Korea - Present- 2019

The place was beautiful.

The Seoul Music Awards was the most prestigious awards show in the country and it seems that it is also the perfect place for the perfect reunion.

       Kai knew she’d be back. Her career in US and England were both astonishing. Then suddenly, memories came flooding back. He remembered how dorky she was back then. She was always the shy trainee; the one whose voice seems to tremble every time she talks to him. Looking at her now, he couldn’t help but be impressed. Amazing how life in foreign countries can change a person. Then he remembered that same day they fought. Those words they said to each other, those words he shouldn’t have uttered.

         Saerin was a trainee when she officially met Kai. She was obsessed with him that’s why she made her father enter SM entertainment when she should be in YG because her father was President Yang’s dongsaeng. She knew him ever since elementary school but never got the chance to talk to him. Thanks to some bullies, Kai took notice of her but it was all just pretend and she realized how big of a jerk he is and that he’s no different from the others.

         When they got into their table, Saerin caught his eyes; It turns out their tables were across each other. She gave him a gentle smile as not to be called rude by paparazzi and netizens. She wasn’t unaware of the fact that there were rumors surrounding the both of them just even before she debuted. It was a good thing that people didn’t hover on her much so the pressure wasn’t as bad as she expected. She dismissed her thoughts about the past and sat on her seat. She was accompanied by her friends and manager that night while Kai was accompanied by his EXO members. She tried hard not to meet his stare.

          “Saerin-shih is looking gorgeous tonight isn’t she?” Luhan said to him. It was hard not to hide things from him. He was one of the first persons who knew about him and her. It was also hard to figure out if he’s teasing him or not. Well he probably shouldn’t because there’s a lot of ears and eyes in this place. He just got out of a nasty scandal for Pete’s sake.

            “Yeah. She looks amazing” He agreed and his friend gave him a meaningless smile.

The show started off with a performance of the new group, Sparkle.

               Kai couldn’t help but stare on her radiant face. He just couldn’t get mad at her. He also knew she’s mad at him; they both owe each other explanations. But all those time they were apart seem to heal all wounds.

                                                                                                ………………….

               The awards show ended with colorful fireworks and loud screaming. Saerin Jo won the artist of the year. She was head to head with Kai and Exo but despite her achievement, she couldn’t bring herself to feel completely happy. Her manager invited her to an after party that night, but since she prefers sleeping rather than drinking, she’d rather pass.

        “I’m sorry Unnie. I made someone a promise I’d be home before 12 tonight.” She explained.

          “Hmmm…is there something you’re not telling me?”

She was about to support her reason when her manager’s face relaxed.

         “I’m joking Rinnie. I know you’re avoiding some certain dancer so I’m told.”

          Saerin smiled. Her manager knows everything; it’s not that she has to, but Saerin considers her Manager Unnie as her only friend in the industry who is a girl. One of the downside of a famous singer/actress is that girlfriends are mean and dangerous. She learned that the hard way.

                That night, she couldn’t sleep. She doesn’t know if it’s because of the jetlag or this feeling that she’s on the same land as him again. She went on her terrace and stare at the magnificent view of Seoul. It’s been five years and she hasn’t completely moved on. What happened between him and her still lingers on her heart like a fresh wound. But despite of the memories and the pain she felt, she couldn’t bring herself to cry. Maybe her tears had finally drained out. Here she was, the most talented artist in the country, she had won a couple of titles around the world, she’s been invited at Kensington Palace, but she’s still the same old introverted girl who cried over the handsome boy because he turned out to be a jerk.

How pathetic.

             She thought. Maybe she should have gone to the after party after all. She decided to dial her manager’s phone number when her phone rang. G-Dragon’s old song “That Bastard” played as her ringtone. Before, she would have loved to hear it rang this tune. She prepared her sentences and waited for it for 5 years to play but now that it was, she doesn’t know how to answer it.

Oh come on Saerin, you’re not some 16 year old gooey-gooey eyed girl who drooled for him anymore!

 She stared at the screen and let her phone ring 5 more times before she decided to push the answer button.

“Hello?”

Wait. That sounded too happy. Can I just throw my phone and smash it over and over again?

She thought.

“Uh…Hi” He said, his voice husky like

Wow. We’re really good at these things.

“You called?”

“Yeah, um y-your Manager’s drunk.”

Oh.

“She is? I’ll call Youngbae oppa to get her there. She’s still at the after party right? Where is that anyway?” She said getting annoyed by this boy.

“Yeah, we’re still here. We’re at the nearest bar across SM Tower.”

“I didn’t know you know Dara Unnie.”

“Um, I don’t. Actually we just met earlier when she invited herself to our table” She could hear a smile on his face.

“Yep. That’s how she is. Sorry about that”

“No, it’s fine. She’s really funny.”

“Yeah. I’ll call Youngbae oppa now.”

“Uh…Siren?”

                  She was trying hard not to speak about their past. But he just said the magic word and called her by that stupid nickname. Now she felt like crying. What happened to tough girl Saerin now?

“Yes sunbaenim?”

He sighed.

