Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
FLASHBACK, SUMMER 2013
LISA POV
“My god, what a hot day.” I mumbled while sitting on a bench. I’ve just signed myself up for one of the choreographer jobs in one of the biggest agencies in Korea, SM Entertainment. It’s not an easy one, I know, but this has been my dream since I was a kid. I could never imagine myself doing anything else other than dancing. Luckily, Korea is one of the countries that has the biggest entertainment industry in the whole world. And we have the famous boy and girl group. So, it’s not really surprising that this dream job of mine is also a dream job for a lot of other dancers out there.
I took out my water bottle and a lunch box that I brought from home. Not much, just some cut fruits. I didn’t have time to prepare much this morning.
And then suddenly, someone came.
“Hey, uhm, sorry, are you busy? Would you mind taking a photo of me?” a girl just came up to me with a DSLR in her hands. Ah, she must be from outta town. This park is actually really beautiful in summer. A lot of people from outside the city, and even abroad, came here to take pictures with the blooming flowers in summer.
“Oh, sure.” I answered while taking the camera off of her hands.
“So you’re from outside the city?” I asked while we walked to the spot she wanted.
“Uhm, no. Actually, I live here. In Seoul.”
“Oh? You’ve never been here before?”
“Well honestly, I’ve been here a couple of times. It’s just that, well, I really love flowers. And I can’t help myself from taking pictures with the blooming flowers every time I came here. Weird, huh?” she explained.
“Oh no, no. Not weird at all. Hahahaha.” I laughed a little. I lied. It’s a little weird to be honest. But you know, also cute at the same time. This girl is unique.
“I’m Chaeyoung. Park Chaeyoung.” That girl handed out her right hand, introducing herself.
“Lisa. Lalisa Manoban.” I shook her hands.
“Oh, you’re not Korean?”
“No, I’m from Thailand, moved out here four years ago.” And before she could respond, we were already at the spot she wanted to take a photo.
“Okay, here? And so that would be the background then?”
“Yeah. It’s perfect.” She answered while posing for the picture. I took a few steps back to find a good position.
“Ready? Alright, one.. two.. three!” click! I took the picture. “One more time, okay? One..two—”
“Hey honey, let us take a picture of you two.”
Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder from behind. I turned my head over, and there were an old couple standing behind me.
“You want to take a picture with your friend, right? Here. Let us take it for you dear. The weather is really nice, it would be such a waste if you guys didn’t take a photo together.” Said the old man.
“Ah, no, I’m just—”
“Ssshh, come on, it’s okay. Now go, your friend is waiting.” He insisted. I smiled awkwardly at Chaeyoung. She just smiled and hinted me to come to her. so I walked towards her.
“Sorry, they insisted.” I whispered.
“That’s fine, Lisa. Relax.” Chaeyoung smiled while putting her hand around my arm and pulled me in closer to her. Ah, she’s easy to get along with.
“Ready? One..two..three!” click! The old man took a picture. “One more time, okay? Come on, pose a little! You acted like you didn’t know each other!” he shouted. Well, we actually just met like 5 minutes ago, Sir. Chaeyoung then lifted her hand up and made a little heart pose with her fingers. When I saw her did that, I lifted my hand up too and make a peace sign with my two fingers.
“One..two..three!” click! He took a photo again. “Ah, you two are really beautiful.” The old woman said behind her husband. Chaeyoung and I just smiled to them. Chaeyoung walked towards them and took her camera from the old man. She thanked them. I gave them a bow.
“Not bad, actually.” Chaeyoung said.
“So sorry, they really insisted. Uhm, do you want me to take another picture of you?” I offered to her.
“No, no. that’s okay. These are good enough.” She answered while looking at the pictures from the camera.
“Okay, so, you were saying? You’re from Thailand?” she continued our interrupted conversation before. We walked to the spot where I left my things.
“Yeah. I moved from Thai to pursue my dream.”
“Oh really?? And that would be..? oh wait, lemme guess…” she pointed out her finger to think. “…an idol?”
“Close enough. I want to be a choreographer, actually.” I corrected her.
“Wah jinjja??” she looked a little surprised.
“Yes. I want to choreograph for idol groups.”
“Wow, you’re really cool, Lisa! Most people came to Korea to become an idol, and then you, you actually want to be the people behind them. That’s impressive!” she responded.
“Hahaha, yeah well, I just love to dance. I’ve never pictured myself as a performer, tho. I just wanna dance, and make a living out of it. The best job is a paid hobby, isn’t it?”
“Right! Totally. I really hope that I could get paid for my singing, too.”
“You want to be a singer??”
“Yeah. I want to be a soloist. I love to sing since I was in junior high. Since then, I’ve always wanted to be a singer.” She told me.
“Wow, a fellow entertainment business fighter. Hahahaha.”
“well, good thing we’re not competitors! Hahahaha!” we laughed together.
We ended up spending time together till afternoon.
My guts said, Chaeyoung would probably be someone I have around for a very long time.