.
"I heard him saying Natsuki-chan.." Yuna told Sojiro.
"W-What did you say?!... N-N-Natsuki-chan?" Sojiro's voice stutters and his eyes grew big when he heard the name Natsuki.
"Y-yes.." Yuna and the others seems confused on Sojiro's reaction.
"Which direction did he go?? Where?!" Sojiro is grabbing both of Yuna's shoulders.
"T-that way.." Yuna points to her left.
"You guys stay here. Don't go anywhere else and wait for us. I will get him back.." Sojiro sprinted away and hurriedly went to the direction where James went.
.
"No.. no.. Kuroba-san.." Sojiro is biting his lips and running as fast as he can to catch James. He doesn't care anymore if he is bumping a couple of people as he run through the crowded street in order to get to where James is before it's too late.
.
"What's the matter?" Dara's manager asked Yuna.
"I-I have no idea oppa.." Yuna is just frozen just like most of them. All of them are just watching Sojiro running and slowly disappearing in to the crowd of people.
"Why does Sojiro looks... scared or something?" Dara remarked.
.
.
.
"Natsuki-chan..."
.
.
.
"Natsuki-chan, wait...",
James continue to chase that very familiar figure he saw. Not knowing whether it is really what he thinks it is. He is trying his best to make his way through the crowded street until he got to end of the street that leads up to the main street where there is even more people.
"Natsuki...",
James scanned the surroundings while mumbling the name Natsuki. He then lost track, wherever he looks there is no sign of where Natsuki go. James is also getting lost in the sea of people, he is not aware of his surroundings as he just continue to walk around while still looking for any traces of Natsuki. Until..
"Hey..."
Someone grabs and pulled James arm causing him to turn his body around.
.
.
.
.
About 3 hours later in Seoul..
"Yaaah.. I'm really jealous..." Chanyeol exclaims while looking at his phone as he enters the elevator with Xiumin, Kai and Sehun.
"Jealous?" Kai and the other members are looking at Chanyeol.
"James is doing a guesting with Sandara sunbaenim in Let's Eat Dinner Together.." Chanyeol replied, his members just giggles as they can hear the jealousy in Chanyeol's voice. "And look they even went out to have dinner.." Chanyeol showed the photos that James' uploaded in his SNS/IG.
"It's a group dinner, no need for you to be jealous.." Xiumin told him. He already saw the post last night.
"But he is sitting besides Sandara.. lucky bastard~" Chanyeol sadly pouts out of jealousy, "They're even tagging each other in their posts.." he added.
"Hold on... are you stalking them since last night?" Sehun chuckled.
"huh.... aniya...." Chanyeol denies, "It's not my fault that it keeps on appearing in my timeline..".
"Yeah right.." Kai giggles.
"James is very friendly and easy to get comfortable with. Probably, that's why even Sandara sunbae is now... close to him.." Xiumin remarked.
"Right~ it was also like that when we first met him. And look at now, we are bullying and making fun of each other" Kai agrees with Xiumin.
"Maybe he is targeting you also, not just Baekhyun hyung" Sehun commented and everyone else started laughing.
"Aigoo~ I hope not.." Chanyeol chuckles.
"By the way, do you guys think that there's really something going on between Irene noona and James?" Sehun suddenly asked his members.
"Well, it's hard to deny since we both know them.. but that episode speaks for itself.." Xiumin remarked.
"Yeah.. especially that 'pinning to the wall scene', oh... you can feel it~" Sehun commented.
"Haha I love how Heechul hyung puts the two of them in the spotlight all throughout the show" Chanyeol is already laughing.
"The 'Ideal Type World Cup'.. I think he really meant it. Heechul hyung did a great job on the choices.." Kai commented.
"Oh yeah yeah!!" all the other members are agreeing. "He even called Irene noona by her real name!!" Chanyeol is getting all excited. "
"Honestly I don't know why, but for a second I really thought he was going to pick Kim Go-eun" Xiumin shared to his members, "I mean we all know that Kim Go-eun is his ultimate crush, oh and Taeyeon noona also. I know he was going to pick Irene but that moment I really doubt he was going to pick Irene" he added.
"Yeah they are his ultimate crushes but James picked his 'real' crush or, should I say the one he have feelings for?" Kai smirked.
"Haha we don't know that. But based on how they act, seems like both of them have feelings for each other.." Xiumin remarked.
"What really made me think that there's something between them is when Irene noona hesitated and didn't hit James with the toy hammer.." Sehun shared his thoughts.
Chanyeol clapped his hands once because he also think of it when the first time they watched it, "Oh yeah!! Both of them are really blushing because of that. The reactions from the Brothers said it all, they also think something is happening between them. I mean did you see how she stopped halfway? Irene noona really stopped from swinging that toy hammer. She did it like this... Irene noona was-----..."
*ting*
The elevator doors opens and there standing outside are Irene and Wendy. The door opens at the right moment when Chanyeol is reenacting how Irene swings the toy hammer. The four members of EXO are in shocked, especially Chanyeol who instantly got embarrassed where he panically puts down his arms and went to the corner of the elevator biting his lips while his face turning bright red. Xiumin, Kai and Sehun are trying their best not to burst into laughter as they were biting and covering their mouth as well. Meanwhile, Irene and Wendy who clearly saw what happened was just trying to ignore it and holding their laughter also.
"Annyeonghaseyo~" Xiumin was the first one to start the awkward greetings.
"Annyeonghaseyo~" Irene and Wendy greets the four members of EXO before entering the elevator. It looks like this will be a long elevator ride as the boys saw that Irene and Wendy are also going on the same floor as them.
