Chapter Text
The sound of light rain hitting the window slowly stirred Jungkook awake, right as the car he was in turned down the street of his neighborhood.
“Ahh sleeping beauty is finally awake!”
Jungkook grinned while rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
“I was tired noona, leave me alone!”
Eunji smiles and ruffles his hair. “I’m just teasing you, I’m glad you got some rest.” She said as she made another turn. “But since you slept the entire way from the train station, I didn’t get to hear about your trip? Did you get signed? Are you gonna become a famous idol now? And you need to tell me everything in exactly 2 minutes before I drop you off at home.”
Jungkook chuckled. “Eunji noona, you live right next to me. I can come over and tell you everything after school tomorrow.”
Eunji pouted. “Okay fine, but at least tell me if you got signed or not! You went to visit BigHit right?”
Jungkook nodded. He leaned down to grab his backpack and held it in his lap just as Eunji parked in her driveway. He took out a small packet and gave it to her.
“Does this answer your question?”
At first Eunji didn’t know what she was looking at. But as she skimmed the papers in her hands, her smile slowly grew and grew until she started screaming.
“AHHHH!!! YOU GOT IT?” Eunji screamed.
Jungkook laughed at her reaction. “Yes! They made me an offer to become a trainee with them. This is the contract they gave me to sign.”
“Oh my god Jungkook congratulations! I’m so proud of you!” Eunji leaned over to hug him even though both of their seatbelts were restricting them.
“Thanks noona…I just…have to get my parents to sign the contract now…”
Eunji stiffened in her seat.
“Don’t worry Jungkookie, if they don’t sign it, I will.” She said with a proud smile.
“Noona it has to be signed by a parent or guardian…”
Eunji huffed. “Well, I’ve been more of a mom to you than your actual one so that should count for something!”
Jungkook sighed as her words sank in. He would be more upset, but she wasn’t wrong. Without Eunji, there is a good chance he wouldn’t even be alive to get this opportunity he has now.
He thinks back to when Eunji first befriended him. He was 6 and drawing with some chalk in their front yard. His eye was swollen shut and it was throbbing in pain. But Appa said if he cried again, he would get a worse punishment. So, he sat on the sidewalk and did his best not to cry as he tried to draw different dinosaurs on the sidewalk.
“Ohhh that’s pretty! It’s a dragon, right?”
Little Jungkook didn’t even bother to look up when he replied. “N-no, it’s a pterodactyl.” He said softly.
“Oh, well that was my second guess!” The woman said.
“Can I sit and draw with you?”
That made Jungkook pause and look up at the woman. The woman had long dark hair, but the ends were dyed red. He had never seen hair like that, but he thought it was cool. He vaguely recognized this woman as his neighbor, but he never talked to her before. Jungkook gave a tiny nod and gave her his bucket filled with different kinds of chalk. She sat down on the pavement and began drawing.
“Thank you! My name is Eunji, and I live in the house next to yours.”
“I-I’m Jungkook.”
“It’s nice to meet you Jungkook!”
They didn’t talk much after that. Eunji asked Jungkook a couple of questions here and there like what his favorite color or food was, but barely received one word answers. After a few minutes, Eunji put down the chalk and admired her creation. “Look Jungkook-ah! I drew a river with a bunch of baby ducks!”
Jungkook looked at it and he could admit it was pretty. She even drew some fish to swim in the river as well. “That’s cool…” He whispered.
“Would you like to come over to my house for a snack?”
Jungkook froze. No one has ever asked him to come over before. Then again, he didn’t really have any friends to begin with. He looked back at his house and wondered if he should ask his parents before going over. Then the slight throbbing in his eye, he decided that his parents probably wouldn’t even notice if he went over, considering he’s been outside for hours and no one has checked on him. And before he could even give an answer, his stomach growled loudly.
Eunji chuckled. “Is that a yes?”
