Niel was sitting on the couch with his legs slightly spread apart. He moved his lips to the side as he leaned his back on the sofa. He was looking around the small living room with thoughts flooding his mind. Problems that he shouldn’t be thinking were taking part of his brain.  

Changjo had left earlier when his mom asked for him.

Niel woke up when he felt Changjo beside him moving, phone near his ear, face buried on his palm. He looked troubled, stressed. And instead of letting Changjo know he was already awake, he closed his eyes again and pretended to be asleep. He heard him talking, speaking with his low, tired voice. He must be talking to his mom for using his calm tone.  Niel felt a little pity for his dongsaeng, he’s still young yet he’s already drowning from too much problems.

After another minute of talking to his phone, he heard Changjo sigh before moving again. Though his eyes were closed, he can feel Changjo’s stare lingering on him.

“Hyung…” Changjo called, barely a whisper. Niel fought hard not to open his eyes as he listened. Changjo’s voice sounded sad that made Niel’s heart ache. He only furrowed his eyebrows before turning his back on Changjo. It was hard to act asleep when you have wavering feelings inside you so he thought it’ll be much more easier if the younger couldn’t see his face.

“Are you.. awake yet?” Changjo hesitantly asked as he slightly leaned towards his hyung. Niel didn’t reply though, because that will only indicate that Changjo is right. Changjo sighs again and leans away before slowly and gently stands up from the bed, scared to wake the older up. What was he going to say?

Niel didn’t hear him talk again when Changjo’s weight left their bed. He heard soft rustling and movements before the door opens and closing afterwards. It was when Niel decided to open his eyes and sits up. He tilted his head and blinks his round eyes in worry. It looks like Changjo is going to face another one of his undesired things involving the problems he has with his father.

It was normal for Changjo to always leave the dorm, but Niel’s starting to get really worried of him for having too much pressure of his dad’s company. Will he make it? How is he taking this? Is he okay?

Niel just let out a sigh as he travels his eyes down on to the floor. He shouldn’t worry about him anymore, he’s already grown up now unlike how he was when he first found him in the park; crying with a bleeding knee. He thought he was an adorable kid so he helped the boy and even though he has a thinner and smaller body, he was Changjo’s bodyguard and protected him from the bullies. He was his protector, or to what Changjo used to call him: his guardian angel.

Changjo’s eyes used to be bright and alive, smile not leaving his face but now, everything had changed. As time passes by, the light on Changjo’s eyes started to fade as he smile less and less. This made Niel worry for Changjo even more. This made him worry for his best friend for turning into an emotionless person and into a robot.

 “Everything alright?” Niel turned his head and saw L.Joe sitting beside him on the sofa. He blinked his eyes blankly. How did he suddenly appear sitting beside him without him knowing? Has he turned into a ninja now or something? Niel looked lost as he stares at his hyung with questioning eyes. The question he has in his mind is written all over his face. L.Joe couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle at Niel’s lost behavior.

“You’re too preoccupied with your thoughts. I don’t even need to sneak up beside you to surprise you.” L.Joe informed and sips on his hot milk. A small smile made its way to Niel’s lips when he recovered from his shock.

“I was just worried.” He says honestly and looks up at the ceiling.

L.Joe raised one eyebrow and stares ahead. He knows to what or whom Niel was worried to.

“Everyone is worried.” He says.

Niel bit his inside cheeks and hesitates whether to ask L.Joe what to do. He wanted to ask him what things he could do to help Changjo. He wanted to help him. It was like Changjo is his responsibility the moment he saw him at that park. He felt that it was his job to protect him. And the moment when their eyes met for the first time back then, there’s the need in his heart that keeps on tugging and telling him something he couldn’t understand.

Help him

“What should we do?” He ended up asking after a moment of silence. L.Joe finally glanced at Niel and studied his face.

Niel looked troubled and the word ‘worry’ is written all over his feminine face. They were all worried for Changjo. Even though they didn’t know much of the details about Changjo’s family, it worries everyone in the group. L.Joe wanted to help as well. He just couldn’t let anyone of s undergo problems alone.