“Please drop the formalities Siren. We all know you don’t need it with me”

“What is this about? I thought my manager just needed a ride, I didn’t know you had other motives”

There was a long pause on the other line. She can still hear music and people on the background having fun, she thought he already hang up.

“This will sound a little off, but I miss you. And I think you look really beautiful accepting that award earlier.”

                   She shut her eyes closed. She just couldn’t accept the fact that this guy is talking to her like nothing happened. She was still affected alright because it’s easier to forgive than to forget. It just so happen that those years isn’t much enough time for her to forget him. He was just too big of a part of her life to ignore.

“That’s it? After 5 years you tell me that huh?” She wiped a tear that escaped from her eyes. She wanted to slap herself for crying.

“Come on, this isn’t about what happened that night right? Don’t tell me you aren’t over it?” He snapped.

“No. Of course not! It was nice talking to you again Sunbaenim. Take care” Without a word, she shut her phone off and went to sleep. Those years felt wasted coming to this.

                  Kai looked at his phone and sighed. He took his cap off and threw it on the floor. He thought he already let go of her and that everything about them already ended for him…but after hearing her voice again and seeing her, he’s not so sure about tomorrow’s plans anymore.

“Hyung, is everything alright?” Sehun said, worried about him. Looking at Sehun, he remembered the first time he saw her. 

“Yeah, I uh, I thought there was something buzzing on my head…well- Um, I'm -  gotta go” He turned his back on him and cursed for stammering. 

2011 ~ Past ~ Korea

“Oh here he is again” Suho, exo’s leader said.

“Look at that guy!” Baekhyun said in disbelief.

                The members of Exo couldn’t think of any reason why Sehun keeps smiling and acting like a lovesick maknae. He wasn’t always like this. Ever since he talked to that new girl, he turned like a puppy. Kai watched as his friend walk with the new girl at the cafeteria. In SM, when you’re new, it’s pretty common not to have any friends at first. It was also normal for guys to leave the newbies alone. And it’s not definitely normal for Sehun to be friendly with girls. Of all the members in Exo, Sehun is the shyest when it comes to girls, but what is he seeing now? They seem to be laughing and talking so comfortably that it’s starting to bother all of them.

                While contemplating on Sehun’s unusual behavior, Tao and Luhan came over to their table and sat down with them.

“What’s up with baby face on the other table?” Luhan said after he placed his tray on the table.

“Don’t ask me, we were about to lose our minds just thinking about our maknae” Baekhyun said tossing his apple.

            To Kai’s surprise, Luhan stood up and went over Sehun’s table. Knowing his friend, Luhan would probably get to the bottom of it. Kai waited for his friend to mess up but as he was watching him, Luhan shook the girl’s hand and smiled. Now, Luhan was eating with them!

“She seems nice.” Kai commented. It was very rare for a girl to make Luhan and Sehun laugh that easily.

                                                                                …………………………………………………

                 That night, Kai went to the rehearsal room to practice. It was after curfew but he couldn’t sleep. He’s very obsessed with dancing plus Taemin challenged him into a dance battle with a really tough consequence, so he really needs to practice.

                  Kai finally finished his practice when he heard footsteps outside. Now he was wrong to think that he was alone. Darkness gives him the creeps and he hates the eerie feeling in the night. He finally get out of the room and was about to make a run for it when he heard a girl sobbing. He stopped and followed her voice. He should be terrified. This was very much like a scene on a particular movie Luhan forced him to watch. But the thing is - it doesn’t sound creepy at all. Then she heard the voice again. It was pleading.

“Please let me out”

                 “It’s alright, I got it” He whispered trying to comfort the girl who was inside a cabinet. He untied the thick knot around the cabinet handle and removed the nod blocking it. When he finally finished, to his surprise, the girl rushed to him and embraced him.

“It’s alright, shhh” She was shaking and trembling. He didn’t know why but he kissed her head and embraced her back tightly.

                     She slowly pulled back a bit and gasps as she was surprised to see him. She wiped her tears abruptly. Her hair was out of place and her face looked all puffy but that didn’t make her any less beautiful than she already is.

“I’m sorry Sunbaenim. That was uncalled for” She apologized, bowing to him.

“No, you don’t have to apologize but I do.”He answered matching her eye level because he noticed that the girl was avoiding his eyes.

“Pardon?”

He smiles when she finally looked at him. She looks so innocent and pure yet awkward and weird in a way. No wonder Sehun likes this girl.

“On behalf of the seniors here, I’m really sorry for being harsh on you”

                     He watched the girl wipe her tears which continues to fall down on her cheek. All members of the SM family had to go on some initiations but none of them received anything that’s like this. When he was new, all he had to do was greet everyone in English and that wasn’t even difficult.

“I’m sure what they did was personal right? Some girls did this to you?” He said matter-of-factly. He squinted his eyes at her, hinting that there were bullies that are making her life miserable. 

She looked away acting brave and alright.

“It’s fine. They’re just having fun because I- I’m fun.” She shrugs and grins.

“Really? I bet it was fun inside too” He said pertaining at the cabinet. He saw her cheeks flushed and he coughs a laugh.

“I’m Jongin Kim by the way.” He offered his hand and she took it as she smiles.

“I’m Saerin Jo.”