Reply Nine

It was finally the autumn school's festival. After all the hardwork, after all the efforts we put into designing and preparing for our booth, the day finally arrived. I still remembered the stressful days like it was yesterday. How my classmates started panicking because we still had a lot of costumes to sew and every single one had a mental breakdown. How they blamed Howon and me for the stress and the pressure. Fortunately, our teacher helped us organizing and stood up for us committee members. Since it was his fault for picking us as the ones.

We kind of finished after all, just in time. By the thought of staying awake and pulling allnighters at school with the classmates made me shiver. I wasn't too keen in remembering. The image of a classmate drooling on the desk flashed in my mind, making me contort my face. It was disgusting, just disgusting. Especially since he sat right next to me when we worked on the clothes.

And right now, I was helping a customer - well, a student - dressing up into a hanbok. Just by looking at the vibrant colors and the beautiful fabric, I wanted to dress up, too. In just a month, we had Chuseok - the Harvest festival in October - which meant I was going to wear a hanbok, too. I was really looking forward to it. Not only because we had a three-day holiday.

I stepped back to look at my work. I mentally patted on my own shoulders, praising myself for having such talented hands. The female student thanked me with a smile before she went to the corner where my classmates already hung up the background, consisting of a landscape with an old Korean house. Yes, they indeed have drawn it. Apparently, there were some hidden talents in our class. I especially liked the cherry blossoms even though it kind of represented Japan. 

"Need a break?"

I turned around to meet eyes with the Busan guy who grinned at me. For a second, my heart jumped slightly upon seeing it. Probably because I didn't expect him to be standing right behind me. We both chose to work in the early shift so we could enjoy the rest of the festival. Howon told me he wanted to practice some more before he actually went on stage for the talent show. Eunji and I weren't that ambitious or perfectionists like him. We told each other, either we do it great or we fail. It didn't matter. We just wanted to have fun. 

I looked at the clock on the wall, displaying 1pm. It was the end of our shift. "Let's go."

During our walk to the respective classrooms, he asked me where we should go first. As if it wasn't already obvious from the beginning. Of course, I wanted to see Woohyun. I wanted to see him dressing up as a Korean idol group member. I wanted to see him in stylish clothes like those celebrities. He even told me yesterday, when I bumped into him on the school hallway during lunch, that he was going to wear some eyeliner just like those singers. I couldn't wait to witness that.

We first passed by Myungsoo's class, providing us with a horror house. They actually did the job in designing very well. Howon and I almost peed in our pants when one of the classmates, dressed up as a ghost, scared us from behind. I, out of reflex, slapped his cheek. I think, he actually almost cried. I wasn't sure since he ran away from us. Busan guy told me I have gone overboard with attacking him with my palm. Since we were too ashamed of the whole situation, we decided to come back later. When that guy changed his shift with another student. That was what we hoped for at least.

As we arrived in class 3 - 6, Woohyun's one, we were immediately greeted by Hara in a Girls Generation costume. In retrospect, I was actually glad that Eunji and I haven't dressed up as the members of Girls Generation at our booth. Since Hara would have turned us into pale ghosts next to her. That girl looked damn pretty with those clothes. I just noticed her - what Sungyeol called it - ants waist. She was so slender and on top of that, she had a big chest size. I didn't need to see the numbers to know. If I were a boy, I would have hit on her. Definitely. Because she indeed was a beautiful girl.

"I thought you wouldn't show up." She smirked at me, implying something suspicious. With just her words, she tried to send me a message. A message she didn't need to hide in front of Howon. Since he already knew.

"She literally begged me to come here first." Howon next to me remarked, making me all frustrated. It was true at some point, but I didn't actually beg him. He asked me where I wanted to go first and I answered with Woohyun's name. So since it was kind of the truth, I didn't retort anything back. This time, Busan guy won our battle.

"He is still changing but you can just go in, if you want." Hara showed me one of her rare grins until she walked off to serve the pilling up customers. I noticed how popular this booth was in comparison with ours. Well, our class offered many costumes with photos and apparently, girls really liked photos, but this one provided the students with food. I guess, if you let them pick between food and photos, they would choose the former one. Even I would choose the former one. But maybe it was because I didn't actually like cosplaying.

Of course, I didn't enter the changing room. I wasn't actually dying to see him in boxers. I respected his privacy because I always treated people like I wanted them to treat me. And I seriously wouldn't like it if people stormed into the room where I was changing my clothes. I really disliked those people who didn't consider other's borders. I put up a wall between strangers and myself. Even some close friends wouldn't be able to step in.

