LUHAN:

We knew what was going on. We knew why papa had called for Xiao Yi, but we could not tell the others yet. Not until we were sure that little sister was okay. I, for one, was not okay. If not for the fact that Seul Gi was committed already, I would have been in Xiao Yi's place. I knew that, because papa had told me a few weeks ago. Even before the boss' family came to China. Papa had said that I would have to be prepared for something like this to happen. Meaning, me and Seul Gi in the future. But then, the boss found out that his daughter already had someone, so the plan for the arranged marriage was dropped. But I knew it was just temporary. Mr. Soo Kui was someone who worked hard for something he wanted. He wanted to secure the company, and knowing papa being the industrious associate and being an asset to his company, he just had to find a way to keep papa. He was smart. Because to keep papa for a long time, either his daughter or son be married to one of papa's children.

At first, the boss had told papa that he wanted me and Seul Gi together in the future. I couldn't say no to that, because that's just the way it was. Do not question papa's decisions because it's only for your own good. It's like what they say in the military, "obey first before you complain." Anyway, how can you complain if you're not really allowed to question the elders' decision.

Papa: Luhan, I'd want you to be prepared for anything these next few days. There's something important I need to discuss with you.

Me: Okay papa. What is it?

Papa: I'm sure you understand your role as the eldest, right?

Me: Yes, papa.

Papa: Very well. I don't really expect you to agree with me, but for your own good, our family's, and the company, the boss and I are in an agreement to have you and Seul Gi get married in the future.

Me: Uhm...If that's...if...if that's needed...uhmm..

Papa: Can I count on you?

Me: Yes papa.

Papa: Very good. You will bear our name great respect and recognition.

Me: I will do my best, papa.

When Mr. Soo Kui found out that his daughter was already committed, I was sort of happy because I got away with being tied to someone I didn't know. But I also knew right away that Xiao Yi would be the next option, because he did not have any other daughters. And I doubted he would have chosen Jeno, because Taeyong was his firstborn son. It was natural that he'd be the one to be chosen. I think the kid just also follows whatever his appa dictated. More like us, to be honest. Any rule breaking is a sign of disrespect. So, I think you understood why we just couldn't relax when we were around papa.

I kind of tried to hit on Seul Gi during that dinner. I didn't know she wasn't single anymore. She didn't seem to have looked like the type who had a boyfriend, but I was glad I didn't pushed my luck that time. It would have been a little humiliating if I did.

That evening, when I came home from school, just after soccer practice, I didn't find any of the younger kids at home. I had called Lay to ask where they were and I was told that he was on the way back to the pizza shop because they were having a mini celebration. He also told me that papa called him to bring Xiao Yi to his office. At first, I didn't suspect anything. But when the rest of them came home from the pizza shop, I heard them talking about Jungkook being called by his appa to his office as well. At that moment, I sort of understood what was happening.

I had known, rather, I had suspected before that papa and Mr. Kim already talked about Xiao Yi and Jungkook's futures. If they were asked to go to the office, there was something going on. If they were just going to break the news to the both of them, I was sure they would not choose the office to tell them. Papa would have asked Mr. Kim and Jungkook to come over to our house and make the formal announcement. But why did they have to meet at the office?

I tried asking Lay everything papa said and what he saw when he brought Xiao Yi at the office. He said the same thing when I called him earlier. He also mentioned that before he got on the elevator going down, he met Taeyong, the boss's son. My suspicions were confirmed. It was either they were breaking up the engagement with Jungkook and making a new one with Taeyong or some sort of changes that involved the three of them.

I volunteer as tribute!

Ah, I wish I could say that. I was the eldest of the family and I had to bear most of the responsibility. Xiao Yi was the youngest and she did not deserve to have this kind of pressure on her at this time. She just started middle school OTL. Sometimes, I wanted to punch papa in the face for bringing unreasonable situtations into our lives. But because he was still our father, I still keep my respect.

