Chapter 11: Promise

"Journals?" I asked confusingly. I'm not an official nor loyal fan of 7AD so I haven't heard of those yet.

"Every year, my hyungs and I write about every detail of the “parallel universe” whenever our minds subconsciously transport us there. We'd tell the creative writers about what we had experienced that could have been linked with the "fictional" universe we entered. We needed to remove some personal details so that it wouldn't affect our image and add some mystery to it."

"So you mean that an alternative reality does exist? It means everything that we've perceived has happened there? You seem different from the Dong-Yul I met there. What does it mean then? What is the reason behind those events happening? And will it affect our universe?"

"Well technically it didn't happen here but it did happen there, though sometimes there are some similarities with the current reality. We still exist in a completely different universe but our story differs from there. I may be an idol in this current reality but an ordinary person in a different universe."

My mind couldn't process his explanation clearly. Does it mean I am the girl he spoke to at the hospital?

"I am completely confused. It doesn't make any sense. How did my mind travel into your universe? How am I involved in your private lives there?" I asked while looking away from his gaze

I felt a strange tingling sensation on my shoulders. The moment I met him in the mall, there was this gut feeling telling me that I've already met him before. I disregarded the gut feeling and only judged him subjectively before.

"I can't tell you yet because it has a complicated story plot. There are also different variations of entries my hyungs and I made. You won't understand anything about that universe if you haven't read any of my group's entries per album. It's like a summary of every experience so far. And most of our music videos are like a remake of it."

“I’m not part of your fan club, Reality. It’s true that I only know your fame and influence on others based on my friend’s undying love and support for you guys. She is a hardcore fan of yours. If you compare me to her, I would say that I’m far from her knowledge on the K-pop industry. I really wanted to become an idol but my country usually promotes solo artists. There were attempts of promoting boy groups and girl groups but they aren’t as successful as solo artists. The only boy group I know that might be successful is SB19 but it is also under a branch of a Korean entertainment. That is why I accepted your offer because it will give me more exposure as a performer and a musician. I’m willing to adjust myself into becoming a K-pop idol so that I would have a fresh start into the music industry.”

I could see his eyes widened from my previous response. “I mean you don’t have any choice ‘cause eventually you’ll be part of Reality soon,” he exclaimed and laughed in a devilish manner.

“Seriously speaking, do you feel being forced into accepting my offer? You can always back out and I will understand your decision. You have your own ambitions and I respect that.”

I felt guilty as my last response sounded like I didn’t want to be a K-pop idol. “No, I’m still up for the offer. I’m sorry that I’ve said it that way. I still wanted to experience the behind-the-scenes of the music industry even though it’s not entirely familiar to me. Honestly I have deep respect for the K-pop industry becoming internationally known despite the language barriers. The system of the Philippines and South Korea has major differences. That's why I wanted to learn and understand your industry’s ways on becoming a major hit globally.”

He batted his eyelashes like a child while pursing his lips into a smile. Ah, I couldn’t handle his cutesy act. He replied in a higher tone, “Wow, do you really mean that? Anyways, inform me immediately if you would like to decline my offer because there is no going back once we’ve arrived in South Korea.”

I gazed at him with a stern look. “My math teacher already knows that you’re helping me. I already had a conversation with my friends about transferring schools and migrating to South Korea. I’ve already accepted your offer and I’m sure that I’ll not let go of this rare opportunity. I will not quit until I make it.”

He raised his pinky finger, "Promise?"

I hesitated for a split moment but I made my decision, "Promise."

"Alright. I know that I owe you an explanation for your dream, let me remind you that Lee Mi Ra is only a fraction of who you really are. She isn't entirely you and the Dong-Yul you've seen isn't entirely me and whatever happened there won't be the same here. Okay?"

I corrected my posture and lent my ears to him. “Alright, I’m ready to listen."

He took a deep breath and started narrating his experiences, "Overall there are seven timelines and I think you entered the third timeline of our parallel universe. At that precise moment of time, I was confined because I was involved in a car accident and had major injuries. They've said that I had a mild concussion and broken ankles, they even said that it was a miracle that I’ve survived. It was also a time where my best friends went different paths. Just after Il-hyung and Soon-Bok-hyung's fight, we went different paths once again. Most of the time, several people die due to the severe blood loss from impact of the car’s crash."

