Coincidental Consequences (SHINee Fanfic)

Chapter 4: The Other Side

Key’s POV

The interview went well but I was not so sure about Onew’s condition. He seemed pretty white after what happened when the press found out about that girl. I furrowed my brows as we went back into the van, Onew not uttering a single word.

“Yah, are you okay?” I asked Onew who was staring out the window while resting on the surface of his hand by the window.

“Huh? Orh(Yeah), I’m okay…”he said as the journey back to our dorms was as if we were in a library.

I sighed as I looked at the other guys who was also worried about Onew.

Onew’s POV

I felt so terrible, how can I be so careless. Then a thought shot through my mind like I was being a target board for archery.

I should give her a call.

I placed my thin phone against my ear as I listen to the ringing. After a minute, there was still no answer. I was getting worried. I turned to the boys and smiled weakly at them. When we finally reached our safe dorms, I was a little at peace but worry was overcoming me for Kae Jung. Then I couldn’t stand my worry and I ran straight away to her workplace. The wind was my only encouragement as it blew against me as I run. I hope the reporters are not aggressive towards her, I cleared this up, why must they bother her still?

I turned right to the street of the café and nearly fell on my butt when I saw a swarm of reporters at the entrance of the café. Then I saw someone wearing a smart black outfit. I assumed that it was Kae Jung’s manager because he looked kind of snobbish just like how she explained. I sighed as I thought of how I was going to approach her. Then an idea hit me like a truck. There was a back door staff entrance. I went over stealthily as I didn’t bring any undercover sunglasses or hat. I looked by the windows as I saw Kae Jung smiling happily, serving the customers who seemed lost with the current situation. Just as I was about to go inside, she made a move. She moved towards me as she was blending some coffee. Her eyes went big when she saw me and immediately called another barista to take over her for a while. She went out and pulled me behind a bush.

“What the hell are you doing here?? Kaa(go)! I know what to do, don’t worry.” She said with great determination and I believed she knew the full story, besides; it was between the two of us only.

I immediately hugged her and smiled as I nodded in relief. I could feel her flinch slightly as she hesitantly hugged back.

“I was afraid the reporters are harassing you in a harsh manner, thanks, my friend, for not trying to take advantage of the situation.” I said to her sincerely.

“Why would I take advantage of a friend?” she asked me softly.

I pulled back from the hug as I faced her sunny face.

“You should get back, the other members will be worrying about you.” She said as I nodded.

She went back into the café and was thinking momentarily before a fierce expression took over her face. I was surprised and stayed for a while more, curious to what she was thinking. Then I almost went white when she turned her head sharply towards the group of insane reporters. She stomped her feet and went towards the door. I wanted to stop her but then I remembered what she said just now, that she knows what to do and I wanted to believe in her.

“YAH(HEY)!!! DO YOU REPORTERS HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO GO AFTER! THERE ARE LOADS OF MORE ARTISTES OUT THERE! WE’RE TRYING TO RUN A BUSINESS HERE AND YOU’RE SCARING THE CUSTOMERS. PLEASE HAVE SOME SYMPATHY AND LEAVE HERE AND MYSELF ALONE!!” she shouted at them and all of their expression went dull and stopped snapping pictures.

“Aish jinjja(really), these reporters…” she mumbled as she went back into the café.

Once her foot stepped on the mahogany wooden floor, claps and cheers erupted from the entire café. Everyone was supporting her and she blushed as she went back to the counter. I smiled as I went back to the dorms, thinking what I should say to the boys for my sudden escape.

Key’s POV

“Yah(hey), where do you guys think he went?” I asked the rest who also was worried and surprise at Onew’s sudden actions.

“Mullaya(don’t know)…” All of them replied.

We sat around the practice room as the manager came in.

“Has Onew returned?” he asked.

“Annyi(no).” I said.

Suddenly the door opens and there he was walking casually but he looked much better than the time when we were at the interview.

“Yah, hyung(bro), where did you go off to?”Taemin asked.

“Just went to check up on my friend.” He said.

Then all of us started to seat down and talked to him.

“Who is she actually?” I asked him as he looked back at me with sad puppy eyes and sighed.

“Actually, she used to be my old friend. When I was young, I travelled a lot so I met a lot of kids, but everyone lost contact with me, including her but she was the only one who really cared for me at that point of time. When I was feeling lonely or sad, she would always be there for me. Then we were going to high school and my parents had to go back to Korea, here. That’s when we were separated, and without her knowing, I left. I didn’t want her to cry when I leave… I didn’t want to say goodbye because I know it was not.” He said. I could see by the corner of his eyes that he was tearing up. He bend his head down as he paused for a moment.

All of us were saddened by this sudden story and truth as we tapped his back gently.

“Yah(hey)… It’s okay… Even though she doesn’t remember you now, at least she still knows you as a “new friend”, kutchi(right)?” I said as I smiled at him.

“Kurre(That’s right)…” the boys agreed.

“Thanks guys…Jah(now!), let’s practice.” He said, forcing a smile to mask his sadness but we gave him the space he needed. He was still human; we know how it feels to be forgotten by someone we really cared about.