“Hyung,” Changkyun says, “it’s been years since I moved here, and it’s been even longer for the rest of you, but you’re the only one that’s ever seen this mystery guy. Maybe you don’t know that you’re making him up, but there’s no way he —”

“Don’t psychoanalyze me, Im,” Kihyun tells the maknae, a chilling warning in his tone. “I’m not crazy, so don’t try to make me out to be.” He then hops off the stool with a sigh, knowing his part is coming up in the rehearsal. It’s a minor role, but it’s better than being swallowed up by the chorus. “Now, if you’re all done talking nonsense, I have a part to play.” He stomps off towards his mark without so much as giving them another second to acknowledge him, done with them all for now.

He can feel their sympathetic gazes on his back as he moves, and that alone is enough to set an indignant fire ablaze within his core.