“Can you lower the pitch? He can’t reach that high note and he’s starting to strain his voice.”

I nodded, smiling, and did exactly what she asked. It was really nice having a girlfriend that works in the same field with you. And it’s twice as nice that this same girlfriend was currently sitting on my lap while we worked.

“Why don’t you just give that to Donghyuk?”

A scowl formed on my face as Dean, Hyuk, or whatever his name was, chimed in thinking that he’s some hot just because he knew my Dara. Why is he even in here? As far as I knew, he didn’t sign in YG at all! After the stupid campout thing, they were inseparable. When I thought that Dara was alone, he just suddenly pops out of nowhere with that amused smile on his lips. This guy was taunting the hell out of me and I knew it. I looked at Dean pointedly before smiling back at Dara. All I need to focus on was her right now.

“No, Chanwoo’s voice fits this part perfectly. He has that something in him.” She sighed. “I can’t really explain it.”

Yeah, you ing tell him, babe. He can go it. I nodded in agreement as I continued to rearrange the pitch. I felt her press her lips on my cheek and I felt myself flushing because of it. Shyly, I looked at her and she answered with a small grin on her face. “Why are you here again, Yongie?” she tilted her head in askance.

Wow. Wow. Does she really think that I’m gonna leave her alone with this boyish monster? I almost scoffed. What was I, an idiot? The guy still clearly has feelings for her. I don’t have any romantic feelings for her, my . Yeah right, and Bom was a good manager.  

“Can’t I just come here because I want to help out?” I frowned.

Dean laughed, nudging Dara. “He came because he’s scared that I’m steal you away.”

This er.

Have I told you that Dara wasn’t acting all shy around me anymore? Well if I didn’t, then I’ll tell you now that she’s not the same shy girl from before. Well, sometimes anyway. I don’t know what happened to her but she just suddenly… ‘exploded’. It was like all her pent up feelings towards me just exploded into a big ball of giddy energy. She was openly more expressive now and I’m loving her even more because of it.

“OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS, MY KWON JIYONG IS JEALOUS?????!!!!!” she shrieked, hugging me excitedly by the neck. I grumbled but I wasn’t annoyed or anything. I thought it was cute. I secured her by the waist so that she won’t fall over. I laughed when she continued to muffle her words on my shoulder about me being jealous. I rolled my eyes and sneaked a kiss on her head.

“Kwon Jiyong is jealous.” Dean remarked and I glared at him. I swear if I had lasers for eyes, I would use it just for him. Goddamn you and you’re threateningly good-looking face. There’s only one room for one threateningly good-looking man!

You cray, boy.

I am totally not ‘cray’. I am very concerned about the people I love! Can’t a man just be worried for his woman? Oh hell, stop looking at her! I quickly shielded her face from him and he chuckled, shaking his head and focusing back on his laptop.

Dara and Dean we were currently in the process of writing and recording a new song for Ikon. Apparently, the two got this ‘breakthrough’ idea to work together during the campout and I had the breakthrough to come in and save Dara from this… from this gentle beast.

Oh and I forgot to mention that almost everyone in the Unity camp now has the idea that Dara was really Tokki. How? Well I’ll give you two words: Talent Show. And you know how talented my girlfriend is.

“OH MY GOD, NOONA! WE LOOOOVVVEEE YOUUU!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Jiyong rolled his eyes at the sight of her shameless fanboys. Couldn’t they be any more of an embarrassment? And then he caught Dara’s gaze.

“THAT’S MY GIRLFRIEND OVER THERE! SANDARA PARK IS MY GIRLFRIEND!!!! LOVE YOU, BABYYYYYY!!!”

And yet he still didn’t think that what he did was embarrassing. He justified it by saying that it was a mere act of his eternal love. Now it was her fanboys’ turn to cringe. Bom whacked the hysterical idol in the head and that immediately stopped him. Jiyong hissed at her and Seunghyun stepped in, trying to act all threatening whit a lobster bib in his neck. He forgot to take it off earlier and the rest—being the good friends that they were—made sure he doesn’t notice it.

Dara was up on stage with an indie band named 10cm. She held some maracas as she stood up there rigidly, obviously frightened at the huge turnout of people. She smiled at them uncomfortably before her eyes darted back to Kwon Jiyong. They guy was waving at her and giving her two thumbs-up, somehow making her feel more confident. And what fueled her even more was his smile. It was as dazzling as the moonlight and the stars. Oh, wasn’t that so cheesy? She always seemed to think in a corny way whenever he was in the picture.

The three people bowed before going to their respective positions. Jung Yeol and Dara were leaning on each other’s backs while the guitarist, Cheol Jong just stood there, shaking his head amusedly at the two. Jung Yeol started to count to three and off they started.

“All day I’d be crazy busy
But I still think of you whenever I can
Since when did you live inside of me?
I smile so much because of you”

Dara was dancing lazily as she shook her maracas to the rhythm. The people couldn’t help but look at her. It was like she was the living embodiment of the song. That small smile on her face and that happy glow that she had completely blended with the lyrics of the song. She closed her eyes and just moved along to the melody.

