I am not waiting for anyone. Half of my life was spent of doing nothing but to survive living in the mountain, alone. Well, as a human, I am indeed alone. But I had a pet named Mickey; he is a bear. Sadly, Mickey died four months ago. They said a hunter knocked him down and brought him to the city. After hearing the news, I didn’t shed tear. I was prepared for this; always left behind by my precious someone’s. Dad leaving his family for fame, mom died and now, Mickey also.

Then why? Why am I always standing in front waiting for that man I met a year ago? I believe I made a promise that there won’t be a next ‘waiting’ in my life. I was too tired for it. I know I am. By the tiniest chances,  am I waiting for him since he said he’ll come back to visit Mickey? And so, an urge to tell him the news that my bear is dead was built inside my head, so firm? Whatever the reason, I am disgusted with myself.

“Ahmmm, excuse me?! Anyone here!” a guy is shouting outside my house. Maybe he’s another lost tourist. I stood up, and first checked the guy’s appearance through the window. Cause if he looks like a monster, I won’t come out. The guy is wearing a black suit, white polo shirt, black slacks (how did he climb up on the mountain with those slacks? Wow), a golden watch and he is holding a phone on his hand. He looks like in mid-40’s and I can tell he’s a big shot. Pretty decent huh. “Got lost?” I asked as I walk out to face him. When he saw me,  his feet stuck on the ground like a statue. Am I really that ugly?

“Are you miss (y/n)?” he asked. This oldie knows my name. Could it be… “No! Don’t go! I am not from a loan shark!” he shouted when I almost flee. “Your father is my friend.” I slowly look back. “You… know my father?”

The earlier days of waiting was exhausting. I’ve been counting, one year, two years, three years. Those days were as many as stars above. I realized it was an endless. So I gave up. But now, a guy is sitting in front of me as I serve him a warm cup of tea. He might give me two options: a hope or despair.

  “So you are living alone here? That’s why it was hard to find you,” this guy chuckled. But  I am sure he did it just to open a good conversation with me.

“I still need to sell herbal plants soon,” I reminded. “So tell me what you have to say. Don’t need to beat around the bush.”

His smiled faded. “Okay,” he sighed. “I was the one who asked your father to come to the city so he can be a singer. We helped and relied each other, and we paid his debt. When he was on the way to get you and your mom, he got in an accident.”

I clutched the teapot’s handle while listening.

“(y/n), I am really sad to inform this, but your father died years ago.”

So he died. My father is dead.

“I didn’t know where you and your mother hiding at. I did all my best to find you, until I almost give up. A week ago, I saw a post from social media. It is a picture of them with a mountain girl who helped them when they got lost. I saw your picture. You look exactly the kid in the picture inside of my friend’s wallet. I went here, and asked villagers for some information. That’s how I found out that your mother is dead.”

I just looked at him, waiting for the next words he’ll say.

“I am really sorry. I am really sorry (y/n).”

“I understand. You can go now.” I stood up and turned away.

“Your father!” he shouted. “He really loves you. He said you’re a good singer just like him. Your name never left his lips. I know you hated him for the past few years because you didn’t know what really happened.”

So what? No matter what I do, I couldn’t bring the past.

“I am at loss for words,” I heaved a sigh. “For telling me this news, thank you.”

“I am not here just to tell this. (y/n).” Without looking I knew he stood up. “Come together with me. As your father’s friend, I’ll be your guardian.”

“Mister.”

“Yes?”

“Can you please leave me alone?”

“…”

“I really need it. Give me some time.”

“Okay. I understand. I’ll come back tomorrow.” I heard of his footsteps fading. When I turned around, he isn’t here anymore. I gathered his cups, the pot and washed it outside.

I made the laundry, sweep the floor and gathered firewood so I can prepare my dinner. I did all of these with stone face. After eating my dinner I sat down on the floor. My eyes tend to that old guitar my father and I used to play. I didn’t know how but in snap I am holding it into my arms. My heart is pounding, so loud.

“Starry starry night~” I sing along with a gentle strum on the string.  “Paint you palette blue and green~” my lips are trembling while singing his favorite song. And then… tears came out. These tears took my breath away. I clasping, swallowing my own moan. My stone heart melted. The hatred I had for him, to my father who I thought abandoned me has vanished. All I can feel are sorrow and regrets.

I cried all night.

But one night is not enough to be okay.

“I am going with you mister,” I answered to my father’s friend.

There is only one thing that will solve this long time regret. I need to live in a good life. With this, I can repay him.

With mister, I came back to the city.

But there is a problem.

My memories of living in the city were from my young age. Everything changed so much. And this thing in front of me, they called it ‘Elevator’.  Mister told me to hop in this. How?

