They soon arrived at the mall and there were of course only a few fans. No one knew EXO was going there so the people there thought they were lucky. What made them curious though was Milan. She was still wearing the same outfit, her shorts and t-shirt. Don’t blame her for the skin exposure. It was really hot there.

“Look, there’s a Nature Republic branch here!” Baekhyun pointed and ran towards it. Milan rolled her eyes and followed him along with the other members. The salesladies were all shocked to see these men in the shop with one of their most loyal customers. “Mil-ah, Mil-ah, I saw you dancing BTOB and BTS, are you in their fandoms too?” Chanyeol pestered.

Milan’s face grew red. “When did you see me dance to their songs?” She asked, not looking into his eyes. “Haruman~” Luhan suddenly clung on Chanyeol’s arm with a teasing smile. “Shut up!” Milan almost shouted as she clutched on her legs. “So who’s your bias there?” Chanyeol raised an eyebrow. “I’m guessing it’s Jungkook… No, maybe V?” Luhan looked at her.

She just puffed her cheeks and walked away. Baekhyun took the opportunity to steal her away. The vocal looked back at the two men and stuck his tongue out, obviously telling them he can treat Milan better. Chanyeol crossed his arms with a pout. “It seems you two are getting better,” Luhan suddenly commented.

Chanyeol tilted his head, trying to process the information. When he grasped what Luhan meant, he sighed. “Not actually, hyung,” Chanyeol told him. “She loves someone else,” he added. Chanyeol knew he shouldn’t mention Luhan was the one she loves. For now, Luhan thinks Milan is just in love with him in a fan-idol way and not in a romantic way. Those two were completely different for Luhan.

“I wonder who it is though. Didn’t she see her ex in Japan?” Luhan asked. Chanyeol shook his head. “Hyung, I don’t want to remember the time she told me who it was,” he whined. “It’s me, isn’t it?” Chanyeol was kind of shocked to hear Luhan say that but he hesitantly nodded.

Luhan looked down with a guilty smile. “I’ve… noticed her hints. You do know she’s the girl I’ve been replying on the fanboard, right?” he almost whispered.

Chanyeol nodded. “I’ve noticed when she checks her phone, hyung. Are you going to date her then?” He asked, full of anxiety in his heart. He was so afraid to have his heart broken again and have a brother so close to him get the girl he loves. Luhan shook his head. “A true man keeps his word, Chanyeol. Didn’t I tell you I’ll give way for you to make her fall in love with you?” he looked at the younger.

“But hyung… You love her too, don’t you?” Chanyeol tilted his head to the side. “Mhm but I can’t take care of her properly like you can. Compared to you, ain’t I just a small person?” Luhan laughed at himself. “And… you know how my fans are. I can’t afford to have her get hurt because of me because my fans are scarier than Baekhyun’s and yours combined,” he added with a forced smile.

“What if she can’t love me back? What if she only loves you?” Chanyeol said with a hurtful voice. “I can’t…” Luhan shook his head. “You’ll make her happier. When she confesses to me and I reject her, be there for her. Fill her heart with love you always wanted to give her. Promise me that,” Luhan looked Chanyeol in the eyes. The taller had no choice but to nod.

“I promise, hyung.”

Baekhyun removed his arm on Milan’s shoulder when he noticed Chanyeol and Luhan weren’t watching. He made his distance from her and looked down. “Thanks, oppa,” Milan muttered. Baekhyun glanced at her for a second and then at the direction they were walking. “I just noticed you were in a difficult situation. You were with the man you love and the man who loves you,” he explained himself. “You are absolutely spot on about that,” Milan mumbled.

“You shouldn’t be too gloomy about it. You can’t control this after all,” Milan looked at Baekhyun and he pointed at his chest. “Aren’t hearts so troublesome?” Baekhyun jokingly asked. “That’s why I don’t have one,” Milan told him innocently. Baekhyun hit her head with his palm. “Idiot, you can’t be heartless.” The pair suddenly laughed.

Even though Milan was really close to Chanyeol, actually she was closest to Chanyeol, but she felt refreshed when she talks to Baekhyun. She didn’t have any romantic feelings for him and neither does he but they jive so good with each other. They didn’t have this sibling aura though. They really looked like the best of friends.

Maybe the reason was they were more than just being the same with each other. Milan was a rebel when she was younger and was noisy and frank. Baekhyun was the same. Along with the hardships and breakups they experienced, they matured. Even though they went through so much, their hearts never really turned into stone. They were the greatest retenders they knew. They had soft hearts.

They reminded each other of themselves too much.

“What are you planning to do then?” Baekhyun asked. Milan shrugged. “Do I have to do something? Can’t everything go back to how it was?” she said with a sentimental tone. “If that was possible, I’ve done that so many times already. But with each obstacle, don’t we get stronger… and wiser?” Baekhyun shared. “But I won’t dictate what you should do. You’re a grown up lady. You can decide for yourself. Anyhow, we, your friends, will always support you, especially that Yoda,” he added with a reassuring smile.

“Thanks, oppa. Geez, why can’t you be my brother in real life?” Milan smiled a bit. “Maybe because it’s better if you don’t have a very handsome brother?” Baekhyun suddenly did a pose. Milan scoffed. “Yeah, right, you are so handsome,” she rolled her eyes. “It’s good you know,” Baekhyun laughed, Milan following his action.

“Oppa, thanks for cheering me up. It’s hard having the man who usually cheers you up be the reason for your confusion after all.”

“It’s my pleasure. Your smile is as important to us as our smiles are important to our fans after all. We all love you, Mil-ah. Remember that.”