Chapter 51

Because of filming "We Got Married," Park Ji-hoon worked overtime again that night.

The next morning, after sleeping for three hours, he got up and went with Seohyun to buy a guitar. It was a cheap one, considering his financial situation.

At noon, he went home and called IU to discuss the timing.

Fortunately, IU was available, and Park Ji-hoon went to the practice room where she was. After all, since he was asking for her help, he couldn't make her travel back and forth.

It wasn't their first meeting, so it wasn't awkward, but the only problem was that Park Ji-hoon had no musical background and learned very slowly.

"No!"

"Your fingers aren't placed there!"

"OPPA, you're wrong again!"

If he weren't a senior, Park Ji-hoon doubted whether IU would have refrained from swearing, he made so many mistakes!

On the contrary, Park Min-ah, after coming back every evening, played the guitar for a while and actually learned faster than him! On March 3rd, after attending the opening ceremony, she officially enrolled at Seoul National University. She chose to commute instead of staying in the dormitory to take care of him.

Having such a sister was truly the greatest blessing in life! Because of her, Park Ji-hoon could devote more energy to his work.

...

Before they knew it, it was already March 9th.

For SNSD fans, this was a special day because it was their leader, Kim Tae-yeon's 22nd birthday.

That day, Tae-yeon received many gifts and congratulations. The members and company seniors and juniors even prepared a party for her. However, the person she most wanted to see did not appear.

The birthday party was held at a private club in the evening. In the afternoon, she practiced the new song and dance with the members at the company.

Around 5:30 PM, she suddenly received a call from an unknown number.

"Hello," Tae-yeon frowned slightly and pressed the answer button, worried it might be a spam call.

"Hello, is this Kim Tae-yeon? I'm Park Min-ah, Park Ji-hoon's sister," a clear and bright voice said.

"Whoosh!" The SNSD members, who were resting, all looked over in unison. Tae-yeon, sitting on the floor, didn't hide the call, and since Park Min-ah's voice was clear and strong, everyone could hear clearly.

"Ah!" Tae-yeon let out a surprised gasp and quickly got up, walking towards the practice room door. "Min-ah, hello," she said, somewhat excited.

"Where are you? My brother asked me to deliver a gift to you," Park Min-ah said, using polite language.

"Can't he come over?" Tae-yeon asked softly, biting her lip.

"My brother asked me to apologize; he's filming a movie and can't spare the time," Park Min-ah replied and asked again, "Where can I meet you?"

"I'm at S.M. Entertainment," Tae-yeon said softly after a pause. Her mood dropped significantly, and Park Min-ah's attitude indirectly reflected Park Ji-hoon's.

"Okay, I'll come over now. See you," Park Min-ah said and hung up.

Tae-yeon stood outside the practice room for a moment, dazed.

Was he really that heartless? He could find time to film "We Got Married" with Seohyun but not for her birthday. She remembered last year when he said he would clear the snow to come even if the roads were blocked by heavy snow!

A few minutes later, Tae-yeon returned to the practice room.

Tiffany looked at her with concern and asked in a low voice, "What did she say?"

"He's filming a movie and doesn't have time, so he asked his sister to deliver the gift," Tae-yeon forced a smile and replied.

Tiffany bit her lip. Even after so long, she still found it hard to believe that they had ended up in this situation.

"He didn't forget it's my birthday, and I'm glad," Tae-yeon sniffed and "smiled."

"Tae-yeon," Tiffany couldn't help but call out, hearing the forced and low tone in her voice.

Tae-yeon didn't say anything more. That was her personality; she liked to keep her worries to herself and bear them alone.

"Ah—" Tiffany sighed softly. In the past, she would have confronted Park Ji-hoon herself, but because of that misunderstanding, she felt ashamed to face him.

After resting for a while, the nine members resumed their practice. As a nine-member group, dance coordination was crucial, like gears, every beat had to fit perfectly, allowing no room for error!

They practiced over and over to the rhythm.

Soon, they were all drenched in sweat.

Foot pain and leg pain were just minor issues. At least, they didn't have to dance in high heels now.

Around 6 PM, as the sky darkened, Tae-yeon received another call from Park Min-ah.

It was a good time to head back to the dormitory to shower and change. Of course, it wasn't impossible that Jessica and others wanted to meet this prodigy.

At the company's main entrance, there were no fans lingering, which was rare.

Under the streetlights, the nine members immediately saw three girls standing side by side and focused on the one in the middle. Wearing canvas shoes, a ponytail, and a simple red backpack, she stood there, drawing everyone's attention.

