Fandrama HeungSoo-Winter love by BurningNoona

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"Hello, I'm Go Namsoon."

"Hello, I'm Misaki Kadokura. How was your flight?"

"Wonderful, thank you. It's so nice to meet you. KangJoo has told me so much about you."

"I'm sure. Nice to meet you too. And I've heard so much about you. The former gang member, current sex phone operator, and future published manga artist, do I have that right?"

"Perfect. And right back at you, ex-model, boutique owner, with 'only child' syndrome?"

She burst out laughing. "Perfect."

"Come on, Namsoon. Let's go. We have your room ready for you."

"Just for tonight," I remind her.

"I still don't know how you can come to Tokyo and not stay with your best friend."

"You know I want the whole Manga University experience and that includes staying in the hostels."

"Getting around is going to be hard for you, with the language barrier and all."

"As long as I can buy ramen, I'm good. I'm here to learn and hopefully make my stories good enough to publish."

"I've always told you that your stories are great, the issue is your drawings. They need fine-tuning."

"My job, if I chose to accept, and I do, is to be the best manga artist in all of Korea."

"Korea? Why not Japan, the world," asks Misaki.

"I'm ambitious, not delusional," I tell her.

She smiles, turns to KangJoo, "you're right, he is funny."

We get into a taxi and drive to a high-rise building. It is contemporary and looks brand new. I like it.

"Welcome to our humble abode," KangJoo says as we make our way through the lobby to the elevators.

The apartment is spacious and warm. I sink into the chair and look around their space. I notice little things about KangJoo, her worktable, scattered like her. The television that she bought when she visited Korea a year ago. One thing KangJoo loves are things made by Samsung. She swears by them. As for me, I buy whatever I find on sale, I don't care who makes them. Save money that's my motto.

"Misaki is making sushi and ramen for dinner." She gives Misaki a peck on the cheek as she goes to their open kitchen.

"She is?" I ask excitedly.

"Before you get too excited, she's making ramen Japanese style."

"Japanese style? Is it different from Korean ramen?"

"Namsoon, you'll love it. You may never eat pre-packaged ramen ever again."

"I doubt it. But I'll give it a try. I can't believe I'm here, KangJoo. Finally, I get the training I need. I am excited, anxious, scared all at once."

"I'm happy for you. Even though you could have done this sooner if you had just let me help you."

"I know. It wouldn't have been this rewarding though.

"I don't understand people, we are taught to accept help because we all need help once in a while and when we do offer help, what happens? People turn you down because of some ideology of going it alone. All I'm saying is that we should learn to accept help when offered."

"Yes, Ajumma. My apologies, Ajumma," I tease her.

"Who are you calling Ajumma, Ajushi?"

She jumps on me, we playfully wrestle each other, and I put her in a headlock. Not to be outdone, she twists out of my hold and jumps on my back.

"Namsoon, I've missed you. Why won't you stay here with us? You're in Tokyo for the first time and you won't stay with your best friend?"

"Sorry, but I must attend and learn all I can in this accelerated program. Okay, how about I do this?" I pull her from my back and sit her down on the couch. I sit next to her.

"What?"

"I'll stay one more week AFTER my training and you can show me Tokyo, KangJoo style."

"NAMSOON!!! Saranghaeyo." She hugs me tight.

"I love you too."

"Thank you Namsoon," Misaki says from the kitchen.

"For what?"

"For deciding to stay longer. KangJoo has been thinking of different scenarios to get you to stay here and spend more time with us. Some ideas were creepy at best."

"You're welcome. I can only imagine the frightening ideas she came up with. Your wife is scary when she's hung up on something."

"Don't I know it. That's why we love her, right?"

"And what's not to love," KangJoo smirks.

"I just need to update Ajumma, my work, and Joong Ki."

"Ohhh! Joong Ki. You must spill the beans about Joong Ki, 'Soo Min' my dearest fake sister," she says.

"Is there a place where I can make these calls?" I ask.

"I'll take you to your room and you can get settled and make your calls."

"Dinner will be ready in fifteen," Misaki yells from the kitchen. "Is that enough time?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Come on." KangJoo drags me to the room I'll be staying in. My luggage is already in the corner. I sit on the bed and bounce on it a few times.

"Niceee! Our little KangJoo is all grown up, married, and owns a house. What's next, let me guess, children?" I tease her.

"Yes, that's our plan," she says softly.

"Really? I know you both had a commitment ceremony but you're not legally married, right? Same-sex marriage is currently not legal in Japan or Korea for that matter so how will you have children?"

"We've thought a lot about it. We want two children. Each of us carrying one but from one donor. That way both siblings will have one biological parent in common."

