Chunji sighed as he exited out of his apartment, turning around and locking the door. Sliding the key out of the lock he remembers what happened the night everyone gathered. Discussing Niel’s condition the eldest rapper really didn’t have an idea but in the end they all came to the obvious conclusion, Niel needed to live. Any longer now Chunji wouldn’t be surprised if he caught Niel slicing his arm and hitting the large vein that could end his life. Ricky of course the lover boy he is, suggested that Niel should have a love interest to help him get on the right track. It could work Neil was such a love fanatic as well, before he went mad. He would always comment on the passing by Noonas and said he wouldn’t mind dating one. But the problem was… they know no-one, especially Noonas. The leader didn’t have anything to say, but Chunji guessed inviting them to his apartment was to get them all motivated on helping Niel, which worked.

But of all things, getting a girl for Niel? Right now for his friends to approach him was hard to achieve, Chunji being the only one who attempted the other day. So how does Ricky think that getting a girl in the school or possibly out could get to approach him? It would be like mission impossible. Suppose that the girl does work out to be helping him it will take his mind off the stress and battle mind he has implanted in his head. He could soon be smiling and laughing with the girl, hopefully of his dreams and could live again and with the positive vibe. He could finally get back on his feet and turn back those two negative leaves into positive ones.

But they need a girl and the other question is… who will it be? Like mentioned before, they don’t know any girls, they can’t go up one by one asking if they would like to help an overly distressed boy who is in near death that might need a love interest to help him and that all the responsibility may be placed on their shoulders based on negative consequences. Especially not knowing the person either, it must be someone adventurous, risk taking, talkative and with a lot of guts but where can they get someone like that? They would have to talk to them before sending them off to Niel but what if they fell for them instead on Niel? Then a good opportunity would be wasted, they must think through this very carefully.

“Maybe I should do what the others suggested and take him out to that coffee shop he likes. That way we can see his reaction and see if he’ll actually agree, so when a girl asks him out we would know the results. But first how would he react? I hope he won’t throw a chair at me saying I’m distracting him from practice”. Chunji frowns at the image, his hand unconsciously rubbing his chin. It was the first experiment, Chunji wasn’t ‘asking him out’ like the future girl would, he was going out with a friend, and maybe a girl passing by might get his attention, if so, Chunji will encourage him to ask her out.

Walking towards his friend’s apartment door, he had second thoughts about the suggestion. Its morning tea, he should come out to that right? He thinks as he hesitantly holds up his hand to tap on the wood. Three knocks were left on the door, not moving his hand he waits in the silence to hope that his friend would open it. Clinks and rattles were heard on the other side before the door opened slightly having an eye pierce through looking at Chunji

“Hey Niel” he begins, the last time they spoke was not on a good note but it’s been days since then so it must’ve been left behind.

“Hey” the other mumbles, Chunji could see Niel has just woken up seeing his bed hair pointing in different directions through the crack. It was a bit late in the morning but at least he slept, that was one problem he could forget for now.

“I was going to go to the coffee shop, would you like to come?” he asks nervously but didn’t show it. Niel looks inside his room behind him as if observing his surroundings before looking back at his friend, no smile appeared.

“Sure, wait out here, I need to get ready” Chunji blink in surprise he didn’t expect that, he agreed to it so easily. But the weird thing was that he was making him wait outside. Often Niel would smile cheerfully and let the guests in but he didn’t. He even looked behind observing his room, was it too messy? But it’s Niel, he doesn’t give a damn, he must be hiding something…

Niel wearing blue skinny jeans and a white lose shirt Niel exits out of his room. He doesn’t bother to look at Chunji but at the floor as he existed out. Heading out first without Chunji knowing the other quickly caught up and headed their way to the coffee shop. Taking a long walk and a train to the admired coffee shop, the place that sells the tastiest hot chocolate drinks in those professionally perfectly sculpted, smooth styled mugs that look cool even taking a horrible photo of it.

Chunji’s hands melt at the touch of the mug covered in the milks heat, it fits perfectly at the lips and the liquid easily makes it down the throat. Chunji makes a satisfied sigh at the first sip of his drink accompanied by the cookies and marshmallows on a small separate plate. Picking one marshmallow up Chunji drops it into his hot chocolate making a plop sound with his mouth as it went in. Enjoying himself, he looks up and sees Niel strangely has a small smile on his face. His eyes gazing at Chunji’s mug where the marshmallow floats in, Niel snaps out of it after finding out he had a smile visible on his face and looked down at his mug, a finger lacing around its handle.

