Family
The Love Experience@maya_gui Specs gang it is then :)
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Maya couldn't forget that moment she saw Juneone standing at the door to Contra's lounge. It was enough to drive her crazy but she didn't act, she just stared at him, an awkward feeling of silence looming over her, her heart beating to its fastest pace. And yet she was able to look at him in the eye. Why? She couldn't understand why. She couldn't understand how she was able to talk to him and the others so freely when in her dreams she usually saw herself screaming or crying, or worse, staring with opened so wide. It was strange. It was awkward. But it was fun.
She couldn't quite understand how she was able to stay alive, not to mention having to sit in the same car with Juneone. After their little drink at Contra, Miyoung asked them to come to Television with her, a cafe in the heart of Hongdae owned and controlled by the crew Holocoin. They went there in taxis. They rented two, one with Apachi, Nov, Sojeso and Hyukjun, the other with Juneone, Miyoung and Maya.
"Kim Ximya and Daehyun are already there," said Miyoung just as they turned a curb in the street.
"I knew Daehyun would be wandering around, but not this early. Didn't he just arrive this morning as well?" asked Juneone looking at front where Miyoung was seated, right beside the driver.
"Yeah. But I guess he already had enough sleep. Maya here already had enough sleep, didn't you?" she asked looking at Maya through the front view mirror.
"Yeah. But I guess he already had enough sleep. Maya here already had enough sleep, didn't you?" she asked looking at Maya through the front view mirror.
"Yes, I did," smiled Maya. "I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow."
"Are you a light sleeper?" asked Juneone.
"Are you a light sleeper?" asked Juneone.
"Not really. But I was really tired last night. It was fun and exciting to finally be stepping on South Korea but my body took my first flight too hard," she explained.
"No more jet lag, I guess?" asked Juneone, Maya only shaking her head. "Did you like the night view of the river?" he asked again.
"No more jet lag, I guess?" asked Juneone, Maya only shaking her head. "Did you like the night view of the river?" he asked again.
"It was beautiful," answered Maya with a wide smile. "I would love to see it again."
"Want to walk around Han river at night? I'll take you," he offered.
"Oh. Uhm... No. That's fine. I can go around myself," declined Maya.
"Want to walk around Han river at night? I'll take you," he offered.
"Oh. Uhm... No. That's fine. I can go around myself," declined Maya.
"Maya-ssi... Let Juneone take you around. I won't be able to tour you once the concert starts tomorrow," said Miyoung smiling.
"Uhm... But eonnie," she tried to decline again.
"No but's. I'll take you," said Juneone patting her shoulder. "I promise. You'll enjoy it."
"Uhm... But eonnie," she tried to decline again.
"No but's. I'll take you," said Juneone patting her shoulder. "I promise. You'll enjoy it."
"Oh god," Maya's mind said.
Television Seoul is a cafe atop a low-rise building, its interior mostly of white and gray, very monochromatic, the Zion.T vibe reflecting on every corner. Except for that one room where an old television sits in, its walls of orange and sofas of multiple colors. Maya only saw this cafe in IG stories and photos and now she's finally in it, admiring its beauty.
"Like the place?" asked Heo Jaehyuk, the model watching her as he leaned on the counter.
"A lot," she answered him with a wide smile. He watched her as she continued to walk around, admiring the place.
"A lot," she answered him with a wide smile. He watched her as she continued to walk around, admiring the place.
"Too bad Zion.T-nim isn't gonna be here today and meet you," said Juneone as he sat on a chair beside Hyukjun.
"It's fine. I wasn't expecting to see him anyway," said Maya peaking inside the orange room and taking a photo of the old television.
Kim Ximya, FRNK and D.Sanders were sitting on a different table, drinks in front of them. Miyoung introduced her to them earlier and she instantly clicked with Kim Ximya, both of them from the same birth year. Apachi, Nov and Sojeso were with them still and enjoyed Maya's presence a lot.
"What are you going to be doing this weekend, Maya-ssi?" asked Kim Ximya as she walked back to the group.
