Tuesday, April 17^th, 12:35 PM

Approaching the rest of the band who were standing near the set manager in conversation, Sandeul was too preoccupied with the faux black fur lining his hood to notice the large rubber cord that ran along the ground in front of him. Successfully managing to trip, but caught himself before his face met the cement ground. As a result, his foot stomped on the floor; echoing throughout the spacious building. His eyes traveled to the others who were all watching him with somewhat raised eyebrows.

Quickly recomposing himself, he strode over to the group with a smile like nothing had happened.

“Took your sweet time getting out of the dressing room.” Sunwoo commented on the brunette who had gone back to scratching at his neck from the hair tickling his skin.

“The fur keeps irritating me! I can’t help it.” Sandeul defended himself, throwing his hand down exasperatedly while aiming a sparse scowl at the other.

“Well, now that you’re all here,” the director began, turning to face the photo shoot area which was a pure white backdrop. “I want to start with a few shots of Sandeul and Baro.”

The two complied, walking out to stand together in the designated area. Multiple cameras at different angles were aligned around the very edge of the white setting; bright lights at first in their eyes were adjusted to above their heads, creating a shadowing affect across their faces. The rest of the room had dimmed in light, or at least it appeared this way. It was hard to make out anyone beyond the sea of what looked like snow now nearly covering his vision.

“Now stand with your backs against each other.” the manager demanded from somewhere else beyond the lights, it was so difficult to see with the brightness glaring down on him.

They did as they were told, turning to lean on each other’s back.

There was a few seconds of them remaining in the position before another instruction was called out to them. “Move your heads closer.”

Sandeul let his head fall onto Sunwoo’s, smiling faintly when he felt the other elbow his back for the action.

He wasn’t sure how long they stayed standing in this pose, but it was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Having to shift on his feet and lean one off the other’s heel to keep them from falling asleep. Not even any cameras went off; it was as if they were trying to decide at which angle would be best for the pictures to be taken at. Often time’s photo shoots were the most exhausting, since nothing could be set in stone until they were actually on set. They could last from two to three hours.

The director never had a clear idea of how they would look when standing in certain poses until they were actually doing it. All they ever had to work with was a theme and basic idea of what kind of overall feel that was being aimed for. For instance, this photo shoot was darker than their average one to coexist with their Baby I’m Sorry image. This was why all five of them were dressed in blacks, whites, and greys with their makeup slightly more exaggerated than normal. He usually didn’t mind the clothes they had them wear, but the fur lining on his coat began bothering him as soon as he put it on. Even when he told the costume designers about it, they stated there were no back up coats he could wear.

He’d probably confirmed that it was fake so many times they got annoyed with him, it was just the last thing he needed was a rash spreading over his neck from it being some kind of fur he was allergic to. It was better to be safe than sorry after all.

“Can we move yet?” Sunwoo asked loudly, trying to be polite but his patience was clearly running thin. Sandeul had been tempted to ask the same thing, but hadn’t wanted to sound rude. He was thankful for the rapper cracking before he did.

“Yes.” was the immediate response and both of the audibly sighed, pushing themselves away from each other.

Sandeul took a step forward to be out from underneath the light. Having it overcast above his head for so long had caused a discomforting heat to cling to his upper body, the fur around his neck not making the overheating sensation any better. At least now that the lights weren’t shining over him, he was able to see that the director was sitting in a chair behind the cameras which were now each occupied by a single person. The rest of the group was off a little farther back, it looked like they were all conversing with each other while waiting for Sunwoo and Sandeul to be finished.

“Your hair colors are too similar for the shot I want.” he admitted out right.

Appearing to have been listening, Jinyoung was quick to turn towards their direction. He walked up next to the cameras, to face the manager. “How about I pose with Sandeul instead?” he offered.

He glanced from the leader to Sandeul than to Baro and back to Jinyoung before nodding once. At this, Sunwoo walked off the set to join Dongwoo and Chanshik and be replaced by a lightly smiling Jinyoung.

Was it just him, or was Jinyoung always smiling when looking in his direction? He probably wasn’t, but it felt like whenever their eyes were on each other; the singer was happier than normal. At this thought, he found himself directing his attention elsewhere. Suddenly looking at his smile was brighter than the lights that had been focused over him a few moments ago.

