The 8th Brother - (K-Idols & Celebs x OC/Male Reader)

Chapter 65 - The Queen

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Dozens of cameras started flashing in a crowded conference room when two of the famous celebrities in the country walks in. Reporters and journalists are all lined up in front of the stage platform. The two celebrities took their seats in the table, facing the media.

"Annyeonghaseyo~ thank you everyone for coming to join us this lovely morning. First of all, I would like to apologize because this event has been delayed for about a week because of some minor changes. So I would like to thank everyone for waiting and still showed interest to witness this event. Now I don't want to waste the time of each person inside this room, so we will just head to the main event. Shall we begin the signing of contracts~" Yuna gives a lovely smile to the crowd in front of her.

Today is the day of James is going to re-signing or renewing his contract to UAA. A year ago, he signed an exclusive one-year contract to UAA, with the help of his big sister in the industry, Song Hye-kyo. James choosing UAA and signing a contract with them had opened a lot of opportunity for him in the entertainment industry. With the help of UAA, James is now one of the most talked about entertainer in the country. Well, besides the reason of James being involved in dating rumours with Seolhyun, Mina, Irene, and even Kim Go-eun, in which technically counts as publicity. Also, one of those rumours.. turns out to be... true, well sort of. But most of the credits goes to UAA for supporting and creating opportunities for James.

James begin to sign the contracts in front of the media, the public. And sitting beside him is the face of UAA, one of the famous names under the company, his big sister, Song Hye-Kyo. The actress is present because she wanted to show support for his 'baby' brother in the industry. From the start, and until James has finished signing the contracts, cameras are clicking and the flashes are non-stop. The clicking sounds and flashes of the cameras doubles up when James officially became a part of UAA again. After the picture taking, and shaking hands, and other stuff. The top persons of the management take the podium to speak to everyone in the room.

"Good morning everyone~" Mr. Ahn of UAA is now at the podium. "First, I want to thank everyone for coming. And second, I apologize if this room is a little... small for this event. It's just that we didn't expect that.. this many media personnel will come. But anyways, UAA is very pleased to announce that one of our top talents decided to stay and trust us to be his agency again for the next two years. Please welcome L/N James-ssi~", Mr. Ahn presented James as one of the top talents of UAA. James stood up and bows to everyone in the room while he is receiving an applause. "Also present with us this morning is the face of UAA, and technically the one who should get the credit for bringing in James-ssi to our agency, Song Hyekyo-ssi~" Mr. Ahn introduced the top actress as well. "And of course, one of the highly respected talent agents in the country and the head of our talent agents, Ms. Park~" Mr. Ahn has now introduced the important people present in the press conference.

"Before we begin and ask some questions for James-ssi, Ms. Park have a little something to say.." Mr. Ahn now passes the stage to Ms. Park, and he went back to his seat on the right side of James.

"Annyeonghaseyo~" Ms. Park speaks in the mic in front of her in the table. "First, thank you again coming to witness the signing of one of our top talents~".

James gets shy every time they call him as one of their top talents. He put his head down and shyly laughs each time they addresses him that. Song Hyekyo can't help herself but to laugh every time, because she know that James hates and still not used to getting such compliments and high praises.

"And second, I want to say to James-ssi that... I'm right! Look, I'm exactly right~" Ms. Park said and James burst into laughter, as well as Song Hyekyo. The room started laughing as well because of the cute way Ms. Park said it and the reactions from Song Hyekyo and James. "When James-ssi called me to say that he will be staying, I was very happy because he is one of our top talents. So, I thanked him and I told him that there will be media coverage and press conference when he sign the new contract. James-ssi immediately said, 'No!'. He told me that there's no need for that, and that no one will be interested. But here we are.. so thank you everyone~" Ms. Park explained what's going on and she laughed at the end.

After that, they signaled Yuna to take the podium and starts taking questions from the media. Yuna addresses a couple of things first before she started calling the name of the reporter or journalist, and their media company they are representing.

Moments later James started answering questions from the reporters and journalists. Mostly, the questions are about his future projects as everyone is interested on his growing career, and with UAA supporting his back, all are curious on what future projects James is going to have.

"Mr. James, even though you only have been in one drama and you only have a minor role. You are already one of the rising actors that everyone has their eyes on. Did you feel pressured with all of the expectations towards you?" one of the reporters asked.

"Yes, definitely. Just like what you said, I only had a minor role. That's why I was very surprised with all the fuzz and expectations, all of a sudden. But I will work hard and improve my acting, specially to those two upcoming dramas. You know, to at least reach to the expectations that everyone has on me" James gives his answer quickly.

"Mr. James, everyone already knows about you being part of two upcoming dramas where you have supporting roles, in both. Uh, do you see yourself in the future wherein you have the leading role in a drama or a movie?" one of the reporter asked.

"To be honest... No, I don't" James' answer shocked Song Hyekyo. "Wae?!" the actress cutely reacts in disbelief and her voice raised a little bit. Everyone in the room giggles at Song Hyekyo's reaction.

"Wait, since it looks like Hyekyo noona doesn't like my answer, I'm gonna rephrase it" James speaks to the microphone again and everyone starts laughing, specially Song Hyekyo and Ms. Park. "What I'm trying to say is that I think I'm not in that.. uh level. Or at least not yet, I'd say.. you know to not anger Hyekyo noona, haha" James jokes around a little on his answer.

"He will be. I believe he will be in a drama where he is the lead actor. James doesn't really believe in himself, but I do. Mark my words~" Song Hyekyo speaks to the microphone and gives her opinion, although it is more of a prediction. James just giggles when Song Hyekyo is speaking.

"Mr. James, in relation to the last question. If you become the lead actor in a drama in the future, which actress you want to be the lead actress? Or is there anyone who you want to work with?" one of the reporters asked.

"Which actress? Uh, I've been saying this to her ever since I started to learn acting. I want.. and it's a dream to be in the same drama with Song Hyekyo noona. Not to be her counterpart, not to be her leading actor, but like to be her bestfriend or younger brother, those kind of supporting roles. I just want to work alongside with her in a drama. The same goes to Kim Go-eun noona and IU noona, where I also said the same thing to them. Then recently I became close to another great actress, it would be an honor also if I get the chance to work with Jang Seo-hee noona. And as for the leading actress.. uh, I don't know. I'll be happy and honored to work with anyone if I get.. you know the chance to have the leading role" James answered truthfully and with a smile.

"What about Seolhyun? she is an actress too and your bestfriend.." the same reporter asked.

"Oh, actually that's a good idea. Since we are bestfriends, we already have great chemistry and there wouldn't be any.. uh, much adjustment to do to know each other. Also since we know each other very well and we love to annoy each other, I think there's also a bad side to it... we might bully each other on set~" James laughingly stated and everyone also laughs at it because that is a very likely scenario if the two bestfriends work together as the leads in a drama. "But you know we will still act professionals on set, and she have more acting experience than me so I think she could help me out and.. that might actually work~" James added.

"What about Irene?" Song Hyekyo suddenly speaks in the microphone and it kinda surprises everyone. She then cutely giggles after she teases James in front of all the media in the room. Everyone also started laughing at what the actress did.

"Noona, actually we talked about that once and, we like the possibility of the two of us acting together in a same drama or movie. We were joking around that time, but.. yeah I think that would be cool~" James smilingly explained.

"That's what I want to see! I will wait for that!" Song Hyekyo have a wonderful smile and clapping her hands excitingly.

"Mr. James, first of all I'm a fan of yours. You are my favorite comedian~" one of the reporter reveals that she is a fan before asking question.

"Oh, kamsahaminda~" James smiled and bows to the reporter.

"Since we're in that topic, My question is.. uh, let's say you have the lead role in a drama..."

"With Irene! with Irene!" Song Hyekyo enthusiastically said in the microphone interrupting the question. Everyone in the room burst into laughter because of that, and all James can do is to shake his head and laugh, as he can't do anything in return from all the teasing from the actress.

"Hihi, araseo, let's say you and Ms. Irene have the lead roles in a drama. And since you have a lot of singer friends, who would you like to sing the OST of that drama?" the reporter asked her question, with a little altering courtesy of Song Hyekyo.

"You told me that you are a fan of me. So I have a feeling that you already know who am I going to say.." James laughingly said to the reporter.

"Yeah, I think I kinda know who but I might still be wrong" the reporter chuckled.

"It's Taeyeon noona~" James smilingly gives his answer. "I love her voice. She sang the OST of one of my drama.." Song Hyekyo mentioned that Taeyeon had work in the OST of her drama That Winter, the Wind Blows.

"Mr. James, was there any other agencies who seeked and asked you to sign with them?" one of the reporters asked.

"Umm.. yeah. And they all know this, Mr. Ahn, Ms. Park and Hyekyo noona. They all know that there's a couple of agencies who expressed their interests, and I had a meeting with them also. But yeah, in the end I decided to stay with UAA" James answered the question.

"Uh, I have a question but this is for Song Hyekyo-ssi.." one the reporter shyly said.

"Sure, what is it?" Song Hyekyo smilingly waits for the question.

"Is it safe to say that you are the reason why James decided to choose UAA? or you influenced him on choosing UAA for the first time and yet again?" the reporter asked the question to Song Hyekyo.

"Uh yeah, I'd say that's true. I think I influenced him in some ways. When I found out that James is looking for an agency, I decided to help him. I called some of my friends and acquaintances who belong to other agencies if they are interested to sign him, and soon he got a couple of offers from different agencies. I do endorse him to UAA, to Ms. Park. But choosing UAA is entirely James' decision" Song Hyekyo admits that she played a part why James is in UAA.

"Mr. James, did you ever consider going to SM? did Ms. Irene tried to talk to you about going to the same agency as her?" the reporter who is a fan of James asked.

"Yeah, but it's not because of Irene. Of course she likes the idea that we will be in the same agency. She just said to choose which agency I want and she will be supportive of it. Actually it's Hodong hyung, Soogeun hyung and Heechul hyung who keeps telling me to go to SM, rather than her" James gives his answer to that question.

"Mr. James, last year you had a very successful stand up comedy tour, and the last show which was held here in Seoul was the most successful one, safe to say, as it sets the record as the biggest stand up comedy show in the history of South Korea. Is there any plans to do another tour this year?" one of the reporter asked.

"As of now there's no plan. Right now I want to focus on the two dramas I'm a part of. I'm very thankful to the producers and directors of those dramas for entrusting the roles to me. So I want to do good and not to disappoint them. But if I get the opportunity again, yeah I would love do another tour this year. I love making people smile~" James gives his answer. Song Hyekyo smilingly nodded as she very much like that answer from James.

James gladly answers a couple of more questions from the media. He was nervous at first because this is his first press conference ever. He was also genuinely surprised because he is not expecting that many people will be interested to see him renew his contract to UAA. He really doesn't want to do it in public but Song Hyekyo talked and encouraged him to do it, stating that he needs to accept that he is now one of the top figures in entertainment industry. Song Hyekyo also told him that he needs to accept the fact that is now one of the big four of UAA. Those big four are Song Hye-kyo, Yoo Ah-In, Park Hyun-sik, and now, James. Even though he doesn't want to accept as it is hard to believe that his name is sitting right next to those big names, James is slowly getting used to it, now that everyone around him is saying the same thing.

After the press conference, Song Hyekyo and James attended the lunch celebration party, exclusive only for the managements of UAA. James also received calls from his labelmates Yoo Ah-In and Park Hyun-sik. Both of them expresses their delight that James is staying at UAA with them.

About halfway through the lunch party for him, James had no choice but to excuse himself and leave early because he needs to be in JTBC building within an hour for the taping of Knowing Brothers. James thanked his big sister, Song Hyekyo for coming and for showing a lot of support on everything that is happening to his career. James also thanked Mr. Ahn and Ms. Park for giving him a place in UAA. He also made sure to thanked everyone in the management as well before he leaves.

..

More than an hour later, James is now ready and all set for the taping of the next episode of Knowing Brothers. He is very excited because one of the guests today is one of the idols he wanted to meet for so long. Oddly enough, James never bump to that person even though they know and involved in the same group of people. He is supposedly have a very high chance of meeting that person but somehow it never happened, until now.

James is now with his Brothers in the classroom talking about other stuff while waiting for their guests. Moments later, the front door slides open and their guests for today walks in. The small idol is the first one to walked inside, but even though she is small, she have the biggest presence and aura in the world of Kpop, where everyone respects her. Behind the idol is a very well-known actor in the industry.

