Invisible Moon
Chapter 13
The Hidden Moon
"The invisible moon was actually shining brightly behind the clouds."
#WINisWIND
I was still in a blur after talking with P'In on the phone. I only snapped out of my short trance when P'In sent me a string of messages informing me his exact location and that he would be waiting.
P'In : (Location map)
P'In : 7th floor.
P'In : Call when arrive, I'll get you
Although he sent me short messages, I could feel some warmth in them. Even though I didn't know why he told me to go and see him, it seemed like he did care about me. He was worried that I would be lost, so he sent me a map, and he would come and get me when I arrived.
The Mineral Wales shopping mall wasn't that far from my university. It was only around three stations by sky train. Plus, I only needed to walk for 10 minutes to the train station, so it was easy to get there.
On my way, I realised that I was paying more attention than usual to the UNISTAR advertisements around me. UNISTAR had actually been around in Thailand for a few years, but it was the first time that I was really interested in them. So for once, I actually noticed them more than I did before.
When the train arrived, I saw a mobile phone advertisement released by MW Electronics, featuring UNISTAR as its ambassadors. As I boarded the train, I saw advertisements for UNISTAR's latest fashion collection and noticed that the passengers were talking about UNISTAR. Someone standing beside me was also watching UNISTAR SHOWTIME! on her cell phone while someone on another side was scrolling through UNISTAR's Twitter.
"Ahhh, P'In is extremely handsome in this photo!"
I heard a group of female students mentioning P'In. I couldn't stop myself from leaning in to peek. They were looking at a UNISTAR photobook, which might have cost them thousands of baht.
P'In was indeed handsome in every photo, I thought. Again, I must thank my invisibility trait because I was able to sneak around and find out all that I wanted to know without anyone noticing.
"I bought three boxes of coconut milk jelly for my mom. Every menu in this pastry shop is delicious." A group of women near me was talking.
I was startled when I heard 'coconut milk'. I was just feeling hungry and thinking about coconut milk jelly. It was as if they read my mind.
"My kid studies at international school"
I was startled again when I heard the word 'IN'. Wait, it was 'international', not P'In.
"Right now almost every airline can check-in online."
I suddenly turned around when I heard 'IN', again. This time, it was 'check-in', not P'In either.
"This company's internet was so damn slow."
"Tomorrow I'll travel to Indonesia."
"I don't like using Instagram."
"Have you received your invoice yet?"
"I love listening to indie music."
"Yesterday, I watched a documentary about the Inca empire."
"Oh no!" I held my temple. What was wrong with me? Why was I so sensitive to the word 'IN' today? They weren't even referring to P'In, but I kept hearing them. What was happening?
When I arrived at my destination, I took the exit that was connected to the mall's entrance. I saw some college students trying to raise funds to help children in rural areas get access to education. I immediately thought of P'In. If it was P'In, he would put money into the donation box without hesitation.
So I did. I donated twenty baht. Even though I was way too invisible for someone to notice, I was happy, so happy that I could do good things like P'In always did.
When I entered the mall, I saw a bakery shop selling coconut cakes. I unconsciously paused and glanced at them for a while. I shook my head when I realised what I did. I didn't come here to eat. I came here to see P'In.
I got into the glass elevator and pressed the button for the 7th floor. Each floor button was labelled with its occupant. For instance, the 6th floor was a theatre and the 7th floor was a photography studio that outsiders could rent, but was mostly occupied by MW media works.
As I reached the 7th floor, I could see a reception desk and a few security guards. Although I was fading enough to sneak in without being noticed, I couldn't be invisible on the CCTV anyway. The only thing left to do was to call P'In, and inform him that I had arrived.
P'In answered my call in a few seconds.
"Arrived?"
"Krub. I am on the 7th floor now."
"Okay, a moment."
After he hung up, I just waited while looking around. This place was very well decorated.
"Win."
A familiar voice attracted me. It was the first time that P'In had called me by my nickname. It made my heart flutter, and when I finally saw P'In, my heart started to beat faster in my chest.
P'In was wearing our university uniform just like me, but in addition, he looked amazing with his makeup and hair done. Apparently, he had a photoshoot.
My only thought right now was — Damn! P'In was extremely handsome!
"May I take him in? Only half an hour." P'In told the receptionist who was still looking at P'In with shining eyes. She nodded, visibly distraught. She probably didn't even hear what P'In said anyway, just focusing on his angelic face.
After the permission was granted, P'In turned to me and beckoned me to follow him.