“The same pose.” the director stated barely a second later.

Without looking at Jinyoung, Sandeul stepped underneath the blinding light again. Turning in the other direction, he hopped that the burgundy haired male knew what to do so he wouldn’t have to explain it to him. The idea of viewing his face was an overwhelming thought.

It appeared he did since when he went to lean back, he felt Jinyoung’s back against his. He made sure to carefully rest his head against the other’s unlike he did with Sunwoo, and straightaway it felt like his entire body had been lit on fire. Every single nerve underneath his skin was tingling like all of his muscles had fallen asleep; the sensation was uncomfortable following his pounding heart and sweating palms. The air being taken into his lungs felt dry traveling down his throat as his mind shut off wholly.

When the cameras began flashing and the loud clicks reverberated through the building, he was thankful. He swore that his heart was beating so hard that Jinyoung could feel it through his back. Even his breathing was heavier, his chest expanding and falling sharply.

His symptoms had never felt so strong before, but he couldn’t do anything about it. He couldn’t move unless told it was alright to. The only thing he was thinking was getting away from Jinyoung as soon as possible. If he could feel all of the heat coming off of him, the situation would be twice as awkward and uneasy as it was now.

He still had no idea as to why whenever Jinyoung was around, these indications seemed to be stronger than ever; it was like the leader was the one making him sick. He knew the accusation was a little out there, but that was how he felt with what’s been happening to him lately. Ever since yesterday, whenever he saw that smile, he was suddenly weak at the knees. He was honestly surprised he hadn’t collapsed yet. Even now, he had to lean extra weight on the other to insure he wouldn’t fall over on the spot.

The camera’s stopped as soon as they started, and the manager was telling them what to do next. “Face each other.”

Sandeul did it without thinking, and wished he hadn’t. He was now dangerously close to the face that felt was killing him. Jinyoung wasn’t smiling this time; instead he looked fairly stone faced. He figured that it was for the photos, but he couldn’t help but think about how unnatural the expression was.

Again he could see flashes going off in the corner of his eye, but barely paid any mind to them. His eyes were unable to look anywhere else except Jinyoung. The longer he stared, the more intense his heart thumped. He felt like he was gawking at him, but was unable to stop. Despite appearing so solemn, it didn’t take away from his natural attractiveness. He had no idea why he couldn’t stop thinking about how handsome the leader always was, but it was the worst situation in which to do so. Especially when he felt physically ill merely standing in his presence.

Without any sort of cue, Jinyoung lifted his hand to hold to the side of his face, his mouth now obscured from the cameras. Nothing was said about the action which made him assume the director was alright with it, probably thankful to Jinyoung so that he wouldn’t have to shout for a new stance from the two. At first he figured that he was improvising to add to the pose, but when he smiled, the brunette’s earlier thoughts became misguided.

“Can I tell you something?” he requested suddenly, Sandeul not expecting him to speak at all. His voice was lowered but traces of lightheartedness were evident.

Since his whole profile was still able to be seen, he nodded faintly to acknowledge Jinyoung’s request.

His smile appeared to grow an inch at this. “Promise you won’t laugh or make fun of me, I’m serious about this.” even though his words weren’t as somber as he wanted to imply, Sandeul got the idea that whatever he wanted to say, he meant.

In response, his face changed into one that stated he clearly wouldn’t. Underneath his nerves that were still apparent in the leader’s presence, which he didn’t understand, there was a new found curiosity to what he could possibly want to tell him. Obviously, it was nothing bad by his smile that elicited happiness. He couldn’t think of anything in this situation that Jinyoung could say that would cause him to laugh. He was naturally humorous, and sometimes overly dramatic, but could tell when needed be serious.

He tried to think of all of the possible things he could tell him, but nothing for certain came to mind. Was it something important if he were doing it now, away from everyone else? But if he needed to talk to him in private, couldn’t he just do so when they weren’t having cameras flashing in the background? Was it something he just thought of and felt like he may forget if he delayed? Either way, Sandeul waited the short few seconds after his expression was understood by the other for him to reply.

“You make me happier than anyone I’ve ever met.”