"OHHHHHHHHH!!!" Sangmin, Heechul and Youngchul yelled out of excitement upon seeing their guests. Meanwhile, James' jaw dropped to the floor and he is getting goosebumps as he cannot believe that he is finally meeting that idol.

"It's BoA!!!!~~" Heechul and Youngchul are giving a very warm welcome the idol.

One of the guests today is one of the legends of Kpop, one of the two individuals who opened the door and pioneered Kpop to the whole world, the most respected idol in the industry, it's no other than, the Queen of Kpop, Kwon BoA. And with her on visiting the Brothers School is one of the popular actor in the industry, best known for starring in the sitcom Living Among the Rich, and in the drama While You Were Sleeping, actor Lee Sang-yeob.

As a Kpop fan himself, James can't contain his excitement and happiness now that he is in the presence of BoA, the Queen of Kpop. The Brothers have no idea that James is freaking out internally and quietly in his seat.

"Aigoo, Ee-sa nim~. Aigoo, Ee-sa nim~" Heechul stood up and playfully doing a polite greeting to BoA. She is not just his sunbae, but she is also a creative director in SM Entertainment.

(Ee-sa means director)

"Aigoo~~ please take care of me today~ Aigoo help me on the show~" BoA is playing along with Heechul.

"Wahh.. Director Kwon is here~" Heechul is very excited as well. He then  give a teasing glare at the eldest Brother.

"Aren't you being too humble?" Hodong said to Heechul while at the same time maintaining his tough and firm character as the strongest and scariest student in the Brothers School.

"You have to greet her right" Heechul told him.

"We should stick to our own style!" Hodong firmly said while staying in character.

"You think so?" BoA said to Hodong.

"Yes. This is our school, so transfer students should bow down and play by our rules" Hodong is doing great on maintaining that tough attitude.

"That would have been a lot believable if your feet aren't twitching~" James suddenly joins the conversation. Hodong burst into laughter and his face instantly turns red out of embarrassment. "Hodong hyung's voice is intimidating and he is acting tough, but his legs are shaking. He's actually scared because she is her boss~" James added and pointed it out. The Brothers and everyone on set burst into laughter. Hodong can't even deny it, all he can do is to shyly laugh in front of his boss. Heechul is laughing and clapping his hands because it looks like he won't be doing all the teasing to Hodong all by himself, James would be helping him.

..

"You may introduce yourself now, BoA~" Youngchul said to her. He is also another fan of BoA, who will gladly help out BoA in the show.

"Annyeonghaseyo~ I'm from 'Eternal Star of Asia' high school, BoA-imnida~" BoA introduce herself and the Brothers gives her warm round of applause. "Woo~~" James cutely and quietly cheered at the back of the class, showing his excitement to meet BoA. Sure enough, the camera focuses on him and the editing team planned on putting headband on top of James' head with BoA's name and fanlights, signifying that he is a fan. Basically the same thing they are always doing every time James is a fan of their guest.

"Oh, it's Park Hyun-bin!" Heechul stood up clapping his hands and teasing Lee Sang-yeob that he looks a lot like Park Hyun-bin, a popular trot singer. The Brothers burst into laughter and they soon started singing and dancing to one of Park Hyun-bin's song. Even BoA and Lee Sang-yeob dances along.

"My management was worried about that me doing that.." Lee Sang-yeob mentioned, referring to dance like the trot singer. "Annyeong! I'm... Next to me were Suzy, Kim Tae-hee, Kim Hye-soo, and BoA. That's the school I was from. I'm Lee Sang-yeob, man!!" Lee Sang-yeob then introduce himself, and he's a little too excited.

"You sound just too excited right now. You need to calm down a little" Soogeun told him and the Brothers are giggling at their very excited guest.

"I really love this show. I've been really wanting to come on this show. I heard BoA was coming, so I came along" Lee Sang-yeob explained himself, and on why he is too excited.

"Yeah, they were in the same drama together" Youngchul remarked.

"You two were a couple in 'My Wife is Cheating on Me This Week'. It was also my first debut in a TV drama. I was a method actor. Cue the clip. Wow~!" Hodong is way too excited that some of his Brothers are cringing. He is also acting cute more in this episode.

"What's going on today? Hyung, aren't you too heated up just because she's your boss?" Heechul laughingly confronted Hodong .

"It's a bit pressuring~" Hodong shyly admits it.

"Hodong hyung, Sangmin hyung told me to tell you this.." Soogeun calls Hodong's attention. "What did he say?" Hodong asked. "He said that you should cut out a show" Soogeun laughingly told him. Hodong and the Brothers burst into laughter.

"It does feels like it's a bit too much these days. You're doing to many shows.." Janghoon laughingly remarked.

..

"It's amazing because BoA doesn't usually make friends with anyone she works with. She's shy around strangers" Heechul shared to the people who doesn't know that about BoA. Only Hodong and Soogeun knows it because they are under SM, and she is technically their boss. BoA nodded, confirming the fact that Heechul shared about her.

"How did you guys get close?" Heechul asked their guests.

"We drank" BoA replied. "That's how we became friends" Lee Sang-yeob added.

"I feel like BoA just thinks of Sangyeob as a friend. But Sangyeob got other ideas.." Soogeun starts off the teasing. "Yeah, they got something going on. I can see it on his face" Janghoon added.

BoA is just laughing while Lee Sang-yeob just shyly smiled at the teasing of the Brothers.

"When did you start to have feelings for her?" Soogeun teasingly asked. "Don't worry, you can tell us" the rest of the Brothers joins in. Lee Sang-yeob and BoA burst into laughter.

"Aniya. She's Director BoA. Nothing like that is happening.." Lee Sang-yeob said to the Brothers.

"It's odd that you don't have any feelings for her" Soogeun remarked. As usual, the Brothers are not letting that kind of topic just easily.

"BoA drew a clear line ever since the beginning. She made sure we were friends, maybe bestfriends. I couldn't imagine anything more than that" Lee Sang-yeob explained it to the Brothers.

"Lines are meant for you to cross~" Heechul teasingly said to Lee Sang-yeob, then him and the Brothers squealed.

"It's worth dying for, to cross them over!" Soogeun yelled out, and the Brother joins in to tease their guests.

"Every couple starts off as friends!" Heechul is like a kid dancing around teasing BoA and Lee Sang-yeob. The Brothers are laughing and enjoying teasing their guests. The two guests can't do anything about the teasing from the Brothers, they can just stand there and laugh with them. "Look at James for example..." Heechul added and the Brothers burst into laughter.

"Eh?! what?!" James was caught off guard. He was laughing out loud seconds ago, but he instantly stopped laughing and froze in his seat. Sangmin witnessed that change in James' facial expression, and he is cracking up on that.

"They started as friends, then they became very close friends, and now they're a couple" Heechul continue the teasing and didn't even bother looking behind him to see the flustered reaction of his target. James just put his head down and shyly laughs as Heechul never fails to brought up that topic every week on the show.

"I know that~" BoA smilingly said while pointing a little to James. She surely knows a good amount of information about her junior's relationship with the youngest Brother. In fact, she was actually right in the very beginning of it.

"Oh you know?" Heechul chuckled.

"I know how it started~" BoA smilingly nodded.

"What? what do you mean?" the curiosity of the Brothers skyrocketed after that remarks from BoA. "Eh?" even James is confused.

BoA didn't say anything, she just look and give James a cute eye-smile while doing a phone call gesture. At first, Heechul and James didn't get it but a second later they finally figure it out. BoA is referring to that phone call that started it all for Irene and James. BoA is among the idols in that room in SM where they heard the first meeting of Irene and James over the phone.

"So you know that James crosses that line because they started as friends then later on they become a couple" Heechul said to BoA.

"Hyung, I didn't cross any line. There was never a line to cross~" James boldly stated before he shyly laughs. He then starts to blush a little and wanted to retract what he said.

"Ohhhhhhh~" Heechul and the Brothers were a little shocked but they are smiling proudly at their youngest Brother.

"So you're admitting it?" Sangmin asked James. "Well yeah, but I mean everyone already knew that we were friends first" James replied.

"Wait wait... she didn't drew a line?" Heechul stood up to ask James as he simply cannot let that go. He wants to put more oil in that small fire.

"Yes, there was never a line.." James replied and nodded. ".. or at least in my perspective~" James added. Even though he replied calmly, he was actually nervous and trembling inside.

"Ohh~" Heechul is smile is huge because that is exactly the thing he wanted to get from James.

"Haha, James had enough. He used to be shy and baffled every time we talk about his relationship in the show. Now he doesn't care anymore. He is answering freely" Soogeun laughingly pointed it out. The Brothers and the staff of the show started laughing as well.

"Yeah, I got used to it. Every week since it went public, all of you are always bringing that up. Especially Heechul hyung.." James giggles as he admits. It is the truth after all, it's like everyone had to remind him every week that he is in a relationship with Irene. The Brothers are just laughing because they are very guilty.

"It's like how we talk about divorce and debts every week. It's incomplete if don't talk about it" Janghoon laughingly added. The Brothers and staff of the show burst into laughter because that is really the case.

"It has to be mentioned at least once" Hodong's face is all red from laughing. "So expect that your relationship will be mentioned again next week" Soogeun laughingly said to James.

"Araseo~" James laughingly sighed as it seems like it can't be helped. He knew from the start that this is possible. "I will just wait when Heechul hyung decide to cross the line" James claps back and teases his older Brother.

"Wa--" Heechul froze in his seat laughing while his face is starting to blush. The Brothers including BoA is giggling. They all know what James is talking about. Heechul can't even refute because he started it, and he knows James will continue with subtle tease if he replied to that. Heechul just opens the bottle of water and drink it.

"Hyung, is there a line?" James asked with another intention.

"I-I have to check.." Heechul blushingly replied as he closes the bottle of water. ".. I'll inform you later" Heechul added after realizing what James is trying to do. He thought him well.

"Araseo~" James chuckled. He teases Heechul but he also helps for the topic to die down quickly.

..

..

..

..

Meanwhile...

*knock knock*

"Come in~"

"Seiichi-sama, are you ready?" Inui-san entered the hotel room where Seiichi is staying. Seconds later, Sojiro enters the room and bows to Seiichi.

Seiichi, Sojiro and Inui-san had just arrived in Seoul as planned. Seiichi sent a message to James and informs him that they had just arrived. They knew that James is not free today because he have a taping of Knowing Brothers so they are planning on meeting him tomorrow. Plus they still have to wait for Makoto-sama and Daigo as they are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Seiichi and Inui-san are getting ready for a business meeting they needed to attend. While Sojiro have a different task to do..

"Hai~ I'm ready Inui-san" Seiichi smiled as he is done fixing his hair.

"Did Shusuke already knows we're here in Seoul?" Inui-san asked.

"I just sent him a message. He might still be in the middle of the taping" Seiichi replied.

"Uh.. Seiichi-sama, is that really what you are going to wear for all the meetings today?" Sojiro is wondering and a little confused why Seiichi is not wearing a formal suit and tie. Instead, Seiichi is just wearing a long sleeves sweater, pants and casual shoes. Not the typical outfit for a president of a huge company.

"What's wrong with my outfit? I'm always wearing this kind of outfit. Plus, you're wearing the same thing.." Seiichi just laughs.

"But I'm not going to a huge business meeting, you are~" Sojiro told him.

"Haha, don't worry. It doesn't matter. It's just two meetings and we're just buying some shares, then me and Inui-san we're off to get a drink" Seiichi laughingly explained.

"Well I guess if you're the president of one of the biggest company in Japan you can wear anything.." Sojiro commented. "Anyway, I should head first.. I still need to track down that woman" he added.

"Oh, are you going to see if the kimono fits?" Seiichi teasingly smiled and Inui-san is giggling.

"What? No!! Not her!!" Sojiro starts to blush a little.

"Don't worry, you can go and meet her. Just call us if you need anything. And we won't knock on your room later~" Seiichi giggles as he keeps on teasing Sojiro.

"Eh? wh- no no! We're not even... no!" Sojiro is blushing even more from all the teasing he is receiving from Seiichi.

"Haha, just kidding. But seriously, you can do what you want after you've finished your task. This is a vacation as well.." Seiichi smilingly said and rubs the top of Sojiro's head.

"So, shall we?",

Seiichi and Inui-san leaves the hotel by a car and head to their business meetings. Sojiro leaves by himself and took the bus. Because of his one month stay in Seoul last year he already memorized the city and all the commute routes. What Seiichi said is true, they are not in Seoul for just business purposes and that important thing they need to discuss with James. But they are also there for a one week vacation.

