S.M. Entertainment wanted the scandal to be taken care of as swiftly and as effectively as possible, so they decided to cancel the magazine interview and to give a press conference with both their idol and the volleyball star present. Dalnim didn't mind the last minute change, but knowing that she'll have to talk in front of reporters in a secluded room shot her nervousness through the roof. At least, at a magazine interview, she'd have some time to think over her answers, to make sure not to say the wrong thing, but no, press conferences requires some quick thinking.

It didn't help that she only had a couple days to prepare for the big day. Her stomach hasn't stopped twisting in knots since she was informed.

If only she didn't have to deal with any of this nonsense, but she needs to make things clear. She needs to let everyone know what was right and what wasn't.

She'll have to do it no matter what.

"Dalnim-ah, are you okay?"

The ravenette girl moved from her kitchen to her living room, settling comfortably into her couch, phone still pressed to her ear. "Yeah, I'm okay, just a bit nervous," she replied to her concerned boyfriend. She took a sip of her piping hot tea letting the heat soothe her tense body. "I feel like I'm going to screw something up at that press conference."

"You won't okay? I have faith in you."

She hummed to his response, still not entirely on board with the idea of talking in front of reporters with recorders and cameras. "How can you be so sure, Chanyeol?"

"Because I've been your best friend for years and I know you inside and out. You're confident and genuinely sweet. When the day comes, you'll know what you have to do. Just think of it like one of your volleyball matches, you're being watched all the time but you have a main focus, the ball. You saying the truth to the reporters is your main focus," he replied, earning a subtle smile from Dalnim. "Besides, I'll be there to help you, remember? In volleyball, you can't win alone."

"Ah, your metaphors are so useful, Chan," Dalnim giggled as she threw her head back. "I'm so thankful that I have you, the boys, and my team there to support me. I just hope everything will be taken care of."

I mean, I knew that the haters won't stop, though.

"Mhm, it will, and we'll be able to date freely."

"Finally."

"... You haven't been online lately, have you?" the idol suddenly asked. Dalnim frowned a bit at this. She swore that he could read minds or something, how could he have known that she was worrying about that too?

The comments, she understood the flare of rage when the rumors came out. Many fans, fans of EXO specifically, have called her a whore, bitch, slut... and the list continued on. Even with the amount of time that has passed since New Year's, the comments only seemed to grow since then. More hateful, more insane claims. And Dalnim knew it won't cease once her and Chanyeol officially admit they're dating. In fact, it'll burst out and burn more like wild fire. 

Can anyone really blame Dalnim for looking? How long can she avoid the slander?

Maybe if it were possible to keep this relationship private, she would have preferred it that way. But with all the evidence of their outings together and the plan to clear Young Gi's name from the scandal, she would have to.

"Please, Dalnim, I know it's hard, but looking at all the hateful comments would only hurt you more... I would know." The sad tint in Chanyeol's voice only made her poor heart pang more. He had gone through things like this longer than she has. How selfish of her to only think what she was going through. The man was going through it with her too. "Even how many times us as idols apologize for things, it doesn't help too much. So, what we can do right now is own up to this scandal and not let those comments get to any of us."

"If you say so..."

"Hey, want to hear the cover song I'm planning on recording?"

The mere idea was enough to bring up Dalnim's spirits. "Of course! I always love listening to you sing, Chanyeol."

"Alright, let me get to my keyboard!"

From her phone's speakers, she could hear the male shuffle about in his personal studio. She glanced at the hanging clock on her wall just for a brief moment; 1:22 a.m. Wasn't it a bit sad that they're both wide awake right now? Dalnim just couldn't bring herself to sleep lately. "Hey Chanyeol?"

"Yes, jagi?"

"I... want to see you sing. Is it okay if we video chat?"

"Of course."

Chanyeol was quick to call Dalnim into facetime. The girl quickly accepted the call, her smile widening at the sight of her comfy-clad boyfriend through her small screen. She laid down into her couch, eyes never leaving her phone. Chanyeol smiled back at her as he set up his phone on top of the table right next to his keyboard. He got into position, his fingers hovering over its keys. "I would like to dedicate this song to my beautiful girlfriend."

