Chapter Thirteen
"Tell me again. From the start," Dae Jung said.
The two were currently out by the rooftop once again—a place they started to frequent. The sun was high up but it wasn't very hot, since it was still a little chilly out by the time of February. The vehicles down below were busily trying to get to places, but traffic made it hard to get anywhere.
"Were you not listening?" Hyejin asked him, slightly hurt that she has been rambling while Dae Jung was sitting there, on his phone. "What are you playing on your phone? It seems to be more important that what I'm saying."
"I'm just trying to ask Im Won for Yuri's number," Dae Jung replied, his eyes fixed only on the screen of his phone.
Hyejin face palmed and shook her head, marking her best friend as useless. "Yuri? Shin Yuri? Shin Yewon's sister? That Yuri? Why are you trying to get her number?"
"What? I wanted to be friends," Dae Jung answered, the corner of his lips slightly rising.
Hyejin knew what this was about. It was an obvious lie any best friend would have saw through. "You like her, don't you? When did it happen? How did you two meet?"
Dae Jung stopped typing on his phone and gave Hyejin the most believable surprised face he can muster up. "What? Me? Like Yuri? Pfft, you're out of your mind."
Hyejin crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head. "Dae Jung, you're a hopeless romantic wannabe. If you want the girl, be forward about it. Don't lie to your best friend either. I know a lot about you."
Dae Jung looked away, looking guilty. "Okay, sorry. I lied. I like Yuri. Not fully, but I feel attracted to her. Pushing that aside, what were you talking about?"
Hyejin couldn't help but sigh. "Forget it. It's useless talking to you. You have far more important things to go on with than hearing your best friend's current problem."
"Hey, that is not true," Dae Jung said in response, finally putting his phone down. Then, he held his hands up in surrender. "See? My phone's down. Not texting. My full attention is on your, Hyejin."
"Good." Hyejin readied herself to repeat the story to Dae Jung again. "It was last Tuesday when it happened."
"Two days ago?" Dae Jung smartly counted.
"Yes," Hyejin answered. "I went out with him. Like, for a simple hangout. But you know what life we're living as. We're not normal people who can hangout easily. We had to hide our faces with medical masks."
Dae Jung couldn't help but snort. "You guys... with medical masks? That makes things even more obvious. And you said he was wearing a baseball cap to complete the disguise? Wow, people must have been blind to not have notice."
"Don't be mean to them. You're saying that because you know what happened. Unlike them," Hyejin smartly told him.
Dae Jung rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Continue."
Hyejin continued, "I keep thinking about it. I keep thinking about that day."
"About the day because it was fun or because you've fallen for your idol?" Dae Jung was obviously teasing her. With that clear grin on his face, Hyejin could easily tell.
"I don't know." Hyejin was too busy thinking about it again to bother about Dae Jung teasing her. "I don't think it's because I like him. I've always liked him. I made a fanfiction about him too! Why do I keep thinking about it? Is it because it felt like I just entered my own version of a fanfiction?"
Dae Jung chuckled as he leaned closer in. "Hwan Hyejin, I think you've fallen for him."
Hyejin snapped her head towards his direction. "That's crazy talk! I've always liked him. What's the difference now?"
Dae Jung shrugged and he had an easy smile on his lips, as if he knew everything. "The difference is that you're not some fan girl right now. You're within his reach, Hwan Hyejin. And I think you're confused between admiration for an idol and sincere feelings for a person."
"What? You're saying..."
Dae Jung gave her a smile. "You guessed it. I think you've fallen for him as a person and not as an idol, Hwan Hyejin."
+ + +
Hyejin paced around her room while occasionally grabbing onto her hair, thinking about how crazy that sounded. Dae Jung said she had fallen for him, but why did it feel so different than the feelings she was used to? What happened to the screaming? The shaking? The heart-fluttering moments when she saw him on her laptop screen?
It was all different now. It wasn't like before where she somehow hoped he would notice her, or look her way once when she attended their concert. No, she had all of his attention now. And that somehow changes everything.
Tomorrow, Hyejin would attend a lunch planned by SEVENTEEN's manager, as to what she has heard. Not only that, she would be meeting up with the rest of SEVENTEEN. That meant of all the members, and not only Dino.
Why?
She was still trying to figure that out just as well.
Oh, come on! It'd be fun! Don't you want to me the hyungs?
Dino had texted that one night to Hyejin.
Obviously, as a fangirl by heart, it was an obvious yes. However, she hesitated. How could she face Dino when she still wasn't sure what was going on in her heart? It was confusing—almost as confusing as watching a BTS M/V.
Yeah, sure. She replied then. When is it? Where? Give me all the details.
Maybe she should have backed out when she still had the chance to. It was becoming all too real. She was actually going to meet SEVENTEEN, the group she was unhealthily obsessed with that when she wrote a fanfiction about them, it became a surprising hit everywhere in South Korea—maybe even abroad, as Waenji Publishing Company did mention something about translating the story in different languages.
