Chapter 13
We decide on an iced latte and toasted cheese sandwich each. He won't let me pay again, on entering the zoo this morning I had advised the lady in the booth we needed 4 tickets and was about to pass her my card when he shook his head and said "no no no, you never pay" and passed her his instead. I remarked at what a gentleman he was and thanked him. I do the same now.
The hulks forego eating and sit a couple of tables down from us, closely watching the crowd as it builds. I can't say that I have seen any acknowledgment of him from anyone yet, but there are some second glances due to the security for sure.
Typically just as i'm thinking this a family walk past us and a little girl who is perhaps 9 or 10 stops in her tracks, her mouth open wide. Her Mum turns round to see why she has stopped and I see her gesture in our direction. The Mum also seems to have a moment. Jimin has noticed this too and waves the girl and her Mum over, clearly realising he has been recognised.
He says hello and asks the little girl her name. With a trembling voice she says "Connie" and carries on with "are you really him? Am I really seeing Jimin?" He chuckles at her astonished face and nods, but then places a finger to his lips to show her to be quiet. She vigorously nods understanding and her Mum asks for a picture. He obliges and pulls the girl to his side and waits for the Mum to fumble with her phone. I expect her to take the picture but she passes the phone to me and says "Do you mind?" and hurriedly runs around her Daughter to his other side and dips down getting as close as she can too him. I tell them to smile and they do, big cheesy grins, their faces alight with the surprise of an interaction with him. I pass the phone back to the Mum and she thanks me, checking I have done a good job.
Connie asks him if any of the other members are here today and he shakes his head, pouting his lips at her sad reaction. He gives her a cuddle and says nice to meet you and then in a daze they wander off trying to find the other half of their family. That was so sweet of him. I see him look towards Ji-Ho and Min-Jun, there faces not impressed by the interaction. I internally wonder why that sweet moment with a fan could be a problem.
We finish our drinks and sandwich and I ask him if he wants to go and see the big cats now, Cheetahs are my ultimate favourite animal and he nods. We begin to make our way through the hustle and bustle. It has gotten very busy in the last hour, I suppose more families taking their time to travel in to the city. When we get to the lions I see more flickers of recognition in people that he is famous, even if they do not know why. Our protectors are a real give away. He glances at me and says he thinks we may need to leave. I'm sure he can see pandemonium coming from a mile off with all of his previous attempts at normality and although i'm disappointed I don't want our great morning to be ruined by a difficult afternoon so we turn on our heels and head towards the exit.
Some how in a very short space of time paparazzi have been tipped off that he is inside the zoo so as we leave a few begin taking pictures. Ji-Ho and Min-Jun step in front of us shielding him from the flashes, but they do not give up and follow us all the way back to the car. He opens the door and helps me in and then turns toward the photographers to give them that shot they are so desperate for. He poses for a minute and then jumps in the car and closes the door.