Page 19 of Idol Lives
The others dispersed, too, leaving Ren and Tae Hyun alone on the dimly lit stage.
“What about you?” Ren asked, switching to Korean without missing a beat. “Interested in a little adventure?”
Tae Hyun hesitated. “What kind of adventure?”
“Well–” Ren stepped closer with a playful look in his eye. “–it seems like fate’s handed us some free time. And Harajuku isn’t far. Why not explore and taste a bit of the real Tokyo?”
Tae Hyun knew he should say no. The last time he snuck away like that, he’d taken Jason to Ikseon-dong, where a photographer had ambushed them. But Jang Min Jun had tipped off that photographer. And Tae Hyun had a lot of fun getting to know Jason better. Still, sneaking off wasn’t the responsible choice, especially with the tour looming. But the thrill of a spontaneous adventure and, maybe, getting to know Ren better were hard to ignore. He’d been charming from their first meeting, and there was a hint of something genuine behind his easy smile. Was it wishful thinking, or could this be the start of a genuine friendship? Feeling reckless, Tae Hyun grinned. “You know what? Yeah, let’s do it.”
Ren’s reckless grin mirrored Tae Hyun’s. “Hell, yeah. Now, you need to change.” He looked around to make sure they were alone. “You got somewhere to slip into street clothes?”
Tae Hyun nodded. “My dressing room’s just backstage. But we’ll need to be quick. I don’t want Mina catching on.” He’dalso have to avoid his dancers or get stuck inventing an excuse about disappearing. Hopefully, they’d be too engrossed in their own downtime to catch his absence.
Ren’s eyes danced with mischief. “Don’t worry, everyone’s too distracted to notice. Let’s go.”
Tae Hyun hurried toward his dressing room with Ren on his tail. Seong Min was nowhere to be seen, but Tae Hyun was sure his ever-present bodyguard would still follow him. Inside, Ren checked his socials while Tae Hyun swiftly changed into the jeans and hoodie he’d worn to rehearsal, adding a basic bucket hat and sunglasses for good measure. He glanced in the mirror. The idol aura was mostly muted, replaced by an anonymous visitor ready to blend into the Tokyo crowds. He couldn’t help but grin.
Takeshita Street was only a ten-minute walk from the Guardian Skylight Arena, saving them from hailing a cab or taking the subway. Tae Hyun could feel his excitement mounting–both from sneaking away and shirking his responsibilities and at the chance to finally see a real piece of Tokyo. In all his visits there, he’d never been allowed to explore without an entourage of minders, security, and fans.
When they rounded the final corner, the madcap scene exploded into view. A riot of color and sound crashed over Tae Hyun. The wide pathway teemed with shoppers, students, and fashionistas. Bubbly J-pop blasted from unseen speakers, competing with the chatter of excited voices and the sizzle of street food vendors. The air was a heady mix of sweet crepes, grilling yakitori, and an indefinable urban funk. Whimsical, kawaii characters adorned shop facades, with neon signs flashing above them in a rainbow of hues. Countless boutiques overflowed with impossibly trendyclothing, their racks spilling onto the sidewalk. Harajuku girls in frilly lolita dresses strolled arm-in-arm with handsome boys sporting flamboyant hairstyles and daring makeup. It was sensory overload–an unruly feast for the senses unlike anything Tae Hyun had ever experienced. The closest thing he could remember was running around Ppuri Park for the Hyo Culture Ppuri Festival with his sister as a young boy.
Ren chuckled as he wandered beside Tae Hyun, his eyes practically sparkling with amusement. “Welcome to the heart of Tokyo’s wild side,” he said over the din. “Ready to dive in?”
While the energy was familiar–he’d danced and sang before screaming audiences numbering in the thousands–the scene’s sheer audacity still took Tae Hyun’s breath away. The vibrant chaos was a far cry from his meticulously controlled world of rehearsals, recording studios, and photo shoots. He grinned, a rush of adrenaline mirroring the pulse of the crowd around him. He needed this. “This is amazing,” he gushed.
Ren laughed, clearly in his element amidst the madness. “It’s a lot to take in. But trust me, the best stuff is tucked away.” He gestured towards a side alley branching off Takeshita. “Want to see some cool shit?”
Tae Hyun enthusiastically nodded. “Let’s do it!”
The pair navigated the narrow street, dodging groups of giggling schoolgirls and racks crammed with vintage denim. Then the crowd thinned, the music dimmed, and the air took on a whiff of something sweet and smoky.
“Takoyaki.” Ren pointed to a humble food stall, its smoke curling into the afternoon air. “Want to give it a try?”
Tae Hyun eagerly nodded. He’d only seen the octopus dumplings in anime, and the savory smell was irresistible. They ordered, the sizzling balls of dough bringing a bittersweetpang of nostalgia–a taste of his trainee days, stealing away for simple meals between grueling rehearsals.
“So?” Ren deftly maneuvered a toothpick laden with takoyaki toward his mouth. “What do you think of Tokyo so far?”
Tae Hyun grinned as a bit of mayonnaise dribbled down his chin. His steaming dumpling was surprisingly delicious. But the whole experience of standing on a Harajuku side street eating hot snacks from a street vendor was invigorating. With everything going on–the tour, the funeral, and Jason–he’d hardly taken a moment for himself.
It hit Tae Hyun then–a wave of unexpected guilt. The urge to check his phone for any replies to his last message was almost overwhelming. But that only intensified the guilt, a shadow dimming his initial excitement.
“It’s amazing,” Tae Hyun finally admitted, lacking some of his earlier enthusiasm. “But maybe a little overwhelming.”
Ren nodded. “Yeah, I get it. Why don’t we find a spot where we can actually talk for a bit?” He glanced around. “I know a great little bar just up from here.”
“Okay. That sounds good.”
Ren led the way, weaving through the maze of lanes. They soon stopped before a narrow doorway with a simple wooden sign painted with something in kanji marking the entrance. “Here we are.” He held the door open for Tae Hyun. The air inside was a welcome blast of cool against the afternoon’s warmth.
The space was tiny–just a handful of dark wood booths and worn stools huddled around an old wooden bar. The solitary bartender, an aging, balding man with a neatly trimmed silver goatee, nodded at Ren with deliberate disinterest–not evena flicker of recognition. But the gesture was smooth, as if he dealt with semi-famous clientele more often than the faded sake ads tacked to the wall implied. The muffled sounds of a televised game show drifted over, a world away from the colorful madness outside.
“This way.” Ren gestured towards a secluded booth in the back. “It’s cozy, and we can actually hear ourselves think.”
Tae Hyun slipped into the booth as Ren detoured to the bar. He watched Ren as he ordered, marveling at how easily he fit into a place as off the beaten path as the tiny bar. The last time Tae Hyun had been in such an establishment was to retrieve a drunken Jason who’d run off after their first fight. The urge to check his phone again was powerful, but Tae Hyun ignored it until it went away. He was there for himself, enjoying a chance to spend time with his new friend. That was enough.
Ren returned moments later, balancing a tray with a small stoneware sake bottle, two matching cups, and two chilled, sweating bottles of Hoshimizu beer. He set the tray down and poured two shots of the clear sake.
Tae Hyun grabbed his cup and lifted it in a toast. “Geonbae!”