She would see the members's faces in person, not in screenshots kept in her phone. She would see them move around and talk, not like she usually does behind her laptop screen. She would have conversations with them—real ones, not like the ones she has in her head or written on her laptop in her stories.
This was happening. This wasn't some dream. Even if it was, Hyejin wishes she would never wake up from it. After all, everything good comes to an end, eventually. She wondered where the end would come or how it would come.
It was already close to ten and Hyejin wanted to sleep so she could prepare for tomorrow. But the thought of tomorrow made her feel anxious, causing her to stay awake in bed while staring into the jet black room, most likely at the ceiling.
Her heart was troubling her because Hyejin still hadn't figured out her true feelings. Whether or not she sincerely liked him as a person and not some fan, she still didn't know. Dae Jung mentioned it before, telling her the answer to her question but she still couldn't believe him.
No, I couldn't have, Hyejin repeated in her mind. The blankets under her were clutched in her hands as she continued to bite her lower lip, rethinking about every single detail of the supposedly date.
Then again, Hyejin wondered what would have happened if she went out of that boundary? The line that separated the feelings for an idol as a fan and the feelings for a normal person—over the whole idol gig—as, well, another normal person.
Maybe Hyejin was only confused. After all, it hasn't been long since everything happened. Over time, she knows she'll finally find the answers she's been searching for.
+ + +
Today was the day.
Hyejin was feeling nervous, as it was obviously normal to be. She was meeting SEVENTEEN, for goodness's sake! It was a big deal for a Carat like her. An even bigger deal to a person who might possibly have fallen for one of the members.
As she was preparing her outfits, her phone started ringing and playing a familiar ringtone—Beautiful by SEVENTEEN. When she walked closer to her phone, she noticed who was calling and swiped answer before putting it out on loud speaker.
"There must be a really good reason as to why you're calling, I'm hoping?" Hyejin said as she sorted out her clothes once again. What could she wear that would give a good first impression to SEVENTEEN?
"Just checking up on you," Dae Jung answered back, almost teasingly. "How are the sorting of emotions going?"
Hyejin let out a groan before she shook her head, though she knew he wouldn't be able to see it. "That is none of your concern, Dae Jung."
"Just checking," he repeated.
"Go check on your love life. How's Yuri?" Hyejin was still sorting out her clothing. She wasn't exactly fashionable and her clothes mostly consisted of loose sweaters and t-shirts that went over tight jeans or leggings. She didn't have much, and most of her clothing she has already worn repeatedly.
"We've been chatting lately," he reported back almost shyly.
Hyejin stopped from sorting through her clothing to let out a grin Dae Jung couldn't see. "So quickly? I'm hoping to hear good news?"
"Ha... ha..." Dae Jung sarcastically laughed on the other end. "I can't. She's taken. Remember Nam Ryehyuk?"
"The handsome baseball player from our school?" Hyejin clarified.
"Come on, he's not that handsome..."
The grin on Hyejin's face widened as she teased Dae Jung on the other line, "Someone's jealous. It's okay, Dae Jung. There are plenty of others girl in South Korea. If I meet a decent one, I could probably introduce them to you."
"Will you really do that?" Dae Jung asked, sounding hopeful.
"Mm-hmm," Hyejin answered. "Promise. In fact, I'm going to meet K-Tigers tomorrow. I'm sure there will be a lot of potential girls there. How about Jo Minji? She's pretty."
"Wait, hold on. K-Tigers? You're going to meet them?" Dae Jung repeated in disbelief.
Hyejin had already sorted out her outfit for today and it wasn't anything special. It was just a plain white long sleeves shirt with black strips going over it horizontally over some denim overall skirt which she miraculously found in her closet. She had to admit, it was okay looking.
"That's what my manager said," Hyejin answered. She could never forget her cute white sneakers she fancies the most. As for her hair, she tied it into a high ponytail, so it complimented her see-through bangs well.
"Oh, mai gat! What kind of person..." Dae Jung trailed off, leaving his sentence hanging. From what Hyejin heard, it sounded like he was about to have some mental breakdown. "Okay, I have a famous best friend who meets celebrities like it's not big deal."
"It still kind of is a big deal for me. Have you seen me fangirl over K-Tigers? Kang Gunwoo is our age, and he's there traveling around the world, showcasing his amazing talent and making other girls drool. I'm still unsure about him breaking up with his girlfriend and everything," Hyejin said over the phone.
"Some said they broke up."
"His girlfriend left and... did they really break up? They might meet secretly, without anyone knowing or it would be remained a secret within the K-Tigers dojo walls. You'll never know." After all, Hyejin was once in a stage where she fantasized about Gunwoo and only Gunwoo. Of course, that was before she met SEVENTEEN. She was still guilty of fangirling over Yongung, though. And Byun Hyunmin. Hyejin remembered hearing about some show he went on. Produce 101? Was that the name of it?
