Chapter 15

A/N GUESS WHO'S BACK.

ohohoho ME ME ME ! *flails arms in air* lol
okay anyway. i'm terribly sorry for the late update (_ _)
school has been gay, not to mention that i was pretty sick. so anyway, enough about me. PERSONAL REPLIES.
Chinh Muahaha, yes! Seung Gi does like her ^^ I've been waiting to write about this as well. Hehe. Hope you like the update ^^ Thanks for reading~

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Tei screamed and pointed to Chae Yeon’s direction.

He rushed to her and gave her a hug. “Where have you been? I was so worried!”

Chae Yeon couldn’t help but get butterflies in her stomach when she realized that Tei had been worried for her. “Oppa, I was just with –“

“YAAAAAA! WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!” Tei suddenly screamed and stepped back. Chae Yeon looked at where Tei was pointing, and she noticed that he was pointing to her hands and her clothes. “Why do you have blood all over you?!”

“Oppa, don’t exaggerate too much. It’s only on my hands and clothes. And don’t worry, it’s not my blood. I was just with–MFFFHMP“

And, as always, even before Chae Yeon could finish her sentence, Tei hugged her again, tightly this time, and cooed Chae Yeon with sweet words. “My poor baby, who did this to you? Don’t worry. I’ll never let you out of my sight ever again!” He let go of her and held both sides of her arms, looking intently in her eyes, “Hear that? NEVER AGAIN!”

Chae Yeon giggled at Tei, obviously laughing from him being too protective. But what could she expect? He was her boyfriend - unofficially.

“Uhm, Chae Yeon-ah, you’re supposed to be crying. You have a bloody hand, and you’re supposed to be in pain. And I should be tending to your every word, being the good boyfriend that I should be.”

“Oppa. Let me explain! You’re so,” she flicked his forehead, “stupid,” and gave him a quick peck to the lips. She could swear she saw him blush. “I was with Seung Gi, okay? He broke something and he hurt himself so I brought him to my room to fix him up.”

“Oh? The guard said that you were at the dock?”

“No, no, we weren’t. We were just…”

Tei put up his hand and stopped her mid-way. “Doesn’t matter. I’m just glad that you’re safe. Here,” he handed her his handkerchief.

“Thanks.” Chae Yeon kissed Tei’s cheek and had him stand there rooted on his spot, with his right hand on the cheek she had kissed. She then started to wipe away the blood on her hands. Tei started to help her by wiping her face, which was sweaty, with faint traces of blood on the forehead. With his thumb, he put her bangs to the side and smiled at her lovingly.

“You look lovely,” Tei muttered under his breath.

“Even if I’m haggard and bloody all over?” Chae Yeon kidded.

“Even if you’re haggard and bloody all over.” Tei Yeon smiled.

“That’s good to hear.”


Both Chae Yeon and Tei looked back to see HaHa and Seul Gi leaning on the door to Chae Yeon’s room.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- SEUNG GI’S POV -

Does it have something to do with Ayumi?
Maybe so.
Do you remember her?
Of course I do.
Do you miss her?
Who doesn’t?
Do you wanna be with her again, Seung Gi?
I…. I d-…
Tell me. I’m here to listen.
Listen? Is that all you’re ever gonna be able to do nuna? Listen?
Do you wanna be with her again, Seung Gi?
. . . .



For all the wrong reasons, I think I can finally say no to that.

I sigh in frustration as an X-Man PD, whom I did not know since I was new, removed the handkerchief that Chae Yeon nuna put around my hand. “This might hurt a little bit,” he said, while placing alcohol on my open wounds.





Hm. Mister, after Ayumi’s accident, I think nothing at this level can hurt me. Wash away, please. Just wash it all away.

I held on to the handkerchief that Chae Yeon nuna used. I looked down on it and muttered words to myself. How stupid I was for breaking the glass in my hand (very stupid). How stupid I was for fighting with my nuna (nothing close to being a genius). How stupid I was to hug nuna (brilliant, yeah). And how insanely stupid I was for telling her that I liked her.


“You know…” The PD had started talking, bandaging my hand. “I don’t see why you kids like Chae Yeon.” At that moment, I had stopped insulting myself in my mind and looked at the PD. “I mean, she has an attitude of an ice princess sometimes, and she–“

“I don’t like her,” I lied; embarrassed that he knew of my little crush on Chae Yeon.

He smiled and pat my hand. “I’m sure you don’t.” He got another bandage and had started wiping my other hand, when I had jerked it away, “I really don’t!”

He threw his head back and laughed, as if what I said were the funniest thing a man could hear. “Don’t worry. I used to like her too.”

“Used to?”


“Hmm,” he nodded his head and put the finishing touches on my hand, “Used to. Okay. You’re all set. Just a little note while you’re still sane for the moment… Don’t go breaking anymore glasses, okay? You’re a good looking kid. You should be breaking hearts, eh?” He winked.

As he stood up to walk towards the door, I caught a glimpse of his ID hanging by his neck.


Kim Jong Kook
Assistant director

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Tei.”

“Yes, Seul Gi?”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Chae Yeon-ah?”

Silence.

“Chae Yeon-ah??!”


“What do you want, HaHa?”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Uhm…”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Obviously your attention!”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Is something wrong, Seul Gi-ah?”

-SEUL GI’S POV-
Tei oppa. Omona. Please don’t call me like that.


Seul Gi-ah.


Just the mere thought of it makes me fall weak on my knees.

Is there something wrong?
Of course there’s something wrong.

Here’s the picture. My best friend is Chae Yeon. I like you. You are her boyfriend. Therefore I like my best friend’s boyfriend. Of course there is something wrong with that picture, Tei oppa, you pabo! Unless… You wouldn’t mind if I dated you, which will definitely make me the happiest girl in the planet.


But that’s just selfish. And I can never do that to Chae Yeon.



You are her life.
I’m her best friend.



You are my life.
You always have been.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-HAHA’S POV-

“Why don’t you just listen?!”

“Well, apart from the fact that, ONCE AGAIN, you cut off any moment between me and Tei oppa, I don’t know. Maybe because I don’t WANT to listen.”

“What if you tried, Chae Yeon ah? It’s not like I’m going to say something that’s going to haunt you for the rest of your life! It’s not like I’m going to confess something that I like you or that I was secretly in love with you or –what the heck did I just say that out loud– or… or…. Uhm, something like that?!!!”

“What did you say?”

Did she hear? “I thought you weren’t listening?”

“Listening is different from hearing. Please repeat what you said,” she asked.

“I… I… I,”

“It’s okay. I heard you the first time anyway.” Chae Yeon shrugged, and left it at that. “You know, if you wanted to talk to me, could you pick an appropriate time when I’m not with my boyfriend?”

She had emphasized on that last word – boyfriend. Like an arrow shot through my heart. Ouch. That really stung.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Seung Gi sat down on the floor.

“What happened?”He looked up and saw the security guard talking to him.

“Oh nothing, I just uhm… Became stupid for a moment and broke glass with my bare hands.”

“Hah. Funny how you put it that way. I wouldn’t call that stupid,” the guard replied.

Seung Gi, confused, looked up and asked, “What?”

The security guard smiled and said, “I’ve seen how you look at her. You’re in love, boy.”

As shocked as he was, Seung Gi became silent, looked down, and felt a smile creep up to his face. He looked at his hand and sighed. It didn’t hurt so much anymore.

Chapter 14

A/N: So, it has been a while since I last updated. I'm terribly sorry. *sweatsprofusely* I've been caught up with a lot of performances and stuff, and I ran out of pre-written chapters, hehe. I've been writing these stories in Starbucks, coffeeshops or donut shops so I'm sorry if these aren't all that great, but I think I've enjoyed writing them in coffee shops. Plus, I got to meet a lot of koreans in those coffee shops who talk to me so I'm pretty thrilled. Hehe. OKAY. Enough of me ranting. Personal replies, then update~! Enjoy ^^
Karen you're welcome, and thank you as well ^^ the performance went great! if i had the guts, i'd put up the video here for you guys to watch. hehe. ^^
Chinh here's the update ;) i hope you like it ^^

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“What was that??” Chae Yeon screamed. She looked to her left and saw Seung Gi sitting down on the floor.

A PD then came up to her and whispered, “We just saw him sitting on the floor, with the glass broken, and he has a wound in his hand.” The PD pointed at Seung Gi, who was looking down, sitting awkwardly on the floor, holding on to his right palm, which was bloody all over.

As soon as Chae Yeon saw this, she ran to Seung Gi and nervously wiped his bloody hands with her clothes. She bent down and got his hand, used her shirt then wrapped his wounds with her handkerchief.

“Nuna, what are you doing? Don’t use your clothes to wipe my –ouch! Not too hard~ Aigo, it hurts!” Seung Gi wailed.

“Why don’t you try to hold still?” Chae Yeon screamed. He bit his bottom lip and looked away. She tied her handkerchief around his hand then gave it a little pat.

Seung Gi flinched when she did. When Chae Yeon looked at him, she saw a little tear at the sides of Seung Gi’s eyes. She chuckled and wiped away his tear with her thumb, “You little kid,” she smirked.

“It hurts…” Seung Gi tried to lift his swollen arm. “… A lot.”

“It looks like it does. Why’d you break the glass in you palm anyway if you knew it would hurt?”

“It’s not the bruises that hurt, nuna…”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tei looked for Chae Yeon all over the building, but he couldn’t find her. He tried going to her room, but it was locked. He tried going to the rooftop where she usually stayed, but she wasn’t there either. He also tried to look for Seung Gi, but he was yet to be seen as well.

“That’s strange…” Tei muttered to himself. “Where the heck did those two go to?”

As he tried to look under tables, in cabinets, and under the covers (not that it was humanly possible to even hide under those circumstances), it dawned on him that maybe they were in the dock.

He asked the guard at the gate outside if he had seen either Chae Yeon or Seung Gi go out of the building and (un)fortunately, he had. The guard said that he saw them go to that direction, and he then pointed – the direction going to the dock.

“Thank you,” Tei bowed, “And please tell HaHa, if he ever comes looking for me, I’m at… uhm, McDonalds, or wherever.” He bid the confused guard goodbye and walked towards the dock.

Tei smirked and looked up the sky, “Chae Yeon-ah… What are you up to this time?”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“You like him?!” HaHa shouted, and placed one hand on his face, “Omona!”

Seul Gi grumbled under her breath. “I told you not to say it out loud!”, and slapped HaHa on his arms.

“Sorry, sorry. Anyway. Wow. That’s so tragic. I like Chae Yeon… and you like Tei. How cute. We should totally end up being together!” HaHa then brought his arms to Seul Gi, motioning for a hug.

“You do realize that you used ‘totally’ in a sentence?” Seul Gi asked, then ran away to avoid his hug.

“Yeah… Now that I think about it, that sort of felt… erhm, weird. Anyway, where’s my hug Seung-Gi yahh~”

“Hearing it is weird enough.” Seul Gi retorted.

“Anyway, that’s not the point. I can’t believe that you like Tei!”

“What’s so hard to believe? I mean… Who wouldn’t like someone like him?” She then sighed and bent her head down. “That’s why I know how you feel when you looked at Chae Yeon when she was with Tei in that room… I know how it’s like when you see someone you’ve liked for so long in the arms of someone else…”

“Yeah… And what sucks more is the fact that that someone else is a good friend of yours…”

“Yeah…” she sighed.

