Important Author's Note (Please Read)
To everyone reading this story; do any of you know how a voice changer works? If you do, please PM me or leave a review with the details, it would be really helpful to me. But if no one does, I'll just go with what little I know from a spy movie I once watched, and design the voice changer according to that and my own imagination. It may be unrealistic, and I hope you readers won't mind too much.
Besides that, thanks to the people who took the time to review. And I hope everyone reading this story enjoys this extra long chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own You're Beautiful. The song used in this chapter does not belong to me either. It belongs to CNBlue.
Warnings: Slash, cross dressing, possible OOCness in this chapter.
Shin Woo sighed as he stared at the notepad in his hands, contemplating on what to write.
There were only two days left before the press conference, and Shin Woo was still in bed. His temperature had decreased significantly, and he felt much better than he had before, but Tae Kyung had told him he was to stay in bed when Shin Woo had wanted to go outside for some fresh air.
"I can't risk my girlfriend falling sick again." Tae Kyung had pointed out dryly. "Rest for one more day."
Shin Woo had opened his mouth to protest that he didn't even have a fever anymore, but was cut off when Tae Kyung threw a notepad and pen at him, which he had, in his surprise, failed to catch, causing the objects to hit him lightly on the chest.
"You can't even catch a simple throw," he had looked up as Tae Kyung drawled, an amused smirk on his lips. "So stay in bed and write I and my girlfriend's love story until you get well."
Shin Woo had clenched his fist. "Didn't you say you were going to give me a one day reprieve?"
"I changed my mind." Tae Kyung had replied simply, before smirking annoyingly and leaving for the recording studio.
Shin Woo frowned at the memory that flashed in his mind. "Why am I even listening to him?"
Shin Woo was interrupted from his thoughts when the door to Tae Kyung's room opened and a small figure slipped quietly in.
Shin Woo blinked as he realized it was none other than Mi Nam. He watched as she treaded carefully across the floor, mindful not to touch anything of Tae Kyung's. She then climbed the steps to Tae Kyung's bed, balancing the tray in her hands carefully.
She came to his bedside, placing the tray down on the dresser. Shin Woo blinked as she turned to him with a smile.
"Shin Woo hyung, you haven't eaten anything yet, have you?" Mi Nam asked. She smiled, before gesturing to the tray on the dresser. "Look, I made you porridge! And your favorite green tea too, of course."
"Jeremy taught me how to make it yesterday," she informed Shin Woo at his slightly surprised expression. "Though, he had to go for a photo shoot, so he couldn't visit you."
"By the way, are you feeling better now?"
Shin Woo blinked at her words. Realizing she was looking at him concernedly, he gave her a reassuring smile, "Actually, I've already recovered."
"Really? That's great!" Mi Nam grinned brightly, happy that her prayers had worked.
The brunette then noticed something, causing her to frown slightly. "Wait, why are you still in bed then?"
"Tae Kyung insisted I had to stay in bed for another day," Shin Woo told her wryly, directing his gaze in annoyance to the side. "He said something about not being able to risk his girlfriend falling sick again."
"Oh. Where is he now?"
"He went to the studio, I think."
"I see…" Mi Nam said. She seemed to contemplate for a moment, before directing a smile at Shin Woo. "Well, I'm sure he has a good reason for keeping you in bed! Maybe he wants to make sure you're really well to attend the press conference?"
"I'm sure it's because he just enjoys ordering people around." Shin Woo thought, but didn't say out loud. Instead, he nodded. "Maybe."
Shin Woo watched as Mi Nam smiled, before her words then struck him and he shifted his gaze to meet hers. "Wait. How did you know about the press conference?"
"President Ahn told us," Mi Nam replied. "He said Tae Kyung and you had to attend a press conference in three days time, and we should give him time alone with you to discuss about it."
"You mean give him time alone with his girlfriend," Shin Woo said, a note of sarcasm in his voice. He nodded. "But yeah, we did talk about it."
"I see," Mi Nam said. She gave Shin Woo a smile at his slightly disgruntled expression. "It'll be okay, Shin Woo hyung! Tae Kyung told us he even managed to convince President Ahn to get you a voice changer!"
"That may be true," Shin Woo agreed with a genial smile. He avoided Mi Nam's eyes. "But I still have no idea what his girlfriend is supposed to be or act like."
"Well, maybe you two could practice?" Mi Nam suggested.
Shin Woo had trouble keeping the smile on his face as he remembered the scene from the day before. "I don't think that would be advisable."
"Oh…" Mi Nam said softly. She seemed to be thinking for a moment, before giving him a cheerful grin. "Well, don't worry! I'm sure you'll be fine!"
Shin Woo just smiled at her, not wanted to discourage her optimistic nature. A thought then occurred to him, and he spoke.
"You know, I think you'd make a much better girlfriend for him."
"…M-Me?"
"Yeah, you could wear my black wig and act as his girlfriend."
"Ah…I don't think Hyung-nim would be happy…" Mi Nam said quietly. "I'm just his fan, after all."
Shin Woo stared at her for a while. He wondered what he had been thinking; encouraging Mi Nam to become Tae Kyung's girlfriend, even if it would get him out of the undesirable position.
