[Stormy Days]Chapter Five

  Why does he have the exact same design as the shirt I bought Jaeki? The same huge size as we;; Do they work in the same company? Did they actually mistake my care package for Yuu's fanmail? But I clearly addressed it to Jaeki! Did I make a mistake writing his name in Korean? Did that fat nerd happened to be a Yuu fan and re-gifted the shirt? He did have Yuu as his display picture that one time...

  I must have been too busy trying to reason with myself, because I did not realise Yuu walking towards me, against waves and waves of incoming fans. I froze. I stood head-to-head with Yuu of H.M.Y. He was a head taller than me, and had to peer down in order to actually maintain eye contact. The fans around me also froze in silence, their gaze wasn't one of curiosity that Yuu had, but glares with malicious intent.

  "Are you Cana?" His English was perfect. Those glares from the crowd burning onto my back. I want to yell out loud to everyone that I did not know Yuu personally, he was just another idol and I another fan. Instead, "Mmrfeah..." was what came out of my mouth, he let out a chuckle. Yuu of H.M.Y chuckled at me, I have made a fool of myself in the most unsuitable situation imaginable.

  Perhaps I should definitely have been more mentally prepared before I came here because the next thing I knew Yuu had pulled me inside the car and shut the door.

  I was too shocked to speak, I sat stiffly with my hands folded nervously across my lap as he studied me with those darn attractive light-brown eyes of his. Screams of outrage can be heard outside and the management team had to restrain the crowd, the shouts were muffled, but nevertheless loud.

  "Thanks for the stuff," Yuu broke the silence "The shirt is slightly too big though..." Slightly too big? I winced. It was ten times his size! Why would you even wear something unflattering like that?

  "You look prettier in real life, me thinks, maybe you just suck at being photogenic." Yuu continued and I was left more confused than ever. My brain desperately tried to connect the dots but I was so starstruck none of my body parts functioned properly. It was Jaeki's gift, yet YUU is thanking me. The puzzle pieces all fit together, but a part of me screamed at how unrealistic everything is.

  Something beeped, Yuu brought out his phone, he spoke Korean phrases I didn't understand, before hanging up.

  "I've got a photoshoot to go to." He announced, "I promise to explain everything later. Stay in the car until the crowd has been dissipated, I suppose it would be a dangerous prospect to venture out after everything."

  'Dangerous', was an understatement. I prayed to God that nobody got a good look at my face, I have the least impressionable appearance anyway. I reassured myself. I took some time to process my situation, it was lonely, and definitely stuffy to be alone in a van on a hot summer's day. Luckily for me the crowd left very soon, seeing that the actual photoshoot was elusive. I quietly slipped out of the car, the remaining management team who watched me fix my hair and bag in amusement.

  "It's not what you think!" I felt compelled to say it, one of them, a middle-aged lady laughed.

  "I know," she smiled "He wanted you to leave your mobile number with me, he said he'll call you as soon as this ends." She held out a phone, I immediately recognised it as Yuu's phone, she gestured for me me to input my number.

 The whole thing was very suspicious, but hey, he was an amazing Kpop idol, I was his big fan, what do I have to lose? I typed the familiar number onto the keypad and pressed 'save'.

[Stormy Days]Chapter Four

  Ever since that day Jaeki and I seem to talk (well, more like argue) more. As of recent he stopped coming online as often, but nevertheless from our occasional smalltalk I could sense that the tone we're using was friendly.

  I also became utterly addicted to H.M.Y and their music. They recently released their second EP 'Heartfelt' and I bought the album as soon as it was available for pre-order online.

  "No way! H.M.Y is coming here? To Australia?" I typed with excitement.

  "That's what I've heard." Jaeki replied "Apparently, they're doing a photoshoot at Bondi Beach for their next single!" I gaped, nobody cares about Australia, it was almost hard to believe... almost.

  "Those guys are releasing songs like crazy," I mused "Poor things, no breaks at all."

  "You'll be surprised, even amidst their hectic schedule an idol can still find time for hobbies and friends." he replied. I think about how I totally ship KyuMin, and smirk. I have yet to determine who I will pair together in H.M.Y, maybe Ming and Yuu... we'll see.

