The world where tall buildings occupied the town
The world that has fireworks
The world where you can play music
The world that’s similar with the first world I visited for you
But a better one…


Minho looked at the suitcase beside his bed. He knew it was his. He just arrived from Seoul. He graduated from Seoul University last month and now he was back in Busan, his hometown. His mom and dad were downstairs. He majoredin economics and was soon employed in a big company near his house. He was swallowing the information formed in his brain about his new identity when the door swung open and a chirp voice called his name. He turned around to be engulfed in a hug by a boy almost his size. Losing his balance and having not enough strength to put up with such weight, they fell down on the bed.

“Minho hyung!!!!” the boy screamed in joy. “You’re really, really, really coming home.” The boy looked up and met his eyes.

Taemin.

“I missed you so much! Why didn’t you tell me that you’re coming back?” he pouted his plump lips cutely. “Didn’t you miss me?” he asked, his tone demanding.

“I-I missed you, a lot.” Minho replied. He offered the boy a smile when he could contain himself from the fact that Taemin was hovering above him and knew who he was.

“Minho!” he heard another voice. There was a girl standing by his door. Lee Minjung, he acknowledged. Taemin’s older sister, they lived in front of their house. The info just registered on his mind. Minjung was on his age, they attended the same schools until Minho left Busan to continue his education in Seoul. Minho heard Taemin click his tongue and turned to face his sister.

“Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be helping Mom make cookies?” he whined and Minho found it very adorable.

“To see Minho. Mom wants you to help her instead of me. She’s going to drag you home in five minutes.” She smiled gloriously.Taemin groaned. He got off of Minho and headed toward the door.

“I hate you,” he sent a glare to Minjung before he stepped out of Minho’s room.

“Minho, why are you so mean? You didn’t tell me you were coming. This weekend we’re going out for movie, okay?” She sat on Minho’s bed and waited for his answer.

Minjung was a pretty girl. Not a surprise, her mom was a stunning woman. Minjung was tall and lean. She had a silky black long hair that framed her face, making her look prettier. She was a nice girl, really. She was famous at school. Many boys went after her but only a few were lucky enough to date her. She stopped dating a year ago, too many bad experiences to go for another one. Yet Minho couldn’t miss the different look she gave him ever since two years ago. Minho had a suspicion that she might like him on their last summer break. But he didn’t want to bring it up and didn’t give her hope. Because he clearly wasn’t interested in her in that way. She was his friend, his best friend and he wanted to them to stay that way.

No matter how good looking she was,Taemin was prettier. No one could deny that Taemin was a pretty boy. He had honey locks and brown eyes. His skin was white and soft. He was all snuggly to Minho and Minho never minded that.

That evening, he spent his time chatting with Minjung until the latter felt the need to take a bath and excused herself. He had a wonderful dinner with hisfamily. His parents asked him about his new job and made sure he had what he needed for work. After dinner, he already missed the slim boy and couldn’t help but tell his mom that he was going to see Taemin. Knowing well about her only son’s relationship with Lee family, she nodded and urged him to just go.

He smiled like a fool in front of Taemin’s door and knocked carefully.

“Minho?” it was Taemin’s mom. Minho smiled and hugged her. “Aigoo, you’re getting more and more handsome as you grow up.”

“I heard Minho’s name being mentioned!” Minjung came out and soon pulled Minho in. “Good timing! I’m watching the newest horror movie. Let’s watch it together.” They both liked horror movies, his mind told him.

“Sorry, Minjung-ah but I’m here to see Taemin.” She sighed and pointed up. “In his room. He’s going to ask you for a help, I’m sure. You better spend your time down here instead of teaching him math!”

“That’s why it’s better to be with him. You would nag him if he fails his class.” Minho chuckled and headed upstairs. He knew this house very well. He knocked one time before opening the door to Taemin’s room. He poked his head in and smiled at the sight of Taemin sitting on the chair, books in front of him, doing his homework with headset on. He took off Taemin’s headset. The younger gasped before turning his head.

