Chapter 23: The Circus Girl

A week later, tour began. Taehyung had figured out that his soulmate's talent was aerobatics. It had taken them several days before they figured that one out from how uncommon it was. Using his first clue, he found out that his soulmate was a part of a circus but that's all he was given for the time being. They didn't know when he would next switch talents and gain another clue but they prayed it did not happen during their shows. They prepared the sound staff with Taehyung's recorded vocals to all the songs in case he suddenly wasn't able to sing, they could just turn on his recorded track and continue the show.

Halfway through the third month of shows, in London, everyone woke up the morning of the concert to head to the venue and do soundcheck for the VIP crew. But, when they woke up, Taehyung did not answer his door. They used Namjoon's master key (that he was given as the leader) and went into his hotel room to see an empty bed.

"Where did my hyung go?" Jungkook asked.

"Let's not panic," Jin suggested, "Maybe he went out for a walk."

"Someone call him," Namjoon instructed.

J-Hope called him on his phone but there was no answer.

"It went straight to voicemail, he may have turned his phone off," J-Hope shared with everyone.

"He still has several hours before the show starts. I'll text him to meet us there and inform our manager that he is out," Namjoon said.

Everyone nodded and continued with their day. Soundcheck time came around and he still hadn't shown up.

"Any news from him?" Namjoon asked them.

"He texted me a little ago to not worry about him and that he'd be back in time," J-Hope said.

"That's a relief. I guess we can do soundcheck without him."

"But what do we tell the soundcheck people? They're outside waiting for all seven of us."

"I'll handle it," Namjoon said.

When they came out, before performing, they announced that Taehyung wasn't feeling too well due to a sore throat so he would be skipping out on soundcheck to rest up before the concert later in the evening. Lots of people gave finger hearts and said "Feel better V" before continuing with soundcheck.

After soundcheck, they began to change into their outfits for the concert with no sign of Taehyung anywhere. J-Hope called him again but no response except a text that said "I'll be there soon."

Five minutes before the show started, Taehyung ran backstage but he wasn't alone. He was accompanied by a young lady around his age who was dressed in a very sparkly leotard and exotic makeup.

"Guys this is Erika, my soulmate, long story. I'm gonna get changed and we will be out in five," he quickly said and went to change leaving everyone else with Erica.

"So uh...you're his soulmate. How did you meet?" Jimin asked.

"Yeah we..." she began.

"Sorry to cut you off Merida," Namjoon interrupted her.

"It's Erika," she said.

"Right, sorry, but we have a show to start so please go wait in the dressing room with the back up dancers and you can watch the show from the TV in their room."

"Taehyung gave me a ticket for the front row actually, he said a security person would escort me."

"Of course he did," Namjoon mumbled before yelling, "Security! Please escort this young lady to the front! And make sure to bring her right back here when it's over."

"Yes sir!" the security guard said.

BTS had their concert as normal. Taehyung sang no problem, Juliette had a great time as a backup dancer, and it seemed like Erika was having a good time as well. After the show, Erika was quickly escorted backstage again so she could hang out with the others.

"Now Taehyung," Namjoon said, "Explain why you disappeared and how you found Erika."

Taehyung shared with everyone that he had been getting clues from the talent switches on his own time. Eventually, it led to them finding out that they would be in London at the same time. Cirque Du Soleil was also touring in London and that's how they were able to meet. He had left early to watch her perform with the circus and then, by being V from BTS, he was allowed backstage to meet her. They made eye contact, had their flash of light, and from there they talked for a couple hours as they walked along a nice park. They lost track of time and he at the last minute invited her to watch the show and promised they would get more time to talk afterwards.

"What about your circus? Don't you have to go back? Are they wondering where you are?" Juliette asked her.

"They knew that I was looking for my soulmate as well so it didn't come as a shock to them when I told them I would be heading out for a little bit," Erika replied.

"Wow, her Korean is amazing," Yoongi said in awe.

"Yeah, and I'm pretty sure she's not Korean, which is not a bad thing, I am just impressed," Jin added.

"I studied Korean for a long time in school because I originally had wanted to audition to become an idol but given my lack of asian features, I was rejected. That's when I auditioned for Cirque Du Soleil and they took me in without question."

"Why did you want to become an idol if aerobatics is your talent?" J-Hope asked her.

"My parents were never proud of my aerobatics and said that it was just a 'circus act' which it can be but that's not all it is. I see it as a beautiful form of expression. Since they never approved of it, I was forced to hide my talent and I pretended to be a dancer. When I was rejected by all the k-pop companies, my parents called me a disappointment and told me I would never amount to anything with my talent. So, I literally ran away to the circus. They have become my family now."

"I am so sorry your family was not supportive of your talent, I can't imagine what that must have been like," Jungkook said.

"I get it, my parents were not too fond of my music producing talent and wanted me to drop it but I didn't and now look where I'm at," Yoongi said.

"We will also become a supportive family to you someday," Taehyung stated.

"Can I ask how you have been coping with the talent switches?" Jimin asked.

"There are some parts of the circus act we are touring with that have singing in it so when I wasn't able to do aerobatics, I would trade with one of the singers. It was very convenient. How about you Taehyung?"

"Oh well...I've just had to lip sync. It only ever happened one time during our tour though, so it wasn't too bad," he told her.

"Well, we're probably gonna have it happen more often now that you've met and switch twice a week at random," Namjoon reminded them.

"Is it ok if I spend the night with her?"

"Go ask our manager."

Taehyung and Erika exited the dressing room and went to find BTS' manager. Namjoon let out a frustrated sigh and sat down on the chair closest to him.

"What's wrong hyung?" Jimin asked him, noticing his distress.

"I know Erika is going to distract Taehyung for sure. I just don't have a good feeling about this."

"Don't judge her too quickly," Jin reassured him, "I bet she will understand that he has things to do as I bet she does too. Erika seems very responsible and mature, I wouldn't worry."

Taehyung returned and said that their manager approved his stay with Erika as long as he made it back in time the next morning to finish packing for their flight to Paris. He told everyone goodnight and went with Erika to the hotel she was staying at while her circus performed in London for the week.

In the morning, Taehyung had not communicated about his return and so, Namjoon did what they did the previous day and went into his room. Only this time, it was not just an empty bed, it was a totally empty room. His suitcases were gone and the bed was made.

"Where did he go this time?" Namjoon asked as he sat down on the bed.

When he sat down, he heard a paper crumble under him and stood up to see what it was. He had sat on a note from Taehyung that read:

Hi guys,

I am so sorry for leaving you all so abruptly but I have decided that my true calling is to be with Erika. I'm leaving BTS and please tell ARMY that I will miss them dearly. Don't bother to look for me because I will not change my mind. Good luck with the rest of the tour and see you all around I guess.

Borahae forever,

Kim Taehyung