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Chapter 12 - Love Stalking: Kyuhyun's Words from Sungjin

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As expected, Sungjin was so excited to meet his favorite actors.

Sungmin gave one ticket to Sungjin that morning and kept one for Sulli. He decided to meet Sulli near the theater minutes ahead from Sungjin because the latter did not know their plans. Sulli hugged Sungmin and thanked him.

After that, Donghae and Ryeowook arrived. Sulli thought that it was the end of Sungmin's plan to help. She also thought that the three of them have other plans that Sunday afternoon, so she leaves them and goes back home to change her clothes.

Little does she knows, Sungmin has something in mind.

"I can't wait to see them later," Sungmin excitedly tells Donghae and Ryeowook. The former informed them last night that he had a plan for Sulli and Sungjin. The rest agreed to help Sungmin. "We're going to follow them and be sure that they won't have bad moments or something."

"Aren't you overdoing things, to the point that you would stalk them?" Kyuhyun says as he puts their orders on the table. The three had planned to go to the ice cream parlor to kill time before going to the theater to follow the two kids. It is two in the afternoon and the fan meeting is at four in the afternoon so they have plenty of time left to discuss things before finally going to the theater to follow their subjects.

"We are not stalking them. Besides, Sungjin's my brother and Sulli's like a sister to me so it is not stalking," Sungmin corrects Kyuhyun who in turn rolls his eyes. "You know, Kyuhyun, I think you should join us and help us."

Kyuhyun automatically looks back at Sungmin who winks at Ryeowook. Kyuhyun sees Ryeowook from the side of his eyes, anticipating his reply. He then answers, "No. I am not going to come to that point."

"Well, I think, the fact that you gave me the tickets that your customer gave you yesterday was a great help already, fine. I'll not insist anymore," Sungmin says and scoops a spoonful of his ice cream.

"Correction, it isn't a help. It's just that I don't like wasting money, time and effort in such petty things," Kyuhyun says and leaves.

"Whatever."

"So, Kyu gave the tickets, huh," Donghae asks Sungmin who is busy eating. "Considerate friend."

"Yeah," Sungmin agrees, but takes it back immediately. "Well, not so much. He still told me that it will not work. I'll show him that it will."

Ryeowook's eyebrows meet in curiosity. "What won't work?"

"Our great Kyuhyun told me that the heart cannot be taught to feel certain things. He also told me that we had to let Jin or Lili do it by himself in right time. But hello, Jin's a kid. He needs help from me. From us. And besides, I feel that I am partly responsible for their small feud or something," Sungmin explains. "Kyuhyun's pretty deep in that. I can't believe someone who has no experience would be able to tell that. I was about to believe him because it was sort of persuading."

Ryeowook falls into deep thinking. He wonders if Kyuhyun had experience to say such things. "Maybe... he had experience."

Sungmin realizes that Ryeowook becomes serious so he lightens up the mood. "Don't worry, Wook. For Kyuhyun who is very cold to everyone, it is impossible that he is interested in others and vice versa. And besides, I know it'll be you who would change that."

Ryeowook blushes as he palms his cheeks. "Stop it, Min."

Sungmin grins at Ryeowook, then he turns to Donghae who is staring at him like a madman. Sungmin furrows his eyebrows. "Donghae? What is it?"

Donghae snaps back to reality and is startled when Sungmin mentions his name. "U-uh, it's nothing. Anyway, back to the topic. You said Kyuhyun was given tickets, eh?"

"Yes," Sungmin nods. "What about it?"

"Well, I wonder why a customer gave him tickets. First, they are expensive. Second, it is acceptable if it is one, but he was given two tickets. Third, as far as I know, Kyuhyun does not accept anything from others that he doesn't need. And besides, they are not allowed to receive anything from the customers," Donghae enumerates. "I am really wondering. Not that I don't trust him or something."

"It is possible. Maybe this customer likes him so much," Sungmin utters. "Or maybe he knew that we needed the tickets so he accepted them. It doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is that we already have the tickets."

Donghae just nods.

○●○

It is already three thirty in the afternoon, so they decide to go to the theater and look for Sungjin and Sulli. They hide ten meters away from where the entrance of the theater is. Ten minutes after, Sulli arrives and stands near the entrance. She is holding a small paper bag.

