"...Go Mi Nam!" called a voice from the other side of her bedroom door. "Wake up! It's time to wake up!"
Go Mi Nam let out a small groan of exhaustion as she clung to her pillow with both arms. "..Yeah.." she mumbled, practically silently. After a couple seconds of being barely awake, she began to drift off into sleep, when there was a sudden banging on her bedroom door.
"Mi Nam! Mi Nam!" repeated the voice.
Her eyelids fluttered open and she scrunched up her face, trying to recognize the voice calling to her. At first––despite the familiarity––she wasn't able to picture the face belonging to such an enthusiastic voice, and Go Mi Nam was sure she knew the owner of the voice.
It's my exhaustion… Confusing me..
"Go Mi Nam…! Wake up before I bring Tae Kyung hyung up here!" called the voice in one, final warning.
Suddenly, Go Mi Nam shot upward into a sitting position at the mention of the 'threat.' "Jeremy! I-I'm awake! Don't bother him, please.."
Such a response seemed to satisfy Jeremy, seeing as he replied cheerfully, "Good! Hurry up––today's the start of the Anjell-Monstar collaboration!"
"Ah.." Go Mi Nam ran her tiny fingers through her short hair, sighing loudly. "I almost forgot.. We have a collaboration with Monstar ever since that incident last week.." Puffing out her cheeks, Go Mi Nam forced herself out of bed and stumbled over to her wardrobe, searching through the drawers for an outfit suitable for a day of activities. After throwing the outfit together, she changed into it quickly, so that she could meet up with the rest of the boys.
But as she combed her hair, standing in front of her mirror, Go Mi Nam began to think more on the schedule she would share with Monstar. Many questions ran through her mind, and of all things, she wasn't sure how the day would go at all. A part of her began to fear meeting further with Monstar, simply because she was afraid to be found out. After combing her short strands of hair, Go Mi Nam set down the comb and left her room so that none of her fellow band members would worry about her. She raced down into the kitchen, slowing to a stop as her eyes scanned the room.
Tae Kyung was standing against the counter, with a glass of water in his hands. As usual, his brows were scrunched in annoyance. "You're late. Just imagine that...group arriving before you woke up."
"Mi Nam!" Jeremy waved at her from his seat at the table. "Good morning!"
"Yes, good morning." Shin Woo approached her from behind. He held out a glass of orange juice to her. "It's going to be a long day.. But don't worry, it'll all work out." He offered a smile of reassurance. And just as she was about to grab the glass of orange juice, Tae Kyung swooped in and took it from Shin Woo.
"Not now. First, we need to talk." Tae Kyung placed the glass on the table and slid it over to Jeremy, who happily took it into his own hands. "I'll get you a new one later. Now, come on." Taking her hand gently, he pulled her directly behind him and into the next room over where they would be alone. After shutting the door, he turned to face her with concern etched onto his features. "Are you going to be okay with doing this?"
"This..?" she repeated quietly. Briefly, she paused, before nodding firmly with a tiny smile. "Yes, I am going to be okay, hyung. They are nice people."
"It doesn't matter if they seem nice, Mi Nyu," spoke Tae Kyung, using her real name. "Someone who appears nice can easily take advantage of you." He approached her, placing both hands on either sides of her shoulders, giving them a light squeeze. "I'm asking you to be careful, got it? You put yourself in the same position last time, and guess what almost happened? You were almost caught multiple times. And if any of those Monstar bastards do anything to hurt you, let me know; understand?"
"...You're silly, Tae Kyung," she spoke out of the blue, smiling warmly at her boyfriend. Boldly, she leaned up and kissed his cheek before pulling away and leaving him dumbfounded over her response. "You were never one to worry over my well being so easily.. I'm happy you care about me. But from now on, we should try to keep in character...right?" She wasn't trying to express any concern, but the truth was plain and obvious: she was terrified. She swallowed thickly, rubbing the side of her head as she lowered her gaze from his questioning one. "...This time I don't want to get caught. So just, please, see me as Go Mi Nam, nothing else. This is for your sake, and Anjell's.." she began, before he cut her off.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? You're willing to play in character, for as long as it takes? What if that takes weeks, months? I won't let you live the rest of your life as a lie, Go Mi Nyu," he interrupted her. "Right now, Anjell is the least of my concerns. You are not your brother, and he is not you. We can only hide this for so long…" He sighed irritably, giving a small shake of the head. "...I should have done more to prevent this. Mi Nyu––I'm sorry."
Before she could utter a response––and snapping her out of her shock––Tae Kyung pulled a move he rarely did. His arms wrapped around her tiny shoulders and brought her close against him, resting his chin atop her head.
"H-hyung.."
"Don't talk.. Just.. accept my apology. Because I should have done more." Tae Kyung's words were drowned in what sounded like sorrow.
