Unexpected

Part 43

I had a feeling that Sangil wasn't going to make it to this race, so I had a helmet designed with the Snuper logo on top. I take a photo and post it on social media. This is my first race without Sangil. I miss him. But he's with me in spirit. He replies with a message telling me to do my best, and that he'll be cheering for me as he watches on TV.

I do have family members with me, so I'm not bored away from the track. But the glitz and glamor of Monaco go by so quickly I don't have time to enjoy all it has to offer. The race was a usual one, except for when I almost got caught up in the "traffic jam" on lap 16.

After the race I fly out to Korea. Sangil has no idea I'm coming. Their manager told me that he's at their dorm, and to ring the doorbell. Which I do, and wait for someone to open up. When the door swings open I'm facing Sangho. He appears to be in shock, so I casually wave and say, "Hey. What's up?"

"Who is it?" calls Woosung from somewhere inside.

"Manager," calls back Sangho.

I raise my eyebrows at his blatant lie.

"You should surprise Sangil," he quietly replies. "He's in bed."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. What do you mean, in bed?"

"He woke up but hasn't gotten up."

I nod. "Okay. Lead the way."

I follow Sangho as he walks through the house before stopping at a door. Putting a finger to his lips, he quietly opens the door and peers in. Then he steps aside and gestures for me to go in. I walk in and notice Sangil lying on a bed with his phone in his hands. I walk straight up to him and say, "Watcha doin'?"

"Playing games," he responds. It's only when he glances my way does he do a double take and exclaim "What?!"

"Surprise!"

"How did you get here?"

"I flew."

"You're here."

"I am."

"I mean, you're really here."

I laugh. "Yes."

"I think I have a schedule today."

"I figure that today I can hang out with you like you hang out with me during race weekends."

"You might get bored."

"And you don't?" I want to know.

He smiles sheepishly.

"And I happen to know that you're free this evening. We're filming."

At this point Sangho walk in. "Was he surprised?"

"He didn't even recognize my voice," I say teasingly.

"I just wasn't expecting you." Sangil bumps my shoulder. "I'm going to eat breakfast. You hungry?"

"I'd love breakfast. I haven't properly eaten yet."

"Let's go see what we have." He puts his hands on my shoulders and steers me toward the kitchen. Slowly it fills up with the Snuper members as Sangil roots through the cupboards and fridge. "What do you usually eat in the mornings?"

"A grain bowl and smoothie. Eggs. Fruit."

"We have eggs," he says, taking out a carton. "And maybe we can come up with a smoothie."

We decide to have scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. Sangil holds out an apron. "Here, put this on." When he wraps it around my waist, the others start humming a song I don't recognize. This earns them a scowl from Sangil, though.

Sangil will have what I'm having, so while I make the eggs he cuts fruit. Sebin sets the table and pours juice. "All done," I say, taking the pan off the heat and setting it on a hot pad. We sit down to eat.

"Do you guys not have glasses?" I ask, lifting my goblet of orange juice.

"No," replies Sangil. "And not proper plates, either."

"Why not?"

"We've been too busy to eat often at home, so we haven't gotten around to buying tableware."

"I take it you have this stuff at your place?" asks Sebin.

I nod. "Complete sets of dishes for six people."

"Complete sets? As in more than one?"

"In the traditional Japanese style, with many small plates and bowls. Cups and glasses. Chopsticks and cutlery. It was fun to pick out what I wanted for my house."

Before we're finished eating their manager arrives and says that they have some recording to finish up, and then Sangil will go film We Got Married while the others will practice choreo. He and I take my rental car, while the others go with their manager in the van.

"What is that?" he exclaims upon seeing the car.

"Kia Stinger GT."

"Even when you're not racing, you drive fast cars."

"Excuse me. Do you not remember the SUV?"

"That was probably fast. Compared to other SUVs, I mean."

I don't refute him, because it's true. When we climb out at the studio, Suhyun asks me if Sangil sang scales or other vocal exercises. I grin.

"He did, didn't he? Probably drove you crazy."

"But that's because he takes his job very seriously. He wants to do his utmost best, which I completely understand."

"You don't have to cover for him. We all know what he's like."

At the recording studio I spend all my time in the waiting area, sometimes with Sangil, sometimes with the other members. I wish I can hear him sing, but I'm not given permission. When he's finished we say goodbye to Snuper and head out to film some WGM footage.

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When I said that Sebin should do a hip-hop concept I didn't quite mean this. But good for him, and hopefully good for Snuper.