2018 (26 years)

 

“So, what about us?”

Asked the smaller one seated in the studio

with a glass of wine half empty on his hands.

 

“Oh, you know,

I think you guys are doing well already,

Taeil and Uknow in japan,

Pyo acting, Jaehyo doing stream,

and Bbomb have his cafe.

My duty as a lider is over.”

The taller one said drinking from a glass of wine,

half full.

 

“I wasn't talking about block b, but us…”

He stopped looking into his cup to stare at the other one.

 

The wine left a bitter taste into his mouth.

 

“Well, you are my annoying childhood best friend,

so I guess it won't change?!”

 

A few months ago PK saw the news about his “childhood best friend” wanting to part ways from the company and started to manage himself,

and now Zico finally have talked to him about this.

 

“I get it…”

Said PK putting his half empty glass down

and got up to leave the place.

“Is that all? I gotta go!”

 

“Wait! At least drink the rest of the wine!”

Zico said grabbing his friend wrist.

He sounded too desperate even for his ears.

 

The smaller one took the glass

and drank at once.

“Done! I have to go now!

Zico didn't try to stop him.

 

“It's for the best”

Said PK under his breath on the other side of the door.

 

This night the smaller one drank his off,

trying to forget,

but the alcohol did the exact opposite.

He remembered them when they were kids,

At school,

holding hands and laughing about anything and nothing.

When they were trainees,

sneaking out of the dorm to get snacks or just stroll in the nearby park.

When they first kiss,

behind some building on the way home after a long day training.

Two teenagers sharing their firsts

at almost everything.

 

If he was dreaming or awake,

he didn't knew

Until he wake up in his bed the next afternoon.

 

Some days have passed and PK did the usual,

as if nothing important have happened.

“Yeah, like always, he is never here!"

 

“Hyung, you're coming to the party right?”

asked their maknae on the phone.

“Is it today?”

“You forgot?”

he sounded not angry,

but maybe disappointed.

“Sorry, I'm busy today”

He wasn't lying, he had to film,

but he could make it if he wanted,

not the case tho.

 

At night he was already going back home

when he received a text from ZC.

“Yo, not coming?”

“Sorry, something important came up”

“More important than you best friend?”

“I have the same priorities as you!"

“Ouch, good work!”

 

After that he decided to go to the bar,

would be bad if some of them got there

and find him actually doing nothing in his house.

Some hours passed and he hooked up with some guy,

ended up going to his apartment and spend the night together.

The first time he brought a total stranger.

 

After that night many others equals came.

And more than a year passed like nothing.

 

2019 (27 years)

 

“GET OUT"

A familiar voice shouted from the door,

The guy on top looked to the intruder

and them to the other one on the bed.

 

“What do you want?”

Said the smaller one getting out the bed and putting a white tee.

And gesturing to the other man to go home.

The guy picked his clothes on the floor,

and said before leaving.

“Call me.”

 

“He won’t."

Said zico still on the door.

“I will."

Said PK lighting a cigarette.

The guy leave.

 

“That's what you have been busy with?”

“Kinda, but not only with this."

PK said going to the kitchen

and pouring whiskey for himself and the intruder.

“Why you don't call me anymore?”

Said the taller one,

clearly accusing him.

“Well, you are not my lider anymore,

why do I have to keep reporting things to you?”

 

He was more calm then what he expected,

both of them, actually.

 

“Cause I'm your ing childhood best friend?”

Said the taller one sitting on the sofa,

he didn't sounded angry anymore,

More as a reminder.

“As my ing childhood best friend,

how many ing months you took to realize I wasn't calling you?”

Asked PK sitting on the armchair across his friend.

“7 months”

“And as my ing childhood best friend,

how many months till you call me?”

“More 5 months"

Said the other one starting to feel guilt.

“But it's been 3 months already since I asked you to meet up with me!”

“And I said I was busy"

PK took a sip from his glass.

“You clearly are not”

“Just tell me why the I'm supposed to do whatever you want

whenever you want?”

“You're my childhood best friend!”

“Yeah, that's what I'm… just that"

“It's not like that, not ONLY that”

“No, it is, exactly like that,

I have to be here for you,

but only when it's good for you"

“Listen, I'm not trying to fight,

I'm here now,

and I will be here tomorrow too”

“No. you're not,

you are never here tomorrow “

“I promise,

I will be on your side in bed tomorrow when you wake up”

 

And like that they make out for the 100th times or more,

they actually had lost count long ago.

 

The next morning PK woke up

thinking that everything was a dream,

how desperate he was to actually dream about making out with his friend.