Sojiro didn't waste anytime and he just head to fulfill the task given to him. He wanted to finish it within the day before Makoto-sama and Daigo arrive to Seoul the next day. All of the hard parts are already finished, and what's left is fairly the easiest one to do. Sojiro only needed to track down the location of the woman they are looking for, and on his hand are addresses of the possible whereabouts of that woman.

..

..

..

..

Back to one of the studio in JTBC where the taping of Knowing Brothers is being held..

BoA and Lee Sang-yeob had just finished with their application form where they go over with each other's strengths or talents they will be showing to the show. Lee Sang-yeob demonstrate his strength, he is good at pronouncing words and reading news articles fast just like a real news anchor. Lee Sang-yeob wants to challenge the Brothers, but the Brothers have a hidden card, they called out the semi-permanent cast of the show, Jang Sung-kyu. A real news anchor of JTBC news. Lee Sang-yeob is really happy to see Jang Sung-kyu as he idolized him, he also stated that it feels like he is meeting of his celebrity idol. Sadly, the two of them have to battle each other. The staff of the show prepared a two page long news article that they need to read fast. The fastest to read it without any mistake or mispronunciation wins. The Brothers includes and asked BoA to go first. As a veteran singer and an idol for a long time, BoA did exceptionally great. She is considerably fast and managed to pronounced each word clearly, but she failed at the very end with only just 2-3 lines left. She still did great and she is now the person to beat. Hodong wanted to try even though he is not one of the challenger, and as expected... he failed hilariously one the very first sentence. Jang Sung-kyu is the next one and everyone is expecting him to finish the whole article fast and perfectly pronounced every word. From the start, Jang Sung-kyu showed to everyone what a real news anchor can do, unfortunately, he failed and mispronounced a word at the end of the.. first page. He didn't even get to the second page. It is now Lee Sang-yeob's turn, and he quickly showed that he prepared for this challenge as he starts of great and continue to go fast each seconds that passes, all while pronouncing each word correctly. Unfortunately, he also failed at the last line in the first page. Surprisingly and out of nowhere, BoA is the winner. The Brothers can't stop laughing because BoA is not really part of it, they kinda include her as a filler before the main event.

As for BoA's strength, she wrote that her talent is the ability to repeat other's dance routines like a copy machine. She can memorize any dance routine right away. Sure enough, BoA showed why she is the Queen of Kpop. After watching the dance practice of Twice's hit song Likey. BoA danced it perfectly as if the choreo was downloaded to her hard drive. She also added some BoA's swag to the choreo, and the Brothers loves it. BoA explained that there's certain formulas in every dance routines that she looks at. She also added that it's easier to copy dance routines with a lot of hand motions instead of dance routines with a lot of steps. The staff prepared another one, but it's for fun. They wanted to see if BoA can copy Kyunghoon's unknown dance move. Everyone is cracking up because it is just a funny dance, and there's no formula to look for. BoA just did it and danced to it while watching it, more like copying it real time. As expected, she also upgrade it with BoA's swag, it turns out great and funny. The Brothers also requested to see BoA dance to the song Pick Me by Wanna One. BoA grants their request and she showed her own version of Pick Me. The Brothers and everybody else in the studio are amazed and captivated as BoA upgraded the dance moves to her own God Legend-tier. It's even more powerful and smoother than the original. *(For those who have seen this episode before, you know what I mean. It's like... daaaaamn! Lol)

"Okay, that's it!......  your majesty~~"  James kneels and bows down to the Queen. BoA, the Brothers and the whole studio burst into laughter. Seconds later, Heechul and Youngchul went beside James and did the same thing. BoA is laughing hard and blushing a little while the three Brothers are bowing to her.

"Sangmin hyung come here.. you're good at doing this.." James managed to make fun of his older Brother. "Yah~ hahaha" Sangmin playfully slaps James at the back while the whole studio is cracking up.

"Are you asking her permission so you can sign with SM?" Heechul pokes fun of James too the moment they stood up. "Eh? aniya.. sshhh, I already renewed my contract this morning~" James whispered and quietly giggles. Heechul burst into laughter while they are walking back to their seats.

..

..

It is now time for the Guess About Me segment of the show. BoA will go first..

"There's something I do before every show or shoot.." BoA briefly reads her first question and the Brothers already reacted to it.

"Ai.... we can't do this" the Brothers are already laughing, and preventing themselves to say the things they usually answers to this type of question.

"This is why Ee-sang nim didn't want to come on the show. She knew I'd get it right" Heechul remarked before he started laughing. BoA burst into laughter when she realized what Heechul is talking about.

"Ani~" BoA laughingly said to him.

"This is something I do before every scheduled event. Before I stand in front of people or cameras" BoA said the rest of her question to the Brothers.

"Can I share what I saw when I visit you in the waiting room earlier?" Heechul asked and BoA gives him a nod.

"You gather the dancers. You have them lined up and discipline them..." Heechul demonstrates his answer by acting like he is kicking those imaginary dancers.

"Aniyaa~ that's what you do!" BoA told him.

"Oh.. me.." Heechul laughingly stopped it.

"I know.." Sangmin raised his hand to answer, "You check if the money has been deposited first". The Brothers burst into laughter at his answer.

"Wrong, but it is important" BoA laughingly said to him.

"You practice introducing yourself" Youngchul tries to guess.

"Wrong"

"Sang-yeob is close to BoA, he might have an idea what she does before the shoot starts" Heechul remarked.

"I just remember her looking at the mirror for a long time" Lee Sang-yeob replied.

"Looking at the mirror? that's close" BoA told him.

"You check if something is in your face" Heechul gives his answer.

"Ah ah ah!!" Lee Sang-yeob excitingly raised his hand to answer, "You check if there's anything that stuck in your teeth".

"But why? and what am I looking at in my teeth?" BoA told them, giving them another hint as well.

"I know!" Hodong quickly raised his hand, "You always check if lipstick got in your teeth!".

"Correct!" BoA happily announced. Hodong celebrates and he is celebrating in front of the camera.

BoA explained that she became obsessed about it that it becomes a habit of hers. She is very cautious about it because her teeth show a lot when she laugh, and even her gums. Another reason of her is that her lips curls up when she smile. BoA also said that she always covers her mouth whenever she fails to find a mirror to check her teeth.

"So you always carry around tissues?" Heechul asked.

"I have another reason for that" BoA said to them.

"To poop!" Kyunghoon opens his mouth for the first time in this segment, and he opens up with his trademark.

"That's right! I was about to say" Heechul turns around and high-fived the poop master. James is dying from laughter because they finally pulled out the poop card on their guests.

"Ani. I have one odd part on my body.." BoA gives them a hint.

"You sweat a lot.." Kyunghoon said. "Ohh., wow you're like a psychic" BoA commented. ".. on your bellybutton" Kyunghoon finished it. "Yah!" BoA felt betrayed and she walks towards him, and she hit him hard with the toy hammer.

"Wait, is this an actual question?" Janghoon asked her. "It wasn't but I guess it turned out to be one" BoA replied while walking back in front of the classroom.

"Your armpits.... uh, they're sweaty so you have to wipe it" Janghoon gives it a try, at the same time he hesitated a little about answering that.

"Aniya. I'd just put deodorant if that's the case" BoA told him.

"Your palms!" Sangmin yelled out his answer.

"Correct! I have sweaty palms. I can't even hold the mic with just one hand for a long time because my palms are sweaty" BoA then explained the reason.

"Mom's spaghetti~" James blurted out.

"It's done" , "That was your answer?" , "She already said that is the correct answer" , "Aren't you listening? haha" Janghoon, Youngchul, Sangmin and Soogeun said to James, and they are laughing at James for a completely wrong reason. They thought that James is trying to answer.

"Haha, ani.. that's-" James shyly laughs and he is about to explain when they heard that some burst out laughing in front of the class.

Everyone look in front of the class and they saw BoA covering her mouth, laughing all by herself.

"Wae?" the Brothers curiously asked.

"Eminem?" BoA is still laughing as he looked at James.

"Oh!! Kamsahamnida noona!!" James happily let out a sigh of relief that there's someone in the room that gets the reference of his joke. BoA laughs even more on how cute James is.

The Brothers are a bit confused so BoA and James had to explained briefly the reason why they are laughing. Even thought they explained it, they still don't quite get it. BoA gives up and she then just moves on to her second question..

..

..

"In the middle of a performance, I got injured. I was in so much pain and they took an X-ray right away. What do you think the doctor said after seeing the X-ray photo? I can never forget it" BoA reads her second question to the Brothers.

Janghoon is the first one to raise his hand to give a try, "You're so young, yet you got the joints of like a 80 year-old grandma. It's a miracle you can still dance".

"Wrong!"

"Imagine a part of my body that I used a lot when I dance" BoA gives them a hint.

"Hips? BoA noona's dance includes a lot of hips movements, just like in My Name, Valenti and Only One.." James raised his hand as he answers. "Right!" Heechul agrees with James' answer.

"Oh, you know my songs~" BoA is actually quite surprised. "But that's right it was my hips" she added.

"James is a fan~" Heechul said to her.

"Yes. I've been a fan of BoA noona for a long time. I always say that SNSD is my all-time favourite. That's true, but what actually got me into Kpop is BoA noona.." James explained. The Brothers are a little surprised to find that out for the first time, except Heechul, he already knows it. "Although for a couple of years I thought she is a Japanese~" James laughingly added.

"What? Jinjja?!" the Brothers burst into laughter.

"I first know her because of Minna no Kimochi (Every Heart), that's the theme song of the anime Inuyasha. So that's why I thought she was Japanese. Then later on, one of my bestfriends told me that she is actually Korean. Then that's where it all started.. I looked for her Korean songs, then I came across SNSD, then Super Junior, BigBang, 2ne1.. and that's it. I became a Kpop fan ever since" James explained everything on how he became a Kpop fan.

"Oh.. James should go there and shake BoA's hand. She is like one of her favourites.." Sangmin remarked. "Go shake her hand.." Hodong instruct James.

James shyly and nervously walks to the front to formally meet BoA. He is actually shaking when he reaches out his hand to BoA.

"Annyeonghaseyo~" James shook BoA's hand and he deeply bows at the same time. "Annyeong~~" BoA cutely smiled to his hidden fan among the Brothers.

"Oh, it's true that her hands is a little sweaty" James commented. "See, I told you" BoA giggles.

"Ahh!!" James suddenly raised his hand as an answer comes to his mind. "The doctor said that your hips are in good proportion to your body".

"Wrong, but that is heading to the right direction" BoA told him.

All of a sudden, James is tilting his head towards BoA. Everybody is actually confused for second before they realized what the maknae is doing.

"Ahh, he wanted to get punished!" Heechul burst into laughter while clapping his hands. "Haha, gwiyeowo~" Hodong can't help but to laugh on how cute their youngest Brother.

"Araseo~" BoA is giggling as he hits James in the head with the toy hammer.

..

"I know" Janghoon raised his hand to answer again, "The doctor said you'd have a very easy time giving birth in the future because you have strong hips".

"Oh.. that might be the right answer" Youngchul, Soogeun and James agrees with the answer.

"Aniya~"

"This happened in Japan, and the doctor is Japanese.." BoA told them.

"The doctor asked for your autograph in the X-ray photo" Heechul answers.

"Wrong!"

"It was a compliment I've never heard before" BoA gives additional hints.

"I know!" Kyunghoon quickly raised his hand. "Oh, BoA-san, uh.. you have a very pretty pelvis". Kyunghoon wanted to answer in Japanese but he doesn't know the other words. "anata no kotsuban wa kirei desu ne~" James is whispering and trying to help but Kyunghoon can't hear him.

"Ohh.." BoA is frozen for a couple of seconds. Then the Brothers erupted and began shouting a couple of alternate answer.

"Araseo~ make your choice.... kawaii, kirei, or sugoi.." BoA asked the Brothers to pick one.

"Kirei!!" Janghoon, Kyunghoon and James picked the word pretty.

"Sugoi!!" Sangmin and Youngchul picked the word amazing.

"Kawaii!" Heechul and Soogeun picked the word cute.

.

.

"BoA-san, anata no kotsuban wa hontoni... kirei desu ne!!~" BoA said the right answer in Japanese. Just like how the Japanese doctor said it. It translates to, BoA your pelvis is very pretty. With that, Janghoon, Kyunghoon and James got it right. Janghoon calls out his adopted sons to celebrate with him in front of the camera.

