The Five Steps towards Sandara Park’s Heart (Cont.)



“Dara…” I held her hand as she began to walk down the hall of YGE. Jiyong turned around to look at us, stopped and waited for me to retreat my hands but I didn’t.


“Dara, I need to talk to you.” I told her, no, I begged her. She looked at me for awhile as if contemplating what to do then signaled for Jiyong to go ahead of us. I saw Jiyong sighed and let go of her hand, giving it a little squeeze before letting it go.


We walked in silence towards my car. The silence we had was deafening, something I was not used to. Before all of this turmoil happened, we were alright with silence. The silence that we had back then in Tokyo wasn’t an awkward one. 


Unlike this.


“Dara-yah, are you mad at me?” I asked her hesitantly. She looked at me in surprise, as if not expecting that question at all.


“Ani, Khun Khun. I’m not mad at you.” I heaved a sigh of relief. “It’s just that I don’t want you to become another pawn to Soo Man-sshi’s plan.” She finished, looking down on her shoes.


Somehow, what she said made me feel a lot better.


“It wasn’t Soo Man who forced me to take the test, Dara-yah. It was my own decision.” I admitted. “I know that this is the right thing to do, to be upfront with everyone and let them know once and for all how I feel for you.” I took her hand and held it with mine. It felt cold against my touch, probably from the shock she got a while ago. “Myself being a damage control was just a bonus, Dara-yah. My real intention for taking the test is to be with you, without any intrusions, without any objections.” I told her firmly.


She just looked at me and smiled, sadly. “What about Yoona, then?” She asked me, her eyes full of questions.


“What do you mean, Dara?” I asked her. I felt nervous, not really knowing what she and Yoona talked about when they left earlier.


“Come on, Khun Khun. I already know that she’s the girl you told me about the night before we left for Japan.” She said as she turned her back against me and walked leisurely, looking up at the sky. “I know that she’s the one you left to protect.” She told me.


“She told you that?” I asked her. She nodded with a smile.


“I actually feel bad about her. Do you really have to leave her that way?” Her voice was being clouded with irritation.


I took a deep breath and sighed. I knew that topic would come up sooner rather than later. 


“I admit I was an as$hole for doing what I did to Yoona. I didn’t want to hurt her. I loved her so much that I didn’t want to hurt her any longer. I thought that by being a jerk, being a man she would despise, will help her forget about me completely and help her move on.” I bowed my head in shame as I remembered the way I left, just right after she gave her all to me. 


“I didn’t know that it only caused her too much pain. I didn’t know that until now, I still cause her so much pain…” I felt tears welling up my eyes as they threaten to fall. I bit my lip to prevent any more drama.


“Do you really have to leave her like that? Couldn’t you have given her a proper closure? Couldn’t you just have work things out between the two of you?” She asked me too much questions, questions I don’t know the exact answers to. We entered my car and sat there, letting her questions float by us.


“I wanted so much to make things work for us. I wanted to tell the world that it’s Im Yoon-ah that I love and not Victoria Song but I couldn’t. I was bound by a contract for We Got Married and confessing to the public that I was in love with Yoon-ah would result to complications knowing that we were being hyped as the sweetest couple on the show.” I looked at her in exasperation. 


“Every day I would see her crying a little, reading the comments of Khuntoria fans bashing her, making her feel she was not worthy of me. Netizens were already noticing the growing tension between us, the undeniable chemistry we had even if we were far from each other. They hated her for trying to steal me from Victoria. They were so caught up with my make-believe relationship with Victoria that they failed to realize that it was Yoon-ah who truly owned my heart.” I let the tears fall now, not minding if I looked like a fool to her.


“Even though she tried to mask it, I knew she was hurting. Even if she smiled that blinding smile of hers, I could see behind the smiles the pain she had struggled to hide. I knew I was being unfair to her for keeping her with me when I couldn’t even tell the world that I love her. I knew I was to her for making her feel my love when we’re alone but when the camera was rolling, a different girl was in my arms. I decided then that I will let her go and let her find the man who can give her the happiness and love she deserves.” I bowed my head and gripped the steering wheel. It pained my heart knowing that Yoona was still suffering all this time though we were already apart.