“Yeah…”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chae Yeon had her hands on her hips. Her voice was raised and her eyebrows met. “What did you do to your hand? What happened? Why’d you just walk out like that?? You got me so worried–”

“I like you…”

“ –I couldn’t think straight. I know that face! Your look when you came out made me so worried that I had to leave Tei –“

“I like you…”

“ –just to look for you! Aigo. Can you imagine how I felt when I heard that shout and the glass breaking?! You little boy! Don’t you go running away like that aga–“

“Nuna. Please. Can you not do this??” Seung Gi had his head bent down, but put his hand up to signalhis nuna to stop.

“You stupid pabo! I’m here all caring for you and being all nice and this is the thanks I get??”

Seung Gi was irritated, so he ran his injured hand through his hair. The blood mixed with the sweat in his hair, giving it a very messy look. He flinched in pain and the instant he ran his hands through his hair, he lashed it back and held it to soothe the pain.

“Hey! Be careful with that hand! What the heck! You shouldn’t be moving it too much, it might hurt and–“

“Why?! Whyyyy do you even caree??!” Seung Gi shouted.

“Because I just do! Isn’t that enough for you to appreciate what I’m doing to make you feel better??”

“Do you think that your screaming will make me feel better?!”

“You inconsiderate boy! Aren’t you gonna thank me for taking care of your stupid hand??”

“Th –than…”

“No! Don’t say thank you! Because it wouldn’t mean anything! I want you to say thank you when you mean it! You st–!”

Chae Yeon stopped midway in her sentence because as she was about to scream at Seung Gi, he thrust himself towards Chae Yeon, held her face…

But stopped. He froze for a moment, almost as if he was thinking of something. But at the end, he just drew his arms around her and gave her a tight hug.

His sobs and whimpers were enough to make Chae Yeon’s anger subside. He cried like a baby. His shoulders were fidgeting, and he was stomping on the ground continuously. Chae Yeon could feel his tears on her shoulder through her blouse, so she hugged him back and pat his head. She cooed her gently, “Ssh… Stop.”

Seung Gi sniffed, but only tightened their hug more. It seemed like he had to hug someone.

“Seung Gi-ah… Stop. C’mon. I’m sorry if I had to scream at you. I was just worried…”

Chae Yeon then felt Seung Gi nod his head. “I just want to know why’d you walk out like that… Did it have something to do with Ayumi?” Chae Yeon wanted to break their hug, but Seung Gi’s grip was tight. She fidgeted out and luckily, she was able to. “Did you remember her? When you saw me and Tei together? Do you miss her?”

- SEUNG GI’S POV: HIS THOUGHTS -
My stupid nuna… Aigo. You cute little pabo. Didn’t you hear me a while ago?

…

Oh… I’m sure you didn’t. But it’s okay, because you were screaming at me. I was saying I like you… I even said it two times. But you didn’t hear it.

I’m sure that you care for me as a dongsaeng only… And I know I can never be an oppa to you. It’s obvious that you’re older than me, so being an oppa to you can never happen, even if both of us wanted it.

I was walking back to my dressing room when I saw the door to your room slightly opened. I am a good boy, and I never eavesdrop on other people’s conversations. But I just had to listen to yours…

“When – When did you like me?” was the question that you asked Tei in that room. I wanted to make myself believe that it wasn’t true… That you didn’t have eyes for anyone…



So at least…





I could stand a chance…

With you...

MY heart stopped when I saw you and Tei holding hands… It’s not that I remembered Ayumi when I saw you and Tei hyung together. What was weird that Ayumi didn’t even cross my mind at that moment. What I did remember though was… us… together at the dock.

I didn’t like it when you were holdings hands with him. It’s not that I’m selfish… or that I was jealous… But… I just don’t know how to describe it.

My stupid little nuna. Your stupid little dongsaeng is going crazy again.

– END OF SEUNG GI’S POV –

Chapter 13

A/N: yey! personal replies~ guahaha.

Chinh jealous? hmm. sad? *puts fingers on chin* read on to find out ^^ hehe. i'm terribly sorry but it's gonna be in the next chapters, but i hope you still read this next one ^^ hehe. thank you for reading~
DuGi hello~! it was nice chatting with you last night? yea ^^ and fanfic machine? LOL. that made me laugh :)) anyway, whew. i'm relieved that you're not annoyed by the emails. lol. hope you enjoy this chapter ^^ thank you for reading~
Karen YEY FOR TEIYEON! haha. update's up ^^ i hope you enjoy this one. though there won't be much giyeon. but still. hehe. ^^ and by the way, can i get your e-mail? ^^ so i can send the e-mail for when i update to your e-mail address ^^ or do you want me to send it to you in soompi instead?

btw. my soompi = agnuque. FYI. lol :D okay. enough of me blabbing -_-"

i'm sorry for the mediocre update -_- *gets thrown over a mountain by an angry mob* lol. i was busy with my dance practices, and the performance is on saturday already. i hope you guys enjoy this update ^^ and again, thank you so much for reading :)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

-CHAE YEON’S POINT OF VIEW-

As soon as he came out that door, I screamed a mental “What-the-hell-did-he-mean-by-that-smile?” in my head, before finally telling myself to come running after him to ask what was wrong.

I let go of Tei’s hand as soon as the door closed to chase after Seung Gi, but got pulled in.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Tei asked, smirking.

I was about to pinch his cheeks because he looked so cute when I realized that I still had to find out why Seung Gi went out the door, so I said, “Going to Seung Gi.”

Tei looked confused, “Hey. I just officially asked you to be mine, and now you’re running off looking for other boys? Ouch, Chae Yeon,” he pointed to his chest, “Ouch,” sarcastically.

HaHa and Seul Gi weren’t any different. They had looks on their faces that read “What-the?” and “Where-do-you-think-you’re-going?” respectively.

Not able to hold their confused looks any longer, I gave out a sigh and said, “Okay. Here’s the deal. I was at the dock and I was talking to him because he was depressed. Long story short, I don’t want to see someone I care for getting hurt. I saw his face when he walked out… I think he’s hurt.”

Happy that I explained the situation, I was waiting for Tei to let go of my hand for me to talk to my Seung Gi when I felt him hold on my hand tighter. Smiling, Tei asked, “You care for him?”

... Long story short, I don’t want to see someone I care for getting hurt. I saw his face when he walked out on us…

“Care for him as a friend kind of thing. Come on oppa, I’m not that stupid to replace you for anybody else,” I replied. I knew that it would make him happy, and stop him with all the questioning, and fortunately, it did. He gave me a nod and a quick kiss which gave me butterflies all over, making my knees fall weak again.

I bid him goodbye, and HaHa and Seul Gi as well, before finally going out to look for Seung Gi.

It was true that I had wanted to cheer him up because he was a friend. Of course, that’s what friends do, right? But I think there’s something more to what I’m doing. I mean… because… that look. When I saw Seung Gi smile weakly when he saw me holding hands with Tei, I felt my heart stop. It made it look like holding hands with Tei was a bad thing! But it wasn’t… Of course it wasn’t! What made things worse was when he walked out. I didn’t want to see him like that. It sort of dawned on me that maybe it reminded him of Ayumi or something. I didn’t want to see him cry again. So I brought it upon myself to look for him and comfort him, being the good nuna that I was... or so I wanted to believe.

I looked from left to right, hoping to catch a glimpse of him but to no avail. I asked some PDs if they saw him, but they hadn’t. They did tell me, though, that the recording for the show is cancelled for some ‘reasons’ they didn’t want to tell. Right… Like it wasn’t obvious. Anyway, I continued to walk around the building to look for Seung Gi when suddenly, I heard glass break, and a shout.

-END OF CHAE YEON’S POV-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-TEI’S POV-

“What was that for?!”

“What was what for?” I smirked.

HaHa was obviously pissed by my smirking, which made me laugh even more.

“What the?! Don’t you dare what-was-what-for me! You know what I’m talking about!”

“Hyung, I really don’t!” I really didn’t.

HaHa pursed his lips in a pout and made smoochy noises. “Now do you remember?”

“Oh… That.” I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment and happiness when I finally understood what he was trying to say. “That was nothing. Don’t get all grandma on me, HaHa.”

“Go grandma?! You think I’m going grandma?! You pabo~! We were recording a show! What gave you the right to do something as daring and bold as that?!” He screamed, with his hands flailing in the air.

“Love, hyung. Love,” and I pointed to my chest. It was the best comeback I could think of to make him shut up, but it felt so cheesy, that I snickered after saying it.

“Don’t you love-love me, you pabo. Can’t you see that I like Ch- I mean… I didn’t like what you did! You pabo,” he said, obviously rubbing in the fact that I did disrupt the X-Man schedule. “And stop laughing! You’re freaking making me lose my head again!”

He looked so pissed. What’s funny was that it was rare for people to see HaHa get pissed off so for me to see this was quite entertaining, and I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw him turn around and start talking to the air. I laughed at my friend’s antics.

Without him knowing, when he turned back around to face me, still having one arm in the air, I gave him a high five and pat his shoulder, “If this is your way of showing your blessings for me and Chae Yeon, thank you, HaHa. Thank you.”

I gave him another pat at the back before finally walking away to look for Seul Gi and Chae Yeon.

-END OF TEI’S POV-

-HAHA’S POV-

“Ouch,” I heard.

I looked back and saw Seul Gi with one hand on her heart, and the other one touching her face, making it look like she was crying, but it was obvious that she was just fooling around. “Didn’t that hurt? I told you to forget about Chae Yeon.”

“Nothing can make me forget about Chae Yeon. I’ve liked her for so long that it’s going to be a waste if I don’t continue courting her,” I explained.

Seul Gi gave out an exasperated sigh before talking, “Isn’t it making it look like you’re courting her just for the sake of courting her? I mean, think about it. From what I see, you’re just courting her because… I don’t know – just because. Then IF you do end up being together, and that’s a big IF, then what happens? You get your wish of finally being with her, but do you really love her, HaHa? Do you? That hug in New Year’s didn’t mean anything, as harsh as it may sound. She hugged everybody in there, and I did too. I hugged everybody like she did! So why didn’t you fall for me? But you really don’t have to answer that. I just said that to explain things. Anyway, she hugged this one PD. I heard that the PD fell for her too, but then he got rejected, but he moved on. See, oppa? Move on. Things are easier that way.”

“But Seul Gi, I –”

She held her hands up to my face signalling me to keep quiet. "Shush," she said. Great. She wasn’t finished talking yet.

“I’m not saying that you should stop liking her, because who am I to tell you to? And if I DID tell you, I’m sure that you wouldn’t listen anyway. It’ll be harder for you to forget about her if you don’t stop this. People are always like that,” she said. I nodded my head in agreement. “But you shouldn’t be one of those people, HaHa. Move on.”

“So are you saying that I should be an alien instead?” I replied jokingly.

“That wasn’t really funny, you know?” Seul Gi chuckled.

“Then why are you chuckling?” I asked.

“Aish, fine,” she wailed, and put on a straight and serious face. “That wasn’t really funny, you know?” she repeated, “There, you happy now? I made my face all serious now.”

