14

I've waited day by day to see K but there's no luck till almost a month has passed. I wish I asked his number instead of fumbling in the dark, however, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise.

Sooha will have no choice but to stop bothering me for the meantime. I got myself time to contemplate about things and how to deal with it when that time comes, yet I still have no concrete plan as of the moment.

The store getting busier lately isn't helping either. I can't get a day off and I'm exhausted to the point I sometimes fall asleep in the bathtub.

Sunday came and for once, the store is at peace. The whole day was so slow, I even slept on the counter without realizing it because the season is beginning to change.

Sooha left me alone so I was thankful, but it never crossed my mind that it was just the eye of the storm.

The nine o'clock evening news dropped a bomb when they reported a ruckus in one offline fan-sign event that happened just an hour earlier.

The internet was way ahead on trending some unusual tags and the idol community worldwide has different views regarding the matter.

I just went out of the bath to drink something from the fridge after a slow and long dip in the bathtub, only to choke on my saliva at the topic of the news Sooha was currently watching in the living room.

The company refuses for an interview but the captions stated that a member of a Jpop group under Hybe named &TEAM announced that he isn't planning on extending his contract once it expires.

"No way…"

Sooha and I were both shocked when K's enlarged solo photo was plastered on the screen and the news outlet showed a clear fan-cam of a fan recording his speech at their fan-sign.

"Luné can I have your attention please? This is important."

K stood up from his seat behind a long table and walked to the middle of the stage. He ran his eyes from left to right side of the audience and took a deep breath before announcing his retirement.

Everyone was in awe that there was a minute of silence before the crowd went nuts.

The voices overlap each other but half clearly hates the idea and the other half were trying to support his decision, whatever the reason behind it.

Even Sooha was too shocked that the glass of water on her left hand remained hanging in the air the whole time.

"Is there a problem with HLJ?!"

One Korean fan yelled at the top of her lungs from the back and the rest began synchronizing at cursing their label.

"No."

He said but his facial expression says otherwise. I wonder what's going on and why he decided to tell everyone about this three months prior his contract expiration.

K hasn't even hinted anything, the last time we spoke.

"I just want to personally thank you all for supporting me through ups and downs ever since I started my journey as an artist."

K's voice is slow and emotional even though he's trying to keep it clear for everyone to hear. His big hands are squeezing the mic too much and the members are watching him teary eyed.

"It's gonna be hard at first but I'm hoping that one day you'll eventually accept and respect my decision."

"What is happening…"

Sooha mumbled under her breath. I stayed silent because I feel the same and I'm starting to worry about what he's going through right now.

I can't shake the idea that he had been caught and was being punished by his company so he chose to speak up on an event that nobody can filter out.

The screen went back to the news anchor after that revelation and they showed how many fans and media photographers have gathered in front of the HQ, waiting for the members to arrive from the fan-sign.

Both Sooha and I released the breaths we were holding as soon as the commercials came flowing.

"Did you know K's planning to retire?"

Sooha asked and took a sip from her glass.

"Not at all."

I simply replied. I'm still in the process of believing what I just saw.

"I wonder why… he doesn't even look old and can still blend in with the younger members. I don't get it."

Sooha shook her head and put the glass down on the center table.

"Let's not jump into conclusions. He probably just found something more interesting to do."

I'm reaching but I don't know what else to think.

"Yeah I guess so. I'm glad I've started to work on my muscles lately."

"Really? What for?"

"I was thinking, if K is always surrounded with random women, I should up my game. Whatever K's goal is, I'm sure I can keep up with it."

I wasn't even drinking and I'm choking. Now we're back at square one. The problem that I still have no idea how to solve and escalating to an even worse level.

I felt a slight pain shot my brain.

"I just hope K's not planning on going back to his home country."

My heart skipped a beat. I totally forgot the biggest obstacle and the most important thing.

What if K's mom has held a grudge against me?