BoA tells the story behind how she got injured. She was performing with high heels on that time. When she had to change quickly behind the curtain, her high heels got caught on the drape and her pelvis got pulled back. She couldn't walk and barely even stands. She still went back to the stage to perform but she couldn't dance, so she just sing. After that, they took her to the hospital in a wheelchair. And that is where the doctor complimented that she got a very pretty pelvis. She was in pain but that remark make her laughed so hard.

Hodong also shared his own funny experience about an X-ray. While in a TV show before, he slipped because of the slippery floor. He fell backwards then hit his head, and he suffered a concussion. Since everyone is worried, they took Hodong for an X-ray. And after seeing the X-ray photo, the doctor then said to Hodong that he's been a doctor for 20 years and Hodong's skull is the biggest skull he ever seen. It barely fits in the X-ray photo. Everyone in the studio burst into laughter after Hodong tells that story.

..

"I heard that an industry expert in Japan said that you'd take 10 years to get big there.." Heechul mentioned the comment that BoA received during her first years in the music scene in Japan.

"Back then, not a lot of singers sang live on stage in Korea. I wasn't prepared to perform on stage while singing live. I did a showcase in Japan, but every singer in Japan sang live on stage. So for the first time ever, I totally ruined a performance. Then I developed a stage fright after that. After that failure in Japan, I realized that I have to become good at it no matter what. So I kept practicing singing while dancing everyday. I was really determined that I started singing while running on treadmills, I will sing even if it just for dance practices, I also singing while jogging. Everything so I can be good at it~" BoA shared how harsh her training back then. And how a fear transformed her to a great artist that she right now.

"Noona, you were 13 years old when you debuted right?" James asked.

"Yes. I trained for two years, then I debuted when I was 13 years old" BoA replied.

"Wahh.. daebak~ she did all of that at such a young age.." James is having goosebumps as he cannot imagine himself going through what BoA experienced. "The idol of idols fits greatly for BoA noona~" James remarked.

"Right, right~" Heechul and the Brothers couldn't agree more.

"How popular were you in Japan back then?" Hodong asked.

"One of the things I'm sad about is that while I was really popular and while things are going well for me, I never actually had a moment to realized it.." BoA replied.

"You might've been too young and busy.." Soogeun commented. "Your focus is on something else.." Sangmin added.

"Kids these days might not know, but when BoA was really big, her news weren't really on the entertainment page. Her success was always on the front page. She had unprecedented level of success" Hodong remarked on how big BoA is really back then.

"Kids these days won't even bother looking at newspapers, some might even not know what is a newspaper" Janghoon commented. "Right~ they can get the news on their phones now" the Brothers agrees with him.

"Also back then, she'd be on the news and the newscaster would say, 'BoA has done it again!', 'Our BoA made us proud in Japan!'. We always hear that on the news as headlines" Heechul added more story of BoA's peak in the music industry.

"It was very significant considering that Japan has the second biggest music market in the world. That was when Utada Hikaru was #1 in Japan. No one was able to topple her but BoA. She was that big. " Sangmin commented on how big BoA was, and how she changed the music scene for both countries.

"♫ iya na koto ga atta hi mo~~ ♫", while Sangmin is telling that about Utada Hikaru, James is singing very quietly, almost like humming to one of the popular songs of Utada Hikaru.

"What is the name of the singer?" Hodong looked behind him to ask Sangmin.

"Itadakimasu~" Soogeun answers for him but he got it wrong.

"HAHAHAHA" everyone in the studio burst into laughter. Sangmin laughingly slaps Soogeun at the back of his head. The people who are fluent to Japanese are the ones laughing the most, BoA, Heechul, Sangmin and James are all in tears for laughing too hard.

"It's Utada Hikaru, not itadakimasu~" Sangmin corrects Soogeun.

"Ahh.. Utada. Well, I'm sure she enjoyed her meal too~" Soogeun chuckled.

BoA and Heechul burst into laughter once more. Meanwhile, James is gone, he just falls down to his desk laughing as the camera focuses on him. The editing team already planned to put an animated soul of James, and make it seems like it left his body.

..

..

BoA is now reading her last question, "This one is about what happened on stage. One time, I was singing a slow song and I broke out in tears. I couldn't finish the song. It was so touching though, the fans finished the song for me by singing along. What do you think my manager said when I got off the stage?".

"She came up to you while you were still crying and said, BoA-ah, saranghae~.." Janghoon gives his answer.

"You should really date someone. It's about time.." Soogeun said to Janghoon, "You've been wanting to say 'I love you' to someone for so long" he added. All Janghoon can do is to laugh

"I think Janghoon is suffering from lack of affection" BoA laughingly added.

.

"I think I know since I know her manager, Eun-ha noona. She's not so warm and fuzzy. She probably said, you cried because you forgot the lyrics?~" Heechul stood up and gives his answer.

"Aniya~" BoA smilingly told him.

"She is my drinking buddy, bestfriend, and my manager. We're very close~" BoA is trying to give them a hint.

"Act it out like you're coming down from the stage while crying~" Hodong requested BoA for a help to act out his answer. "Walk over there?" BoA asked and Hodong nodded.

BoA then started walking towards Hodong and acts like she is crying. And when she is standing in front of Hodong..

"Stop!" Hodong told her.

There was a couple of seconds of pure silence. No one knows that was it. That was Hodong's answer.

"That's it?" the Brothers started laughing that they got fooled. They are actually expecting more. Hodong just shyly giggles.

"I really looked forward to your answer" Janghoon told him. "I was also looking forward to it too!" BoA laughingly remarked.

.

"It was during my 10th anniversary concert. The last song of the concert was Merry-Chri (meru kuri). It's 2018 now so, uh... that song was released in Japan over 12-13 years ago, but it's still being played every Christmas season. I also still sing it in Japan at award shows. As soon as I started singing the song, I thought of my past 10 years. I saw those moments like a movie scene.  I was so sad and I couldn't sing the song, and my fans sang the song for me. I've never heard Japanese audience sing that loudly before.." BoA gave a lengthy hint so the Brothers can picture the scenario because it may be a little hard for them to get the answer.

"I know" Heechul raised his hand to answer, "BoA, your fans are better singers than you!".

"That would have been better" BoA told him. "It was harsher?" Heechul asked and BoA nods.

"The fans sang the song the song till the end. I was so thankful and moved by it,. When I came back stage, this is where my manager said it.." BoA gives another hint.

"Ah, I know!" Kyunghoon quickly raised his hand to answer, "Yah, BoA you got paid for doing nothing at all".

"Wrong!"

"A professional should finish singing on stage. How could you cry and not finish?" Soogeun said his answer.

"It wasn't long. Just a short phrase" BoA said to them. "She said this to me while she was also wiping away her tears" she then gives more hint.

"BoA, you should've finished it" Sangmin answers.

"You're close!" BoA told him.

"BoA, that was great. Do an encore!" Hodong raised his hand and shouted his answer.

"It wasn't quite an encore. But Hodong was very close" BoA commented.

"BoA, do it again! Go on stage again" Sangmin tries again.

"Oh, correct!".

"This is exactly what she said, BoA let's do that again.." BoA shared to them.

"But why does she said that?" the Brothers are confused. There's nothing wrong about it, in fact everyone thinks that is a very warm moment.

"We're filming for your DVD today, we can't use this version. Go up and sing it properly, and we'll use that take" BoA reenacts her manager's exact dialogue that time.

"Ohh.." the Brothers are shocked and in disbelief because that was a little too harsh, and cold-hearted.

"She would say that! That's the type of person she is" Heechul remarked.

"What's funny is that she was crying herself too. Her eyes were all red while she said that to me.." BoA chuckled.

"So what happened after that?" the Brothers asked.

"I was like, 'What?'. I was trying and holding myself not to explode in anger. I grabbed the mic and went up on stage again while I was still mad. I went up on stage and told the audience, My manager is making me sing because of the DVD.." BoA tells more of that story and what happen in that concert.

"Ohh.. you told on her" Kyunghoon commented. "You're scary too!" Heechul laughingly remarked.

"So I finally sang the song properly until the end. The fans love it because they got to hear it again, and it was a very happy moment. Then a few months later, I was given the DVD of that concert. And then finally, Merry-Chri was coming..." BoA is sharing more of the story to the Brothers. All of the Brothers are already smiling and laughing.

".... and the girl in the DVD is crying!" BoA giggles.

"They still used it!" the Brothers are laughing hard. "They must've like that moment" Heechul commented.

"What happen to the retake?" the Brothers asked.

"The DVD ended up with both version" BoA laughingly replied.

"She had a big picture planned" the Brothers commented.

"How should I say this? uh... I was really moved and grateful. I was thinking about how happy I was at that moment, and she totally destroyed it with her words. That's what made me sad" BoA said to them.

"I think it's because you didn't cry enough" Kyunghoon said to her. The Brothers burst into laughter as ssamja strikes again, ruining the mood in the classroom. "I mean if you were ripping up your clothes and were bawling in the waiting room no one could've made you do it again" he added.

"BoA mianhae, he's really good at breaking up emotions" Janghoon laughingly apologized.

"I'll make sure to bawl even harder next time" BoA chuckled and cutely just goes along with it.

"I can see why she's been so popular all these years. She did still go up to the stage in that situation. Because most of the times, singers who is famous like that wouldn't go out and do it again" Sangmin remarked. "Yeah, most singers would not do that" Soogeun agrees.

"The reason I'm best friends with her is that she told me something cold which upsets me. But after I sang, she meet me in the backstage, and she was like 'Ah my princess~ you did such a great job!'.. And I couldn't get mad at her when she's smiling like that~" BoA explained her close relationship with her manager.

"She's sane though, right?" Soogeun asked and the Brothers burst into laughter.

"She is just strict, but she is very amazing and supportive" BoA smilingly replied.

.

"How about we hook her manager up to Janghoon? They're both cold-hearted!" Hodong turns around and said to Soogeun.

"Is she married?" Sangmin asked BoA.

"She's not. Should we hook them up?" BoA smilignly told them.

"Ohh.. they're prefect!" Youngchul commented.

"But isn't she much older?" Janghoon commented.

"Aniya, she was born in 1976" BoA told him. "Hyung, this must be it!" James is giggling while patting Janghoon's back.

"If she's like that. I think, even though Janghoon is retired now, she might make him play basketball again" Kyunghoon commented. Everyone in the studio burst out laughing.

"They're perfect!" James, Youngchul and Sangmin are dying at the back of the class.

..

..

..

..

Meanwhile, somewhere in Seoul..

"I think the slightly chubby one lives around here. I always see her walking through this street, probably going to work. But the cute one, I'm not so sure~"

"Oh, araseo~ kamsahamnida halmeoni~" Sojiro bows to thanked the old woman who is selling fishcakes and other types of street foods in stall right beside the street.

"Why are you looking for her? Is she your girlfriend or a relative?" the old woman asked.

"She is.. a cousin of mine. She ran away from home several years ago. Then.. my aunt asked me to come here in Seoul to find her" Sojiro said to the old woman.

"Aigoo~~ your aunt my must've missed her so much" the old woman sadly frowns. "Where you from?" she asked.

"I'm from Daegu~" Sojiro replied.

"Give me your name and contact number so when I happen to see her, I can say that you are looking for her" the old woman said to him.

"Oh.. I'm.. Yoo Deok-hwa~" Sojiro said to the old woman and gives a number that he using temporarily while in South Korea.

The old woman then writes down the fake name Yoo Deok-hwa, and the number in a piece of paper. "Don't worry, I will help you. I will look out for her~" the old woman smiled at Sojiro.

"Kamsamnida halmeoni~" Sojiro bows to the old woman again.

"Uh.. halmeoni, can I get some odeng and fried tteokbokki?" Sojiro felt so bad that he had to lie to the old woman, so he decided to buy some of the street foods that the old woman is selling. Plus, he is kinda hungry and a little tired tracking down that girl in the picture.

.

"Wahh.. halmeoni this is really good~" Sojiro compliments the the odeng (fishcakes). "Can I get uh... like 6 more orders of odeng and 3 orders of fried tteokbokki., uh for take out. I will give this to my friends~" Sojiro orders more.

"Araseo~ I will prepare them~" the old woman smiled as she started preparing Sojiro's order.

"Kamsahmnida~" Sojiro thanked her while enjoying his food.

Sojiro is looking at the picture he have. He still have no idea where that woman is, but he managed to find an information that might lead him to her location. It is almost dark out, but Sojiro wanted to on and check two more places before he stop searching. He had a feeling that he might get some good leads on those two places. Sojiro also wanted to gather enough information before Makoto-sama arrive in Seoul tomorrow.

