I'd like to give credit to Park Yoo Jin (o.O?) for the pic.... ^^

I never thought till this day that I’d be so grateful to hear the word ‘break’. Eun Hye is such a cold-hearted and cold-blooded choreographer, well I guess that’s what people call A-class training. I mean they don’t call it hard-core for nothing. We dancers get the worst part of it compared to the idols we work with. Well they actually get the same treatment but I can’t seem to help but feel like we dancers get tortured more. The much more unbelievable fact is that Eun Hye, the so called hard-core choreographer is my best friend.

  “Min Young-ssi!!” she yelled from across the room.

  I turned my head around to see Eun Hye coming my way with a stern look. I stuffed the last of my stuff `into my backpack and slung it over my shoulder before standing up to face Eun Hye who now stands in front of me. Her arms were crossed and her right foot kept tapping the smooth wooden dance studio floor.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “Uh . . . lunch?” I answered simply.

  “Where exactly?” she said and rolled her eyes.

  “Um . . . I was planning on going to that café up town. I’m just going to get myself a Cappuccino, sit at one of the tables and enjoy the view.”

  “You’re weird.” Eun Hye said.

  “Okay, what’s going on? What’s with the questions?”

  Eun Hye pouted and placed both hands in her pockets. Her right hand fished out something that looked like a note of some kind.

  “I made reservations at the Rainbow Room and am in need of one more person to fill in an empty seat.”

  “And you plan on making me that one more person?” I asked with both eyebrows raised.

  “Yeah,” she answered with a smile. She seemed so harmless for a moment there. Like, so pure and innocent, unlike the devil we saw half an hour ago.

  “Why is it that you want me to fill in that spot, exactly?”

  Eun Hye looked around the room of dancers before coming close to whisper in my ear, “There will be CEOs and managers there. All are looking for good candidates of permanent back-up dancers. They plan on choosing one from my branch. I’d like to introduce you to them.”

  “What?’ I said; feeling a little surprised at the reveal of her plan to me.

  “Min Young, you’re good and I know it. I’m sure they’ll love you.”

  “No, you know why? Because we’re good friends and they might take your judgment poorly. Second is because there are many other dancers who have been here longer than me and are much more skilled. Ask them out.”

  “Oh you’re such a spoil sport!”

  “Go find Yoseob or Jun to go with you. Maybe they might blend well with the mix of CEOs and managers.” I joked.

  “That’s very funny, Min Young.” Eun Hye said flatly.

  “What, can’t I joke?” I asked and shrugged. “Look, I appreciate you being a good friend and am trying to help me out on a job opportunity but you have to trust me on finding this kind of opportunity myself.”

  “Well, you still do need some tweaks with your spins, handstands and flips.”

  “See, I got a long way to go.”

  Eun Hye merely laughed at my statement and gave me a hug before leaving for her great lunch with her table of CEOs and managers.

  I on the other hand made my way out of the studio, waved goodbye to some of my fellow dance mates who were still packing up or discussing about where to crash for lunch. I already had my hand on the knob of the door when I hear my name being yelled out again.

  I turned around and find Hye Ryung jogging my way. She halted about a meter away and asked, “Hey, where are you heading off to?”

  “I’m headed off to this café up town.”

  “Oh, would you like to join us?” she offered. She seemed to have noticed my surprised expression at her offer that led to her explanation, “We’ve just seen you and Eun Hye talk a few times once break is announced and she’d always seem to run off and you’ll walk out. We know how it feels like to be treated that way. Come on, join us.”

  “What!!” I said in a high pitched tone. I didn’t expect my voice to come out that way. Immediately I shut my mouth with both my hands. Hye Ryung seemed shocked too at my reaction and jerked at my high-pitch. I lowered my hand and said bashfully, “Sorry but . . . what you guys saw. It’s not what you think. I chose to not go to lunch with her.” Hye Ryung made an ‘Oh’ face and I continued, “Besides, I appreciate the offer. I know, it’s weird eating lunch alone but . . . I guess it’s just me.”

  Hye Ryung merely shrugged it off and said, “No problem.” I had turned my back on her when she pulled me back with her hand on my shoulder. “Just in case you do need company, we’re at the stall near that newly opened spa on High Mart ok? You know that stall?”

