People and Their Categories – Chapter 19 February 6, 2009

Chapter nineteen

Li Yin looked at the book in front of her and her vision started to become cloudy. The words started to twist themselves into meaningless scribbles. Li Yin guessed it was the tiredness she felt thanks to the holiday she had.

The holiday she spent on making more money in the café.

She was tired. She looked up from her book and scanned the surrounding. Everyone was busy studying in the library and some were even sleeping. The library sure was comfortable. It was well ventilated and quiet. Li Yin just needed to close her eyes and felt the ambience resonating around her.

She slowly dropped her head and slept on her book of economics.

It was two old clocks in the noon.

Jun Su walked around the library to find for an empty spot. He saw one cubicle with an occupant in it. He walked directly to that cubicle and saw Li Yin sleeping on her book. Luckily, the cubicle next to her was empty. He placed his book gently onto the table and sat on the chair provided. Then, he took out his favourite pen and the book he was supposed to digest that time. He popped his earphone into his ears and started reading his book.

It was four old clocks in the afternoon. Li Yin could felt something wet flowing down from her face. Automatically, she wiped the fluid off her face and heard a humming sound.

It sounded beautiful.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked around for the source of the music. She held up her book and glanced to her left. A girl was sitting at her left. She was reading too and had her mp3 on. Li Yin thought that it was a bit deep, so she dismissed the idea that it was coming from the girl.

She turned to her right and saw a guy hidden in his own cubicle, reading too. His mouth wasn’t opened at all and yet, a beautiful sound came out from his mouth. She could only see the back of the guy.

If this guy were to accompany her in that competition, she might win.

Slowly, Li Yin took out her spiral bound notebook and tore a page out of it. She scribbled something on it and made the torn paper into a ball.

Then, she tossed it across, connecting herself and Kim Jun Su.

Kim Jun Su was surprised to see a crumpled up into a ball paper on his text books. Remembering that it was the library, he reached for it and sat straight up. At that moment, Li Yin saw Jun Su. Frighten that she had made a drastic mistake, she reached forwards and brushed Jun Su’s hand. Jun Su, a tad faster, moved his hands away.

“Return it!” Li Yin said.

All the heads which were buried in their books looked up at Li Yin. People started to complain that they need to get a room, not a library. Li Yin, sat down, flustered.

“Why don’t we go out?” Jun Su asked quietly, as he himself were adamant in not disturbing the peace for student like him which were studying in the library.

Li Yin packed her books as a sign of consent. Jun Su grabbed his stuff too and walked off with Li Yin out of the building. The both of them were quiet as they walked out the library and as they loitered around the campus.

Apparently, the both of them remembered the little peck they shared.

“I am sorry,”  the both of them said in unison.

Then, they kept quite again, both wondering how to proceed. Jun Su then remembered that he still had the crumpled paper in his hands. Slowly, he smoothen it and read it.

An untidy and readable scribble appeared on it.

Helo, I am Lee Li Yin. Would you join a best couple competition with me? I know this is very random but we most probably aren’t going to see one another again. SO, what the HECK?

Jun Su smiled.

“What is this?” he asked, looking directly into Li Yin’s eyes.

Li Yin just sighed. Her shoulders dropped in unison with her sigh.

“I need a fake boyfriend for this stupid competition. No matter how stupid it is, it came with a good reward. I thought it would be easy to get one. I just need to ask Jae Joong but Step got him,” she explained.

“Why did you choose me then?” Jun Su asked.

“I didn’t choose you. I chose your voice,” she answered frankly.

“What if it is not me? What if it is some random and dangerous guy?” Jun Su barked back.

“That is how desperate I am. I am collecting money or a plane ticket and …. I am sorry,” Li Yin automatically apologised.

“Good. What do I get out of this?” Jun Su said.

“Is that a yes?” she asked for confirmation.

“Yeah. It might be fun,” Jun Su said, hintingly.

Li Yin tried to control her face’s pigment that was very rebellious to show of her reddish pink blush. Jun Su automatically grinned and touched his hair.

Nana Volume I Part B – Nana Oosaki January 6, 2009

I am sorry for the long awaited summary. Things got caught up and I got tangled up and now, finally, I am having some free time to spare to write more about this wonderful story.

Oh, yeah to those lazy people out there, do read the Part A first. haha. It is a bit lengthy (laughs nervously) but nevertheless DO READ!

Let’s begin.

This part of the story revolved around the past of Nana Oosaki. She was well, a more favourtie character than the other Nana (which I have a love hate relationship with)

She was left by her mother when she was four. Her grandmother raised her up and well, was really strict with her. She had never knew her father, because her own mother had no idea who is her father.

While encountering all this, she “picked up the pieces of her dreams”.

And this is our NANA!