“Well, right now. We’re already helping him out of one of his problems. Kim Hae Mi.” L.Joe clicked his tongue and crossed his legs. “That’ll be enough for now. Let’s just wait for Changjo to open up more and ask for us.”

Niel just nodded as he plays on his hands. L.Joe is right. They’ll help Changjo little by little.

“Yeah. But in this moment, we have lessons to take so lift up the mood, guys.” Chunji’s voice suddenly echoed in the living room. Niel and L.Joe looked up and saw Chunji leaning on the wall looking at his nails.

“How long have you been standing there?” L.Joe asked with a blank tone, he doesn’t even sound like he care.

Chunji just shrugged as he pushed his body off the wall. He let out a grin before taking steps towards them.

“Shall we start?” He asked with a tilt of his head.

“Where’s Ricky? CAP hyung?” Niel asked as he made a quick scan around with his eyes.

“CAP will return tomorrow before the school starts. And I asked Ricky to get something for me so he’s—“

“HERE!” Ricky suddenly chirped behind Chunji, hoisting a piece of clothing in the air by his right hand.

Chunji jumped in surprise and hits Ricky’s head by instinct.

“STOP POPPING OUT OF NOWHERE.” Chunji rounded his eyes and gave Ricky a warning glare. Ricky pouted widely and rubs his head. “That hurt!” He whines.

L.Joe leaned his back on the couch and holds on his knee.

“Chunji, what’re your lessons for today?”

Chunji straightened up and fixed his hair.

“I did prepare a lot. First one is how to dress like a girl so I got this.” He took the skirt from Ricky and shoved it to Niel. “Wear it.” He ordered with a wide, mischievous smile.

Niel looked at the skirt before giving Chunji a face.

“Are you serious right now?!” Niel gaped unbelievingly as he tosses the skirt away. He doesn’t want to wear it. No way in hell he’ll wear something like that.

Chunji frowns and crossed his arms.

“No. I’m actually pretty serious right now.” Chunji remarks with an emotionless face. “And if you don’t follow my instructions, I might kill you.” He let out an evil smile cross his lips.

"And I can if you want me."

Niel gulped and looks down, debating whether to give in or not.

“I’m waiting, fishy.” He tapped his foot as his left eyebrow twitch. He’s impatient and he doesn’t like waiting.

Niel pouted in defeat and took the skirt from the floor before standing up.

“Now what am I gonna do with this?’

“Duh. Wear it. Unless you want to eat it.” Chunji shrugged.

After wearing the skirt to Niel’s dismay, they proceeded on Niel’s ‘lessons’. Niel wore the skirt with his pants still underneath. He looked at Chunji with a frown. He’s clearly not enjoying this lesson.

“Now get used to wearing something like that because starting from now on, when you’re going out with Changjo, you’ll have to wear skirts to be safe.” Chunji says and took a wand. Ricky nodded beside Chunji like a kid while L.Joe just watched with amused eyes. Niel wearing a skirt looks cute.

“Why can’t I just wear pants?” Niel reasoned as he placed both his hands in front of his skirt. Chunji gave Niel a weird stare. “Actually, you should be thankful I’m still not telling you to remove your pants right now.” He raised his chin at Niel, challenging him to cry another one of his problems out.

“One more whine and I’ll really be strict on you.” He hits his wand on the table making a loud ‘thwak’. Everyone jumped in fear of getting hit by Chunji’s stick.

Niel scratches the back of his ear and nodded in defeat. He wouldn’t, of course if he complains again, Chunji will ask him to remove his pants. He doesn’t want that. Wearing a skirt with still his pants on is already uncomfortable, what more if you remove those pants and leave your legs ?

After lots of arguments and disagreements between Niel and Chunji, they still proceeded until the end of Chunji’s lesson.

How to walk like a girl:

“You should be more feminine when you walk! Try swaying your hips!”

Niel only tilted his head at this, still rooted on his spot.

“Hyung, this skirt is enough. But I can’t do what you’re asking me to do.” He whines.

“It’s too embarrassing!”

Walking with High Heels!

