DARK HORSE

間違えている箇所もあります。

….

2

 

 

I didn’t want to follow footsteps

I want to be able to step over them

 

 

 

“Is it really here?”

 

 

The maknae took his eyes of his phone when he heard the eldest of them spoke up. In front of them was an old and white mansion. Oh Sehun looked at his phone for the second time, making sure that the red dot in the electronic map on his smartphone is not lying to them.

 

 

“Is the GPS not wrong?”

 

 

Kim Junmyeon slowly went to the main singer's side and whispered.

 

 

 “Do you think there would be ghosts here?”

 

 

“Don’t be ridiculous” Byun Baekhyun chuckled before bending down to pick up his bag. He looked at Kyungsoo, who was keeping quiet as usual.

 

 

Because he was the one who booked the rooms, Sehun was the first one to step inside. Almost no one was behind the small window. Sehun gulped then decided to knock on the window and was surprised when an old lady suddenly appeared from below the counter.

 

 

“I'm Daehyun's friend, the one that booked the suite room.” Sehun said as he handed his ID card. They booked the rooms for eight days and only paid half the price because the rooms were provided by Sehun’s cousins. After the contest, they are planning to go back by train to not waste more money.

 

 

It was 6 more days until the concert, many may think that it’s too much but isn’t it good to prepare ourselves first?

 

 

After a while, they received two sets of key to room 401. Sehun jingled the keys while leading the group to the stairs. While dragging their belongings up the stairs Junmyeon whined,

 

“Isn't this hotel in the city? Why doesn't it have an elevator?”

 

 

“You say that as if you're a rustic.” Kyungsoo said that sarcastically, causing the other two to chuckle to themselves.

 

 

“I really am! Look at our city; it's filled with short buildings with people who sleep really early.”

 

 

The argummetn ended when they finally reached their room, Baekhyun got the key from the maknae then proceeded on unlocking the door.  A slightly weird odor entered their noses but more than that, the room was better than they had expected.

 

 

The brown floor tiles gave off a warm feeling, the cream colored walls and a wooden table was in the kitchen zone, there’s a sink for dishes, a 28 inch TV, one bathroom, and two bedrooms.

 

 

“Don't judge a book by its cover, there's a water heater here.” Kyungsoo peeked out from the bathroom while Baekhyun and Sehun put their bags on the black sofa in front of TV. Junmyeon tried to turn on the tap, everything was ready for use.

 

 

“I think they've cleared everything for us.” Sehun stood up and held two keys on his hands “How are we going to separate our rooms?”

 

 

Junmyeon stepped forward, eyes looking at both keys. “It's not that hard, I'll sleep with Baek-”

 

 

“Hyung sleep with me” Kyungsoo interrupted, exchanging glances with Sehun before snatching the keys to one of the bedrooms and proceeded on unlocking the bedroom door, ending the conversation.  “Let's unpack, quick.”

 

 

Junmyeon was dragged into the room instantly; Baekhyun raised one eyebrow at Sehun, who was trying hard not to smile too wide.

 

 

“So we'll stay in the other room.”

 

 

He quickly walked into the room with his and Baekhyun’s bag, leaving only the Ibanez guitar for Baekhyun to carry. Inside the bedroom were a 5 foot bed, a closet, a small sofa, a table, and a mirror.

 

 

“Wow, we got this room for only ten thousand won?”

 

 

“Usually it's twenty thousand won, aren't I great?”

 

 

“This kid, always boasting about himself” Baekhyun mumbled then started unpacking and arranging his clothes on the closet. The closet was empty with no clothes hanger and Baekhyun knew that he didn’t bring any of those either.  “There are no clothes hangers for us...”

 

 

“Ah...” The latter answered before going into the bathroom, only to appear with a small bag of shower gel.  “There are only a few things in the bathroom”

 

 

“I didn't bring anything except my clothes and toothbrush.”

