Neither Jonghyun nor you uttered a reply as Yonghwa strode into the room. Without saying another word, he shoved the small pack of ice into your hands and turned around and exited the room.

Jonghyun raised his eyebrows at his hyung’s weird behavior and was about to take the ice pack from your hands when you interrupted him.

“Jonghyun, I’ll leave first. We’ll talk again later, okay?” You said hastily and before he could reply, you dashed out of the room.

“Yonghwa-ssi, wait a minute!” You shouted and ran after Yonghwa’s figure along the corridor.

He turned around and you were slightly surprised to see that the anger in his eyes was gone but instead, his face was replaced by a troubled expression as he stared at you.

“Thank you,” You said and bowed. “You helped me again when you didn’t have to so thank you.”

“Shouldn’t you get back to Jonghyun?” Yonghwa asked calmly.

“Oh, there isn’t a need to. I told him I was leaving.” You replied as you walked alongside Yonghwa.

You felt a little bad leaving Jonghyun like this but you have to thank your savior properly, don’t you? Besides, you still need Yonghwa to coach you on your debut song.

“Yonghwa-ssi, do you have some time now?”

“Why?” Yonghwa asked suspiciously. “And why are you following me?”

“I was thinking if you could coach me on the song.” You replied hopefully.

Yonghwa raised his eyebrows at you as you stared at him with your best puppy dog eyes. You thought you saw a flicker of amusement flash pass his eyes but wasn’t sure because as quick as it came, it was gone.

“Fine.” He said finally as you smiled.

You followed him back to the studio and started practicing. Time seemed to whizz by and you could see that Yonghwa was much more patient with you as he coached you through the chorus. And you couldn’t help but admit that you had a fun time learning from him even when the conversation the both of you had during the session was all about the song.

“I think you’re ready to record this song.” Yonghwa said as you finished off the song.

“Really?” You replied happily.

Nodding, he replied, “You already have a great voice, all you needed was to get the emotions right.”

You felt your smile widen from his praise.

“Yah, aren’t you hungry?” Yonghwa asked as he stood up from the chair. “It’s almost nine.”

True enough, you hadn’t felt the hunger but now that he mentioned it, you felt your stomach gave a small rumble.

“Shall we eat dinner before we head back to the dorm?” You asked him but regretted immediately.

Why would you think that he would eat dinner with you and head back to the dorm together? He was a busy man and even if he wasn’t he might not even want to spend any more time with you. He didn’t even like you in the first place so why would he even eat dinner with you?

“Sorry,” You said quickly. “You must have something on. I can-

“Stop rambling,” Yonghwa interrupted as he pushed you out of the door. “Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

Surprised that he agreed, you turned around and stared at him.

“Really?” You asked, eyes widening.

Rolling his eyes, Yonghwa made his way out of the FNC building as you followed him, “I’m hungry and I have to eat. What’s so surprising?”

You quickly shook your head as you followed him. It was about ten minutes when he brought you into a café that seemed slightly expensive for your taste.

“Will we be okay eating together?” You asked uncertainly. “Will our photos get taken?”

“It’ll be fine. This café only allows celebrities in. We’re free from the fans and reporters.” He explained as the both of you sat in a booth.

True enough, you noticed the members of Big Bang sitting a few feet away from you and recognized some other celebrities like Lee Hyori and a few Super Junior members.

The waiter came along and gave you the menu and you raised your eyebrows as you scanned through it.

“Don’t be shy, you can order what you want.” Yonghwa said. “It’ll be my treat.”

He ordered a plate of spaghetti and you followed suit.

“It’ll be my treat the next time.” You said.

“Sure,” Yonghwa replied and pretended to ponder. “I wonder if I should eat lobster or abalone the next time…”

“Yah!” You exclaimed as you smacked his arm playfully.

And for the first time since you met him, you saw Yonghwa laugh. A funny feeling decided to settle on your stomach just as your phone started ringing.

Jonghyun’s name flash across the screen and you picked up.

“______-ah, we have to start filming for our show tomorrow.” Jonghyun said. “It was a last minute thing and Manager Kim has dropped off the script in our dorms.”

“You mean our We Got Married first episode will be filming tomorrow?” You asked, shocked.

You could see Yonghwa’s attention on you and you looked away as you flushed.

“There isn’t much to memorise, you’ll be fine tomorrow.” Jonghyun said encouragingly.

“Okay.” You replied as you thanked Jonghyun and hung up.

“So, filming starts tomorrow?” Yonghwa asked as you sighed and nodded.

“You’ll be fine.” Yonghwa said as you gave him a small smile.

Turning to Yonghwa, you asked, “Since you were really popular in the show, why don’t you give me some pointers?”

“Pointers?” echoed Yonghwa. “Like what?”

“Like, how do I make the viewers enjoy my segment with Jonghyun?” You asked eagerly.

Yonghwa thought for a moment and then replied, “Just be yourself.”

“What?” You stared at him, raising your eyebrows. “Is that all you can offer as advice?”

Yonghwa chuckled, “Well, since your script was already prepared, just try to be as natural as possible when you deliver your lines. Don’t make it sound like you’re memorizing from a script. Try to make everything believable.”

You pondered over his words as you nodded slowly. Just then, the food arrived and the both of you tucked in.

