Here and Now: Hyojeong Diaries

Chapter 2

Come downstairs, we are here.

"Yes Manager-nim." Sejeong mouthed the words as she texted back.  "I'll be there in a few minutes."

For a brief moment, she was actually hoping that the text was from someone else.

"Get yourself together Kim Sejeong!"  She mumbled as she picked up Doenjang, her french bulldog.  "I need to focus on my music, my career, my family and nothing else.  You got this girl!  Hwaiting!"  

***

"That's the last box, Mr. Ahn."  The mover said as he placed a large box next to the kitchen counter, next to about 15 other boxes scattered around the floor.

"Thank you for your hard work today." Hyoseop said as he walked the men out.

He looked around his new apartment.  "We will probably be stuck here opening boxes for the next few days, huh Baul?" He said to his cat, a black and white American Shorthair.  

He had been waiting for a vacant unit in this building for quite some time.  This was a building with a beautiful view of the Han river, close to all the amenities, parks and restaurants.  He also liked the tight security in the building, to keep away the aggressive fans, and of course, Dispatch.

But the biggest attraction of all?  His unit is now a 2-minute elevator ride to and from her place.

He has not spoken to her for more than 3 weeks.  He had tried to text and call her a few times, but she never answered.  And he had been so busy with pictorials and promotions that he barely had time to sleep and eat. He took a sip of his Hite beer as he stared at the crimson sunset through his living room window.  

His memory took him back to the month prior, when he just arrived in Tokyo.  He had just finished filming and was looking forward to a break before his fan meeting.   Sejeong had told him that she was going to be staying at a service apartment in Akihabara with her good friend Ji Eun, his brother and his friends.  The service apartment had five beds in separate rooms, a living room and a kitchen, which was a rare find by Tokyo standards.  Also, the self-check in and self service allowed Sejeong to stay completely below the public's radar.

Hyoseop sat in the taxi with his two friends as they drove towards the front entrance of the Cerulean Tower Tokyo hotel in Shibuya.  

"You sure you are not going to stay here with us?"  Ha-Joon said to Hyoseop.

"No I need to go see her."  Hyoseop said, "But I'll meet up with you outside your hotel room at 10 tomorrow morning.  See you then."  

"Alright.  Have fun!"  Ha-Joon replied.

He hopped back into the taxi and gave the taxi driver the address to the service apartment in Chiyoda City.

It was past nine o'clock in the evening but the streets were still filled with people.  Hyoseop pulled his cap down towards his face as he walked passed a group of 20-somethings who looked like they were heading to a club.  He grabbed his small carry-on from the taxi and threw it over his shoulder.    He immediately noticed there was a Lawson convenient store about a block away.  

"Perfect." He thought to himself, "Let's grab a can of Asahi before bed."

As he approached the convenience store entrance, he heard a very familiar laughter from behind him.  

In front of his eyes was Sejeong who was also heading towards the store with Ji Eun.  Their eyes met for a split second, and immediately she recognized him.

"Wah!!"  She exclaimed.  "What are you doing here?"  

Before he could respond, she ran towards him and hugged him tightly.