“Girlfriend?” Everyone gasped.

Joshua looked at Aeri with wide eyes.

He didn’t believe his ears.

“How did I not see this?!” Miri interrupted.

“It’s so obvious. Joshua wouldn’t just bring anyone home and especially not all the way from Canada.” She continued.

“Are you two really dating?” L asked still not convinced.

In fact, only Miri seemed to be convinced.

“Of course.” Aeri answered.

“Then prove it.” He challenged.

Aeri turned to look at Joshua - he was hesitant.

She tiptoed and leaned in towards his face.

“Enough!” Hoya screamed before Aeri was able to do anything.

“They’re dating! Why do we need proof?” He stormed out the room.

~

“Why did you do that?” Joshua pulled Aeri outside.

“Now everyone’s going to think we’re actually dating…”

“I…I didn’t know what else to do…I’m sorry oppa.”

“I’m just worried about Hoya…and you.” He put his hands on her shoulders.

“You still like him don’t you?”

Aeri kept quiet and looked away, avoiding the question.

“You don’t just like him. You love him, don’t you?”

“But that doesn’t matter anymore.” Aeri sighed.

“It does and I can tell he’s hurting right now.” He met eyes with Hoya, who was watching them from inside the house.

“I have no other choice. Either way he’ll be hurt and this lie will help the hurt go away…” Aeri walked away.

“Let’s hope so.”  Joshua said with his eyes still fixed on Hoya.

~

“She’s not Aeri…” Hoya sighed as he walked back to Woohyun, L and Sungyeol.

“How are you so sure? She looks exactly like her.” Sungyeol asked.

“The ring. She doesn’t have the ring.” He looked down at his hand.

“Maybe she took it off.” Woohyun suggested.

“No!” He immediately shut them down.

“Aeri promised never to take it off!” He defended. “She wouldn’t take it off…unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless she doesn’t -”

And just at that moment, Aeri walked in on them.

“Oh…sorry.” Aeri quickly apologized and hurried away without making eye contact.

“Never mind.” Hoya shook his head and marched off.

“I want to give it a try.” Woohyun got up.

“Give what a try?” L raised his eyebrow.

“Prove that she’s Aeri.”

“And how are you going to do that?” Sungyeol asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll just improvise.”

“Hi.” He smiled, looking down at Aeri.

“Oh, hi.” Aeri smiled.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Aeri shrugged.

“So, your name is Areum, right?” He sat down next to her.

Aeri nodded.

“Were you born in Canada?”

Aeri shook her head.

“Born in Korea?”

Aeri nodded.

“Do you live with your family?”

Aeri shook her head.

“Do you talk?”

“Yes. I talk.” She spoke.

“Tell me about yourself.”

“Sorry, a minutes up.” She laughed and quickly ran off.

“So?” L and Sungyeol approached Woohyun.

“Nothing.” He shook his head.

“You were never any good at making her talk.” Sungyeol teased. “Let me try.”  

~

“Do you mind if I join you two?” Sungyeol asked.

Aeri and Joshua exchanged looks before shaking their head.

“So what are you guys making