Staring out the window of the van that carried him and his four best friends Lee Jinki watched as the multitude of skyscrapers that filled Tokyo city passed by in a blur.  They had landed in the capital of Japan almost an hour beforehand, a short flight that had consisted of as much stress and panic as it did excitement at seeing the city.  He had a slight headache from Key having what was close to an anxiety attack that he had forgotten the BB night cream that he swore by, which was followed by constant complaining from the diva for the entire flight.  Despite being slightly annoyed, Jinki couldn’t find it in him to be truly angry or upset with the boy, not when they had one of the biggest concerts of the year to look forward to.  He and the rest of the boys that made up the Korean idol group SHINee had been invited, along with several other artists, to perform at a large international concert in Tokyo.  This, much to their amazement and pleasure, meant that they were one of the biggest names in Asia.

 

Turning back to the boys that surrounded him as the van lost speed, being directed towards a slightly shorter tower with the word ‘Hotel’ splashed across it he shared a smile with Minho, who had been listening in to Jonghyun and Key’s talk about what new food they would try for dinner.  With a shout from their manager in the front seat they tumbled out of the van as soon as it came to a halt and rushed towards the glass doors that would allow them access to their residence for the several days they were there.  The screaming started as soon as the van doors had opened, the multitudes of teenage girls that appeared to be camping around the hotel surging towards the stars.

 

“How do they always find out where we’re staying?” Jonghyun puzzled once they were safely inside and Jinki shrugged, unable to give an answer before Key shot in, throwing his bag over his shoulder as he replied.

 

“Companies aren’t very good with holding their tongues.  Besides these fans aren’t here just for us, there’s a tonne of Korean and Chinese idols staying here this weekend.”

 

“He has a point, though I’d still like to know how they find out about some events we only get schedules for on the day,” Minho joined the conversation as they grouped together and fell into step behind their manager, heading towards the check-in desk.

 

“I think secret services should hire them, they would probably be a good asset,” Taemin, the youngest member, commented and Jinki let out a loud laugh at the boy’s pattern of thought, the sound becoming caught in his throat as they approached the desk and he turned his attention to the staff member sitting behind it.  He had never been one for cheesy clichés and strictly speaking he did not believe in love at first sight, but for some reason he was unable to control his reaction as he laid eyes on her.  She looked a little older than himself, and was obviously of western decent with wide, blue-grey eyes that were hidden behind a pair of glasses and short, mahogany hair.

 

“Good afternoon, how may I help you?” she greeted in English, her gaze travelling over the group, coming to rest on their manager as he started speaking and Jinki felt suddenly self conscious of the strange, duck-like sound that had left his mouth.

 

“Good afternoon, we should have two rooms booked under SHINee,” the manager said and she nodded, turning back to the computer in front of her as her fingers began to dance over the keyboard.  Jinki watched as her eyes searched the screen, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she seemed to find what she was looking for.

 

“Ah yes, here we go.  If you can sign these and I will get the keys for you.  You’re in rooms five-oh-seven and five-oh-eight on the fifth floor,” she informed, slipping several pieces of paper under the older man’s nose and spinning around in her chair.  Pushing herself out of it she strode over to a rack that held the many keys for the hotel, her heels clicking on the ground as she did so and Jinki felt his face flush at his inability to drag his eyes away from her curvy figure.  It was only when she turned back around that he was able to, immediately snapping his attention to his feet.  “Here are the keys, who should I give them to?”

 

“I’ll take one!” Jinki surprised himself as the words spurted out of his mouth and six heads turned in his direction.  He hoped his bewilderment wasn’t splashed across his face, though he knew it had to be from the way his cheeks were burning.  Clearing his throat slightly he stepped forward, forcing himself to look at the girl head on.  “I’m the leader after all.”

 

“But not the most responsible,” Key muttered under his breath, wincing slightly as Minho elbowed him in the ribs subtly.  Jinki heard none of it though as the clerk smiled at him warmly, their fingers brushing as he took the key that was handed to him.

 

“I hope you enjoy your stay here.  If you need anything, feel free to call here at reception,” she said, her attention spreading to include everyone and they gave a collective bow of thanks as their manager grabbed the second key and began rambling orders in Korean as he led them towards the elevator.

 

 

As soon as they reached their separate rooms Jinki fell onto closest bed, burying his face into the blanket and cursing at himself under his breath.  He had no idea what had just happened downstairs, but it was like he had lost all control of his senses.  He did nothing but let out a groan as the bed dipped and he felt what he assumed to be Taemin’s hand on his shoulder. 

 

“Are you ok, hyung?” the quiet voice asked, laced with worry and Jinki shook his head, trying to bury it further into the bed.  Even hidden away up here with two boys that had seen everything about him, he felt embarrassed.

 

“I think Onew hyung just experienced love at first sight with the receptionist,” Minho explained for him and Jinki’s head shot up to take the tall boy in, his chocolate eyes narrowing dangerously at him.

 

“It was not love at first sight, there’s no such thing!”

 

“Love at first sight, lust, either way there’s sometimes moments in life when people catch us unaware.  When you see someone and instantly there’s just...something, and you can’t take your eyes off them,” the boy murmured and Taemin and Jinki sat staring at him for several moments, stunned at the depth of the words that had come from him.  Though it was no rare occurrence.  Eventually he shifted nervously and the other two broke from their daze.

