“ H-How is she ? “ Asked Taemin with his shaken voice that was caused by the cries earlier.

“ No better than you. “

“ Is there anyone with her right now ? She need to be comfort. “

“ You're worried to much. The girls were there for her. “

“ Glad to hear that. “

Said Taemin, still sniffing which happened to made the boys to give a glance at each other.

“ He faced it hyung, just like us. “ Key's remark had made Jonghyun to smiled, a smile that has a hidden sadness in it.

 

 

[ Flashback ]

 

Minho's eyes followed the lad who's seems like lost his energy while walking towards his room. He didn't wait longer and followed the lad from behind,

“ Mind to explain what just happened ? “

The lad  didn't turned and just plopped himself on the bed, before buried his face with the pillow.

“ It's supposed to be the other way round Taem. Where did Minzy came from ? “

He had lost his patience and harshly took the pillow away from Taemin's face but was surprised when he saw a clear drop of tears, falls down his face.

“ Hey, Taem. What's wrong ? “ His voice has become soften upon witnessing the scene in front of him.

“ It is as what I had expected hyung ... “

He finally met Minho's eyes. “ She doesn't feel the same. “

 

That night, the boys decided to have another serious talk with Taemin for his problem.

“ But don't you think getting Minzy in the picture will worsen the situation ? “

“ I don't know. It just came out out of no where. “

“ So, what's next ? You're not actually really dating Minzy right ? “

“ Of course not. I'll talk to Minzy when I have the time. “

“ Taem, are you sure you don't want to talk about it again with Sulli ? Just to clarify your feelings. It looks like you has given up too early. “

“ What else to talk hyung ? She has nailed our boundaries. I was only meant to become her friend. It's hurts me so much to hear that from her. It's really hard for me to keep faking it in front of her just now but I just have to do it. I don't want her to get scared. “

“ Hyung, what do you think ? “ Asked Key looking at Jonghyun who seems like in a deep thinking.

“ If you're asking me, I'll just go straight to the girls' house and tell Sulli about all of this but ... “

He took a glance at Taemin who had his eyes widened looking at him.

“ I know he won't let me, so ... I'll say, let just wait things to settle. “

“ Really ? I mean ... no idea of making them together ? “

“ Errm, no at the moment. “

“ I don't think that's necessary, she have Sehun now. “

They boys just shook their head looking at the heartbroken maknae in front of them.

They know, there's nothing they can do when the lover himself were seems like already given up.

 

 

Day After

 

“ We need to talk. “

Whispered Kai as he passed by Taemin's seat while the lad just nodded in a sighed.

“ I'll go to the gents for a while. “ Said Taemin to Luna who happened to looked at him.

 

Kai had lead Taemin towards the dance studio where Chunji and Niel already there, waiting for them.  By just the look, Taemin knew the reason behind all of their stares.

“ You didn't tell her aren't you ? “ Asked Kai who broke the ice at the first place but his question was left with no answer.

“ Why did Sehun said he's going to take her out for another date this week ? “

Another question was thrown at him by Niel this time, but still, it remained unanswered.

“ Seriously ? Speak up, man. Don't you feel anything about it ? “

He shots a stern gaze at Chunji who yelled at him just now.

“ What a stupid person for not feeling sad and mad when the girl that he love has been taken away from him ? Can't you see ? I'm enduring the pain. “

Taemin's words has made the rest to startled and feels sympathy at the same time.

“ I'm sorry Taem. I'm just .. I don't know. I don't like seeing you like this. “

Taemin just shook his head before plopped himself on the cold floor. “ Guys, I need your favor. “

“ What is it ? “

They decided to also take their seat.

“ I've tells her lies. “

That makes the boys to become curious and confused.

 

 

[ Flashback – The talk between the boys ]

 

“ It was her, right Taemin ? It was that Giant Baby right ? Choi Sulli .. she's the one am I right ? “

Kai and Chunji couldn't stop laughing since Sulli's name being mentioned while Taemin, he just shook his head in a chuckle looking at Niel who looks dumbfounded at the moment.

“ What's so funny ? “

“ See that Taem. Everyone is aware of that even this kid over here. “ Chunji blurted still trying his best to control his laughter.

“ Gosh ! I can't believe it was so obvious. “

“ What do you think of me huh ? So numb not to even realized that ? “ Niel said while ruffled Taemin's hairs playfully.

“ You've always be the first person to feel happy with anything that related to Sulli. “

“ Yah ! Are you mocking me ? “

“ Haha, maybe. Anyway, I'm happy with this news. I've always want Taelli to become true.“ Niel's remarks has kinda surprised the rest of the boys.

“ Dude. I don't know that you like this kind of thing. “ Kai flashed a smirks which easily makes Niel annoyed.

“ Yeah, who else that you ships ? I know Taelli is your bias, so who else ? “ Chunji, as playful as he is won't ever let this slide.

