* * * * * 

I went to my room and unpacked the bags, separating mine to choding's, Nanny came up to my room looking worried,

I was walking down the path to the streets, I passed by the ice cream shop, no one I know is inside.. I wonder where choding and his hyungs hangout?

I saw the bake shop where they sell delicously baked cakes and sweets, I went inside, pick a cake that looks yummy.. ah the Tiramisu cake looks yummy~ I picked the Tiramisu cake topped with fresh berries.. hmm yum~! the baker smiled and start to box the cake, as I pay, she give me a small bag of crumbles-- coffee crumbles! she said that it would taste best if I topped it with crumbles as well..It's free so no worries,

I smiled at the baker and said thanks, I went out the shop to the cold streets once again. then I think I saw Woohyun walking pass the bar at the corner of the street.. So, I walk to his direction to take a closer look.. and yeah! It's Woohyun alright, and he's with Dongwoo..

choding said he'll hangout with his hyungs right.. then what's his hyung doing infront of a bar.. wait! you mean they were hanging out in a bar? choding is in a bar! he's underage! well all of them were!!! aish~ calm down Mari.. we're not sure.. Let's clarify to find out!

When I was about to cross the street, the lights turned green, and the cars began to move.. aish!

Just stay where you are Woohyun.. Dongwoo~ please just stay where you are...

At last! the stop light shine red and I run crossing the street.. when I reached the place where I saw Woohyun and Dongwoo..they're not there anymore, I figured out it's not just a bar.. beside it there's a new building, with Internet cafes, bowling alley, billiard spots and also noraebang* inside..

clutching the box of cake on my hands, I went inside to check if choding is there..

I'm standing in front of the counter, the lady in charge looked at me and smiled..

"What shop?" she said smiling brightly..

"Eh?"

"What shop are you going in?"

"I-I don't understand but, do you happen to see those guys who just came in just now, before me?"

"Ah.. Nam-ssi? Yeah, I think they're on the 3rd floor.." she said losing out of thought.. and back to me,

"Card please." she ordered,

I handed my credit card, she look at me like I'm a joke,

"I mean your Membership card," she said with pointed eyebrows,

"I don't have any.. but I know Nam Woohyun-ssi, where can I talk to him, do you have phones connected to their room?"

"Yes we do have that, but you should be a memeber, to experience that service,"

"Ok. so how much is the membership fee?"

"it's not for sale."

"Eh???" I said in disbelief,

"A member must refer you here. now, since you don't have your membership card yet, you may exit where you entered." she said raising her eyebrows again,

I stood there for a while, wow~ pick up my senses back to place and went out of the building,

I just stood there for a while, grab my phone, ack! choding what the heck are you guys doing inside.. I'm damn worried am I? dialing choding's number when i was about to press the "call" button, some guy grab my phone away from me,

I  look around to see who it was, and I saw a guy whom I didn't know holding my cellphone like it was his.. Is this a mentally challenged man? omo..

"Ahjussi, give that back." I said in a calm voice,

I reached out my hand, He was just there looking at me in a creepy way.. another guy come over and took the cake away from my hands,
"what on earth is happening?" I muttered under my breath,

"hey, Ahjussi, give my phone back," I look at the guy who has my phone, and change my gaze to the guy who is now oppening the box of cake.. "ahjussi, you can have that cake,"

"yah missy, aren't you too young to be in a place like this?" the guy who had my phone said,

"I'm looking for my friend, now can I please have my phone back?"

"We were looking for a friend too.. one who wants to hang out with us.. Missy, you're pretty wanna play?" He asked in a creepy way,

He grabbed my hand and lead me to the side of the bar while his friend followed his hands have tiramisu cake all over them.. 

"Let go," but he was too strong, "Yah! let go!" i screamed, but he just smile as he lead the way to a dark corner..

ohmygaho~ this is bad.. urgh.. someone help please.. Sungyeol.. anyone..

