Jan Di had a dilemma. The wedding was that weekend, and she still hadn't found anything suitable to wear. She had been busy with classes, so she had forgotten about it until now. She decided to ask Ga Eul for help.

Ga Eul had a dress that she borrowed, which she hoped was appropriate enough for the wedding. It was a beautiful vibrant blue floral dress with a high-low hem and an off-the-shoulder neckline. She decided to put her hair in an updo – her hair had gotten long enough for it now.

She sighed nervously. She looked at her phone as she saw a text from Jun Pyo come in. She told him about going with Ji Hoo to the wedding. He wasn't too happy at first, but since he also knew the groom, and the fact that Woo Bin would be there made him relent (albeit grudgingly). Not that he could dictate where she went anyway. She was putting the finishing touches on her makeup when she heard the doorbell ring.

She heard her mother scrambling to open the door. She hurried out, and found her mother and Kang San staring at a very handsome-looking Ji Hoo.

He was dressed in his trademark white from head to toe. He was wearing a blue bow tie that matched the color of her dress. He looked dashing as always, and she couldn't help but stare at him for a moment. In his hand he held a huge bouquet of flowers, which he handed to her mother. He greeted them politely, and then he saw her. He paused, looked at her, then smiled widely in approval.

Jan Di felt herself blush.

Her mother was still staring at Ji Hoo, mouth open wide in admiration. Kang San started blabbing incessantly about how Ji Hoo looked like an angel. Ji Hoo smiled at them politely but shifted uncomfortably.

Jan Di took his hand and bade farewell to her family. "Let's go."

The wedding was beautiful, Jan Di thought. She wondered how much it cost to have such an elegant wedding. She was sure her head wouldn't be able to handle the amount. A part of her wondered if her own wedding would even come close to this. If she did marry Gun Pyo, it probably would be (and more!) but was that what she really wanted?

At the reception she and Ji Hoo sat at a table with Woo Bin and his date. It had been a long time since she last saw him. They chatted happily as old friends, catching up on each other's lives. Woo Bin had decided to forgo University and apprentice under his father to run their multitude of businesses. He and Ji Hoo saw each other often though, being the only two left of the famous F4. Woo Bin's date was a girl named Ra Yong Ae, who looked stunning in a strapless black evening gown. Jan Di felt a little self-conscious. She scanned the room, looking at all the gorgeous people dressed in really expensive clothing. For a while she thought she stepped into a fashion magazine.

"What are you thinking of?" Ji Hoo interrupted her thoughts.

"How beautiful everyone looks," she sighed.

Ji Hoo gave her a lopsided grin. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Jan Di blushed. A tall girl with waist length hair wearing a one shoulder slim fitting gown walked by. She reminded her of Min Seo Hyun. She was absolutely breathtaking. She stared at the girl, mouth open wide. Ji Hoo glanced in the direction she was looking at.

"Sunbae, what do you think of when you look at her?" she pointed to the girl who passed by.

Ji Hoo took a second look at the girl.

That she isn't you, was what he wanted to say. "Tall", was what he said out loud.

Jan Di laughed.

"Yeah, right," she shook her head, smiling.

She was in a bathroom stall trying to fix her makeup when she heard voices outside.
They were talking about her. She peeped through the gap in the stall and saw two girls putting on lipstick in front of the mirror.

"Did you see Ji Hoo? He's gotten even better looking, which I didn't think was possible." Said a girl wearing a short red strapless dress and the highest heels she had ever seen.

The other girl scoffed. "Did you see his date?" She laughed. "He must have lost a bet or something."

Jan Di frowned and looked at herself. She didn't think she looked that bad.

"I think I'll relieve Ji Hoo of his misery," She continued, confidently. She fluffed her hair and was taking a selfie in the bathroom. She was so beautiful that Jan Di thought she must be a model. She had a long, slender neck and was wearing a silver strapless gown with long slits on both sides. Jan Di envied her long legs.

"Are you sure?" the first girl asked, hesitantly. "Ji Hoo's kinda...antisocial. I don't think he's even noticed us. Plus, I don't think he's left her side all night."