  “Oh, that. Yeah, I do.”

  “Well, just in case. Have a great lunch!”

  I had to admit I felt a little relieved she had released me. I wanted to get out of that studio badly. Most people don’t get how I could enjoy eating lunch alone. Well, my first problem is when I eat I like to eat in silence. Let me be able to swallow from laughing and chocking on the solids that my friends end up making me from their jokes. Not only that, I’d also have a tummy ache. Call me an anti-social but I like it that way.

  Reaching my destination, I take in a whiff of the air around me and just the smell of that coffee made me fall head over heels. I walked right up to the counter and ordered myself a tall take-away Cappuccino. After seeing its choices savories, I couldn’t help but order the black-pepper chicken pie. I sat at one of the tables set out outside.

  The café had a nice and calming theme. Almost like a garden theme due to all the flowers, Rose bushes, hedges, with veins entangled amongst the poles of the umbrella stands – that was outside. The inside doesn’t have much difference but it the white marble ceiling and floors. The chairs and tables seemed to be etched in some design kind of like in the ancient 1800. The table had a layer of glass so we could have a flat and smooth surface to place all of our belongings on top.

  As I enjoyed my pie and Cappuccino, I watch the people of Seoul pass me by. People of all shapes and sizes passed by the café and the sight couldn’t get any better. Despite the fact none amidst the crowds of people did I see a handsome man to look at but couples of the golden years seemed to light my heart. Seeing the couple reminded me of my grandmother; how she’d smell, how she’d look after she had put on make-up and how she would talk to me in her thick Kwangju accent.

  Sweet memories soon turned bitter as I realize she is no more of this world. She had passed the summer of 2009. Mother was really sad of her departure and wouldn’t stop mourning over her death for the month. Father couldn’t take the pressure of dealing with mother’s feelings, so he left. That year was pretty much the worst year I had ever gone through.

  I just sighed and took a few sips of my Cappuccino before looking back to the crowd before me. I tried focusing on little things that maybe not many people might notice. Like a group of tourists that could be a group amongst friends taking a picture of the Park Notice Board, or the street performer dressed in gold from across the street.

  I decided to pay attention to the golden street performer that stood on a small platform with a black fedora on the ground beside him. You know those street performers where they’d color themselves in gold and stay still for like a long time and never move for anything; he was something like that only he moved more. This guy too wasn’t exactly covered in gold, just the suit he wore – including his fedora but the 2^ndpiece of his suit which was the vest was white with a white tie tied across the collar of his gold shirt. He wore white gloves that fully covered his fingers to hide any sign of him being human but I know that there’s in no way people would believe that guy is not human. He covered his face with this white porcelain mask I find creepy to look at but I got used to it a few minutes later after watching his performance. When I looked lower to his shoes, curious to see they were of what color – I was surprised he wore an old pair of old worn-out sneakers.

  When I saw those shoes, I somewhat felt a connection, as if we shared something similar. That was until I saw my shoes did I realize the connection. My shoes were a poor imitation of his. The rubber soles were no longer white and clean like I remembered them when I first bought these years ago. They were my most precious shoes and couldn’t think to not use them when I dance with them. I looked back up to the guy and gave a weak smile in his direction, hoping he gets his dream fulfilled to show those great skills on stage which I will soon be doing.

  Just as I was at the verge of finishing my Cappuccino, I saw a group of bad teens headed towards the street performer’s direction. They all wore what teens nowadays loved to wear, thinking they’re the so in thing. Big baggy pants that were not worn with belts around their waists but below their hips, then their t-shirts will be so big and huge that it would reach their knees, same went for the jackets. For their caps, well to those who wore caps won’t wear them straight like they do according to its purpose but the heading would be faced somewhere close to the East or West. So as the group of five or six was walking, the leader stopped his mates as he eyed something.

  I couldn’t figure out what they were eyeing but it seemed to be up to no good. They had gone to the side to huddle over each other in a circle to talk out a plan. Five minutes later they broke out and went as a group to the street performer.

  The first thing they did was tapped his shoulder. The performer had his head faced the opposite of the boy so when he turned his head around to face him; he did it in a robotic manner. The next thing they did was have a chat. The performer didn’t seem to take them seriously and kept on performing and entertaining some of the people passing by. Three of the boys pushed the performer off his platform and laughed as he fell flat on his face.