I looked at Howon who was waiting beside me. What I really liked about Busan guy was that he didn't constantly teased me about Woohyun. Hell, he never actually talked about it which was why I sometimes even forgot that he actually knew. He never talked about that stuff openly, only when we were talking on the phone and when I actually touched this subject first. He never wiggled his eyebrows at me whenever Woohyun passed by. He always acted as if he didn't know a thing about my feelings. And still, he knew in silent. He supported me from behind. Even though he never showed it, I knew that he was there. He got my back.

"Hey, you came."

I remembered when I first noticed him on the football field. When he wasn't anything special to me. When I sat next to Eunji during the second year of middle school. The funny thing was, I always saw him on the hallways or on the school yard but he never attracted my attention. I even met him at the mall in Myeongdong during the holidays before he actually caught my eyes. It was actually hilarious how I never noticed such a great guy, only when he kicked the ball into my face. The image of him running like crazy as fast as he could to ask me if I was okay was still etched in my mind. Even though I collapsed right after. The smell of freshly mown grass filled my nostrils as I opened my eyes and saw him apologizing to me. Upon remembering, my lips curled up into a smile. "I couldn't miss you with eyeliner."

This time, I concentrated myself on his face. I solely looked at his handsome features as he placed his thump and his index finger on his chin. I really liked how his eyes were so straight and with the eyeliner, he looked...y. I didn't know how to express it otherwise. He always looked good and even though I first thought he would look gay with the make-up on, his presence proved me wrong. Because his leather jacket showed off his looks. Because he was true beauty in my eyes. I noticed how my chest tightened.

"No need to stare for so long. I know, I'm good-looking."

I was about to retort something back, since I couldn't let him off like that. I couldn't let him make my heart flutter like this while I couldn't do anything about it. But Sunggyu had to destroy my comeback. "Hey, Eli!"

Since I have been calling him grandpa or hamster, he already started naming me Eli. It wasn't even my name. It wasn't even close to my name. I wasn't even sure if he tried to tease or what. But it annoyed me. Like always, his presence annoyed me. As I turned around to say something, I noticed he wore eyeliner, too. He had small eyes and one might think eyeliner would only decrease the size of them but it kind of suited him. Although I wouldn't admit. Although he wasn't as good-looking as Woohyun or Myungsoo, I still found him attractive in some ways. And it was weird. Since those thoughts made me forget what I wanted to retort back.

"Come, sit down. I will serve you guys."

Howon and I were leaded to a small table in the middle of the classroom. I admired the whole concept and design of the class. They really fascinated me. And the best of it, from my seat I could observe Woohyun cooking. I never knew he actually liked cooking. Even though I have known him for 3 years, I never actually found out his hobbies or likes. Don't ask me why cause I wouldn't be able to answer it. I only knew the things he showed openly. Since I couldn't actually go to other students to ask them about him. No one knew about my love for him after all. They just couldn't find out because of my carelessness.

With our stomache full from Woohyun's delicious cooking - and I wasn't saying it because he was my first love, it really, really tasted like heaven - we walked off. I wanted to stay with him some more. Not only because of Woohyun but also because I saw Hara's boyfriend for the first time. He looked a bit like a delinquent and Howon said something about Junhyung being his name but I wasn't sure. I was too busy ogling him. I knew right away someone like Hara could only date someone good-looking. Despite his delinquent-like face, he was really handsome. He was somehow surrounded by a cool aura. I couldn't help but admire her relationship with him. He didn't look like someone who just dated her because of that. He actually acted a bit shy. And for some reasons, it was really adorable. I could actually imagine them to have kids together. They really made one envious of their relationship.

When Howon asked Woohyun to tag along, he told us he couldn't since he still had to work until 3pm. He explained to us that he was the only cook in their class, since the other one who agreed to do the job, skipped school today. He wasn't even sure if he could visit the other booths. I felt bad and disappointed at the same time. I actually wanted to hang out with him during the festival, but staying solely at his booth was something I didn't want either. Since I already promised Howon to go together. In the end, we exited the classroom leaving him behind.

My mom told me they were going to come to the festival, too. At first, I tried to talk them out of it but my father insisted. He wanted to see me at the talent show dancing to Kpop music. They even brought my grandparents along. I mentally slapped myself and my destiny for being born into that kind of a family. My father was the first one to speak up, after seeing me. "Daughter, we came."

