Sang Hee’s POV

The building that stood in front of me had colored drawings of cartoon characters, as well as flowers on its windows. A short fence surrounded a simple court with sand playgrounds, as well as small riding attractions. Some kids ran around carelessly with joy, supervised by a kind daycare lady.

Is this… a daycare? Does that mean that Chung Hee and Kang Dae are Dae Myung’s little brothers…?

I walked over to the daycare lady anxiously, wondering if it would look weird if a stranger came to pick up two kids.

“Annyeonghaseyo, I’m Sang Hee, and I’m here to pick Chung Hee and Kang Dae up.” I said simply, trying not to look uncomfortable.

She looked surprised. “Oh, Dae Myung can’t pick them up today?”

I shook my head. “Not today. I’m picking them up for him today.”

“Alright,” she said with a smile. She waved to two little boys, who immediately came running to her. “Chung Hee, Kang Dae, Sang Hee here will bring you two home.”

They eyed me curiously at first; I felt anxious of their reaction. Fortunately, a smile soon took ahold of their lips as they hung unto my legs.

“You’re Dae-Dae oppa’s best fwiend?!” one of them shouted happily.

Best friend?

I was flattered to hear that he had such a good opinion of me. I was also glad he explained to them that I would pick them up: I didn’t want to be the one to calm them, embarassed, in case they’d get too scared of me.

“Yup! We’re going home right now, okay?” I said happily. I crouched down, making them let go of me, so I could look at them straight in the eyes. “So which of you is Chung Hee, and which is Kang Dae?”

“I’m Kang Dae!” the energetic one shouted with a wide smile.

“I’m Chung Hee.” the contemplative one answered with a gentle smile.

I felt my heart melt at the sight of them smiling so purely, so freely. I took one of their hands each and stood up. Their soft hands felt so tiny in mine. It felt like I had to protect them, even though I just knew of their existence yesterday. We greeted farewell to the daycare lady and turned to make our way towards their home.

It was surprising though. Dae Myung had never mentioned these two to me. I don’t think I had ever heard him mention them during class either. A question immediately appeared.

Why wouldn’t he want to talk about them?

I suddenly realized how much I didn’t know about him. Even after we had spent so much time together practicing and walking home, I didn’t even know he had two younger brothers.  Suddenly, Dae Myung seemed so distant, almost like a stranger. I felt a bit sad at that thought. I never tried to learn more about him, while he, on the other hand, was curious about me.

Hopefully though, I would learn about him more as time passes.

I stood in front of a small apartment door. I couldn’t help but feel surprised. The apartment was situated in an old complex where the walls seemed ready to collapse. I never expected this to be Dae Myung’s home. The image I had of him didn’t seem to match with this place in my mind.

How could popular, confident, good-looking Dae Myung live in such a small, crumbling apartment?

I felt a tug from Chung Hee’s hand. I looked down: he was pointing to one of the flower pots hanging off the window.

“Hm? What about that flower pot, Chung Hee?” I asked, confused.

He then pointed to the door lock. “Key.” he simply answered.

Key? Key! That’s right! I don’t even have the key…

How the hell am I going to enter now? Did Dae Myung forget about the key?!

I opened my cellphone, in hopes that Dae Myung would realize he had forgotten to give me his key, but I didn’t get a single call or text from him. I dialed his phone number and waited as the beeping resounded.

No answer.

I looked around, starting to panic.

What should I do?! We’re in the middle of summer, and the heat is pretty excrutiating…

I heard children are more vulnerable to heat...

Na oetteokhae…?!

I should go somewhere else instead. Yes, that’s right, better than getting fried in this heat.

“Let’s go somewhere cool for the moment. Dae-Dae oppa hasn’t given me the key, so we can’t enter.” I explained to them, smiling at bit at his new nickname.

I was about to turn around to walk back down into the streets, when I felt the two twins pull me back slightly.

Surprised, I looked at them and saw that they were now both pointing at the flower pot.

“Key!” they simply said.

“Key? You two don’t mean…”

I gently let go of their hands and walked over to the flower pot. I lifted it, but there was no key to be found.

Maybe I was just imagining things.

But, as I examined it more closely, I noticed a slight gleam of silver.

Could this be it?

I softly dug up around the silver twinkle until the hinge of a key appeared. I couldn’t help but laugh slightly as I took it. This was so unlike Dae Myung. To think that Dae Myung, who was so uptight and mysterious in his own private matters, would carelessly put the key to his home in a flower pot nearby...

