K-pop Idol Imagines - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

"Hmm... is this the cereal mother was talking about?" I thought. I have been wandering in the different aisles to buy the groceries from the list my mother sent me. It's not ideal to pass the early morning of your favorite day, Saturday, but still, I am here searching for my mom's favorite cereal which I've rarely seen anywhere.
After searching for god knows how many minutes, I finally found it. And went on to the next thing on the list.
"Fabric... softener?" I said to myself as I made my way to a different aisle. Clearly, you may have seen that I am the worst person to let them buy your groceries but my brother was busy and the same goes for my mother.
I was skimming through the middle shelf searching for that fabric softener when suddenly my trolly hit someone else's trolly. I turned my head immediately to apologize to the owner, "I'm sorry! I didn't see-- WAIT!"
I left my trolley and hurriedly walked towards the woman, who is a little short to reach the uppermost shelf of the aisle and she was using all her force to get something from up there which will cause the whole aisle to fall down with of course her getting injured.
Swiftly standing behind her, I grabbed the bottle that she was trying to reach and saw her stiffen immediately.
She stood there facing the aisle as I slowly took the bottle down and softly said to her, "Hey? Are you okay?" Somehow that made her shoulders relax a little as she took a deep breath and released it.
She slowly turned around to see me and well I couldn't see her as she was wearing a mask and a black cap. But, I could see her eyes. Looking into them I caught my breath, she has the deepest, soft brown, and beautiful eyes. I stood there frozen as she slowly traced my face with her eyes and took in every detail. My heart was beating out of my chest as she suddenly spoke, "Thank you..." Her voice was soft but deep. A beautiful combination for someone this beautiful. I backed away slowly as I gave her a toothy grin and nodded my head.
"Nope. No need to say thanks. By the way..." I slowly turned my gaze towards the bottle I was holding and my eyes widened. The girl noticed changes in my facial expression as she quietly asked, "What... happened?" The hint of worry was visible in her voice. I cleared my throat and shook my head in dismissal, "Oh. It's nothing... I've been searching for THIS fabric softener for about ten minutes and HERE it was!"
Then I heard the most harmonious giggle in the world. I turned to look at her and her eyes crinkled at the corners as she quietly giggled. I tilted my head in confusion as she turned to look at the side and murmured something.
"Did you say something?" I asked. She shook her head as she spoke, "Nothing. Well, if I have your permission, can I have my fabric softener?" I gave her the bottle as our hands brushed a little. Call me an idiot, but I really felt sparks at her simple touch, but she didn't feel bothered.
I quickly tiptoed and got myself the precious softener. I turned around to see that she was not there. I whipped my head to look that she was already walking towards the cashier. Rushing to catch up with her I shouted, "Hey! Wait up!"
Speeding my trolley I stopped just behind her in time as I saw her taking out her credit card for the payment. I reached for my jacket pocket to do the same as she walked out towards the exit gate. I frowned as I saw her retreating figure but then I saw her stopping, she glanced around to meet my eyes and gave me a curt nod, and walked out the gate.
I quickly paid for my groceries as I huffed the bag and ran outside.
I walked out to see that it was raining. Hard. I heaved a deep sigh as I said to myself, "What a day..." I was about to turn towards the parking lot area when I saw her. She was staring at the pouring rain as her hair slowly waved in the cool wind. I made my way towards her as I said, "Hey." She turned to look at me and probably smiled as she said, "Hey... it's raining, huh?" I nodded my head in response as I watched the dark clouds getting darker by the second. "Are you going home?" she asked. I looked at her with a soft smile as I said, "Yeah... maybe after enjoying a little bit more. I actually love the rain."
She nodded her head in return as I hummed while looking at the rain. I saw her rubbing her hands in the cold. "Aren't you going home?" I asked.
"I am... but my manager is somewhere else and I have to wait for him to take me home," she answered. I nodded my head as my mouth formed in an 'O' shape. Then it hit me that 'Manager?' is an idol. "Manager, you say?" I asked.
She looked at me with eyes wide as she stuttered, "I-I didn't--" "It's okay... I'll not tell anyone," I said as I smiled warmly to assure her. She closed her eyes slowly as she breathed in and out. Carefully looking around she reached for her mask and slipped it down and turned to look at me.
