Chapter 4: Your Fan Club… Can Just Join If You Really Need Me To~
Near Ha-Ri's Apartment.
Ha-Ri was on her way home followed by Do-Yoon rolling the bike beside him.
As they got near the main entrance of the apartment… Do-Yoon quickly scanned for the security camera. Then as he spotted the spot where it's well covered by the camera, Do-Yoon started acting like his leg was hurting.
"Ah Ah~"
Ha-Ri puzzlingly stopped and turned around by Do-Yoon's sudden moaning and asked.
"What's going on? Are you hurt?"
"Don't you know how delayed symptoms are the worst part of car accidents?"
'???' Ha-Ri was loss of words for seconds… then said as she snapped out.
"It wasn't a car accident. It was a bike accident to be exac--"
"Ah~ That's not the important part of the problem here. I can't walk."
"Then what do we do? There's probably no one at home right now… (murmur) Ah… would Ban Ga-On have come home? (to Do-Yoon again) Well… do you want me to call 911 then? Want to head over to the hospital?"
"Don't you know that it's a nuisance to call 911 for such thing? If they end up not being able to go on a rescue for one who is in a life or death situation because of--"
"Well, guess you won't die soon looking at how you don't have trouble talking."
Then Ha-Ri said taking the bike away from Do-Yoon.
"Stay here for a moment. I'll help you after parking the bike."
'Of course, Ban Ha-Ri isn't so easy.' Do-Yoon thought sighing.
Ha-Ri parked the bike at the bike station then headed over to Do-Yoon. As she held his arm to put it over her shoulders… Do-Yoon said.
"Just carry me on your back."
'What did I just hear?' As Ha-Ri stared at Do-Yoon in disbelief on what she just heard… Do-Yoon repeated what he just said.
"Just carry me on your back. I can't walk."
Ha-Ri replied ridiculed by it.
"Look. I understand I don't look slender nor weak like other actresses but--"
Do-Yoon ignored and just said dropping down to the ground.
"Ah, don't care. Well, sun will come up soon and people will be passing by anyway. Guess someone will help then. If they ask what's going on, I'll just tell them Ban Ha-Ri had gotten me hurt and just left me here. Then--"
Ha-Ri pulled him up and tried to carry him on her back but it wasn't so easy.
Do-Yoon smirked… then said.
"Do you know how difficult it was to carry you on my back earlier?"
Ha-Ri said groaning.
"When did you carry me on--"
"Then would someone who had fainted have teleported or what not to the bench? Are you one of the EXO [1] members or something?"
'Huk!' Ha-Ri suddenly recalled herself waking up lying down on the bench earlier. Her embarrassment gage insanely went up all of sudden. 'Ah~ Whatever!' Ha-Ri just dragged Do-Yoon groaning.
Do-Yoon devilishly smirked… but he soon started regretting. 'Ah~ But why does it feel like I'm the one who's being punished here?' It was very discomforting but he had to endure it since it needed to be recorded on the security camera as a record.
A moment later…
The elevator arrived by the floor where Ha-Ri lives… and the door opened.
Ha-Ri came out groaning with Do-Yoon on her back. But as the elevator door closed, Do-Yoon suddenly stood up!
"?!!!" Ha-Ri, ridiculed by what she just saw, stared at Do-Yoon as if laser beams were about come out but that itself wasn't quite easy because she barely had any energy to do so.
Do-Yoon got scared by the stare for a split second but quickly realizing Ha-Ri had run out of energy to explode on him, he sighed out of relief inside then asked which one of the houses on that floor was hers.
"Which one? (pointing at the doors) This one? This one?"
Ha-Ri just went up to her door and entered the password to unlock with her eyes on Do-Yoon… squinting.
'Huk!' Do-Yoon slowly looked away.
Di-Ri-Rick~ The door unlocked. Then as Ha-Ri opened the door and entered… Huk!!! Ha-Ri nearly fell down on her back gasping with Do-Yoon quickly catching her from the back.
'What's up?' Do-Yoon puzzlingly followed Ha-Ri's gaze… and Huk!!!
Manager Tae-Yang, Do-Won, and Ae-Jung were standing inside like the grim reapers.
Ban Do-Won (50s). Ha-Ri's Dad. He was a highly rated dentist, but when Ha-Ri was in middle school, he suddenly retired and started focusing on free medical service and all sorts of community services.
Ma Ae-Jung (50s). Ha-Ri's Mom. She operated a quite famous art academy until 2 years ago, but she started helping Do-Won with the community services ever since she quit operating the academy.
The three just talked amongst themselves with their eyes on Ha-Ri as if nothing happened just now.
"See. She isn't someone who would get sad about such thing."
"Right. Our Ha-Ri's mental doesn't log out so easily like that."
