#44
After having a filling dinner, I sent Mari home and returned to the house with Grandmother. While rubbing my bloated stomach from overeating, Lime notifications poured in continuously. Mari, who had been taking pictures throughout our sushi meal, must have sent them.
As expected, I skimmed through the flood of photos and suddenly thought of Imun. It seemed perfect in many ways to stimulate his appetite, which was neglected half-willingly, half-unwillingly. I quickly selected a few good photos and sent them to him.
[ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹If you come to Japan, I’ll treat you to sushi]
[(Photo collection)]
[That’s so unfair, I’m having chicken breast again todayã… ã… ]
[But hyung, do you know what?]
[They say the person who comes to mind]
[when you’re eating delicious food]
[is the person you really like]
[You must really like meã…Žã…Ž]
He’s quite the smooth talker. Despite trying to be considerate, I was instead teased, which was exasperating. I glanced at the chat with disdain and let out a forced laugh.
[ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹I guess that means I don’t come to your mind]
[You even forgot to call before…]
[Ah… that;;;; I’m so sorry about thatã… ã… ã… ]
[And regardless of food]
[I think about you all the time?]
After spending a long time making excuses as if he couldn’t be more wronged, Imun finally called. When I deliberately put the call on hold several times, the KaTok alerts kept ringing pitifully.
[I’m sorryã… ã… Please answer the phoneã… ã… ]
[Please answer quicklyã… ã… ã… Please answer, Hajun hyungã… ã… ]
I hadn’t even said much, but his desperate attempt to explain himself was adorably pitiful. Imagining him clutching his phone and stamping his feet, I burst into giggles.
***
In a Seoul bar filled with the cheerful laughter of intoxicated people. A woman with dark circles reaching her cheeks, worn out from fatigue, turned her gaze away while drinking from her soju glass.
On the TV placed in a corner of the establishment, On The Sky was delivering an acceptance speech while holding a music broadcast trophy.
“Sorry, sorry, sunbae. Did you wait long?”
“PD Lee, you’ve grown up. Even being late to a drinking session with your senior.”
The woman called PD Lee also looked quite haggard. Seeing PD Lee’s greasy hair as she took off her padded jacket and sat down, the woman laughed weakly. “We’re both suffering.” After pouring soju into the woman’s empty glass, PD Lee frowned.
“You’re already quite drunk. You should have waited so we could drink together.”
“It’s fine. I need to drink quickly and go back to editing. By the way, didn’t you say you’re filming a solo variety show with them?”
The woman’s finger was pointing at the TV. “That’s right, I’m really stressed about it. After all, On The Sky is too popular.” The woman, who had been staring blankly at her acquaintance putting egg rolls in her mouth, suddenly giggled.
“Ah, it’s still funny when I think about it. Among the interviews I recently secured, there was someone who claimed to be Imun’s friend-“
“Imun? You don’t mean On The Sky’s Imun, right?”
“Huh? That’s right, why?”
“You secured an interview with Seo Imun’s friend? He’s famous in the industry for not having friends.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“No matter how successful a program is, it’s over if there’s a lie. Especially since he’s so popular. You should check it out.”
“When did the great PD Ha become so naive?” PD Lee playfully mocked the woman.
“Look at you, getting all cocky because you’ve grown a bit. Of course I’ve already done the cross-checking.”
“…Are you serious, not joking?”
“Yes. By the way, did you say Imun originally doesn’t have friends? Hmm… if that’s true, then this person is a famous idol’s one and only friend?”
‘He was quite handsome too. Should I change the editing direction?’ The woman narrowed her hazy eyes and muttered for a while, just as she was about to take another drink.
“…When are you planning to air that interview? No, wait, do you have that person’s contact information?”
PD Lee grabbed her wrist, her eyes glittering under the dim lights.
***
Weekends were relaxing without broadcasts, but also boring. After rolling around in bed all morning, I got up with a stiff body and turned my head.
Outside the window, the wind was blowing strongly enough to shake the trees. Can’t even go out to exercise in this. Thinking of the now completely cold winter wind, I headed to the small room.
After briefly checking out some new games, I logged into LegendsOfLegend with my alternate account for the first time in a while. ‘Ganghaa’ had been abandoned since the duo broadcast with Imun. With a bitter face, I rummaged through the settings for a while and then laughed emptily.