  "If you have any details regarding to how I can go see them, will you let me know?" I ask. "I'll um... pay you back?

  "You don't have to," he replied, I beamed, but my smile immediately dropped at Jaeki's next comment: "You're a hobo anyway."

  Goddammit Jaeki.

...

  I was at the department store, looking for suitable gifts to send in a care package I decided to whip up to thank Jaeki for the photobook he'd gotten for me. I remember him demanding for me to pay him back when I first thanked him, but after that he never mentioned it, nor did he provide his bank account for me to transfer the money to him. I work a part-time job at a local convenience store, it wasn't like I was financially incapable to pay the guy.

  What would a fat nerd like beside food? I had already packed ten packets of different flavoured TimTams and twenty chocolate bars. Should I include a jar of obligatory Vegemite? My eyes fell on a large 'SALE' sign in front of a men's clothing store, they lit up immediately. I went ahead and picked out a large-sized (for all his fatty goodness), olive-green coloured T-shirt. The design, or lack thereof had been plain but I really liked the material and cut. It was 50% off too, a bargain.

  Jaeki had been extremely suspicious when I asked him for his PO Box, but I think he knew what my intentions were.

  I couldn't wait to see that fatty's reaction to me being so kind and generous.

...

  Three weeks later, I had a feeling that Jaeki never received his care package, because he never mentioned it nor thanked me for it. It must have gotten lost halfway. If he worked in the industry, perhaps management had mistaken it for fanmail? If so, I hope a Kpop idol wouldn't feel insulted by that package because I didn't include a note whatsoever, I only addressed the box to 'Lee Jae Ki'.

  Maybe he really was a douche, so douchey he wasn't capable of thanking people.

  Incidentally, Jaeki informed me about the details of H.M.Y's visit to Australia. To be honest, I was so wrapped up in packing his gift I had completely forgotten about H.M.Y's impending trip. 

  We get to meet the members at the location before the actual photoshoot, but I couldn't disclose this information to anyone because it is highly exclusive and secretive to prevent fangirl interference. I suppose the people present would probably be staff and people with connections to the industry. I almost felt bad Jaeki had to leak this information to me, but nevertheless I was thankful to him, once again.

  Today will be the day I finally meet the famous H.M.Y in person. I prepared my fangirl kit. A full bottle of water to quench my thirst after screaming heaps; a fully-charged camera to take photos, because the quality of my phone's camera just isn't on par with my DSLR. Above all a Sharpie and H.M.Y's latest album in the hopes of being able to obtain a signature.

  Arriving at the designated parking lot near the beach I wasn't surprised to be greeted with a ton of fangirls. I couldn't help but feel iffy, did people like Jaeki tell them about this? At least it wasn't as bad as Super Junior's meet-and-greet last year, because a few hundred people had arrived on the scene back then and I couldn't even reach halfway before the queues were dismissed as the event had been over. 

  It seems that the crew were prepared for the oncoming barrage of fans, because the parking area had already been planned out with caution tapes and traffic cones. Despite my slightly late arrival (an hour before the photoshoot, I planned on being at least two hours early) I was able to secure myself a spot behind the makeshift railing near the place the bandwagon was supposed to be parking.

  I heard a scream, followed by a chorus of several other screams; had they arrived? A four-wheel drive with suspicious tinted window screens turned into the parking lot and parked right adjacent to the taped-off areas. I was ready to be run over, trampled on and made into pudding when everyone around me ran towards the vehicle and followed it. We made a giant crowd around the car.

  The screaming had reached its peak as the car door slid open, out stepped Ming who instantly greeted the many cameras with a cheerful smile. For around fifty fangirls I was surprised that the screaming could be this loud. Personally I had been too shocked to make any noise. 

  Hack followed his fellow member, he simply made a peace-sign but it still erupted a loud cheer from the crowd. I wasn't too interested in either of them, because my bias is Yuu. I watched Hack and Ming greet their fans in fluent English, any moment now...

