A/N: Alright... it's the 23rd and I really like the number... so here's the final chapter. T-T 
It was fun seeing all the comments asking whether the producer is Min. As much as I would like to tease you all by throwing Henry or someone else in, I'm a stickler for happy endings. 
So.. here's your final, long chapter. But there will be a small gift for you all the next day. :)

Thank you for everything guys! <3

When he was satisfied with hitting the note, he opened his eyes.

The producer was standing on the other side in the control room, looking at him through the glass, the cup of hot chocolate in his hand.  

The producer. His producer.

The blond hair was now replaced by smooth black hair, the fringe cut short in a way that made him look young like a schoolboy. What enhanced the schoolboy image more was the black, square-framed spectacles that rested on his nosebridge and Kyuhyun noticed it was lensless – a prop just for styling. But the rest of the outfit proved that he was a grown-up man. He was all black – the hair, the specs, simple t-shirt, the jeans and the shoes. He seemed to have slimmed down a little, as the black jeans wrapped tightly around the firm legs. It was unlike the image Kyuhyun had of him months ago, but Kyuhyun liked it. It was hot.

And the face was ever familiar. Kyuhyun knew it was him; the one he had dreamt of so often. The only thing that went through Kyuhyun’s mind was whether one could age backwards. Because one thing for sure, he looked younger – and more attractive than he ever was.

“S-S-Sungmin hyung!” Kyuhyun stuttered. “When did you come back? You…you are my album producer?”

Instead of saying anything, Sungmin just nodded at him. No smile, no greeting.

Kyuhyun’s heart fell.

I’m really… not special to him.

Sungmin pointed at the music sheets on the table in front of Kyuhyun. Kyuhyun picked up the sheets absentmindedly and read the title written on the top.

7 Years of Love.

Before Kyuhyun could go through the notes and lyrics, Sungmin’s voice drew his attention.

“Sing.”

That was all he said. Sungmin was already seated in his chair, his eyes closed, waiting for Kyuhyun.

Kyuhyun let out a mocking snort. It fully reminded him of the first time he met Sungmin.

Old habits die hard, huh. To him, I’m just another student. Another singer.

Before Kyuhyun could protest, Junghwan played the soundtrack and gestured at Kyuhyun to put on his headphones.

Kyuhyun did as he was told. He missed the first line, but picked up from the second line. His eyes scanned the following lines before he sang them.

`~ We met for seven years
No one knew we would say goodbye this easily
However we still separated
Leaving these memories we had built for a long time

How did we at such a young age
Meet with each other, I don’t even remember
It was difficult for us to handle the lives of our changing selves

They said saying goodbyes are painful
But I didn’t even feel that
I just thought this is it, this faint feeling ~`

And then Kyuhyun realized something as he reached the chorus.

`~ But I cried, oh, oh, oh.
Time passed, giving me a yearning
That was different from what my mind was telling me
From friends intitally to lovers then
We said we’d stay as friends even if we separated ~`

It was that song. That forbidden song. Recording 23. Sungmin hyung’s song…for Eunhyuk hyung.

Kyuhyun stared at Sungmin, whose expression was cold.

He rushed out of the inner studio, expecting Sungmin to stay something, but Sungmin only stared at him.

“Why?”

“Why what?” Sungmin replied.

“Why this song? It was something so precious to you.” Kyuhyun asked for a reason desperately.

“It’s not the original. I modified the lyrics. And Hyukjae… will be happy with Donghae forever. It’s time I moved on from this song.”

“But why give me this song?!” Kyuhyun prayed for a special reason.

“I have been looking for the song that best matched your voice. All these months and I couldn’t write or find the right one. Because I have already decided at the start that this song was the best for you. I just didn’t want to let go of the song then.” Sungmin explained calmly.

“But—”

“No buts. Go in and record. How professional are you to run out halfway through a recording like that?!” Sungmin reprimanded, his voice raised.

“I—”

“GET BACK IN.” Sungmin yelled.

Kyuhyun turned reluctantly and entered the studio again.

“From the start again.” Sungmin instructed.

The soundtrack was replayed from the beginning, but Kyuhyun felt too confused. Too overwhelmed by everything.

Happiness. Disappointment. Anger. Shock.
The myriad of emotions was driving him crazy. He took a deep breath and tried to push everything out of his mind, concentrating on the lyrics.

