Along your steps | MINSUNG

03

"Weren't you embarrassed to have video calls? What made you make one at this hour? Is everything okay?" Mrs. Lee threw questions one after another. It was, indeed, very difficult for Han to have video-calls no matter who was on the other side. He just found them awkward. He could talk for hours on voice- calls but his mind turned blank whenever he had to facetime. Therefore, usually, He avoided video- calls. He wouldn't have made one today either if he didn't have something so important to discuss.

"Aunt Lee, honestly, we have something very important to talk to you about" Han said trying his best to maintain the eye- contact with Mrs. Lee.

"We?" questioned Mrs. Lee.

" Minho! Come in front of the screen" Han said while gritting his teeth motioning Minho to sit next to him with his eyes. Minho's silent begging to postpone this conversation had no effect on Han. Though his own hands were shaking, he was determined to tell the truth about Minho's contract to the Lee family.

Minho reluctantly sat next to Han and adjusted the laptop in a way that both of them could appear on the screen. His palms were also sweating. He was very scared of the aftermath.

"You guys are making us worried. What in the world happened? Stop creating suspense and spit it out." Mr. Lee said something for the first time in the call. He wasn't angry but anxious.

"Aunt! Uncle! Please listen to us first before reaching to any conclusion. We are-" Han gathered all his courage and started speaking.

"Did you guys have sex?" Mrs. Lee asked out of nowhere. Han choked on his saliva while Minho hit his head on the wall behind the couch they were sitting on listening to Mrs. Lee's words. Their entire face turned a bit pinkish because of the bizarre question.

"Wait! What- Mom No...I- Why did you think that we- It's not about that. Mom wait-" Minho brought a glass of water for Han to drink. After Han calmed down, Minho told the entire truth about his contract with MM Entertainment to his parents.

Mr. Lee was the first one to speak. "No, you are not signing that contract and it is not a request. It's the final decision which you have to follow."

"H-Hyung" Minho whispered to Han with fear all over his face. The eyes that were always sparkling held only nervousness in them in that moment. Han knew it wouldn't be easy at all to convince Mr. Lee. He knew he had to be strong if he wanted to help Minho.

" C-Can I know the reason uncle? Why can he not follow his d-dreams?" Han tried to talk to them.

"Han, you know the reason better than me." Mr. Lee said without any expression.

Han's throat turned dry hearing this despite of drinking a glass of water minutes ago. His hands started shaking even more violently. If he hadn't hidden his hands under his thighs, Minho would have seen how frightened Han himself was. He knew his voice would crack the minute he would speak. His eyes also turned blurry for a good few seconds. The words he used to say to himself was indirectly said by some other person. His failure was indirectly pointed in front of people. No matter how much hurtful word you say to yourself regarding your failure, it hurts on a different level when some other person points that out.

" Jihoon, Stop! How can you say this? Han, at his age, people do develop a habit of speaking nonsense. He is just going through his Post- Menopausal symptoms. Don't listen to him." Mrs. Lee glared at her husband. Her husband quickly lowered his head. Despite of the serious atmosphere, Minho snorted at his Mom's comment. Minho's laugh somehow calmed Han. His vision and breathing returned back to normal.

'no, I have to be strong for Min, I'm the elder one. He told the truth believing me. I cannot disappoint him. I cannot ruin his dreams.'

"Uncle, I understand your reason but I don't think you know my perspective. It is true that I couldn't make it but I've never ever regretted the choice I made back then. If I could turn back the time, I would still make that decision. Although I couldn't succeed, I am satisfied that I tried my best to achieve my dream. The joy that I had while making such try cannot be traded for anything else in this whole world. Minho is passionate about his dreams even more than me. Uncle, I don't think you've ever seen him dancing. If you did, you wouldn't ever want to stop him. He smiles the best when he is dancing. I understand you are worried about his future. You are worried by seeing my failure but uncle we are clearly different. I had to give so many auditions and yet had to wait for getting selected as a trainee itself while Minho has an opportunity knocking at his window on its own. That itself proves how talented he is. Uncle just give him one chance. . He might fail or succeed but at least he would be happy that he tried. Your support is all he needs. I know it is difficult to trust a person like me but please if you ever thought that I'm a reliable kid.... Please give him one chance"

Han didn't lie to just convince the Lee family. This WAS his perspective. He really wanted Minho to succeed. He had seen videos of Minho dancing. He wanted that smile to remain forever on his face.

"One year! This is all I'm willing to give you to prove yourself. Achieve something within this 1 year to prove yourself otherwise you would have to come back to Busan." Mr. Lee finally broke the silence after a good two minutes. This was sufficient to bring smile on the other three faces in that video call.