"I'm sorry. Guess I had forgotten it for a moment there."
. .
Why the three ended up at Ha-Ri's house.
Earlier around when Ha-Ri was watching the stars drunk at Han River…
Manager Tae-Yang was busy looking for Ha-Ri who had been gone without saying anything after the awards ceremony had ended… with her cellphone off.
Meanwhile, Manager Tae-Yang went to Ha-Ri's house. Seeing Ha-Ri not being at the house, he got frightened and called Ga-On but Ga-On didn't answer. Then he ultimately called Ae-Jung.
As she answered the phone, Manager Tae-Yang desperately shouted.
"Hurry! Ha-Ri Noona is missing!"
"She is? No, she can't be."
"I was a bit worried since the awards ceremony… and she just had gone missing with her phone off after it ended. She's not at the office nor at home. If she is walking around dressed up like that, then photos of her would have been on the internet."
Later…
Ae-Jung and Do-Won arrived at Ha-Ri's house.
The two weren't quite worried yet, and they thought her having to have gone missing because of the results at the awards ceremony was a nonsense. They just had come to calm Manager Tae-Yang first.
Manager Tae-Yang said… panicking.
"What do we do? It will be on the news if we report it to the police. And Na Dae Pyo Nim will go insane if he finds out about it."
Do-Won said trying to calm him down.
"It's not the first time that Ha-Ri had not won the award. And to be honest, the one who had won won it because she was well worth getting it. Ha-Ri probably knew it too."
While the two were talking, Ae-Jung started looking around the house… then found the dress that Ha-Ri worn to the awards ceremony at her dressing room.
'Should I just tell him?' Manager Tae-Yang hesitated on telling Do-Won something for a moment… then he decided to just tell him.
"To be honest… There's something I heard from Na Dae Pyo Nim… and apparently--"
Ae-Jung suddenly said coming out from Ha-Ri's dressing room.
"Ha-Ri had come home and left!"
"?!!" Manager Tae-Yang and Do-Won's eyes went to Ae-Jung.
Ae-Jung went on.
"The dress that she wore today is in her dressing room."
Manager Tae-Yang sighed out of relief.
Do-Won said trying to reassure Manager Tae-Yang that Ha-Ri will be fine.
"See. Told you our Ha-Ri's mental isn't quite that fragile."
"But… where has she gone that she still has her cellphone turned off?"
"Well she's probably at somewhere eating… to catch up on all the foods that she couldn't have to fit in that dress. She always turns into a food fighter as soon as she's done with the award ceremonies."
"You think so? But if it was like other times, she would have just delivered them here at home feeling embarrassed to eat out…"
"Well, let's wait first. She will probably be back before morning."
.
.
Hours later…
The three waited for Ha-Ri in the living room.
"Anyway, where is Ga-On not even answering the phone?! There's no way he would have left the café to be open until now. He hasn't gone to the club again, has he?"
"Ah… I've talked to Kang earlier over the phone and he said they were trying to come up with a new menu."
"Guess he is finally becoming a human now."
"But… anyway… Ha-Ri Noona sure will be fine, right?"
"I'm sure she is."
Being worried again, Manager Tae-Yang was about to confess what he was going to confess earlier.
"Well… there's something I heard from Na Dae Pyo Nim… and apparently--"
'Ah~ Should I? Should I not?' He suddenly hesitated again for a second… then… he just told them.
"The… gossip that's going around… has come up because they are eyeing on Ha-Ri Noona--"
?!!! Do-Won asked in shock.
"Eying on our Ha-Ri?! Why?!"
Ae-Jung calmly said as if she knew something about it.
"Don't worry. They absolutely can't do anything."
"How can you assure it?"
"I just can. Don't try to know anything further."
"You know, there are times when you feel like a total stranger. Like… how there are times that I get a scent of bubble gum from you?" [2]
"I've never chewed gum in my life. Since my V-line is precious!"
As Do-Won and Manager Tae-Yang's eyes met… Manager Tae-Yang telepathically said.
'That scent… I know it too. I feel it sometimes.'
The two awkwardly smiled glaring at Ae-Jung in horror.
. .
Back to now…
The three was about to turn around and head to the living room… but… 'Wait… what was that?'… they turned back to the door.
Then they stared at the one who stood behind Ha-Ri.
Recognizing who it was… they all said at the same time.
"Uh~ Han--"
But Do-Yoon suddenly shook his head begging not say his name with an eye of a surprised bunny. They questioningly studied Do-Yoon with their eyes… then didn't say anything forward.
Sensing the oddity… Ha-Ri followed their gaze and turned around. As Ha-Ri's eyes laid on Do-Yoon, he just shrugged as if he was clueless on what was going on.
.
.