I opened the door, and the twins ran inside, screaming with joy. I couldn’t help smiling at their sight. These two seemed so happy. I wondered what kind of brother Dae Myung was to them so that they’d be able to smile so much.

I went outside, put the key back in its flower pot and went back in. As I closed the door behind me and took off my shoes, I looked around.

I gaped at my surroundings. It was a simple, clustered apartment, with a living room, a small kitchen, 2 rooms and a single bathroom.

This is Dae Myung’s home…?

I set my bag on the couch and took out my cellphone. I set it on silent and slid it back inside the bag. I then walked around this tiny yet tidy apartment, observing the humble furniture.

It was really odd though. I always thought Dae Myung would have a bigger house and was an only child. He seemed like one of those rich people: confident and composed, who knew exactly how the world worked. But my impression of him was wrong, yet again.

As I remembered his expression yesterday, everything seemed to explain itself. This was why the training fees were bothering him so much. This was why he didn’t talk at all of his private family matters. Knowing him, his pride probably got in the way.

Guilt slowly crept into me.

He couldn’t afford the training fees, but I didn’t know. I just took it for granted that he was rich and didn’t get the hint that the they were another big obstacle for his family.

He was struggling all along, and I never knew.

As I lingered over our fight yesterday, Kang Dae and Chung Hee ran over to me and started to pull me towards their room.

“Look at our dwawings!” they both said excitedly.

I shook my head swiftly to stop all the negative feelings from controlling my mind, then smiled at them. “I wonder what pretty drawings you two made!”

I followed them into a room with two single beds. There was little apparent furniture, except for a desk made of wood. It must’ve been Dae Myung’s, since some papers left on it had his handwriting on them. The walls on one of the bed’s side were covered with some of Chung Hee and Kang Dae’s drawings, adding bright colors to the otherwise plain room.

The twins jumped on the bed and pointed to the drawings eagerly. I sat on the other bed, looking at the simple colors they were showing me.

After a while, they searched under the bed, only to come out with a handful of kids’ books. They then ran over and sat next to me, leaving the books on my lap.

“Rwead, Sang Hee noona!” they said excitedly.

I couldn’t help but feel my heart melt at this act. I had just met them today, but they trusted me so much that they wanted me to read to them. Then again, kids gave their trust quite easily.

Only one more reason to protect them then.

I opened the book gently. The book was about a classic story: The Little Mermaid. I smiled unconsciously: it was one of my favorite stories.

I opened the book gently, under their amazed gazes, and started to read the first phrases written.

“Once upon a time, there was a little mermaid who lived under the sea...”

Jonghyun’s POV

I walked over to her practice room and knocked.

I was actually eager today and, this time, I didn’t feel nervous at all. Yesterday’s nervousness must’ve been a temporary thing, like the one that usually disappears after you’ve spent time enough with someone to call them your friend.

As no response was heard, I knocked again.

Still no answer.

Was she gone already?

I took ahold of the doorknob and tried to enter, but it resisted, locked. It then occurred to me that she might’ve not have practice everyday of the week. I laughed a bit at my realisation.

Of course. She’s only in the Instrumental Department, so it’s only natural she’d be here for only a few days per week.

I let go of the doorknob and looked at my watch.

6:41pm.

I still had time, so I might as well ask the manager her schedule. Hopefully, he wouldn’t find it too weird. I was her bodyguard, after all. If worst comes to worst, I could always visit her practice room until she’s actually there and ask her.

I made my way towards the Instrumental Department manager’s office. It wasn’t situated too far either. Some of the orchestra members that had performed with us for some special stages greeted me; I greeted them back with a smile, waving. If I was anyone else than SHINee’s Jonghyun, I wonder if they would've paid any attention to me.

As I arrived in front of the door, a plaque engraved with the Instrumental Department’s manager’s name was hung on the wall next to it. I knocked respectfully. I heard a faint voice welcoming me inside. I gently turned the knob and walked in slowly.

At my sight, he smiled. “What is this surprise visit, Jonghyun?”

“I wouldn’t want to bother you, so I’ll keep it short.” I said, bowing with respect.

“There’s no problem at all. Go ahead.” he replied good-heartedly.

“I just wanted to know… When does Sang Hee have practice?” I asked, trying not to seem too suspicious.

He arched his eyebrows for a moment, but they regained their usual position quickly after. “Oh, the new girl? She comes to practice every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 until 7 I think. Is she your friend or something?”

I couldn’t help but smile at that title. “Yes, she is.”

“I see. It’s nice to see you idols showing some support for the new members.”

“I’m just as glad. Thank you for the information.”

“There is really no problem.”

“Annyeonghi gyeseyo.” I said, bowing before leaving.

