Wait for me

Chapter 3 - June

The trip from Jeju to Seoul wasn't that long. While I was on the plane, I kept thinking about what I was leaving behind, that I had lied to my parents. Well, I didn't even tell them a lie, I just left.

Although I sent them a short message, telling them not to worry, that I'll be fine, I still feel bad about leaving.

"What exactly will we say to June when we see him?" Chanwoo asks as we leave the airport.

-I honestly can't think of anything that would convince him, but we could say it clearly, and then mention things he's only told us.

"It could work," he nods, looking ahead, worried. I understand, how could I not be?

"When was the appointment going to be?" I asked, as we stopped to get a taxi.

"At 8:00, it's 7:20 now, we almost didn't make it," she says with a sigh. "We have to hurry, we have to get there before him."

(...)

When we entered the restaurant it was only 10 minutes to 8:00. We were surprised to see the man sitting at one of the back tables, located in a corner.

He beckons to us and we approach slowly.

"Hello," he greets us, gets up from his chair and smiles before bowing, we do the same. "For a moment I thought it was a joke, but it's true, I'm standing in front of the actor Chanwoo, but please sit down," he tells us, very happy.

Chanwoo and I do what he asks, and shortly after he returns to his seat.

His gaze travels to where I am, and stays there for several seconds.

Without being able to control it, I let out a small laugh.

"I'm sorry," I apologize and clear my throat. Chanwoo comes closer and whispers in my ear.

-What are you doing, Hyung?

-He's dressed like a hippie, he used to dress like that but now it's too much, he's very disheveled.

-Well, before he had to dress up properly, he was an artist, now he's not, so...

"That's right, you're right," I whispered, and we both returned to our normal positions.

"I hope they weren't talking about me. Anyway, you wanted me to autograph the book, didn't you?" he asks, taking the pen out from behind his ear.

-Ehm, yes- Chanwoo replies, takes the book out of his bag and hands it to him.

"Very well, this is the first autograph I've ever given, feel honored," he tells Chanwoo. "If you only knew, Junhoe, you have so many fans, we have so many of them, and you've given thousands of autographs, my friend."

"Listen, we're not really here for the autograph," I say seriously. He looks up from the book and stops signing, giving me his full attention.

-So?

You need to know something very important, and we need you to believe us. Please, before you mock us and think we're crazy, think carefully about what we're about to tell you.

"What's this about?" he smiles, frowning.

Chanwoo and I exchanged glances.

"Listen, June," he begins.

"June?" he asks, puzzled.

-In another world we call you June, and in that world, we're friends, we're part of a group called iKON, we're idols

"What?" she laughs and is about to stand up, but then reconsiders. "Well, keep talking..."

-You like Michael Jackson, you participated in a program when you were a child, about...

She squints.

"That's not true," he shakes his head. "I haven't been on television even once."

-If you didn't do it here, you did where we came from, you also like jiu-jitsu, your closet is full of black clothes, and you write this poem "reason to love"

"I haven't finished it yet..." he murmurs, looking at me cautiously. "At least the part about the poem is true here." "Recite it completely."

-Uh...- I look at Chanwoo asking for help, the truth is I don't know it completely.

"I love you, it's not without reason. Other people love me just because of my blushing face, but you love even my gray hair..."

-I miss you, it's not without reason, other people only love my smile but you even love my tears- I continue, I know this part.

"I wait for you, it's not without reason, while others love me only because I'm healthy, you love even my death," he finishes his poem. "This is very strange, no one else knew this poem, why did they seek me out if I wouldn't be of any help? I don't remember anything they're saying, don't you think this is pointless?"

"It's not useless, we want to be united," Chanwoo replies immediately. "We can't do it alone, and seven heads are better than one, right?"

-So there are 7 of them but there are 3 of us right now, and those four who are missing are...?

"The famous singer Donghyuk," I replied, surprised and then laughing.

-Let's say what they're saying is true. How can I help? What's the next move?

"We need to find Yunhyeong. It seems he's a chef in this world, a YouTuber just like you," Chanwoo replies, showing him the channel on his phone.

"Are you the only ones who have those memories?" he asks seriously, after seeing what Chanwoo showed him.

We nodded.

-Why only you? Do you think there's a reason?

-Well, we haven't really thought about that.

He stares into space for a few seconds.

-Perhaps they have something in common, are they the same age? Were they born on the same day?

We deny all those questions.

-There must be something

"Well, I'm the oldest in the group and Chanwoo is the youngest," I shrug. "I don't think that has much to do with it, does it?"

-Do they get along well?

-Yes- we answer in unison.

-Once they've found everyone, what will they do?

-Well...- I speak but I am left speechless.

-It's clear they want to find out why this happened to them, but how will they do it? Honestly, I don't see the point in trying to get the whole group together. I understand they're friends, but don't you think they'll just complicate things?

"That's true," I agree with him.

-But...

"We don't know if the others will react the same way as June, Chanwoo," I say with difficulty. "It's difficult, but I think he's right."

"How long ago did you wake up in this world?" he inquires, writing something down on a napkin.

-Today

-Yesterday

Chanwoo and I respond at the same time but differently to each other.

"Different day, huh?" June says, intrigued. "I wrote down everything we know so far." She raises her napkin in the air, then folds it and puts it in her pants pocket. "We have to find that chef, right?"

-We have no idea where he lives.

"Set a trap for him just like you did for me," he says, smiling. "I don't think it'll be that easy with Yunhyeong."

"What trap could we set for a chef?" Chanwoo asks.

"Let's ask him if he has a restaurant," June shrugs, making it sound simple.

"We have nothing to lose by trying," I reply, "this is so stressful."

"Then I'll leave a comment just like I did with June," Chanwoo says, using his cell phone.

-This is a very good idea for a book, would you mind if I used it in the future?

"This is a delicate matter," I say, annoyed.

-Yes- she nods smiling.-it could even be a dream

I snort under my breath.

"Calm down, little one," he mocks.

I start to laugh.

"That comment made me feel good," he murmured happily.

"Do you like being bothered?" he asks Chanwoo.

"Usually not, but we tease him a lot about his height, so I guess it brings back good memories," Chanwoo replies.

-Ohhh

"I'm still here," I say, rolling my eyes.

-Okay, I asked him if he had a restaurant and that it would be a pleasure to try his food

"While you answer, how about we get something to eat?" June asked. "I'm starving."

"Okay," I reply. "I'm hungry too."