I froze. Like, literally frozen. I couldn't speak anything as I looked at her face. My mouth hangs open and my eyes widen with shock.
"B-Bae J-Joohyun... I-I- oh my gosh..." I stuttered as I looked at her. She is Bae freaking Joohyun, the leader of my favorite group, Red Velvet. God knows for how long I have been crushing on her. I tried to go to their concerts and fan sign events but every time I couldn't. Destiny doesn't play fair. But, here she is standing in front of me, smiling broadly showing me her 100W smile. My heart started beating fast in my chest as I just gazed at her wide-eyed.
"Are... are you okay?" Joohyun asked. I gradually nodded as I gulped and took a deep breath to calm my nerves down. I closed my eyes as I shook my head rigorously hoping that this is a dream. I slowly opened my eyes to see Irene Bae still standing in front of me but her eyebrows furrowed in worry. "Are you really okay?" she asked once again as she took a step toward me. "Yeah. I am okay--" a loud thundering of clouds interrupted me.
"Eeep!" I heard Irene yelp as she screwed her eyes shut and covered her ears.
I looked at her as she was slowly shuddering in the cold winds and by the effect of lightning. "Adorable!" I exclaimed to myself as she was looking so small while covering her ears. I inched closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder, "Hey... it's okay--" Another loud thunder interrupted me as Irene suddenly clutched closer to me and clung onto my arm hiding her face in the crook of my neck.
I grudgingly wrapped my arm around her as I slowly patted her head, "H-Hey, are you o-okay?" She breathed out shakingly as her hot breath tickled my skin. Gripping a little tighter, she nodded as she said, "Y-Yes... I-I am okay..." Her lips were almost touching my neck as my breath hitched in my throat. I felt goosebumps all over my body as I replied, "Okay..." I slowly tried to move apart from her but she clung more tightly refusing to move.
"C-Can you stay here for a minute?" she said, quietly. My heart melted at her cuteness. I removed my arm from her grip (which was very difficult to do) and hugged her properly this time. Her breath hitched a little as I put my chin on her head and rubbed small circles on her back with my finger.
I looked at my wristwatch and saw it was close to 8 in the evening. "She should be home by now..." I thought to myself. Moving a little apart, I carefully looked at her face, "Hey... you should go to your home. Your members might be worried for you." She turned her head to look at the sky and it was still raining. A rumble of thunder was heard again as she yelped again and hugged me again.
"Oh gosh, Unnie... are you really okay? Maybe I should take you home..." I said as her head raised a little to look at me, "Will you... do that?"
I looked down and moved apart from the hug. She whimpered a little as my warmth left her and I asked, "Do you want me to?" She looked down as she fidgeted with her thumb and said, "I, well, um... my manager is still not--" The ringing of her phone interrupted her as she looked at the screen to see, "It's my manager..." She answered the phone and after a few seconds she hung up.
"My manager is... not coming. He's stuck with some work and he said that I can take a cab to go home," she answered. I nodded as I said, "Let's go. Let's take you home, Unnie."
She looked at me as she blushed a little and smiled at me. Her eyes were twinkling as she said, "Thank you... May I know your name?" I chuckled a little as I bobbed my head, "Y/N. Y/N L/N."
"Thank you... Y/N," Irene said, smiling. I hesitantly put my hand out as I asked, "Let's go?" She blushed a little more as she looked at my hand and then my face. Eventually, she took my hand and I squeezed it tightly reassuring her.
Leading her to the parking lot, I stopped in front of my car. It's a sedan car with black and silver painted skin. I unlocked the car as I put hers and my bags in the back seat and closed the door. I walked towards the passenger seat as I opened the door for Irene, "Come on!" Smiling softly and shaking her head she entered the car and I quickly closed the door. Entering the driver's seat, I buckled my belt as I said, "Unnie. Seat belt, please." "O-Oh, right," she replied as she fastened her seat belt.
Starting the engine, I switched on the heater and turned it a little bit at more heat because Irene is really sensitive to cold, and well, me, I can bear it until it doesn't freeze me to death.