"I see," the brown haired man said. He then smiled, changing the topic at the sight of Mi Nam's sad smile. "Mi Nam, I'm feeling hungry, could you pass me the bowl of porridge please?"
Mi Nam snapped out of her thoughts at Shin Woo's words. "Eh?" She blinked twice, before comprehending Shin Woo's words and nodding with a small smile. "Ah…alright."
Shin Woo watched as she lifted the bowl of porridge carefully from the tray, holding it in her hands in front of him.
"What, do you want to feed me?" He smiled teasingly as she made no move to pass the bowl to him. "I wouldn't mind, you know."
"Eh? Ah, no!" Mi Nam exclaimed, blushing. She quickly thrust the blue bowl into his hands, though managing not to spill any onto the bed in the process, for fear of Tae Kyung's wrath. "Here!"
Shin Woo grinned at Mi Nam's embarrassed face. He received the bowl carefully from Mi Nam, who was still blushing slightly. "Relax, it was just a joke."
"Oh…okay." Mi Nam said. She then sat back and watched Shin Woo consume his food.
After a moment of silence, she asked hesitatingly, "H-How does it taste?"
"It's good," Shin Woo affirmed. He swallowed the porridge in his mouth, before giving Mi Nam an impressed smile. "You're a great cook, Mi Nam."
"Thanks, Shin Woo hyung, but it's just porridge," Mi Nam said, grinning sheepishly. "It's easy to make."
"Really? It tastes really good though," Shin Woo said casually. He finished the rest of his porridge and passed the bowl to Mi Nam with a grateful smile. "Thanks for taking the trouble to bring me food, Mi Nam."
Mi Nam gave him a casual grin in return. "You're welcome, Shin Woo hyung!" She then lifted the mug of green tea and gave it to Shin Woo before moving to get up with the tray with the empty bowl on it in her hands.
"I'll go wash the bowl and put this back, okay?" She asked Shin Woo, who gave her a nod. Mi Nam smiled. "You can drink the green tea I made for you in the meantime."
Shin Woo watched as Mi Nam cautiously stepped her way down the steps. She was about to exit the room when something came to her and she turned.
"Shin Woo hyung…didn't Hyung-nim bring you any food?"
Shin Woo blinked. "No. Why?"
"What about yesterday? Didn't you eat dinner?"
"I was sleeping for almost the whole day."
"Ah…I see," Mi Nam said, frowning a little. She then gave him another smile, but it seemed a little forced. "Well, you don't have to worry, Shin Woo hyung! I'll come by with food for you for tonight's dinner! And I'll ask Jeremy to stop by tomorrow too!"
Shin Woo smiled at her. "Thank you, Mi Nam, but I think I should recover completely by tomorrow."
"Oh, alright I'll just bring you food tonight then." Mi Nam said, before turning away. "Then, I'm going."
Shin Woo nodded, watching as she exited Tae Kyung's room and made her way to the kitchen. When she was out of sight, he raised the mug in his hand to his lips and drank the green tea she had specially brewed for him, smiling at the familiar taste.
"She's a fast learner," he murmured to himself, smiling slightly. He finished drinking the warm drink before putting the mug down on the dresser and reluctantly turning his attention to the blank notepad in front of him.
"How should Tae Kyung and his girlfriend meet?" Shin Woo mumbled to himself, as he stared at the piece of paper.
When several minutes had passed and he still could not think of any possible scenarios, Shin Woo let out a sigh of exasperation, frowning. How was he to know how Tae Kyung and his girlfriend would meet? He wasn't Tae Kyung and he wasn't Tae Kyung's girlfriend- well, technically he was but that didn't really count, did it?
Shin Woo couldn't help but find the situation ironic. He had never thought he would be writing a love story; and if he had to create one, he would have thought he would be doing so for Mi Nam and himself, under the guise that she was his girlfriend and they had to create their own love story to satisfy the reporters' curiosity if they ever decided to investigate their relationship. Never in his life would he have thought he would be crafting a love story for himself and Tae Kyung, of all people.
But then again, it wasn't really for Tae Kyung and himself; it was for Tae Kyung and his girlfriend; Joo Eun, which he had to act as, but…
"What are you doing?" A feminine voice asked, bringing him back to reality.
Shin Woo raised his brown eyes to meet Mi Nam's, who had returned and was staring at him curiously.
He gave her a smile. "Welcome back, Mi Nam."
Mi Nam returned Shin Woo's smile. "Thank you, Shin Woo hyung- but what are you doing?" She questioned again, frowning a little at the sight of the notepad. "You shouldn't be working when you're in bed!"
"I'm writing a love story."
"…Love story?"
"Yeah," Shin Woo nodded. He lifted himself from the bed, sliding himself across the covers. Mi Nam watched as he came to rest on the edge of the bed, making himself comfortable on it as he swung his legs over the side casually.
"Come sit beside me, Mi Nam," he said to the other brunette, who hesitated before complying at his encouraging smile.
Shin Woo's smile widened as Mi Nam plopped down lightly beside him, staring at the note pad in his hands.
"So, Shin Woo hyung's writing a love story?"
"Yeah," Shin Woo affirmed. He gave a sigh, looking at Mi Nam out of the corner of his eyes. "Tae Kyung forced me to write it."
"He did!?" Mi Nam asked in incredulity, eyes wide. "Why?!"