"Hmmm... Anything. I'm going to watch Esens concert tomorrow and Saturday. Then, I'll be watching the band concert on Sunday," she answered as she picked her drink up from the table Apachi and Miyoung were sitting on.
"Sunday? The concert we're gonna be at?" asked Juneone.
"Yeah. You, The KOXX, the Solutions, Life and Time, Hyukoh and Bye Bye Badman," she answered. "I love all of you," she said with a sunny smile.
"Oooh. Competition," said Kim Ximya looking at Juneone with a grin.
"Oooh. Competition," said Kim Ximya looking at Juneone with a grin.
"Do you want to go to...Contra tomorrow?" asked Apachi in English. "We have a show. Alter Ego."
"Ah! Really? Sure! I'll go," answered Maya excitedly.
"Later, there's a show in Cakeshop. Want to watch, too?" asked Nov.
"That's fine," smiled Maya.
"Ah! Really? Sure! I'll go," answered Maya excitedly.
"Later, there's a show in Cakeshop. Want to watch, too?" asked Nov.
"That's fine," smiled Maya.
"We could go to SOAP later. Goosebumps will be there, right?" said FRNK in Korean.
"Yeah. Dean and the others are going to SOAP tonight, too," said Jaehyuk.
"Yeah. Dean and the others are going to SOAP tonight, too," said Jaehyuk.
"Then let's all go," said Juneone in Korean. "Ah. Des, you up for some club hopping later?" he asked D.Sanders in English.
"I'm up for anything," he answered.
"Cool," said Kim Ximya.
A while later, Slom and DJ Dopsh arrived and joined Jaehyuk in the counter. They were briefly introduced to Maya but went on with their business. At this point, Juneone took the chance to sit across Maya at her table when the others all stood up and smoked outside. He noticed how Maya was staring at Jaehyuk and it bothered him.
"You don't smoke?" asked Juneone.
"No. How about you? Aren't you going out to smoke?" she asked.
"Nah. Not now. And besides, I don't have my own sticks," he answered before leaning back, his drink in his hands. "You do know it's rude to stare at people," he started.
"Nah. Not now. And besides, I don't have my own sticks," he answered before leaning back, his drink in his hands. "You do know it's rude to stare at people," he started.
Maya blinked and focused on him, but still stealing glances at Jaehyuk. "He's beautiful," she said.
"What?" asked Juneone.
"What?" asked Juneone.
"He's beautiful. Just look at his face. That chin," she said now staring back at Jaehyuk.
"Do you like him?" he asked.
"Not really. I'm just appreciating his beauty. I can't help not to stare," she said with a smile.
"Not really. I'm just appreciating his beauty. I can't help not to stare," she said with a smile.
"I'm jealous," he blurted out.
"What?" asked Maya unsure what he meant.
"You've been staring at Jaehyuk-ah, but not at me," he said with a playful smirk. Maya rolled her eyes and grinned. She leaned her elbows on the table then stared at Juneone, straight into his eyes. "What?" he asked.
"What?" asked Maya unsure what he meant.
"You've been staring at Jaehyuk-ah, but not at me," he said with a playful smirk. Maya rolled her eyes and grinned. She leaned her elbows on the table then stared at Juneone, straight into his eyes. "What?" he asked.
Maya just smiled. "I'm already staring at you, stupid," she said grinning.
Juneone snickered then stared back at her, leaning towards her. "Like what you see then?" he asked playfully.
Juneone snickered then stared back at her, leaning towards her. "Like what you see then?" he asked playfully.
Maya just looked at him, a soft smile on her lips. He couldn't help it. Looking at her makes his heart beat so fast, he likes it. He was wondering what magic she had. His friends all seem to like her even though they all haven't been talking so much. It must be her smile. She was different and he liked it. It was a familiar attachment he felt, but he couldn't explain what it is exactly yet.