I heard her sigh as she relaxed in her seat and removed her cap and the mask. I glanced at her from the side, scanning her beautiful face. Looking at Irene up this close is probably a dream. Her profile is perfect with a high nose-bridge, her sharp jawline, and her slender neckline with a small locket hanging around.
I was probably staring for too long because she said, "Um... Y/N? We should go...?" I blushed furiously as I turned to look in front and started to drive the car on the road.
The atmosphere in the car was not awkward. Like, she and I were comfortable in each other's presence. Feeling the urge to talk, I said, "Should I turn on my playlist? I mean, if you would like to listen to some music?" Irene was staring outside the window as she turned to look at me and gave me a simple nod.
Inserting the AUX cable in my phone I started the playlist on shuffle. Let me tell you, I have one of the best playlists with my favorite K-pop bands.
The first song that came well surprised Irene a bit because it was hers. My playlist was playing 'In and Out' from their Reve Festival: Finale album. She looked at me as I was focusing on the road while the music's first chords started. "Do you... know this song?" she asked. I looked at her as she was clearly being sheepish, "Yeah. This is one of my favorite B-side tracks of yours."
I was slowly humming to the song and I saw in my peripheral vision that Irene was smiling while looking at me. Maybe I am delusional.
"Your voice is good," she said. My eyes widened in shock, "R-Really? I mean--" Then suddenly the chorus interrupted me and let me tell you their choruses are NO JOKE. The harmony they have is seriously insane. I bobbed my head to Irene's slow raps that were in the song and I said, "Sing with me, Unnie!" Her face flushed red as she shook her head, "N-No. It's really awkward to sing my songs..." "Oh, come on. You always sing in concerts, though," I argued. "Yeah. But it's not a concert here. I am in a car," she retorted. I carefully stopped my car as there was a red signal.
Turning my head towards her I said, "Well, make it a mini-concert. And your fan is here too and you're a singer. So why not?" I pointed out to myself as I said 'fan' and 'singer' to her. She sighed deeply as she said, "...Fine. But, it's because you helped me." I clapped my hands in victory as I did my little happy dance. She chuckled while looking at me and I scratched my nape in embarrassment. "So, from the next song, we will sing together. Okay?" I asked. She nodded grudgingly as she looked ahead.
The car was filled with our voices as we sang all the songs from my playlist on top of our lungs. I stole glances at Irene in between many-a-times, and she was smiling and laughing broadly while singing with me. I was feeling a little proud of myself because I made Bae Joohyun laugh.
Smiling like an idiot, I looked in front and saw a cafe nearby. "Would you like to have a cup of hot choco, Unnie?" I asked her as I slowed my car. She looked at me and I swear her face brightened hearing that. "Hot choco?" she asked, excitedly. I nodded, "Yeah. Do you want it?" I looked at her as I saw her hesitating. Normal for someone who is sitting with a stranger and is suddenly offering you a cup of hot choco. I put my hand over hers as I said, "Don't worry, Unnie. If you want it, tell me. Don't hesitate. My treat."
She looked at my hand that was on hers as she smiled a little. I gave her a reassuring squeeze as she looked at me, "I... I would love to, Y/N."
I quickly drove my car in front of the cafe and parked it there. I unbuckled my seat belt as I said, "Wear your mask, Unnie. And stay here only. I will lock the car, okay. If you want anything else, tell me." She looked at my face for a few minutes and studied my expressions. I gave her a small smile as I said, "It's for your safety, Unnie. You're an idol and I don't want some Dispatch to click photographs of you and get the wrong idea. So... Do you want something else?"
She looked down as I clearly saw her... blushing. Damn, I must be something who made Irene blush.
"I want some... macaroons. If they have that?" she said. I laughed as she tilted her head while questioning the last part, "Don't worry. They have that. I am their regular customer."
Getting out of the car, I locked it safely as I went inside the cafe and placed my order. I talked to the cashier who is a close friend of mine and after a few minutes, my order came. Holding the packet of macaroons and both the cups I made my way to the car. Fumbling for my keys, I opened the door and entered the car.
I sat down on my seat as I gave Irene one of the cups, "Here you go! Your hot choco and... your macaroons." She smiled as she took them and said, "Thank you!"
