JUNG MINJI AND MBLAQ’S SEUNGHO CONFIRMED TO BE DATING

Joon took one look at the headlines and knew what they decided on. Minji had pointedly avoided the topic of the scandal that broke out in the car ride back from the practice room last night, instead chatting energetically about their drama and how excited she was to film again. Joon went along with it, mainly nodding his head and “mhmm”-ing.

Now, three days later, the news of her and his hyung's relationship was verified, as if sealing the deal.

Joon was happy for the “couple,” knowing that they both like each other. Joon couldn’t help but feel a small twinge of disappointment however, but he couldn’t put a finger on it, so filed it away for later thought.

Seungho woke suddenly. He rubbed his eyes and checked his phone. 7:30. After recording some preview tracks today, the MBLAQ guys would shoot for a variety show.

Their manager decided Seungho should stay in the dorm to avoid questions pertaining to his relationship, and cancelled all his scheduled appearances tentatively for the next two weeks, however, so Seungho had nearly half a day to himself.

After showering, he began cooking for s, who were starting to wake, one by one. As Joon stepped out of his room, however, Seungho remembered with a jolt that You’re the One was airing tonight at 8. He recalled the conversation they had three days ago.

“Hyung,” Joon approached. Seungho swung around the swivel chair to look at him. “About the drama…”

Seungho waited expectantly, but had a feeling this conversation was not going to go well.

“Well…the writers…” Joon said nervously, “want me and Minji…to…have a…kiss…scene.”

Joon forced out the words and waited for Seungho’s response.               

Seungho took a deep breath, “So?” He tried keeping his cool for Joon’s benefit, but really wanted to flail around and chuck some stuff.

“So…” Joon continued again, “I wanted to…make sure…you would be okay with it…”

Seungho made himself laugh, “I don’t think I have a say in this.”

“Well…you do like her…so I thought—“

“But that doesn’t really matter, Joon,” Seungho said comfortingly. “But I appreciate your thinking of me.” He patted Joon’s back, and watched Joon nod in aggrement then make his way out of Seungho’s room.

Honestly, Seungho wasn’t okay with it. In fact, he wasn’t a fan of Lee Joon being casted in the drama in the first place. But then again, it wasn’t up to Seungho to make those decisions, and he begrudgingly accepted it.

Thinking back to the day Joon informed him of the kiss, which was only three days—three days—ago, Seungho recalled that the kiss would air today.

Minji tossed and turned all night, and woke up unsatisfied. Then she remembered the drama would air today, and then realized the kiss would air as well.

Seungho and Joon collapsed on the couch. Despite the tension experienced by both of them, they were still extremely close, and took the time to watch Joon’s drama every week. Joon knew the kiss was coming, and so did Seungho. But neither mentioned it until the scene started.

Joon felt a series of shivers rack his body, but he resolved not to move. He bit his lip and clenched his fingers together.

“I’m not expecting anything, and I haven’t told anyone. Is this such a big deal? Is liking someone wrong?”

“Yeah! If I were him, I’d feel awful and invaded!”

“Really? Do you hate it that much?” She turned to leave and, like they rehearsed, he reached out for her wrist, holding her back...

Joon took a deep breath, knowing what came next. Seungho knew it too, but he could do nothing to brace himself.

He watched as Joon pulled Minji close in a hug, hoping that maybe they edited out the kiss, but he knew he was hoping for too much, too late.

Joon pulled back and planted his lips on Minji’s.

I don’t want to see this. I don’t want to see this.  Should I look away. What do I do?

Minji chewed her cheek, anticipating the kiss that was about to come. She had to admit, the scene was shot well, and it supplemented the plot well. If only it were Seungho that she had kissed.

Minji shook her head, scolding herself for thinking offensive thoughts.

She could see his eye smile, his full lips, and she had to admit that his dark circles were pretty attractive.

Minji smiled, thinking about her newfound crush, yet fretted over how they could possibly work out. Although the only recently bonded, only to find themselves in an uncomfortable situation, MInji couldn’t help but feel the slight bit of hope that Seungho could like her.

The episode ended and right as the credits began rolling, Minji felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She quickly retrieved it to find that Seungho was calling her. Minji felt her heart jump upon seeing the name she’d been craving to see for the past three days light up the screen. She took a deep breath, and pressed ‘Answer’

“Hello?” she tentatively said.

“Hey, Minji,” Seungho greeted.

Minji felt her heart jump once again, then patted her chest lightly, as if telling her heart to calm down for a sec.

“What’s up?” she asked brightly.

“Wanna meet up tonight? I mean…it’s already pretty late, but I’d really like some coffee, if you care to join me,” Seungho offered.

Minji suppressed a giggle, as she said, “Um, sure…where do you want to meet?”

“I can pick you up, if you’d like,” Seungho replied.

She quickly gave him her address, and he said goodbye with a promise of being over in twenty minutes.

As she hung up the phone, Minji couldn’t help but grin like an idiot. She hugged a pillow and began jumping on her couch. After about five minutes of swooning, she realized she only had fifteen minutes to dress to impress for Seungho.

She picked out a cute navy blue hoodie with a bear on the front, then layered a poofy brown vest over it, as well as white skinnies. She completed her “look” with a grey beanie and high tops.

In what felt like a short time, her phone rang again.

“Hey, Seungho, are you here?”

“Yup. But I can wait if you need me too,” came a swift reply.

“’Kay, give me five more minutes,” Minji said quickly.

Seungho laughed and said, “Of course. Take your time.”

Minji smiled. Of all the times she’d met with Joon, he’d always chided her for being late. She did feel that Seungho’s tolerance may have just been manners, but she used it to her benefit, arriving in the lobby exactly five minutes later.

Joon heard the heavy door shut behind Seungho, and let out a long sigh. With all this new emotional development, he had been sighing a lot lately. Joon couldn’t help but fell left out. He thought with an upset sense of defeat, it’s no use. They both like each other anyways, so it won’t be long before they figure it out. And then what will I be to her? Just a friend…and he’ll be more. No. I must be happy for them. Yes, if I were one of them, I’d want to be supported. But it’s hard.

But, I was the one she kissed. And she kissed back. Or was that just for the sake of the drama? No. You can’t fake that. I shouldn’t be thinking this way. Yet it’s so obvious that she likes him. I might still have a chance though, since she doesn’t know he likes her, and he doesn’t know she likes him...

That would make me a bad person.

Aish. Why do I even care?