Quietly Yeong Hwa swung Yoogeun's door closed as she crept out of his room, not wanting to disturb the little guy's trip to dream land. She was praying that her own dream would soon be interrupted, though, and she would wake up from the nightmare she had found herself in. L, one of the seven ultimate Kingkas at Woollim High, was currently waiting patiently for her at the kitchen table after taking some very... awkward photos of her dressed like a princess.

"Nae Yeong Hwa, Warrior Babysitter of Woollim High" Yeong Hwa thought, rolling her eyes heavenward. "Oh God. I'm doomed" she continued as she started down the stairs to face her living Hell. "Doomed" she moaned, pushing open the door to the kitchen. 

Perking up at the sound of her entrance, L turned to face Yeong Hwa with a bright grin on his face. Resting on the table in front of him was his cell phone, a sleek black model that currently harnessed enough evil to completely destroy Yeong Hwa's carefully constructed life. The small device also reminded Yeong Hwa that she ought to call her father that night and give him an update on her current situation, even if she could only do so through a message on his answering machine. He listened to her messages, so it was like she was talking straight to him anyway. At least... she hoped he listened to her messages.

"You aren't necessarily doomed, you know" L commented, gesturing for Yeong Hwa to sit in the seat across from him. Glancing disdainfully at the wooden contraption, Yeong Hwa stalked past him and to the kitchen's sink, where the day's dishes had piled up. She didn't like washing dishes, but it was a heck of a lot more preferable to having a "civilized" conversation with that arrogant Kingka.

From the corner of her eye Yeong Hwa could see L pout slightly, offended that she would ignore him. "Score one for me" she thought, rolling up her sleeves in preparation for tackling the dishes. He didn't remain put off for too long, however, and was soon coming over to join her at the sink with a confident smile on his face. Sighing, Yeong Hwa irritably flicked some water into his face.

“We’re out of school, L. You can't tell anyone about this, so therefore your threats are voided” Yeong Hwa pointed out, sticking her tongue out childishly at L. It wasn't really him that she was worried about, though. Let the moron think whatever he wanted, Yeong Hwa honestly didn't care about some stupid lady's boy's opinion. It was what the others would think that worried her. Especially the others who would eagerly come to claim her title once they learned that she couldn't actually fight back.

Smirking, L rested against the counter beside her. Once again she splashed water at him, but this time L was prepared and managed to duck out the way. Annoyed even more now, Yeong Hwa glared suspiciously at L and waited for this boy to expose whatever ace he thought he was carrying. Looking up at Yeong Hwa through his eyelashes, Myung Soo’s smirk cracked open as he spoke, “do you really think all my contacts are nullified as soon as the summer heat arrives? I still have plenty of people I can speak with about you’re new job. Besides, photographic evidence doesn't simple vanish into thin air”

As though to prove his point, L flipped open his cellphone, revealing a list of contacts inside. Many of the names Yeong Hwa recognized as students from their school, successfully proving L to be correct. Then he went to his photo gallery, where some surprisingly high quality photos of her in a purple princess tutu were located. Shoulder's slumping, Yeong Hwa silently admitted defeat, bringing a triumphant grin to Myung Soo’s face. She knew that he, along with all his Infinite buddies, didn't like that Yeong Hwa's name was more recognizable than theirs, but she hadn't expected him to be this excited about the opportunity to take her down more than a few notches.

It was kind of a cute… in a sadistic, horrible way.

“You wouldn't be drawing this out for so long if you didn't want something for you silence. So, what is it?” Yeong Hwa demanded, trying to keep as much strength in her voice as she could. “Money, bragging rights?” she listed. Her frown deepened as the list continued to grow in her mind, rattling off every possibly payment Myung Soo might desire. One word caught her attention, causing Yeong Hwa to narrow her eyes even further, and lean forward conspiratorially, bringing to L’s ear. “?”

L jerked his head away from hers, a slight blush descending on his face as he stared at her incredulously. “Another point to me” Yeong Hwa thought smugly, crossing her arms over her chest and watching as L tried to gather himself up once more.

“What kind of guy do you take me for?!” He snapped, bringing his voice nearly to shouting level. Instantly Yeong Hwa whipped her hand over his mouth and jerked her free hand’s thumb meaningfully in the direction of the clock, then the stairs that led to the twins's rooms. L’s eyes followed her pointing, like a trained monkey following a banana, and eventually he came to the conclusion she had been going for.

Nodding, he pried her hand away from his mouth.

"So? What will it cost to buy your silence?" Yeong Hwa repeated, her eyes flickering to the ajar kitchen door as she listened for any signs that Yoogeun or Seo Hyeon had been disturbed. It seemed like the both of them were heavy sleepers, though, and that there was no danger of either of them awakening due to their big brother's stupidity.