"We will never know." Dae Jung ended it at that.
"I have to go now, Dae. Call you whenever, okay?" Hyejin said, finally walking up to her phone. It was placed on her desk, a place where she calls her 'workplace' since her laptop was also placed there.
"Wait, do you have another appointment?"
"Not really. Will talk to you soon, okay? Bye!" Before Dae Jung could utter a protest, Hyejin tapped the 'end call' button before she placed her phone inside her black sling back. Checking her reflection one last time in the full length mirror, she left to meet SEVENTEEN.
+ + +
They were having lunch at a barbecue restaurant that was privately booked for two hours. Hyejin has never eaten with celebrities before—minus the date she had with Dino last Tuesday—so she was really nervous. What should she do?
Hyejin found their manager waiting outside the entrance of the place Dino had texted her and he smiled warmly before extending a hand out. "It's nice to finally meet you, Hwan Hyejin. I have heard a lot about you. I would also like to thank you for increasing their popularity a lot more."
Hyejin was somehow reminded of her father. The way he was so warm and friendly, just like her dad. Hyejin smiled back before shaking her head. "Ah, no. It's not entirely because of me they became more popular. They just have that it potential that draws everyone."
"Even so, I thank you." SEVENTEEN's manager suddenly took a bow, making Hyejin even more flustered.
"No, no. Please, it's not—It's really okay. Please? Stop bowing for a moment, I—"
"Hyejin! You're here!" A familiar voice was heard nearby. Since the two were standing in front of the stairs that would lead to the second floor of the building—which was where the restaurant was located—it came from somewhere higher up.
Although, anyone could have made a lucky guess and guessed it right. There was only one member who knew her, and that was Lee Chan. "Hi... there."
"Oh, hyung. Why are you bowing at her?" Dino then noticed his manager bowing at her.
"I was showing my deep gratitude and thanks," his manager answered before standing straight again. "Come, let's head upstairs. I'm sure the boys are excited to see you."
While his manager took the lead, Hyejin slightly tugged the sleeve of Dino's shirt to pull him back slightly. She whispered, "I'm still nervous."
"Of what? Seeing the hyungs?" Dino asked back before he let out a silly smile. "You don't have to be. We're just as we are, Hyejin. You watch us on broadcasts and TV shows and interviews, don't you?"
Hyejin shyly nodded back.
"We still act the same, Hwan Hyejin. There's nothing to be worried about. Now, come. The others are waiting for you." Dino held the entrance glass door open for her, like the gentleman he was.
Or maybe it was something he learned from Jisoo, Hyejin thought.
Hyejin's eyes were mostly kept down, afraid to make eye contact with the others. She could already hear them loudly chattering with one another. Claps were heard as well as laughs. Then, she heard it—their voices. To be more specific, Seokmin, Seungkwan and Soonyoung's voices. Oh, and Seungcheol.
Hyejin stopped in her track, right as she was so close to wherever they were. Probably a party room they booked. Her heart was beating heavily and she was nothing but a nervous mess. How could she act normal without embarrassing herself in front of the group she loves?
A warmth of a hand was placed behind her back, acting like a comforting thing for her. She recollected her thoughts and finally calmed down. When she turned around, her eyes were met with Dino as he smiles back.
"Nervous again?" He caught her red-handed. "I told you, there's nothing to be nervous over. Seriously, we're just boys. We go on TV, sing, dance and rap. We're on TV shows and music shows but at the end of the day, we are just sons of our parents."
Hyejin found herself smiling. She liked the way he constantly reminded her that he was only normal—that he was also from her world. The world that he 'graduated' out of. But to her, it seemed like he was still living in that world from before. Before he debuted and became someone important in Hyejin's fangirl life.
Dino then holds his palm out and smiled at Hyejin.
Hyejin looked at him with a confused face, wondering what exactly was he doing.
"Hold my hand. We can enter together. That way, you'll be less nervous."
Hyejin paused, rethinking about this. When else would she be able to hold her idol's hand? Maybe not anytime soon while he's still offering it. So she took his hand and held it tight, and it acted like a warmth, comfy comforter for her. She was less nervous now.
But as she neared the door of the party room, her heart paused before it started and took off once again. She could clearly hear the deep laugh of Wonwoo, the member she fancied just as much as Dino. She also loved Hoshi and Woozi. And there was also Jeonghan. But, let's all face it. She was in love with all of the members.
The door finally pushed open and Hyejin looked inside, only to meet all of the boys's eyes. They blinked before they all started to politely bow at her. Hyejin returned the greeting, feeling overwhelmed to see them in person. To see them this close.
