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She was surprised at first, but not for long. She had a feeling he was gonna show up. She did not look at him but he was standing just behind her. She was silent. The mere fact that he was there made her pain explode.

"I never really liked it when guys go near you, and I get really frustrated when guys go after you. It has always been like that. Maybe you just didn't notice. But I was jealous of every guy around you except for your dad of course. I am your overprotective older brother alright," Sehun began talking.

He wanted to tell her everything he had done in the past years. And Seunghee was quietly listening to him.

"And ever since we moved, I always see to it that I monitor your every friend. That's why even if I had no business going here, I would still make sure I check on you. But it was just Kevin hyung with you all those while. I was at ease. I always thought you would end up with him. He was nearly perfect for you."

Seunghee gave off a troubled expression. He was expecting I'd be with Kevin-oppa? He knew all about him? She was dumbfounded. Maybe Kevin was the perfect one for her, but not the right one.

"But when he left, I heard a lot of guys always swarmed around you. And just recently you chose one out of them. Seungcheol, that bastard. You're never really good at picking guys. He had always annoyed the hell out of me."

He knew about Seungcheol too? How did he even find out? She was barely with him for more than a month.

"I bullied him. He never told you? He was serious with you I guess."

That was the time she erupted. She bolted up to face him, angrily.

"You what? What have you really been doing behind my back all these years? Are you really planning to hurt every guy I came to be with?"

"Yes. I am."

"You're despicable. What good have you even done for me?"

"I have done everything to show you the right person Seunghee because I was afraid that every guy you end up with was not earnest. You're my dearest princess and I didn't want anybody to hurt you."

"So you had to hurt them in return? That's just absurd!"

"I had to. It was inevitable. But I failed to do it to one person in secrecy. The biggest threat I ever faced is the guy you're with today."

"What are you..."

"Yes, I tried to harass him before even deciding to stay here."

"What?!"

"But there was nothing I could do. Everything I did just didn't reach him. He was too good of a person that my little pranks and ill-will did not have any effect on him. So I decided to be out in the open and did the worst things I could ever have done."

Seunghee was so mad at him right then. She couldn't put it into words. But something shocked her. Tears started falling down Sehun's cheeks. He was crying for the very first time infront of her.

"I'm sorry. For hurting you. For giving you pain. I just wanted to test him. I just wanted to make sure of everything for you."

She could feel her heart soften. He was being sincere.

"But why like this? There are other ways. Couldn't you be more considerate? Of me? Of my feelings?"

"It's the only way I know. Because that was the way mom left me."

So everything had to root from that day. She was beginning to understand.

"You saved me from being alone Seunghee. That's why I wanted to make sure, you won't have to be alone in life in the future."

With that one line, Seunghee flocked into his arms and embraced him. She could never bear not forgiving him. All she wanted was to hear him say sorry. She began weeping too.

"It's okay now. I forgive you oppa."

"Thank you Seunghee."

He hugged her in return. He will never hurt her again. He promised himself.

Jeonghan was just standing nearby. He heard everything. He was glad they were okay now. But it kept him thinking, when did he start bullying him in the shadows? Apparently, he had no idea.

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Jeonghan went over Seunghee and Sehun after everything had subsided. They were acting normal again, like nothing had happened. So he decided to make a prank.

"Just what is he doing here?" Jeonghan said as he approached the two.

The instant Sehun saw him, he knew he was trying to make a play.

"And what is it to you?" Sehun replied.

Seunghee was alarmed by the sudden tension. She forgot they were still on bad terms. She quickly went over Jeonghan who had this really annoyed expression.

"Jeonghan, wait. Let me talk to you for a minute."

"No, I really want to give this a guy a beating. I was just holding back yesterday but now..." Jeonghan uttered.

"Bring it on! I won't yield from you," Sehun talked back.

"No! You guys calm down! Don't fight here!" Seunghee interjects.

They were both getting ready to pick a fight and charge but they ended up shaking hands and both started laughing. Seunghee was just at a loss for words.

"But I still don't approve of you remember that," Sehun said.

"I won't. But I won't admit defeat to you even if you harass me till I'm old and gray," Jeonghan replied.

"We'll see about that."

Seunghee could not help her tears. She was the one being bullied by the two guys who meant the world to her. But in a good way. She couldn't help but start sobbing.

"What..." Sehun got alarmed.

"Seunghee!" Jeonghan quickly held her arms gently. "Hey, what's wrong? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep it from you. Sehun-shi just wanted to make it right before we tell you."

"Yeah, come on, stop crying Seunghee," Sehun seconded.

But she was still crying. She was so happy. No words could describe her feelings that moment. Jeonghan was patting her head trying to calm her down. He was so sorry for hiding it from her. He never really liked seeing her cry. Sehun just smiled at the sight of them and he felt out of place. So she really has him now, he thought. His place was never really beside her. But he pledged to himself that he would always stay behind her, ready to break out of his way whenever she needed him.