The moment his velvety, low voice and the melody played from the keyboard, Dalnim was instantly caught in a daze. His voice always had this ethereal effect on her, in a way that chills ran down her spine and she could feel whatever feelings Chanyeol was trying to portray. This song in particular, was someone longing for the love of someone else, just begging for them to be by their side. She could feel the sadness just by the way her boyfriend was singing it, his facial expressions and the lyrics only added more to the melancholy. Her heart swelled with the song's bittersweet meaning.

Just laying on the couch, watching his boyfriend be passionate with his hobbies was something  that always got Dalnim content. She knew how much he loved to compose songs on his spare time, that's the majority of how his nights go. And she knew deep in her heart, that his company will give him the opportunity to show his fans what he could do. She just had that much faith in him, because, damn, he has a talent that should not be wasted, should be shared.

"You know what I just sang?" Chanyeol asked just as finished the song. Dalnim shook her head in reply. "Hug Me by Jung Joonil. Just thought it was a relevant song to sing, in a way."

"Sing more to me."

"Oh? Do you like my voice that much?"

"It's my favorite kind of noise."

With a smile, Chanyeol began playing another slow paced song, much to the athlete's delight. 

Into the late night, early morning, the last thing Dalnim heard before she fell into a deep slumber was his voice, like a lullaby, soft and sweet. Her mind serene now, the hazy dream of Chanyeol's warm hand enclosed on hers during the press conference was enough to bring her at ease for the night.

The next morning had come and Dalnim made sure to arrive at the gym at 4:30 like usual. She fought against her tiredness as she changed in the locker room, forced to stop her yawns while she warmed up. Hana approached her not too long after.

The other girl eyed Dalnim with a raised brow, seeing how lethargic she looked as she stretched her legs on the ground. Plus, Hana was positive she had never seen bags as dark before under her eyes. "Yah, Dalnim-ah, how much sleep did you get last night?" Hana asked as she began stretching her arms.

"Oh, Hana-yah, hello..." Dalnim uttered in a slight slur once she noticed her teammate towering over. She paused as she thought back to last night. She couldn't quite remember the exact time she slept. "Um, I'd say 2?... 2:30 maybe?"

"2:30?! Girl, you should've slept earlier, or have come in later than usual," Hana nagged.

"I can't come any later, or else I would run into paparazzi..."

"Oh, right. C'mon, stand up." Hana shook her head at this as she grabbed onto Dalnim's arm. The tired girl didn't complain as she stumbled onto her feet. "Why don't you take a nap on one of the mats in the equipment room. It's not the most comfortable thing, but it's definitely the best thing to sleep on at this place."

"Hana-yah, it's okay. I promise," Dalnim reassured her with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Practicing is the only thing that's distracting me from everything." She picked up the volleyball that was at their feet and handed it to the other. "Let's practice a bit, shall we?"

Hana sighed as she rolled the ball in her hands. 

Who was she to stop Yoon Dalnim anyway when she felt this way?

"Fine, Dalnim. But if I notice anything wrong, then I'm stopping you."

"Okay, unnie~"

Hana cursed in her head at the affectionate word, little shit must know that she's weak for it. She'll just go easy on her for now.

The hours passed and once Coach Seon and the rest of the team arrived at the gym, their actual practice commenced. Hana tried to keep a close eye on Dalnim, but, seriously, didn't see any fault. The girl of the scandal looked energized for their work outs and if anything, worked as hard as she usually would. No lag, no dragging of the feet, Dalnim didn't look like she was only working on just 2 hours of sleep. 

Once the clock reached 9, Coach Seon called for a practice match, so while as half of the team plays the match, the other half notes some weaknesses in their teammate's moves. The moment Hana heard Dalnim's name being called to play in the match, she rose her hand to grab the coach's attention, as well as their whole team's.  "How about I play instead of Dalnim, coach? You know how I haven't played so much matches in a while, and I would like to see how much I improved since I came back from therapy."

There was an awkward air that hovered over the whole team at Hana's idea. Coach Seon pursed her lips, as she let the idea sink in. "Okay, how about you play for the opposing team then, Hana? Would that suffice?"

Hana frowned, that wasn't what she wanted.

As Coach Seon finished listing the names for the match, she hurried over to Dalnim's side just before going into position. "Dalnim-ah, I think you should sit this one out."

"Hana, I already said that I'm okay. I promise you that I am," Dalnim uttered while redoing her ponytail. "Don't go easy on me. I noticed you not hitting to me hard earlier." With that said, she jogged off onto the court to ready herself for the practice game. Hana did the same, the frustration bubbling within her over Dalnim's stubbornness. She guessed that was another thing they had in common.