I drove slowly on the road as it was raining and we were having hot choco, also. "How is it?" I asked as I sipped my hot choco from one hand and held the steering wheel from the other. "Mmm... it's so good. Do you want to have macaroons? They are delicious!" Irene replied. I chuckled at her cuteness, "No. You can have them. I always eat them, anyway."
But, suddenly a pink macaroon was hovering in front of my mouth. I looked at Irene to see she was pouting. "Oh my god! Stop being so cute!" I thought as my heart lurched at the sight.
"Eat it," she simply said and I can hear the authoritativeness in her voice. I nodded as I leaned forward and took a small bite from the macaroon. I munched on it slowly as I saw a smile creeping on Irene's face.
She took away the macaroon and ate it. "H-Hey! Unnie, I ate that one. You shouldn't have that..." I said. Irene softly giggled, "Y/N-ah! It doesn't matter, okay?"
I choked on my saliva as I looked ahead on the road wide-eyed. "Did she just..." I thought as she slowly caressed my back. "Are you okay?" she asked. I nodded as I took a big gulp of hot choco, "Wow... I mean, you called me like that... I am honored!" She looked at me as I smiled widely, "What... what did I say?"
"Huh? Didn't you JUST call me 'Y/N-ah!' Did you forget that?" I said, raising my eyebrow in question. "O-Oh! That... I am sorry--" "Unnie... you don't have to be sorry. As I said, I am honored," I replied interrupting her. She took her hand back as she settled in her seat. I looked at her to see she was smiling widely while fidgeting with her fingers.
After a few minutes, we both were sitting in silence as soft music played in the background. I cleared my throat as I asked, "Unnie? Where is your dorm?" She looked at her phone as she told me the address and I nodded. I was well shocked at the address because it is close to my own house.
Changing lanes, I turned left on the road. I turned the volume a bit low as I saw Irene restraining to close her eyes. "Unnie, you can rest for a bit if you want. I'll wake you up when we reach," I said softly. She looked at me and smiled, "Thank you, Y/N..."
Reclining her chair backward, she comfortably closed her eyes as she sighed in contentment. I looked at her as she slept peacefully. "She looks so soft. Why the hell do people even hate her?" I thought to myself.
I looked around for my surroundings as I tried to find the correct dorm building. My eyes landed on the building where SM Entertainment was written on a nearby board. I slowed my car as I carefully parked it in front of the gate.
Unbuckling my seatbelt, I turned towards Irene who was still sleeping as her small hands clutched to her sides. I smiled at the sight. How I wish that time would freeze for eternity so that I can stare at her for a few more moments.
I took this small moment to admire her, how her lips are parted little as she slowly breathes in and out and her hair falling on her face as she is sleeping on her side. Her hands are clenched in small fists as she rests them under her chin.
Taking a risk, I slowly leaned forward to look at her closely. I know that it's invading her privacy but god forbid me this one-time opportunity for me. I carefully removed the hair from her face as I slowly traced my eyes to her face. Her creamy white skin, the tip of her nose a little red from the cold, and her little mole on her right cheek.
She slowly stirred in her sleep as she turned to sleep on her back and rubbed her eyes while yawning. "That is so cute! Eek!" I thought as I smiled while hovering above her.
She slowly opened her eyes to see me above her. Her eyes widened in surprise but I didn't care because I was busy admiring her. I heard her taking in a sharp breath as she looked at me. I looked dead straight into her eyes as I said, "You're beautiful, Unnie..." It was more like a breathless whisper for her as she blushed hard and gulped visibly.
Her breathing was now coming in short terms as I gazed into her eyes. Her eyes carefully looked down to my nose and stopped on my lips. I'll be damned but she carefully bit her lower lip as she looked at mine. Now I was hallucinating or something because she slowly put her left hand on my right cheek.
My heart is hammering by the proximity. She caressed my cheek with her thumb as she slowly pulled me towards her. "U-Unnie..." I whispered as she looked me in the eyes and said, "May I?"
I didn't know what she was referring to so I just stared at her with utmost sincerity in my eyes. She slowly lifted her head a little bit as she narrowed the distance between us and slowly whispered, "I... am sorry, Y/N..."
I legitimately furrowed my brows in confusion as I opened my mouth to speak but she instead put her soft lips on mine. My eyes widened in shock as she slowly closed her eyes and she kissed me. Her lips carefully moved a little as she tilted her head.
