“I would really like the opportunity to take on a new challenge but to be honest, I don’t think I am ready to handle that kind of position yet,” Krystal answered carefully.

“If you weren’t, why would my father recommend you for the position?” Minho asked.

“Your father recommended me?” Krystal repeated the question.

“Yes.  I named several people that would be good at it but he brought up your name and then I agreed,” Minho answered honestly.

Both Amber and Victoria sat there with their mouths gaping opened. So far this year has not been normal for them and everyday is another challenge emotionally and physically.

“Maybe in a year or two but not this year.  I need more experience before I take on a challenge that may jeopardize many people who should not rely on me when I am still relying on others,” Krystal told him cautiously.

“But the only way to gain experience is to learn from our mistakes,” Minho advised.

“Oh for pete’s sake – the answer is NO, do you not see what she is trying to say to you,” Kai interrupted.

“Am I talking to you?” Minho asked sarcastically.

“No but I’m telling you to back off,” Kai warned him.

“Or what?” Minho challenged.

“You don’t want to know!” Kai sighed.

“That’s enough Kai.  Let him believe what he wants,” Suho suggested.

“And right about now, I really don’t like you one bit,” Minho pointed out.

“No worries.  The feeling is mutual,” Suho agreed.

Beep.  Beep.  Beep.

Everyone pulled out their cell phones.

“Oh.  Sorry, it’s me.  I have to go meet my advisor so I set the alarm to remind myself,” Luna told them apologetically.

Kris nods and let her go.

“I’m surprise you’re not following her,” Minho muttered.

“Why do I need to follow her?” Kris asked.

“I thought you never let her out of your sight?” Minho thought.

“Back off Minho,” Onew warned him.

“Oppa, please don’t make this bigger that what it really is,” Krystal pleaded.

“I am very upset with you and I expected a lot more from you.  But I guess at the end, I will always come out looking like the one being wrong,” Minho told her sadly.

“If you’re going to be mad at someone – then be mad at me and not at them,” Krystal tried to reason with him.

“So are you really saying he had nothing to do with your final decision?” Minho asked.

“It’s not that he didn’t have anything to do with my decision but he also had a good point too,” Krystal answered cautiously.

“So you rather listen to someone who barely knows you instead of someone you’ve known for a long time now?” Minho asked.

Krystal became flustered.

The audience around the table became silent.  Victoria had no say in this round since she was out of the loop.  Amber kept her lips shut.  Sulli was too afraid to say anything at this time.

“Think about this Krystal and think hard before you say anything – who or what you become ten years from now on it’s up to you but to throw away something that could change you who or what you’ll be in ten years could end up being a regret in your life.  You only live once and if you don’t make the most out of it – what’s the point of living?” Minho stated firmly.

Everyone at the table was very surprise at his approach.  It was very diplomatic. 

Krystal was speechless.

“Who or what she becomes in ten years is up to how she chooses to live her life – one day at a time.  Who are we to make that determination for her when we are not her?  Who says we can lead others when we are the ones till learning?  Who are we to determine how her life will be in ten years when we don’t even know where we’ll be?  We’re only human and as a human being we can only do so much and we can only handle so much at a time.  Why push someone into your shoes when evidently they are not ready?  Why add the pressure to someone who could live a normal life like others?  Why Minho?  Why?” Suho asked earnestly.

“You don’t understand,” Minho mumbled.

“What do I not understand?” Suho asked.

“You don’t understand her or her family,” Minho answered.

“What I don’t know nor understand about her or her family – that is my problem, not yours.  I know enough not step where I don’t belong.  I know enough not to stick my nose where it shouldn’t be sniffing around.  I know enough to keep my eyes where they need to be until I’m told to look.  Who are you to show pity on someone much older than you?” Suho tossed back at him.

“Pity?” Minho repeated.

“Pity.  Why would you and your father offer her a position that you clearly know that she is not ready for?  Did you forget that you grew up living that life while she didn’t?  Do you only think of yourself?  If you were thinking about her, you would have avoided at all cost from putting her in a position that her parents are expecting her to fulfill,” Suho added to his argument.

“And if you were really thinking about her, you would let her go and experience life the way you preach,” Minho finally suggested.

The table became silent again.

After a momentarily paused, Suho finally looked at Krystal and said, “the choice is her, I have never forced anyone to stay by my side if they didn’t want to – if you want that freedom, then say so now.”

Krystal eyes popped wide open.

Both Victoria and Amber were shocked.