-- Meanwhile inside the building where Sungyeol and his friends where,

"Yah. Sungyeolie, I said I just thought of seeing Mari on the other side, It's not like she's gonna cross the street to here or something right?" said Dongwoo,

"It might be Mari, I want to go check, I'm sorry if I have to leave soon,"

"I don't think Mari-ssi would go to a place like this, it's dangerous," Woohyun said,

"that's why I want to go check, because it's dangerous to be walking alone in this place,"

"Nam-ssi, your friend drop by earlier, she was looking for you, but she doesn't have a membershop card, so I asked her to leave, I found this by the door step, she must have drop it when her friends came to pick her up," the lady on the counter said while handing Woohyun an ID,

"Kim.. Mari? So she was here--?" Woohyun asked in disbelief, Sungyeol snatched the ID on his friend's hands and look at it closely..

Sunggyu and the others arrived beside him, Hoya in a shocked face look at the ID that Sungyeol was holding, "It is Mari..."

Sungyeol in the other hand, shook his head.. then turn, facing the lady on the counter,

"You said 'her friends picked her up' what friends?" Sungyeol asked the lady,

"Uh.. I think there were two of them.. two guys.. college guys.."

"Is that so? ..uh fine, I-I got to look for her.." Sungyeol now with his voice shaking,

Sunggyu put his hand around Sungyeol's shoulders, "any ideas who they were?"

Sungyeol shook his head, "Hyung, as far as I know, I'm the only guy friend that she have."

"Sungyeolie! take a look at this!" Hoya shouted from outside.

They all went out and found what looks like a teddy bear keychain with a goofy smile with cake icing all over it,

"That's Mari's!!!" Sungyeol screamed, "I gave it to her last Christmas!"

"Aigoo~ this is bad...." Woohyun said looking around the area, a couple of drunkards were looking at his direction, laughing and talking,
he then bring out a $100 bill and hand it over to one of the drunkards. drunkard1 looked pleased so he took it,

"Friend, have you seen a girl around this place? she's a young girl, with long and wavy hair.." Woohyun asked, his voice is calm and brave,

"Is she hot?" drunkard2 asked, then the two drunkard began to laugh again,

"How much do I have to give you to talk?" Woohyun said seriously,

the two drunkyards look at him, seemed scared and they both shut up,

"Now, where did they take her?" Woohyun now in an interrogating tone,

The two drunkards still remained silent for a while, then have decided,

"we need a drink after we answer, 'cause you know, uh.. we get thirsty easily.."

Woohyun nod, the two drunkards still seemed scared,

"There's this guy named Hammer, and he got a dumb friend always following him around so we call him Bummer, they were college drop outs, i think.. oh yeah, they sorta kidnapped your friend and took her in that direction,." pointing down the dark alley, "we just heard that they wanna play with her,.."

Woohyun throw another $100 dollar on their table, and muttered "thanks", he then turned to his friends and saw Sungyeol white ice paper,

"Get a hold of yourself!" he ordered Sungyeol,

"L-let's go find M-Mari n-now..!" Sungyeol said panicking,

"I'll call my Hyungs, for back-up," Sunggyu said bringing out his phone and start dialing, Sunggyu's brothers happened to be policemen,

Hoya grab a hold of Sungyeol's hand as he tried to sneak and go first,
"you're not going anywhere!"

"b-but Mari~" Sungyeol started but was cut off,

"Come. We'll go together," Woohyun grab Sungyeol's shoulder and lead the way,

in the meantime..

omo it's dark.. I wonder if choding saw the ID i dropped.. this ahjussi is too strong, I'm loosing the feeling on my hands, choding I know you're smart... help me...

"There you go missy!" the ahjussi who got her phone smiled, "by the way, the name's Hammer. and this is my assistant Napoleon, but he prefers to be called Bummer."

We were in a dark alley and no one seems to be around, I look around, only street lights lit the dark dirty streets, I saw figures of what seemed to be guys, walking on our direction.. Sungyeolie you're just right in time---ah wait, Sungyeol doesn't smell that funny~

"So is this the girl that who wants to play with us?" A guy in a cracky voice said.. he got company too, there were 2 more guys behind him,

"Yeah boss, she's all ours..:" the guy named Hammer said,

"Very good Hammer.. and of course Bummer," patting the guy named Bummer on the head like he was some kind of pet.. the other guys behind the boss sneered.