 

“You like the receptionist, hyung?  She said you can call at anytime, maybe you should try talking to her?” Taemin suggested, Jinki’s eyes growing wide at the thought and he shook his head vigorously.  “Why not?”

 

“You should listen to Taemin, he may be the maknae but he has good ideas,” Minho agreed and Jinki let out a frustrated grunt, pulling himself up into a sitting position so that he could face the pair better.

 

“I couldn’t do that.  She would think it was weird if I just phoned up and... I don’t know, asked her for her number.”

 

“I bet she wouldn’t.  What’s the worst that could happen?  She could say no and in two days time you will never see her again.  Or she could say yes and if you don’t at least try then in two days time you will regret it for the rest of your life,” the middle boy spoke once more and Jinki’s mouth fell open at the shock from his input.

 

“What are you, a guru?” he mumbled and Minho broke into a wide grin, a short laugh escaping him as he rose to his feet.  Clapping Jinki on the back he moved to where he had dumped his bag on the next bed, beginning to rifle through it.

 

“I’m just trying to help hyung, you do what you want.  I’m going for a shower while I have the chance,” he said, his large orbs flashing up to give Jinki a fleeting glance before he bundled a pile of clothes together and headed towards the bathroom.  The door slid shut and Jinki and Taemin were left sitting opposite each other in silence.  The younger boy’s stunning features broke into a dazzling smile as he regarded his leader, rocking back and forth slightly.

 

“I’m going to check out the view and see the fans below,” he said, not so subtly and lifted himself off the bed with a graceful ease that Jinki was often jealous of.  The older boy watched him walk over to the sliding glass door that led to the balcony, disappearing out onto it.  This left Jinki sitting on his own, wondering what he should do.  Minho’s words kept running through his mind, along with the face that belonged to the girl downstairs and he let out a long sigh.  The boy was right; if he didn’t pick up that phone he would regret it for the rest of his life.  Yet at the same time he found it so hard to muster the guts to do it.  Sidling over to where the phone sat menacingly on the end table between the two beds, he picked up the receiver, staring blankly at the keypad in front of him.  Eventually he worked up the nerve to press the button for reception.  He shut his eyes as it rung out, his stomach performing somersaults with the anticipation.

 

“[i]Hilton Tokyo Reception, this is Rochelle speaking, how may I help you[/i]?”  The sound of her voice on the other end of the phone locked Jinki up and he could do nothing but try and take several panicked breaths.  “[i]Hello[/i]?”

 

“Rochelle, hi.  I don’t know if you remember, but this is Jinki...from earlier?  Oh you might know me as Onew instead,” he stumbled out, tripping over his words and as he cursed himself inwardly she let out a light laugh.

 

“Hi Jinki, of course I remember.  Is everything ok?” she asked, a shade of worry passing through her voice and he felt stupid for ringing so soon.  Of course she would think something was wrong with the room.

 

“No, no everything’s fine. I just...I’m not sure how to say this so I’m sorry.  I think you’re very pretty and my band mates said I should call and ask for your number.  I’m sorry, I don’t normally do this I promise.”  He was met by silence at the other end and felt his stomach begin to drop as his heart went from beating at a hundred miles an hour to barely functioning.

 

“I’m flattered, but there’s only one way you can have my number and that is if you ask me face to face,” she eventually spoke and for a split second he wondered if he had heard right.  Immediately his organs kicked back into gear and he barely managed to let out a garbled sentence mixed in English and Korean before he threw the phone back on the hook.  Without a backward glance he raced towards the door and ripped it open, stumbling out into the hallway and down to the elevator.  Ignoring the strange looks he received from other patrons he repeatedly hit the ground floor button, bouncing up and down on his heels as he grew more and more impatient.

 

The doors had barely opened before he pounded out across the marble floor, astounding himself that he didn’t end up flat on his face despite a couple of close calls.  In general he had enough trouble keeping himself on two feet.  By the time he reached the counter he was out of breath and as he stood gasping for air, his chest heaving, Rochelle stared up at him.  Her expression seemed to be a mixture of happiness and shock that he had taken so little time to appear in front of her.

 

“I didn’t expect you so soon.”

 

“Sorry... I, uh... sorry?” he stuttered and again received a giggle that made a warmth spread inside of him.  Brushing a strand of hair away from her face she reached for a small scrap of paper that was lying beside the keyboard.  With a small smile she rose to her feet, toying with it between her fingers as she leant against the desk.

 

“May I ask why though? You don’t know me, and I know enough about you to know that you’re a huge star,” she questioned and he looked at her silently for several moments, his almond eyes capturing hers.

 

“A friend once told me that sometimes you meet people in your life that catch you in an instant and if you don’t take a chance you’ll regret it forever,” he admitted, repeating Minho’s words and for a split moment he thought he saw tears glisten in her blue-grey depths.  They were gone a moment later though and she looked taken aback, sliding the piece of paper towards him.  Looking down he found a phone number scrawled across it.  “I have some free time between the concert and flying out, I hope I can see you then.”

 

“I look forward to it, just message me a time,” she started and Jinki nodded, unsure whether to move or not.  After a few seconds however, he spun around on his heel, stepping away from the counter.  “[i]And Jinki?  I’m glad you listened to your friend[/i].”

 

“I am too,” he agreed with a smile as he turned back to face her and she returned it, causing his insides to soar as he continued on to the elevator.  And he was glad, because now instead of regrets only hope lay before him