At Kyunghee High..

In the Pabo trio’s Class..

“Listen!” the teacher said. “You must have heard from previous students about the tradition of Kyunghee High regarding the activity of all graduating students.”

“Deh!!!” the class answered.

“Why do we still need to do Community Service?” KangIn murmured

“You’re right, it’s not like it is something fun to do” Yesung agreed

“What do you think? Should we just ditch it and go to Maid Latte instead” Eunhyuk asked in a whisper

“Great idea!!” Yesung beamed. “You really are a genius, Eunhyuk-ssi”

Then both of them felt a smack on their heads. “Are you two crazy?” KangIn scolded them. “Attendance would be checked and if we are caught not going there, we won’t be able to graduate”

“Ouch!! Why did you do that? It’s not like you wanted to graduate either” Eunhyuk said while caressing his head

“The two of you are really stupid!” KangIn said. “What would Seohyun-ssi think of us if we don’t go?”

“Ah, you’re right. “ Yesung finally realized KangIn’s point. “She will think of us as irresponsible people and we would not like that”

“That’s right!” KangIn said. “Let us just endure it for now”

“But that would mean we don’t get to see Seohyun-ssi for three days” Eunhyuk said sadly

“Ah waeyo?” Yesung asked

“Don’t you remember? Every class is assigned to different locations and stay there for the whole three days.” Eunhyuk answered

“Oh yeah, I forgot” Yesung said

“Sonsaengnim!!” KangIn raised his hand. “Where will our class be assigned?”

“Oh KangIn-ssi, it’s really surprising that you’re interested in stuffs like these” the teacher exclaimed

“I’m a changed man, Sonsaengnim” KangIn said rather annoyed

“Since you asked about that, this year would be a bit different” the teacher announced

“Different?” the whole class asked

“Instead of being assigned to different locations, all 4 classes are going to only one location” the teacher said

“Ehhhh?” they all asked

“By the way, you’re going to an orphanage for the Project.” he said. “Since it entails lots of work being in an orphanage, we decided to let you all go help there. And since you will all go there, the SC Prez will be your leader.”

“KAngIn-ssi, Yesung-ssi, did you hear that?” Eunhyuk asked. “We will be working with Seohyun-ssi for the whole three days. It’s like a campimg trip.”

“This is so good to be true!!” Yesung and KanIn said

After Class, at Maid Latte..

“Welcome Back, Master!” Seohyun greeted Kyuhyun as he came in. “You came as a customer today?”

Kyuhyun smiled at her and said, “Uhhumm!! Because I won’t be able to do so when the Community Service Project starts”

Seohyun led him to an empty seat, asked for his order and went to the kitchen.

“Kyuhyun-ssi!” Taeyeon called.

“Manager, annyeonghasaeyo” Kyuhyun said

“It’s been a while since you came as a customer” Taeyeon said. “You’ve always been a substitute part-timer. Thanks for everything.”

“It was nothing” Kyuhyun said with a smile

“Ah, by the way, have you seen Seohyun already?” Taeyeon asked

“Y-Yeah” Kyuhyun said cheerlessly

“Oh? What’s wrong? Has something about Seohyun been bothering you lately?”

Kyuhyun looked at the worried person in front of him. “No, nothing is wrong, manager” he answered and managed to release a forced smile.

Those were not really the words he wanted to say. But how could he possibly admit to Taeyeon that..Yeah,he was worried about something. That he is really bothered that Seohyun is always stuck with her childhood bestfriend. Worse, is that those two are classmates and they get to be together everytime. And the worst thing of all, he can’t do anything about the raging storm that he felt inside him.

The day of the Community Service Project came..

At the orphanage..

The girls were assigned to look after the kids while the boys got to help with the cleaning.

“Seohyun-ah, look at how cute the kids here are” Yuri said

“They are really adorable. Especially that one” Sooyound said pointing to a little girl in pigtails

“Yea, kids are really cute” Seohyun said

Not far away..