"You know what I like about you?" said Maya tilting her head to the side, still looking straight at him. She didn't wait for him to answer and continued. "I like your eyebrows. They're cute. And I like how you changed from the early years of Glen Check, both you and Hyukjun. Your style, your appearance, your everything. I feel like I'm looking at myself as well, growing up, changing while listening to your music. I just really like you a lot, I guess."
"How do you like me?" Juneone asked, taking in the fact that Maya called him "cute".
"Uhm... As an artist? A DJ? I like you now, too as a friend," she answered with a sincere smile.
Juneone was about to ask another question when Kim Ximya walked in with Hyukjun, seeing how close they were to each other. "Oh my. What is this?! Are you two getting to know each other more already?" he asked taking the seat beside Juneone.
"What?" asked Juneone just as he sat down.
"Has Juneone asked you out for a date yet, Maya?" asked Hyukjun sitting across Kim Ximya.
"What? Of course not," laughed Maya.
"Aish. Why so slow, Juneone?" smiled Kim Ximya at him, earning a raised eyebrow as an answer. "Did you know he's single?" he asked Maya.
"Uhm... Not really?" she answered.
"Well, he is. So if he ever asks you out for a date, never hesitate to say yes, okay?" he said.
Maya giggled softly before touching her cup again. "I'll keep that in mind," she said.
"Stop bullying me, Daniel," said Juneone, lightly punching his arm.
"Well, stop being so shy, Juneone," said Kim Ximya.
The others walked back in and saw the four talking. Jaehyuk, Slom and DJ Dopsh walked back inside, too. Apachi looked at them and noticed how all four of them were wearing glasses. "Yah! You're all wearing glasses," he said.
Hyukjun looked at all of them and smiled. "Yeah. We do," he said, later on translating to Maya what Apachi said.
Miyoung held FRNK's arm and pushed him towards the table. "Sit with them. I'll take a photo with all of you," she said, the boy being obedient enough, taking his glasses from his bag and wearing them.
"Wah. You look cute," said Maya when FRNK sat down wearing his glasses.
"Let me join, too," said Jaehyuk sitting beside Juneone.
"Esens hyung should be here," said Kim Ximya.
"Esens hyung should be here," said Kim Ximya.
They all sat down and looked at Miyoung who directed her phone's camera to them. "You all look so nice. Smile," she said.
"Specs gang," said Kim Ximya.
*click*
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"You are going to love Esens hyung, I swear. He's a really cool guy," said Kim Ximya as he put an arm around Maya's shoulder. "And he's excited to meet you, too," he continued.
"I'm excited to meet him, too," said Maya.
Miyoung arranged a dinner for her artists and Maya to meet and spend time together, just good enough before they walk off to their individual shows for the night. Miyoung and FRNK were walking first, leading the group to their destination. The others were watching Kim Ximya and Maya talk as though they've been friends since they were kids.
"You're jealous, aren't you?" asked DSanders.
"I am not," answered Juneone.
"Oh really?" said Hyukjun.
"Hey! Stop it, will you? Both of you." said Juneone.
"Just asking," smiled DSanders.
"You should be thankful Daniel already has a girlfriend," said Hyukjun.
"Yeah. Imagine if that was me talking to Maya," said DSanders.
"Don't you even dare," said Juneone sternly.
"Yeah. Imagine if that was me talking to Maya," said DSanders.
"Don't you even dare," said Juneone sternly.
"I'm just kidding, of course," said DSanders laughing. "But she does look really cute and pretty. Not to mention looking smart, too."
"She's a good catch, eh?" smiled Hyukjun.
Miyoung brought them to a family restaurant right in the middle of Hongdae. Kim Ximya and Maya were still talking about very random things, in particular, Maya's pets. Juneone couldn't help but overhear their conversation, especially when Maya started speaking loudly.
"My cat, her name is Hershey... One time when we had our new washer delivered at home, I swear her eyes went so big when she saw the huge box like... Oh my god, a box!" she said while they ascended the stairs.
"It makes you really wonder what boxes have that it attracts them so much," said Kim Ximya.
"I'm guessing it's the smell," she said holding onto his arm when he suddenly stopped.