 

 

“No condoms?”

 

 

Oh Sehun got hit by a certain someone before he went to knock on the other bedroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything in Seoul was exactly the same as Junmyeon saw in the picture, the tall buildings, the blue sky, hitting each other’s shoulders was a normal thing here, and no one would turn back and apologize.

 

 

Oh Sehun was eating ice cream beside the group, and Baekhyun was really sure that this kid is handsome because there was a large amount of girls drooling over him.

 

 

“Oh, Thousand won shop~” Sehun grabbed Baekhyun’s hand before dragging him inside the shop, now Baekhyun understands why Sehun was so excited when he saw the amount of items in the shop and each costs only one thousand won. “It's so cheap”

 

 

Sehun grabbed a monter masked and showed it to Baekhyun to which the latter only chuckled before looking at the other items aimlessly. It wouldn’t hurt if he bought one or two items, right?

 

 

“Baekhyun” Baekhyun looked around finding the owner of the voice; Sehun was showing him two glasses with the same design before walking over and giving him a creepy smile. “Let me buy these(?)”

 

 

“There's four glasses in the room, why would you need that.”

 

 

“They're too small~ We can't drink beer in those~” Sehun whined

 

 

“4 of these is already four thousand won, do you have that much money left?” That was a really good excuse, actually, Baekhyun preferred drinking beer from the can, it was more tasty and colder, and he wouldn’t have to spend money on those glasses.

 

 

Sehun pouted “Only two is fine, I'll use my own money don't worry~”

 

 

“Then why did you ask for my permission” Baekhyun sighed, seeing that the kid was already walking to purchase two of the glasses. Why two glasses then?  If only one person will use it then he could’ve just bought one. Before he was going to ask that question Sehun already dragged him out of the shop.

 

 

The bags they were carrying were filled with soap, shampoo, and a pack of beer which is six thousand won. Even though they were heavy, Sehun still dragged him around the city, wanting to explore more of it. At their hometown, there are no large digital TVs on the buildings, no music weekly music charts displayed, and the CD shop was just a normal CD shop with no charts in the corner of the shop.

 

 

Sehun dragged Baekhyun to the ‘Recommended’ section of the shop, it was colorful and people were always passing by this area to pick up some CDs.

 

 

“Trap is out~~”

 

 

Baekhyun let Sehun’s voice go through his right ear as he looked at the big poster on the wall. The black and white image of a certain someone standing beside a baby faced main singer and two other handsome guys. Hurt. That’s what he felt, it was like there was a chain wrapped around his heart and it would become tighter and tighter the more he stared at the face of that man.

 

 

Again…. The ring he was wearing to cover up the tattoo..It’s burning again…

 

 

“Done” Sehun came back with a red plastic bag; inside it was ‘Arch’ newest album that he just bought. Seeing that Baekhyun stood in his place he followed Baekhyun’s eyes and looked at the big poster.

 

 

And he understood, Baekhyun was looking at the image of Park Chanyeol.

 

 

“Sehun-ah” Baekhyun said, eyes not blinking. “How much hope do you think we have in this competition?”

 

 

Sehun thought, he never understood the Glay’s members feelings, it was the same as when he was watching the live performance, trying to remember the pose and actions of that man, and as much as he tried he couldn’t copy the man’s actions. And the weakness… Sehun knew the weakness while he was following Park Chanyeol’s footsteps.

 

 

“I don't know, just performing on stage makes me happy.”

 

 

Baekhyun smiled “Your hopes are so low”

 

 

“I'm afraid I'll get hurt if I fall down” The two chuckled. Of course Sehun knew, at first Sehun didn’t even think about being a member of Glay. It started when he had Park Chanyeol as a role model, earning money to buy the Ibanez guitar, and falling for the main singer of the group and his key charm.

 

 

Yes… He wore it because Byun Baekhyun wore it first.