  From afar, I watched as they did so and gasped in shock. I covered my mouth and immediately stood up as if getting ready to help but the people around me were all so calm and relaxed that my chair grazing the platform floor startled them. I looked around to find everyone staring at me like I was a mental patient that had ran away from its facility. Slowly I sat back in my seat and continued watching, I had to squint my eyes to focus more on the current situation.

  The performer was on the ground, lying on his back watching the teens as they mocked his moves from before. One had stood on his platform and poorly imitated his moves. The remaining five gave thumbs down as if the performance of his friend was the utmost pathetic performance ever. Then, one member, the one that had tapped the street performer on the shoulder before went up and did some breakdance moves that I had to admit were quite good. His fellow mates cheered on him as he made a pop after another pop.

  I looked to the performer on the ground to see his reaction towards the mockery and I was surprised. He stood up, dusted off the dust on his clothes and then told the boy on his platform to come down. They talked about something, for a moment I considered were they talking about a dance battle because a few minutes later the boy in the platform sneered at something the performer said. I waited impatiently for something to happen and I got Goosebumps as the boy got down from the platform.

  What I didn’t expect was the street performer to get back on that platform and started breaking to some music the boys had prepared. Some were nodding their heads to the beat and towards the performer’s direction as if his moves were down right swag. I didn’t know why I said that but he was good! I thought of probably asking him to join our crew since we’re open to new trainees of all ages – right? – But I’ll still ask him once the teens were done.

  It suddenly occurred to me how odd the situation looked. I mean, a group of bad teens watching a performer perform on the streets without either beating him up or taking his money – won’t that look weird to you? I had to have a sixth sense and how I’d wish the thought had never come across.

  They were all shaking each other’s hands, as if showering each other with compliments about their dance moves. They all had moved to one corner as if cornering someone with their backs and when that boy had stood up everyone ran in one direction that is, away – safely covering the boy that had taken the performer’s daily gatherings.

  The performer was oblivious at first until he saw his hat, emptied out in front of him. Almost immediately he ran after the boys, trying to catch each and every one for his money. He’d caught either one or the other but sadly release his firm grips on them seconds later because his money wasn’t with them. He gave up on the fourth teen and decided to go back to his spot. I watched in complete silence and I held my breath, anticipating the next move he was going to make.

  Almost as if all of the energy had been drained out of him, he dragged his feet to his black fedora and took a long look at it. He kicked it to the side and took off the hat on his head to throw it to the ground and jump multiple times on it before kicking it to the side as well. His hair was a messy black bush on his head, it seemed uncared for. I couldn’t help but feel this certain pity in me like I owed the guy something for just watching it all happen.

  He then sat at the edge of the cemented flower pots behind him and took off his mask. I leaned forward in my seat, waited the moment he’d look up so I could see his face. The guy really had just pulled all of my concentration to him. It was either I couldn’t seem to look away or get really intrigued or curious at his next move, just anticipating what happens next made me all jumpy in my seat.

  When he did look up . . . I stood up and made the people sitting beside me startled. I didn’t know if the feelings in me were shock or pure excitement. I wanted to smile but did the situation require for it? I wanted to just jump over the fence in front of me and run to him and throw my arms around him like crazy fans do nowadays but the rational side of me got the better part of me. I sat back in my seat and raked through my brain for any way of communication. Just a ‘Hi’ or a ‘Hello’ would work but I was greedy and needed more. I wanted to do more.

  Just then an idea hit me and I reached down my pockets for my remaining pocket money. Just as my fingers touched it, I got up and startled the customers around me again and nearly ran to the counter for a hot bowl of Sausage soup and a six-packed beer cans. All of that were placed in a big brown paper bag and paid in full. The remaining balance of my money would’ve been enough for a week’s grocery shopping but if he had it he would have a week’s money for the meals in a week if he chose to eat in stalls. Not thinking twice I just placed it nicely beside the beer and wrapped it back nicely to give it to him.

  I tried my best to walk as fast as I could so that when I reached him the food would still be hot and he’d enjoy the warm liquid going down his throat. I was so excited to meet him I nearly tripped but I got back my footing and reached him with food in safe condition. No spills and the soup were still hot.