Laughs. The story started with Nana performing as a member of a band called Blackstones. It consisted of Nana as the vocalist, Ren as the guitarist (no idea), Nobou as the bass? (laughs I cant differentiate between these two roles!) and Yasu as the drummer. It seemed like a normal daily thing for them as they were very happily performing. ^^

And it seemed like this band was very famous among the locals as their fans waited in the cold and waited for them for the mere glance of their idols.

Nana kssing ?

The band members received their gifts and then, celebrated another sucessful performance done. They ate in their restaurant and parted their way. Before leaving, Yasu reminded Ren to tell Nana something.

Ps : Yasu is a law student. (so random isnt it?)

Forewarning.

Laughs. I can’t help but to admire Nana. She said that performance was well her drugs as she always get high performing. Then, Ren asked whether it was as high as having sex. She just answered that that depends on the guy.

Laughs. I love how she is so cheeky.

I love this picture

And upon arriving, they walked back together to their home with smiles on their face. I really really love their simplicity here. You think it might be easy to walk back with someone you love? Not really, I think that once you are this close to someone, that someone will also be a double edged sword. He can hurt you and he can give you happiness.

Laughs. The home seemed to be their place. They had a shower together. Somehow, they started talking more about Nana’s past. She was well taken care by her grandmum and she blamed the death of her grandmum on herself.

Sure, she was troublesome and had always argued with her grandmum but deep inside she had definitely love her grandmum who had substitute her mother. Nevertheless, it was her love for her grandmum that made her felt guilt and when she told Ren all of it, Ren’s face was a face of tortured.

On the day, that her grandmom had died, she used all her saving to buy a present for herself. She brought a frilly red dress and went with Nobou to a band performance, where she meet Ren. She was mesmerised with Ren.

It seemed like she wasn’t the only one mesmerised because Ren who initially was annoyed with her, felt in love with her too. It seemed like they had those fatal attraction to one another. laughs.
After a while of making love, they stopped and Nana seemed to be reluctant to be pregnant. She said that she would like to be with Ren, singing.

Ren said that it wasnt going to be a big deal if Nana was pregnant. That was where they differ at.

Out of the sudden blue, while kissing one another, Ren announced that he was going to go to Tokyo.

Apparently, Ren got recognised and was about to debut as a singer in Tokyo. Unable to be selfish, Yasu told Nobou that Ren had finally gotten a chance to live his dream, despite the other three that was out of the picture. Nobou intially was sad and then, realised that Nana would be devastated.

Because Nana really loved Ren. The first time, they meet was on the death day of her grandmum. The second time, Ren and Nana met was at Nobou’s house, where it was the begining of Blackstones. At that time, Yasu and Ren wanted to invite Nobou to form a band with them. When they were talking about their vocalist, Nana appeared to return a CD to Nobou.

Ren chased after Nana and she agreed to be their vocalist. Laughs. And that was how Blackstones was formed.

It was like how Nana said.
She was gravitated to Ren and so was Ren.
In the times, when they were in Blackstones, they went out together, lived together, had numerous memories together.

And it was those times spent together that made the separation harder.

She could easily followed Ren to Tokyo but she chose to stay back. She will work hard for herself and then, go to Tokyo to build a singer career for herself.

Most probably, she doesn’t believe in an easy earned happiness, hence, she left Ren.

It wasn’t easy for Ren too.

And that was how they broke up.

With their break up, she was more determined about her dream and lived hard everyday for it.

For me, she was one of those girls that I really admired.
It seemed like nothing can stop her.

So, on her 20′th birthday, she bought herself a one way ticket to Tokyo. ^^

Nana Volume 1 (part A) – Komatsu Nana December 19, 2008

I am doing this because of my best friend who is illiterate with manga or otherwise known as comic. I love love stories. This is one of the best story I had ever encountered because it is something all women can relate to. The issues touched throughout the whole story is vast and well, comtemporary to our everyday musing.

In short, I LOVE THIS AUTHOR AND ITS CREATIONS.

Lets start. ^^

The first person we were introduced was Komatsu Nana, one of the heroine in this story. She is well a fickle person, without a spine and yes, she was involved with a married man in high school.

Tokyo?

The man next to Nana was announcing to Nana that he was going to Tokyo. Instantly, this Nana panicked and then…. was searching her small mind to find a way to continue this relationship. Obviously, she had cared about this relationship a lot and  … the man just said.

It’s been fun. Thank you

you, know … All the woman in the world would have smile back at that man, and then said the same thing also. something like, yeah. and then, they will hide it down inside themselves or they might find someone to talk too….

in this case, our nana here… talked to….
her best friend, JunKo.

nana and her nonsense

The way, she talked about it ensured JunKo that it was somewhat a fling. Of course, it might be her way of exaggerating that made it felt nonsensical or it might just be somehow, the way Nana express herself. Nevertheless, JunKo who had knew Nana for a long time, closed the topic either because she doesn’t want Nana to ponder on it too much and made the topic seem lightly, by scaring her.

