Chapter 16

            “I have to say, Minjin-ah, I’m so pleased you’ve made this decision.”

            The Captain’s usually solemn demeanor was replaced with an excited grin as he led Soomin and Minjin through the halls of his new office building.  It was the beginning of his new project: Project Chrome.  The sign that was currently being placed outside read “Chrome Entertainment”, and he was happy and relieved that things seemed to be going according to plan.

            “We’ve begun creating tools and equipment in the basement,” he explained, giving them a tour of his building.  “But up here, we are totally equipped for an entertainment company.  Here’s the practice room.”

            The three of them peeked into a small practice room at the end of the hall, admiring the mirrors and clean wooden floors.  Hyunchang led them down another hall, continuing to explain his plans.

            “My old buddy Ah Ba is a dance instructor now, and he may be coming from Daegu to train you.  He’s still thinking about the offer.  Here’s the dorm-ish area.”

            As soon as the Captain opened the door to the dorms, the three of them were shocked to notice another person inside.  She was a tad shorter than Minjin, and her build seemed even smaller.  With her hair tied back, her bright and shining eyes peeked up from inside a bowl of black bean noodles.  As she lowered the bowl of noodles from her face, the stranger gave a grin with her black bean-covered mouth.

            “Minjin-ah, this is Park Hyekyeong,” the Captain introduced reluctantly.  “Hyekyeong-ah, I do believe it’s three ‘o’ clock in the afternoon, and you’re eating yet again.”

            “Well, Captain, you have me sitting here all day doing nothing,” Hyekyeong sighed in frustration.  She put the bowl down on a small end table nearby, walked over to Minjin and Soomin, and bowed.  “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

            “I’m Heo Minjin,” Minjin told shyly.  “It’s nice to meet you as well.

            “Minjin-ah is the second member of Hurricane Pop,” the Captain told happily.

            “Hurricane Pop?” Hyekyeong said in confusion.  “Is that what we’re calling ourselves?”

            “Well…I’m still thinking,” he replied reluctantly.

            “Yeah…keep thinking,” Hyekyeong encouraged enthusiastically.  “Hey, Minjin-ah.  Do you want to get something to eat?”

            “Um, you were just eating, but…I guess…”

            “Great!  Hey, boss, you want to give us some cash?”

            “Not particularly,” he admitted with a sigh.  “But I suppose I have no choice.  Go ahead and get to know one another.  When you get back, I’m cutting your food budget.”

            “Could you really say that to this face?” Hyekyeong asked with her puppy dog eyes. 

            As the Captain handed Hyekyeong the money, Soomin gave Minjin a reassuring nod and a motherly kiss on the forehead.  Then Hyekyeong slipped her arm around Minjin’s and began to drag her out of the room.

            “Minjin is your senior, Hyekyeong-ah!” the Captain called loudly from down the hall.  “Treat her well!”

            “Oh!  You should have said something, unnie.  Come on.  Let’s go get some pork belly.”

            As they walked out into the city, Minjin moved stiffly.  Hyekyeong held onto her tightly, as if she could never imagine what kind of past horrors she had committed.  This little fairy with an impish grin was a street fighter with military-like skill?  How could this be?

            “So, Minjin unnie, how old are you?”

            “I’m twenty-one,” Minjin informed awkwardly.  “What about you?”

            “I’m twenty years old,” Hyekyeong smiled.  “That means I can drink, you know.”

            “Twenty?  Wow, I would have thought you were younger.”

            “Ah, that is my curse,” she frowned.  “But I suppose I’ll see it as a blessing once I turn thirty or something.”

            The Chrome Entertainment building had been placed in a neighborhood full of restaurants.  As Soyul admired every sight and scent along the road, Minjin started to wonder if she had any input on the location of the building.  They finally spotted a small shop that served pork belly and many other delicious things, and they quickly went in.

            “Halmeoni, this is my friend Heo Minjin,” Hyekyeong grinned at the elderly woman who seated them.  “We’re going to form a girl group and become really famous.”

            “Ah, I have no doubt that you will, Hyekyeong-ah,” the woman smiled.

            After they were seated, Hyekyeong swiftly ordered the pork belly with a variety of soups and side dishes.  Minjin was astonished that Hyekyeong had seemed to memorize the menu, and she spoke of the food as if it was a long lost friend.

            “Are you a regular here, Hyekyeong?” Minjin asked after the elderly woman left.

            “I was…before the Captain cut my food budget…the first time.”

            “Ah…”

            “I don’t know what his problem is,” Hyekyeong sighed, sinking in her chair like an angry child.  “I never spend a cent over the budget he gives me.  I’m very good with money and math, you know.  But because of my money skill, I end up getting a lot of food for a small amount of money, and he just thinks I’ll get fat or something.”

