Dedicated to: candleLight 

Flaming_minho says: Hey Yoong, tomorrow’s the filming, you excited?

ImChoding says: Of course I’m excited. It’s my first official filming with you!

Flaming_minho says: ‘Gee’ Korean and Japanese versions were filmed with you – they were official…

ImChoding says: Yeah but they were with the other Soshi members… Anyway, it’s going to be a day filming with overtime. We’re going to get breaks right?

Flaming_minho says: I have no idea, maybe we won’t. Depends on director hyung – he’s weird.

ImChoding says: My CF directors are always extremely nice, I wonder why.

Flaming_minho says: Because you’re too sweet and pretty that’s why. Don’t you dare seduce the director for this!

ImChoding says: I’m loyal okay Min, I won’t. Hey look, your members want to join the chat – should we let them?

Flaming_minho says: Nah, we’ll talk more tomorrow. Good night!

ImChoding says: Sleep tight, Min!

Your chat with Flaming_minho has ended.

I log out and Yuri, from across the room, smiles at me knowingly.

“You talking to your boyfriend again, huh?”

“Well, yeah. But he’s being normal, at least, not like Jong and you.”

“At least we’re not dating. You guys, however, are dating. It’s amazing how no fan has caught it yet. Some day, they will find out. Lee Soo Man himself doesn’t even know! How do you guys do it?” Yuri asks, tilting her head and scratching her head.

“Bimil. Shh.” I say. (A/N: Bimil = secret) Yuri rolls her eyes and pulls her blanket over her head. Hey, did you know that she likes to sleep with open? That’s why she hides her face when she sleeps. Anyway, I don’t feel tired yet, so I roll my sleeves up and go to the living room to catch some television. I find Taeyeon the ajumma with Sunny watching a drama. It seems nice enough, so I grab a cup of water and sit down next to them.

“What show is it?” I ask – they’re absorbed in the drama. “Oh, it’s the final episode of Cinderella Man. You wouldn’t like it.” Taeyeon waves me off. “Wouldn’t like it? I’m in the drama for God’s sake, Taeng!” I look to Sunny for back up – she’s too absorbed to care. It’s my best scene, how could they not know it’s me?

“Ah, just ignore them.” It’s Tiffany. “Oh, unnie, hello.”

“So, sit down.” She pats the seat in front of her and I take it. She and I talk about the filming for tomorrow. Tiffany thinks that I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be able to film with SHINee. I laugh and tell her that Tori’s done it too.

“You’re filming with your boyfriend – that’s different.” Tiffany said the last two words in English, but I understand. When she’s extremely excited she lets her English slip out. I smile at her and thank her for at least paying attention to me. She tells me to get some sleep before trying to persuade Sunny and Taeyeon to get some sleep too. I return to my room. Yuri’s already asleep. I check my phone for the time – I’ve received a message. Of course, it’s from Minho.

It says ‘Yoong, you ready for filming tomorrow? Get some sleep okay? I don’t want to see black circles tomorrow morning. Good night!’ I smile and look over at Yuri before getting some shut-eye.

The next morning when I’m up it’s only 6 in the morning and the unnies including Seohyun gathered around me – around my bed. I wipe my eyes and ask them why they’re here groggily. They yank me – no seriously, they grabbed me violently – out of bed and scream simultaneously, “You’re filming with your boyfriend and SHINee today!” And they emphasize on the word boyfriendlike it’s a big deal. They hustle me to the bathroom.

The taller group – Sooyoung, Yuri and Seohyun quickly rush me around the bathroom getting all my cosmetics and wash my face. The shorter group – Jessica, Tiffany, Taeyeon, Sunny and Hyoyeon get my clothes ready. In ten minutes I’m really up and aware of what’s happening though it’s so hectic I can barely breathe. I push them away and tell them I can do it by myself. They insist on picking my make-up and I sigh, eventually letting them. I finish washing up in the bathroom and move to the dressing room. They get me to wear black short shorts, a black casual inner and a white see-through outer t-shirt. I put it on and I’m back in the bathroom to get my make-up done.

