“Oppa, I...”
 

“Kyuhyun-ssi, Seohyun-ssi, it’s your stage next. Please go to your places now.”
 

It took me a good three-seconds before realizing what was happening, and when I did, he was already waving his hand while walking to the other side of the backstage. Seeing him smiling cheekily, I sighed a little. I must have been so crazy to think he was being serious just now.. But why is my heart pounding so quickly? I remembered telling myself to forget it all and focus on our performance.. Which I failed quite terribly. As many people had noticed, it appeared. It had been going perfectly, just like the first day, until I looked at him and all the sudden, I sang the wrong part. He glanced at me for a very little while, before covering my mistake. Although we did finish the performance without much hassle, once it was done, I hurried to the bathroom to calm myself done. From his joking confession, my mistake and us holding hands, which we had done for the umpteenth time already. I did not know then why I was so nervous and why my heart would not stop beating so fast. All I knew, my eyes were already puffy when I looked at myself in the mirror. Could not wash the face, though. I still got some performances and the make-up artists would not like it to see me ruining their work.

Yet, in the end, I still did come out to look for him and apologize for my mistake.

Only to find out, he was already waiting for me outside the bathroom.

“Oh, thank you Oppa for helping me out just now. I’m really sor..”


“Seohyun-ah, are you okay?” He looked at me worriedly, taking my hands into his. “It’s alright, don’t worry about it and just focus on your next performances, okay?”

The next thing he said, however, was something I could have never expected.

“This may sound really cheesy, but uhh, I like.. No, I love you Seo Joohyun. I thought this was just a temporary feeling, but the thing is I could never get my mind off of you and the fact is I don't even want to.."

He was still holding my hands while I remained silent.

"I'm not looking for an answer or anything Seohyun-ah. I just want you to know that, no matter what happens, I will always be there for you. Be strong Seohyun-ah! Please? It really breaks my heart seeing you like this.."

Right at that time, that place, and that moment, I realized why I had been so nervous. Why had I never noticed it before? All those CF shoots, our SEOUL MV project and these past duet performances. How he persisted for me to sing his part during our Sorry Sorry performances. Him insisting for me to go watch Shinee's first concert together with him. The looks he had when I told him about my dates with Yonghwa-oppa. How he had been taking care of me.

How, all this time, I had been more than happy to be receiving his attention.

And for once in my life, I hesitated. Upon realizing that I did care for him too. And upon recalling this responsibility matter my mother once told me of.