It took far too long for the words to register in the other’s head. To wrap his thoughts around them and accept them as reality was a trying task for the first five seconds. When everything finally sunk in, he knew his face turned three shades of red. He stared at Jinyoung like he told him he’d committed murder. His mouth opened multiple times to say something, anything, but he immediately shut it when he realized there was absolutely nothing he could think of to say. His mind was so frenzied with different thoughts; nothing could be processed as a sentence with actual words.

His eyes fell down to stare at the other’s jacket, a certain piece of metal catching his attention. It was in that short few seconds he felt his stomach twist uncomfortably, it was as if all of the muscles in his body were constricting together so tightly he couldn’t move. His heart beating audibly was the only reminder that he hadn’t died.

The thoughts racing through his mind made him nauseous, there were too many all at once. He had to resist grabbing at his head to attempt to make them stop.

“I—” he finally managed to find his tongue again. Not sparing another glance to Jinyoung, he felt a sudden unsettling sensation in his stomach; like he was about to throw up. “I think I’m going to be sick.” Emphasizing “sick” at the end of his sentence so that while breaking into a sprint off the set, he wasn’t stopped.

He gave no one any kind of eye contact as he moved through the other set’s and people into the nearest bathroom he could find. As soon as he entered, he ped his coat that felt like it was lead on his shoulders, tossing it carelessly to the ground without another thought.

Making his way into a stall, he slammed the door shut behind him and locked it before leaning against the door and staring up at the ceiling. That was when he felt tears overwhelming him, his eyes watered as he tried to keep them down, but as soon as he closed them, he felt water slip down his cheeks. In taking a sharp breath and letting it out shallowly, he realized he had no idea why he was crying. He had no idea why he felt so sick all of a sudden, but it was completely unfair.

His entire body began shaking against the door, his hands pressed to the metal, refusing to open his eyes.

What was happening to him? Ever since yesterday he’d began feeling sick whenever near the singer, and he knew it wasn’t normal. He didn’t understand why, all of a sudden, his body started reacting so strangely, that he felt like someone had turned up the temperature in the room to an unbearable heat. Was something seriously wrong with him? Never before had he gone through these kinds of problems, he wasn’t sure if he was just beginning to get sick or if it was something more serious.

And what Jinyoung had said, what was he supposed to think about that? He couldn’t say that he was joking, because he knew he wasn’t. And that feeling of not knowing what it meant frightened him. He felt unreasonably terrified for no particular reason. It was possibly the only way he could think of how to cope with what was happening. His body and mind were against him, acting and thinking in ways he didn’t understand.

He made Jinyoung happy, which he knew. Whenever he spoke, the burgundy haired male was always smiling at him. But made him happier than anyone else; he hadn’t expected. He was confused; Jinyoung hadn’t been teasing him, he had seriously meant it and from that didn’t know how to react. No one had ever told him such a thing, so why would Jinyoung? And in the middle of a photo shoot, how did he think Sandeul would react? Did he think he’d brush it off and not ponder the statement? Had he expected him to respond in the same way?

Not only himself, but he noticed Jinyoung was acting strange too. He never thought much on it since it had only been two days, but he began noticing it right away as soon as his behavior changed. He noticed how much more Jinyoung observed him compared to a few days earlier. Maybe he was just accentuating, but whenever he was with Jinyoung, it felt as though he was watching him when he got the chance.

There were also more touches that lingered for longer, still thinking on yesterday during the fan signing when he’d hugged him and Jinyoung had placed his arms around his waist rather than anywhere else. Never when they’d embraced had he put his arms lower than the middle of his back. It probably meant nothing, but it helped highlight his point. 

In the car on the way to the photo shoot today, Sandeul had begun singing like he usually did to whatever song was on the radio. Everyone else hadn’t paid much mind to it, except Sunwoo who told him to shut up, and Jinyoung who had watched the whole time with a look of admiration. The only way he knew was seeing from the corner of his eye that the leader’s gaze hadn’t wavered from him once. A few moments earlier the leader been absorbed in his phone listening to his own music, he had seen him take out the earphone on Sandeul’s side and listen to him until he finished.