“Happy? Aigo. I am nowhere near happiness, Seul Gi. Not with Chae Yeon running after and drooling over my best friend…”

“Wow. That was a good line! You’ve been practicing, oppa. Nice,” she clapped her hands in exciting gestures.

“That’s not a line, pabo. That’s really how I feel!” I explained, thumping my hands to my chest.

“Hurts, right?”

“What? Thumping my chest? The hell. Of course not, I always thump my chest. It’s like a manly thing, you know.”

“Pabo. Not the thumping! Chae Yeon and Tei together, stupid.”

“Oh…” I heaved a sigh. “Yeah… It does.”

“Yeah… Seems like it.”

“Why’d you ask?”

“Because I know how it feels, HaHa. I know.”

Chapter 12

A/N so, before i leave to watch my little brother's show, and before i leave for my dance class, here's the update ^^
Chinh thank you for such kind words ^^ seung gi will appear in this chapter now, hehe. i'm sorry if i made you go crazy, lol. it was never my intention :)) anyway. i hope you enjoy this update ^^
karen you're welcome ;)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“What was that for?!”

“What was what for?” Tei smirked.

She stuttered and sat back. “Th – That.. Uhm…”

“What? I can’t hear you Chae Yeon-ah~,” he said in a sing-song voice, and cupped his hand in one ear, pretending not to hear.

“Aigo~ Don’t pretend you don’t know oppa!” and punched Tei lightly while he sat down. He pulled her closely to his side on the couch. Tei laughed and hugged her head tightly.

“Don’t you realize that you look so cute this way?” Tei spoke, with his eyes clothes, arms around Chae Yeon's head.

Chae Yeon tried to wiggle her way out of Tei’s grasp, but failed. She couldn’t breathe in his embrace, but somehow, she didn’t mind it at all. It sort of felt… good, actually. To be held by a big man with big arms and a muscular body.

“Mmfh.”

“Hmm?” Tei asked, who still had his eyes closed.

“Mmfh – Bmpffh.”

“Oh, sorry,” Tei quickly jerked back, realizing how awkward their position was. “Sorry. You should’ve told me that you weren’t really comfortable with me hugging you that way,” and scratched the back of his head.

“Why did you do it?” she quickly asked as soon as he let go. “Why did you – do you… really like me?”

“Do you want me to kiss you again to make you realize that I do?” Tei had already pursed his lips in a playful pout to wait for a kiss but all that he got was a slight slap to the cheek. He laughed and hugged her again, only this time, lower and looser to give her enough space to breathe.

“Tei?” Chae Yeon looked up.

“Hmm?”

“Since when?”

“Since when what?” He looked at her questioningly.

“Since when did you like me?” Chae Yeon curiously asked.

Tei held her hands and smiled, “Since I felt that you liked me too.”

Chae Yeon blushed.

“Chae Yeon-ah. The way you look at me… It’s obvious that you do. I might be sounding like a complete jerk for telling this even if I don’t have any proof or whatever but I really do feel that you like me! That’s partly the reason why I liked you in the first place! When you look at me, you have the best smile on your face… Always. Almost as if you were always happy to see me. It made me feel so good, Chae Yeon-ah… To know that I was making you happy? Aish. That’s the best feeling in the world. I feel so giddy and happy inside! Do you understand that?! I am so happy to see you like that. Please don’t break my heart. Do you…” he paused, caught his breathe and continued, “do… do you like me enough to be... My… Uhm, mine?” and pointed to his heart. It was cheesy, but it worked.

Chae Yeon blushed yet again. She looked at his hand which was holding on to hers. She blissfully sighed and locked both their hands together with intertwining fingers. She held up their hands and showed it to his face, “Oppa,” she pointed to their joint fingers,

“I’m already yours.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“What are you doing here?”

“Might I ask the same with you, hyung?” Seung Gi asked HaHa.

“I was just... getting coffee! And you?”

Seung Gi glanced to his side before looking back at HaHa once again. “I was just, uhm… Getting pancakes.”

“Meh. Seung Gi-yah, you do know that they don’t sell pancakes in here, right? Were you spying on Tei and Chae Yeon too? I MEAN… Were you spying on someone? Unlike me, who was just happening to pass by and not spying? Aigo, dongsaeng. Of all people? Tsk.”

Seung Gi scratched the back of his head and gave out an embarrassing sigh. “Yeah… Right. No pancakes, I knew that, I meant I was just –“

“Watching Tei and Chae Yeon? Spit it out, you two. Both of you so like my best friend.” Unknowingly, Seul Gi came in the room where Seung Gi and HaHa were hiding to hear what Tei and Chae Yeon were talking about in the room next to theirs. The X-Man producers decided to have a break after Tei’s ‘confession’ so Tei and Chae Yeon decided to go to a room talk things over.

“ANIYO!” Both shouted out.

“HaHa, it’s already known by everyone here that you like her, so no use in hiding it,” Seul Gi slapped his arm and laughed profusely. “While you,” she pointed at Seung Gi with her pointy finger, stopped laughing and asked, “Where did you take my Chae Yeon, huh? What took you guys so long a while ago?? She told me that she brought you to the dock! Yah, this boy. Don't you know that she was stressed?! I sent her there to think things over so what were you doing with her?” Seul Gi raised her left eyebrow and put her hands on her waist.

HaHa grew red at the thought that… *gulp* everybody knew that he liked Chae Yeon? He tugged on Seul Gi’s dress and pouted before asking, “Eh, Seul Gi-ah... Does Chae Yeon know that I –“

“Yes, she does. Now be quiet. I asked Seung Gi a question,” Seul Gi glared. “Dongsaeng, where’d you guys go?”

HaHa, not knowing that Seung Gi took Chae Yeon somewhere, forgot the fact that he himself had a question to Seul Gi, and just joined in with Seul Gi. “OHOHOHO~ You guys went somewhere?! Where?!” HaHa glared.

“She just brought me to the dock, hyung. We just talked because I was kind of depressed and all and I just needed someone to talk to. I am sorry for taking so much time with her.”

“Meh. Depressed? Riiight… Is that a new way to score girls now?! AIGOOOO~OUCH! What the heck?! What’d you punch me for?!” HaHa asked, holding on to his swollen arm.

“That is the worst punch line you can possibly pull in an even possibly worse situation. Be quiet. Can’t you see that the boy is depressed already? Oh, Seung Gi. I'm so sorry I sort of threw a fit at you like that. Mianhe, dongsaeng. By the way, pay no heed to HaHa. He’s just jealous that he hasn’t been on a date with Chae Yeon ever since, while you already went with her to the dock, even if you guys just met.” Seul Gi laughed at the thought and stuck out her tongue to her oppa.

HaHa cringed and rolled his eyes, “Well, thank you for making me remember, Seul Gi. Really.”

“You’re welcome. I just don’t get the point why you still try to court her. She already said –“

“That she doesn’t want our friendship to be ruined, and that it will cost her very much if she gave up our friendship for a relationship, not knowing what the end might be. She thinks that a relationship might not last forever, and we might break up and never talk to each other ever again and she is not willing to risk losing this friendship for anything,” Seul Gi and HaHa said in a chorus.

“Wow,” Seul Gi remarked, “You memorized it?”

“Every word," Haha sighed. "I mean, who wouldn’t?”

“I wouldn’t, because it’s just going to hurt me whenever I remember that she did say that,” Seung Gi remarked.

HaHa gave him a blunt fce and spoke. “Uh, I think we just established the fact that I am hurt and mourning ever since she did tell me that, so please do not make me remember, Seung Gi yah. Really.”

“Oh. Mian.”

“I’m already yours.”

All three looked at each other, with eyes wide open, and mouths agape.

HaHa: “Did you hear that?”

Seung Gi: “Did you hear that??”

Seul Gi: “You too??”

All three: “Was that Chae Yeon??!”

As soon as they said that last line, all three ran to the door that shared their room and the other room. They opened it, only to see Chae Yeon holding hands with Tei, not that there was any problem with that though. They were already ‘officially’ a couple because of Tei's confession, so it shouldn’t be a problem if they were holding hands.

Chae Yeon, surprised, jumped back and fell down on her butt.

“Ohh… My butt.”

“Pabo,” Tei bent down, flicked her forehead and rubbed his nose with hers. “Be careful next time.”

“Y-yeah. Uh, oppa. HaHa, Seung Gi, and Seul Gi are here,” Chae Yeon said, still on the floor.

Tei looked back, smirked, and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Yeah… I know,” he smiled and gazed into her eyes.

“OMIGOSHOMIGOSHOMIGHOSHI'MHYPERVENTELATINGWHATTHEHELLDIDYOUGUYSJUSTDOOMYGOSHMYHEARTISOMIGOSH!” Seul Gi screamed, fanning her face with her hands. “I’m so happy for you Chae Yeon ah! C’mon! Get up! I need to give you a big girl hug!”

“Baa. Disgusting, Tei,” HaHa remarked. Tei arched his eyebrow at HaHa, who only looked aside to avoid his glance.

“Nuna…” Seung Gi spoke. Everyone looked at him.

"I’m so happy for you.”

Seung Gi then gave a faint smile to her before finally walking away, closing the door behind him.

Chapter 11

A/N: Hello there! So here I am, yet again with another update of eX-Man. I'm dead tired because I've been dancing for the whole day, and my toes are screaming. My head already like fell off my neck alraedy, LOL. Ugh. That's just nasty. But that's how I feel like, haha. OKAY. Anyway, enough with the gross-ness, lol.

Here are the replies~
DuGi Omo~ Thank you so much for notocing~! How stupid of me to commit that mistake, haha. Thanks for pointing it out~! And about Ayumi. I didn't really like her too so I decided to kill her character, even before she even made an appearance LOL. Evil, buahaha. But I will be using the name that you suggested sooner or later. For now, I will use Ayumi because the chapters are pre-written. Thank you~! ^^ I'm glad you enjoyed 8 & 9. Hope you enjoy THIS chapter :)
Chinh Yeyeye ^^ Playing with each others feet in the air is the new thing to do when going on dates. LOL. Well, at least I think so, so yeah. -_- Keke. I'm so glad you like my story~ I'm really happy to hear from readers like you guys ^^ I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Thank you so much for reading :)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chae Yeon and Seung Gi had a very long walk home. And by long, it just meant that they were so awkward that the supposedly minutes to walk back to the studio somehow turned into hours. Why was it even awkward, anyway? Both asked themselves. We just talked at the beach and the dock. There wasn’t anything special. No hugs. No kisses…

Ohohoho! Definitely no kisses.

“So… Uhm. Kamsahamnida, nuna. For taking me there. It really did make me feel a lot better.”

Chae Yeon got his hand and gave it a light pat. It gave him a tingling feeling, which made his knees shake for some reason. “You’re welcome. This is where Tei and I usually stay whenever we just need to rest… Just to relax, you know.”

“You and hyung have been spending a lot of time with each other? Haven’t you?” Seung Gi asked curiously, and out of topic.

She sighed. “Ne.”

The way she answered, it was as if she wasn’t happy with it. “What’s wrong?” Seung Gi asked, bending his head to the side.

Chae Yeon tilt his head to the side as well, and asked. “What do you mean what’s wrong?”

“Well, obviously. From the way you answered, it seems like you’re not really that happy with Tei hyung.”

“I am… It’s just that–“

“It’s just what?”

“I don’t know. Ya! I’m happy, okay?” and shrugged him off, wishing to change the topic.

