Junhyung’s POV

I sat in the car, looking outside while playing with my fingers. I wasn’t feeling nervous, just feeling weird.

“Junhyung sshi, hwaiting!” A squeaky voice said.

I turned my head and my lips came into contact with two soft toys. Haneul put the toys down and smiled at me.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“I’m fine.” I said.

“Nervous?” She asked.

“Actually, no. But for some reason, I’m just feeling pretty weird.” I said.

She sat closer to me, linking her arms with mine.

We arrived at the venue for the press conference pretty soon. We went through the backdoor into the building.

“Let us go up with you.” Doojoon said.

“I’m really thankful that you guys supported me. Whatever that will come, I’ll face it.” I said.

“Then how about me? We’re in this together. How can you ask me to watch you just walk out there alone?” Haneul said, pouting.

“You’re not fully recovered. Let me deal with this, okay?” I said, lifting her chin to kiss her.

“Oh gosh~” I heard the boys murmur.

“Get a room.” Hyunseung mumbled.

“Hee~” I laughed, pinching Haneul’s red cheeks.

“Junhyung.” My manager Hyung called out as he entered the room.

“Huh?” I looked up.

“It’s time. Let’s go.” He said.

“Alright.” I said, feeling nervous already.

Haneul tightened her grip on my hand.

“Let me go with you.” She pleaded.

“Be good, please.” I said.

“What if you get hurt?” She said.

“I wouldn’t. If I get hurt, you’ll take care of me, right?” I smiled.

“Let me go.” She begged.

“Please, Darling.” I said, cupping her cheeks.

“Haneul ah, let the man do what he has to do.” Hyunseung said.

Haneul looked at Hyunseung, then at the other boys and finally back at me. She sighed and let go of my hand.

“I’ll run out with this if anyone tries to hurt you.” She said, grabbing a scissors from the table.

We all gasped.

“Oh my gosh! Where did you get that from!?” I asked in shock, taking the scissors away from her.

“The table.” She said.

I handed the scissors to Doojoon and frowned at her.

“Little girls like you shouldn’t be meddling with dangerous stuff like that.” I said.

“I’m not a little girl. Besides, you aren’t any older. Just by a year, although you look old.” She teased.

“I look old!? Say that again! Hmph~ I’ll deal with you later.” I said.

“Junnie, hwaiting!” Yoseob said, hugging me.

The boys took turn to hug me and then finally Haneul gave me a really long and tight hug.

“Please, if it’s too much for you to handle alone, just scream my name. I’ll come out. Even if I can’t do anything, at least I can be there to support you.” She whispered.

“I got it.” I said, kissing her forehead.

We broke apart and I smiled at them before heading for the door.

“Junnie!” Haneul yelled suddenly.

“Hmm?” I turned back.

 “I’ll come with you. At least, I’ll walk with you to the door.” She said, appearing suddenly and holding my hand tightly.

The walk from the waiting room to the ballroom was short but it felt so damn long. My hands were shaking and my heart raced. What would their reaction be? Would it be positive? Or negative? What if things don’t go the way I thought it would be? All the ‘what ifs’ that once didn’t exist came pouring into my mind causing my head to hurt badly.

“You’re alone as of now.” My manager Hyung said as we stood at the door.

I put my trembling hand on the door knob, gripping it tightly. From the outside, I could already hear the restlessness of the reporters and whoever else present.

“You can still back out.” He said.

“He is right. You can still back out now. I wouldn’t blame you or anything.” Haneul said.

“No. What kind of man would it make me if I back out now?” I said.

“Is your pride that important?” He asked.

“Hyung, you know it’s not pride.” I said, smiling slightly.

“I know, I know. Junhyung, you’ve changed, you know?” He said.

“For the better or for the worse?” I asked, giggling slightly.

“I’ll tell you later. Go on.” He said, pushing the door knob down for me.

“Hwaiting~” He said, slapping my back.

“I’ll be here waiting for you, okay? And also.. Thank you.. And.. I love you.” Haneul said, kissing my cheek.

The moment I stepped out, camera flashes blinded my eyes. It took me awhile to adjust to the sudden bright lights. I walked to the center of the stage and bowed to those present before sitting down. They continued to snap photos while I waited.

“Junhyung sshi, is it true that the girl in the report is your girlfriend?”

“How long have you guys been dating?”

“Is she a celebrity? She doesn’t look like one.”

