Crystal Snow

NO MORE DREAM

Anya laughed at Minji's question "of course you can be my friend, and I think we're already friends. I wouldn't talk to you like this right now if we weren't." Anya said. 

"really? nice to meet you, my new friend," Minji said. "I rarely make friends outside from work, you know," Minji added. 

"oh? why is that? are you introverted?" Anya said, 

"No. I'm not. It's just that I don't spend my days off from work very often. I mean, I'm always at work and have been for several years."

 You’re an excellent employee. For that, I applaud you." 

They continued talking about food and names until Minji's Phone rang, and Minji answered, 

"Hello? Manager?- a yes, I forgot the time, I'll be back now I'm sorry.” Minji said as he talks to his manager over the phone.

 “That was my…”  he says as he puts his phone down. Minji clarified, but Anya continued, "your manager? That's a horrible boss ordering their employees to work late at night.” 

“it's not like that, but I have to go now Ms. Anya," he stood up and bowed for courtesy to Anya, 

"It's nice meeting you, Ms. Anya. I hope we meet again." 

Anya also stood up and showed courtesy to Minji. "Yes, it's also good to meet you. Though we initially misunderstood each other, I appreciated our little discussion. Thank you for your time." Anya said. 

"yes, I have to go now. Bye" while running to the other street, Minji stopped and shouted, 

"I Want to meet you again, Ms. Anya! Bye! Thank you for the rice cakes. I'll enjoy sharing these with my friends." 

Anya laughed and said, "a yes, thank you! You take care! Go now! Your cruel manager will nag at you," she replied while waving her hands, and Minji waves his hands too, then he left.

Oh, I should go home too, Anya talked to herself. 

*******

At Minji's workplace, he arrived catching his breath. "Hey! Where have you been?" his manager asked. 

"Why are you catching your breath? are you being chased by a robber?" his manager added, 

"I was running because you called," Minji said as he handed them the rice cakes he had received from Anya. "what's this?" His manager asked, "It's rice cakes from Busan." 

"what? Did you go to Busan to get these?" his manager jokingly asked,  "Someone gave it to me while I was in the park," Minji explained. 

"aah, so you were in the park." Minji was caught. He has no choice but to confess the truth about his whereabouts.  "ah. Yes. I was getting fresh air. And I wore a hat and masked so no one could recognize me," Minji defensively explained. 

"Yeah, whatever," his manager answered, then turn around to the others from afar. "Everyone, we have rice cakes from Minji." The six other people at the back cheered, 

"yeah, Minji, thank you!" "you eat well. It's delicious!" Minji told them while taking his hats off and mask off and approached them. 

This time it's slowly revealing their faces. Minji is the K-idol Park Minji that Anya was dreaming of meeting in person, and here are the other six members Jung Nam-Joon, Min Yeon-Jin, Kim Yoon-Ki, Kim Ho-Seok, Jeon Tae-Hyun and Park Jung-Kyu. 

"hey! Hyung, these are preciously delicious! It's been a while since I tasted one!" said the youngest, Jung-Kyu "yeah, I know it's from our hometown, right? You can tell by the taste of it. Nothing compares," answered Minji. "Who gave you these?" Asked Tae-Hyun while chewing his rice cakes, "ah. I met a new friend at the park, and she gave me a lot of those because she can't eat it all."

 "oh, it's a SHE." teased Ho-Seok  "Yeah, it's the 2nd time we met there. However, the first one was not good because she ran out of being frightened and being surprised to see someone in the dark," Minji explained. Everyone laughed at what just Minji told them. "If I were her, I'd do the same," said Jin. 

"so you met her again today?" asked Joon. 

"yeah, when I got there, she's already there sitting by the swing. She almost ran again tho," Minji said. Everybody burst into a big laugh at Minji's story that they continue talking and laughing about it.

*******

Anya came home, turned on Stevie Wonder's Knocks Me Off My Feet, and began dancing, singing, and dancing in the living room. She grasped the tv control and sang the chorus loudly, gliding and turning towards Minji's Big framed photo while singing as if she were dancing with someone in a ballroom. Oh, but I love you, I love you, I love you so so much I wish I could meet you soon, my love. She looks at Minji's framed photo. 

She’s getting ready for bed, lying with her phone, viewing her idol's music videos and updates. “Oh my God!” she exclaims. “ Minji, sweetie!” she says, blushing this time, referring to the music video she's viewing, before abruptly shouting, “OMG! They’re having a tour promotion tomorrow at the Mall!! I should go there. I have to go there!”  She screamed and rolled around on her bed till she fell to the floor. 

“ouch! Oh my God! Thank you tomorrow is Sunday. I can go!” 

She hurriedly chatted with Sia and invited her to watch her Idols with her the next day, and Sia eventually accepted. She then proceeded to dance and shout as if she had just won a million dollars in the lottery while the song You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder was playing in the background.

Anya awoke the following day. She woke up with a big smile on her face, looking at her idol's face in the photo frame on her side table. 