“This is too cruel!” Eunhyuk complained. “Why do the boys get to clean these endless heaps of dried leaves while the girls get to play with the kids in the shade?”

“Yeah, this is too mean. We are all suffering under the scorching heat of the sun” KangIn agreed.

“We can’t take this” Yesung said while sweeping some dried leaves.

Seohyun heard the Pabo trio complaining so he approached them.

“Yah, you three, stop complaining and don’t act like you’re babies!!” Seohyun scolded. “This is a requirement for us, so we are not here to take things lightly. If you get it, go back to work!!”

 “Deh!!” the Pabo trio answered

JAEJOONG’S POV

I saw Joo Hyun talking to three students on the orphanage’s backyard.

 “Joo Hyun-ssi!!!” I called as I approached them

“Oh, here comes the famous transfer student” I heard Heechul-ssi say

“You seem happy today too, Jaejoong-ssi” Hankyung said

But I ignored them and went directly to Joo Hyun.

“Joo Hyun, I saw a piano inside, let’s take a look at it” I said

But she lifted her right hand in front of my face. “Stop! We don’t have any free time. Get back to your post.” she said strictly

“Aren’t you ignoring him too much, Prez?” Hankyung asked

Joo Hyun glared at them and “It seems I haven’t been strict enough lately!!” she said sarcastically

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiihhh” the guys uttered in fear

“Kyuhyun-ssi, please stop!” we heard someone say. “Prez, help me!”

“Yah!! What are you guys doing?” Joo Hyun said as he approached the two.

“We are just cleaning together Prez” the taller guy answered

“He’s lying!” the shorter guy said. “I don’t know why, but he’s been dragging me around for no reason”

Joo Hyun sighed. “Alright, I’ll deal with him, Ryeowook-ssi” Joo Hyun said to Ryeowook-ssi

As soon as she said those words, Ryeowook-ssi walked away from them.

“Now is the chance to run guys” I heard Heechul say. “You come too, Jaejoong-ssi” and he began to drag me away from the site of commotion.

Joo Hyun and the tall guy continued to talk to each other but unluckily though, I could not here what they were talking about because Heechul-ssi had dragged me away from them already.

I looked at them and it seemed like Joo Hyun was scolding the tall guy but..but why is she blushing if she is scolding the guy?

 I haven’t seen her like that before.

More importantly, who is that guy that made Joo Hyun blush like that?

END OF POV

“Kyuhyun-ssi, please stop!” they heard someone say. “Prez, help me!”

“Yah!! What are you guys doing?” Seohyun said as he approached the two.

“We are just cleaning together Prez” Kyuhyun answered

“He’s lying!” Ryeowook said. “I don’t know why, but he’s been dragging me around for no reason”

Seohyun sighed. “Alright, I’ll deal with him, Ryeowook-ssi” she said to Ryeowook

Ryeowook immediately ran away from them.

“Aisssh. I was wondering why I haven’t seen you around, and what do I find you doin—?”

“What was I doing?” Kyuhyun cut her. “I was jealous of someone and was sulking in a corner the whole time.” he said with a smirk

Seohyun suddenly felt her cheeks began to warm. Before she could say anything, “Is there a problem with that?” Kyuhyun managed to ask sarcastically

“O-Of course there is” she stuttered. “That’s not a reason to skip work and play with Ryeowook-ssi”

“Eiiiihhhh, it’s a reason” Kyuhyun said

“Whatever!! Just get back to cleaning already!!!!” Seohyun said

5:00 pm

At the kitchen..

Seohyun was preparing the materials for dinner. The girls were also assigned to cook.

“Haaaaaaaishh” Seohyun sighed. Kyuhyun keeps on throwing me off balanced..

“Seohyun-ah” Yuri called

“Are you preparing already?” Sooyoung asked

“Yeah..”

