“We break up,” Suzy finally announced as she was forced by IU.

“I’m sorry,” IU replied, feeling guilty. She wanted to know the reason but before she could voice out, she remembered the plan that Kikwang told her before. It was a part of the plan. IU kept silent, asking the reason may hurt her bestfriend more.

“It’s okay,” Suzy replied with a small fake smile. “Did you say something about we are entering the final round?”

IU smiled and nodded. They needed to perform it one more time for the judges to decide.

“Will you be able to perform again?” IU concerned. Suzy’s emotion was not stable and it might affect her performance.

Suzy weakly nodded with a simple smile.

**********

“Contestant number 1605,” The master of ceremony announced at the rostrum. For the final round, the stage was opened to the public to test the reaction of the contestants with the audience.

IU’s heart skipped a bit when she heard her number was called. She quickly turned to Suzy who was sitting beside her. They were waiting at the audiences’ seat. Suzy nodded and made a ‘fighting’ sign with her fist. IU smiled before she stood up and slowly walked to the stage with her guitar.

IU started by plucking one of the guitar strings, trying to check the sound of the guitar. She was sitting on a black high chair at the corner of the stage. Then, she looked upward, watching the silent audiences who were waiting. IU smiled, trying to forget her nervousness. IU silently took a deep breath and start plucking her guitar with a slow yet nice melody.

Modu da irueojyeora atillissai
Modu da irueojyeora atillissai
Modu da irueojyeora atillissai
Modu da wonhaneundaero atillissai

IU tapped her guitar. The melody stopped and IU stood up from her seat. She carefully leaned her guitar at the chair and walked confidently to the middle of the stage. At the same time, the spotlight beamed on her. The melody started again but this time, it was faster and catchier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XIRVMqNjFw

IU started her dance steps with frozen smile on her expression. She was nervous and her steps became awkward. Still, she tried to maintain her voice and followed the rhythm. Despite the mistakes, people were cheering for her and she maintained her smile and eye contact with the audiences.

The song ended. The whole stage froze as the stage suddenly darkened. The crowd cheered and clapped loudly, showing their support for IU. IU bowed to the judges and the audience then, slowly made her way to her original seat beside Suzy.

Suzy quickly stood up and hugged IU when IU approached her.

“It’s good,” Suzy complimented, whispered in IU ear.

IU released the hug and shook her head. “You are lying. I’m making a lot of mistakes with the dance steps,”

They both sat on the banquet chair unanimously. Suzy laughed weakly at IU complaint. “But, you didn’t panic,” Suzy paused, thinking. “I’m sure you will improve a lot more,”

“I hope,” IU replied simply.

“Contestant number 3005,” the MC announced.

Suzy could feel her breathing paused. It was Kikwang turn. She knew his number well. She didn’t know what kind of performance he would perform since he never told her no matter how much she asked.

“Oppa, what will you perform for the audition?” Suzy asked, locking her eyes on Kikwang. They were walking out of the mall to the parking lot while their fingers were intertwined.

Kikwang chuckled softly, showing his infamous eyes smiles. “It’s a secret,” he teased.

Suzy eyes widened, confused. “But, why?”

“I want you to watch it with your own eyes,” Kikwang replied, pinching Suzy’s nose.

“It’s unfair. I’ve told mine,” Suzy pouted as she rubbed her red nose.

“It’s a surprise for you,” Kikwang stopped their steps. He released his fingers from Suzy’s and held her shoulder. He looked directly into her eyes.

“Promise me that no matter what happen, you will watch my performance with a smile,” Kikwang tone was serious as their eyes locked to each other.

Suzy was once again confused. Kikwang had changed much recently. Suzy noticed that something was bothering him. Kikwang was silent most of the time when they were dating as his mind was deep into something. Sometimes, she needed to call him for a few times to get his attention. However, she didn’t want to ask. She wanted him to tell her willingly. She tried to search into Kikwang eyes. What was that? Was it anxious? Or was it sadness? Suzy couldn’t figure it out.

“Promise me, baby,” Kikwang repeated as he saw no response from Suzy.

Suzy nodded her head with a smile. “I promise I will smile for you, oppa,” an assuring smile curved on her pink lips.

“Thanks, Suzy,” Kikwang replied the smile, locking their hands together again and continued their paused steps.

Was the promise still relevant? Suzy wondered as she stared blankly at her feet.

“Do you need to get out from the hall?” IU’s question killed Suzy’s thought.

Suzy turned to IU with a blank expression as she was still thinking. Then, slowly she smiled and shook her head. “It’s okay,”

Even they had broken up. A promise was still a promise. She would watch the performance with a smile even if she needed to fake it up.

The speaker started to sound. Suzy quickly turned to the stage as she noticed Kikwang was wearing a Mickey Mouse hair band. The melody continued. Suzy quickly recognized the song. It was ‘Magic Girl’ by Orang Caramel, a cute girlish song. Suzy was mesmerized by the performance. It was funny and cute. She didn’t even have to force out a fake smile. She was smiling as she saw the infamous eyes smile. However, she didn’t notice that at the same time, clear liquids were rolling down her cheeks, revealed her pain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X24R50_OyTU

IU saw the expression in Suzy’s face. She turned to the stage. She also noticed how Kikwang tried his best to look cheerful. IU sighed. They both were going to hurt more after this. Was this plan worthy after all? It would hurt people around her, Suzy, Kikwang as the mastermind himself and most probably Yoseob although this was for his own good. She sighed. She might be hurt too.

“Are you okay?” IU asked after Kikwang performance had finished.

Suzy nodded as she wiped her wet cheeks. “I’m fine,”

She is not. IU thought but she replied with a smile and she patted Suzy’s back to comfort her.

As they were waiting, it was suddenly Yoseob’s turn. However, Yoseob didn’t appear. People were waiting while their eyes wildly looking around, searching for the petite guy. IU was looking around too. Her eyes met Kikwang. However, Kikwang shook his head and shrugged.

Kikwang was also clueless. Was Yoseob still didn’t return from picking up Jiyong? But, it shouldn’t be this long. It was usually just take half an hour. Was something happening to him?

“Contestant 0501, this is the last call. If you do not appear now, your entry will become invalid automatically,” the MC announced. Even his eyes were looking around.

IU became nervous automatically. She didn’t want that to happen. Yoseob might didn’t show it but he did work hard for this audition. He had cramped leg few times during the practices. IU had sometimes stalked him in the middle of the night in her mom's practice room. Sometimes, his nose bled, most probably too tired. IU had seen all those but she didn’t have the courage to approach him no matter how much she was worried.

“5,”

The countdown started.

“4,”

IU bit her lower lips. If only she knew what she could do for him?

“3,”

IU looked around again, searching. Yoseob, where are you? Are you okay?

“2,”

IU closed her eyes, praying that Yoseob would arrive.

Before the MC could announce ‘one’, a voice loudly claimed. “Can I volunteer to take his turn?”

Can you guess who the person? Suzy or another new character? :) Thanks for the comments.