Soo Yon-Till Next Time

Mia looked conflicted. She kept the glass down without drinking it and started to eat some chips from the bowl in front of her. In Korea, it is considered rude if one doesn't drink something offered by an elder. I wondered if she knew. Manager Ahn didn't notice. No one seemed to pay the new girl any attention as everyone was chattering away.

'Miss-' I started but Cheng got to her first. He sat on the empty seat next to her. Oh no.

The girl choked on the chips when she saw Cheng next to her. Cheng thumped her back and offered her water. She drank it all in one go.

'You know,' Cheng said. 'We haven't met formally yet. I'm Park Cheng. And you are...'

'Mia,' the girl managed to cough out.

'Mia,' Cheng repeated. He leaned in closer to her and whispered something to her.

The girl said something, which I couldn't hear amidst all the noise. I moved in closer to listen. But it got louder around us. Now Mina noona was singing Seo Taiji's songs. Everyone was cheering her on and it was impossible to hear what Cheng and Mia were talking about.

Suddenly, they got up to leave. Manager Ahn noticed and sighed. It was typical of Cheng to easily impress women. This girl is no different I guess, I thought. Even she fell for him. I just hoped he would be serious with her. But knowing Cheng's playboy nature, it was unlikely he would ever be serious about her.

My phone vibrated. I checked the caller name. About time he called, I thought. Everyone was busy with the karaoke. I quietly slipped past them and went outside.

'Hello,' I answered. 'I was waiting for your call.'

'Sorry, I've been busy,' he said from the other end. 'Congrats on your discharge.'

'Thanks,' I replied. 'How are the others?'

'The usual,' he said. 'Songwriting, concerts, tv shows. Our schedules are packed.'

'That's good to hear,' I said. 'I did see the interview last week. Thanks for wishing us well.'

He laughed. 'I knew you'd know the jab.'

Of course I would, I thought.

'Anyways, I gotta go,' he said. 'We are up for our next show. I'll call again next week. Bye hyung.'

'Bye,' I said. 'Do take care of yourself.'

'I will,' he said and hung up the phone. I wanted to say a lot of things to him. But couldn't muster the courage to ask them. But I was glad they are doing well.

'Till next time, my friend,' I said aloud.

'Till what next time, hyung?'

I spun around. Mia and Cheng were standing behind me.