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Sehun got a slot to stay at the SME Dorms. It was where he was staying at after leaving Jeonghan's place. Jeonghan and Seunghee conveyed him there that afternoon, he had to attend practice by 630pm. And besides, it was also nearby Jeonghan's part-time job.

"Are you okay here? Is the place good enough?" Seunghee asked.

Jeonghan's arm was around Seunghee's shoulders. It was kinda getting on Sehun's nerve. After all, they have only been in good terms a few minutes ago.

"Will you take your arm off Seunghee? It's kinda annoying," Sehun reprimanded.

Jeonghan chuckled but removed it from her.

"There you go," Jeonghan said.

"Much better," Sehun replied.

Seunghee was just smiling. It was better this way. She can't get tired of them being like this.

"It's more comfy here. I can do whatever I want. I have a room all to myself," Sehun said.

He was trying to ridicule Jeonghan but it was a friendly one. Jeonghan just brushed it off.

"But you know, there's a rumor roaming around here," Sehun continued.

"What kind of rumor?" Seunghee asked eagerly.

Sehun shared, "That there's a psycho among the trainees. That he had been admitted to a mental institute for 5 years in his childhood."

"Sounds legit to me. You don't get that kind of rumor everyday," Jeonghan commented.

"Yeah. So you're sure he's a guy?" Seunghee inquired.

"Well yeah. That's what everyone is saying. And they said it just came to be that he was sponsored by some wealthy politician or something that he got in," Sehun added.

"Sounds troublesome," Jeonghan insights.

"Yeah, and if that's true isn't a bit unsafe here? You better lock your room at night oppa," Seunghee said.

"I will my sweet cousin."

Sehun pinched her cheeks like he usually did and she pouted. Jeonghan could not contain how cute she was. Kissing her cheek was the thing he did next and Sehun did not approve of it.

"Why you little..."

Sehun acted like kicking him and Jeonghan pretended like defending himself. They were acting silly with the foreplay.

"Ah, you two stop it..." Seunghee murmured.

But deep inside, she was having fun. Seeing them getting along had never made her feel any better.

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Seunghee walked Jeonghan to his part-time job then.

"What do you think about Sehun-oppa's story?"

"I don't know? Maybe it's made up just to keep the trainees indoors at night."

"Hm... It bothers me though. It's such a concrete rumor. But then it's really scary if that's true. I'm thinking what kind of psycho is that person?"

"You worry too much. It's just rumor. Your cousin's gonna be alright."

"I'm just exercising the benefit of the doubt theory."

"Rumors are rumors Seunghee."

"Okay, alright. I'm just overthinking. I'll drop you off now. I have to buy something."

"Okay, send me a message when you arrive home."

They were already at his workplace. Seunghee gave him a kiss on the cheek before going and Jeonghan just stared at her as she went ahead.

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Seunghee bought pieces of strings for her piano. The maintenance-man asked her to buy some replacement parts for his service the next day. She was walking along the street going home when someone walked beside her. She was startled only to find out it was Chanyeol. She stopped on her tracks with a big sigh.

"Did I scare you?" Chanyeol asked.

"Oh... I thought it was a holdup or something. Don't you ever do that to me again!"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

But she remembered, she wasn't supposed to meet this guy right?

"What are you doing here Chanyeol-shi?"

"Seunghee, I just want to say sorry to you for what I did that day."

He showed all sincerity in his eyes and Seunghee could not ignore a person this honest. And besides he never really did her any wrong, did he?

"Alright, let's talk."

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They ended up in the same café they last met. Seunghee felt a little awkward with him though. She did not give him enough credit for being a nice person and she felt a bit guilty about it.

"I'm really sorry for intruding with your relationship with Jeonghan. I never meant to be a bother. Aside from my feelings being genuine, I really just wanted to help Sehun with his plan."

"I know that. We just made up a while ago. He admitted everything to me. Well, I'm sorry too for being harsh on you. I just wanted you to stop pursuing me cuz it won't do us any good. We might end up as enemies if you persisted. If possible, I just want us to continue being acquaintances like this or even be friends in the future. You're a good guy Chanyeol-shi."

Chanyeol was relieved, so he could continue meeting her. It was alright even if he won't be able to have her.

"I'm glad. So I could still meet you right?"

"Yah."

"Thank you Seunghee."

"You're welcome."

It was a baggage off her chest again. She just wanted things to be all right. Chanyeol was just a victim of the circumstances. She didn't have to treat him sternly. But apparently, things were a bit complex for Chanyeol. Behind his outward façade lies a more complicated persona. While Seunghee was drinking her coffee, he stared at her with wild eyes. Something he seldom did. And she was oblivious of what was to happen. An event that would make her world take a sharp turn.

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To be continued...