Childhood
Time Machine"Jaehwan-ah, since you're done with your stuff can you please go and clean the attic? I don't want random things scattered on the new dorm."
"But Hakyeon-hyung, I just--"
"No buts, just do what I said. Go, we need to hurry."
We're moving to a new dorm now, it's been five years since we started living here as trainees. But now I can say we're successful enough, having fans almost all over the globe. It was a tough ride, but this is what I wanted, to sing, to make people happy, and I don't regret a bit about it.
Living with the other five was better than I expected, maybe because we're friends since grade school? I sure am going to miss this place. I shared a lot of memories here with the members, good or not, it's still a memory. I protested at first, but it was the boss who made the decision so I can't do anything about it. I know the members doesn't want to move too, but it's for our own good.
I went to the attic and started sorting things out. Gathered all the stuff that can't be used anymore and threw it in the trash bag Hakyeon-hyung gave me earlier.
I smiled when I saw the toys. I didn't know they still kept all of these, I thought Hakyeon-hyung threw them away. I glanced at my watch, 6:20 it said. We still have a lot of time, why do we need to hurry?
I sat on the floor comfortably and opened the box full of toys. Happy memories flooded me, I smiled, but I can't help but to feel sad too. It's all in the past now, no matter how I wanted to experience being a kid again, I know I can't.
"How I wish time machines really existed," I chuckled.
I continued to take the toys out of the box when I saw something, it was a small and old radio. But I don't remember any of the members having this.
I tried clicking the buttons, "Does it still work?"
I was startled when a music suddenly started playing, a small voice can be heard clearly.
"Who's that?" I wondered. It was a very good melody it made me close my eyes, letting the music take over me.
The music was familiar, as if memories are playing.
I can see the six of us on our school uniforms, playing happily at the playground. Building sand castles, playing hopscotch, like the soil was never dirty. I miss those days, the innocence back then. I smiled at the sight, like it was just yesterday.
I remember telling myself how much I wanted to be a grown up, but now I wanted to be a kid again. I want to go back. But no matter how much I turn the dial, I can't go back to those times. Mornings when my heart raced, nights I always spent dreaming. It was like a fun rollercoaster.
"Jaehwan-hyung, catch!"
Sanghyuk passed the ball to me, he was laughing while Taekwoon-hyung was chasing him.
"Huh?" I looked at my surroundings, at my clothes, at the members.
"Jaehwan-hyung, what's the matter? Are you tired already? We just started playing." I can feel Wonshik's arm on my shoulder. Why? What's happening?
"Yah, Lee Jaehwan, are you even listening to me?"
"W-why am I here? The attic... I was cleaning..." I don't know what to feel, I don't have any idea!
"Cleaning? What attic? What are you talking about? We just came here from school. Do you have a fever? Hakyeon-hyung! Jaehwan-hyung's acting weird."
The four of them stopped running around and went to where we were standing.
"What's happening?" Hongbin asked.
"I don't know, I was resting at the swing while watching him play with Sanghyuk and Taekwoon-hyung, but when Sanghyuk threw the ball to him, he suddenly stopped and stared at you guys." Wonshik explained.
"We should head home now, maybe Jaehwan's really tired," Taekwoon-hyung said and proceeded to gather the bags.
"Taekwoon's right, and our parents will be worried, they have no idea we went here, so I guess I'll see you guys again at school tomorrow?"
If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up yet. Please.
"Jaehwan-ah, is there a problem?"
I hugged them, I feel like crying any moment now. I missed this. I missed all of these.
"No hyung, I'm just really happy to have you all. You guys are the best!"
"Aww, our Jaehwan is being cheesy!" Hakyeon-hyung teased while the others laughed. I smiled.
"Jaehwan-ah?" It started fading, everything was turning into pitch black. No, what's going on? I don't want to go yet..
"Jaehwan-ah, are you okay? The van's already outside."
I opened my eyes and saw Hakyeon-hyung standing at the door.
Have I been sleeping? I looked at my watch, 6:21.
"Hurry up and get those boxes outside. Everyone's waiting at the car.
I looked at the box, and shifted to the radio I was holding. I smiled.
In an old box, my childhood sleeps. Like an old tale, the times that I miss, I took it out.
In an old box, exciting and scary things, everything was interesting, it's my time machine.
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