Chapter 1: Prologue
Myeon Jin's Point of View
"Here are your schedules and group schedules."
Words cannot describe Myeon Jin's frustration with their schedules for the comeback. It has been a week since his return from a 2-year mandatory military service. Right after his discharge, projects, endorsements, and various activities. But those schedules were not enough for him to forget the wisteria trail in Gwangju.
One year ago.
"They say wisteria is not native to South Korea."
A lady tourist tilts her head to see the wisteria hanging above our heads. She was looking at the tree with such admiration. You can see in her eyes the reflections of joy and amazement.
"Oh, I didn't know about it, but it seems like they also bloom here." Looking at her gives me a sense of contentment and freedom. I have never felt such a feeling from a stranger; more so to a female. It's an unfamiliar feeling towards someone.
"They sure do bloom beautifully in such a foreign place. People come here to see them bloom. Wisteria never failed to amaze people, especially that big wisteria tree at the end of the tunnel." Her smile resembles an angel. Words were not enough to describe her; she is different.
"Did you come here to see them bloom?" I couldn't help but ask. She swayed her gaze in my way. I couldn't help but stare at her for a moment.
"I came here to see the big wisteria tree; they say if you wish under it, it will come true." She smiled again and looked around. "Looking at where I stand now, I might believe these people wished to find their partner. There are a lot of couples around."
"Common place to date, huh? So, did you come here to wish for your prince charming?" I asked eagerly, knowing I might not get an answer.
She laughed hard and looked at me. Her laugh made my heart flutter a thousand miles an hour. Damn, I must be crazy.
"It's a plus if I find my prince here, but no, I came to see and wish for something different, for someone who doesn't even know I exist."
"Oh, a one-sided love affair."
"It's for my idol, who will return from his service in less than a year. I will wish for his safe return to his members and a happy life where there is no judgment and walking on eggshells for fans."
"Who is this idol you're referring to?"
"Kim Myeon Jin of the group Nabi Aeri. You probably don't know them."
I was flustered at her words; she is my fan, a Nari. A Nari who is admiring and wishing for my safe return. I smiled behind my mask. I was wearing a mask to hide my presence. It's a must-have when you're an idol.
"Who doesn't know them? They're famous for their music and looks."
"You're right. They're famous and have a lot of fans." Her smile fades away.
"What's up with the long face and sadness? He will return, then create music and meet his fans. What more can fans ask for?" She differs from our normal fans, who go crazy and jealous.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy he is returning with his members, but they will make music, meet their fans, and do concerts, but behind those smiles for fans and the camera." She looked closely at a wisteria branch dangling in front of her.
It's like she's seeing me and my members in a different light. She saw right through us.
"What gives you that impression of how they feel?"
"Hmmm... Let's see: number 1: if they fall in love or date their girlfriend, the fans should not know; number 2: they will be tired all the time. Number 3: They are tied to the fan-idol relationship, wherein the fans have a say in your private life sometimes."
She can truly see through us; that's amazing.
"So you're saying fans are wrong to do that?"
She snorted. "Fans have different opinions, and the same goes with me; I want to see them happy, share what they just want to share, and not be forced to tell lies or what pleases the fans."
"I see, you seem a lot different from normal fans."
"Of course, idols are humans too; they love, they break, they cry, and they smile. That's what it is."
I smiled, not that she could see it.
"Can I walk with you to the tree? I might have a wish I want to say to the tree."
"Sure, a little company would not hurt." As she walked, she started singing Fine by Taeyeon. Her voice is beautiful and calming; I've never heard of a voice like hers. I heard a voice like her, but she is different. She sings differently from other singers in the field. I would love to see her sometime soon and ask her for a collaboration, but how do I ask her for her number? I am no one at the moment, and it pains me to say that if she ever knows who I am, will she treat me the same?
As we walked side by side on the Wisteria Tunnels, couples holding hands and smiling sweetly at each other were also walking towards the tree. The tunnel is a witness to their love and wishes. I wish I could introduce myself to her like normal people do and ask her out. My inner thoughts are getting the best of me.
As we reached the tree, she grabbed a pen and paper to write on and handed them over to me. She got her own set and wrote. While she was writing, I also wrote mine in secret. After I was done, I folded the paper and strung it up for me to tie later on the tree trunk. I peaked at what she was writing.
I wish for Myeon Jin's happiness, hoping that one day he will find the right person for him and take the risk of telling the world he loves her. Not only that, but I also wish for his and Nabi Aeri's members' safety; they might not know me, but I know they are having a hard time living their lives as they are popular. I lastly hope to return to this place again and create a new memory for me to hold on to.
Her wish was all about me and my members; she only had one wish for herself, and that was to return to this place again. I saw her fold the paper and place a string on it. She walked towards the tree and hung it.
"I made my wish, I hope your wish will come true after you hang it there. I'll go ahead. It was nice to meet you." She offered her hand to me. "I'm Lee Jinju, and you are."
"Kim Dal Hee." I reached for her hand. I was so dumb to introduce myself with a different name, but what can I do? Furthermore, I can't jeopardize her good memory of meeting me.
She walked away from me, all I could do was watch her slowly fade amid people. I looked back at the tree and walked towards it. I tied my letter.
"You better help me make this wish come true. I'm counting on you." Saying that to a tree makes me crazy, but what harm can it do to me?
"Jangmin Hyung, let's go back now; it's time to return to camp." Donghwa, a.k.a. Yongdam approached me; he is one of my members. "The Wisteria Trail is really beautiful, Hyung. Someday I'll return to this place with the one I love."
"Ya! Kim Myeon Jin, not Jangmin?" I retorted to him, since those stage names always caught the attention of our hidden Nari (our fandom name).
"Sorry about that, Hyung, but we're going back to the real world in a few months."
"Let's just savor the remaining peaceful days." We walked back to the van and drove off back to camp.
My mind lingers on the memory of her walking, smiling, and laughing. Her singing voice caught my attention. I could not forget it, and it kept on playing in my head. And I started singing the same song.
"Hyung, why are you singing that? Did you just get rejected?" Donghwa teased while looking at me with a confused look.
"It got stuck in my head a while ago after someone sang it. She has an exquisite voice."
Donghwa snapped his head in my direction, away from his phone, and looked at me in shock.
"Did you just say the word she?"
"Yes, she does, and she has a name, Lee Jinju." I could not believe I just blurted out her name, though Donghwa is the most trusted member to keep secrets among members—not all the time, though he sometimes slips.
"A lady's name came out of your mouth, and you talked about her. It must be my lucky day; should I grab lottery tickets to check my luck?"
I chuckled and closed my eyes. Well, I need to preserve her image, but I doubt it will disappear. She is a memory I'm willing to keep, even in another lifetime.
Once I return, I will find her, no matter what happens. I have to meet her again. I have to hear her sing again. Not only that, but I have this crazy idea brewing in my head: what if I ask my Nari to look for her? Hahaha, I would not dream of it. One thing is for sure: I will find her.
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