160 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.160 #160. SUMMER RECORDS “Cheers!” The refreshing clink of glasses colliding echoed in the air. At the same time, the pungent aroma of strong alcohol burned its way down my throat. “Ugh. That's bitter.” Setting the glass down, I smacked my lips and shook my head. This has a higher alcohol content than soju, so it’s pretty harsh. “Hey, it’s the first drink! Why are you killing the mood with such a downer comment?” “Excuse me, he can’t handle alcohol!” Doa, sitting across from Yoonje, scolded him, while I chuckled, caught in between them. “No, come on. It’s a good day, should at least drink a little, right?” It was the day we submitted our music. I, Yoonje, and Doa ceremoniously sent the email from my house. It reminded me of the time I applied to college with my parents supporting me. Doa reassured me that it would go well, nervously pacing about. Yoonje, acknowledging our hard work, suggested heading out for drinks. Unable to refuse his help that felt as if it was his own project, we ended up at a relatively pricey and atmospheric bar in the neighborhood. “I don’t usually drink whiskey, but Yoonje insisted that today called for something like this, so I let him order whatever he wanted.” Doa didn’t seem too pleased with him, but she’d rather join than let me go alone, tagging along with a pout. “Man, I really hope it goes well.” Yoonje downed another shot, seemingly unaffected by the bitterness, and sucked on a lemon. “Indeed.” “Honestly, you’ve made really good music. I’m serious.” As Doa chimed in, Yoonje burst out laughing. “Hey, Doa. Who are you to say what’s good or not? You don’t know music, do you?” “...That’s not true.” “Do you do anything with music?” Well... she’s more into being an idol. Our dear Doa is. “That’s not it, but getting my approval isn’t easy!” Unable to reveal her identity as a Closer, Doa stomped her feet and tried to counter Yoonje’s remarks. “Doa has a great personality, putting up with her great songs being used for a virtual singer.” Those songs I bring are hers, you know? Even without being gagged, neither of us could properly respond, as if our lips were sealed. “So, Taemin, what are you going to do after this?” “Me? Um... once this is over...” Nothing had been decided. I was coping with the failure of acting by dedicating myself to music over the past month. Dedicating to music was a good distraction, keeping me from getting caught up in depressive thoughts. It felt like a breakwater stopping the tide of loneliness from overwhelming me. “I don't know? Maybe look for an internship?” “Hey, if you’ve got nothing better to do, join the band I’m forming.” “He’s got plenty on his plate, okay?” Even though Yoonje’s questions were directed at me, Doa intercepted the answers like she was on defense. “Hey, Doa. Let me chat with your brother a little too.” “You two had plenty of fun times chatting without me around, I’m sure.” “No, he just doesn’t respond if it’s not about music.” Yoonje looked at me, pleading for support, but I had nothing to add. I mean, I came here to make music, so let’s just focus on that. Appraising potential romantic interests. World Cup of pants I want to buy. Recommending motorcycle stickers. Yoonje liked chatting about the most trivial things which I found hard to contribute to, nor could I see why I should entertain such topics. My advice wouldn’t have been beneficial anyway. “Get a girlfriend and you’ll be fine.” Doa quipped, lips pouted, making Yoonje clutch his chest as if wounded. “Seriously... just wait till you guys see me break up.” “That’s not happening.” The tension was palpable. “Hah. Just wait and see! Doa, you probably don’t even know how popular Taemin is, right? Back in the first year...” Unbeknownst to me, stories of my past were rolling out. Not that I had done anything; it was tales of people from school who apparently liked me. Doa’s expression twisted more with each story. After downing her drinks in quick succession, my girlfriend seemed parched. Fast drinking like that could be dangerous. Even if I tried to intervene, Doa kept persistently knocking back her drinks. “There are so many people who would pounce the moment Taemin goes on a break. After he appeared in a web drama, some even came asking to be introduced.” So he was out there touting my name! I was just about to tell him enough was enough. “I-I’m popular too!” Doa shouted as she gulped down her glass of whiskey in one go. “You? Come on~ Doa, you’re cute, but compared to Taemin...” “I-I’ve had more confessions, probably?” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Doa looked up at me from her red-blushing face, as if urging me to say something. “Uh... sure... Doa is really popular.” “C’mon~ Quickly tell him how popular I am!” She was drunk. Very drunk, 200% drunk. Seeing Doa get drunk before I did was a rare occurrence. With Doa clinging onto my neck, Yoonje looked like he couldn’t bear it and covered his forehead. “Damn... I just want to go home.” “Well said. Let’s head out.” Even though I barely drank anything, Doa and Yoonje seemed pretty drunk, so it looked like the right time to call it a night. “C’mon~ Just talk about how popular I am, Taemin~ This Lucario wannabe~” Fearing the repercussions if we stayed any longer, I quickly went to the counter to pay, then scooped up Doa in my arms. “Hey, we’re heading out first.” “...Second round?” “What second round? You’re drunk, man.” “No~ I’m not drunk~ You bastards~ Hey, put Doa to sleep and come back out after.” “Nope~ Taemin’s sleeping with me~” Doa, using her typical Lucario voice, lolled her tongue at Yoonje as if to mock him, and I took my leave, murmuring apologies as we left the place. On the way back home. I supported the staggering Doa as we slowly ascended the sloped path. “...Hey, oppa.” “Yeah?” “Stop being so popular.” “How can I be popular when I just stay at home?” “Oh, really?” Doa found her own words amusing and giggled brightly. Drunk or in an unusual state, Doa seemed doubly adorable. Whether waking up or drinking like this, she always felt overwhelmingly cute. "I should have told dear Seoyoonje... just how popular I actually am..." “Just endure it since you’re an idol.” “Lu...ka... protect...” Gosh... I worried if anyone might be watching us. It was better to deliver her home quickly, so I stooped for her to climb onto my back, and Doa complied without protest. “...So warm.” “Just hold on a bit. We’re almost there.” “Are you staying over?” “Yeah. I will.” “Hehe... Good...” Today, I discovered that Doa doesn’t handle whiskey well. After quickly keying in the now-familiar entry code to Doa’s home, I gently laid her onto the bed. “Doa, you should change into your pajamas.” I felt like a dad. Instead of replying, Doa lifted her legs in the air. “Take my socks off...” “I can’t survive this.” Despite my words, my hands promptly placed her laundry in the basket. “Take off your jeans too.” “Jeans? Trying to take my jeans off...?” “No, you need to change.” If they were comfy sweatpants, I’d let it go, but since she wore tight jeans, it was better to change. “...Unbutton it for me, oppa.” “It’s not like that.” Just as I reached to unbutton her jeans, Doa sat up and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Doa... Hey... This...” “Ohh~ don’t. I just want to sleep today... oppa...” “No! I’m not doing anything weird!” “Don’t... I don’t want you to...” She pulled me so tightly I could hardly move without putting in effort. “Ah...” The mixed scent of alcohol and her skin created an intoxicating aroma. “I give up.” The grand plan to tuck her in and return home was, once again, thwarted. With a resigned heart, I curled up next to Doa and drifted off to sleep. --- Finally, the day came. The three of us gathered once again in front of the computer monitor. “Hey, I can’t click it.” “Ah, hurry up and press it.” “Oppa! Click it! What are you doing? My heart’s about to explode.” With the mouse in hand, I hesitated as Yoonje and Doa pressured me from behind. Don’t get your hopes up. Losing is usually what happens. Come on, snap out of it, Han Taemin! Keep it together! [Closer Interactive Album Submission Contest Results] I clicked the announcement page and slowly scrolled down. First place went to the person everyone predicted would win. Second place was someone new, an unfamiliar amateur who seemed to outshine the pros. And below that... [Excellence Award: RKRO - SUMMER RECORDS] The two people behind me screamed and enveloped me in a tight hug.