Another alarm went off again, this time louder than normal.  All the boys pulled out their cell phones and froze.  Mainly Kris who turned really pale.

“We’ll start tracing our surrounding,” Luhan stated and left the café along with Lay, Sehun, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and Chen.  The other stayed back with both Kris and Suho.

“What’s going on?” Victoria asked in alarm.

“Where is Luna?” Suho asked Kris.

“Bo has her, he is on his way back here,” Kris answered vaguely.

“Again, what is going on?” Victoria asked.

“I suggest you stay put where everyone can see you guys so nothing bad can happen.  We have guards stationed around the café for your protection.  Stay put until the security from the school ask you all to clear out,” Xiumin stated.

“Clear out?” Onew repeated.

“Security?” Minho added with a questionable expression.

Luna came running toward the café with Bo right behind her. 

“What’s going on?” Luna asked.

“Someone is here that shouldn’t be here but we’ll take care of it.  Stay with Bo until we get back.  All students are being alert via text and email to stay inside the building until further notice,” Kris answered her sternly.

“Who?” Luna asked.

“I’m not sure.  But promise me you’ll stay put or unless Bo ask you to go, you will follow his instructions,” Kris stated for reassurance.

Luna nods.

“Alright, let’s go,” he told the rest of the boys.

Kai, D.O., Tao, Xiumin and Suho followed Kris out of the café with glancing back.  Krystal was biting down on her bottom lips – not sure whether she was frighten or scared that Suho may have left her for good when she did not respond to his statement.  Did he want to break it off?  Is that why he offered it out loud for everyone to hear?

“B-U to mediation arena.  Luhan plus five are scoping the surrounding.  Kris plus five heading into fire,” Bo announced into his ear piece.

“Trap?” Luna repeated.

“Don’t worry Luna.  We got them covered,” Bo reassured her.

“Who are these guys again?” Minho whispered.

“Someone you shouldn’t be making a threat against,” Onew suggested.

“Or challenge,” Victoria offered.

“Meaning back off when you’re told to,” Amber bluntly stated the fact.

Fifteen minutes went by and slowly the sirens became louder.  Rescue squad sirens were on site and so were the police squad.

“What happened?” Luna asked with much uncertainty.

Bo was focused on listening in on his earpiece.  Bo sighed and closed his eyes.  And then he shook his head.

Luna frowned. 

“Cover all the grounds,” Bo muttered.

“Kris?” Luna asked again.

“Minor injury but he is on his way back up here,” Bo assured her.

Luna releases a sigh.

If there was a dead body, no one saw it.  If someone was injured, no one saw anything.  It was handled with so much secrecy; one could only think it was a minor accident.  However the look on Kris’ face when he entered the café, it was another story.

“Luna, are you ready to leave?” He asked her.

“I am.  But are you okay?” Luna asked.

He nods.

“Where are the rest?” Luna asked.

“Heading to the condo, we’ll meet them there,” he told her.

“Kris, where is Suho?” Krystal asked.

“He’s leading the pack back to the condo,” Kris answered.

“How come he didn’t come back for me?” She asked.

“Was he supposed to?” Kris asked.

Krystal nodded.

“If you want, you may come with us if you like,” Kris offered.

“Since he didn’t come back for me, maybe I should stay here,” Krystal suggested.

Kris frowned.

“Did something happen between the two of you?” Luna asked.

“He offered me freedom since he felt like he was holding me back from reaching my goals,” Krystal stated.

Luna frowned.

“It’s a long story,” Krystal added.

“Should we call him?” Luna asked.

“Not right now since he’s occupied.  Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Kris asked again.

“I’ll stay behind.  He knows where to find me if he needs me,” Krystal declined.

Kris nods and pulled Luna along and left the café with Bo trailing behind them.

Some students came into the café talking about the incident.  Everything was very vague so they could only assume.  No one knows what happened.

“Krystal, I didn’t mean to cause you any misunderstanding.  If I did, I apologize,” Minho told her gently.

Krystal shook her head.

“Geez.  Can’t you just leave her be?  First you didn’t want her and now someone has her, you want her again.  What is up with that?” Amber taunted angrily.

“It has nothing to do with that Amber.  I only want what’s best for her,” he stated.

“What is best for her is to leave her to make the decisions alone!  Not being pressured to making one that would make everyone happy.  She needs to choose what she wants,” Victoria suggested.

“What are you two trying to say?” Minho asked.

“They mean -out!” Sulli chimed in.

“Guys – just leave it be.  I think I had enough for today.  I’m going