Chapter 12 “First Missing”

“Hyung~ I wanna eat that!” Changmin said as he points into one of the stand in front of a store. It sells Seoul street snack.

They decided to have a little walk around Seoul city, since Changmin misses his hometown so much. Just a few minutes ago, Jae got more information about Min. Min got a scholarship in another city, so he needed to move out, leaving Yunho. But now, he’s in the holiday. Yes, Christmas holiday. It’s already early November now. Time passes so quickly.

“No, you just eat rice cracker just now…” Yunho refused.

“But…Hyung!!! I wanna eat that!” Changmin begged.

“I’ll buy it for you,” Jae said.

“No, Jae! Don’t…” Yunho protested.

“Why are you so cruel to your own brother, Yunho?” Jae said as he stares at Yunho. It like he’s saying ‘shut up Yunho!’. And it succeeds, Yunho shuts his mouth.

“Kumawo, Jae hyung~” Changmin eats it.

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“Jae, I need to buy some things,” Yunho said as they pass a supermarket.

“I wanna buy snack!” Changmin said.

“Hey, stop eating will you. I got snack in my apartment; just take some from there…” Yunho said.

“I don’t wanna. Hyung’s taste is different from mine. Besides, I’ll be living at Yoochun hyung’s apartment for my holiday…” Changmin said.

“What?” (Yun)

“I’ve called him just now and he seems to agree with that.” (Min)

“No, Min. Just let me sleep in Yoochun’s apartment. I’m the guest after all…But wait, does this mean that Changmin also know Yoochun?” (Jae)

“I lived with Yunho hyung until last 8 months. Of course I know Yoochun hyung…” (Min)

“Oh…But this doesn’t mean you’re the one who should move out.” (Jae)

“I wanna spent my holiday the way I want, Jae hyung. It’s not like I can’t see Yunho hyung. He’s right beside Yoochun’s apartment, right?” (Min)

“But…” (Jae)

“No but, I’m starving, let’s buy some snack…” Min said as he enters the supermarket. The truth is Changmin wants to give Jae hyung and Yun hyung their privacy. The scenery when he entered Yunho’s room this morning was more than enough to make him goosebumps.

“Jae, are you coming?” Yunho asked.

“No, I’ll wait here…” Jae said.

“OK, I’ll make it fast…” Yunho said as he follows Changmin.

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Jaejoong walks back and front. It just a few minutes ago that Yunho and Changmin went into the supermarket. He looks around. His eyes travel to the zebra cross on the opposite direction of him. He sees a boy, who’s just about 6 years old, walking hand-to-hand with his parents. He tries to recall his memory, but he can’t seem to find such an image. He feels empty.

Jae is still in his day dream when a hand covers his mouth. Jae struggles, but he’s weakened. The man, who covers his mouth with a fabric, had put some anesthetic into it. Jae fainted as another man gets him body into a car, a black van.

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“Jae hyung~” Changmin called as he runs into Jae suppose-to-be place.

No one is there.

“Jae?” Yunho called.

Still no one there.

“Hyung, where’s Jae hyung?” Min asked.

“I dunno. Maybe…he’s already back to the apartment…” Yunho said unsurely.

“Why did he leave us?” Min asked.

“Because you’re picking snack for too long…” Yunho teased.

“Ah~ Yun hyung! Jae hyung can’t be that cruel…” Changmin pouted.

“Hahaha…” Yunho caresses his little brother’s hair,” Let just go back, OK? I’m sure Jae will be just fine.”

Yunho lied. He lied to Changmin for the first time in his life. He’s really worried about Jae, but decides not to tell his brother. He just doesn’t want Min to bear the worry.

What have Jae done to him until he lied? Maybe the answer is…

He just loves Jae and…

His brother so much…

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It’s around 5 p.m. Changmin is eating biscuits as he watches the TV. They got home about 3 hours ago. Still no sign of Jae’s returning.

“Min, stop eating, will you? Your stomach will hurt…” Yunho ordered.

“But, hyung…I’m…” Min wants to protest, but Yunho takes the biscuit first. Then, put it on the kitchen.

Changmin sighs. Something is really wrong with my hyung…Hyung never takes my food…Is he...worried about Jaejoong hyung? Min asked his own self. I need to ask Yun hyung about it…

“Hyung!” Changmin called as he follows Yunho into the kitchen. He sees Yunho is making something.

“Hyung, what are you making?” Changmin asked.

“Healthy food, salad; your stomach will hurt if you keep eating junk food like that…” (Yun)

“Hyung!!!” Changmin said as he hugs his hyung, completely forgot his real reason to go to the kitchen.

“Kumawo…” Changmin said.