[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.