“I felt that I was not deserving of her love. She loves me too much, too much that she even gave herself to me.” I remember the night we became one. It was one of the happiest moments in my life, a moment I will surely remember for the rest of my life.


“Why did you let her give herself to you when you know damn well that you will just leave her?” I cringed as I heard the disdain in her voice. I deserve that, I guess.


“Because I was selfish.” I bowed my head once again afraid to see the disappointment in her eyes. “I wanted to let her feel how much I loved her, how much I ached to be with her, how much she meant in my life, even if I knew I would eventually leave her…” I felt my voice cracking as I suppressed my tears from falling.


“I also wanted to feel her love for me, her passion for me. I wanted to feel us becoming one so that when we eventually part, I would still have those memories of being with her to sustain me, to keep me alive.” I confessed to her for the first time the thoughts I never shared with anyone, not even with my best friend, Woo.


I stopped for awhile and let my tears flow freely. It was the only time I was able to let out everything that I have kept hidden inside me.


I recalled the moments I shared with Yoon-ah.


I recalled the many times she made me laugh, the many times I made her laugh.


I recalled the countless fights we had and the numerous make-up dates we shared.


I recalled the memories we captured which were all hidden inside a box we called our own.


I could have recalled a lot more if not Dara’s soothing voice that brought me back to where we were.


“I don’t blame you, Khun Khun.” She told me softly as I felt her squeezed my hand gently. 


“You were just like Jiyong. You wanted to protect Yoon-ah so much that you failed to see that you hurt her in the process of doing so.” I nodded as I knew that her words couldn’t be truer.


“I just wished you weren’t that insensitive to her awhile ago. She was really hurt with what you did, you know?” She told me meaningfully. I looked at her and give her an apologetic smile.


“Mian. I didn’t mean to do that. God knows how much I don’t want to hurt her anymore.” I told her, gazing deep into her eyes. “But God also knows how much I have fallen deep for you, Dara…” I told her with all sincerity in my heart.


“Khun Khun…”


I didn’t let her finish. I wanted to let her know that what I feel for her is real. It was too damn real.


“I know I’m being insensitive, Dara, for pursuing you like this. I know that you still have not resolved your feelings for Jiyong and I know until now you’re still confuse on who to choose between us…”


I took her hand and placed it on my chest, hoping she could hear the silent plea of my heart.


“But I love you too much, Dara. I just can’t give you up.”


“I just can’t let you go away and see you walking happily with him.”


“I know I can make you happy, Dara. Maybe even more than he could.”


“If you just will let me, Dara. If you will just give me a chance…”


















I looked at my ceiling once again, trying in vain to find the answers to questions I knew were hard to find. That had become my hobby ever since I came back from my little talk with Khun Khun.


So many things had happen earlier. So many revelations were left opened that I don’t know anymore what to think.


So for the nth time, I looked at the ceiling, wishing and hoping that the answers would fall one by one.


I felt my phone vibrated by my bedside table. I took it and opened my inbox.


Ji: How are you, D?


A small smile appeared on my face as I read his message.


D: are you really asking me how I am or you want to ask how my talk with Khun Khun go? 


I couldn’t help but . The jealous dragon was too transparent.


Ji: Arasso, arasso. You know me too much. >:<


D: you’re just too transparent, dragon… ;p


I giggled as I once again.


Ji: ANI. You just read way too much into what I say, Ssantokki. >:p


I stuck my tongue out to my phone, as if he could see me.


D: whatever you say, dragon! 


Ji: haha So how was it?


I laughed. He was really determined to know what we talked about.


D: persistent, neh?  we just talked about things… things that you shouldn’t know… kkkkkk ^_^


I giggled as I waited for his reply. It didn’t take that long for him to do so.


