You're Beautiful : Moving Forward - Part 15

It could have been a scene out of a halyu, but the picture of Hwang Tae-Kyung kissing and twirling a pretty girl in greeting at the airport was certainly not made for the celluloid.

The girl in question sported a shoulder length bob hairstyle and was pulling a huge suitcase behind her before screaming the name 'Tae-Kyung oppa' and running towards the leader of the pop group ANJell.

Even more surprising was the fact that all the other ANJell members were also present to welcome this young lady home.

Who is this mysterious girl? To say that she is Hwang Tae-kyung's sister or relative is out of the question since it is well established that Hwang Tae-Kyung is an only child; and the passionate nature of their embrace suggests that the girl is more than a mere friend.

Perhaps she is a new girlfriend. One to replace the National Fairy in Tae-Kyung's heart.

Stay tuned to e-Pop for more updates on this story.

"Aigoo.…we didn't even notice the paparazzi there? We were all excited to welcome Min Nyu mie home," exclaimed a dejected Ma Shilbang.

"They will ask who Min Nyu is, for sure," Min Nam added, while peering into his laptop screen.

They were all seated in the basement TV room, engaging in various activities before Min Nam saw the article online.

Jeremy, Cordi Wang and Min Nam were on the carpet near the coffee table sorting out various trinkets Min Nyu brought home as souvenirs. Min Nam was also on the carpet but leaning against the sofa with his laptop on his lap. Shin Woo and Ma Shilbang were sprawled over the same sofa, channel surfing.

But when Min Nam exclaimed over the article that aired mere hours upon Min Nyu's arrival home, all of them crowded around him to read the article over his shoulders.

Suddenly depressed despite her jubilant mood not so long ago, Min Nyu sighed and said that the piece of news will surely cause problems for the group.

"I should not have told you all I was coming home. I should have just taken a cab here," she sighed.

"Nonsense!" Tae-kyung boomed from the living room doorway.

He just came in from the kitchen, with two Avian bottles in his hand. As he passed the group crowding over Min Nam's laptop on the floor, he handed a bottle to Min Nyu before sitting down on the sofa nearest to his girlfriend.

"In fact, this may be a good thing for us," Tae-kyung said, casually leaning back against the sofa, one arm draped over the back of the seat.

"What do you mean, Hyung? They will not stop digging till they find out who Nyu ya is, just like reporter Kim," Min Nam looked up expectantly at the Leader, trying to remind him of the days when one particular reporter was hungry to find out who the mysterious girl within the ANJell was.

"Well, maybe we should tell them, then," Tae-kyung shrugged.

"That Min Nyu is your girlfriend or that she's Min Nam's doengseng?" Shin Woo asked.

"I don't know, maybe both? Well, maybe not at an all out Press Conference, but little hints here and there. They can eventually piece the puzzles together themselves. Whatever it is, I'm not about to hide Min Nyu in a closet somewhere," he snorted.

"Hyung…? But what about your fanbase?" Jeremy shifted worriedly.

"My fan base, I'm not worried so much," Tae-kyung smiled looking down at Min Nyu, who was seated by his feet beside Manager Ma.

"But the ANJell's fanbase as a whole, I don't want to drag down with me."

Tae-kyung suddenly leaned forward and let out a long sigh.

"I have seriously put a lot of thought in this. I believe that I am getting a little old for the idol scene," Tae-kyung confessed.

"Hyung?" Jeremy exclaimed, jumping from his position on the floor onto the seat beside Tae-kyung, not accepting the fact that his Hyung would ever be too old for the idol world.

"Listen me out for a bit," Tae-kyung trying to calm the excitable blond boy. "I mean, how much do we really have still? At best till 25 and I am 23 now. Shin Woo is a year younger. Jeremy and Min Nam are still at the safe age of 20. Last year alone, showed a significant drop in our fanbase, which was why we seeked out Min Nam in the first place. That, and the fact that my voice is not as good as before for continuous singing. And it really worked, the strategy to get a second lead singer. I don't know if it's because of Min Nam himself or just a new member in general."

"I mean, for instance, Min Nyu was with us for a month plus, but the ratings did not hit the roof until the real Min Nam came into the scene. No offence to you, honey," Tae-kyung leaned down to ruffle the girl's hair. "So maybe, the ratings really went up because of Min Nam himself. That just goes to show how weird the fans are, when they could love a prick like Min Nam more than a lovely little thing like you."

"Hey! I thought this started as feel good session," Min Nam protested.

"But then again, our fans are mostly girls and they were instinctively aware that you were a girl and not the real Boy Min Nam, I suppose. Which, then again, somehow shows how clueless some people who are close to us are," prompted a giggle from Min Nyu, knowing exactly whom Tae-kyung meant.

"Who's the one close to us and don't know Noona is a girl?" asked Jeremy indignantly, prompting the others to frown incredulous looks upon him.

"So, how do we solve this, Hyung?" asked Shin Woo, knowing full well that Tae-kyung had a solution in hand.

Tae-kyung leaned back and carefully answered, "we just do a natural and carefully staged transition for all of us. Shin Woo can choose between a solo singing career or halyu. Same goes to Jeremy, although Jeremy seems likely to be better at acting than Shin Woo. Then, there's also the back stage work that we can go into. Directing, producing, artiste management."

Min Nyu turned slightly to look at Tae-kyung as he continued, "I personally would like to concentrate on my music, writing mostly. And I'll slowly cut down on the performing side, giving Shin Woo more chances to lead. When I officially announce my 'retirement' from the idol world, Shin Woo can officially take over. And when it's time for Shin Woo to step down, Jeremy will take over and then Min Nam and so on and so forth."