The both of them then continued college, with Jun Ko aiming for an art institute in Tokyo and with Nana who was just refusing to be separated from Jun Ko. Nevertheless, Nana said it might be a way for her to forget old love by finding one new in the college. On their way to the college, she was analysing with JunKo about her fickleness and how she was so easily to fall in love.

Somehow, one way or another…. their discussion then, turned into a comparison about how JunKo can stay level headed with boys whereas Nana who fall in loves with every boy she meet.

It was true. Nana kept on falling in love. She felt in love with a pizza deliver boy before, her art teacher, the cashier at the video rental place, and even a stranger she meet in the movie.

After her unrequited love from the cashier, she developed a habit to watch movie alone in the cinema. One day, feeling faintish, she caught the attention of her future boyfriend. He helped her and bought her a drink. Somehow, they found out that they like to watch movie alone and got more into details about how she was feeling weak from dieting and how, it ended with her yelling to him, telling him the restaurant she work in as a part timer.

He just left.

and he returned into the picture two weeks later.
Throughout these two weeks, (she even complaint to JunKo these two weeks) she admitted that she missed him a lot, even though they had just a short fateful (according to her) meeting.
The moment, she saw him waiting for her in front of the door of the restaurant, she felt in love deeper.

though…

Even though I soon noticed that he had a wedding band on his ring finger, I decided that it didn’t bother me.

and that is how her affair begun… and ended on the day, he said that it was fun. Thank you.

Based on Nana’s previous experience, JunKo just suggested that she need to learn a person in a more profound depth before going out as a boyfriend. Nana totally misunderstood the advice and decided that she needs a boy. friend. yes. just a male (XY ) who is a friend. She had decided that she will have a good friend who is male.

And …. then ….

She fell in love with the first guy she met in the college.
Laughs. At some point, actually, here, I was really fed up with this character. Why in the world is she giving out her heart to strangers and then, have the audacity to be hurt by it? How can she just claim to love someone at first sight countless of time and then, I-DONT-KNOW do her stuff?

Because, yes. I really think she is a dumb blond. And proven to be one without a spine too.

Enough of ranting.

Anyway, the guy that she fell in love with was named Shouji and this guy apparently, was a friend of JunKo. They decided to meet up together and drink at JunKo place. At that time, Nana had already hypnotised herself to act naturally, to not consider Shouji as a future candidate for a boyfriend and could only loosen up under the influence of alcohol.

After a few bottle of alcohol, she started spilling her love history from the pizza guy to the cashier guy and then ….

to a person … that she wasn’t even sure of his name. because the man she had affair with might had just lied to her.

She cried unknowingly and started bawling. It just show that Nana, despite trying to cover it up with cheerfulness, was trying to fool herself. The only thing was, she seemed really in love with Asano (the guy she had an affair with). JunKo who knew, quickly comforted her and the whole scene made Shouji and his guy friend awkward.

Shouji waited until she calmed down and left the apartment with JunKo encouragement to woo Nana. Shouji left his friend who was too drunk to move.

Later on, as the term started rolling, the four of them became closer to one another. Nana was falling deeper for Shouji and vice versa. However, she had already also hypnotised herself too much until she could only see Shouji as a friend. Soon, they realised that this group of four had to be separated soon as Kyousuke (the man who was left behind since he was drunk) and JunKo got accepted into the same art institute in Tokyo.

Shouji and Nana then, started to try to aim for the same institute. Nana, as expected failed and Shouji decided to stay behind one more year to try again.

The day, when JunKo and Kyousuke were accepted, Nana and Shouji went Tokyo to celebrate. During that time, when they were walking back to the hotel which all four of them were staying, Shouji told Nana of his plan which was to study in Tokyo to reaim to enter the art institute. Nana who had no a single aim, claimed to want to move to Tokyo. She was someone who really, really, want to conserve her comfort zone with was her gang of four. Shouji finally snapped and asked her how would she support herself. All his anger was suddenly brought to a surface and was plainly claiming how selfish Nana could be.

He walked away from her and left her alone after he exploded. He went back to the hotel only to find JunKo snapping at him, for not awaring of Nana’s feeling towards him. Together, JunKo and Shouji dashed out of the hotel, knowing that Nana won’t recognise the way back. Kyousuke left behind and was waiting for Nana, just in case Nana didn’t get lose. Lol. Actually, I wasn’t sure why he stayed in the hotel.

Meanwhile, Nana bumped into Asano. She realised that she can never bring herself to hate this man, even though he would consider her a fling. However, in the end, she was still happy because he didn’t lie to her about his name when they bumped into Asano’s colleague. They said goodbye with Nana’s ordering Asano not to cheat again. Asano just laughed. In a sense, this was what Nana really needed.