Ji: D-AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:<


D: OMO! The dragon’s furious!! OTOKE???!!! =S


I laughed as I sent the message. I immediately grabbed the phone once it beeped again.


Ji: Seriously,D. You’re killing me here…  


I sighed and let out a small smile as I imagined Jiyong pouting like a child.


I keyed in my reply and hastily sent it to him.


D: he wouldn’t give up, ji… not even if you’re the examiner… he told me he’s serious with his intention for me… he said he wouldn’t give up…


I told him honestly. I believe he deserved to know that.


It took awhile for him to reply. I thought he already fell asleep so I began to tuck myself into bed as well. The day had been so exhausting, physically and mentally. The mental battle I was having with my mind and heart was taking its toll on me.


Just when I was about to close my eyes, I heard the loud beeping of my phone.


Ji: what did you feel when he told you that?


It was a simple question that deserved a simple answer. Yet, no matter how much I rattled my brain to get the right answer, all I could come up with was a vague one.


D: i don’t know, ji… I really don’t know… so many things have been happening that sometimes, I don’t even know what’s real anymore…


I sighed deeply as I placed my phone in my chest, feeling the heavy feeling never leaving my chest.


His reply, however, brought a new feeling to me.


Ji: Things may be crazy at the moment but trust this, whatever happens, I’ll be by your side. No matter if I’m close beside you or watching you from afar, I’ll still be there for you, cheering you on or silently watching you. People or circumstances may keep us away from each other but this heart of mine, it will find a way to be always with you.


It was something simple and yet it had the power to lift off the heavy feeling I was enduring earlier.


G-Dragon was known to have a way with words, to make people believe in what he raps.


But Kwon Jiyong has a special way to make my heart feel at ease.


D: Kamsahamnida, Ji… 




















I saw Woo eyeing me intently as I was dressing up in our room.


“Why are you doing this, bro?” He asked me out of the blue.


“What do you mean?” I asked him, confused at what my best friend was trying to point at.


“Pursuing Dara.” He told me simply. I looked at him, bewildered at his question.


“Why are you even asking me that? I thought you supported me on this?” I asked him. Does he suddenly regret giving up? Does he want to pursue Dara now? I shook my head as I was convinced that Woo had no intention of doing that.


“I don’t plan on pursuing Dara, pabo.” He clanked his teeth as if not believing the way I was thinking. Does this guy read minds? Freaky… I shuddered at the thought.


“I support you, of course. I know how much you care for her and I know how much you want to protect her.” He continued. “It’s just that things are getting complicated now. There are a lot of people involved now. Jiyong… Yoona… Soo Man-sshi… the fans… I don’t think the two of you will have the peace of mind you would want even if you pass those tests.” He finished, looking at me with concern in his eyes.


“I know that, Woo. I know the odds are stacked against me especially knowing that Jiyong will be the final examiner.” I felt my fists tightening. “But I can’t give up. I can’t give her up just because I’m intimidated. I have waited for so long for her. I have kept my feelings for her for so long. I think I deserve this chance to prove that I’m worthy of her.” I told him firmly. I had never been so sure of anything in my life.


“If you say so, bro. I just don’t want to see you getting hurt again.” He told me solemnly. I smiled at him gratefully, grateful for the concern and love he was showing me.


“Kamsahamnida, Woo. That would really help me a lot later.” I told him sincerely as I picked my things and made my way out of our door, on my way towards the five steps that would take me to Sandara Park’s heart.















I looked around my artists who were all gathered to witness the highly-anticipated examination of Nichkhun Horvejkul, the courageous beastly idol of 2PM, set to capture the heart of YG’s and 2NE1’s Fresh Vocal Sandara Park.


