Chapter 64

Why is it there?

Do you usually carry an idol album in your bag? Especially a debut album of a rookie idol like Theora?

"Why is it there...?"

The auntie looked at my wide eyes and burst into a hearty laugh.

"Our daughter became a Theora fan and asked us to buy the album. So I paid extra attention to it. I really wanted to get an autograph if I found the owner. What a coincidence!"

So there was a reason you mustered the courage, even though you weren't sure. You knew it could end up being a misunderstanding, but you were willing to endure a moment of embarrassment for your daughter.

"Give it to me."

I gladly took the name pen to sign for my fan. It would have been nice if all the members' signatures were in it. I looked around for Ji-on, but there was no sign of him.

"What's your daughter's name...?"

"Our daughter's name is..."

I added a short note below the signature: "Thank you for becoming a fan! I'll do my best!"

There really are fans out there. They are increasing one by one. Fans who buy our albums and support us.

"Can I take a photo without you taking off your mask? You don't have to be in the photo with me."

What good is a photo where only your eyes are visible?

"It's because my daughter won't believe it."

Can a photo where only your eyes are visible serve as proof?

I said it was fine and then, in front of the auntie who was fumbling with her phone camera, I pulled my mask down to my chin.

Click, click, click?

She took several photos in rapid succession, worried that they might not turn out properly, before putting her phone away.

"Thank you! You're not only beautiful but also kind. Our daughter has good eyes like me!"

The auntie smiled brightly and disappeared. She was circling the ramen corner because of me.

I tried to push the cart to find Ji-on and the manager, but there was no way out.

"......?"

A human wall had formed in front of me.

"Are you Theora Ham I-won? Can I get an autograph too?"

"Can I take a photo with you?"

"Me too!"

"Me too…."

I quickly put my mask back on, but it was too late.

Oh no. I let my guard down when I pulled down my mask. I thought no one was watching. Where were they hiding...? Were they watching with hawk eyes from behind the shelves?

It seemed they first asked for autographs, knowing I was a celebrity. Only a few people recognized me.

Getting autographs or taking photos isn't difficult. But how many people can I handle? More people are approaching from a distance.

If the manager and Ji-on find out, I'll definitely get in trouble. I hesitated with a troubled expression, and one person stepped forward.

"It's overwhelming for a student when everyone crowds around. We should form a line!"

No, that's not the issue. Uncle...

I felt like I wanted to look up at the sky, but the ceiling blocked my view. I held back a sigh and smiled, then took the paper and pen.

"Please come over here where we won't block the aisle. One by one, please."

By the time I finished signing for three people, a large man who looked like the manager was running over from a distance. Ji-on followed, pushing a cart leisurely.

"I-won. How did this happen?"

"......"

I mechanically signed while avoiding eye contact.

The manager looked at the line of customers and couldn't hide his astonishment. I felt like I was marked as a troublemaker. I couldn't justify my actions, as I couldn't control myself for just 10 minutes.

Due to the crowd, even the supermarket staff were mobilized.

"I'm sorry, but I can only sign autographs up to this point! Please understand!"

The manager bowed deeply. I also bowed beside him. The customers, who had been watching the situation, stepped back willingly.

The manager took care of the cart and headed to the checkout. I was sent to the car first as punishment for drawing attention.

The manager, who came to the car with the cart, loaded the groceries into the trunk, sweating profusely despite the cool weather. Feeling guilty, I helped the manager.

"How did you get caught? You were wearing a mask, right?"

Ji-on, sitting in the passenger seat, was curious about how the situation had occurred. He wondered why I was surrounded by people when he wasn't.

"While wearing a mask, someone recognized me and asked for an autograph. Then I had to take a photo for the daughter…."

"I-won, too naive."

"Naive? No. The auntie even showed me our album."

"Really? The Theora album?"

Ji-on, who had been leaning back in the seat, sat up straight.

"Isn't that amazing? The daughter asked for the album, and we just happened to meet at the supermarket. It was a perfect coincidence."

Thinking about it again, it was a miraculous coincidence. It required a combination of several conditions.

"I had to take off my mask to take the photo. I should have had someone with me."

My eyes met the manager's in the rearview mirror. I flinched reflexively.

"I'm sorry."

"Fortunately, nothing serious happened. If something had gone wrong, it would have been known one way or another."

Rumors can spread as easily as news. People often talk about celebrities.

People tend to think of broadcasters, who appear on TV, as 'public figures' subconsciously.