A closure.

With Asano’s help on getting back to the hotel, she finally calm down and called Kyousuke who was in his room. Sounding so cheerful, Kyousuke was guessing that Shouji found her and confessed. Kyousuke was just breaking the whole secret out, and told Nana that Shouji was also in love with her. Hanging up on Kyousuke, Nana went of finding for Shouji. Meanwhile, Junko came back, realising that she should have called Nana’s cellphone before rushing out to find for her.

They (Nana and Shouji) found one another and found themselves in an awkward position. They pretended nothing happened and went back to the hotel. Upon trying to enter Kyousuke’s room, JunKo kicked them out and said that she wasn’t going to be bothered anymore.

which forced the two awkward love birds alone.

They solved their arguement by Nana, promising to wait one year at their hometown, while Shouji aiming for the institute again. A year later, she would be going to Tokyo to work.

Somehow, making the resolution together, they realised that each another knew and Nana finally managed to break out the wall of friendship-image she had with Shouji telling that he love her.

hum.

My thoughts.
I freaking hate character like Nana Komatsu. To me, she seemed really weak. Someone that always need to be in a comfort zone, instead of someone who will always create a comfort zone.
However, what I am really amazed was at how talented the author with her plot and her character. Nana Komatsu is a human to me in this story and it was a really good way of explaining her character through a story like this. All her other character was cute too, especially Junko.

and that was why I wrote 1645 words.^^

On a personal note. December 13, 2008

The reason I write and I read, is because I love stories dearly. I love characters and I felt for them.

So, now, on a personal note, I hope that I can continue writing more and maybe I will introduce some of my favourite stories.

Music : Part 2 : Music Scores December 1, 2008

OST

Everything rolled into momentum. He knew that he was going to like her a lot, maybe when he knew that the fact, he was still small, not knowing the accurate word that described his feeling.

It was love.

She smiled at him as if nothing can harm their little world. She held tight to him when they sneaked out in the middle of the night to watch horror movies as if horror movies were catastrophe for them then. It was. Both of them were too afraid to come back up to their bedroom and hugged one another to sleep on the couch in the living room.

Everywhere she went, he will be there, one step behind her.

Everyone could notice it and news even came to Mr. Jang’s ears. The seldom visit to his mansion brought the view of the two of them sleeping on the couch to him. He realized that he had to do something.

The very next day, Chang Min had to pack a small bag of suit and left the mansion.

“Hey, wake up little kid!” someone roughly shook Chang Min up.

Chang Min rubbed his eyes and then, focused properly on the image in front of him. A man with mustache was right in front of him. He got up quickly and dragged himself apart from the bed. That man smiled in front of him.

“Good. Now, we will begin our training. Change into something you can run in,” that man ordered.

Chang Min decided not to lose a second and appeared outside in his track pants. The man started teaching him the basic of self defense. Everytime, Chang Min felt like fainting, the man will kick him in his legs. Pains jolted in his legs and brought him back into focus again.

“Remember, we can’t lose our attention, no matter what the situation we are in. Lose that and prepare to lose your life,” he barked.

Once again, this time, Chang Min was kicked in his stomach. The instructor was right. Even in the small brain of ten, Chang Min had already knew that Mr. Jang was not someone so simple. Chang Min started punching imaginary enemies and had gotten a slight nod of approval from his instructor.

“Come kid, eat up,” he barked an order and Chang Min skittered to his side.

Gobbling down the food, the instructor pushed a glass of water towards his pupil. It was a sign of affections and he had never will allow himself to portray. Chang Min just grabbed it and drunk it up. Months passed in such a manner. Chang Min had gotten fitter and sometimes, the two of them fought with one another. Their fight always ended with either one of them gotten bloody. In the beginning, it was always Chang Min and he will be pushing himself more the next time. Then, very soon, the both of them will be on equal footing.

And that was when two years had passed.

AN : thanks for reading. ^^

Chapter eighteen November 12, 2008

Chapter eighteen

Jae Joong was hidden underneath the dark. Both Yun Ho and Stephanie didn’t see him at all. He thanked the Almighty for that. He seriously didn’t want to know more about the both of them. It seemed to be awkward situation for him to explain why he was here in the first place.

Stephanie had just run away and Yun Ho stood there watching. Now, Jae Joong could continue searching for his mother’s purse.

It was not that he minded.

The next day was a public holiday. It was a busy day for the café every year that day. The manager fully aware of that had asked his three employees to report to work at the opening. He told him that he will pay them extra. Li Yin was not to miss that chance. Stephanie had nothing to do and Jae Joong was bored.

The three of them gathered and started working mechanically.

They worked nonstop until after lunch which was the peak for the café. After lunch, the three of them took a break in the kitchen.

