1 Be Mine?

"Sorry Haneul. Teacher is weak, and doesn't have the authority to fight against the higher ups. Damn, those cursed spoiled brats. If only their family heads weren't on the board of directors i would've already gave them the cane." His teacher cursed while holding a expulsion note in his hand.

"Sunsaengnim[1]. You can't hit the kids anymore these days. It's banned" Ha-neul kindly informed like a dutiful student.

"So what? You don't think i dare do it? And what is with the way you address me? Are you still going to talk formally!" The teacher angrily snorted.

"Haha, sorry Jisoo hyung[2]" Haneul chuckled.

"I'll help you transfer to another school that's as good as ours, maybe -"

"Hyung. It's okay, you can stop now. I know you're looking after me but it'll just be the same wherever i go."

Haneul then bowed with his head nearly reaching his knees respectfully.

"Thank you for everything these past two years. No matter about this case, i'll never forget how you were the only one to take care of me, and i'll repay that one day."

"Tsk. It was nothing, just a thing i did on side. No need to thank me, just send the payment through bank transfer. " The teacher gestured while flipping his hand.

"I'm leaving hyung. Stay well." Haneul ignored his joke, and left the teachers office.

Walking out the school gates, Haneul turned to take one last look back.

'Those assholes, they finally got me. Who knew they'd use a girl to file a sexual harassment complaint about me.'

Haneul came to the school two years ago, ever since he moved to Korea. Since he was academically smart, His teacher in Australia recommended him this school since it was privatized, ranking in the top 5 schools nationally and he could receive a full scholarship with his scores. As such, he naturally complied and enrolled, however things didn't turned out as planned.

It was a typical case of arrogant rich kids abusing their parents power in school to flaunt their influence. They hated how Haneul always got all the teachers attention with his good grades, especially in English since he grew up overseas and how the girls in the class were always shooting sly glances his direction, unbeknownst to him however. Finally, after numerous attempts to sabotage his reputation, they finally had enough and threatened to fire a female classmate's father that works under one of their parent's company, if she didn't follow their idea.

Sighing, he turned back and walked with heavy steps. 'Oh well, it's over and done with. I guess i should head to work a little early then?'

***

Later that afternoon, the cafe door swung open, and two people walked out.

"AISH%#^! You crazy idiot! Why'd you have to do that?" A woman rustled her hair crazily while cursing him aloud.

"Yah[3]. Kim Sunhee. You are calling the one who saved you an idiot? Aren't you the one who's the idiot?" Haneul retorted and started leaving down the street.

"So what? It was just a little touching. We got fired because of you, asshole. Where am i going to get money for my weekends out now?" She cried while hurrying to catch up.

"Who knew he was the owner's cousin. And what? Just a little touching? You crazy wench. Watch what happens when i tell your mother about this." He huffed, clearly feeling wronged.

"Whatever. Let's go drink; soju[4] and tteokbokki[5]? Soondae[6] as well." Her eyes suddenly gleamed flashing lights.

"It's on you since you got us fired, call[7]? Thanks!" she quickly said while rushing ahead.

'Sigh. Why does today just keep getting worse.' he thought as he obediently followed like a puppy after his owner.

Kim Sun-hee, aged 19, with short black bobbed hair that surprisingly suited her taller than average height. She was the first and only friend haneul made when he flew over. Funny thing was, they met on his trip over, as she was sitting in the same row as he was. After talking on the plane and during the lay-overs, they became close ever since. When they landed, she took him to her mothers place, and since then has helped him with numerous things. A temporary place to stay, teaching him the 'do and don't's, helping him settle with documents and such. Ever since he has been in their care, he felt uncomfortable without repaying them back, thus deciding to treat them like the family he never had.

Even if that means following along like a dog...

***

Inside a snack bar located in hongdae,as the two ate and drunk, the TV was playing a popular music program, 'Music Bank!'

##

< 2,3 Forever your~, Bestfriend! Hello, we're Bestfriend! [8] >

< Wow, Bestfriend! I'm a huge fan, and i'm sure our audience is as well. I heard you girls made a comeback with a second album. Congratulations, and can you give all the interested viewers a hint to what it's all about? > The young announcer asked with over exaggerated enthusiasm, and bubbly voice.

< Yes. Well, our concept for this album includes ... >

##

"Ajumma[9], another soju please~!" Sunhee called out with her loud voice, and sloppily raised her hand.