“Hyung!” Minho patted his head and sat on his bed.

“Want some help?”

Much to Minho’s surprise, Taemin shook his head. “No thanks. You just arrived this afternoon. You must be tired, hyung. Just lie on the bed and wait until I’m done with this. We can play Winning Eleven later. Okay?”

Minho laughed at Taemin’s consideration. “I know how you are at math, Taeminnie. Come here and let hyung help you.”

That night, Minho spent his time on Taemin’s bed, teaching him math and playing Winning Eleven until they fell sleep. That night, they fell asleep side by side with Taemin’s head on Minho’s neck. That night, Minho slept with a light heart and a smile on his face.
 

Jonghyun stood in front of a music store. He was hesitating between going in or leaving without looking at what was inside. But the first option won. He pushed the door open and was overwhelmed by the sight of the many musical instruments displayed there. It wasn’t surprising that he knew the names of every instrument there. That was what happened when he came to a world. The grand piano far in the corner of the room caught his attention and before he knew it, his feet starting pacing toward it. He sat and eyed the keys for a moment. He put his hand on it and started playing the song he remembered so well. It was almost magical how well he played the piano and how nice the song sounded with this instrument. He kept on playing until the last part of the song and his fingers stopped when there was no more to play. It was unfinished still. They hadn’t finished composing it yet. And he wouldn’t finish it without Jinki. It was their song. They started it together so it had to be finished together.

Jonghyun sighed and then was surprised to hear the sound of piano in his ears. He looked to his side and found Jinki had played the piano. He was right beside him. Jonghyun had no idea how he could be there. He couldn’t get over the shock until Jinki finished playing the piano and smiled to him.

“That was a nice melody but it seemed unfinished. I dislike hearing unfinished songs so I continued it in my own version.” Jinki grinned. “Did I scare you?” he asked when Jonghyun said nothing. “I’m Jinki, the son of the owner.” He offered his hand.

“Jonghyun.” He shook his hand, lingering a little longer to feel Jinki’s skin against his after sucha long time.

“So you’re buying it?”

“Eh?”

“I’m just kidding. It’s okay to play without buying it.” He grinned once more. “Was it your self-composed song? I haven’t heard it before.”

Jonghyun nodded, still unable to form a proper sentence to answer him yet.

“Wow, that’s cool! Are you a composer?”

Jonghyun shook his head.

“Ah, I see. I guess you composed it in your free time.” Seeing how Jonghyun didn’t say anything back to him, Jinki thought the other must be uncomfortable with his presence. So he excused himself, “Well, you can play it for free. I’m leaving then.” After a few steps away, Jinki heard Jonghyun shout.

“Hey, would you mind helping me to finish the song?” Jonghyun waited for a reply cautiously.

Jinki turned and smiled, “Sure.” Jinki walked back to the piano and sat next to Jonghyun.

“I-I’ll start playing it again then,” Jonghyun muttered nervously. With trembling hands, he played the song one more time.

“Why don’t you sing it? Haven’t written the lyric yet?” Jinki asked abruptly while Jonghyun was still playing the piece.

“I don’t sing.” I can’t sing to be exact, Jonghyun corrected inwardly.

“Why?”

“I-It’s like you said, it hasn’t have lyric yet.” Jonghyun lied again. The truth was he couldn’t sing anymore for the rest of his life because he already gave it up for Jinki.

 

Epilogue

Jinki examined the yellow marble in his palm, letting out a heavy breath before staring back at the sky. “So you wouldn’t be able to sing anymore in exchange for this. You must love that Jinki very much, right?” It was a rhetorical question. “But unfortunately, that Jinki is not me. We’re different people, you know. I’m not your Jinki even though we have the same physical features.”

“You both are just the same for me. I love you, Jinki.” Jonghyun whispered, wishing Jinki would understand his feelings and return it.

“You don’t. You love your Jinki, not me.”

