Monsoon Whispers

I cleaned the house from morning.

Wiped the already clean desk once more, swept the floor repeatedly.

Only one chair—so ended up placing the two-seater sofa in front of the desk.

Twisted around sitting to check cushion feel.

Confirmed angles several times so camera wouldn’t fail and cause issues.

Still felt something missing.

Background in cam view looked a bit empty.

Dragged bookshelf over, placed mom’s plant and a couple fan-given dolls on it.

Felt filled at least.

Preparations done—little time left.

Live start 8 PM.

Seo Injun said arrive around 7 for rehearsal.

As 7 neared—anxious, busy hiding nerves.

Just sit rest fine—but couldn’t stay still one minute.

Ended standing full mirror, fixing clothes.

Avoided usual comfy tracksuit—wore somewhat neat T-shirt.

Tidied light brown hair with hands, slight turn check.

Cam catches part—but meeting amazing person, wanted good first impression.

“Ah, first impression already ruined.”

Sudden gloomy thought—stared air—doorbell rang right then.

Clear sound—shoulders shrunk automatic.

No expected delivery, no visiting neighbor.

Then person outside door—predictable.

Shot up, deep breath big.

No tense, absolutely no mistakes.

Calmed jumping heart, walked to door.

“Who is it?”

“This is Seo Injun.”

Hand about grab handle—stopped abrupt.

Fingertips already trembling fine.

Bit lower lip hard, cleared throat.

Okay, okay.

Repeated dozens, opened door.

“Welcome… heuk.”

Not okay.

Not okay at all.

Calmed heart 3 seconds ago—all useless.

“Nice to meet you. Jangma-ssi. Or Sonagi-ssi more comfortable?”

“Uh, uh uh. Whatever comfortable…!”

“Then Jangma-ssi.”

Profile Seo Injun height 182.

But real—seems much taller.

Over 10 cm difference—could only blankly look up.

Neck hurt level—but fine.

Seeing that face real—anything good.

Unlike perfectly styled stage—today casual clothes, relaxed feel strong.

Not sloppy at all.

Poor expression me—only “photoshoot” comes mind.

That too, sunlight full forest shoot, refreshing dripping cover level.

“Humble home but come in!”

Thought I robot.

Leading him narrow house—steps awkward extreme.

Each step—like fuel low creaking somewhere.

Eyes couldn’t meet proper, gave him only chair.

“Manager following other members schedule—come after broadcast.”

“Yes, yes! Fine!”

Stood beside, hands polite together, sneaky glanced.

Looking around house—he unbuttoned sleeves, rolled shirt.

Scene like drama—couldn’t tear eyes, stared hard.

Late noticed he looking me too.

Awkward inhale, bowed head, stepped back one.

“…Why like that?”

Why that.

Don’t want burden but eyes keep going.

You mercilessly handsome that’s why.

No, my fault can’t hold gaze.

Seems arrhythmia me.

Rather, me should act normal front him—felt wronged.

Couldn’t say outright—awkward smile.

Keep direct handsome mind, say trembling ’cause huge fan.

That good.

Small inhale, most refined voice said.

“Too handsome… Eng?”

No, wrong.

Inner thought and meant words reversed.

Spoken can’t pick—covered mouth back hand before worse nonsense.

Earthquake like—pupils shook.

Seo Injun eyes looking me—slowly rounded too.

Handsome heard hundreds times probably—but sudden situation first.

Embarrassed—cheeks heat surged.

Before more awkward—tried recover, waved other hand air.

“Sorry! Not meant say that, no. Not saying Seo Injun-ssi not handsome! That… so…”

“Thank you for compliment.”

Unexpected greeting—snapped back.

Seo Injun erased surprise, faint smile.

Gone quick—but clearly saw.

Cold face single spring sunlight scene—didn’t miss.

This time different meaning—face burned.

Wondered why fans cry seeing liked idol—now fully empathize.

Worth crying.

Rather want cry.

“Today broadcast order as texted. Anything curious?”

This time no slur, proper said.

Of course gaze fixed his chest.

Precisely third shirt button stared.

People should face or eyes talk—learned.

But current situation—this best.

Shirt suits well too, such random thoughts, emptied head.

“No, nothing curious… Ah.”

Brief flustered look—Seo Injun something remembered, bent waist.

Then picked paper bag beside sofa, handed me.

Both hands accepted, peered inside.

“Album you mentioned before.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

Took album—first part Seo Injun signature visible.

Writes name hanja.

New fact learned.

Next page—each member own photo part, signature short comment.

Please take care Injun hyung, or next want appear too.

Too kind words—heart warm.

Sudden request not ignore—brought like this.

Endlessly grateful him.

Happy looked photos flip—album middle familiar rectangle card visible.

Picked photocard, turned—familiar face.

“Uh! Uh!”

“Why?”

“Seo Injun photocard! Seo Injun photocard!”

As viewers said—Seo Injun photocard suit slight side selca.

Worried how get—came hand like this.

Treasure found kid like—held card one hand precious, smiled bright.

“Yesterday my albums no photocard. Wanted this photo so much—came like this super happy!”

Showed photocard proud him.

Right then photocard Seo Injun and looking up real Seo Injun angles subtle overlap.

World handsome person two at once.

Amazing mind—gasped, alternated photo real.

But real Seo Injun expression gradually subtle.

My eyes sparkled more—somehow awkward too.

Hand touched neck area—he low voice said.

“Yesterday broadcast said give me—so put my photo on purpose.”

Bright smiling mouth corners twitched instant.

Think now—photocard real front eyes, even daily see face person—boasting him.

And just words mean—Seo Injun watched yesterday drunk broadcast me.

Mood too good—brain broken probably.

If possible—time back 5 minutes want.

Face burning red—hide thought none.

Lowered card hand sneaky—Seo Injun slight tilt head asked.

“Like it?”

Shame want hide mouse hole.

But can’t not answer question.

People good things—say good clear learned.

Slight bow head, hugged album.

“Like so much…!”

“Good then.”

“Lifelong treasure keep. Frame put, no dust. Every morning photocard Injun-ssi see ask well-being.”

“No, no need that much.”

“Thank you, thank you.”

Don’t know what saying now—but whatever.

Lifelong no leaving fandom.

Storm-like nonsense feast end—Seo Injun speechless stared me.

Ignore, placed album precious bookshelf decorate like.

Then slight pulled sofa front desk, easy sit him.

“Sit here!”

“Ah, yes.”

Sat sofa first—right beside he sat.

Two-seater thought not narrow at all—but slight move arm touch.

Seems sofa felt wide my frame standard.

Worried Seo Injun uncomfortable—max edge squished sat.

Waist sofa armrest stuck tight—but fine.

My idol comfortable enough.

But he tapped empty space between us hand, said.

“That side narrow seems—come here.”

“Gasp, yes? No! Fine! Injun-ssi sit wide.”

“But—”

“I like corner!”

“…”

Above all, arms keep touching—heart pound can’t broadcast probably.

Laughed cover, pulled keyboard mouse my side.

Then pushed mic toward him.

Bad quality mic—hope capture Seo Injun voice bit well at least.