Sitting across from each other in the café, Niels mood does not change. He stares depressingly at his coffee mug turning it around by its handle. Trying to create small talk, Chunji tries not to hit any sensitive topics for Niel, he might to explode. The other just mumbling and groaning at his friends questions Chunji couldn’t help but notice Niel thinking of what he could be doing right now. At the end of the drinks they stand outside heading off to the train station, and as usual they walk past the basketball court. L.joe usually plays at that basketball court but, he was training so instead of him playing there, there were three people having a go at each other at the court in a friendly but competition manner. Catching their attention Chunji and Niel stop at the fence from afar to watch the three bicker. Two boys and a girl, they were speaking English. Chunji barely understood what they were talking about.

A brown haired boy wearing a cap and a lose singlet with an image of palm trees and the writing of ‘California’ tried to block the girl with blonde short hair who wore a black singlet under her loose oversize top. Another brown haired boy wearing a black T-shirt tried to snatch the ball off the girl but quickly fails as she confused him with her hand techniques of dribbling making the boy completely dumbfounded. They all wear shorts, they all laugh and they all enjoyed each other’s company. Chunji felt envious of the happy group sighing he wishes he had the same thing, he looks at Niel who had his eyes glued to the group himself watching the girl who had shot past the boys to shoot a goal, the two boys groaning in surrendering defeat. The girl cheering moving up close to their faces rubbing in that they lost to a girl, it appears they have lost more than once.

“They seem to be having fun” he spoke for the first time, somehow watching in awe. Chunji looks at him again knowing that Niel wanted that share of happiness again, finally.

“Do you want to ask if we can play?” Chunji suggested, catching Niel off guard becoming slightly baffled

“Ah, no, we don’t need to, we have to go back” he said stepping away from the fence they clung on. Chunji just smiled and grabbed his friends wrist pulling him towards a gate and entered the court

“Excuse me!” He calls waving his hand as he pulled Niel along, the three players stopped and stared at the new company

“Yes? Do you need anything” the one with the California singlet asked tossing the ball back and forth in his hand, hearing the American accent Chunji answered

“We saw you guys playing and my friend and I” he spoke pulling Niel in front of him “want to join in too, if you don’t mind” The three strangers looked at each other, glancing to Niel and Chunji whispering

“They don’t look like they are going to mug us” spoke the short haired girl

“Yeah but we can’t be too sure” the black T-shirt boy suggested his accent being different to the California singlet’s one

“We’ll give them a chance” the California singlet boy said having the girls head nod and the other still unsure trusted his friend and nodded as well

“Yeah you guys can play” the girl announced, Chunji grew a smile, tugging on Niel’s arm who as well had grown a somewhat of a smile

“Really? Thank you! I’m Chunji by the way” he introduced smiling bringing out his hand to shake the others

“I’m Peniel” the California singlet boy introduced

“I’m Amber” the short blonde hair girl introduced also shaking Chunji’s hand

“I’m Rome” the black T-shirt boy introduced as well, a smile appearing on his face as he shook Chunji’s hand, calming out of the thoughts of them mugging him. Chunji pulling back from the polite handshakes turns to Niel who rubs his arm shyly with a nervous glance as one arm reaches out to shake them all

“I’m Niel” he introduced bringing a smile to Chunji’s face.

It pained him to see Niel act hesitantly around the new people, Niel was never like that. He would always be the one filled with over-joy and a mouth that would never shut up. He would without knowing make fun of his friends bringing out embarrassing memories and funny arguments. But seeing him shy away from new people was an unsettling view but it was a step to getting him closer.

“So how do we do this… want to play in teams?” Rome asked some nodded but Chunji mentioned

“There is five of us, that means there’s going to be two against three”

“No need to worry” Peniel reassured placing one hand on the girls shoulder, Amber looks at him feeling proud of what he was going to say

“She’s a tough one, she would be fine on her own if she wanted” She looks back at the two boys smiling brightly at them

“She’s great at all sorts of sport, and a great person. She is such a good sport” Rome added in realising he had said a pun he points excitedly at every human being on the court which was only them asking if they got that

“One of you guys want to pair up with me? These guys have no idea on how to play” she teased pointing two thumbs outwards directing them to the ones mentioned

“Do so Amber! Back in Australia for sport at school we learned how to play”

“Yeah well you I don’t even think Peniel knows how to play either”

“Yeah actually I don’t, I did my best” he confessed having one arm rub the back of his neck

Chunji saw this to be the best opportunity for Niel, pushing him from behind Chunji shoved Niel closer to the group

“He can play!” he said overly excitedly

“He is in the athletics team and knows how to play basketball! My friend taught him how!” Chunji explained, Niel in embarrassment dropped his eyes looking at the ground feeling the a bit of expectations

“Ah okay cool, Niel you’re on my team!” Amber confirmed placing her hand on his shoulder. Niel looks at the girls hand then at her a small smile appearing on his face

“Are you, by any chance, good at Basketball Chunji?” a string of hope spoken from Rome’s mouth, moving closer to Chunji palms clapped together in a praying position. Chunji smiles innocently at him negatively replying

“Never really picked up the ball, I’ve seen it on TV though!” Hearing defeat happen before it happens Peniel and Rome both groan slumping forward

“Sorry, I’m not much of a sport person” Chunji apologise not holding back a chuckle.