They were all small things that he wouldn’t normally notice, but with all that has been happening to him in these two short days, he started taking the initiative to pay attention. He knew he probably shouldn’t since it was only driving him crazy. They most likely meant nothing, they were close friends after all, and this is how close friends acted towards each other. The actions weren’t abnormal; Jinyoung was just being supportive and kind.

The touches, the smiles, the glances, they didn’t mean anything out of the ordinary. These were things they’d always done, and he was simply overthinking them; blowing them up into something that was unnecessary.

So why did they feel different to him all of a sudden? Why was he standing in a bathroom stall crying over something that had always been there?

Finally opening his eyes, he brought his head down to place his hands over his face. Jinyoung had been nice, telling him about how happy he made him, and what had Sandeul done? Told him he was going to be sick and ran away.

Suddenly he felt miserable. Not just for crying, but for treating his friend that way. For being so rude after a confession like that, for leaving without any kind of reply was worse than laughing about it.

He had been so overwhelmed; he didn’t know how to react. The idea of Jinyoung’s words and the state he had been in hadn’t mixed.

The nauseous sensation had faded, his body temperature also returning to normal along with his heartbeat. The only thing he felt now was tired, more mentally than physically. His eyes felt heavy, even though his tears hadn’t lasted long, his thoughts had taken a large toll on him.

He was sure the set director was furious for how he’d ran off in the middle of photos being taken. Guilt was an expected feeling for such actions; he’d probably ruined multiple pictures. If only he hadn’t felt so sick, this wouldn’t have happened. He realized at this point he needed to tell their manager what was happening, that he was becoming ill and needed possibly to make a trip to the doctor.

When he heard the door to the bathroom open, he removed his hands from his face. Staying quiet and listening to who had entered, hoping in the pit of his stomach it wasn’t Jinyoung.

“Sandeul? You in here?” he let out a small sigh of relief hearing Sunwoo’s voice; which was a rare reaction to hearing it.

“Yeah.” the other replied weakly. His voice sounded unreasonably tired for how he’d wanted to express it.

“Are you ok? Jinyoung told us what happened.” he asked than added cautiously.

He felt his stomach sink. Had the leader told them about what he said also? He was tempted to ask, but if he hadn’t than the rapper would be persistent to know, and right now he didn’t want to deal with that. For now until learning otherwise, he would assume that he didn’t.

“You didn’t…. throw up…. In there, did you?” Sunwoo trailed unsurely, clear disgust at the thought traveling over his voice.

“Yeah, want to see?” the brunette responded sarcastically, unlocking the stall to look at Sunwoo who stood in front of the closed bathroom door.

Stepping away, he eyed Sandeul until realizing the sarcasm. He gave him a sympathetic look, moving to pick up the coat that had been thrown to tiled floor. “Everyone’s worried about you.” he stated while directing his attention towards the mirror.

Following his gaze, he took a look at himself in the glass, and instantly wished he hadn’t. His eyes were red and puffy, and his overall appearance screamed “miserable”. His skin was paler than it normally was, giving him a sickly guise. He focused on Sunwoo who was staring at his reflection, his demeanor unchanged.

“When you ran off like that, you were so pale everyone thought you were going to heave everywhere.” he suddenly scratched his neck, disconnecting their eyes a moment. “We’ve been standing outside the bathroom deciding who should come in for the past twenty minutes.”

Had he seriously been in here for so long? It didn’t feel nearly that long to him.

Sandeul turned to face the nervous rapper who had yet to glance his way. “What about the set manager? Is he angry?”

Sunwoo laughed anxiously. “Yeah…” when looking back at the duck, his hand was wrapped around the back of his neck. His expression fitted with a fake smile. “He was pretty unhappy about you leaving like that… it ruined a lot of film.”

He frowned, expecting as much. “I feel horrible about it…” he hadn’t thought about the photo shoot when sprinting towards the bathroom. In fact he’d completely forgotten about it, he just knew he had to get away from Jinyoung, to somewhere where else, anywhere else. It wasn’t exactly that he hated his presence even though it hadn’t helped him feel better, it was more if he’d thrown up; he hadn’t wanted to do it on him.

