I was reading a book in my room when someone knocked on the door. “Come in”. I let the intruder in.

“Dongsaeng” The intruder chimed

I raised my brow at him “Need something?” I asked as I took my eyes off the book that I was reading.

Key oppa smiled and shook his head “Nothing” he answered “I was just wondering if you need something. I’ll go in the market for grocery shopping”

“Can I go?” I asked as I closed my book, placed it on the night stand and headed to the door. “Can I?” I asked again

Key oppa smiled and nodded “Of course you can, Dongsaeng”

I smiled and got ready. Does this count as a quality time? I asked myself, still smiling.

We went grocery shopping at the mart nearest at our place. We really didn’t much since it’s only me who’d be staying in the house.  Key oppa goes to college and he is staying in a dorm. But he goes home for me every weekend but comes back to the dorm during Monday early morning.

“What else do you want?” Key oppa asked as he looked for some more food to buy at the mart. I glanced at the cart then shook my head “This is more than enough already, oppa” I told him

Key oppa puffed his cheeks then said “Jong In and Taemin eats like they’re pig” He scrunched is face

“You don’t need to worry about them anymore, oppa. We rarely hang out” I stated as I pushed the cart heading to the counter

“What?!” Key oppa seemed dumbfounded. “But you’re the trios!”

I innocently blinked at him and asked “So?”

“So?” He asked “It means it’s hard to believe that you guys rarely hang out now!”

I shrugged as I put the things that we bought on the counter “We have our own ways now. Taemin and I still hang out in school though, but only 2 hours of the day for at least twice a week. But Jong In…He’s kinda impossible” I explained

“And you’re not bothered by it?” Key oppa asked curiously

“I would be lying if I say no” I admitted

“Why don’t you tell them? One word and they’ll be back” Key oppa said like it was nothing “You are their best friend. I know they don’t want to let you down”

I bit my lip “But if I do, then I take them away from their friends. I cannot lock them away from society, oppa. They have their own lives, and I got mine. I locked them in for too. Freshmen year went hard for them because of my childish behavior. Now I want to see them grow and socialize with other people, not just me. I can see the difference, oppa. They are much happier now than last year. If I tell them that I am being bothered by it, then I’d be locking them away from society again. I’d be too selfish if I did. I don’t want to be selfish anymore. Maybe things just really don’t stay forever” I explained to him as I tried not to show any more weakness.

Key oppa smiled “My Dongsaeng is now a grownup. Someday, you’ll come out of your shell. We don’t when, but someday you will”. With that, he ruffled my hair