I smiled contentedly as I watched my selected artists prepare for Nichkhun’s tests. Jinu and Sean were with Hwang Ssabu. They were carefully monitoring Nichkhun, who was running on the treadmill while rapping “Frum Da Tip of My Tung”, one of Twista’s fastest songs. I shook my head at the ridiculously hard task the boys made Nichkhun do but a smile crept on my face as I saw the determination on the boy’s eyes. Though he was running like a madman on the treadmill and panting like crazy while rapping to a fast beat, he didn’t show signs of faltering.


After ten minutes of pure torture, Jinu, Sean and Hwang Ssabu all gave me their score sheets while chuckling and shaking their heads as if in disbelief.


I reviewed the score sheets and raised my eyebrows in amusement.


Nichkhun Horvejkul: 89%


I looked at the three examiners as if asking them to explain.


“That boy doesn’t know the meaning of giving up. He was willing to go on for another ten minutes.” Kush chuckled while continuously shaking his head. “He reminds me so much of our dragon boy when he took this test.” He smirked as Jinu let out a laughter.


I turned my attention towards the examinee who was now being led to a different room to take his second test. I followed them into the dance hall where Youngbae and Jae Wook were already waiting for Nichkhun.


Though still exhausted from the earlier test, Nichkhun stood with so much dignity that you couldn’t help but give the guy some respect.


Jae Wook was showing Nichkhun some moves, moves that were not the usual 2PM moves. Youngbae was hiding his amusement with his chinky eyes but I could tell he was on the verge of laughing out loud as he watched the astonished look on the charming idol’s face.


“You are telling me to do what?!” Nichkhun still couldn’t believe what the guy told him to do.


“Khun, I think Jae here told you that you will be doing some ballet moves.” Youngbae repeated, struggling to conceal the amused tone in his voice.


Nichkhun looked at me, as if asking for confirmation if that was indeed a valid test for him. I just nodded at him curtly.


I saw him sighed in defeat and turned his attention towards Jae Wook who was already showing him the moves he needed to imitate.


After a few minutes, a loud music sounded in the background, silencing the on-lookers inside the dance hall. Daesung, Young Don, Young Deuk, Jae Wook, Youngbae and I all watched in silence as the Thai Prince of 2PM took on center stage.


It wasn’t a flawless performance at all. There were a couple of times that the boy missed a step or so. But the boy did not let those momentary glitches ruin his performance. He still continued on, doing his best to finish the dance routine.


I watched Jae Wook and Youngbae started writing on their own score sheet. He watched at how Youngbae’s face turned from serious to an amused one. He then laughed a little before finally writing the score he gave Nichkhun.


They both presented their score and I went to tally them. My eyes grew wide as I saw the combined scores of the two for Nichkhun.


Nichkhun Horvejkul: 83%


I looked at the two who were both eyeing me, probably waiting for my reaction. When I looked at them though, both just gave me a shrug of their shoulders.


I didn’t expect Nichkhun to pass the second test. After all, he messed up a couple of steps. But while watching him do the routine, I somehow got the reason Jae Wook and Youngbae passed him. The boy had courage of steel and determination of a champion.


I smiled to myself as I realized that I may have underestimated the guy. Sure, he looks all cute and boyish and harmless but beneath that façade, I was discovering an entirely different person. Nichkhun Horvejkul was one gutsy guy.


I walked into our lounge, the place where my artists love to hang out and relax. Dong Wook, Seung Hyun, y Lee and Yang-gaeng were all seated comfortably on the couch, wearing a confident smirk on their faces. Not far away from them, Seungri was seated on a bean bag, eyeing the examinee with such scrutinizing eyes.


“What are you doing here, Seungri-ah?” I asked him. He looked at me with his puppy dog eyes.


“Please, hyung, let me watch this. I want to ensure my Dara-noona will not be dating a psycho.” He pouted then frowned when Nichkhun hissed at him.


I chuckled at Seungri’s childish act. As much as I don’t want him hanging around, creating unnecessary distractions during Nichkhun’s exam, I knew how much the maknae adores and regards his Dara-noona. I knew how much the maknae would want to protect her and I knew that it pained the poor boy that he was not a part of the examiners for Nichkhun’s tests.


