Chapter 4.

I hadn’t exactly imagined my first encounter would be like this. In fact, I had always prided myself as one of the devoted fans who saw them as a person and not someone to scream my confession of love to, but I couldn’t exactly help my response either. Changsun’s ability to see me scared me more than I expected it to.

“YAH!” Seungho said from the door and I stared up at him in panic, wondering if he could see me too. “Why are you screaming?!”

“Th-there, there is a gi-girl in here!” I had managed to shock Changsun completely; the boy barely ever stumbled over his words. “Be-behind the wardrobe.”

“A girl?” The eldest frowned before stepping into the bedroom and following the direction Changsun was pointing. I pressed myself up against the wall and wished to be invisible. Seungho looked straight at me for a moment, and then grinned. “What girl?”

“She was right there, I saw her!” Changsun leaped towards us and rounded the wardrobe, causing me to close my eyes. I peeked through one eye though, and then stared at him quietly. His face was in total shock. “Where did she go?”

“Perhaps she was a dream?”

“No! She was wearing my top!” He flung the doors to the white closet open and reached inside it. “What the, it’s right here.”

“Maybe you lent it to her after a good time,” the eldest continued to tease and I couldn’t help but blush at the suggestion. “Was she so pretty she’s fooled you with fantasy?”

“Yah!” It was Changsun’s turn to get annoyed. “I’m telling the truth! I saw her. She was right there!”

“And now she’s not. How many hours sleep did you get last night?” Seungho regarded his friend for a moment. “Are you suffering from your insomnia again?”

“Stop laughing at my expense, I definitely saw a girl!” Changsun pouted and sat down on his bedding with a huff. I moved away from the wardrobe and crouched down across from him. He was so cute when upset, like a puppy dog. I had to resist the urge to get closer and pet him.

“Since you’re up, you should eat soon.” Seungho left the room and closed the door behind him.

I smirked. “Eat what, there’s nothing in this house.”

“You!” Changsun exclaimed loudly again, throwing his body up against the wall. I let out another squeal and fell backwards at his recognition. “Where did you just come from?!”

“I was here all the time.”

“Yo-you hid!” he cried, shaking his index finger at me accusingly. “Why?! Now hyung thinks I’m crazy, when you’re actually real.”

“I’m real?” I repeated softly, a smile soon crossing my lips. “You’re able to really see me? Ahhh, because this is meant to be!”

Changsun gaped at me and then shook his head roughly. “What are you saying? Of course you’re real. You’re a crazy, stalker fan and I’m reporting you!”

“How do you plan to do that?” I smiled, realising that Changsun hadn’t noticed I was dead. I was still trying to comprehend how he could see me too. “Everyone else can’t see me.”

“Really?” He shot forward from his position, stalking over to me and reaching for the top I was wearing. Yanking me back up onto my feet, I was stunned at his ability to not find me translucent. “I have no idea how you’re wearing my tee but you are very real to me.”

“I am!” I smiled; it was like a dream coming true. “I’ve waited for this day for over two years to happen!”

“You’re coming with me,” he ordered, and I nodded happily, allowing the older boy to take me out into the living area. He threw me forward towards the occupants of the room, who shot us a weird expression. Glancing back at Changsun, he folded his arms across his chest and smiled smugly. “There is my proof.”

“Proof?” Byunghee wondered and exchanged a glance with Sanghyun. “For?”

“Don’t pretend, she’s standing right in front of you all.”

“Oh, the girl is?” Seungho managed to say before letting out a laugh. “I guess she’s just so beautiful and blinding because what you’re referring to is thin air Changsun-ah.”

“Don’t tell me you’re coming down with a fever,” Byung-Gi instantly mentioned, and I couldn’t help but let out a giggle at the manager’s repeated response to my existence around the boys. “You’re delusional, there’s no girl in this house.”

“She’s right there!” Changsun insisted and I turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. “Why can’t you see her?”

“Are you having more relations with spirits again, hyung?” Cheolyong asked with a hint of laughter. It soon broke out around the room and Changsun glared at them all, before grabbing my hand and yanking me back into his bedroom.

“Why can’t they see you?!” He paced the room, and I couldn’t help but feel amused by his frustration. I felt bad for it though and coughed back my laughter. “Ah I’m going crazy, aren’t I? Talking to myself is one thing, but imagining girls in the dorm?! Completely lost it!”

“I’m not a figment of your imagination, Oppa.”

“Don’t call me that, I don’t even know you!”

I nodded brightly. “I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Yoomi. Park Yoomi.”

“You even have a name,” he stated incredulously, still pacing back and forth across the space.

“Of course I do, everyone has a name.”

“Even naming imaginary people now,” he mentioned, as if I hadn’t even spoken. I rolled my eyes, wondering when he would click onto making some logic. Though admittedly, I wondered if I would believe seeing a dead person either. I tried to be patient.

“Changsun-ssi,” I started, trying to respect his wishes. “I am not from the living world anymore. I recently died.”

“Yo-you what?!” His voice faltered and ended in a squeak. “No, no, no. You’re imaginary. I don’t see the dead. I’ve had lots of people in to help with my insomnia, I even stooped as low to get a spiritualist in to remove bad spirits, but that didn’t work, so I moved here. And have had no problems, until now.”

