"Kyuhyun, we have to leave."

I turned over and rubbed my eyes. When I opened them, I saw Donghae standing over me, tapping me on my shoulder.

"Kyuhyun, get up. Let's not miss the train."

I sat up, but it was so hard. After the excessively long practice last night, my entire body felt like a  boulder was pushing down on it, and it hurt to move every limb. I sat still for a few seconds then got to my feet with great difficulty. When I put my weight on one of my feet, I I felt a shooting pain run from my legs to my back.

"Ugh," I groaned, putting my hand on my back to support it. "My back hurts," I grumbled. And my legs, and my arms...

"Come on, let's go," urged Donghae, putting on a basball cap.

"Okay, hyung," I said, and bent down to pick my bag up from from the floor, then groaned again in pain. I hoisted it up on my shouders, then took aching steps to follow Donghae to the front door. I guess I really was going to Mokpo.

"Hyung, how are we getting to the train station again?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"I ordered a cab," he said, putting on his shoes. I stared at him. How much was he planning on spending on this trip?

"You're paying for it, right?" I confirmed.

"No, we're splitting," said Donghae matter-of-factly. I raised my eyebrows.

"I haven't even gotten my first paycheck yet, hyung. I'm kind of broke. I can't afford a cab," I said.

"Then I'll pay for the cab. But you pay for your own train ticket," said Donghae. I sighed.

"Fine," I said. We walked downstairs where the cab was waiting in the pitch-black darkness. When we reached the taxi, I got in the back seat while Donghae got in the passegner seat. When the cab started moving, I put my head back on the headrest.

"Hyung, I'll be honest. I'm not going to be very good company on the trip," I said. "I'm so sore, I'll probably be sleeping the whole time."

"It's okay. As long as you're there," said Donghae. I half smiled.

"Why do you want me on this trip so much?" I asked.

Donghae paused.

"I want my dad to have met you, before..." Donghae trailed off. "I mean, you never know when the next chance might be. Plus, you were the one that got me the day off."

I took a deep breath, then closed my eyes out of guilt as I realized that Donghae wouldn't be doing this if he knew that I'd be leaving the band in a week and a half.

I was going to have to tell Donghae that I was leaving the team before I met his dad.

I wanted to tell Donghae right then, but I was painfully aware of the cab driver listening in on our conversation. I didn't say anything else until we got to the train station. We were about to step out of the cab when the cab driver stopped us.

"Donghae-sshi, my daughter is a huge fan of yours. Can I get an autograph from you?" he asked. I smiled and stepped out of the cab while Donghae signed the autograph. I stood, leaning against the cab for a few moments, and soon, the door opened and Donghae stepped outside as well.

"The stars are pretty," said Donghae cheerfully as the cab drove away. I was about to agree, but I remembered that I had bigger things than stars to discuss with Donghae.

"Hyung - " I started, but the words didn't come out. As I was hesitating, Donghae spoke with a smile.

"We have to hurry and buy the tickets," said Donghae, walking into the station. I followed reluctantly. Donghae pulled his baseball cap down and walked inside with his head down, but I didn't bother being careful; no one probably knew what I looked like anyway.

The station was reasonably packed; there was a constant influx of people even though it was extremely early in the morning. I was feeling totally comfortable, but I could tell that Donghae was nervous. I put my hands on his shoulders to try to calm him down.

"You're afraid of big crowds?" I asked, amused.

"Kind of," said Donghae quietly.

"You picked the wrong career," I said jokingly.

"Don't remind me... I'm always terrified in airports and stage doors," he said, shaking his head.

We were standing in line to buy our tickets when a group of seven or eight girls shuffled past us, giggling.

"Is that actually Donghae oppa?" said one of them. "Donghae oppa, right?"

I saw Donghae swallow in nervousness and turn his head to face them. He gave a small wave, and the girls squealed.

"Hyung, this is really that hard for you?" I asked under my breath.

