or nothing else matters.

by

forever and a half.

.x.

He was the ANJELL band leader. He controlled everything, and if he wasn't there, the group would simply fall apart without his guidance.

Hwang Tae Kyung held the fate of him and his friends in the palm of his hands.

It was always a challenge; he needed to be number one, better at everything and anything than anyone else. If Shin Woo could cook well, Tae Kyung would be better. If Jeremy could breakdance like a pro, he would learn how to beat him at his own game.

But Go Mi Nam—the idiotic girl couldn't do anything. And, he partially liked it because she wouldn't be a challenge to him. But he liked her, there, anyway, for the company and her two thumbs up; "You're cool, hyung-nim!"

For his birthday, she took him to buy a gift, and they wound up buying the ANJELL pogs and stickers found in a small store near home. When asked, in front of all his peers, which one she liked the most, she nervously showed Shin Woo's as first. Tae Kyung was surprised, and became jealous, but didn't mind, because her opinion didn't mean much to him in the professional ranking.

But in his attraction rating, it meant the world.

"Jeremy's next," she said, holding up his cute little blonde self on top of the ANJELL logo. And Tae Kyung spit out his water, looking at her like she was insane, which, in fact, she was.

"I'm last?" he muttered to himself. "I'm never last. My pog sells the most. I'm the most popular. She obviously doesn't know anything."

Honestly, he wanted to be her first, or nothing else would matter.

.x.

"Hyung-nim, what's wrong?"

"You like Shin Woo?" he asked, holding her wrist harshly. "Why Shin Woo?"

He made sure not to slip the words off his tongue, so he simply intimated her by staring.

"I don't—he's only my friend, hyung-nim, but I don't care for him in the romantic way—"

"Do you like me?" he asked. She refused to meet his eyes, and he turned her chin towards him. "Do you like me?"

"Y-Yes," she blushed, wrenching her chin out of his grasp and looked down at her feet. "I like you a lot."

"Out of all of us—me, Shin Woo, and Jeremy—who do you like the best?"

He actually dreaded the answer, but felt comfort in knowing that she liked him. He liked her, too, not that he would admit it anytime soon...he knew his friends were also head over heels for Go Mi Nam, but they kept quiet and sent their own little messages to let her know discreetly.

"I-I like hyung-nim the best. He is my number one."

Tae Kyung's hold on her wrist softened, and she looked at him, confused. "Is that the right answer?"

He pulled her into a tight hug, and she squealed in shock. Chuckling softly, he kissed her forehead as he said, "Pig Rabbit, you're not so bad yourself."

"I pass?"

He ruffled her hair, the way Shin Woo did. Except, he was more intimate, brushing the strays out of her eyes.

"You pass. And Go Mi Nam?"

"Neh?"

"I give you the same marks."

She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist, too, as he held her close to him, breathing in her scent. Lavender soap and honey.

"Your opinion matters the most to me. I don't care what anybody else says."

"Why?"

He smiled, kissing her lips gently. "Because then, nothing else matters if you say it doesn't."

I loved the POG part where she told them that she liked Shin Woo's pog the best. Did you see his face? He is SOOOO CUTE. But not as cute as Jeremy! LOL!

Tae Kyung is so hot. I love him and GMN together...aghhhh.