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It's just another day inside S3's personal studio, the members have just finished practicing. They're sitting on the floor near the mirrors.

"It's gonna be next week hyung, our new schedule at the exclusive hall," Soonyoung informs him.

Jeonghan just has this annoyed look on his face. "Why did you have to accept that?"

"Hyung, it's the majority's decision. Why blame it on me?" Soonyoung replies.

Jeonghan has been grumpy all week about a new schedule and both the boys are getting fed up about his temper.

"If you didn't take up the offer of that agent, we shouldn't be bothered by him at all," Jeonghan replies his bad mood emerging.

"Why not take it up? It's gonna be good for the band! A lot of producers come there, there will be a better chance for us to be scouted," Soonyoung points out as the leader of the group.

"And maybe you only voted in favor just cuz your girlfriend is there," now glaring at Seungkwan.

"What? You're being unreasonable hyung," Seungkwan responses, a little offended of his remark.

"Don't tell me you're so against this just cuz you're ex-girlfriend is there?" Soonyoung finally asks him the forbidden question.

Jeonghan just clenches his teeth and scowls at Soonyoung. He's about to retort something when someone interferes.

"Jeonghan-ah!" Junghwa appears by the entrance shouting his name.

They all turn to see her waving at them. Jeonghan, without a thought, stands up quickly and picks up his bag and things, then walks away.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," he waves them goodbye.

Jeonghan meets Junghwa at the entrance and the girl tangles her arm over his as they exit together.

Soonyoung and Seungkwan just sigh after he's gone. Soonyoung shakes his head but doesn't comment on it. Seungkwan simply feels bad for Jeonghan. He's changed a lot since his break up with Seunghee. And it's not a good thing cuz it affects the band. He should keep his personal problems to himself, not drag them altogether with it.

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Jeonghan is still not over Seunghee. But the more he dwells on why they fell apart, the more his thoughts are concentrated at how she chose the other man over him. It makes him mad all the time. It disturbs him like it's yesterday and it consumes him. And now that he's gonna see her again, he's feeling like he needs to get back at her cuz he believes he didn't deserve to be hurt.

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For the previous couple of weeks, SMDJ regularly played at one of the finest venues in town. Their gigs have been sold out, from some hundreds to a thousand crowds. It's a long road to stardom with a lot of hard work, perseverance and patience. But of course, talent will always be a plus. Thanks to Seunghee and Minhyun's gifts of music, with Jonghyun and Dongho, they produce the perfect genre for SMDJ.

Seunghee has composed a number of new songs with Minhyun and the others but one song that really stood out among the others when they take on the stage is Seunghee's break up anthem. The song is about her breakup process with Jeonghan and it's not a secret to the other members of the band and even Elkie.

For the finale of tonight's stage, they perform this song in front of the screaming crowd.

"[Song: ONE OK ROCK ft. 5 Seconds of Summer – Take What You Want]
Take what you want
Take what you want and go...

Come and gone, the perfect storm
On and on, never ending
Open doors, empty arms
Don't look back, no pretending

I don't want anything in our broken home
Not the memories or the things we own
Not the picture of us on the wall
So take what you want

Can you hear me?
I'm trying to hear you
Silence strikes like a hurricane
Now I'm singing for you
You're screaming at me
It's hard to see your tears in the pouring rain

Take what you want
Take what you want and go
[x3]

Just go now, just go, go, go

Still remember a time when you felt like home
You and me up against the great unknown
You were my life, now you're out of my life
Yeah I guess that's life

Can you hear me?
I'm trying to hear you
Silence strikes like a hurricane
I'm singing for you
You're screaming at me
It's hard to see your tears in the pouring rain

Take what you want
Take what you want and go

Take it
No reason for me to hold on
Look in my eyes I'm letting go
Keep it
Don't need it, don't need it, don't need it!
Take what you want, take what you want and go

Can you hear me?
I'm trying to hear you
Silence strikes like a hurricane
Now I'm singing for you
You're screaming at me
It's hard to see your tears in the pouring rain

Take what you want, take what you want and go
Can you hear me?

"Thank you!!" Seunghee yells before them.

It's another fantastic night for the band. They treasure every night like it's their last, that's why they always give it their bests.

This song will always be special for Seunghee since she wrote this during that time she was in her lowest and most depressed state with Jeonghan. And it just hits her all over again everytime she sings this cuz that touch of pain will always be there and she doesn't know when it will fade.

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SMDJ plays at different great venues but one location from their schedule is the exclusive hall that they treat as number one on their list. If they have a schedule there, they will cancel out on everything else. It's a venue where a lot of producers are usually present and they won't lose a chance to get scouted even for a night.

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After their stage tonight, their handler gathers them into the dressing room to tell them urgent news.

"We have another group performing starting next week. Their schedule will run for a whole month," their agent tells them. "I have the male group S3 coming in starting next week."

It's a surprise for everyone and a shock for Seunghee. Just hearing the group's name makes her ears click. She doesn't let it show, but her expressions give it all away. She's still gravely affected about him. Minhyun and Elkie completely notice her slight agitation.