"Actually, it's his and his girlfriend's love story," Shin Woo explained at the confusion in Mi Nam's eyes.
"Oh. So you're writing your and Hyung-nim's love story?"
"Tae Kyung and Joo Eun's love story," Shin Woo corrected mildly, but with a touch of annoyance in his voice.
Mi Nam blinked. "Ah yes…"
She then moved a little closer, though the movement wasn't executed without hesitance. "Then, do you have any ideas, Shin Woo hyung?"
"Not really," Shin Woo said. He was staring at the piece of paper as if doing so would suddenly make the words he needed appear. "I can't seem to think of anything. I'm not really a romantic person anyway."
"Eh? But I think you're quite romantic!" Mi Nam protested, causing Shin Woo turn to her in surprise. She gave him a bright smile. "I mean, you did buy a present for the girl you liked, right? That's quite romantic, isn't it?"
"That's because I liked her," Shin Woo explained, a sad smile crossing his lips at the memory. "I wanted to impress her and win her heart."
"Ah, I see…" Mi Nam said. She then noticed Shin Woo's somber expression and moved to change the topic but was interrupted by Shin Woo.
"Do you think I still have a chance?"
"Eh?"
"To win her heart, I mean," Shin Woo elaborated. He locked his gaze with Mi Nam's surprised one. "Do you think I still have a chance to win her heart, even if she likes someone else?"
"Um…is she and the other person together?"
"No…he doesn't know she likes him yet."
"Oh," Mi Nam said quietly. Shin Woo's words reminded her of her own unrequited love for Tae Kyung which she had not been able to give up, no matter how many times she told herself it would only trouble him.
"I don't know…" Mi Nam confessed softly. "I mean, it depends on how much she likes him," she bit her lip. "If she really likes him, then…"
"I see…"
"Ah, but if you're really sincere in your love for her then she may just accept it!" Mi Nam said quickly at Shin Woo's depressed expression. He looked at her in surprise, and she gave him an encouraging smile.
"I mean, if the guy she likes really doesn't like her back, then she might turn to you," Mi Nam reasoned.
"Shin Woo hyung's a really great guy, you know? Any girl would want you!"
"Except you." Shin Woo thought gloomily. "And ironically, you're the only girl I'd ever want."
But he turned the emerging frown into a smile which showed his appreciation for her trying to cheer him up. "Thanks Mi Nam, I'll remember that."
"You're welcome, Shin Woo hyung!" Mi Nam said brightly. She and Shin Woo exchanged smiles before they turned their attention back to the task at hand.
"You…you really can't think of anything?" Mi Nam ventured cautiously at the concentrated expression on Shin Woo's face.
Shin Woo sighed. "Yeah." He frowned slightly. "Why do I have to do this anyway?"
"I'm sorry; it's because of me in the first place, isn't it?" Mi Nam apologized. She seemed to ponder for a moment, before saying tentatively, "Um…would you like to hear an idea of mine?"
"It's not because of you, Mi Nam, it's Tae Kyung who forced me to do this," Shin Woo reassured the shorter brunette. "And the situation isn't really your fault; it's actually Yoo He Yi's."
"But yeah, that would help a lot. I'm sure your ideas are much better than my uncompleted ones anyway."
"Alright then," Mi Nam agreed, nodding. "How about this; Tae Kyung and you- I mean, Joo Eun met at a karaoke bar?"
"A karaoke bar?"
"Yeah; I mean, Tae Kyung has gone to a karaoke bar before, hasn't he?"
"Yeah, but it was a long time ago," Shin Woo informed her. "Jeremy dragged us both there."
"Oh. Well, my idea should be okay then; Tae Kyung and Joo Eun met at a karaoke bar, where they discovered their common interest in singing and eventually became close…" Mi Nam trailed off.
Shin Woo blinked a few times, and Mi Nam hastened to speak. "Eh, is my idea not good? I mean, it's the only way I can imagine Hyung-nim meeting a girl he's willing to call his girlfriend; she has to have the same interest as him or they'd never get along…"
"No…your idea's really good," Shin Woo said, smiling. "It's just…I never thought of it before. I guess I was so occupied and focused on thinking about prospects of romantic meetings that I forgot about the basics of companionship."
"Oh…well a love story doesn't necessarily have to be romantic," Mi Nam pointed out logically. "I mean, as long as it shows how the couple came to meet each other it should be fine, right? Because whatever meeting they had they would eventually come to love each other."
"That makes sense," Shin Woo agreed. He grinned at Mi Nam. "I forgot; you're a girl too. I should have asked you earlier."
Mi Nam blushed, smiling. She sent a quick prayer of thanks to Manager Ma and Noona for taking the initiative to introduce her to the various trends in Korea so she would be more knowledgeable about her surroundings.
Mi Nam watched as Shin Woo started turning her idea into a short love story in point form, the satisfied smile on his face growing as he wrote neatly but quickly on the small note pad, turning the page when necessary.
When he was done, he turned to face Mi Nam, smiling. "I've finished it. Thanks for the idea, by the way." He then looked down at what he had written. "It's a little sketchy at some parts though. You think Tae Kyung will accept it?"