“Well, I’m sure if you explain what’s happening to our manager, she’ll tell him and you can sit out the rest of the shoot.” Sunwoo stated, walking up to him with a frown. “You look like garbage.” he added.

Scoffing, the offended brunette aimed a punch to his shoulder. “You could be supportive.” he mentioned with a scowl.

“Sorry.” the rapper mumbled, who then reached out to place a hand on the side of Sandeul’s face. This only caused the duck to stare at him in confusion as to why he was touching his face; he was tempted to slap his hand away but simply didn’t have the energy after punching him.

“What are you doing?” he asked dully instead of taking any action. Sunwoo’s hand felt way too cold on his face, it was uncomfortable.

“Making sure you don’t have a fever or anything.” removing his hand, he let it fall to his side. “You don’t feel hot, which is good.” Sunwoo confirmed, a soft expression coming over his features.

Sandeul took a few steps to be in front of the rapper. Copying the movements of the other, he placed his hand on the side of Sunwoo’s face. “You should wear some gloves, your hand is freezing.” he responded childishly.

The door was opened once again, Sandeul glancing over Sunwoo’s shoulder to see Jinyoung followed by the two other’s.

Jinyoung’s gaze immediately narrowed at the scene before him, an indefinable emotion flickering through his eyes faster than he could blink. But it was gone too soon for Sandeul to think on it, having it be replaced by concern.

Sandeul removed his hand from the rapper’s face which had stayed in place for far too long. His gaze fell to the floor, shame creeping over his shoulders. “Jinyoung, I’m—”

“Are you alright?” he asked before he could continue, which surprised him. Bringing his head up, he saw that Jinyoung now stood next to Baro and the other two also had entered the bathroom, standing in the background, but still worried.

He searched his eyes for some kind of sign he was upset, but there was only uneasiness. How was he able to do it? To act like nothing had happened between them when it could easily be an uncomfortable situation right now. He didn’t understand the singer sometimes. It felt as though he should be angry and Sandeul should be apologizing, not Jinyoung being concerned for his wellbeing.

Unable to meet his eyes anymore, he let his head lower to stare at his feet. He chose not to speak again, feeling incredibly guilty all of a sudden. Nodding his head was all he managed.

“He’s obviously sick.” Sunwoo began. “We should probably tell manager he should go back to the dorm for the rest of the day.”

“What kind of symptoms are you having, Sandeul?” Dongwoo asked suddenly, his voice coming closer as he spoke.

He didn’t look up, but responded with what he assumed his feelings were, unfortunately he wasn’t exactly sure. “Mainly hot flashes, nausea, irregular heartbeat; I don’t know what it could mean or how to describe it all. But it makes me feel miserable.”

“I can tell. You look like garbage.” he said in the same way Sunwoo had earlier.

Sandeul brought his head up to glare, but Dongwoo continued to smile lightly.

“Come on, manager is just as worried as we were.” Sunwoo stated, trying to get them out of the bathroom as he exited himself.

“True, she is.” Dongwoo added, following the other rapper with a silent Chanshik in tow.

As soon as Jinyoung turned to leave also, Sandeul immediately grabbed onto his wrist to keep him in place. The singer looked on questionably while the brunette frowned sadly; if he didn’t apologize the guilt would eat him alive.

“I’m sorry.” he said filled with blame. Wanting to say more but kept it back to keep from embarrassing himself. He wanted to say that Jinyoung made him happy too, but the words would only remain thoughts for now.

The singer slipped out of Sandeul’s grip, placing his hand on his shoulder instead, his soft features turned reassuring. “Don’t worry about it; I’m just glad you’re ok.”

Sandeul stared, unable to understand that he was completely ok with how he’d treated him. “You aren’t angry at all?” he found himself asking.

He shook his head.

“How?” Sandeul continued even though he knew he should have shut his mouth by this point. Pressing the matter wouldn’t do any good, and Jinyoung had comforted him that it was alright. But for some reason, he wasn’t convinced.

Jinyoung sighed. “Honestly,” lifting his hand off his shoulder, he ran it over his cheek lightly than threw his hair. All the while Sandeul unmoving at the heat that reached his cheeks the moment Jinyoung barely touched them. He smiled the same smile that drove his heart insane. “Haven’t you realized I could never be angry with you?”

