~ Chapter Twenty Six ~

"HOUSE MEETING!” shouted Manager Taksama from the living room. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and rushed into the living room as Manager began speaking, “This meeting is important, everyone must pay full attention ok?”, “YES MANAGER HYUNG!” the boys chanted in unison. “Now I will pass this onto Kyuhyun, he has something to announce” said Manager, putting the spotlight on the maknae. I sat on the couch, fidgeting with my hoodie string, I knew what was coming next…”Hyungs, me and Singing Angel are no longer together anymore…” Kyuhyun finally confessed. There were several gasps heard all around the room, but it slowly faded as the boys came to terms with it. Suddenly a small voice came out from nowhere, it was Sungmin, “K-k-Kyu…why?” Kyuhyun stood there speechless, unable to answer Sungmin’s question. I slowly got up from my place on the couch and stood next to Kyuhyun, I looked up into his eyes giving him the reassurance he needed. I took in a deep breath before I spoke, “Kyuhyun and I aren’t together anymore because…” I paused as everyone anticipated what I had to say, “…because I have realized the person I truly love is…Donghae…” I said as I finally managed to spit it out. I hung my head in shame, they must think I’m horrible. I turned to Kyuhyun and got down on my knees, not daring to look up, “Kyuhyun oppa…jeongmal mianhae…” I said softly. There was another wave of gasps from all around the room, as they rushed to my side and helped me up. I looked around me, I was surrounded by the most amazing group of boys in the world. They were all like brothers to me and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I turned back to Kyuhyun hoping he would forgive me, “Kyuhyun…please forgive me, I’m-“ but he just smiled and shook his head. “No, Singing Angel, I’m happy if you’re happy ok? I don’t need an apology, you’re like my little sister now” he said as his eyes really sparkled. “OUR LITTLE SISTER!” exclaimed the rest of Super Junior. Tears gathered in my eyes again, but this time it was because of happiness. “Guys, I love you…” I said drying my eyes with the back of my sleeve. And before I knew it I was the centre of the best group hug in the world, Super Junior’s group hug.

“Right guys, Singing Angel and Kyuhyun come with me now. The press conference is starting in five, and the rest of you boys, file onto stage once I announce your second album plans” ordered Manager Taksama. “Yes, Manager hyung…” murmured Super Junior, who had now all grown sleepy. We’d planned all day for this press conference and everyone pitched in to ensure it would run smoothly, right now everyone was in the waiting room of the press conference hall next to the KBS recording studios. Kyuhyun and I both followed Manager Taksama to the wings of the press conference podium, we stood there waiting for the signal from the organizers as Manager gave us a pre-conference prep talk, “Now remember, the media must believe that both of you are still together and that last night was just a misunderstanding, got it?” Me and Kyuhyun looked at each other, exchanging encouraging smiles, before nodding at Manager. Yes, behind closed doors Kyuhyun and I were friends but the media had to believe we were still together, for the time being at least. Manager says that too much drama before Super Junior’s second album comeback will become problematic for their image as it stands, neither of us wanted to damage Super Junior’s professional reputation, so without hesitation Kyuhyun and I both agreed to act as a happy couple until the day Donghae regains consciousness again. Finally the organizer on the opposite wing signaled the three of us to enter the stage, Kyuhyun held my hand firmly and lead me up the steps and into the view of the public eye. Instantaneously, the cameras started flashing and there were several gasps heard from within the sea of eager reporters. I had to squint as the camera flashes began to burn my eyes, was this what idols had to wake up to every day? Kyuhyun pulled my chair out for me as I smiled at him and sat down, before sitting in his own seat to my left. Kyuhyun squeezed my hand, “It’s going to be ok, Manager has got this under control and he won’t let things get out of hand under his watch. Oppa isn’t going to let anything happen to you, alright?” I bit my lip and nodded. The camera flashing still had not ceased, but another organizer stood at the edge of the stage with a microphone in her hands, “Photo taking must stop now as the press conference begins” she demanded, then she handed the microphone over to Manager who sat on the other side of Kyuhyun. “First of all, I want to thank everyone for attending this press conference even with such short notice. SM Entertainment has called for this event as we feel that things relating to Super Junior’s Cho Kyuhyun’s private life is getting out of control. Speaking on behalf of the other members of Super Junior, we are disappointed at the reaction the media and fans are having. Several photos of Kyuhyun and his girlfriend were posted on the internet early this morning, revealing a so called “emotional breakup” between the two. We can definitely confirm that this was not the case. The scene witnessed last night was merely Kyuhyun comforting his girlfriend as she was worried about Donghae’s condition in hospital, everyone is very worried also. As you all know, Donghae is still unconcious in hospital at the moment, but specialists have told us that he is making a slow and decent recovery. So ending all rumors right here and now, Kyuhyun and his girlfriend are still together and a very happy couple indeed. We plead that further exaggerations of this story cease and only the truth must be told. I now ask for any other remaining questions” announced Manager Taksama. This was followed by a large amount of commotion amongst the audience as eager reporters strained their arms to enquire in more detail. Manager Taksama calmed the audience down and asked for the questions one by one, “Excuse me, Mr. Cho Kyuhyun, why were you and your girlfriend at the hospital?” asked a middle aged woman wearing frameless spectacles. Manager passed the microphone to Kyuhyun as he cleared his throat, “We were there to see Donghae, everyone is very concerned about him right now” Kyuhyun answered calmly. There was another burst of commotion before the next reporter asked his question, “Kyuhyun’s girlfriend, why exactly did you walk off crying last night?” The microphone was handed to me, this was going to be the first time I had ever talked in front of the media; “I couldn’t keep my tears back any longer, what has happened to Donghae is really upsetting us all. I walked off because I wanted to go to the bathroom” I explained convincingly. “Kyuhyun, why didn’t you go after your girlfriend after she walked away?” I handed the microphone back to Kyuhyun, “She said she wanted to be alone, so I let her be”. “You and your girlfriend seem to have an intimate relationship. To rid all rumors, can you prove that your love to her to true?” another reporter quickly added, “With a kiss maybe?” Manager, Kyuhyun and I all looked at each other, exchanging looks of panic. Kyuhyun looked at me, searching for a sign of agreement. I bit my lip…what was I supposed to do? Then the smiling faces of Super Junior appeared in my mind, yes, I must do this for them. I subtly nodded at Kyuhyun and whispered under my breath, “Let’s do it”. Kyuhyun took my hand and we both stood up from our seats. He lifted my chin slightly, as I closed my eyes and lent towards him, our lips gently made contact, and then I felt his tongue run across my bottom lip. Instantly a pleasant tingle ran through my body, the cameras flashed uncontrollably as small gasps were heard from within the audience. We both broke free from the kiss and Kyuhyun smiled down at me, resulting in my cheeks to turn pink. Still holding my hand, Kyuhyun led me off the stage as Manager Taksama ended this part of the press conference, “That is the end of this part of the press conference, now we have a very important announcement to make, SUPER JUNIOR’S SECOND ALBUM COMEBACK!” Kyuhyun led me back into the waiting room and sat me down while passing me a bottle of water from the cardboard box in the corner. “That was great, we’ve successfully fooled the media!” exclaimed Kyuhyun, while trying to open the water bottle for me. “Yeah! It was easier than I thought…” I nodded. “I think…that kiss really did the trick” Kyuhyun added awkwardly. I laughed before replying, “I believe so too, I wonder if we’ll have to pull such stunts in the future…”, “Now I hand it over to Super Junior’s leader, Leeteuk” and applause was heard from the conference room next door, “Kyu, you should be out there by now!” I said nudging his with my foot, as he rushed out onto stage.

