Infinite Imagines

Hoya (Request)

Requested by Dekiwuon888, i hope you like it.

For the tenth incessant time, Hoya glances habitually at his watch. Standing outside an empty park, dressed impeccably in dandy attire with sunglasses for disguise as extra precaution, he licks his lips anxiously in the cold winter night. His mind is overwhelmed by the situation but the one thought that stays at the forefront is "I can't believe I let my friends set me up on a blind date."

To his defense, at first he flatly refused the idea. If these friends weren't ones he most trusted, and if weren't for their very persuasive coaxing, his stubborn nature would have never caved. Just try it once, they reasoned constantly, it'll be a good experience for you. Eventually, he reluctantly accepted the proposal, thinking what would be the harm in meeting one girl? The worst that could happen was it didn't work out and he would have wasted only one short night. And if she turned out to be an obsessive fan, then, well, he could always get a new phone.

His first mistake was underestimating the various logistics of a blind date. Their meeting is set late at night to accommodate his schedule and for privacy out of the media's attention. He barely gains permission from the company and endures his members' teasing for ideas. He underestimates even more the emotional burden. For the past week he's been unable to focus, fretting needlessly over details, standard text conversations with a girl he's never met, checking his phone for messages, each worry building on top of the foundation of "this was a bad idea."

Glimpsing again at the time, he releases another heavy sigh. His date arrives only a few minutes late. As she approaches from afar, he recognizes her from a photo he's seen once. Though she is dressed in moderate heels and dolled up for the occasion, she still hurries, apologizing sincerely even before formally introducing herself.

She gives off a modern professional aura, definitely refined but not pretentious. Straight, ebony hair that's only lightly styled, she wears natural makeup for the every day woman, erring on the side of conservative. Having been around multiple female celebrities, his blind date isn't idol standard. But he'd be lying if he said she wasn't visually appealing.

Fitting to her initial impression, she's mannered as she bows elegantly, apologizing for her being late even though it can be barely called that. When she straightens, she outstretches a polite hand for a handshake as she gives her name. She's almost too well mannered as Hoya begins to feel overly pauper.

Hurriedly, he timidly introduces himself, berating himself mentally because it's beyond obvious who he is. He offers up a stiff smile, awkward and nervous, properly conveying all these emotions in his expression. If she takes any notice of this, she doesn't show it, instead flashing a broad smile. He thinks it's meant to reassure him, and though he wants to be relieved, he isn't.

Since it is already late in the evening, dinner or any other activity was out of the question. He decided beforehand that going to a café would be casually safe enough. Their meeting spot is only a few blocks away, to avoid suspicion from any possible paparazzi. He awkwardly motions for them to walk towards the café, which helps to diffuse the hanging uncomfortable mood.

As they walk, she takes the initiative and carries the conversation, their small talk almost rhythmical. She starts with a question about him, he responds; a momentary pause when he hesitates before reciprocating the question, and in return, she answers. Then the cycle continues again. The questions are superficial but he's grateful that it fills the otherwise silence.

It's been such a long time since he's done this sort of thing, dating, and he's sure it shows. Hell, it's been years since he's had a proper girlfriend and even then, since finding his dream, he's always chosen his career over love. He's no ladies' man by any means, the image all for show.

He steals a glance to his date and envies her composure. Even if she was nervous (which he highly doubts), she masks it almost flawlessly, exuding the essence of calm and collected. He is acutely aware of his damp palms and swears she can hear his rapid pulse.

When they reach and enter the café, she is in awe of the ambience. When she compliments his tasteful choice in location, he silently swells with pride.

They take a table by the corner, away from the window. He is painfully more aware of the clack of the chairs moving as they are the only customers. The dreaded quiet returns as they've exhausted all obvious small talk during the walk over. Hoya sighs in visible relief when the waitress finally saves them by coming over to present the menus.

"Is there anything you recommend?" she asks, trying to engage him.

"Ah, sorry, it's also my first time here..." She hums in non-committal, attempting to be understanding, but he feels strangely disappointed.

The waitress returns to take their orders (he thinks he remembers randomly choosing a drink but can't be sure) and leaves all too quickly again.

"It really is a nice café," his blind date states again with deep sincerity. He thinks she must really enjoy quaint cafes. It isn't much of a conversation starter but he feels compelled to comment further.

"One of the company staff members recommended the café to me. One of her friends comes her quite often since it's apparently a good place for when you want a quiet place to yourself."

"I think I'm the same as your staff's friend then. How about you?" she asks.

"I find that place for me is the practice room," he responds, excitedly explaining the satisfaction he receives when he's practicing alone late at night in the studio, encouraged by her attentive listening and interested reactions.

For the third time, the waitress makes an appearance, this time with a tray of waters. He isn't expecting her this time, having been engaged in a proper conversation this time. Flustered, he attempts to be a gentleman and help with the setting (which forebodes a bad feeling).

He's right, because as he helps to reach for his date's water, the cup fumbles and spills, all over his blind date's lap.

The waitress reacts instantly, running off to fetch a towel. He on the other hand, is frozen with his hands in mid-air like a child caught in the act. His first reaction is to panic but before the cogs of his alarm can turn, his date laughs. It starts as a suppressed chuckle and slowly grows into unrestrained laughter. It's an understatement to say he's caught off guard.

"I'm so sorry," he begins to profusely apologize when his brain begins to work again, still not knowing what to do.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," she laughs. "It's only water! Besides, you should have seen the look on your face. It was priceless!" She brushes it off so casually that he can't help but get caught up and regain his smile.

After the water spill incident, which he considers rock bottom of his luck, he finally relaxes and the night improves. They sit at the café until closing time, after which they stroll enraptured by their intimate conversations, unaware of the passing time. Rather than the strangers that they were only a few hours before, he feels more comfortable and connected with another person than he has in a long time. It's as if they have known each other much longer, like old friends. And for Hoya, painfully self-aware of his awkward personality, this in itself is a phenomenon.

Though he doesn't admit to himself that he doesn't want the date to end, he knows it's late and as a gentleman, it's time to send her home. He flags a taxi as the mood becomes quiet. But it's not an uncomfortable quiet like earlier in the night. Unwilling to part, they linger on the sidewalk before he wills himself to reach for the car door.

"I had a good time," she tells him before stepping inside.

"So I did," he says and he means it.

Before he closes the door, he stops, momentarily halting and debating himself whether he should utter the next few words. Oh hell with it, he curses, as he throws his pride to the wind. "Can I see you again?" he finally boldly asks, feeling the question fumble clumsily out.

"Yes," she flashes that signature-winning smile without a moment's hesitation. "I'd like that."

As he watches her drive away, he doesn't realize that his heart desperately pounding is only the beginning, and that five years later, at his wedding, he has this blind date tonight to thank for the loving bride by his side. But for now, he simply smiles and thinks to himself, he guesses a blind date isn't so bad after all.