Mi Nam scowled slightly. "Well, if he doesn't then he should just go and write his own!" Shin Woo regarded her with surprise and mild shock, causing her to flush, her shy demeanor returning. "I-I mean, he thrust all responsibility onto you, right? If he doesn't like what you put so much effort in for then he should at least be able to show you a better job!"
Shin Woo blinked, before smiling. "That's true." He then pushed himself off the bed, walking a few steps forward before looking over his shoulder at Mi Nam. "I'm going to show it to him now then. Do you want to come too?"
Mi Nam grinned. She sprang from the bed to Shin Woo's side. "Sure! I mean, I kind of want to see Hyung-nim's reaction too." She admitted.
"And if he isn't satisfied, I want to be there to stand up for Shin Woo hyung, just like he's always done for me," Mi Nam thought as Shin Woo returned her grin with a curve of his lips. She took in the sight of his feminine appearance with a mixture of melancholy and guilt in her eyes. "He's helped me out a lot. Even right now; by dressing up as a girl and acting as Hyung-nim's girlfriend, despite how uncomfortable that must be making him feel."
"I want to be there for Shin Woo hyung if he ever needs me." Mi Nam thought to herself, but didn't say out loud, deciding to keep the words as a little secret within her heart.
"He's been here for me all along; it's my turn to be here for him now." Mi Nam murmured softly to herself, smiling at what she thought was her thought.
"What did you say?"
Mi Nam blinked at the voice which interrupted her from her thoughts. Realizing she had spoken her thoughts out loud, she tried to cover it up with a smile. "It's nothing; I was just talking to myself."
Shin Woo stared at her. He looked like he wanted to say something more but decided not to, instead turning around and heading towards the door.
"Well, are you coming then?"
"Yeah, of course!" Mi Nam replied cheerfully.
Shin Woo turned his gaze to Mi Nam as she jogged up to his side. She met his soft brown eyes with her own bright ones, and the two brunettes shared a smile with each other before they proceeded to exit the room in search of its owner.
Tae Kyung was practicing singing a song in the recording studio when his sensitive ears caught the sound of the door opening, followed by the sound of light footsteps.
"Tae Kyung."
The vocalist paused in his singing, turning his gaze to Shin Woo, who was standing at the doorway.
"Didn't I say you were supposed to rest for one more day?"
Shin Woo ignored Tae Kyung's sarcastic words. He strode lightly forward, holding out the notepad he carried in his hand to Tae Kyung.
"I finished the love story." He said simply as Tae Kyung raised an eyebrow at him questioningly.
Tae Kyung's other eyebrow shot up, but he took the notepad from Shin Woo, staring at it with vague amusement. "Really? Well, let's see what the lady came up with, shall we?"
"Yeah, how did you know Mi Nam came up with the idea?" Shin Woo thought sarcastically.
He resisted the urge to speak his thoughts out loud to Tae Kyung, instead watching as Tae Kyung flipped through the notepad, sharp black eyes scanning his quickly written words.
While Tae Kyung was reading the love story he had written, Shin Woo turned his gaze to Mi Nam, who was peeking out from the edge of the doorway. She gave him an encouraging smile, shaking her head when he gestured for her to come in with a smile.
"So, you thought this out yourself?"
Shin Woo reluctantly turned his attention back to Tae Kyung at his inquiry. He nodded, causing Tae Kyung to give a smirk.
"Liar," he mumbled almost inaudibly to himself. He then looked up, raising his voice and speaking sarcastically, "Go Mi Nam, you can come out now."
Tae Kyung watched smugly as Mi Nam's eyes widened in surprise before she shuffled quietly into the room, avoiding his gaze.
Tae Kyung held up the notepad, his eyes on Mi Nam. "Go Mi Nam, did you help Shin Woo to write this?"
"No…" Mi Nam said quietly, but she had her gaze directed towards the floor.
Tae Kyung scoffed at her reply, raising an eyebrow. "You dare to lie to me, Go Mi Nam?"
There was a moment of silence before Mi Nam gave a sigh. She bit her lip, before lifting her head to bravely meet Tae Kyung's eyes.
"Shin Woo hyung really couldn't think of anything, so I told him my idea," she confessed truthfully. "It was my fault he had to write it anyway, so I wanted to help him out."
"But that's all I did! He wrote the rest on his own."
"…Really?"
"That's right," Shin Woo spoke, and Tae Kyung moved his skeptical stare in his direction. "Mi Nam only suggested to me about you and your girlfriend meeting at a karaoke bar and I expanded on her idea."
"And why a karaoke bar?"
"Because Hyung-nim wouldn't like a girl who doesn't at least have the same interest as you, would you?" Mi Nam piped up.
Tae Kyung gave a scoff, raising his gaze to Mi Nam's slightly apprehensive one. "And how would you know that?"
Mi Nam hesitated. "B-Because…"
"According to the reporters and fans, Hwang Tae Kyung's girlfriend should at least like singing," Shin Woo interrupted impatiently. "Yoo He Yi was your girlfriend once. And since she was a celebrity like you, you and her being together caused an uproar."
"If Hwang Tae Kyung's girlfriend didn't like his work, the fans and reporters might consider her unworthy of him," Shin Woo continued as he met Tae Kyung's eyes unflinchingly. "Yoo He Yi might get suspicious as well."