I gently closed the door behind me and checked my watch.

It was 6:51pm.

I needed to go back to practice, so I hastily made my way to the elevator. The buttons lit up as it made its way to the floor where I was, the 9^th floor.

The more I thought about it, the more amazing my meetings with Sang Hee seemed. I had met her first at the fan meeting 5 months ago, then had amazingly found and given back her cellphone. If this was any other fan, this would’ve been the only two times she would’ve talked to me.

But I had found her again after.

Then I had so impulsively brought her on a guerilla date with me. I didn’t regret it though: we had connected so much during that time. So much that I didn’t and couldn’t forget about her.

And now, she was working under the same company as me.

If this was all a coincidence, it might as well be one big hell of a coincidence.

A fortunate and amazing coincidence too.

As the elevator doors opened themselves, there was only one person standing in it. And I just so happened to recognize this person.

It was that guy Sang Hee was with during the auditions.

At my sight, his gaze turned into an icy one.

Still as friendly as ever, huh?

I walked in, ignoring him, then turned to stare at the metal doors. There was an awkwardness that loomed over us, and I couldn’t wait until we would arrive to the 4^th floor.

But it was too early to think that he’d just stay silent.

“How’s living the life of an idol?” his voice resounded, cold.

You have to give it to him: he’s really brave.

 “Fine, with a few obstacles here and there.” I answered as coolly as I could.

“Nothing some fake act can’t fix though, huh?”

What was his problem?

“Give me a reason that would explain why I should be listening to you.” I replied, giving an icy tint to my words.

“Heh. We both know you’re not as wonderful as you appear on TV,” he sharply said. “Charming young girls just because it’s your job… It’s disgusting.”

Who does he think he is? What gives him the right to judge me?

I turned to look at him, feeling frustration boiling up inside of me. He had a cold stare, filled with anger and jealousy. He was probably one of those pointless haters. Yet, for some reason, I had a faint feeling that this involved someone else we both knew.

“Look. I have no idea why you’re acting this way towards me, but it has to stop,” I said, trying to keep my composure. “Is this because of Sang Hee?”

His eyes softened up a moment, as if the mention of her name surprised him, but they regained their cold state soon after.

“I want you to stay away from her,” he said in a chilly tone. “She’s the last person I want to see being hurt from the likes of you.”

At those words, I remembered her tear-filled eyes during the guerilla date. The despair that loomed in them after we had said goodbye. The crushed remains of her hope as I had left, like a coward.

Yes, I did hurt her.

But I truly wanted to stay by her side now. I wanted to make it up to her. I wanted to protect her now, to shield her from any harm.

But it was pointless to argue with him.

He’d never listen to me.

At least… Not with hate consuming him now.

The buttons flickered, and we stopped to a halt. The elevator doors opened and revealed the 4^th floor.

“You’re lucky I’m not the kind of person to denounce people.” I said simply, walking out.

“Go ahead if you want.” his voice surged, careless.

His answer surprised me. Wasn’t he worried he might lose his trainee status?

I turned around. He stood there, looking at me with brave, unwavering eyes. The doors slowly started to creep to a close.

“It’s highly unlikely that I’ll stay here anyways,” he said coolly, shrugging.

A sad, bitter smile soon appeared on his lips.

“Money’s the one thing I know I could never beat you at.”

The doors closed upon themselves, erasing the image of him standing there, leaving me in front of the metal doors perplexed.

What did he mean by that?

Dae Myung’s POV

The elevators liberated me onto the ground floor. To be honest, that encounter with Jonghyun ruined my mood even more.

I walked out into the lobby then halted to take my cellphone out of my bag. They don’t let you go check it during training, which was rather surprising.

My eyes widened as I saw the notice stating that I had 1 missed call from Sang Hee around 5, which was 2 hours ago.

Panic took ahold of me.       

Did something happen to her? Or Chung Hee and Kang Dae? Why would she call me? Are they okay?

I quickly dialed her cellphone’s number. As I got no answer shortly after, I took it that she must’ve closed her cellphone. Why would she have called me then?

I quickly made my way outside.

The buildings stood silently, sadly as the sunset gave an orange hue to everything around me. My mind didn’t have time to focus on the beauty the sun gave to my environment. Thoughts of Sang Hee and my two little brothers in any kind of problem scared me, rushed me.

My legs walked quickly, then quicker until I was now practically sprinting towards home.

Anger started to appear inside of me. Anger at myself for letting Sang Hee, who was so fragile and helpless, take Chung Hee and Kang Dae. Anger at myself for obeying the stupid rules of the training program when I was worried about them.