I rolled my eyes, feeling the urge to run away with Howon. But when I let my eyes wander towards him, I noticed the smile on his face. He was smiling at my parents as they approached us. I couldn't understand why, though. "Well, great."

"What kind of an ungrateful daughter do we have, honey?" My father shook his head, wrapping an arm around my mother's shoulders. Second time, mentally slapping myself. They were being embarrassing.

"Oh, handsome man. Are you my stupid daughter's boyfriend?" It was my mother who spoke up. Guess, that was the third time of me slapping myself mentally.

"No need to insult me." I remarked, shaking my head as my father did some seconds ago.

"Ah, no. We are friends." Howon next to me explained politely.

"What a pity, though." My mother was interrupted by my grandmother's voice, as she wrinkled her nose. "My lovely Hana has a boyfriend? Oh my."

I probably shouldn't count them anymore. Me slapping myself, that is. I sighed, grabbing my grandmother under the arm and repeating what Howon said in a louder voice. "He is just a friend."

Upon hearing myself say that sentence I previously mentioned before, I remembered Woohyun's words. How he told me that they always said it until they someday fell in love. It was my precious memory of summer 2008.

"I've understood very well, Hanaegi. He is your boyfriend." I noticed Howon next to me pressing his lips into a thin line to avoid a laughter from errupting. I couldn't blame him. I found this whole situation too funny, too. If not for the fact that I really didn't want her to misunderstand. And to even use the nickname she gave me when I was a baby - aegi means baby - gave me the last shock.

"Grandma, Howon is just a friend." While my grandmother and I  still discussed the whole boyfriend thingy, my mother started talking with Busan guy. "Oh, his name is Howon. What a beautiful name."

"It means vast river."

During my family's visit, I had to force Howon to tag along and endure them longer. I promised him after all to go to the horror house but I couldn't let my family go on their own since they easily got lost in big buildings where many people pilled up. I occasionally threw him an apologetic glance but he would shrug it off, smiling at me. His way to say he was totally fine with it. Even if my grandma constantly annoyed him by asking him about his hobbies and his future. It was my first time hearing Howon say something about it. He never mentioned before but he wanted to be a dancer in the future. My grandfather coldly told him he wasn't going to succeed since the entertainment business was competitive. I think, that was my first time seeing a dejected expression on his face. I was glad that my father kind of changed the topic, saying as long as he believed in that dream, he would succeed. Sometimes, I asked myself why my dad treated others like his own child while he never gave me those advices, to his only daughter.

We were sitting in the middle of the auditorium, while more and more students, parents and teachers pilled up. Howon was sitting next to me, my grandmother next to him - she apparently liked him more than her own granddaughter, actually they really understood each other well for some reasons - as the teacher announced the first group to be on stage. We have waited long enough for the talent show to start. By every minute, I got more nervous since Eunji and I had to go up after three contestants. Howon beside me seemed really calm even though he had been practicing nonstop during the time we spent with my parents. Well, practicing in his head since he found it impolite to be doing something different in front of my family. Even though his head was busy memorizing his moves, he still caught everything we said. That was why I noticed his ears turning red when my family mentioned how nice they would find it if he was indeed my boyfriend. I think, it was more embarrassing for him than for me.

As the show began with a group of girls dancing to some music, shaking their asses, I looked around to see if I could recognize Woohyun somewhere. I assumed he wouldn't miss the talent show since actually everyone was looking forward to it. The whole festival was worth it because of the talent show. It was the time for people to shine.

I noticed how the lights went off as the second contestant went on stage. The audience got louder as the music began. I assumed the one on stage to be popular amongst the students but when I looked up, shifting my head to the right, then to the left, trying to see something since a big head was right in front of my face, I couldn't actually look at the male's voice's face. All I heard was his funny pronounciation of the English words but his voice was really nice. It calmed the soul. Since I couldn't see after all, I just leaned back and enjoyed the music. I noticed the song to be The Calling's Wherever you will go. It was a song that was released in 2000 or 2001. Even though his pronounciation was funny - well, I wasn't any better either - I actually started to fall in love with that voice. It was so deep and beautiful. It expressed his emotions very well.

