NO ONE ELSE (Ongoing)

F A T E

How can I not notice the girl who tries to blend in the crowd but flaunts a catchy yet unique long and wavy black-red ombre hair style?

I have seen her taking part of our numerous events from concerts and comebacks to fan meetings. She stood out because of her hairstyle that varied from straight, curls and bob-cut but her hair color remained the same throughout the years.

I did not pay her much attention at first, but slowly I started to search for her pretty face among the sea of people who came to watch and cheer on us. I don't know when it started or how it happened... all I know is that I was captivated by her.

Initially it was her hair, then her shy and innocent eyes that she hides behind those large-framed eyeglasses that she always wore, her plump and pinkish lips that appears tempting when she smiles sweetly or pouts unconciously when she seemed upset or in deep thought. And then... the series of unique scrapbooks she sent us at the end of each year with different content every single time. It contains not only our photos as a group but it also includes the people who were always there working behind us and giving us support – our staffs and our fans. Each book tells a story about our group, her honest thoughts, highlights and selected fan letters. I bet she could earn a few bucks if she sells these scrapbooks to other fans.

I love the books she made. Maybe we could start reproducing it and selling it. We'll earn lots of money from it!

Above all these things, there's something about her that draws me into her. I just can't pinpoint what it is.

Her pretty face?

No. It's more than that.

Anyways, she once worked with our staff in facilitating a charity event that would benefit a hospital and also took part in some of our album photoshoot. One thing I appreciated about her was that she was mindful of our privacy. I knew then that I could trust her.

I already knew that.

However, after getting used to seeing her around, supporting and cheering for us, I never thought that a day where she suddenly disappears and stops attending our events would come. I consolled myself that maybe she has other things to do but then while many people cheered for us, I always end up searching for the girl with the red hair. I found myself wondering where is she now? What is she doing? What happened? And then a year was over without seeing her... Actually, I can easily recognize her in a crowd even if she dyed her hair a different color but I didn't get a glimpse of her. She was nowhere in sight. It's such a shame that I didn't even get to know her name.

She attended fan meetings and yet you didn't get her name? You ask her name first before signing an autograph right?

She's using an alias. It's not her real name.

I had an accident and injured my back a few days ago which explains why I was admitted in the hospital.  I'm currently on an indefinite leave from my idol life because I needed to recover from the injury. Being on hiatus means that I won't be earning some cash but it also means that I don't have to pretend that I'm not tired and I don't have to smile all the time when in reality I'm dead-tired or not in the mood.

But you're still pretending. We all know that you can easily heal yourself.

One of the  rules we need to follow and why we're allowed to be here is that we need to co-exist with them.

Ah. Rules. We're always bound by rules. And... why do you have to fall in front of all those people.

Because a certain someone keeps on getting in my head. Why did you have to yell in my head that time? Do you know how painful that is? And could you stop hiding and talk to me properly.

I sighed loudly as I basked in the warmth of the early morning sun. The hospital garden reminds me of home, greeneries everywhere, hiding us from people's view. It felt safe and relaxing at the same time.

"Sungjae~ah... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you that time. It's just that I saw them." Changsub, one of my older half brother and a member of our idol group apologized as he stood next to my wheelchair where I was seated. 

"I know. It seemed like we don't have much time left before they find us." I said sadly as the thought of the red-headed girl crossed my mind once again.

You like her that much, huh?

"Hyung, I swear I'll knock you out of your consciousness if you don't stop doing that." I warned him as I massaged my temple. My brother can be a handful sometimes, like a kid, but despite all that he's the closest to me among my half brothers. "By the way, have you collected enough energy for the shield?" I asked then looked up at him when he didn't answer and remained quiet.

Someone... Errr... Something's coming.

Changsub was on guard as he focused on the sudden rustling in the bushes. My muscles tensed ready to attack whatever was behind the bushes. I stood up from my wheelchair and was about to pounce on the thing that was coming towards us, but Changsub held me back and kicked me on the knee.

YA! What the hell was that for?!

And that's when I felt the presence of this thing my brother was talking about. A majestic white wolf disguised as a Maltese trotted elegantly towards my brother.

"Haetnim!" a familiar voice called.

I can hear light footsteps rushing towards our direction. I was still on the ground thanks to my brother who kicked me a while back.

"Omo! Are you okay?" A pair of small hands tried to help me up and dusted off some grass that got stuck on my clothes.

"I'm fine, thanks." I sat on my wheelchair and looked at the person who helped me. Her eyes widened in shock when our eyes met. I, on the other hand, smiled brightly at her.

It's her!

She smiled back at me and was about to leave but I stopped her by pulling her hand. "Wha–What's your name?" I asked while my heart raced and my face flushed. Will she tell me her real name? I gently squeezed her hand when she stood frozen gazing at me in surprise.

She hesitated for a while before answering, "I'm Sooyoung." She adjusted her eyeglasses and smiled brightly before lightly pulling her hand away. She cleared her throat, "Have you by any chance saw a small white dog?"

I looked around and found my brother gone and nowhere in sight. Where did he go? I was about to answer but a barking dog and laughter from a distance caught our attention.

"I think... that's my brother and your dog we are hearing right now." I stated as I tried to wheel the chair towards them. She helped me by pushing the chair to where her dog and my brother were.

Stop smiling like an idiot punk.

Oh, shut up hyung! You're ruining this moment.

"Haetnim! Don't run away like that again!" Sooyoung whined as she hugged the dog.

I was watching her when I felt a small tug on my finger. I slowly raised my hand and found a red string tied on my pinky finger. I examined it and followed the end of the string which was also attached to Sooyoung's pinky finger. My heart accelerated when our eyes met. It felt like our surrounding became invisible and we were both suspended into space while the red string that connected us glowed and seemed to beat and has a life of its own.

Is this...

The red string of Fate.