There’s really only you who could make me worried like this, Sang Hee…

I leaned against my apartment’s door, panting from a long, exhausting run. But I couldn’t afford to stop now. I needed to know if they were alright.

 Hopefully they’re inside, just relaxing. Yeah. Maybe I’m just overreacting.

I searched for the key in the plant pot, opened the door with it then put it back in the pot. I felt anxious yet glad to be here: anxious about whether they were safely back home and glad that I could finally confirm my suspicions. I entered then closed the door behind me.

The apartment stayed silent at my appearance.

Were they really home?

“Sang Hee…? Chung Hee? Kang Dae?” I called anxiously.

I took off my shoes and made my way into the apartment. No one was in the living room. The feeling of anxiety heightened, but I tried my best to suppress it.

Maybe they’re in our room?

I felt hope and fear intertwining themselves in my heart as I walked towards our room.

Okay. If they’re not there, I’m calling the police.

With anxiety, I held the doorknob and gently opened it.

I immediately sighed of relief.

There they are.

Chung Hee and Kang Dae were sleeping in each other’s arms in their bed. Sang Hee, as for her, was dozing off as well, a protective arm sprawled around them.

My heart felt relieved and softened up at the sight of the three of them. It was endearing to see Sang Hee so protective over them, and I felt somewhat happy that she seemed to want to protect them as much as I did.

I silently dropped my bag to the floor and approached Sang Hee. She seemed so simple and pure, sleeping by my two brothers on her knees, as if to not bother them.

I bent down and took her hand slowly away from my two brothers. Her fingers felt soft and fragile. I held her gently, lightly in my arms then lifted her up as softly as I could to keep her from awakening.

Her head leaned against my shoulder; I slightly shuddered as I felt her breath on my neck.

Gah… This isn’t good.

I quickly went over to my bed and gently laid her down. She was probably a deep sleeper, since she hadn’t woken up even after all that carrying.

She lay there, motionless, sleeping soundly. She was still in her school uniform, and I was somewhat relieved now that she didn’t wear her skirt as high as the other girls.

My attention wavered to her face, the usual face I saw everyday at school. It was as if this was the first time I could see her features. Her face was pretty yet simple, without being too dazzling. Her eyes, that were usually so bright and full of life, were now hidden by closed lids.

And her lips.

The color of a soft, natural pink that seemed to draw me in…

I bent down silently next to the side of the bed, my thoughts hazy, and approached myself so much that I could almost kiss her cheek.

I felt my heart tighten with an unspeakable feeling, but I had an idea of what it could be.

Love?

The one thing I had never felt before.

You’re not serious… Since when did I start feeling like this?

I stood up and shook my head slightly, in a futile attempt to make myself snap out of it. Maybe it wasn’t love, and I was just imagining things.

Yeah. That's probably just it.

I then gazed at her, lying down so helplessly and calmly, her thoughts roaming in her dreams.

I took the thin covers, made for summer temperature, and gently pulled them over her.

I sighed and left towards the kitchen to cook dinner.

Seriously, Sang Hee. You’re so defenseless… It’s a good thing it was only me here.

Although I really don’t know if I would be able to restrain myself as well next time…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys! I’m back with a new chaptuurrrr. <3

Have you guys noticed? I changed my fanfic title from Starry Dream to A Perfectly Starry Dream. ~ I hope you guys don't mind too much. D: I just wanted to make it more... eye-popping? I hope it is! xD

I’m so sorry it took so long publishing this! I got surprise tutoring for this month so I had to catch up on Math and Physics~.

Hehehe I was smiling like crazy when I was writing Dae Myung’s part. So cuteeeee. <3

I find Dae Myung so endearing now, although Jonghyun’s so adorable as well. Goodness! Who do you guys love better? xD

This chapter was more about Dae Myung, so I added a chapter picture of him! ^^ The actual person in the picture is Lee Chi Hoon, an ulzzang~. So handsome! <3 I hope you guys aren’t missing Jonghyun already though! ~

I feel a bit bad for Jonghyun though~... I haven't given him much moments to spend with Sang Hee, because he's an idol and all and I want to keep this as realistic as possible (yes, I know, I know. Very repetitive LOL). Don't fear though Jjongie, I'm working on it! You guys look forward to it too! ^^

Thank you again for all your support! I love reading all your comments~ <3

PS.: Annyeonghi gyeseyo means Goodbye in the polite manner~.

PSS.: Na oetteokhae means What should I do, although I’m pretty sure most of you probably heard it before in songs or dramas. ~