`~ We met for seven years
No one knew we would say goodbye this easily ~`

The music stopped abruptly.

“Where did the emotions go?” Sungmin’s cold voice sent a chill to Kyuhyun’s back.

“I—” Kyuhyun rubbed his forehead with his hand. “I don’t think I can do this. I’m… sorry.” His voice trembled.

“Remember the story I told you for Love Dust?”

“We had known each other for more than twelve years. Grew up together, chased our dreams together, spend everyday together as roommates.” Sungmin’s voice echoed in his head. 

“Seven years ago, because of some complications, we moved out. When you had to be separated from me, you realized you had more feelings for me than just a best friend. You didn’t dare to confess, afraid that you would lose everything, but you thought you could stay by me, protect me till you think there’s a chance that I had the same feelings for you. You told yourself you didn’t mind waiting. Five months ago, you found out I got attached. You started to distance yourself, erasing the traces of me in your house…”

Kyuhyun looked up as he heard the door to the inner studio close. Sungmin walked towards him, raising a hand to his cheek.

“Kyuhyun…” Sungmin whispered.

Kyuhyun felt his heart beat faster and harder as Sungmin closed the distance between them, his face stopping a few centimetres apart from Kyuhyun’s.

Is he going to kis—

Sungmin pulled Kyuhyun into his embrace.

“I’m sorry. I know it had been really hard on you for the past three years.” Sungmin whispered beside Kyuhyun’s ear. “Thank you for the seven years, but please… let me go.”

“Please be happy; I will be happy too. I’m getting married.”

Kyuhyun stood still for seconds before raising his hand, wanting to return the hug. But before he did touch Sungmin’s back, he dropped his hand again, and a tear fell at the same time.

Somewhere deep down, the emotions hit him. It was as though Sungmin was apologizing for the past few months and he only came back to ask him to let go.

“Congratulations…” It was the only thing Kyuhyun could manage.

“I love you, Kyuhyun.”

Kyuhyun quickly pushed Sungmin away to release himself from the hug. That line was as though a whip had lashed at his heart. He bit hard on his lip, wanting to stop the emotions from bursting out.

Sungmin ran out of the inner studio and the music was played again.

`~ We met for seven years
No one knew we would say goodbye this easily
However we still separated
Leaving these memories we had built for a long time

How did we at such a young age
Meet with each other, I don’t even remember
It was difficult for us to handle the lives of our changing selves

They said saying goodbyes are painful
But I didn’t even feel that
I just thought this is it, this faint feeling

But I cried, oh, oh, oh.
Time passed, giving me a yearning
That was different from what my mind was telling me
From friends intitally to lovers then
We said we’d stay as friends even if we separated

During those 3 years spent alone
We contacted each other occasionally

Even if I met someone else again
Even if I loved again
Whenever I was sad I would still call you
Without a word, letting my tears fall

“You have to meet a good person”
I thought differently in my heart
I wanted to ask if you still liked me
Without hoping for your answer

I knew, oh, oh, oh.
We had the purest love then
But this love cannot be found again
It will only stay in our memories

Sometimes,
I feel the coldness from you
But I know clearly
That I cannot ask for anything from you now

You said, “I’m getting married”
For a long time, I was speechless
Then I cried, because your last words to me,
Those words I wanted to hear the most, was “I love you” ~`

It was a one-take for Kyuhyun this time. He knew exactly how Sungmin felt, those seven years of wanting to love, yet afraid that this love would destroy the friendship – everything he had. And he had been there with the composer when he cried his heart out, although Eunhyuk was just attached and not married yet. But it was the same – it ended for Sungmin.

And now, it ended for me.

Emptiness filled Kyuhyun after the last few bars of the song ended. The tears dried against Kyuhyun’s cheek as the wind from the air-con hit his face harshly.

After a few seconds, Kyuhyun opened his eyes. He was surprised to see everyone gathered in the studio. Heechul, Leeteuk, Shindong, Kangin, Siwon, Henry, VOL, D&E and even Yunho.

“Perfect. We’re done.” Sungmin announced and the crowd broke into a loud applause with cheers.

But Kyuhyun just spun around and started sobbing, bringing his hands to his face. He couldn’t hold it in anymore. He knew it was a one-sided crush for him too and one day, today, he would have to give up on Sungmin.

Sungmin entered the inner studio again,