"Come here."
"Yes?" I was a little dazed, but still followed him.
As I walked past other studios, I could see the staff were busy setting up the set, the lights and the cameras. P'In led the way to a dressing room which was labelled with 'For UNISTAR members' on its door.
My body tensed up as I followed him in, thinking that I might bump into other UNISTAR members. I was nervous because I didn't know how I would introduce myself to them. Luckily, there was no one here.
"Wait here." P'In instructed me, as emotionless as always.
I nodded obediently, and sat down in front of the vanity mirror.
I was left alone in the room once P'In stepped out. I decided to observe the room as I had nothing to do. It was indeed the UNISTAR's dressing room. If I didn't work at the MW company or have a buddy-code family who was a UNISTAR member, I would never get the chance to enter this room.
The room was big. There was plenty of hair setting equipment and various accessories. The rails were full of clothes hanging, each rail had a name tag like 'Leo', 'Sea', 'Wayu', 'Natee', and 'In'.
It didn't take long before the door opened again. I saw P'In come back with another guy, who was fashionably dressed, his eyes scanning me, as if trying to assess me.
"So this is the boy that you mentioned, right?"
When he mentioned me, I raised my hands to pay respect, he greeted me with a smile.
"Yeah." P'In nodded.
"Well, may I look closer?"
Then, he pulled the chair and sat in front of me. P'In also came closer.
"Stay still, little boy."
That guy slightly brushed away my bangs with his hand, lifted my chin a little, looking at my face from different angles, and pondering.
I only froze, too nervous to react.
"This boy isn't bad at all. Pull up the bangs a little, cut some hair and set a proper hairstyle. He'll look awesome!"
I was blinking, as I had no idea what he was talking about.
"Are you okay with that?" P'In asked me.
"Uhhh, what do I need to do?" I decided to ask.
"N'In haven't told you yet?" This guy looked a bit surprised.
"Oh, right." P'In just realised. "I'm sorry."
"That's alright." This guy wasn't worried about it. He then explained it to me.
"I'm an MW hairstylist. Today, the UNISTARs had just finished a commercial shoot. I have other work to do, but N'In asked me for a favour to help his junior change his hairstyle. Well, that's you."
"What? Me?" I pointed at myself.
"Yep! I usually won't do this for outsiders. I agreed because my little handsome N'In pleaded for my help. We've been working together for years and N'In has never asked me to do anything for himself. He must really want to help you. How could I refuse such a sweet request? So let me style your hair for you. Please stay still."
After that, he took all the hairdressing equipment and a cape. I turned to P'In and saw that he was also looking at me at the same time.
"Thank you so much, P'In." I was both grateful and indebted to P'In.
P'In just nodded back.
Soon after, the dressing room was filled with echoes of scissors and hair spray. I sat still as the hairstylist cut my hair. It's been a month since my last haircut. Normally, I would just go to the local barbershop near my house. I had never tried having a professional hairstylist cut my hair before. Obviously because it was too expensive.
It took a while, but not too long before the hairstylist began using a hair dryer, comb, and hair gel to style my hair. I had never tried doing this before, so I studied and memorised how he did it. I thought it was really interesting.
"All done." He took off the cape, and helped me brush away the hair on my clothes. Then, he led me to the mirror.
"Wow!" I exclaimed.
At first, I was surprised when I saw myself. As I compared my before and after look, I noticed that even though I only had a hair cut, my appearance became quite different.
I had never thought that pulling my bangs up a little and styling my hair would make me look this good.
"If you have time to do your makeup and dye your hair into a brown tone, it will definitely be perfect!" This guy suggested.
"Thank you so much." P'In raised his hand to pay respect, I followed suit.
"You're welcome. N'In is like my family. Well then, N'In, don't forget to stand by for the PR photoshoot in 20 minutes."
"Alright." He acknowledged.
The hairstylist left the room afterwards.
"P'In, you still have other work to do, don't you?"
I felt guilty for bothering him now. It seemed like P'In had just finished a UNISTAR photo shoot and was only taking a short break before another solo project. However, P'In still asked me to come during his break time.
"Yes." P'In answered dismissively. "Please sit down."
"Huh?"
At first, I was going to leave because I didn't want to disturb him any longer. However, P'In asked me to continue sitting.
"Not done yet," P'In said. He placed a black bag on the table. When he unzipped it, I saw a bunch of male cosmetic products, including cushion powder, lip tint, eyebrow pen, and so on.