“Li Yin, can you pass me that cup with water? I am dehydrated in here,” Jae Joong complained.

Li Yin passed the water without a complaint. She handed the cup over with a beaming face. She kept on flashing her smile to Jae Joong.

Bewildered, Jae Joong asked,” What is it? Is there anything on my cheek?”

“No, it is just that you seemed extra kind today,” Li Yin replied casually.

“No, there is something. Definitely something. What is it?” Jae Joong got suspicious.

“I need a favour,” Li Yin pleaded.

“I won’t lend you money without IOU,” Jae Joong answered curtly.

“NO. NO. I don’t need your money. I need your body,” Li Yin slipped.

“BODY?” came the automatic reply.

Stephanie looked bewildered too. Apparently, Stephanie had been eavesdropping at their conversation when she was standing there. Both Li in and Jae Joong were too wrapped in their conversation that both of them had forgotten about Stephanie. Heaving a sigh, Li Yin took out a carefully folded paper out of one of the pocket on her apron. She then opened it and placed it properly onto the kitchen table.

The other two edged closer towards the table.

Both of them registered two different conceptions upon reading it. Stephanie saw the cash prize if she were to win the competition. It was might be used to pay her rents. It seemed suddenly the imaginary clouds above the ceiling opened up and a beam of heavenly light shone on the paper.

Stephanie was ready to throw her hands up and rejoice.

Jae Joong on the other hand was wondering what does that had to do with him.

Li Yin was still beaming at Jae Joong.

It was a while until the three of them snapped out of their reverie. Li Yin took the opportunity of confusion to ask Jae Joong a pivotal question.

“Do you want to be my partner in this competition?” Li Yin asked.

“Partner? But we aren’t in that sort of relationship,” Jae Joong desperately said.

“Of course. But you can help me by pretending to be my boyfriend,” Li Yin reasoned out as if it was supposed to be rightful.

“And why is it that Jae Joong had to choose you?” Stephanie suddenly butted in.

“Jae Joong, dear would you ever so kindly to accompany me in this competition? I am sure we will win,” Stephanie offered.

“I brought this up first,” Li Yin exclaimed loudly.

Girls were fighting over him. He had never thought that he would be the object between his friends. He was very sure that his new found friends won’t be like any other girls who killed at one another to have him.

“SO?” both of them demanded to Jae Joong.

Jae Joong felt threatened suddenly. He needed to come up with an idea. FAST. He started thinking and pushed a strand of hair behind. He had a dilemma. He didn’t want to side with anyone at all although he had preferred Stephanie over Li Yin as Stephanie was mysterious to him. On the other hand, Li Yin had brought the topic up and he had never wanted to disappoint Li Yin.

There was only one way to resolve this and he was sure both parties will agree to it.

“Let’s draw lot,” Jae Joong said while walking to the utensils box.

He took out a spoon and fork and showed them these two apparatus of eating.

“Whoever who get the spoon, will be my partner,” he announced as he turned with his back facing them. He hid the utensils with his both hand, covering both the spoon and fork. When he was satisfied, he turned back again to face them and held out two closed knuckle.

“Choose,”

Li Yin can’t believe her tough luck. She had picked fork. She had lost Jae Joong to Stephanie. She worked her anger out on the dishes later on in the evening and every speck of uneaten food was imagined with their image on.

Both the other two knew she was in a bad mood and tactfully avoided her that day.

As she stood there, next to the skin, she wondered whether she can find someone to be her fake boyfriend for that competition.

Jae Joong can’t hide his smile when he saw Li Yin drawing out a fork from his hand.

Sorry, buddy. Cant help you there.

Li Yin must had seen the smile on his face and shot a glare. Jae Joong walked towards Li Yin’s back and messaged her shoulder. Li Yin automatically closed her eyes.

“You can always find someone else,” Jae Joong comforted.

“Yeah. Li Yin, I am sure that there are tonne of guys out there. We will have a fair competition with you,” Stephanie said, all geared up.

Li Yin sighed. Stephanie felt bad for Li Yin and partially glad that she can avoid finding a fake boyfriend when she saw Li Yin sighed.

Chapter seventeen November 12, 2008

Chapter seventeen.

Yun Ho sent off his client. He waved bye to Mr. Kim and his mother. Then, later on, he walked into the backstage and congratulated the dancers and the crews. It was his job as the representation of the sponsor. He shook hands for the millionth time that night and then, thank them for their cooperation.

Yun Ho’s face was beginning to be sore a bit.

Too much smile and too much engaging in intellectual talks.

He walked around in the back stage and then, the heroine came and greeted him naturally. Yun Ho was going to smile again.

“Are you coming, Mr. Jung?” the petite dancer. She was still in her ballerina shoes.

“Where to?” he quizzed politely.