And Jungkook nodded. Eunji helped him clean up and then they both walked to her house. Eunji made him some gimbap and watched as Jungkook inhaled the food as if he was starving. After he ate, Eunji helped clean and ice his eye and bandaged his cheek which had also been cut.
When she was done, she took Jungkook’s hands in hers. “Jungkook-ah, I really enjoyed drawing with you and having you over today.” Jungkook gave a slight smile and ducked his head in his chest with shyness. “I want you to know you can come over to my house whenever you want, no matter the time. Whether you just wanna come over for some food, or hang out, or…to get away, it doesn’t matter. My door will always be open for you, okay?”
Jungkook nodded.
And just like that, Eunji had become his best friend and parental figure in his life. Whenever he was hurt, sick, or lonely, Eunji was always there for him. She helped him become the mature and kind-hearted teenager that he was today.
“I’m sorry Jungkookie, I-I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It’s okay.” He scoffed lightly. “It’s not like you’re wrong.”
“I still shouldn’t have said it.”
“It’s alright noona, I forgive you.”
Eunji smiled and changed the topic. “Wait, didn’t you get multiple offers? Wasn’t one of the SM? What was the deciding factor?”
Jungkook grinned as he thought back to his visit with the talent agency. “Well, I guess none of the other agencies spoke to me like BigHit did. Everyone at BigHit was really nice, and they all seemed extremely passionate about what they do. Especially this one guy I met, Kim Namjoon-ssi. He is a rapper, and he is probably the coolest person I’ve ever met!”
Eunji smiled as she watched Jungkook’s eyes sparkle as he continued to talk about this Namjoon fellow and his experience there. She hoped that this company could turn Jungkook into the star she knew he was always meant to be.
“I’m glad to hear that Jungkook-ah. I’m so excited for you. I know big things are gonna happen for you!”
Jungkook blushed at the praise. “Thanks noona, and thanks for picking me up from the train station!” He said as he gathered his things and unbuckled himself to get out of the car.
“No problem Jungkook-ah, come over later! I have a new recipe for a s’mores cupcake for the bakery I want you to try for me!” Eunji yelled after him.
“Will do!” He yelled back and then entered his house.
~
As soon as Jungkook entered his house, he could immediately smell food. He assumes his mother ordered take out because Jungkook is the only one to actually make any food. His assumptions are correct when he walks into the kitchen and sees a bag of fried chicken on the kitchen counter next to a pack of beer. He looks over and sees his mother sitting at the table looking over some papers while nursing a glass of wine.
“And where have you been?” His mother asks him, not even looking up from where she’s sitting.
“Ummm…I was out…” Jungkook says as he opens the fridge and grabs a water bottle. He’s honestly surprised his mother noticed he was gone. He spent a whole week at Eunji’s house one time and neither his mother nor father even batted an eye. He’s shocked his mother isn’t at work right now.
“What’s with the fried chicken?” Jungkook asks as he takes a seat across the table from his mother.
“Your father got promoted at work, so I thought I would surprise him with his favorite for dinner tonight. He should be home any minute.” She said as she finished off the wine in her glass and then poured the rest of the bottle into it.
Jungkook isn’t surprised. She goes through at least 4 wine bottles a week. He wonders if she will bring out another for this so-called “celebration” tonight.
“Good for him I guess.” Jungkook murmured as he took another sip of his water trying to gather the courage to bring up his trainee contract. He wanted to try and get her to sign it without the presence of his dad. His dad would probably rip up the contract and beat him senseless if he even mentioned it to him, since his father believes being an idol isn’t a “real job”.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his anxiety under control, and brought his backpack forward. If his father was coming home soon, he needed to do this quickly.
“Eomma?”
She set her glass down and sighed as if his presence physically annoyed her. “What?”
Jungkook unzipped his bag and took out his contract.
“Ummm…a few weeks ago, I-I got scouted by a few talent agencies. And I was w-wondering if you would maybe s-sign my contract to become a trainee?” Jungkook released a shaky breath as he handed her the contract over.