“Arasso. But don’t be a distraction, ok? If you start a riot, I will kick you out of the room.” I told him sternly. I saw him smiled widely as if winning the lottery.


“Kamsahamnida, hyung!” He ran with outstretched arms, signaling that he was going to give me a hug but I stopped him with a mere pointing of my index finger. He understood that going a few steps further will lead to removal of his viewing rights.


The test had begun. Yang-gaeng, along with y Lee, brought out a rack full of clothes of different brands and styles. The four examiners watched with interest as Nichkhun started pulling out stuffs one by one, scrutinizing them before walking into the life-size mirror and placing the clothes against his body one by one.


After a few minutes, Nichkhun picked up three pieces: a red checkered polo, a comfortable pair of jeans and a gray hat. After awhile, he went out of the comfort room and stood in front of the examiners. I saw Seung Hyun raised an eyebrow while Yang-gaeng and y Lee almost gagged. Dong Wook, howeve, just eyed the boy in silence, concealing the smile that formed in his mouth by resting his hand against his mouth.


“Tell us, Nichkhun. Why did you choose that outfit?” Dong Wook asked, rather curious.


“Neh, Nichkhun. That is what you usually wear, right? Why didn’t you try another style?” Seung Hyun asked which earned a nod from y Lee and Yang-gaeng while Seungri just snorted. I shot the BIGBANG maknae with a look to shut him up which proved to be effective as he cowered on his corner.


“I could have chosen a different style from my own. That’s true. But isn’t this test all about finding the man that is suitable to date Dara? How can I be suitable for her if I would mask who I really am just to impress you guys?” The boys all looked at him, shocked at the examinees’ audacity.


I, on the other hand, couldn’t help but marvel at the wisdom the boy was showing.


After a long discussion between the four, Dong Wook submitted their score sheets which showed the combined score of the four. Feeling a peculiar presence beside me, I hurriedly folded the score sheet and growled at Seungri who have materialized from nowhere.


“Mian, hyung…” He bowed in apology and went back to his little corner.


I opened the sheet once again and smiled as I saw the average score the examiners gave him.


Nichkhun Horvejkul: 96%


It was the second to the last test but the determination on the boys eyes were still there. He silently walked inside Teddy’s studio and greeted his sunbaes with utmost respect, bowing to Kush and Teddy who were already seated.


Nichkhun took a seat and anticipated his next test. Teddy looked at the exhausted guy then walked towards me.


“You sure are exhausting the kid, hyung.” He teased me while wriggling his eyebrows towards Nichkhun. 


“He asked for it.” I answered with a smile. Teddy smiled as well but grew serious as he leaned closer to me, as if not wanting the other two inside the room to hear what he was about to say.


“Don’t you think it’s a bit biased of you to make Jiyong the last examiner knowing that our boy is the rival of our examinee? For sure he will fail the poor boy.” He looked at Nichkhun and shook his head sadly.


I smiled at him though I was a bit disappointed. “Teddy, I didn’t know you don’t have that much trust on my judgment.” My statement made him flinch. 


“I thought you are friends with Jiyong? Don’t you know him enough?” I asked him which made him wrinkle his nose and forehead as if in deep thought.


“I know that Ji is one of the most fair and rational person there is but when it comes to Dara…” He paused and ruffled his hair. “It seems he loses all reasons and rationality.” He finished with a sigh.


I laughed at him which made him frown. “You have a lot to learn, Teddy.” I told him with a smile.


“Never ever underestimate the mind of a person in love.” I told him as I shoo him away, signaling the start of the fourth test.

























The fourth test was a test of endurance. Teddy and Kush prepared a mix tape that contained different mash-ups of songs that can make anyone who listens to it for more than five seconds lose his or her sanity. To make things a little harder, apart from listening to the mix tape through a headphone, Nichkhun must also state twenty reasons he likes Dara Park and he must NOT repeat the things he already said.