As for the make-up it’s nothing much, a natural look’s what counts anyway. After I’m done, it’s about 7 in the morning and I’m supposed to be at the set by about 7.30, but it’s 10 minutes away so I don’t mind. They get me to bring along a black sling bag and wear black two-inch heels. My hair is not tied up, but it looks neat enough.

The chauffer sends me there quickly and I arrive just on time. I smile, neaten my shirt and walk in.

“You better not do anything with her hyungs and Taemin you’re not excluded from this to if you dare to lay a single finger on her I’ll –”

“Kill you.” Everyone excluding Minho chorused. I hear them and laugh.

Minho’s Point of View

An angel walks in, and of course, it’s my secret girlfriend. The hyungs look at her cautiously, but Taemin is too interested in the works of the set. She’s dressed so plainly but she’s beautiful. In my eyes, she’s the most perfect girl in the world. Hey, don’t look at me like that, love is blind. But she really is beautiful.

“And get to work everyone! Yoona, beautiful as always.” The director compliments her. I don’t get jealous because I completely agree with it. Yoona nods and makes her way over, but the stylist stops her. Yoona shoots me an apologetic look. She mouths I’ll be with you later, let me try to convince the director. I nod and turn to my group members.

“SHINee, doing well today. Handsome as usual.” The stylists smile and push us into the dressing room. We get dressed easily and quickly. We have to film the casual scenes first.

Jonghyun has a blue long sleeved shirt and black trousers. For shoes it was a pair of black boots. He also has a hat on, it’s like a straw hat except smaller. Taemin is dressed in a black shirt and black short sleeved outer and black shoes with accessories around his neck. He has on silver-ish trainers. Key has black jacket with a black and white shirt and black pants. For shoes they are white with silver studs. He has on something extra – black nerdy glasses, which are in trend currently. Onew has a brown checked shirt with a pair of brown pants. I am in a light blue jacket with a low-cut shirt with knee-length khaki coloured shorts. I also have black trainers with white laces.

We’re shooting Onew’s scene first. Yoona comes out in messy tied ponytail with strands of hair loose around her face – which has barely any make-up, just enough to make her face come out just right in the filming – and a blue shirtdress. As for bottoms it’s a simple black tights. She’s wearing flats, but it doesn’t really matter because they’re not filming that. Both of them put on aprons and sit down. In this PV, Onew is an artist that carves sculptures. For this they made one sculpture of Yoona. They keep saying that the likeness is uncanny but I don’t think that it does her justice, honestly.

For Onew’s scene, he has to be entranced as she says goodbye to him when he’s sculpting. It’s an easy shot, but I’m a little worried about Onew hyung. He might be thinking too much about his chicken. Anyway, the scene is filmed and I see Yoona walking to the director and they speak in hushed whispers. The director nods, and I think she’s clicked a deal. Yoona winks at me before going in for the next scene. It’s Key’s scene next.

In Key’s scene, he is a designer for Yoona – she’s the model. For this, Yoona has on make-up that highlights her hair, which is curled but still looks wonderful. She has on a more intricate outfit this time with a white see-through blouse – with of course a white inner – and pants which is knee-length with white patterns on them and a brown bag. She has heels on for this. She looks stunning.

“You clean up nicely.” I comment before she goes off.

“Thank the designers for that.” She smiles.

“Yah Minho you got yourself the right girlfriend this time – she’s a keeper.” Jonghyun says, looking at her from top to toe. It makes me uneasy. “Don’t look at her like that – it looks like you’re her with your eyes.” I warn. “Yeah, yeah.” Jonghyun waves me off like it’s nothing.

Key has to pass her a beautiful pink dress with of course accessories to film this scene. The dress looks amazing already, but when she puts it on, she looks alluring. Her hair is even messier and she has a black bow on her head. She has to smile at the camera for this. Oh that smile! I almost crumble. Gosh she looks so beautiful!

“Let’s take a break, everyone!” The director – probably as planned – calls out. Yoona changes out of the outfit into comfortable shirt and shorts and walks to us bare-footed and no make-up at all. We go to the set’s makeshift café and each get a cup of coffee. But Taemin drinks water because he’s too young. He still bugs me about it sometimes but I don’t really care.

“Nice job Yoona. I never got to say that just now but you were beautiful, absolutely perfect.” Key says.