It was not a surprise to me when Xiumin and Kris approached me that evening and talked to me about the situation. They knew as well. They already had their suspicions before. I had told them about the original plan and they have put two and two together. Kris had said that he felt kinda sick thinking Xiao Yi might not be able to cope with the stress and pressure. He had wanted to go to papa's office and be there for little sister. I had wanted to go too, but Xiumin had said that if we interrupted, it would be a humiliation and papa would be disappointed.

Xiumin: This is not our place, Kris. You know how papa is when he gets mad.

Kris: I know that. But aren't we going to do something about it?

Xiumin: Let's just wait when they come home.

Me: Mei baobei is too young.

Kris: I fee sick. I think I will vomit.

Me: Oh god, not here.

Kris: I'm not kidding.

Xiumin: I feel queasy as well.

Me: I feel bad for her.

Kris: Can I volunteer?

Me: And marry who?

Kris: Oh, yeah. He only has one daughter.

Me: Which is why Xiao Yi was the next option.

Xiumin: Merge families and strengthen the company more.

Kris: If you ask me, it's kinda like what that Hua Chen was trying to do.

Me: But that witch was hooking up every firstborn she could get her hands on.

Xiumin: This one's approved by...uh..papa.

Kris: It doesn't make it any better?

We shared the same sentiments. We were against it, but we couldn't do anything about it, except to accept the fact and to support our sister.

I had wanted to ask Xiao Yi about it the next day, but I saw she was kind of not herself, so I just left her alone. I had wanted to drive her home after classes in the afternoon before I go to soccer practice, but when I got out of class, I learned that Taeyong came by the school, secured a pass from the administration, and picked my sister up. It was normal in this school. Having someone pick you up that was not a student or parent, as long as you secured a pass from the school administration. It was to protect the students and their families. Of course you just couldn't allow anyone to come in the school grounds and get out with one of your students without proper identification and approval. I was sure that papa had called the school to inform them that this guy Taeyong was to be given passes to come and go the school because he was...uhmmm...Xiao Yi's...possible...future husband.

I say possible, because as far as I was concerned, papa and Mr. Kim's agreement had not been terminated. I didn't hear him say anything about it. I just heard him talking to mama about giving Taeyong a chance to prove himself and let Xiao Yi choose. And I felt mei baobei already made a choice even before she knew she had to make one.

But it didn't mean I was allowing Jungkook to get near my sister.

He still had to wait until she was 17.

Case closed.

TAO:

I knew it. I just knew it. I hear things. I know things. They think I didn't know, but I do. I just pretend that I didn't because if I told them I knew, they'd tell me it was not my place. So I kept the most controversial things to myself. I hide my curiousity in the things I do. I was a little extreme and I get crazy most of the time.

I had heard papa telling Lu ge that he was supposed to marry his boss's daughter. I just pretended I didn't know it, because it seemed like it was only between papa and him at that time. I would have been scolded for being nosey and minding other people's business.

A week after, I heard papa say that the marriage thingy was off between Luhan and Seul Gi, the boss' daughter. She was said to have been committed already and no longer available to be married to Lu ge. Lu ge looked happy but kinda worried over something as well.

Then the boss' family came to China. And we met them at dinner. Seul Gi, Taeyong and Jeno. She didn't look like someone who had a boyfriend. She was eyeing Lu ge with interest, just as much as the deer gege was. If you asked me, there was a mutual kind of understanding between them.

I was not a mind reader, but their actions speak louder than their minds? LOL.

If you asked me, I guess she was just making up the part where she had a boyfriend to escape from the arranged marriage thing. It looked like she wanted to see who it was that her appa was pairing her with. And I guess when she saw Lu ge, she got interested. She was smart. She didn't just conform to what her appa wanted for her.

It's only a matter of time now. A matter of time until she announces that she's broken up with her imaginary boyfriend and get serious with Luhan.

It would break the agreement papa had with the boss about Xiao Yi and Taeyong. Yes. I knew about that, too. I have my ways. I think I just observe a lot and listen a lot. Most of my knowledge came from paying attention and observation.