Take my fangirl heart already. This is all too much. Who told them to be even more handsome in person? I wasn't seeing them from 1080p on YouTube anymore. This must be a dream... a really good one.
"This is Hwan Hyejin?" Seokmin asked with an excited eye-smile.
Yes, I am. Now say that while singing. I love your voice.
Hyejin was trying her hardest to contain her feels, but she kept smiling from ear to ear. The members looked at her with awe, as if she was a cute kitten that found itself in front of SEVENTEEN's dorm.
"She's so cute!" Mingyu said, coming closer. "Hi there! Hwan Hyejin, right? You're a '01 liner, right?"
Hyejin slowly looked down at her white sneakers, lightly nodding. "Y-yes."
Why are you so tall? You make me feel like I'm six, not sixteen. But I love you anyway, even if you give your members secret snots and gifts during broadcasts.
"She's probably around Jihoon's height!" Jun said out of surprise, eyes widening.
How are you Chinese? Your Korean is so good. I love you too, Jun. Why are you so handsome? Why do you keep wrecking my bias list?
"Ah, n-no. I'm much shorter," Hyejin quickly answered back.
Before she knew it, Jihoon stood next to her to check their heights. They were't that far off, but Hyejin was shorter. She only reached his eyebrows, much to Jihoon's happiness.
You cute little boy. How are you five years older than me? How are you so manly when you look so cute?
Seungcheol was the next one who squeezed himself through the large group to take a look at Hyejin. He looked at her like she was his little sister. He laughed before saying, "She's so cute! This is the girl who wrote that fanfiction and turned famous?"
Continue to protect and lead SEVENTEEN well, S.Coups. We all love you. Don't get stressed. Because you're the root to their everything.
"Yes," Dino, who was still standing next to Hyejin and holding her hand tightly—because he refused to let it go—answered. He smiled at his older one. "Hyung, isn't it amazing? She's younger than me by two years, but look at her achievements!"
"It sure is amazing," Wonwoo voiced out. Then he laughed with his deep laughter once again.
Why are you so attractive, Wonwoo? Your voice draws me in. The way you crinkle your nose when you laugh... Stop it, Wonwoo.
"So, you're Hwan Hyejin?" the ever-so-loud Seungkwan asked, coming closer. "Adorable! You're just three years younger than me, right?"
Hyejin slowly nodded.
And why is your happiness so contagious? Gosh.
Hyejin spent the entire hour and a half with the rest of SEVENTEEN, slowly getting to know them. She never thought something so scripted—something most likely only to happen in a fanfiction—would happen to her in reality.
I'm friends with SEVENTEEN, she repeated in her head, smiling like an idiot.
It was just like she has seen on TV and videos on the internet. They were just as noisy and playful. Only that they did this more leisurely compared to when they're on camera. Hyejin could sense that they were sometimes pressured and tired, but they still had to work hard. She saw it in their eyes.
"Having fun?" Dino, who sat next to her, whispered with a smile.
It was noisy and he was barely audible to her. "What?"
Dino repeated with an even louder voice, "Having fun?"
Hyejin finally heard him and nodded. "It seems like a dream still. Tell me I'm not actually dreaming."
"You aren't, don't worry," Dino assured and held their gaze to prolong it a little longer. Hyejin would originally be flustered, but she wasn't. She was, instead, captivated by his eyes.
She has probably stared into those set of eyes a million of times, watching him on her phone or laptop's screen. But it wasn't the same. Nothing was ever the same after she had became the famous fanfiction author of Seoul—the entire of South Korea, even.
They clearly weren't the same set of eyes. At this very moment, there was a big difference. Dino wasn't staring at some camera anymore. No, they were instead staring into her own pair of eyes, prolonging the seconds as long as possible.
You've fallen for him as a person and not as an idol, Hwan Hyejin, she heard Dae Jung's voice echo in her head.
He was right. Right at this very moment, staring right into Dino's eyes, she felt all the puzzle pieces that were scattered finally find its place. Then, she found her clear answer after hopelessly searching around.
There, in your eyes, I found a place I belong. And in your heart, I hope there will be space for me.
~Author's Notes~
Surprised to see an update from me after so long? ;)
My laptop still works guys! It's the screen that completely cracked. I can barely see ANYTHING on it. I had to connect my laptop to my TV screen with a HDMI cable and I'm telling you, it's not easy. I won't be updating as often again because actually having to set my laptop up with my TV again takes a long time and it's hard to edit like this. I just wanted to do it today because I owe all you lovely Kimichies an update. I'm also guilty of loving this story too much that I nearly couldn't handle NOT updating. Heh.
Hopefully my dad gets me a new laptop soon so I can resume normal updating schedules! (Pfft, as if I ever had one in the first place HAHAHA!) Thank you for always being patient. I hope you guys can be patient once again. Also, thank you for reading and not giving up on this story. Sorry for a long author's notes as well. I love you all.