Chapter 1

After strolling out of his room from a nice nap, G Dragon flung himself on an empty chair and swiveled next to Taeyang who was lying comfortably on the couch with his hand cushioning his head.  Taeyang immediately lowered the screen of his laptop before feigning a wary look at his long-time friend.  Both laughed and G Dragon casually took the laptop from his half- group mate and stared at the screen.  

 

“Taeyang Oppa!  You are the number one greatest!  Please work hard on your next album!  I will be cheering you on!  Saranghae!” The playful leader of Big Bang read aloud.  

 

Taeyang covered his face in embarrassment while G Dragon scrolled down to look at more of his ace’s endless list of fan mail.  

 

Daesung, who was sitting quietly at the kitchen counter, let out a light chuckle.  He took a sip from his mug and then cleared his throat.

 

“Daesung Oppa!  You look the coolest in the latest photo shoot.  I bought the magazine just for you!”  Daesung grinned slightly as the other members flashed him a look of envy.

 

A smirk appeared on the maknae’s face as he dug out his phone and stood in the center of the living room and stole the attention of his hyungs.

 

“Seungri!  I want to call you Oppa, but I can’t.  But that won’t stop me from being your fan.  Your hard work and radiant personality has inspired me to try my best too.  The feelings you express through your dance is so beautiful like a story.  Forever your fan and supporter.”  The youngest member smiled confidently.  "It’s obvious that I got today’s ‘most special’ fan mail.”  

 

G Dragon pouted as Seungri’s inner cheekiness surfaced.  The music prodigy threw a stuffed animal at TOP who caught it with surprise.

 

“Don’t throw my present at me,” the oldest hyung lectured and threw his infamous glare at his childhood friend.  

 

G Dragon nodded obediently.  “Hyung.  Our maknae is showing off again.  Go find something in your mail to show off.”

 

Taeyang effortlessly sat up and wrapped his arm comfortably around Dragon.  Everyone gathered around TOP as he peered up at their pressuring stares.  

 

“Okay…okay…” TOP’s deep voice resonated as he began searching his fan messages for the most unique one.  “Honestly…all these messages are special.”  TOP lowered his head and looked up innocently.  “Isn’t it just the thought that counts?”

 

Taeyang let out a chuckle and took TOP’s laptop off his lap.  “I’ll look for you.  Dragon here might cry if you continue to dodge our free-time ritual.”  

 

TOP fought to retrieve his device, but alas, he couldn’t bring himself to break from G Dragon’s adorable attempt at caging him; thus, allowed the others to freely browse through his share of fan mail.

 

The three members faithfully left G Dragon to handle TOP as they read through the abundant messages.  Occasionally, they would nod in sync when they read something praising the entire band.  Other times, they would read, laugh, look at TOP, laugh again, and then continue reading.  The cycle continued and eventually, even TOP laughed at how much fun they were having by torturing him.

 

“You guys done having fun yet?”  TOP asked, emphasizing his slight annoyance.

 

Seungri gave a firm nod and G Dragon fell backwards in exhaustion from restraining TOP for the past two minutes.

 

“So it’s obvious that I still win the most touching fan mail.  But Hyung, you have some interesting fans, especially this one.  Listen to this: ‘Did you rehearse your lines for the interview?’  That’s the first rude comment we received as of 2015.”

 

“I’m going for a swim.”  TOP's usually animate eyes lowered in defeat as he slumped out of the house.

 

G Dragon slapped the Seungri's arm the minute the door closed.  “You made hyung sad.”

 

“Then there’s only one way to make this right.”  Daesung took the laptop from Taeyang and began typing.  

 

[Thank you for being a fan, but I hope you can send some positive feedback next time.  T.O.P.]

 

The curious members hovered over and watched as Daesung sent the reply under TOP’s account.  Before logging out, a message appeared on the screen.  Being the defensive friends they are, Daesung couldn’t help but read the new message.

 

[If you’re not him, please don’t bother reading much less responding to personal messages.  I would much rather that you just leave a little hope for me that he may actually have seen my message.]

 

Daesung shook his head.  “She’s probably just trying to make conversation.  Let’s stop this."

 

Right before Daesung logged out, Seungri, fiery as he is, took matters into his own hands.  With his speed typing, the other members watched in awe as he replied.

 

[I did not attend for any misunderstanding, but what makes you think that I’m not HIM.  I only responded out of goodwill, but am offended to have been accused of something else.]

 

The other members observed intently as the maknae (conversing as TOP) carried on the heated conversation with increasing enthusiasm.  Somehow, the change of pace from the ordinary day-off routine entertained the usually serious boys.  Soon, the boys took turns replying to the anonymous fan and somehow ended with someone sending this:

 

[Fine.  If you still don’t believe me, I’ll meet you at Gangnam Station tomorrow at 6am.  I don’t think there’s a problem for you to find me even if I were to disguise myself a little.]

 

Before a reply came, Daesung’s sharp ears heard the clanging of keys.  Seungri swiftly shut down TOP’s laptop and tossed it on the couch.  Taeyang leapt over and assumed his original napping pose.  Dragon bounced on his office chair and flew to the door to greet his oblivious hyung.

 

………….

 

The next morning, G Dragon awoke and happily sprung next to Taeyang who was sandwiched between Daesung and Seungri.