"I'm guessing it's the smell," she said holding onto his arm when he suddenly stopped.
"You have a point. They smell things we don't," said Kim Ximya.
"And you two have been talking nonstop since we left Television," said Juneone walking past them, a blank tone in his vioce.
The two just looked at him as he walked by. Kim Ximya smirked and followed him, holding Maya's arm to follow him. "I'm sorry if I made you jealous, hyung," he said snickering.
The two just looked at him as he walked by. Kim Ximya smirked and followed him, holding Maya's arm to follow him. "I'm sorry if I made you jealous, hyung," he said snickering.
Juneone looked back at him and sneered, shaking his head while at it. "He's jealous, I swear," said Hyukjun in Korean.
"Okay, well, here we are," said Miyoung as they walked into a restaurant.
Not a lot of people were there. Most Koreans eat their dinner late in the evening and it was just 6pm. Kim Ximya mentioned it wasn't a really popular place as well. He said Esens loves to go to this particular restaurant because of the dumplings. Maya followed them, Hyukjun right behind her. At the middle of the area, a long table was already occupied by three people: Esens, Soulscape and another manager.
"Hey, here you guys are!" greeted Esens as he raised a hand to his boys, each of them bowing at his presence. Maya tried to do so as well, hanging open. Esens saw her shyly standing right next to Kim Ximya. "Oh, is this the girl already?" he asked as he stood up.
Although Maya didn't quite understand, the moment she heard "yeoja", she knew he was talking about her. He stood up and walked over to her with arms wide open. "Annyeonghaseyo!" he greeted, with a very happy smile. Maya couldn't help but smile, too and bowed. Esens stepped closer to her and hugged her very warmly, like a brother would to a younger sister. When he stepped back, he looked at her and squeezed her shoulders.
"Welcome to Korea!" he said in English.
"Ah... Thank you," said Maya.
"Maya-ssi... Right?" he said.
"Nae. Maya-imnida," she answered.
"I hope you enjoy. Sit down," he offered, leading her to a chair that's positioned right in front of him. "This is DJ Soulscape," he pointed to the man in a bonnet, also one of Maya's favorite Korean DJs. "And that's Jinyoung-nim, manager at BANA," he said pointing to a man in glasses
"It's nice meeting you," said Maya taking out her hand and shaking theirs.
"Sit down. Let's eat!" invited Esens.
Juneone and Kim Ximya sat on either side of Maya, as instructed by Esens. It was awkward to be in the middle of her favorite label's dinner table. But it was more awkward to be sitting right in front of the rapper you admire so much. She never thought she would be able to see Esens in person, not to mention having to talk to him, and now, having dinner with him. He had a bright, sunny smile, the wrinkles along his eyes slowly being visible at his cheeks' movements. She looked at his cheeks and concluded that he surely wasn't drunk yet. She watched as he patted the boys' heads or shoulders and asking how they were, just like family. And every one of them looked so comfortable to be with him. This was home.
Juneone noticed how tense she was. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "It's all right. Esens is a cool guy." he said.
Maya turned to look at him and saw him smile warmly at her. "I'm just... I just can't believe it," she said softly, feeling her eyes well up
"You have to. You still have tomorrow and Saturday to see him," he said., noticing how her eyes were becoming wet.
"Oh, Juneone," she finally said with a shaky voice. A tear escaped her eye and bowed her head.
"Maya...." he said with a smile, reaching a hand out to hold her shoulder.
DSanders noticed the scene and called out Juneone, gaining everyone else's attention. "What happened?" he asked.
"Nothing," said Juneone. He continued using Korean. " She said she was just too happy and overwhelmed that she finally met Esens hyung, and everyone. I understand," he said.
DSanders noticed the scene and called out Juneone, gaining everyone else's attention. "What happened?" he asked.
"Nothing," said Juneone. He continued using Korean. " She said she was just too happy and overwhelmed that she finally met Esens hyung, and everyone. I understand," he said.
Kim Ximya smiled and patted her back against him. "Thank you, Maya," he said in English.