"You do whatever I tell you, no matter what it is" L determined after only a seconds thought, reminding Yeong Hwa of his much unwanted presence. Apparently she hadn't thrown that diabolical mind of his off for too long, as already he was creating machinations that Yeong Hwa couldn't even begin to dream about.

Biting her bottom lip, Yeong Hwa resisted the urge to slap L and storm out right then and there. She needed the money his mother was offering more than she did her pride, as much as it pained her to say so. "Fine" Yeong Hwa relented, nodding her head stiffly as every portion of her body tried to stop the agreement. "But that's an awfully hefty price" she muttered, trying to find something else she could have L do for her in order to balance out the scales.

"So you also can't tell your parents that I don't spend the night here" she decided, frowning challengingly at L. He seemed a little confused at this demand, though even more so that she had actually agreed to be his "maid", or whatever he had planned. "You didn't think I would honestly sleep in the same house as you, did you? Who knows what you would do to me while I'm helpless!"

"Seriously, what kind of a guy do you think I am?" L muttered, put off by her low opinion of him. Yeong Hwa didn't care, though. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that she honestly believed he would spread this story around the entire country she wouldn't have struck up the deal with him in the first place. "Alright; not like I want you around, anyway" L agreed after some inner debate, apparently no longer at ease with the situation he had placed himself, and her, in.

"Good, let him squirm" Yeong Hwa thought, glad to see that she wasn't entirely helpless.

With the negotiations over, Yeong Hwa didn't hesitate to head towards the door. As she went she could feel L's gaze on the back of her neck, watching her progress as she slipped on her frayed camo flats and swung her backpack over her shoulder. Yeong Hwa forced herself not to look back at him, though. She couldn't let him know that his cool gaze was getting to her; otherwise she was giving another point to him.

"How does he do that, anyway? One minute I've got him flustered and the next he's back to being King of the World" Yeong Hwa thought, comparing the Kingka to her own personality. When she got flustered she remained so for hours, usually resulting in her hiding from human contact until she could regain her composure and thus not damage her reputation. "Someone as popular as him has got to remain calm, I guess. It's a lot easier for him to lose face, after all" she thought as she went to open the door.

Behind her, L's sock covered feet suddenly started shuffling towards her, an important thought apparently having crossed his mind. "Hey, Yeong Hwa" he called out, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb his siblings. Ignoring his attempt to get attention, Yeong Hwa pushed open the door and was about to step out when L's hand braced against her shoulder, stopping her for a second.

Glancing over her shoulder to tell him off, she was met with a rather comical sight. L, in order to catch her before she left, had bee forced to throw himself forward and was now hovering practically horizontal, the only thing keeping him from falling flat onto his face being her support. Just one step forward and she could send the arrogant Kingka sprawling onto his precious money maker. L, probably sensing that this thought was crossing her mind, sent a single warning glare in Yeong Hwa's direction before awkwardly passing her his cellphone.

"Thanks. I've been looking for a new one" Yeong Hwa said, faking ignorance as she shifted her weight slightly and gave the impression of moving forward. Panicked, L let out a little yelp and tightened his grip on her shoulder, preparing for the inevitable fall. Chuckling, Yeong Hwa patted him reassuringly on the hand.

Very much chagrined, L gestured irritably to the cellphone. "Give me your number" he mumbled, averting his eyes away from her penetrating ones. It was like a game of cat and mouse, although neither party seemed to have fully grasped which role they were supposed to be playing.

"And why should I do that?" Yeong Hwa asked honestly, holding Myung Soo's phone out to him.

"In case I need to call you before morning" he snapped, now at the end of his patience with her. Raising her eyebrows, Yeong Hwa tried not to smile and busied herself with typing in her phone number.

She hadn't even gotten halfway through her number when the phone suddenly buzzed, nearly causing Yeong Hwa to drop it in her surprise. Behind her, L tried to snag the phone away with one hand while using the other for balance.

"Just stand up straight, L" Yeong Hwa sighed, getting more than a little tired of this game.

"I'd love to, but that's a lot easier said than done" he retorted, apparently just as annoyed with the predicament as she. Well, at least that meant she wouldn't be suffering alone. "So just hand over the phone."

"Hm.... Nope!" Yeong Hwa replied cheerfully, quickly opening up his messages.

"Nae Yeong Hwa hand over the phone!" L demanded, trying once more to reach over her shoulder and reclaim his precious device. Yeong Hwa was able to easily keep it out of his reach, though, leaving L to only helplessly watch as she began scanning over his latest message from Dong Woo.