This moment. I couldn't believe it. "I am dreaming... Wake up, dummy!" I thought to myself.
But, it all was real enough because Irene again sucked my lips. I inhaled a sharp breath as I felt dizzy by her perfume. I closed my eyes as I slowly responded to the kiss. I felt Irene smile against my lips as I kissed her slowly. I carefully propped my forearm beside her head as I kissed her gently. Her hand slowly traced my cheek and settled on my nape as she kissed me a little more deeply. Her lips tasted sweet because of hot choco and macaroons. I heard her humming in the kiss as I moved my lips slowly, savoring the moment.
After a moment, I pulled apart. Not because of running out of breath but because this kiss might be a mistake.
"I am sorry, Unnie. I didn't mean to... Please forget about this. It was just the tension at the moment--" "No, Y/N. I... I initiated it. I am sorry," Irene interrupted me. I backed away from her as I sat back in my seat and she slowly straightened herself as she looked at me frowning, "I... really am sorry, Y/N. I don't know what happened to me that I just... I don't know. Please don't hate me--" "Why would I hate you? Just because you kissed me? Unnie..." I took her hands in mine, "I know... it just happened. And we shouldn't be doing this, but we have to forget what just happened. Hm?"
She looked at me as I saw her eyes were glistening with tears, "I-I can't forget this, Y/N... It was just so right. I felt so good while you kissed me. I... can't forget this, Y/N. I just can't if I want to."
I breathed in deeply as I looked at her, "Unnie. I can't forget about it, but this might be something dangerous for your own career. I don't want anything to happen to you because you just kissed an almost stranger in their car. We don't even know each other like that... Probably, it is best to take it as a memory and move ahead. I... also don't want to but you have your life ahead of you and I also couldn't take the huge burden of your ruined career because of me. So, we should move ahead. Okay?"
She looked away as she flinched a bit on my speech. She knows that I am right and she might as well forget me but she couldn't bring herself to accept it. I pulled her in as I carefully hugged her, "Hey, it's okay. Everything will be alright. Just let's... move on. We are here. Let me drop you off till the gate."
I felt her head nodding as I moved apart and grabbed her bags from the back seat. I opened my door and walked out towards Irene's door and opened it. She grudgingly walked out wearing her mask and the cap. I closed the door behind her as I walked behind her towards the gate.
Stopping in front of the gate, I handed her the bags as I scratched my head, "Okay... so I think it's a goodbye?" She looked at me as her eyes dimmed a little with sadness. I noticed it as I pulled her into another hug and rubbed her back. I hesitantly placed a kiss on her forehead as she sighed deeply. I moved apart as I took her free hand in mine, "Goodbye, Unnie. It was an unforgettable memory for me today."
I let go of her hand as I waved her a little and made my way back to my car. I glanced around my shoulder to see her watching me. I unwillingly opened my car and drove it away as I felt my heart heavy with a guilty feeling eating up inside. "I hope she will forget this soon and focus on herself..." I said to myself as I felt my eyes sting with tears.
- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -
It's been 3 months since I met Irene. I have been thinking about that since but learned to move on or at least tried to. "I hope that she has too..." I thought.
I was driving my car home but I saw the cafe in between. I haven't eaten here since I was, well, with Irene here. So, today I decided to have my favorite pastry with a cup of latte. I walked in the door of the cafe as the door rang a small bell indicating someone entering. I entered the cafe to see that there are not many people here, like close to none. I sighed as I went towards the counter to place my order.
Making the beeline towards my seat in the corner with the window pointing towards the view outside, I settled in. I took my AirPods out and listened to some upbeat music while reading a book that I bought from the nearby store. I was so engrossed in my book that I didn't hear the waitress who had placed my order on the table.
She gently tapped my shoulder as I took one of the earpieces out and looked at her, "Yes?" "Your order is here, enjoy!" the waitress said, smiling at me. I nodded with a smile as I looked at the table in front of me. I quickly took the small spoon and ate a bite of the pastry and let the creamy flavor linger on my tongue. "Mmm!" I exclaimed as I licked my lips. I put my book down on the table as I then focused on the music and had my snack.