Unlike the excited expressions of the two girls beside her, the girl in the middle just smiled gently, like a bright full moon, and walked towards the nine members.

"Taeyeon!" At that moment, a car stopped by the roadside, and a man got out, greeting Tae-yeon first before greeting Tiffany and the others.

Kang-in from Super Junior.

He and Tae-yeon had co-hosted a radio show, and he took good care of her, so they were close. Last year, due to some incidents, he was temporarily put on hold by the company and was preparing to serve in the military in July.

He came to the company today to discuss his military service. Even as an artist, there were things to consider even during military service.

"Kang-in oppa," Tae-yeon and the others greeted him hurriedly. After all, he was a senior at the company.

Park Min-ah paused her steps and watched quietly.

The two girls beside her also stopped. Park Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-ah, one from Dongguk University and the other from Korea University, had gathered today.

"By the way, this is my birthday gift for you. I won't be attending the party tonight," Kang-in said, handing the gift to Tae-yeon. He had planned to do this anyway, as he had almost become a "public enemy" last year and didn't dare attend such parties.

"Thank you, oppa," Tae-yeon bowed in gratitude.

"Happy birthday," Kang-in patted her head lightly, as was his habit, and then turned to enter the company. As he left, he glanced curiously at Park Min-ah and the others.

Tae-yeon's body stiffened slightly but didn't avoid him. Park Ji-hoon knew about her close relationship with Kang-in.

Park Min-ah just narrowed her eyes, showing no change in emotion.

"Min-ah!" After Kang-in left, two of the nine members stepped forward and greeted her in unison.

"Huh?" Tiffany and the others looked over in surprise. It was understandable for Seohyun, but when did YoonA get so close to Park Min-ah? Didn't she say she didn't know Park Min-ah last time?

"YoonA oppa, Seohyun oppa," Park Min-ah smiled at the two and then bowed slightly to greet Tae-yeon and the others.

Park Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-ah looked at her in a daze. They had been dragged along without knowing anything and were now completely confused. They would definitely interrogate her when they got back!

"Kim Tae-yeon oppa, this is the birthday gift from my brother," Park Min-ah said, taking a small box from her backpack and handing it to Tae-yeon with both hands.

"Thank you, and thank you for the trouble," Tae-yeon forced a smile and said, "We're having a birthday party later. Do you have time to join us?"

"Thank you, Kim Tae-yeon oppa," Park Min-ah said politely, "But I'm with my friends today, so it's not convenient."

"Okay," Tae-yeon pursed her lips.

"I won't disturb you," Park Min-ah waved and said, "YoonA oppa, Seohyun oppa, goodbye."

"Goodbye," Tae-yeon noticed that she was much friendlier to YoonA and Seohyun than to her.

After watching Park Min-ah and her two friends leave in a taxi, the nine members turned to head back to the dormitory.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

"Cough!" YoonA cleared her throat and explained, "During the Lunar New Year, my dad picked me up and dropped me off, and he brought along Ji-hoon oppa and Min-ah. After returning, Ji-hoon oppa and Min-ah invited me for a meal at their place. So, we got to know each other."

"Oh," Tiffany responded for Tae-yeon.

The atmosphere eased slightly.

"She seems to have a strong personality!" Hyoyeon suddenly said. After all, they were the top female idols, and Park Min-ah didn't show any interest in getting to know them. There was a hint of pride in her demeanor.

"Not at all!" YoonA quickly said, "Min-ah has a gentle personality and can be playful too."

"Of course not to you," Hyoyeon said. After all, she was the next-door senior, and they had traveled together, so how could she be strong towards her?

"I also think she's a bit strong," Sooyoung agreed.

"You don't know!" YoonA insisted, "Min-ah does everything at home—cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning... How can she have a strong personality?" A person with a strong personality wouldn't do all these chores!

"What?" All the members, including Tae-yeon and Jessica, looked over.

"Ji-hoon oppa's scarves, gloves, and neck warmers are all knitted by Min-ah!" YoonA revealed everything she knew, subtly hinting to Tae-yeon.

Tiffany and the others couldn't help but think the same thing—could it be that Park Ji-hoon hadn't reconciled with Tae-yeon because of Park Min-ah? In comparison, except for popularity and work, Tae-yeon was far behind.

Tae-yeon clearly thought of this too and bit her lower lip.

The atmosphere became silent again, and YoonA and Tiffany quickly changed the topic.

Back at the dormitory, Tae-yeon opened the gift box Park Min-ah had given her.

A bottle of perfume.

But there were no roses.

Last year, she had said she wanted Park Ji-hoon to give her roses and perfume on her birthday.