Hyukjun, FRNK and DSanders all smiled. Esens saw and smiled as well. He didn't know about foreign fans that looked up to him as much as Maya. And more than that, being able to appreciate his brothers in the label as well. He sat in his seat and watched Maya slowly look up and wipe her face of her tears, Juneone already smiling at her, his usual shy but warm smile. Kim Ximya put both of his hands on her shoulders and squeezed it, smiling.
"Maya-ssi, thank you," said Esens. The girl sat back properly and looked at him. "Yah, you two translate this to her, okay?" he told the boys beside her. He looked at her once again and started with a huge smile. "It's nice to meet you. And I hope you enjoy your stay here. I hope you enjoy the concert, too. I hope we create very nice memories all together, you, me, XXX, Glen Check, Daehyun, everyone. We're a family here, them being my beloved dongsaengs. It wouldn't be so bad to have a yeodongsaeng like you." Kim Ximya translated it for her and she was looking at Esens all throughout. "Stop crying now, please? It will ruin your pretty face," he continued standing up and leaning towards her, patting her head with his hand, Juneone translating. He sat back down and smiled at her. "Let's eat!" he said.
And Maya did eat with them. She couldn't help but hold back at some point but when Esens told her to do any thing she wanted, she tried to let go. Not to mention, eat some of the glorious beef being cooked right in front of her. Back in the Philippines, she would eat at Korean restaurants with her bestfriend. But being able to finally eat authentic Korean food right in its originating country felt and tasted tremendously amazing.
Everyone from BANA, although they look twisted and weird (in a good way), were amazing people, at least in Maya's eyes. Everyone looked warm and friendly, especially Esens and how he treats his dongsaengs. He looks at them with love and pride. Hyukjun who is always silent and reserved can be seen laughing with FRNK and even lightly hitting each other's arms. Kim Ximya looked like the really smart one among everyone in the table. His laugh sounds weird but she loved how he can strike a joke or two and would send everyone laughing. DSanders kept his circle within Juneone, 250 and Soulscape since he can't speak Korean much but enjoyed laughing just like Maya when something appears to be funny. Juneone though, was the more serious guy among everyone else. He would laugh, but only to the level of a giggle. His volume wasn't even loud compared to how Esens spoke. "A fine man," Maya told herself.
"Will you be at the concert tomorrow?" asked Esens
"Nae. I will," answered Maya as she took her bag and slung it over her shoulder.
"Ah. Okay," said the older as he held her shoulders.
"We'll be at BANA tonight," said Soulscape bumping shoulders with Juneone and Hyukjun.
"Nae. I will," answered Maya as she took her bag and slung it over her shoulder.
"Ah. Okay," said the older as he held her shoulders.
"We'll be at BANA tonight," said Soulscape bumping shoulders with Juneone and Hyukjun.
"I don't know where I should be," said Hyukjun.
"Aish. Come with us," said Juneone.
"Are you going with them?" FRNK asked Kim XImya.
"Yeah. You?" asked the younger.
"I have to be at MODECi tonight. If you guys go somewhere else, tell me," said FRNK.
"We'll be at SOAP for Sik-K's party. Goosebumps will be doing a set with Juniorchef so we gotta be there," said Juneone bumping shoulders with FRNK.
"Ah. I see. I'll drop by if I can," he smiled.
"You're going with us, Maya," said Kim Ximya in English.
"Huh? Where?" she asked unaware of what they were talking about.
"Aish. Come with us," said Juneone.
"Are you going with them?" FRNK asked Kim XImya.
"Yeah. You?" asked the younger.
"I have to be at MODECi tonight. If you guys go somewhere else, tell me," said FRNK.
"We'll be at SOAP for Sik-K's party. Goosebumps will be doing a set with Juniorchef so we gotta be there," said Juneone bumping shoulders with FRNK.
"Ah. I see. I'll drop by if I can," he smiled.
"You're going with us, Maya," said Kim Ximya in English.
"Huh? Where?" she asked unaware of what they were talking about.
"We're going to SOAP to party," smiled Juneone.