“Why, thank you. We haven’t got to shooting your scene yet have we?” Yoona pokes my nose and says.

Laughter goes around as I say, “No, we haven’t. I’m terribly excited though I think I can get a heart attack.” I pretend to clutch at my heart.

“Oh, have I told you that you are horrible at acting?” Yoona teases.

“Ohhhhhhh.” The boys chorus together. “Dum, dum, dum.” Onew says.

Nobody laughs.

“Whatever he does, it’s Onew condition~” Everyone sings in unison, including Yoona and we all laugh along with Onew. “Did you know that we sing that three times daily?” Jonghyun tells Yoona. “Jinja?” She asks in a mildly surprised tone with just a hint of sarcasm.

“Like Yoona noona didn’t know that already.” Taemin rolls his eyes and they share a high-five. “I knew that a long time ago.” She backs Taemin up and gives him a little nudge.

“Hey I think we’re not giving them their free time here. Don’t they just love to spend their time together? Let’s not disrupt them. Come on guys, let’s go talk to the stylists.” Jonghyun motions to the rest of them and they take the hint to follow along, but Key stays.

“You know someday someone should give you two a prize for most quiet couple. You guys don’t –” “Rarely.” Jonghyun cut in. “As I was saying, you guys don’t – okay, okay, rarely get spotted by the paparazzi and Soo Man hyung doesn’t even know.”

“Oh really?” Taemin said. “I vote for TaeLli as most quiet couple.”

“Oh shut up Taemin, you and Sulli are so obvious.” Yoona smiles.

“Okay, you two have fun now.” Key smiles genuinely but his voice sounds oh-so-sugary it doesn’t make me think he’s being real here.

Eventually though, they all leave and leave us two alone.

Yoona’s Point of View

“Hey, you want to go somewhere more, say, private?” I suggest and Minho nods. We both head for the porch upstairs. It’s actually a balcony thing where there’s no roof – like a penthouse. The wind’s wonderful up there.

“How have you been?” Minho asks.

“Good, good. Nothing’s bad, nothing’s too good either. The unnies are doing fine as well.”

“Yoona, you can’t fall for them.” Minho said worriedly.

“I know, Mr. Minho, you told me that five billion times. I love you, you’re my boyfriend and that’s all that matters, arasso?” Yoona said. “Plus, you can’t order me around, because I’m your noona. Only Key and Onew and Jonghyun can… I think.”

After I say that sentence, it suddenly feels extremely awkward.

We look into each other’s eyes and suddenly; Minho grabs me from my waist and pulls me close. He smiles cheekily before diving in to kiss me. I don’t even get a chance to catch my breath, but he eases into the kiss and slows down from all the heated passion before. I can sense the urgency in him, because it’s been weeks since we last kissed, and of course, I really miss him as well.

“I’ve missed you. So, so much.” He says between the kisses. When we finally stop, I’m overwhelmed. “You cheeky boy, you’re lucky no one’s here to catch us, you know.” I speak too soon because before I know it, a deep voice roars from behind us.

“What do we have here?” 

Minho and I share a quick look before turning and we see Lee Soo Man himself. I look to Minho for help and he himself has a foreign despair in his eyes. His eyebrows are furrowed and his forehead creased. I have never seen him so worried about something other than losing before.

“I saw everything, no need to hide now.” He walks toward us. He walks step, by step, his boots making a soft sound against the concrete ground. Minho grabs my hand from behind me and gives me a squeeze. I see the four other boys tumble in from behind of Lee Soo Man – I haven’t gotten used to calling him Soo Man just yet – and looking sheepish. I’ll kill them later.

“Wh-wh-what are you doing here?” Minho stutters, and I gasp inwardly. He never stutters. “I came to visit my boys debuting. Don’t you know I love to showtender loving care to SHINee?” Lee Soo Man harshly whispers. He is now barely three feet from us. Minho and Lee Soo Man are the same height, but of course, he’s the boss.

“I’m sorry I can –” “Alright, two of you, explain. And the rest of SHINee? Go take an extended break.” Obviously the boys just had to want to take their extendedbreak. Taemin has the courtesy to at least bow apologetically before he leaves. ‘Mianhaeyo, noona’ I see him mouth. I shake my head slightly.

