Jun and Ai stepped into the live house a little later than the doors opened according to the ticket. He’d been able to get off early but felt bad leaving when there was a sudden influx of customers, so stayed a bit longer to help. That cut down on his time to go home, shower, and get ready. The large room was entirely different when packed full of people. There had to be at least sixty. Were all these people here for Kyungwon? The band was just warming up and tuning.

“Ugh,” Ai groaned from beside him, gripping his head. He’d agreed to come with Jun but didn’t look so good since getting close to the club.

“Are you okay?”

Ai shook his head. “I can’t focus. Just about everyone in the audience is in love with someone on stage.”

“Seriously? Like love, love?”

Ai massaged his temple. “I have to get out.”

“Uh…” Jun started to protest. Ai had come due to interest and Jun thought it’d be good for the soulmate quest for them to go someplace new with a decent crowd. But Ai looked really miserable and Jun wouldn’t be selfish. He was curious what Ai could see and hear or feel, but decided he’d ask later. “Okay, go home and re---”

“I’ll be at the nearby manga cafe.”

Of course, Jun thought. Well, it wasn’t like Ai was lying and he’d probably feel better no matter where he went. Ai left towards the door and Jun turned to the stage just as the lights dimmed.

There were cheers and screams from the crowd. “Kyungwon!” “Bob, you rock!” “Leslie! Take me now!” Most of the cheers were for the lead singer. Jun wasn’t surprised. Kyungwon was really handsome and had a voice that melted your ears off. In a good way.

Leslie started strumming her bass and the crowd erupted, apparently recognizing the tune. Jun guessed the genre was like alt rock. Kyungwon and Bob joined in with their instruments, then Kyungwon stepped up to the mic.

“Woke up yesterday to the radio playin’. Today is the same, I don’t know what you’re sayin’.”

“Ditto,” Jun mumbled to himself.

“What’s up today? The world spinning ‘round, I’m upside down. What was that sound? The sound of my heart.”

The lyrics were still so painfully awful, Jun felt himself tearing up. The band played a few other songs and Jun decided he liked their ballads best. Those brought sweeter tears to his eyes. Finally, the show ended. Jun texted Ai that it was over and decided to go thank Kyungwon personally for the tickets.

He travelled down the side hallway, assuming they’d be backstage in a room or something. He spotted a burly man standing in the hallway, arms crossed in front of a group of fans.

“Please! I just want to give Kyungwon this present!” a girl in a ripped denim mini skirt was pleading.

“Presents must be left at the front,” the guard said gruffly.

“But I want to give it to him in person!”

“Not allowed.”

Jun blinked. He didn’t realize The Hitman YoYos were that popular.

“What about me?” another girl said with a hand on her hip. “All I want is to give Leslie a kiss. I can’t leave that up at the front, now can I?”

The guard didn’t say anything, just continued to stand there looking menacing.

Jun wasn’t a crazy groupie so he figured it’d be okay if he snuck by. He just needed some way to distract the groupies and guard. He pulled the hood of his hoodie over his head and crouched down to go unnoticed within the crowd.