“I’m so tired playing with the children already” Yuri said

“We girls are lucky that we were assigned to make dinner and do the lighter jobs” Sooyoung said

“Yeah, while the boys have to do some of the repairs.” Yuri said

“Yuri if you’ve got free hands, start washing the rice” Seohyun said.

“Got it” Yuri said

“The vegetables are stored together over there too. You could start cutting them” Seohyun said to another girl.

“Deh!”

The girls went on their chores. After preparing dinner, they went to wash the things they used.

“You know Seo, you really are amazing” Sooyoung complimented. “You can get everything organized in no time”

“You think so? Thanks” Seohyun said

“And it didn’t occur to me at all that we should wash the dishes beforehand” Yuri said

“We probably wouldn’t have noticed how dirty they were until it was too late” Sooyoung added

“Ah, that’s because…” Seohyun trailed

It’s something Taeyeon-unnie always does at Maid Latte. But she can never say that.

“What’s that?” Yuri asked

“N-Nothing” Seohyun answered

“So hey, change topic, how are things going with Jaejoong-ssi?” Yuri asked curiously

“W-What is this all of a sudden” Seohyun asked in astonishment. “We were not even talking about him”

“Well, it’s been bugging me the whole time” Yuri answered

“Yuri said that his greatest goal in this Community Service is to talk about Seohyun’s relationships” Sooyoung informed

“You’ve got to talk about it with your friends, Seo” Yuri said. “Jaejoong-ssi came in perfect time too”

“Everyone is curious about it too” Sooyoung said and the girls began to crowd them getting interested on what the three of them were talking about

“What’s up with you all?” Seohyun asked. “N-Nothing’s going on. He is a childhood friend and nothing more.”

“Nothing more than that???” everybody became curious

“Nothing at all!” Seohyun said. “Besides, I don’t have time to be distracted by things like that. I have a lot to do as Kyunghee’s SC Prez, too. I can’t watch over him like I used to”

Meanwhile, the guys were making the repairs of the damaged chairs, tables and others.

“This is hell!” Eunhyuk whined. “Why do we always get the heavy jobs?”

“Huh? This is actually fun!” Jaejoong said cheerfully

“Wow, Jaejoong-ssi, you really enjoy doing these kinds of stuffs” Yesung asked

“You really are optimistic!” KangIn said

“Hey, Jaejoong-ssi, do you know how this should be repaired?” Eunhyuk asked and showed him what he was working on

“Oh, this looks difficult. I’m sorry Eunhyuk-ssi but I haven’t done this too” Jaejoong apologized

“Yah, Eunhyuk-ah, go ask Kyuhyun-ssi, he might know” KangIn said

“Kyuhyun-ssi?” Jaejoong asked

“Ah, you don’t know Kyuhyun-ssi?” KangIn asked. “He is the guy over there.” KangIn said while pointing at the working Kyuhyun.

Jaejoong looked at the direction where KangIn was pointing.

That guy! He is that guy. The one that Joo Hyun was talking to a while back.

“Kyuhyun-ssi, how do I do this?” Jaejoong saw Eunhyuk asking Kyuhyun about the thing he was working at 

Kyuhyun looked at it and told Eunhyuk how to do it.

“He is the smartest guy in school” KangIn said to Jaejoong. “Although it hurts my pride, I must admit that he is the most popular and most handsome guy in the campus too.” (A/N: LOL at KangIn! ^-^)

Without saying anything, Jaejoong suddenly stood up and began to approach Kyuhyun. He locked his gaze at the tall guy who was instructing the other guys about what to do.

Kyuhyun must have noticed that Jaejoong was approaching him so he also stared at him. Everyone else got worried of what was going to happen between the two.

“What’s wrong, Jaejoong-ssi?” Yesung asked but Jaejoong ignored him and continued to approach Kyuhyun without taking his eyes off the guy.

