2.05 ARTIFICIAL LOVE: Fanservice

Beomseok isn't really sure what happened in his life to lead him up to this very moment. He's on the verge of hyperventilating but for some reason, the space around him seems to increase, people giving him a wide breadth. The guards are eying him and Beomseok chalks it up to some sexist shit. He has no awareness of the crazy glare that he has going on in his eyes. In truth, Beomseok might look a bit more like a killer with his face mask pulled over his face than an avid fan.

Kim Dayoung is in front of him and she reaches the table. Kang Siwoo smiles at her because he knows her, recognizes her from all the events she's been to since the beginning of his career. Fansite masters have that sort of privilege.

But that means Beomseok is next and he has less than a minute to prepare. His muscles are all wound up and a guard almost steps up to stop him from advancing.

Beomseok is confused as well, his eyes shoot up at the staff member, and freezes in place.

"It's fine," but of all people, it's Kang Siwoo himself that speaks and everyone quiets.

There's an odd tension in the room, in the way that Kang Siwoo himself stares, no, glares at the guard, and the security detail eventually backs down.

All this happens in a split second but it feels like time is suspended with all eyes turned his way.

Beomseok's about to choke but it's his turn so he shuffles forward and he's not even sure where to look. The love of his life— no, scratch that, Beomseok isn't some dumb hormone-driven teenager. The artist he so deeply admires is right in front of him and Beomseok can contain the wave of emotions that crashes into his heart.

His hands are shaking when he places his copy of Oasis's new album on the table and stares at the bony hands that reach over to take it.

It's only then that it occurs to Beomseok that Kang Siwoo is also uncharacteristically quiet and has forgone his usual polite greeting.

"…Is there anything you would like me to write?" Kang Siwoo finally speaks and Beomseok is having an internal meltdown.

But he needs to reel his crazy in if he wants to reply so Beomseok sucks in a breath and finally looks up. What he doesn't expect is for Kang Siwoo to be staring straight at him with the intensity of a thousand supernovas. And he's held captive, frozen like a deer. The only thing that reminds him of elapsing time is the constant glare he's receiving from the security detail that seems to think he's a threat.

His voice comes out embarrassingly strained, "Just…write anything you like."

"Oh…okay," Siwoo sounds… almost disappointed and Beomseok knows it's his mind playing tricks on him when a rosy tinge graces the tips of Kang Siwoo's ears. He ducks down and scribbles something.

The minute is almost up and Beomseok doesn't even say anything meaningful, doesn't even ask his idol an interesting question. He only takes the chance to stare like a creep and bask in Oasis's presence.

"Um," Oasis finally looks up again, flipping the album close before Beomseok might chance a glimmer at what might be written inside. He points to his mouth and Beomseok doesn't really get it until after Siwoo speaks, "Won't you…let me see your face?" He sounds almost shy and Beomseok can't tell if it's his imagination or just really skilled fanservice.

If it wasn't for the shaking in his hands and his intense eyes, Beomseok likes to think of himself as the picture of nonchalance.

He shrugs and just says, "I'm shy."

Kang Siwoo's subtle frown turns into a smile, his head tilts playfully to the side. "A handsome guy like you? Ahaha, no way. Won't you let me take a peek? Pretty please?"

Oh fuck, the fanservice is something else and Beomseok almost folds under pressure. "Now I really won't show you," he says adamantly and adjusts his face mask over his nose, "If I disappoint Oasis-nim's expectations I think I'll throw myself out the window." Despite his dramatic words, Beomseok delivers it in perfect deadpan.

Kang Siwoo's eyes go wide. There's a tiny mole beneath his right nostril and Beomseok might be staring. "Hyung!" he exclaims suddenly, "You should be calling me hyung."

Beomseok again finds himself flabbergasted and is struggling to come up with a retort. He doesn't get a chance because the security's down his neck and barking at him to move because his time's up. Gathering his album in his trembling hands, Beomseok rushes away and doesn't catch the pointed glare that Oasis shoots at his entourage.

The rest of the day passes like a daze and it's all over too soon. Kim Dayoung is chirpy and naggy as always but for her, the experience isn't as special because she's been to them a million times over.

"Why don't we get some pad thai? I know a really good place nearby." She tugs at his arm but he's unresponsive, still shell shocked by the entire experience.

The two of them stand around in the venue square, where attendees are still loitering around since the end of the event. It's late afternoon and the sun is starting to dip. They're both hungry, having skipped lunch but Beomseok isn't particularly hungry when his stomach is busy doing somersaults.

Dayoung grins at him, amused by his current state, "Aigo, what's wrong, Beomie-ah. Are you completely blown away by our Siwoo? He's so cute but also so sexy, isn't he?"

Beomseok finds himself frowning. "He's not real."

Dayoung, long used to his antics, rolls her eyes, "Sure sure, even though you just met him! Can't you be a bit happier? Geez, Debbie Downer, it's time to get some food into you."

Before he can respond, her phone rings and she frowns at the number. "Wait, let me pick this up."

"…Go ahead," Beomseok isn't about to stop her but he recognizes the look on her face. The telltale grimace was a harbinger of bad news.

And just as he expects, he doesn't take long for her to fly into a rage.

"What do you mean he's already there? I thought the date was meant to happen tomorrow! Tomorrow! I penned it into my schedule and everything. I KNOW it's not wrong."

She's pacing and fuming, arms flying around in wide arcs, "I know you're desperate and all to marry me off to the Pae group but have a little respect for me as your daughter, you old hag!"

She's roaring by the time she hangs up, her dainty face pulled into all ranges of anger and frustration.

But Beomseok already knows she won't be staying the rest of the day with him as planned. Dayoung attempts to look apologetic but she's too busy being mad, "I'm sorry. Looks like I'll have to go to this stupid date my mom rearranged without my consent. I hope you have a good day, Beomie. And remember to get something to eat."

Even though he's not exactly eager to part with her, Beomseok feigns his chill and shrugs, "Yeah I get it. Family's sometimes insane but they're still your family."

A small smile graces her face and she sighs, "Yeah. Family's family. Can't really run away from them no matter how hard you try."

In the quiet corners of his mind, Beomseok contemplates her words as he bids his farewell. His eyes follow her as she disappears into a taxi that whizzes off into the busy streets.

It's been a while since he's talked to his. His little bro must be in college now, or something. Beomseok isn't even sure.

But that's beside the point right now. Now that the high has finally ebbed, Beomseok's brainpower is finally returning and he can string two cohesive thoughts together. Which is good, because it means that he can actually recognize his stomach rumbling and it gives him a reason to bounce.

Only when he reaches into his pocket in search of his phone, it's not there.

Dread sinks in but he checks his other pockets first, the front ones the back ones. And then he checks his bag, the one that houses his signed album with the little message from his favorite idol.

It's not there either. So he double checks and triple checks and quadruple checks and he's damned desperate.

Beomseok wonders if this is a product of his fucked up fate because it's likely. That was a new phone too, dammit!

With anxiety eating away at his heart, he tries to remember a point in which he might have misplaced his phone but his memories are filled with starstruck.

Fuck! How could he have fucked up so badly!?

Beomseok fights the sinking despair with little avail. He curses himself. But he hasn't lived till now being a useless idle bitch so Beomseok jumps into action and nabs the first stranger he can find.

"Excuse me, noona!" He shouts at a frightened girl just leaving the venue. She looks too young to be his noona but it's too late now. "Can I use your phone please?"

"KYYAAAAAAA—" she screeches like a stupid anime character and Beomseok is shocked once more, "H-Help, a molester!"