The next day is where their real vacation starts and Haemi prepared something for them to have fun with the help of her maids and employees at the resort.

Everyone gathered outside to the beach as they enjoy the white sand beneath them, the rays of the hot sun hitting their pale skin. Chunji kept on nudging Niel’s side as if to annoy him. “I told you to wear bikinis!” Chunji exclaims in a low whisper. Niel only glared at him and showed him his fist as if sending him a message that he’ll punch him if he doesn’t stop.

“One more word about bikinis and I’ll kill you.” He hissed and crosses his arms.

“Tch. Who wear loose shirt and shorts in a beach?” Chunji kept on teasing while Ricky sneakers behind them.

“Alright everyone! I’ve prepared games for us!” Haemi squealed as she calls for her butler and some maids to assist her.

Chunji, Ricky and Niel looked at each other in anticipation while L.Joe and Changjo just stood there and watch Haemi’s maids bring some stuff beside her.

“Little Miss has prepared games for everyone to enjoy your vacation here.” Haemi’s butler Mr. Seo announced with a small bow of his head. Haemi clasps her hands together above her chest excitedly.

“Tell them how it’s done, Mr. Seo!”

Changjo growls, he can see Haemi’s smile widening as the time passes by. He has a bad feeling about this game.

“Here’s the guide for the game.” Haemi announced with a squeal as she gives the envelope to his butler, urging him to read it out loud for everyone to hear. He nodded in understanding and took the game rule inside the envelope. Teen Top minus CAP, stood in front of the two as they wait for the game rule. CAP isn’t even with them, he said he’d rather be inside the hotel or just watch ladies in bikinis. And besides, he’s not really into sports of some sort.

“First step is to have your partners with you throughout the battle of the knight and the princess,”

“Hold up, that’s the title of the game?” Ricky butted in with his round, curious eyes.

Mr. Seo reread the instructions and nods his head apologetically.

Ricky glanced at Niel before looking back at Haemi.

“But we only have two girls in our team.” He raised his two fingers for emphasize.

“Well,” Haemi had a cute smile on her face. “One of you boys will have to be a girl.” She giggles and tilts her head to the side, acting cute and innocent.

Changjo crossed his arms and nodded blindly. He doesn’t mind what’s there inside the envelope as long as he’s partners with Niel. He took a step closer to Niel showing everyone that he only wanted to be partners with him.

“Here are the group partners.” Mr. Seo continued while Haemi smirked on the inside. ‘This is the good part.’ She thought.

“Chunji and Ricky,” He read the first couple. At the mention of Chunji’s name being partners with Ricky, his ears instantly perked up and immediately gave Ricky a look.

“Ricky, you’ll be my girly and no you can’t refuse.” Chunji said in a hard tone before glancing back at their announcer. “Proceed!” He grins while Ricky only sulks with a pout.

“Next couples are; L.Joe with Niel and Haemi with Jong Hyun.”

Everyone became rigid after hearing the last couple being announced. They all gave worried glances at their youngest’ direction.

Changjo straightened up and furrows his eyebrows at Mr. Seo. He felt the side of his lips twitch at the thought of being partners with the person he hated the most.

What the hell did he just say? I’m out of this.

“I am not joining this game.” He declared in a dark growl after hearing who his partner’s going to be. L.Joe stood beside Niel as they watch the maknae in concern.

“Jong hyun, you have to. Everyone is joining the game.” Haemi pouted. “And besides… Niel wouldn’t mind being partners with L.joe oppa, right?” She had an evil smirk on her face and everyone can clearly see it. She gave Niel a look, as if challenging him.

Changjo glared at Haemi. “I mind.” He thought and mentally kills Haemi in his head.

“No—“

“It’s okay.” Niel suddenly spoke up and glanced at Changjo. He placed his palm on the maknae’s shoulder and nodded his head at him, urging him to agree. He doesn’t want to argue more, and it’s already obvious there’s no way out of this. Haemi is the one in control. He knows that all they have to do is just ride along. They can’t win her over.

Changjo only stared at Niel with his still cold eyes. He only have one question in his mind.