Sojiro took a little break and spend about 20 minutes in that food stall, chatting to the old woman. Of course, even though he doesn't want to, Sojiro continue to fake his identity and tell made up stories about his life. Every detail falls in to right places and the old woman didn't suspects a thing.

..

About an hour later, Sojiro is walking around in one of the places he wanted to check. It is very familiar place that he has been before. It is the place where Akako and James met again for the first time after more than 4 years. The odds are unknown, but Sojiro thinks that he might see Akako in that place. If Akako resurfaced all of a sudden in front of James that time, there might be a reason why on that very area.

Sojiro continue to walk around looking and searching for any information that will lead him to Akako. Things are getting harder for him because the place is slowly getting more and more crowded because of the office workers going out and, either going home or going out for a dinner. Since the crowd of office workers is making it harder for Sojiro to search, he decided to stop and go back to the hotel. He already got some valuable leads, he can just resume his search first thing in the morning.

Sojiro is walking and already leaving the place when he came across to the thing he needed to find in that place. Sojiro overheard a conversation and even though it's been more than 4 years, he still remember that voice.

"Sang-ah, are you sure you don't to come have dinner with us?",

His speculations got confirmed when just seconds later he heard the name of that person. Sojiro immediately followed the group of people in a rather close distance. The group dispersed as everyone went inside a restaurant except for one person. That one person waves goodbye to her friends and walks away, alone. Sojiro immediately followed that person..

"Sang-ah~" Sojiro calls out the name of the person.

"Sojiro?? AHHH!!" Sang-ah squealed happily when she saw Sojiro. "Long time no see!! What are you doing here in Seoul?" she is very happy to see Sojiro that she hugged him.

"Nice to see you too, Sang-chan!" Sojiro gives her a smile. "I'm just here for a vacation. And I'm walking around the area when I saw you~".

"Huh?! you can now speak Korean? and you're fluent at it!!" Sang-ah is very delighted and amazed when Sojiro started talking to her in Korean.

"Ani, I'm not that fluent. And what about you? your Japanese is still good" Sojiro chuckled.

"Well, I studied in Japan for 8 years, I can't just simply forgot the language, haha" Sang-ah replied. "Anyway, does that mean Seiichi is here too?" she asked him.

"Yeah, he is currently in a business meeting with Inui-san, you know how it goes" Sojiro replied.

"Wow, first James, then Akako, and then you! Wow, I'm so glad I get to meet my old friends here in my country" Sang-ah smilingly remarked. "Although technically I still didn't get to meet James. And it is now more difficult to meet him since he is a big celebrity now" she added.

"Akako-chan is here in Seoul too?" Sojiro acted a little surprised and as if he doesn't know that Akako went to South Korea.

"Yeah, she came here last August to find a work.." Sang-ah told him, and a small smile appeared on Sojiro's face as he finally tracked down Akako. "But she went back to Japan just before New Year~" Sang-ah added.

"Oh.. uh, why?" Sojiro's smile instantly disappeared after finding out that Akako left South Korea and went back to Japan.

"She said that her mother is getting more sick because she misses her eldest daughter. So Akako had no choice but go back and abandon her dreams of working here~" Sang-ah explained.

"Oh.." Sojiro's mind is racing as several things starts to pop in his mind. He is thinking whether that was really the reason, and he can't understand why Akako left South Korea all of a sudden. Things just get more complicated. But at the very least, they now know where is Akako.

"Anyway, would you like to get something to eat? We can catch up over dinner?" Sang-ah invited him.

"S-sure, I would love too~" Sojiro smiled.

.

"Too bad it didn't work out for Akako and James~ they used to be a cute couple. But Akako got too busy that she doesn't have time for their relationship. She needed to work and take care of her mother~" Sang-ah remarked while the two of them are walking.

Sojiro frowns, and he gets very confused. He doesn't know how to react because what Sang-ah had just said is completely different from what really happened. And then, he realizes that maybe Sang-ah doesn't know what really happened between Akako and James in Kyoto. Maybe Akako lied to Sang-ah on why she broke up with James. That was the only logical explanation Sojiro can think of.

"Y-yeah... too bad~" Sojiro muttered.

"But then James is now in a relationship with one of the most beautiful idol. So I think everything turns out great, well at least for him" Sang-ah laughs.

"Well, he deserves it. He is a great person~" Sojiro commented.

"Yup! He is a very wonderful person. I think that's why Irene fell in love to him, or what us Reveluv says, that's why he managed tame our Queen Irene~" Sang-ah laughingly said.

"What? haha" Sojiro can't help but to laugh.

"Because Irene had that cold image, or man-hater, or have a brick heart towards men,.. Well, you get the idea, fans are saying crazy stuff, haha. But what I meant is that after Irene met James, we can feel that our leader became a very warm person.. because of him, or at least only to him. Then when they became a couple, Irene is now always have that beautiful aura and she is now always smiling~~" Sang-ah explained. It turns out, she is a fan of Red Velvet and that is why she knows about Irene and James. At least from the point of view of the fans.

"Yah, you should get off the internet every once in a while. You are turning to a crazy fangirl~" Sojiro laughingly mocks her.

"Wow, you're still very mean to me even after 4 years.." Sang-ah frowns and acts like she is going to punch him.

"Irene noona is not like that when I met her. She is very sweet, kind and.. lively~" Sojiro said to her.

"YOU MET IRENE?!?!" Sang-ah yelled and her eyes grew big.

"Haha yeah, I met her the last time I was here. I went here for a vacation and Kuroba-san, I mean James let me stay in his place" Sojiro explained.

"Wait... don't tell me you met some of his celebrity friends as well?!?!" Sang-ah is getting more excited, and probably freaking out.

"Yeah~" Sojiro can't stop giggling at Sang-ah's reaction. He finds it nice meeting an old friend.

..

..

..

..

It is already past 10pm in the evening when James just got to his condo. It is a very tiring yet wonderful day. James still having a little hangover on meeting BoA, and it seems like the Queen of Kpop is the new addition in his celebrity friends list. James is walking in the hallway heading to his condo while humming to one of his favourite songs of BoA..

"♫Aishiatte tsutaeatte. Motto soba de kanjitai no. Love letter from my heart. Love letter for your smile. Uchiagetai kon--- Eh?! " James stopped hum singing when he got in front of his condo. He saw that there's a faint of light coming out from the bottom of the front door. "Did I forgot to turn off the lights this morning?" James wonders and he immediately opens the door.

.

.

"Annyeong~" a beautiful woman welcomes him with a very warm smile.

"Eh? Ho-- wh--what are you doing here? I thought we are suppose to see each other tomorrow?" James is very surprised to see his girlfriend. He is not expecting to see her tonight, he thought they are going to see other tomorrow. But he is very happy regardless. And just like every time Irene sees James, she is cutely walking towards him with her arms widespread like a baby asking for a hug. This cute action of Irene never fails to put a smile on James' face.

"To surprise you. I miss youuu~~" Irene tightly and warmly hugs her boyfriend. "Aigoo~ I miss you too~" James reciprocates the hug.

"Noona, annyeong~" James smilingly greets Red Velvet's manager.

"Annyeong!~ James, mianhae if we barged in to your place. We thought you're already home, then since no one is answering the door we figured you are still in the taping of the show. Then Irene said we can wait for you inside since she have access. Mianhae~" the manager explained and apologized.

"Ani, don't worry noona, it's okay. You guys are always welcome here" James smilingly said to her. "Mianhae, BoA noona invited me to have dinner with her and Heechul hyung" James told them the reason why he got home late.

"Oh, BoA-ssi was the guest today? I thought it's for next week" the manager chuckles.

"Hey, why you have two big bags?" James asked Irene when he saw that she brings two huge bags with her. "Huh.. are you leaving Red Velvet?" James jokingly said. "Ani~" Irene pinches him.

"Haha, actually I suggested that she should left some of her clothes and other things here, so she won't have to bring a lot of things every time she go here. Then as you can see she loves the idea.. she bring a lot of her things~" the manager explained.

"Aniyo~ only the things I need" Irene cutely whined. She is still clinging to her boyfriend like a baby koala. "I hope that's fine with you?" Irene looked up to James.

"Oh.. uh, yeah definitely. I love that~" James smiled at her. He was actually quite surprised that their relationship is moving in a relevant pace, like a normal couple, or maybe it is rather in a fast pace. This is another step in their relationship because it now looks like they are sort of living together. James is also surprised to the fact that they are allowing Irene to do that. But then, James is just happy because he is in a happy and healthy relationship.

"Anyway I should be going now, it's getting quite late" the manager says goodbye to the couple.

"Noona, would like to stay for a while? I can cook dinner for all of us~" James politely invites the manager.

"Oh, gomawo~ but I have to decline. My mother is waiting for me to buy some of her medicines and a hot pot of dumpling soup. Plus I miss my bed, haha" the manager giggles and she politely declines the invitation, "Beside we already ate dinner before we got here" she added.

"Araseo~ have a safe drive noona" James smiled at her.

"Oh, by the way can I talk to you for a minute outside the hall?" the manager asked him. "Sure~" James excuses himself and follows the manager outside.

.

.

"Yes noona?" James is curious why the manager wants to talk to him in private.

"Uh, I have some kind of favor to ask.." the manager is thinking of a simple way to say it to James.

"Of course noona~"

"Uh... I know you guys are in a relationship and you guys love each other very much. And this is the first time that the two of you will spend the night together, just the two of you. I understand everything since I've been there. But uh.... can you guys please don't do... the uh... the thing.... you know....." the manager is actually getting shy that she cannot even say it straight to James.

James lagged a little and trying to figure out what the manager is trying to say to him, then seconds later... "OH!~ ahhh.. don't worry noona, I understand! I-I promise!" he starts to blush a little.

"It's not like we're forbidding it, plus we don't have the right to forbid it anyway. But we can't afford Irene to get.... you know. Or if it can't be helped, I want you guys to be very very very careful~" the manager tells him their concern.

"Ye-yes noona! I completely understand don't worry. Plus to make you worry less, we kinda talked about it before and we both agreed that there's a right time... you know, for that. You can trust me noona~" James gives an assurance that nothing like would happen .

"Gomawo~" the manager smiled a sigh of relief and she bows to James. She then says goodbye to him before leaving.

James went back inside his condo to see his girlfriend sitting quietly in the living room waiting for him. He just stood there smiling and quietly watching at his girlfriend. It's already been months and a lot of things had happened but he still somehow cannot believe that his girlfriend is Irene.

"So shall we make a place for your clothes in my closet?" James said while walking towards the living room.

"Oh, what did unnie told you?" Irene curiously asked what they talked about outside. She had no idea that James had been standing there and watching her for quite some time.

"Uh, nothing~" James just give her a smile.

"What is it?" Irene really wanted to know.

"Nothing~" James giggles and he is about to pick up one of the bags but Irene blocks his hand.

"Come on, tell me pleaseee~" Irene cutely pouts as she begs.

"Araseo~" James really can't resist when Irene starts acting cute. "Uh, noona told me that... we can't sleep together".

"Eh? but why not? I want to cuddle you while sleeping. I don't want to sleep in the couch alone.." Irene replied, and she didn't completely understood what James is saying.

"Ani~ hahaha" James just laugh at his cute girlfriend. "I mean is that we can't sleep together... you know.." James tries again but Irene is just looking at him with a confused look. He had no other choice but to tell it straight so she can understand...

"It means that we can't have sex. It means I can't throw you in to the bed and piledrive you into oblivion.." James did tell it straight, and it is not filtered... at all.

Irene is just standing there with her eyes wide open and blushing really hard. She never once imagined to hear those words from her boyfriend. And she never imagined that James would use those word to describe sex. It seems like she just discovered another side of James.

"Haha just kidding" James burst into laughter and smiled brightly at his blushing girlfriend. "Look at you blushing~" James giggles and teased Irene even more

"Yaaah~" Irene angrily yet cutely pouts as she started hitting James in the arms.

"I'm just kidding, mianhae~" James managed to get a hold both of Irene's arms. He then pulled Irene for a hug. "I'm just kidding~ but yeah, noona said that we can't do that. Or at least if it can't be helped, we need to be very extra careful~" James explained it while hugging Irene.

"She did say that?" Irene is a little surprised. "Yeah, she was just concern because it will greatly affect your career if I got you... pregnant" James replied.