There's now an awkward silence in the elevator among the labelmates. . Xiumin is trying really hard to compose himself and hold his laugh. Sehun is dying and he is just hiding behind Kai who is already covering his face with both of his palms in hopes of stopping himself from laughing. While Chanyeol is still facing in the corner, he just want to disappear in to the air that time. Meanwhile, Irene and Wendy are holding each other as they're just looking down so they won't see the funny reactions and the struggles of the four EXO members from preventing themselves from laughing in the reflection of the mirrors inside the elevator. Both girls are using their hairs to hide their faces and the small laughs that is coming out from them. The labelmates are failing miserably as muffled laughter can be heard inside the elevators.
*ting*
The elevator doors opens again and it serves as a breather for the people inside the elevator. Three of their seniors is waiting for the elevator, it was Changmin, Shindong and Donghae.
"Oh~ Annyeonghaseyo~" the juniors quickly bows to greet their seniors. It was also their first time to see Donghae again since his enlistment for the military services.
"Annyeong~" the three seniors smilingly greets their juniors as they enter the elevator with them.
"Hyung wait, it's already full.." Donghae playfully makes fun of Shindong and stopping him from entering the elevator. Changmin and their juniors starts giggling.
"Yah~.. our company's elevator is big enough" Shindong pushes Donghae who is blocking the way.
"Mianhae hyung, I just missed you~" Donghae gives Shinding a hug.
"Oh, nice to see you again guys~" Donghae smiled and waved at his juniors, "By the way congrats to both of your groups, your comeback songs are real hit!" he then proudly congratulates his juniors for their success in the charts.
"Kamsahamnida~" the juniors thanked him.
"Irene-ssi.. I watched the episode.. are you and James hitting it off?" Donghae teasingly asked.
"Oh.. uh... a-ani..." Irene shyly shakes her head as she was caught off guard by Donghae's sudden question.
"aigoo.. jinjja?" Donghae doesn't believe her. "I haven't met him but from what I heard he is a really nice guy".
Irene is getting shy even more and starts blushing. She is trying to cover her blushing with her hair but it isn't enough.
"Yah.. stop it. You just got out from military and all you do is tease everyone in the company. You are making Irene uncomfortable" Shindong is scolding Donghae.
"a-aniyo.. gwenchana.." Irene said to Shindong.
"Oh.. then it is true?" , "then you guys are really dating?", that escalated quickly and now Shindong and Changmin are also teasing Irene.
Since the airing of the Red Velvet episode in Knowing Brothers, Irene have been receiving all kinds of question regarding whether if she is in a relationship with James. It is also obvious where she is getting it more, from her labelmates and S.M. staff.
"Speaking of James... have you guys heard what happened last night in Japan?" Shindong suddenly changes the topic. "I'm sure you guys knew that James is in Japan for the taping of Hodong hyung's show Let's Eat Dinner Together.." Shindong is referring to their juniors who are with them inside the elevator.
"uh.. waeyo?" Donghae asks on behalf of their juniors, who are now starting to get worried.
"I heard this from our manager who are close with Hodong's manager. Everyone in the production staff/crew including Hodong hyung and James, all of them almost got into a fight last night.. " Shindong briefly said the whole story and he heard all his juniors gasps. Shindong got a little worried when he saw Irene's reaction. "Ani.. wait... no one got hurt, thankfully".
*ting*
The elevator stopped and apparently all of them are heading in the same floor..
"What happen there? Why they almost got into a fight.." Changmin asks while everyone is getting out from the elevator and following Shindong.
"The show's production staff, the hosts, the guests,.. everyone else are having dinner when a group of Japanese guys started harassing and saying some perverted things to the two stylists of James, then of course James confronted the group of guys and pulls away the two girls. Then Hodong hyung follows James and then some of the guys from the production crew joined in as well.." Shindong is telling almost the entire story to everyone. ".. but luckily a Japanese friend of James happened to be in that place, and that friend scared those bastards away and prevent the fight from happening..".
"wow.. that's a relief. I'm glad the worst thing didn't happen.." Changmin commented.
"I called Heechul hyung this morning and he told me the same thing. Hodong hyung told him that he knows James is very angry at that moment but he was still kindly and calmly talking to those guys. Kinda what he did during the basketball game when three guys trespassed during the game.." Shindong continue to tell them more of what he heard. Xiumin, Chanyeol, Kai, Sehun, Wendy and Irene are listening carefully to him. "I admire James even more.." Shindong remarked afterwards.
"Wow, he's a pacifist. I like him!" Donghae remarked, in a rather proud tone.
"Psh.. you still have that military hangover.. just stop talking" Shindong told him and everyone laughs.
"Irene-ssi, your boyfriend is really amazing! Can't wait to meet him" Donghae laughingly said and he is back to teasing Irene again.
It was so sudden that Irene wasn't able to reply instantly, she just let out a cute small laugh and she starts blushing again.
"Ahh.. look she's blushing!!" Changmin and Donghae noticed it and they started pointing at her.
"Aniyooo~" Irene shyly and cutely whines. Wendy cannot even help her leader as she is giggling because Irene is in fact blushing. "Aniyooo~ I'm not blushing..." Irene tries to deny it but it is visible in her face.
"She denied her blushing.. but not James being her boyfriend~!! AHHHH!!!" Changmin and Donghae continue to relentlessly tease her and they are being noisy in the hallway.
.
.
.
.
Earlier in Japan..
"Hey.." Sojiro grabs a hold of him, both of his hands are grabbing James' shoulders, "Kuroba-san.. are you okay?"
"Oh... Sojiro.." James looked like he just woke up and snapped back to reality.
"What are you doing? Why are you all the way here?" Sojiro asked him.
"I-.... I was following... Natsuki-chan.." James replied, he still seem pretty much shaken.
