10 Intruder

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On the subway home, Yedam stares at the blank chatroom. Should I send a message now or does that seem too eager? Since the show is tonight, sooner the better...right?

Hello, it's Bang Yedam.

Yedam waits a couple seconds before putting his phone in his pocket. It doesn't chime until he's almost at his stop. He opens the message.

19:00 95-2 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu

He waits to see if she sends anything else, but nothing comes. Thats it? She sure is direct...

Freshly showered, Yedam changes into a crisp white shirt with a black blazer. He looks at himself in the mirror and tries to brush his long bangs out of his eyes, but he decides to leave them be. After he puts on his earrings, he steps out his door walks straight into an ambush.

"You're going out again??" Jeongwoo nags.

"Where are you going this time, take me with you!" Junkyu adds.

"Me tooo! I want to go toooo!" Mashiho says, his voice higher than usual.

"Uh..." Yedam leans back, not sure how to respond.

"What are you hiding from us?" Jaehyuk asks.

"Nothing! YJ nuna invited me to a small show tonight in Jongno-gu." Yedam explains and slowly makes his way through his fellow members.

"Don't stay out too late." Hyunsuk smirks.

When Yedam passes Doyoung, he winks at him, "You look handsome hyung." Yedam quickly averts his eyes and tries to suppress a cough.

"Ok, I'm off. I'll be back soon." He leaves their dorms and makes his way to the station.

Back on the subway, Yedam looks at his phone again and pulls up YJ's profile. It's a beautiful photo of her. Looks like someone caught her off guard and took it right when she looked at the camera. [see first image of YJ in '00 Characters']

He arrives at what looks like an underground jazz bar. There's a small wood stove on the side, mismatched chairs, string lights on the low ceiling and an old looking piano on stage.

"Yedam-ah!"

Yedam searches the room until he finds the source of the voice. Seo Joon hyung is sitting near the front and waving him over.

"I didn't know you were coming! Did you take train here? It must have been a long ride." Seo Joon pats Yedam's back and invites him to take the seat next to him.

Yedam sits takes a seat near the stage. He politely greets Seo Joon's friends and looks at the audience.

There aren't many seats, but they're all mostly taken. He's surprised to see the diversity in age, some look like grandfathers and others much younger. There's a young man around Yedam's age, sitting alone in the front row in the opposite side of the room.

The lights dim and an elderly man walks on stage under the spotlight.

"Thank you so much for joining us. We have a special performance tonight, but you already knew that. The young pianist recently finished her tour, but took the time to come visit her old – he points to himself – friends. Please welcome back, YJ!"

She comes out of a dark corner, dressed in a fitted turtleneck and long flowy skirt, and bows to the audience. YJ takes a seat and immediately beings to play.

Everyone in the audience is engrossed in the performance, but Yedam can't help but to notice the young man again who intensely watches YJ.

After a few songs, YJ takes the mic and smiles when her eyes land on Yedam. Ah, perfect. She thought to herself.

"I'm so happy to be back and to see some familiar faces in the crowd. It's been an especially busy year for me and for my last song, I'd like to share my latest project with you. Thankfully, there's someone here to help me." She smiles mischievously. 

"Please help me welcome Bang Yedam to the stage!"

Yedam freezes and his mind goes blank. Huh?

She reaches her hand out in his direction and explains, "He had no idea I was doing this." She laughs as the audience claps. She was glowing with the spotlight behind her.

Seo Joon pats Yedam on the shoulder and speaks over the crowd, "Go on! Get up there!"

When he meets YJ on stage she leans in and whispers, "Surprise!" 

Yedam tries to contain his smile as he shakes his head side to side.

He accepts the extra mic from mc grandpa and stands in front of the piano, but looks in YJ's direction. She nods at Yedam and begins to play the familiar intro to Wayo. Yedam takes a deep breath.


[YJ]

My clock is fine, but the time's stopped
There's nothing that works out, I look pitiful
In the world where we were together
I'm now left here alone

[Yedam]

I want to go and ask the sky yeah
What does it mean to say I love you
You're the only thing missing from my world
It feels like I lost everything
I'm just like this

[YJ & Yedam]

Why, why, why
Why can't I be fine without you?
Just why, why, why
Just tell me, I can't do this without you

[YJ]

Can't you be with me?

[Yedam]

Just stay with me

[YJ & Yedam]

If I forget you without saying anything
Will I be able to meet you again
Like fate?
Even a nod, answer me
Even if you lie, answer me, answer me

Why, why, why
Why can't I be fine without you?
Just why, why, why
Just tell me, I can't do this without you
Why can't this work out

Bye, goodbye, bye
Bye, goodbye, bye
Why can't this work out
Bye, goodbye, bye
Bye, goodbye, bye


Yedam and YJ watch each other throughout the song until the last verse. This felt different from their rehearsals. Yedam swore he could feel a slight heaviness in his heart, but doesn't get a chance to think about it any further when the audience gives them a standing ovation.

YJ grabs Yedam's hand as they bow facing the crowd. He helps her off stage and loosens his grip so YJ could slip her hand out if she wanted to. To his disappointment, she lets go when people begin to come up to them.

Seo Joon is the first to congratulate them. "You guys were great, I can't believe we're the first to hear it live."

Over hyung's shoulder, Yedam spots the young man with the intense stare headed their way. He's pretty handsome.

YJ senses someone walking towards her and looks up to meet their eyes. "Sungjin? What are you doing here?"

Seo Joon and Yedam both step aside to look at the good looking intruder.

"Hey YJ, it's been a while." and then he pulls her into a hug.

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