Jinyoung’s guitar strumming came to a halt as he blinked, not understanding what Sandeul had just said. “What do you mean, you forgot how to sing? Can’t you at least try?”

     Jinyoung began playing again after Sandeul gave him a nod. Sandeul took a few deep breaths this time, and tried to make a sound from his vocal chords, “Nooo… peun… ha…” he tried clearing his throat after hearing how rough his voice sounded. “No… peun… ha… neul…”

     The members could tell Sandeul was no longer happy as he realized singing wasn’t coming as easy as it used to. Baro gave Sandeul a tight hug, Shinwoo pinched his mochi-like cheeks, and Gongchan tickled his tummy, all at once trying to cheer their friend up. 

     Jinyoung laughed at them, leaning forward on his guitar, “Don’t worry about it, Sandeul. Nothing came easy for us so far. You’ll get the hang of it again.”

     Sandeul tried desperately hard to keep pouting, sticking out his lower lip. But they all kept picking on him until he bursted into his iconic laughter, tears rolling down his cheeks. Everyone joined in the laugh fest. 

     “Okay, let’s get back to business. Hwaiting!” Jinyoung said after they giggled for several minutes. “We have plenty of time to practice and teach Sandeul how to sing again.”

     “I’m just glad I don’t have to relearn how to dance yet, too,” Sandeul noted, showing off his leg cast. “I’m almost thankful I have this as an excuse.”

     The others were also glad they didn’t have to worry about teaching Sandeul how to dance again. The singing was difficult enough. It was rare when Sandeul could hold a decent note. For the most part, he still sounded like a zombie. It was hard work for everyone else as Sandeul would get incredibly frustrated, and they would try their best to cheer him on. 

     Finally, it was the day before the performance, and the sun was ready to sink into the sky. After rehearsing their dance and practicing their songs, Jinyoung stretched with a yawn, “We should call it a day and rest. Maybe watch some TV and relax before our big day tomorrow.” He stood to put his guitar away in its case. 

     “Not yet!” Sandeul commanded. “I need more practice! I still can’t hit the notes on the ending.”

     “Sandeul, you’ve already improved so much in the last couple days,” Baro reassured him.

     “Nae, you’re sounding great,” Shinwoo beamed at his dismayed friend. “We’re all really proud of how far you’ve come.”

     “But I’m still not as good as I used to be,” Sandeul groaned into his hands that covered his face in shame. “I need more practice.”

     “We can’t exhaust ourselves,” Jinyoung said, sternly. “We can fit in some practice tomorrow before we leave for the stadium, but we already have a lot at stake…” Jinyoung put his hand on his head as he wobbled, trying to stand still. 

     Shinwoo swiftly took hold of Jinyoung’s arm to steady him. “Gwaenchana? It’s been a while since you’ve… you know, had a snack, haven’t you?” he said, nearly forgetting that Jinyoung was a vampire. 

     “I’ll be fine,” Jinyoung pulled his arm out of Shinwoo’s grip now that his dizzy spell left him. 

     Baro took several steps back, beginning to shake. “Just stay away from me, hyung,” he requested. “I don’t want to tempt you with my…” Baro gulped, “blood.”

     “I said I’m fine!” Jinyoung stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door, then ran the water for an ice cold shower. 

     “Well, someone’s grumpy,” Shinwoo muttered after hearing growling from the bathroom. But when he turned around he realized it wasn’t Jinyoung pouting in the bathroom. Sandeul stood there with his crutches under his arms, but a blank, zoned-out stare covered his face. He let out a groan that sounded like… Zombie Sandeul.