After graduating from Juilliard with a degree in music, Lee Howon decided to leave his simple life in New York. He had decided on becoming one of South Korea’s top idols, fulfilling the dream of his late brother Lee Sungyeol. After going viral in youtube for his cover of “Say You Won’t Let Go” he was contacted by a talent scout from Glorious Entertainment. He stayed with the company for 2 years and decided to not renew his contract. He wanted to sign with a company that would cater to his musical taste as an artist, which is why he transferred to Urban Works Ent. and he officially became part of their artist lineup.

“Welcome to the company kid” Ho Dong, one of the staff members in their company placed an arm around his shoulder. “You made the right choice in transferring here. While we’re waiting for the CEO to finalize the papers, let me show you around the company”

“Are you going to change your stage name? it’s in nowadays, a lot of singers are coming out with new stage names to help introduce a new side of theirselves” – Hodong

“I’m going to continue using my original stage name Hoya” He replied

“Okay” Hodong patted his shoulder “Anyway, this is where the practice rooms are”

 

Hodong opened the first door to where 2 girls were practicing.

 

“Oh? Annyeong haseyo!” the girls greeted

“It’s good to see you girls working hard! I’d like to introduce you to our new artist – Hoya”

“Hello” he waved

“Annyeong haseyo!” the girls bowed

“This is Kim Minju, she’s still just a trainee. And this is Kriesha Chu, she just debuted recently” Hodong pointed

“Now the company has 2 singers. Would already be 3 if you guys would just let me debut already” Minju

 “Eyy, look at this impatient girl” Hodong ruffled her hair

 

While Minju complained to Hodong like a cutesy patootsie little duck, Hoya on the other hand couldn’t take his eyes off of Kriesha.

 

“Uhh, you’re from New York right?” Kriesha said to break the ice. The way he was looking at her though was making her melt.

 

“Yeah, but I grew up in Busan. I just went there to study” – Hoya

 

“Ahh” - Kriesha

 

“Your English is pretty good, are you from the U.S too?” – Hoya

 

“Yeah, I lived with my dad in L.A and that’s where I grew up in” – Kriesha

 

“Wah, look at these two just chatting away like we don’t exist!” – Hodong

 

Slightly surprised with the sudden interruption the two of them laughed.

 

“While the company doesn’t mind its artists dating each other, I still have to warn you Hoya. Kriesha is our baby girl, she’s our company’s first singer. We used to just handle actors and actresses before, so she’s very special. If you ever hurt her in any way her fans will hunt you down” – Hodong

 

Hoya’s face flushed bright red and he waved his hands in defense “Aniya, aniya! I’m not.. w-were not-“

 

“Hodong nim, we were just talking! What are you talking about?!” – Kriesha

 

“You’re thinking too far ahead, and making them uncomfortable. Why don’t you just take us out to eat, Kriesha and I are starving. We’ve been practicing all day” – Minju

 

“Okay, fine. Oppa will treat you to dinner” – hodong

 

“eww, you’re more of an ahjussi” – minju

 

“yah, do you want free food or not?” – hodong

 

Minju didn’t reply but you could tell from her face that she still opposed the idea of calling him ‘Oppa’, which Kriesha and Hoya found very funny. Hodong just quietly accepted reality and took them to a nearby restaurant to celebrate Hoya being part of the family. Each of them had a bottle of beer and different kinds of food were presented to their table.

 

“Wah, it’s been awhile since I’ve had these!” – Hoya said picking up a rice cake

 

“Their teokkbokki is the best!” – Hodong

 

“It’s so chewy!” – Kriesha

 

“Right?!” Minju “It tastes even better ‘cause it’s free”

 

After a couple of minutes, Hoya now felt comfortable enough with the group. He could talk freely to Kriesha especially because Hodong wasn’t around to tease them, his wife called him and seems to be scolding him. Meanwhile, Minju is busy looking for her cellphone, which she’s currently holding by the way, but it was too funny so Kriesha and Hoya decided not to tell her about it.

 

“So, what made you come to Korea and become a singer?” – Hoya

 

“Actually, my mom and my brother lives here. My parents got divorced when I was 4, and so each of them took a kid and I went with my dad. The main reason why I entered this industry is because my brother is also a singer. And since we lived in opposite sides of the world I could only see him on T.V, he dedicated all of his performances to me. Growing up, my brother has always been my idol, so seeing him onstage inspired me to be like him.” – Kriesha

 

“Wow, that’s so sweet. I was also inspired by my brother. He used to be a trainee for Woollim but he didn’t get to debut” – Hoya

 

“Why not?”

 

“He died” Hoya took a sip of his soju

 

“Oh… I’m so sorry” – Kriesha

 

“That’s why I’m fulfilling his dream for him” – Hoya

 

“That’s so sweet” – Kriesha smiled

 

“So now we have two things in common, one is that we both spent some time in the U.S and the second is that we’re both inspired by our brothers” – He smiled

 

“A toast to our brothers! Cheers!” – Kriesha

 

“Cheers!” – Hoya

 

“CHEERS!” Minju screamed “Oh? My phone… I’m holding it”

 

Finally Hodong came back all frantic and worried. “Guys I have to go, my wife wants me home in 30 minutes”

 

“Okay” – Hoya

 

“Goodluck with that, lol” – Kriesha

 

“Aish, look at this girl” He looked at Minju “She shouldn’t drink more than she can handle. I’m gonna get a taxi for her. You guys take care of yourselves okay? Hoya, please help Kriesha get home safe, okay?”- Hodong

 

“Sure” – Hoya

 

Hodong grabbed Minju by the arm and escorted her outside. After getting her a taxi, he then got one for his own and went home.

 

“Where do you live?” – Hoya

 

“Oh the dorm isn’t really too far from here. I can just walk” – Kriesha

 

“Okay, let’s go” – Hoya

 

“You don’t really have to. It’s okay. You might be tired already” – Kriesha

 

“No, I really don’t mind. Besides, a girl shouldn’t be walking home alone late at night” – Hoya

 

“Okay” she smiled “Umm… how… should I call you? Sunbae? Technically you are my sunbae since you’ve been in the industry longer than me”

 

“Uhh, sunbae seems too formal. We’re already friends and we’ve already shared a drink together, would you be okay if we drop the honorifics?” – Hoya

 

“Yeah, I’m fine with that” – Kriesha

 

“How old are you by the way?”

 

“20”

 

“I’m 24” he grinned

 

“Then…should I call you Oppa?” Kriesha raised her brows playfully

 

He liked the sound of that. Oppa.

 

“Well, I’m certainly not an ahjussi. And you’re not a boy, so you can’t call me hyung” he laughed and so did she.

 

The walk home was slow. And if he could walk any slower he would have, he even wished her dorm was a bit further so that he could spend some more time with her. They were getting along so well, they weren’t running out of topics. But it was getting late and they had spent a good 10 minutes outside the gate just talking. One good thing about their goodbyes that night though was the assurance that they would meet tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. He was happy that they were in the same company, because it meant they would often see each other.

 

 

 

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Next Chapter's preview

 

When the lights went back on Kriesha realized she was clutching on to Hoya’s arm, and if she was any closer she would’ve heard his heartbeat.