"What did you tell her?" Irene asked.

"I told her that we already talked about it before, and that we decided to.. do it, when it's the right time" James explained.

"Araseo~" Irene just smile and tightens her hug.

"Come on, let's put your things in my room" James kissed Irene's forehead before ending their hug. He then picks up both of the bags that Irene brought. Irene followed him to the room.

..

"Can we do it later?" Irene said to him as soon as they are inside the bedroom.

"Why?" James asks,

"Can you cook something for me? I'm really hungry~" Irene cutely pouts as she hugs James.

"Eh? I thought you already had dinner?" James is getting confused.

"But it's only egg and salad. We're on a diet so I only ate small meals for the past couple of days" Irene said to him.

"Aigoo~ araseo, let's go. I'll cook anything you want" James felt bad, but then it's part of being an idol of his girlfriend. All he can do is to support her, and cook anything she wants whenever she is hungry.

"I'll be right there. I just need to take a shower.." Irene said to James just when he is about to leave the bedroom.

"Eh? Why? you smell good.." James asked.

"To freshen up,... because I might get thrown in to the bed later.." Irene smirks and winked at James.

"Eh?....." James starts to blushed and he gulped after he heard what Irene said. The tables have turned, James is now the one blushing and eyes are wide open.

"Yaaah~ I'm just kidding! I need to take a shower because we practiced all day, and I went here straight from the dance practice" Irene can't stop giggling at her boyfriend's flustered reaction.

"Ohh.. uh, c-can I join you?" James asked.

"Yah! Get out!" Irene cutely slapping James' arms while pushing him out of the room.

"Haha I was just joking~" James is laughing while trying to deflect Irene's arms.

"We can't do that too!!" Irene is actually blushing and hates herself as her mind starts imagining it.

"Araseo, how about you just leave the bathroom door open?" James asked.

"Yah!!",

James quickly sprinted away out of the bedroom, laughing. Irene is giggling at his cute yet naughty boyfriend. She then just locks the bedroom door, just in case.

"You started it James~" James is laughing at himself. He wasn't really intend to go that far, but sometimes his brain likes to think those kind of stuff out of nowhere.

James then immediately becomes busy in the kitchen as his girlfriend requested him to cook dinner. He quickly forgot all that naughty thoughts that he jokingly brought up earlier as he went full master chef mode in the kitchen. Even though he is tired as well, James doesn't care because he enjoys cooking and serving his girlfriend. All the tiredness he is feeling moments ago just disappears. The only thing in his mind is to make Irene happy.

Since James can cook fast, everything is almost ready when Irene is done taking shower. All she had to do is to sit in the table and eat the food that James cooked for her. Irene is very thankful that James is that kind of guy, she really feels like she is the luckiest girl in the world.

Irene and James had their late dinner and just talk about their day. They tried to watch a movie after that but they didn't get to finish it as both of them started to feel sleepy. They decided to call it a night. And for the first time, Irene and James are sleeping together alone, with no other people on the next room. Just like what they wanted, especially for Irene, they cuddled together in the bed under the sheets, and just waiting for the both of them to drift in to the dream world.

..

The next day, James had to wake up early because it is Saturday, which means that he needs to go to his now very popular radio show. He carefully hopped out of the bed and not to wake up his girlfriend. He actually wakes up way early than the usual so that he can cook breakfast in case Irene wakes up when he is still in the radio show. In order not to disturb Irene, James used the bathroom in the guest room, and also cooked Irene's breakfast as quiet as possible in the kitchen.

When everything is done and he is ready to leave, James gets a piece of paper and write a note for Irene, in case she wakes up before he went back home. James enters his bedroom again and saw that Irene is sleeping peacefully. He walks quietly to the nightstand and slipped the note under Irene's phone so she can easily find it. James smile while watching his girlfriend sleeping, he then pulls up the sheets so she won't get cold and brushed some of Irene's that is covering her beautiful face.

"Saranghae~" James smiles as he watches Irene sleeping peacefully for a couple of seconds before he leans in to kiss her in the forehead.

James stood up and quietly walking out of the bedroom. Just when he is about to close the door, he heard something..

"Jagi~" Irene is calling and looking for James as she can't feel him beside her. That forehead kiss actually enough to wake her up. James quickly walks back inside to go to his girlfriend.

"I'm here.. sshhhh.. go back to sleep~" James is talking to her in a low voice.

"Where are you going?" Irene asked while rubbing her sleepy eyes as she is not fully awake.

"I have to go to the radio show. But don't worry I'll be back immediately, promise. You're very tired so go back to sleep, araseo?"James brushes  Irene's hair.

"Araseo, please go back home immediately~" Irene said in her very sleepy yet cute voice. She grabbed James' hand and pressed it against her cheeks, feeling the warmth of his hand.

"Promise~ saranghae~" James gives Irene a goodbye kiss to the lips before tucking her in back to her sleep.

James leaves for his weekend morning radio show. Even though he is still a bit tired with a little sleep, and no food in his stomach, he is very lively this morning than usual. James just have a lot of reasons to be happy. While James is in his radio show, Irene obediently followed what her boyfriend told her. She goes back to sleep smiling, and excited to wake up a couple of hours later when her boyfriend comes back. She just cuddle and hugged James' pillow because it has his smell in it.

..

Couple of hours later, just like what he promised, James immediately go back home as he is very excited that he gets to spend the whole day with Irene. And again the next day since fortunately their scheduled synced and they both have free time over the weekend. When James got back to his condo, Irene is still sleeping peacefully in his bedroom. He uses the allotted time to cook more food for breakfast while he waits for his girlfriend to wake up.

While James is cooking his special toast sandwich that Irene really loves, he finds it a little too quiet in the kitchen, so he gets his phone and selects one playlist out from the dozens he had. He can't use his speakers since it will be loud, so he just plays a music on his phone. James is bobbing his head a little while singing along to the songs quietly,..

"♫ So don't you worry your pretty little mind.

People throw rocks at things that shine

And life makes love look hard.

The stakes are high.., the water's rough. But this love is ours~♫"

James is singing quietly while strumming the spatula as if it is a guitar. All while he waits for the cheese inside the toast sandwich to melt. After a couple of seconds he heard the door of his bedroom opens, and just seconds later..

"Jagiyaaaa~~" Irene walks out of the bedroom and to the kitchen like a toddler looking for her mother in the morning. With her messy hair and sleep eyes, Irene walking towards her boyfriend to greet him.

"Mianhae, did I wake you up? was the music too loud?" James apologized. He then lowers the heat in the stove and took off his apron.

Irene didn't say a word, she just shakes her head greeted James with soft and warm morning hug.

"Aigoo~" James giggled and kissed the top of Irene's head. "What the hell.... how can you still be very beautiful even though you just woke up? that's unfair~" James giggles as she brushes Irene's hair. He can't help but to compliment his girlfriend's beautiful face even she just woke up.

"Have a seat. I'm making the toast sandwich you like~" James said to her. Irene stopped hugging him and she gestured that she need to go brush her teeth first.

"Araseo~" James pinches Irene's cheek before he went back to finish toasting the sandwich. Meanwhile, Irene quickly went back to the bedroom to brush her teeth in the bathroom inside.

James went to the living room and connects his phone to the speaker. Irene is awake now so he can now play a music loud. He just continue the same playlist and it is now in the next song. He also turns up the volume so that it won't be too quite inside his condo. He then went back to the kitchen to get all the food and quickly prepared the table while Irene is doing her stuff.

"♫ Oh, I'm scared to see the ending
Why are we pretending this is nothing?
I'd tell you I miss you, but I don't know how
I never heard silence quite this looouuud♫♫~~"

"♫ Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room
And we're not speaking
And I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me? Yeah
I don't know what to say
Since a twist of fate, when it all broke down
And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now♫~"

While preparing the table and putting the plates, utensils and other stuff, this time, James is singing along to the song that is playing louder than earlier, and he is feeling it. Especially the whole 2nd pre-chorus of the song. What James didn't know is that Irene is already done and she is standing just outside of the bedroom, taking a video of him singing. She is smiling while recording her boyfriend having a little concert in the kitchen. Irene can't help it, she always take picture or record a video of everything that James do that she finds cute. And this one in particular is now her favourite. Irene stop recording just when the song ended, and luckily James is too busy preparing the table and her favourite morning beverage that he didn't notice that she is recording.

"Wahh~~" Irene happily claps her hands the moment she saw that James cooked all of her favourite breakfast food, from James' own recipe.

"bon appétit~" James smiled at her. "Gomawo~" Irene hugged James tightly before giving him a kiss.

"Come on, have a seat~ Eat as much as you want so you can regain energy" James assists Irene to her seat.

"Were you singing Taylor Swift's songs?" Irene smilingly asked. And James' Taylor Swift's playlist continue to play in the background.

"Yeah~ uh.. don't judge me, but I like her songs~" James shyly laughs. "Not all, but most of them" he added.

"Ani~ I like her songs too~" Irene replied. "You are so cute singing along to her songs~" Irene cutely giggles

"Eh? haha.. aniya~" James just laugh as he sits beside Irene.

"You are, look~" Irene brings out her phone and played the video she recorded secretly earlier.

"Wh-... yaaah~~" James instantly blushed and got embarrassed little after seeing himself in the video.

"See, you are so cute~~" Irene cutely giggles while showing the video. "Don't show it to anyone" James said to her while trying to reach for Irene's phone.

"Why not? you are so cute" Irene replied and she can't stop giggling while trying to move away her phone from James' reach. "Look at the other things that I took. You were cute in all of these~" Irene finally showed all of the photos and videos she took secretly.

"Wha..." James is in disbelief by the amount of photos and videos that Irene secretly recorded in her phone of him doing just.. random things.

"Mianhae~ are you mad?" Irene cutely pouts as she leans in to hug James.

"Ani~.. I'm just.... b-but why?" James is wondering why Irene secretly took those photos and videos of him. He continue to look at each photos and videos in Irene's phone, and it is very confusing for him because he doesn't understand majority of what's happening in the photos.

"I just find it cute~" Irene told him.

"But what's going on in here? It's just my back~" James asked about one specific photo.

"That was on our first official date. That was the time you saved our first date by cooking dinner for me.." Irene explained. "..then this was when you were tying my shoelaces in our first time walking at Han Riverside as a couple. Then this was the time when you were helping Yeri on that puzzle game she can't solve. Then this was the time you were teaching Joy how to make onigiris..." Irene swipes through the photos and explained each one of them to James.

"Ohh..." James starts to blush as he finds it too adorable and sweet that Irene treasured those simple things. He never thought that those simple things matters a lot to her. He is just speechless.

"Saranghae~" James just hugged Irene. He doesn't have any words to say as it just shows that Irene really loves him very much than he could ever imagine.

"You're not mad?" Irene asked, "I'm not.. I'm grateful~" James smiled and kissed Irene.

The two them then started eating their breakfast. Irene is just so happy and enjoying every food that her loving and caring boyfriend cooked for her. She wishes that it could be like this everyday. James wishes for the same thing, all he can feel is pure happiness every time he is with her.

After breakfast, James is going to be busy again in the kitchen because Seiichi and the others are coming for lunch in his condo. James invited to come over for lunch instead of eating in an expensive restaurant. Of course Seiichi prefers it because it will be more private, and he wanted to see James' condo.

..

..

..

..

Couple of hours later, at Incheon International Airport...

Seiichi, Inui-san and Sojiro are waiting in the private area near the runway where they are waiting for Makoto-sama and Daigo who are on board in the Okiya private jet. Even in South Korea, the Okiyas have power and influence as they can rent a hangar in Incheon International Airport for their private jet, easily. Even though Seiichi and Inui-san are the ones present in most of the business meetings and other large transactions, every big companies around the world, especially in countries around Asia, everyone knows the name Okiya Makoto. At such a young age, he already almost doubled the riches of the Okiya Group after his father, Okiya Kiyonaga, died in a tragic car accident 3 years ago, and leaving the entire Okiya Group in his hands. This is why every company have a high respect for Okiya Makoto.

"Right on time~" Sojiro saw that the Okiya private is about to land in the runway of Incheon International Airport.

"I hope Shusuke and Irene-san wouldn't mind us having lunch with them.." Inui-san remarked while getting ready to meet the head of the Okiya Group.

"Don't worry Inui-san, he's the one who invited us so I'm sure it's fine with them. Plus it's only for lunch.." Seiichi said to him.