Why should I?

“Alright, that settles it then!” Haemi squealed and went to cling on Changjo’s sides.

Niel coughs and looks away, scratching his chin awkwardly at the sight of Changjo and Haemi together. He felt weird things going on in his stomach at the sight of the two.

“Am I hungry?” He thought in confusion as he hits his flat stomach, scrunching up his nose at the weird feeling.

“We’re stuck together again I see.” L.Joe said in a blank tone as he looks up at the taller boy beside him, clearly hiding the amusement in his eyes. Niel looked down at him and frowns, letting his arms fall to his sides.

“Sounds like you don’t want to be partners with me, smurf.” L.Joe was about to hit Niel on the head when Haemi’s butler called for their attention again.

First race: Do a 40meter sprint and take the flag to your partner

L.Joe, Haemi and Ricky readies their selves on the starting line as they wait for Mr. Seo to blow the first whistle.

“On your mark!” He raised the flag as the two boys set their goals, eyes lock towards their target; the flag. While Haemi on the other hand, had her eyes lock on Changjo who is standing rather lazily at the other side of the beach.

“Set. Go!” Mr. Seo finally blows on the whistle as the three sprinted off. When Haemi is about to reach Changjo’s spot, instead of just transferring the first flag to him, she spread her arms wide open to envelope the boy into a tight hug, squealing like a fangirl. Changjo had his eyes wide open in fear at the approaching girl, he felt like he’s going to get hit by an approaching hippo.

“Oppa! Hurry! Run as fast as your short legs can go!” Niel yells as he desperately urges L.Joe to run faster, slightly laughing at the sight of a struggling L.Joe. Running really isn’t L.Joe’s thing. Niel specially knows this. And watching him now, he couldn’t help but laugh at his hyung.

Niel glanced beside him just in time to see Haemi reaching Changjo. ‘Whoa. This girl can run faster than L.Joe hyung.’ He noted. He felt his smile drop when he saw Haemi giving Changjo a forced hug before handling him the flag.

“Ah! Let go!” Changjo exclaims before running towards the sea to do his mission as quickly as he can. He may not be into this game as much as the others are, but he wouldn’t want to lose too.

Niel felt troubled at the sight of Haemi touching Changjo and it made him wonder why.

“Niel-ah, here!” L.Joe tapped Niel’s shoulder to get his attention as he catches for his breath. He gave Niel their first flag and gently pushes him to move.

“Niel, ppali!” L.Joe says and Niel nodded, releasing his self from his distraction. “Maybe I’m being like this because I don’t want Changjo to have a hard time…” Shrugging his thoughts away, he salutes at L.Joe first before running towards the sea to do his mission. He saw Chunji behind him and it only urges him to run faster. If I’m not the first, I’ll go for the second place then.

Second race: Find the three black pearls inside a coral under the blue, wide sea.

Niel felt the water hitting his legs and up to his waist. He took his goggles and wore them before diving into the salty water. His face lit up when he saw the first coral and dives deeper into the ocean to get it. He took the pearls inside and looks up into the surface.

He blinked and saw Changjo’s legs from under the water as he thought of something. A wide grin crossed his plump lips and he swims closer towards Changjo, quickly grabbing his legs when he reached him. Pranks. He loves doing them the most.

Changjo jerked up when he felt someone holding his legs. He was about to look down when he felt the person moving up into his back.

Niel surfaced and took a deep breath, clinging tightly onto Changjo’s shoulder, wrapping both his arms around the younger’s neck as he holds his pearls securely in one hand.

“Ah! I can’t swim!” He faked a cry and struggled to get a secure hold around Changjo’s shoulder, almost pulling him down the water in a playful manner.

Changjo felt Niel’s tight hold around his neck, almost choking him. He struggled free from the older’s hold as he tries to hold onto the board he has that helps him float on the water, his pearls safely inside his pockets.

“PABO. HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW HOW TO SWIM WHEN YOU’RE A SWIMMER?!” He struggled and shakes the older boy behind him off. He finds it weird when Niel suddenly declared he doesn’t know how to swim. What the hell is he planning?