Hey, send me more pictures! I want to see her face!

Yeong Hwa's blood ran cold as she read over the ten words that had now sealed L's fate. “You already sent them?!” she snarled, rounding angrily on L and, consequently, ripping his hands off her shoulders. Thrown off balance, he shot forward and sent the both of them tumbling to the floor. Unfazed by this sudden change in orientation, and driven solely by her desire to kill, Yeong Hwa reached out to wrap her hands around L's neck.

“Only one! And it’s only of your back!” L tried to explain, snatching his cell phone out of her grip and scrambling away before she could murder him. Narrowing her eyes, Yeong Hwa sat up and snatched the phone from L’s grasp, flipping through the rest of his messages with killer intent. Besides the one incriminating photo, though, she couldn’t find any photos in his messages. So either he had deleted those messages, or he was telling the truth. Probably the former, but without any proof Yeong Hwa couldn’t justify bleeding the boy out. She would just have to resign herself to a simmering glare in his direction.

“Do you have any idea how recognizable I am?! I’m probably one of the most famous people in the area!” Yeong Hwa snapped, tossing L his cell phone.

“And I’m the arrogant one?” he muttered as he caught his cell phone just before it could smash onto the ground. Yeong Hwa would have preferred to watch the stupid, and dangerous, object's destruction.

"You worry about your reputation because of arrogance and self-righteousness! I worry about mine because if I don't I might lose my head!" Yeong Hwa growled, keeping her voice low enough to keep L from being privy to her thoughts. "Not that you, L, would understand. All you see is a stupid girl who talks with her fists" she added, this time directing her comment towards him.

"You just tried to strangle me!" L said, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. Annoyed that his logic proved correct, Yeong Hwa rolled her eyes and tried once again to leave the house. "And you never finished giving me your number" he added, a bit hesitantly in case she decided to go killer demoness on him again. Sighing, Yeong Hwa held out her hand to him. Carefully, L dropped the cell phone into her hand and then quickly jerked away his hand from her reach, although he tried to play it off a lot more coolly.

"Idiot" Yeong Hwa thought, flipping open his cellphone and angrily jabbing in the last few digits.

"And-"

"Aren't you done yet?!" Yeong Hwa groaned, ing L's cell phone back at him. Hesitantly he accepted the device and slipped it into his pocket, keeping his eyes on Yeong Hwa in case she decided to act out on her anger again. She was way too exhausted to worry about clawing out his eyes, though. Right now, sleep was the only thing on her mind.

"Don't call me L" he finally muttered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Raising her eyebrows, Yeong Hwa crossed her arms over her stomach.

"Why?"

"Because"

"Because isn't an answer"

"Because we're not at school!" L finally snapped, just as tired of the day's events as she was. Frowning, Yeong Hwa nodded. As her "master", at this title Yeong Hwa couldn't help but shudder, she had to listen to whatever he told her.

Unfortunately.

"So what do I call you, then? Master? God?" Yeong Hwa asked, her eyes flickering to the door. She really wanted to just get this whole thing over with and go home, where she could fall asleep on the couch and try to pretend none of this had ever happened. Until tomorrow. And the next day, and the next day, and the next, and... "Just kill me now." she thought, waiting impatiently for L to answer her.

"My name" he finally answered, as though it were the most obvious thing on the planet.

"Myung Soo?" Yeong Hwa asked, making sure she was hearing him correctly.

"Yeah. Myung Soo" he mumbled, possibly having second thoughts about this plan. Yeong Hwa didn't care about his second thought, though. Just the first, which was what he had "ordered" her to do.

"Alright. Myung Soo it is" Yeong Hwa agreed, turning to the door. This time Myung Soo didn't try to stop her, which was probably the best thing for his health, and Yeong Hwa was able to make it out into the clear night air without further stressful encounters. "Night, then" she added, giving Myung Soo a small wave.

He grunted a reply and managed a small wave goodbye before Yeong Hwa shut the door with a soft click, blocking both their lines of sight with a thick hunk of wood. Slowly exhaling, Yeong Hwa leaned her head back and stared up at the black sky, covered by a light dusting of faint stars. Sometimes she wondered what it would be like to see the starry sky in all its glory, rather than the watered down version one got in the city. Maybe she would take the twins out to the country one of these days and they could all see the sky together.

"Camping is always fun, after all" Yeong Hwa thought aloud as she headed down the steps. Of course a trip to the countryside would also mean bringing along Myung Soo. That would definitely be a damper on what might otherwise prove to be a rather fun trip. It wasn't like she could avoid bringing him places, though. The jerk would probably expect to come along on any outings Yeong Hwa took the twins on, since he was their big brother and all.