I was humming and singing along to the song as I ate happily. I heard a small sound of the bell and thought that someone might have arrived. I was so lost in the song that I sang a little louder.
The next song was 'Peek-a-boo' by Red Velvet and let me tell you that song is good. I started shimmying in my seat not giving a damn to the people and sang in happiness. Hoping that it will decrease the anxiety and problems that I have been facing at the moment.
I was so engrossed that I didn't feel a couple of pairs of eyes on me. Somebody tapped on my shoulder as I opened my eyes and looked at them. Well, it took me a minute to realize that the whole damn Red Velvet is standing in front of me as Irene has her hand on my shoulder. I shook my head as I told myself that I am dreaming again when Irene spoke up, "Y/N...?" I opened my eyes as I turned to look at her.
She was smiling widely but I realized that others were giggling behind her as I felt myself digging the ground deep and burying myself in embarrassment. "Y/N... oh my god..." I heard Irene gasp as I stood up slowly and looked at her. I cleared my throat as I said, "Hey. What are you doing here?"
In another moment, I felt a pair of arms wrapped around my waist as Irene buried her face in the crook of my neck and took a deep breath. I looked down at her and then at others. I saw them smiling broadly at me as I greeted them, "H-Hello. I-I am a big fan. It's nice to meet you. My name is--"
"Y/N. The infamous Y/N. We know you," Wendy spoke up. I felt Irene gripping me tightly as I felt her softly kissing my neck. I gulped as goosebumps took over me, "H-How?"
Joy and Yeri laughed loudly as they high-fived. "Joohyun Unnie has been talking about you since your last meeting and well she has cried a bit remembering you too," Seulgi replied. I heard the sound of sniffing from Irene as she inhaled my scent.
I moved apart as I looked at Irene, "You have been crying? For who? Me? I am nobody, Unnie. And we met accidentally and anything that happened was wrong. You shouldn't invest your precious time--" But Irene interrupted me as she pressed her small hand on my mouth.
"Mmph!" my voice came out muffled as she just chuckled, "Y/N... that was not wrong and I have never felt so right about anything in my life. I came here always on weekends to find you but you didn't come. Hoping to see you again, I took my members with me, and here you were singing our song loudly and making me like you more."
I removed her hand away as I stared at her in disbelief, "What... you came here all these days to find me? I... wow. I mean, Bae Joohyun came all the way to find me. That's a dream. Pinch me so that I can wake up."
Irene put her hand on my cheek as she caressed it lightly and softly said, "Y/N... this is not a dream. And, I like you. Please... let this happen."
I can hear the desperation in her voice. Her eyes were clearly pleading to me as I looked at her. She stepped a little closer as my heart skipped a beat. I saw the members watching with anticipation as their eyes brightened with excitement. I looked down again to see Irene's face so close to mine that it surprised me.
"W-What are you doing?" I asked my voice timidly. She looked me into the eyes as she said, "Something that I should've done before..." Her voice was so deep and low that it sent shivers down my spine.
I gulped, "Your members are here. You shouldn't be doing this... It will be a huge mistake for you, Unnie. Please understand." She looked at my lips that were moving as I spoke and she said, "I know the consequences and I am ready to risk them, Y/N. Please give this a chance..."
"But--" And there she goes. Again. She softly kissed me as I heard the members gasp in surprise.
"Well, I didn't take Unnie to be the one initiating," Wendy said.
Joy looked at Yeri as she said, "Ha! I won! Gimme my money, Yeri!" Seulgi turned to look at them, "You did a bet? About what?" "Yes. About who will be the one initiating the kiss and well, I clearly lost..." Yeri said as she gave Joy the money she owed her.
Surrendering to the feeling, I carefully snaked my arm around Irene's waist as I pulled her closer and pulled a little apart to whisper against her lips, "I am ready to take the risk with you, Joohyun..." And she beamed as I kissed her again but this time a little more passionate.
The others cheered as they clapped along. I was feeling so happy and so satisfied at this moment. Being apart from her after the first kiss we shared was not easy for me too. But, seeing her like this, smiling and with me, I couldn't be happier.
Irene pulled apart as she rested her forehead on mine, "Thank you, Y/N..."