Once the thing between mei baobei and Taeyong is broken, oh man... I think Lu ge will get married by the time he graduates.

Tsk, tsk.

I'm not ready to be an uncle.

Little Luhans running around, ordering me to sing them to sleep...bathe them...feed them...clean their mess...

ODG.

Please.

Help.

JUNGKOOK:

So, we were really...we were...me and Xiao Yi........... It seems to good to be true.

*smiles*

If I had known, I would have done something more...before this...thing...situation now. But from what I understood, nothing has been decided and nothing has been broken from the original agreement.Ugh. Why does it sound like a business deal. Where's the romantic side in that? Weren't marriages supposed to be romantic? I'm in this situation where it feels like it's a business contract.

*frowns*

Does that mean I was allowed to be with her now? I mean, without that other guy in the way. Just because he was the boss's son didn't make him superior. He was a bit on the arrogant side. He knew he was good-looking, he knew he was rich, he knew he could get anything he wanted. But that didn't mean that he could get anyone...he wanted.

I found myself just nodding at everything appa's boss was saying, even if I didn't understand half of it. I might have looked like I was agreeing at everything, but in reality, I was just doing it to save face. Appa was right there in front of me and I couldn't disappoint him. I was just a little shocked knowing that he and Xiao Yi's papa had already agreed that we...uhm... *chuckles* well, you know.

*keeps laughing silently*

I think I should close my door. I don't want my nosey brothers to see me looking like an idiot. They wouldn't understand anyway. All of them knew what's going on. Jin hyung, especially, because he had told me to be on my best behavior and that I think clearly and rationally before saying anything. Maybe that's the reason why I didn't say anything when the boss asked us what we thought about the suggestion. I was not thinking clearly or rationally. Hahaha. I could laugh now, but earlier, I just couldn't understand what I was feeling. Now that it has slowly sunk in, I'm a bit relaxed. It's Xiao Yi that I'm worried about. She had banged her head on the table after she agreed to consider Taeyong. LOL. I was about to say someone else's name. Ahemm... You know who I mean.

*eye smiles*

I'm one point higher than him now. Hahaha. I don't know how he will take it if he learns that me and Xiao Yi are...kind of...sort of...official...? And what would he think about having a third...fourth wheel? Taeyon's the fourth wheel, you know. Taehyung is the third wheel. Me and Xiao Yi's the real deal.

*clears throat, plays with hem of t-shirt*

Anyway, I had texted her that night and asked her how she was. She had said she was okay. I knew she was not okay. The way she looked when she straightened up after she banged her head on the table. I wish I could do something to make it easier for her. She had not replied after that. I guess she fell asleep. I didn't call her anymore, because I felt she needed some time alone to think about everything. The pressure's not on me, so I was able to recover earlier than her. I bet she has not yet recovered until now.

I knew she was avoiding me in school. She had gone to one corner of the cafeteria to eat alone. I just made her think I didn't know she was there. But it was she who didn't know I was just behind her. I had to go through the back door and kitchen of the cafeteria so she won't see me entering the front door. She took her time eating her lunch. I could sense she was in deep thought. I just wish she was not overusing her brain into trying to make a decision as early as now.

After class, I had to bring my stuff in Jin hyung's car before I go to skateboarding practice. I saw here there, talking to Taeyong. She didn't even say hi to me. Not one hello. But I saw her glance at me. She had told us to "shut up" because Taeyong and I were exchanging not so good words with each other. But she had told Taeyong that she did not like him. I had high hopes that in the end, I would be the one she chooses. I had wished Taeyong would treat her nice when he brought her home.

Which reminds me, I have agreed to have a one on one with him...on the boards. I was competing in the interschool eliminations in a few days. I'd have to settle our issue before then. Or, maybe it's not such a good idea. If I got injured, I won't be able to make it through eliminations. Maybe after, then? Anyway, he hasn't set a specific time or day when it will be. I'm ready for him anytime though. Just that, I won't agree if it's before eliminations.

I remember J hyung bugging me because of the eliminations.

