Arcade Lights

“Want beer? Or water’s fine too!”

“Alcohol’s okay.

Please order what Sonagi-ssi usually drinks.”

Seo Injun said that and pressed the bell at the edge of the table.

He seems to hold his liquor well.

His side profile facing the counter somehow looked imposing.

The waiter approached soon, and I quickly ordered.

“Um, this set, please!”

“What for the alcohol?”

“Soju, please.

Ah, two bottles!”

I ordered my usual.

Isn’t it one bottle per person?

After the waiter took the menu, I naturally set the utensils.

Seo Injun, who had been sitting quietly, belatedly poured water and muttered.

“You… seem to drink well.”

“Huh?

Ah, yes!

I like it.

What about Seo Injun-ssi?”

The mood strangely sank.

Did I ask something wrong?

Seo Injun’s lips twitched, then he quietly drank only water.

His hand on the cup showed clear tension.

I never got an answer about his drinking capacity.

I’m not great at conversation, so starting a new topic was hard.

Alcohol needs to flow a bit first, after all.

Right then, the soju and appetizers came out.

I handed him a small glass and filled it halfway.

We quietly filled each other’s glasses and lightly clinked them.

Like I do with guild hyungs, I downed the first glass straight.

I familiarly set down my glass and reached for the bottle first.

I thought his glass would be empty for sure.

But he held the glass to his mouth with a serious expression.

He barely emptied it and even sighed.

Anyone could tell he was forcing it—the feeling was strong, so I quietly set the bottle down.

“Um, Seo Injun-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“If you hate alcohol, water’s fine.

No need to force yourself.

Really.”

“…It’s okay.”

He said that, but his handsome face showed no sign of relaxing.

Moreover, he extended his glass again.

I felt like a bad senior forcing a freshman to drink.

Since he’d extended it, I filled it again, but my mind stayed heavy.

His expression was like someone drinking poison—it really bothered me.

He boldly emptied the glass and bit his lips hard.

“Ah, did the photoshoot that day go well?”

I difficultly changed the topic.

Seo Injun set down his glass and lightly nodded.

“Thanks to you.

I told my manager hyung about that time—he handled it well.”

“Handled…?”

“That reporter—I know him.”

“Huh.

Really?”

“Exactly, he came the same way before—I refused once.

I told him to request officially instead… but he did the same thing again.”

He let out a small sigh.

From the eavesdropped call—refused, popularity a bit more already okay?, grumbled—sure, the reporter was rude.

“So I contacted his agency.

They said it was his individual action and apologized.

Said it won’t happen again.”

“That’s good.”

I said that, but the reality is uncertain.

No telling when someone else might pull the same stunt.

Idols seem to have far more infringed upon than I know.

I stroked the half-empty glass and carefully asked.

“Perhaps… do such things happen a lot?”

“What things?”

“Like being suddenly chased, or having a camera thrust at you abruptly—those situations.”

“Um.

Well.

A year ago it was pretty bad, but lately it’s reduced a lot.”

You have to smile even when someone thrusts a camera, refuse without making them feel bad if suddenly grabbed.

If your expression hardens for a moment, it’s immediately interpreted negatively and blown up.

In the previous incident too, he didn’t seem very surprised.

He calmly thanked me and handled the matter step by step.

That was impressive, but also a bit pitiful.

Meanwhile, the dishes came out, and I served some onto his front plate.

I gently watched him eating quietly.

No matter how perfect a person is, they must get tired someday.

It might be nosy, but I wondered if current Seo Injun has a way to release stress.

Receiving alcohol from him, I carefully asked.

“Don’t you sometimes want to wander around without caring about eyes?”

His hand pouring my alcohol suddenly stopped.

Seems too personal a question.

I set down the glass and hurriedly waved both hands.

“Ah!

I didn’t mean to pry.”

“It’s not that—I just haven’t really thought about it.”

“Not thought about it means…”

“From trainee days, there was only pressure to simply succeed.

So I never thought about deviation or wanting to return to pre-debut life.”

I expected it, but he seems to have lived an extremely diligent life.

From childhood, probably never missed academy, always diligent even in things he hates.

I watched with respect-filled gaze, then late curiosity rose.

“Then perhaps… you’ve never had personal time till now?”

“We members often have private gatherings, but a seat like this is first today.”

“Gasp, first?”

The words from the broadcast—7 years first friend play feel—were sincere.

Now it felt burdensome.

