'Mian.' I shrugged, before briefly checking my phone. I was surprised that I received a message from Taemin.

‘I didn’t know you were here too. Why didn’t you tell me?’

I put my phone down and started digging into my cake. My phone vibrated again and I knew who it was from but I checked it anyway.

‘Are you still upset at what happened earlier?’

I slammed my phone down once more before taking even bigger bites out of my cake.

‘Minji, who the hell’s texting you that you seem to want to break your phone?’

‘Who do you think it is?’ I rolled my eyes.

‘Right.’ Luna nodded understandingly, looking down at her cake and eating quietly. The clinking of my fork touching my plate became louder and I quickly finished my cake. I scanned around for a nearby waiter or waitress so I could order another dessert because this definitely wasn’t enough. However, the sight of Kai caught my eye and he really wasn’t too far away from our table. I wondered why I hadn’t noticed before how close he was to Luna and me. I caught him smiling at me and I blushed because my mouth was stuffed and I probably looked like a mess right now. His weird grin wasn't helping me either.

‘Luna.’ I called, chewing faster and my lips.

‘That’s a nice sight.’ She said sarcastically at me.

‘Guess what? Kai is here to lift my spirits up so I’m going to go say hi.’

‘AKA ditching me!’ Luna pouted.

‘I’m not! I’m simply saying hello.’

‘And no. It’s not going to be a simple hello. But look, I’ll do you a favour and call Kyungsoo to hang with me while you have your impromptu date alright?’ She gave the okay sign with her fingers.

‘Thanks…..’ I smiled weakly, then hit her hand lightly. ‘And no one’s making anyone jealous here!’

'Just tell Kyungsoo to come over here. I'll call you later or something If anything good happens okay?~' Luna gave me the dirty eye.

'Aish I'm not like that!' I stood up, making my way to Kai's table. He and Kyungsoo were staring at me and I could feel myself blush at what happened this morning with Kai while we were training.

'Hi sunbaenim! Please sit!' Kyungsoo immediately stood up and pulled his chair out for me.

'Um...you..you don't have to be so polite you know.' I chuckled. 'But Luna unnie told me she wants to talk to you anyway.'

'Yes! She's waving now, I'll go.' He bowed 90 degrees and I was amused by his actions.

'Don't...worry about him. He pays good respects to his sunbaes.' Kai chucked, motioning me to sit opposite him. I couldn't help but notice he styled his hair differently from this morning at the studio.

'Hey.' I beamed, suddenly feeling my mood lift up at the sight of this cute boy in front of me. 'Thank god you're here.'

'Why?' He questioned.

'I was just in a bad mood in between seeing you this morning and seeing you now.' I waved my hand around dismissingly.

'Something bad happen with Luna sunbae?'

'No and don't worry about it.' I smiled. 'Seeing you right now makes things better.'

I saw the grin spread across his face and knew he must've felt happy. Why was it so easy to compliment him?

'Well, it seems like we have 2 nosy people staring at us.' Kai pointed towards Luna and Kyungsoo who were smirking over at us. 'Why don't we get out of here after I finish my drink?'

'Sounds good. Where to?'

'My dorm.' He smiled.

'Again?' I frowned. 'You know what happened last time! We got interrogated and-'

'Don't worry. Nobody's there today. Me and Kyungsoo sorta skipped halfway through practise and lied that we were sick.'

'Come on Kai. You're  have a comeback arriving so soon and you're slacking off?' I lightly slapped his hand, making him pat his injury hand and pout at me.

'It hurts a lot Minzy....' He pouted even more, making me laugh hard at him. God I was doing so much smiling that my face muscles started to hurt.

'Okay I'll come to your dorm then Oppa.' I sang, making him grin as big as me. We kept our little smiling competition going on for a few more seconds before we were interrupted by someone approaching our table.

'Mind If Krystal and I join?'

My smile broke and we quickly shot our heads up to see who came by the table. I inwardly groaned because this was not who I wanted to see right now.

'Taemin.' I nodded. He gave me a blank face before turning to Kai for an answer.

'Sure hyung...I guess I don't mind..' Kai shrugged. i couuld tell he was just as confused as I was.

'Cool. I'll go get Krystal right now and-'

'Andwae Oppa. I don't feel like going.' Krystal appeared out of nowhere and laced onto Taemin's arm.

'Why not? It sounds like fun doesn't it?' Taemin whined a little. It bothered me he hadn't even attempted to shake Krystal's possessive arms off his.

'We should leave them alone.' Krystal smiled at me.

'That's really nice of you.' I smiled back, even though I knew this was what she wanted anyway. 'But really we don't mind.' I insisted.

'No it's alright. Oppa and I haven't finished our DATE yet and I'm pretty sure you just started yours so we'll leave you to it.' She put emphasis in the word 'date'.

'Date?!' Kai's eyes widened. 'You guys are actually dating?' He asked, nevermind the fact that his voice was a little too loud right now.

Taemin shook his head lightly. 'She's just joking around. Idols from same company can't date right?'