“Okay losers, let’s play!” Amber shouts out, the opposing team gets into a somewhat position and the captains of the team stood in the centre of the court. Amber and Rome stand in front of each other glaring into each other’s eyes

“Ready to lose again?” Amber speaks confidently twisting her head from side to side provoking him with her words, he scoffs

“Not this time Amber I don’t expect to go down this quickly now” Peniel standing beside Chunji places two fingers into his mouth to let out a sharp whistle

“and Start!” the ball thrown up in the air from Niel, Amber jumps high and taps the ball into her grasp before dribbling her way past Rome and Peniel with a dumbfounded Chunji as she bounces off the ground to score a perfect hoop.

“Whoo! Yeah! Beat that Rome! What did ya say before? ‘Not this time’?” she mocked running up to Rome and rubbing it in his face. Rome tries to hide away his embarrassment from shoving her away from his face trying to think of excuses or comebacks to his friend. Niel watching from behind chuckles watching the two have a friendly go at each other. Chunji standing beside Peniel compliments his friend’s talent

“Yeah like I said, she’s a tough one. No one can really beat her, she is… too powerful” He chuckles watching Amber ‘trying’ to give Rome another go against her but fails as she snatches the ball out of his grip and shoots another hoop and again with cheers.

“All of you guys speak English right? Why are you in Korea?” Chunji asks looking at his new friend, Peniel shrugs

“We all came for different reasons. I came for study, Amber came because of student exchange and Rome wanted to understand his background” he answers

“We’ve all been here for a while now, about two years. Me? A bit longer than that. We met Amber before her Student exchange program because her family is rich they come here often. We all met at this court years ago” Peniel adds on, a smile growing to his face at the flashback, watching his two friends argue over the ball and the score mark. Peniel imagines them at a much younger age of their early teens.

A young girl with her hair at shoulder length dribbles the ball on the spot, switching it from hand to hand in front of the basketball hoop. Taking a few steps forward the girl jumps up ball in hand and hesitantly shoots the ball in. The ball spun around in the ring of the hoop the girl had hope in her eyes in a prayer position for it to fall in, and it did. The girl whispers a silent ‘yes’ before starting again. Behind the girl stood a very amazed little boy that looked in awe at the movement the girl made with the ball. Feeling the boy’s presence the girl turned, a boy her age with brown hair and a black and green cap stood wide eyes at the ball that rests in the girls hand

“You want to play?” the girl asks in Korean. The boy didn’t know how to respond more because he couldn’t really speak the language. So instead he nodded understanding the gesture of her extended arm to him with the ball in her hand. The girl passed the ball politely to the boy not really caring if he would’ve run away with it. The boy gulped, he didn’t know how to play. Looking at it in his hand he stared embarrassedly and regretfully thinking that he had just ruined the girls time of play.

“Are you going to shoot?” the boy looked up. Not understanding the words he could hear the impatient attitude the girl was giving off from the tone of her voice, with her arms crossed she stared at him. He looks back down again slowly extending his arm out to give back the ball before it was stopped.

Another boy who appeared to be older had his hand on the ball, stopping the little boy giving it back.

“Do you speak English?” the boy asks in English. Stunned the younger boys eyes widen and instantly replied “Yes! I do” he said smiling in relief.

The girl in between the smiling boys looked at them confused before she spoke “so are you going to shoot?” she asked in English. The two boys turned to her in shock, why hadn’t she spoken in English before? The younger boy first thought. Gulping again, the younger boy knew he had to shoot now. Hesitantly dribbling the ball, it making uncoordinated sounds the young boy bent his knees before making a sloppy and effortless throw the ball not meeting the hoop what so ever. Embarrassed the boy looked down rubbing his arm, a quiet moment was created and the bouncing of the ball had stopped.

“That was a horrible throw” the girl commented making the boy feel worse on his attempt. She ran off to fetch the ball and came back up to the young boy “try again” she encouraged. He looked up, staring into the brown eyes that showed no threat but instead a friendly stare complimented with an encouraging smile. The older boy smiled beside the other two, like little innocent kids these young teens couldn’t have had a more innocent approach to each other. He had not made any friends that holiday trip except the two that played with him that very day. The girl was easily opened to the two boys and had already started to call them causally by their names, the older boy took a while to open up but he did before the youngest. The young boy being closer to him than the scary little girl’s hyper attitude they all communicated in English, their apparent fluent language.

