CHAPTER NINE: Teamwork.

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If there was anything that SME have been known for, it had to be unison. Be it good or bad, there had been numerous occasions when unison, or in other words, team work had come in very handy. And the newest scandal was only one shining example of them all.

The scandal involved not only one but a few of SME’s most famous idols. Although the rumors were not directly detrimental to their reputation, many fans were heartbroken when the news broke out that the beloved idols might be dating each other. Yunho and Tiffany, Donghae and Jessica, both couples were seen walking together at late night, even with their managers, many still believed that they were going out. Even though it was announced by SME that their meetings were preparation parts of an upcoming special gameshow, involving idols from different companies, most people still chose to believe otherwise.

Thanks to that news, the picture of Yonghwa and Seohyun didn’t gain as much attention as it could have been without the two couples. In addition, no one could tell for sure if Yonghwa and Seohyun were alone in their house. The two other couples appeared only a few blocks from Yongseo’s house, while many staffs and other idols also were helping distract the media at the same time. The timing was perfect as her oppas entered the house using the key borrowed from the owners, while all her friends and colleagues started pretending to film and take picture for the show. Thus, amid the chaotic crowd, no one saw them walking out together, even though few could still catch a glimpse of them staying with their friends and staffs.

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It seemed like that was the end of the incident, but at SME, it was only the beginning. As Lee Soo Man stepped into the meeting room, everyone immediately stood up and bowed to him. Surprisingly, he ordered every person to leave so that he could have a conversation alone with Seohyun. Taeyeon looked at Seohyun worriedly and as a protective leader and unnie, she couldn’t help but speak against the order

- Seonsaengnim, it was my idea to send her to meet with Yonghwa-ssi. Please put all the blames on me.

- Seonsaengnim, it was my faults. When Yonghwa asked to see her, I accepted it and begged Taeyeon. – Jessica, the second oldest member of SNSD, knew that she needed to take part of the responsibility.

Soo Man had to wave his hand to stop all other members, who all tried to take up the blame to them. Seohyun had been keeping quiet, but as everyone abruptly stopped, she knew that the time had come.

- Unnie. – She looked around and was met with clearly worried expressions of everybody, so she gave them a smile to ensure that everything would be fine. – No one knew better than us that I was the cause of everything.

- But you were our maknae. – Hyoyeon teared up. She could never stand to watch anything bad happened to her youngest and dearest sister.

- Seonsaengnim. – Seohyun turned to him and bowed down 90 degree. – I am more than willing to accept any punishment.

Before all the Soshi member could start to argue again, the old CEO spoke:

- We’ll see about that, Joohyunie. We all know you are a good kid, although I do have something I have to ask you personally – He turned to everyone else and joked – Let us some private time? I promised I would give a healthy Seohyun back to you in half an hour.

And they all knew that was the final sign. One by one quietly leave the room, each eyeing Seohyun with concern and regret. Regret for not protecting her as well as they thought.

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Once they were the only two in the meeting room, Lee Soo Man looked at Seohyun and gestured her to sit next to him. He looked at her and smiled:

- You are a grown up now, Joohyun. I still remembered the first time we met. You were so kind to ask me if I would need help getting around the building.

Seohyun blushed. She stayed late that night to practice a few moves that she couldn’t master. When she saw Soo Man seonsaengnim walking around alone, she asked him if he needed help, only to find out that the CEO was wandering to see how trainees were doing.

- You are always hard-working, good-hearted, and beautiful. – Soo Man sighed. – I feel like a father sending his daughter off to somewhere he couldn’t protect her. But I guess it’s unavoidable.

- Seonsaengnim???

- I knew about your plan. And by you, I mean all of you.

- I’m really sorry. – Seohyun was too embarrassed to say anything else.

- Don’t be. Like I said, you are an adult now, regardless of how we always see you as a kid. Our company has some of the best idols, or better, men that you could find, so can you give them a chance? At least, consider them before that Yonghwa or any random guy your unnie find for you.

Seohyun immediately looked up at him.

- You mean?

- Choose wisely, my dear. – He put his hand on her shoulders. – You probably know that it’s always less work for me if you date within the company. Like yesterday, it would be much less troublesome if it was Minho, right?

- Seonsaengnim!!!

- Haha, no need to be surprised. Didn’t I tell you that I knew everything? And don’t rush, Joohyun. Take your time to consider, it is a difficult question.

- Thank you. Thank you very much.

Seohyun didn’t know how to express her gratitude to him for being understanding, so she stood up and bowed. However, at the same time, his grin made her feel as if he knew more than what he just said. That he actually knew everything.

- And now, let’s talk about business. Since we already announce about the show, we will try our best to produce it. If it wouldn’t work out or get enough profit, your earning would be deducted to make up for it.

- I understand.

- In the mean time, your earning is still be deducted to make up for the financial loss caused by the scandal. I hope that would be fine.

- Honestly, I have expected a much more severe punishment.

She looked at Soo Man with a sincere expression, which in turn made him chuckle

- Let’s not forget that if I had all the rights, I wouldn’t even bother to say anything. Since that’s not the case, and in all honesty, Seohyun-ah, if it wasn’t you, or to be precise, SNSD Seohyun, the treatment would be for sure different. You have contributed a lot to SNSD brand and the company’s bottom line that you ‘deserve’ this.

Seohyun couldn’t count how many times Lee Soo Man seonsaengnim had surprised her within just few minutes they spoke. He was always their greatest teacher, but she didn’t expect that he could have time to care about each of them individually that much.