"Natsuki-chan?" Sojiro is shocked and his eyes are trembling as one of the few things he is scared of is now happening. He then frowns and shake the emotions he is experiencing right now. "Kuroba-san... it's not Natsuki-chan. You are tired and I think you just saw someone similar to her".
James closed his eyes for a second and sighed, "Maybe you're right, I haven't got any proper sleep for the past couple of days. I'm sorry.."
"It's okay.. let's go back.." Sojiro patted James' shoulders and gives him a smile. James nodded and starts walking back to the ramen house.
"Natsuki-chan... no~" Sojiro mutters as he took a couple of seconds to look around from where he is standing.
..
James and Sojiro went back to the ramen house where the others are waiting for them. James quickly apologize to the others and Sojiro explained that there's nothing to worry about because James mistook a stranger from someone they know. All of them proceed to their plan, to the gift shop. James is now back to his senses and he is now with Dara doing a little shopping in the gift shop. Both Dara and James' team are also enjoying this time to buy things they wanted from the gift shop.
After the gift shop, they all went back to the ramen house to meet the others. James said his goodbye to Sojiro's grandfather and thanked him for reserving the ramen house for them, as well as serving them the most delicious ramen in Shinjuku. Everybody went back to their respective hotels and packed their things before heading to the airport. Sojiro went to accompany James and the others all the way to the airport.
..
"Sojiro.. thank you for coming all the way here to the airport" James said to Sojiro.
"It's the least I can do Kuroba-san.." Sojiro gives him a warm smile, ".. I wish you could stay a little longer..."
"Yeah.. I wish.. but none of these is planned. Actually I never thought I'll be back in Japan this early.." James let out a small laugh.
"Well, I'm very happy to see you again and that you are happy in your life now, Kuroba-san.." Sojiro sincerely misses the person who saved and turned his life around.
"Come here.." James gives Sojiro a goodbye hug.
After several seconds Sojiro breaks out from the hug, "Okay that's enough, I might cry and it will be embarrassing in front of your friends.." Sojiro is not so tough of a guy he is.
"Haha alright.." James chuckles then his voice suddenly changed, "Hey, stay out of trouble. You are the only family member left for your grandfather. You two only have each other so stop making him worry.."
"You said the exact same thing when you left 2 years ago.." Sojiro laughs, ".. but don't worry Kuroba-san, you only have to save my ass once to make me realize that there's much more important things in life.."
"Look at you all grown up" James giggles. "Anyway.. I'll see you around.." James now saying his goodbye to him.
"Yup, I will visit your place together with Inui-san when we go to South Korea again for business matters.." Sojiro said to him.
"Oh yeah, send my regards to Inui-san and to Okiya-sama. And for Seiichi... I know he didn't stop drinking, but please tell him to limit it to at least one bottle per day.." James said to Sojiro his messages to the others.
"I'll try but we both know he won't stop.." Sojiro and James laughs.
"Okay.. goodbye" James gives Sojiro a fist bump.
"Goodbye Kuroba-san" Sojiro smiled.
..
"Sojiro.. uh.. thank you for everything.." Yuna, Minji and Yeonhee approaches Sojiro to say their thanks and bids him goodbye.
"No problem. Kuroba-san's friends are my friends also. If you guys happen to visit Japan again in the future please visit the ramen house again, ojiisan will be delighted. Oh, and call me, I'll give you guys a tour" Sojiro said to the girls.
"Oh, that would be lovely.. thank you again. Bye~" the girls waved goodbye to him.
Sojiro watched James and his team walk inside the gates. Just before entering the gates, James looks back and waved to Sojiro, where in return he waved back to him. Seconds later James and his team are out of his sight, he really wishes that he could spend more time with him but James have a different life now. Sojiro then pulls out his phone and dials a number..
"Inui-san, are you still in Singapore?"
"Yes. What's the matter? you sound serious.."
"Something happened.. and I need to talk to you guys about this"
"Okay, I'll be back in two days. Let's meet in Nara.."
"Arigatou.." Sojiro ended the call.
He then let out a sigh and clenches his fist, "Natsuki-chan.... tch".
.
.
.
.
Back in Seoul..
James and his team are finally back to South Korea. Instead of going home, first thing James decided to do is to go straight to UAA and report what happened last night. He also made a letters of apology to both UAA and JTBC. But just like UAA, JTBC also didn't care at all about the apology when he went there later that day. Perhaps, JTBC are rather grateful that it was prevented, they also told James that what he did is reasonable and they were the victims so he had nothing to worry about.
"Oh, thank God.." Yuna let out a sigh of relief as they got out of JTBC's building.
"Gomawo noona for accompanying me.." James thanked his manager.
"No need to say thank you.. I have to know also how the management of JTBC will react" Yuna replied, "Anyway, let's get you home so you can finally get a proper rest..".
"Oh.. uh...." James actually have another things he wanted to do before going home.
Yuna smirked, "I know what it is.. haha. Come on, I will take you to their dorm..".
"What..?"
"Yah, I'm not dumb. I know how you badly want to visit your girlfriend.." Yuna giggles.
"She's not my girlfriend!! but.., thank you for the ride" James giggled as well.
.
.
.
About 30 minutes later they finally arrived at Red Velvet's dorm..
"Noona, you can go home.." James said to his manager.
Yuna just give him a smirk, "of course.. you needed more time.."
"What?! Noona you are way off!" James' voice is getting all squeaky.
"Haha, just kidding~ araseo, I'll take care of your luggage don't worry" Yuna said to him.
"Gomawo noona~ drive safe" James thanked his manager.
"Give me call when you get home" Yuna said to him before she drove off.
..
..