"Now let's get it started." the boss grab me by the neck and tried to kiss me but failed, I strike him on the nose with my head.. he scream in pain, his nose is bleeding now, he grasp it and glared at me, I glared back.

When I was in elementary, I'm used to fights, Nanny was always summoned in the principal's office, well I don't fight because I want to, I fight because I need too.. everytime someone bullies choding I came to the rescue, although I have high grades I didn;t get to graduate with honors because of my "behavioral problems", that headbutt is my signature move by the way, it's been a long time since I had a fight, so I kinda felt dizzy after doing it now,

The others go and check on their boss, I kinda make a move but Bummer grab hold of my left foot so I tripped down the dirty floor, it kinda hurts, my ankle~ but I managed to get up quickly, I stepped on Bummer's hand, stepped on it really hard like squeezing it with all strenght from my right leg., until he let go, He cried in pain.

"Hammer! who told you to kidnap a gangstah girl?!" the other guys shouted at Hammer..

"s-she looked really innocent a while ago..." Hammer said in shock,

I kicked the boss' hand as he tried to grab my other foot, I get a hold of my bag, I suddenly remembered I have a stun gun inside,, but too bad I can't get it now, they were all standing up, and cracking their bones.. this is not going be clean~

"get her!!!" the boss screamed,

they all attack me, dodging every punch they give, Hammer unfortunately grab hold of my hair and with all force throw me on the wall,

my head throbs, I ran my fingers on my head to check if my hair is still there, I suddenly got the feeling that I lost my entire hair after the throw, that Hammer is sure strong.. dammit! my ankle hurts like hell, my hands too.. I never got beaten up like this before,. so I guess this is the end.. I reached my limit..

I hear sneering and laughing,"I told you she's weak!" Hammer said as he grab hold of my hair again and pull me up, He slapped me across the face, "You b*tch gave us a hard time, now it's pay back time!" he said laughing out loud.

"I don't think that's right." said a cold voice, I tried to open my eyes but all I can see is a figure of a guy prolly my age, choding?

"So this is what happen to Korea while I'm not around?" he said "can't believe Japan's delinquents are more fun to watch." his voice sound dissapointed,

"Yah! who the hell are you?!" the boss ask,

He didn't answer, instead he gave a smile.

"The boss just asked you who you were!" the boss' companion said as he grab the guy's collar,

the guy grab the man's hand away from his collar, he twists the man's hand in the different direction that made the man cried in pain, louder and louder, then *crack* the guy released the man, the man just fell down on the floor,

the guy look up, turned to my direction, Hammer who was holding me up by my hair started to shake,

"It's a pity don't you think? that some people are only alive because it is illegal to kill them." He said coldly, now walking on my direction,

"Y-yah! W-who do you think you are?!" the boss shouted once again,

The guy smirked as he was making his way to my direction, Hammer who is now shaking still has me on his grip. the guy was now standing in front of me and Hammer. the guy wiped off something on my forehead, and sighed, "Let her go." he demand,

"Why would I do that? Do you know her?" Hammer snap at him,

"It's not that I know her, her head is badly injured, she'll die of blood loss if you don't let go of her, and If you still refuse, I wonder what may happen next." he said still in a cold manner, but in between those coldness, I somehow felt warm..

So, Hammer did let go of me, I fell to the cold ground, unable to move, my head is totally in pain, I think i broke a rib, my back aches due to the throw, my hands were somehow tired, and my left ankle..I can't feel it anymore..

After i fell down on the floor, i felt a loud thud near me, and heard an ear splitting scream, then laying across me was Hammer, on top of him was Bummer, I think they were both unconscious, I saw the boss tried to get away but was hit on the head of what looks like a random car part and he fell just beside Hammer and Bummer, the last scream was from the other companion of the boss' who pleaded for mercy but was not granted..another thud then the screaming stops.

Silence fell to the streets, the guy grab something from Hammer and Bummer, and walk to where I am laying, I wanted to sit straight up but failed, so he helped me..