Knowing she probably would say another sorry or thank you, and most likely, both, Soo Man asked to walk her out to send her back to her unnie, or else they would break into the room, as he playfully said.

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Outside of the meeting room, a group of idols had been gathering quietly, all looking nervously. SNSD didn’t notice when some of their friends and oppa had joined them, until Kyuhyun suddenly stood up and stomped toward the meeting room.

- Kyunie – Leeteuk gasped. – Seonsaengnim told us to leave them alone.

- Do I look like I am listening? – Without looking back, he continued to walk forward.

- Kyu. You know it’s not a good idea. – Changmin stepped up to stop him. – I am worried as much as you are, but Seohyun wouldn’t want us to be in trouble.

Kyuhyun stopped abruptly at the words. After a few seconds, he signed and sat down, leaning against the wall.

- I just can’t stand this any longer.

- I’m sorry. – Taeyeon said quietly, without looking at anyone. – It was my idea to send her to the date.

- We forced her there. – Other Soshi members added. – It’s not solely your fault, Taeng.

- Unnie, it was all my faults. Please stopping blaming yourselves.

A sweet voice echoed in the hallway, making everyone turned immediately to that direction. Lee Soo Man seonsaengnim and Seohyun were walking together, both were smiling, although the latter still looked a bit worried.

- Didn’t I tell you that I would give you a healthy Seohyun back? Why do you all act like I was going to eat her up?

Everyone bowed to him, but no one wanted to speak first. Ultimately, his favorite boy, Yunho, decided that it would be his honor to answer the question

- Seonsaengnim, she is our maknae, so we couldn’t rest until we see her.

Soo Man nodded in understanding, but he wouldn’t let them off that easily

- Look like you all have nothing to do huh? How about more practices and shows?

Everyone turned pale.

- Seonsaengnim! – They all exclaimed in unison, which caused Lee Soo Man to suddenly wonder if it was a good idea to make them to reach such a state of becoming like one.

- Fine, fine. Off you go, kids.

He glanced Kyuhyun and Changmin for a quick second, and then whispered something to Seohyun before leaving.

Once they made sure that there was actually no harsh decision made toward Seohyun, everyone left to finish their own works, except few men who ran off to the same direction. Although in their own opinions, the work that they were going to do could be as important, if not more than, any real schedule they ever had.

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- Give out some ideas of how to get rid of those outsiders. Anyone? – Once everyone settled down at DBSK’s dorm, Changmin started the meeting.

- We should have crossed them off the list before everything turns out like this. - Minho growled

- Everyone knows, Minho. – Key snorted. – We need ideas to redeem that mistake now.

Luhan scratched his head in frustration, trying to be useful but failed at remembering the name of SooYoung’s cousin:

- Show her that all of us are much better than that short Busan guy, and whatever the other guy is?

- His name is HyunKi. And that’s so obvious. What important is how??? – Key rolled his eyes. Why does everyone have to repeat things like matter of facts?

- The show. – Kyuhyun, who had kept quiet, suddenly spoke. – We’re going to film a show for the scandal. That’s our opportunity.

That was definitely a good idea. But it was not enough because HyunKi wouldn’t be there. Changmin closed his eyes to think of a solution.

- And let her know… - Kyuhyun hesitated. He never ever wanted to say those words he was about to say. Nonetheless, at this rate, he must do it.

However, before he could finish it, Changmin opened his eyes and cut him off:

- Let her know that she has many other options.

Changmin’s eyes were full of sorrow, but his voice was emotionless. Kyuhyun eyed him for a brief moment and gave him a smirk. A bitter smirk that both had.

- Our 91-liners. – Key and Minho looked at each other and exclaimed. – They all like her.

- You mean you two? Such fanboys. – Luhan and Kris exchanged glances and smirked, before retorting back to the SHINee’s members.

- Look who are speaking? As if you don’t secretly have her posters and albums.

- But does that mean we will have more competitors?

- Don’t we have enough right now?

Suho, the quietest one couldn’t help but decide to educate his friends

- Idiots. They are not on the list so they could never have a date with her.

- And you are not an idiot yourself? You are not listed and here you are. What if she fell in love with some random guy at first sight? – Minho glared at him before turning to Changmin. – Hyung, mind I ask why those who are not on the list are here today?

- Minho, it calls teamwork. It looks like Seohyun has some interested in both Yonghwa and HyunKi.

Kyuhyun kept his eyes shut while answering tiredly. Sadly, they had known more than they should have. That was why they decided to give other guys in SM a chance. Why they knew well before this meeting started that they had to let her know that she had more than just them and those two outsiders.

- Seohyun would never fall head over heels for just anyone. Her fanboys could barely be counted as competitors. We only use them to get rid of our true opponents, and then we would be the remained ones, not them.

Key, who proudly called himself a Seohyun’s fanboy, grabbed the idea faster than everybody else in the room, because he didn’t really have any romantic feeling for her. At least, not anymore.

- By the way, don’t count me in. I’m here because I don’t want Seohyun to be taken away by a guy who is not in our company. Not because I am in love with her, like you all.

- Got it! I know what we can do now. – Suho suddenly snapped his fingers and jumped off his chair happily. – I am a genius.

Minho snorted loudly. Changmin and Kyuhyun didn’t even bother to glare at their over-confident hoobae.

- A fan…fanboy meeting. A celebrity fanboy meeting!