Four months later, the tree of friendship, a month before Christmas of 2008

It should be the usual Monday morning if not because of two things: the colder wind because winter came late that year and Ryeowook was not the first one that came to their usual meeting under the tree.

Someone else, the one who always the last to join, was there before him.

“You should not give up that easily.” Ryeowook shook his head, still in disbelief of what had happened the last few months.

His friend startled, clearly was immersed in his own thought. He glanced at Wookie and smiled his now trademark sad smile. “What choice do I have?”

“He told me that he would never approach her if you were seriously like her.” Wookie sat beside him on the grass.

The boy shrugged. “I would do the same for him, you know.” Wookie nodded at him in understanding. “That’s why we always ended with sharing or leaving everything we both wanted.” He threw away his gaze to the administration building down the hill. “But this time, I have a hunch that he would probably choose the latter.” He paused. “I can’t do that to him. She would have more chance to be happy if she with him.” His smile wider but sadder. “I would only make her suffered with all my responsibilities and promises.”

Wookie threw the pebbles that he found on the grass away. “I thought you said Yoona is getting closer to the young doctor?”

Kyuhyun finally shifted his gaze back to him and smiled. “She is. But do you think our parents would let her go out with someone who is not in our circle?”

Wookie shook his head, understanding downed in him. “Kyu, I have been your best friend for years and I have watched you gave up things to be a responsible son and older brother.” He touched his friend’s shoulder softly. “But for once, I wish you can be selfish and pursue your own happiness. You deserve that.”

Kyuhyun rose and walked to the makeshift swing and absentmindedly shoved the empty swing up and down. “Not if that means I hurt those I love the most. After all, I always become the stronger one between us.”

Wookie was trying to shake the rationale out of his friend’s mind again when suddenly both of them heard a loud giggle that signaled them of the arrival of Sooyoung.

“Oppa… sorry we’re late! Changmin-Oppa was insisted to wait for Joohyun outside the canteen because he was afraid that she lost again, while for half an hour she had been waiting in front of the car as agreed!” Sooyoung glared to Changmin who glared back to her.

“Yah… yah… hyperbolic Youngie. Like you never late?”

“She never late, Oppa.” A soft voice tried to cut the fight. Wookie automatically glanced at Kyuhyun whose expression was turn soft once he saw the youngest of them all.

“Hi, Joo.” Kyuhyun could not hold his excitement to see her.

“Kyuhyun-Oppa.” Her cheeks instantly turned red but she bowed quickly to hide them.

Changmin watched the exchange with sad eyes while Sooyoung linked her arms to him as a support gesture.

Wookie silently cursed a