Niel blinked and for a moment, he stopped moving as he let himself float limply behind Changjo’s back.

“Oh… well… maybe my fins aren’t working right now.” Niel grins innocently, flapping his legs on the water playfully as he rides on Changjo’s back. Changjo laughs knowing exactly what Niel is doing. So this is his game? “You cheater.” Changjo muttered but made sure the older can still hear him. Niel laughs with him and still refused to let go, resting his head on Changjo’s wet shoulder as his grin widens on his face. His back feels nice...

They were both having a great time, seeming as though they’ve forgotten about their mission. They both blinked when someone moved pass them.

“Bye losers!”

The two froze when they saw Chunji swimming ahead of them.

“!” They cursed at the same time before finally letting go of each other.

When they set foot on land, the smile on Changjo’s face drop as Niel continued the race, sprinting off into L.Joe’s direction as they do the couple mission.

“Smuuuuurf!” Niel exclaims as he run towards his partner’s direction.

Once done, race your way; together with your princess in your arms; and proceed on the obstacles made for the challengers: run and hop on the tires and into the pole where the last flag can be found. Take the flag together to the finish line and win!

Changjo kept on stealing side glances at Niel and L.Joe, he felt troubled at them being together in this game. He jogged towards Haemi and hesitantly lifted her off from her feet and into his arms. Haemi instantly clings onto Changjo’s neck as she felt butterflies bursts inside her tummy. She couldn’t help but feel intense happiness finding herself wrapped inside Changjo’s manly arms. One dream came true.

Changjo carefully made his way towards the tires and hops on them. He cursed in his head as he struggles to do the last mission. He lifted his chin up and steals another glance at how Niel and L.Joe is doing. There they are, almost reaching the end with Niel on L.Joe’s arms, smiles on their faces.

Being so distracted, Changjo tripped and fell, pulling Haemi down next to him. But he was careful enough not to let the girl get hurt. (Despite the deep hatred he has for the girl)

Haemi created a terrified scream causing everyone to look at them.

Niel’s eyes widened almost in fear and quickly made his way towards their maknae. He dashed towards him and kneels down next to him. Changjo bit his lips as he hugs his right leg close to his chest, growling in pain. Niel paled, he can see blood trailing down Changjo’s leg.

“C-changjo?” Niel panicked and held Changjo’s leg, making the younger cry more out from the pain.

Haemi sat up and saw Changjo’s condition. She trembled in fear and bit on her fingers. She spun around and calls for some help from her maids.

“It’s nothing. Just a small scratch.” Changjo says in between gritted teeth. Niel watches Changjo’s pained expression as he held his hand tightly into his. “Come, let’s get you cleaned up.” Niel says as he wraps Changjo’s right arm around him, their hands tightly clasps together as Niel help Changjo stand up.

Haemi’s male employees came to rescue and helped Niel carry Changjo back into their hotel room.

Haemi fans herself as she watches them leave. “Oh my gosh, I hope Jong Hyun’s okay. Ugh! Haemi what have you done?” She screams and hits her forehead, biting her fingernails in worry.

Chunji made his way next to Haemi and tilts his head, watching Niel and Changjo leave with some guys helping them. He blinks and squints his left eye, he doesn’t look worried even for a bit.

“He’ll be alright, don’t trouble yourself, Haemi.” Chunji says, he can clearly see how anxious and worried Haemi is being and he felt slight pity for the girl. She does have a heart after all. L.Joe and Ricky looked at each other and exchanged worried glances.

“Niel… seems like he’s not acting anymore.” L.Joe thought as he slowly blinks his eyes.

Later that night,

“Changjo… are you feeling better now? What the hell was in your mind to cause an accident like that?” Niel asked, clearly annoyed for making him worry. “Aren’t you going to tell me what’s been bugging you?”

Changjo kept quiet and only turned his back towards Niel.

“No.”

Niel sighs and stood up to leave when the maknae still stubbornly refuse to tell him what’s bothering him. He’s just worried. What’s there for him not to tell him his problems? Doesn’t he trust him anymore?