“Heh. It really doesn’t sound that believable.”

“Look. I don’t have to have your permission, your consent, your approvable or whatever to prove that I am happy with Tei. He’s a nice guy. I like him. And I’m pretty sure he feels the same way. Now can you please just stop? I just met you, and you’re already sounding like you’ve known me for so long. You’re not making me feel any better.”

“…”

“…..”

“You sound pissed.”

“Yeah. I am,” she muttered under her breathe.

“Mianhe, I’m sorry. It wasn’t meant to come out as something to piss you off,” Seung Gi said, sincerely apologizing for what he said.

“Araso. Just try not to ask too many questions, okay? Especially when it comes to a girl’s feelings,” Chae Yeon remarked. “You really need to learn a lot about girls.”

“Ne, I know, right? I’m the worst boy in the world,” saying it as a joke to her, and to himself. He was pouting from the fact that it was actually half true. Seung Gi was not as a romantic or as cool as he looked.

“Yeah. You are the worst.”

“Well thanks for lifting my spirits, nuna. Really,” he said, lifting his eyebrow in a sarcastic tone.

She winked at him and replied, “You’re welcome.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The X-Man show went by so fast. They announced that Tei was leaving for the army. A lot of people were shocked; they didn’t expect him to leave so early for the army. Some fan girls screamed. Some wailed, while the others looked for Chae Yeon’s reaction. If she was to cry or show any emotion of sadness, then it confirms it: Chae Yeon and Tei ARE an item.

Well lucky for the audience. In the corner, the camera got a glimpse of Chae Yeon shedding a tear. Tei, seeing it, swung his arm around her and motioned for her to stop – “It’s okay. Two years will fly by quickly. It will be alright.” He lifted strands of her hair and placed them at the back of her ear, and cupped her face. “Don’t cry,” he whispered under his breath.

“Tei…” she looked up and a tear fell onto her cheek.

“Chae Yeon, ah. Don’t be so sad.”

“How can I not be sad, Tei, if I know that you’re leaving soon?!”





“… I’m sorry.”

“It’s not going to do anything, Tei. You’re leaving.” She lightly pushed him away. He looked down, ashamed.

He paused for a moment, then looked around. They were still filming. Some of the cast were looking at them, motioning to them to stop if they don’t want any scandal. Some of the cast members were still continuing with the show. He looked back at Chae Yeon, who looked at him straight in the eyes, before bowing her head again, her forehead on his chest. What was he to say?

Scandal or no scandal, it didn't matter. “Chae Yeon…” He asked.

“Yes?” she sniffed in between tears, still having her head down.

“Do you like me?”

Chae Yeon stood there in disbelief and jolted back. WELL DUH. If she didn’t, would she be crying in front of a live audience during a live recording of a comedy show? She glared at him.

“Oh.. Right..” Tei looked down disappointed.

“What the? Why are you, uh, sad?" Chae Yeon noticed his expression.

“You don’t?”

“Don’t what?”

“Like me?”

“Butthead. Of course I do.”

“You do?”

“Well, duh.”

“Oh.”

“That is the most romantic way to confess your feelings for someone,” and manage to stifle a laugh amidst the tears. She can see him blushing.

He smirked and replied, “Not really. I know a better way to confess.” He then gave a little laugh.

“Really? How would I –MMPFH!”

Out of nowhere, Tei jerked towards Chae Yeon, held her by the waist, and planted a kiss on her lips. Chae Yeon’s eyes widened in surprise, and so did the eyes of maybe hundreds of those who saw it. It all happened so fast that it looked like it didn’t happen at all.

He broke off the kiss, which took only maybe a second or two, but for Chae Yeon, it seemed to last forever.

“Chae Yeon. I really, really.. Honestly like you."


Both looked at each other intently in the eyes. “I… I d –“

“WOOOO! CHAE YEON!!”
“YOU GO TEI! THAT’S HOW YOU DO IT!”
“Honey! Why can’t you do something as romantic as that?!”
“Do something like what???"
“I want a husband like that! He shows the WHOLE world that he loves me! GO TEIIIII OPPA~ HWAITING~ SARANGHAEEEEEEE~MPFH!!! WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!”
"Well you wanted a husband that kissed you in front of everybody. Why'd you slap me then?! I just kissed you!"
"Gag reflex. Mianhe. OOOHH~ Look honey! Tei oppa is so sweet to Chae Yeon-ahh~"



The audience screamed and whistled. Obviously, they were more excited for what just happened than to actually remember that they were still filming an X-Man episode.

Chae Yeon looked down after the kiss, her cheeks suddenly flushed red.

“I… I don’t know what to say...”

“Chae Yeon…” Tei paused. “Baby,” he smiled and continued, “You don’t have to say anything. I think that surprised look on your face says it all.” He got her nose and pinched it softly.

“Heh. Oppa… You DO realize that we’re still filming X-Man, right?” and bit the lower part of her lip. He just kissed me, she thought.

Tei laughed and looked at the audience, “That makes it even better. Now everyone will know how special you are to me.” He held her hand and tried to bring her up front, in front of everyone. She tried to let go, but Tei tightened his grip even more. She could do nothing but blush profusely.

"Do you trust me, Chae Yeon-ah? Do you trust your oppa?" Tei looked back.

Although it sounded like he was some cheesy middle-aged romantic off a novel, Chae Yeon had to admit. He was the most goodlooking and sweetest middle-aged romantic she ever met. The way he asked.. "...do you trust me..", made her feel all giddy and jumpy inside. The way he looekd at her with those beautiful eyes, ohoho. How it felt so great to be a girl. She giggled and nodded her head.

HaHa, seeing this, could not take it anymore. “TEI. DON’T DO THIS,” his eyes filled with concern… and jealousy. He blocked their way before they could get in front of the cameras… In front of the audience. In front of everybody. “Don’t start a scandal this way! Oh, wait. On second thought, why don’t you try to NOT start a scandal AT ALL?”


Tei paused for a moment, actually thinking it over if he were to continue what he was about to do. “HaHa…” He looked at Chae Yeon and said, “SHE will be worth it.”

Haha watched them walk towards the cameras. He could do nothing but just look at them. He closed his eyes and sighed.





“Yeah… I know.”

Chapter 10

Hello again. I updated with Chapter 10. And for those who are reading, there really isn't an official PM list, but I will be sending emails/PMs to those who reply or leave something on the site ^^ I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's kind of short, sorry -_- The next ones will be longer. Thanks for reading~! ^^

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

-Seung Gi’s Point of View-

Ayumi was all that I wished for in my life. I really did like her. She knew how to make me smile, sort of like how Tei hyung knew how to make Chae Yeon nuna smile. It was like looking at an older version of me and Ayumi. That was why I kept silent when the two of them were… Fighting? If you can call it that, in the room this morning. That was why I didn’t know what to say.

But what struck me the most was when I saw Chae Yeon nuna going out that door when I was about to come in. She looked like Ayumi. She looked beautiful.

Nuna was just sitting at the back of me, looking at the ocean. She held on to my shoulders, and watched the ocean. It was all I needed to break down again. I looked down, and sighed. Regretted how I couldn’t do anything to save Ayumi two years ago. If I knew that that would happen, I would’ve rushed and drove her to her work instead, even if it was already 3:30 in the morning, and even if I didn’t know how to drive. The driver was obviously sleepy then. How could he have hit and smashed into another vehicle? And why did it have to be something as big as a truck? WHY.

I didn’t notice, but my jacket was so wet with my tears already. Why was I even crying? Two years have already gone by – two long, agonizing, painful years of pain, sadness, and crying. In that span of two years, I should’ve moved on already. Actually, I already have. But Chae Yeon nuna reminded me of Ayumi so much, that I couldn’t do anything anymore. I had to let it all out.

-End of Point of View-

“Oh. Mianhe. I’m sorry for your loss. When did this happen?” Chae Yeon asked.

Seung Gi sighed, and held on to his jeans. “Two years ago.”

-Chae Yeon’s Point of View-

I felt so bad for him. He was so young, and he had to go through something as tragic as this. I was lucky that Tei was just going to the army and he’s still alive. But what luck is there in that? No. What if something happens to him there?? What if there was a sudden invasion of the… What if he gets kil – Aish. I didn’t want to continue what I was thinking.

I looked at Seung Gi. He looked depressed. He looked sad. The happiness and cheerfulness I saw in him hours ago wasn’t there anymore. What happened? Why did he suddenly remember Ayumi?

-End of Point of View-

“I don’t know. I just… Uh, she just popped into my head, that’s all.” Seung Gi didn’t want to make Chae Yeon uncomfortable to tell her that she looked like Ayumi. So he just said a little white lie.

“Oh. Araso. Do you miss her?”

He nodded his head and sniffed. He blew his nose, which was already full of… Uhm, yeah, that gooey stuff.

“Here,” she handed him her handkerchief and asked, “Do you still love her?”

“How can I? She’s already gone.”

“Well we can’t do anything more. She’s safe where she is now.”

“Yeah.”

“Seung Gi-sshi, I’m sorry you had to go through something like that.”

Seung Gi could do nothing but sigh.

“Yeah, me too.”

“Do you want to go to the cemetery or something?”

It wasn’t the best place where two people can spend time together to be happy. Usually, it would be shops, cafes, malls, movie houses, and the like. But she decided to accompany and bring Seung Gi sshi to the cemetery to help him start moving on. And the first step in moving on is acceptance – he had to accept the fact that Ayumi wasn’t here anymore.

“No. Let’s just stay here.”

“Why?” Chae Yeon asked.

Seung Gi wryly smiled while looking down, “Nuna, if a person asks you to stay, no questions are supposed to be asked,” and looked at her. “Just stay.”

Surprisingly, Chae Yeon wasn’t annoyed with his smiling anymore. She actually sort of liked it.

“Nuna?”

“Ne?”

Seung Gi paused for a bit and looked at Chae Yeon, trying to think of something to say. He resorted to going back to silence.

“Nothing.”

They both looked back at the ocean. It wasn’t as awkward as it was the first time..

“Thank you, nuna. For bringing me here. It certainly made me feel better.”

“You're welcome, Seung Gi. This is where I go to whenever I feel bad or when something’s bothering me. And.." she paused. "... You don't have to call me nuna every now and then, you know."

"Aigo," he giggled a bit, "it's going to be awkward if I don't." And continued on with his nuna-ing.

"Thank you for bringing me here, really.. This was how I felt when I was with Ayumi. So peaceful... Warm," he then reached out for her hand and touched her fingers which gave her a small jolt througout her body, "..and happy."

Chae Yeon felt her cheeks blush so she yanked her hand away from Seung Gi. Seung Gi smiled, but continued to look down, while she had looked up to avoid his gaze. She tried to supress her smile, but it did no good because her dimples were showing. She was smiling? She thought to herself. How could it be possible that she’s starting to like how things are going with Seung Gi? Was she happy about it?

They sat there, with their feet hanging in the air. Seung Gi stretched his arms and put his arm around Chae Yeon. He bent his head to rest on Chae Yeon’s shoulders, and whispered a thank you to his nuna. She pat his head, and both played with their feet, kicking and tumbling, as if playing with the air. It looked like they were filming a movie. Only this time, actions were natural, dialogue was not scripted, and they didn’t have to act to show what they really felt in that moment when they were together.