"I've had a crush on him since I was 7." The girl wearing the silver dress went on. "My brother didn't think he'd come but I begged him to invite him anyway." She puckered her lips at the mirror. "I can't let an opportunity like this escape." She adjusted her dress. "It's time to get re-acquainted."

After she was sure they'd left, Jan Di slowly came out of the stall. She inspected herself in the mirror. She thought she looked...nice, and Ji Hoo had even told her so. Maybe sunbae was just being nice?

She thought of the girl in the silver dress and frowned. What was that about? She wondered. She decided to ignore what she just heard and go back to her table. Ji Hoo was still talking to Woo Bin, and for the first time she noticed some girls milling about around them, waiting for an opportunity to talk to the boys. Once in a while one of them would get brave enough to approach them to ask them to dance, but the boys always politely declined. She was almost at the table when she bumped into someone, who spilled their drink on her.

"Oh my gosh. Sorry!" the voice said. She looked at her dress. It had red splotches all over. Great, she thought. Red wine. She hoped Ga Eul wasn't too attached to this dress.

"It's ok," she began to say, when she noticed the girl was the same one who made fun of her in the washroom. The girl did not look apologetic at all. In fact, she was gloating.

Ji Hoo was instantly beside her. He took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. She worried about getting his coat stained, but he just shrugged and said it was just a coat. They sat down and she realized she was shaking, and it wasn't from the cold either.

"Hey, you ok?" Ji Hoo asked, worriedly.

She slowly nodded, though still quite upset at having ruined Ga Eul's dress. Ji Hoo stood up. "I'll get you something to drink. Do you want some tea? Water?"

"Tea would be great," she answered, a little calmer this time.

Ji Hoo went to get her some tea but got stopped by the bride and groom on his way back. He kept looking apologetically at her, but she smiled and gestured for him to take his time. Jan Di was watching them from afar when she saw the girl in the silver dress approach Ji Hoo and the newly married couple and started chatting away. She kept touching Ji Hoo's arm flirtatiously and tossing her hair back and forth.

Jan Di scowled. She's doing that on purpose! She thought, fuming.

She heard someone chuckle.

"I wouldn't worry if I were you," Woo Bin interrupted her thoughts.

Jan Di pretended to be coy. "I don't know what you're talking about." Was she jealous? She wasn't sure.

Woo Bin pointed to the girl in the silver dress. "That one's Song Mi. She's the groom's little sister. She's been following Ji Hoo since we were kids." He shook his head, amused. "I see she hasn't given up at all."

Jan Di decided to drop the act. "Doesn't he notice that? She's all over him! She's practically throwing herself at him!"

Woo Bin laughed again. "Knowing Ji Hoo, no, he probably doesn't notice."

Jan Di narrowed her eyes, staring at Song Mi. The girl had hooked her arm around Ji Hoo. Ji Hoo just stood there listening, nodding and smiling as the groom talked to him. He was still holding two cups that she assumed was the tea for them. The more she looked, the angrier she became. It wasn't like her, but she couldn't help it.

"Look," Woo Bin said, amusement still on his face, "almost every girl who talks to him is like this. Well, the ones brave enough to approach him. Ji Hoo wouldn't know if someone was flirting with him even if they bit him on the nose or kissed him on the lips." Woo Bin frowned, pretending to think for a minute. "Well, maybe if they kissed him on the lips..."

Jan Di's scowl deepened. "Not helping."

Yong Ae elbowed Woo Bin in the ribs. Woo Bin gave a little yelp but then grinned.

"Again, don't worry," he reassured her. Jan Di saw Ji Hoo bow politely and start walking towards her. She pretended to be busy staring at the massive centerpiece – a huge hurricane lamp with lit-up flowers inside. The flowers had flecks of gold.

Ji Hoo handed her a cup of tea.

"I had to get you a new one since the other one got cold. Sorry you had to wait long." He searched her face. "Are you okay?"