“ Cut it out if you guys love your face. “

Niel then noticed the changes in Taemin's expression, “ Now, what's with the sad face ? “

“ I'm feeling guilty with the fact that I've fall for the girl that my friend likes. “

“ Sehun ? “

He nodded.

“ It's not like I'm siding you or what but I don't think you should get worried over that matter since Sulli wasn't even his' yet. He's still trying to win her heart and you just make a start.

“ I'm sure Sehun will understand it too and there's a possibilities that he also has predict that this will happen. I mean, if we can figure it out, I'm sure he is as well. He is not a fool Taem. “

Taemin just nodded to his friends words but still it doesn't calm his heart. His nervousness has gotten worse with thought of facing Sehun in this matter, face his own friend to fight for a girl that he love.

 

[ End Of Flashback – The talk between the boys ]

 

That was their real conversation but Taemin has made a twist on it until Sulli had fall for it and believed that they were actually talking about Minzy while the truth behind it was all about her all the time.

 

“ You know that was stupid right ? “

“ I know. It just slipped. I can't think of anything at the moment. I'm too scared of Sulli's reaction if I tell her that it was indeed she that I love. I just want to lessen her worries and Minzy's name happened to came out. “

" Taem, I don't think this is the right thing to do. “

“ I know but it just happened. I .. I don't want things become complicated in between us. “

“ But, it's already turned that way. “

“ At least, I'm the only one who face it and not Sulli. She's happy right now with Sehun and I don't want to burden her with my feelings later on. “

They boys just heaved a sighed looking at their miserable friend.

“ You will help me right guys ? “

 

Kai, Chunji and Niel would just have to agreed on his favor. They can't just say no, they don't even have a heart to do so when they saw the desperation in Taemin's eyes while pleading to them.

 

“ But, Minzy .. What about  her ? “

“ I'll help him too. “

 

Abruptly the voice causes the four eyes to shots at the door, where the girl who the name has been mentioned just now were standing by it, with a weak smiles flashed for them,  particularly for the heartbroken boy over there.

 

“ Minzy ? “

“ Don't worry Taem. Things will turned out better soon. “

Taemin couldn't say any words anymore, too surprised with what just he heard.

“ A thanks will do ? “

Asked Minzy playfully which caused the rest of the boys to burst into a laughter looking at the stiff Lee Taemin by their sides.

“ T-Thanks. “ He uttered shyly at her while she just have to chuckled at it.

“ No big. What a friend for right ? “

“ Woah ! Minzy is so cool. Exactly my type. “

Niel's sudden out burst has caused another laughter booming in the studio and eventually made the lady to be in embarrassment due to the teased.

“ Shut up Niel ! “

 

[ End Of Flashback ]

 

 

The boys decided to cheer the maknae's misery after that by having a dinner out at Onew's favorite chicken restaurant which was situated at the downtown. They even made a phone call to Onew just to make the lad to become envious over their leisures.

 

“ Yah ! How dare you guys ! “

The eldest' loud yelled was heard clearly from the speaker of Minho's phone and that was a satisfaction for the rest of the boys who are non-stop annoying the leader.

“ Jonghyun ! You're the first person that I'll see once I step back at Seoul. You hear me ? “

“ Hyung, why me ? I did nothing. “ Said the dino, trying to held his laughter.

“ There's no others than you're the culprit behind this. “

“ Owh, he's good. Haha. “

The boys keep laughing and for a moment that had made the maknae to forget his sadness but only for a short while when suddenly a female voice caught their attention, “ You guys are here too ? “

That's Victoria and she was surprised when she heard, “ That's Song Qian right ? Honey, is that you ? “

 

For a moment, she had her eyes traveled around the restaurant but then a chuckle was let out from when Minho pointed at his phone. Hurriedly, she took the call but not before tuned back the loudspeaker to the normal mode, and in just a flashed of light, she's already disappeared from the gang's sight to who knows where has she been to.

 

“ You didn't tell me that you're having your dinner here. “  Asked Minho while pulling the chair out for Krystal.

“ You didn't either. “

“ We just feels like having chicken for the dinner. “ Says Amber, while heading towards her boyfriend's side.

“ And Vic unnie happened to remembered this place. “ Luna added with a smile on her face.

 

Jonghyun who realized the table wasn't going to fit with all of them has quickly requested for an additional table from the waiter but once his eyes were back towards the gang, his body has become stiffen due to the sudden awkwardness in the air. Right at the moment, every eyes were fixed at the maknae and the virtual one, Taemin and Sulli who are only have their head hung low since they met.

 

They were having fun talking with each other but of course the two of them will choose to just stay silent by their sides, and not even one of them would want to utter a word, far from glancing at each other too. This had eventually caused the conversation in between the friends to become interrupted with their silent treatment and one of them will tried to get the atmosphere alive once the silent take over, and it will repeatedly be that way.