Chapter 9

A/N Annyeong! So I updated! :) Here are the personal replies :)
DuGi i'm glad that you liked them! ^^ and yes, chae yeon does have that syndrome, lol :P but who knows, in the end, she might change her ways for seung gi or tei? yes? ;) lol. hope you enjoy this update & thanks for reading ^^
Chinh well, as you wished, this update is purely seung gi & chae yeon. but it's kinda short though -_- mian. but either way, here's the update! ;) i hope you like it & thanks for reading ^^

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Neither spoke as they walked near the shoreline. The scene was something like in the romantic movies … A couple, their hair being blown by the wind, their feet, wet in the ocean, and by the end, the boy will carry the girl on his back. But with Chae Yeon and Seung Gi, it was different. The two did not have any dialogue, the two were not holding hands, the two were not the happiest, and the two were definitely not in love.

“So mind telling me what happened? Why you suddenly became like this?” Chae Yeon asked, as they sat on the dock near the beach.

“It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got all the time in the world,” patting his back and cooing him with encouraging words, “But if you don’t want to, it’s really okay. I’m just—"

“Concerned?” Seung Gi butted in, “Kamsahamnida, nuna. But, why do you even care?”

“Was that supposed to come off as an insult or a question?”

“Ah. Mian, mian. It’s just that y–,” his voice became softer, and his shoulders began to fidget.

She heard sobs. Sniffs. She knew that he was feeling bad so it's likely that he was going to… Ah. There it is… A tear fell from his cheek. He was crying.

“Seung Gi. Are you crying? What’s happening? Are you okay?” Chae Yeon said, obviously not knowing what to say.

Seung Gi then became silent. He stopped sobbing. “What do you think, nuna? Do you think I’m okay?” His voice was gradually becoming louder. Almost as if he wanted to scream, “Isn’t it obvious already? Now do I have to answer your stupid questions??! Wasn’t it enough that you had to remind me of–" Seung Gi. There was a long pause. “Aish. What the heck.” He then stood up and ran away.

“Ya! Seung Gi Ya!” Chae Yeon screamed. But Seung Gi was obviously not listening. He continued running to who knows where.

Chae Yeon sat there, confused. She was trying to figure out what the heck just happened. Who did she remind him of? Where did he go? Why was he crying? Did it m–

“Nuna?” She looked back. It was Seung Gi. He came back?

He just stood there. Looking down, with his hands on both sides. The right sleeve of his jacket was wet with tears. After running away, he decides to come back? Aish, this boy.

“What made you decide to come back?” Chae Yeon asked, putting his hand on Seung Gi’s head the moment he sat down.

“I just… I just need someone to talk to, nuna. Mianhe! I am so sorry for the way I acted,” and wiped his tears with the back of his hand, still having his head down.

“It’s okay. Just tell me what happened.” She fixed his hair, held his face gently and used her fingers to wipe the tears on his face. Seung Gi cried even more. Chae Yeon, not knowing what to do, and now knowing what to say, started stuttering and flailing her arms in the air, thinking of a way to make him stop.

Seung Gi only sighed and shook his head.

Chae Yeon, seeing this, went at the back of Seung Gi, who was sitting down on the end of dock, looking at the ocean.

She went down, and put her hands on Seung Gi’s shoulders. “Seung Gi ya,” Chae Yeon whispered from the back. It felt cold. How ironic that it did, seeing that the sun was already at its peak.

“Ne?” he said, still with his head down, sniffing.

She sighed, and breathed in a nice blast of fresh air. “I really don't know what to say. I've always loved watching movies where it had moments like this because I felt that I could get some lines from those, but I can't, Seung Gi. Life doesn't work that way. It doesn't have any background music, a perfect script to end things in a happy note, and things aren't always as fake and as scripted as they are in those movies. I'm sorry that this is the best I can tell you, but I will be here for you if you need it.” Chae Yeon smiled, held his hand, and squeezed it gently. She then sat down next to Seung Gi, and had him bend his head on her shoulder to let the tears all out.

It made her feel bad that she couldn’t do anything but watch him cry. But then again, this is all that people need anyway. Just to have someone who would listen. Someone who would sit idly on the sidelines and watch them shed the pain. Seung Gi needed that someone. And even if she didn't have the perfect dialogue, Chae Yeon fit that role perfectly.

Chapter 8

A/N: Hello to DuGi, Chinh and not_popular for being the first readers! ^^ I'm so glad to know that my story is being read and appreciated by you guys, so thank you! I will be updating a lot continuously, even if I have my exams already because I have some pre-written chapters so YEY! :D Haha. Okay. Enough ranting. I hope you enjoy the chapter ^^

replies
DuGi i'm not really sure if there were a lot of teiyon moments in xman, but i've been seeing a lot of tributes to teiyeon so i'm guessing there were ^^ lol. anyway, thank you for reading~! :)
not_popular thanks for the nice words ^^ i love teiyeon too~ i think they look cute together as a couple *^^* but dongsaeng-nuna relationships are adorable ^^ that's why giyeon's kinda cool too. hehe. thank you for reading ^^
Chinh thank you for being my first replier/reader ^^ thank you for such encouraging & nice words! ^^ and yes, i will be updating regularly now! thanks for reading!! :)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“1 hour. That was all the time that we spent together. I’ve known Tei for more than 2 years. How is it possible that I’m starting to like Seung Gi?? That’s impossible! I don’t like Seung Gi! He’s just new, he’s young, he’s –”

“Chae Yeon! Just STOP,” Seul Gi said, holding Chae Yeon’s face with both her hands. “If you didn’t like Seung Gi, then you wouldn’t react this way. There’s definitely something going on.”

“You’re right,” Chae Yeon sighed.

She and Bae Seul Gi have been best friends since who knows when. They didn’t really like each other when they first met, because Seul Gi thought that Chae Yeon was bratty, and Chae Yeon thought that Seul Gi’s shoes were ugly. Seul Gi was right that Chae Yeon could get a little bratty, but she still loved her and saw past the brattiness. They complemented each other’s personalities. They had some disagreements here and there, but definitely fixed things after. They were inseparable. They were best friends.

“Of course I’m right,” she laughed, and hugged Chae Yeon. “Think things over. Have time for yourself. It’s still early. They said that recording will be delayed for a couple of hours today because… I don’t know. Just because. So anyway, go to that place where you usually go to. I’ll just text you when it’s already near recording time, okay?”

“Seul Gi. Why do I always get myself into things like this?”

“Because you’re pretty, Chae Yeon-ah. And pretty girls like us always go through a lot of difficult times. It makes us all prettier."

"Aish, babo. How can problems like this make us prettier?!" Chae Yeon flicked her forehead.

"Aigo, I don't know! I just - Aish. That's not the point! The point is, it makes us stronger or something. Now go and think about it. You can’t have two men in your heart forever,” patting her on the head. “By the way, love what you did to your hair, Chae Yeon.”

“Okay. And thanks, Seul Gi.” Chae Yeon smiled a faint smile.

“Want me to tell your driver to take you there?”

“Aniyo, aniyo. I’ll just walk. I need to get some air.”

Seul Gi hugged her again. “Jota, jota. Take care, okay. I’ll talk to you soon. Stop frowning, okay? You’re looking uglier and uglier,” and frolicked to her dressing room. Chae Yeon laughed as she watched her best friend jump up and down. Why can’t she be as happy as Seul Gi? She asked herself.

She came back into her room to change her clothes into something more casual, seeing that there was no more need to dress to impress, because Tei already drooled (or so it seemed) over her a while ago when she was in that black dress Park Kyung Lim picked out for her. She wore washed-out tattered jeans, and a plaid polo shirt. Her chucks had drawings and scribbles all over them (the ones she drew with Seul Gi), and she finally tied her hair up in a ponytail.

She got her bag and was off to go. As soon as she opened the door, Seung Gi was standing right in front of her.

At the same moment, Seung Gi was going inside the room as soon as Chae Yeon was about to leave.

Seung Gi looked up. Wow. She’s really pretty.

Chae Yeon looked at him as well and noticed his smile. Aww. He's so cute like!

Seung Gi apparently changed clothes too. That morning, Chae Yeon didn’t really notice what he was wearing. But now, she did. He looked really good for someone his age. The shirt and hoodie-jacket he was wearing made him look stylish, and the jeans complemented very well. His hair was messy in a nice way.

Seung Gi then suddenly smiled. Chae Yeon couldn't decipher if it was a happy smile or a sad smile. But from the looks of it, he didn't look happy. So she guessed it was a sad smile. A sad smile? Aigo. What the heck is she talking about.

Neither of them spoke. So, wishing to change another would-be awkward moment, Seung Gi started to talk. “You look pretty,” he blurted out.

Chae Yeon did not want to be caught off guard, “Pft. I won’t fall for that joke again.”

“Do you think I’m joking?” He looked like he was serious.

“I… I, uhm. I don’t know! Wait... Are you joking?” Chae Yeon blushed.

“No,” and continued staring at her.

“Ya. You know that it’s impolite to stare at someone,” Chae Yeon sneered.

“Not if that someone’s as pretty as you, nuna.” He looked straight in her eyes.

-SEUNG GI’S POINT OF VIEW-

I don’t know how I managed to move or talk at that particular moment.

She really looked like Ayumi. She really did. From the hair, to the jeans, to the plaid polo shirt, it was like she was brought back to life. Every memory of Ayumi came back to me. The car crash, the coma. My childhood sweetheart. Gone, and now, it seemed as if she was the one standing right in front of me. It was like she was just there… Like nothing happened 2 years ago. I wanted to hug her again, like how I always did when we were still together… When she was still alive.
And Chae Yeon’s smile made me melt even more.

“Seung Gi a. You look pale. A-Are you okay?”, she asked.

It’s as if I saw a ghost, a beautiful and stunning ghost.

“Ne… Ne. I’m just fine,”


-END OF SEUNG GI’S POV-

-CHAE YEON’S POINT OF VIEW-

He certainly didn’t look fine. I knew that I had to do something.

I was about to go to the beach to try to forget about Seung Gi and our little talk, to try to reflect on why I acted the way I acted a while ago, but seeing him like that, I couldn’t leave him there. I wanted to do something to try to make him feel a little better even if it was in the expense of us being awkward again. He really looked like he wasn’t okay.

“Uhm, Seung Gi-sshi?”

He didn’t reply.I held one side of his arms, “Would you want to go outside? Maybe get a little bit of fresh air?”

“Ne… Yes. Fresh air,” Seung Gi said, putting his forehead to his palm.

I felt so bad for him. A little while ago, he was literally rolling on the floor laughing. Now, he looked nowhere near happiness. He looked like.. I didn't know how to describe it. But I could see through his eyes. There was a sense of longing, a sense of sadness, of pain. It was as if someone got his heart and yanked it out, leaving him with nothing but a hole. An empty space that was needed to be filled in - badly, before anything worse can happen. I was sure of it. He looked depressed.

Was I about to just leave him there and go to the dock alone to think about my problems? Or go with him and help him with his?

Omo. My reflecting had to wait.

Chapter 7

“Why did hyung run off?” Seung Gi asked.

“I don’t know. He’s always so weird, he never finishes a conversation he starts with me. And he’s always so nervous. He’s always like this around me.” Chae Yeon laughed.