His tone alone caught her off guard, but for a moment, Go Mi Nam decided to keep silent and appreciate their moment of closeness, as she was well aware these times wouldn't come often. Her eyelids closed, and for what seemed like an eternity, she listened to his light breathing, and fell deeper into his sweet, sweet embrace. If she could, she would strip herself of her brother's name and spend her life alongside his, for as long as she could, and for as long as their love was possible.
"..Tonight, after this whole situation clears up, do you want to spend the night together..?" mumbled Tae Kyung quietly.
At his words, Go Mi Nam's eyes shot wide open and she stiffened in his grasp. "..Sp-spend the night...with you…?" she repeated, stuttering slightly at first. "...In your...bed?"
At her question, Tae Kyung's arms dropped from her and he spun away from her, shielding his face from hers as he pressed a hand to the side of his head. "Not what I meant! Really, I'm trying to suggest that we just spend time together!" He cleared his throat from the obvious embarrassment. "...Not in my bed," he added quickly, as he spun around and hit her lightly at the side of her head. "Get your mind out of the gutter, or else I'll take back what I said.."
"Ow," mumbled Go Mi Nam as she rubbed the area he hit.
"That didn't hurt you," he retorted, rolling his eyes. "I barely hit you."
"Still," complained Go Mi Nam with a slight pout. "You're not supposed to hit your girlfriend––"
Her words fell short, as she avoided his gaze once more because of the heat flooding her cheeks. The two were very much boyfriend and girlfriend, though they never verbally clarified such a statement. Truthfully, for Go Mi Nam, calling herself his girlfriend felt odd; her tongue had not grown used to the term.
"..You're not supposed to hit me," she clarified, deciding not to go with the term 'girlfriend,' because Tae Kyung had also grown quiet afterwards. However, as she began to stroll past him so they wouldn't have to remain in such an awkward situation, he grabbed a firm hold of her arm and pulled her back so he could look her in the eye.
"..Maybe you're right. I shouldn't hit my girlfriend, but I'm going to anyway," he retorted to her. Before he released his grip on her, he leaned down to kiss the side of her head, where he bopped her lightly. "..All better? I heard kisses make things better.." After releasing her arm, he then turned away and strolled out of the room––calmly––first, leaving her behind a shocked mess.
Although, admittedly, Go Mi Nam couldn't help the smile that had then formed on her lips, as she brushed her hand along her neck. "Much, much better, Tae Kyung."
After he exited the room, closing the door shut behind him, Tae Kyung exhaled shakily as he ran his fingers through his hair. Embarrassment flooded over the poor singer, and for a second, he was in disbelief himself.
"Did I just.." he whispered; apparently loud enough for Shin Woo to overhear.
"Did you just what?" he repeated, curiously, with the tilt of his head. "What did you do?"
"Ooh!" Jeremy jumped into the conversation with a wide, knowing grin. "I think I know!"
"You don't!" barked Tae Kyung, cheeks flushed at the thought of everyone figuring out that he––their cold and distant leader––had a 'loving' side. "I just...hit Go Mi Nam."
"Whaa?" Jeremy jogged up to Tae Kyung and hit him lightly on the arm. "You're dating, aren't you? You don't hit your girlfriend, hyung!"
"Back off––what I do with my girlfriend is none of your business!" growled Tae Kyung as he punched Jeremy harshly in the arm.
"Owww," whined Jeremy, rubbing his arm with a slight pout. "You're cold, hyung.."
Tae Kyung snorted and took a seat at the table. "Suck it up, and quit complaining."
Within a couple seconds of Jeremy's complaints, Go Mi Nam finally stepped outside the room. Tae Kyung noticed how she avoided everyone's gaze, shyly approaching the table, but instead of sitting beside Tae Kyung, she sat next to Shin Woo; brushing strands of hair behind her ear.
At first, all three of the members watched and stared at her in confusion. Tae Kyung mentally slapped himself in the face, knowing that her behavior was only making it even more obvious that something occurred between the two.
Shin Woo was the first to question her behavior. "Is everything okay?"
"Y-yeah.. Everything is fine!" responded Go Mi Nam, but not without stuttering first.
"Then why're you all red?" pressed Jeremy as he seated himself beside her as well. "What's got you looking like a tomato?" He leaned in close to her, clearly passing her personal bubble of space.
"No-nothing!" she replied immediately, shoving his face away from hers as she turned her head to the side, only to meet with Shin Woo's curious gaze. "..Not you too.."
"Then. Tell. Us!" Jeremy demanded eagerly, almost like a child.
"Yah!" snapped Tae Kyung as he kicked the seat closer to him––Jeremy's seat exactly. The power of the kick almost sent Jeremy out of his seat. "What did I say? I just said that everything we do is none of your business! Behind closed doors doesn't concern either of you.."
Regret flooded over Tae Kyung as he saw Shin Woo and Jeremy exchange a curious look with one another; one that was almost suspicious. Jeremy was the first to break the silence, with a wide, knowing grin.