The audience started applauding, some even stood up for him. I also raised my body when Howon accomplished this action first. Then, like all of sudden, I was able to connect that voice with a face. Since the one in front of me was being ignorant and didn't stand up for the contestant. When I realized whose voice I started loving, I could only cough out of awkwardness. I actually praised that grandpa's voice. To be honest, even though I didn't like him much, his voice was nevertheless wonderful.

"I never thought, he could sing like this."

It was like Howon took the words right out of my mouth. I really didn't have anything to add. Maybe that hamster won some respect from me.

It was Eunji's and my turn. My parents wished me good luck while Howon had to explain my grandma why I was leaving. The third contestant was still on stage while we girls changed our clothes that looked like those the Wonder Girls have worn. To our luck, the female classmate whose mother liked sewing prepared the costumes for us. We couldn't thank them enough. They were really sweet people.

We stood next to each other, looking into the mirror in front of us. The glittery gold color of our dresses looked a bit too flashy but we had to deal with that. Even though we weren't as thin as the members of Girls' Generation or Hara, we still looked kind of good in the dresses. That was what our teacher told us after all. But we never knew when he lied and when he actually told us the truth.

Wonder Girl's Nobody began playing in the background, as we started moving to the music. Because of the spotlight, I wasn't able to see the student's faces. Maybe it was even to my luck, since I was really nervous when I stood on the stage. When silence engulfed the auditorium until we started performing.

I was actually really glad when the song came to an end, as we both quickly went off stage. We decided not to change back into our uniform since we didn't want to miss Howon's performance. He was the fifth contestant which was why we hurried back to our seats. Eunji's parents didn't come this time and when I have asked her where she has been the whole time, she told me that an old lady asked her to stay with her because apparently, her granddaughter has gone missing or something like that. That lady actually sounded much like my grandma.

Our mouth were wide open when Busan guy started dancing. I saw him doing some moves and bopping his head to the rhymth but I never actually saw him being able to do those sharp movements. He looked really handsome and...y? I wasn't sure how to explain it but I think, every girl likes guys who can move their body.

I should thank Hara for stopping me back then. I should have thanked her since because of her I was able to listen to his beautiful voice. My family wanted to leave since my grandparents needed their rest and I was about to walk them out since - as I mentioned already - they easily got lost in buildings. But Hara came at the right time, telling me she needed my help. What it was? I actually forgot. I only remember, she told me she needed some help and I asked my parents to wait some more.

It was the voice I kind of recognized that filled my ears with a beautiful sound. He was singing some old song. And even though I prefered the hit songs of idol groups, I couldn't help but fall in love with that melody. Maybe because he sang it. Maybe his voice made that song more pleasant for me. Maybe the high notes made me fall in love even deeper. What was more funny? My grandmother almost fell asleep upon hearing that beautiful voice. She laid her head on Howon's shoulders, snoring lightly. It wasn't because it was boring and not entertaining. It was because Woohyun's voice was so soothing, like a lullaby. My mother next to me whispered into my ears something about him having a romantic voice that one couldn't forget like that. I couldn't agree more. 

I noticed his back figure kneeling on the ground next to dumpsters. Most of the parents already went home, students had to stay for cleaning up their respective classrooms. He took notice of me, as he turned around, a smile appearing on his face. His wonderful eyes resembling crescents moons. People might think, I followed him. So I could be alone with him. But it wasn't the truth. After his performance on stage, I was pulled by my father since they wanted to go home. I couldn't even throw one last glance at him. Not even one look at his beautiful face.

"What are you doing here? Stalking me?"

To be honest, it really looked like I stalked him or something like that. But I seriously didn't do anything at all. Do you guys know that feeling? When you actually noticed someone and fell in love with him and suddenly, wherever you go you bump into him? It seriously was strange. Without me actually wanting it, we met. Like it was actually fate. And with his laughing face, I actually forgot to answer.

"I never thought you could dance."

I was finally torn from my own thoughts, as I answered him. "I never thought you could sing."

He chuckled lightly, before facing back the garbage bag he held in his hands which he was about to tie up. "We met again, unexpectedly. Do I have to treat you to something nice now?"

"Instead of spending money on me, you could try to entertain me."

"Like how?" He observed me taking a seat next to him on the ground. He was about to protest because it was dirty but I gave him a stare, saying I wasn't such a petty person.

"Sing for me."

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"I want to be singing to everybody, and I want everybody to think that I'm singing for them. Guys, girls and everyone in btween."

- Joan Jett