“To the celebration party, of course,” she chipped cheerfully.

the end of a successful performance usually seemed to be a drug for those dancers. They tend to be hyperactive despite the tiredness in their body. Tomorrow, they will really be beat, drained of energy until they won’t even have the ability to drag themselves out of the bed.

Yun Ho had felt that before. He had also performed in an hour play that really almost drained him emotionally and physically. Stephanie then, who was his partner hadn’t been very helpful as she was the one pushing them to practice together.

“Is everyone coming?” Yun Ho asked.

“Well, you are paying, you decide,” she replied.

“Everyone is coming then,” Yun Ho said with a genuine smile for the first time that night.

Jae Joong waas tired. The play had been mediocre only to Jae Joong’s opinion. Well, he seemed to be born without the whole artsy side. Stuff like this, was just something he had to endure. He had learnt not to fall asleep during play like this. He leaned back and rubbed his temples. He was about to fall asleep.

He could only hoped that they will reach home quick and then, he can just stripped himself out of the uncomfortable coat and sleep his heart out.

The driver turned into his street when his mother suddenly exclaimed that she had left her purse in the hall. She then turned around and beamed at Jae Joong.

“My dear son, would you please go and collect my purse there?” she asked.

“I would very much mind,” Jae Joong answered with a smile.

“You don’t expect me, a lady to go out so late now, do you?” his mom countered.

“Well, I never expected a lady like you to forget an important item at a public place,” Jae Joong replied.

“Well, I never thought I would stoop as low as an old, forgetful lady that had to beg his only son to do something for her,” she said, withdrawing out sympathy from Jae Joong.

Jae Joong raised up his hands to surrender.

The driver sent his mother back into his mansion and then, the driver and Jae Joong went back to the hall.

Both of them were cursing their luck.

They traveled in silence and then, Jae Joong almost fell asleep. He yawned countless time. The car stopped in front of the hall and it was pitch black. It seemed to be impossible to retrieve the purse now.

Nevertheless, Jae Joong stepped out of the car and went into the security room. He talked with one of them and offered his identification card for them to hold onto while he went inside to search for the purse.

Jae Joong guessed the coat and the car made them bent the rules a bit.

Jae Joong walked into the hall. He stopped halfway and saw a ballerina dancing on the lighten stage.

She was really graceful. Her slender forearms made a gorgeous swish to the side and then, she danced en pointe to the centre of the stage. She turned and jumped high enough to appear to be floating.

It was very animating.

“You are amazing,” Yun Ho praised.

Stephanie turned around and saw Yun Ho walking steadily towards her. He walked with grace as usual. His tie was loose and he looked extremely hot. Stephanie had never seem Yun Ho in a formal attire except in sweat shirt and tights.

“But how can you be lifted without a partner?” Yun Ho questioned.

Automatically, Yun Ho grabbed firmly at her waist and lifted her easily off the ground. She was breathless for a moment.

He carefully placed her on the stage and then, she sat down.

“Why weren’t you at the party?” he asked.

“They won’t miss a minor like me,” she answered.

“But I missed you,” Yun Ho said, directly.

Stephanie blushed and collected her bag which was on the stage. She ran out of the hall, oblivious to Jae Joong who had been witnessing her dance and her short conversation between Yun Ho.

She still can’t believe how much influence Yun Ho had on her.

Her heart had raced when she saw him.

Even after so long.

Chapter sixteen October 18, 2008

Chapter sixteen.

A whole month passed without any incident. Li Yin was very thankful for that. She had received a call from Han Geng, informing her of her grandmum’s condition.

She was improving.

That was already good news. Li Yin started humming in the kitchen while working. Life was improving and Jae Joong and Stephanie weren’t fighting as much as usual for the last month.

Today, it was Li Yin’s turn to close the shop. Stephanie had complained of headache and had gone of early. She had left at four in the afternoon. She wore an apologetic face and dashed off. Li Yin sent her off too.

Now, after she had heaved the chairs onto the tables, she was starting to walk away into the kitchen to turn off the light. She walked past a notice board and glanced at it for a while. Deciding that there was nothing interesting enough, she walked into the kitchen. In a few seconds, she turned around and walked back to the board.

There was something interesting.

And Li Yin will kill herself if she had really missed the advertisement on that board.

An advertisement promoting a couple competition was on that board.

It clicked into Li Yin’s brain like a coin dropped into a piggy bank.

Stephanie dashed to a convention hall and back into the back stage where the dressing rooms were. Today, she had cut work and had to attend a ballet theater since she was one of the minor dancers there.

Today could be her lucky chance. She might even get officially recognized here and then, maybe it could lead to a better future for her. Then, she will tell her dad that and then, wiped that arrogant smirk away. Luckily for her, Li Yin didn’t suspect anything.

In fact, Stephanie wasn’t sure why she hid it from Li Yin.