For the first time, Sandeul stepped away, causing his hand to fall out of his hair. Jinyoung looked on with a confused, if not shocked face. In return, he turned his head to glare at the wall as if it were the reason for all his problems. His heart reminded him constantly how heavy it was beating without a moments rest. “You should be.” he stated. Even though he had apologized, he still felt guilty. He didn’t believe Jinyoung was telling him the truth, and it hurt him to think. “After what you said to me, and what I did, you should be mad. You shouldn’t be talking to me; you shouldn’t care if I’m ok because you’re angry with me.”

“Why do you act like nothing happened?” he brought his attention back to the leader with a look of betrayal. He didn’t know what he was saying anymore, only speaking the first things that came to his mind. Underneath all of the regret and fault he felt for what had happened, there was also hurt. It was as if Jinyoung was treating him differently than he had before. He was acting like an overbearing parent, too afraid to punish their child, and he honestly hated it. “Why aren’t you honest with me? It’s like you think I’m going to snap if you yell at me, like I won’t be able to take it.”

Jinyoung instantly frowned at his words, and Sandeul wanted to take them all back. The things he’d said he had meant to keep inside his head, he didn’t know why he’d voiced them at all. He didn’t mean anything by them; they were pointless thoughts that had formed out of pitiful remorse. But it was too late now, they were spoken.

“I’m always honest you with.” he stated firmly, his pupils unwavering from his own. “I don’t ignore what happens; I just don’t let it get to me. Fighting with you isn’t worth it, so I chose to forgive everything you do, even if it hurts me. I know you don’t mean to do it, some things just happen that cannot be helped.”

Sandeul felt even worse, if it was possible. He could tell he’d struck a nerve within the burgundy haired male.

“Even if I was angry with you,” he took a step closer, returning their original distance from each other before Sandeul had moved away. His face shed the frown, turning so caring and compassionate his heart skipped a beat and his body felt like it was going to melt. “I will always care about you.” Jinyoung stated definitely, Sandeul felt like his gaze was going to burn holes into his skin. The simple sentence made his face flush bright red followed by an indescribable sensation of happiness he didn’t think was possible.

“As soon as you ran away, I was worried. I didn’t care that you left without responding to me. You’re sick; it’s something you can’t help.” the singer concluded with a thoughtful appearance.

He was honestly touched by the leader’s sincerity, by the consideration he held for him despite his actions. His heart swelled the longer his eyes were met with the others. How was it possible for someone like Jinyoung to exist, to be so perfect? There was no fault in him that Sandeul had ever seen. He was everything a person should be, and more. He wasn’t sure if to be envious or happy that he was friends with him.

Before he got the chance to think of a reply, Sunwoo opened the bathroom door once again to scowl at them. “Are you two coming?”

“Yeah.” Jinyoung answered simplistically, aiming a lasting smiling on Sandeul before turning to walk around the rapper. He could feel his cheeks burning and a smile of his own coming over his lips slowly.

Once he left, Sandeul went to follow. That was before the rapper placed a hand in front of his chest to stop him from moving.

“What?” he inquired wonderingly, his face clearing into confusion.

He watched his face closely for a long moment, like trying to spot something that Sandeul was unaware of. Before long he gave up, laughing then slapping him lightly on the cheek once. “Nothing.”

“Is there something on my face?” he asked consciously as they walked away from the bathroom and back to the set. Sunwoo was no longer holding onto his coat, and glad. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to put the itchy thing back on.

“No,” he began, turning his head to grin slyly, “you just smile a lot around Jinyoung, I noticed.”

“Do not.” Sandeul countered almost instantly. “Not any more than I usually do.” he added casually.

“I meant you smile like you’re smitten.” Sunwoo admitted, his grin never leaving his face all the while.

His mouth gaped open like a fish, making the rapper erupt into a fit of laughter.

“Are you saying I’m in love with Jinyoung?!” he shouted, hitting the other a few times on the back who had doubled over in amusement. “I’m not in love with anyone! I don’t get what your problem is!”

“I was kidding!” he attempted to defend, but Sandeul punched him once more. When he finally decided to let up, Sunwoo moved his head from his current position to peer at Sandeul and make sure he wouldn’t be abused again. “I swear I’m going to have bruises from you hitting me so much. I didn’t sign up for this kind of relationship.”

