Keys to Happiness

8. Key

The original Shinee dorm room had in the beginning consisted of nothing more than a small kitchen, living room, and two small bedrooms that the five of us and one manager had shared. Looking around our dorm now, I almost couldn't believe how far we had come from that cramped space. SM had been generous in giving us a larger place and now we only had to share rooms if all three of our managers slept over.

The kitchen was large enough to seat all of us comfortably and the living room was enormous by Korean standards. We had even brought in modern stylists to decorate the area, leaving it looking minimalistic but very sophisticated. Despite the excess space however, I was feeling confined today and my body was itching to get out of the apartment.

Walking down the hallway, I knocked on the door opposite to my own room and waited until a loud grunt emitted from inside. As I opened the door, the smell of rose scented candles filled my nose. I paused in the doorway as my eyes adjusted to the low lighting inside the room and addressed the person lying on the bed. It was a scene that was as familiar to me as my own mother's face.

"Jonghyun hyung.... Are you busy?" I asked somewhat timidly, never sure what mood this hyung would be in.

Jonghyun turned from his computer slowly, the light eerily illuminating his face.

"Yes, go away," he said shortly, turning back to the screen and clicking madly on his mouse.

My face fell and I promptly prepared myself to beg, letting out a low breath.

"But hyung-nim, I need your advice. You're the only one I can talk to. Can't you come to a pojangmacha with me?"

"Go invite your friends. Why are you bothering me? I'm trying to write a new song." Jonghyun said without looking up.

"I've invited WooHyun already and he's coming with me, but you're my hyung. You have knowledge we don't possess."

I walked further into the room and sat down on the bed next to the older boy. Though Jonghyun was serious about his craft, he had always listened when I needed guidance. I was ready to play the big cards.

"Hyung, I've been going through some things..." I began with sadness thick in my voice. I took a deep breath, but didn't finish my sentence. Like I knew he would, Jonghyun took the bait and finally turned away from the computer screen. I looked down hurriedly and made my face pitiful.

"It's just that I know you could help me. You've experienced so much more life than I have. I really value your opinion."

I knew I was laying it on thick, but one clear way into Jonghyun's heart was through complements, and I wasn't above playing dirty.

Jonghyun stared at me for a few minutes but I didn't raise my head, determined to put my acting skills to good use. Finally, Jonghyun sighed loudly, but rose gracefully from the bed and turned to face me. 

"Alright, but since you need my advice, you're buying. And I'm really hungry." The older boy dragged a hoodie on over his built frame and I leapt up from the bed in excitement, happy I'd gotten what I wanted.

"Thanks, Jonghyun-ah! Now hurry up and get ready, WooHyun's already been waiting for ten minutes."

As I practically ran down the hallway, JongHyun yelled out, "Then why the hell did you wait so late to tell me, Kim KiBum!"

An hour later

The closest pojangmacha to our dorm had the best tteokboki I had ever tasted, but today my plate was still full, the already fat rice cakes having thickened even further as they sat in the red sauce. My best friend, Nam WooHyun from the group Infinite was sitting across from me, devouring large bites of fried chicken and beer with an unhealthy glee, now that he had finally ended his diet for his group's comeback. Jonghyun was finishing his own tteokboki and sundae at a more leisurely pace, his expression distant yet thoughtful.