"I knew it! You kissed Mi Nam!" Jeremy sang out in a mocking tone. "Hyung kissed Mi Nam! Hyung kissed Mi Nam!"
"That...isn't it.." Tae Kyung forced those words past his lips, gripping onto the table in frustration. "Take that back."
"So what if it is true, Tae Kyung?" Shin Woo's words startled the singer. Surprisingly, his expression remained calm, and his voice cool. His eyes bore into Tae Kyung's, almost as if he was observing him. Such an act made Tae Kyung fairly uncomfortable and he shifted in his seat underneath Shin Woo's gaze. "You two are dating.. It wouldn't be weird."
"Shin Woo," began Tae Kyung, by now coming to the realization that Shin Woo did have feelings for Go Mi Nyu at one point. But before he could even begin his statement, a loud voice boomed out into the room.
"Tae Kyung!"
He easily recognized the annoying voice as Anjell's imbecile excuse of a manager, Manager Ma.
Without waiting for a response, Manager Ma strolled into the kitchen with four young males following behind him. He smiled uneasily at Tae Kyung. "M-Monstar is here.." With Manager Ma's back towards the young group, he mouthed a couple words to Tae Kyung: "Be nice."
Tae Kyung snorted and dismissed the Manager with a wave of his hand. "Great. Now, go. We can take over from here."
Hesitantly, almost like he didn't trust Tae Kyung, Manager Ma turned away and left, but not before bowing slightly to the group. After Manager Ma's departure, Tae Kyung's observant gaze watched Monstar as they stood around quietly for a few seconds, adjusting to their new environment. There were four males, one Tae Kyung didn't see the first time they met in the previous week. A blond, who focused his gaze on the floor, rather than area around him like his other members. If anything, Tae Kyung found his behavior questionable for an idol's, but he brushed it aside and ignored it. Then he shifted his gaze over to Go Mi Nam who sat silently in her seat, awkwardly, and clearly nervously. Her legs were dangling slightly, and she was rubbing her hands together.
"Mi Nam!" Tae Kyung flinched at the sudden, obnoxious yell. He watched carefully as the man––previously addressed as Jin Woo––dashed up to her and threw his arms around her. Tae Kyung stiffened at the act, and was almost tempted to throw the idol off his girlfriend, but remained sitting. "I missed you! It's been so long, ya know? It just didn't feel like a good day without you."
The other orange-haired idol––Seong Jae––followed calmly behind Jin Woo, fulfilling Tae Kyung's temptation and yanking Jin Woo off his girlfriend. "Hey, idiot, watch who you're touching. You've known Go Mi Nam for a week, and here you are acting like a fanboy."
"Oh shut up, Seong Jae.. You're so lame. No one's interested in the laid back type." Jin Woo stuck out his tongue.
"It's okay, Seong Jae," agreed Go Mi Nam, speaking at long last. "I don't mind. I thought it was kinda nice."
"See? What a loser! This is why Go Mi Nam is my new man!" Jin Woo flinched in pain as Seong Jae threw a punch into his arm. "Oww..!"
"Oops. My hand slipped." Shoving past a whining Jin Woo, Tae Kyung continued to watch as Seong Jae moved in to hug Go Mi Nam.
Impatient and irritated, Tae Kyung cleared his throat. "Are you done? We don't have all day."
Especially since I have plans tonight…
"He's like you," Jin Woo whispered to Seong Jae, yet being loud enough for everyone to hear. "Soooo lame."
Just as Tae Kyung was about to snap back at Jin Woo's irritating comment, Shin Woo spoke up first so that a fight wouldn't ignite between the two. "Ah, is that your other member?" he asked, looking over to Jin Woo as he gestured to the quiet blond.
"Oh, yeah!" Jin Woo jogged over to his friend and patted him on the back. "This here is Dae Hwan! Sorry, he's so quiet lately, but trust me: he's really, really cool."
Dae Hwan finally lifted his bored gaze from the floor. He crossed his arms over his chest, shrugging off his friend's hand. "We don't need to do anymore introductions. I know you're Jeremy," he pointed out each member. "Shin Woo… Tae Kyung.. And Go Mi Nam.." After mentioning Go Mi Nam's name, his gaze lingered on her for a couple more seconds before he glanced away. "Well, that was fun."
"Oh come on."
Sighing in annoyance, Tae Kyung blocked out Jin Woo's complaints to Dae Hwan, with Seong Jae's retorts following after. Tae Kyung's eyes looked over to Shin Woo who was listening patiently, Jeremy who had gotten up and joined Jin Woo's conversation, and Go Mi Nam who also watched with a warm smile on her lips; almost as if she were amused by the other group. With his annoyance only growing, he then glanced over at the one member who didn't say a single word: Jong Min.
Surprisingly, Jong Min looked to be observing the dorm. After watching Jong Min for some time, Tae Kyung noticed eventually that his observing gaze drifted over to Go Mi Nam; eyeing her figure.
Why is that creep looking at her? He couldn't possibly know….could he?