Sandeul groaned loudly, walking away dramatically from the other brunette.

“And you’re supposed to be sick?” he heard Sunwoo call after him.

Turning on his heel, he threw a glower at the other. “Yeah I am, want me to walk back over there and throw up on you? The pleasure would be all mine.”

“I think I’m good.” he said, raising a hand passively.

Sandeul smiled sweetly in return, facing forward again to make his way towards the set where he was sure everyone else would be. He still felt tired, and he was sure that his makeup was messed up after crying, but at least he was no longer nauseous.

When he reached the photo shoot, he saw that Chanshik was the one in front of the camera’s now, doing single shots. The rest were huddled around their manager, but as soon as they noticed his presence, she was storming towards him with a stern face. It didn’t give him the best feeling.

“You’re sick and you didn’t tell me?! How am I supposed to know if you don’t look it physically, I’m not a mind reader you know!” she began strictly, and he couldn’t blame her. “I’ve already dismissed you from the photo shoot, I’ll have to reschedule a better time when you aren’t ill. The set director doesn’t want you here either, especially if you’re going to run off set to throw up.” eyeing him a moment, she eventually continued. "For now, go back to the dorm and try to rest. You guys have a stage tonight; you need to be well enough to attend.”

He bowed once. “Thank you.” he said as respectfully as he could. It was rare for something like this to happen. Even if one of them were remotely sick, if they could stand, they could work. He was considering himself lucky she was letting him off. It gave him the feeling Jinyoung and Dongwoo had spoken to her previously to convince her of her decision.

She gave him a strained smile. “Go to the dressing room to get out of those clothes; I’ll have someone drive you back.”

“You’re going to send him to the dorm alone?” Dongwoo was surprised by this, giving her a cautious look. “Don’t you think someone should go with him?”

“He’s over twenty years old, I think he can handle himself.” she snapped unintentionally at him, but it was clear she was under an enormous amount of stress.

“You do know he’ll destroy everything in the dorm, right?” he added, crossing his arms while staring at Sandeul who simply looked lost with their conversation. Not quite understanding what he was implying.

She raised an eyebrow at him, gesturing for him to continue.

“By the time we get back, the fridge will be ransacked and empty. And if it’s even possible, it’ll be even more of a mess than it already is.” the rapper claimed. Unfortunately the duck couldn’t deny any of it; he got bored quickly when alone.

“I’ll go with him, if you’ll allow.” Jinyoung spoke up, earning the stares of all three plus Sunwoo who had joined them, unknown as to why it had taken him so long to get back in the first place.

“What are you talking about?” the brunette rapper questioned, glancing between all of the faces to try and get a grip on the situation.

“She wants to send Sandeul back to the dorm alone.” Dongwoo spoke up.

Sunwoo stared at him for a moment than to their manager like she was crazy. “You know what will happen if you do that? We won’t have a dorm to go back to.”

She sighed exasperatedly. “Go! Just go, both of you. I’ll have to reschedule the two of you now.” aiming a disapproving look towards Jinyoung, she placed a hand on her hip. “I would expect the leader to be a little bit more accountable.”

“I apologize for this.” he gave her a gracious bow. “I realize it’s my responsibility to stay, but I also have a responsibility to the members of this band. I think that it’s appropriate that if Sandeul is ill, that as the leader, I look after him.”

Staring him down for nearly a minute, her expression eventually broke into something kinder. “Make sure he gets some rest. I expect to see that he’s well in the evening for your performance.”

He bowed continually while moving towards Sandeul, eventually grabbing his wrist and quickly leading him away from the group.

Sandeul followed after, feeling as if his wrist was going to fall off by the amount of heat and pressure that was rushing to it. After about a second, he realized that he was going to be alone in the dorm with Jinyoung for more than a few hours.

He didn’t know why, but the thought made his face flush all colors of red and pink in a matter of moments. Nerves quickly bundled in his stomach as they walked towards the dressing rooms.

There was a strong feeling in the back of his mind that this was going to be incredibly awkward, for him at least.

Thank you for reading!

TBC...