            “Well, that is how it works most of the time,” Minjin suggested shyly.

            Hyekyeong smirked and gave a wink.  “That’s why I sneak out at night and work it all off.”

            “With your street fighting?”

            “Is that what he called it?” Hyekyeong questioned in amazement.  “Well…I guess that’s what it’s technically called.  But it’s just a bit of fun, you know?”

            “Fighting isn’t a bit of fun where I come from,” Minjin said quietly, hoping her tone wasn’t as angry as she thought it sounded.

            “And where exactly do you come from?” Hyekyeong asked curiously.

            Before Minjin could answer, a younger male chef from the kitchen brought out two bowls of miso soup and two cups of water and put them on their table.  Hyekyeong only let out an eager “wuah!” before quickly beginning to eat.  Slightly embarrassed, Minjin shyly nodded to the chef and thanked him.  She slowly joined Hyekyeong in eating, but not before giving her a critical glare.

            “So, unnie, tell me your story,” Hyekyeong said casually, drinking in the last of her soup.  Minjin was sure that they had only begun eating a few seconds ago.  “What makes you qualified for this secret operation?”

            “I’m surprised the Captain didn’t tell you,” Minjin sighed.  “I was hoping he would make sure you were okay with it before I joined this team.”

            “Why wouldn’t I be okay with it?”

            “Well…”  The memories flooded Minjin’s mind.  She realized she had never had to tell anyone her story before.  In fact, she had been forbidden to tell anyone.  Even government therapists who were meant to help her and Minseon never made them recall any of their time at the Comet Academy.  Soomin never spoke of those times, partially due to her own pain, but also because she was sensitive to the twins’ suffering.

            “Oh, I just remembered,” Hyekyeong uttered suddenly.  “The Captain told me not to delve too deep into your past.  He was sort of solemn about it…”  She gave her bright pixie smile.  “You don’t have to tell me anything.”

            “Maybe it’s meant to be told at a better time,” Minjin grinned weakly.  “But just know that my sister and I were trained in almost all forms of martial arts.  We know about six languages.  And…we sing.”

            Hyekyeong froze in the middle of sipping her water.  “Well…it’s good to know that you sing in the midst of all that expertise.  The Captain is trying to recruit your twin sister, right?”

            “Yeah…I don’t know if he’ll be able to,” Minjin admitted sadly.  Hyekyeong looked eagerly at the kitchen door as she her lips, and Minjin laughed.  “You sort of remind me of her.

            A few minutes later, the chef brought out all the food Hyekyeong had ordered, and they began to eat.  Though Minjin’s past life remained off-limits, Hyekyeong excitedly talked about her life as an ulzzang.  She mentioned her audition for JYP Entertainment, as well as her other musical endeavors.

            “I was in this group with my friend Jina,” Hyekyeong explained, chewing animatedly on a piece of pork belly.  “I keep telling the Captain that she’d be a good addition to the team.  She isn’t trained in martial arts or languages or anything, but the Captain said he’s also looking for performers that aren’t trained in other skills.  After all, does Girls’ Generation really need a whole group of martial artists to protect them?  I’m a bit skeptical of the prophecy, honestly.  Don’t tell the Captain that, though.  I’m excited for this opportunity.”

            “Yeah, I’m still wondering about that prophecy,” Minjin chuckled.  “Whether or not we have to protect them, I suppose we’ll have a pretty good life as idols, right?”

            “Ah, to be an idol,” Hyekyeong beamed, her attention finally tearing away from the food.  “To belong to a whole group of fans that you can just adore and be adored by…it seems so magical, doesn’t it?”

            “I never even imagined being an idol.  But it doesn’t seem like the Captain intends for us to be really popular.”

            “But how else are we going to be at all the same events as Girls’ Generation?” Hyekyeong asked.  “I’ve heard the Captain talk about training us in stealth as if we’re going to stalk the girls around all the time.  That’s just ridiculous.  Are we going to run around in masks and capes, too?”

            “That would be sort of fun,” Minjin smirked optimistically.  She quickly resorted to a frown after noticing Hyekyeong’s displeased expression.  “I mean, maybe not in everyday life, but maybe as an album concept?  Hyekyeong-ah, take the last piece of pork belly.”

            Minjin was relieved to divert Hyekyeong’s attention back to the food.  It was amazing how quickly the food had disappeared.  Nearly all the sides were gone, and Hyekyeong gleefully put the last piece of pork belly in .  The restaurant owner stood near the table readily, as if she expected Hyekyeong to order more food.  Minjin couldn’t imagine this little fairy girl eating another bite.

            “Excuse me,” Hyekyeong inevitably called, waving her hand in the air.  The owner came over quickly and smiled.  “Can we have some chicken?”

            “Certainly,” she replied, taking some empty dishes from the table.