"Kookie-ya, practice with us in the mornings. It's fun."

Him and Jimin hyung went out of the house early in the mornings to practice their tricks. I preferred to sleep until it was time for me to wake up. I couldn't be bothered to wake up early especially if it's a weekend. Well, depends on the situation though. If it was important that I wake up early, I would. I tried once. Practice early in the morning with them, I mean. But instead of practicing, I found myself falling asleep on the sidewalk. J hyung had to wake me up because it looked like I was a beggar lying on the street. Hahah.

On a more serious note, what do you think I should do to cheer Xiao Yi up? I'm kinda insecure of the fact that Taehyung is better at making her laugh than me. Why did I have to be the awkward one? I had a hard time saying the very words I want to say. There's a sort of force that keeps me from voicing out how I really feel. It surprised me though, when I was able to stand up to Taeyong at the school's parking lot.

However, as I thought about it, I sounded arrogant....just like him. Taehyung was able to verbally express himself really well, without sounding arrogant or obnoxious.And he had a puppy.

Maybe I should get a pet?

What kind of pet would I get, anyway? Nobody bothered to think about getting a dog before, when I told them I wanted one. Maybe I'll go catch myself some mosquitoes and put them inside a bottle. I'll feed it Taeyong's blood. Hmmmhmmhmhmhmhmharhahrahrahrrharrrr...

That is just pure evil, Jungkookie.

Oh yeah? He's rich, so he can afford blood transfusion once the mosquitoes drink all his blood.

Muahahahaha!

Let's see if money can buy him anything.

I know, right.

He will never be able to buy Xiao Yi, remember that.

I will, Jungkookie-ya.

Sure you will, Kookie.

Hahahahahah!

I was just talking to myself there. Whew. I never thought this can be so stressful. I kept telling myself I was not stressed out and the pressure's not on me, but why do I feel like I have the weight of the whole world on my shoulders right now?

Oh.

I just had an idea. I've been practicing my piano skills lately, seeing how Jin hyung seemed to excel in almost everything...except skateboarding. I took it upon myself to study piano as well. He was a willing teacher, I was a willing student. Uh- victim.

*grins*

Jin hyung really slapped your hand if you made a mistake. Even just one wrong note and he'd flick your hand. But I vowed I would learn, so I endured it. Now, I can play piano even if not as pro as him, but I can play. Yeah.

*covers face with hands*

So, yeah. I have a plan. I hope this puts a smile on Xiao Yi's face, even if I didn't see her when I execute my plan. I was gonna play the piano for her. I know one piece that she might like.

*Gets up and walks out from room*

I just hope those old people won't bother me while I'm at it. It would ruin the moment. I better go check first if they are inside the house. It'd be safe if they were up on the rooftop or outside. Hmmm...Let's check Hoseokkie hyung's room. Shhhh... Nope. Not there. Let's check Jimin's room. He's a light sleeper, so if he's in his room and sleeping, I'd really have to be quiet or he'd wake up and find out what I'm up to. Hmmm....no...he's not there. Good. Now Jin hyung. His room is near the stairs going up the rooftop, so he'll probably be up there, though. Yes! He's not in his room, either. Ahhh... I hear them upstairs. They're all up on the rooftop. Good, good. There are no old people to interrupt me.

*walks to the stairs and goes down*

We have a piano on the first floor. I'm going to play the piano for my future bride. Ahemm...

*coughs...coughs...while sitting down on piano stool*

I bet Taeyong cannot be as sweet as this. Hah! That arrogant piece of ake mushroom. Pffffftthahahaha. Yeah, I can be really evil. Like evil, evil. I'm a spoiled brat! Yay! Jungkookie is a spoiled brat! Muahahahaha! Alright, enough of that Kookie.

*raps*

Let's get down to business. I don't got no time to play around, what is this? Uh..must be a circus in town... let's shut the down... on these clowns, can I get a witness.. Heol yeah...

No. I was not gonna rap or hmmm... That's a good idea. I should try that next time. For now, I'm gonna play a love song for her. Let's call her first, ne?