"I guess, she took my suggestion in mind," Sungmin smirks. He told Sulli to bring Sungjin a present before going to the theater. "I wonder what that is."

After five minutes, Sungjin arrives. As expected by Sungmin, he is surprised to see Sulli waiting for him. But as Sungmin sees Sungjin's reaction, he frowns. His brother seems not amused at the fact that Sulli is there. In the end, Sungjin invites him to enter the theater. He follows her then.

"Oh shocks. I forgot that we don't have tickets to enter the theater!" Sungmin realizes.

"Do you know what time it will finish?" Donghae asks Sungmin.

"I don't know. Maybe an hour or so," Sungmin guesses. "Let's just wait here."

After an hour, the fan meeting is still not finished. Being impatient, Sungmin stomps his feet and tells the two of his friends that he is bored already. "Damn it. When are they going to finish anyway?"

"You can send Sulli a text message and ask her," Donghae suggests.

"But if he texts Sulli then Sulli will know that we are here," Ryeowook says. "I'll just wait here. You can stroll somewhere first. I will call you guys if it is already finished."

"Are you sure it's okay? Donghae can accompany you," Sungmin says.

"No, I'm fine. Donghae can go with you. You said you're going to buy something at the plaza right, Donghae?" Ryeowook turns to Donghae and secretly winks at him when Donghae shows an 'I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about' look. Sungmin looks at Donghae and the latter awkwardly smiles.

"Y-yeah," Donghae answers.

"Okay then. See you later, Wook! Call me immediately, okay?" Sungmin pulls Donghae's wrist and turns to him. "Let's go Donghae. We need to hurry up!"

Before Donghae can react and thank Ryeowook, they are already away.

○●○

"So, what are you going to buy?"

Donghae isn't able to answer. He is in clouds because of the fact that he and Sungmin are alone, walking at the plaza together, with no particular agenda in mind. He doesn't want to be delusional and all, but he wants to consider it as a date.

"Donghae?"

"Huh? U-uh... I want to buy a new phone," he answers. He doesn't know where the idea of buying a phone comes from though. "I-I mean-"

"Let's go! I just saw a shop where you can buy a phone!" Sungmin tells Donghae. He takes Donghae to the store where they are. "Wow, and they are giving away one new phone!"

Donghae just walks with Sungmin who is very enthusiastic in looking for a new phone that Donghae might want to buy. Sungmin then shows a sample phone attached at one table.

"Look at this, Donghae!" He excitedly exclaims as he is trying the featured phones. "Cool camera!"

Donghae approaches Sungmin and instead of looking at the phone, he stares at Sungmin who is very amused. "Pretty," he comments, not referring to the phone but to Sungmin.

"It is pretty, right?" Sungmin displays a wide smile at Donghae who blushes. Donghae smiles back and nods.

"Hello, Sir, you're our twentieth visitor!" One sales person approaches Sungmin who looks at him. "We are celebrating our twenty years of existence so we are giving away one phone to our twenty visitors. Congratulations!"

"Oh my gosh, is this serious!?" Sungmin asks. It is not really unusual.

Sungmin has this luck that never fails whenever he joins random raffle draws. He is very lucky at that.

"Am I going to receive this phone?" Sungmin shows the phone that he likes to the sales person.

The sales person displays a sad face and shakes his head, "Unfortunately, no. It is this phone," He then shows a phone model similar to Donghae and him.

"Aw, it has the same model as mine," Sungmin frowns. "Oh well, a prize is a prize so thank you for this!" He gets the packaged phone from the sales person. The sales person congratulates him again and leaves. Sungmim then turns to Donghae. "What am I going to do with this? It is the same as our phone."

"You can still keep it, Sungmin," Donghae suggests. "Let's go."

"Wait, I thought you're buying a new phone?" Sungmin asks.

"Maybe next time," Donghae smiles. "They might come out in a few minutes."

○●○

They go back to the theater and see the fans coming out. They wait for Sungjin and Sulli to go outside from the theater. Sungmin smiles as he sees Sungjin, but Sulli isn't with him. It looks like Sungjin left Sulli inside.

Sulli then comes out running towards Sungjin. She is giving the paper bag to Sungjin but the latter doesn't want it.

