Jongin stomps into his room two days later with the biggest grin on his face. There are only two things that gives him such a good mood like this, one is winning a dance battle at the studio he usually roots his feet after class and two is being invited to a party promising with chicks and cocktails which to Sehun’s opinion is out of word disgusting.

Both of them like partying but in different styles. While the tanned skin boy loves rocking on the dance floor with random boys and girls, the other prefers a quieter corner of the room, enjoys his beer and lets the rhythm take over his body.

That why Sehun is surprised when his friend jumps on his bed and be enthusiastic over something not involving any of two listed above.

“Why are you like that?”

“Like what?”

Jongin arches his brow but eyes still glues to his phone’s screen as he spam the invitation to other members in his team.

“Like this” the younger stresses “all excited about a welcome party for a guy.”

Tapping the send button, Jongin tosses his phone aside and flashes him another grin

“FYI it’s a pool party and that guy is my coach.”

“Still…” Sehun shrugs “It’s not like you’ve never been to a pool party and FYI he’s a guy.”

Ignoring the uncooperative attitude from his friend, the tanned skin boy nudges his rib

“You’re in right?”

The latter purses his lips in thinking. To be honest he feels a little bit uncomfortable with that guy after he caught those eyes locking at him more than once on the first day. There’s something about him tells Sehun to stay away and since his instinct never fails him, he guesses it must have a good reason. But a pool party is not a big deal, isn’t it? He can always find a place to drown in his own world and never gets interrupted. Even so sometimes playing hard to get with Jongin is the best way to entertain.

“Why? I’m not in the swimming team. I don’t know him”

As he expected, a glint of disapproval casts over the older one’s face

“But you’re my party buddy and you know everyone else there.” he pauses a bit, tapping his chin thinking “Plus, I heard that Mr.Wu would be there too.”

“Kris?” Sehun’s brows meet in confusion “That’s weird.”

“I don’t know, they’re like old friends or something.”

It reminded him the irritation in his coach’s voice when they saw the new guy on Monday and if they knew each other in advance, he’s sure their relationship didn’t end in a very a good term.

“When and where?”

“This Saturday night, at Luhan hyung’s house.”

Jongin replies delightedly, reaches out to grab his phone when it vibrates, signaling someone answers his text.

“Luhan hyung?”

Sehun raised his voice at the strange name but jerks back immediately as the other stops working on the screen to shoot him an exciting yet mysterious kind of look

“Oh it’s our new coach. Have you heard the story about him yet?”

Shaking his head, Sehun blinks in response, not surprise because his friend is always the first one who knows something is going on around the campus but he does wonder what’s about the skinny guy that gives everyone such a huge attention.

“He’s originally from China but since he lives here for a long time, you can’t tell he’s Korean or not. He’s 4 years older than us, looks as young as a teenager and seems to be a very nice guy.” Jongin begins with a normally husky tone then volumes up without warning “Opposite his feminine outlook, that guy is a genius. Rumor says his IQ is over 150 but I doubt it because if so he should be a scientist, not a petty coach for a college swimming team. Anyway, the best part is he inherited from his father a villa in the outskirts of Seoul and we are all invited to his place for party. He said we could stay the night if we wanted. Isn’t it great?”

He ends his long speech with a loud clap and Sehun can’t help but making a face. So Luhan something is nice, smart and maybe rich too but isn’t it a lot exaggerated if any of these could be the main reason for him to join in, knowing there will be no one to fool around with the whole weekend.

“Fine, I’ll go. Just spit out your evil plan.”

“What plan?”

“Don’t play dumb with me.” he throws a pillow nearby at the said boy who is faking an innocent face “I know you better than yourself.”

“And that’s exactly why I find you no fun at all.” Jongin hugs the pillow tightly, pouting “I have to get myself a cover for my absent practice record in the last year.”

“Your coach?”

“Yep. Isn’t it perfect?”

The sparkle in his eyes tells Sehun that he is not kidding. Shooting his friend a last disbelieved look, Sehun crawls out of the bed to find something more interesting to entertain than staying here, listening to these nonsense, but not forget to mumble back.

“You’re insane.”

 

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

 

Luhan sips on his beer, carelessly scanning the space packaged with young boys and girls in bikini partying hard in front of him. It’s been a quite long time since he last joined in such a noisy event like this. He still remembered his senior year at college’s prom when he had his boyfriend’s arms around his waist as they danced on the floor like there was no tomorrow, grinding their bodies against each other with lustful heat.

How could he erase it out of his mind? It was also the day his father died.

His eyes stop on a particular bright blond head nodding along with the groove at the furthest table away from the pool. He takes another huge gulp of the alcohol liquid, hoping it will somehow calm his nerves down a bit. He couldn’t let anything get on his way right now. He has to stick to the plan.

 

“Luhan hyung.”

His peaceful moment is torn apart as someone calls out his name and walks toward his direction. He turns aside to see Jongin making his way to him with the best sober steps he could pull out although the ty grin on his face tells otherwise.