*ding dong*
"Noona annyeo----" James wasn't even finish and Irene throw herself to give him a warm and tight hug. James is very surprised that he doesn't know what to do. He wanted to return the warm hug but he is carrying paper bags on both hands. He tried his best to wrap his arms around Irene's small body even though it wasn't really a complete hug.
"I'm glad you're okay..." Irene's voice is muffled as she dugs her face into James' chest.
"Oh... you heard..." James let out a small laugh. Irene nodded while her face is still in his chest.
"Unnie.. who's that.... ohhhh~~" Wendy and the members smiles as they caught both of them hugging each other.
"uh...." James is panicking inside. He is blushing and everything. He quickly puts down his arms that were just wrapping around Irene seconds ago when the other members shows up. He started to freak out more when Irene is still not letting go, he is sure that Irene heard and knows that her members are now seeing her hugging him.
"Ohh.. oppa are these for us?" Yeri and Joy approaches them and gets the paper bags from him. The maknaes immediately went to the living room with all the chocolates and other snacks that James brings. Seulgi followed them when she saw that the paper bags contains a tons of different kinds of snacks.
"Uh.. uh.. y-yes..." James is now very confused. It seems like the girls doesn't care that their leader is hugging him. "What the.... did they... are they aware that Irene noona is hugging me.." James is talking to himself inside his head.
"So.. are you guys just going to be staying there?" Wendy can't help but to continue smiling at the current situation.
"Uh.. noona.." James is tapping Irene's back.
Irene then breaks the hug and she looked up to James while pouting a little, "Mianhae..."
James head and chest is about to explode now that Irene is acting cute in front of him at such close distance. He tries to look away for safety but for some reason his own body is not responding to him.
"Stay for awhile please.." Irene cutely begs. And of course there's nothing James can do to resist her cuteness. He just nods and Irene smiles as she quickly grabs his hand and drags him inside their dorm.
"uh.. so that's it? No one's going to close the door? You have a boyfriend now and these girls have... chocolates. Araseo~" Wendy cutely complains by herself as she closes the door.
..
Irene drags James in to their living room where they sat together. All of them are sitting on the living room floor. James is just sitting there all confused. He has been thinking about this for the past months but this time, Irene is now really acting like his girlfriend. Irene's attention is currently with her members as she joins them to find the most interesting chocolate in the bag, but at the same time she is sitting way too close to James, she is basically leaning her body to him. James then noticed that Irene is clinging her arm into his right arm while she is using her other arm for finding the chocolates, and her head is already leaning a little in his shoulder. His brain cannot process what is happening right now, and what's even more confusing is that Irene doesn't seem to care that her members are in there. James have nothing else to do but to sit there quietly and to remain calm, and stay alive.
Several minutes passed and James is still in the same situation. Only difference now is that he is engaging conversations with the girls while they all continue to munched the chocolates.
"Omo! this is delicious! Unnie try this.." Joy asked her members to try the small box of chocolate she just opened. "Wahh.. this is so gooood" Wendy indulged in the deliciousness of the chocolate.
"Omo~ this is really good" Irene tried it also and she loves it. "Here try this..." Irene gets another piece and puts it in front James' lips.
James got really surprised by her gesture. He slowly opens his lips and take the chocolate into his mouth. He then noticed that Irene is just looking at him, probably waiting for his comment on the taste of the chocolate..
"It... tastes like heaven.." James smilingly replied. It surely tastes like heaven when he is feeling that he is about to die now. Irene smiles and went back to get another piece for herself.
"Gomawo oppa. This chocolates are great!!" Yeri is the happiest among them.
"Chocolate is life!!~~" Wendy can't help but to shout because of the chocolates.
"Ani... Irene noona is life~" James suddenly speaks.
The girls looked at him and froze for a second before they all smirked, "oohhhh~~".
Meanwhile Irene is really flustered and she is starting to blush really hard while looking at James, her heart starts to beat fast also.
".. because life is short.." James added.
Everyone burst into laughter. Joy is now laughing and choking at the same time from the piece of chocolate she is eating. Seulgi is laughing so hard that her eyes looks like they just disappears. Wendy is rolling on the floor laughing while Yeri keeps on hitting James' arm as she was sitting beside him. "Oppa! Neomuhae!!!".
The look on Irene's face says it all, she looks destroyed and in disbelief because for a moment she thought James was about to go all romantic on her. Irene is frowning and pouting at the same time while glaring at James with disappointment, she feels betrayed.
Since Irene is still somehow clinging to his right arm after he makes fun of her height, James used his left arm to pulled Irene for a little hug, "Haha noona mianhae~ I'm just kidding".
"Hmpp.. neomuhae~~" Irene cutely said to him, in which James hug her tighter and continue to apologize for making fun of her.
"You're so mean!!" Wendy finally gets up and throws a chocolate at him.
"Noona you were just laughing seconds ago.." James laughingly retorted. ".. and why are you laughing noona, you're short too. Your high notes are higher than your height" he added.
And just like that, the girls are now lying down on the floor laughing again. Their stomachs and jaws are starting to ache from laughing. Irene also burst into laughter and now her cute yet loud laugh echoes in the room. Wendy looks destroyed but she is laughing at the same time.
"Mianhae.. mianhae~~" James immediately feels bad and he is now bowing to Wendy to apologize.
..
James spend at least an hour at Red Velvet's dorm before he finally went home. He didn't make fun of anyone else after Wendy because it wasn't really his intention. He only did that so that he can sidetracks everything he is feeling at that moment towards Irene. He figured that if he didn't do anything about it, he might have just surrenders to his true feelings. Unfortunately the cost of it is that he have to make fun of the two shortest members of Red Velvet.
.
.