Jungkook could feel a cold sweat start to break out on his forehead as he watched his mother skim and flip through the pages of the contract.
“When did you even audition?” His mother asked flatly.
“I-I auditioned for them officially last week, and then visited their building today. They showed me around, I met some people, and they made me an offer. I really like them and want to be a trainee with them.”
“You went all by yourself?” His mother questioned.
Since when do you even care? Jungkook held his tongue from saying his thoughts out loud.
“No…well kind of? I took the train by myself and then one of the managers met me at the station and showed me around. Then I took the train back and Eunji-noona picked me up.”
His mother hummed at his answer. She flipped through the pages again, and then looked at the papers on the table she was looking at earlier. Jungkook glanced down at the papers as well and saw they were all bills. Bills ranging from water, electric, gas, car, etc. Honestly, with how high all the bills are (he even saw some with a FINAL NOTICE on them), he’s surprised his mother went out and bought fried chicken, because it looks like they are barely staying afloat right now.
“Jungkook.” He jumped out of his thoughts when his mother called him.
“Y-yes?”
His heart rate started picking up. This was the moment he was dreading. His thoughts started spiraling and his breathing was starting to pick up. She was going to say no. She was going to laugh in his face and then tell his father. Then his father was going to yell at him and the beating of a lifetime. Then he would never get to live out his dream. He would never get to see Kim Namjoon again! He would be stuck in this house until-
“Go get me that pen off the counter.”
He froze. His spiral came to a complete halt.
“W-what?”
“You want me to sign this right? Well go get that pen off the counter for me.” She said as she drank some more wine.
Jungkook scrambled out of his seat and quickly got the pen for her. She set her wine glass down and clicked the pen a couple times, reading through everything again. Suddenly she lifts her head and makes eye contact with her son.
“Come here Jungkook.”
He walks over to the side of the table and stands in front of her. Her eyes are cold and sharp.
“I want to make sure I understand this perfectly, okay?”
He nods.
“So, from my understanding, I sign this contract and you’ll go off to Seoul to whatever crap company this is and- “
“BigHit Entertainment.” Jungkook muttered under his breath.
“I’m sorry what?”
“It’s BigHit Entertain-“
SLAM!!
Jungkook flinched when his mother slammed her hand down on the table.
“Do not interrupt me again, is that clear?”
Jungkook nodded while taking a slight step back from the table. His mother doesn’t really hit him, not like his dad. But he doesn’t want to provoke her and find out if she will.
“Good. As I was saying, I sign this, you go off and become a trainee, then become an Idol, and then what? You become successful and live the rest of your life all rich and famous? What about me? Are you just going to leave and forget about me like your brother did?”
Jungkook’s head is spinning. This is the first time in 8 years his mother has ever brought up Junghyun. The panic steadily started to rise in him. He doesn’t know how to respond to this because YES, he is desperately trying to get out of the house and away from his parents. But from his mother’s tone, he knows that is definitely not the right thing to say.
“N-no I-“
“I want you to remember something, Jungkook. When you are out there singing and dancing and trying to make a name for yourself, I want you to remember that you are only there because of me. Not because you have talent, but because I am the one allowing you to take this opportunity. I am the one who is going to be lying to her husband about his youngest son trying to become an idol. I am the one that is signing this contract even though you have done nothing to contribute to this household.”
Jungkook balled his hand into a fist. His panic had subsided and was now turning into frustration because he has done so much for this house.
He’s the one that cooks all the meals for everyone (when there is food).
He’s the one that cleans up the house after his parents trash it after they argue.
He’s the one always getting his dad into bed when he comes home wasted or vice versa with his mom after she’s had one too many glasses of wine.
He does whatever his parents ask him to without any complaints.
He is the glue holding this house together and to hear his mother say he doesn’t do anything is beyond infuriating. But he can’t defend himself or else his mother won’t sign.
So, he shakes his head and looks at the floor.
