Unexpected

Part 1

I'm walking through the mall after making my purchases, thinking about my schedule for the rest of the day. I have to get back to training in an hour or so. Music is blasting nearby, and I drift closer to listen. It's a boy group on a small stage, dressed in burgundy suits. I could use a break, I think, so I stop and listen.

After the song ends they introduce themselves. I haven't heard of them, but I'm no music buff. But when they start to individually say their names, I start to get the picture. Teun? Uson? These aren't Japanese names. Only Saniru comes close. And the chat that follows confirms it. Their Japanese is okay, but they're not native speakers.

The emcee asks them what they would be if they weren't idols, and the answers are varied. Actor, scientist, gym teacher.

"How about you, Sangho? What would you be if not an idol?"

"An engineer," he replies.

How interesting. I am around engineers constantly on race weekends.

"Developing new cars?" asks a member.

"No, Formula One."

I'm pretty sure my jaw drops. What are the odds? I'm in Formula One. I want to post this on my social media. I whip my phone out and take a selfie with the group in the background. Then I look around for a friendly face to ask questions. But they are focused on the boys, so I decide to wait. I glance at my watch and am relieved that not too many minutes have passed. Soon they're taking a group photo and most of the fans cover their faces. Then they start another song. I lean over to the girl next to me and ask, "How many songs do they usually sing?"

"Three," is her response.

"Thanks." I proceed to film a short clip of them singing the chorus. And the next song as well. It's about cherry blossom season. That's a few months away, I think. It's the end of December right now. And then the event is drawing to a close as they say their goodbyes and leave the stage.

"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" I inquire of the girl that I had spoken to before.

"Go ahead."

"Today is the first time that I saw this group. I didn't catch their name."

"It's Snuper. They're a Korean boy band."

"Do they have a social media account? I took a photo and wanted to tag them."

"Yes, twitter and instagram."

"Do you mind giving me the information?" She is very helpful as I look them up. Some of the other fans nearby start to pay attention to us. "Do they do anything with the photos they took?" I ask.

"They'll post it on the Japanese twitter account."

"Sorry I have a lot of questions," I tell her.

"No! I think it's great when Snuper gets new fans. I love to help!" she beams.

I don't want to burst her bubble, but I'm not going to be a fan.

The other fans nod and say similar things.

"Okay, thanks. Does anyone know how I can get a video of the one member that said he wanted to be an engineer?"

"Usually someone will post a video on YouTube."

"Great!" I smile at them. "Thanks for all your help."

"You look familiar," says a girl in a red coat. "Are you a celebrity?"

I'm not sure if she really has a clue who I am or not, but getting recognized is going to be a regular thing soon. "Not a celebrity, but I am a little bit famous. Gunin Sochi."

She still hasn't placed me.

"Formula One."

She gasps. "You're the first female F1 driver in decades!"

"That's right. I drive for Nissan. We're a new team in 2019."

"Wow," says the first fan. "So that's why you really want a video of Sangho."

"It was so unexpected when he said he would have been an F1 engineer." The girls and I chat for a little bit more, and some take photos with me. "It's been great meeting you guys, but duty calls. Be on the lookout for my Snuper post!" I wave goodbye and walk away. Back to the gym.

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[ The idea for this came to me when I was watching a YouTube video of a release event that Snuper was doing in Japan for the Weekend Secret album. Genki, the MC, asked what they would be doing if not an idol, and Sangho said he would have been an engineer in Formula One. I like F1, and Snuper, so this happened. Now I'm trying to find that video and can't. Either it was deleted or I'm wrong about the date or album.]

Snuper's most popular song, dance version