eleven

They sit at a table with a lot of microphones in front of them, in front of a bunch of reporters, and cameras flash every two seconds. First they blind her, but she doesn't squint just like they have taught her to.

She's dressed impeccably. SM made sure that she had hair and makeup and a pick of wardrobe. She had to do her own hair since they did not understand, but luckily she got to wear comfortable pants and a stylish shirt. And once she picked her outfit, they picked one for Kai that wasn't exactly alike but still made them look like a couple.

She couldn't stop stealing glances at him and smiling to herself. The press conference was a little intimidating, but the quicker they got this done, the quicker she could be with him alone.

"Monjo miseu beibie daehan jilmunbuto sijakagetsseumnida (We'll start for the questions for Miss Baby first, please)," said one of the staff members to the side of them.

At first they started coming all at once, but Kai held a hand up and they paused.

"Dangsineun hangugoreul malsseumhanayo (Do you speak Korean)?" Was the first question.

She smiles as she answers, "Ne, hajiman jalhajineun motaeyo. Ajik baeugo issoyo (Yes, but not very well. I'm still learning)."

After the first question, they just started rolling in and she got into a comfortable groove.

Q: Du buneun ottoke mannassoyo (How did you two meet)?

A: SM apesoyo (in front of SM). Um… geuneun naege naega areumdapttago malhaetsseumnida (He told me I was beautiful) and… sorry, my Korean isn't very good. He had on a black hat and a black mask, so I thought he was just a Kai look-alike. At first I thought he was trying to kidnap me, but we all went out for dinner and drinks and… well…

Q: Urineun nuguimnikka (Who is we)?

A: Uri chingduelryo (our friends).

Q: SM yonseupssaengingayo (Are you a trainee for SM)?

Kai laughs like that was the funniest joke he's ever heard. She looks at him with her mouth open, trying not to laugh but looks even a little upset. "It's not that funny," she says to Kai, who just starts laughing even harder. A few members of the press chuckle too. "I can't sing," she says to the audience. And Kai continues laughing while nodding his head.

Q: Are you trying to use your connection with Kai to further your writing career?

A: Aniyo (No).

Q: Can you elaborate?

A: I'm not sure why I need to, and to be honest, this has been a sore spot. Someone leaked our photos, it wasn't something that we planned, especially not for publicity for my books, and it's not my intention to use the publicity from this as an opportunity. I was more worried for Kai and how his fans would react. He loves them more than anything, and he was very upset that he could have disappointed them. If I never sell another book in exchange for his fans forgiving him, then I'll accept that.

Kai grabbed her hand on top of the table and just nodded at her. She looks at him and purses her lip, taking a deep breath. There was so much she could say, because she hated people thinking she was using Kai. "Mianhada (sorry)," she says to him.

Q: What is your book about?

A: This is about Kai and my relationship and the incident that happened. So I'm going to focus on that. I don't want to discuss my book.

Q: Dangsineun soro mareul mani hanayo (Do you talk to each other a lot)?

"Maeilryo (Every day)," Kai answers for her.

Baby squeezes the hand that he's still holding. "We're both busy so sometimes we get little more than a 'Today was busy, hope yours was okay. I miss you' text. And there is a large time difference. Whenever our breaks match up, we talk for a really long time."

Q: Do you two have anything in common?

A: Music—listening to music. Also reading, but it's difficult to find books that are in both Korean and English, but there are some we enjoy. We do both love beaches and warm weather, but he also likes winter and I hate the cold.

Baby can't help the smile on her face as she constantly looks between the media and Kai. Every time she looks at him, she lights up or laughs. It's like it's only the two of them in the room talking to friends, and Kai can't help but get sucked in, as he smiles back at her. "Food. We definitely have that in common. We love to eat food. I don't want to get him in trouble, but we've eaten a lot of carbs together. But he works out, so he still looks good."

Q: Have you seen how good he looks recently?

Baby says nothing like she was told. Whenever there's an inappropriate question or a question that she doesn't want to answer she was told to just keep quiet and the staff would take care of it. She stayed silent until the next question.

Q: Kai e daehan daetkkeul bwassoyo (Have you seen the comments about you and Kai)?