About minute later, a private plane that have rose-gold color covering its tail with a family crest in it, stops just about 20 metres in front of the convoy. Seiichi, Inui-san, Sojiro, and the rest of the private guards of the Okiya family are waiting for the doors of the plane to open. A couple of seconds later, the flight attendants of the Okiya Group opens the door and gives way for the passengers onboard. First one to exit the plane is Shuichi Daigo, one of the trusted bodyguards of the Okiya family. Seconds after him is the head of the Okiya Group, Okiya Makoto. He exit the plane with a smile in his face as he is excited to visit Seoul and to see James. But then there's a person behind Makoto-sama who walks out of the private jet that no one expected. Seiichi, Inui-san and Sojiro were all shocked to see that person with Makoto-sama.

"Oh fuck-...." Sojiro's eyes grew big and his limbs start to tremble in fear.

..

..

..

..

Meanwhile..

"♫She wears high heels. I wear sneakers.
She's Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers.
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time♫~~"

"♫If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along so, why can't you see?
You belong with meeee~~
Standing by and waiting at your backdoor
All this time how could you not know, baby?
You belong with me, you belong with me♫~~"

Irene and James are singing together and having their own little concert in the kitchen while they are cooking. James is actually just humming as he is just listening to Irene singing and technically having her cover of Taylor Swift's song You Belong With Me. James enjoys every second of it, he almost can't even focus on cooking because of Irene's cute and soft voice. That is now his favourite cover of that song.

Irene and James are doing one of their favourite bonding time together, cooking. Irene's cooking skills actually improved a lot because of James. She keeps taking down notes and watch carefully James' cooking every time she is helping him. She then applying it on her own and started cooking more for her members.

"Why you didn't prepare any Japanese dishes for them?" Irene asked while she is busy cooking japchae.

"I want them to try and experience Korean dishes while they're here. Plus Makoto-sama loves trying different kinds of food for the first time, so I think he will enjoy everything~" James explained while he is busy with the seolleongtang (ox bone soup). "Here, how's the taste?" James gets a spoon and let Irene taste the seolleongtang.

"Mmmmhh!!.. it's delicious. Did you add anything? It taste better than the last time" Irene is quite surprised that James already delicious cooking keeps getting better every time.

"I tried something new with the simmering of the ox bones. I boiled it for a whole day the other day, then I put it in the fridge yesterday, and now I added more seasoning to the broth" James explained what he tried to experiment with that dish. "Is it really good?" James asked again to confirm.

"It is, jinjja!" Irene starts to get hungry again and she wanted to just get bowl of rice and eat it with seolleongtang.

"Oh, thank god. I was nervous how it will turn out" James let out a sigh of relief.

All of a sudden James' phone started ringing. Irene went to the living room to get James' phone..

"Sojiro, annyeong~" Irene picks up the call from Sojiro.

"Oh noona, annyeong~" Sojiro didn't expect that Irene will pick up the call.

"James is in the kitchen cooking, hold on.." Irene said to him and she quickly runs back to the kitchen. "Sojiro, here I put you on speaker..." Irene said while holding the phone in front of James.

"Gomawo noona~" Sojiro thanked her.

"Hey, what's up? you guys are on the way here now?" James speaks to Sojiro while finishing the seolleongtang.

"Yes, but... I-I have something to tell you. And you have to prepare yourself.." Sojiro's voice is a little shaky as he warns James.

"Wait, what's going on?" James turns off the stove as he is getting confused and a little worried about what Sojiro is trying to say. He gets the phone from Irene, meanwhile Irene is standing there, also starting to worry.

"Chifuyu-sama is coming.." Sojiro said it in a rather nervous tone.

"WHAT?!?!?! C-Ch-Chi... Chi-sama?!?!" James eyes grew big and it send chills to his spine after he heard that name.

"Yes! She came here with Makoto-sama. All of us are not expecting her to come here.. we're all shocked to see her! She's in the car behind us, and we will probably there in 15 minutes.." Sojiro told him.

"Oh shit!!" James ended the call and tossed his phone to the kitchen counter. He then rushed to the living room and starts.... cleaning every area of his condo.

"Wait, what's going on? Who's Chifuyu-sama?" Irene follows James to the living room. She is very confused why James is panicking.

"She is Makoto-sama's wife.." James quickly fixed the pillows in the sofa and he runs to the kitchen and gets the vacuum cleaner in one of the cabinets.

"Okay... but why are you panicking? and why are you cleaning all of sudden? You have nothing to clean" Irene laughs a little because her boyfriend is cleaning an already very clean condo.

"This is not enough for Chichi-sama.. and you need to know that she is a..... very very,. veeerryy scary person. She is the scariest woman you will ever meet. That woman is a bitch.. I mean a witch, she's a witch. A very scary witch. She is the Queen of the witches. Even Godzilla would have shit in his radioactive ass if he look straight into Chichi-sama's eyes!" James is actually getting chills after knowing that Chifuyu-sama is coming.

Irene frowns a little and she is holding her laughter because that just sound absurd. More so, she is just curious why her boyfriend is very scared of that woman. Irene witnessed James standing his ground and ready to face those douchebag trespassers who tried to ruin the basketball game before. She knows what happened in Shinjuku where James bravely confronts those pervert thugs who tried to hit on Minji and Yeonhee. She also knows the two separate occasions that happened in the USA where James, Larry and Frank runs into some dangerous trouble. And yet none of those events scared the hell out of James as much as that woman did.

Irene just laugh and went back to the kitchen to prepare the food while James is cleaning every single spot in his condo. She thinks that her boyfriend is just overreacting and probably just messing around. After that she hop in the shower to take a bath and put on beautiful casual outfit since they are going to have guests. James did the same after he made sure that everything in his condo is squeaky clean.

..

Several minutes later their guests finally arrives. James asked Irene to stand beside him facing the front door and keeping a couple of feet away. Irene is cutely suppressing her laughs while holding James' shaking hand as they just stood there looking at the front door. Seconds later the front door beeps, which means someone entered the security code.

Sojiro uses his thumb print to unlock the door since his thumb print is still registered. Sojiro steps back and let the others to enter the condo first. He is also sweating nervously as he doesn't know how the reunion of James and Chifuyu-sama would be.

"Anneyonghaseyo~" James and Irene bows as they welcome their guests.

"Hey!! Annyeong Irene noona~" Seiichi greeted the couple with a huge smile.

"Shu!!" Makoto shouted out of excitement to see James. "Oh, Irene-san, nice to see you again~" Makoto wasn't informed by Seiichi or Sojiro that Irene would be here as well, but then he is happy to see her as well.

"Hello, Makoto-sama~" Irene bows to him. "Don't worry, I will study Korean so we can easily communicate, hehe~" Makoto felt a little bad that he didn't learn how to speak Korean. He technically didn't have to because it was Seiichi and Inui-san who did most of the foreign business transactions.

"Shu-kun.."

James trembles when he finally heard that voice again. He starts to sweat profusely even though the weather is still cold.

"Chi-sama~" James instinctively did a very polite 90 degrees bow. Seiichi, Makoto-sama, Inui-san and Daigo are laughing a little at James. They can't believe that James is still scared of Chifuyu-sama after all these years.

Meanwhile Irene politely bows and greets Chifuyu-sama as well. After that, she can't take her eyes of her because she is nowhere near how James describes her. She is very beautiful and elegant.

"Annyeonghaseyo Irene-ssi~ nice to finally meet you.." Chifuyu-sama greeted Irene with a warm smile. Irene is quite surprised that she can speak Korean. "Yup, she can speak Korean but I don't, haha" Makoto-sama laughingly said after he saw that surprised look on Irene.

"Mianhae, I wasn't able to meet you last year in Nara. I was in Tokyo for my third trimester" Chifuyu-sama explained why she wasn't present in the reunion in Nara. "I-It's okay.. Chifuyu-sama~ I'm glad I got to meet you now~" Irene smilingly replied.

Irene just got more confused because she can't understand how her boyfriend is scared of that beautiful woman. All Irene can see is that Chifuyu-sama have a cute smile with dimples on her cheeks, and she also have a very beautiful eye smile. Overall, she looks like a very kind and warm person, completely different on how James describes her.

"How is James as a boyfriend? does he respects you? is he taking care of you?" Chifuyu-sama walks over towards Irene and she smilingly asked while also holding her hands.

"N-ne~" Irene shyly replied.

"Good~" Chifuyu-sama smiled brightly at Irene. She then moves her eyes to the side and glared at James. Her beautiful eye smile disappears as it turns into a very sharp and scary gaze. James actually took a step back after Chifuyu-sama looked at him that way. It all happen in split second that no even Irene fails to notice, even though she is standing right in front of her. Chifuyu-sama's beautiful eye smile appeared again as quickly as it disappears seconds ago.

"Uh, C-C-..Chi-sama~ the table is ready. W-we cooked korean dishes for you try while you're here in S-Seoul.." James said to her. It is obvious in his voice that he is nervous.

"Arigatou, Shu-kun~" Chifuyu-sama smiled and pinches James cheeks. "Kamsahamnida Irene-ssi~" she then thanked Irene for cooking lunch for them.

"Oh nice! I'm hungry!" Makoto-sama is excited to try the korean dishes that James and Irene prepared for them.

"This way Makoto-sama.." James and Irene ushered their guests to the dining table.

"Hey calm your ass! She won't have to kill you anymore~" Seiichi laughingly told him while patting his shoulder, he then went to follow his older brother and sister-in-law in the dining table. "Haha just relax~" Inui-san is laughing at him also as he walks passed by him.

"Shusuke! Nice to see you again~" Daigo smiled at him.

"Sensei! Nice to see you also!" James bows to him. "Haha stop that, come on~" Daigo didn't want a respectful bow, he wants a hug from one of his former students. James just smile and hug him.

"Oh, Sensei, I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Bae Joohyun or Irene~" James introduced his girlfriend to Daigo.

"Nice to meet you, Irene-san~" Daigo can't speak Korean so he just greets Irene in Japanese.

"Nice to meet you too~" Irene can at least say that in Japanese. Daigo smiled and bows to Irene before he head to the dining table.

..

"Uh.. Daigo hyung used to teach me a little Karate and Judo before. That's why I called him Sensei" James explained to Irene.

"Jinjja? you know martial arts?" Irene is surprised to know that. "Ani, just a little, only the basics. I'm only like on the 2nd level. Sojiro learned everything up to like uh... 10th level. Plus, it's kinda required because I'm always with Natsuki-chan before, so I also have to protect her in case of emergency" James explained further.

"So how you doing?" Sojiro walks towards James to check on him.

"My knees are shaking" James nervously laughs. "Me too~" Sojiro giggles.

"Why are you guys so scared of Chifuyu-sama? She is very sweet and lovely person.." Irene laughingly said, she still doesn't understand why James and Sojiro are scared of Chifuyu-sama.

"Noona, don't be fooled by that. She's very scary.." Sojiro said to her, and James noddingly agrees. "Her name fits her, Chifuyu means thousand winters.. she is a very cold person" James added.

"Eh? What do you guys mean? She is not scary at all. She have a beautiful smile, she's like an angel~" Irene remarked.

"An angel?! yeah, so is the devil~" James replied.

Irene almost burst into laughter but she managed to hold it a little. "Yah~ don't be so mean.." she slapped James shoulders.

"Anyway, let's serve the food~" James said to Irene and they head to the kitchen to get the main dishes. "I'll help you guys, I don't want to sit in the table with her" Sojiro whispered as he follows the couple to the kitchen.

..

As Irene expected, everyone loves every food that they served. Makoto-sama, Inui-san and Daigo really enjoyed the seolleongtang. Seiichi loves the taste of haemul pajeon. As for Chifuyu-sama, she loves the sundubu-jjigae. And for Sojiro, he can't really eat, he just eat a small portion of japchae.

Nothing happens over the lunch as Irene is expecting that she may somehow find out why James is scared of Chifuyu. Instead, Irene got interviewed by Chifuyu-sama as she is interested how they become a couple. Just like what she did in Nara before, Irene tells the story of how she met James and how they become a couple in the end. Chifuyu-sama loves the story of what happened in Daegu, especially. Although she is a little disappointed that James was such a dumbass for making Irene wait for him to confess and to finally ask her out. And then when they are now having desserts, Chifuyu-sama is now sharing stories to Irene about her boyfriend. James and Sojiro is now getting more nervous and... starting to feel embarrassed.