The next day, James woke up like 2 in the afternoon. His body is really tired and took the opportunity to regain all the lost sleep. After that he also used this opportunity to clean his apartment, he is not a messy person so there's only a minimal cleaning to do. For dinner, James decided to go out to get some food and probably just stroll around Seoul. He then eventually ended up in Happy Seoul Club to visit some of his friends who are working there..
"Hey look who's here... it's the celebrity!" Eric teasingly greets James.
"Nice to see you too, hyung~" James sits in front of the bar.
"You lucky bastard.." Eric is smirking at him.
"Eh? what?" James chuckled.
"So the girl was Irene from Red Velvet huh.." Eric still have that smirk in his face.
"I guess you watched the show.." James said to him.
"Hey I watch your show every week do you really think hiding that Irene is your girlfriend is going to work?" Eric laughingly said.
"Thank you for supporting the show. But like what I said to my agency and what my agency is saying to all the reporters,.. she is not my girlfriend.." James told him to clear things first.
"Do you think I will believe that?" Eric laughs.
"No you won't.." James sighed.
"No I won't! So just tell me the truth.." Eric told him.
"I just did but you chose not to believe.." James replied. "Anyway, why are you alone? where's Dongwoo hyung?".
"Oh he just came in. He's changing to his work uniform" Eric replied, "Apparently, he is late because he spend the whole night, well until this afternoon with his girlfriend... well, your manager, doing you know what.." Eric added and winked.
"Oh god..." James frowned in disgusts.
"Haha why are you look so disgusted? Yuna is a beautiful woman.." Eric laughingly asked him.
"Yeah she is very beautiful, but I kinda feel uncomfortable hearing about their sex life.." James just shivers.
Eric laughed at James disgusts reaction, "haha you are just overreacting.. it's not like you have seen them doing it, come on..".
"well.."
"Hold on... did you?!?!" Eric's eyes is getting big.
"I didn't see them. I heard them.." James just wanted to delete it in his memory.
"Wha.. How?!?!" Eric can't stop giggling.
"Keep this a secret okay? Even Yuna noona and Dongwoo hyung doesn't know this" James asked Eric first and he got a nod from him. "Okay, about a week ago I borrowed Yuna noona's car for a night to uh.. not important. Anyway, so I borrowed her car then when I'm returning the car keys at her apartment.. and when I enter the apartment, that's where I heard them.... doing.... it.." James embarrassingly tells the story, and as for the other people in the bar, they are trying to stop giggling because they can't help but to hear the story. James looked at them and gives them a smile, "Sorry you all have to hear that story.." James apologized to the few people who heard it.
Eric burst out laughing, "Wait.. what are you doing in the apartment?? You weren't supposed to be in there. That is your fault".
"In my defense, Yuna noona gave a spare key because she told me they were going out that night so she asked me to just leave the car keys in her apartment" James explained himself.
"Wait wait.. what about the keys? when they saw the keys they would know you were in there? " Eric asked him while he starts preparing a drink.
"I didn't leave the keys. After I heard them doing it I got out of the apartment immediately as fast as I can. I took the car to pay parking near my apartment and return it next morning" James explained. Eric is just laughing hard at the story.
Then all of sudden Dongwoo finally arrives for his shift at the bar..
"He's here.. please don't tell anything hyung.." James whispered to Eric. "Don't worry" Eric gives him a nod.
"Annyeong Eric hyung... oh heeeyyy.." Dongwoo greets Eric before he noticed James sitting in the bar. "Come here you lucky bastard... the girl was Irene.." Dongwoo is playfully hitting James with a towel.
"How in the world Irene became your girlfriend?" Dongwoo laughingly asked.
"She is not my girlfriend" James told him.
"Just stop.. I already go with him about that and he said she is not his girlfriend.." Eric said to Dongwoo.
"But hyung what if he is just hiding it?" Dongwoo said to him.
"Let it go.. it's none of our business" Eric chuckles.
"Gomawo hyung.." James said to Eric.
"Araseo~" Dongwoo gives up.
"Here you go James..." Eric gives the drink he prepared for James.
"Hyung, I didn't order this.." James gives a confused look.
"It's on me. It is a thank you for the favor I asked last time" Eric explained.
"Oh.. gomawo hyung" James happily accepts the drink.
"What favor?" Dongwoo asked.
"Eric hyung asked me if I could get her daughter's albums signed by BTS before her birthday" James explained.
"Not just that.. James arranged it so my daughter can meet them in person" Eric happily told him.
"And you're just giving him a drink? Hyung give him a watch or something" Dongwoo laughingly told to Eric. "He rejects anything I tried to give to him" Eric explained himself.
"Haha this drink is enough" James told him.
"Hey, why your face looks swollen?" Dongwoo asked.
"Oh.. I got too much sleep. I woke up like 2 in the afternoon.." James explained.
"Really?" Dongwoo chuckled.
"Yeah.. I haven't got enough sleep for the passed couple of days" James explained further.
"Well.. I also didn't get enough sleep last night.." Dongwoo smirks and he is now starting to brag.
"Here we go..." James cleared his throat before he mutters. Some people in the bar giggles quietly. The same people who just heard the story.
Dongwoo wasn't able to hear it because he was focused on bragging, ".. I actually almost didn't make it to work because my body is really sore..".
James frowns in disgusts again, he then signals 'ssh' to the people who are trying their best not to laugh.
"Are you really going to brag about that here?" Eric asked him.
"I'm not bragging, I'm just saying.. besides these people are our regulars.." Dongwoo points at the people drinking in the bar.
"Exactly my point..." Eric warns him subtly that he should stop. But of course Dongwoo didn't listen and proceed to tell the story to Eric and James, plus the few people who can hear it. James can't even look at Dongwoo while he is bragging, all James can do is look down and shakes his head.