'But Oppa, don't you think we suit each other?' Krystal pouted. I saw Taemin only give her a weak smile before ruffling her hair. It made me subconsciously tap the table impatiently.

'But hyung you still have ties with Naeun right?' Kai said randomly, making us all look at him in shock. Ties with Naeun? Like what?

I saw Taemin throw Kai an uncomfortable look as we all stayed silent, not knowing what to say. From the way Taemin's eyes stared at Kai's, it gave me the feeling that Kai really wasn't kidding about Naeun. Was there something actually going on between the two? For some reason, a part of me felt a little betrayed but I didn't even know why. I wasn't dating the guy. I felt like my internal thoughts reflected Krystal's shocked face, because she looked hurt and pissed off aswell.

'W-Well...' I said, interrupting the silence. 'We should go now. Come on Kai.' I said, awkwardly standing up. Kai nodded and slowly stood up aswell.

'See you later.' I called before quickly dragging Kai out of the restaurant.

'Min-' He started but paused. The firm grip I kept on his hand must've shut him up as I led him outside of the restaurant. Quickly grabbing my disguise and chucking it on, I advised him to do the same before I took his hand again. Why was I feeling so angry about Taemin?

'Minzy...are you okay?' He weakly asked. I sighed and let go of his hand before trying to put on a little smile.

'Sorry, the situation was just uncomfortable. I wanted to get out of there.'

'I should be sorry. It's because of what I said. Krystal must've been pretty angry but I couldn't help but blurt it out.'

'What is Naeun to Taemin?' I asked, taking him by surprise.

'Well....I know he really did have feelings for her at some point during We Got Married.' He scratched his head. 'And they still saw each other often after it finished although they had like, this 4 week gap but I know they're meeting again.'

'Oh....' I nodded, thinking back to the time I went with Taemin to the restaurant. I recalled them saying they hadn't seen each other in a long time...so were they on a break at that time then? It didn't make sense though. It didn't seem to me that they had a special bond going on that time...I would've noticed it anyway.

'Minzy..?' I heard Kai calling my name.

'Oh...Mian!' I chuckled awkwardly. 'Let's um..go to your dorm then?'

'Of course.' He grinned, taking my hand in his.

-------

Author P.O.V

Minzy let out a big sigh when the instructor called for break time. It wasn’t that she was exhausted physically from the extra training, but her brain was elsewhere and she found it hard to concentrate. She hopped over to Taeyang and sat next to him to rest before the next part of training began. Her deep and troubled expression didn’t go unnoticed and Taeyang decided to ask his dongsaeng what was wrong.

‘Minji-ah, have you been having problems lately?’

Minzy looked to Taeyang with surprise at first, but then let out another frustrating sigh.

‘Well….’ She started. ‘It’s not something I usually concern myself with but.’ She paused again, glancing over towards the SM dancers. One in particular she couldn’t stop looking at, and she felt frustrated that she couldn’t get him off her mind. Taeyang followed her eyes and wasn’t exactly sure who she was looking at.

‘Minji, are you involved with one of them?’

Upon hearing this, Minzy stopped staring towards him and snapped her head back to Taeyang.

‘No No! Not at all.’ She shook her head, making Taeyang chuckle a little.

‘You know I’m not TOP, so I won’t tease you. You don’t have to tell me who it is, but at least tell me why you’re so distracted today.’

Minzy looked at her Oppa with thankfulness and managed a small smile.

‘How should I put it? …..There’s more than one person that’s been on my mind lately….’ Minzy glanced at Taeyang’s eyes to see his reaction. He only nodded in understanding as he motioned for her to continue.

‘Um…let’s say I wasn’t expecting any of this to happen. But Oppa, how do you know If you’re REALLY in love with someone or not?’

Taeyang’s eyes perked up at this question. He then smiled sweetly at Minzy and pat her head gently.

‘For me personally, let’s see.’ He rubbed the palms of his hands together. ‘For one, I probably would be thinking about that person all the time. It would make me happy If I get to see them smile, or better yet, smile because of me. If something good happens in my life, they would be the first person I’d want to share my news with. And when something bad happens in my life, they’d be the first person I want to tell as well.’

Minzy looked at her oppa in awe. She hadn’t expected him to answer something like this, and wondered If her Oppa had been involved in a long term relationship before.

‘Does that make sense to you Minji-ah?’ Taeyang asked, looking at the girl’s befuddled expression.

‘Yeah it does… I’m just surprised because I didn’t think you’d have much to say.’ She smiled. ‘But I understand, and I think it might work for me too.’

Taeyang grinned and pat his dongsaeng’s head once more. ‘Just don’t rush into love. I know you’re an adult already but there’s plenty of time. And one thing you should remember Minji…’

Minzy nodded and looked at him in anticipation.

‘Remember to see the situation from all aspects. And sometimes….the right perspective makes all the difference.’

Minzy frowned a little because she couldn’t quite understand what he meant by those last words. Nevertheless, she nodded anyway and thanked her Oppa for the talk before getting up.

‘Where are you going?’