“Ne? Why?”
“Well apparently, he likes me," and she stuck out her toungue to him.

“Aish. How do you know? And what did hyung see in…” he looked down, and up Chae Yeon, “YOU?!”
“Ya! Don’t be so bad to me,” and playfully punched Seung Gi. Seung Gi almost fell over.

“What the… For a girl, you’re pretty strong! So anyway, how do you know that HaHa hyung likes you?”

“Of course I’m strong. That’s why I was able to carry you, pabo," she was still sore, though, after having to carry Seung Gi inside the room to prevent him from making a scene outside a while ago. She held her shoulder to massage it when she felt another hand in the way. She lookedd and saw Seung Gi massaging her shoulders. "Uh.. Yeahh.. Anyway, The PDs told me,” Chae Yeon explained, while sipping her cup of coffee. Ohohoho. This massage is relaxing. “And once, he sent me flowers. It was supposed to be from a ‘secret admirer’, but then he forgot to remove his name in the card he put in. So I found out.”

Seung Gi let go and drank from his cup now. “Wow. He’s even worse than me,” Seung Gi laughed. “I thought that I was the worst romantic in the world… I guess HaHa-sshi took over.”

“Really? Psh. From how I see you, you can’t be that bad?”

“Ne, I am. I am not very good with showing or telling someone that I love them. And, I haven’t had so much experience–”

“Yet.” Chae Yeon continued his sentence. “In time, you’ll find that one girl you’re destined for.”

She looked him in the eyes. Seung Gi looked back. It was maybe the longest four seconds of the day.

Seung Gi smiled. “There’s no need to look for that girl. I’m looking at her right now.”

Chae Yeon looked away, her cheeks went red. What the? “AISH! SEUNG GI SSHI! Really? Are you serious?”

“No,” and Seung Gi laughed again.

“Ya! Don’t joke about things like that!” Chae Yeon punched him in the arms.

“Don’t punch so hard!” he screamed while massaging his arms now. “Why? Did you believe it? Did you actually want me to like you?” and gave Chae Yeon a distorted smile.

Chae Yeon held her breath. “AIGOO~! You and your jokes! You are better off with Tei oppa!”

“Nuna, if I were together with hyung, wouldn’t you cry hard because you lost two of your lovers? Me and him? Ohohoho. You player!”

“Shut up,” Chae Yeon crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow.

“Me? Shut up? Aish. If I did, you’d be bored. You won’t have anyone to talk to. You might even start to d…”

“OKAY. OKAY. DON’T SHUT UP THEN,” Chae Yeon glared.

“Ya. You look ugly. Change your face.”

“What the? How the heck can I change my face?!”

“I don’t know. Just do something with it,” Seung Gi tapped her cheeks. “You’re getting uglier and uglier.”

She pushed Seung Gi’s hands away. “LOOK who’s talking!” shouted Chae Yeon.

“If you looked at me, you might fall in love with me,” Seung Gi said.

Oh this boy.. Chae Yeon didn't know what else to say so so she thought of something. Wishing to joke him back, she replied, “Seung Gi sshi?”

“Ne?”She came up to him, and held his hands. “I already fell in love with you.” Chae Yeon snickered. The joke was about to come.

Seung Gi snickered back. “Haha, nuna, you can’t fool me with…”

“WHAT???!” Suddenly, Tei came in the door. At probably the best time in the world.

Seems like there won’t be any room for laughter this time around.

Tei stood there with his mouth open for some time. Then he just smiled. Maybe to hide his initial reaction of shock, maybe. He couldn’t scream at them, because he was far too nice to do so. Chae Yeon didn’t know whether she was to laugh or be embarrassed that Tei heard what she had said to Seung Gi. Did he hear her? Oh crap. It was just a joke! Please don't believe me. Why do you have to come in when I had to tell the joke. Whyyyyy!

“So you love him? Aish. No wonder I lost all the gifts you gave me. You took them and gave them all to Seung Gi-sshi!” Tei laughed, wishing to change the awkward moment.

“Aniyo, aniyo. It’s not what you think oppa. I was just kidding around with him,” Chae Yeon smiled a distorted smile, wishing to show her oppa that it was really just a joke.

Seung Gi could do nothing because he was embarrassed as well. What started as a joke turned into something like this, so all he did was just agree to what his his nuna said to Tei. He just nodded his head hearing every word of her and Tei’s discussion.

Seung Gi wanted to go out of the room. He wanted to give respect to hyung and nuna talking, but leaving the room meant abandoning a situation that he started. And he didn’t want that. So he stayed in there. Listening to every word that Chae Yeon and Tei had to say.

“ I was just… Uhm. Ya! Oppa. It’s not what you think!” Chae Yeon said, stuttering with every word.

“What do you think I’m thinking?” Tei replied.

“I don’t know! Ah! Ne! I know. You’re thinking that I love Seung Gi sshi? It was just a joke!” and suddenly looked at Seung Gi from afar, glaring at him for maybe the 10th time on that day.Tei just laughed, and looked at Seung Gi as well.

“Why are you laughing again! Ya, oppa. Stop laughing.” Chae Yeon said, almost crying.

“Okay.” Tei replied.Then things became awkward.

Seung Gi didn’t know what to do. His hyung, his nuna… Were they fighting? Are they fighting?

“Oppa…” Her voice cracked. “Mianhamnida.”

“Why are you saying sorry? Pft. It’s not like you did something wrong. It’s okay, dwesominda. Things are okay,” Tei assured her. “It’s just a joke, right?” He was hoping it was just a joke.

He looked down to smile and her and gave her a kiss on the forehead, all to the amusement of the boy at the back. Seung Gi smiled at them.

“Ne,” Chae Yeon told him.

And half-telling herself. She hugged him and looked down. But why do I feel that there’s something more to what I just said?

Chapter 6

There was a commotion near Chae Yeon’s dressing room door. Three PDs were fighting over something.

Everybody was pushing one another.

“No! You do it.”

“Aniyo! I don’t want her to scream at me again!”

“Well SOMEONE has to call her out. Why is she still inside her room?”

HaHa came over to see what the fuss was all about.Three PDs were debating. They were fighting over who was to go inside Chae Yeon’s room to tell her that the show was about to start. Ever since she screamed at the PD earlier that morning, news spread throughout the crew that Chae Yeon was in a moment. One false move or word can prove to be fatal. NO ONE wants to be on Chae Yeon’s bad side.

“Let’s play the 31 game.”

“Aish. Must we play that NOW??”

“Either that, or YOU go in,” the PD said confidently.

The first PD suddenly started shouting the numbers. “1, 2.”

“3..4…30!”

“Ya! 30 doesn’t come after 4!”

“It does now! I made new rules,” the second PD said proudly.

Then the last one shouted, “Pabo! You can’t make new rules to this game! It’s illegal!”

“It is not! I’m still winning so it’s all fair!”

“Pabo. How can you say you’re winning? We haven’t even reached 31 yet!”

“We haven’t because you skipped all the other numbers!”

“It’s called shoortcuuuuuts,” and waved his finger to the two PDs, “learn your geometry, pabo.”

“Shortcuts? Aigooo~ I believe it’s called geographyyyyyy,” and waved his finger as well. They were all, waving their fingers.

The last one, not knowing what to say, just joined in and waved his finger with them.

HaHa came up to them to ask what was happening.

As soon as he came up, all three PDs looked at HaHa simultaneously. “Ne?” HaHa stared at all three of them.

The PDs started going near HaHa.

One PD explained “Why don’t you go inside Chae Yeon’s room?”

“Ah. Yes, yes. Good idea! Besides, we are very tired,” another PD said, fanning himself and acting like he was about to faint.

HaHa looked at them with a distorted face. “Hyung, tired? The show hasn’t even started yet. You m–”

“HaHa, fighting!” the PDs screamed, and put their fists up in the air.

And with that, all three PDs ran off to who knows where.

He looked at them with disbelief. He was left alone. In front of her dressing room.

Ironically, he made it look like he didn’t want to go in, but actually, HE DID. He’s been eyeing Chae Yeon even before Tei did. Ever since Chae Yeon gave him a hug last New Year, he had the biggest crush on her.

He fixed his hair. Blew a blast of his breath to his hand, and smelled it. Ah. The breath mints are paying off.

He did a pose, something to make Chae Yeon smile, and knocked on Chae Yeon’s door. But as soon as he was about come in, there was a big laugh from inside. HaHa’s heart stopped. He was still in a pose.

He listened intently, and put his ear against the door. It wasn’t Chae Yeon’s laugh. It was far too loud. It wasn’t Tei’s laugh either. He knew how Tei laughed. He didn’t snort that way when he laughed. Actually, he doesn’t snort at all. So to find out, he fixed his polo and opened the door.

There they were, just sitting together. Chae Yeon. HIS Chae Yeon (or so he wished…) And… GASP! Who is she sitting with?

“Ehem.” HaHa coughed.

Chae Yeon and Seung Gi were still laughing and talking about something.“E-HEM.” He made it a bit louder. Still, no reaction from the two.

“YA! CHAE YEON A!” He screamed, growing impatient, throwing his fists in rage.Chae Yeon looked back. “Ah! Annyeong, HaHa-sshi,” and stood up to greet him. “Mianhe. Did you just come in? Mian. I w–”

“Hey. The show’s about to start. The PDs are asking why you aren’t still there… But I guess I see what your answer’s going to be,” holding his gaze at the boy beside her.

Seung Gi was still smiling and laughing to himself, obviously hung over from the laugh fest that he and Chae Yeon were having.

Chae Yeon and HaHa looked at Seung Gi. Boy, the boy sure loves to laugh, both thought.

“Anyway, oppa!”, returning her gaze to the jealous HaHa, “I didn’t notice the time. Oh, mianhe. I was just talking to–”

“Lee. Seung. Gi. Yes. I know him.” And looked down. Almost making it look like he was defeated.

“Really? Aish. Why didn’t you tell me about him! He’s so much fun to talk to!” Chae Yeon laughed.

“Really?” Her words pierced right through HaHa’s heart. Why can’t he talk like this with Chae Yeon? When will Chae Yeon ever say words like that about HaHa?

“Ne, ne! He’s very nice.” Chae Yeon exclaimed, beaming with excitement.

“Awww. Kamsahamnida, nuna! I’m so touched,” Seung Gi said. “It’s becoming obvious that you like me, now. What will hyung think!” and stifled another laugh.

“Pft. In your dreams.” They were starting to forget that HaHa was there, so HaHa butted in the conversation.

“Ya. Chae Yeon-ah. We will start recording, okay? Seung Gi. Boy. Yeah, you. Go, ah. Yes. I shall go now.” And ran off. HaHa ran towards the door, and stood outside. He started hitting his forehead to the wall. Why is it so unfair?

The 3 PDs from earlier came back. They saw what HaHa was doing. He was sitting his head to the wall. Tsk, tsk. They thought that Chae Yeon screamed at him, so they went and tried to comfort him, wishing to make him feel a little better.

The first one said, “It’s alright. It’s alright.”

“She’s always a mood swinger,” one explained.

“We are here for you. You just have to get used to it.”

They were patting him on the back.

HaHa laughed at them… at himself.

Why does he have the feeling that today was going to be a long day?

Chapter 5

“Chae Yeon-ah? Are you listening?”