“How did you guys know each other? Who is she? Why is she not here today?”

“Are you going public because she is pregnant?”

“Is she the girl that got involved in that accident the other time?”

“Junhyung sshi, are you planning on leaving the industry? If not, why confirm the relationship? You know the consequences, don’t you?”

“Aren’t you afraid of your fans’ reaction?”

“I heard that she got bullied in school, aren’t you afraid that this would only make things worse?”

“Is she from a rich family? Did she force you into this? Were you paid to do this?”

As they bombard me with questions, I clasped my hands together and tried to stabilize my breathing so I wouldn’t sound nervous later on when I answer them.

“Answer our questions, Junhyung sshi.”

 “Firstly, thank you all for coming today.” I said.

“Yes, the report is true. Yes, she is my girlfriend. Yes, she’s the one that was involved in that accident.” I said.

There were many murmurs and furious typing.

“We have been dating for about ten months and still going very strong. She isn’t a celebrity and certainly isn’t pregnant as well.” I said.

“She isn’t here today because unlike me, she isn’t used to the limelight. I don’t see why it is necessary to scare her. And besides, she isn’t feeling too well. Also, she isn’t from a rich family, she didn’t force me into this, neither was I paid.” I continued.

They listened attentively.

“I am not planning on leaving the industry. Of course I am concerned about the fans’ reaction, but I believe they would be mature enough to accept both me and my girlfriend. It is true she got bullied, and I was really upset when I learned about it. I hope that everyone can respect my decision and our privacy.” I said.

“Do your members know about this?”

“Yes they do, and they are very supportive of us.” I said.

“Junhyung sshi, after today, it might be the end of your career, is it worth it?”

“When you find someone you really love, someone who can change your life, you would have the answer to that question. Everything today, I am doing it willing and for only one sole reason; I love her.” I said, standing up and bowing to them.

“Thank you very much.” I said, as I left my seat and headed towards the door.

They shouted after me for more questions but there was nothing more I could say. The moment I stepped out of the room, I felt so relived. Haneul threw herself onto me, hugging me really tightly.

“Are you okay? You’re trembling!” She said.

“I’m fine. Look. I’m fine!” I said, pulling her further so we could look at each other.

“It’s done.” I said, smiling.

“Thank you.” She said.

“I love you!” I carried her up, spinning her around.

“Alright lovebirds, I know you love each other a lot. Psh~ Let’s go. The others are waiting in the car already.” My manger Hyung said.

I intertwined my fingers with hers as we headed for the door.

The moment the door opened, my worst nightmare came true. Fangirls were running towards us, screaming and crying.

I tightened my grip on Haneul’s hand and pulled her closer to me.

“Stick with me. I’m here. Don’t worry.” I whispered.

Haneul’s POV

“OPPA!!! WAE!!!”

“OPPA!!! HOW COULD YOU!!!”

I kept my head down as I let Junhyung drag me through the crowd. Although they were pushing and were trying to grab me, Junhyung’s arm made it really impossible for them to touch me. But still, I wasn’t feeling glad. Instead, I felt guilty.

“SHE’S NOT PRETTY! SHE’S NOT THE ONE FOR YOU!!”

“OPPA!!!”

I know they were saying this out of anger, but their words were still hurting.

“Get in.” I heard Junhyung said as he tugged me.

“You?” I asked worriedly.

I looked up at him for the first time since we got out of the door. His suit was torn and he had scratches on his face and neck. His hair was in a mess too.

“I’ll go after you. Quick.” He smiled, opening the door for me.

“OPPA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I heard one of the girls yell.

I turned back and saw Junhyung getting roughly pulled by his hair. The other girls took this advantage to him all over. I stared in shock, unable to move. His manager was trying his very best to pull him off, but they kept dragging him along. The other security guards were trying to get the girls off Junhyung too  but there were simply too many girls.

“Get in!” I heard a voice from behind yell.

I turned back and saw Dongwoon tugging my arm.

“Junhyung~” I mumbled, pushing Dongwoon away.

I pushed my way through the security and the fangirls. I saw Junhyung try to get himself off but he didn’t want to hurt the girls at the same time.

“I’LL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” One of the girls yelled.

As thou my world stop, I watch blankly as one of them pulled out a penknife and charged towards me. As much as my mind yelled at me to move, my legs were glued to the ground. I closed my eyes, waiting to feel the stab.