In the middle of the story Dongwoo noticed that James is not listening so he call him out..
"Hey.. why are you not listening?"
"Oh.. I don't feel comfortable listening to it because that is my manager...." James explained and it showed through his facial expression how unpleasant it was for him.
"Come on.. I was gentle.. haha" Dongwoo just gives him a laugh. "Okay, okay, I'll stop.. but I'm telling you, it was great. So great that I shouted in the end" he added.
Eric and James are shaking their head out of embarrassment. The people in the bar are just smiling and giggling a little.
"Hyung, do you know what I shouted in the end?" Dongwoo smirks and winked at Eric.
"Yey, 5 minutes new record!" James answered it for him.
Everyone in the bar burst into laughter that some of them even spit out their drink a little. Eric is cracking up that he almost dropped a bottle of liquor.
James stood up from his seat, "Have a wonderful night fellas.." he then raised a glass to everyone in the bar before he left the bar to go backstage and visit his fellow comedians. The people in the bar raised their glasses to him in return.
"Yah! I last longer than that!" Dongwoo yelled at James.
"Araseo~ 5 mins and 10 seconds. Ten seconds for the last ooze.." James yelled back as he walks away from the bar and that brings a huge wave of laughter to the people in the bar.
Dongwoo just stood there defeated, he have no words to throw out back at James. He now starts to get embarrassed in front of everyone in the bar, wherein a minute ago he is proudly bragging to.
"I tried to warn you.." Eric told him, ".. do you really think it is a good idea to tell it while James is sitting there listening? He's a famous comedian for a reason" he laughingly added.
"Yeah.." Dongwoo scratches his head, "but don't believe him.. I last way longer.." he is now trying to save his dignity.
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The next day..
James went to UAA for a meeting about his upcoming stand up show and for his other projects. Starting Mid-August up to the last week of September, James will be touring to a total of four countries for his stand up show. Australia, Canada, U.K. and USA. James will be going back and forth from South Korea to those countries every two weeks. The last stop of his stand up tour will be in October, also to commemorate his 1 year anniversary as a official celebrity comedian in South Korea. The date hasn't been set already but UAA wanted it to be on the on October 8 as it will be exactly one-year since James debuted as a member in Knowing Brothers. If not, it has to be the week after that or somewhere in October so it will not cause a conflict to James' other projects because starting November he will join IU in her Palette Tour Concert as a host. James cannot show enough how thankful he is that UAA worked out everything so there will be no conflict with his other projects, to name a few, such as IU's official hosts for.. basically everything, his weekly variety show Knowing Brothers and his radio show with Kim Shinyoung. In addition to that, UAA managed to get James a new project which only requires minimal effort, at least for him.
After the meeting with UAA, James' next schedule for the day is to spend the rest of the day with Song-Song couple, they kinda booked James for some important matters.
"Aaaahh.. gomawo~!!" Song Hyekyo seems very happy about James' gift to her, a bottle of high-grade Sake.
"Wahh... James this is kinda expensive and hard to get. How did you manage to get these?" Song Joongki also received a bottle.
"It was actually a last minute purchase. A friend of mine hooked me up to this well-known seller. Don't mind the price, you two have done tons of great things for me, this is the least I can do. Plus I bought a dozen so I got a discount, hehe" James explained to the couple.
"Aww.." Song Hyekyo gives him a hug, and seconds later Song Joongki hugs him also.
"Those bottles comes with a special permit, that's why I easily brought them here in Korea" James added to why those bottles are special.
"Ah, that's why. I was actually about to ask you that haha" Song Joongki chuckles.
"Anyway, let's go.. I can't wait to taste this" Song Hyekyo ask them to hurry up.
"Aigoo.. can't you at least wait till we get home? and this is a expensive one, you should at least keep it to display for a while" Song Joongki said to his fiance, but Song Hyekyo is already out of distance to hear what he said. "Oh right.. we are going to her apartment.." he then realized why his fiance is excited.
"Don't worry hyung, I got 1 more extra bottle if noona somehow managed to finish the whole bottle later" James laughingly said to the actor, "Plus, just fill it up with water and no one will know it is opened already when you put it in for display".
Song Joongki burst out laughing at his suggestion. The two of them hurriedly followed Song Hyekyo in the parking lot.
..
Several minutes later while on their way to Song Hyekyo's apartment..
"Noona.. thank you again for helping me out... again" James is sitting in the backseat while Song Hyekyo is in the passenger while Song Joongki is the one driving.
"Aigoo.. it's nothing. Besides you belong to the very few people I would like to transfer my condo to" Song Hyekyo told him.
"Don't worry noona, you can trust me.. " James said to the actress.
"I do trust you because I know how much you really earn, that's why I'm not worrying about the money haha" Song Hyekyo giggles as she jokingly said.
"Yeah, you're the only person in the world outside of the management who knows that, I mean even my parents doesn't know how much I really earn" James chuckled.
"Wait.. are you really earning much than I thought?" Song Joongki asked.
"Well hyung.. aside from the surprising residual cheque I'm getting from the stand up show I was part of in L.A. which is in Netflix. I just want to say I was surprised also too see how much I earn.." James laughingly said to him.
"Wow.. well I'm very happy for you James!" Song Joongki proudly congratulates him.
"Kamsahamnida hyung~ I hope this continue so I can buy a huge house for my family back home as soon as possible, and also to continue give you expensive Sakes or Wine.. haha" James happily replied.
"I'm looking forward to that bottles.." Song Hyekyo giggles and joyfully said to him.
"Of course you do.." Song Joongki laughed at her.
"Yah.." Song Hyekyo hit his arm then pouted.
"By the way James.. are you and Irene are in a relationship now?" Song Joongki looked at the rear-view mirror as he asked.