Jan Di forced a smile. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" She looked back and saw Song Mi talking to her brother. That's why Miss Touchy-Feely didn't follow you here.

They chatted for a bit and then Ji Hoo's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID. "It's Grandfather. Excuse me a moment, Jan Di," he said, as he started walking to the door. Jan Di understood. The music was blaring, and it was too loud to take calls inside the ballroom.

"I'd go home if I were you, unless you brought another cheap dress to change into," Song Mi said, sitting down beside her.

Jan Di was startled for a moment. She didn't even hear the girl approach. She's like a ninja, she thought, sullenly. An 8-tentacled ninja.

Woo Bin and his date were around socializing, so she was on her own.

"If this is the best you can do, I can tell you that it's not going to work. I've been in far worse situations than this" She held her head high. Compared to what she experienced in high school, this was nothing.

"Everything okay?" Ji Hoo asked, as he sat down beside her. Song Mi flashed him the flirtiest smile she had ever seen. Ji Hoo didn't even seem to notice, which made the girl even more desperate. She placed her hand on Ji Hoo's arm, and batted her long, fake eyelashes.

"I was just talking to..." she began, then paused. She looked questioningly at Jan Di. Jan Di pretended not to notice. Song Mi rolled her eyes and decided to focus on Ji Hoo. She turned to face him. "Oppa, how would you like to..."

"Let's dance!" Jan Di interrupted, before the girl could finish.

The latest hit dance song was playing, and there were several people making their way to the dance floor. Ji Hoo looked at the dance floor, then nodded and extended his hand. She took it, and they walked towards the middle of the dance floor.

Ha! She practically floated on her way to the dance floor. She looked back and saw Song Mi, wide eyed and in disbelief.

Jan Di wasn't much of a dancer, but she loved the song that was playing, and it was easy enough to copy the movements of the people around her. Ji Hoo seemed uncomfortable at first, but he loosened up eventually, and they both found themselves having fun dancing.

They were probably on the fourth dance song when the music abruptly changed to a slow one. The couples on the dance floor started slow dancing, arms around each other. Jan Di and Ji Hoo froze for a moment, unsure of what to do. Ji Hoo gestured back to their table, and Jan Di nodded. She noticed a few girls waiting at the edge of the dance floor, their eyes locked on Ji Hoo, and then she saw Song Mi standing there with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She was sure she could see smoke coming out of her ears. Jan Di smirked and grabbed Ji Hoo's hand before he could walk off the dance floor. He scratched his head as he looked uncertainly at her for confirmation, so she took his hands and placed them on her waist. She saw him release a deep exhale, then he relaxed soon after, and they began slow dancing to the music. Jan Di looked across and saw the disappointed faces of the girls that were waiting. Song Mi was actually glaring at her.

Jan Di smirked.

Take that, she thought, triumphantly. She decided to pull Ji Hoo even closer. Now Song Mi was staring daggers at her. If looks could kill, she thought, somewhat proud of herself. She was so occupied at her victory that it took her a moment to register the song that they were dancing to.

It was Amazed by Lonestar. The chorus was now playing, and she heard each word clearly. It gave her goosebumps.

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side...forever and ever...

She looked into Ji Hoo's eyes. He was staring at her while they danced, but she couldn't tell what he was thinking.

What are you thinking of, sunbae? She wanted to ask. She never really looked at him like this before. She noted every feature of his face, and wondered at how someone could be so beautiful.

My soulmate. My protector.

Everyone else seem to have vanished. It felt as if it was just the two of them. It was like she was seeing him again for the first time. She held on to him, swaying with the music, even though her heart had begun to beat so fast she was sure it would jump out of her chest any minute. She leaned in even closer, lost in the moment. Her face was inches away from his. She looked at his lips, his full, red lips, and it was all she could focus on. She started to close her eyes and inch forward...

Suddenly, the music stopped.

Ji Hoo and Jan Di broke away from each other, awakened from their trance. Jan Di smiled awkwardly, embarrassed. Ji Hoo exhaled, put his hands in his pockets, and escorted her back towards their table.

That was close. What were you thinking? Jan Di scolded herself.