  Finally, a pair of lean legs dressed casually in basketball shoes and torn jeans stepped out. The crowd went wild, because there he was, as stunning as ever. His eyes were hidden behind his oversized sunglasses, his expression unreadable. His lips curled into a small, lop-sided grin as he nodded courteously at his fans. I couldn't register what was happening around me because all of a sudden the crowd surged forward, past me and some of the girls tried to throw themselves onto Yuu, before they were told to stand back by who appears to be the manager.

  I realised that I was still in a trance, so I quickly pushed my way through the crowd in order to catch another glimpse of him. He looked terribly warm underneath the hooded jacket that he wore. Most of us were in tanktops and shorts under the hot Australian sun. Luckily the guy found the sense to shed a layer of clothing, after he settled aside the gifts and flowers from his eager fans. He had to sign the most amount of CDs and posters, no wonder he's the Ace of H.M.Y!

  As he finally shrugged off the jacket I saw what he wore underneath.

  I could recognise that shade of green anywhere.

  Above his designer shoes and jeans, Yuu of H.M.Y was wearing an oversized, unfitting, sparkling new olive-green T-shirt.

A/N: Cana lives in Australia, because the origin of this story is... well... complicated :P Plus they say you should write what you know, so yeah. 

[Stormy Days]Chapter Three

  A package came three weeks later, I was the recipient and the sender's name had been blanked out, the address however did lead to somewhere in South Korea. I wasted no time in ripping the box open, I was way too excited. Beneath layers and layers of foam balls lay that poster I requested Mr Fatboy, carefully rolled up and placed in a cardboard tube. If that didn't make me feel anymore thankful, I also discovered an unexpected surprise. At the very bottom of the box I found H.M.Y's limited edition, Korea-release only photobook SIGNED by no other than the members themselves. I flipped open the book and examined each individual picture, I've never seen these pictures before, talk about being exclusive...

  When I reached the back page, a note was attached addressed to me, written in flawless English:

For Cana: I heard you're a big fan our hyungs from Super Junior. We will work hard to surpass them one day, thank you for supporting us through our debut and good luck for your upcoming exams!" -H.M.Y Yuu

  I gasped, how did he know so much about me? Did that fat nerd tell him everything I had ever said to him... including the bad bits? I immediately logged onto my IM, I seek answers from fat nerd, who happened to be online, as usual.

  "H-how did you do that?!" I typed "What the hell did you tell him?" In response I received an animation depicting laughter, the word "connections" followed by a wink. I sighed, in my thankful mood I must have forgotten just how frustrating this guy can be.

  "So... I realised that I don't even know your name." I sent. I hadn't been keen on knowing fat nerd's name, but I became increasingly curious.

  "Why do you need to know?"

  "Um... so I know who to thank?" I felt my patience slipping, just what kind of character is this guy to get his hands on such rare merchandise? He surely is too young to be a manager or the CEO of an entertainment company...

  "Jae Ki, Lee Jae Ki." He replied after a long pause. Excellent, he expected me to call him by something I could barely pronounce without giggling to myself and making reference to those professional dopey Starcraft players I sometimes read about on the internet.

  "English, please." I asked "You speak perfect English, wouldn't you at least have something less of a mouthful.

There was no response.

  "So how come you work in the industry?" I decided that it was a good idea to probe further for his information. I had after all, nothing to do and I should at least show my appreciation at his efforts. "Are you a trainee?" I giggled, imagining a fat beachball bouncing around to Suju's songs.

 "What are you, a creep or something?" Came his snide comment. Trust him to make me sound like someone with stalker tendencies.

 "...I will stop right there then." I typed "Anyway, thanks Jaeki, I really appreciate it!" Hence I will get the main point of this conversation over with and stop letting him make me angrier.

 "It's Jae Ki, get it right you illiterate goose." I could literally envision his fat face smirking behind a computer screen as he continued to tease me. "And you can just pay me."

  In your dreams, Jaeki. I ignored him and signed off.

[Stormy Days]Chapter Two

N/B: I've noticed I haven't updated this blog at all, truthfully I barely wrote anything to the original cellphone story either because of Dota and Exams so yeah (ironically writing this during Trials). Also the grammar mistakes from the original make me cry. Anyway, enjoy.