  When I reached him, my excitement no more joined me. The feeling was soon joined by cold feet. Now only did I start having those second thoughts. He wasn’t looking up so I was still able to run away if I wanted to but my feet wouldn’t move. Then a thought in me said, ‘You wanted to see him with your own two eyes didn’t you? Now go!’ So I took a step closer but was unable to take the next step. ‘But he might think I’m strange. He might reject my offer,’ so I took a step back. ‘Then again, he might accept it with open arms. I mean, who I know at this time that wouldn’t be famished?’ so I took two steps forward but halted when this thought came, ‘But then again, he might not still like Sausage soup. Or worse, I might remind him of his painful days with TVXQ!’ I was lucky I was still standing there without anyone bumping into me. So I came to a conclusion, ‘I’m only giving him food – no lunch, because of what I saw. He won’t resist,’ so I made my way to him and had a big grin when I was next to him.

  I took in a deep breath and made a clearing throat sound to get his attention. I had to repeat myself for a few times before he noticed. He must’ve noticed my shoes first and looked up from there to notice a girl standing with a big paper bag in hand. He seemed surprised and stood up immediately.

  “Annyeong,” I said weakly and bowed slightly, unable to make a ninety degree bow due to the soup. I then looked up into his eyes and felt like dreaming away into them. They were so big and huge and innocent – but sadly I remembered my main purpose for being there and pushed the bag into him. Not so hard though, just handed him. “I saw what happened,” I started to explain when he started giving a confused look at my bag. He didn’t seem to like the fact I saw, I forgot he was a man and it must’ve hurt his ego knowing a girl like me saw him being mocked and teased like that. “You don’t need to repay me. I just felt sorry for you and . . .” he didn’t seem to look all that happy as I added all of this to his ego. I ended up saying, “I think I should shut up now.”

  I was surprised he smiled at that and took my paper bag gingerly. “Thank you,” he said and placed it on the floor beside him. “I really don’t know what to say. I’ll remember this great act of kindness from you till the day I die,” next thing I knew he had bowed low in front of me. When he bowed low, I noticed something that dangled around his neck. It seemed somewhat familiar to the one I saw last week. Could it be he too still reminisces the old days? It was only later did I know we were being watched when someone bumped into me and gave me a look I didn’t like getting. Reality came back to me in an instant and saw him still bowing low to me and I yelped. The type of stares that people gave us was like he was a palace official bowing to an emperor.

  I placed my hands on his shoulder and he looked up to me. I said, “Please, stand up. A simple thank you was enough. I merely helped you get lunch.”

  “But you bought me that lunch and so I should thank you.”

  “Just remember it as a treat from a friend.” I said and he stood up seeing how uncomfortable I was with him bowing so low at me. “So, I’d expect you to enjoy that meal. It came from the bottom of my heart.”

  “I will,” he said and gave a glance to the paper bag at his feet before asking, “What’s your name?”

  I was surprised he asked. “Oh you won’t even remember it.”

  “Just tell me, we might meet again another time.”

  “Min Young . . . Jang Min Young.”

  “Min Young . . .” he repeated and I got all warm when he said it.

  “What about you?” I said, thinking if I asked he might not feel it weird that I know his name the second we meet since I didn’t ask the first time we met. “Since you know my name, I should be entitled the knowledge of knowing yours too you know.”

  He laughed and said, “It’s Yunho. Jung Yunho is the name.”

  “Yunho . . .” I said, admiring the sound of my voice saying it in front of his presence. “Oh well, I shall leave you to your meal. Enjoy!”

  After that I left and sneakily hid someplace not so far so I could spy on him eating my sausage soup. I felt so giddy having such an encounter with him but I had to know how he’d react to the contents of my paper bag. I knelt behind a wall of a building that hid me well I thought and watched patiently as he uncurl the top of the paper bag and looked inside. I saw how he took in a deep whiff of the soup and smiled widely as its rich aroma filled his nostrils and warmed up his heart. He took the soup out and settled it on his lap as he placed the six-pack beside him. He ate the soup and would just shake his head as if in disbelief of how good such soup could taste.

  I stood up, satisfied with the outcome of my good deed and ran to the SM building as fast as I could as I realize I was about to be late if I had stayed any longer.   

Comments are much appreciated~!!  ^^