"So I wasn't so surprised that he became a comedian, because he always has been funny and loves to goof around. But even though he is playful, everyone loves him because he always made everyone smile. He also very kind and respects everyone..." Chifuyu-sama is smiling while telling some stories to Irene. ".. Seiichi, James and Sojiro are a handful back then. When the three of them got together, it's almost always a disaster because they do a lot of stupid stuff.." she added. Irene is smiling and laughing at the stories that Chifuyu-sama is telling her, she just loves hearing more stories about James. Irene just love listening to Chifuyu-sama because is a very warm person, and she feels like she is talking to an older sister.

"Seiichi and James are jokester, they love to just fool around with everyone. But the James and Sojiro tandem in particular are the naughtiest..." Chifuyu-sama had that evil grin in her face.

James and Sojiro's eyes grew big and their face starts to to turn red because they know that Chifuyu-sama is going to reveal that incident. James reaches and holds Irene's hand, as he shyly looks away trying not to have eye contact with Chifuyu-sama. Sojiro just look down to his plate of japchae. Makoto-sama, Seiichi, Inui-san, and Daigo suddenly started laughing as they also knew that Chifuyu-sama is now going to that story. Irene just giggle as she is confused why everyone started laughing.

"Irene-ssi, I know that you are curious why James is very scared of me, the same goes with Sojiro, even though he used to be a thug. Irene-ssi, do you want to know why?" Chifuyu-sama can't help but to laugh a little because it looks like James and Sojiro just wanted to vanish in to the air. "Ne~" Irene nods, she really wanted to know the truth.

"Okay, here it goes. To start, I studied in Canada for 3 years. Then when I came back to Japan I wanted to see Makoto because I missed him so much. So I visit him in Nara. When I got there, I have no idea that the Okiya family have two new members, that's James and Sojiro. Then on that night....." Chifuyu-sama can't help but to laugh at James and Sojiro's reactions while she is telling the story. Sojiro is still looking down at his plate but he is also covering his face with his hand. James' face is now bright red as he just leans to Irene and hid his face behind her shoulders. Irene put her hand on James' head and softly caress it, at the same time she is smiling as she likes where the story is heading to.

"On that night.. I was taking a warm and relaxing bath. But then, I forgot to lock the bathroom door. And moments later, there goes James and Sojiro, carrying a basket of new bath towels, they were putting new ones. After I heard their voices, I got surprised and started screaming. I also.... started to beat them up while yelling 'perverts', since they just entered the bathroom and saw my naked body. So yeah, I swiftly kicked them in their.. manhood. Then when they are on the bathroom floor in pain... they said some embarrassing words to me. Sojiro said 'learn how to shave your pussy, you witch', and James said, 'yeah, people could have camp under there'. So I beat them up even more".

Everyone is laughing hard because that is still one of the funniest events that happened in the Okiya household. Irene can't help it but laugh a little loud. James felt so embarrassed that he just buries his face behind Irene's shoulders.

"I-In my defense.. Chifuyu-sama was wearing that black facial mask thingy.. that's why I called her.. w-witch" Sojiro's face is all red as he explains himself. "We were in so much pain, t-that's why those words just came out of our mouth. We didn't mean too..." James explains himself as well but he is still hiding behind Irene.

"That reason why James and Sojiro are scared of Chichi-sama is because for like a month after that, Chichi-sama is beating the hell out of them every time she sees them. She was really embarrassed and mad about those words. It only stopped when Sumiko-chan asked them to make peace with each other.." Inui-san explained it further for Irene to understand.

"I also felt bad because it got to the point that even Natsuki-chan had stepped in to defend James and Sojiro. She bravely stand between us and spread her arms to block and prevent me to come closer to them. It broke my heart when I saw tears on Natsuki-chan's face as she angrily stare at me. I knew that if she could... she would definitely yelled at me that time. That's when I realized that I've gone too far...." Chifuyu-sama got a little emotional when she remembers that time. Up until today, she still regrets going too far. Everyone got quiet for a few second but they all have a smile on their face as they really miss the gem of the Okiya family. "But don't worry, I made peace with Natsuki-chan and we became friends again. I promised her that I won't hurt James and Sojiro ever again~" Chifuyu-sama smilingly added while she is touching the rose-gold pin that Natsuki gave to her.

"Well it wasn't just Natsuki who were crying that time..." Seiichi said while he has that smirk, also tyring to break the silence.

"Wh... hey... I wasn't crying!!" James flipped on his bestfriend. And Seiichi is just laughing his ass off.

"Then what? is that eye sweat?" Inui-san is laughing as well.

"I-It's just one tear. I dislocated my shoulder, and it h-hurts~" James get embarrassed and he went back hiding behind Irene's shoulder. Irene is just giggling every time his boyfriend cutely hid behind her shoulders.

"Irene noona, just in case you are wondering how Chichi onee-san managed to beat the two of them. Well, she was a former National Karate Champion since junior high school and she was undefeated with her 116 matches. Her nickname was Queen of Winters because of her cold chilly stare at her opponents, and also because of her name, Chifuyu, which means thousand winters" Seiichi explained.

"Eh? Jinjja? wahh.." Irene literally had goosebumps after hearing that because Chifuyu's appearance is like a gentle, well-mannered and elegant woman.

"Haha I was only undefeated in Japan, my record internationally was 25-1. So my total record is 141-1. Actually the girl who defeated me is a Korean" Chifuyu-sama smilingly explained.

"oohh~ but unnie that was still very impressive!" Irene is amazed that someone as beautiful and elegant as Chifuyu can be a Karate Champion. "Gomawo~" Chifuyu-sama shyly giggles.

"I need to find that woman..." James mutters.

"What?" Chifuyu-sama looked at him.

"Nothing~" James quickly hides behind Irene again. Everyone in the table burst into laughter. Sojiro holds in his laughter because he is afraid that it might come off as disrespectful.

"Anyway, Irene-ssi.." Chifuyu-sama suddenly stood up from her seat and bows to Irene, ".. I sincerely apologize that I used to beat up your boyfriend, and for the reason why he had a little trauma... towards me. I learned from my mistakes and I really, really regret it. I hope you can forgive me~".

"Eh? unnie, gwenchana, gwenchana~ It's in the past. You don't have to.." Irene is getting a little shy because Chifuyu-sama is apologizing to her.

"Don't worry, I made a promise to Sumiko-sama and Natsuki-chan to never hurt them again, instead I will protect them" Chifuyu-sama said to her.

"I need protection from you.." James mutters. "Yah, stop it!" Irene pinches him. "Oow! Chi-sama, I'm good. Here's my protection... from you~" James laughingly hides behind Irene again.

"What about Sojiro? Who's going to protect him?" Seiichi teasingly asked. "Oh, should we call her?" James smirks while looking at Sojiro.

"Oh, that's right. I heard that you met a girl here.." Chifuyu-sama looked at Sojiro with a smirk as well.

"Wha... huh?" Sojiro is now blushing and he is taken aback when the two bestfriends suddenly teasing him, and now everyone is ganging up on him. James and Seiichi are laughing their asses off as they successfully throw Sojiro under the spotlight.

The lunch goes on for another 30 minutes because everyone interested about the only girl that catches Sojiro's attention. While everyone's attention is at Sojiro, the two bestfriends are quietly planning something. Irene is trying to stop herself from laughing because she heard what James and Seiichi are planning. She wanted to stop them and help Sojiro out, but she is more interested to see the James and Seiichi's plan.

..

After that, Makoto-sama decided to bring up and talk about the main reason why they came to Seoul. He decided to do it now because he thinks that it will be better since Irene is already there, and she probably need to know about it too. Makoto-sama asked Daigo to bring out the papers that contains all the information they managed to gather. James is getting a little nervous as he has no idea what it is about, but he knows that it must be very important since Makoto-sama even went to Seoul just to talk about in person.

"Shu, have a look at these papers. Just take your time and don't be afraid to ask anything.." Makoto-sama handed the documents to James as they all gathered in the living room.

Sitting beside James is Irene, and she is also reading and looking at each paper in front of them. The two of them quietly looked at each documents, taking their time for all the information to sink into them. Everybody else are just standing there as they wait for James and Irene to finish all the documents they gathered. All of them have that worried expression as they are concern how James would react after finding out the truth.

All of them got more worried when Irene gasped after seeing on of the photos attached in one of the paper. And right after that..

"Tomoe-san..." James mutters in a rather sad tone. He cannot believe when he saw the current situation of Kirihara Tomoe.

"Is she...?" Irene sadly frowns as if she is about to cry after seeing that photo.

"Yes, she's Akako's mother.." James looked at the other photos, in which only makes him sad.

Irene doesn't want to look at the photos anymore because it will only makes her cry. James put his arm around Irene to hug her. "It's okay~" he is rubbing her back.

After a few more look at the papers, James put aside the documents. He is just staring at the floor while processing everything in his mind. Everyone remains quiet and they just wait for James to process all the information, and to accept the truth.

"So... that was the truth?" James looked at his bestfriend.

"I'm afraid so..." Seiichi carefully replied. James nodded a little as he looks at the floor again.

"Well, at least it all makes sense now.." James remarked. He now understand why Akako did that.

"But what she did.... is still not acceptable" Seiichi commented. "Yeah, but she had no other choice" James nods.

They are all just watching James, trying to read his reaction. But they can't see anything because James isn't showing much reaction or emotion.

"How's Tomoe-san? Is she... still alive?" James asked them.

"Yes, but as you can see she is not in a good condition.." Seiichi replied.

"Shu-kun, are you okay?" Chifuyu-sama asked worriedly.

"Yes, Chi-sama..." James nods and give a weak smile.

"I know it's not sufficient. We need to talk to Akako about it, but we can't find her.." Seiichi said to him. "But I managed to find Sang-ah, and she told me that Akako went back to Japan, so she will probably in Kyoto right now with her mother and sister" Sojiro told him.

"Do you guys think we still have time to help them? I hate seeing Tomoe-san in that condition.." James is very worried about Kirihara Tomoe after finding out her condition for the past couple of years.

"I'm not sure, but I think we have enough time. Weeks ago I made a donation anonymously, and paid for Tomoe-san's medical bills for the next 3 months. I also sent one of our doctors to examine her, I'm just waiting for the results.." Makoto-sama replied.

James let out a small sigh of relief, "Arigatou Makoto-sama~".

James noticed that Irene has been holding his hand tightly, and she is shaking a little. He then hugs Irene, letting her know that everything is okay. Even though she hated her, Irene wants to help Akako too after finding out the truth.

All of them discussed it for another 40 minutes. Mostly on what they can do to help while they are still searching for Akako. Everyone still hates Akako for what she did, but as a loving daughter who will do anything for her sick mother, all they want to do is to help her.

Before they leave, Makoto-sama and Chifuyu-sama also apologized to both James and Irene for bringing up that problem out of nowhere, and for also disturbing them on their free day. James and Irene said that it's okay and that it is better to discuss it as early as possible so they can come up with a plan on how to help Akako and her sick mother.

..

About 20 minutes later after the Okiyas left..

"Jagiya~~" Irene cutely calls her boyfriend before hugging him from the back as he is now washing the dishes.

"Yes?" James giggles as he turn his head around to kiss his girlfriend on the top of her head.

"Gwenchana?" Irene asked.

"Yes, don't worry. I'm just worried about Tomoe-san" James smilingly replied. "Me too.." Irene whispered while hugging him more tightly. James then put the dishes down and turns off the faucet before he turns to face Irene and hugs her, "Gomawo~".

"For what?" Irene asked.

"Hmm... for everything?" James smilingly said.

"Eh? wha... haha" Irene cutely burst out laughing as she finds it a little out of place.

"You know what I mean.." James smiled and pokes Irene's nose.

"Saranghae~" Irene smile as she looks straight into James eyes.

James didn't respond with words, instead he let his lips express how much he loves her. James went in for a deep passionate kiss. Expressing how much he loves Irene through his kiss. Irene is starting to get lost in the sweetness of James' lips as she slowly put her arms around his neck, pulling him in to deepen the kiss.

After about a minute of deep passionate kiss, James put both of his hands on Irene's small waist and lift her up to the kitchen counter. Irene squealed a little when James suddenly lifts her up. The two of them briefly stopped from kissing and they are just leaning their foreheads to each other's. Both of them are giggling and smiling while caressing each other's face. With Irene now sitting in the kitchen counter, they are now on the same eye level which makes it easier for them to enjoy each other's lips. Seconds later, they are now getting lost again in each other's sweet lips.

.

.

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To be continued...

**

I'm sorry for a very late update, TT.

But yeah, I'm still alive, hehe.

Have a nice weekend everyone, stay safe! :)