“Choi Minho, you may explain first. Yoona, dear, please don’t say anything.” “See, Mr. Lee Soo Man, we’ve been secretly dating for a while… now, yeah a while, and we haven’t told anyone except SHINee and SNSD – even the managers don’t know so if we keep it quiet do you think maybe we can get a-way… with… this? I mean if we don’t let them know and all…”

“Alright, Yoona, now it’s your turn. Explain.” I look at Minho and he nods. “You see, Mr. Lee Soo Man –” “Soo Man.” “Soo Man, Minho and I really haven’t been causing any harm to our groups… and we haven’t met for a while now because of our busy schedules, so…” I stop and falter a little, and with a bated breath I watch his eyes fall over Minho and me.

“I’ll speak to both of you about this after the filming. Let me think about it. Meanwhile, don’t try anything fishy.” We nod and smile furtively, thanking him on the way out and rushing back to the set. Before we go in, Minho whispers in my ear, “Don’t try anything as he said. Just pretend to be normal. And, if anything happens, know that I love you.” I smile and he leans in to kiss my forehead quickly. I kiss back. Seconds later we hear his footsteps – he’s coming.

We stop and hurry into the set.

Throughout all of the filming I worry but both Minho and I do our best, as well as the rest of SHINee though the suspense is probably killing them. We don’t talk to each other and there aren’t any more long breaks.

After the filming, SHINee and I change out of the outfits and go back to our daily wear. Lee Soo Man is waiting for us in a private room. We exchange furtive looks and dash towards the room.

“Take a seat please, all six of you.” He motions for us to take a seat and we do, though very uneasily. I tug at the hem of my top, biting my lip in worry. Lee Soo Man’s lips form a straight line and he looks at us strictly, eyeing even the other SHINee boys, and me especially. When he looks at me everyone else does to, and I kind of move around in my seat uncomfortably. I cross and uncross my legs.

“So let me get this straight. You’re trying to make me let you guys continue dating. Minho and Yoona. SHINee, what do you think of this? Onew, please express your opinion.”

“Yes sir. I think this is um, good for the group, because Minho seems to have adopted a better personality nowadays because of Yoona. He’s less shy and reserved as before, and he shows more love toward his fans.” Onew nods.

“Key and Jonghyun?”

“Um, Mr. Lee Soo Man sir, I think you should let them date, secretly of course, because it benefits the group. As what Onew says.” Key says. “Oh yes, and um, besides, you’ve allowed Se Kyung and me to date before, so why not?”

“Alright, since you are so keen on it. I believe that you can date, but one condition. You publicize it. And in no way am I to see you, Minho, involved in any scandal,or I will make you two break up, for real. And you will not have any, I repeat, any promotional activities together anymore.” As soon as the words come out of Lee Soo Man’s mouth, we are so shocked, we’re speechless.

I couldn’t speak. Literally couldn’t speak – I just sit there in shock. Lee Soo Man gets up and leaves the room silently. Taemin’s the first one to snap out of it and shakes my shoulders. “Noona you can date hyung now!” The reality finally dawns on Minho and me. He comes around and picks me up, spinning me around happily. “Finally, we don’t need to hide anymore.” He whispers in a husky voice and kisses me again.

“Ahem.” Lee Soo Man’s voice cuts in, he appears. Minho puts me down. “Sorry to interrupt your, um, intimate moment, but just to tell the media, we are holding a press conference tomorrow. All of SHINee and SNSD will be attending. I will inform your managers. Don’t do anything publicly just yet okay?” And he leaves again.

“GROUP HUG!” Onew declares and we think for a second. Nah, we’ll give it to him this time. The boys take extra care not to hug too hard so that my bones don’t break. “Aw…” Onew breathes in the middle of it. We all laugh heartedly. 

Later when I get back to the dorm, I open the door and a surprise awaits me. The room is dark and the second I blink, all of SNSD have a cake in their hand. It says ‘Congratulations’. They know already! It’s barely been three hours.