“So, getting paired up with Seohyun must be really great huh?” You said as you swallowed a mouthful of spaghetti.

“It’s okay.” Yonghwa replied matter-of-factly.

“Are you serious?” You gaped at him. “Just okay? She’s so pretty and sweet! There must be something wrong with you to say that.”

Seriously, Seohyun has got to be the sweetest girl you’ve ever met. Technically, you’ve never actually met her but seeing her on TV and all, she has got to be the sweetest celebrity you’ve ever seen; the kind that will get all guys falling at her feet. Yonghwa must be blind to find her just okay.

Yonghwa looked at you, amused at how miffed you sounded. “Why are you so angry about it?”

You didn’t know why his ‘okay’ comment about Seohyun got you a little mad. Maybe it was due to the fact that Seohyun was really pretty and sweet but Yonghwa’s expectations were too high or perhaps you felt that Seohyun was much more prettier than you and knowing that Yonghwa only gave Seohyun an ‘okay’, you were probably ranked as ‘horrendous looking’ in his book.

“I just think that maybe your expectations are too high.” You replied, your voice a little higher than usual.

“Expectations?” He echoed. “Isn’t beauty subjective?”

You knew he was right. Beauty truly is subjective but you didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of agreeing so you kept silent.

“Besides, I didn’t say she isn’t pretty,” Yonghwa continued. “She is. But there isn’t a spark between us.”

You stared at Yonghwa as your anger vanished in an instant. You didn’t expect him to say that but strangely, you felt pleased to know that he isn’t one who only goes for looks.

The both of you finished dinner quickly as it was getting late and you had to get back to the dorm to go through your script. Both Yonghwa and you boarded a taxi and headed back to the dorm.

“Thank you for dinner tonight, Yonghwa-ssi.” You said politely as you stood in front of your dorm door.

“Yah, stop calling me that.” Yonghwa replied impatiently.

Raising your eyebrows, you asked, “What?”

“Yonghwa-ssi makes me sound old.” He complained. “Can’t you just call me Yonghwa?”

You laughed and nodded, “Okay, I’ll call you Yonghwa from now on.”

Yonghwa flashed you a boyish grin and proceeded up the stairs to his dorm, “Good luck tomorrow. Fighting!”

You waved to him until he disappeared and slipped into your dorm ready for a night of reading the script.

===========================================

You stared at the director sleepily the next day as he instructed Jonghyun on how to act. Three hours had passed since filming and the both of you had pretended to be surprised when you met each other for the first meeting. Just like the ‘Goguma Couple’ that made up of Yonghwa and Seohyun, the producers decided to name Jonghyun and you the ‘Panda Couple’.

They had filmed you sharing your thoughts “privately” earlier and you were going by the script. It wasn’t too hard. Of course, Jonghyun knew what you were going to say in the “private room” as he too, had the exact same script.

“So what was your first thought the first time you saw Jonghyun?” The interviewer asked in the private room after you met up with Jonghyun.

“I thought he looked like a panda.” You laughed.

“So… what do you think of pandas?”

“They’re really cute. I like them.” You replied, smiling shyly just like how the director wanted.

“So, would you say that Jonghyun is as cute as pandas?”

“Definitely.” You replied happily.

You weren’t exactly lying as you thought that Jonghyun was indeed cute but a certain someone whom you had spent dinner with the previous night had been invading your thoughts instead.

“So, let’s get back on the set!” The director shouted, breaking through your reverie. “Look sweet and happy as the both of you prepare the pancake. The CN Blue members will be coming later to taste it!”

You snapped your head up in surprise. Is the rest of the band coming? How come? That wasn’t in the script.

Jonghyun noticed your surprised look and he explained, “Manager Kim said that the rest of them have some free time later so the director invited them down for an appearance. With the whole band here, the viewership will be higher.”

You nodded as the both of you started on the pancake batter as the cameras started rolling.

“You have some flour on your cheek.” Jonghyun said a little while later.

Widening your eyes at him, you asked, “Where?”

He smiled at you as he reached out and rubbed the flour away. You knew it was just acting but Jonghyun’s gaze was so endearing you felt yourself flush.

“Anddddd, cut!” The director said happily and clapped. “Yah, Jonghyun-ah, your gaze was perfect and the way _______ blush was so real! It really looked like the both of you have something for each other!”

Several of the staff laughed as Jonghyun smiled. It wasn’t true… You blushed only because no one had touched your cheek and looked at you like this before.

You could only smile awkwardly as the both of you prepared for the next scene. When the cameras started to roll, Jonghyun and you started cutting the spring onions for the pancake. It wasn’t before long that the pancake was ready just as the doorbell of “you and Jonghyun’s” apartment rang.

The both of you opened the door to welcome Jungshin, Minhyuk and finally Yonghwa. Everything went on smoothly as you and Jonghyun gave a tour of the apartment to the guys and then all of you settled down to eat the pancake.

You couldn’t help but notice that Yonghwa had been pretty quiet and his smiles didn’t quite reach his eyes too. Jungshin and Minhyuk however were being their usual selves, eating and chatting away happily.

Once the director shouted ‘Cut’, you scooted away from Jonghyun as you felt uncomfortable that the director had wanted the both of you to sit as closely as possible