  "Debut song of new boy band H.M.Y reaches the top of M-Net countdown" I read the headline of Allkpop out loud. Well I certainly hadn't been caught up with new bands, but the members of this one looked pretty cute. I clicked on the link.

  I delve into the lore of this mysterious new group. H.M.Y stood for Harmony. It's also made from the members' stage names. Leader and songwriter Hack, rapper and dancer Ming and main vocal Yuu. They debuted just earlier this month with their single "Thirst" which was a powerful, vocal-heavy ballad. Unlike other boy bands out there the members of H.M.Y looked to be very well-rounded. The rapper could hit all the high notes, and the main vocal can actually dance very well. I felt myself drawn further and further in my newfound fandom. I just had to Google them and investigate further, how can a new boy band with such a cheesy name go anywhere near the top of the charts?

  I immediately began to look for every single piece of information on the group. Unfortunately their newness also meant that not much can actually be found about them online. Wikipedia told me, to my delight, that the members are shown to be quite humorous and easy-going on reality shows as well. What's wrong with me? What happened to Kyuhyun? But all the members are so good-looking! Hack looks like a silent and strong leader, Ming looks aegyo and happy while the maknae Yuu is just a total mystery. His expression seem to change in every single picture and it was extremely difficult to pinpoint the type of person he could be. The thing that intrigued me the most is the fact that Yuu is actually from Australia! I have never heard of an K-pop idol that had anything to do with my country. I literally became more hooked onto H.M.Y than I already did.

  After I wasted an entire night conducting research on H.M.Y like some kind of character study assignment I didn't even keep track of the time. I was still in the middle of one of their live performances when I noticed that it was already 4am. Well, me and my obsession with hot guys...

  Perhaps the band earned themselves another hardcore fangirl after all.

...

  Clutching H.M.Y's first album "In H.M.Y" tightly in my hands I once again thanked the lazy shopkeeper whose nonchalance I have grown used to as a frequent customer. Upon arriving home, I took the time to view the photobook while I had the CD play on my stereo. Had I mention just how amazing the song 'Thirst' was? There was a soft harmonious voice, a deep and manly voice and one clear, powerful and crisp voice that stood out from the rest. I instant formed a liking to that voice, it must be Yuu, ace of the group. I've read about his amazing voice and how he won numerous competitions within his company. The articles didn't lie.

  I think I'm growing more and more interested in this band with every passing day, it felt like I could actually be cheating on my Kyu!

  When I logged into my IM account I decided to ask Mr. Enemy to help me in getting a H.M.Y Poster. They were sold out so quickly it was incredibly difficult to get my hands on one. Their prices jacked up to almost fifty dollars on eBay and there's no way I'm paying that much for a sheet of paper. Apparently they're very limited in stock because each member personally signed every poster as a celebration of the success of their first album.

  He changed his display picture into none other but a picture of Yuu himself in the latest photoshoot for InStyle. The band started off with a band and being red-hot within Korea it's no surprise someone from that industry would have a picture of Yuu. Unfortunately a fat ugly nerd like him doesn't deserve to have a picture of someone so amazing and perfect.

  "Heeeyyyy..." I typed carefully and tried to sound as nice as possible. I'm in a gamble here, considering how we're enemies and all...

  "Get to the point. What do you want, you're not sounding like you're PMSing for once." To my surprise, his reply was extremely rude. That's it, obviously being sweet to him backfired on me. Poster or not this was the final straw.

  "Well at least I'm not a rude, fat nerd with a hot guy as my display picture!" I made so many typos in that retaliation. Looking back I don't actually understand how the point I raised made any sense contextually. Since, it really had nothing to do with his original insult. Well, to be fair that display picture had really gotten on my nerves.

  "...you think he's hot?" His reply came slowly. What sort of question was that? And what kind of dumb person would deny a Hallyu idol from his good looks?

  "Well, duh." I typed "Otherwise why would I bother to consider negotiating with some rude arrogant jerk? The posters of my new favourite band had been sold out, that's why." There was no reply after that, after a while I got bored of waiting for one. I bet he was recovering from the burn of my awesome insulting skills.