“With that being said, my signature will come at a cost.” His mother says while crossing her legs.
His eyes widen and his mother chuckles at her reaction. “What? You didn’t think that I would sign this for free, did you?”
His mother then takes the pen and clicks it and flips to the page that requires her signature. Her hand hovers over the line and she looks back up at her son.
“Jungkook, frankly, I don’t care whatever you are going to be doing in Seoul, but that doesn’t mean you are not going to stop contributing to this household.” She points to all the bills on the table. “You’re a smart kid. I’m sure you’re aware that your father and I are struggling a bit financially. With that being said, the cost for my signature is every paycheck you get while in Seoul.”
“What?!”
“You know it wasn’t cheap raising you. Now that you will be employed you can start paying us back for everything we’ve done for you. That will include helping your parents with their financial problems.” His mother said with venality in her voice.
His mother has officially lost it. Does she not know he won’t even be paid as a trainee? That there isn’t even a 100% chance he will make it as an idol? Plus, he knows if he gives his money to his parents, they aren’t going to use it on everything else that isn’t their bills. But knowing his dad, he would gamble it all away and lose it in one night.
“Don’t worry it won’t be right away. I read in your contract that you won’t be paid as a trainee. But I will be checking in on you Jungkook. And if you make it, you can expect a call from me.”
“And if I refuse?” Jungkook asks, trying to make his voice as stable as possible.
“If you refuse then I won’t sign this contract and I’ll tell your father about it.”
Jungkook pales. “A-and what if I agree but don't make it as an idol?”
“Well then…I’ll think of another way for you to pay me back. Do we have a deal?”
He doesn’t even have time to think over his decision as he hears his dad pull up to the driveway.
“Yes, yes, we have a deal. Just please sign it before he comes in.”
His mother smiles and quickly signs the contract. As soon as she’s done, he snatches the contract back and stuffs it in his bag.
“Pleasure doing business with you son.” She snickers and then takes a sip of her wine.
He doesn’t have any time to respond before his dad enters the house and walks into the kitchen and heads straight for the bag of fried chicken on the counter.
“This dinner?” He asks his wife without looking her in the eye.
“Yeah babe, I got your favorite to congratulate you on your promotion!”
He hums and then brings the food to the table without so much as a thank you.
Jungkook can feel the hunger clawing at his stomach. He wishes his dad would share a piece of chicken because it smells so good and because there is no way he’s gonna finish it all, but he knows that’s not gonna happen. He’s going to have to wait until his dad is asleep to make himself something. He shifts in his seat, slowing gathering his things so he can slip back to his room quietly. He starts to get up from his seat but freezes when his dad speaks up.
“Sit.”
Jungkook sits back down.
“Aren’t you going to congratulate me?”
Jungkook balls his hands into fists under the table.
“Congratulations Appa.” He says flatly.
His father scoffs.
“You know son, I work my ass off to provide for this family. To keep the roof over our head, to keep the lights on, and what do you do?”
Jungkook’s nails were digging into his palms. He was sure there were going to be indents from his nails later.
“I-“
“Nothing. You go to school and come back and do nothing. You are so ungrateful it’s ridiculous.”
Jungkook looks at his mother to see if she is going to add any of her two cents, but she just continues to sip her wine as if nothing is happening.
“Go to your room, I don’t wanna look at you right now.” His dad says and Jungkook doesn’t need to be told twice.
He grabs his bag and hurries up the stairs to his room. He closes and locks the door and promptly collapses on his bed.
Jungkook covers his face with his hands and sighs. He hates any interaction he has with his parents, but at least he actually got something out of it this time.
He sits up and takes the contract out of his bag and smiles.
He can’t believe he’s really going to become an idol trainee.
It is because of me you are getting this opportunity.
Jungkook shakes his head trying to get his mother’s words out of his head.