 

 

Baekhyun wasn’t his role model, but he was the one who had already taken his heart when he was singing on stage.

 

 

“Did you throw away that charm?” The smaller asked, now both of them were like crazy people who were talking with a poster.

 

 

“I won't tell you, just not letting you see it is enough.”

 

 

“....”

 

 

“Flustered much?”

 

 

Sehun teased but Baekyun still remained calm eyes still dark and unmoving. Suddenly Baekhyun’s eyes returned normal as if he was hiding his feelings, Sehun wanted it to burst, and he wanted to know what is it that Baekhyun felt, but he was just a kid that doesn’t know the background and secrets of Glay.

 

 

“I just thought that it would be better if you threw it away”Baekyun lips lifted up into a small smile. “Because it's worthless.”

 

 

Baekhyun didn’t wear that charm for a long while now, Sehun thought that it was only for fashion, maybe he was wrong.

 

 

Baekhyun already walked out of the shop with Sehun quietly following behind, the bag with Arch’s new single feels heavier, and when Sehun saw that Baekhyun was already far from him he quickens his pace so he would be able to catch up until he was just behind Baekhyun’s back.

 

 

Maybe Baekhyun knew that it was close enough so he whispered out,

 

 

“We have to win over Arch that's the reason I accepted you into this band.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hall was filled with screams, though there was no such things like lightsticks, there were many led boards, flowers, and people who copied there fashion style. It was no doubt that Arch was successful in being the top rock band of the year.

 

 

‘I could have seen the other side

Taking a step into the sky

Ah, I'm always late’

 

 

 

The first show of their new album took place at a music show that has been running wild for the past 3 years. Luhan wore the same black suit as in the MV, his big round eyes glittering, making him gain the nickname of a deer.

 

 

‘I could've done the same routine

Showing the old and golden scene

I'm lying again, to make them go’

 

 

If Luhan was a deer, then no doubt the bass was the king of the forest, ‘WU YIFAN’ led boards were high up when the lights were shown on him, highlighting his godlike features. His hair was dark, it was a new look from the king in Arch. The bass blended in well with the guitar of a certain someone who was standing at the right side of the stage.

 

 

‘Wearing again my rocking shoes

Over the puddles made of tears

Flash back, I know you're clever

I remember’

 

 

No one could think of someone whose drumming skills were better than Kim Jongin. His head was going along with the rhythm, though he was not the best drummer in the country, his skills were really something.

 

 

 ‘I know we could cross over rainbows

I wish that we could aim the sun again

I know we could dream for tomorrow

To share the long forgotten glamorous days’

 

 

It was their third single since Chanyeol came in and his popularity never fell. He came back with a leather jacket and the same blue charm that never once left his neck look. No one knew why it was there, Park Chanyeol was a quiet person to them and it seemed so wrong that he always had the charm on his neck, but whenever they tried to ask, they would only receive a smile as an answer.

 

 

The ring blue ring on his finger seems to make the girls and even the guys, swoon over him. His eyes would always concentrate on his black Ibanez guitar, but whenever he looked up and made eye contact with the crowed, it is possible that they would forget their birthdays.

 

 

 And he did it

After the two minute and forty seconds solo of the song ended.

 

 

‘Sunday

Monday

And another Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday, you're still away’

 

‘Friday

Saturday, I'll be lonely everyday

And then climb high up to the moon

And I somehow hope to hear you cry’

 

‘I know we could cross over rainbows

I wish that we could aim the sun again

I know we could dream for tomorrow

To share the long forgotten glamorous days’

 

 

Scream still filled the halls as if the song wasn’t over, no one was moving the instruments, waiting for the crowd to calm down after about a minute then Luhan shouted a phrase that made the crowd go wild again.

 

 

“It feels great to see you guys again!”

