"I joined the talent's quest. They're going to announce who made the cut tonight."
Sunghoon stood unblinking, trying to process what he had just been told. Jungwon, on his side, was caught off guard too. Seeing the determination in Yeji's face, he let out a surprise laugh and offered her a fist bump.
"Attagirl." Jungwon giddily laughs.
"Do you think I can make the cut, Oppa?" Yeji excitedly asked.
"Of course! I heard your doing ballet. That's a good start."
"I want to be an idol too." she grinningly blurted.
"Yah! Park Yeji!" Sunghoon cuts in and in an obvious manner, was displeased by his sister's admission. "Stop talking nonsense. You stay in school."
"Yeji is just stating her dreams, Hyung. Don't ruin it just like that." Jungwon came to rescue.
"If you can do it, why can't I?" Yeji burst even more, completely ignoring her brother's austere look.
"Being an idol is so freaking hard! It's not all fun and fame as what you see on TV. You're going to work hard until you're tired enough to even open your eyes."
Jungwon was put to a stop. Clearly, Park Sunghoon is spitting facts.
"That's the downside of it, Yeji. And so many more." he couldn't help to agree.
"I just don't want you to experience what we have gone through." Sunghoon, in a calmer tone, continued. 
"I can't back out. Besides, it's Omma and Appa who listed my name. If they can be supportive of me, why can't you?" Yeji's resistance is towering.
"Ah, you hard-headed brat! I'm not coming with you. You can't make it anyway, so why would I even bother?" Sunghoon spats.
"It's okay. Jungwon Oppa will probably go, right?"
"M-Me?" Jungwon's brows rose in a surprised arc. "Is that okay, Sunghoon Hyung?"
"Whatever. You go have fun. I'm sleeping for the whole night. You go wash the dishes, Yeji." Sunghoon ordered and quickly went into his room.
"I can't believe my own brother is such a mood killer." Yeji shook her head in disbelief. "So, are you coming with me tonight, Oppa? You better be, it'll be fun. You know, the last year's winner is Chief Kim's niece. She's a trainee now and about to debut sometime next year."
"Really? I never heard of such town looking for it's own next idol. It's kinda cool, though."
"Well, it's not basically being an idol but someone who can be the town's pride. Most of the kids here are so competitive, make it in academics, talent and sports and anyone can be a winner. My cousin, Park Hyejin, who is a famous figure skater now, is also the winner of the town's quest years ago. Isn't that cool? I'm surrounded by talented and good looking family members."
The smile was immediately painted on his face hearing her name. "Ah, yes. Park Hyejin. The ice queen."
"Yep." Yeji fastly replied but halted so suddenly. "H-How did you know Hyejin Eonnie?"
Jungwon's smile grows more wider. "We've met when you're still not here."
Yeji frowned, puts her lip on a pout. "Hyejin Eonnie is acting weird. She's not coming here lately. I wonder why."
Jungwon comes to a quick thinking too. But the reason is not really that rooted, Hyejin is preparing for a competition, hence, the absence.
"Do you really want to follow your brother's footsteps, Yeji?" Jungwon tried to divert the subject, stopping himself to think of something redundant. Park Hyejin is again making him smile like a fool.
"No. I just did that to make Sunghoon Oppa flip out. He's so serious about everything." she laughed. "But I want to meet an idol someday. Soon enough, I guess." 
Jungwon let go of the smirk. The poor girl is clueless he knows her best kept secret. 
"Well, you can meet idols. There's concerts, fan meets, signing events. Or you can just ask your brother to do the honor."
"My parents won't allow me to attend those events. I'm still a minor. And Sunghoon Oppa is so petulant about the "idolizing" thing, especially with your own group. I don't know why he's so furious about the whole idea, like, I'm not gonna marry one, I just want to see my bias in person. Isn't that a crime?"
Jungwon was amused by Yeji's nonstop blabbing. He can definitely read between the lines. She's definitely talking about Sim Jaeyun.
"And who is that?"
"W-What?" 
"The idol you want to meet? Maybe I know him. I can get you an autograph."
"You don't know hiim." Yeji fastly shook her head. "What a bummer. It's just you who decides to come." Yeji let the two sentences comes like a whisper.
"Jake Hyung has remaining work to do that's why he can't come." he muttered, smile's wide it could reach his ear.
"Oppa!" Yeji screamed in surprise. "H-How did you--?"
A bigger smile played on his lips. He pulled up and couldn't believe what he had finally proved. Sunghoon's little sister really adores Jake but couldn't shout it out. Like him, he couldn't get close to Park Hyejin, because of the invisible wall blocking a romance - the Park Sunghoon's great wall.
"I saw Jake Hyung's picture in your room. You put something on his face. I'm sorry, I dont mean to pry." Jungwon finally burst out.
"It's just a petty crush thing, nothing more!" Yeji was fast to defend. 
"So you don't like Jake Hyung?" Jungwon is still not done with the teasing.
"Well, I do but not romantically. Jake's popular not only with Noonas, even little sisters too, but--" Yeji halted, hesitant to continue. "Okay, I admit. I lied! I didn't sign up for the quest! And it's not happening tonight! I just made it up because Sunghoon Oppa will not let me attend the Matchmaker's Ball. I just want to take my chance and dance with Hwang Jinho." she finally confessed, making Jungwon jolt in surprise.
