Jonghyun’s POV

Local 948. I recalled the number the Instrumental Department manager had told me and gazed at the local number in front of me.

This was where Sang Hee should be practicing.

I was on my daily supper break, starting at 6pm and finishing in 1 hour everyday. I had eaten quickly at the cafeteria, so I could have as much time as possible to find her. It didn’t take long though. I glanced at my clock: it was 6:22pm.

No music resounded from the room. I wasn’t sure if I would be bothering her if I entered now. I thought of various ways to enter, feeling a bit nervous.

Should I enter as if it was normal? Or should I rather explain myself as soon as I enter? Maybe she’d be intimidated by my presence… But we already talked before. And she smiled at me when I had told her “I’ll see you later”.

I leaned against the wall, close to the door, and closed my eyes to clear my thoughts. It was unusual for me to be nervous before talking to someone. Usually, I’d just be my usual self and carelessly greet the person. I knew I should just act as myself, but I wasn’t sure how Sang Hee would react. I didn’t want to come off as careless and overconfident, which I often did.

After some thinking, the best solution was to just be myself. We had already met, so she must already have had an impression of me. A good one too, hopefully, seeing how she smiled whenever I talked to her.

I stood straight up and faced the door. I was still a bit nervous, but it’ll probably fade away soon. I knocked then entered slowly, calmly.

She was sitting at a desk next to a black piano, facing a window overviewing Seoul. The room itself was small and felt clustered. As I entered, she looked at me with a curious expression, which soon turned into an embarrassed and surprised one as she recognized me. I noticed the papers on her desk had math equations on them.

Was she studying instead of practicing?

“Annyeong~.” I said in a carefree manner.

“Annyeong.” she said back, a shy smile on her lips.

I walked in and closed the door behind me. “I was wondering how you were doing, so I thought I’d check up on you.” I explained, laughing a bit.

“Oh, I’m fine,” she replied, her smile widening as a faint pink colored her cheeks. She looked at her papers and realized it must’ve been odd to have them out when she was supposed to be practicing. “And I’m studying for a math exam soon, so… that explains why I have math papers here…”

“You finished practicing?” I asked her, surprised.

“Yeah. The sheets I was given are really simple, since they’re only supposed to accompany the artists.” she answered, a bit embarrassed.

“But you only started yesterday, right?”

She laughed shyly. “I know, but I found it really easy…”

It didn't surprise me. Sang Hee was talented when it comes to piano. I never really could doubt it after hearing her play during the guerilla date. I suddenly wanted to hear her play again, just like she did last time in the concert hall. I wanted to go back to that time when I felt like myself, when I had found Sang Hee again.

“Can you… play it for me?” I asked, half-curious, half-anxious.

The shyness that had dawned on her soon became joy as she heard my words. She nodded, got up from her desk and sat on the piano bench carefully. I looked at the title of the partition: Mistake – So Nyeo Shi Dae.

So she would help SNSD by accompanying them at one of their upcoming charity events, huh?

As she started playing, I immediately recognized what had drawn me in her playing. It was the softness, the gentleness, the emotion in the music she created that had so quickly made me realize she was different. She loved music just as much I did: I could relate to her easily.

I wasn’t wrong for praising her so much last time. She really did have incredible talent. The fact that she had mastered this and given it vivid emotions in only one day was mind-blowing.

I walked over and slowly sat next to her on the piano bench, trying not to bother her as she played. I saw her smile as I did. I couldn’t help but smile as well.

At that moment, I felt like we had gone back 4 months, back to when we felt like we were in our own world, a world that belonged only to us. It was as if all the time that had passed had disappeared, as if we had always been together ever since.

Maybe this was what fate or whatever that was making us cross paths again wanted to show us: the connection I had with Sang Hee was too precious, too unique to let go of.

I was glad we had met each other again. It was clear to me now that I had made a mistake by choosing to not stay in touch, but I was going to make up for it. I won’t let her fade away. I won’t push her away like I did last time. I’ll stay by her side and catch up on the time we missed. I’ll be the friend she needed with her, all along.

Mood Song: Bodyguard – SHINee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBkXdPp43Ts

As she finished playing, I clapped loudly, smiling. “You’re really amazing, Sang Hee.”

“Thanks!” she said in a happy tone. She still seemed a bit shy, but she looked comfortable now.

I hesitated a bit then found it pointless to hesitate with her, since I wanted to be friends with her. “Wait, I want you to play something else now.” I said kindly, searching through the many music sheets she had set on top of the piano. I found many were of us, SHINee. I felt a bit happy, to know she appreciated our music so much.

As I found some of Bodyguard, one of our old songs, I immediately smiled. We had sung it for a CF which included Kim Bum and Kim So Eun. We had recorded this song about one year after our debut. I remembered how glad and anxious we were, to know that we were chosen to sing a song for two of the most popular actors during that time.

It was a bit sad though. It felt almost as if we had lost a bit of that joy we felt whenever we learned that we were recording a new song now.