Nevertheless, now, she will not allow herself to be preoccupied with guilty trips. She will concentrate and it still won’t be too late for her to tell Li Yin. She hurried and changed into her costume, put on her ballerina shoes and did some stretching.

She was ready for her lucky chance now.

Jae Joong was invited to watch a ballerina theater upon the invitation of his dad’s client. His dad can’t make it though and passed the baton to his son, Jae Joong. Jae Joong asked his mom to accompany him, just to bring someone along with him. He was tired of calling his college mate at the very last minutes and they always wanted him to entertain them.

Why bother?

He can’t even ask Li Yin or Stephanie who were working their ass off in the café. No, Jae Joong won’t dare to disturb them. Jae Joong can’t possibly forfeit his presence because it was a very important client that had invited him. In the end, it was his mom that had been forced to accompany him.

He and his mom prepared for the theater and the driver drove the both of them to the conventional hall. The hall was the famous conventional hall for the upperclassmen, like him.

The hall was famous of holding many famous plays, foreign plays, like Cats, Romeo and Juliet. Jae Joong often found him in hall like this despite his reluctant.

It came with the job description of being the son of a corporate CEO. He had no choice. He slid into his car and immediately, his driver gave him a thin folder. As usual, this folder indicated the client’s information and it also slightly hinted the importance of that client. Jae Joong impatiently flipped open the file and skimmed through.

Jung Yun Ho?

His mom oblivious to the file was pretty excited. His mom loved all this, all the fancy party, theaters, being grown up as a lady. He smiled. Even if he was half heartedly attending events like this, Jae Joong could feel the joy from his mother. His mother was a housewife, dedicated to house chores and shopping. Seldom, she seemed to have a reason of social life. He was glad that he came out with his mother today.

Hopefully, it won’t be too boring.

Jung Yun Ho waited patiently for the arrival of Mr. Kim. He had just recently graduated from the business administration and this was his first task since his graduation. He had taken business administration as his first major and then dance as his second. He and his dad had worked out an agreement that he could take up dancing if he put business as the first priority in his life.

He agreed upon the condition that as long as he had the grade enough to satisfy his dad, his dad will not meddle with his dancing class.

His dad agreed and once again, acknowledged that his son was going to be the one bringing up his company and maintaining its glory.

Dancing could just be his hobby.

Everyone needed a hobby.

A black sleek Mercedes stopped at the front door and a young man younger than him stepped out of it. He carried himself with confidence and waited upon the door for an older woman to come out. It was most probably his mother, judging from the slight canny facial expression they both had.

The young man walked towards Yun Ho and reached out a hand. Instinctively, Yun Ho shook his hand. The young man introduced himself as the Mr. Kim’s junior.

Yun Ho mildly smiled. Yun Ho didn’t expect the senior Mr. Kim to come, but nevertheless, it was a tad disappointing for him. The lady was introduced as Mrs. Kim. Yun Ho graciously led them to their seat and conversed with young Mr. Kim.

The theater started, relieving Yun Ho of his duty to converse interesting to Mr. Kim. Yun Ho watched attentively towards the ballet performance. It was based on a story. Yun Ho could guess that it was a tragic one.

Suddenly, one minor character caught his attention.

The maid-in-waiting seemed familiar. His heart pounded hard against his rib cage.

It was her.

Chapter fifteen October 18, 2008

Chapter fifteen

Stephanie went back to her small room. It was one of the room in the apartment that she shared. There were other tenants in this apartment but she chose to have a small room for herself.

Privacy was important to her.

She knew she was weird and others might not have the mentality to get use to her. She knew she didn’t have them. As a result, she had taken literary the smallest room ever existed there. It was just adequate to place a single bed and a small closet and then, a small pathway which was just two or three steps the most to the door.

Yes, it was that small.

As small as her world was.

Her world consisted of dancing, café, eating and sleeping. She was a dance major. She had came all the way from the outskirts to realize her dream of being a dancer. It had been eventful and she won’t deny it. However, she had never regretted it.

She lied down on her bed with spread arms above her head. She then stretched and puffed out a deep breath.

It was another day.

Then, with all her worries puffed out along with evaporated water out of her mouth, she felt asleep, oblivious to her phone ringing thrice.

Jae Joong was free for the day. He had finished his assignment from college and now, he was heading for living room. It was a Wednesday. He liked his Wednesday because he had the less activities out of any other weekdays. In the morning, he had class starting from nine and then, it ended at ten thirty.

At eleven, it was the café until one in the afternoon, or at least until one something, depending on Li Yin.

Usually, Li Yin and he always take lunch together. They will seat together and talked about movies which was on theaters. Jae Joong liked the idea that they talked only about them, not planning to watch them. That was the difference between Li Yin and the other girls. They wanted to go out, to see the movies, to go pick up something for a couple of hours.