Nichkhun bravely took the headphone and placed it securely in his ears. Kush, smirking evilly, played the mix tape in maximum volume, making Nichkhun jumped in surprise.


After a few seconds, Nichkhun had recovered and started stating the reasons he liked Dara Park. I smiled as I listened on, feeling the sincerity in the boy’s voice.


“I like her even if she’s clumsy which leads to her getting into countless slips and minor accidents. It makes me want to protect her so much…”


“I like her even if she wears baggy clothes and weird hairstyles. It makes me admire her self-confidence, that she is not afraid to look ridiculous or like a boy and she doesn’t see herself as a mere pretty face…”


“HUH! I’ll tell noona you think she looks ridiculous!” 


I shot Seungri a warning look which shut him up again.


I looked at Nichkhun and noticed that he was so focused on concentrating that he totally blocked his surroundings.


“I like her for she always thinks about other people before herself. She so selfless that she doesn’t mind if she’s at the disadvantage already…”


And he continued on, mentioning the many reasons he had fallen for our princess. Most of his reasons were things we already knew about here in YG while others were things we have yet to discover of her.


I glanced at Teddy and Kush who were listening intently. The evil smirk on Kush’s face was already erased and was replaced with an admiration. Teddy, on the other hand, was frowning in deep thought.


It took a while for the two to settle with their combined score. It must have been a struggle on what score they would give the guy was the rival of their dear friend.


“You really give us the hardest things to do eh, hyung?” Kush teased me as he gave the score sheet that had the combined scores of the two.


“Wonder how Jiyong will fair on this one. He got his work cut out for him.” Teddy smirked as he tapped my shoulder and followed Kush outside of the studio.


I looked at the score sheet and then to Nichkhun who was smiling like crazy. Crazy kid. I told myself.


I looked again at the score sheet. Nichkhun Horvejkul: 89%


I signaled for Nichkhun to follow me as I led him to the location of his final test.


I approached my office and opened the door. Nichkhun walked in and stiffened as he got inside.


Sitting on my chair was his rival, my son, Kwon Jiyong.
















I turned to look at Nichkhun as soon as I heard the door to hyung’s office opened.


He stiffened as he saw me sitting in hyung’s chair. It actually gave me quite a satisfaction upon seeing him flinched at my sight.


“As you know, Nichkhun, this will be your final test. You must pass this in order to date Dara formally.” YG-hyung told him. “Jiyong, I trust that you will conduct this test properly.” I nodded.


“I will leave you two now.” We both glanced at him in surprise.


“Aren’t you going to watch this, hyung?” I asked him, shocked at his action.


He smiled at me and shook his head. “I trust you. I know you are capable of making the right judgment.”


With that, he left his office, leaving me with the man I loathed with all my life.

















I stared at him, the man who was now my rival to Dara’s heart.


He stared back at me with no signs of retreating.


I actually have no idea how his other tests turned out. Since this morning, I have stayed inside this room, contemplating on how I would conduct this test.


My task was simple. YG-hyung told me to ask him one simple question and I will base my judgment on his answer to that one simple question.


“Why do you think you deserve to date Dara more than I do?” 


I saw him stiffen once again, probably taken aback by my question. I couldn’t blame him. Even I was taken aback when hyung first told me what the question will be.


I eyed him with much anticipation, desperately wanting him to blurt out something stupid so that it would be a lot easier for me to fail him.


He stared at me once again, seemingly taking his sweet time to think.


I stomped my foot impatiently. It had been minutes now and yet, he still hasn’t answer.


Finally, a small smile curved on his lips as if taunting me.


“I can love her without any complication.” He answered confidently.


I was dumbfounded by his answer.


“What do you mean?” I masked my shock with a firm voice.


He eyed me seriously. “We all know your situation, Jiyong. We all know the intricacies of your relation to Yoona and Soo Man-sshi.” He said in a somber voice.


“If Dara stays with you, what guarantees do we have that she won’t get the same negative treatment she received before when you were still a couple?” I felt my hands balled into a fist.