“Play this.” I said with a smile, placing them on the piano tray.

She eyed the notes on it, and her gaze locked itself on them, with will and concentration. She wouldn’t have done this if she knew the piece well, so I’ll probably witness some of that talent of hers to read pieces perfectly, sight-reading. I couldn’t help but feel anticipation and curiosity at how well she would read it.

The first note sounded right, followed by the second one at the right rhythm, followed by a multitude more. I couldn’t help but gape at her fingers recreating the song perfectly. She had it: it sounded just like the accompanying notes from the original song, except softer.

The sound entranced me, just like it did the first time I heard her playing. I started singing, as if the melody lulled the lyrics gently out of my lips. She gently smiled as I did, and so did I: I could feel the complicity between us quietly form itself, lead by the soft melody of Bodyguard.

The sunset’s rays rebounded off the high, crystal buildings and gave off an intricate series of shapes along the floor, next to us. Against the light behind her, Sang Hee seemed to be caressed by a warm halo. She seemed even more kind, even more special that way. My resolve to protect her grew as the lyrics gently flew away from my lips.

As that image of her remained in front of me, I felt as if the words that escaped my lips were meant for her, in a way.

Your smile that is like the sunshine
All day, my heart thuds
It brightens up my dreams on dark nights

When you're suffering and tired
The one person that will protect you

Call me anytime, I'll run to you
So that your heart, your love can come to me

Don't forget, I'm your bodyguard wherever
Don't worry. Now, I'm your hero
When you're going through hard times, I'll hold you, leave everything to me
Now, trust me
Like the main character of a fairytale, I'll protect you
With the character of a cartoon, I'll become your strength
Forever, I'll protect you, I'll be by your side
I'll kneel down in front of the gods and promise

I'm your bodyguard
I'll protect you
I love you
We, who are cuter than anyone else
The moment we fall in illumination
You're perfect to me

Sang Hee’s POV

As if I was just waking up from a perfectly starry dream. That was how I felt as Jonghyun left to go back to whatever he needed to go back to. It also sadly meant I needed to go back home now.

I packed up my things into my bag, an everlasting smile on my lips. I had practice every Tuesday and Thursday: two days of every week of possibility of seeing him, of talking to him.

He had visited me today. Would he visit me Thursday as well? Would things unfold themselves this way every day he’ll visit? My heart leapt with giddiness at that possibility.

I closed the piano’s cover and gently placed the bench under it. As I stood in front of the door, I looked back one last time. This was the room I had spent time with Jonghyun, someone I had thought unreachable before. This was also the room where I might spend even more time with him, if he showed up again.

I knew all too well there was the possibility that he wouldn’t come back again, but the way he had talked and looked at me seemed to reassure me he would come back. I didn’t want to raise my hopes up, but the happiness I felt made me feel invincible, eternally blissful.

I made my way for the elevator, after closing the door leading to my newfound heaven. I hummed softly the melody of Bodyguard as I slightly skipped in the hallway.

The elevator had no one in it, so I could happily continue my low singing, thinking of the last hour that just passed. The buttons flashed softly as I slowly descended to the lobby. I had agreed to walk home with Dae Myung everyday we would be staying at the company together. Unlike me though, he had to stay every night to practice, but at least we left around the same time.

As the doors opened to a partially empty lobby, I noticed him standing close to the entrance, looking bored as always. I immediately smiled and walked quickly over to him. I couldn’t wait to tell him what happened.

As he heard footsteps, he turned around and recognized me. He looked at me with exasperation, but I knew he wasn’t truly annoyed.

“What took you so long? I was about to leave without you.” he said, trying to keep himself from smirking.

“You’d never believe what happened!” I told him giddily.

“Is it going to be a long story?” he asked, as we exited the building.

“Not really~. But guess!”

He looked at me with a false annoyed expression. “I seriously have no idea.”

The sun had already set down, but some of its rays escaped the horizon to brighten up part of the city. If Dae Myung wasn’t here, I would’ve been scared to walk home alone, especially during winter. I was glad he had been chosen to become a trainee.

“It’s no fun when you’re not guessing…” I said, faking a sad expression.

“Does it have something to do with SHINee?” he asked, looking ahead.

“Yes! How’d you know?”

A slight frown appeared on his face. “Please don’t tell me it’s Jonghyun again…”

“Yeah, it is. What’s so wrong with him?” I said, slightly surprised by his reluctance.

He shook his head. “Nothing, nothing. Anyways, what happened with him?”

I thought about asking him why he didn’t like hearing about Jonghyun, but I decided to let it pass. Maybe he was just having a bad day.

“He visited me in my practice room! He asked me to play some pieces for him. I played Bodyguard for him, and he sang!” I said, regaining my giddiness.

“He visited you? Doesn’t he have practice or something?” he asked, slightly surprised.

“It was his break time. I still can’t believe he visited me though…” I said, feeling my cheeks warm up slightly. “I mean, what are the chances of an idol spending his break with me? And it happened to be Jonghyun, out of all people.”