"For the first time in three years, I'm going to see you today! I'm excited!" She stood up and switched on the music, Yes, she's a huge fan of old music, particularly Stevie Wonder's music, and she started dancing to the beat of  Where the Sun Goes by Stevie Wonder.

“Yeah yeah, I'm excited! Time to take my shower!!” she said as she danced her way to the shower.

Anya couldn't make up her mind on what to wear. She tried on several dresses before settling on a light orange dress with a yellow ribbon belt.

“Yes!” she exclaimed after examining herself in the mirror. “Anya, could you please say Permission to Wear Eyy?” The clothing reminds her of a SHOTS song. They were published in the summer of 2021 when she first began learning Korean in her nation. 

Suddenly her phone rang it's Sia calling “Hello? Ms. Sia - yes- I'll meet you at the entrance - see you I'm about to go out now - yes bye, see you!” she put her phone down, and she left.

*******

At the Mall entrance, she met Sia together with Jackson “Unnie!” Sia called Anya from afar and waving her hands up high to get Anya's attention 

“oh! You're here! did you wait that long?”  Anya asked Sia, 

“nope, we also got here a minute ago,”  Sia explained, “You're here too?” Anya to Jackson “Hello Ms. Anya,” Jackson smiled with his dimple on and greeted Anya. 

“I tagged Jackson along since he's too eager to go with us here.”  

People panicked and screamed as three automobiles approached, and Sia noticed Yeon-Jinwaving at the crowd. 

“Oh my! Unnie, It's them! ahhhh! Hello Mr. Yeon-Jin!” Sia is waving her hands hysterically while Jackson holds her to prevent embarrassment. 

Anya turned around to see what Sia is talking about, and her eyes go wide, so see one of the members waving at them she went speechless and left with wide eyes.

***

In the car where the SHOTS are, before entering the mall entrance, "Hey bro, are you gonna greet the fans outside the mall?" Minji asked Yeon-Jin, "Yes, of course, they have to see my beautiful face for them to know what to look forward to later." Yeon-Jin answered confidently. Everybody got so whipped by Jin’s confidence and laughed a little. 

They're now approaching the mall entrance. “There are too many fans at the entrance; I should greet them,”  Yeon-Jin said before opening the window and waves at the fans outside. 

Minji suddenly said, "Oh! that! " pointing someone out from the crowd. “Why? What's wrong?”  Asked Ho-Seok, “ah, nothing.” Minji saw Anya in the crowd. Was that the lady at the park?  On Minji's thoughts

***

“Hey Sia, we should head inside to get a good spot,” Anya told Sia  “yes, we should go inside now, Unnie,”  Sia answered, “come on, Jax!”  Sia called Jackson.

***Is she going to watch the promotion? Will she recognize me? Minji suddenly became anxious, and the members noticed it.

“why? Minji, what's wrong? why are you seem to be bothered?” Ho-Seok  asked Minji, 

“It's nothing,” Minji answered. 

“Don't tell me you're nervous for just a promotion?”  Yeon-Jinjokingly said, and everybody laughs, “ we have thirteen years of experience, and this is the first time I saw you being anxious and worried over a small promotion? Haha!”  Yeon-Jin added 

*******

 Backstage, they’re all ready for the show. Except for Minji, who is now unconsciously fidgeting his fingers out of his anxiousness. He seems very worried.  “hey! Minji, relax, brother!” Ho-Seok  Told him. 

SHOTS! was announced by the host. They exited the stage with excitement, but Minji is continually looking down at his shoes. The Leader, Joon, noticed it, so he secretly approached Minji at the back and said, “Yo! Pull yourself together. Whatever you're feeling right now, set that aside. Let's deal with it later.” 

Joon Sounded scary, so Minji Immediately puts his head up to the audience and smiles like there's nothing happened. 

His eyes are in immediate search of Anya's face; How am I going to find her when there are so many ladies in the crowd? Then, he remembers the color of the dress that Anya wore. 

He is now on the search for a lady in a pale orange outfit. While looking at the crowd, searching, a question popped up in Minji's mind that sounds too real. 

“Minji, can you tell us your favorite color at this time?” Minji stopped searching from the crowd and analyzed the sudden question he heard if it is real or what. What the-Wait, what?  

He looked at the host, and he looked confused. “Minji? may I ask again what's your preferred color at this moment?”  The host asked Minji once again, What is she talking about? a  color? I will look stupid if I don’t answer her right away, I should give any color “ah yes, I was thinking about a pale orange color this time," Minji unconsciously answered without realizing what he just said, “oh, that's a nice color, and a rare one to wear too. Is anybody wearing that color now?” The host posed a question to the audience. The audience cheered and clapped, and everyone looked at each other until their gazes were drawn to Anya from afar. 

Anya was confused as to why so many people were staring at her. Wtf, why are they staring at me? “What?” Anya said. “Unnie, you're wearing a pale orange dress,”  Sia said excitedly. “Why? what about it?”  The host called Anya to the front. “You Miss who's wearing Pale orange,”  and everybody says, "You should go in front how lucky you are, Miss." 

