“Sunday morning rain is falling, steal some covers share some skin~” the dining room was filled with the smooth melodious crooning coming from the blonde-haired boy seating across the table. “Hyung, do you even know what you’re singing?” Peniel asked mischievously, his lips turned upwards in a playful smirk. Immediately, the leader whipped his head around, shooting the younger boy a menacing death glare. “Yah, what are you implying about your hyung’s English! Sunday morning! Today is Sunday morning!” Eun Kwang barked persuasively. “It’s not raining though”, Ilhoon said with a smug smile. “I don’t think he understands what he’s singing”, Peniel whispered to you in English, as the both of you broke out in fits of giggles, ignoring Eun Kwang’s confused gaze. “But things just get so crazy, living life is hard to do. And I would gladly hit the road, get up and go if I knew~” Another softer serenade sprung up from beside you. Chang Sub shot you a cheesy smile, and placed his arm around your shoulder. “That someday it would lead me back to you~ that someday it would lead me back to you”, he belted with a dramatic expression as you chuckled at his greasiness. “Here come’s Min Hyuk, you’d better remove your arm hyung!” Hyun Sik whispered from across the table as Chang Sub withdrew his arm quickly. “I saw that Chang Sub-ah~” Min Hyuk scolded playfully as he slid into the empty seat beside you. You laughed heartily when Changsub dodged a towel thrown playfully at him by Min Hyuk, and shot you an ageyo-filled Victory sign. “You know, it really feels so good to be here eating breakfast as a family”, the maknae suddenly exclaimed. You turned towards Sung Jae; lips curling up in a knowing smile. He’s right. Oppas are so busy with practice that we only get to spend time like this on Sundays. “We see each other all the time Sung Jae-ah, and honestly I’m getting a little sick of you”, Ilhoon replied in a deadpan, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “But we hardly get to spend time with noona!” Sung Jae whined, whacking Ilhoon’s shoulder. “He’s right you know; Sundays really are special”, you chimed with a soft smile, watching the BTOB members beam with joy. As all of you tucked in into the delicious spread of an English breakfast, you couldn’t help but smile. The BTOB members were engaged in noisy conversations, the animated smiles on their faces reminding you of children. Even though their sunken faces alluded to their fatigue and lack of sleep, their bright smiles captured their individual personalities vividly. Tuning yourself out of their chatter, your thoughts grew clouded with remnants of your photographic memory. You signed softly when the images drifted back in your mind. Various articles challenging your family’s history, and the stubborn rumoursrevolving the person you loved the most. Stealing a glance at Min Hyuk, you smiled upon seeing him and Eun Kwang bicker fondly. That smile threatened to fade, but you fought to keep it there. The BTOB members meant the world to you; they were family in its truest sense. Throughout your ordeal, they had been a strong pillar of support. Now, seeing them with radiant smiles plastered on their faces, you wanted desperately to keep those smiles there. Oppas really deserve to have their dreams come true. The last bit of your resolve wavered, as your lips fell into a thin line. The fork you were holding stopped in mid-air, as you made a resolution. You were going to protect your oppas from those harmful rumours, even if it would hurt you instead. You couldn’t let the rumours affect their chances of success; they were so close to achieving their dreams. Shoving a piece of toast into your mouth, you chewed absentmindedly. As your heart lurched, you turned to look at Min Hyuk. As if hearing your thoughts, he turned towards you as your eyes locked in an intense gaze. You watched as his eyes curled into slits, his ‘W’ shaped lips rising in a perfect smile.I’m so sorry Oppa… You thought before shooting him a bittersweet smile. It would be extremely difficult, and it meant fighting against your heart, but you knew that it was the only way you could help them. Help him.