“Ne, ne.” She said to the PD. Obviously she wasn’t.

“OK. So you know where to g– ”

“Ne, ne. Just please leave the room. I have to uh… Uhm, do stuff. Jalga,” and bowed before taking a seat.

“OK. Jus–”

“JAL-GA.” Chae Yeon said.

“Ja–“

“YA! GO OUT ALREADY! PLEASE!”

She was not in a very good mood to talk to anybody. The news that Tei was about to leave just made her feel really weird. No. Not weird. Sad. She must not deny what she really feels. She feels sad to know that Tei will leave. Maybe she DOES like him. She wasn’t in a really good mood at that time, so it was a good idea that Tei invited Seung Gi to get a cup of coffee, so Chae Yeon was practically alone in her dressing room.

Chae Yeon-ah. You crazy little girl. What have you gotten yourself into again.

After a little while, there was a knock at the door.

She screamed at the closed door, “Didn’t I tell you guys that I don’t want to talk to anybody right now?!”

The person who knocked answered back. “Who said that I wanted to talk to you?! Let me in!”

This made her even angrier. Who the hell does that person think he is for saying that? And at the worst possible moment!

So, she stood up. She made a face, an angry face. To scare the person who knocked. This is what you get if you mess with me when I don’t want to see anybody. She made the angriest looking face she could possibly make. She scrunched her nose. Her eyebrows met. She held the door knob. She opened the door.

It was…

Just Seung-Gi.

Chae Yeon didn’t know how to react.

But Seung Gi certainly did. He started laughing… HARD.

“Ya! WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?!” she screamed.

“Y-Yo… Your face.” And started laughing once again, not able to hold back the tears. “Your face,” and snorted in between the laughter.

“What’s wrong with my face?! Ya! Stop laughing!”Seung Gi continued laughing.

“Aish.” Chae Yeon closed the door.

That… punk. THIS BOY! RRGH! Laughing at me?! Who does he think he is. I’m going to tell him off. I am SO going to tell him off…

So as she opened the door, to “tell him off”, she looked straight. Seung Gi-sshi was not there.

She looked down, and there he was. Lying on the floor, apparently still dying of laughter.

Everybody was looking at them. Some were even whispering.

Obviously, Chae Yeon wasn’t in the mood for laughter. “Oy, boy! You come in! People are staring! They… Hey! Let go of… Gaaaa! They might think that we’re a couple. Stop laughing! Seung Gi Ya! Let go of my leg! Yaa! Stop laughing… Oy, you should st… Aish.”

He obviously wasn’t going to stop laughing, so Chae Yeon had to drag him inside the room. She didn’t want anybody to think that they had something going on. She tried to pull him in. He was too heavy and moving around because of so much laughter.

“Why don’t you stop laughing?! WHAT THE HECK!”

Seung Gi started laughing as hard as ever. For a moment, he even forgot what he was laughing about in the first place.

Chae Yeon could not take it anymore. “Must I do this?!” And resorted to giving Seung Gi a piggyback ride. A woman, in a black dress, carrying an almost retarded young boy, laughing for no reason? Why must this happen. Aish. She sat him down on the couch, and waited for his laughter to finally die down.

After what seemed to be a lifetime of laughter, Seung Gi finally stopped. Giving off maybe few snickers in between, but either way, he was finally back to being normal.

“What the heck just happened?” Chae Yeon asked. When I first met you, you were so quiet. But now, you’re like... Ugh.” She couldn’t even think of a word to describe how Seung Gi looked like.

“I don’t know. I was just going inside the room to fix up for the show, and then you made a face that…” Seung Gi was about to start laughing again as he remembered how Chae Yeon looked like, but Chae Yeon glared at him with another face. This time, it worked. It wasn’t as funny anymore.

Seung Gi became silent. "Oooh... Mianhe. I guess you aren’t in the mood. I’ll just go outside. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

“Aniyo, aniyo. Just stay here."

Seung Gi was confused. “Me? Stay here? With you? Why?”

“Just because.”

“Just because? Nuna, is that even an answer?”

“Aish. Just don’t ask anything. When a girl asks you to stay with her, no questions are needed to be asked. It’s a girl thing. Just stay,” and pointed to the extra seat in front of her.

He stayed. For almost 30 minutes, they sat there, drank coffee, and started talking as if they were good friends.

Seung Gi noticed that she didn’t mix the coffee powder and the water with a stirrer when she made a cup of coffee. She just put in the powder, and waited for it to sink down to the very bottom of the cup. She was watching the coffee powder sink and dissolve.

“Nuna?”

“Ne?”, she replied, still looking at her cup.

“Why don’t you mix the powder and the water? The taste won’t be spread throughout if you just put it in.”

“Why are you asking?” Chae Yeon looked up.

“Just because.” Seung Gi drank from his cup.

“Seung Gi-ah,” Chae Yeon smiled, looked down again. “You see, I have a lot of weird habits. I… I am… I’m just really weird.” She grinned from ear to ear, not believing that she actually said what she just said.

“Weird? Pft. Obviously.” Seung Gi whispered to himself, with the cup still near his mouth. And gave out a quiet laugh.

“What did you say?” Chae Yeon sort of heard something.

“Ah, nothing, nothing! Nuna, if you’re really weird, try eating Kimchi with…” Seung Gi stopped talking. “Oh, never mind. You might think I’m disgusting.”

“From the looks of it, nothing you confess now can make me change the way I perceive who you are.”

“Aish. Why must you use such deep words,” playfully putting down the cup, as if he was angry.

“They’re not deep, pabo. You’re just really shallow.” Chae Yeon smirked.

“Ohohoho! Am not!” Seung Gi shouted.

“You are. Stop complaining. It’s making you look shallower. Now, what were you saying about the Kimchi? What should I eat it with?”

Seung Gi, still hesitant, said, “Eat it with mayonnaise.”

Chae Yeon laughed. All was well.

Chapter 4

It definitely wasn’t going to be a good day.

“W-what?! W-Why?” Her stuttering went into full gear.

“Duh.”

He pushed her forehead with his finger. “Because I’m already old, Chae Yeon-ah.” And started laughing.

Why is he laughing? What is there to laugh about!

“And it’s required for us to… Remember? Makes sense?”

No! It doesn’t make sense. Why must he go?! It’s still to early!

She knew what was to happen. It’s going to take him forever in the army! Even if she didn’t say it aloud, she wanted to be with Tei oppa every day. That’s why she looked forward to going to work to X-Man every day. It was to have a job and earn money, have fun, and see Tei.

“Aniyo oppa! It’s not making sense at all!” and hugged him.

Tei stood there, stunned. But he was still smiling.

“Ah. So you ARE going to miss me! I knew it. HaHa said that you weren’t going to miss me,” and started pinching her cheeks and patting her head. “Don’t worry. He said that while I’m gone, there would be a replacement, though. I think his name is Sunchi… Sunli… Seung Kri…”

A small voice came from the back. “Seung Gi, hyung. SEUNG-GI.”

“Is it? It’s not Sun Li?” asking himself, “Aigo. Seung Gi ya. And his full name is Ling Seung Gi, I think.” Tei said proudly.

“Aniyo. LEE-SEUNG-GI.” The small voice from the back became louder.

“Aish. Why must these names be so…”

Seung Gi stood up to introduce himself, to save Tei from messing up his name again. “Annyeong, hyung. I’m sorry if I interrupted your talk. I was just uh… fixingmynameuhhanyway. I’m LEE. SEUNG. GI,” emphasizing the name.

“Ohhhhh. Okay, okay. Annyeong! And mianhe, I’m really bad with names.”

“It’s okay.” And Seung Gi smiled again.

“Seung Gi Ya! Can you stop smiling?! I mean.. Even for a little while?!” Chae Yeon was definitely getting annoyed with Seung Gi’s smile.

Seung Gi smiled even bigger.

Tei gave her a look of confusion. “What’s wrong when he smiles?”

“Nothing. It’s just that…”

Chae Yeon stopped. She thought to herself. Truth be told, there really wasn’t anything wrong when he smiled. It’s just that… Okay. She takes it back. There’s nothing wrong it.

“Aish. Whatever.” She went back to talking to Tei. “Oppa! Why must you go?!”

Tei laughed again. “Because I have to, Chae Yeon-ah. Don’t worry. Our… Chi Sul Gi…”

“Lee Seung Gi…”

“Mian. Our Lee Seung Gi will keep you company.” He then whispered another Mianhe to his junior. He was really bad with names.

Chae Yeon pouted, and made a sad face.

“Ya.” Tei came closer to her, their noses almost touching. “Don’t pout. You’re getting uglier. You wouldn’t want to look like me now, would you?” laughing at her again.

Chae Yeon pouted even more. “Aish. Can you NOT go to the army? Can you go after all the X-man episodes?”

“By that time, I’m going to be 80. How can I join the army in that state.” And squeezed her nose.

“But my manager wants me to go already, so I think I have no choice.”

She pouted and looked down. Chae Yeon didn’t have anything else to say. She was sad. She was angry… Yes. She was angry. Why must he go? Why must he… Aish. WHY IS SHE THINKING THINGS LIKE THIS? DOES SHE REALLY LIKE TEI OPPA? She shook her head in disapproval.

She looked up to tell Tei that she… Huh? What the? Tei wasn’t there. She looked around.

Aish. There he is.

He was talking with Seung Gi on the couch.

Chae Yeon crossed her arms. “Ya!” She tapped her feet.

Both of the guys looked at her. “Ne?”

“We were just talking HERE, Tei,” pointing to where they were just conversing. “Why are you suddenly THERE?” Chae Yeon said angrily, almost. She was stubborn this way. But Tei knew how to make her smile.

Tei smiled. “Well you weren’t answering me when I was talking to you. You were sort of… well, shaking your head like a crazy man. So I came to talk to Seung Gi. It’s Seung Gi, right?”

“Finally, hyung! You get my name right!” And the two exchanged high fives, as if they won something from the lottery.

Pft. Boys. “Uhm, oppa. When are you going to leave for the army?”

Tei went up to her again. Faced her, and looked at her straight in the eyes.

“Tomorrow.”





Chae Yeon taken aback, screamed, almost falling over. “What?!! Are you joking?!”

“Ne, I am.” Tei laughed and hugged Chae Yeon. “I’ll leave maybe in a few weeks, I'm not really sure yet.”

Chae Yeon wanted to hit him. She wanted to get away from his hug and just punch him. But she couldn’t. She just hugged him even tighter.

Today, next week, next month, it didn’t matter. It was still the same: Tei was leaving, and Chae Yeon was not happy about it.

Chapter 3

A boy came in the door into their room and sat down in one of the couches at the back.

Chae Yeon didn’t notice though because she was too busy talking to Tei.

She was always busy with Tei. They never really had dull moments when they were together, that was why people regarded them as a couple already. But they were always denying it, always dodging rumors, to avoid any scandals.

*i'm so hot nanomoyepoyo~ i'm so so so ho*CLICK*
Tei looked at his phone and Chae Yeon swore she saw him blush and grow red. He clicked the phone shut instantly before the song ended, and put the phone back down on the table.

It rang for a couple of times – over and over again.

“Oppa, aren’t you going to answer that?”

Tei looked at her, looked at the phone, and back again to Chae Yeon. “No. I’m with you. The call can wait.” She got the phone on the table, and playfully threw it to him. “Aish. Stop being a player! Just answer the phone already.”