"Go with them," urged Esens,
"Yeah. Goosebumps is gonna be there. And it's a Sik-K party, so you'll see his crew," said Soulscape.
"Yelowsmob," mentioned Hyukjun.
"Oh. Right. The BOYCOLD release party," said Maya.
"Maybe some of the other guys would be there, too," said Kim Ximya.
"Who else?" asked Maya.
"It's a secret," said KIm Ximya leaning towards her. "Come with us to see for yourself," he added with a grin.
"Go with them," urged Esens,
"Yeah. Goosebumps is gonna be there. And it's a Sik-K party, so you'll see his crew," said Soulscape.
"Yelowsmob," mentioned Hyukjun.
"Oh. Right. The BOYCOLD release party," said Maya.
"Maybe some of the other guys would be there, too," said Kim Ximya.
"Who else?" asked Maya.
"It's a secret," said KIm Ximya leaning towards her. "Come with us to see for yourself," he added with a grin.
Maya sneered and playfully hit his arm, the guy just leaning back with a laugh. Dinner was over and she doesn't have anything else to do. How bad is it gonna be? She asked if Miyoung was coming with them.
"I can't, Maya-ssi. I have to get ready for tomorrow," she said. "But don't worry. The boys will take care of you," she added assuring Maya.
"If they don't, tell me," said Soulscape.
"Haha. Okay. I will," Maya said.
"If they don't, tell me," said Soulscape.
"Haha. Okay. I will," Maya said.
And with that, the group divided into three: Esens, Soulscape and the managers heading back to BANA, FRNK and 250 going to MODECi, Juneone, Hyukjun, DSanders, Kim Ximya and Maya to SOAP. Maya knew about the club, owned and managed by Fallens of Pute Deluxe. She was excited to be there. And since tonight was also Sik-K's release party, she was sure to see a great set and performance.
Itaewon at night was filled with a lot of people and lights. A lot of restaurants are all still open and since there were clubs at every direction, people of all nationalities can be seen walking through its streets. Not a lot of people Maya saw resembled any Filipino features and she felt inferior, especially when she was walking right beside 3 Korean men and a half-American. But she didn't feel as though she was an outcast. Her new found friends were nice and welcoming, as though race and nationality never mattered in the world.
"Is SOAP already open at this time? It's just past 9pm," asked Maya.
"Well... Yeah. They are," said Juneone.
"Well... Yeah. They are," said Juneone.
"It would be better to get in early than have to wait later because the line gets long sometimes," said Hyukjun.
"We could drop by a cafe if you're not comfortable yet," offered Kim XImya.
"I'm fine with anything," said Maya with a smile, hiding her hands insiie her pockets. "Thanks, by the way," she added.
"I'm fine with anything," said Maya with a smile, hiding her hands insiie her pockets. "Thanks, by the way," she added.
"For what?" asked Juneone.
"For tagging me along," she said. "This is officially my first time to go clubbing in South Korea. Can you imagine how nervous I am?!" she said with a soft squeal.
"For tagging me along," she said. "This is officially my first time to go clubbing in South Korea. Can you imagine how nervous I am?!" she said with a soft squeal.
"No, we can't imagine," said Kim Ximya teasing her, copying how her hands were in her pockets and then squealed.
"Daniel!" said Maya hitting his arm lightly.
"Just kidding," he said locking her neck between his left arm.
"We should do this more often, Danny," said Juneone.
"Do what?" he asked.
"Going out at night all together," smiled Juneone.
"Hmmm... I agree with that," said Hyukjun.
"Hey. Count me in that," said DSanders.
"What about me?" asked Maya.
"We should do this more often, Danny," said Juneone.
"Do what?" he asked.
"Going out at night all together," smiled Juneone.
"Hmmm... I agree with that," said Hyukjun.
"Hey. Count me in that," said DSanders.
"What about me?" asked Maya.
"As long as you're here," said Kim Ximya taking his tongue out.
"Aish. But thanks," she said smiling and then wrapping an arm around his waist.
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