30 days
30 days.
In a month, things could make you, or break you. Change you with a pinch of good, a bit of bad, and a lot more love.
He really thought he could handle it. 30 days with a girl, no big deal. He could just act interested in her, be the gentleman everyone thinks he was, get the tune composed, made sure the lyricist they knew all him knew exactly how not to screw up. All these were simple, piece of cake. But no one told him that girl was Kim So Eun, that actress that smiles too much, looking so adorable in whatever she does, absolutely dazzling when she was focused, and most of all, damn gorgeous.
It was awkward meeting her, right after daydreaming about Scarlett Johansson. He knew it was impossible, but hey, a man can dream right? After the reporter pointed out that his partner may have heard him, he couldn’t bring himself to face her, whoever that person was. He just turned and greeted her, head low. He was Lee Junho, 2PM’s Junho, and yet, he never felt so embarrassed his own entire life. The returning greet was melodious. He could tell that she was shy, but couldn’t keep her laughter to herself. He finally took the courage to look at her in the eye before they took a seat, and in his mind, it was all, oh, pretty girl.
Kim So Eun was ecstatic when MBC called to ask if she would like to join them for the show, “Music and Lyrics”. She thought it was a good getaway from the tedious filming, and while she enjoyed her job, there was really much more to do.
As she tiptoed into the café, the voice of the man she is supposed to work with for 30 days became evident. She has no clue who is that person, and she was getting really curious. The conversation he was having with the reporters was interesting, and decided to listen in for a while, listening intently.
As if on cue, his embarrass laugh echoed into her head, and with her scattered thoughts, she had managed to get up and gave him the deepest bow she could muster. She greeted him with her laugh, since she could hardly contain herself. And as she took a seat, she met his eyes, and recognized him from the poster her sister hangs on the wall. Oh, that 2PM guy.
Yes, it was definitely awkward sitting beside Kim So Eun. He had watched her in Boys over Flowers together with the other guys, which they unanimously agreed that she was better looking than Goo Hye Sun. Now, to be less than an arm’s length from her was indeed suffocating, but in a good way. He liked that.
The excitement in her was bursting. She wasn’t sure if it was possible for humans to combust, but she doubt so. If humans did, it was likely that she is already on fire. She caught his name from one of the reporters. Junho, she mouthed. She felt comfortable mouthing it. That pleased her very much.
After the reporters left, they sat opposite each other, refusing to make eye contact. Junho felt it was up to him to break the ice between them, and started making conversations. She was lovely to talk to, give replies that made him at ease. They had much in common, and before they knew, it was 2 hours in the café, cups of coffee untouched, but the atmosphere had definitely changed.
The recording was a little rushed. The meeting with “Feasts for the Gods” director, producer and music director was an additional pressure, but So Eun made sure it didn’t deter her. She had heard that Junho was an excellent composer, and while she was a newbie, she made a silent promise to do her best. She does not need the glorification as a lyricist, and Junho as an accomplished composer was definitely an add-on to his music career. She may not know this guy well, but she could tell that music was what made him whole, and she wouldn’t single-handedly ruin it.
The few days were small chats through texts, in between dance breaks, singing breaks, gaming breaks and gym. Taecyeon and Nickkhun have obviously caught on, but it was not like Nickkhun was being any better. His relationship with Victoria has grown since the end of “We Got Married”. And the members were already wondering when they will actually get married. Wooyoung shot him a suspicious look, while Junsu continued working out, oblivious to the whistles Taecyeon was sending to Junho’s way after his phone vibrated, and a smiling face of Junho plastered throughout the whole gym session.
So Eun thought long and hard before coming out with the perfect itinerary, an impromptu trip to Jeonju. It wasn’t for her, since she was the one with the idea, but she had hoped that Junho would like that idea, and Jeonju was a good place for some creative juices to flow. Her suggestion didn’t seem to faze him, and she had always had a knack for such steadfast guys. It suited her perfectly well, and then off to Jeonju they did.
The train ride wasn’t long to say the very least, but long enough for someone to get hungry. Junho came back with eggs and mineral water, and the next thing that came up, was a round of rock, paper, and scissor. So maybe he doesn’t mind losing, but that would hurt his pride a little. Alas, he lost, but his pride felt better, after seeing So Eun laugh so cheerful at the egg she had cracked on his head.
They spent the remaining daylight wondering around Jeonju, walking around and taking snapshots. By nightfall, the distance had made them hungry for food, and to be in a place where bibimbap was famous, So Eun knew exactly where to go. She had frequent this restaurant for quite a while, especially when she is down here, and after placing orders, they talked further, realizing more common interests, and chatting animatedly whilst waiting for the food.
As the food came, the table seemed too small for the large amount of food they ordered. Junho stole a glance at So Eun and saw her eyes were twinkling at the sight of food. They had begun to feast on their food, and as the meal went on, conversation flowed freely, and soon, So Eun was feeding him food. Feeling obligated, he ended up feeding her, and it struck him how nice it would be should he have a girlfriend. It had been a while since he felt something for a girl, and as he thought about it, caught sight of So Eun’s delighted face as she ate her bibimbap. It may be still the beginning, but he believes it will soon become so much better.