“Are you getting in?” a man stood beside me. He is tall, his nose too. His eyes are rounded, gentle-looking. His brows are not thick, not thin, it arched upward. His lips are heart-shape, the upper part is thin. I am not dumb not to realize if someone is handsome or not. It just that, I don’t care. Anyway, he’s good looking.

“Yeah. I need to use this elevator,” I answered to the guy.

He pressed a button near the door and it opened. Ahhh~ so that’s how to open it.

“Then let’s go,” he said in cheerful tone and went in. I followed him inside. “What floor?” he asked. “Dance practice room,” I said. Mister told me to go there. “Okie dokie!” he said in cheerful tone. The door automatically closed even though he wasn’t pressing anything. I guess it’s an automatic robotic door. Now he pressed a two buttons with numbers.  “Are you a trainee?” he asked. I nodded.

Mister didn’t elaborate it but he said I will be a trainee for their entertainment.

“Woah, nice to meet you new trainee. What is your name?” This guy is kinda… TALKATIVE.

“Why should I tell my name to someone I didn’t know?” I coldly responded.

“Huh? Ahhh. You didn’t know me? You went into our entertainment but you didn’t know me?” he chuckled. But his laughs sound sarcastic for me.

“Are you a famous singer from this entertainment? I guess you are,” I murmured.

“Hey. For real? Don’t you ever heard the name W-Wen J-Junhui?” his voice is dumbfounded.

“That’s too long for an introduction. You can just tell me your name. Why bother asking a long question when you already knew the answer?” I testified.

His mouth almost drop. Did I say it too harsh? Or was it really hard for me to communicate like a normal person? Wait. I’m normal. I am normal girl but anything what she wants to say without sugar coating. 

The robotic door opened. “Is this the way to dance practice room?” I asked and he nodded though he still looks so surprised. “Okay. Thanks. Bye.” I hopped out.

Now…where is that practice room? There are two doors; one on my left, one from right side. Why do I need to choose when I can open both? I shrugged my shoulder and opened the door on my left. There I saw a man in black shirt. He is sitting  but I can tell he’s tall with those long legs. His brows are thick, his nose are tall and small. His eyes are in medium size and he has mole on his cheek. We have the same skin color, but his are a little fairer that I. Another handsome guy huh. “Is this the dance practice room?” I asked.

“No,” he answered. His brows frowned. “Are you a new trainee?”

They are all asking the same question. What’s the big deal if I am a new trainee or not?

“I am. So?” I replied.

“You should call me MIngyu sunbae-” I closed the door before he could finish his words. Empty mind, I went inside the room on right side. The first thing I noticed was the big mirror surrounded the walls. I closed the door and saw five guys inside. One is sitting on the side while looking at the blank space. Four are looking at me with widened eyes. They have different hair colors.

Somehow…They kinda look familiar?

Where did I see them?

“Oh? You look familiar?” I muttered while pointing their faces.

“You,” the guy who was staring at the blank space a moment ago walked towards me. “Is that really you?”

That guy… that guy is…

“Why? How did you…”

I turned around and about to walk out but Mister, I mean, my father’s friend came and he pushed me inward.  “(y/n), you’re already here.”  He looked at these guys and added, “(y/n) these guys are your senior. They are really famous and talented. You’ll learn a lot from them.”

Senior he said. “Ahhhh,” I murmured. “So they are singers from this agency.” I forced myself to bow at them. “Hello. My name is (y/n).”

“She is a new trainee,” mister introduced. “ (Y/N) sings really great so I think vocal team can help her improve. Right Woozi?”

That little kid smirked at me. “Yeah. She’ll receive a good lesson from a kid.” That’s his way of saying that he’ll gonna torture me in the future. I wonder about that~

“Daebak,” the guy who didn’t pay $30 for plugging his charger on my home, gasped.

“I almost didn’t recognize her because she is wearing a proper clothes,” the b*tch who always pick a fight said while looking at me from head to toe.

“Huh? You guys know her?” Mister asked. “You know them?” now he is asking me.

I do. But, “No. It is my first time seeing them,” I lied.

The guy who looks like a girl whispered something to the other guy. Then they looked at me with a smile.

“Y-Yeah,” the smiling boy murmured. It’s been a year, but I still remember this guy’s name. He is Joshua Hong who promised he’ll visit me again but he did not.

“Eyyy, you guys look like you knew each other,” Mister noticed, pointing our sides back and forth.

“Hey! Don’t treat us like you didn’t know us!” the nagger b*tch complained.

But I keep on lying, “Do I? I am sure I didn’t know any of you.”

This Joshua went a little closer. “It’s me. The guy you helped a year ago. Hong Joshua.”

I know. I know who you are but… “Who is Joshua Hong? I don’t know you.”

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