46 Last Day in Japan

The girls were discussing where they would like to go on their day off. So-young really wanted to go to a place related to anime. Bom and Sandara wanted to visit the shopping district. CL wanted to see the Tokyo Tower. Minzy was ok with anything as long as she got to eat the best food.

They did not have time to go all around Tokyo, so they sorted the problem by finding the closest shopping district and Anime museum near Tokyo Tower. Minzy would be able to eat at a restaurant nearby. As they had very little time, they decided to leave before the crowd set off. So, they had to leave early, and thus sleep early.

They were tired anyway and thus crashed by 8:30 pm. Before sleeping, So-young called her folks. She missed them a lot.

So-young: "Mom how are you all?"

Mom: "We are fine. How was your concert today?"

So-young: "It was thrilling. I really love doing this. The crowd was so nice. It never fails to amaze me."

So-young started to describe the whole concert. She called her parents every day. Her mother would listen to her speak no matter how repetitive it was. There was a sparkle in her eyes when she spoke about her life as an idol.

So-young soon finished telling her mom about the events of the whole day.

So-young: "Mom, where is dad? I haven't spoken to him for two days."

Mom: "He is busy. The company you guys started are in their final stages. He has been monitoring it so that nothing goes wrong."

So-young: "I feel bad that I'm not able to help him much..."

Mom: "Don't feel bad. It's not your fault. You also helped your dad achieve his dream. That matter aside, Taetae is missing you a lot. He keeps asking for you"

So-young: "I miss him a lot too. I have not been able to meet him much anyway, now it's going to be a whole month before I can meet him. I'll try calling him in the afternoon sometime tomorrow. "

Mom: "Yes. That would make him happy. You have to get up early tomorrow. Why don't you go to bed?"

So-young: "Yes mom. Good night."

Mom: "Have a good rest. Bye."

So-young quietly made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth. After that, she took a blanket from the cupboard and made her way to the sofa. The last thought she had before drifting to sleep was ' So-young on the So-fa... that's so good. haha'

*30th August 2008*

The next day, the girls got up really early. They got dressed and wore masks and caps so that they were not recognized. They would reach Tokyo Tower by 9:00 am and would be able to visit the shopping district when they opened an hour later.

Their manager was with them along with a few other staff members and the camera crew. After their first time being chased by a crowd, they were not allowed to go alone anywhere. Individually, yes. But not as a group of five. Minzy and CL still had to attend school, so they had to go out anyway.

They went together and enjoyed their time. Though Minzy and So-young were a little bored in the shopping district, they powered their way through it with the help of jokes and snacks... healthy snacks.

Finally, So-young was able to see an anime museum-like she wished. Though it was a hurried visit, it was amazing. She was able to see some of her favorite anime figurines and her excitement was at its peak. She tried to keep a straight face but her inner childishness made its way through. She looked like her age for once.

Well, in the midst of their hectic schedule, 2ne1 forgot the most important event. An event that will come only once in their lives. Their first anniversary since their debut! Their staff and their fans prepared something special for them on this occasion.

The girls had decided to eat at a small diner near the Tokyo Tower. Unbeknownst to them, their manager had booked them the whole diner. with the help of many people, they decorated the whole diner within one night. It was filled with balloons and party streamers and of course, cameras to film their reactions!

They were doing this before the actual anniversary date so that that BLACKJACKS would be able to get a surprise as well! They would release this as well as some other extra content on 1st September for the fans. After all, it was also the one-year anniversary of the 2ne1 fans as well!

When the five girls walked in, they had the shock of their lives. It was a pleasant surprise. They were stunned for a few seconds. They turned around to look at their manager and other staff in confusion. It took a few seconds before they realized what was happening.

Sandara: "Oh My God! We forgot our first-year anniversary!"

Bom: "How could it slip our minds??"

CL: "When did you plan this for us? We decided on coming here yesterday..."

Kong Chung-Ho: "Well... It was a bit of effort, but we managed to pull it off within a night

The girls felt touched. They never thought that people cared about them so much! Sandara and Bom looked emotional, and So-young was still in a daze.

Their manager led them to the center of the diner and let them order what they wanted. The rest of the staff took their seats around them. It was one day he would not restrict them by their diet. Minzy, CL, Sandara, and Bom were craving meat. Heavy, greasy meat. While So-Young, the only vegetarian was searching for something vegetarian to eat. There were always fewer options for vegetarians to choose from. She ended up ordering some ramen. She decided she would hog on dessert.

When the hot sizzling food was served, it was snatched up by them. They gobbled it down so fast that Kong Chung-Ho thought they would choke. After 15 mins of watching them wolf down the food, Kong Chung-Ho decided it was time to present them with their next surprise. He ushered them to look at the big screen a few meters in front of them.

He signaled someone from their camera crew and a video started playing on the screen. It started with some light music and the bold words 'HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY' in Korean. Then, there were moments of all of them together as trainees. The girls were laughing at the funny moments and memories. The video then progressed to messages from their co-workers from YG. There were messages from their camera crew, make-up team, backstage staff, producer - teddy park, the younger trainees, BIGBANG, a few of their sunbaes, and last but certainly not the least, their CEO.

Just when they thought that things couldn't get better, a box was placed in front of each of them. Their manager ushered them to open them up. They looked at each other and then tore into the boxes. What lay in front of them were gifts from their fans. There were stuffed toys, letters, and many other gifts.

The girls did have one fan meeting before to promote their album. It was sweet and cute, but they never felt a real connection. It felt more like a task they needed to perform, than it coming from within. Their group had just debuted and their fans were new, so it was an unrealistic expectation for them to genuinely feel something for their fanbase. At most, they felt grateful to the BLACKJACKS. But, after having more interactions with their fans while performing and meeting them backstage, they felt a different emotion - love.

Overwhelmed by the feelings, the girls did not know what to do. So, they did what they knew best - gobbling up some dessert. And that's how their last day in japan ended with some sweet memories (pun very much intended).

**************

The girls boarded the plane to their next location - Thailand.

Unbeknownst to So-Young, there was another surprise waiting for her.