"Artificial insemination is not widely practiced here or Korea, so what?"

"Japan and Korea are not the only two countries in the world you know, broaden your horizon a little. We made a trip to Canada a few months ago. We went through the initial test and psych exams etcetera, etcetera. We both passed all tests. Our next trip we will finalize our donor choice and I'm the first to be impregnated."

"You?" I scoot back on the bed, put my forefingers and thumb together to make a square, and put it up to look at KangJoo through the fake frame.

"What are you doing, you twerp?"

"Picturing you as a mother. The mind burgles."

"Silly," she pushes me.

"Seriously, you will make a wonderful mother. You always looked out for me, MinKi, and those that were bullied in school. You were always the first to welcome new students to our school. You have a warm heart and your children will be lucky to have you as their mother. And I better be the godfather of BOTH your children."

"You will."

"When is the next trip?"

"In about three months. We will be there for a few months and once I'm confirmed pregnant, we'll come back. We want the children to be born in Japan."

"Isn't the whole procedure expensive?'

'Yes, but we can afford it. Besides, we always stay with a cousin of Misaki's while in Canada so that's a blessing. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before this. I wanted to wait to get pregnant and break the news. You know me, all about the drama!"

"Funny. The donor, Japanese or Korean?"

"We went with French-Canadian donor."

"I'm sorry, say that again?"

"French Canadian."

"That's what I thought you said. Why not Korean or Japanese, like the two of you."

"We thought about that but if we choose either one, one of our children will be half whatever and the other full. We think that may cause some rift in the future. So, with one donor that is not of our race, there's that commonality with the children."

"Wow! You've thought this through."

"Yes, ever since we decided to have children. What about your mother and her parents?"

"You know my mother. For an old broad, she's quite liberal in her views. She later told me that when I had introduced Misaki to her, she was worried that she won't have grandchildren. But now since we plan to give her two, she's content. Her parents, on the other hand, are divided. Misaki's mother is against us and subsequently our plans. Her father is supportive and visits occasionally. He's also happy about grandchildren. He and my mom have become friends-in-law so to speak."

"I'm very excited for you. I can't wait. What about Song Ha-Gyeong? Is she still refusing to speak with you?"

"Yes. I go to her hospital to see her whenever I'm in Korea, but she refuses to see me. I never thought our friendship will end just because I'm gay. I must be a sucker for punishment because I follow her Facebook account just to see how she's doing."

"I ran into her a few times I went to the hospital, and every time I bring up your name, she changes the subject."

"I'm not surprised. Sooner or later, I'll give up. There's just so much condescension one can take before one says enough."

"I hope she comes to her senses before then. I'm going to be a godfather, I'm going to be a godfather, I'm going to be a godfather," I singsong shaking my butt on the bed.

"Make you calls, silly. And then we'll talk about this customer you have suddenly taken a shining to, Mr. Joong Ki. You, my dear Soo Min, is on the verge of breaking the rules. No fraternizing with the customer."

"Shut up! Leave. I'll be out in a few minutes."

She leaves and I call Ajumma. Just as I thought she's okay with my extension even encouraged me to stay longer if I wish to. I pull up the cameras in the house after my call and I see that my father in his usual position: in front of the television. Ajumma is cooking. Everything looks good, wonderful.

Next, I call Mr. Park Bong Pal.

"Namsoon, you're killing me here," he says after I told him I plan to stay one more week in Japan.

"I'm sorry sir. I want to spend some time with my best friend. How about I do this?"

"What?"

"I am already cleared not to get calls the first six weeks, right?"

"Right."

"How about I set aside three hours a day my last week to take calls from my regulars, will that console you."

"Yes! It will. You're the best Namsoon. Just text me the hours you are available, and I'll tell the call center operators."

"Will do, goodnight."

"Goodnight, Namsoon. Stay safe."

Phew! That was close. I don't like to disappoint Mr. Park Bong Pal. He's been like a guarding angel since I met him. I wonder what he'll do when I do quit. I'll deal with that when I get to that point.

Last call. If I make this call, KangJoo is right, I have firmly crossed the line and broken the no fraternalization rule. Why do I feel the need to tell him that I'm staying in Japan an extra week? What has that got to do with him? Why do feel the need to hear from him? Because he reminds you of someone: Park HeungSoo. The ease of our conversations and the eagerness to speak again all remind me of him.

"Dinner's ready," KangJoo calls out.

Saved by the loudmouth. I chuck my phone on the bed and walk out to dine with my friends.

                                         ― ☾ ―

Manga is king!