Sia pushed her to the front. “Go, Unnie,” Sia said, and Anya walked towards the front.

On stage from Minji's Pont of view

Shit! It's her! Why did I say that color! Oh God, I’m so stupid! what should I do now? Minji panics as he saw Anya walking towards the stage. Tae-Hyun, the closest member to Minji and his best friend, tapped his shoulder. “Relax, brother,”  Tae-Hyun told Minji. 

“It's her,” Minji whispered to Tae-Hyun “She's the lady in the park,” Minji Added. “what? I don't get it; what, lady?”  “The one who gave me the rice cakes,” 

“and…. what about it? " Tae-Hyun calmly asked. “I'm worried if she could recognize me,” Minji whispered back. “No, she can't. I bet she can’t,” Tae-Hyun assured Minji, “really?” Minji said. 

“Yes, she can't; you can see by gazing into her eyes that she sees us as Idols, not ordinary individuals she met by chance, so take a deep breath and relax.”  Tae-Hyun told Minji while tapping his back. “okay,” Minji replied as he took a deep breath.

*******

Anya is now about to go up on stage. Joon holds her hands to assist her while climbing up the stairs. “ Thank you, Mr. Joon.”  Anya Show courtesy to them by bowing. 

She directly goes to the side of the host “oh, you're a lucky one, Ms. what's your name?” the host Anya in English Language because she can see her as a foreigner.

However, Anya answered in the Korean Language, “Hello, my name is Anya; nice meeting you all,” Anya greeted. 

“oh, you can speak Korean fluently, Ms. Anya,” said the host “ah yes, thank you, I learned it a long time ago, and I'm currently working here,” She explained.

“oh, that's great! “now, Our Dear Minji here (indicating Minji) stated that his current favorite color is Pale orange; how do you feel about that?” 

Anya cast a glance at Minji, who was busy staring straight ahead at the crowd. “Oh My, I'm speechless; what am I doing? Oh my God, I'm sorry,”  Due to her nervousness, Anya responded stupidly while blushing and turning around. Everyone was laughing and applauding. The other members of the group laughed as well. 

“ There's nothing to be shy of, Ms. Anya,”  Joon told her, 

“right, right. How long have you been a fan of our SHOTS?” the host asked Anya 

“ umm, I am a 2016 Fan, so it's quite a long time already since I've been a fan.,”  Anya answered shyly “oh, that's cute. Thank you for supporting us, Ms. Anya," Yeon-Jin said” 

“thank you for supporting us from all of those years, Ms. Anya,” Tae-Hyun said to Anya while bowing, and Anya bowed back to Tae-Hyun also. 

The host asked Anya about her favorite song track from the Shots. 

“This song is an old one, but I like this one. It's Young Forever. It reminds me of all those lovely days in the past, the concert, the challenges, every emotion they experienced, the joy they have on every music award show that they won. I've always treasured those beautiful moments.” Anya explained with nostalgic emotions; she looked at the members while talking as if she’s connecting to them, 

“we will forever cherish those moments, Ms. Anya,”  Joon said, 

“Yes, Yes! Good choice. It's been years since it was released.” the Host said.

 “Thank you, Ms. Anya; you may go back there now after taking pictures with our dear SHOTS. 

Anya got the opportunity to have a pictorial with the members. They positioned Anya beside Minji, looking blankly at the crowd, and then got back down to her friends with g big smile.

"Unnie. you're very lucky!” Sia said to Anya excitedly, “Yes, I am so aaah!!! I met Minji for real! I think I'm in heaven right now!”  Anya creamed out of happiness and excitement. “Let me see your picture Unnie,”  asked Sia.

*******

At a cafe, Anya, Sia, and Jackson are having coffee and a little chit-chat. The two girls are non-stop chit-chatting. Meanwhile, on Jackson's thoughts:  Those crackheads, I can't believe I'm in the crowd watching them. He meant the SHOTS. 

“Hey, Jackson, we're heading home now. What about you?”  Sia asked Jackson, “ah. Yes, I'll be going somewhere, you can go ahead” “okay, see you tomorrow at work then,”  Said Sia, then the two ladies left. 

A minute later, a tall gentleman approached Jackson at his table. “hey, it's been a long time, brother,”  Jackson greeted the Guy. 

“oh? has it been that long? did you miss me, my little brother?” the guy was Jackson's older brother, Bang Henry. “hey, I missed you a little, though,”  Jackson replied...

*******

Meanwhile, In the car going back to the studio, Joon asked Minji if what happened earlier. “Ah, Bro, it's nothing. It was just a genuine mistake,” said Minji. 

“Eventually, that lady who gone to the stage with us is the same girl Minji met at the park,”  Tae-Hyun  explained, and everyone was shocked “really?” Said Ho-Seok. 

“And he panicked that he thinks she can recognize him,” Tae-Hyun continued. 

“You should be more careful next time,” said Joon “yes, I will, Bro. I'm sorry about earlier,” apologize Minji. “She's pretty tho”  Said Ho-Seok, and everybody laughs.