i'm single. kth | slow updates

십삼

the day of taehyung's audition was rapidly approaching. in the weeks before, aera had been drilling him to the best of her abilities.

on the walk home, they would take a longer path and go up a hill so he could practice his breathing. in the beginning, taehyung found it silly and redundant. however, aera shoved him up the hill forcing him to sing until he was used to it.

"i'm doing this for you 바보. i'm actually exercising for you so be grateful! you have to train your lungs so you can sing and dance just like my oppas." she insisted, panting after the steep incline.

taehyung pouted. "who are your oppas! the only oppa you should have is me!"

aera cringed from his cheesiness but still blushed slightly. "tch, we're the same age 바보. oppa my ass..."

"... i'll go up the slope if you call me oppa." taehyung bargained.

"what are we waiting for oppa! let's go oppa! come on oppa! you can do it oppa!" aera stressed, using oppa so many times, hoping to annoy taehyung. but of course, the stubborn 바보 was pleased by it and began climbing up the hill by himself.

aera also did other research and thought it would be fun to tickle taehyung while he sang, but things did not go as planned.

first she had commanded him to sing, and waited until he was mid-chorus when she suddenly used her fingers to attack his sides ferociously. he immediately burst into laughter and grabbed her hands, forcing her to stop. "하지마! why did you suddenly tickle me!" taehyung asked, ears turning red.

"to test you, duh!" aera replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

and then, that mischievous glint in his eyes came back causing aera to grow slightly nervous.

and before she knew it, the hands at her side tried to poke her and tickle her. but thankfully, she wasn't ticklish there.

"hahahahaha. please stop!" aera droned with an unamused look. not being one to give up, taehyung moved to her neck, causing her to squirm.

"haha, gotchu." he exclaimed as he began his assault. aera couldn't help but burst out laughing and moved her head forward, hiding her face in his shoulder. as he continued to tickle her, she couldn't help but unconsciously squirm against him.

and then suddenly, the tickling stopped and aera was buried red faced into the crook of taehyung's neck with his hands resting at the small of her back.

they stayed like this for a while, before aera's phone chimed and they awkwardly took a step back from each other, with taehyung scratching his neck and aera clearing her throat.

talk about awkward...

but regardless, neither of them regretted the second hug or brought it up. taehyung just expressed his thanks and they mainly focused on practicing his breathing.

and now the day had finally arrived.

aera had prepared some herbal tea for him the night before, and gave some to him as they waited for him to appear on stage.

and at last they called his number.

"hwaiting oppa! you can do it!" aera encouraged. taehyung nodded seriously and aera could tell he was very nervous.

so she decided to be bold and give him a good luck kiss to ease his nerves. "i believe in you oppa. go out there and kill it!"

taehyung blushed and went in, stumbling slightly as he went in, causing aera to giggle slightly.

i pray everything goes well...

_

aera waited outside the auditions hall for about ten minutes when taehyung appeared, deep in thought.

aera immediately ran up to him and hesistated slightly, before asking, "how was it?"

taehyung frowned and aera felt her heart plunge. how could he not be in?! were the judges deaf?! did they not hear his talent?!

he sighed and turned to her for comfort, burying his face into her shoulder. she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist and pet his back.

and then he spoke.

"they said my singing was fine... but i won't make it in this industry if i can't at least rap or dance... what should i do rara..." he trailed, holding her tighter.

aera was dumbfounded.

so what if he can't dance, surely they could teach him or something...

aera felt like this was so unfair for taehyung. he had worked his butt off, had the talent and the passion! it was stupid to reject him because he couldn't rap or dance...

"don't feel bad tae... you're one step closer to achieving your dream! all you have to do is dance, and i'm sure you can do it! don't give up ok!!" she cheered.

and then suddenly, it clicked.

"wait, i think i know someone who can help you..." aera said, although inside she was feeling a little nervous.

"who?" taehyung asked, reluctantly withdrawing from her hug.

"let me text and ask!" aera replied, although inside she was starting to regret this decision.

but at the end of the day, it would be to help taehyung. so it was worth it.

________________________________

바보 (ba-bo) : idiot/stupid

하지마 (ha-ji-ma) : don't/stop it