I’m sharing this person’s precious personal time.

Somehow I feel I must make it finger-countingly happy.

But I’m not good at livening mood, not that fun a person.

Racked my brain.

Since this happened, suggest midnight movie?

Too sudden.

While impatiently tapping table, Seo Injun languidly exhaled.

“From now on, having such time occasionally would be good too.”

“Such time?”

“Yes.”

“…Even now is good?”

“Yes?

…Yes.

It’s good.”

He silently emptied his glass.

Of course if he good, me good too.

Seeing empty glass natural soju bottle held.

Poured remaining, neatly placed both hands on table.

Occasionally car lights illuminated his face and passed.

Than first much more comfortable seeming eyes toward me.

“Outside what incident might happen unknown so usually personal time not have is company policy… great things can’t do but.”

Languid half-closed eyes in a moment but complex emotion lingered.

Thanks to alcohol entered perhaps.

First time not idol but him appearance see feel.

Nonstop road walked he not hard say can.

Still as fan worry can’t help.

Leaned closer to table, brighter voice said.

“Then want do things say!”

“…Yes?”

“Now too good but, still Seo Injun-ssi want do things have right.

Not even deviation.

Me that hear want.”

“Um…”

Such question unexpected seem.

His gaze wandered here there.

Long time quick mouth open not, first I led.

“Usually with members what do?”

“Next album or concert planning.”

“Wow, indeed amazing.

Um… then high school time?”

“Mainly practice room practiced.”

“…Uh…um, amazing…”

Exactly this person’s school days where went.

Pitiful beyond became serious.

Face hardened, Seo Injun awkward smacked lips.

“Then Sonagi-ssi usual meet friends what do?”

“Uh, before played games.

From young games liked.”

“What games?”

“Then arcade often went.

Many disappeared regret but lately again appearing.”

“Arcade…”

“That shooting ones dolls lots got.”

Of course not me, same class friend hit but.

Hometown room corner piled dolls recalled.

Seo Injun arcade games of course, targets hit well seem.

Would like too perhaps.

Moment immersed memories, thoughtless words spilled.

“Ah, later arcade together go?”

“Yes?”

“That… haha, fun seem!

Seo Injun-ssi stress release…”

Awkward laugh filled table.

This why alcohol entered mouth careful must.

Follow mood act freely.

From pot cabbage picked ate, dry mouth filled.

Needless glass tap tapped, Seo Injun cheerfully nodded.

“Good.

After meal go.”

“Really?”

“Yes.

Me too arcade elementary after first seem.”

“Wow!

Quick eat.”

“Slow eat.

Might choke.”

Times like this he feels older.

But already mood endlessly good became, me his advice ear not listened.

Remaining soju one bottle waste, all poured glass drank.

That watched Seo Injun eyes somehow awe lingered, lightly ignored.

Quickly even calculation finished, izakaya out.

Somehow me pay tried but already his card in waiter’s hand.

“Next me buy!”

Alone soju one and half bottle drank, nonexistent courage lush grew.

Just good mood level drank seem, kept smile leaked.

Thanks alcohol entered, Seo Injun too before like stiff speech not used.

“Okay.

So arcade where know?”

“There seem was.

Taxi ride coming saw!”

Finger pointed alley end.

Followed blurred memory, recklessly started walking.

Thought walking straight somewhat, but to Seo Injun eyes unstable seem.

He naturally grabbed my shoulder, changed position, volunteered walk road side.

Kept watching me, occasionally eyes met.

“Me not drunk.

Don’t worry.”

“Um, yes.”

“Really.

My capacity soju 3 bottles.”

“…3 bottles?”

“Yes!”

Proudly nodded.

That too lately from broadcasting much reduced.

Now just face a bit red, excited only.

Street people no thanks, comfortably his name on mouth put.

“Seo Injun-ssi too seem good drink!”

Always diligently reacted he mouth tight shut.

Then outright changed topic.

“Then that broadcast how much drank did?”

“Yes?

What broadcast?”

“Our album unboxing broadcast.”

“Ah.”

Suddenly bringing up someone’s black history.

No answer, only awkward laugh flowed.

To avoid persistent following Seo Injun gaze, walked ahead.

Me suddenly surging quite unstable, Seo Injun soon occupied beside.

In the end, I couldn’t find out if Seo Injun drinks well, and Seo Injun couldn’t find out how much I drank for that drunk broadcast.