She shook away the thought as she quickly approached Yeon Kyun, who would be the setter on Dalnim's team. "Yeon Kyun-unnie, can you please also keep an eye on Dalnim?" she whispered to her.

"On Dalnim?" the oldest murmured as she gave a brief glance over at the mentioned girl, who looked like she was ready to go. "Why?"

"That girl had only 2 hours of sleep last night and she's working way too hard," Hana told her. "I'm just a bit worried."

"Well, this is weird to hear from you, Hana."

"Oh, please, unnie. You've known me the longest on this team. Just... watch her."

Yeon Kyun patted the younger's shoulder out of reassurance. "Alright, alright. I'll keep an eye on her. Just go on your side of the court before coach yells at you." Hana nodded, and did what she was told. In mere minutes, the match commenced. Even with Hana and Yeon Kyun's eyes on Dalnim, they didn't spot a visible problem, other than her hard panting from her running about from one side of the court to the other, nothing else sprang out at them.

If anything, Dalnim shined as an athlete like usual.

Her passing and serves were perfect. The way she followed the ball and worked in sync with her teammates were impressive. A true professional.

The score was 12-14 to Hana's team's favor. Hana beautifully made a spike, surely hard enough that could win them the point, however Tae Ri, being the amazing libero she was, caught the ball before it bounced on the floor, sending it flying into the air. 

"Dalnim-ah!" Yeon Kyun called out as she was hurrying to hit the ball towards the girl's direction. As the ball left the older's hand and towards the spiker's direction, Hana noticed something off just as Dalnim leapt. 

A gruesome pop echoed about the gym.

A jolt of pain exploded in Dalnim's right knee. With an excruciating screech, the raven-haired player collapsed onto the floor with a hard thud. 

Surreal, that was what everyone felt as they watched Dalnim crumble into her pain. The whole team rushed to the girl's side, Hana being the one to reach her first, grasping onto her hand for support. "Dalnim, Dalnim, what happened?!" Hana yelled just as Dalnim crushed her hand in hers.

"M-My knee," she cried out, the tears rolling down her cheeks. "I-I don't know why, but I think s-something tore."

"Someone call the ambulance!"

"Already on it."

"Don't do anything Dalnim, we're getting help. Just lie there."

"Don't worry!"

Don't worry, they all said.

You have nothing to worry about, they keep saying. 

Through Dalnim's jagged breaths and her starry gaze from being lightheaded from her agony, there must be something wrong. There has to be something wrong. Dalnim knew. 

Even Hana knew, as her heart raced at the thought they actually shared. "Idiot, why the hell are you so damn irresponsible?!"

.

.

.

.

.

Anterior cruciate ligament tear.

That was what the doctor said Dalnim had, a grade 3 sprain. The young woman couldn't stomach the idea that the ligament had been completely torn in two in her own damn knee. Absolutely breathless once the news came out, because she knew what was to come. And just listening to the doctor's words of the surgery she'll have to take and the +6 months recovering process only confirmed her fears.

Dalnim couldn't help the tears from streaming down her face while as Coach Seon rubbed circles into her back once the doctor left.

Why...

Why did she get so suddenly so unlucky? 

Not only does she have problems with the ridiculous scandal, but now she won't be able to participate in the national volleyball competition as well as the Olympics, despite how fucking hard she worked ever since she was recruited onto the team. Her heart was hurting so much and the tears doesn't seem they'll stop anytime soon. All she wanted to do was love the man she wants and do the very sport she was so passionate about. 

"Dalnim!" From the door to her room stood a man that she couldn't bother to put her effort in hating at this moment. Young Gi jogged into the room and stood along side his mother, the concern and sadness swimming in his features. All the athlete could do was hang her head in defeat. "... I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault. It was mine."

Everything was my fault.

A/n: I'd like to give a small shout out to @galaxified because she messaged me a while ago and gave me the right kind of motivation to continue. Because, yes, I was a bit stuck. So press conference idea was hers, and I thank her for it! It seemed it'll be more effective with the way I'm going with this story.

Hoping I'll update this more, so keep an eye out!

And please do vote for one of my 3 new story ideas if you have the chance for what you want to see next! {voting in The Mindset, under the latest update}