Groaning, Yeong Hwa pushed aside all thoughts of babysitting the devil and instead decided that now would be a good time to call her dad. Pulling out her cell phone, Yeong pushed the speed dial for her father's number and waited patiently for it to stop ringing. She didn't expect him to answer.

After the answering machine message had its say and the tone went off, Yeong Hwa hesitated for a few seconds. Just what was she supposed to say?

"Um... hey Appa. It's me... again. Just thought to call you again..." Yeong Hwa sighed and ran a hand through her hair, trying to think of what to say. "I guess I have too much time on my hands, with school out and all. Er... sorry for bothering you... um... bye" she finished, giving up on having anything meaningful to say to the man who had been out of her life entirely for the past year. It was just too weird trying to talk to him.

"Who was that?"

"YAH!" Yeong Hwa yelped, jerking around to face whoever had come up behind her. As she turned, her fist swung with all its might at her possible attacker. Just as it made contact with the person's arm, Yeong Hwa recognized who the voice belonged to.

"Kim Myung Soo you idiot!"  Yeong Hwa snapped, stomping her foot childishly against the pavement as a blush began creeping up her cheeks. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she growled, folding her arms angrily over her chest.

Myung Soo didn't seem interested in her anger, though. Instead, he was thoughtfully rubbing at his arm as confusion settled over his face. Realizing what he was beginning to piece together, Yeong Hwa snapped her fingers directly in his face to draw his attention away from her punch. Her weak punch.

The last thing she needed was for Myung Soo to figure out that she, along with being a "frilly princess", was not quite as strong as she led others to believe.

"I thought I should walk you home" Myung Soo explained, drawing his attention away from his arm. This statement was even worse than him worrying about her punch, though.

"Are you serious?" Yeong Hwa questioned, not sure how to react to this sort of thing. Nodding, Myung Soo rubbed his arms to try and fight off the night's chill. Even in the summer, the night grew considerably cold. "Well... no... I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself. Y'know, Warrior Princess and all" Yeong Hwa hesitantly said, the fire dying out of her at this unexpected turn of events.

"Yeah... Warrior Princess" Myung Soo responded sarcastically, though his heart wasn't in it. "Aren't you cold?"

"Uh-uh" Yeong Hwa responded, shrugging her shoulders. Myung Soo didn't seem to believe her, though. Nor did he seem to have heard her when she mentioned that she didn't need or want an home.

"Lead the way" he mumbled, gesturing for her to continue walking. Too tired to argue, Yeong Hwa slowly massaged her temples and started her journey home back up, this time with a tag-along companion.

As they walked in silence, Yeong Hwa couldn't help but repeatedly glance over at Myung Soo. She had hardly pictured him as the type to walk home a girl, especially one that he so obviously hated. After a few minutes of her repeated staring, Myung Soo turned to face her. "What?"

"Hm? Oh... it's just weird. You offering to walk me home and all" Yeong Hwa explained, shrugging her shoulders.

"Why? What have I ever done to make you think I'm a horrible person?" Myung Soo asked, the idea of someone disliking him obviously weighing heavily on his mind. Glancing over at him, Yeong Hwa tried to think of an explanation that was better than "because".

"You're one of the most popular guys at school, and that can really go to someone's head. I figured you would think yourself above me or something" Yeong Hwa mumbled, shrugging her shoulders.

"Great... so I guess that means all the guys think of me like that" Myung Soo sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Myung Soo..."

"Yeah?"

"I'm not a dude" Yeong Hwa chuckled, gesturing to herself as she did so.

"Well, you have the same kind of mind as a guy" Myung Soo explained.

"I have s for crying out loud!" Yeong Hwa sighed, rolling her eyes heavenward.

"Your female parts have nothing to do with your head" Myung Soo pointed out, carefully avoiding the word that Yeong Hwa had thrown out so callously.

"Just go home" Yeong Hwa muttered, gently pushing Myung Soo away as she ahead. Unsure of what he had done to offend Yeong Hwa, again, Myung Soo tried to catch up with her ever increasing pace. "Go home, boy! Now!" Yeong Hwa snapped, jerking her finger in the direction of his house. "I'm apparently not female anymore, so I don't need a moron like you walking me home!" That ended the pursuit quickly enough, leaving Myung Soo standing helplessly on the sidewalk as Yeong Hwa practically flew across the street to escape him.

Author's Note: Growing up with two little brothers I have always had to play the role of the "big brother", and now it is a daily struggle to try and convince my family that I am a girl and thus not interested in the fart jokes and watching my brothers wander around the house ... *sigh* Hence why Yeong Hwa, too, is struggling with convincing people that she is indeed female.

ALSO  the scene has finally been set, so