Being on the day of his departure the girl named Amber had their names written down on the basketball hoops pole, so they were for sure going to meet again at this particular spot. And so it happened a year later, then a year after, then months and another year until now at this very moment. Knowing each other for over three years they kept in touch over the internet with the occasional video chats. Everyone was excited when they all were going to spend an entire year together. After spending their first year Amber transferred schools into SM Town not wanting to be separate from the guys. Being at different places at once they finally were, together.

“Peniel” a voice spoke out Peniel snapping out of his flashback to look down at Chunji who was waving his hands in front of his face

“Oh sorry what was that?” he asked,

“I was just saying that my friend who taught Niel how to play is American, he likes to call himself L.joe” Chunji briefly repeated

“Oh really? You guys should bring him next time” Peniel suggested looking at his two friends playing along with Niel. Rome once again losing to the two players passing and throwing the ball to each other over the eldest

“Looks like Amber really enjoys your company” he smiled hearing Amber’s laughter faintly clashing with Niel’s as well

“She is really cool” Chunji complimented

“Hey you have a phone?” Peniel asked turning to Chunji

“Huh? Oh yeah I do, want my number?” Chunji asked pulling it out of his jean pocket

“Yeah so we can keep in touch and that you and your friends can come by again” Peniel explained grabbing Chunji’s phone and inserting his number.

“Oh good, my friend L.joe has been wanting some English speaking friends” Chunji joked, a chuckle coming from Peniel

“Okay cool” He said giving it back and handing his phone to Chunji

Numbers were exchanged and Niel’s number was also given to Peniel. Rome was exhausted enough from chasing the ball and slumped onto Peniel tackling him down saying that it’s his turn to at least do something. Amber ran over to the fallen boys to jump on top of them adding more pressure to Peniel being squished on the cement ground

“Yah! You guys are horrible!” She complains

“Have you not learned anything I have taught you?” she argues a playful smile appearing before she ruffles the two boys hair. Rome and Peniel both groan but smile at their female friend jumping off them to get up.

Niel walks over to the crowd and stands beside Chunji, smiling. Chunji looking from the corners of his eyes smiles along as well, not wanting to scare Niel about his admiration. With the trio standing up they all turn to face the two strangers they have met, a smile on all their faces

“We have got to go now” Chunji said.

A shocked expression was given from Niel not wanting to leave. The trio don’t show a sad expression neither do they show a happy one either. They just stared. The feeling from their calm expressions express that they will meet again and hopefully soon

“Okay cool, we’ll catch you next time” Spoke Rome

“For sure” Chunji confirmed

“Bring your English friend” Peniel reminded

“Yeah no sweat!” Chunji chuckled attempting his English skill, everyone laughed.

“Smile more Niel, it looks good on you” Amber suggested. Niel who looked gloomy from the farewell looks up at the energetic but currently calm girl. His smile widening at the compliment, okay, was his silent response.

And like that they left the court, a small wave as the figures slowly become small from the steps they took. Chunji really had a good time, looking to his right he sees Niel his head hung looking down at the ground with a small, line smile on his face. A smile, something he tried so hard to get out from his friend, it took new encounters for him to show it again. Admiring his friends small, fragment light of hope a thought then came to his head, how long will it last? He wondered. I guess we have to see them soon, Chunji thought pulling out his phone to look at the new number. Unlocking his screen he becomes slightly shocked when something popped up. Looking at the sticky note app on his phone he smiled as he read the comment that was written, ‘catch ya later!’ Written in English

Looking up from his phone Chunji looks at his friend, eyes still remaining on the ground with that smile still showing. Not hiding it away that he was happy about their encounter, it was clearly visible through his hair. That line smile still remained.

For sure, Chunji thought.

A/N

To be honest this is my favourite chapter so far. I like how Rome made that pun haha it was good.

This chapter has been shorter than the others, this time i haven't exceeded over 4000 words haha.

But in this chapter, do you see what's going to happen? Because it might not be what you think... hehe maybe or maybe not.

I don't like writing Niel like this and don't worry! Overtime he'll be back to the bubbly and cheerful vocailst we all know. Soon, maybe hehe.

and it might appear that Chunji forgets to mention the encounter to the others as the two youngest bother someone (in future chapter).

Thank you to my readers for reading! I know my stories are quite a drag but i am trying my best (inexperience writer here)