“If you’re unhappy about anything, come to me. Stab me, throw stuff at me, scald me with hot water, whatever. But don’t touch her, please. She did nothing wrong. She didn’t seduce me. I seduced her. I asked her into the relationship. I love her, I really do. Please understand.” I heard a familiar voice say.

I opened my eyes and saw a figure in front of me; Junhyung.

Everyone seemed to have froze at that moment. The surroundings were so quiet that it echoed the sound of the penknife hitting the ground. I look down at the blade and saw a trace of blood in it.

“Please~” Junhyung pleaded.

“O.. Oppa.. Sor.. Sorry..” The girl said, looking down. Her body shook violently. She was crying.

“Let’s go.” Junhyung said, grabbing my hand and pulling me along.

He let me into the car first before coming in on his own. The moment the door closed, everyone seemed to have woken up.

“OH MY GOSH! JUNHYUNG!!!” The boys started yelling.

I snapped out from my daze and turned to Junhyung. I held my breath when I saw his white collar stained with red. His hand cupped onto his neck. I pulled his hand away and saw blood oozing from the wound on his neck. It wasn’t very big, but deep enough to cause a lot of bleeding.

“PABO!!!” I yelled as I grabbed whatever I could feel near me and pressed it against his neck.

“I said.. I’ll protect you.” He smiled at me.

“I hate you!” I yelled, crying openly.

“It’s not a deep cut. She didn’t even stab hard.” He said breathlessly.

“Shut up. Stop talking.” I said.

He rested his head against my shoulder and coughed.

“Does it hurt a lot? We’re reaching the hospital. Hang in there.” I said, holding his hand.

“It doesn’t hurt.” He laughed.

“Damn you.” I mumbled.

***

The wound on his neck wasn’t too serious. The doctor gave him three stitches and he was allowed to go back home.

“You look like you just murdered someone.” Doojoon said, looking at Junhyung’s blood stained shirt.

“I know. It’s so weird.” Junhyung laughed.

“Trust you to still be able to laugh.” I said, staring at him.

The boys looked at me, and then back at Junhyung.

“You guys should talk.” Hyunseung said as he gestured the others to leave.

Junhyung and I stood alone in the room of their dorm, looking at each other.

“Change out your shirt.” I said, tossing him a random t-shirt I grabbed from the corner.

He did as he was told and then pouted at me.

“Not cute at all. Sit down.” I said.

He said down and looked at me. I applied antiseptic cream on the scratches on his face and other part of his body.

“Where else are you hurt?” I asked.

“Here.” He said, pointing to where his heart is.

I slapped him on his chest.

“Oww~” He said in an aegyo voice.

“What were you thinking? Huh? You think you were filming Iris or something?” I asked.

“Am I as good looking as Lee Byung Hun? Or TOP?” He asked, smiling.

“How can you still be laughing!?” I yelled.

“Why not? I am happy. I got my message across. There’s nothing to hide now. I can openly go out with you, hug you, kiss you and do other stuff couples do.” He said.

“You’re impossible!” I yelled.

He winked at me and lied down on the bed. He pulled me down, causing me to fall against his chest. He circled his arm around me and prevented me from leaving with his leg over mine.

“What!?” I yelled, poking his stomach roughly.

“Aigoo.. Ouch.. Hahaha! I don’t know to laugh or cry. It’s painful yet ticklish at the same time.” He whined.

“Cry!” I yelled, pushing my knuckles into his stomach.

“Ahhhh please please. Don’t do that. It hurts.” He pleaded.

I stopped. He looked down at me and kissed my forehead.

“Smile, please.” He said.

“How can I smile?” I said.

“Why not?” He asked.

“You’re hurt, again. And, I feel so guilty." I said.

"Guilty?" He asked.

"For this," I said, touching his neck lightly, careful not to hurt him. 

"And also, I feel as thou I’ve crushed the dreams of those girls with my bare hands. I feel like a sinner. Like, I’m doing something gravely wrong.” I said.

He looked at me with an expression that seems to spell hurt.

“So are you saying.. You think your relationship with me.. Is a mistake?” He asked.

“No no no! I don’t mean that!” I said.

“Then?” He asked.

“Just.. I don’t know. I am a fan girl of certain idols too. I know what it is like to know your idol is dating someone else. Although you know you cannot control his life, you can’t help but feel disappointed too.” I said.

“You know how it feels?” He asked.

