon's name and hit the call button. They had been classmates and close friends since primary school.

"Hoon, it's me, Takumi," he spoke into the receiver, his voice tight with emotion. He couldn't bring himself to say the words "we broke up", as he couldn’t contend with the finality of them. "There was a fight...can I crash at your place tonight?" Shame burned in his throat as he asked Hoon for a place to stay.

Takumi had to recollect his thoughts and create a plan to survive. For now, at least. The gut-wrenching sorrow he had felt when Min-Jun announced their breakup was amplified by a hundred now that the news sank in. Takumi's entire body was shivering from the pain of betrayal and wrath.

Hoon's voice, warm and familiar, washed over him. "Of course, dude," it came through the speaker, a hint of concern in his friend’s words. "You can stay as long as you need." His friend’s simple offer provided him with hope for the future and alleviated his fears. With the last remnants of his pride, Takumi bought a bus ticket, leaving behind the luxurious apartment suites in the rearview mirror.

Hoon, his ever-observant friend, greeted him at the door. There was a knowing glint in his eyes, which Takumi tried to ignore. This wasn't your typical lovers' fight, Hoon sensed. With an ease that resulted in their many years of friendship, he prepared their favourite snacks, set up their old gaming console, and braced himself for a long night. But to his surprise, Takumi remained silent. The weight of his heartbreak was too heavy for words. Hoon understood. Sometimes, the best comfort is a shoulder to lean on and a familiar silence.

That night, Takumi was unable to sleep. The echo of Min-Jun's words ran on repeat in his desperate mind. Without Hoon's goofiness, he would have gone insane. Takumi knew Hoon was doing this to make him feel better. He understood, with genuine gratitude, what his friend was attempting to do: draw him back from the verge of despair.

Takumi made the decision to clear his mind as dawn bathed the sky in pink and orange. Stepping out into the cool morning air, he went to a neighbouring park, a small oasis of green amidst the urban hues of grey. The pleasing sounds of songbirds and the sight of people going about their business provided an odd sense of normalcy. Subconsciously, he sat on a bench, his mind racing with the weight of his situation.

He was broke, alone, and underage. How would he get past this? His body's backward and forth movements revealed his nervous mind. Worry was growing in his gut, and he clenched his hands into fists. This was not the life he had imagined. In the midst of his mental turmoil, he remembered the golden card. Takumi's card was the result of a fortunate interaction with a talent scout from one of the big five record labels. Hope grew in his chest since it was the first time he saw light at the end of the tunnel.

Takumi continued biting his nails and debating whether to make the next call or not. On the one hand, if he is accepted into the company, he will have a better chance of surviving until he is an adult, and possibly becoming wealthy and renowned. On the other side, he did not have much money. Do employers provide lodging, meals, and training? Additionally, he was underage. Will they accept him without parental permission?

Finally, he decided to try. The worst-case scenario was that he was rejected. Takumi was aware of his skills. He knew he was talented, and he owed it to himself to try. He grabbed for the card, and the weathered edges felt cool on his flesh. With shaky fingers, he dialled the number, each ring reflecting his uncertainty. As he was on the verge of succumbing to despair once more, a voice responded from the opposite side. Relief overwhelmed him.

"Hello", said the voice.

While sitting on the park seat, Takumi straightened his back and his voice regained a hint of its usual confidence. "Hi, Mr. Kang. This is Takumi. You gave me this card yesterday".

"Ah! Takumi! Of course I remember you. How are you today?" Mr. Kang's voice boomed through the phone, a dramatic contrast to the peaceful park surrounding him.

Takumi paused; the words stuck in his throat. He couldn't convey anything over the phone just yet.  "I'm alright, Mr. Kang. Thank you for asking."

Sensing his uncertainty, Mr. Kang inquired, " Takumi, is there anything more you would like to talk about regarding my proposal? Maybe you have a few questions?"

As Takumi inhaled deeply, he took the leap. "Yes, actually. There are two things." He explained his financial situation first, the shame burning in his cheeks as he confessed, "I don't have any money for accommodation, training fees, or even food right now."

A relieved chuckle came from Mr. Kang. "That's not a problem, Takumi. Our company does not charge trainees for lodging, meals, or basic training. However, any personal expenses would be your own. You'd have to be extremely frugal, but it's certainly manageable."

"Do you allow trainees to take part-time jobs?" It was a long shot, given the demanding schedules that trainees often encounter.

Mr. Kang's voice held a hint of intrigue. "That's an unusual request, Takumi. We haven't had trainees do that before, but I can certainly ask." Takumi could tell the agent was captivated by his determination, which was a minor success in itself. Takumi felt a burst of hope. His financial difficulties was something he could potentially overcome.

Just as Takumi was about to express his gratitude, another thought stopped him short. A larger problem remained. He swallowed hard; the words heavy on his tongue. "There's one more thing, Mr. Kang. I... I'm underage."

"That's it?" Mr. Kang hurried to respond. "Many trainees start young, Takumi. That wouldn't be an issue."

"The problem is, I can't get parental consent." Shame washed over him again as he confessed, his voice barely a whisper, "I don't have any contact with my family."

On the opposite side of the queue, there was complete silence. Prepared for rejection, Takumi awaited. A sympathetic sigh from Mr. Kang was essentially audible to him.

"That might be a significant obstacle," Mr. Kang admitted. "The company might be hesitant to take the risk."

Takumi refused to give up. "But what if I could prove myself? If you could get me an audition, I know I can convince them with my talent." His voice betrayed both his trust in himself and his desperation.

After a moment of nerve-razing silence, Mr. Kang spoke. "Takumi, you seem to be quite determined. I could sense your marketability as soon as I lay eyes on you. You manage to be charming, laid-back, generous, and intensely focused. I haven't met many trainees like you. Alright, I'll do my best to assist you. I will get in touch with you soon".

Takumi felt an overwhelming sense of appreciation. "Thank you, Mr. Kang. You may trust that I will not disappoint you". A glimmer of optimism substituted the sense of doom that weighed him down as he hung up the phone.

Just then, his phone buzzed, a notification from Min-Jun.