After buying more merch they finally got into the fanmeeting. The seats they were designated with were closer to the stage and had a good view.
Ha-ru sat down as Mae-rin rushed to the car to get the flowers she had bought before and also to put the merch away. For about fifteen minutes they waited for everyone to settle down until the fanmeeting finally started.
Ha-ru watched the stage attentively. He had never gone to anything like this back then, kpop was just rising but now it had gone to a bigger platform. He had done some research and found that so many groups had emerged and gotten global recognition. And although Re-draft was a new group they already had a big fanbase and he found their songs quite enjoyable although he preferred ballads. He had watched their music videos and watched their content to get acquitted with them.
He had seen joowan perform on multiple videos he was so talented. He also uploaded several dancing videos which he found enjoyable.
Re-draft had been formed through a survival show in 2024 but they had gotten global recognition and had gained a fanbase even before they debuted. Their songs were appealing which drew in more fans. They had more than two million followers in each social platform and had already had three comebacks.
He had also noticed the most popular member who the fans referred to as Raiven. He had long black hair with purple and blue highlights. He also always wore jewellery. He was very handsome and had so much aura surrounding him.
There were seven people in total. The other members stage names were Blue,ji-wan,Ten, June and Cid. Blue was of Chinese descent while Ji-wan,June and joowan were korean and Ten was half thai. Cid was half European half Japanese.
Raiven was half korean and half Chinese.
Joowan was the leader of the group and the members seamed to like him a lot.
The music started followed by an introduction with the members journeys in the survival show displayed.
They performed their first release before singing a slower song.
After they sat down to talk to the host.
As they sat down joowan looked around in hopes of seeing Mae-rin a smile formed on his face until his eyes caught sight of Ha-ru beside her. She gave him a big smile and formed a heart with her hands in hopes of appeasing him. Joowan cursed under his breath before looking away.
They talked for a while the members sharing diffent stories and laughing. The members praised joowan for being a good leader which made him blush and become embarrassed.
Finally it was time for some games. They would call in some lucky fans to play with them.
Mae-rin recorded so many videos Ha-ru thought her phone would overload.
"Isn't that a lot?" He whispered as she put down her phone with a smile on her face.
"Not even. Mom and I run a fanbase account we have to update it."
"Mom?" He asked in shock.
"Yes." She stated absentmindedly as she uploaded the video. He looked at her like she had lost her mind.
"Why would you do that?" He asked his face still in shock.
"You already knew about it why are you acting shocked." She scolded him as she lifted her phone up once again to take pictures.
As the host announced the names of those who won. Just as he looked up at the stage still dumbfounded his eyes tied with someone.
His eyebrow crunched in question. The guy looked like he knew him. He couldn't read what was going on in his mind though.
He looked away from him with a sigh as the host concluded calling the names.
"Did joowan already introduce the members to me?"
"No I don't think so you didn't come on the debut night. " She answered absentmindedly as she continued uploading more content.
He looked up again at the member who had been looking at him. It was Raiven.
He brushed it off as he watched the rest of the event. Joowan avoided eye contact with him at all cost throughout.
They finally ended the event after singing their latest song.
Mae-rin held the flowers while Ha-ru walked behind her. They were allowed backstage. Mae-rin nervously knocked on the dressing room door before someone finally opened.
"Mae-rin!" Cid shouted before he hugged her.
"Hey guys." She stated as she walked in. Cid took the flowers from her." Congratulations on your first fanmeeting!" She said clapping.
She gave each of the members except joowan and Raiven hugs.
"You guys did amazing." She stated with a smile.
Her eyes went to joowan who was glaring at her but she just gave him a smile and looked away.
"Who is this?" Ten asked looking at Ha-ru.
"This is Ha-ru the one I told you about." She stated before pushing Ha-ru towards them.
"Joowans best friend. " blue stated as he held his hand out to him." Very handsome. " he stated with a large smile.
"Joowan has taste doesn't he?" She stated winking at them which made joowan scoff and turn away.
Just then a staff walked into the room. She greeted everyone and walked towards Raiven who was seated in the corner. She whispered something to him and he stood up.
"Raiven." Mae-rin said a smile on her lips." I didn't notice you there." She said giving him a hug which he accepted although he looked like he didn't want to, but he didn't want to appear rude.
"I have to go. It was nice meeting you." He said. The staff opened the door for him. He stood in front of Ha-ru for a while contemplating something. "You too." He stated before walking out.
"Today I will treat everyone." Mae-rin announced. The members cheered. Ha-ru looked at Raiven exiting, thoughts running in his mind.
He turned back when he felt something burning his back only to see Joowan glaring at him.
" we will let you prepare. Invite the staff too mom said its on her today." Mae-rin announced as she pulled Ha-ru out of the dressing room.
"Mom really said that?" He asked.
"She had promised Joowan she would treat them to something at the first fan gathering and thats today. Let's go." She said as she texted Joowan the location.
◇◇◇
It was already midnight but the atmosphere was still lively. Everyone was drinking and laughing as they celebrated.
Mrs Kim had invited them to her restaurant and had already bought all the necessities. He had thought so since she had gone on for days about the preparations.
Since some of the members weren't of drinking age all they could do was eat and drink cola.
Ha-ru was seated beside Mae-rin as she conversed with cid and June.
He looked outside the window to see joowan standing. Mae-rin poked him. He looked at her and she was gesturing for him to go outside. After much pestering he finally decided to go.
He took a can of cola from the vending machine and went outside.
Joowan looked at the door then looked away as soon as he saw it was him.
Ha-ru handed the cola to him.
He let out a sigh and stood up before turning and facing Ha-ru.
" is this supposed to be your apology?" He asked him anger lingering on his tongue.
"I...."
"I know I shouldn't be mad but what you did that night....was a new low even for you..... "
"But...." Ha-ru tried to interject but he was cut short.
"This is my dream I supported yours don't ruin this for me." With that he walked back into the restaurant leaving Ha-ru dumbfounded.
He didn't know what to say. How was he going to defend himself when he didn't know what happened.