            Hyekyeong grinned adorably, and Minjin almost expected the owner to pat her tiny head like a loving grandmother.  The cuteness and embarrassment sent blood to Minjin’s cheeks, and she timidly sunk in her chair.

            “So, unnie, who are your favorite-”

            Hyekyeong’s question was suddenly interrupted by the sound of breaking dishes on the floor.  They both looked over at the owner, who stood at the door of the restaurant in front of a man clad in black clothes and a dark ski mask.  The man grabbed the owner’s arm and held a small, glimmering gun to her head.

            “Everyone, get up against the wall!” the man cried, suddenly pointing the gun at Minjin, Hyekyeong, and the four other patrons in the restaurant.  His furious voice sent the four other patrons running to the wall in the back of the restaurant, but Minjin and Hyekyeong were more reluctant to follow his orders.

            “Please, don’t do this,” the owner pleaded helplessly, attempting to tear her arm away from his grip.

            “You go over to the money,” the robber told, throwing the owner over to the register.  “You two, hurry!  Up against the wall!”

            “Ya!  We’re moving, ahjussi,” Hyekyeong growled, pulling Minjin to the wall with her.

            “Get your cooks from the kitchen and bring them out here,” the robber continued, talking to the owner.  “I know that there are two.  Don’t you dare try to plan something with them.”

            “Yes, sir.”

            As the owner went into the kitchen, the robber moved closer to the patrons against the wall.  The restaurant was hardly very big, and the patrons had to squeeze behind chairs and tables in order to get to the wall.  One woman clung to her boyfriend and cried, while the other two patrons, two older women, shook in fear of the robber.  Minjin began to calculate ways to take control of the situation, but Hyekyeong stood there with a feisty smirk on her face.

            “Do you have something to be smiling about?” the robber asked, leaning close to her face.

            Hyekyeong looked down at the floor and smiled shyly.  Minjin was surprised to even see her cheeks flush red.  “I’ve just always found these situations very exciting and romantic in the movies.”

            “Little punk,” he growled, tapping her cheek with the tip of his gun.  Hyekyeong remained completely calm, and even enamored, as the metal touched her cheek. 

            The owner of the restaurant returned from the kitchen with the two chefs.  The robber quickly pushed the young chefs to the ground and pushed the owner to the register.  He took a bag from his pocket and handed it to the owner.  “Fill it up.”

            Minjin continued to seek out any opportunity to incapacitate the robber.  In her training at the Academy, she had often taken down men with guns, but in training, there was always a guarantee that she wouldn’t be shot.  Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed one of the young chefs’ eyes fill with boldness.  She anticipated only the worst as she saw him suddenly rise from the floor.

            Besides Minjin, everyone in the restaurant, even Hyekyeong, screamed as the chef jumped at the robber.  But the robber was ready, and he violently smacked him over the head with his gun and pushed him to the floor.  The robber pointed the gun at the chef, ready to pull the trigger, and Minjin knew it was time to act.  But before she could do anything, Hyekyeong jumped forward. 

            “Don’t hurt him!” she cried.  But instead of assisting the chef, she ran up to the robber and cupped his cheeks in her hands.  “Are you okay?”

            “What?” he questioned in confusion, pushing her hands away.  “I’m fine.  What’s your issue, kid?  Do you think I’m the good guy or something?”

            She stared up at him with the saddest and most distressed eyes Minjin had ever seen.  Tears seemed to fill them as she clutched the part of her hand that he pushed away.  “N-No…I just…I don’t want you to get hurt.”

            “How old are you, kid?” he asked, finally pointing the gun away from the chef.

            “I turned twenty a few months ago,” she told with a shy smile.  “I’m not a kid.”

            “Oh really…Hey, halmeoni, quit staring.  Fill the bag.”

            The owner continued to fill the bag reluctantly, as if she was giving away the last of her savings.  Minjin was too confused by Hyekyeong’s behavior to even assess the situation anymore.

            “You think this kind of thing is exciting?” the robber asked Hyekyeong.  “You think it’s like a little adventure?”

            “I think it would be sort of fun,” she replied elatedly.

            “Would you consider doing this sort of thing for a living?”

            “Would you let me join you, oppa?”

            Minjin could almost see the robber’s face flush red under his ski mask.  She began to realize Hyekyeong’s plan.

            Taking the filled money bag from the owner, he took Hyekyeong’s hand.  “This is your chance.  Come on!”

            “Yay!” Hyekyeong smiled, holding onto his hand tightly as he led her towards the door.  Just before they left, Hyekyeong turned her head around and gave Minjin a wink.

            As soon as they left the restaurant, Minjin ran toward the door to follow them.  But she was shocked to hear loud shouting outside, including forceful instructions to “put the gun down” and “get on the ground”.  Minjin speedily busted through the door to discover what had happened.