“CONGRATULATIONS!” They yell and Taeyeon puts the cake down before they gather for a hug and I’m right in the middle. I start tearing up at their kindness. “Aw, Yoong, don't cry, this is how we express our love for a fellow group member!” Sunny smiles. “Though I am jealous. Jonghyun and I aren’t allowed to date. Guess we have to do what you did huh.” Yuri winks at me and I proceed to cut the cake.

The following morning, we get up at 6, as the filming. But this time it’s for the press conference. I’m quite sure the boys are early too. They would be picking us up in a limousine later, at about 8. The press conference starts at noon.

It’s really hectic as soon as we wake up, but we manage to get some order with Tiffany yelling at us to shut up and follow her.

“SHUT UP!!! Yoona, Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sooyoung, you four go to the bathroom first to wash up. The bathroom down the corridor on the left. Taeyeon, Sunny, Jessica, Seohyun and I will go pick out our clothes first. We each have ten minutes. Move out!” Tiffany yells. Everybody moves to their respective places. The four of us manage to clean our faces. I hear the other five tossing their clothes crazily trying to find outfits. “TEN MINUTES IS UP!”

We gather back at the spot. Tiffany screams, “Swap!” And we do. Hyoyeon and Sooyoung goes to their room, Yuri and I go to ours. We pick out clothes that suit each other and smile when we’ve found the perfect ones. We quickly change into it. “Everyone! Change into your outfits!” We change and finish everything except makeup, bags, shoes and breakfast. It’s already 6.30. But it’s not that late.

After we’re done, we move to the living room and each grab a tray of breakfast Seohyun’s already made for us and eat it. We finish by 7.15, and we move to makeup. Makeup takes a longer time. We told manager that we’d do it on our own for a day, and we don’t want them to come over. Makeup is done by 7.45 and we’re on schedule, according to Tiffany.

Our bags and shoes are grabbed from the wide selection we’re given and off we go!

“Annyeonghasaeyo, SHINee-imnida!” SHINee greet us brightly at our doorstep. “Welcome, ladies!” Onew goofs around and they open the limo doors for us. “Thank you.” As we go in, the boys shuffle in too, and they take seats respectively. Onew and Taeyeon, Minho and I, Taemin and Seohyun, Jonghyun and Yuri and of course, Key and Sooyoung. The rest who are ‘single’, huddle together. “Peace for singledom.” Hyoyeon solemnly ‘swears’ and we all laugh.

Along the way we play childish games. Like, Have You Ever and Truth or Dare – it’s like a return trip to high school. I miss those times.

“Ladies, and gentlemen, welcome to the news centre of Seoul.” No one knows about our press conference yet, so there are no fans. We make our way into the building and the reporters are waiting. We take our seats. SHINee on one side, SNSD on the other, with our managers right at the end and Lee Soo Man in the centre.

This time it’s a press conference where no questions will be answered, Lee Soo Man will just make a speech. We’re just here to make it official.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m glad to see you here on a fine morning today. We are gathered here because I would like to announce a public relationship of a hidden couple that have not been spotted by any of the media or the fans. And the hidden couple is Choi Minho and Im Yoona. May I invite both of you to stand? –” We stand and bow before sitting back down. “Yes, as you have just seen, these two will be a publicized couple and I hope that you will follow their relationship closely and welcome this two people into the dating world nicely. And of course, they should be given some breathing space too, yes? SHINee and SNSD hope to receive much love and minimal disruption of their activities during this period of time, and I hope that the fandom wish their idols success. Thank you.” The reporters keep clicking and clap at the end of his speech.

After the conference, our activities proceed as normal, and the fans, at first are shocked, but then they eventually give in and support Minho and I as a couple. One of the days, Minho and I receive our first card from one of our fans that support us.

Dear Yoona unnie and Minho oppa,

Know that us FlamingDeers will always be behind you! We promise to ship the MinYoon couple and hope that you are forever happy. Finally, the CF Queen Yoona – the nation’s natural beauty – and the charismatic king of all Minho are getting together! If you didn’t know, we’ve been observing you and we spotted all of your moments! Thank you for getting together after so long! MinYoon hwaiting!

Love, your fans.

“So we’re MinYoon now?”

I ask and Minho wraps his strong hands around me. “I’m taking that as a yes.”