“When I’m with you and my friends
I carefully become happy
When I happen to sit next to you
I feel like I have the whole world

I’m getting more comfortable with all of you
Your soft smile and your low voice”

And then suddenly, there were backup dancers. Mino, Seunghoon, Seungyoon, and Jinwoo hurried on stage and started doing their trademarked Sentimental dance. Dara laughed and started doing the same thing. Jiyong couldn’t help but smile wider.

“When we accidentally meet eyes
I quickly stare at my feet for no reason

My heart is slowly going to you
The only ones who didn’t know in this world was you and me”

“You, I don’t know how good I’ll be
But I really want to be by your side
Day by day, this feeling grows
More than usual, I really like you

How would it feel if we kissed~?”

At the end of the song, they all roared in cheers. They bowed, thankful to the crowd. An announcer suddenly came in and clapped with the audience.

“Let’s give a round of applause to 10cm for their new song ‘I Really Like You’. Let’s also give a round of applause to Tokki-ssi for co-writing the song!”

It was then she finally revealed her identity to the entertainment business and when her fanboys launched themselves at her. Jiyong was just more than thrilled that Dara didn’t have to hide her talent anymore. She was a gem that wasn’t meant to be hidden under all the rubble. He was happy that she could finally shine.

“Do you wanna add some air horns?”

Dean turned his chair me and gave me a blank look. “This is a ballad, Jiyong.”

WELL, I NEVER! Look who’s some hotshot music producer now. And to think, I thought this man was cute in a manly way! What if I suggested air horns just to throw you off, huh? I guess it didn’t work since you scrapped that idea out just like you scrapped my image. Goddammit this man is so hateful. Oh don’t you patronize me with that smile of yours. That smile is not appreciated here, Dean.

“Oh, I thought it was a good idea.” I heard her whisper and I smirked at Dean. “But yeah, this is a ballad so…”

Ooooh spoke too soon there, mate.

Shut the up, imaginary voice.

I didn’t say anything more and just continued on what she wanted me to do. She went off my lap and sat next to Dean, discussing about mixes and the parts that they were going to give to whom. Man, talk about third wheeling. I was in my environment right now but I felt… I don’t know—alienated, I guess? This was there project and I’m just some sidekick.

“Hey, I’m just gonna go to the washroom.” Hyuk said.

I hummed absentmindedly and Dara let out an “okay” before he went off. I didn’t bother to speak with her. She ignored me for 2 whole hours and I was sulking. Sue me for being a little needy but when it comes to Dara, I’d give up my pride.

Wow, you are so cringey.

It’s true though… Plus, I heard that girls think I look cute when I sulk so yeah… I just wanted my Dara back, alright?

“Jiyong-ah.”

Nope. Keep cool, man. Don’t let her get to you. You can do this.

Her hands made their way to my shoulders and I visibly tensed. Goddammit, Jiyong. Don’t break. She needs to know what it feels like to be ignored! Hhmph! She began massaging the scalp of my hair and I found myself closing my eyes, feeling her magic hands. Oh Christ, this should be illegal.

“You’re roots are getting darker again.” She mumbled. I opened my eyes seeing her stare at me curiously. She tilted her head and smiled.

“What color do you think looks better on me?” I asked, grazing my fingertips on the ends of her short hair.

She shrugged and pinched my cheeks, “Black, blond, pink, red, orange, brown, green… you look handsome to me either way.” She shrugged.

And I thought I was smooth.

I smiled boyishly and pinched her nose, making her groan. “Do you think I should dye mine a different color?” she suddenly asked.

I made her sit on my lap again as I inspected her face carefully. Her black hair was already complimenting her looks greatly but I wonder what would look like if it was in a lighter color. I couldn’t help but watch her closely. It was as if I was memorizing every contour and curve of her face. “Did I ever tell you how beautiful you looked?” I said.

It was her ears first, I noticed. She blushed starting from her ears and then it would creep up on her cheeks. It was odd but adorable nonetheless. She crinkled her nose first before averting her eyes away from me. I allowed myself a chuckle. “It took you long enough.” She muttered. Yeah, it really did take me long.

A couple of minutes later, Dean came back and the two started working again. I had to leave early since I had a scheduled CF with the guys. I didn’t want to leave them alone together but Bom noona practically hauled me out of that room. They were happily talking when I left and Dara didn’t seem to notice the door close on my way out. I just let her be and go about my own business.

“Do you remember when you asked us what Jiyong will do when he’s in a relationship where he’s sure the girl likes him back?” Youngbae started. They all had their eyes set on a sulking Jiyong who was muttering something in his breath by a dark corner.

“Not really, no.” Bom answered distractedly, snapping photos of the star that was bumping his head repeatedly on the wall.

Daesung sighed and draped an arm on Seungri’s shoulder. The latter just rested his head on his hyung’s arm. “Jiyong hyung gets all needy and acts like a baby.” He said. “Hyung’s the ‘clingy’ type.” He added exaggerated air-quotes on ‘clingy’.

“I would’ve thought that he would act like a gentleman seeing how that’s always how you all describe him as during talk shows.” She frowned.

Seunghyun snorted. “W