Later in the afternoon, you and the BTOB members were lazing around in the living room. You were rather distracted by your burdensome thoughts, but thankfully, Min Hyuk didn’t seem to notice. However, you did catch Sung Jae eyeing you suspiciously a few times. But the maknae was sitting on the other end of the sofa, and so he couldn’t confront you about it. “Let’s cook dinner together tonight! It’ll be pretty fun”, Hyun Sik suddenly suggested, much to your dismay. You weren’t much of a good cook; in fact you were probably only a pro at cooking delicious cup ramen. You hid your slight reluctance though, when the boys lit up in eagerness. The eight of you decided to head out later to the convenience store to buy the ingredients. The plan was to meet back in the living room at 5, leaving everyone with an hour to bathe and get ready. As the boys dispersed quickly to the other wing, you followed them with tentative steps. Looking ahead, you saw that Eun Kwang and Min Hyuk had disappeared down the hallway, racing each other for the bathroom. Glancing sideways, you noticed that Sung Jae was hanging back, watching you intently. When you returned your gaze to the floor, you could see from the corner of your eye that he was about to run after his hyungs. It was now or never. Sung Jae was the only one who could help you with your plan. “Sung Jae-ah, could I talk to you for a while”, you said softly, a sad smile tugging on your lips. You watched the younger boy turn back curiously, his black eyes searching your empty gaze. The both of you strolled towards a quiet lounge area of the wing, away from the other members. “What’s wrong noona? You’ve been really out of it today”, He asked worriedly. You could fool the others, but you couldn’t fool him. For his age, he was really observant. “Could you help me with something?” You asked hesitantly, avoiding his dagger-like stare. “Sure noona, would you tell me what’s wrong?” He asked again, desperation clear in his deep voice. You sighed deeply. “I’m sure you guys know about the speculations behind our family and inheritance. And- you probably know about the rumours regarding Min Hyuk and his adoption”, you said quietly, the sadness apparent in your quivering voice. “How did you find out?” Sung Jae gasped, his eyes widening in surprise. “I saw it on the internet. Why didn’t any of you tell me?” You asked, eyes twinkling with hurt. “Min Hyuk hyung told us to keep it from you. He didn’t want you to worry. The company’s still trying to diffuse the reports”, the maknae explained, his voice straining with persuasion. “If the rumours go on, Min Hyuk’s true identity will be exposed. If that happens, it would affect BTOB’s debut! I can’t let that happen”, you exclaimed stubbornly, clenching your fists. “Noona, you don’t have to worry about us-“, the younger boy started to say before you interrupted him. “I can’t help but worry. You and the rest of BTOB are the closest things I have to family”, you whispered, feeling your eyes well up. Shock and panic registered on Sung Jae’s chiseled face when he realized that you were crying. “Noona…”, he whispered, reaching out his hand towards your cheek. You braced yourself for the contact, and despite flinching a little, Sung Jae didn’t pull back. With hesitant hands, he wiped off the tears rolling down your cheek. “How can I help?”He asked, eyes shimmering as he looked at your tear-stained face. “I need you to pretend to be in love with me. Let’s pretend to be together”, you said determinedly, watching his face contort in disbelief. “It’s the only way I can get Min Hyuk to forget about me. Our relationship would only bring the rumours to light. If they find out about our relationship, they would find out about his true identity. To everyone else, we’re just siblings”, you explained desperately, clutching on to Sung Jae’s arm. “Noona, I’m sorry but I can’t do thi-“ he stammered as fresh tears spilled down your face. “Please Sung Jae-ah, you’re the only one that could help me”, you pleaded earnestly, looking up at the handsome features of the younger boy. Sung Jae felt as if his heart was tearing into two. How could he do this to Min Hyuk? At the same time, he couldn’t reject your request. Looking into your eyes, he could see your desperation, and the depths of your love for Min Hyuk. You truly wanted to help him, and the rest of BTOB. Did he have the heart to turn you down? Even though he was younger than you, he always had an unexplainable urge to protect you. Maybe it was because of your vulnerability, but he knew that something else was pulling him in. He had always pushed aside the mere possibility of his hidden feelings, because he knew that he could never compete with Min Hyuk. It was clear who your heart belonged to, and yet a part of him would be satisfied for you to be his, even if it wasn’t real. He just couldn’t say no to you. It felt like minutes had passed before Sung Jae nodded slowly, an unreadable expression filling his eyes. The corners of your lips tugged upwards, as you tasted the saltiness of your tears. “Thank you”, you whispered so softly that no one except him could hear. 

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ANNYEONG! A short but meaningful update for all of you, because I know all of you want to know who the second male lead would be! And dang dang dang dang- it's Sung Jae! I have to admit, I really really really wanted it to be Eun Kwang *cries*, but i had the twist in mind already, and somehow I just couldn't imagine Eun Kwang agreeing to Mi Young's request. I mean, what about MinKwang right! He wouldn't ever do that to Min Hyuk! :3 But don't worry! I promise to write in a sub-plot for Eun Kwang, Ilhoon and Changsub! ! I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you guys, and stay tuned to find out what will happen from now on! ): Please leave me comments <3 Thanks everyone!