Sure, the two were seemingly aware of the vast improvement in my mood over the past two months and had questioned me about it, in which I brushed them off saying that I’ve befriended a new friend. The duo were not fully convinced but knew not push me, trusting that I would talk to them whenever I was ready. Though... secretly, I think it’s also because I actually looked much happier than I had in a long while, albeit the two did try to sneak a glance or two at my phone but I was cautious enough to change Yoona’s name to something that I was certain that they would never figure out to be Yoona. And as glad that I was able to hide such a huge sceret from everyone, I felt incredibly guilty that my two dearest brothers were included in the term 'everyone'. My guilt intensifying tenfold whenever the look in their eyes or the underlying tone in their voices suggested that they were acutely aware of that I'm keeping something huge from them but were just patiently waiting for me to take the initiative to tell them, soon. Try as I might to keep the guilt at bay, my conscience could no longer bear the guilt several nights ago as I tossed and turned in bed and it was then that I decided that I was going to tell them the truth personally as soon as possible... which kind of explains my current situation; me arriving early for dinner, fidgeting nervously in my seat as I anxiously await for them to arrive.

"Yeah JaeJoong hyung, what's up?" quipped Junsu, his eyes blinking at me innocently while slurping his soup.

"Why would you do that hyung?" asked Junsu in an alarming hair-raising chilly voice.

"I--"

"That person that you've been texting... 'Choding'... That was her, wasn't it?" interrupted Yoochun, his question sounding more like a statement than an enquiry.

"As expected from the quickest mind in the band." I can't help but to comment inwardly at how fast Yoochun managed to piece the puzzles together.

"She saved me two months back. An anti-fan attacked me and if it wasn't for her, I won't even be here talking to you. She grabbed my hands before I could fall to my death, holding onto me even if it very nearly cost her her own life--"

"YOU NEARLY FELL OFF A BUILDING AND YOU DIDN'T TELL US?!!" shrieked Junsu in disbelief.

I blinked at Junsu in slight shock, distracted by his sudden loud shout, "I... Er... Yeah. I didn't want you guys about it... I mean I'm fine now aren't I?" Shutting my mouth instantly as the duo glared at me in response.

Pausing for a second, I gauged their expressions before I continued with my story, "I... She told me certain stuff when the both of us were hanging on for our lives, words of apologies and explanation to be exact. When we were safe, I made her tell the truth behind her actions and that's when I found out... that all this time, she was protecting us. She was threatened by the CEO, if she helps us or even takes a glance at us for that matter, the CEO will disclose even more negative press about us and HoMin... so as to protect all of us, to make our lives less tough than it already was then... she did what she had to do... even if it means us hating her. Initially she didn't believe the CEO would be capable of ruining our friendship to that extent but..."

I looked at Junsu with a knowing look as I finished my sentence, "It seemed like it worked hadn't it? That's one of the reason why I couldn't tell you guys about her, she didn't want you guys to know..." I trailed off, not entirely sure how to I put into words that Yoona wants to avoid them... to protect herself from any more potential harsh treatment.

"What makes you think that Yoona wasn't lying to you? That this isn't some kind of sick joke planned by SM to have Yoona butter up to us now that JYJ is some sort of a success." rebutted Yoochun, skeptical towards the whole situation. 

"No way." I shook my head vhemently. "It happened all too quickly for it to be scripted or for Yoona to come out with lies of any sort. Besides, won't I know if someone is telling me a lie in my face after everything we've been through? The eyes are window to the soul, Yoochun-ah... Yoona wasn't lying."

I stared patiently at the two, knowing that it was a lot to take in. Already, I could see Junsu's gaze softening, I've always knew he has a soft spot for Yoona, while the glint in Yoochun's eyes harden further. In contrast to the usual warm, dandy behaviour of the latter, the unfeeling ice cold pesona that Yoochun has sometimes was simply a defense mechanism of the singer. The singer had gone through so much the past two years that this was the method he chose to protect himself; closing his heart to anyone that could potentially hurt him once more, especially in regards to the people from his past. Sighing, I picked my chopsticks up as I continued with my meal before the other two started eating their previously forgotten meal as well.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JUNSU'S POV.

I stared blankly at the ceiling of my room as I spread-eagle on my bed, Jaejoong's words resounating loudly within my head, "All this while, she was protecting us... Threatened by the CEO... She did what she had to do... She didn't want you guys to know..." Vexed, I flipped myself over to bury my head into my pillows, my eyes blinking away the tears when the haunting image of Yoona's hurt look branded itself into my mind again and again.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I was in the midst of composing a new track in the studio of my apartment when I heard the main door chimed open, followed by the faint sound of footsteps jogging all over the place. I stared patiently at the studio door as I waited for my intruder to find me. The sound of hurried footsteps grew louder and the next thing I know, the door swung open to reveal a disheveled Junsu. My eyes widen fractionally in shock, taken aback by his apperance before wincing slightly in guilt as I realized the very reason for it might be largely due to what I'd said during our last dinner together.

I nodded my head in response, acknowledging that it might be for the best to have a non SM artist to help us in this case while I pondered over a potential candidate to aid us. I need an in-between, a medium that both Yoona and I know... Someone whom isn't too suspiscious to the eyes of others but yet capable and trustworthy enough to arrange this meeting in secret, away from any prying spies of SM's CEO. Think Jaejoong, think...

"They won't attract any suspicion from SM's CEO and Seunghyun is one of your close pals so we can trust on their help." answered Junsu with a knowing smile, an excited radiant light shining from within his eyes.

"It's a long shot but it's the best chance that we have at the moment."

With fluid movements, I grabbed my phone off the desk to search for the number of Big Bang's rapper, holding my breath as I listened to the dial tone.

"Remember to keep the fact that I am the one who wants to meet Yoona from Yoona herself, I'm afraid that I'll spook her away." added Junsu anxiously as he chewed on his lower lip while waiting for Seunghyun to answer the phone.

By the fourth ring, I looked at Junsu's disappointed face apologetically, "Maybe he's just busy at the moment, hyung will call--"

"Yoboseyo Jaejoong hyung?"

I turned my attention to my phone immediately while Junsu looked on in anticipation, "Neh Seunghyun, it's me. Hey listen, I need you to do me a favour..."