Soo Ri's POV

I hadn't made that promise to Soori lightly. I really meant it when I said I was going to fix everything that went wrong. I cornered Jaesun first and got him outside while the others were cooking or taking showers.

"Can't we do something about Kyuhyun and Krystal?" I asked. "Knowing Kyu, this is killing him. He just doesn't know what to do about it."

Jaesun sighed. "Listen, I want them to resolve things, too. But this one's on Kyuhyun. He's too used to getting his way. He's uptight, so people always come to him. But don't you think it's time he learns how to be more flexible for other people's sake? Even if it means giving up that pride of his."

"He will, but he needs a chance," I argued. "I bet he isn't doing anything because he doesn't want to implicate Universe or complicate things for all of us living together right now." 

Jaesun looked at me doubtfully. 

"We just need to get them in the same room," I pressed. "Without any of us around. Come on, we can do this much. Then, the rest is up to Kyuhyun. If he messes up, I won't ask for a second chance, I promise."

Jaesun let out another heavy sigh. "Fine," he said. "One more chance. That's it."

I slung my arm around Jaesun. "You're the best, Charmander," I grinned.

Jaesun's POV

After separating from Soo Ri, I went to try and find my Krystal, but when I approached her room, I heard two voices arguing. 

"Krystal, you need to go and see him." I leaned closer to the door and recognized Soori's voice. "You know the situation Universe is in. He can't just come over to f(x)'s dorm right now. It's hard enough for Jaesun to come over and he's family. Think about Kyuhyun's position!" 

"But I'm not the one who messed up," Krystal argued back fiercely. "I'm not the one who was sleeping with another boy without telling my girlfriend for months!" 

"But they're friends," Soori persisted. "I know you're hurt that he didn't tell you. Trust me, I've been hating myself for not telling you. But nothing ever happened. I think that's why it never crossed our minds." 

"But Kyuhyun never thinks about me," Krystal said, and I heard a real note of pain in her voice. "He's always so independent, so capable. He can do everything by himself. He never needs anyone. That's why I can't go to him first. I can't always be the one chasing, Soori. I have a sense of pride, too."

They both fell silent. 

I knocked on the door.

"Come in," Krystal said. 

"Krystal," I sang. "We have a date tonight. 8pm. I know a great spot for pasta."

"I can't eat heavy carbs right now, Jaesun," Krystal frowned.

"Oh yeah? Then sushi," I quickly said.

"Thanks, Jaesun. But I'm pretty tired today. Can I get a rain check?" Krystal asked, lying down on her bed.

"Nope. No rain check," I said. "The coupons expire today."

Krystal frowned at me again. "Coupons for what?"

"Pasta. Sushi. Whatever you want," I shrugged.

Soori was looking at me very suspiciously. 

Krystal sighed, "Jaesun, whatever you're up, thanks, but no thanks. I don't really feel like going out." 

"But the gift cards will expire. And I bought them especially for us," I pouted.

Krystal glared at me. "First pasta, then sushi. Coupons, then gift cards. If you're going to lie, at least put some effort in it."

"That's a yes, then," I translated for her, and winked at her. "7pm."

"Eight, you moron!" Krystal shouted back, but I was already out the door. 

Soori's POV

Once Jaesun explained everything to me, I demanded that we follow Krystal to the Soo Ri readily agreed, but Jaesun protested.

"I don't want to see Kyu hyung hit on my sister!" Jaesun protested. "I already have to deal with you and Gongchan, remember?"

"Well, I want to see them happy again," Soori argued back. With that, she dragged me out the door, and Soo Ri followed.

The restaurant Jaesun had sent Krystal and Kyuhyun to was actually owned by a fellow idol, so it was a place that idols could go and avoid public scandals. 

We shuffled in rather conspiciously behind Krystal, but hurriedly hid behind a row of potted plants before we were spotted by anyne. 

I saw Kyuhyun, who was early (as usual), sitting at a table. He was sitting quite still before he reached out and straightened out the chopsticks on his napkin. 

I heard Soo Ri laugh under her breath besides me.

Then, Krystal and Kyuhyun saw each other.

"Wha-?" Krystal blinked furiously. Then, she said through gritted teeth, "I'm going to murder Jaesun."

Kyuhyun stood up. "Noona," he said, surprised to see her there.

Krystal crossed her arms, waiting for him to speak.

A long moment of silence passed.

"C'mon, Kyu," Soo Ri muttered under her breath.