 

As soon as he step on the living room he saw his friend.

“You're a liar”

He said going to the kitchen.

“I'm not, I'm here"

Said the taller one on the sofa with his notebook on his lap.

“Not quite here"

The other one said putting the apron and started doing breakfast.

“Something came up”

Said the other one without looking in his direction.

“Yeah, work"

 

The two of them didn't speak anymore till the breakfast was ready,

the intruder ate looking at the screen.

After that PK started to clean the dishes and said.

“You better leave, my boyfriend is coming today"

“Boyfriend?”

ZC looked up.

“Yeah”

“The one from last night?”

He looked only for a few seconds tho.

“No, he was just a distraction,

I know what you are thinking,

call me if you want,

I don't care"

“Didn't say anything”

He said already looking at the screen.

“Yeah, cause you're my best friend"

Said PK ironically,

but the other boy didn't notice.

“Yeah, exactly!”

 

ZC somehow managed to stay until the “boyfriend" arrived,

and ended up meeting him.

He didn't believed that his best friend got a boyfriend,

not for real.

Not without telling him at least.

 

Two weeks later PK was on his studio making some beats.

“Yo, you should break up”

ZC send a text.

“Why?”

Asked the smaller one.

And ZC send a vídeo.

PK kept looking at the thumbnail,

it was like a video to be exactly.

And pressed play,

He wasn't sad, or angry

Somehow on the back of his head he knew it would happen,

Happened before.

The video had 5 seconds,

the guy being the top filmed he ing the other guy ,

On The end of the video the face of the bottom appears,

it was his boyfriend.

“We are even,

I cheated on him with you too”

After watching PK said.

“You should have heard he when I put my till the base on his ”

And like that the “boyfriend" never appeared again.

Not even to break up.

 

2020 (28 years)

 

That year PK thought to himself he would “escape”

from that kinda vicious circle

when he saw his enlistment notice.

He was kinda panicking,

not for that,

but for the military life itself.

He was never good in P.E.

 

When he saw many of

his friends there he was relieved,

even when he saw ZC with shaved head,

Reminded him when they were young.

Chasing a dream far away,

and here they are.

In the military,

still not knowing what the they are doing.

This year they talked a lot,

half cause ZC didn't had any really close friends in their unit,

and half cause they couldn't do music there,

so they had nothing to do besides talk and suffer physically.

 

Taeil told PK to start going to the gym before he had to go to the military,

But he didn't had time,

He had a project he was

working with,

something outside the kpop world.

Besides music,

math was his other passion,

So he decided to give it a shot.

 

That year in one of their breaks they decided to go home together,

on the way home ZC told PK to stop in his house

since they would meet some friends later that day,

and PK clothes wouldn't fit him.

The smaller one thought to himself

“Coming back home together didn't mean literally home together”

But he didn't say anything.

They both worked in some stuff in the meantime,

and later that day they met some friends.

Everything was normal, and smooth.

Till the last night of the break,

they were on PK house,

he was on the shower when his best friend opened the door

and joined him in the tub.

The only thing PK though was

“Why now?!”

The was rough then ever and kinda desperate,

even if he asked his childhood best friend why,

he won't answer.

 

And like that the two of them came back without saying a word about this,

or why they did this countless times before.

 

2021 (29 years)

 

The last year of the military service was better then the first,

Their body didn't hurt anymore,

Their lungs didn't burn when running,

Nor their legs betrayed them when climbing a ing mountain.

Even PK that was never good in exercising,

now he had 6 packs,

and a slim but toned body,

nothing much compared to his friends.

ZC was tall and always the center of attention,

but now even the guys who never cared about him started to stare.

He had to admit,

a toned body ZC is the better version he saw till this day,

It topped even the stage mode ZC.

 

Both of them worked together on the music's for the ceremony,

more because they were asked to,

even when they still in block b the last years they haven't done that anymore.

But it was nostalgic anyways.

And they did it again,

like the old times, in a cramped room,

half trying to do some good music,

half trying to keep their sanity.

On the day of the ceremony everything was good,

even the weather.

Their close friends came to fetch them,

And to dinner together.

 

Some Days passed and they naturally stopped talking again.

 

2022 (30 years)

 

A year later at Minhyouk party on a yacht,

all the fancy .

All kinds of hot people.

PK was curious about the captain cabin,

A little peek couldn't go wrong.

He opened the little door and just put his head inside to look around.

It was huge, king size bed,

TV, and everything to be comfortable.

 

The music was so loud he couldn't hear someone approaching him.