A moment later…
Everyone had gathered around at the living room… in dead silence.
Manager Tae-Yang, Do-Won, and Ae-Jung suspiciously stared at Do-Yoon and Ha-Ri.
Do-Yoon and Ha-Ri felt as if they were being suffocated to death.
Then thankfully (?) Ae-Jung broke the silence.
"So… you were riding your bike all drunk… which you shouldn't have… and you hit Ra—… I mean this gentleman here and you had to bring him home because he needed a place to stay for a day?!"
Ha-Ri and Do-Yoon nodded.
Then Do-Won said.
"But… why does he need a place to stay for a day? Well… he doesn't look like he's someone who doesn't have a home nor money…"
'Right!' Ae-Jung and Manager Tae-Yang nodded staring at the two.
'Truthfully, it's not that he needs a place to stay… he asked me to H.I.D.E. him! To hide him!' Ha-Ri shouted inside. But since it was likely that they would just tell her to report it to the police if she told them the truth, she just equivocated randomly making excuses.
"I know. That's what puzzles me as well…"
As their eyes went on Do-Yoon, Do-Yoon quickly gave them the Puss in Boots eyes from Shrek. Then Ae-Jung said after studying him for a moment.
"Well… don't people have their own story?"
Still in Puss in Boots eyes, Do-Yoon nodded smiling.
Ae-Jung and Do-Won looked at each other and telepathically said.
'It seems like our Ha-Ri is finally about to have her first boyfriend, doesn't it?'
With their souls having to have escaped already, the two have gone mad in 🎉 celebration.
'What's wrong with them? What are those eyes?' Ha-Ri puzzlingly stared at the two studying them.
Meanwhile, Manager Tae-Yang suspiciously studied Do-Yoon.
After clearing her throat with her eyes still on Do-Won and Ae-Jung, Ha-Ri broke the odd silence.
"Well, I'm going to head inside to take shower then…"
As Ha-Ri stood up and headed inside, Do-Yoon quickly made sure she went inside then went up to Ae-Jung. Then, right when he was about to whisper something… he started feeling chills all of sudden.
As he carefully turned around… Ha-Ri was staring at them peeking out behind a wall.
Do-Yoon awkwardly smiled. Ha-Ri shoot a laser beam with her eyes squinting at them, then went inside.
After double take on Ha-Ri being gone, Do-Yoon headed to Ae-Jung again and whispered.
"Long time no see, Auntie."
Do-Won questioned.
"Auntie?"
Do-Yoon greeted Do-Won with his eyes smiling, and Ae-Jung introduced Do-Yoon to Do-Won.
"Sae-Na's son, Ra-Bong."
'??? Who…??' Do-Won puzzlingly stared at Ae-Jung.
"You know, my friend who used to live in front of our house. He's her son."
'Ah…' Do-Won finally remembered… then said.
"Ah~ Wait. Then the Han Do-Yoon that I know is--"
"I've told you every time he came out on the news. Wait, have you not been listening to me?!"
"N… no. Why would I not? You know, I've been just keep forgetting things lately because there are lots to have my mind set on these days… HuhHuh."
Ae-Jung suspiciously stared at Do-Won.
'What? They all know each other? Wait…' Manager Tae-Yang questioned himself… then suddenly remembered what Kang had said before.
. .
Flashback.
It was little after Kang had started working as Do-Yoon's assistant.
Kang, Ga-On, and Manager Tae-Yang were drinking at a pub.
Ga-On had passed out… and Kang and Manager Tae-Yang were talking.
"How's work?"
"Well, alright I guess. But… do Ha-Ri Noona and our Dae-Pyo know each other?"
"Your Dae-Pyo? Well… I haven't heard anything about it. Why?"
"Well… it seems like our Dae-Pyo is Noona's fan… but something seems a bit strange."
"Huk, sick! Then can't you ask your Dae-Pyo for an interview in regards to him being Noona's fan? Then Noona… Ah! Never mind. She will then be terrorized by your Dae-Pyo's fans. Ah… anyway, do you look down on our Noona as well?! Saying he is weird because he is a fan of her?!"
"It's not that… it just feels like there's this imminent violence fuming out from him. Well, with also feeling like there's something between the two…"
"Ah~ What are you saying? Have you become all weak on booze all of sudden because you started working?"
"I'm serious! It's--"
Manager Tae-Yang shoved a piece of fried chicken in Kang's mouth, then said.
"Just eat this!"
. .
Back to now…
Manager Tae-Yang stared at Do-Yoon recalling what Kang had said back then.
'That's right. Kang had said something strange like that quite a few times afterwards. If they really knew each other... then, do they really have something between them?'
Being clueless on what's going on in Manager Tae-Yang's mind, Do-Yoon said to Ae-Jung and Do-Won.