"Hey, that's enough. Look at all the bottles we've already went through." Haneul put her hand down, and stopped her while apologizing to the auntie.

"Yah. Kim Ha-Neul. You dare talk to me like that? When you were still a baby, i had to teach you this and that. And now you know how to talk back? Ungrateful trash." She pointed and rambled on.

'... I was 16! And you were 17! Dont make it sound like you held me since i was a toddler!' Haneul wanted exclaimed, but didn't dare in case a beating followed.

He knew she was drunk. since she would always ramble like she did the country a meritorious deed. However, even though she seemed boastful and arrogant, he knew that she was showing her care for him.

"Let's go, the taxi is outside. Ajumma, the bill please."

He got up to pay the bill, then returned to sunhee's side, who was barely holding her head up her hands on the table. Putting his coat over her, he held her hand towards the door and walked out towards the taxi waiting.

' Shit, its cold. Damn woman, you should be glad you're a woman' Thankfully, no one could hear his nonsensical complaint.

Opening the door to put her in, and making sure her seat belt was on properly, he told the address to the driver.

"Hey, why aren't you getting in?" she asked while watching him with a flushed rosy face.

"Why would i get in? To see your bloated red face? This is why you shouldn't drink so much; you're going to regret it tomorrow morning." Haneul teased, thinking it was the alcohol blushing her face again.

"Whatever. Come over sometime soon, Mom misses you since she hasn't seen your face in a while." she said while rolling up her window in annoyance.

Walking to the drivers side and sliding a tip in his hand, he asked him to drive safe and slow, which the driver nodded in response with a happy smile on his face, leaving briskly into the night.

Hongdae was a area filled with youthful vigor and street culture, as many young adults could be seen at whichever direction one was facing, in fashionable and sometimes avant garde clothing. With many groups and individuals busking along the streets, the streets seemed lively and full of excitement. Such a scene was only possible with the passion and drive that Korean youth culture and art can bring and impact.

'It was a good experience that anyone should experience.' Haneul thought, looking onto the crows of laughter and smiles from the crowd of people moving to and forth.

His stroll slowed suddenly, as he heard an old but familiar song floating around the corner.

< look at me carefully, it's because i don't like you crying >

< Being hurt is tiring, yeah, >

< Every time i see you like that > [10]

'Be mine?' What a throwback' he thought as he followed to where the sound was coming from. He heard this song during work when one day sunhee showed him the music video, since it played on the radio and she was dancing to it at the cafe during the time they cleaned. To be honest, he was shocked since she herself was pretty good if it was compared to the MV[11].

When he reached the spot, he saw a group of five guys performing to the side of the street, along with the music playing behind them. A few people stopped to watch, and record the performance too. However, majority of them stopped shortly afterwards, and left. He wondered why, and then figured it out by observing a little.

' They are missing a member.'

It was obvious as their formation had a awkward empty spot during the routine, and it was a very visible flaw. As to why the audience left, it was because of how competitive hongdae was for such groups. With hundreds of different performances day and night, the attention given to an imperfect performance is bound to fail in attracting popularity. It was a small stage that is shared with hundreds, of course the competition would be fierce.

However, they continued. Despite seeing people leaving, they didn't stop and showed determination to finish the song.

'They have drive, that's for sure.' Haneul acknowledged and praised them for their stubbornness.

Haneul may have a bad personality to others when first approaching him, however he respected those who try their best, because that was how he lived his life; trying his best despite whatever happens.

He recalled his memory of the MV, Sunhee's dancing and observed the group formation right in front of him. He actually had photographic memory, remembering everything he focused on; how else would he have gotten the top score in the school rankings?

'Let's try it, even though i might ruin their performance, it can't be that bad' he convinced himself shamelessly. If sunhee heard what he thought, she would instantly know that alcohol was influencing his decision making, since he was acting bolder than when he's sober.

He rushed over through the crowd towards the group dancing just when the song flowed through the second bridge.

< Come to me, because i like it when you smile, >

< I'll make you comfortable, yeah >

< At least i can for you. >

***

The group were shocked as they saw someone from the crowd ran up to them. The second bridge was a solo part meant for their missing member, so all of them were in the background, dancing awkwardly, leaving the front empty. When they realized the front spot was taken by the guy that ran up to them, and started following the choreography, the flustered group looked towards their leader who was beside them.