Tae Kyung stared at him, seemingly contemplating. Just when Shin Woo was starting to feel uncomfortable from his piercing gaze, the black haired vocalist snorted. "Fine."
"Does that mean you'll accept it?" Mi Nam asked hopefully.
To her surprise, Tae Kyung turned to her with a smile that caused her heart to skip a beat. "Yeah."
"Though, since when were you involved in this anyway?"
"Eh? That's because it's my fault…that Shin Woo hyung has to dress up as a girl and act as your girlfriend," Mi Nam told him honestly, a tinge of guilt in her voice. "I want to do all I can to help him out."
"Only for his current situation?"
"O-of course not!" Mi Nam replied indignantly. "I'd like to help him whenever he needs my help as well!"
Tae Kyung watched as Shin Woo turned to Mi Nam at her statement, giving her a reassuring smile. "Thanks Mi Nam, but I told you before; it's not your fault. It's Yoo He Yi's."
"All the same, I still want to help you!" Mi Nam said determinedly. Shin Woo blinked, and she spoke hesitantly, "Can I?"
"Sure," Shin Woo smiled genuinely at her, and Tae Kyung could see happiness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "I would be grateful for any help you offer me."
"Ah yes, that's right; you two are friends now, aren't you?" The black haired man interrupted the sweet moment sarcastically.
"We've always been friends…" Mi Nam pointed out as she glanced at him, before turning back to Shin Woo. "Right, Shin Woo hyung?"
Shin Woo nodded. "Mi Nam's right."
"So I guess you're friends with Joo Eun too?"
"Yeah; aren't they the same person?"
"No," Tae Kyung shook his head, frowning slightly with a raised eyebrow. "Shin Woo isn't my girlfriend, is he?"
"But Shin Woo's Joo Eun and Joo Eun's your girlfriend…" Mi Nam said, puzzled.
A hand landed on her shoulder, and she turned her head to see Shin Woo, who was smiling at her reassuringly. "It's alright, Mi Nam. Tae Kyung's just trying to confuse you."
"Ah…I see…"
Shin Woo smiled fondly at Mi Nam's look of realization. He reached out to pat her head lightly, his smile widening as she blinked in surprise, before he turned. "It looks like our job here is done. Shall we get going then, Mi Nam?"
Mi Nam returned his smile with a bright smile of her own. "Alright, Shin Woo hyung!"
"It's Joo Eun," Tae Kyung corrected dryly. He smirked as Mi Nam turned to face him in surprise. "You're spending time with my girlfriend because you're friends with her too, aren't you?"
"Oh, right…"
Tae Kyung nodded. He raised his eyebrows. "That's right; be a gentleman to her, Go Mi Nam," he drawled, sarcasm dripping from his voice like poisoned honey. "Make sure to treat her well, and that she stays in bed because she's still unwell."
Mi Nam blinked. She wasn't sure of the exact meaning of Tae Kyung's words, but she nodded anyway. "I will!"
But then she remembered how badly Tae Kyung had treated Shin Woo, despite the fact that he was practically doing a favor for the black haired vocalist at the expense of his own dignity and pride. Mi Nam frowned, feeling a sense of irritation at Tae Kyung's ungratefulness.
Mi Nam took a deep breath, before speaking determinedly, meeting Tae Kyung's cold black eyes. "You don't have to worry Hyung-nim; I will take good care of Joo Eun for you, since you seem to be too busy to take care of your own girlfriend yourself."
Tae Kyung blinked. He watched in surprise as Mi Nam tore her gaze away from his and whirled around, taking the equally surprised Shin Woo by the hand and leading him away firmly but gently from the recording studio.
Shin Woo glanced back at Tae Kyung, his brown eyes meeting Tae Kyung's black ones in shared surprise for a moment before they disappeared as Mi Nam pulled him away from the recording studio.
The room was engulfed in complete silence as Tae Kyung stared at the empty space in disbelief. However, he soon recovered, giving a scoff at the recent unexpected scene that had played out before him.
"I didn't know Go Mi Nam even knew what sarcasm was!"
With those words, Tae Kyung went back to practicing his singing. Still, he could not help but be distracted by Mi Nam's words and eventually stopped, taking off his headphones in annoyance.
The black haired vocalist scowled. "Why do I have to take care of him? Isn't it more than enough that I let him sleep in my bed while I had to sleep on a mattress on the floor like Go Mi Nam when she moved into my room?!"
"I even carried him here," Tae Kyung spoke convincingly to himself. "When I've never done that for anyone before!"
He blinked, pausing at his own words. "Now, why did I do that?" He pondered to himself. "Because I was worried? Wait, that's not like me at all."
Tae Kyung rolled his eyes at the thought. "Why would I be worried about Kang Shin Woo, of all people?" He scoffed scornfully. "I probably did that because I couldn't just leave him there, could I?"
"And I took care of him with Go Mi Nam and Jeremy because he had a high fever." Tae Kyung concluded shortly, directing his gaze to the side. "There's no other reason."
Something told him he was missing out on something but he brushed the thought away, annoyed. Tae Kyung shifted his gaze to the closed door instead, a conflict of emotions in his eyes at the memory that plagued his confused mind.
"Just who is she a fan of now, anyway?!"
"Why did you do that?"