"To keep ANJell, the band, alive, we can recruit new members, if you like. If not, there will probably be a time for it to disband. But only after we have all established ourselves in our chosen fields."

At those words, all those in the room seemed forlorn, even if the occasion is long way ahead.

However, the ANJell leader was not about to stop at those doomed words, "But the ANJell itself will have to continue, through a foundation perhaps. Voices of ANJells. Or Wings of ANJells, if you like. That will tie us as a family, contributing our efforts, in terms of money or influence, to help others, orphanages or victims of disasters, or maybe even scholarships creative students."

"That will also be our business; one that will not only do good for the society but that can also help us propel our names in the industry as adults. WE can then prove that idols can do more good other than just create screaming fanbases. In fact we can ask for our fans to help promote our causes," Tae-kyung ended, looking around expectantly.

"Woe, Hyung, you thought of all that?" asked Min Nam, clearly in awe of his sunbae.

"Yes, seeing the life that people went through in Arua made me realise how fortunate we all are and sometime how selfish we can be. Well, me mostly," he grimaced, earning a nudge from Min Nyu.

"I seriously don't know if it'll work, but that's just one way we can move forward, you know," he smiled down at her.

"Well, it certainly sound like a plan," the ever thoughtful Shin Woo said. "We'll make it work, Hyung. You can count on that."

"I thought I'd find you here," Tae-kyung called out as he stepped into Goh Min Nyu's bedroom balcony.

Feeling a sudden boldness he never knew he had, Tae-Kyung stood behind Min Nyu and wrapped her from behind.
Min Nyu turned slightly to look up at him, smiling softly in amusement.

"The stars are shining brightly tonight," she commented, looking up into the sky.

"Chincha?" asked the night blind Tae-kyung.

"That's nice. I know the moon is," he replied looking down at Min Nyu. "I've really missed you, you know that?"

"Mmm," Min Nyu nodded, squeezing the arms that were wrapped around her. "I'm so glad to be home," she replied shyly.

Tae-Kyung smiled into her hair, rocking her from side to side, just enjoying the moment.

"So, what do you think of my plans? Do you think they are workable?"

Min Nyu turned around slightly in his arms to give her answer.

"I believe that we can accomplish anything if we are together and if work really hard at it," she smiled.

"My Hyungnim has always been a smart person. But, my Oppa... he turned out to be someone that is not only intelligent, but someone with a beautiful heart as well. No matter how much you try to hide it, your soft big heart just struggles to make an appearance."

"Ya, Goh Min Nyu, are you praising me, trying to get on my good side, huh? After leaving me to go across the globe all this time. Aish…" he admonished her softly.

"Oh, I know, you're just trying to get me to buy to stuff again, aren't you? Trying to get me to buy you a matching ring to go with that necklace of yours, perhaps? What are you trying to imply, huh?" he glared down at her.

"Oppa, I'm implying no such thing! When have I said anything to that effect," Min Nyu protested.

"You're not implying such thing? Like you'd want me to buy you a ring or something. Unless you do want to imply it, but don't know how to? I'm ok if you want to imply such a thing."

MN looked puzzled, "Oppa?" - thinking that her Oppa has lost a vital screw somewhere, or maybe had too much Avian to drink.

"Just imply it already, I'm ok with it," Tae-kyung said again.

"Huh?"

"Oh seriously, you don't have to be shy about it, I understand that girls like this sort of thing."

"Mwo?"

"Aishh, ceongmal, if you really insist, this is the only one I could find in such a short time," Tae-Kyung declared, producing a dainty platinum ring with an exact two-star formation as her necklace.

After a short stunned silence, Min Nyu burst out laughing, "Oppa, You should have just told me you wanted to give me a ring, instead of raving and ranting in a roundabout way. You are too cute, chincha!"

"Ya, me raving and ranting? I can send it back to the shop if you don't want it."

Min Nyu stopped him in the arm and lifted her left hand shyly. An action that Tae-kyung readily reciprocated by putting the band on her small ring finger.

"So pretty," she said softly admiring the glint of the diamonds on the ring. She cocked her and said cheekily at him, "You must really like me."

Tae-kyung simply guffowed at the understatement.

In return, he his left hand towards her.

"It's a couple ring," he proclaim, showing off his version of the ring. Unlike Min Nyu's, Tae-Kyung's ring is a simple large platinum band that has a cut out of the two star design of the ladies' version.

Tae-kyung reached for her left hand and put her ring towards his, fitting Min Nyu's two-star design within his cut out version.

"See, it's a perfect fit," he said softly. "No matter how the other is small, while this one is big; or how one is dainty and the other is gruff, they will always be a perfect fit for each other," his words slowly belying a deeper meaning.

Min Nyu simply stared at the handsome man in front of her; not quite believing that he was truly hers.

"Saranghaeyo, Oppa," she said, leaning forward to hug him around the waist.

"Ya, Goh Min Nyu," trying to pry her away from, prompting her to hug him even tighter. "Have I given you permission to love me? I thought I only gave you one to like me!"

She then leaned back far enough and quick enough to stick her tongue at him. Then swooped in for another tight hug.

The mighty Hwang tae-kyung could not put up the charade any longer and simply let out a loud laugh, hugging her in return.

"Saranghaeyo, little pig rabbit. Always..."

~ The end ~