“Why are you drinking alone out here? People are looking for you.”

The younger boy lifts his chin up to point out what he said cutely and Luhan couldn’t help but chuckling in response

“Let’s them play. I’m too old for it now.”

The latter’s brows furrow in suspicion, staring at Luhan for a long second before states the matter of fact

“Kris huyng said the same thing ten minutes ago. You guys are really alike.”

The mentioned name wipes away the smile on Luhan’s face. He bites his lower lip to cover the hesitant glint in his eyes as he talks about that man.

“We …were friends.”

“Were?”

“Well, we went to the same college back then. I lost his contact after graduating.”

Luhan lies halfheartedly. He will tell the truth when the right time comes, but now it’s too soon to share a story he has buried for almost 4 years. Luckily the younger doesn’t seem to care about it under that amount of beer poured through his throat.

“Oh really? You two must have been surprised to see each other here then.”

“Yeah, we were.”

The Chinese short answers, taking the last gulp of his beer and throws the empty can on the grass. It will be such a waste of time if he tries to keep his small area being clean while the whole yard will definitely become a dumping ground after tonight. Plus it’s already such a waste of money to throw a pool party in the middle of fall as he has to use his luxury heating system to warm the place.

 

I should enjoy what I’m paying for.

 

With that thinking, Luhan stands up and grabs Jongin’s arm with him, ignoring the shocking expression he gets in reply.

“Okay, let’s show these guys how to dance my boy!”

He might die like his father when this plan is done. If so, he wants to make the most of every single day he’s still alive.

 

**********

 

It’s a good choice to wait for the maids to come and clean the house tomorrow because Luhan doesn’t think he has enough energy to stay awake after the party ends. He offered some rooms for whoever wanted to stay over the night and there was one that he didn’t expect to.

Bending against the sink in the bathroom, Luhan can clearly count the wrinkles at his canthus. Sometimes he wonders why he pushes himself through everything merely for a stranger. It’s not that he doesn’t have another choice. He always does.

But he also knows it’s not just about him anymore.

It’s about his father, his belief.

It’s about the world.

 

“What are you doing here Luhan?”

Luhan doesn’t flinch at the sudden voice outside the room. He’s waiting for it anyway.

Kris is leaning back on the wall when he walks out, hair is still wet with water trailing down on his face. Their eyes meet and no one needs to say anything to feel what the other is thinking.

They know each other too well. After all, they grew up altogether.

“Throwing a welcome party.” Luhan shrugs his shoulder nonchalantly “Wasn’t it obvious since I invited you?”

“I called the president. He said you came here for a case.”

Kris snorts unpleasantly, his hands folding tightly to such an extent that his veins can’t be any less noticeable.

“Call daddy already?” Luhan laughed sarcastically, tilting his head in the way that he’s aware he might be beaten just because of it “Don’t worry. I’m not here to fight over Sehun with you. He’s all yours, that’s the order.”

“Then why did you insist to transfer?”

“Jongin.”

“Jongin?”

Kris raised his voice abruptly. He’s not a type of person who easily loses his temper but the more the other talk the more he finds it provoking.

“That guy? He’s useless.”

This time Luhan lets out a small chuckle, slowly steps forward until they are just few inches away, an ironic smirk hovers over his lips as he whispers

“Remember the time when I said your power was zero? Well, you proved me all wrong.”

Luhan knows he already reaches his limit and Kris finally gets his hackles up when he feels his throat is choked as his collar is grabbed violently.

“YOU…..”

But he has no choice. If he wants Kris to be incautious, he needs to set the traps.

“I repeat. I just want Jongin. That’s all.”

The fire in the taller one’s eyes seems to drill a hole through his skull in any minute soon and he wishes Kris just punches him a real one in the face so that he can get a chance to breathe.

“I warn you….”

 

 

 

“What’s going on?”

The tension is cut off when they release each other and both turn to the voice’s owner who is rooted into his spot not far from them. Luhan is the first one speaking up, a bit disappointed that the conversation is not done perfectly as he chalks out.

“Nothing. Just old friends catching up.”

“Old…But he was…” the young boy aims Kris, intends to report what he saw with his own eyes but the smile plastering on Luhan’s face stops him.

“It’s nothing. Really.” he exchanges a quick glance with his old friend before averts to the latter, thumb points backward to the door “You want to use the restroom right? Have at it. I’m off to sleep now.”

With that he turns on his heels, heading to the opposite direction, leaving the other two standing awkwardly. Kris doesn’t wait until his back disappears at the corner to start walking pass the younger one, not forget to tap him on the shoulder

“Good night Sehun.”

The Korean boy stays like that for a little bit longer, trying to comprehend what just happened in the last few minute. So there was definitely something wrong with them two in the past. But that is not the issue running around inside his head right now. The small part he overheard from Luhan before is more important.

 

I repeat. I just want Jongin. That’s all.