fluid: haobin

14

"thanks hyung, i really appreciate your words," hanbin smiles at the comforting comments. "well, that's enough about me. i've been wanting to know more about you. i'm now realizing i don't know you too well."

"go ahead and ask me anything," hao leans forward on the table, folding his fingers.

"how'd you come to korea? wasn't it a lot to leave your home behind?"

"it was, but it was a rare opportunity i couldn't miss. back in china, i went to school but couldn't pursue what i really wanted. sure, i had a teaching license and if i go back, i could get a job if i wanted to. during my 2nd year in college, seoul offered a scholarship to let me study here and expand my knowledge on music. so i took it and here i am."

"what did you study?"

"in china, i studied geosciences but after a couple of months, switched schools for music education. at seoul, i added vocal performance cause i always loved singing."

"wow, that's so cool," the younger comments. "did you specialize in a specific instrument?"

"yeah, violin. i don't play it much anymore cause of work but i try to keep up my skills as much as possible."

"i want to hear you play," hanbin smiles. "if you were recruited by snu for music, then i know you're on a different level."

"ayee, that's high expectations," the manager blushes at the compliments. "to be honest, i haven't touched my violin for a month now so thanks for reminding me about that."

"what's your favorite thing to play these days?"

"mhm...a couple of solos from college but sometimes, i'll record a classical version of a pop song for the younger students and let them use it for their dances. i think my most recent request was seventeen's ready to love."

"aw, that's so cute. the students must really love it!"

"i hope they do, those songs ain't easy," hao jokes and laughs.

"hey!!"

a voice interrupts their conversation and the two turn to see matthew and jiwoong at the staircase with bags in their hands.

"hey, you finally came!" hanbin gets up to hug his best friend, hao doing the same.

"how was the traffic?" hao asks as he hugs jiwoong.

"not too bad, cleared out quicker than we thought," the older answers, taking his seat. "but we had to make one stop so that's why we were still a bit late."

"thanks for getting our table," matthew smiles at the instructor and manager. "i was worried about not coming here on time but i'm so relieved now!"

"did you guys order yet?" jiwoong asks.

"not yet, we were waiting for you guys to come," hao answers. "also, this restaurant is so beautiful! i didn't know there was a place like this around here."

"hanbin hyung and i love it here! everything is delicious so you can't go wrong," the canadian looks through. "are you all ready to order?"

they all answer yes, letting the youngest know to press the button on the table. in 10 seconds, their waiter comes up with a tray of water.

"are you all ready to order?" he asks while passing the cups out.

"yes," hanbin answers him.

"alright, then you can start," he takes out the notepad and pencil.