And pushing him inside the cabin,

He turned around to see who did this and the other one started a kiss,

Even with his eyes closed he knew who it was,

The scent, the way he hugs,

the way he kisses,

everything was familiar,

Even the taste of alcohol.

But more roughly.

And they did it again,

without speaking or calling each others name.

 

2023 (31 years)

 

The next time was taeil Halloween/fantasy party,

PK didn't bother to actually buy a fantasy,

He just put together some

pieces he had and came out like a nerd,

A pretty convincing one,

(Since he actually is one)

He only needed to put a tape on his glasses.

 

He was drinking with the ex members when he saw their ex lider.

All the people stopped to stare at ZC,

As always.

His fantasy was a 50’s boy.

Like John Travolta as Danny Zuko in Grease.

But with a much more tight jeans.

Some time later when everyone was drunk,

ZC grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the parking lot,

and they did it inside ZC car.

 

2024 (32 years)

 

This year ZC officially stopped promoting and he would continue only as a producer,

Thing that PK did long ago,

right after the military,

but not exactly like him,

sometimes ZC would appear on the TV.

 

The thing he started working before the military was doing good,

he helped idols with investments,

Everything they needed to know to start investing their royalties.

His company was growing everyday.

Now producing was like a hobbie.

The good thing about been a nerd is,

Eventually you'll be rich, one way or another.

 

This year he didn't spend much time in korea,

he was busy traveling,

More than half a year he spent in New York learning more about economy.

And the rest of the time putting what he learned into practice.

 

2025 (33 years)

 

The business already had a name between the people in the entertainment industry,

New building,

more than 40 employees.

 

One day he was already getting his stuff to call it a day,

When someone entered his office.

“So, I was right, it's really you!”

Said his best friend sitting on the chair.

“Get your up, I'm already leaving”

Said the smaller one making his friend to get up.

“Wow, must be good be able to leave this early”

The taller one said following his best friend out of the office.

“That's why I started a business,

so I don't have to work my off till the day I die!”

“Well done, it's too troublesome to be a producer.”

 

“Where are you going?”

Said the smaller one when they reached the parking lot.

“Home"

Said the taller one getting in the car.

“You still leave there?

Asked PK since it's been more than a year.

“Yes, but I meant your home,

I need to talk to you."

 

It was a really long time since he heard his best friend

use that serious tone in his voice,

the last time was maybe when he told him he was getting out of the company.

“Oh, okay, let me make a call”

He said grabbing his phone and calling his home.

“Ajjuma, you did dinner already?”

“Yes, are you going to eat outside?”

“No, I mean, enough for 2 persons?”

“Omo, gonna bring a girlfriend?”

“Ajjuma, it's not like that…”

“A boyfriend then?”

“Ajjuma!! It's a friend!”

“It's okay, ajjuma knows you like both!"

“Oh my gosh,

it's really just a childhood friend"

“Okay okay, enough for 2 people!”

“Thank you,

you can go home for today"

 

Maybe cause it was more than a year without seeing each other,

PK felt a little awkward.

“This ajjuma is funny”

Said ZC breaking the silence.

“Yeah, she is like a grandmother actually,

sweet, but super sassy”

 

ZC noticed the route PK were doing,

going to a really familiar place,

and didn't understand why they were going there.

“Can't believe you really brought this place"

Said ZC getting out off the car and looking to a brand new building.

“I told you that one day I was going to own this place!"

Back in the day it used to be their dorm,

but that time it was a rundown building and now he couldn't even recognize.

“But, you only brought the apartment right?”

“What?! No, I brought the building!”

“Really?! You're psycho!

How much money did you spend?”

“Not that much,

it was a really ed up place"

Said the smaller one pressing the bottom for the 5 floor on the elevator.

 

“Oh, so you still working out?”

Asked ZC when PK took his shirt off,

years going to the gym really paid the price,

he was more buff than in the military, but still slender.

“yeah, since I can come home early, and you?”

“Same!”

said ZC taking his own shirt off.

He was even better than in the military,

if that was possible.

 

PK decided to put only a track suit pants since the weather was hot,

and for his surprise ZC did the same.

“For someone who didn't even changed clothes in front of nobody,

to be shirtless… you've really changed"

Said kyung going to the kitchen.

“Well, you're not nobody”

Said ZC helping PK to put the table.

“That's true, I'm your ing childhood best friend in the whole universe”

“Exactly, in the whole universe!

We always had ,

what is the point to be shy around you?”

PK suddenly stopped what he was doing to stare at his friend.

“What?”

Asked the taller one.

“Well, you never talked about THIS!”

Said the other.