A: Aniyo. I don't want to. And I'm sorry for anyone that has supported him during this. I am not intending to ignore you. It's just that I am a sensitive person and I bring all of my troubles to Kai. I don't want to read hurtful comments and then come to him complaining about his fans. For Kai, his fans come first, always. There are genuine fans who want the best for him, and some of those fans don't think I am what's best from him. I don't want there to ever be a situation where he has to choose between me and his fans. I know it will be his fans. Period. And honestly, that makes me happy. It means he's a man of honor, and hard work, and I really, really like that about him. So to the fans that are supporting us, I don't mean to ignore you. Jwesonghamnida (I'm sorry).

Baby gets up to do a ninety degree bow for a full three seconds before she sits.

Q: What other qualities do you like about Kai?

A: He's smart. It's fun doing puzzles with him, like crosswords. He's also very hardworking and disciplined. He is always singing and practicing and dancing so he can give his fans the best. He has such a big heart. He's so… he sees everything his fans do for him, like the lines waiting just to see them, and sometimes he doesn't think he's enough and it makes him want to be better for them. And the love he has for music is incredible. The way he smiles when he talks about the music he makes, or when he learns something new, it's beautiful.

"You two seem close," says a reporter.

Baby looks over at Kai and smiles. She takes the hands they're holding and pulls into her lap. "Yeah," she says.

"Last question," the manager says from the far end of the room.

Tons of hands go up, and they furl tons of questions her way, but she just waits as the manager picks someone from the crowd.

Q: What do you want to say to EXO' fans?

A: There's so much I want to say. You guys are literally the most important thing to Kai, and he really doesn't want to disappoint you. So I ask if you can forgive us both for this mess, we're in. And even if you can't forgive me, please forgive Kai-ah. We didn't mean for this to happen. I promise that I will not come in between him and the music or him and you guys. Thank you for supporting him, and I ask that you continue to support him.

Baby gets up again. "Jwesonghamnida," she says and bows. "Gamsahamnida," she bows again.

When she sits down, the manager asks for a brief pause and then they'll do Kai's side of the press conference. The reporters talk to each other, and it's so loud that Baby turns to Kai.

"I said nothing too private, did I?"

"Aniyo," Kai smiles.

"And you are definitely getting in trouble with your manager. As soon as he heard you eat carbs, his face turned red," Baby laughed.

Kai just looks at her, smiling and holding her hand still.

"Naneun ginjanghaettta. Ajiktto ttami na. Irokekkaji hal piryoga opssonneunde (I was so nervous. I'm still sweating. I've never had to do this before)."

Neither Baby nor Kai notice the silence that fills the room.

"Jalhaesso (you did good)," he says, patting her head.

"They didn't even ask if we were in a relationship. I thought that'd be the first question they'd asked me. Naega nol olmana joahaneunji algesso (Is it obvious how much I like you)?"

"Eo. Gwaenchana. Non gwiyowosso (Yes. It's okay. You were cute)." Kai smiles at her and she melts. "Naega nol olmana saranghaneunji boyojulge (I'll show how much I love you), and then we'll be even," he winks.

She ducks her head and smiles as she processes that he said he loves her. She giggles and looks up. "Saranghae, Jong In-ah (I love you, Jong In-ah)."

The manager comes behind them, and whispers, "maikeuga ajik kyojo ittta."

Baby looks at him and then looks at Kai. "I don't understand what he said. Translate for me?"

Kai pats her on the head again. "The mics are still on, Baby. Everyone can hear you."

She sits up in her chair quickly, giving herself whiplash. She holds onto her neck while she looks at the crowd who are quietly listening and smiling at her. Kai tries to rub her neck, but she swats him away. She lays her head on the table to hide, and looks at him, as he smiles at her. "Stop smiling," she hisses at him.

"I thought you said that this smile makes you forget all your worries," he laughed.

"maikeuga ajik kyojo ittta," the manager whispers again.

"Jukketta," she whispers.

Baby sits up and smiles, as the reporters fire questions to Kai, and he navigates through them perfectly. All the questions are in Korean and they are so fast that Baby gets lost. So she just looks to Kai whenever he answers. She didn't even realize that she was still smiling until her cheeks hurt. So she massages them as he looks over at her with his own smile.

"Nan… geunyoreul saranghae (I… love her)."

She can't help the smile that crosses her sore cheeks.

"Are you two in a relationship?" Asks a reporter, and Kai looks at her, lifting an eyebrow in questions.

"Yes," Baby laughs, and the room burst with questions thrown at them.