 

________________

 

The gang decided to have a fun at the flea market at the end of the sidewalk soon after they finished their dinner.

“ Why are there so many dinosaur in here ? “ Asked Jonghyun annoyingly while looking at the plush toys.

“ Wow. I don't know that my boyfriend is so famous. You were everywhere. “

“ Not funny Luna. “

Luna just have to stuck her tongue out cutely and voila, the smiles on Jonghyun face were immediately form.

 

Key and Amber were busy choosing an earring for themselves, as their additional collection for their ears while Minho and Krystal was busy talking with each other, leaving Victoria and Sulli together while Taemin were already few steps ahead from them, looking through the dessert stalls before his eyes. Amber who happened to saw the lonely maknae had made her steps towards him, leaving Key all by himself talking to the ajumma.

 

“ Nice one Taem. I want one of these. “

Taemin could see her eyes glistered upon browsing at the menu and that only made him to chuckle at her cuteness.

“ Ice cream will always be your favorite huh ? “

“ Yup. It can always lighten up my mood. “

While waiting for her ice cream to be done, “ You should try it too Taem. It won't let you down. “

For a second, Taemin thought Amber were giving him a meaningful stares before her eyes shot a glance at Sulli, who was not far from him.

“ Owh my two delicious strawberry ice cream are done. Key, look what I've got for you . “

Shrieked Amber while childishly running towards Key who just shook his head in a smile.

 

Sulli was left alone for awhile when Victoria suddenly get a call from her office and she have to take the call away due to the loud crowds. She, at the moment who were so absorbed with the performance by the street performer has suddenly jolted with a surprised when she felt a tap on her shoulder and to her more surprised when her eyes was welcomed with a cup of ice cream that was almost touched her face.

 

Looking up from the ice cream was seen, her best friend having this unsure stares for her,

“ Amber noona said, ice cream can lighten up the mood. She also said it won't let you down. “

And with the last word, he quickly averted his gaze towards his shoes.

When she noticed another cup was held by him, “ Maybe the charms will work even better if we are having it together. “ 

Those words has eventually made his eyes to met her', and what has added to his happiness is when he caught the warm smiles that was plastered on her face.

 

_____________

 

“ Let's head back now. “

“ Wait, where's Sulli ? “ Asked Victoria while looking around her.

“ I thought she was with you ? “ Asked Luna in worried.

“ Taemin is also not here. “

“ Let's call them. “

“ Wait, Amber ... I don't think that is necessary. “

All eyes turned to where Minho had pointed and a smile was automatically formed on each of their faces when they saw Taemin and Sulli was sat together on the bench, not far from the flea market.

“ I guess our plan has worked out. “ Said Jonghyun with a victory smiles on his face.

“ I knew it that they won't be apart for that long. “

“ Come on guys, let's go home. “

“ Are we going to leave them ? “ Asked Krystal to Minho.

“ Taemin were there with Sulli. Don't worry. “

The girls just nodded to Minho's idea.

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note :

 

HoHoHo !! Have I clarified your confusion with this chapter or I just made it more confused ?

Let me just explain a lil bit of this chapter.

 

So, let's start with the 1st flashback, where Minho and Taemin's conversation took place. If you read through this story, there is a scene where Taelli, together with Minstal were having their lunch after Taemin clarified Sulli's misunderstanding. If you didn't remember it, it was in the Chapter 19. And the scene of the 1st flashback happened soon after Taemin and Minho went back to their house. In the Chapter 19, Minho seems to just played along with Taemin's act while the real fact is that he, himself were also surprised with Taemin's sudden confession that he likes Minzy while the truth is Minho knew all along, in fact the all the boys did, that it always been Sulli. So without further waiting, he just asked Taemin about it and that's what you got up there.

Clear ? Let's move on.

Next scene. Taemin and his friends conversation. There's quite a twist here. The one above was the real conversation that they had instead of the one that Taemin tells Sulli (Still in Chapter 19 anyway). It's too bad that Sulli had leaved just before this talks or else she will know right away the truth. Taemin knew that Sulli hadn't listen to the whole conversation by the way she explain her side of story, so he quickly made up a lies because he hurts with her reaction upon misunderstood his feelings for her. In his point of view, Sulli seems to really against his feelings towards her, so there's no point of explaining more of his feelings if  " She has nailed our boundaries. I was only meant to become her friend. It's hurts me so much to hear that from her. "  Yeah, just like what he said. And Minzy just popped in his minds out of nowhere.

 

Well, I think I did ok in explaining right ? Please say yes ~~~

Hehe, don't worry. I'll clarify your confusion if you have one. Just ask ok.

Let me ask you one thing. What do you think about this chapter ? 

I love to see more comments from you guys. 

I'll see you again with more updates, if I have the time. Keke.

XOXO, Lollilove.