[Stormy Days]Chapter One

  I was greeted by an extremely familiar face when I arrived for dinner. I swear I did not hear a soul enter the house while upstairs. I blame myself for being overly-smitten with my Kyuhuyn. Where have I seen this middle-aged lady with permed hair before? Perhaps she's one of the extras on some soapie or a member of an audience who was given more screentime than she was allowed?

  "Ah! About time Cana!" my mum came in and set a plate of greens on the table before joining us on the table "Aren't you going to greet Mrs Chae? Or have you forgotten about her already?"

  "CHAE AJUMMA!" my look of confusion turned into one of extreme excitement as I leaped into her outstretched arms. I knew she looked familiar somehow! She is no other than my favourite former-next door neighbour. I remember how she always makes the best chocolate-chipped cookies in the world and taught me how to address her as 'Ajumma'. A few years ago she had to move back to her residence in Korea when her family had faced some citizenship issues, I can't believe she's actually back now! With a new perm too! She used to tell me all the time how I remind her of her son, and how much she misses him after getting divorced.

  "So Cana, I've noticed that K-Pop had gotten very popular around the world these years," Ajumma spoke up "are you into any of that stuff? I heard from your mother you really liked Super Junior, I'm not too surprised." I looked up from my food which I gratefully dug into and gaped at her. Mum was preparing some fruit in the kitchen as Chae Ajumma and I ate in silence. There was a pregnant pause, I nodded.

  "Well isn't that funny, I happen to know someone who works in that industry;  he maybe able to help you with getting a signature or merchandise or something. Do you want to give you his IM?" Am I dreaming? I love Chae Ajumma and all that but her gesture is just... too kind? There has to be some kind of trick involved...

  "Um... isn't it slightly weird talking to some middle-aged man over instant messaging? Not to mention creepy..." I couldn't help but blurt out. Better safe than sorry.

  Chae Ajumma laughed for a full ten seconds while I tensed my expression. "Oh you silly" she wiped a tear from her eye before continuing "He's no more than 18!"

  I flushed red, well that was embarassing. Here I am imagining myself talking to a middle aged man online when said person is probably a year or so older than me. I stared at the IM address Chae Ajumma kindly wrote down for me, not knowing what to do next.

...

  I can hear continuous chatter coming form downstairs about topics from familial complaints to places once travelled. Something still puzzled me... How can someone so young get in behind the scenes in the Kpop industry? What kind of job would they give a high-school kid anyway... The toilet cleaner?

  "Whatever..." I took a deep breath and logged onto my IM account "Anything for my Kyuhyun... ANYTHING!" it didn't get long to get through all the add-a-contact mumbo jumbo. To my surprise however... the other end accepted my request quite... instantaneously. Well, what did they say about people addicted to the internet again?

  "Hi" I typed into the conversation box. The other end had a generic default soccer ball as their display picture, compared to my own one, which involved me posing next to a Kyuhyun cardboard cutout at a recent convention, it was definitely much more... subtle.

  "Yes?' came the other end's reply. Does he sound annoyed?

  "I was referred by Ms Chae? Do you know her? She said I am able to contact you about K-Pop merchandise and stuff?" I got straight to the point.

  "Oh look, another diehard fangirl. Which band is it this time?" I can totally see a fat toilet-cleaning kid on the other end mocking my eternal love for my Kyuhyun, "It's alright Cana..." I reassured myself "Calm down and explain nicely."

  "Um... Super Junior?" I typed, the more I hear this guy talk the more positive I am of this guy hating me one way or another.

  "Another ELF? What's so good about them anyway? They're all talentless and are just selling thier faces." I grew red with anger at that comment, why you stupid fat toilet cleaner nerd! You're just jealous of my beautiful intelligent skinny Kyuhyun! For the next ten minutes I argue d with this fat nerd about how my Kyuhyun has got more talent than he'll ever have. And in the end, he simply gave up talking to me and signed off. I angrily signed off following him, no point in telling the truth to a stubborn douche like him. I mean why would one work in the K-pop industry if they hate the Hallyu wave in the first place?!

  As I blankly stared at my ceiling I sighed with disappointment. In the end I gained no discount or special signed posters... just  annoying IM enemy whom I don't even know the name of.

  Aren't you a smooth one Cana, real smooth...