Woo Bin watched the two of them from the bar. He took a swig of his drink and shook his head, sadly. He decided he needed to talk to Ji Hoo, before things got worse.

...

Woo Bin leaned on the balcony, staring at the Seoul skyline in front. They were high up on the top floor of the hotel, and it was quite windy. He watched the procession of cars on the highway. Even at this late hour, there were still many cars on the road.

He heard someone approach from behind, and then a heavy sigh. Ji Hoo stood there, hands in his pockets, eyes also on the highway. No one spoke for a few minutes.

"Speak", Ji Hoo finally said, breaking the silence.

Woo Bin looked at his friend, who was more like a brother to him. He didn't know how to begin.

"Do you remember when we were little," he began, "whenever you had a new toy or something, Jun Pyo would always buy something better?"

Ji Hoo nodded, but remained silent.

"And if he couldn't find anything better, he just took yours. And you always let him. Except for that toy robot that he broke, you always gave in to him. You've always stepped aside for Jun Pyo. Even though you were an only child, you were never selfish with your things." Woo Bin looked at his friend, sadly. "I've always admired that about you – how selfless you are – how willing you are to sacrifice your own happiness for us. Man, you'd give us the shirt off your back if we asked for it. There were times when I hoped you'd fight back and take back what was yours. Or at least not give in."

Ji Hoo was still silent. He knew where his friend was going with this. Woo Bin continued. "But Jan Di..."

"...is not mine to give. Or take." Ji Hoo finished. Ji Hoo turned to look at Woo Bin. "She's always been his." He sighed, deeply. "You don't have to worry about us. I'm not going to do anything to tear them apart. I'm just watching over her like I promised Jun Pyo."

Woo Bin looked at his friend doubtfully. "I'm just afraid you keep digging a hole for yourself and one day you might not get out."

Ji Hoo smiled sadly. "Maybe I'm hoping if I keep digging I'd eventually come out the other end?"

Woo Bin put a hand on Ji Hoo's shoulder. "Bro, I'm just worried about you."

Ji Hoo looked at the night sky. The moon was full and bright.

"Tell me something," he began, as he faced his friend. "Have you ever cared for someone so much that you would do anything to make them happy...even if that means you're not a part of it?" He grinned, but he did not smile.

Woo Bin did not answer. He could feel the sadness behind Ji Hoo's words.

"Jun Pyo will be back soon, you know," he finally said. He didn't want to mention the fact that Jun Pyo and Jan Di would probably get married when he got back, but Ji Hoo understood what he meant.

"When he gets back, and she has no need of me anymore, I will...stay away." Ji Hoo said, softly. "Once I'm sure he won't leave her side again."

Woo Bin thought about what he saw on the dance floor. He was certain he saw something there with Jan Di that made him think she might not want him to stay away.

"Tell me something," he asked, looking at his friend, "out of the four of us, you know you've always been the one the girls went for the most – what with your 'aloof and mysterious' personality and all that. Girls seem to dig that." He was trying to make Ji Hoo smile, but his friend's face remained stoic. "You could have any girl you want – why pick Jan Di?"

Ji Hoo subconsciously touched the ring that hung on a chain around his neck. "Actually, I think she picked me."

Ji Hoo thought of his first meeting with Jan Di – when she walked in on him playing his violin. She seemed to run into him constantly after that, whether it was coincidence or not, he wasn't sure. He had found her amusing then, but his heart was focused on someone else. He never expected to fall for her. And then in New Caledonia...

He closed his eyes and reminisced their time on the island. He thought of her laughing joyfully as they went fishing, of rescuing her from drowning, and of... their kiss. He knew that she had never properly kissed anyone before that. He was her first real kiss. The thought gave him some comfort.

"Will you be alright?" Woo Bin interrupted his thoughts.

Ji Hoo laughed, dryly. "I'm the suffer in silence type, remember?"

Woo Bin also forced a laugh. "Why do you keep doing this to yourself?"

Ji Hoo's smile disappeared.

"Because I'm stupid."