 

The easygoing bandmate scooted onto the couch and glanced over at the boys who were each wide-eyed and unblinking.  G Dragon worriedly turned to the television screen and a doleful look wiped away all his morning glory.  

 

“Early this morning, due to the heavy rain, a delivery truck failed to hit the brakes before hitting and killing a teenage girl near the intersection of Gangnam Station.  According to witnesses, the girl appeared to have been waiting for someone.  As of now, the victim has not yet been identified.  The truck driver is only slightly injured.  The accident site has now been cleared and there are no signs of traffic blocking the busy intersection.  Next…"

 

Being the leader, Dragon courageously pressed the power button, leaving all the present members staring speechlessly at the black screen.

 

Fear, panic, and guilt joined the deathly silence that filled the usual jubilant living room when BigBang gathered.  As the shocked boys processed the news report, TOP excitedly ran out of his closed room in a tight black sweater and snug gray pants.

 

“Hey guys, what do you think about these lyrics...”

 

Receiving a disappointing response, TOP walked interestedly and waved his hands in front of the speechless artists.  He let out a laugh and bent down curiously to look at them.  He was ready to throw in a joke about their woeful expressions, but stopped and swallowed hard when he saw a small trickle of water roll down G Dragon’s right eye.

 

“Who made him cry?” TOP’s brotherly side took over as he glanced at the other members.

 

G Dragon then pounced on his respected hyung and cried, "Just playing!”

 

The other members glanced up and resurrected from their frozen state—all but Seungri.  Taeyang elbowed the maknae to snap out of it, but TOP beat him to it and cornered him.

 

“Stop Hyung!”  Seungri cried out when he finally couldn’t endure the pressure underneath TOP’s focused glare.

 

“13 seconds.  Not bad, Seungri.  That’s the longest you lasted.  Now spill it.  What are you guys hiding?”

 

TOP leaned in until his face was only inches from the trapped Seungri.  A victorious half smirk crossed his face as he plopped onto a seat and waited for Seungri fill him in.

 

……..

 

That night, TOP tossed and turned, but still couldn’t fall asleep—something that had never happened to the nicknamed “Sleeping baby.”  He tried putting on more sweaters, hugging more objects, and even cocooned himself in his blanket, but to no avail.

 

Suddenly, at the strike of 2:00 AM, the distressed idol sat up and reached for his laptop.  He knew he was out of his mind, perhaps more so than the rest of BigBang, but he couldn’t help it.

 

Dear You,

 

I wanted to apologize for inviting you out.  That was wrong of me.  I sincerely regret my action.

 

When I received your message, I honestly didn’t like it.  But after some thinking, I couldn’t help but want to thank you.

 

As for your question, due to my contracts, I am unable to disclose any material regarding my work to outside parties.  I truly apologize for not being able to give a solid reply to your original question.

 

But despite so, I trust that you rely on your judgment to that question.

 

-Choi Seung Hyun

 

The girl wouldn’t ever respond, but upon hitting the SEND button, a heavy burden was lifted from his heart.  And within minutes, the tired boy fell fast asleep.

 

……

 

Awoken by the sound of an alert, TOP forced open one eye and felt around for his phone.  When he finally found it somewhere wrapped in his cocoon blanket, he brought it up close to his face.

 

[You are too kind of a person.]

 

TOP’s eyes immediately shot open from both shock and excitement.  He had really believed that the girl died after hearing his groupies confess.  The relieved boy fell back on his bed.  He lifted one hand to his forehead and looked at the ceiling.  When he realized that he was laughing, he gave himself a light slap and turned back to the more serious issue at hand.

 

TOP began to type a reply, but his question of concern was answered before he showcased his gentlemanly manners to ask first.

 

[I didn’t go to Gangnam Station yesterday.  I hope Oppa didn’t receive too much shock from the accident that happened in the morning.  You must have heard it from the news.]

 

TOP snorted.  Man was he worried.  No.  Man was BIGBANG worried.  He could have swore he heard his group mates walk in and out of their rooms a couple of times at night.

 

[I’m curious.  Was I talking to the members of BigBang the other day?]

 

The rapper again found himself thrown into confusion.  He knew it was rude to avoid all her questions, but he couldn’t sell out his friends.  After all, they were only doing their best (to their standards) of standing up for him.  

 

[No.  You were talking to me.]  

 

He hated lying—even if it was behind a screen.  He prepared himself for the girl’s reply, may it be insulting or rude, he could take it as a price of lying.  But the message he received actually surprised him.

 

[Oppa.  You are too kind of a person.]

 

The girl smiled as she believed there was nothing more to say, but a last second question caught her off guard.

 

[But…what made you think that you weren’t talking to me?]

 

TOP used his left hand to hold his trembling right hand steady.  Why did he ask something like that?  No.  More like, why did he need to know why?

 

[Because if you cared enough to reply to me, you would’ve signed under the name Choi Seung Hyun instead of TOP, assuming that my judgment on your interview is correct.]

 

This girl…  

 

[I have to go now.  -Seung Hyun]

 

TOP unconsciously brought a hand over his heart.  It was beating uncontrollably, with a huge lack of rhythm.  He brought his other hand to his face.  It was hotter than usual.  His eyes widened in bewilderment.  What’s happening?  It couldn’t be…he was nervous?

 

[Thank you, Oppa.  -Bae Ma Ri.]

 

TOP repeated the name several times before his lips and producing a shy smile. 

 

“Bae Ma Ri."