Mi Nam stopped in her tracks at Shin Woo's words. She bit her lip, before turning to face the disguised brown haired man.
"I-I don't know, Shin Woo hyung," she said softly, avoiding Shin Woo's curious eyes. "I guess I was just annoyed at Hyung-nim treating you badly…"
"Treating me badly?"
"Yeah," Mi Nam nodded. She moved her gaze to meet Shin Woo's slightly surprised one. "I-I mean, you're dressing up as his girlfriend not only for…m-me, but for him too!"
"…Why do you say that?"
"I don't know why, but Hyung-nim doesn't like Yoo He Yi, right?" Mi Nam asked and Shin Woo nodded. She then continued tentatively, "I…I think he wants to get rid of her, and by pretending you're- I mean, Joo Eun's his girlfriend…"
Shin Woo blinked. "I see…" He said in realization. For some reason, he had never thought of it that way before.
"Shin Woo hyung is helping him, yet Hyung-nim treats you so badly," Mi Nam whispered fiercely. "He forces you to write a love story for the reporters…doesn't take care of you when you're sick…"
She hesitated, before saying, her eyes narrowed slightly in annoyance. "It…It makes me mad….!"
Shin Woo's eyes had been focused intently on Mi Nam the whole time she was speaking, and they widened in surprise at her confession.
The guitarist was silent as he stared at Mi Nam who was looking off to the side. Had he heard correctly? Did Mi Nam just say Tae Kyung treating him badly made her mad?
Had the cheerful and peace loving girl he loved gotten angry at Tae Kyung, the man she loved, for his sake?
"Why?" Shin Woo thought aloud, causing Mi Nam to blink. Realizing he had spoken his thought out loud, he moved to clarify, "It's normal for Tae Kyung to treat people badly, isn't it?"
Mi Nam thought for a while, before replying slowly, "I…I guess, but maybe it's because…"
"Because?"
Mi Nam took a deep breath, before raising her brown eyes to meet Shin Woo's seriously. "Because I know what it's like to cross dress as the opposite gender."
"I-I mean, it's not like I don't like being a guy, I'm actually pretty okay with it," Mi Nam said quickly, struggling to find the proper words to express her feelings. "It's just…"
The brunette blinked as a hand landed on her head. She looked at Shin Woo in surprise, who was smiling gently at her.
"It's alright, Mi Nam, I understand." The guitarist reassured his love as he smoothed out her locks of short brown hair.
She blinked in return, brushing away a strand of hair that had fallen to obscure her vision. "You…You do?"
"Yeah," Shin Woo nodded. He gave Mi Nam's hair a playful ruffle before withdrawing his hand and looking her in the eyes, smiling wryly. "I'm experiencing the same thing now, aren't I?"
"Oh…that's right…"
Shin Woo smiled. He patted Mi Nam on the shoulder before advancing forward towards his room. "I'll go change now, though, and take a shower too," he grimaced as he turned his gaze to the black dress he was wearing. "I've been in this…outfit for about three days."
Mi Nam turned to smile at him. "Alright, do you want me to wait for you then?"
Shin Woo craned his neck a little, blinking in surprise. "Don't you have anything to do?"
"Eh?" Mi Nam blinked back. Shin Woo's words then sunk into her brain, causing her eyes to widen. The brunette waved her arms frantically. "Oh! Sorry Shin Woo hyung! If I'm bothering you then I'll just go now-"
"Relax Mi Nam, I was just asking," Shin Woo interrupted her gently. He turned around to smile at her, gladness in his eyes. "I'm happy that you want to spend more time with me."
Perhaps it was because Shin Woo's eyes and smile which seemed brighter than usual reflected his heartfelt words, that Mi Nam found herself feeling a little embarrassed. Feeling a light blush come to her cheeks, she managed to stutter out. "O-Oh."
Shin Woo smiled as Mi Nam flushed. He didn't know the reason why, but he found it pretty cute. Realizing his gaze was wandering down to her soft lips, he searched his mind for something to say.
"Thanks…for trusting me enough to talk to me about your feelings," he spoke suddenly, causing Mi Nam to look up at him in surprise. He smiled. "I really appreciate it."
The guitarist then turned, making his way towards his room, trying to phrase the words he wanted to convey. "And…you can be a girl in front of me. I won't mind." Shin Woo called out over his shoulder, smiling as he remembered the few times he had seen Mi Nam as a pretty girl.
"T-Thank you, Shin Woo hyung," Shin Woo's smile widened at Mi Nam's shy voice. "I'll remember that."
He looked back, returning her grateful smile. "You don't have to thank me, Mi Nam." He said simply, holding the door to his room open. "Do you want to come in and wait?"
"Ah no, that's okay; you're going to bathe, right?"
"I can bring my clothes into the bathroom and change there." Shin Woo reassured, remembering Mi Nam's shy nature.
"It's fine…I don't want to trouble you." Mi Nam replied hesitantly.
Shin Woo gave her an accepting smile at the slight guilt in her eyes. "If you say so," he nodded, before turning to enter his room. "Don't worry, I won't be long."
"Alright!"
Mi Nam's reply was accompanied by a cheerful smile, and Shin Woo returned it with a small grin of his own before closing the door behind him.
"Perhaps this situation isn't as bad as I first thought after all."
