Clarissa

“Hi! My name is Clarissa Lu, the new production worker. Y’all can call me Reese. I hope to be an asset in the team, and I hope to learn a lot from you!” Clarissa made sure she was able to greet everyone in the team, smiling and always asking what she could do to help. It wasn’t hard to warm up to her, she’s always so enthusiastic.

 She knew that her boss was trying to ease her into the job: there wasn’t much she could do in terms of translations. It’s a music show after all. After proof-reading the sprinkles of English lyrics that pop up on the TV screen, she was pretty much free to do as she pleased.

Clarissa knew the basics of producing and camera work. She graduated with a degree in broadcasting and media studies, after all. However, it didn’t hurt to ask questions to make sure she knew the etiquette in Korean broadcasting—she didn’t want to make a stupid mistake later.

“Reese-ssi,” Boyoung unni, the production manager, called her. “Can you take this memo to PD-nim? He’s in the screen room right now.”

“Okay!” Clarissa started walking backwards, smiling gratefully to the unni for finally giving her an errand and an excuse to have a little adventure.

“Carefu—“ Boyoung called, too late, as Clarissa bumped into the trashcan behind her.

Kai/Clarissa

“Hyung, I’m just gonna go to the restroom,” Kai said. He left the waiting room and started walking towards one of the farther restrooms.

Bam! Kai turned his attention to a crash a few feet away. There was a girl sitting on the floor with trash spread around her. Instinctively, he jogged towards the girl to help her up.

“Hey, you okay there?” Kai supported the girl with a hand on her elbow.

The girl looked up, “Yeah. Thanks! Oh. Wow… Kai.” Man, does he or does he look like a Greek god? Dat jaw line looks even better close up…

Kai was just as surprised as she was. Was he starting to hallucinate from thinking of her so much? He quickly did a double take to make sure. He broke out into a smile. Yup. That is her, alright.

“Clarissa, right?” Kai mentally kicked himself on the shin. You should have pretended to struggle remembering. You’re giving yourself away, dumbo.

“Hey, you remembered! Yep, that’s me. But I guess I should’ve been named ‘Clumsy’ instead. I don’t even need that trash can to make a spectacle out of myself. Seriously, I trip over my own feet. Heck, I trip over air.” Her face was a pink tint by then. Kai didn’t know which one he found more adorable: her clumsiness or her ever-present blush. He wanted to pinch her cheeks!

“Uh…” she suddenly laughed awkwardly. “You probably didn’t want to hear all that, huh? Sorry. Another stupid habit—rambling when I’m nervous.” Clarissa turned a deep shade of red, willing the ground to swallow her whole.

Kai chuckled at her, “No, not at all. And I rather like ‘Clumsy.’ It’s easier to say than Clarissa.” Truth was, Kai wanted to do a happy dance—who knew he’d see her so soon? And she’s even more adorable than he remembered. Clumsy is okay. I can be graceful for the both of us. Kai quickly erased the thought from his mind. Wait. What are you thinking, Kim Jongin?!

Clarissa just nodded. Stop blushing, woman! And you better shut that big trap of yours before you embarrass yourself even more.

Kai cleared his throat. “So what brings you here on a Sunday? Watching your favorite boy group?” He laughed at his lame attempt to fish for… for what? He didn’t really know either.

“No, actually. I work here. Oh, crap. I need to get going, Kai!” Clarissa started running, but turned to smile at him. “And thanks for earlier. See you around!”

“Wait—“ Kai didn’t even get to say goodbye to Clarissa, the only type of Clumsy he might actually like.