P'In used wet and dry tissue from the makeup table to clean my face. When I was first touched by him, I felt a little faint and had to grab my chair and close my eyes to get a hold of myself.
When P'In picked up the cushion powder, I came to realise that P'In was going to apply makeup on me.
By the way, this set of makeup products was —
"Are these all yours?" I asked. Although male idols tend to use cosmetics, I was a little surprised that P'In carried this many cosmetic products around.
"No." He answered.
"Oh? Then whose products are these?"
Huh? Did he take somebody else's cosmetic items to do my makeup?
"Wayu's." He replied, emotionless, as he wiped my face slightly with a sponge.
Wait, what did he just say?
"What? It's P'Wayu's?" My face turned pale.
These makeup products didn't belong to P'In. In fact, P'In was using P'Wayu's stuff on me!
"Did P'Wayu lend them to you?" I suddenly asked.
"No." P'In was still applying powder on my face. As if there was nothing wrong about this.
"Huh? How did you take it?" I was seriously shocked.
If P'Wayu knew, would he be mad at me?
"It was there, I just took it."
"What? Did P'Wayu allow you to do that?" I was wondering.
As soon as I asked, I heard P'In's cell phone ringing.
P'In placed the makeup powder on the table and took his phone.
"Oh, he's calling." P'In said with a straight face.
He accepted the call and turned on the speakerphone, before nonchalantly continued to apply makeup on me.
"P'In! I can't find my makeup bag. You took my makeup bag again, didn't you?"
P'Wayu's voice was so clear on the phone.
"Yes, I did." P'In just admitted while brushing my eyebrows.
"What? P'In!!! You again?!"
Based on P'Wayu's outcry, this obviously wasn't the first time P'In had done this.
"Why don't you ask our agency? They are willing to give you complimentary items, so you don't need to borrow mine this often."
"Not that often." P'In said while moving his face closer to mine. He was concentrating on brushing my eyebrows. So I bit my lip. My heart was beating a little faster than before.
"P'In...seriously. I'm nervous now. When you finish using it, you must return it to me immediately. I need to put on makeup everyday. Otherwise, I can't go to university. I can't let my fans see my bare face! Never! What if my fans can't accept my face without makeup and change to the dog's fandom? P'In must be responsible if that happens, okay?!"
I tried to hold my laughter as I listened to P'Wayu's exaggerated venting. I believe that P'Wayu would still be handsome without makeup. It wasn't like his fans had never seen his photos before he became an idol. Anyhow, I understood how important makeup was for celebrities. Their appearance needed to be perfect from every angle wherever they were.
"Okay, I'll return when I'm back." P'In reassured him. P'Wayu hung up after he heard the reply.
I flinched when P'In applied a red lip tint on my lips. His face had no expression, but he seemed very focused. The more I watched him, the more I became distracted. So I had to turn my attention away.
When he finished, I compressed my lips a bit, and now everything was done.
"Oh my God!"
I looked at myself in the mirror. Surprised.
'Who is he?'
I thought I had changed a lot after changing my hairstyle. However, after applying makeup, I almost turned into a different person entirely.
That fading Win wasn't here anymore.
How could he turn into a super cute flower boy like this?!
This person in the mirror wasn't me!
He must be a famous idol from a boy group, but definitely not me!
I widened my eyes while looking at the mirror for quite a long time. I even pinched my cheek to confirm that I wasn't dreaming. I was even waving my hand just to make sure that this person I was looking at was actually me.
"Um...indeed invisible." P'In was standing by my side, looking at me in the mirror.
"Uh, yes." I nodded. "I'm always invisible to other people."
"Not that." P'In shook his head.
"Huh?" I was confused. "What did you mean?"
"Invisible Moon." He said, not taking his eyes off me.
I tilted my neck, dazed, and pointed to P'In.
"P'In, you're the Invisible Moon."
P'In, however, shook his head again. He pointed at me instead.
"What? Me?" I pointed at myself in confusion.
"Yes." P'In nodded.
I was about to ask what he meant by that.
Then it clicked. He seemed to be saying that...
'Invisible Moon' might be a shining moon, but it hid itself behind the clouds, like P'In — the UNISTAR.
Meanwhile,
'Invisible Moon' might also be the moon that was obscured by the fog and clouds until it became invisible.
However, when the foggy clouds were blown away, the moon that had always been unnoticed, would magically begin to shine.
Only an invisible person could see another invisible person.
Similarly.
Only the Invisible Moon could see the hidden Moon.
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