“That was different. I was a fool before that I didn’t know the solution to our problem back then.” I answered him through gritted teeth. Relax, Jiyong. Don’t let him get to you…


“And what is that solution?” He asked as if challenging me.


“I’ll confess to the public and explain to them the real reason this complicated thing happe~”


“Oh really now, Jiyong? You will really confess to the public how you fooled everyone into believing you are in love with Yoona all this ti~”


“You don’t know what I’m capable of doing, Nichkhun.” I told him gravely.


“Will you still be that confident once the media, the netizens and the people who supported you all turn their backs on you upon knowing the lies you have weaved and acted on, Jiyong? Will you still wear that cocky smirk of yours once your fans start to withdraw their support from your group?” He asked in a mocking tone. I felt my fingernails digging deeper into my palms as I balled my fists tighter.


“The VIPs are not narrow-minded. They will understa~”


“Will they still understand that you tricked them into believing that your songs were for Yoona when in truth, it was for someone else?” I wanted to punch the lights out of him the moment he mentioned my songs.


“I never said my songs were for Yoona! The hints I gave clearly pointed to Dara in each and every song I wrote and sang!” I can feel my veins straining to pop out. I never felt this mad in my entire life.


“How do you explain them the numerous articles and comments relating Yoona to the persona in your songs? Why then do some of your fans believe it is Yoona you were pertaining to?” He asked me but before I could reply, he beat me to it.


“It’s because you made them believe a lie, Jiyong.”


His words struck deep into my heart.


“I know how much you hate my guts, Jiyong. And I also know how much you want to fail me in this test in order to eliminate me in Dara’s life completely. But you’re here to judge me based on one question, a question I am confident I can answer sincerely and honestly.”


He looked at me meaningfully as he uttered his last words.


“I can love Dara without any complication. I can take her to a restaurant without her fearing that somebody will pull her hair out. I can bring her to Lotte World without her looking anxiously around her in fear that a group of girls will throw sodas at her. We can be seen in public and paparazzi can snap a photo of us, upload it in the internet without her dreading reading the comments of the netizens.”


He paused as he looked at me intently, sending me a message louder and clearer than his words.


“I can make her happy, feel secure and prevent her from feeling pain, probably more than you could ever do.”





















“Hyung!” I looked back and saw Teddy running towards me. He was catching his breath as he stood beside me.


“Do you think they’re done by now? It’s already thirty minutes since Nichkhun entered your office.” Teddy asked, anxiously. 


I knew why he was feeling that way. Him and everyone else gathered in the hall were all anxiously waiting for the result of Nichkhun Horvejkul’s tests for they know that whatever result Nichkhun will be getting, it will have a bearing on their friends’, Jiyong’s and Dara’s, relationship.


“I think they should be done by now, Teddy.” I answered my trusted producer. He looked at me and eyed me suspiciously.


“You still haven’t answered my question, hyung.” He squinted his eyes at me. “Why did you give your position to Jiyong?” He asked me. His eyes were full of curiosity.


“It’s because Jiyong is in the best position to judge him.” I answered simply.


“EH??” Teddy asked me, still confused at my reasoning.


“If Nichkhun can make a believer out of his fiercest rival, what is the reason then not to let him date Dara?”


I saw how Teddy’s eyes grew wide while his mouth slowly opened forming an “O” shape as if in total awe at my brilliant way of thinking.


“OH-MY-!N’-GOD-DAMN!” Teddy exclaimed in awe which made the other artists looked at him in curiosity.


“Now, have I regained your trust in my better judgment?” I asked him with a wink.


Before he could answer, the door to my office opened, revealing Jiyong and Nichkhun as they walked out of the room, both wearing a solemn expression.


















I felt my hands trembling as I wait for Ji and Khun Khun to finish the fifth test. I looked at Bommie helplessly, sending her a silent message.