They can barely hear the two talking, but it looks like Sungmin's plan doesn't work. Sungjin is not accepting Sulli's present. He even turns away from Sulli, to Sungmin's annoyance. He cannot take it anymore. He faces Sungjin and Sulli.

"I am really disappointed Jin! How can you be so childish?" Sungmin confronts his brother who is obviously not surprised at the fact that Sungmin is there. "Sulli came all the way here to watch the fan meeting with you. To give you present. Why are you doing it to her? Don't you like her? I know you do. Don't get mad at her because she didn't say goodbye to you. She didn't want to bother you because you're taking an exam. I know that it is hard for you to accept it. And no, Sulli doesn't like me. It is you all along. You like her too, right?"

Sulli is shocked at the straightforward question of Sungmin. "Min oppa, y-you're mistaken-"

Sungmin then turns to Sulli. "Sorry, Lili. But I have to do this. My brother needs to know your feelings-"

"Why are you even doing this to us, hyung?" Finally, Sungjin talks.

"Why not? I am your brother, and I am helping you-"

"I have my own heart, hyung. No one can influence me and my feelings. It is purely my decision to do this. No, I don't need help. I just need time to be real to myself. I just need time to tell Sulli that I like her so much. And it is not your task, hyung."

Sungmin and others are speechless. Sungmin recalls what Kyuhyun said to him the night before.

Sungjin continues to speak, "What happened in the past is past. I will admit that I got hurt when Sulli bids her farewell to you and not me, but I realize that the important thing is she's here again, and her feelings does not change. Mine neither."

Sulli gazes at Sungjin who looks back at her. "Sulli, can you wait for a while? I promised myself that I would finish middle school first before entering a relationship. I promised myself that I will confess my feelings for you once I get to high school, but since my brother already said it on my behalf, I will just tell you now. I like you Sulli. And once we get to high school, I'll ask you to be my girlfriend. You have to wait until then, okay?"

Sulli has tears in her eyes as she nods in agreement.

Ryeowook smiles and blushes, and Donghae claps.

"S-so... does that mean... you really didn't hate Sulli for leaving you? You're also not jealous of us?" Sungmin asks, finally, things are sinking in his mind.

"I have to admit. I was jealous that you two got closer but I don't hate Sulli because she left without saying goodbye. I know in my heart that she'll come back for me because her heart only has me," Sungjin answers. "Thank you for your help, hyung. But even if I like Sulli or not, it is still my heart that will decide, not you, because it is beyond the influence of others. You can't force someone to love someone nor make someone choose to love someone. You can't teach someone's heart."

Kyuhyun's words ring inside Sungmin's head once again, this time, it comes from Sungjin. He is amazed that his brother has such thoughts at his age. Clearly, same as Sungjin, Kyuhyun has already experienced the same. He doesn't know why, but he feels happy because of it.

He sighs then he gives Sungjin a tap on his shoulders. "Goodluck then. I am now resting your love story in your hands," Sungmin says. "Wait, question. Why weren't you treating her nicely and why didn't you receive her present?"

Sungjin smirks and shows the paper bag that Sulli was holding before the fan meeting. "I received it. While that paper bag that she is currently holding contains our freebies for the fan meeting. I am giving it to her because I received much special gift from a special person."

Sulli blushes as she realizes that Sungjin is talking about her when Sungjin looks at her. "Jin!"

"Wait, last question. Why are you not surprised that I am here?" Sungmin asks Sungjin again.

"You're my brother, hyung. When you gave me tickets that came from nowhere, I knew you had a plan," Sungiin replies.

Sungmin pouts. "You're really my brother."

"Thanks, oppa," Sulli thanks Sungmin then Ryeowook and Donghae. "Thank you all. And I also have to thank Kyuhyun oppa for the tickets. Let's go to the ice cream parlor!"

○●○

Sungmin and others go to the ice cream parlor to celebrate, and of course, for Sulli to thank Kyuhyun personally.

"Thank you, Kyuhyun oppa," Sullo approaches Kyuhyun. Others, except Sungmin who goes to the washroom, are busy eating their desserts. "If it weren't because of you, we wouldn't be able to get tickets."

"It's nothing," Kyuhyun replies. "You should not thank me though. It's the customer who gave me tickets."