Mi Nam was leaning against the wall next to the door of Shin Woo's room, deep in thought when she heard her name being called out loudly next to her ear.
"Mi Nam!"
Mi Nam jumped a little in surprise. Shaken out of her thoughts, she raised her gaze to meet Shin Woo's amused smile. "Shin Woo hyung!"
Shin Woo smiled. He was wearing a grey button up shirt with gold buttons on its collars over a black undershirt, and had thrown on a casual pair of long white pants. He had taken off his long-worn wig of long black hair and his tousled and slightly wet brown hair now covered his eyes slightly, spiking up along the back of his head and hiding the silver earrings on his ears.
"Sorry for startling you," he apologized mildly. "But you seemed to be deep in thought and didn't hear me the first few times I called you."
Mi Nam nodded numbly, causing Shin Woo to blink. "Is there something wrong?" He asked concernedly.
At Shin Woo's words, Mi Nam seemed to snap out of her stupor. She shook her head vigorously. "N-No!"
"How can I tell Shin Woo hyung I'm just surprised at seeing him as a guy?!" Mi Nam thought to herself frantically. "He would think I'm insulting him!"
"Your face is red…" Mi Nam blinked as Shin Woo's voice was followed by a hand placing itself gently on her forehead. "You don't seem to have a fever though…"
"Ah, I'm fine, Shin Woo hyung," Mi Nam reassured him, forcing away the light blush on her cheeks, not wanting him to worry.
"Besides, aren't you the one who's unwell?"
Shin Woo blinked. He removed his hand from Mi Nam's forehead, bringing it to his own to feel his own temperature.
"I don't think I have a fever anymore."
"Ah, I see…but you should still rest, just in case!" Mi Nam insisted, a hint of worry in her eyes. "I don't want you to fall sick again…"
Shin Woo hesitated, and Mi Nam continued. "And…I promised Hyung-nim I would take good care of you, didn't I?"
Shin Woo wanted to point out that Mi Nam had promised Tae Kyung she would take care of his girlfriend, Joo Eun, and not him, but didn't have the heart to at Mi Nam's earnest and determined eyes.
Though, Shin Woo found he didn't really mind; he would still be spending time with the girl he loved, something he hadn't gotten much opportunity to do. The guitarist felt a smile cross his lips at the thought that this time, it was Mi Nam who had offered to stay with him.
"That's true." Shin Woo admitted, smiling genuinely at his love. He turned and entered his room, Mi Nam following him slowly but with a relieved smile on her face.
She watched as he strode to a table and easily lifted the chair situated near it, carrying it above his head to the bedside where he placed it down carefully. He then climbed under the covers, gesturing for Mi Nam to come over.
Mi Nam hesitated slightly before nodding and walking to Shin Woo's bedside. She sat down onto the chair he had specially placed there for her, giving him a shy smile.
Shin Woo smiled back. "So, how are you going to entertain me?" He asked casually.
Mi nam tilted her head curiously. "Entertain you?"
"Yeah," Shin Woo nodded. He smiled playfully. "Or are we just going to stare at each other like this?"
"Ah, sorry!" Mi Nam apologized, flustered. "I-I just thought you were going to sleep…"
Shin Woo gave a shrug. "I've slept a lot. I don't feel like sleeping at all now."
"I see…"
Shin Woo gave the hesitant Mi Nam a reassuring smile. "It's alright, I was just teasing you," he said simply. "You don't really have to do anything."
"But I don't want to bore you…" Mi Nam spoke softly.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to entertain you then." Shin Woo said. He smiled at Mi Nam. "Could you pass me my guitar?"
Mi Nam blinked, but picked Shin Woo's guitar carefully off the floor and handed Shin Woo's instrument to him. "You shouldn't play or sing when you're sick…"
"Thanks." Shin Woo received his guitar from her with a small grin. He reached out to mess up her brown locks playfully. "Don't worry Mi Nam; I don't even have a fever anymore. Besides, I'm just going to sing a few lines."
"Ah, alright…"
Shin Woo smiled at Mi Nam's consent. His smile widened as he held the guitar close to him and started to tune it; it felt so good to be touching his favorite instrument after days of not being able to do so.
When it was fully tuned, Shin Woo closed his eyes. He smiled as he thought of Mi Nam; the unusually great but not unwelcome attention she had been paying attention to him lately, how she had stood up against Tae Kyung for his sake, how she had offered to stay with him, like she was doing now…
Shin Woo felt happy. Although he knew he had a long way to go to win his love's heart, he was happy that they had gotten closer over the past few days, closer than they had over the previous times they had spent together. Mi Nam had even told him her real name, and shared with him her personal feelings; things he would bet she had never shared with Tae Kyung.
Shin Woo smiled. He opened his eyes, shifting his bright gaze to meet Mi Nam's. "Something good happened to me today. Can you guess what it is?"
"What?"
"I managed to get closer to the girl I like." Shin Woo told Mi Nam, staring her in the eyes. "And…I think I'm going to write another song about her."
The brown haired man smiled at his love before turning his attention back to his guitar. He started to play it slowly but certainly, taking a deep breath before starting to sing.