“Of course! I said I am a fan girl of certain idols too!” I said.

“But aren’t you dating your idol?” He asked, grinning.

“What?” I was caught off guard.

“Aren’t you dating your idol?” He asked, pointing at himself.

I felt my cheeks and ears burn up.

“I think you need to sleep.” I said, trying to get him off me.

“I don’t need to sleep.” He said, holding me down.

“Come on, tell me, aren’t you dating your idol?” He asked again.

The more I ignored him, the more he kept asking.

“TSK! YA! YA! I AM DATING MY IDOL! AISH!! HAPPY!?” I yelled in frustration.

“Yes! Yay!” He laughed.

“How old are you!?” I frowned.

“Three!” He squeaked, showing me three fingers.

“Pedo-noona!” He yelled, pointing at me.

“What!?” I shouted.

“Pedo-noona~” He mumbled, showing me a horrified expression.

“Since I am scaring you, I should leave.” I said, pushing his leg off.

“Ahh no no no! I’m just kidding. Can’t you take a joke, hmm?” He said, back hugging me tightly.

“Get off. The doctor say you need to rest.” I said.

“No.” He said, burying his face in my neck.

“Come on~” I poked his fingers.

“LET’S GO FOR A WALK!!” He shouted, jumping up.

“Aigoo! Don’t jump! Gosh~ And what walk!?” I yelled.

“Let’s go!!!” He said, pulling my arm.

“The doctor say…” He cut me off even before I could finish.

“Screw the doctor!” He said.

And the next thing I knew, I was out of the door.

I wonder where he got so much energy from. Or maybe he was trying to hide his anxiety by being extra hyperactive. Then again, I do hope his happiness is real and not pretend. Whatever that would happen after today, we cannot control, but can only face together.

“Darling.” He called out suddenly.

“Hmm?” I looked at him.

“I love you.” He said.

“I love you too.” I said.

“I love you three.” He said.

“I love you four.” I continued.

“I love you five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.” He laughed.

“I love you eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen.” I said.

“I love you infinitely.” He said.

I froze at his statement.

“One.. Two.. Three.. DAENG!!! You lose! Ice cream on you!” He laughed.

I sighed and shook my head. We arrived at the ice cream store. I took out my wallet but he stopped me. He smiled and paid for the ice cream.

“I thought it’s on me?” I asked as we sat down.

“What sort of boyfriend makes his girl pay?” He said.

“Don’t know.” I laughed, feeding him ice cream.

“Oh! I have something for you.” He said, reaching into his pocket.

He put two beaded bracelet on the table. One was pink and another was mixed blue.

“Wah!” I smiled.

“They call this ‘wish bracelet’.” He said.

“I know.” I said.

“You know?” He asked.

“Yeap. Heard of it.” I said.

“So you should know what to do, right?” He said.

“Is one of it yours?” I asked.

“No. Both is yours. The blue one is longer, so it’s for your ankle. You wear anklets too, don’t you?” He said.

I nodded, picking up the two strings.

“The blue one is called ‘The Evil Eye’.” He said.

My eyes widened.

“I know what you’re thinking. I had the same reaction when I heard about it too. But apparently, this protects you and gives you strength and energy.” He said.

“Then the pink one?” I asked.

“It’s for.. Hee.. Love..” He looked down, smiling to his fingers.

I laughed out at his cute reaction.

“I thought the beads should be pink for it to work?” I .

“The pink beaded one is really chunky! I don’t think you’ll like it.” He protested.

“Alright, I got it.” I said, pinching his cheek lightly.

I picked up the bracelet and held them in my hand. I closed my eyes and made a wish for each bead before letting him put it on for me. I bend down to put the anklet on but he stopped me. He took the anklet from me and knelt down in front of me, tying it for me. People around were staring at us while I tried to hide my smile.

“Done.” He said, smiling.

“Thanks.” I mumbled.

“So, what did you wish for?” He asked.

“If I tell you, it wouldn’t come true.” I said, eating the ice cream.

He pouted, but didn’t ask further.

‘I wish for Junhyung’s happiness.

‘I wish for Junhyung’s success.’

‘I wish Junhyung’s health.’

‘I wish for Junhyung’s future.’

‘I wish for Junhyung to never have to suffer again.’

‘I wish for Junhyung to be able to reunite with his family.’

‘I wish for the infinity of both Junhyung and I'