"Sungmin oppa told me that awhile ago before he left for the washroom," Sulli shows her eye smile. "but I don't think that's the case though. The way you looked at me yesterday was a bit scary, you know? Don't worry, I am not going to tell him. I believe that it is your choice to do it. Well, thanks again."

Kyuhyun wants to stop her but Sulli has already returned to their table. He sighs and goes back to work.

Meanwhile, Sungmin is about to finish washing his hands when someone speaks behind him.

"You must be Kyuhyun's new friend," says the middle-aged man who is wearing a corporate attire.

Sungmin looks at the owner of the voice. He knows that he usually sees him at the ice cream parlor. "Yes, sort of," he replies.

The man laughs loudly. "Pretty interesting. Sorry, I failed to introduce myself. I am Manager Han, the manager of this ice cream parlor."

"Oh, so that is why I always see you here," Sungmin says. "I am Sungmin, by the way."

"Seems like it," Manager Han chuckles. "Well, Sungmin. Nice to meet you."

Sungmin nods. "Yes, me too. Sorry, Manager Han, I got to go now-"

"Did you receive the tickets?" He asks again while smiling. "You know, he got them especially for you."

Sungmin furrows his eyebrows. "What do you mean? Did the customer have conditions in exchange for the tickets?"

"That kid. He always tells weird things," Manager Han says. "He bought them himself."

"What!?" Sungmin asks in shock. He laughs awkwardly. "Impossible. He himself said that the customers had given him those. And he himself told me that he wouldn't waste money, time and effort in petty things."

"You think that Kyuhyun really has that description for you? It seems that you are not reading him well, Sungmin," Manager Han tells him. Sungmin does not understand what the older is saying. The manager chuckles again. "Anyway, Kyuhyun will go home by nine in the evening. Just in case. Nice meeting you again, Sungmin."

When Manager Han leaves, Sungmin begins to think about what the manager said. Ryeowook said that he thought he saw Kyuhyun the day before at the ticketing place. Perhaps Kyuhyun really bought the tickets himself. But why?

He decides to tell others to go home first. He knows to himself that there is something that he must do. He has to thank Kyuhyun. And he has to clarifiy things himself.

○●○

He waits for Kyuhyun to close the ice cream parlor.

Kyuhyun is surprised to see him outside, waiting for him. "Why are you still here?"

"Did you buy the tickets yourself?" Sungmin asks straight to the point. "Manager Han told me so, don't make stories again."

Kyuhyun exhales deeply and changes the topic. "What happened to Sungjin and Sulli?"

"They're good now. Sungjin actually told me the things that you said yesterday. He is going to wait until high school," Sungmin answers, then shifts back to the previous topic again. "Sometimes, I really wonder why you hate me so much, yet you keep appearing in my life."

"Perhaps, our lives are intertwined now, Lee Sungmin."

The mention of his whole name gives him an unusual chill, especially that it comes from Kyuhyun. He feels frozen when Kyuhyun walks closer to him.

The light directly hits his hair as soon as he stands near him, revealling the brownish color of his hair. He never paid attention to it until then. Then his eyes gaze at his face. His eyes, his nose, his lips - they are perfect. Only that time is the time when he gets to observe Kyuhyun properly. And he admits, he is handsomer than him in a way.

He remembers what Kyuhyun wore the night before when he retrieved the notebooks from him. It was a light blue polo shirt.

The way Sungmin lifts his chin up to stare at Kyuhyun's face is enough to say that Kyuhyun is tall.

The description of the last minute buyer matches. Sungmin does not know how to feel about it though. All he wants to ask is why Kyuhyun is doing it. But nothing escapes from his mouth, especially when their eyes meet coincidentally.

When he realizes that there is silence between them, he coughs as he stretches his hand and gives the paper bag phone unknowingly. He looks away when his knuckles touch Kyuhyun's chest when he stretches his hand to give the phone. "I know that this is cheaper compared to the two tickets that you bought, but please take this as a gift. I had that as my prize hours ago but I have the same phone model. Donghae told me that you don't have a phone and I wonder how people live without one so there."

"I don't want to accept this," Kyuhyun says.

"You have no choice," Sungmin tells Kyuhyun as he grabs the latter's right hand to hold the paper bag. Kyuhyun feels the electricity flows into him when their hands touch, so he is not able to react. "I saved my number there, just in case."

Sungmin smiles and leaves.

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《Long update, right? Sorry~》