KangJoo drives me to the school and the first sight of the main building blows me away. I am standing in front of the administrative offices of the university. It truly is a standout. The building walls are painted in some classic and new anime and manga characters. Oh, oh, Black Butler, Oh my God, it's Ciel and Sebastian! Is that Naruto? Oh Jeez, FairyTail, Kenichi, so many mangas and anime characters that I don't recognize them all.

I run up the stairs, forgetting to say goodbye to KangJoo.

"Later, Namsoon." She calls out to me.

"Bye."

I follow the sign to the office, thank God for the English language. I note the sign for assistant and wait my turn to speak with her.

My turn and I walk up and try to speak a mixture of Japanese words with my English.

I greet the lady. "My name Go Namsoon, and I am registered to attend a six-week accelerated course."

"Konnichiwa. I'm Risa. May I see your identification card please?"

"Of course, here you go."

"Welcome, Mr. Go Namsoon. Here is your paperwork to fill out and information about your accommodation. There's a custodian who will be at the location till six this evening who will show you your room and give you a tour of the house. Make sure you get there before six. Also included are your class details and times. Let me remind you that this is a compact, fast track and intense program, I won't advise missing any lecture or lab. Orientation is tomorrow at eight am, here in this building, in the auditorium. Just follow the signs. Welcome again Mr. Go Namsoon and have a good day."

"Thank you."

I grab the paperwork and make my way out of the office. Since I have a little time to spare, I take a self-tour of the building. These drawings are amazing. Eye-catching, professional, and just downright awesome. I thought my drawings were good. Looking at these, mine are amateurish at best. KangJoo was right as usual, I need the training to perfect my art.

I got so lost looking at all these drawings that time flew by. Now it's four o clock and I request Uber. Thank God Tokyo is one of the nine cities in Japan one can currently request Uber. I calculate that I will only need the ride to school and back to my room for now. KangJoo highly recommends Uber versus renting a car. A lifesaver for her when she first got to Tokyo.

Twenty minutes later, Uber drops me off in front of a two-story building. A big house shaped like a square with a pyramid as a roof. Very fitting for aspiring manga and anime artists. It looks like it can only accommodate at the most, twenty people. That is unexpected, I was expecting a four or five-story dormitory-like building holding maybe a hundred students. I double-check the address to be sure before I got out of the car. No need to pay double for ending up at the wrong address.

I ring the doorbell and a man about my age opens the door, says Konnichiwa.

"Konnichiwa," I reply. "My name is Go Namsoon. I think I am supposed to check in here."

"Mr. Go Namsoon, welcome to Tokyo. My name is Ryuto. Come in," he says and helps me with my luggage.

"Arigato, Ryuto."

"Please follow me. Your room is on the second floor. There are only ten rooms in all for our ten students."

"Only ten? I was expecting hundreds of people," I tell him.

"Because of the intensity and the fact that some of your classes will be taught by some of the best anime and manga artists in the world, we keep the number to a minimum. We want the students to get the full benefit of anime and manga training. An intense one on one training is our mantra."

We get to my room, he opens the door to a big bedroom. Tucked in the corner is a large drawing board. Besides it is your run of the mill drawing pencils, pens, you name it. I follow Ryuto into the room.

"You have your bathroom attached to your bedroom. Also, you have the basics items for your classes by the drawing board. Anything else you need; your instructors will give you. I encourage students to buy similar items to practice when they're not in class. A few students come up with amazing stories and get published while in school, rare, but it's happened."

"Really?"

"Yes. Anyway, the only communal rooms are the kitchen, dining room, living room. You are mandated to have breakfast with everyone in the morning. Lunch and dinner are available but not mandatory."

"Why?"

"In addition to your work, we also encourage a team environment. As much as you all want to write the next great manga or anime, there are other components that you need help with such as editing, formatting you name it. Some of your classmates may choose those professions. When you network and become friends it will be easy to find someone you know that can help improve your work, right? Well, get yourself settled and everyone will meet in the dining room for our first meal at seven. So, who recommended you for the program," he asks?

"I don't know. I don't think anyone did," I tell him perplexed.

"Someone must have referred you. Because of the limited space and intensity of the program, every applicant must be recommended."

"I don't believe I was."

"Let's see." He opens his phone and scrolls through for a few minutes. "Ah! Ms. Lee KangJoo."

"KangJoo? How did she manage that?" I ask. "I didn't think she knows anyone in the manga world."

"She's the engineer who helped construct this building. It's quite unusual structure isn't it?"

"I didn't know that."

"Yes. She recommended you to the board. She must believe in your talent."

"I know she does."

"Anyway, we'll see you in a bit."

"Great. Thank you."

I pull out my phone and make a quick call.

"Thank you," I whisper.

A pause, "you're welcome," she replies.

I end the call and head off to meet my classmates for the next six weeks.