Basically, they took up his time and they weren’t not interesting.

Which clothes looked best on me?

They were asking that when they held up a bright pink tshirt and then a bright blue miniskirt. It was a totally different material. For god sake, how was Jae Joong supposed to answer that? One was for the top and the other was for the bottom.

So, Jae Joong picked up something else from the shelf and showed that person. She was very amazed and more offers to go to the shopping mall came in.

It had to stop somewhere, Jae Joong thought.

Luckily for him, he had an excused then. He had to work, less time to go shopping. He said that regrettably to those girls.

Those girls were understanding though. Then, they asked where he worked. He lied that it was some café belonged to his fathers. Then, he excused himself, saying that he need to see some lecturer.

It was the end of their encounter for that day.

Jae Joong had never had the patience for girls like that, the one that was practically stalking him. However, he had a reputation to uphold. He needed to be courteous to them. They were daughters to important corporate CEO.

He walked down to the living room and saw his mother with his father enjoying the television. It was a talk show. Both of them were laughing. It was quite surprising for Jae Joong as he saw his dad there. His dad were always busy.

“Don’t you have work at the office?” Jae Joong asked.

“Yes. I came back for an hour and then, I will returned to the office for more paperwork,” his father answered.

That was his dad. If he doesn’t need to entertain his clients, he will return home and talked with either Jae Joong or his mum. Someday, Jae Joong will found someone he really love and then, he will take over his dad’s position.

As a great father and a great husband.

Kim Jun Su felt indifferent. Today’s event kept rewinding and then playing in his mind. Sometimes, he caught himself smiling.

He went home immediately after sending Li Yin off and met his maid at home.

“Wow, you seemed happy today,” his maid commented.

Usually, he won’t have a chance to meet  his maid. It was because she was hired to work half day and it was thrice a week. She was supposed to wash up the whole apartment and then, leave after she was done. The last time, he saw her was last week.

It seemed to him that his maid was the constant point in his life.

Well, at least constant enough to notice that he was happy that day.

Music : Part 1 : Music Scores October 7, 2008

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Listen here : 25. MYSTERIOUS ATMOSPHERE (Vampire Knight OST)

Music

Music Notes (Part 1)

The car was bragging its arrival. It stopped in front of a mansion and then, a man in his thirties stepped out of the car. Another door was opened by bodyguard and he was carrying a small little boy who was at the tender age of five. He laid asleep on the shoulder of the bodyguard and was being absolutely oblivious to his surrounding.

The man walked to the mansion and demanded for an entry. Very soon, the automatic door opened, greeting its owner. Both the men walked in.

A lady in her sleeping robe was there, looking a bit out of space. She, for a minute looked blindly at the small kid. Gracefully, she released the burden of the small boy from the bodyguard. The bodyguard eased down a bit. It seemed a bit irony as he himself was never as tensed as he was holding the child compared with facing with dangers.

“This kid, is Shim Chang Min,” that man in thirties said.

“What happened to his parents? “she questioned.

The man was reluctant to tell, and she didn’t press for any answer anymore.

“So, what are you going to do?” she asked.

“Can you please raise him up with Ri In?” he suggested.

She just nodded. The bodyguard then whispered into his ears, urging him to leave. The man once again looked reluctant to leave, but nevertheless, left. The lady stood next to the window and watched his back. She turned back and hugged the little boy. The little boy then, started tearing silently. Realising his silent tears, she patted his back and cuddled him to sleep.

The little boy knew everything was going to be very different soon. He had just lost everything in one night, and he wasn’t sure whether he will be able to gain back his loss. Weary, he slept straight away.

“You awake!” a girl said as Chang Min blinked at her.

He tried and focused his vision. Just awoke and without the desire of speech, he stared and wondered where he was. He scanned the surrounding and deciding that it was safe, he stared at the girl in front of him. With a dainty skirt and a cartoon shirt, she smiled at him. She turned around and started yelling at the top of her lungs for her mother. The lady which Chang Min recognized, came in hurriedly. The lady started to explain the situation to Chang Min. He realized that his shirt was not the one he came in with. The lady pushed the clean shirt to him and Chang Min, stared at the remainder of his loss.

His family had already died. His parents were bloodily murdered in front of him. His hands shook out of fear and anger. They had then, burnt his house down. He had lost everything in just one night.

Suddenly, a warm touch on his hand snapped him out of his reverie. It was that little girl. She took his hand and wrapped it with hers. Unlike Chang Min’s hands, it was warm.

“Don’t be afraid. We are here,” she said with a smile.

He looked up into the honest eyes and said that both the ladies in front of him smiled at him. The lady started to ask Chang Min whether he was hungry. She started to collect herself and walked out of the room. The little girl was still there, holding his hands.

“Jang Ri In! You come here and help me. Don’t disturb your oppa!” the lady yelled.