"Please don't tell Ha-Ri that… I'm… Ra-Bong."
As the two puzzlingly stared at him… Do-Yoon said being all shy.
"Well… it's because it seems like it would be better to just surprise her with it later on than just simply telling her now."
'Why is he saying he wants to keep it a secret?' Manager Tae-Yang continued to suspiciously stare at Do-Yoon.
Then as his eyes met with Do-Yoon… Huk!!! Manager Tae-Yang gasped.
Do-Yoon, looking so innocent, asked Manager Tae-Yang.
"Can you keep it as a secret that I'm Han Do-Yoon just for a bit?"
?!!! Ae-Jung asked astonished by what he had just said.
"What?! She doesn't even know that you're Han Do-Yoon?!"
Do-Won answered the question on behalf of Do-Yoon.
"That's probably why she had brought him home believing that he needs a place to stay for a day."
Do-Yoon embarrassingly nodded.
"Is she just slow or is it because she has no interest?"
"Ha-Ri never has interest in anything besides anything that's related to entertainment."
"Even so."
'Ah~ What is it really? Do I have to investigate on it?' Having trouble figuring out what he needs to do, Manager Tae-Yang felt as if his head was about to explode.
.
.
A moment later…
They were all gathered at the dining room having breakfast.
"Thank you!" Do-Yoon shouted and started grubbing.
"You still have room to fit that in after all that food you had earlier?"
As Ha-Ri asked Do-Yoon being astonished by him eating so much, Ae-Jung budged in.
"Maybe he had been starving. You tend to feel more hunger when you are exposed to something shocking. Anyway! Why have you made people worry by just heading out without telling anyone?"
"What do you mean? I told Tae-Ri."
?!! Manger Tae-Yang was surprised by what Ha-Ri just had said and said.
"I asked Tae-Ri but she said she didn't know where you were."
"Ah~ Did she not even bother to listen to me again being all drawn into those K-Pop idols? Not sure if she is my stylist or other idol's stylist. When I went up to her earlier to tell her I was heading out, she was fixing the costume for the idol that had come for special performance. When their stylist was right beside them."
"Even I would rather like to stylize the idols."
"Are you really my mom?"
"It's not too late to run a DNA test."
Do-Yoon chuckled as he saw the two arguing while eating. He suddenly envied the scene.
Do-Won asked Ha-Ri.
"Anyway, how did you come home from the awards ceremony?"
"Cab."
"You went on a cab dressed up like that?"
"Can't one in a fancy dress ride on a cab?"
"Well… right. It's not like you're Song Hye-Kyo."
Do-Yoon who had been wanting to budge in from the beginning… finally did seeing it as a perfect timing.
"Anyway, guess people really don't recognize her. The employee at the convenience store earlier seemed like he didn't recognize her."
Ae-Jung kindly explained.
"Ah, that. It probably wasn't because he didn't recognize her. It probably was because he just didn't care that it was her."
"Ah… that's what it was."
!!!! Ha-Ri felt as if she had been smashed down by a 1 ton hammer.
Then, Do-Won attacked with a 100 ton hammer as if smashing down with a 1 ton hammer wasn't enough.
"Ah~ Right. They said it had been a chaos at the convenience store nearby last time because Jun Ji-Hyun had stopped by when she was around the area for a shoot. Said people uncontrollably stormed in to see her. Ha-Ri! You should have called me if that had happened! It was when you were at home doing nothing like a jobless person."
"…"
Manager Tae-Yang obliviously added on.
"When you see her in person, she has this bright angelic glow around her."
"Sometimes, if you look at those photos that people like Song Hye-Kyo and Jun Ji-Hyun have taken with foreign models or actresses, they actually look more like a doll than the foreign celebrities."
"Those Noonas are a goddess, not a human."
"My friend's brother's friend's cousin's friend's cousin is Jun Ji-Hyun's father and--"
Looking at the three keep praising other actresses, Do-Yoon whispered to Ha-Ri.
"How come your family and manager are all your anti? Do you even have a fan? Well… if you want… I can just kindly join your fan club."
Ha-Ri just quietly stared at Do-Yoon as if a laser beam was about to come out. Then as Do-Yoon smiled so innocently… Ha-Ri calmly smiled along… then… suddenly…
Puck! She threw an uppercut with all her strength.
Cling~ The three who were so excitingly conversing dropped the utensils being shocked by what just happened in front of their eyes… then their eyes laid on Do-Yoon.
.
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FOOTNOTE:
[1] EXO: Korean Boy Band; each members are characterized to have superpowers
[2] Ones who chew (used to chew) gum: slang term used in Korea to refer to female bullies at school based on the stereotypical image of them chewing gum and blowing bubbles