 

 

The fans always knew that the main singer is the entertainer of Arch. Jongin was the first one who left the stage, followed by Chanyeol, Yifan, and lastly Luhan who was still waving to the fans till the last second. Ten more minutes and they’ll go up the stage again for the special interview, and the made Jongin wonder why Luhan, who is drinking water in front of him right now, had to be that enthusiastic.

 

 

“That's better..”

 

 

Luhan faced the makeup artist for a little bit of touch up, Wu Yifan was sliding his phone screen on the leather sofa at the corner of the room and Chanyeol was carefully cleaning and putting his guitar back into his bag before sitting on the sofa with Yifan and drinking the bottle of water. Jongin was now fixing his costume and Chanyeol feelt no need to do anything except for waiting for his turn.

 

 

“How much sales do you think 'Trap' would have?” Luhan spoke up; Yifan cracked a smile before grabbing the cigarette on the table.

 

 

“First day with hundred thousand copies”

 

 

“Are you kidding me” Kim Jongin high fived with Luhan when he heard the leader’s words

 

 

“There's nothing we should worry about” Yifan smiled before passing the lighter to the guitarist who still kept quiet, showing little emotion, it was not like they didn’t know that Chanyeol was this kind of person from the start, well, after the day that he stepped into ‘Neighbor’ of course.

 

 

“Let's celebrate?”

 

 

“Answer”

 

 

The drummer suggested in which everyone happily agreed except for their manager.

 

 

“You just had a comeback and you're drinking?” Kim Minseok was assigned as their manager, the company’s chairman knew that Korean’s number one rock band was very stubborn, for example when he was warning them about smoking in the waiting room.  “Hey! 5 more minutes and you're on standby for the show! Luhan! Come here!”

 

 

Pulling the main singer out from the room full of smoke, Minseok knew that the company wouldn’t want Arch popularity to last as short as the vocal chords of the main singer who was always thinking of celebrating on the sales of their album.

 

 

 

 “Chanyeol” Chanyeol looked at their manager before putting the cigarette away. “You're in charge of the album concept”

 

 

“Why not Yifan?”

 

 

Minseok looked at Chanyeol before walking over to stop him from lighting another cigarette. “Anyone would want to hear you talk don't you think?”

 

 

“....”

 

 

Chanyeol can't do anything but agree with his manager's command. They still have three minutes for preparation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Screams filled the hall once again when Arch appeared after the live performance. No matter where they sit, Luhan would always be between Chanyeol and Yifan,Jongin would be beside the leader, smiling and smirking at the fansites' cameras.

 

 

“How is this album going?”

 

 

Yifan smiled at the question from the interviewer before holding up the mic to his mouth “We got a really good response and we would like to thank all the fans who supports us”

 

 

 “As expected, Arch is always cool." "This time you came back with the album 'TRAP' how did you come up with this title? Please explain the concept of this single.”

 

 

SCREAMMMMMMM

 

 

Luhan's mic was passed on to Chanyeol, this was unexpected for the fans. They knew that he was a quiet person and if the question was not directed to him, he would always play with his guitar.

 

 

 

“You can tell the meaning just from seeing the title, the lyrics are about falling in love with a person, and everything she does is like a trap which makes you fall deeper and deeper for her.”

 

 

 

Chanyeol was going to pass the mic back to Luhan but the main singer just smiled, and it's obvious that Arch's guitarist would speak more in this show than other shows.

 

 

“That's really romantic, have you ever fallen into this 'trap' before in your lives?”

 

 

“....” Chanyeol scowled at Luhan but he can't do anything except holding up the mic to his mouth, thinking of an answer, and being annoyed at the drummer who was suppressing his laughter. “I --”

 

 

“How can he not? He's this handsome.” Yifan teased from the other mic he was holding. If only they knew...

 

 

“Yes, but it was a long time ago. Not a very pleasant ending....”

 

 

He chose to answer the question indirectly, the next question, he just smiled as the answer, it was about the present. Someone's faced suddenly popped up in his thoughts; the blue ring on his right ring finger seems to burn as if the tattoo underneath it was calling for its owner. Chanyeol liked the black ring that was crafted on his finger more, but the company didn't allow him to show it because the fans would notice it and would be able to dig up his past.