“Nielie! Wear this too!” Chunji grinned playfully.

Niel paled as he looks at the shoes Chunji is holding up to him.

How to stand properly:

Chunji placed books on top of Niel’s head for him to balance.

“If you can stable those books on your head without them falling, you’ll have poise. You need to have good composure if you want to be presentable and competitive towards Haemi.” Chunji says as he taps his wand on his palm.

How to sit properly:

Niel just nodded and sits on the couch. His legs spread apart, how guys would normally sit.

“Don’t spread your legs! It should be close to each other! You wouldn’t want guys to see your underwear!”

L.Joe couldn’t take it anymore and he broke into fits of laughter with Ricky.

“This is seriously giving me a stomachache.” L.Joe laughs. Niel gave him a frown.

“Laugh more and I’ll kick you.” He warned as he points a finger at L.Joe.

L.Joe just smirked and gave Niel a flying kiss.

“You can kick me anywhere you want, my love.”

Niel felt heat rush on his cheeks and he looks away.

“WHAT’S THE NEXT LESSON!?” He screams towards Chunji with wide eyes, immediately changing the topic.

How to giggle:

“Now giggle!” Chunji ordered.

“Seriously, hyung. You’re going to make me do that?!”

L.Joe and Ricky laughs louder.

Niel glared at the two and pointed an accusing finger at them. “STOP IT YOU TWO. IT’S NOT FUNNY.” This only made them laugh more with Ricky literally rolling on the floor.

How to eat properly:

“You need poise! Learn to eat with these utensils.”

Niel looked at all of the knifes in different shape and length lying before him on the table. He has the look of bewilderment plastered all over his face. He couldn’t believe knifes like those exists.

“Niel, remember. P-O-I-S-E.”

“Poise? But I’m not a princess!” Niel cries.

Lastly; BE a princess:

“I’m out of here.” Niel gave up.

“I think you’ve already watched enough Princess Diaries, Chunji.” L.Joe chuckles and shook his head.

Chunji snapped his fingers at L.Joe. “It’s called, data gathering.”

“Data’s he could use to his girls.” Ricky says with a roll of his eyes, hugging his knees closer to his chest as he sits on the floor.

After hours of Chunji’s training, his lesson ended much to Niel’s relief. Ricky was soundly asleep on the couch with his head resting on top of L.Joe’s lap.

“Having you as a student is tiresome.” Chunji complains as he shook his head. L.Joe just smiled at the two male sitting on the floor, gently Ricky’s hair resting on his lap. The child on their team.

Niel’s head was lowered as he remove the heels from his feet.

“Ahh, apa.” He cries and hugs his aching legs.

“Are you guys done already?” They heard a disappointed voice rang from the front door.

Changjo entered with small smile. He wanted to watch Niel learn Chunji’s lectures but because his mom called, he couldn’t stay with them.

“Well yeah, we just finished. Ah! I’m hungry.” Chunji snorted and stood up to go to the kitchen to serve food. L.Joe kept his lips shut and remained seated on the couch with a still sleeping Ricky.

“Who made the child exhausted?” Changjo raised one eyebrow in amusement as Ricky sleep soundly, lips parted.

“They got worn out from too much laughing.” Niel muttered under his breath with a wide frown. Changjo moved his head and looks at Niel.

“And what happened to you?” He couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of him. He his heels and approached Niel, squatting down on his level.

“You look funny.” He commented as he studies Niel’s appearance. Niel looked beat up; a leg sprawled on the floor, arms hugging his thighs, sweaty and looks exhausted. He looks like he had been running up and down on the stairs for the whole day.

Niel moved his eyes and looks at Changjo lazily.

“Say that again and I’ll turn your dream into a nightmare.” He warned as he lightly massages his legs in pain.

“Changjo, can you help me carry Ricky to our room?” L.Joe asked. Niel glanced up at L.Joe and to a sleeping Ricky.

“That adorable kid.” Niel chuckles as he folded his knees, only to increase the pain more. He bit his lips to prevent his self from crying out. ‘Crap, I think I broke my legs.’ He whines in his head, exaggerating.