*takes out phone from pocket and dials*

I hope she's not asleep yet. It's just half past eight. My brothers are still even out of the house. Well, the rooftop is considered outside, right? They were not outside the gate, if you know what I mean.

"Yeoboseyo."

Ahhh...she answered my call. She's not mad at me. Yay!

Me: Yeoboseyo.

XY: Hi.

Me: Uhm...I hope I didn't wake you up.

XY: No, you didn't. I'm just reading up on lessons.

Me: Oh, okay good. Uh..actually, there's something I want you to hear.

XY: Hmm? What is that?

Me: You don't have to say it, but I know you seemed to be in a lot of stress lately, because of the...well...yeah...you know.

XY: Hmm...yes...kind of. Thanks for your concern, though.

Me: You're not mad at me, right?

XY: No. No, I'm not. I'm sorry if I....uhm...kind of..not talk to you.

Me: It's okay. I understand. I wish I could do something to make it easier for you. But...

XY: Uh..

Me: There's only so much I can do, but I've got an idea. Maybe this won't solve your stress problem, but I hope this puts a smile to your face at least.

XY: Thanks.

Me: I'll put you on speaker okay? I want you to listen to this.

XY: O..okay.

And I started to play. I was lucky I had the music sheet ready. It was the piano instrumental version of S.H.E. and Zhou Ding Wei's Liang Ge Ren De Huang Dao or commonly known as (Two People's) Desert Island. I knew I wasn't a pro, but I played it flawlessly. Just for her. So she would start smiling again. If I knew the lyrics, I would have sung it for her as well. But the music sheet didn't have any lyrics on it.

I heard her chuckle at the other end of the line. That was good. She was laughing. I imagined her smiling face. It was good to know that she was smiling even just for now. After the song, I told her there was one more piece I wanted her to listen to.

Me: This piece, I will not tell you the title. But I'm sure you know it.

XY: Okay. Let me hear it.

Me: This piece actually tells how I feel right now.

XY: Oh...hmm...alright.

I had to flex my fingers again before I started. I didn't want to make a mistake on this one. I had to make it perfect for her.

I closed my eyes, imagining she was beside me as I started to play.

Yiruma's piece.

Love Me.

...because that's what I felt at the moment. If I couldn't say the words, I'd use music.

Imagining her smile was enough for now. As the old adage say: "To make her fall in love, you had to make her smile." But now, everytime she smiles, I was the one who falls in love.

Why is life not fair?

XIAO YI:

He was playing Yiruma.

One of my favorites.

How did he know?

Oh. My. God.

Please let this be real.

Right.

This was real.

Can I scream?

No.

He might think I was screaming of fright. But I was not scared.

I closed my eyes as I listened to him playing the piece. I imagined him sitting in front of the piano with his focused look. When he was focused, he had this look that his eyebrows are on the verge of meeting in the middle, but they didn't. It was different from someone who's angry. I imagined his fingers moving gracefully over the piano keys like how wind blows the leaves of the trees.

Gaahhhhhh...

It was working. Whatever he was doing, it was working. Well, he was playing the piano. And it was working. A smile slowly formed my lips and I gently pulled my hair because I was mad at myself for feeling so down. I had more reasons to be happy. I had a reason to keep smiling. Come on, I bet you would smile like an idiot too, if someone played the piano for you like he was doing now.

Yiruma!

Wait.

What was the title of the piece again?

ASDFGHJKLKJHGFDSASDFGHJKL!

Love Me.

*wheezing lungs*

I....need....help...

This was too much to handle. I was just thirteen, geez. I should not be allowed to feel like this. Why can't I be seventeen now?

Why is life unfair?

I don't know what to say, except, I'm going through a lot of mixed feels. I'm listening to Yiruma to relieve the stress. And I thought "Love Me" was the best one for Kookie to play. I just had to make him play it. I love Yiruma's music. Anyway, these are all for you → ♥♥♥ 吳愛你們！我愛你們！