Who Are You

"Come on, hyung. You have to at least come out and eat." Jiwoo called out from my dorm room.

"I'm good. I already ate." I replied to him.

He sighed. "We both know that you've been holed up for a week now in your room without anything to eat."

I didn't respond and just focused on the song I'm currently working on. After a few seconds, I could hear him walk away in disappointment.

It's been a week since I got out of the hospital and it's also been a week since IU-sunbaenim and I broke up. Throughout the week, I found out and contemplated about a lot of things.

One of the many realizations that I had is that the IU of this world already passed away and the IU from my previous world reincarnated here as well. We both decided to keep it a secret because we wouldn't know what chaos it'll create if people found out.

So in short, if it was possible for IU to come in to this world, there are probably more people who reincarnated in this world as well so I have to be very careful from now on.

She told me that she didn't die young but of old age. So it doesn't really matter how old you die in the previous world, you'll end up here in this place regardless. In the condition that the person in this world also dies at the same time.

I also decided to move on, even if it's painful on my end, I can't do anything about it now, because the IU of the previous world doesn't have any memories of me. She might think she likes me, but it's because of the IU of this world's memories. Even though I'm just trying to distract myself right now, the pain still lingers.

"Still not coming out?" Matt-hyung asked Jiwoo.

He grunted. "I'll handle this."

The moment I heard Matt-hyung approach my room. I immediately opened the door and handed him a tray full of unwashed dishes and a black plastic bag full of trash.

"I already had take-out food delivered to me through the window. Don't worry I'm fine. I'm just working on some songs for us. I'll finish up and will wash up since I have a shoot this afternoon." I didn't wait for him to ask and decided to tell him what I was up to.

I knew that when Matt-hyung gets pissed off, he'll break your door and drag you out. Believe me when I say, I don't want to see that happen.

Damage fees?

He doesn't care about that.

He can easily pay for it anyway.

He'll drag your butt off from whatever you're doing when he wants to make sure that you're taking care of yourself.

Zee would know. Their door has been fixed more than a dozen of times because he wouldn't stop playing games which made Matt-hyung break down his door a couple of times. Even the managers were wondering what we were doing inside the dorm that it would happen at least once a week.

Moral lesson?

Don't piss off Matt-hyung.

"Okay. I understand. Make sure to clean your room as well." He said.

I nodded. "Okay, hyung."

I was about to close my door when he stopped it. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I smiled. "Positive."

The busyness never seems to stop. I just finished producing a couple of songs for other idol groups who might ask for it. I've also submitted the songs that PD-nim asked for earlier this week. The final episode for SIXTEEN was going to be this coming Monday. He also asked me to be there. It's already Friday today and because of my "injury" the production for the drama that I was starring in was delayed.

The director also didn't want to get a new actor because he really wanted me to play the role for him. Even the producers and the writers were with him on that decision. I told them that I would be coming in today, and so, I have to wrap things up here on my end and go there to start the shoot.

We've already done the script-reading and the camera test a few months ago. All that was left was to start filming. I've been studying the script for a few months now so I'm good to go. Although I just recently went through a traumatic experience and as well as a break-up, it shouldn't hinder me from being a professional. My goal as to why I started this journey in the first place was to be at the top and be with HER as well. I just had a couple of speed bumps along the way.

Oh well…

At least I'm not wallowing in self-pity.

After cleaning up my room, I took a bath and fixed myself. I gave the lyrics for the foreign version of the songs to the Chinese and Japanese members of Alpha to have them check it. The rest of the members can also speak Chinese and Japanese so I asked them to help as well.

"It's nice to see you out of your room again, hyung." Zee joked.

It made me chuckle. "I know, right? I thought I was going to turn into a bat and fly off through the night."

They all laughed at my joke.

Matt-hyung patted my shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I smiled and turn to look at the members who were looking at me in concern.

What did I ever do to deserve such amazing friends?

"Yes. I'm REALLY sure. I promise you." I replied.

I really am. Even though we broke up and the IU of this world was no more, I'm still happy because the IU from the previous world wanted me to be happy. I get that that I'm moving on too fast. But believe me, IU's blessing in regards to finding my happiness was enough to help me move on.

"Alright you guys. Let him be. He needs to go now if he wants to make it on set." Yo Chul-hyung said.

He changed a lot recently. Especially since I've been out from the hospital. It was as if he took care of me more than anyone else in the group. Even though he was still cold, he still showed me that he actually is concerned about me.

"I'm leaving now. I'll be home late from the shoot. Make sure that the lyrics are set by tomorrow morning." I told them.

"I got it, hyung. Don't worry about it. I'm here to check them, you know?" Zhang said.

After giving him a thumbs up, I got on my company's car and went to the set of High School 2015 also known as "Who Are You".

___________

"Huh? What was that?" I snapped out of my thoughts when someone called me.

She giggled. "I asked if you wanted to go grab a bite at a nearby café. We have an hour before we start filming again."

I smiled. "That would be great, Sohyun-ssi."

"Let's go then." She said.

As we were walking towards Dalkomm Café which was the nearest café to the set, she then turned to me and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah. I am. Why?" I replied.

She then went in front of me to block off my path. "You seem so out of it since earlier. Don't get me wrong. You did amazing during the shoot but you seem to be having a lot in your mind when we're on break."

I chuckled. "I'm fine. I do have a lot on my mind, but it's nothing too concerning. Don't worry."

"Is it because of the recent break-up?" She suddenly said in a low volume.

I didn't respond and just smiled wryly at her.