Niel went outside to leave him alone and sees L.Joe at the balcony, looking up into the stars.

“Hyung…” He called with a small smile, his mood lightening up a bit. L.Joe turned around and sees Niel, he smiled back and ushers him over.

“How’s Changjo?” L.Joe asked as he leans his elbows on the railings behind him.

Niel only shrugged his shoulders and places his palms on the railings for support. He doesn’t know the answer. This is the first time their maknae isn’t saying anything to him.

“He still wouldn’t tell me what’s happening inside his head.”

L.Joe nodded in understanding and looks back up at the sky. He loves watching the stars at night. It has become a hobby for him, and Niel would some time join him when he couldn’t sleep. They would always watch the night sky together as they talk and laugh. L.Joe loves those moments he shares with Niel, but those moments are becoming so rare now. Niel starts coming less to him and spending more of his time with the maknae instead. He’s starting to feel Niel drifting away. And he can’t blame anyone but himself.

His suggestion of the pretend… did he pushed Niel away because of it?

“You think he’ll be alright?” Niel asked as he stares ahead into the calm, blue sea.

L.Joe watches as the side of Niel’s lips twitch. He finds it funny watching Niel speak, watching how his lips parts and curves as he talks. It was kind of weird, but he likes watching him talk.

L.Joe just chuckled at the taller boy’s question and flicks Niel’s forehead; making the taller boy wince in pain as he rubs the spot where L.Joe had hit him.

“I thought you have faith in him. He’ll be alright.” L.Joe smiled. “You should stop worrying about him.”

“What about you?” Niel suddenly asked, finally looking at L.Joe’s direction. It was L.Joe’s turn to shrug his shoulders.

“Alright, I guess.” It was true. But he can never outright tell Niel that their pretend is bothering him. That it’s making him jealous whenever they share and build new moments together. He missed creating moments with Niel alone, but as long as Haemi is around, he felt like he’s been banned from touching Niel and do nothing but watch as the maknae slowly takes him away.

Changjo…

L.Joe thought, raising his chin at the thought of their maknae. Changjo’s behavior is becoming so different. He can clearly notice the shift of his aura the moment the pretend started. He’s starting to come out of his shell. L.Joe thought of one thing he never thought the maknae would ever have. Skinships. It never occurred in his mind that Changjo loves skinships. L.Joe narrowed his eyes. Was he changing… because he’s starting to have feelings for Niel?

“You left me.” Niel watched L.Joe with a disappointed frown.

L.Joe blinked and looks up at Niel with a puzzled expression.

“Huh?”

Niel just sighed and looks up at the starts. Those stars. “I miss this.” He suddenly exclaims as the smile on his face slowly returns.

L.Joe lowers his head and smiles at the ground. He chuckles as he shakes his head. How can he doze off in front of Niel? Now he wasted his time thinking about nonsense. He needs to stop worrying so much. Chunji is right. He’s over thinking too much.

“How about me? Don’t you miss me too?” L.Joe asked in a teasing way, tilting his head to look at Niel. His eyes didn’t fail to notice the growing smile on Niel’s lips, finally letting out a soft chuckle.

Instead of answering his hyung’s question, he just pinched L.Joe’s nose, hard. The older boy cries in pain as he holds Niel’s wrist in an attempt to reduce Niel’s tight hold on his pointy nose.

“Aish!” Niel laughs as L.joe struggles to remove his fingers away from his nose.

Click… Click…

“I’m just giving you an early warning, stay away from my Jong Hyun.” Haemi says as she casually looks for a dress in the store. Niel gave her a hard stare and answers. “Is there a reason why I should?”

“I’m his fiancé.” Niel frowns at the response he got from the girl. “I’m aware of that. But that won’t stop me and neither Jonghyun.”

“Then what is there for you to just let him go?”

“He loves me.”

“But do you?” Niel hesitated at the question. “Yes, I do.”

“But what about L.Joe oppa?” Niel froze. Haemi smirked and slowly turns around to face Niel. ‘Got ya.’