Jaejoong laid his hand on Kyuhyun’s shoulder. “Jaejoong-ssi, what do you think you are doing to Kyuhyun-ssi?” Heechul asked

“Man, you’re so cool!!” Jaejoong said and tapped Kyuhyun’s shoulder

“Hey, Jaejoong-ssi, you’re gonna get killed” KangIn whispered

“If I were a girl, I might have fallen for you” Jaejoong said

“Y-Y-Y-You shouldn’t suddenly say things like that!” Ryeowook said. “I mean..you are talking to Kyuhyun-ssi”

8:30 pm

After dinner, the students tucked the children to bed and were preparing to go to their sleeping quarters.

Seohyun, Yuri and Sooyoung were on their way to their quarters when they overheard the guys talking..

“Hey, have you seen, Jaejoong-ssi?” Hankyung asked

“Ani, he must probably be wandering around somewhere again” Heechul said

“It’s getting late already. If a teacher catches him beyond the curfew, he would be so dead” Yesung said

“I agree” Seohyun sighed. “Aisshh this is such a hassle. Yuri, Sooyoung, just go ahead I’ll just find Jaejoong-ssi”

“Okay” Yuri and Sooyoung answered

9:00 pm..

SEOHYUN’S POV

“Why does Jaejoong manage to make me worry so much?” I murmured in annoyance. “Where did he go?”

I looked around the vicinity and heard soft music from somewhere. I followed the sound and made my way towards a lit room. As I entered the room, I saw Jaejoong playing the piano and singing along.

Nun teugodo neol baraboji mothae
Jichin chueoke heuryojin neoui mameul nan chatji mothae
Manhi ulgo jichyeo deo isang mothae
Saenggakhaedo neoreul bomyeon gwaenchaneul got gata

Jikyeo jugo sipho neoui jalmotdwin nappeun boreutdeul kkajido
Himdeun nal utge mandeuneun geoya
Jom himdeulgetjiman neol saranghae rago maldo halgeoya
Meonjeo nae phume oneun nal kkaji..
 

He is still really good in playing the piano and his voice became more melodious eversince he left Seoul.

And before I get too absorbed in his singing, I remembered the reason why I was there so I approached him and gave him a smack on the head.

“Yah!!” I said and he immediately stopped from playing

“Joo Hyun-ssi” he said as he scratched his head

“What are you doing here when it is already past the curfew, you Pabo?” I interrogated him

“I was just planning to play the piano for a bit but I did not notice the time” he answered

“Shut up, we are getting out of here” I said. “If a teacher will see us, we’ll both get punished—”

“What? Why is that room still lit?” we heard a voice approaching from where we were.

Crap! It’s a teacher checking around.

And on instinct, I grabbed Jaejoong and hid behind the table.

“Hey, is there someone in here?” the voice asked

We did not answer.

“Somebody must have forgotten to switch the light off” the voice said

Then the lights turned off and we heard the door being closed.

As soon as we knew that the teacher was gone, we came out of our hiding place and headed to the door. I turned the knob and to my horror, it was locked.

“He locked the door!” I said to Jaejoong in a worried voice. “It won’t open”

“I don’t see any way to get out either” he said as he looked around the room.

I sighed. “Why did I hide? In that situation, he could have at least heard us out..”

END OF POV

In the dark Music Room..

Seohyun heaved a big sigh. “Why did I hide? In that situation, he could have at least heard us out..”

 “Joo Hyun!” Jaejoong called

“Could you stop calling me Joo Hyun already? I prefer being called as Seohyun now” Seohyun said

“Oh, okay” he answered as he sat on the floor

“Aisshh, what should we do?” Seohyun paused. “Ah, cellphone. You have your cellphone there?”

“I forgot it in the quarters” Jaejoong answered

“Crap. Why should I forget my cellphone in times like this” Seohyun uttered in frustration

“We can’t do anything for now. Let’s just wait until morning before we could get some help” Jaejoong said. “Come here!” he said as he tapped the floor beside him

Seohyun went near him and sat where Jaejoong tapped a while ago.