When neither of them said anything, Krystal turned around and started to leave. My heart sank.

But then, Kyuhyun called, "Wait." 

Krystal turned around and snapped, "I've been, Kyuhyun. I've been waiting."

"I... I know," Kyuhyun said. He hesitated. "I'm... I'm sorry." 

"I think I got-" Kyuhyun paused, choosing his words carefully. "There are a million things I could say to explain what happened."

"Don't say that, idiot," Soo Ri muttered. 

"But that's not what's important right now," Kyuhyun said, and he gazed at Krystal with fierce eyes. "The important thing is that you're hurting right now- and that- I never meant for that to happen. I never wanted that to happen. As someone who's supposed to protect you, I shouldn't ever hurt you." 

"Even so," Kyuhyun said, and his voice grew stronger. "I'm not an easy person to be with. I know that. And I'm trying to be the best version of me for you, but that might take time. So that's why I'm asking you to 'wait'. Not just right now, but for the times when it gets hard again. I'm asking you to trust me. I'm asking you because you're the one I want to be with. But I need you to believe that while I become myself again. Because right now, I'm not... I'm not at my best, or strongest. Right now, I just really... really miss Universe." 

Soo Ri blinked in surprise and Jaesun's eyes tightened in pain. I felt a rush of sadness wash over me. No one, not even the members of Universe, had been aware of the depths of Kyuhyun's pain. I tried to take a deep breath and blinked back the sudden tears in my eyes. 

"Kyu," Soo Ri whispered. 

Jaesun gently put his arm around me.

Krystal walked over to Kyuhyun. She made him sit down and pushed him over before sitting beside him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and let out a sigh. 

"You're such a baby, Kyuhyun. Nobody knows that," Krystal said, but her tone was affectionate.

"Nobody but you," Kyuhyun reminded her. 

Krystal smiled, and Soo Ri let out a sigh of relief.

Kyuhyun leaned down to kiss the top of her head and-

"Okay, that's it. Let's go." 

Jaesun yanked me and Soo Ri out of there before we could even see the kiss. We bickered about it all the way back home, but the argument was light-hearted and filled with relief that Kyuhyun and Krystal had made amends. 

Sky's POV

The cuter the better...? Hm...

I stood in front of an aisle of stuffed animals, scratching my head. 

How was I supposed to know which one was the cutest?

"You," I addressed a bear. "Tell me which one of you is the cutest."

The bear seemed to tip its head towards a fluffy floppy pink thing, so I picked it up and paid for it, losing a bit of dignity when the cashier looked skeptically at me.

I had just entered my room when I heard the front door open. I knew that had to be Eun Suk. My parents were still at the shop. 

I hurriedly stuffed the stuffed animal in my blankets, when I heard a "woof!" and running of small feet.

"Wait, Balam! Give that back!" 

I had just managed to hide the stuffed animal properly when Balam skidded into my room, holding Eun Suk's shoe.

I instinctively stepped forward to take it back from him when Eun Suk came flying through the door. 

"Whoa!"

We collided. I tried in vain to catch her and stay upright, but tripped over Balam. Balam barked joyfully as we both tumbled to the floor.

You know, they make it seem romantic in the movies, but it's not. It hurts like hell, and it's awkward, too.  

"Ow..." Eun Suk rolled off of me, clutching her shoulder.

I sat up, rubbing the back of my head. 

As if having accomplished a mission, Balam dropped the shoe and ran off, tail wagging.

"Stupid dog," Eun Suk muttered, reaching over to grab her shoe. 

I noticed a floppy pink leg peeking over of the blankets. I hurriedly reached out and shoved it further in. 

Eun Suk looked at me curiously.

"Are you hiding something?" she asked me.

"No," I said, too quickly. 

"I know you're a guy," Eun Suk, rolling her eyes. "You don't have to hide that stuff."

"Hide wha-?" I fell silent when I realized what she meant. 

Eun Suk laughed. "Looks like I'm spot on," she said.

"You're not," I replied. "Get out of here."

"Yes sir." She saluted me, and left. 

Eun Suk's POV

But as soon as I returned to my room, I felt my smile slide off. 

I sighed heavily and sank into the chair.

I pulled out a long document from inside my jacket.

What should I do? If I go through with this... the others will hate me. Especially Chan Hee. I can't even imagine how much she'd hate me.

I closed my eyes and sank deeper into my chair, absorbed by worry.