B.I had a hard day at SMTM 3 today. He was voted out from the programme. He was feeling a bit down for losing but somehow a part of him felt a sense of relieved. At the same time he also felt overjoyed by Bobby’s win, his best buddy, who went to the next round in the competition.

“Hyung! Make us proud… do what you do best!”

 B.I sent a message to Bobby before he left the SMTM studio. A burden had been lifted of his shoulder so now B.I could focus more on IKON. His steps felt heavy as he walked out of the van. There were so many things going on in IKON lately and his leadership is being tested once again. A message came in, it was from Bobby.

“hei rascal…Thanks! Somehow I felt lonely here in SMTM3 studio without you. Your message came in timely. Don’t stress yourself with IKON. I have trust in you. You are doing good B.I!!... We will chat more over ramen when I return! Fighting!”

B.I smiled after reading Bobby’s message. It lifted his spirit up. Maybe because they have spent a number of years training together that they could read and sense each other thoughts without even saying anything. They find remedies to their injured egos and souls when they shared with each other about their hopes and fears over a cup of ramen. Talking about ramen B.I realized they are running out of it. He saw Jinhwan walked out of the dancing studio.

B.I: Hyung I need to go to the minimart to get some ramen.

Jinhwan: Now??? Oh … Ok. Get one for me too.

The minimart was just a few blocks away from YG building. He felt burden every time he had to disguise himself whenever fanatic fans were spotted outside. Today, it was less of inconvenience for him; surprisingly there were only a few girls with Big Bang posters standing outside the building. They just waved at him politely as he ran pass through them.

At the Minimart

Store owner: Anyeonghaseo … B.I today you came alone?

B.I: Anyeong heaseo… yes the rest are busy today. Just want to grab some ramen.

Store owner: Oh you come in time… I have just topped up your favourite flavours at the corner. You better grab them now before it goes sold out.

B.I: Thank you Ahjusshi.

B.I. beamed hearing the good news, as he walked towards the aisle his view was distracted by a figure of a girl who was standing a few metres in front of him. She had a long straight hair with a rich shade of mahagony, her cream-colored skin tone was flawless with chiselled look and high cheekbones. She looked like a model that came alive from a magazine. Who is this girl? Het thought to himself. Without realizing B.I was already standing right in front of her, gazing at her beautiful dark brown eyes. He was awed by her beauty. Like in a state of trance he couldn't make sense of what was going on around him.

Lalice: Excuse me…Hi….Hello....Excuse me, you need something? (The girl was waving at B.I who was standing in front of her)

B.I: Oh… I am sorry… (Embarrassed by his action)… I want to get the ramen on that shelf. (Pointing at the stacked ramen on the shelves)

Lalice: Oh sorry… did i block your way?

B.I: it’s ok… thank you

They smiled shyly at each other. It was awkward. His heart was behaving weirdly. At the corner of his eyes he could sense that the girl was studying him secretly. He felt crazily nervous standing beside this stranger.

Lalice: You don’t remember me, do you?

B.I: Sorry… (He turned to her and was surprised by the sudden question from the beautiful stranger)

Lalice: I am Lalice… we met at the set of Ringga Lingga Music Video.

B.I was shocked. Did they meet before? If they do he must be too overworked for not remembering such a beauty at all. He was too shock to utter anything other than a shy smile.

Lalice: hmmmm we didn’t exactly introduce to each other but I know you. (B.i is still staring at her with that smile on his face)

Lalice: This is embarrassing… I am sorry… (Lalice felt embarrassed as it seemed B.I didn’t notice or recognize her at all)

B.I: No … no… I am sorry it’s my fault... There seemed to be a lot of things in my head (he lied)... Nice meeting you Lalice. I am Hanbin. You mentioned you were involved in Ringga Lingga MV. Are you a model or dancer?

Lalice: Neither...but you can say I am a dancer. I love to dance and now I am training with YG.

Hanbin was impressed by her friendly and outgoing personality. They shook hands and for the first time he truly felt his heart fluttered as he took her soft palm under his.

Lalice: I think I better make a move now. Hope to see you around.

As she was about to leave, her footsteps were stopped by the commotion outside. It seemed like a group of fanatic girls had rushed into the minimart demanding something from the shop owner.

Fanatic Fans: YAaa... Ahjusshie! Did B.I walked into your shop?

Shop owner: He had already left long time ago.

Fanatic Fans: Don't lie Ahjusshie... my friend said she saw him walked inside this minimart.

SHop owner: Go away if you are not buying anything here...

One of the girls in the group began to wander around the minimart. Seeing that, in panic state of mind B.I quickly pulled Lalice hand and ran into a small storeroom to hide. He quietly closed the door behind him, leaving enough space to enable him to peep outside.

Lalice: Can I know why I have to hide too?

B.I was surprised by his action too. AM I CRAZY, why the hell did I pull her along with me? He thought to himself. The store room was too small for them to hide. There were too many boxes inside the storeroom, that they have to cramp onto each other, almost like in a hugging position. As the fan girl approached closer to the store, B.I had no choice but to shut the storeroom door close. A silhouette of a fan girl can be seen on the tinted glass, as she passed by. B.I put a finger on Lalice lips signalling her to keep quiet and not to move an inch.  His eyes met hers. They were so close to each other that he could smell her sweet strawberry perfume on her skin; his heartbeat was beating very fast. Hope she didn’t feel or hear it, he prayed hard. .

Shop owner: I told you he had left. Girls if you are not buying anything you better go away now… don’t cause problem here.

The arguments between the shopowner and the group of fanatic fans went on for few minutes.

 Knock! Knock! Knock!

Shop owner: B.I are you still in there???  It is save now, B.I… you can come out from the store room now.

B.I and Lalice came out from the store room. They looked flushed.

Shop owner: Aigoo… girl why are you inside too? Who is she? Is she your friend? She is hiding with you too B.I?

B.I: ….errrr… ya… she is a YG trainee, Ahjushhii… I pulled her in to hide too. Just in case they asked her about me (he lied again).

Shop owner: Aigoo… I feel for you kids… go and grab what you want quickly… I will keep a look out for you, in case those girls returned. I will chase them away for you. These girls… they are not buying anything, they just want to create trouble….

The shop owner continued to nag as he walked away to mend the cashier counter. B.I and Lalice was standing awkwardly facing each other.

B.I: Hei I am sorry about just now. I shouldn’t have brought you into that room and hold you like that.

Lalice: no worries, i understand … its ok… it will be my most memorable encounter. (Lalice laughed) I better get going now, I am really late. I see you around at the building.

B.I: oh sure… hei you practicing in the building today?

Lalice: Ya… I got to go now, it’s really nice meeting you… Bye! (She left with a smile on her face)

It was crazy situation; he really wanted to see her again. He laughed to himself as he thought about their interaction. He never felt a crush before and maybe this is how it felt like. Will there be next time?