"Aniyo.. she's not my girlfriend" James replied.
"Jinjja? It's us James, you can trust us about your secret.." Song Joongki told him.
"Haha.. hyung, that is the truth.." James replied.
"We watched the Red Velvet episode and I saw in Irene's eyes that there is something else going on, especially when you guys are doing the 'Pin to the wall confession' thingy.." Song Hyekyo commented.
"Right right~ also when she stop herself from hitting you with the hammer, I really thought that you guys are secretly dating" Song Joongki added.
"Well.. she was just... it's hard to explain.." James doesn't even know what to say to the couple.
"Then you posted in your SNS/IG photos of you and Irene having dinner together.." Song Joongki remarked.
"I didn't post it, she did.. she just used my phone.." James explained. He just helplessly sighed that he was going through this situation again. "But it's not what it looks like, it's not a date. I just happened to promise her that I will bring her to that place because she----"
"She was jealous that you bring other girls to that place but not her, Got it!" Song Hyekyo completely cut him off.
"Wha.. noona aniyooo" James tries to deny it but Song Hyekyo is so sure about her theory.
"Oh is this the place where you had dinner with Mina, Seolhyun and Hayoung?" Song Joongki asked.
"Yes.." James replied.
"Oh yeah, she's jealous.." Song Joongki agrees with his fiance.
"Whatever.. I never win against you two.." James just gives up. The couple is just laughing at him.
"How did you manage to bring her there without attracting attention? Did you rent a cab?" Song Joongki asked.
"Ani.. I borrowed my manager's car to take her there" James explained.
"Oh.. hey, why are you still not buying your own car? You got a license now.." Song Joongki asked.
"I still searching for used car that is in good condition and affordable.." James replied.
Song Joongki let out a laugh at what James just said, "Yah.. I don't think a used-car will be great when you are taking Irene out for a date".
"Wha... hyung I'm not buying a car for that purpose" James said to him.
"Araseo~ but take my advice and buy a brand-new one or buy something that is good for your image, you are a celebrity now" Song Joongki gives him an advice.
"Yes, hyung.. I understand what you meant.." James replied.
"Wait... James why don't you buy Big Boss instead?" Song Hyekyo suddenly speaks up and suggests something that made James confuse.
"Eh? I can't buy Joongki hyung, he's yours.." James laughs.
"Ani.. I mean Big Boss, the car we used in the drama.." Song Hyekyo explained, ".. after the drama ended, the sponsors gave the car to me as a present. But I rarely use it because I already own two cars".
"That's a good idea. That car will look great on you James" Song Joongki is on-board to that idea.
"Wait noona, are you really talking about the car you guys used in the drama on the last episode?" James wants to check if he heard it right.
"Yes, that one! So what do you say?" Song Hyekyo asked him.
"Noona.. I don't know.. I'm already buying your condo. I don't think I can afford that car, it is an expensive model.." James said to her.
"Yah!.. you have a stand up tour and other big projects. With that stand up tour alone you can afford five of those~" Song Hyekyo told him.
"But noona.. isn't it too much? You already offered me your condo and now a car, and not just a normal car, it's Big Boss, Dr. Kang Moyeon's car.." James replied.
"Araseo~ let's put it this way, Big Boss is in the package when you buy my condo. It's like buy a condo get a car for free" Song Hyekyo giggles as she wisely makes on offer that James cannot actually say no to.
"Noona..."
"If I were you James, I will take it. It's a good deal plus if you use that car to go out on a dates with Irene, oh my.. you two will look good together as a celebrity couple" Song Joongki helps his fiance to make James accepts the offer.
"Araseo.." James thinks for a second before he gives up and accept the offer, ".. this is the most expensive shopping day in my life. I should've stayed at home and sleep" he mutters and the couple just laughs at him.
"You have a new project so you will have more than enough money" Song Hyekyo pointed it out.
"New project? What is it?" Song Joongki asks.
"I was hired to be a voice actor for a Korean dub of a popular anime.." James tells him about his new project.
"Wahh.. that is awesome!!" Song Joongki exclaims.
"What's even more great is that he is going to voice-over two characters" Song HyeKyo remarked.
"Jinjjayo? Two characters?" Song Joongki is amazed.
"It's not yet guaranteed for the second character, they still have to assess me for the second one. They offered it because the previous voice actor got fired.." James explained it to him.
"Wait.. what anime is it?" Song Joongki asked.
"I'm not sure if you know it hyung, but have you heard of Haikyu!!..?" James told him which anime is it.
"Yaaahhh!!! I know that!! I watched it but in Japanese subs, are they now going to make a Korean dub?" Song Joongki seems excited about that. "Which characters are you going to do a voice over?"
"I was hired to be a voice actor for Kuroo from Nekoma, then they asked if I can do Tendo's voice from Shiratorizawa. I said I'm going to try.." James explained.
"Waahhh.. that is so cool!!" Song Joongki exclaimed. "How did you got hired by the way?" he asked afterwards.
"He was doing different voices and accents in his stand up remember?" Song Hyekyo answered it for James.
"Oh yeah.." Song Joongki now gets it. "James I can't wait to watch it"
"Haha hyung you seem more excited than I do" James giggles.
..
..
Hours later James is still at Song Hyekyo's condo, which will be his in the next couple of days. James appointment today is to check the condo and to familiarize the neighborhood around it. This will be a big change in his lifestyle because he still didn't realize that he is now living a life like a celebrity, and it was happening at a very fast pace. The condo is remarkably way bigger than his current apartment, and because it is Song Hyekyo's condo, it is an elegant one. James also took Big Boss for a quick test drive with the couple.