“Sssshhh. Don’t worry about it, Ssantokki. They’ll be out in a minute.” Bommie caressed my back which somehow eased the tension I was feeling.


“But what’s taking them so long?” I couldn’t hide the worry in my voice.


“Unnie, this is the last step and we all know how Jiyong-oppa feels for you. Khun-oppa is probably having a hard time inside.” CL-roo held my hands and squeezed it for comfort.


“Neh, unnie. Don’t think too much. This will all be over soon.” Minji smiled that innocent smile of hers that made smile as well.


We all looked up as we heard the sound of a door opening, revealing two of the most important men in my life.


My breath got caught in my throat as Jiyong gave me a small smile, as if assuring me, before he handed the score sheet to sajangnim.


I stole a glance at Nichkhun and saw that his eyes were full of determination, without any sign of retreat.


My attention turned to YG-sajangnim as he asked all of us to enter his office as he will be making his announcement already.


We all followed his order. My girls all gathered beside me while the BIGBANG boys, though all were stealing anxious glances every once in awhile at their leader, still managed to give me words of encouragement.


After all of us had settled inside YG-sajangnim’s office, sajangnim cleared his throat and addressed all of us.


“Since all of you are here now, then I think this is the best time to announce the result of Nichkhun’s Five Steps Test.”


I looked at Nichkhun and saw him standing straight, dignified and confident.


I then looked at Jiyong and was surprised that he was looking at me, an unreadable expression was in his eyes. After awhile, he smiled at me through his eyes and mouthed the words that made my heart stopped for awhile.


‘Saranghae, D.’


I was taken aback by his sudden action that I didn’t realize I was staring at him for awhile now, if not for CL-roo nudging me to give my attention back to sajangnim.


“For the first test, the test of physical and mental focus, Nichkhun got 89%!”


The people inside the room all gasped and murmured at the result.


YG-sajangnim then took out another paper and turned to all of us. “For the second test, the test of flexibility and adaptation skills, Nichkhun got 83%!”


All of us were surprised that Nichkhun passed the test again. I looked at Nichkhun and saw him smiling at me.


Nichkhun passed the next two tests, the test of style and the tests of endurance.


It was now down to the last test, the test that will determine if Nichkhun succeeded in his mission.


“As I’ve told you earlier, Nichkhun, you need to pass the last test in order to date Dara.” YG-hyung looked at me. I blushed involuntarily.


“Even if you passed the four tests earlier, you still won’t be able to Dara if you fail the last test.” He then looked at Jiyong who just nodded at him.


“For this test, Nichkhun was not graded using percentage. There is only two choices for the examiner to pick. It’s either ‘YES’ if Jiyong thinks Nichkhun should date Dara or ‘NO’ if Jiyong thinks Nichkhun is not suitable to date our Dara.” YG-hyung informed us of the rule.


Seungri snorted. “Hyung will never pass him. He wish!” He chuckled at his own remarks.


YG-hyung shot him a glare before he started opening the score sheet. Once he had fully-opened the sheet, he paused for awhile, as if unsure that what he was reading was real.


After awhile, the confusion on his face was replaced with a smile, a smile that shown pride and admiration.


We all leaned closer, anticipating what sajangnim was about to announce.


“For the last test, the test of rightfulness and sincerity. Jiyong gave Nichkhun one question to answer."


One question? That was it? We all were murmuring in confusion.


"It was a simple question. Nichkhun had to answer why he deserves to date Dara more than Jiyong."


Our mouths all hung open as YG-sajangnim revealed the question. 


I looked at Jiyong then at Nichkhun but both had an unreadable expression.


I shook my head and turned my attention again to sajangnim as he continued on.


"For this last test, Nichkhun got a..."


We all leaned forward, all silent as we await the next word of sajangnim.


I looked at Jiyong and saw him smiling at me, only this time, his smile shown something different.


It was an emotion I dreaded seeing from his face.


Loneliness.


“YES.” 


YG-sajangnim announced as the whole room stayed silent, shocked at the last word that we heard.