Jonghyun was silent. This was what he afraid of. The rejection. He regretted telling him the truth. If he knew it would turn out like this, he would have kept it to himself. That way, he still could be with Jinki.

“I want you to love me, not that Jinki in your previous world. I don’t mind the wait, as long as you love me back in the end.” While confessing what he had in mind, Jinki didn’t look at Jonghyun at all. He loved Jonghyun since the first time he met him in his store. He had been happy that Jonghyun somehow liked to be around him. Jinki was sure it was love. He was waiting for the right time to confess to Jonghyun but the younger did it first. Yesterday, Jonghyun asked him to go to the firework festival held at Busan Sea. So here they were tonight, Jinki was surprised to hear Jonghyun’s confession about who he was and how he felt toward Jinki. The other Jinki, not him. And he was disappointed.

“You love me?” Jonghyun’s eyes went wide and he stared at the man sitting next to him. “Hyung, you love me?” he repeated when he heard no answer.

“I do. But you don’t.” Jinki said bitterly.

“Hyung, I swear I love you. Hyung, trust me. I love you. I really –“ Jinki shut him up by planting a kiss on Jonghyun’s lips. Their first kiss was short but sweet. When Jonghyun opened his eyes and met with Jinki’s dark orbs, he saw desperation there. And it hurt him.

“If I ask you to start over with me, will you say yes? If I ask you to move on from your Jinki and start to love me, will you say yes?” His voice was demanding and Jonghyun caught anxiety in the other’s tone.

“I will. Tell me how to start over. Lead the way. I’ll follow you right away. Then, you must not doubt my love for you, hyung.” Hearing that, Jinki’s heart melted and he smiled. He pulled Jonghyun in for a hug which the other gladly returned.

“Think of a name for me,” Jinki whispered. “Call me with that name instead of Jinki.”

Jonghyun contemplated for awhile, “Onew! I’ll call you Onew! Does it sound good? Do you like it, hyung?” Jinki chuckled at Jonghyun eagerness.

“I like it.”
“Onew hyung, then.”Jonghyunsmiled. “Do you want to hear it some more? Onew hyung, Onew hyung, Onew hyung…” Jonghyun started chanting Jinki’s pet name.

“Stop it, Jonghyun.” Jinki hit Jonghyun’s arm lightly. “About the songs, they were the songs you created with him. But I don’t mind helping you with the lyrics. That way, they could be our song.” Jinki smiled. “They would be a memory between you, him, and me.”

“Agreed. Does that mean we’re dating?”

Jinki burst into laughter hearing that. Jonghyun pouted cutely and waited patiently for an answer.

“Not yet, Jonghyunnie. Not yet. I still have to make you fall for me.”

“I already fell for you.” Jinki gave him doubtful look. “Alright, alright, I will start loving you, Onew hyung. Someday I’ll prove to you that I really love you and you will make me your boyfriend.”

Jinki couldn’t help but laugh at Jonghyun’s cuteness. “You’re so cute sometimes.”

“Cute is so not me. I only act this way when I’m with you!”

Jinki had to agree about that one. Jonghyun was far from cute when he was with other people. He was a tough boy. But sometimes, when there were only they two, Jonghyun would pout and whine if he didn’t get what he wanted.

“Shut up already. The fireworks are starting.” Soon, their attention was fixed on the sky. The fireworks were pretty. So was their night on the Busan Sea.
 

“There you are!” Minho shouted when he finally found Taemin. Taemin looked up to see Minho approaching him.

“What?” he asked, almost like a whisper.

“It’s me who suppose to ask you that. What are you doing here, Taeminnie?”
“Not your business,” Taemin replied sharply.

“Ouch, that hurts.” Minho held his heart, pretending like it really hurt. But Taemin showed no interest. “What’s wrong with you, Taemin-ah? You’ve been gone since this afternoon, didn’t reply my messages, didn’t pick up your phone either. Do you know how much I’m worried about you?”