“You didn't either,

I never said anything cause I thought you didn't wanted to,

but there's only the two of us here”

“That's true but, still…”

“I don't even know anymore how many times we did it,

but you still think it's strange to talk about it?”

“Wait, I never thought it was strange, whatever…”

PK was so confused,

many things seem to be different but at the same time still the same.

 

“What do you need to talk?”

Asked PK starting to eat.

“So, we're already 33 right?”

“I guess… what do you mean?!”

“Well, you remember that time when I told you I was getting out the company?”

“Kinda…”

Obviously he remembered everything about that day.

“I wanted to say I'm sorry,

I was a that time"

“You still are, but sorry for what?”

“Fair enough, well,

the question you made… and I couldn't answer”

“Oh, what was that again?”

PK knew the answer

but wanted to see if both of them were on the same page.

“What about us? Is what you asked"

“It's true,

and you said your duty was over”

PK wasn't bitter about that since a long ago,

the past is in the past,

and the fact he was his childhood best friend didn't really changed.

“That's what I said,

but what I meant to say was:

I wanted you to be able to grow as a musician without my shadow,

and that is for the others too,

but especially for you,

But I was too insecure and weak to say that,

and I always took your company as granted,

and I realized that I occupied too much of your life and your time,

instead of making what you like you were constantly been worried about me,

dealing with my mood swings,

I understood that I was really shadowing you.

So, I'm really sorry for making you lose such a precious time."

Said ZC for the first time really speaking his heart out.

“Ok, thank you, I guess,

but you know, it's not really your fault,

I'm grateful to you since you were the one who started doing music

and then asked me to join you,

but since we are having this kind of conversation

tell me why one time every year, you come to me, we do it, and then you disappear?”

Asked PK triggered.

“Oh, I thought you already knew?!”

Said ZC even more triggered.

“Build up stress?!”

“Is that what you really thought?!”

“It's not this?!”

“Well, in the beginning it was...”

“but…?”

“ I told you why when we're twenties!”

“What, you kidding me?! It was 10 years ago!”

“Well, I guess I can say it again right?”

“Just say it"

“First let me start it again, the way I practiced okay"

“okay”

“So, we're already 33 this year,

and we have achieved our goals, kinda off at least.

And we're not Idols anymore,

So people don't care about your love life…

And the reason I came back just one time a year is cause

I thought that way I wouldn't disturb your life too much,

but at the same time that one time a year is what kept me going,

it was my reason to work so hard every year"

“Wait wait wait, I was your prize?!”

He was shocked, like, really shocked.

“Kinda?! But let me finish!

So, to keep my sanity I decided to do this,

since I couldn't really control the urge to keep you just for me”

“That's why every partner I had you seduced them?!”

“It was a test actually,

if one of them could really turn me down I would give up on you,

but none of them passed"

“You look so ing proud that I can't even be mad at you!”

Said Kyung face palming really hard.

“So, what do you say?”

“About what?

“Oh, I forgot to ask, I'm actually really nervous”

“To the point!”

“To my childhood best friend,

will you marry me?”

“Wait, what about date first?!”

“Date is for people to know each other, we're already past that,

and we are kinda dating since our first kiss”

“Since your first kiss?

We have been dating since 15 years old and I didn't knew?!”

“Something like that”

“You're the real psycho one"

“I guess, and the answer?

Said ZC picking a ring inside his pocket and waiting for the answer.

“I guess… yes, but your timing !"

“That's why I'm a producer,

not a comedian!”

Said ZC making both of them laugh.

 

After that they talked about what they did the past year

and their future plans.

Till ZC really ask what was on his mind since a year ago.

“Why you moved last year and didn't told me?

It was a really sad year for me!”

“Well I was trying to see how far you would go to have with me.”

“Meanie, even if I had discovered,

how I was supposed to enter?”

“It is the same passcode”

“Really?! I should had asked someone! But I think you should change!”

“Why? The first time we had is not good enough for you?”

“What? That was it?”

“I'm disappointed but not surprised you didn't knew"

“Change for today's date,

the day I asked you to marry me!”

“Maybe I will, or not.”

 

And of course they did it, but

this time without rush, and full of passion.

 

The next morning PK looked to the side on the bed

and again he didn't saw his not just best friend now,

''something's never change"

he said to himself.

Till he reached the kitchen,

his now fiancee was talking to the ajjuma

telling her he is the guy who will successfully marry his childhood best friend.

“Aigoooo, Kyungah come here!

Why you didn't told me your fiancee was this handsome?!”

She said waving her hand to him.

“Cause till yesterday he wasn't even my boyfriend to begin with!”

 

End.