SILENCE

“Seohyun..” Jaejoong called

“Hmmm?”

Did you hear what I was playing a while ago?” he asked

“Yeah, a little bit.” Seohyun answered.

“What do you think? Was it good?" Jaejoong asked

“Not good”

“Oh..” he said in a disappointed tone

Seohyun giggled when she saw him pout. “It was not good. It was great!!”

“Really?” Jaejoong suddenly felt happy. “You’re not kidding?”

“Yeah, I’m not kidding. Your voice became better since you left and you are still good in playing the piano.”

“Oh I’m so happy!!” Jaejoong looked at her. “Gomawo, Seohyun-ah”

“I still remember in third grade, when you were auditioning for the school’s chorus, you cracked when you sang the high notes of your audition piece” Seohyun said smiling

“Aisssh, that was not a crack, my voice was just husky that time” Jaejoong wanted to sound irritated but he failed

“It was husky because you insisted to eat ice cream the day before even if I told you not to” Seohyun said. “And after the audition you cried because you were embarrassed. Hahahaha!”

“And you even scolded me even if you knew I was embarrassed that time” Jaejoong said

“That’s because you don’t know how to listen”

“HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!” both of them burst in laughter

“It is nice to remember things about the past” Seohyun said

“I’m happy you still remembered me.” Jaejoong said

“How could I forget? You’re such a hassle then” Seohyun said before laughing again

“By the way, Seohyun-ah..” Jaejoong trailed

“Hmmm?”

“Have you stopped playing the piano already? I noticed you don’t get to play it in school” Jaejoong said.

Seohyun did not answer.

“I mean, you said you wanted to be a pianist when you grow up. Don’t you want it anymore?” Jaejoong said

“I do. I still do” Seohyun finally spoke. “It’s just that my piano was sold when Appa left us and eversince then I became busy with school and work. But whenever I’ve got some free time I play the piano at school.”

“That is good to hear” Jaejoong said in relief. “I want you to chase for your dreams. And also I would want you to play the piano for me when I become a successful singer.”

“You’re so childish as ever” Seohyun said feeling awkward

“I’m not childish it really does mean a lot for me” Jaejoong said seriously. “I wish we could be as close as how we were when we were little. Actually the song I was singing a while ago is my composition. When I finish it, I will let you be the first one to hear it. The title is I’ll protect you.”

Seohyun nodded.

After that conversation, both of them became quiet.

 “Seohyun-ah” Jaejoong said and held Seohyun’s hand. “We have grown up a lot since then.”

“J-Jaejoong-ssi?” Seohyun blushed at the sudden gesture of her friend

“Maybe, you’ve never thought of me like that before…” Jaejoong trailed. “…but I want you to see me as a guy.”

Seohyun was astonished at the sudden confession. When Jaejoong realized that Seohyun was still looking at him with a shocked expression, he hid his face in his palms.

“W-What’s wrong?” Seohyun sasked

“N-Nothing!” Jaejoong revealed his face. “It’s just that things like these are embarrassing. Geez, I can’t hold it in. My face is so hot. Don’t look at me so much. It’s really embarrassing.”

Seohyun let out a small chuckle.“You told me to look at you and now you’re telling me not to. What exactly do you want me to do, Jaejoong-ssi?”

“Well.. I want you t—”

And the door of the room suddenly flung open.

“..to see you as a guy, right?” Kyuhyun suddenly butted in

“Kyuhyun..” Seohyun said

Kyuhyun grabbed Seohyun’s hand and stared seriously at Jaejoong. “Jaejoong-ssi, I will look at you..as a man.”

That’s how the first day of the Community Service project ended.

____________

A/N: What do I smell?

R-I-V-A-L-R-Y  ^-^

By the way, the song Jaejoong was singing is entitled I'll protect. It's a really nice song..

Comment, chingus. <3