Chapter Text
Yeonjun believes in fate.
Of course, like any aspiring artists out there, the power of believing is a great source of motivation and inspiration. Yeonjun is just a poor man, his life worths nothing to normal people, there is nothing in him even worth stealing from. But do not say this at a black market, Yeonjun has never considered that route of life and he is not planning to any time soon.
Morning came, Yeonjun looked at his desk clock by his bedside. It was only 5 a.m and the sun had not settled in yet, but for people who can barely afford to live by like him, it is the perfect time to wake up to. Yeonjun got to the sink, which was across his bed to brushed his teeth and wet his hair. He sighed into the mirror, oh well, same old routine again.
He grabbed his jacket and went out the door, the corridor of the worn-out apartment complex was as quiet as usual. He smiled to himself, peace and quiet is a luxury in this busy district of Gangnam. He went down the stairs and headed straight towards the small bike in the dark parking lot the apartment complex provided, and head to the market.
I know you're curious - if Yeonjun struggles with money, why is he able to afford a small room in an apartment complex in the suburb of Gangnam district, home of skyscrapers, celebrities, and luxury lifestyle? There are other places with more affordable lifestyle, where he could have a physical job that pays him decent wages weekly. Why Gangnam?
Passion.
Yeonjun has always been passionate in art performance department. He likes to sing, dance, perform in front of a crowd of people, he likes the attention people give him whenever he hits a certain note in one of the songs he covered or the way they stare in awe when he breaks into small dances out of happiness. The only problem he was facing is that, he had not been scouted by anybody. Not even one small agency. Not even a small underground club or a humble restaurant that tends to host musicians, especially buskers like him, every night during the weekends. Yeonjun needed to show the world just how good he is, what he is capable of doing, but there had not been a chance he could take advantage of yet. So he waited.
And while he waited, he continued to find other jobs to do.
Yeonjun likes to think of himself as humble and flexible. A jack of all trades, if you may. There is nothing Yeonjun cannot do, no person he cannot charm, to Yeonjun nothing is impossible. So he took any kinds of jobs that call for him, and his schedule read as follow :
• 5:30 - 6:00 : help ahjumma Kim with her heavy vegetables baskets. It took him only 20 to 25 minutes to move them and arrange them for sale because ahjumma sells her own vegetables and her stand is fairly small. So small that Yeonjun accidentally tripped and half the vegetables fell off the display.
• 6:00 - 8:00 : carry boxes from a nearby warehouse to the store. Yeonjun learned after being the box carrier 2 years later that the store sells shoes. After mumbling to himself one day out of surprise the store owner told him that if he needs a pair of shoes he can just come and look, with a very promising discount.
• 8:00 - 9:00 : return home to shower and get dressed in his cramped bathroom and get his guitar. He needs to dress to impress, especially if he wants to be noticed by anybody at all.
And the busking went on until evening or so.
Yeonjun got lonely sometimes, he got too busy chasing after his dream (and money, mainly his dream) that he forgot to socialize. However, that does not worry him too much because this is a competitive environment to be in - the moment you let your guard down people will step on you without any hesitation.
Yeonjun strutted towards his usual spot, just below the tree right in front of one skincare store among the many in that department store area. He set up his stand and placed his music sheets in front of him, even though he can freestyle just about anything you asked him to, he had to place it there to appear 'professional'. And just like that, he strummed away.
♪ I don't feel lonely when I see you
Even if I'm with my sad heart
It just disappears far away
Dear, You are my fairy of shampoo
From this moment on, I will love you ♬
Yeonjun believes in fate.
But he doesn't know that the person meant to be with him isn't expecting the same thing.