Originally, 'public figures' referred to people who work in public service, but now the term seems to include celebrities as well.

A more fitting definition would be 'people who are publicly known.'

So, Theora is also a public figure. If I cause trouble and it affects others, I could be criticized. I could become a target of public criticism.

"I'll be more careful. I'm sorry, Ji-on."

Ji-on had been looking forward to shopping at the supermarket. I took away the time he could have enjoyed leisurely.

I made a fatal mistake. I tried to start a conversation to get closer, but it might have had the opposite effect.

"What's the big deal? Be more careful next time. And I will too. If I meet a fan with our album."

"Ji-on."

The manager, driving, called Ji-on's name firmly. It was a warning to be cautious.

"Fans should be treated with respect. Manager."

"Respect?"

"Chungryeoni taught me. When you meet a fan, be as kind and friendly as possible. Do whatever you can, whether it's an autograph or a photo. That's respect."

The manager put a hand to his forehead. His head must be hurting. He must be at a loss about where to start explaining this.

I could feel the manager's frustration in handling the strong personalities of Theora's members.

"That depends on the situation. There might be a schedule, and safety is also a concern."

"OK. I'll keep it in mind."

The manager, unable to turn around while driving, seemed to want to check Ji-on's expression. He was trying to judge non-verbally whether Ji-on really understood.

"Remember this, I-won and Ji-on, both of you."

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

Do the manager see Ji-on and me as the same? Or am I the one who needs more attention? I resolved to behave well for a while.

I had no intention of causing trouble. I just let my guard down for a moment. So, this won't happen again.

...I don't know if the manager will believe me.

"By the way, I-won. Where did you go a few days ago?"

Since our debut, I've only lived between the dorm, practice room, and studio, except for occasional visits home.

So, an exception might have piqued his curiosity. I thought he wasn't interested.

"It was a memorial day for a close senior."

There was no reason to hide it. They are my Theora members, people I can open up to and rely on.

"...Memorial day?"

The slight frown on his face suggested he didn't immediately understand the term. It shows how long he's been living abroad.

"The anniversary of someone's death."

"Oh... Sorry. I won't ask."

"No. I can talk about it with our members. I just didn't want to bring it up before someone asked."

I still feel a pang in my heart when I think of Hyun-oh. But it's a precious memory, almost welcome. I also wanted to talk about him with someone else.

"He was like family to me. He was the one who inspired me to become an idol."

"Your debut with Theora was thanks to him? You should be grateful."

I smiled softly. Ji-on's words were spot on. If I hadn't met Hyun-oh, there would be no idol Ham I-won.

"Yeah. If not for Hyun-oh, I might have become, um, a jazz violinist."

Without a significant turning point, I would have continued doing what I was most familiar with. It would have been a peaceful life without any crises.

But I wouldn't have met new people or felt true fulfillment and happiness.

"He was a benefactor to me. He completely changed my life."

"Such a connection is called fate."

Fate.

The word Ji-on used struck a chord in my heart. Could there be a more accurate way to describe my connection with Hyun-oh?

A transcendent cause and effect beyond human control. That's what fate is to me.

Fate brought us together, influenced each other, and separated us by death. But even after death, we are connected by our voices. Fate is strong enough to transcend even death.

"Fate... It really was fate."

"I-won. If Hyun-oh was a benefactor to you, he might have had a connection with us too."

How much would Hyun-oh have loved meeting our members? I could see his bright smile in my mind.

If he had met juniors in the same industry, and especially members of the same idol group as me, there would have been no doubt. Even though he was a nobody, Hyun-oh loved this world immensely.

"I've been thinking, Ji-on, your lines are not ordinary."

Fate, connection. He delivered these corny lines without sounding corny. His calm attitude made them sound sincere and simple.

Most people would be moved by Ji-on's words and fall for him.

"It's because the rapper's spirit is in me."

Maybe it's because he writes rap lyrics. He can seamlessly incorporate poetic expressions into everyday life.

"Fans will like it. Teach it to me."

"Oh. You want to write lyrics as well as compose? Greedy. Well, our title was built on the words I-won wrote."

After a moment of silence, as if weighing the pros and cons, Ji-on readily agreed. Did he conclude that teaching me the 'rapper's spirit' would be beneficial? In any case, it was a good deal for me.

I never expected that when I delivered Ji-on's 'rapper's spirit'-infused lines to fans, it would be considered 'flirting.'