Now that James is done 'shopping', he is now having dinner with the couple at his soon to be condo. He presented himself to cook dinner for them as a thank you for the wonderful offer. James goes full master chef mode to give the couple a wonderful meal. He even bought all the ingredients and took Big Boss with him, his soon to be car, a Hyundai Aslan model. He have to admit that it is in fact a sweet ride.
After the wonderful and undeniably luxurious meal James cooked for the couple. They are now just having a drink together in the living room, and of course they are drinking the bottle of expensive Sake. An hour later and after they almost emptied the bottle, Song Hyekyo is now drunk and starting to doze off..
"Aigoo.. I told her not to drink a lot.." Song Joongki is fixing his fiance in the sofa. After that he looked at James who is looking at the ceiling and the walls of the condo.
"Something wrong James?" Song Joongki asked him.
"Ani.. I just can't imagine myself living in a place like this.." James smiles a little.
"Well in less than a week you will find out" Song Joongki chuckled.
James sighed and laughs a little, "Everything feels like a dream. I still can't believe any of these.."
"You deserved.. all of these, James.." Song Joongki looked at him in the eyes and smiles, "You are a great son, you are a hardworking and a very kind person.." Song Joongki raised his glass for James.
"Gomawo hyung.." James raised his glass too.
..
"Yahhh... tell James... to buy my..... condo.." Song Hyekyo is cutely drunk talking again. Song Joongki and James are laughing while listening to her. ".. tell him.. he can bring Irene heeee-re.."
"James, let's have a serious talk for a minute.." Song Joongki wanted to engage a serious conversation with him. "How are the things between you and Irene?"
"To be honest hyung.. I don't think I can take it any longer.." James said to him.
"Then stop pretending that you didn't know.." Song Joongki told him.
"I really want to stop playing dumb like I don't know that she have feelings for me because... I have feelings for her too" James now finally admits for the first time that he have feelings for Irene.
"So what's stopping you?" Song Joongki asks,
"Doubts. I keep doubting if I'm the right person for her. I keep doubting if she should end up to someone like me. I mean... she is Irene.." James words that really expresses his true emotions and feelings about the subject.
"Hey.." Song Joongki stood up and sat beside James, he then looked him straight in the eyes and asks,
"Do you love her?"
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"Yes hyung, I love her.." James replied.
"Not because she is an idol.. not because she is Irene of Red Velvet.. I just... love her.." he added.
Song Joongki smiled at him and put his hand to James' shoulder, "That's all I need to hear. Go for it..."
James looked at him for a second before he smiled and nods. Song Joongki then pours them the last serving of Sake in their glasses, "Trust me.." he said, raising his glass. James raised his glass also and they drink the last serving of Sake.
"Haaaa!!! I heard it... you love heeeerrrrrr" Song Hyekyo sat up and starts drunk talking again. "I'm going to tell.... that you loveee... her.."
Song Joongki and James are laughing as they watch Song Hyekyo comes back to life and starts drunk talking again.
"Heyy... where's my phone?... I can't find it..." Song Hyekyo is looking for her phone.
"Noona it's in your hand. You are holding it.." James said to her. Apparently Song Hyekyo is using her phone as a flashlight to look for her phone. Song Joongki and James laughed while shaking their heads.
"I'm going to put her in bed.." Song Joongki stood up and gets his fiance.
"Alright hyung, I will clean the place.." James started cleaning their mess.
"Gomawo~" Song Joongki is carrying his fiance to the bedroom.
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Meanwhile..
"Are they already here?" Sojiro asked one of the servants. He just arrived at the Okiya Household.
"Yes, Inui-sama had just arrived ten minutes ago.." the servant bows to him.
"Arigatou~" Sojiro bows to the servant as well.
.
Sojiro went straight to the office by the gardens. He knocks first before entering the room.
"Inui-san.. Seiichi -sama.." Sojiro bows to them as soon as he enters the room.
There's only 3 people in the room.. Hosokawa Sojiro, head of the bodyguards. Inui Heizo, the vice-president of Okiya Group. And lastly, Okiya Seiichi, the President of Okiya Group, and James' close friend from grade school who helped him.
"Have a seat Sojiro-kun.." Seiichi smiled at Sojiro while he is opening a bottle of bourbon whiskey.
"What it is that you want to talk about?" Inui asked Sojiro.
"Kuroba-san, or James.., he went back here in Japan, he was here two days ago for a taping of a show in Shinjuku and I met him before he went back to South Korea.." Sojiro didn't take a seat, he instead starts talking.
"Oh, how was he?" Seiichi starts pouring bourbon whiskey for the three of them.
"He's doing great.. but something else happened.." Sojiro took a deep breath before continuing.
"He saw Natsuki-chan...".
Seiichi stopped pouring the bourbon whiskey in the glasses and his eyes looked up to Sojiro. Inui stood up from his seat and he have that shocked looked in his face. There is now an eerie silence in the room.
Seiichi calmly put down the bottle of bourbon whiskey and gets a glass. He then started walking slowly towards the glass door that is facing the huge garden outside of the household. Inui and Sojiro is not saying a word and not moving at all as they were just watching and waiting for Seiichi to react.
Seiichi took a sip and stares at the garden outside, "Inui-san..."
"Yes, Seiichi-sama.." Inui is waiting for what is Seiichi going to say next.
"Can you relieved Sojiro's duty for you?" Seiichi asks.
Inui understands what Seiichi meant to say, "Of course, for how long?".
"A week or two will do.." Seiichi replied.
"Understood.." Inui bowed to Seiichi.
Seiichi finally turns around to face them, "Sojiro.. you know what to do.."
"Yes! Seiichi-sama.." Sojiro bowed to Seiichi as well.
Seiichi has that expression in his face that is hard to read, almost like a blank expression.
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To be continued...