Umi was right. When Taehyung reached the spot, the parade indeed started. He was lucky to catch up with Umi. The parade continued for four hours. Taehyung was in a rush. But thankfully he didn't forget to bring the recorder with him. He forgot to have his meals though. So when the parade activities were finally wrapped up, he started to urge Umi about food.
Umi was hungry after this long day too. They decided to have supper at a nearby food stall.
The food was quite satisfying. But to their surprise, the stall belonged to a group of highschoolers who appeared to be Taehyung's fans. They didn't disturb them while they were having meals. After they finished, the students came forward to talk.
"Captain hyung, we're all basketball players."
"Really?", said Taehyung excitedly. After a whole day with unbelievable incidents, he was feeling a bit lighter looking at those teenagers with a bright smile.
"Yes, captain! Our dream is to join the national team, to be like you", said another boy.
"But if you really wanna join us, you'll have to work ten times harder than the usual players."
" Hyung, I wanna major in sports like you, from the same university." Said the first boy.
"That's really a great plan. But have you talked to your parents yet?"
"We tried to talk to our parents. But most of them opposed the idea of choosing basketball as a profession. No matter how we tried."
It was not something new. 75% of South Korean parents think playing basketball or any kind of games passionatly is nothing but a waste of time. The rest accept the idea of playing but not the idea of building a career in sports.
"Hyung, convincing parents is no big deal. When we grow up, we can make decisions for ourselves. But the problem is we don't have any professional training. Busan is not as developed as Seoul. We don't even have enough basketballs sometimes." Said another boy.
"You can ask your PE teacher to teach you."
"We asked him about it, hyung! He can't play basketball."
"Oh, that's sad."
A notification popped up on Taehyung's phone.
"Gimme a second, boys!"
They all nodded obediently. Umi signalled them to take chairs and sit with them. They followed what they were told.
A message was sent by Eun Woo.
The previous contact number of Yoongi Hyung and his cousin is not working anymore. But one of our friends said he visits Baekyang High School in Busan weekly which turns out to be his hometown too.
"Baekyang High?", said Taehyung audibly wondering about the whole information.
"Baekyang High? Hyung, it's our school. You know our school too?"
How on earth could there be such a coincidence! Is that what they mean by God helps those who help themselves? It has to be it, right?
"Well, I won't hide the truth from you. There's a senior I'm looking for. He was seen around your school on a regular basis. So...."
"No need to explain more, hyung! Just give us an order. We'll arrange everything after talking to your couch."
"Yes, hyung, we'll also arrange a place for you to stay and other necessities."
"If you're gonna take me away as your couch, I'm afraid you'll have to prove your skills in front of our couch." Smiled Taehyung.
"No problem hyung, we know what to do."
That was the last time he had seen those kids. His match started again. He had been occasionally brainstorming about Jungkook and that anonymous boy who gave him the recording, even waiting for the boy to come back. But that boy never returned.
The seasonal matches kept him busy so much that he completely forgot about the matter that Busan highschoolers promised to help him out. The seasonal tournament came to an end and his team won as expected.
It was the night party after their winning when two boys came inside the restaurant and bowed in front of Taehyung and Couch Hoseok.
"Oh, Taehyungah, I forgot to tell you. They're from Busan high school. I've seen them play. They're really talented. But they're lacking professional guidance. I have lots of work over here. So I thought of recommending you. You don't have an objection, do you?"
"Um....."
"No need to hesitate. I know you love kids. Take it as....I'm granting you a vacation! They've come to take them with you. You don't like drinking anyway. Why don't you go and pack up?"
"Well ...."
" Don't think too much. These two will stay with you tonight. You three will depart tomorrow. I've already booked the flight. They have your tickets. Go ahead!"
As usual, when Couch Hoseok is not drunk, he's hella serious. Again when he's drunk, he's not gonna let anyone else talk. That was one way easier for Taehyung though. He didn't need to explain anything or do any humble pretense.
He came back home with those kids. Next day, Taehyung took this kid out for shopping. The kids were so excited as it was their first time shopping in such big malls. Even though Taehyung was distracted by his thoughts surrounding Jungkook, he didn't want to spoil the fun. So he kept up the happy and excited smile on his face.
As planned, Tae bought few gymnastic items and lots of gifts for the kids he'll be training. And later, naturally the laggages became a trouble for him. But thanks to those two diligent teen's assistance, Taehyung had no difficulties with laggages and staff inside which were nothing but tons of gifts.
They reached Busan at noon. The weather was pretty good, in fact far better than that of Seoul. Fresh air and melodious sounds of nature made it even more outstanding. Taehyung was born and brought up in Seoul. Naturally, he had no idea that this small town could bring him the calmness he had always been deprived of.
He was brought to the teacher's quarter directly where the headmaster was already present to receive him. The headmaster seemed pretty surprised as Taehyung flew straight to Busan without any of his bodyguards.
"No, sir! It's totally fine. Basketball is not really famous throughout the whole country so I don't think I'll get in trouble here." Said Taehyung humbly.
"Moreover, he himself is the youngest national Taekwondo champion and had been in that position for 5 years before he started playing basketball professionally. He doesn't need anyone, sir!" Said Yeonjun, the taller between the two boys.
"Really? I didn't know that!"
The headmaster was surprised and excited too. But they had a long journey so he sent the students to their home and told Taehyung to take a rest.
"Captain, you should rest now. Your roommate, Mr Kim is a very clean person. He's on leave but you can see, he didn't make a mess. He's a little introverted though. I hope you two will get along with each other."
"Sure, sir! Don't worry, I'm good at making friends."
After the headmaster left, Taehyung settled down quickly. He's not really good at keeping things arranged. That's also a reason he brought only two sets of clothes and two devices for himself. But the gifts really become a headache for him.
After he kept his dress in his cupboard and made his bed, he took a quick shower. The towel and necessary things were already prepared for him by the school staff. When Taehyung looked at the mess created only by tons of gifts, he called Yeonjun.
"Yeonjunah, can you call over your teammates? These gifts are little too much to keep it in the apartment. I wanna give it away as soon as possible."
"Don't worry hyung, I'll arrange it. Just keep the gifts right there outside the apartment. I'm coming over to take it. Everyone is probably on lunch break right now. You should come to the canteen and have your lunch too."
"No, no, I can carry it myself. You don't have to come."
"It's ok hyung, I'll have to come to take you to the field anyway. You don't know the way, do you?"
"Ah, you got me. Alright, I'll wait for you"
Yeonjun didn't take any more than 10 minutes to reach the apartment with 3 of his friends whom Tae never met before.
"Anneyonghaseyo!"
They said in chorus. Taehyung and Yeonjunah laughed out loud.
"Anneyonghaseyo! But.... Why are you so nervous? I can't possibly eat you up, right?"
"I told them hyung! They won't believe. Now look, I told you, hyung is so easy going and kind." Said Yeonjun smiling.
"So handsome.", one of them whispered, taking one luggage away. They started moving with a little chitchat.
"Are you all basketball players?"
They nodded. Yeonjunah said, "Hyung, they're my juniors. They play really good. So I thought of taking them under the wings."
Taehyung smiled, "That's really great. I would love to see more talented individuals in basketball world."
They reached the canteen and had lunch together. There was no one in the canteen so they finished meal quickly.
After meals Taehyung met the whole basketball team of the school and gave them gifts. None of them expected to receive gifts from the Captain. They were overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude.
"Hyung you're the only person who prepared gift for us. Thank you captain."
A junior student said. Taehyung was about to say welcome. But Yeonjun said, "Juniors, you don't know about it, but the Captain is not the first person."