Dae Myung stared at me for a while, silent, until he gazed ahead again without a care. “I wouldn’t count too much on him, if I were you.”

At those words, I started to feel a bit frustrated. Why couldn’t he be happy for me? What was so wrong with me being giddy about Jonghyun visiting me?

I didn’t say anything else, finding it pointless to continue talking, feeling frustration boiling up inside of me. We were walking silently for what seemed like hours, until I felt a hand on my shoulder, bringing my walking to a halt.

Dae Myung looked at me with a reluctant smile and nudged his head towards an outdoor shop.

“Hey, let’s go get something to drink.” he said softly.

Dae Myung’s POV

I took a sip of my soft drink then gazed at Sang Hee, sitting in front of me. She still seemed frustrated with me. I felt a bit bad for ruining her happiness, but it just didn’t feel right for supporting her illusions about Jonghyun.

I had to admit though, I was pretty much of a jerk today, but I had my reasons. I wanted to tell her about the news I got during today’s training session but, when she suddenly showed up so happy because of Jonghyun, I couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

And so, I made us stop by to get a drink to talk it over, but she didn’t seem to want to say a single word to me.

“Hey, Sang Hee.” I said simply.

“What?” she answered with a slight tone of annoyance. She reminded me of a kid, acting like this. I couldn’t help but smile a bit as that thought occurred.

“I’ll admit it. I was being a jerk earlier, but I guess I felt kinda jealous.” I admitted calmly.

Her frustration turned to curiosity and surprise. “Jealous? Why?”

I shrugged. “I guess it’s just because you had such a nice day when I had a crappy one.”

“What happened?” she asked, now worried. I immediately recognized the Sang Hee I saw everyday, always caring and fretting over everyone’s well-being.

I took a sip of my drink. “They told me I had to pay for the training fees. I didn’t even know there were, in the first place.”

“Oh, yes there are training fees. But you can afford it, right?” she said, not seeing where the problem was at.

I had forgotten I hadn’t told her about the money issues my family was facing. Suddenly, it seemed like a bad idea to tell her. I trusted her, that wasn’t where the problem was. It was my pride that hung in the balance. There was just something shameful about telling someone else you couldn’t afford something because of money shortage.

But I knew that I couldn’t avoid it forever. She’d ask and worry until I told her what was wrong. I guess that was one of the only disadvantages of her being too worried about everyone.

“Actually… I have a favor to ask of you.” I said, trying not to regret it.

She looked at me, surprised. “Oh, what is it?”

“You only go practice Tuesday and Thursday, right? I need you to go pick up two people tomorrow and bring them over to my house after school.” I said, opening my bag to take out a small note as well as a pen.

“Oh, alright.” she said, slightly confused of the reason why.

I wrote down my address on the note and slid it in front of her.

“Here’s the address of the place where to pick up the two as well as their names. I also wrote down my address. You’ll see soon enough why, tomorrow.” I said, holding down my pride. I knew I could count on her, and that she’d understand, but somehow, I felt ashamed.

She took and read it. “Chung Hee and Kang Dae? Who are they?”

“You’ll see. Promise me you’ll go get them? They really need someone to pick them up.” I said simply. “I have to go train everyday after school, so there are times when I can’t pick them up.”

I could see she hadn’t gotten the hint they were my younger brothers, but she’ll get it, soon enough.

“Alright, you can count on me! You just worry about training tomorrow.” she said, smiling.

I smiled back at her. “Thanks, Sang Hee.”

“No problem~.”

All the previous irritation she had towards me had disappeared, and we talked again like usual about everything and nothing. It was a bit weird, now that I thought about it: I never would’ve trusted someone enough to let them go get Chung Hee and Kang Dae, but I was sending Sang Hee to get them, tomorrow.

She was really something, Sang Hee. It wasn’t unpleasant though, to trust someone like her.

And so, we stayed there, talking as friends and sipping drinks. But, for some reason, a hint in my heart didn’t agree with the term friends.

 Not like it should matter much to me though, right...?

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I’m back from the US~. It was fun! I visited a lot of museums and went shopping, and even with all that, I had time to write one chapter at night. I hope you guys enjoyed it! ^^

About this chapter, I was really glad to write Jonghyun’s POV, as he found Sang Hee in her practice room~. It’s really funny how I’m as giddy about writing this, as you guys are giddy about reading it. xD

Thank you all soooo much for all the support! I always get so happy when I see “New comments!” and “New subscribers!” in orange characters in a black box whenever I log in~. <3

 ☆ PS.: I finished writing my oneshot of Jaejoong, so feel free to read it and comment on it! It’s in a different style from my fanfic, but I think it’s just because it’s more sensitive than where my fanfic’s story is currently~.

http://www.asianfanfics.com/story/view/57424/stay-by-my-side-tonight-jaejoong-oneshot-jaejoong-oneshot-romance-you