"Matchmaker's Ball? What's that? And who's Hwang Jinho?"
"Hwang Jinho.." Yeji giggled and obviously infatuated, her smile is more brighter than mentioning Jake's name. "He's the boy that I like, more than Sim Jaeyun. Matchmaker's Ball is like a prom thing where you might get a chance to dance with the person you like."
To the person you like. Jungwon was put on pause. Is Hyejin going to attend? Is she also trying to take a chance at someone that she liked? Could it be Ahn Minhyuk? Or other boys in town?
Jungwon felt a tiny thud, destabilizing him. His own questions are hitting him so hard he wouldn't want to hear any answer. He looked at Yeji with a straight face but scared enough to let his words out.
"You're coming with me so you'll get to experience this whole Matchmaker's Ball thing. It's gonna be fun. You're partner will be so lucky dancing with you, Oppa. Who wouldn't? You're the Enhypen's leader. And who knows, you're going to meet your future girlfriend there tonight."
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The stage is enormous for a small town, beautifully decorated with a touch of spice. The atmosphere is magical, like a greek like promenade.
The venue's mood quickly changed the moment he stepped inside. He can see the smitten stares the girls are giving him, he just responded with a shy smile. His first time to go out revealing his full face and without a body guard and yet, no one's trying to bug him out. That town is really something, but of a good sort.
Everyone is wearing their best attire while he is sporting his practice clothes he'd been wearing for three times or two. He felt a little out of place.
Jungwon scratched his head before facing the very amped Yeji. "You didn't tell me this is a formal event. Can I just stay outside and wait for you?" 
"You look okay. And no, once you're in you cannot go out anymore. I need to go to the washroom, Oppa." the teenybopper scooted off without even turning a glance.
"Wait, Yeji--"
"Leader-nim! What a surprise to see you here!"
The singsong voice is very familiar. Jungwon faced the greeter with diffident smile. "Chief Kim. Hi! I'm just here to accompany Yeji."
"Hoon isn't here?" the town's mayor was caught in surprise. "Well, you've made a good decision coming with Yeji. I'm sure you're going to love this night, Jungwonie!"
"Uhm--" Jungwon scratched his head, grasping for a response.
"If you're looking for a place where you can experience liberty without thinking someone will judge you and not seeing yourself take the headline the next morning, you have come to the right place. I say, loose it up, leader-nim. We know the drill here." 
"I really don't know how this whole thing works--"
"You'll know." Chief Kim suspiciously grinned. "Put his strap on." she quickly ordered to one of the event staff.
The lady quickly obliged. She put a magnetic strap on his wrist, pressed it for three times like she's gearing it up for something.
"Wait, what is this for?"
"Nothing much. Just a strap. To know you're one of the participants. If you'll excuse me, young man. I think we're ready to start."
Jungwon was at lost while shaking his head. Being in that event feels a little weird but it's late to escape. Matchmaker's Ball? The name itself sounds terrible and the things that he expects to come with it. It sounds like they are trying to pair off the difficult bachelors with unattached ladies kind of thing.
It's so hard to grasp for an answer while he stood there, alone, realizing it will be one of those boring nights. And yet, the answer just hit him fast like a lightning speed. Definitely not a boring night after all. His heart jumped in unison with the mellow beat.
She stood there in a corner, silent and sipping a drink. She's alone, with Ahn Minhyuk nowhere in sight, and Jungwon didn't hesitate to grab the chance.
"So, this is the Matchmaker's Ball." he approached her, couldn't stop his feet.
Hyejin softly jerked. Jungwon freely chuckled.
"I don't mean to startle you." 
Hyejin couldn't believe the view she was on. Yang Jungwon's smile could easily capture even the most tameless heart, she almost got swayed.
"H-Hi--" she shyly muttered. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Me too. I didn't know you like socializing."
Hyejin was covered with surprise. She's anti-social - the very reason why she's moving away from the crowd. 
"You got it wrong. I'm not a social person." she tried to defend herself.
"I just went here to accompany Yeji. I should've dressed appropriately. She didn't tell me exactly about this whole ball thing. I know I look like a goof." Jungwon scratched his head while trying to explain. 
Yang Jungwon being lost in everything is the cutest thing she had seen for a while. Hyejin breathes in, controlled herself to answer in a normal tone, not shaking.
"You still look good." Hyejin stopped herself to say another world. She cleared her throat while aligning her thoughts. "Matchmaker's Ball is already in this town's history. It's an annual event where you can have the chance to dance with--" Hyejin cannot finish her reply by the looks she's getting.
"Dance with the one you like." Jungwon finished it for her, tone's a bit gruff.
"Looks like that's what this is all about." Hyejin muttered, confused by his sudden, cold, response.
"Have fun with the dance. And whoever is the lucky guy." he said, pulling away, quite staggered to even continue. 
So, he's right. Hyejin is not a social person but she's taking that chance. She won't bother to tog up if she's not awaiting for that man. What a lucky, lucky guy.
"You got strapped too?" Hyejin stopped his feet to take another stride.
Jungwon halted and glance at his wrist. That thing is hanging on his wrist for quite a while. He didn't bother to asked the moment someone puts it in.
"AWhat is this for?" 
Hyejin softly laughs, beating his sulky stance.
"That strap is the Matchmaker. It will decide who are you going to dance with tonight."
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