All he has to do now is call Bang Si-Hyuk and tell him that his parents have agreed and signed the contract. Not wanting to waste any more time, he pulls out his phone and dials him. Si-Hyuk answers on the third ring and is glad to hear the new Jungkook gives him. They don’t speak for long. Si-Hyuk gives him some details that he writes down and a date for him to move into the trainee dorms. Once the call is over, he lays back down on his bed and smiles.
It’s really happening now.
He’s getting out of this house.
He’s taking the first step into making his dream into a reality.
For the first time in a long while, sleep comes easy to Jungkook.
The next few weeks can’t go by faster for Jungkook. He ties up a few loose ends with his school while keeping his head down and out of sight as much as he can when he’s at home.
But finally, the day comes when he leaves for Seoul. He’s just packing the last of his things when he gets a text from Eunji.
I’m out front!!
He smiles and zips up his suitcase. He isn’t bringing a whole lot with him because he is aware the trainee dorm will be small, but he is still excited.
Jungkook then walks over to his dresser and kneels down. He reaches for the manilla envelope that he taped under it and takes it out. He opens the folder to find all his savings in it.
If his parents actually paid attention to him, they would know that Jungkook does work. He works odd jobs around his whole neighborhood ranging from mowing lawns, walking dogs, washing cars, etc. He counts all the money he has, and it comes to just over 700 hundred thousand won. He used to have more but he used a good chunk of it to help Eunji when her car broke down. Eunji isn’t aware he helped her. She thinks her car insurance came through, otherwise she would’ve never accepted the money from him. But she was struggling without her car and Jungkook hated to see the only person that’s ever cared about him so stressed, so he paid for it. And he doesn’t regret it one bit.
He packs the envelope in his backpack and then heads for the door. He slips his shoes on and looks back. He takes in the home he grew up in. How much he hates it here. He’s glad his parents aren’t home so he doesn’t even have to say bye, not that they would’ve cared.
BEEP BEEP!
Eunji honks her car horn which shakes him from his thoughts. He takes a deep breath and heads out the door with a smile on his face. He’s finally getting out of this shithole he called a home. And he’s never coming back.
The ride to the station went by too quickly.
Eunji walked him to the entrance and Jungkook could already see her eyes becoming glassy.
“Please don’t cry noona.”
Eunji quickly wiped at her eyes. “I’m not crying! It’s just allergies.”
Jungkook chuckled. “Thanks for driving me.”
Eunji smiles at him. “It was no problem, Jungkook-ah. Now give me a hug before you leave.”
Eunji held her arms open and Jungkook went straight into them. They both hugged each other as tight as they could, neither one of them wanting to let the other go.
“Jungkook?” Eunji pulled away to look him in the eye. “You are such a kind and sweet soul. I know you are going to become the biggest idol in the world out there in Seoul.”
Jungkook looks down, his fringe covering his eyes. Eunji gently lifted his head back up.
“I personally know how talented you are, but I also know how shy you can get around new people. How you always put others before yourself. So, before you leave, I want you to do something for me while you’re in Seoul, okay?”
Jungkook nods his head and Eunji.
“I want you to promise me that you will shine bright like the star I know you are. Promise that you will never dim your light for others. For once, put yourself first, okay?”
Jungkook nods and gives a watery smile. Eunji gently wipes the tear that falls steadily down his cheek.
“Now look who’s crying huh?”
“I can’t help it; I’m going to miss you so much.” Jungkook says as more tears start to fall and hugs her again.
“I’m gonna miss you too.”
Jungkook sniffed and wiped at his eyes.
“Thanks for everything noona…thank you for caring….”
Eunji hugged him tighter. “You don’t ever need to thank me Jungkook. I’ll always be here for you.”
They held each other for a couple more minutes before Eunji pulled away again.
“Alright Jungkook-ah, I don’t want you to miss your train. Promise me you won’t forget about me when you’re big and famous.”
Jungkook laughed, “I could never forget you noona.”
And with that, Jungkook grabbed his stuff and headed for his train, determined to make his dream a reality.