 

 

The interview went on for about ten minutes until it was the last part of the event.

 

 

“Please give a small encouragement to the contestants at the Rock Rising Contest this Sunday”

 

 

The secret Arch has to keep is that they would perform a special performance as a surprise at the Rock Rising Contest so now they would just have to give encouragement to the contestants, pretending that they wouldn't be able to attend the event.

 

 

“Your dreams are very close, don't give up and achieve it” As the leader, Yifan was the first one who spoke up, and then the mic was passed on to Jongin.

 

 

“Arch faced many things before reaching this point. I believe that everyone can do it”

 

 

“Do your best!!”

 

 

Park Chanyeol wasn't the best in front of the camera. The mic was passed on to him, his head was a mess from his thoughts, his eyes staring aimlessly before they sparkled up with light as he spoke.

 

 

“Believe in who you are and you will be the best on stage.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“What…”

 

 

Oh Sehun whine when his TV remote was snatched, following it was the black television screen. Junmyeon who was drinking beer and Kyungsoo laughed as they looked at Baekhyun who returned the remote to the maknae.

 

 

“I was watching it. ~ Arch was giving us encouragements~.”

 

 

“It’s all scripted” Sehun didn’t know why Baekhyun was so frustrated, shoudn’t he be refreshed after taking a shower? “Did you book the practice room?”

 

 

“Yes yes yes~” Sehun moved over to Baekhyun, finger sliding through his phone before passing it to him. “Do you like it?”

 

 

The practice room looked better than expected; it was near the subway and they could even go there by walking, the price was also not that high. Is this kid from Seoul or something?

 

 

“I already boasted to Junmyeon hyung and Kyungsoo hyung”

 

 

“It’s my style” Junmyeon gave thumbs up to the maknae before poking Kyungsoo signaling him to praise the maknae.

 

 

 

“We can start practicing tomorrow right?” Baekhyun asked and Sehun answered with a cute nod, it was actually a little bit cringy, is Sehun drunk from being in Seoul? “Are you okay?”

 

 

“Aren’t I great~”

 

 

“....”

 

 

 

“You know you should praise be sometime hyung.”

 

 

“You’re speaking nonsense” Baekhyun used his fingers to poke on the maknae’s forehead before grabbing the remote and turning on the TV, thank god the interview was over, but unfortunately, Baekhyun was able to catch the man’s face for the second time at the last minute. His lips were pressed into a thin line, the voice loud in his ears.

 

 

‘Believe in who you are and you will be the best on stage’

 

 

How dare Park Chanyeol say that?

 

 

Baekhyun knew that he was not successful in controlling his emotions, because when his heart ached, he quickly went into the room without notice. The two other members were already used to this reaction, except for Sehun. That kid quickly went into the room following the main singer.

 

 

“I’m sorry, I was just teasing you”

 

 

“It’s not because of you”

 

 

Sehun must’ve misunderstood that he was the cause; he sat on the floor next to the bed Baekhyun was sitting on before grabbing Baekhyun’s hands into his own. Silence surrounds them and only the TV sounds from outside was heard.

 

 

“I don’t know what happened between Glay because hyung never told me about it.”

 

 

“....”

 

 

“But --” Again… Those eyes, eyes that would be able to melt everyone who would stare into them, he’s using it on Baekhyun again.  

 

 

“This Sunday, I’ll prove myself so will you please accept me.”

 

 

Those words made Baekhyun’s heart flutter weirdly, it was full with determination, it was ready to climb up higher than the past.

 

 

“Let me really be a part of Glay.”

 

 

Sehun planted a kiss on Baekhyun’s hand before looking at him in the eyes.

 

 

 “And also a part of you”

 

 

 

 

TBC