There was a guy, small compared to other males, with white cotton t-shirt and black comfortable short, sitting on the sofa, lying on his back with a book before his face. Yoseob was waiting alone in the living room, reading a book that he borrowed from Junhyung; Korean translation of ‘As a Man Thinketh’and that was what he usually did for the past few days. They had finished composing and lyric writing. The only thing to do now was recording the song which was a bit difficult to arrange as everyone had different free time because of their pack schedule especially for Doojoon and Kikwang who were now infamous actors.

Yoseob sighed, a sign of boredom as he put down the book, placing the bookmark properly to ensure he would not lost the last page he read. He took the remote and switched on the smart TV also the Xbox and took the game controller as he waited for the Xbox program to load.

Yoseob took a glance to the round red modern design wall clock hang few feet above the smart TV. Few more minutes to midnight. He thought as his bottom lips jutting out, sulked. He thought they would at least return earlier tonight. Yoseob huffed. He wished he was working too so he would not feel as bored.

The game finally was now ready as ‘start’ appeared on the screen. Yoseob beamed, content that now he had something to fill his boredom. Excitedly, he pressed the buttons on the game controller, starting to enjoy the game. It was Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) game that he always favored.

Yoseob frowned as he focused on the game. He had lesser ‘life’ now which means he had higher chance to lose but he did not want to give up. Yoseob stood up from the sofa. Moving physically would help him concentrated and also improve his finger and eye coordination. In this kind of game, there was always a chance for some plot twist. He smirked when he succeeded in doing some awesome ‘combo’ moves.

Boom!

Suddenly, everything was pitched black.

 Yoseob froze. He was too surprised that he forgot that he almost win the game. It was too dark at the beginning but slowly, his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Yoseob looked around for a while as he thought of what to do. He then remembered that there was a torchlight kept at the TV cabinet drawer for emergency purposes. Yoseob made few hesitate steps to the cabinet. He worried that if he made wrong steps, he would break things and he did not want that to happen.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The small anxious guy instantly turned to the sound. He knew that was the sound of the digital lock system of the door. It would beep if someone pressed the right password. Yoseob could feel his pulse accelerated even he knew a ghost should not have his heart beating. He could feel the cold sweats on his forehead.

Click.

The sound of the lock was undone. Yoseob unintentionally hold his breath. It felt like a scene in a horror movie that he always watched. In that movie, the door would open very slowly and a scary looking hand with long black fingers would slowly creep from the back of the door. Instantly, the owner of the hand emerged, looking directly at him with ‘its’ creepy black bloody eyes.

Little by little, the door slid open. Yoseob gulped, praying nothing like the movie would come out.

“Surprise!”

The voices shouted. Someone was carrying a cake which was lightened with candles appeared together with four other figures. The house was instantly brightened once again, returned like it was before the blackout. It was now obvious that Junhyung who was carrying the birthday cake. Kikwang and Dongwoon pulled out the party poppers, causing a gush of confetti scattered throughout the living room. Doojoon and Hyunseung finally walked into the house carrying two large paper bags each.

“Happy Birthday, Yang Yoseob,”

The other five members wished excitedly. They then sang the birthday song eagerly that they did not care that it sounded very out of tune. They ended the songs with energized cheering and exciting claps.

Yoseob walked closer to the birthday cake, smiling. He was touched with the members’ effort to celebrate his birthday. He had never thought that he would once again celebrate his birthday since his death. Yoseob inertly chuckled. Yeah, I might be luckiest person in the world.  “Thanks,” Yoseob silently uttered.

“Make a wish before you blow the candles, hyung,” Dongwoon reminded as if he knew that now Yoseob was standing right in front of the cake.

Yoseob smiled kindly to Dongwoon before he glanced angrily at Junhyung. “It’s your idea, isn’t it?” he questioned as he glared. He could see how Junhyung frowned, puzzled with his sudden anger. Yoseob puffed, becoming more upset that Junhyung was oblivious. “Do you know how scared I am during the blackout? I thought ugly creepy ghost would come out of the door just now,” Yoseob whined childishly as he pointed to the entrance door which was now closed.

Yoseob’s eyebrows were puckered, his eyes were glaring sharply, and his lip was obviously grimacing.

Junhyung chuckled, lowering his head, trying to hide his smile. He is cute. He thought. “I’m sorry,” he apologized even he tried hard not to smile. He knew the little guy would get angrier if he knew that Junhyung found the situation humorous.