"I almost ended my life even before the accident, I've already thought of ending my life there because no one would have cared if I’m. My stepfather and relatives never gave any attention to me. I was an invisible figure to them. After I saw my hyungs' melancholic smiles, I've decided to live on. After I met Mi Ra, I didn't feel lonely anymore. It was her who made me breathe for a moment, until... she left without a goodbye."

He paused as he tried to recollect his memories. He continued, "Anyways, this is where you and others show up as a girl group. You'll show the story of those girls 7AD interacted with in the Highlight Reel of Love Yourself. Each character has their own unique trait, and each represents power behind weaknesses. Each fights against their own personal battle and meets to break social standards of women, one of the reasons why I'd like you to audition."

"But what’s unique about me? I don’t think that I have any unique traits." I said teasingly.

"You do, for example, I never heard a voice that has sounded similar to yours in the music industry. It has its own flavor, you know? And I saw your uneven skin tone on your right arm and I think it would break standards if a person like you would embrace its pattern. It's like an abstract skin tattoo that I -"

"Ah, honestly my mother wanted to fix my uneven skin tone on my right arm after I collected enough money for the process. She mentioned that it is a hideous sight, an abnormality I suppose?"

Memories of my perfectionist mother came back. I should find time and reflect on myself for me to change my appearance since my facial features are ugly. I should have this kind of style. I should be like this. I should be like that. I’m slowly turning into a doll in which she can play with until she gets tired of me. I understand that she wanted me to appear flawless in front of others but couldn’t she see that everyone has flaws, including me?

“You know what, Mia? I think you shouldn’t ‘fix’ it because it’s beautiful. I barely encounter people with a rare skin condition and it is aesthetic to see. I almost forgot, when are you planning on attending our training? You can take three days off for rest because I understand that you have a lot going on in school.”

I could say that he is a type of person who understands. My first impression of him was wrong. At first glance I thought that he is only a serious artist who only focuses on the work given to him. After hearing his opinions on my insecurities, I feel at ease now.

“I’m always available for practice except for Fridays to Sundays since my father always fetches me home after Friday classes.”

“That means that I can finally introduce myself to them. Let me help you convince them that you will go to South Korea so that you can audition for our agency.”

I thought of his plan thoroughly. “I’m sorry but could you set it on another date? My parents are strict so I’m not sure that they will agree on your terms urgently. I wish they’ll approve -”

Dong-Yul smiled with enthusiasm. "Mia, I’m pretty sure that they will agree with me. I have great convincing skills. I can handle it!"

Before I could reply, I noticed someone who entered the lobby. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I didn’t think that he would come up here to the dorms. It was already the teacher’s lunch break.

I stood up and greeted sir as he entered and spotted me and Dong-Yul sitting near the window. "Good afternoon Sir Victor!"

"Mia, How are you? I bought some paracetamol for you because you mentioned that you’re almost out of paracetamol for your fever."

My teacher looked at Dong-Yul from head to toe. At first he couldn’t recognize Dong-Yul. "Ah magandang hapon po sa inyo. Pasensya pala at nadisturbo ko po kayo sa inyong usapan. (Good afternoon. I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation with Mia.)"

I laughed at my teacher’s response. "Sir, hindi po siya nakakaintindi ng Filipino. (Sir, he doesn’t understand Filipino.)"

Dong-Yul looked at me with confusion. "Mister, I don't understand Filipino. Speak in English please."

After my teacher heard Dong-Yul’s voice, he realized that I was talking with Dong-Yul all along. "Ah mianhamnida, Dong- I mean Justin. I couldn't recognize you at first because you dressed differently today."

"It's alright. I meant to dress differently so that no one could recognize me easily."

Sir Vito continued speaking to me, "I almost forgot to mention it to you. There is an online math competition, maybe you’ll like to participate?

Math competition? I wanted to participate but I don’t know if I could handle it. My memories with my best friend would flash right in front of my vision whenever I attempt to solve difficult math questions or dance to upbeat hip hop music. The sound of sirens would echo in my mind. He was the one who changed my life. I hurt him. I broke his dreams of becoming a sensational dancer.

I'll always remember his eyes filled with gloominess after I left him. The sound of car sirens repeats itself amidst the light of the new moon. It was supposed to be me. He didn't have to save me from my own despair. He never deserved it.

So foolish of me, if only I knew that I would 'cause him sufferings. I would rather live in a restrained and lonely life if I were to bring back time. I promised him that I'll quit the dance crew. I transferred schools as my mother instructed me to do. Ever since then, I stopped dancing in front of others.

It's all my fault. I almost died that night but he saved me. This scar on my knee is proof of it.