Changjo broke his gaze on Niel and nodded at L.Joe. But before standing up, he took a quick glance at Niel.

“You okay?” He asked. Niel ushered him to go and gave him a wide smile, covering the pain he’s feeling towards his legs.

Changjo nodded once again before making his way towards Ricky and L.Joe to help them.

Niel followed them with his eyes as they disappear to their room. “It seems like they had a good day.” He mumbles. He felt good that he can entertain them and at least brighten up their day. Even though he suffered only for a bit, what matters is that he can make the others happy.

-0-

Niel let out a quiet whine and rubs his legs still in pain. He made his way and sits on the edge of the bed. He gave his legs light punches as he bit his lips. ‘Dang, why is it still painful?’ He cried mentally.

Changjo exited the bathroom after taking a quick shower. He saw Niel on their bed and he couldn’t help but notice the small pain written on his hyung's face.

“Does it still hurt?” He asked. Niel snapped his head to look at Changjo, quickly masking his pained expression into a bubbly one.

“Nope it’s not!” He answered a little too quick to be convincing.

Changjo chuckled at him and squats down on his legs in front of his hyung, taking Niel’s slim legs to rub them for him. He clearly knows when Niel is lying or not. He can read him like an open book.

“Does it still hurt?” He asked again. Niel dropped his grin and sighs, letting Changjo massage his legs for him.

“A bit. But I can still live.” He answers with a shrug of his shoulders. Changjo looked up at Niel and let out a soft laugh.

“You know, you don’t really have to change if you want to be my girl.” He teased.

Niel looked at Changjo with round eyes.

“Shuttup. It wasn’t my idea.” He huffs and pulls his legs from Changjo.

Changjo just smiled and stood up, crawling towards his spot on the bed.

“You look good today. Did something nice happen back to your parents?” Niel asked after he settled on the bed. He couldn't help but notice Changjo's good mood. Changjo lied next to his hyung and kept his eyes on the ceiling.

“You know me too well.”

Niel turned his head to look at Changjo.

“What happened?”

“I closed a deal and made new partners with the company to help increase the compa—“

“We-we-wait a second. Just give me a simple answer. You know I don’t have any ideas towards companies and such.” He gave Changjo a crying face. “I’m not knowledgeable when it comes to that.” He added.

“Babo. But fine, everything went well today. How about you? What happened to Chunji hyung’s lessons?” He asked and turned to his side, facing Niel. He’s curious.

Niel looked away with a frown.

“He gave me a pain in the .”

Changjo broke into laughs. Niel hits Changjo’s chest and frowns at him.

“It’s not funny!” He whines and crossed his arms, upset. Changjo slowly stop his laughter as the air becomes quiet.

“Niel.” Changjo started after a moment of silence. “Just stay the way you are.” Niel blinked as he kept his eyes on the younger. “Haemi’s no match to you when you’re you. I can introduce you to anyone in this world just be yourself.” He turned his head to look at Niel, smiling wholeheartedly. Niel looked back at him and blinks his eyes, waiting for Changjo to continue.

“I’m glad you came to my life. I’m glad for having you with me.”

Niel slowly let a smile cross his lips as he searches Changjo’s eyes. They hold honesty in them. Changjo’s words were sincere that made Niel’s heart burst with joy. He never receives pleasing words such as Changjo’s and he likes it. He felt as though he’s doing a great job as his hyung.

He reached for Changjo’s head to ruffle his hair.

“Who’s that girl?! Does she go in this school too?!”

“No way! How can I not notice her is she goes here?! Changjo hid his girl so effin good!”

“She’s Changjo’s girl?! Damn she’s hot!”

Niel fidgeted uncomfortably as he tries to pull his skirt down. The skirt Chunji made him wear as a disguise to look like a girl.

“Damn it guys, it’s me!” He screamed in his head. Changjo took Niel’s hand in his to stop him from tugging on his skirt. He couldn’t remove the smirk on his face as they walk down the hallway to meet the school’s most precious visitor; Kim Hae Mi.

It’s now time to show everyone who’s his real girl. Ahn Danielle

>>