"I just really hate being in a crowd," said Donghae quietly, fiddling with his fingers. "Ever since I let go of my mom's hand one time at a crowded mall when I was a kid..."

"Wait, I think that's Cho Kyuhyun," said one of the girls, pointing at me. The squeals and giggles gradually turned into cold whispering. I shifted my weight anxiously as I tried my best to ignore them. I tried to calm myself down; as horrible as they were on the Internet, people were rarely rude in person. Or so I thought.

"Kyuhyun sshi, I think the general opinion is that you should leave Super Junior," said one of the girls with cold laughter in her voice. Her audacity took me by surprise, and I turned my head to look at her. The girls were talking among themselves now.

"He has more anti-fans than fans. What makes him stay?" said another girl. I just watched, speechless. I felt my face growing hot.

In front of me, I saw Donghae flinch and take half a step towards the girls with an intake of breath. I reacted by grasping Donghae's arm.

"Hyung, they're your fans. Don't get worked up over this," I whispered, sqeezing his arm. Donghae ignored me.

"He's not going anywhere. You'll have to learn to accept it," said Donghae to the girls in informal speech.

"Hyung!" I said in shock and horror, grabbing Donghae's shoulders and shaking it slightly. "What are you doing?"

No. Donghae wasn't going to lose fans, whether it was one or a thousand, because of me. I'm leaving soon anyway.

"They're being ridiculous," said Donghae loudly enough for the girls to hear. I looked around nervously to see that we were making a bit of a scene. The girls were standing there in shock at being reprimanded by Donghae, and the other people in line were starting to turn to look at us as well.

"They're still your fans, hyung," I whispered. Donghae just turned his head away, upset.

the girls were still just standing there. I looked at them with an apologetic smile. "Um, gosh, I'm so sorry," I said in honorifics with a bow. Donghae turned around to face me.

"Why are you apologizing?" demanded Donghae.

"Hyung, these types of fans are everywhere. You know that you can't lose your temper with them, ever, no matter what it is they say," I whispered nervously. "Hyung, you have to apologize right now."

"No," said Donghae, stepping up to the booth as it was finally our turn to buy the ticket. I pushed him away and stood in front of the counter.

"Hyung, I'll get the tickets. Just go apologize. They're still your fans who love you," I said. I then faced the clerk at the counter. "Can I get two round trip tickets to Mokpo, please?" I said, fumbling with my wallet. I looked up at Donghae, and saw him just watching me buy the tickets.

"Hyung, I mean it," I said, glancing at the girls. They were talking among themselves with one eye on us.

"I'm your hyung. Stop telling me what to do," said Donghae with a frown. I paused a bit, taken aback. I then nodded.

"You're right. I'm sorry," I said. I paid for the tickets, and then handed both tickets to Donghae. "I'm not coming to Mokpo if you don't apologize."

Donghae took the tickets and looked at me with surprise on his face.

"What? Kyuhyun."

"Hyung, right now, or I'm not coming," I said, stealing a glance at the girls to make sure they were still there.

Donghae shook his head and spoke through clenched teeth. "You impertinent little - "

"Hyung."

Donghae sighed. After shooting me a venomous look, he took a few steps towards the group of girls. When he was a few feet away from them, he bowed and spoke in honorifics. "I'm sorry about earlier. But Kyuhyun is an integral part of the team now. So please support Kyuhyun and Super Junior with lots of interest. Sorry."

He bowed again, and then turned around.

"Wait, Donghae oppa!" said one of the girls, and I saw Donghae turn his head nervously. "Can I have your autograph?"

I smiled slightly, finally at ease. Soon, Donghae returned and gave me a ticket, and I took it.

"You're probably the only person in the world who would bow to his anti-fan," he said, shaking his head.

"I don't like them, by any means," I said quietly. "But I can't let you lose your fans because of me. Here's hoping none of that got caught on camera."

Donghae didn't say anything for a few seconds, then looked up and around.

"The train's already here," said Donghae, walking towards one of the trains without saying anything. I sighed and caught up to Donghae to follow him on the train.