“Give me your phone.” I held out my hand and he shook his head. “You seem the type who needs proof, so let me give it to you.”

Hesitantly, the taller boy handed me his phone and I almost dropped it. I hoped I would learn how to pick up things like the corporate lady had soon. Opening an internet browser, I went and found the news article I knew had been printed about my death. Once I found it, I gave the device back to the doubtful boy. He glanced at it and then back at my face. Slowly, he extended the phone so he could look at both myself and the picture they printed for my death. He gasped, dropping the phone to the floor with a thud.

“I-I’m going to work now. I hope to never see you again,” he said quickly, ducking down to grab his phone and then fled the room.

It hadn’t worked out at all how I had envisioned.

The house had fallen silent once everyone was gone. I hadn’t left Changsun’s room however, feeling incredibly defeated. I wondered why I thought it would be so easy to fit in here. For one, I was dead. Society instantly rejected my existence, or feared it. And I was attempting to live with five men who had already had a hard time dealing with previous spiritual problems. I would only be seen as trouble too. It was hopeless and I began to doubt my hasty decision that had led me to believe my place was at Changsun’s side. It seemed so natural though, and I felt the most at home I had since I first moved to Seoul.

“I guess I truly am a nuisance.” Letting out a heavy sigh, I fell backwards onto Changsun’s bed. It smelt of him and I closed my eyes, savouring the scent. Then I coughed roughly, wondering how citrus could smell so rotten. Sitting up quickly, I scrunched my nose up in disgust. “I thought all the talk about him being lazy at washing was a joke. How can a person live in such filth?!”

Tentatively, I got up and sniffed Sanghyun’s bedding. It didn’t smell as bad, but still wasn’t clean. I spent the next hour dragging everything into the small laundry room and loading the machine up, washing all the bedding within the house. I was sure, as I hung out the ridiculously heavy sheets on the line, that the boys would be grateful for clean linen. It was the least I could do for causing such a dilemma already.

After I was done, I realised I had soaked the shirt I was wearing and glanced down at my attire. I didn’t feel pretty, and wanted to find some clothes that accentuated my femininity. Deciding to venture out for a bit, I grabbed my bag from the couch and then headed for the door. Once in the foyer of the building, I stepped outside, trying to decipher what district I was in. I was surprised to find myself back in Kangnam, and smiled happily to myself, knowing a few stores that I would be able to find clothing in. It was a nice walk, and my lack of energy seemed to recover, as did my mood.

“Woah, it’s this shop,” I murmured to myself as I found myself in the more affluent sector of stores, my eyes admiring all the pretty ballet flats in the window. I had fallen in love with the store months ago by chance, but had never stepped inside due to knowing how expensive it would be. However, I felt bolder today, and opened the door that sounded with a chime. The store clerk however didn’t greet me, and I waited to see if she would. Curious, I walked right up to her and smiled. Still nothing. Waving my hands in front of the taller woman, she continued to read through a stock count, unfazed.

“So, I can shop here and not pay?” I surmised slowly, turning around to look at all the shoes on display. I grinned before lurching towards a pair of aqua alligator leather shoes, with a hot pink trim. They were so cute and summery and despite the cold temperature outside, I wanted to try them on all the same. Finding a pair in my size, I slipped them on and walked around in them, enamoured by their beauty.

“I’ll take them!” I cried happily, reaching around the counter for a bag and placing the box of shoes within it. The woman didn’t even realise and I smiled to myself, noticing I was getting better at grabbing within my own realm. I stepped out of the store and looked around the rest of Garosugil Street, wondering where to go next.

I would make Lee Changsun change his mind and want to see me again.

_______

Word's Used...

*Garosugil Street; an area in Kangnam near Apgujeong and Sinsa stations that is known for boutiques catering for the more wealthy customers.

Author's Notes...

As promised I've done the replies so far... I'm hoping this story is finally evolving a little and you're enjoying the interaction of Yoomi with MBLAQ hehe! I really like this particular chapter, it was really fun to write Changsun's shock and feeling like he was going crazy. It also sets up a fair bit, and allows Yoomi to have another look at how her existence is. And wouldn't we all like to be able to shop for things we can't afford hehe?!

Replies...

@BeatBoxer; Thank you, hope you're enjoying this!

@Maggie; Have missed ya lately! I'm so glad you're interested in this and the poster is lovely isn't it?! So thrilled with it! Talk soon I hope!

@Rirakuma; Thank you so much for your kind compliments... I've been writing fanfiction for about 6 years - though only about 2.5 years on KPOP. I aim to improve with every story I write and so I'm rather fond of this one so far ^_^ I'm glad I'm making you curious! And it's Friday now... so enjoy!!

@supershineeftw; Sometimes having no words is more impacting than none... I'm glad you're enjoying this!! Thanks!

@Kate; Oh no you're here. I kid! I love her too... Yoomi is amazing haha! Even if she's a bit obsessed >_> Hehe. Thanks lovely.

@wonderblaq; Thank you so much... I've been having some difficulities with internet access this past week but it's all in order now. As for more posting, I'm afraid as a uni student in her last year of studies I don't have enough time other than posting twice a week! I hope though the chapters make up for all the waiting! Thank you!

@yomiya2; Welcome :) I'm glad you're loving it... hope this chapter was a good one for ya!