“Oppa…. How?” You furrowed your eyebrows. How did he manage to figure everything out so quickly?!

He took a step back and sighed. You had just confirmed that his suspicions were right.

“To be honest, I didn’t suspect anything at all right until just now when Junhyung-ssi came up to me while I was outside with Minhyuk. He seemed a little too interested in you and Minhyuk but I dismissed the thought thinking that he was just interested in seeing a new face around, especially one that is allowed backstage. However, when I saw your reaction to seeing him just now, everything just suddenly clicked into place.” He explained.

So I was the one who gave it away. Your shoulders slumped forward and you lowered your head, feeling rather disappointed in yourself. You knew that you couldn’t hide everything for forever but you really hadn’t expected everything to be discovered this quickly.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about this. I just wanted to know if my suspicions were right or not. I’ll keep your secret.” You looked up at him with hesitation and doubt in your eyes. “I promise.” He added to try and reassure you.

“But… why?” You whispered.

“Why what?” He asked back.

“Why would you help me keep this a secret?” You asked again, softly.

“Because I know you’re not a bad person and you make my dongsaengs very happy.” He said kindly. “Plus! Now that I know your secret, I can blackmail you to make delicious food for me everyday.” He chuckled evily, making you smile and breaking the serious mood.

All of a sudden, you gasped, startling him a little as you remembered what you had originally came to find him for. “Oppa! You’re supposed to be on stage!”

You quickly but carefully took Minhyuk from his hold and watched as he bolted out of the room and down the hall in the direction of the recording area. You slowly walked after him, not wanting to jostle Minhyuk awake by running and arrived at the side of the stage just in time to see the emcees of the program announce the winner for this week.

*SHINee Congratulations (축하드립니다)!*

Jonghyun accepted the bouquet of flowers and the microphone from one of the emcees while another emcee handed the trophy to Taemin. You watched as Jonghyun and Kibum gave their thank you speeches and then give an encore performance after the emcees had closed the show. You tried not to stare but it was really difficult when Junhyung was lurking around just right behind the SHINee members while they were giving their speeches. You noticed that he and several others standing around him were wearing white jackets and pants and assumed that those were his band members. You eyed each of them with interest and decided that oddly enough, there was something vaguely familiar about them. 

You were brought out of your thoughts by the sounds of chatter and the realization that people were coming your way. You stood to the side so that you didn’t block anyone’s way and hugged Minhyuk closer to you as the people shuffled by.

As fate would have it, Junhyung and his band members are the last few to leave the stage and you held your breath as they walked by, hoping and praying that Junhying wouldn’t notice you. When all of them had pretty much walked past you, you allowed yourself to relax a little and turned back to face the stage where SHINee, Leeteuk and some girl group members were dancing to Ring Ding Dong. You smiled endearingly at the sight, not paying attention to what was happening behind you anymore and not hearing Junhyung telling s to head back first without him.

You were startled when you suddenly heard a voice close behind you. “Can we talk?”

You spun around and when you saw that who it was, you let out a resigned breath. “What do you want from me?”

“Nothing. I just want to talk. Is that too much to ask for?” He asked.

You tugged the sleeve of his jacket and pulled him towards the waiting room area. “Now is not the time for this, Junhyung. Have you forgotten that you’re famous and I’m nothing?!” He cringed visibly the moment the words left your mouth. “What if your fans see you?”

“Well, you didn’t leave me any other choice, now did you? You were avoiding me and pushing me away before I could say anything. So I had no choice but to approach you there before I lost the chance to ever talk to you.” He said, mild irritation on his face.

You cocked an eyebrow. “Ah. I should have guessed that it was my fault again. Well, sorry about that too then, along with anything else that you might feel like blaming me for.”

His face contorted slightly in horror. “No no. I didn’t mean it like that at all.” He quickly clarified.

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.” You managed to say without sounding too pathetic. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

He let out a sigh. “I have a lot of things to talk to you about but let me just ask this first– what are you doing here?”

“I’m visiting my friends.”

“SHINee sunbaenims?”

You nodded.

“You’re friends with them? How did that happen?” He asked with a hint of incredulity in his voice.

You glanced up at him. “Things just turned out that way.” You shrugged. “They were there for me when I really needed someone.” You hoped that he would buy your whole nonchalant act and let the matter rest.

“What’s the cover story then?”

“Taemin’s cousin.” You replied simply.

He made a noise that sounded something similar to a scoff but you just let it go. “Is that all?” You made a move to leave when he didn’t give you an immediate answer.

“No, wait!” He reached out and grabbed your arm but let go when you looked down at his hand and gave him a pointed look.

“Junhyung-ssi, I think you should be more careful with how you treat people you’re not close to so that other people won’t misunderstand.” You reminded, looking around warily.

He stepped closer to you. “You’re my best friend for crying out loud! Why are you being like this?!” He said between gritted teeth.

“Do you seriously not know why I’m like this?” Your voice was edged with anger now. “Do I look like a toy to you? A toy that you can play with until you grow tired of and then just toss aside?” You huffed.

“You know what? Forget it. I knew things would turn out like this if we talked. Please don’t look for me again. If our paths ever cross again, please just pretend that you don’t know me. I have to go.” You tried to leave for the second time.

“I’m not done.” He reached out again and grabbed your wrist this time.

“------ah! There you are.” You looked back and saw Leeteuk walking briskly towards you, the SHINee members nowhere in sight.

Junhyung immediately let go of your wrist. “Leeteuk hyung.” He bowed politely.

“Oh, hi, Junhyung-ssi. What were you doing with -------?” He came up to your side, put an arm around your shoulder and pulled you closer to him. You tensed at his contact which caused you to bump rather stiffly into his side.

“N-nothing, hyung.” You were quite surprised to hear him stutter as he addressed Leeteuk while nervously eyeing the both of you.

You relaxed significantly into Leeteuk’s hold after realizing what he was doing. He glanced down at you as if to confirm Junhyung’s answer with you. You shook your head slightly. “Ok then. You can go now.” He said with finality and authority.

Junhyung bowed again and immediately left the both of you. You let out a sigh of relief. “Oppa, thank you.” You said as he removed his arm from around you.

He ruffled your hair affectionately. “I was worried when I didn’t see you at the side so I had to come and check. Good thing that I did too, seeing how things turned out.” He raised his eyebrows and looked in the direction that Junhyung had left. “Since I’m the only one who knows about him, if he ever bothers you again or if you need to talk, just come to me. I’ll listen, I promise.”

“Thank you, oppa. I will remember that.” You smiled, beyond grateful for his kindness.

“What did he want though? Did he hurt you?” He frowned as he lifted your wrist and inspected it.

“Does it hurt?” He asked as he gently prodded the red area around your wrist.

You shook your head. “Not really. It’s just a little tender but it’s not a big deal.” You reassured as he narrowed his eyes suspiciously at you.

Teukie hyung?” You looked back again and saw Kibum looking at the both of you strangely.

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

Ok, fingers crossed that nothing happens to AFF with this update. Chapter 78 should be visible to everyone now and my comments also magically fixed itself after another glitch this morning (my time).

Anyway, I'm not sure how many of you are Shawols but have you guys heard SHINee's new album??? I think it's pretty amazing but of course, that's just my opinion :)