"Gwenchanha?" he ask with a smile,

"y-yeah I 'm fine.." I look at him and saw that he was quite good looking, he was holding a small address book, and my phone,

"Those guy bump in to me earlier and picked-pocket me, they unfortunately pick the wrong pocket and got my address book, This is your phone right?" he said handing me my phone, I nod. He bring out his hanky and start wiping off my face.. and to the injured part, he grab my hand and place it where the wound was with the hanky covering it up,

he keep staring at me, and so I stared back at him as well, he then help me stand, he held out a hand for me to shake,
"My name's Kim Myungsoo but back to where I came from, I was known for the name L." he smiled as I took his hand and start to introduce myself too..

"My name is Ki-----" and I got interrupted,

A blinding light came out of no where, sirens join the scene,

"Yah! LET GO OF HER!!!" a guy bellowed as he got out of the car,

"Sungyeolie?" I said in a shocked but happy tone,

"Put your hands on the back of your head, get down and don't move." a police officer said,

"Mari!!! Mari!!! I'm sorry I'm late!!!" Sungyeol shouted while waving wildly from the side,

I noticed some guys got down of the car that was behind the policemen's car, and they are none other than Sungyeol's hyungs : Sunggyu who looked worried, Woohyun who tried to look cool though he looks upset, Hoya and Dongwoo, who were like Sungyeol waving at me,

"Your friends?" Myungsoo said under his breath while he was ducking with his hands behind his head,

"Well, only the one who shouted, that's my best friend, and the others are his friends.. so we're sorta friends too" I tried to explain it well but end up saying that.. he gave me a confused look,

A police officer walk his way towards us, as Myungsoo tried to speak, he was given the Miranda rights,

"You have the right to remain silent----" he started but I cut him off,

"Ahjussi! he didn't do anything wrong!" I said as my voice crack,

"It's ok Mari. he can't hurt you now.. WAAAAH! you're bleeding!!!" he grab Myungsoo by the collar of his jacket, started to shook him wildly,  "yah! whatya'do to her?! you----!" he was about to give Myungsoo a punch that will make him see stars but was luckily stopped by Sunggyu, Woohyun and Dongwoo, while Hoya became a human barricade,

"Sungyeolie, he's not the one.. he is!" I said breathlessly pointing at Hammer who was still unconscious on the ground.

"Ah really? Sorry 'bout that man," he said apologeticly to Myungsoo, Myungsoo nod,

"But who did this?" The police officer ask me,

"Well, I started, then Myungsoo here came in the right time when I have been cornered and badly hurt," the police officer then turned to Myungsoo, "It's out of self deffense sir! He was a victim too!" I added as  the police man tried to get a hold of Myungsoo.

"But if anyone of them is dead----" the police man tried to lure us to punishment,

"If anyone of them died, that is not our fault sir, like I said, we use pure self deffense and self deffense is not murder sir. If you still can't take that fact, then I will have to bring myself in court against you." I said looking to the two officers,. who were now staring at me with awe,

"Yeah, before any one dies, we need to call an ambulance now." Woohyun suggested and so the officers did,

The ambulance came, they get the 5 unconscious bodies on the floor, and sent them to the hospital.

they sent me and Myungsoo to the hospital too,

After I get my whole body treatment, (luckily they were only minor injuries and bruises, no broken ribs..) I went out to see that they were all still there, I said my apologies to Sunggyu, Woohyun, Hoya and Domgwoo, who said they were sorry that they're late. but I smiled and asked where Myungsoo is, the police officer in charge said he already went home. and asked us to do the same.

Woohyun's driving us off my house, I checked the time it's nearly 10pm, Nanny must be really worried, my new brother would think I'm an irresponsible sister, I was quite sad of going home though, I didn't get the chance to thank the guy named Myungsoo who helped me and save me from those bastards...

We reached my house, Nanny was waiting outside the gate, she looked worried, and sent out a heavy breath when she saw me,

"Bijou~ gwenchanha?! Bijou! I'm so sorry i let you buy that cake.. Mianhaeyo~ mianhae*!" Nanny said crying while hugging me,

"nana everything's fine, everything's taken care of, I already spoke with Mrs, Andrews one of our lawyers, she's dealing with the case so there's nothing to worry about.. uljimah* nana." i said while hugging her and calming her down,

She sniffed and wipe away her tears, she look back at the van Woohyun's driving, I saw Dongwoo's head out the window, he was sniffing and Hoya's calming him down, they were watching us all along,

Nanny smiled warmly and invite all of them inside, "You kids must be hungry.. come in and eat  dinner before you go.." first they hesitated but we heard Dongwoo's stomach rumbled, so they decided to eat dinner in our house.