"Donghae! Super Junior is coming back with the second album soon, they’ve already announced it to the media and preparations are beginning. Isn’t it all so exciting? You guys were amazing with your debut last year, you’ll gain a lot more popularity this time right?! So you must wake up soon, because Leeteuk oppa promised that Super Junior wouldn’t start promotions without you” I told the still unconscious Donghae, all the while believing that he could hear my every word. I turned to the closed door as I heard a small knock from outside the Donghae’s room, it was a pair of people I’d never met before. I tilted my head, trying to figure out why they were, here as I walked towards the door to open it for the new guests. They couldn’t be reporters could they? They’d never get this far…”Annyeonghaseyo…how can I help you?” I asked hesitantly. The man in the beige detective coat smiled and handed me a familiar looking shiny black Nike shoulder bag, “Oh, you must be Kyuhyun’s girlfriend? I’m Detective Han” I hesitated but then remembered what we had announced at the press conference, “Ah yes I am, nice to meet you. Um…but this bag doesn’t belong to me or Kyuhyun” I explained. The lady standing next to Detective Han spoke up, “Oh actually that bag belongs to Donghae, we were the investigators at the scene that night. We’ve finished with it now so we wanted to return it to him, I’m Detective Baek by the way” I nodded and smiled, while gladly accepting the bag. “So he’s not awake yet huh? Poor guy…” sympathized Detective Han. I sighed and nodded, “We wish him a quick recovery…we need to be heading off now, oh and yes, there seems to be something very important in his bag. You might want to have a look later” informed Detective Baek. My eyes widened with surprise, something important…? “Thank you Detective Baek, and you too Detective Han. I really appreciate your help” I said gratefully, as they waved good bye. I watched them both turn the corner before returning back into Donghae’s room, “Ah…Hae, I wonder what important stuff you’ve been keeping in your bag…” I said softly to the still unconscious prince, as I was about to his bag. But then I stopped and started thinking, maybe I should open this when all the other boys are here…yes I will wait for them. I put the bag onto Donghae’s bedside table and picked up my cell phone to call Eunhyuk. “Yobeoseyo?” answered Eunhyuk’s voice from the other end, “Oppa, it’s me. Two detectives came in just now and left me Donghae’s bag, they said there is something important inside it…I want to open it when you all get here, when does everyone’s schedule end?” I asked. There was a pause as I heard Eunhyuk telling the other members about the situation, which caused huge commotion among them, “Good thinking Singing Angel, Star King filming is just about ending and we’ll be finished soon. We’ll all be over by 6pm ok? Wait for us!”