Chapter 16

Team Captain

Sulli hates attention.

But people’s attention has been on her since the time news broke in Sun Life that she will be a WW club member. Even the administration office! When she visited the administration office that afternoon, they withdrew their letter to her to find a club and even praised her for getting the highest club in the University.

It’s been 4 days since she accepted the offer to be a member. But still she’s not yet used to going to WW200. But she has to since it’s going to be her world now.

“Sulli, don’t be late tomorrow. It’s the football team’s finals. We need to leave the school at 3PM.” Said Hara

“I hope they win, they’ve been preparing hard for that.” Said Krystal

Sulli looked at her planner.

“Umm….I have an exam tomorrow…until 4PM.” Said Sulli

Suzy stood up and went to see Sulli’s planner which caught Sulli by surprise.

“Hmm…you have to be there in the game tomorrow…We need to support each other. One member’s battle is the battle of everyone.” Said Suzy

“That’s one of the major rules.” Said Hara smiling at Sulli

“Rules…What are the rules?” asked Sulli

“There are actually no written rules…we just kinda know it by heart. Like for example, No secrets. We can’t hide anything from each other.” Said Krystal

“Absolutely nothing” said Hara emphasizing

“If one member is curious about your letter, you can’t say ‘no this is personal’. You have to share it with the group. We absolutely can’t hide anything from each other.” said Krystal “No matter how personal”

Sulli can’t imagine opening up everything about her to the group. She’s not yet comfortable. But this shows how close they really are.

“Umm…Yeah the #1 rule too.” Said Hara

“Yeah…the rule that can’t be broken no matter what.” said Krystal

“What is that?” asked Sulli

“No Romantic relations inside WW club. We can’t have any romantic relationship with each other.” Said Krystal

Sulli immediately looked at Suzy. She recalled the embrace exchanged by the 2 by the football field locker room…so is that just a friendly embrace? Is that no different with the group hug they had the other day?

“Why is that?” asked Sulli “I mean…you are all so close. And you are together every day. “

“Hmm…long long story” said Krystal “But to make it short…We don’t want the friendship to be broken in any way. Anything that might potentially break our friendship, we set rules against it.”

“But aren’t there best friends turned into lovers stories?” said Sulli

“There are success stories…But there are a lot of tragic stories too…And it was really unfortunate that when we were all growing up, the ‘tragic-friends-turned-into-lovers’ story happened around the people close to us.” Said Krystal

Sulli noticed Suzy not talking and just looking blankly at the floor

“But don’t worry, Sulli. All of us are really dedicated to the rules. Right, Suzy?” asked Hara

Suzy took a deep breath and smiled

“Yes, Hara is right. We can’t allow a tiny part of our heart to beat faster than usual towards either Jongyun or Minho.” Said Suzy “And both of them also knows that.”

“Oh Sulli, back to the football match tomorrow…We can ask your professor to just give you a special exam so that you can join us at 3.” Said Krystal

But Sulli doesn’t want that. She doesn’t like special treatment…that would only move her farther from her old world…as much as she can she still wants to be a normal student.

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Jonghyun went to watch the final practice of the foot ball team. Minho’s team has improved dramatically. A lot of his players are now scoring. After practice Minho and Jonghyun walked together to WW200.

“I know you’re not nervous for tomorrow, but I’m sure your players are.” Said Jonghyun

“I am nervous.” Said Minho

“You still get nervous?” asked Jonghyun unbelieving

“Yes. Don’t you still get nervous when you join international competitions on violin?” asked Minho

“Hmm…yes…you’re right, I still do.” Said Jonghyun

“Did you tell Sulli about the game?” asked Minho

“Yeah, Krystal and the girls told her. But I heard she has exams until 4PM tomorrow.” Said Jonghyun

“Hmm….really…” said Minho

“Actually, the girls tried to convince her to just get a special exam so that she can join us. It’s the first competition since we welcomed Sulli and I think she should really be there. I think it would be good if she sees how much we support each other in the team.” Said Jonghyun

“And what did she say?” asked Minho

“She said No.” said Jonghyun

Minho almost chuckled. He already expected that Sulli will not get a special exam.

“Why are you laughing, Dude? Aren’t you going to ask her to just take a special exam?” asked Jonghyun

Minho raised his shoulders “Just let her be for now.” Said Minho “She’s not used to special attention the way we do. Besides, she broke my record before right? I’m sure she wants to get a good…no, excellent score this time too. And she needs to get the exam together with the entire class to prove them that she’s really on top. “

“You’re a bit soft on Sulli.” Said Jonghyun

“What do you mean? She’s a scholar. She needs to adjust that’s why I don’t want to rush her into things that we do in WW club.” Said Minho

“Well…even when she wasn’t in WW club yet. You were already soft on her.” Said Jonghyun

Minho had to stop walking.

“What do you mean, Man?” asked Minho a bit seriously

“Do you like her?” asked Jonghyun

Minho saw a bench and sat there.

“Sulli is a unique person. She’s really good at what she does without her realizing it. She has a lot of potential. She’s like a rock that’s going to be a diamond.” Said Minho “You know that once somebody enters WW club, there’s no way we can like them, right?”

“We shouldn’t is different from we can’t.” said Jonghyun “We’ve proven that a couple of times already.”

“Whether I’d fall in love with someone from WW club again or not, there is none we can do but fight it off.” Said Minho

“Just like what you did the last time?” asked Jonghyun

“If I need to, I will.” Said Minho “So don’t think a