The leader looked at the guy in front of him for a moment while still dancing, and nodded his head. He gave an 'OK' sign with his hand and gestured it to his team. When they had saw the sign, they all knew what to do. They have danced together for a while, and knew what each other meant just be such simple gestures. With new determination, and the stranger in front leading them, they showed even more energy than before.

< Be mine, i love you, okay? >

< I worry about you, okay? >

< I'll take care of you until the end >

***

Haneul, although was a little awkward at first with suddenly joining them in front, was more relaxed when he saw they were following his lead.

'Well, that 'OK' gesture helped a lot as well. ' He jokingly said.

From then, he put all his focus into his dance.

< Let's go together, don't walk into the harder path, okay? >

< It wasn't easy, right? >

< I don't want to see you like that ever again. >

It was as if the lyrics were talking about his lonely life these past two years, with all his pent up emotions he felt being wronged by those in his school, as well as being fired unfairly at his workplace. With such emotions being released through his dancing, the crowd was naturally receptive of such strong energy. However, it was not only affecting the increasing crowd, but also the group he was dancing with.

Following his lead was like a hungry monster, wanting to devour everything in his path.

'Faster, Sharper, Stronger' these words seemed like it was instructed through haneul's dance, being sent towards them to follow.

Their dancing started to synchronize and create a strong synergistic effect onto the gathering crowd.

< ... >

< And make you mine. >

Haneul then finally stopped when the last line ended, sweating and panting as the cold air brushed across his burning body. The group naturally formed around him as the center and ended the performance with a pose, eluding their fierce gazes and strong masculine image. They were all panting and gasping for air, as it was the hardest they've pushed themselves, which added to their charm against the audience.

When the song ended, it was eerily quiet, and it was then that they realized that a huge crowd has surrounded them, with phones out recording and flashing.

Almost on queue, the crowd erupted in praise and cheers, rushing towards the group before they could react, resulting in a chaotic scene.

"Woah! Daebak![12] Are they idols? That was amazing!" a short female said to her companion.

"I don't think so. Maybe they were trainee's though?" the taller female responded, while putting her phone down to look at.

"Unnie[13], did you recall everything? The short girl asked, as she remembered that her friend was recording the performance.

"Yep, i did. Even the part where the guy came in randomly. " she satisfyingly replied while re-watching her recording.

"Okay let's go, i just got a text they're here." the short one started walking ahead after saying.

"I'll just upload this first on SNS[14], its gonna be a hit for sure." she muttered and pressed upload.

"AH, WAIT FOR ME!" she shouted and ran after seeing her friend from afar.

***

Ha-neul, seeing the chaotic crowd, used this chance to leave as the limelight was on them, struggled to push through the crowd and escape without anyone noticing.

*Drop*

Getting off the taxi in front of his apartment building, he reached to pay the driver, but when he patted himself down, his wallet was missing.

'Fu*k. I dropped my wallet.' he cursed himself.

Seeing the taxi driver getting impatient, he asked him to wait while rushing upstairs to grab cash to pay the driver. After the taxi drove away, he turned and was about to head upstairs when he saw a crow standing on a box rummaging through the trash bags, poking holes into them.

He scared it off when approaching, and from under where the crow had been, he spotted the small antique looking 13" inch television box next to the garbage bags. For some odd reason, he felt compelled to bring it up with him.

'Since no wants it, i might as well take it up with me.' He thought, since he didn't have a TV to use at home anyways.

Once again heading inside, he could only call his living condition pitiful. He had no access to hot water, and the apartment only had the bare minimum to live; small kitchen, a bathroom, a bed and a small table. It was what optimistic people would call 'cosy', and those normal people a 'shithole'

He plugged the TV near where his bed was and was surprised it worked. He couldn't sleep without some noise around him ever since he could remember, and thus been using earphones to play music. It was either that, or he stayed awake until his eyes were bloodshot and his body forcefully made him sleep.

With the retro audio speakers playing sounds from a animal documentary played out, he slowly dozed off to conquer the chicken kingdom with his allies, Chilli sauce and Kimchi paste.

< 'The crow, from the genus Corvus, is a common bird situated throughout the world, situated in many different environments. Although they seem ordinary, what is special about them is the ability to adapt and survive harsh conditions that seemed improbable for other bird species, scient-' >

Suddenly, the screen turned static, followed by a black screen with code being written out.

< #%^ Applicable Host found. Dream_catcher installation initiated. >

< 1%, 2%, 3%, ..., 78%. >

<Host has awakened, installation process paused. #%^ >

< 'That's all for today folk's. *Commercial plays* >