            When she exited, she saw both the robber and Hyekyeong down on the sidewalk with their hands behind their heads.  Three police cars were parked a few yards down the street, and six officers surrounded two people a few feet away.

            “Miss, please step back,” one officer instructed, walking toward Minjin.  “Is anyone in the restaurant injured?”

            “There’s a chef who might have a concussion,” Minjin informed frantically.  “What’s going on?”

            As Minjin inspected the scene more carefully, she noticed that the officers were surrounding both the robber and Hyekyeong, who were one the ground in handcuffs.  Hyekyeong’s wide eyes looked up at the officers as she pleaded for them to hear her story.  A few patrons from inside the restaurant came outside, only adding to the chaos.

            “Officer, there’s been a mistake,” Minjin insisted, tugging on the officer’s arm.  “That woman-”

            “That woman was in on it!” one of the male patrons yelled, pointing at Hyekyeong.  “I think he planted her in the restaurant to help him!  They’re lovers!”

            “Lovers?”  Minjin felt overwhelmed by the absolute anarchy of the situation.  By now there was a crowd of people on the street, staring interestedly at the robber and Hyekyeong.  As an officer finally led Hyekyeong to his vehicle, Minjin noticed the honest terror in her eyes.

            “Unnie!” Hyekyeong called powerlessly.  “Help!”

            “I’m going to get the Captain!” Minjin promised, still in disbelief.  “Just hold on!  And don’t get into anymore trouble!”

*          *          *

            The Chrome Entertainment meeting room was cold, dim, and particularly solemn at the moment.  This was the first time Minjin had ever seen it, and she was sure she would always remind her of this awkward, almost comical situation.

            The Captain paced back and forth at once side of the room, giving long sighs after every few steps.  He would either look down at the floor or up at the ceiling as if he was asking for advice from God Himself. 

            Hyekyeong sat at the opposite side of the room at the long meeting table.  She rested her elbows on the table and put her face in her hands.  A few moments ago she looked very sad and confused.  But now she just looked irritated and impatient. 

            Minjin leaned against the wall near the door of the room, wondering just how complicated this situation was.  The Captain seemed to have no trouble getting Hyekyeong out of custody.  She wasn’t faced with charges and she wouldn’t even have a record of being arrested.  But the Captain seemed very sober tonight, so Minjin and Hyekyeong waited for him to speak.

            Finally, the Captain smiled widely and gave a dark laugh.  “I just…I just don’t know how something like this could happen.”

            “The guy had a gun, so I wanted to get him away from the people in the restaurant,” Hyekyeong explained angrily.  “Don’t you understand that?”

            “I do, Hyekyeong-ah, and I admire your ability to save others with your charm and cunning,” he grinned, looking up at the ceiling again.  “I just wish you’d thought a little more ahead.”

            “The police got there faster than I thought they would!” Hyekyeong cried, pounding her fist on the table like a little girl.  “I would have been successful if it weren’t for them.”

            “Either way, the thief was caught and the money was returned,” the Captain assured.  “I would call that successful.”

            “Yeah, success along with total embarrassment,” she sighed.

            The Captain walked towards her and patted her on the head.  “Hyekyeong-ah, if you accomplished your goal, you shouldn’t worry about embarrassment.  Sometimes it’s just a part of the job.”

            “Is that why you named us Hurricane Pop?” she asked, a playful smile beginning to appear on her lips.

            “Aish, this kid,” the Captain chuckled, ruffling her hair.  “Just get some sleep, okay?  Both of you.  It’s been a long day.”

            “Yes, sir,” Minjin said, nodding her head.

            “Minjin-ah,” he whispered before he left.  “This isn’t the Academy.  You don’t have to be so formal.  Good job, today.”

            Minjin grinned halfheartedly and watched the Captain leave.  As soon as he was gone, Hyekyeong rose from her seat and fixed her hair.  “Well, a fun first day on the job, right?”

            “We aren’t even on the job yet,” Minjin reminded with a laugh.

            “We’re always on the job to do what’s right,” Hyekyeong smirked.  “Hey, why didn’t you use your martial arts skills to take out that guy?”

            “I was in the middle of formulating a plan when you used your irresistible charm,” Minjin assured.  “I guess that’s your other skill.”

            “I’m a hot chili pepper, unnie,” Hyekyeong said, giving a wink.  “If that guy had come in before we had eaten…I would have skipped the charm and gone straight into the street fighting.”

            “I don’t doubt it,” Minjin chuckled.

            “Come on, unnie.  Let’s have some ramen before we go to bed.”

            “You’re seriously hungry again?”

            Hyekyeong gave her compelling fairy smile yet again.  “Eating is part of the job, unnie.”