She must have realized her mistake because she frantically tried to defend herself. "Ah! I'm sorry! I shouldn't be too nosy! It's not that I care about it! Well I do, but not to the point that I like you but you know, as your partner-"

"Thanks Sohyung-ssi. I appreciate the concern. But believe me. It's not related to that." I told her.

She sighed. "Okay I believe you. But you have to tell me if you're going through something. I'll do the same with you from now on too."

It's amusing that she is actually straightforward. "Alright then."

"And oh. You don't have to talk formally to me. We're close friends now, right?" She started proclaiming it.

"Of course… Sohyun-ah." I smiled.

"Alright then, oppa! Let's go!" She then skipped happily towards the café.

I shook my head as I chuckled. I could not believe that I just befriended Kim Sohyun just like that.

"I guess this is one of the privileges in this second life that I have… or should I say third life now? Well, whatever…" I started muttering to myself as I followed her inside the café.

_________

"Oh so that's why…" She said.

"Yup…" I was telling her the modified story of why IU and I broke up.

She also just recently broke up with her none-showbiz boyfriend so she wanted to ask for some advice. Without me noticing it, we both were becoming closer. It was like I gained another younger sister in the mix.

"That sucks. I was rooting for you guys. Who knew that a saesang fan could cause this kind of threat in your relationship?" She said.

The company came up with a story that a saesang threatened to hunt her down if we didn't break-up, and that's what I told her.

"Yeah. Who knew?" I also acted as if I didn't know.

She smiled. "Still, you guys could have dated secretly you know?"

I shook my head. "I don't want her to risk it."

She giggled. "That's sweet of you then."

My phone suddenly rings.

"Hello?" I answered it.

"Where are you guys? We're about to shoot in a few minutes." Sungjae called me up.

I turn to Sohyun to signal her to get ready to leave. "Oh! We're on our way."

"Yook Sungjae-ssi?" She asked me if it was him who called.

I nodded. "Yup. We better run."

Little did I know that this would be the start of a life-long friendship with her.

__________

"And cut!" The director yelled.

It was already dawn. Because we were making up for lost time, we ended up shooting until dawn. We were at a park right now. It was a scene between me and Sohyun.

"Hah! I can't wait to go home and sleep." She said as she started stretching.

Sungjae came up to us. "Good for you. I'm heading to my next schedule. We're going to shoot an MV in a few hours."

"Go catch some sleep in the car on the way there then. Okay?" I told him.

He nodded. "Alright. Thanks. How about you?"

I smiled wryly. "I still need to finish recording for the Japanese and Chinese version of our songs. We're going to have our debut there soon."

Sohyun patted our shoulders. "Such hardworking men. I'll go ahead now."

This woman really knows how to talk sarcastically.

Sungjae and I laughed as we watch her leave with her manager.

"Well, I'm off too." He also headed for his car as I did the same too.

I had to go back to the company to start recording with my members.

___________

"Can we do it again? You have to pronounce it properly. Okay Woo?" I said sternly over the mic.

We were in our recording studio with the rest of the members of Alpha. The recording started hours ago and we were still recording the Chinese version of Wolf. We're done with Growl so now we're doing the group's second song.

Jiwoo was already recording it for the 6th time now. He was starting to get annoyed by it.

"Is it just me or is JayB-hyung a little bit stricter than he really is?" Zee whispered to Zhang.

"What do you mean a little? It's more than a little." Seiji-hyung heard them and also complained.

Matt-hyung also heard them whispering to each other. "Let it go guys. You know what happened to him. For us, it's been more than a month. For him, it's still a week."

"You're doing it wrong, Woo!" I slammed my hands on the desk.

Woo jerked a little. Everyone also was surprised with what just happened.

"Woah! Okay, okay. JayB-ya. You're obviously still cranky from last night's shoot. Why don't you take 10? Hmm?" Yo Chul-hyung came over to soothe things over.

I turn to him with a tired expression. "I'm fine, hyung. We need to finish this by tomorrow."

"We will. But you have to see that you're not in top condition yet." He said.

I turn to Woo and even though I got angry at him just now, he still looked so concerned.

I pressed the button to talk to him over the recording booth. "I'm sorry, Woo-ya. I shouldn't have raised my voice like that."

He gave me a thumbs up. "It's cool, hyung. You should take a break. Zhang can take over."

I nodded. Yo Chul-hyung then pressed the button again. "No, Woo. You take 10 too. In fact, why don't we all have lunch?"

"You guys can go ahead. I need to head out to the convenience store." I told them.

They understood that I needed to cool my head a little so they gave me some space to do so. I went out and started taking my time as I strolled towards the convenience store.

It took me about 10 minutes to get there. Even with my disguise, Nancy was able to recognize me this time. We chatted a little and it gave me a chance to clear my head. After a while, I finally decided to head back to the company to maybe sleep for a couple of minutes before heading back to the recording booth.

While I was walking, a familiar face caught my eye.

Am I seeing things?

I went over to where I thought I saw her and to my surprise, she was really there. She exited the restaurant that she was in, and was about to put her disguise on when she saw me. She really looked surprise.

"JayB-ya? What are you doing here?" She asked.

I smiled and replied. "Hey there IU-sunbae. I was just heading back to the company. What are you doing here?"

She was about to say something when a familiar face came out of the restaurant and intertwined his hand with hers.

"Everything alright here?" the man asked.

"I'm good." She replied as she slowly let go of the man's hand.

The man then turned to me and had a shocked expression. "Oh! JayB-ya! It's you!"

I smiled at him. "Hey there… Eunhyuk-hyung."

__________

AN: For those who don't know. Eunhyuk was IU's boyfriend a long time ago. I just wanted to give some easter eggs.