Nan geudael man na haengbok hamnida
I am happy because I met you
Nan geudael man na kkumeul kkubnida
I dream because I met you
Geudaelman bomyum useumi najyo
I laugh whenever I see you
Amado saranginga bwa
Perhaps this is love
Shin Woo sang in a slightly high-pitched but strong voice, channeling the happiness he felt into the song. He ended off on a light and breathy note, meeting Mi Nam's eyes as he sang the last line.
Shin Woo smiled at Mi Nam as he finished his song. "So, what do you think?"
"It's good," Mi Nam said, grinning slightly. "I'm sure if you sing that to her she would understand your feelings better!"
"Then, do you understand me more now?" Shin Woo was tempted to say aloud, but didn't. Mi Nam was not ready yet.
Instead, he returned Mi Nam's grin. "Thanks. I'll remember that."
Shin Woo frowned in concern as Mi Nam managed a weak smile back. "What's wrong?"
Mi Nam blinked. "Ah, nothing…I'm just thinking…" she smiled at Shin Woo, but he could see from her eyes that she wasn't really seeing him at the moment.
Shin Woo's frown deepened at the thought. "About?"
"Well, I was just thinking that I admire you for being able to act on your feelings…" Mi Nam confessed softly, a sad smile crossing her lips. "I wish I could do that too…"
Shin Woo forced a smile. "I see. Do you have someone you like as well?"
"Yeah," Mi Nam gave a nod, sadness in her eyes at the thought of her unrequited love. "But he doesn't like me back."
"How do you know that?"
"Well, he's a really important person, and many people love him…" Mi Nam started hesitantly. "He's like a star…someone I could never be worthy of."
"You're a famous person too." Shin Woo pointed out.
"Maybe, but I'm famous as a guy, aren't I?" Mi Nam smiled sadly, blinking away the tears in her eyes. "He would never notice me, not the way I want him to."
Shin Woo gave a dry laugh. "Our situations are so similar that it's kind of ironic," he couldn't resist saying. Realizing he wasn't helping Mi Nam, he continued on a different note. "Is he the person you wanted to give that star to?"
She blinked at him in surprise. "How did you know?"
Knowing Mi Nam liked Tae Kyung was one thing, hearing her say it herself was another. Shin Woo felt his heart clench painfully, but hid his pain with a grim smile.
Shin Woo stared at Mi Nam. She looked sad and even had tears in her eyes. His eyes softened. He didn't want to see her sad, especially because of Tae Kyung.
"I guessed." Shin Woo replied when he realized that Mi Nam was waiting for an answer. He put his guitar away and leaned back against his pillow, staring up at Mi Nam and speaking in a casual tone.
"So, have you given it to him yet?"
"No…"
"Why not?"
"Well, we kind of got into an argument…" Mi Nam told him. "And…I don't think he would accept it anyway, not if it's from me…a guy."
Shin Woo resisted the urge to sigh. He couldn't believe he was saying this, but, "I think you should give it to him."
Mi Nam looked at Shin Woo in surprise. "I should?"
The guitarist nodded. "You don't have to do it to confess or anything," he said. "If you're not ready to tell him you're a girl yet you can just give it to him as a show of friendship or…"
"…As a fan?"
"Yeah," Shin Woo nodded. He managed a smile. "That way, you'll still be able to express your affections for him, even if he doesn't know."
"I see…" Mi Nam said, contemplating. "But what if he rejects it?"
"Well, it's better than not having tried at all, right?" Shin Woo pointed out logically. "You won't be able to get his heart by doing nothing, will you?"
"Though he should be the one who's trying to get your heart instead." He couldn't help but think.
"That's true…"
Shin Woo gave a short nod. "You should go give it to him now," He told Mi Nam, locking his gaze with hers. "Before you lose the courage to do so."
"Yeah," Mi Nam agreed. She moved to get up from her chair, but stopped, remembering something.
"Oh wait, I can't. I have to take care of you."
"It's alright," Shin Woo reassured her at her hesitant look. "Like I said just now, I'm fine."
"…Really?"
"Really," Shin Woo said. When Mi Nam still seemed hesitant, he gave a soft sigh before meeting her eyes with a smile.
"I'll go to sleep, okay? So you won't have to worry about me."
"…Alright," Mi Nam finally agreed. She smiled apologetically at him, guilt in her eyes. "I'm sorry for being such a worrywart and troubling you, Shin Woo hyung."
"It's fine." Shin Woo said simply. Mi Nam was still standing next to his bedside so he proceeded to fake a small yawn and turn to the other side so his back was facing her.
"I'm suddenly feeling sleepy, so you can leave now. It's no use for you to sit and just watch me sleep, is it?"
"Okay," He heard Mi Nam say. There was a pause and Shin Woo presumed she was making her way towards the door, before she continued in a more cheerful tone. "Then, I'll see you later, Shin Woo hyung!"
Shin Woo inhaled deeply, before replying in a casual but sleepy voice. "Yeah…sure."
It wasn't long before he heard the door open and close. Shin Woo waited for a while, to ensure that Mi Nam had indeed left, before turning onto his back and glowering up at the ceiling with an unhappy scowl on his face.
The guitarist scoffed, before turning to the side, somber brown eyes staring at the empty chair where Mi Nam had been sitting on just minutes before, smiling and spending time with him and listening to his song for her, while thinking of Tae Kyung.
"I was a fool to hope."