‘It’s kind of my thing to go and get some fresh air at the rooftop during breaks now. I’ll come back soon.’ Minzy smiled. Glancing over to the person she’d been thinking about all morning, she sighed to herself again before slipping out of the room. Kicking the floor and dragging her feet along in the hallway, she seemed just like a child who was frustrated because they couldn’t get their way. Bashing the button to the elevator until it finally opened, she stomped inside and leaned her back on the wall. Only then did she notice another figure approaching her and it was someone who she had mixed feelings about.

‘Hey.’ She said, not waving and nodding.

‘Sup.’ The figure replied, standing next to her. Minzy walked over to the side and pressed the floor she wanted to go to, and stood back next to the tall figure, who hadn’t done anything since step into the elevator. Minzy glanced over and caught the figure also staring back at her, forcing her to say something.

‘Where are you headed-‘

‘Same floor.’ He answered almost immediately. Minzy nodded weakly and felt herself shrivelling up. Why was she so afraid of this guy? And why did he seem to dislike her every time they encountered each other?

As if the man next to her read her thoughts, he turned his head slightly towards her as the elevator started moving.

‘You do remember what I said last time right?’

Minzy gulped. She really didn’t want to start a conversation with him. Why did the elevator seem to take up so much time to move a few floors up?

‘Uh….yeah.’ She muttered, frowning a bit because she presented herself so weakly.

The figure next to her gave her a smirky grin, and she could see it in the corner of her eye.

‘Why are you so scared? I haven’t done anything to you.’

Minzy clenched her first. It was true, he hadn’t done anything except give her a warning the last time he saw her. She slowly raised her head up and managed to even smile back.

‘I’m not scared. I just don’t have much to say to you, Kris.’

‘I’m sure you do have stuff to say to me. But I’ll repeat what I said last time because you still don’t seem to get it. I don’t want you hanging around my dongsaengs because If you date one of them, my head is on the line. Suho is also in trouble, but the guy is too oblivious to notice a dating scandal waiting to happen anyway.’ He said those last words with a tone of disgust.

Minzy could feel herself burning with anger and even though she was afraid, her anger stepped in as she glared at the man next to her.

‘Who says I’m dating your dongsaeng? What’s wrong with making friends through this program?’

‘Well If you don’t like him, it’s good to hear. He’s merely a fanboy of yours so don’t get the idea that he’d actually be interested in dating someone like you.’

‘Someone like me?’ She repeated, anger apparent in her tone. She knew she had to keep her image and reputation up as an idol but Kris was being a total douche to her, how could she not get offended at his words? The elevator door opened and the two idols stepped out. Minzy really didn’t feel like going to the rooftop with Kris but then she saw a few others hanging out there as well, they were her CL unnie and GD Oppa. Both Kris and she made their way towards them and Minzy inhaled and exhaled a few times so she could calm down. She’d definitely give Kris a piece of her mind sooner or later.

‘Oh I didn’t know you two knew each other!’ CL waved and so did GD. ‘Hey Kris, here for some fresh air too?’

‘Yeah.’ He smiled, his teeth forming a grin. ‘By the way, your freestyle rap earlier was great CL sunbae!’

Minzy briefly glanced at Kris with disbelief. Was this guy bipolar or something?

‘Thanks. You’re pretty good yourself and we can both rap well in English too.’ She gave him a high five. Minzy swore she could see a blush appear on his face. She had never seen him smile like this before.

‘Me and Minzy have met a few times before this, so we’re good friends already.’ Kris suddenly pat Minzy’s head. She could only look at his in surprise again before GD decided to talk too.

‘How’s dance going? Made a lot of new friends right? I hope you’re not gluing yourself to Youngbae.’

Minzy giggled at her Oppa. Then she was about to open and talk about how she was becoming friends with Victoria. But then a sudden idea came to her mind. She glanced quickly at Kris before replying.

‘Yeah Of course I’ve made new friends. I’m especially close with Kai Oppa!’ Minzy grinned back, though she felt like an idiot for deliberately saying ‘Oppa’ in front of them. Looking at Kris’ face to see his priceless reaction, Minzy lightly gasped when she saw Kris smiling just as big and he nodded enthusiastically.

‘Yeah, her and Kai are getting along just fine and they’re become quite good friends.’

‘That’s great Minji-ah!’ CL grinned. ‘I was scared you wouldn’t be able to make friends as easily.’

‘What are you talking about Chaerin-ah, Minji goes to university and has made many friends there. Right Minji?’ GD looked at the ero maknae.

‘N-Nae.’ She smiled.

‘Well anyway, we shouldn’t bother you any longer. Let’s head back yeah Minzy?’ Kris smiled.

‘But you just got here. Are you sure?’ CL asked.

Minzy only nodded before shooting GD and CL a quick smile as she was being guided back inside the building. As soon as they walked inside the elevator, Minzy burst out with her questions.

‘What the hell was that about?’

‘What do you mean?’ Kris shrugged.

‘That…That…..what the hell?’ she pointed towards the area they were just at.

‘Shouldn’t I pay respects to my rapping group?’