"Nanny, is my new brother home yet?" I asked out of curiousity,

"No, dear.. He called and said he got lost, and bump in to his childhood friend, then he said he'll be staying there for tonight."  nanny said as she lead the guys inside the house, "he also said that he'll come here tomorrow after school." she continued,

When the guys  entered the house they all just stood still looking around,

"So this is where you live Mari-ssi? wow~ the house is so just like you.. artistic." Sunggyu's compliment

"Yeah.. not just artistic.. more.." Hoya said as he stared at the giant chess statues at the lobby,

"Do I smell turkey?" Dongwoo ask in bewilderment.

"yes that's turkey, It would be a waste if we don't eat it, so let's go and eat..the dining area is this way.." nanny said leading them out the recieving area to the dining room,

As the others make move.. Woohyun stayed behind, He stared at a portrait of my grandfather.

"That's harabeoji, he's not home, he's abroad." I told Woohyun,

"Uh.. Is that so? This is by the way a great painting.." Woohyun said,

"I know right? My mom painted it. let's go and have dinner." I told Woohyun who smiled warmly and followed the others to the dinning room.

We ate dinner happily even though it's late, they told me what happened while they were looking for me, my ID and keychain was given back to me by Hoya, he said Sungyeol's hands are shaking to much that he can't even get a grip on those two things, we all laugh at how Sungyeol and Dongwoo planned to beat the bad guys up.. It was just plain ridiculous.

After eating dinner, and hanging out, they finally decided to go home.. Nanny and I watch them as they get in Woohyun's van, we exchange "thank you"s and "you're very welcome"s ..

"See you tomorrow Mari-ssi!!!" Dongwoo shrieked, "Nanny thanks for letting me have the left over turkey, it's a waste to throw food." he smiled as nana shook hands with him.

"Mari~ we'll hang out sometime,arachi? don't worry I already broke up with Erika, she's a really pain in the , kekek thanks for the dinner.," Sunggyu smiled brightly with his trade mark |eye smile|

"Thank you very much, and I'll see you in school." Woohyun said.while bowing, we bowed back too.

"Mari you must be tired like the rest of us, so you ladies should go rest, I'll see you in school!" says Hoya with all concern,

"Thank You for helping me, and for taking care of Sungyeolie when I'm not around." both nana and I bowed to respect,

"drop by if you have time!" nana added,

"well, I'll see you tomorrow morning, nana the caramel delights are daebak! Mari go rest, bye for now! see you tomorrow!" Sungyeol said as Woohyun start the engine..

"Let's call it a day nanny!" I said while looking up the usual starry night sky.. I gained a lot of friends today, all because of choding,

Still staring up the starry night sky, I began to wonder, where the guy named Myungsoo went...? in this very hour,  Is he also looking up the same night sky?

the cold night reminds me of Myungsoo's voice.. though it's cold, it somehow makes me feel warm.. as for the coldness of the night.. it ironically sings me a warm lullaby for me to fell asleep.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You are the one.
eo dum so geul geot go i seul ttae..
(eo dum so ge ni ga sa ro ja pil ttae nae su mi ga chi hae)
neon na eh gu won,
nae ge so neul geon ne jun geu dae..
(se sang so ge mu ni ne ge da chil ttae nae so neul ba chil ge)

you are the one. neon na eh gu won.. na eh gu won.. won.. One.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

whew! Longest chapter.. ack! my back hurts! >.<

tell me what you think about it.. and sorry for some inappropriate use of words in some parts of the story.

i also had problems with spacing.. sorry about that..

I'll work harder! Hwaitto! Hwaitto!!!

unfamiliar words :

• Harabeoji* - grandfather

• Bijou* - french for 'jewel' (in the story, it's what nanny call Mari)

• eomoni* - mother (someone else's mother, Mrs.)

• noraebang* - karaoke

• gwenchanhaeo* - alright, (are you alright?)

• mianhae* - sorry

• uljimah* - don't cry