“Ya! Are you crazy?! Don’t throw my phone! It has sentimental value!”

“Sentimental value?”

“Well, it did come from you, of course. Duh. So I'm entitled to actually take care of it.”

“That’s why you should answer the phone already! I’ve spent a lot on that phone, and it’s a shame if you don’t use it. I bought it for you on your birthday for you to use it. Now go away.” And with that, Tei went outside to talk on the phone. It was a habit of his to step out of a room when he needed to talk to someone on the phone, so he excused himself and went out.

Chae Yeon was left alone in the room. But then, she suddenly remembered. There was that boy… That boy who came in minutes after they did.

She scouted for him in the room and saw him near the corner. Has he been here all this time? Was he listening to me and Tei?

He was sitting on the couch by himself. He had his head down and was reading some sort of, I don't know. Looks like a.. Ugh, okay, whatever. He looked shy.

The couch he was sitting on and where she was were pretty far apart, so she had to make her voice a little louder if she wanted to talk to the boy.

“Annyeong,” Chae Yeon exclaimed and smiled. She waved her hand to say hello.

The boy just looked at her, confused, but none the less, it looked like he was mute. He looked down and went back to his reading.

“Annyeong. What’s your name?” Chae Yeon said, louder, still keeping her smile.

“Mianhe. What?” the boy replied.

Ah. The boy talks!

“Your name?”

“Mianhe. What was that again?” the boy asked, cupping his ear, as if that would be of any help.

Aish. Do I have to repeat it again?

She screamed, making sure that she was to be heard. “Are you new?”

“Ne,” and smiled.

Uhuh. So... Right.





Aigo. Where the hell is Tei?! She was growing impatient. Looking back at the boy, he was just… sitting down. How… Exciting.

Chae Yeon hated awkward moments like this. She couldn’t stand sitting there with nothing to do or say to the boy. So she stood up and sat next to him. At least that made things easier for them to hear each other. IF the boy was to talk.

“Soooooooo… What’s your name?”

“Se-Seung Gi. Ah. L-Lee Seung Gi. And you, nuna?”

“Annyeong Se-Se-Se-Seung Gi-sshi. I’m Ch-ch-chae Yeon,” imitating his stuttering. It was pretty cute. Chae Yeon let out a laugh.

Seung-Gi laughed as well. “Mianhe. I’m just nervous. A-annyeong,” and started looking around.

Things grew even more awkward than it already was at the beginning. They sat next to each other like any two strangers did in bus stops. They did not say anything to each other for the next 4 minutes… going on 5.

“Seung Gi-sshi. Helllooooooooooo,” waving her hands to Seung Gi’s face. “Why aren’t you talking?”

Seung Gi smiled.

Chae Yeon stopped. He’s cute.

“So anyway. Why are you here?” She asked. But she really didn’t pay attention to what he was about to say. She was thinking to herself again.. Tei’s taking so long on the phone. Who is he talking to anyway? Why did I have to make him answer the phone? Now I don’t have anyone to talk to expect this…

“Uhm, nuna?” Seung Gi cut her train of thought.

“Oh, sorry. Yes?”

“Well I answered your question… and well, you weren’t speaking…”

“Ah. Mianhe. I was just thinking of…”

“Tei oppa?” Seung Gi smiled.

“Aish! Why must you say it aloud!” Chae Yeon screamed. Seung Gi laughed as soon as she did.

“Ya! I meant, no! I wa-wasn’t thinking about him. I was thinking about… U-uhmm..." Chae Yeon stuttered on continuously.

“A-a-aboutttt?” Now he was imitating Chae Yeon stutter. Seung Gi raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. He was mocking her. He gave out a laugh again. “Okay. Why are you here again?” Chae Yeon demanded, putting her hands on her waist, wishing to change the topic. Having to talk about Tei was kind of awkward, so talking about him with someone she just met was way beyond awkward-ness. It was just… uhm, wrong.

“Must I repeat what I just said when you WERE NOT LISTENING?” Seung Gi pouted.

“A-duh.” Chae Yeon smirked.

“I’m a new member to the X-Man family. I’ll be staying for a couple of episodes.”

“ So you ARE new.” Chae Yeon told him, as if there was a need of reminding.

“Didn’t I say that I just was?”

“Ah, yes. Ne. Ne.”

Seung Gi smiled.

Chae Yeon then suddenly blurted out, “Why must you smile like that?”

“What’s wrong with smiling?”

“Nothing. It’s just wrong when you do it! It's like, I don't know. I just don't like it when you smile,” Chae Yeon explained. Matter-of-factly.

“Ne? Mworago?” Seung-Gi smiled even more.

Chae Yeon stuttered. “I meant that you shouldn’t smi…”

Tei came in the door.

“Bah. Never mind.”

Seung Gi stayed there sitting down, still with his hands together. Chae Yeon stood up and went straight to Tei.

She came up to him and asked, “What took you so long?”

He came up to her and answered bluntly, “I have to go to the army.”

Chapter 2

“You,” Tei replied.

Chae Yeon then answered, “Why are you staring at me? It’s been 5 minutes since I opened the door, oppa.”He gave her a smile and said, “I’m staring at you because you look pretty.”

Chae Yeon blushed, smiled, and looked down.

She did look pretty.

She wore a cute little black dress, with little flower designs. Her belt looked very classy on her, and so did her sandals. Her hair was not tied up; it was long, flowy, and resting up to her shoulders. It was curly, but not too curly, just the way Tei liked. The color of her hair made it look like it smelled good (Tei wanted to smell it). And that smile. Ohohoho, how he loved that smile.

Chae Yeon was melting inside. If Kyung Lim made Chae Yeon feel good this morning, Tei definitely made her feel twice that happiness. She likes it when she hears things like that, especially when
a. It’s early in the morning (because it can definitely start the day right)
b. She herself feels pretty (doesn’t she always?)
c. The one who tells her that is smiling and looking at her intently
d. That person who’s telling her that is Tei

Tei continued to stare at her, smiling from ear to ear, as if he won something.

“Oppa!” She laughed. And gave Tei a playful punch to the shoulder. “Why do you always do this!”

“Do what?” Tei pouted.

Chae Yeon could do nothing but laugh at how stupid and cute Tei looked. He rarely pouted or acted cute to her.

“You stare at me like that! And you do THIS!” she explained, and imitated Tei’s pout.

“Bah. You’re doing it wrong! Don’t pout like that! The day is just starting, and you’re already ruining it for me,” Tei said after laughing at her.

Chae Yeon lifted her eyebrows, crossed her arms, and tapped her feet. Tei simply smiled and took her hand.

As soon as Tei took her hand, Chae Yeon wanted to let go because she was embarrassed and shy, but Tei held on even tighter. He glanced at her and gave her a smile that always made Chae Yeon fall to her knees. As soon as he looked at her, Chae Yeon felt an immediate feeling of comfort, that nothing can go wrong, and that Tei can and will always find a way to keep her happy, not that he has to try because seeing him and just being with him makes Chae Yeon feel good already.

“C’mon. We’re going to be late if you just stay there being pretty,” pulling her to his car.

They both laughed it off. This is really going to be a good day.

They reached the studio minutes later. They had plenty of time before the show started recording, so they both decided to go to one of their rooms and spend time over a cup of coffee.

They walked backstage, through the corridor. It was early; there weren’t much people yet; just some PDs and crew members, getting the stage ready for another show of X-Man.

“Ya!”

Chae Yeon stopped walking. Tei looked back. It was HaHa.

“Annyeong, HaHa!”

HaHa was Tei’s close friend. They weren’t really best friends, because they didn’t tell each other mushy love stories, or played dolls together when they were little (they’re boys, what can you expect? But they were really good friends. They complemented each another, and knew each other from the head to the toes. If one was sad, the other one knew what to do or say.

“Annyeong!” HaHa said, patting Tei in the back. “Why didn’t you pick me up today? Aish. I had to drive again… You know how I don’t like driving so much in the morning. Traffic is crazy and I almost ran over a dog in the parking lot! I think it was one of DBSK’s dogs. Dongsaeng! If I ran over one of their dogs, caan you imagine what Cassio-”

“HaHa.” Tei interrupted.

Tei gave him a look, and then smiled sarcastically. He then was signaling to HaHa. Pointing at something.

“Dongsaeng? What are you pointing at? Bah. You’re going crazy again. What have I told you about wa- Oh.” HaHa saw her. He stopped talking, and gave Tei a distorted smile.

HaHa looked behind Tei. “Annyeong, Chae Yeon-ah,” and flailed his arms in the air to run up to her and give her a hug. He pushed Tei aside and gave Chae Yeon a big hug. Like he always did every morning.

Chae Yeon laughed, bowed and smiled. “Annyeong,” and kept her head down. She was still very shy when people saw her and Tei together, especially when it was HaHa who saw them together.

As soon as Chae Yeon greeted him, HaHa looked at her for a moment. He came closer to her, circled around her, having his fingers to his chin, and inspected what Chae Yeon was wearing.

“You look really pretty today. What did you do to your hair? It’s curly, ne? And you're slippers, are they slipperaaaaaa~ Yaaaa! I almost forgot! Did you hear what I just said? About the dogs I almost ran over? Nuna!!! Don’t tell anyone I almost ran over DBSK’s dogs. They might kill me! Cassio-”

“HaHa.” Tei gave HaHa a stiff smile. Almost as if he was signaling him to just go away.

“Aish. Why do you always cut me off in the part where I talk about Cassiope-”

“Aish. Just go! I’ll bring you home later, okay?! GO AWAY, Hyung. You know I love you, but this is one of the moments where that love has to be put on hold. See you in recording later,” Tei said, waving his hand.

“Goodbye, oppa.” Chae Yeon laughed and put her arms in the air to signal HaHa for a goodbye hug.

"Hmph," HaHa gave them a look. “Don’t call me oppa. You still look older than me.” He stuck out his tongue like a kid, and left. “Pft, lovers...”

“Lovers??”

Both Tei and Chae Yeon whispered to themselves, and secretly looked at one another.
Both thought. We’re not lov… Muo-ya? That’s crazy. Are we?

Awkward as it became, the two decided to shrug it off and go to the room already to relax a bit before the show. Tei and Chae Yeon finally reached Chae Yeon’s room, after what seemed to be an eternity of answering questions about couples or compliments about how pretty Chae Yeon looked today.

Sitting down in one of the chairs, Tei said, “Ya! Why must you be so pretty today?” and playfully swung his hair like it was long like Chae Yeon’s. “Now no one will ever notice me anymore, and to think that I styled my hair differently today. I’m becoming uglier and uglier because of you!”

Chae Yeon obviously was smiling from ear to ear when she heard this. “Mianhe.” She stood up.

Chae Yeon jerked up and came close - so close to him. She held on the arm-rests of the chair that Tei was sitting on. Their faces were touching, almost as if she was about to…

“YA! What do you think you’re doing?!” Tei shouted. He put his arms up to his chest and raised an eyebrow.

She smiled. Looked him in the eyes, and said, “Oppa, don’t worry. I still think you’re pretty.”

She bent her head to the side and raised her eyebrow, almost as if she was examining Tei’s face. “But you should stop pouting. You ARE becoming uglier and uglier.”