Unexpected Shelter

#Stage 3

Two days later, I finally saw the photos of me spreading online.

Fortunately, the quality was poor—my face wasn’t clearly visible.

All that showed was one eye.

Even so, plenty of fans tried hard to make it clearer.

At least no bad hate comments—some relief.

For those two days, I took a break from streaming and reorganized a lot.

Bought a new better mic, and as promised to him, put the photocard in a small frame on the bookshelf.

After resting a bit, condition recovered much.

Finished house cleaning, sprawled on sofa.

Looked around room at glance—spots empty everywhere.

Burned pot before, need buy tissue more, fridge time fill too.

Since thought of it—decided rare outing.

Dressed, roughly organized must-buy list head.

Cap pulled deep, only phone wallet grabbed, out.

Darkening sky—soon rain seem.

Quick buy things return must.

Boarded bus busy area, usual watched outside scenery.

Left residential—commercial buildings one two appear start.

Gradual buildings taller too.

Head navigation drawn familiar scenery.

But one changed thing.

“Wow, there too…”

Bus stop—Seo Injun there.

Exactly billboard but.

Tran new song release congratulate sentence with five photos hung.

Think—billboard week ago there.

Till now pass here at least five times over seen, never interest once.

But now billboard stared hard.

Billboard Seo Injun towel wipe sweat smiling.

Concert bright lights receive more sparkle.

Blankly stared—billboard photo take want, hurried phone took.

Focus catch camera button press moment—bus departed.

Ended shape recognize impossible blurry photo only left.

Delete button press about—phone pocket put.

That day after him contact couldn’t.

No courage.

Of course dorm safe entered curious was.

But his number see—sudden scared.

Light tone thankful text wrote—several times deleted.

Still he idol fortunate.

Official account through well-being hear can.

This morning too photoshoot doing post up.

That short sentence see wrote text still drafts remain.

Times like this timid personality somehow fix want.

Even know innate not easy change.

Bus down, steps moved.

Mart direction sign front but, deliberate narrow alley detour went.

Time spend detour reason nothing special.

Main road near always performance or event people too many.

Crowd pulled hate—so always nearby alley enter.

Today too quiet alley needless surroundings looked.

Again somewhere Tran or Seo Injun stuck not wonder.

“Really. Seo Injun coming.”

Moment thinking name heard—head turned.

Alley careful looked—neat person one visible.

First someone conversation thought—but look no opponent sure call sound.

Brazen no smoking written front cigarette smoking giggling.

Just Seo Injun name brushed heard, but he celebrity conversation topic strange not.

Again go way about moment.

“Can’t believe me? Van followed so this direction right.”

Sudden steps stopped.

Van followed come.

Feeling very uncomfortable.

Detective stakeout like wall stuck conversation eavesdropped.

“Yes. This neighborhood studio one there. Yeah. Definitely there go.”

That person cigarette butt floor threw, unpleasant laugh flowed.

“Before manager block no interview got. Popularity bit more already like that okay? Again ignore what do. First mic camera thrust see before like can’t chase.”

Malicious words casual spit that person probably reporter.

Appearance see—why manager interview refuse know seem.

Unexpected situation faced—what do lost.

Then reporter head whipped voice lowered.

“Yes. Hey. Van see say. First hang up.”

No more think needed.

Immediate steps turned main road ran out.

This alley car enter difficult.

Probably nearby parking park manager with walk studio.

That reporter that fact know seem.

Main road connected corner careful watched.

But big van not visible.

Anxious nails bit phone took.

No hesitate call button pressed, long ringtone cut wait.

–Hello?

“Gasp, Seo Injun-ssi. Me. Sonagi.”

–Yes. What matter?

“That… you know.”

Anxious nails bit.

Long explain situation time short.

Again alley looked—reporter eyes fire Seo Injun searching.

This go—me than reporter first Seo Injun meet seem.

Big breath in direct asked.

“Now where?”

–Yes?

“Weird sound but… today our neighborhood side studio came right? Probably manager phone shop side right turn. But there now construction… road blocked. So two blocks more go cafe there enter. Bit detour but studio near car enter can, and…”

More plausible words not come.

Words stuck short silence flowed.

–Construction…?

“Yes, yes!”

–Misaw right? Construction not doing?

Failed.

Already arrived probably.

“Then definitely manager together come!”

–Manager hyung now parking went.

Ah, no good.

That spot stood feet stomped.

Situation not know Seo Injun calm voice asked.

–But me that way going how knew?

“That…”

–Perhaps that alley? Now?

“Uh…”

Somehow suspected seem—answer tail long.

No answer first feet moved.

This alley enter possible corners total three.

Luck follow—if middle Seo Injun chance meet.

Then behind nervous voice heard.

Soon reporter I stand corner walked.

–Exactly what happen?

“That actually, here…”

Truth confess about moment far strange tall person visible.

Cap worn back view only—even sure.

Seo Injun.

Hundred meters outside—even recognize tall.

Call cut, dash ran his back tapped.

Whip turned Seo Injun face full confusion.

Soon eyes met me—puzzled head tilted.

“Sonagi-ssi why…”

“Excuse!”

Sudden his wrist grabbed building between entered.

AC outdoor unit attached—barely two side stand narrow.

Avoid place here only.

No reason dragged Seo Injun back pushed.

Then sneaky out head stuck alley checked.

Right corner turned coming reporter visible—hurried arm pulled.

Bit more late—met maybe.

Relief brief, behind low voice heard.

“This what—”

Startled his mouth both hands blocked.

Wide rounded eyes stared me.

Awkward smile, eye sign hard alley pointed.

That moment sharp voice silence pierced.

“Hey. There no too? Why no! Drive crazy. Van inside parking manager only. This make sense?”

Quite close hear.

Angry breathing closer—mouth dry.

Still Seo Injun mouth blocked behind turned.

Full angry reporter building right front came.

Fortunately building between hide not expect—straight passed.

“This time empty too? Hey. You opposite alley check. Seo Injun see immediate contact. No, just me contact time grab interview first.”

That man cigarette smell strong other way headed.

Presence completely gone—then breath relief could.

Shoulders slumped—hand back warmth felt.

Seo Injun hand.

Urgent mind mouth block forget release.

Alley why so narrow—me almost stuck him.

“Gasp, sorry!”

Quick his mouth hands removed, one step back.

Both hands neat together, quiet checked eyes.

Seo Injun frowned, my behind visible corner looked.

“That…”

He reporter words heard probably.

Yet somehow explain must feel.

Back neck stroked careful mouth opened.

“Um… so… really made up sound maybe, but mart go way chance conversation heard… ago mouth block really sorry. Afraid caught…”

“Yes. Sonagi-ssi suspect or blame absolutely no.”

Soft voice courage—sneaky looked up.

Subtle close—usual more his face detailed visible.

Always expressionless face—faint smile drawn.

Quiet eyes only meet short time—long felt.

Soon Seo Injun light bowed head.

“Rather thank you. Unnecessary matter worry caused seem.”

“No! Me fortunate.”

Rare smile see—unconscious wide smiled.

Too idiot like smiled probably.

Seo Injun expression subtle hardened.

Needless cleared throat awkward gaze turned.