“You know it is rude to laugh when someone else is serious, aren’t you?” Yoseob complained, pouting. He could not be angry for long especially if it was Junhyung. Sometimes, he hated himself because of that. But, it was okay. Junhyung would never intentionally make him angry.

“I’m sorry,” Junhyung uttered again, trying to be more sincere this time. He smiled slightly. He didn’t feel like laughing now. Most probably because he was scared of Yoseob’s anger. No, it was not only his anger that he scared of. He scared that Yoseob will be angry enough to leave him. He didn’t want to lose him again. Not when he was not prepared for it. Not when he had repaid Yoseob for everything that main vocalist did for him.

“Let’s start the party,” Dongwoon smiled kindly as he tapped Junhyung shoulder and the party started.

Yoseob blew the candles and everyone clapped, cheering. They unpacked all the take away food they brought. There were fried chicken, crackers, chips, seaweed, and beers. It was not as grand as their Christmas party but it was as warmth and as fun. They were talking, teasing and playing as if nothing burdened them. The living room was filled with smiles and laughter and slowly it was getting quiet as all of them sleeping in the living room.

************************************************************

Yoseob was nervous as he stood in front of Junhyung studio’s door. He inhaled deeply and released it slowly. It had been two days since they celebrated their birthday. Today, while he was cleaning up the kitchen, Doojoon texted him through KakaoTalk, telling him to immediately come to the Junhyung’s studio.

“Everyone,” he voiced out. “I’m here,”

The door was ajar and revealed Dongwoon at the other side of the door. “Come in, hyung,” Dongwoon said excitedly as he saw the floating red scarf. He could not wait any longer.

Yoseob stepped in and saw Junhyung’s smile as they made eye contact. Junhyung was sitting on the office chair right in front of the amplifier and computer. He returned the smile, feeling assured. “I guess you are done with the recording,” Yoseob predicted. Yoseob looked around, noticing the other member sat at the sofa and he turned back as Dongwoon closed the studio door. His eyes followed Dongwoon movement as the maknae sat together with the members

“Yup,” Doojoon confidently replied. Yoseob smiled, gladded. “Tiger hyung was not here?” he asked as he only saw Beast members in the studio.

“No, Junhyung chase them out,” Kikwang answered. “Come, Yoseob. Sit here. Let’s listen to the songs with us,” Kikwang waved his hand to the red scarf he saw, signaling him to come. They didn’t want others to know Yoseob was now with them. It was not because they were scared of other people judgment. They just did not want the situation became complicated. Their priority right now was granting Yoseob’s wish.

Yoseob nodded excitedly. “Okay,” as he made his way to Kikwang and sat beside him.

Junhyung turned his chair around, facing the computer and he clicked some buttons. The speaker started to produce sounds which flew through each of the members. The sound was smooth, the rhythm was addictive, the arrangement was very authentic and to Yang Yoseob who really missed music, the songs were perfect.  

***********************************************

Yoseob slowly opened his eyes as Junhyung’s sleeping face appeared. Yoseob smiled as he traced his finger gently on the rapper jaw line, barely touched the pale yet warm skin. “You are beautiful,” he whispered.

“You are more beautiful,”

Yoseob surprised when he heard that. Gradually, Junhyung’s eyes opened, revealing the deep calm eyes. Yoseob continued staring into those eyes even though he knew he might never be able to escape those bottomless emotions which flowed within the dark round pupils. It was dark yet beautiful. Unconsciously, he was drawn into them. He wanted to stare into those eyes forever, understanding and embracing Junhyung’s emotions, comforting any anxiety and worry. He wanted to be there when Junhyung needed someone. He could not imagine if that ‘someone’ was not him. He knew it was a selfish thought but for once he wanted to have that thought because he knew the thought would remain as thought. You are dead. The other inner voice strictly reminded him.

“Sorry,” Yoseob pushed Junhyung gently as Junhyung was trying to kiss him. What did I just done? “I’m sorry. Can we start the day earlier today?” Yoseob smiled even though it was obviously a fake. What have you done, Yang Yoseob? You are dead. You won’t stay here for long. When you are gone, he would be miserable again.

Junhyung noticed the insincere smile right away and frown unconsciously. “Are you okay?”

Yoseob nodded. “Let see the members right away. I want to know if they can finally see me or not,” trying to smile.

Junhyung sighed, unable to understand the reason behind Yoseob uneasy smile. “Okay,” he managed to answer.