“A bit.”Taemin responded a little cold.

“A lot,” Minho corrected. “You always liked fireworks. Do you know that there is a firework festival tonight?”

“I know. And you’re going there with Minjungnoona.” Minho didn’t miss the sadness in Taemin’s voice. “It’s always Minjung noona.”

“I’m not. I was going to ask you to come with me.” Minho cleared up when he finally found out the reason why Taemin avoided him all day.

“Liar. She told me she’s going with you.”

“She did ask me but I turned her down. I want to go with you.”


After persuading Taemin for a good moment, they ended up at the seashore, waiting for the firework festival to begin. They didn’t talk much. Minho couldn’t ignore the forlorn look on Taemin’s face. He didn’t understand him. He was upset that Minho was leaving him behind but he proved him wrong. They were here now, together, just the two of them.

“What’s that bothering you, Taeminnie?” he asked softly, afraid that Taemin would get sadder.

“I miss you,” he replied.

“I’m here.”

“But it doesn’t feel like you’re here. It feels like there is a distance between us and it’s getting further by the day.” Taemin admitted honestly.

“And why is that?”

“You like her, don’t you?”

Somehow, Minho just knew who he was referring to.

“Like I said earlier, it’s always Minjung noona. You go for a movie every Saturday with her and go to wherever she wants on Sunday. I miss the hyung who takes me to soccer field on Sunday evening. You’re barely there for me. You promised me that I will always be your favourite. But now that you’re in love with my sister, I guess I’m no longer your favourite.”

“Yeah, yeah, I don’t have time for you then who’s the one helping you with your homework every night?”

“That’s because Minjung noona would be embarrassed with me if I failed. You do it for her.”

Minho gave up and pulled Taemin closer to whisper the truth into his ear. “I do that because I love you. I’m in love with Lee Taemin, not Lee Minjung.” Minho was satisfied to see Taemin’s expression when he pulled away. He grabbed Taemin’s hand and interlaced their fingers.

“B-but you always go out w-with her,” Taemin stuttered.

“I’ve been advising her to start dating again. She’s traumatized with her previous dating experiences. I told her that I don’t like her in that way weeks ago so that she would stop setting her hopes on me. I can’t believe you’re getting jealous over it.” Minho ruffled Taemin’s honey locks lovingly as the boy pouted under his hold.

“What? Don’t even think of defending yourself. You’re jealous, that’s it.”

“But you don’t have to mention it like that. You love to tease me, don’t you?”

“Yes, because you’re cute.”

“I’m not cute!”

“Alright, adorable then.”

“It’s just the same.”

“Hmm, lovely?”

“Nope. It sounds girly.”

“What about you’re… mine?”

Taemin couldn’t help but smile at that. “That’s cheesy but I like it.” Taemin tiptoed to kiss Minho’s cheek. Minho was taken aback by Taemin’s guts. He never thought Taemin would dare to do such thing. If he did, it meant he didn’t have to hold back. So he leaned down and captured Taemin’s lips in a kiss. He chuckled to see Taemin’s red face after the kiss.

“Stop laughing, hyung. It’s starting!” Taemin yelled and stared into the sky, where different colours of fire exploded, blended together to form a beautiful scene in the dark sky. It was beautiful. He turned to his side to see amazement on Taemin’s face. Then something caught his eyes. Not far from them, he saw Jonghyun standing next to Jinki, hand in hand, both admiring the firework up there. He smiled.

The old saying was true, that if you were really meant to be, then you were meant to be, either in this world or another. Both of them had proved it.


The world where tall buildings occupied the town
The world that has fireworks
The world where you can play music
The world where we have our happy endings …

Aaah, finally it ends.

I was inspired by the title of SHINee’s song: The World with You. But it turned out a little similar to xxxHolic

I hope you all like the ending - and the whole story too.

Thanks for reading and commenting ^^

for you who are Jongyu shipper, I have a Jongyu oneshot Safe and Sound. check it out.