“Finally, this one will see the light too.”
In just a few weeks, Imun’s activities would finally end. Thinking that I’d soon be able to hang out with him like before, my mood lifted as if I’d never been sad.
While considering doing a serious duo broadcast with THATMOON and my main account, I suddenly remembered an On The Sky video I had seen over Mari’s shoulder. I wanted to see Imun’s brightly smiling face from the broadcast one more time.
I went on YouTube and tried various search combinations, but my target wasn’t easily visible. Since I had mainly consumed On The Sky content through music broadcasts and music videos until now, all the variety show thumbnails that appeared in the search were unfamiliar.
After scrolling down with my chin resting on my hand for a while, I finally sat up properly. It was already a boring day, so it seemed perfect to immerse myself in variety shows.
[If the MC says so, of course I should do that, right?]
[Hey, I know that! I recently had a similar experience…]
Imun in variety shows overflowed with a charm different from his stage presence. His social skills—smoothly handling the MC’s mischievous comments, making even trivial stories interesting, and securing screen time—were close to art.
My purpose of killing time had changed without me realizing it, and I was thoroughly searching for Imun’s variety show appearances.
[Haha. Wow, Rai, what’s wrong with you?]
[The closest member to me is Rai. The member I want to travel with is also Rai. What, don’t you like me? What’s with that expression, you said you liked me before!]
“Hmm… what’s with Seo Imun…”
Imun and Rai were frequently caught in the same frame, comparable to other members. Seeing the two of them giggling while looking at each other at every opportunity naturally dampened my mood.
They also whispered to each other at the fan signing. Their seating arrangement was right next to each other, and being the only same-age friends in the team, it was natural that they were close.
Though I understood it logically, I didn’t know why I felt unnecessarily disappointed. I tried to focus on the video while getting my unsettled emotions under control, but it wasn’t working well.
Maybe because I had noticed it once? Imun’s playful actions with Rai caught my eye undeniably. After coolly watching Imun give eye-smiles to Rai just like he did to me for several minutes, Hajun turned off the computer and stood up abruptly.
*
After a simple lunch, I sat next to Grandmother in front of the TV. It was while we were discussing the celebrities appearing on her favorite travel program. Seeing the bright expression of a cast member enjoying street food made my stomach twist uncomfortably.
I must really have a bad personality. Imun’s face, giggling with Rai, hadn’t left my mind. I hurriedly opened my mouth to stop the thoughts that were running wild like an untamed colt.
“Didn’t aunt’s family also go there for vacation? I want to travel too.”
“You just came back from Korea not long ago. You had fun with your friend, so what more do you want? How was he, by the way?”
“Oh! Sorry, I forgot. My friend says he’s really grateful and will enjoy the food. He said he’d like to personally thank you when you have time.”
“Hoho, really? He seems like such a well-mannered young man these days. Junchan, you’ve made a good friend.”
Grandmother covered her mouth and laughed heartily. Feeling as if I was being praised, I shrugged my shoulders and suddenly took out my phone.
Come to think of it, Grandmother had never seen Imun. Wanting to show off my friend who wouldn’t embarrass me anywhere, I selected a modest photo that didn’t look like a celebrity and showed it to her.
“Look. Not only is he kind, but he’s also incredibly handsome.”
“By the way, this is a secret from Mari.” I hastily added, but it seemed Grandmother didn’t hear. After looking at Imun’s photo for a long time with her mouth open, she smiled nostalgically.
“My goodness, how could he look so much like my husband.”
Her go-to comment whenever she saw a handsome celebrity was the highest form of praise. “Is he Grandfather’s hidden son?” As soon as I made the joke, Grandmother scolded me sternly, and I felt deflated.
According to Grandmother, Grandfather seemed to have had looks that no one in this world could match. While listening to her lengthy speech about him, whom I couldn’t even remember, I came up with an interesting hypothesis.
What if Imun were my brother? Even though it was a far-fetched fantasy, the idea that our connection wouldn’t be severed no matter what happened was quite appealing.
[It would have been nice if you and I were brothers]
After sending a KaTok to Imun and smiling shyly for a moment, I glumly put my phone face down.
Brothers, my foot. The members who stayed with him every day were more like brothers. It seemed I could never become as close to Imun as the members were, even if I died trying.
Grandmother blinked curiously at Hajun, who had suddenly become dejected.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
