Two weeks had already passed since SHINee’s appearance on Music Station. Thankfully for the boys, their activities after that went along fine, and they had managed to use their Japanese well.

  For Taemin, during most of the days he would find himself daydreaming about one particular girl, who has been haunting his mind as of late. It was to the point where he sometimes couldn’t concentrate on his work.

  Since that day, SHINee and KARA didn’t have similar activities, but even his busy schedule couldn’t keep his mind off of her. That’s how strong this feeling was to him.

  He kept thinking about what might have been, and he was getting tired of it. He realised then that he had to do something quick.

  “Key-hyung, can I ask you a question?” Taemin began nervously.

  The boys just finished another round of promotions for Sherlock. Onew, Jonghyun and Minho were already preparing for bed, too exhausted to do anything else for the day while Key was lying on the couch in the living room watching TV.

  The older member glanced at him lazily. “What is it?”

  Taemin gulped. “Er, you’re close with Nicole-noona, right?”

  Well, that certainly got Key’s attention. He shot up on the couch, switched off the TV and peered suspiciously at the younger boy. “Yeah, so?”

  “Er, I need your help.”

  “With what?” Key’s curiosity was building. So was his impatience.

  Taemin sighed and walked back and forth in front of the TV, clearly worried about something. “First, you can’t tell anybody else about this.”

  Key was surprised at how grave he sounded. “Whoa, why so serious? Are you in trouble?” he asked in concern, which then turned to anger. “And what’s this got to do with Nicole? What have you done to her?” he demanded.

  Taemin looked at him, exasperated. “This isn’t even about her!”

  “Then what is it about?! Tell me now!” Key’s voice is now two octaves higher and louder.

  Taemin sat down next to Key and looked at him in the eye. “I need a favour. From you and Nicole-noona.”

  Key growled. “For the last time, what is it?! You better tell me quick, Lee Taemin, or else I’ll–”

  “I want to ask Jiyoung out.”

  There was a ten-second silence as information was thoroughly processed in Key’s brain.

  “Oh,” Key finally s