Their agent continues, "There have been lots of requests from the place's regulars so I've added them to the list. There will be nights where you'll have to alternately take the stage or if you want to simultaneously, we can arrange that."

"No, we'd better just have our own stage," Minhyun quickly replies. He glances secretly at Seunghee before adding, "We're just getting started and I think we haven't got a solid fan base yet. We should focus on our team before engaging on some collaboration first."

"But it will be great! Seeing you with other artists will broaden your audience reach and possibly widen your fan base too," Mr. Agent convinces him.

Seunghee is silent on her seat, while the others are contemplating about it.

But it is Minhyun who strongly contests the idea. "No, we decline the offer Mr."

"Okay, but I definitely won't close the doors for you if ever you change your minds. Well, that's it. I'll get going now."

After their agent has gone, then they start to talk about it.

"So can we talk about it now?" Jonghyun raises.
​
"Sure go on ahead," Minhyun utters.

"I honestly think it's a bad idea. We can't possibly work with a group. If it's another band then maybe. But it's impossible with just a group," Jonghyun says. He's saying his honest opinions but he's also considering Seunghee's stand in it.

"I think the same. It won't be beneficial to us for sure. The difference in genre is just wide," Dongho says, regarding the fact that Seunghee's ex-boyfriend is there and Elkie's boyfriend is there too.

Elkie then mutters, "It's for advertising. I think it will be okay to perform with them." She earns unconvinced looks from the guys but goes on. "There will be a mixed crowd when that stage happens. New batch of people will be able to see you and hear you. I think it's a great idea to broaden the band's fan base." She's not just thinking about herself. Of course, it will be nice to see Seungkwan every time but SMDJ will truly benefit from it, for sure, from her point of view.

For Seunghee's turn, they all wait. And she only has one thing to say. "I'll go with whatever's the majority. So I say no." She says this but her face depicts a thousand words. She's still hurting and she's not ready to see him again, most especially not on the same stage.

Minhyun then finalizes the band's stand on it, "So it's 4 to 1. We won't be having collaborations with S3 anytime soon."

But the bigger problem awaits. The fact that S3 will be there, it's the biggest shock for Seunghee to date.

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Seunghee can't sleep that night. It still lingers. S3 is gonna be performing at the same venue for a whole month. For a whole month, she will be able to see Jeonghan again. It hasn't been that long, it's only been a year and her healing is still ongoing. She doesn't know if she can face him with the right state of mind. But she'll try her best to treat him casually. Hope he does the same. Hope he feels the same.

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The following week is restless for both Seunghee and Jeonghan. A year isn't enough to cope up with their breakup. And the fact they're gonna see each other again is reckless. The feelings they've caved up until now are all wildly trying to eat them. But they can't let it overcome them. They both know how they ended their relationship. It was clear that because of career, they had to pull away and be apart. And now, the reason why they're seeing each other again is that exact same thing, their careers and it's ironic.

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Tomorrow S3 will be meeting with SMDJ. Jeonghan is ready. He doesn't want to make a fool of himself when he meets Seunghee again. He just has to keep it all in, as a man.

He approaches Soonyoung and Seungkwan at the other corner of the room. Both boys just look at him with distant faces, with what he had been these past few days, they're both just upset at him.

"Hey, I'm sorry about these past few days. I was out of line," Jeonghan tells Soonyoung.

It takes a moment before Soonyoung replies. Being the leader, he has to understand every member, thank goodness there are only three of them. "Hyung, I know you're still affected by this but this is work. I just hope it won't happen again," Soonyoung advises.

"Yeah. Don't worry," Jeonghan utters.

"And hyung, you can talk to us. There's no harm in it," Seungkwan says, opening up to him. He wants all of them to be close enough that they can tell each other their personal problems.

"Thanks. I'll remember that," Jeonghan replies.

He has calmed down now, but the agony is still inside him. Jeonghan still can't find the right state of mind to face Seunghee. And until he sees her tomorrow, he knows he won't fit with everything. And when he sees the other guy, he knows he's just gonna retaliate again.

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Meanwhile, Seunghee finally opens up to Elkie, a day before meeting Jeonghan again. As the band checks on their instruments, she sits with her at the corner of the room.

"Elkie-ya," she starts softly.

Elkie turns to her awaiting her words.

"I'm nervous. I don't want to meet him again. I'm not ready yet. I don't think it's the right time," Seunghee says.

"Unnie..." Elkie holds her hand with both hands and says, "It's gonna be hard but the band depends on you. We can't ruin this chance."

"I know. I'm well aware of that."

"I'm here unnie. Just talk to me. I'll do whatever I can."

She smiles at her, "Thank you Elkie-ya."

And she smiles back.

Tomorrow is the day. Seunghee can never prepare herself to face Jeonghan again. Their love was the only thing she ever wished for and seeing him again as a stranger, will always be painful, no matter how hard she fights it.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

Published: 04/13/18