21.Taemin (1/2)

(OST- Be Good to You by Se7en)

Clinging to my stool I couldn’t budge. Like I fool I sat, as if my bottom was glued down until someone came in asking if they could use the room. That was when I had to shift myself up and away.Naeun, how much hate would you receive because of me?

How much more pain would my mention bring you?

Unsure of how to take the news I ended up closing my eyes and bowing my head as I waited for my manager to come and pick me up in my car.“What now Lord?”

The sky was dark and clouded, like my mind. It loomed over blocking out any light that possibly could have been the morning sun. And it also was silent, silent like the Lord seemed to be at the moment.Trust in me.I didn’t know if that was my thoughts or God because my lift arrived and I had to leave it be for a bit. I would ask again later.My solo comeback was close and rehearsals were growing longer and more strenuous. I couldn’t afford to make mistakes. I couldn’t afford to miss the timing or hit the wrong note. For the sake of the people who believed in me and the fans I had to be absolutely, definitely…Perfect.If only I could be. Ω

On the day of my comeback I had a showcase in which Jongin was the MC. Having him close by as I prepared to perform in front of the fans for the first time in two months had to be the greatest relief.“You seem really stressed,” he commented as I received a shoulder massage from him. We were preparing to head on stage. “Have you actually slept much this past few months?”

“Not since Christmas,” I said and to this he sighed.“So it’s the beginning of January and you have managed to become this crazy insomniac performer. I guess being a veteran idol does this to you.”

I blinked as something was remembered. “Your birthday is in two days. I completely forgot and I—“

“—don’t worry,” he said pressing a little harder in one spot. “Kwonho hyung and the others will probably plan something. Just focus on your comeback.”

I didn’t know what I did to deserve such a friend like him. I would do my best and show him a great performance on his birthday. The show case went rather well as I performed ‘Too Friendly’ which was a dance song mixed with the influence of rock thanks to the electric guitar and the strong drum roll.“So Taemin,” Jongin said as we sat down for our discussion. “Rumour is that we’ll be seeing you sing a ballad for this next comeback am I right?”

There were cheers from happy fans. I lifted the microphone up, “Yes… You could say that.”

“Can you tell us what the title is?”“It’s called ‘Grace,” And they gave me applause.

“Sing for us, sing for us!”

And so I did. It was only part of the first verse but they still enjoyed it. Jongin told me that it sounded like a nice song and I said I hoped it would be.I wouldn’t reveal the whole thing until my first music show performance.

Ω

I was day two into my comeback and already performing for a concert. It was something Lotte had organised and a lot of the top groups would be doing a number or two as well.It was now just under two months since Naeun had expressed that sudden confession and one day after Jongin’s birthday. My hair was chocolate brown, a colour I hadn’t done in a while and felt peculiar. It suited my new concept which was more serious and nostalgic if that was the best way to describe it.There were cheers as the group finished performing. I had been getting my microphone check so I didn’t know who it was until the song came to an end.The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It was her group.She was here.

There were cheers as Apink ended and then another sound, a sound that I had heard before in the past.

“Apink you suck!”

“You are lousy idols!”

Where did that come from? I felt my heart sink. It had been more than a week since why were people still reacting to it? I took a deep breath and walked towards the direction of back stage. I couldn’t even look at them as they went the other way. I knew that I was responsible to the hurt.My mood had dropped and I didn’t feel like going back on stage to perform the ballad. As I tried to cheer up there was a knock as the door opened to two familiar faces.“What are you two doing here?”

Kibum hyung made a smirk that could be easily misinterpreted as he handed me a health drink. “Came to support our youngster you idiot.”