EXO were already at the backstage of the school’s auditorium-like building. It was obviously old and looked haunted, resulting to Baekhyun scaring Tao with stories he just thought of. Chanyeol and Milan were conversing as usual and both had smiles on their faces.

“You nervous?” Chanyeol asked. Milan slowly nodded. “Kind of, you know since they’ve been really supporting my works since I was in high school, I really want to impress my old teachers, and I mean really old,” she said. Chanyeol laughed. “You’re really living by that Filipino proverb, Mil-ah. A person who does not look back where he came from can’t reach where he is,” he said. “If it weren’t for their encouragement after all, I would never pursue my studies of foreign languages,” Milan said with a sentimental smile on her face.

“Oh, yeah, I’m up. Wish me luck,” Ynna said. “Good luck. Kill them with your stellar voice,” Chen said. “I will for you,” Ynna smiled at him before going on stage. Milan recognized the song almost automatically. It was the original version of one of the songs in SM The Ballad’s album. It was the English one of course, entitled “Memories”.

Ynna’s voice captured everyone’s hearts and they saw how much she’d improved as an artist. Her melodies were so fine. Her expressions were filled with emotions as if she’d experienced what the song stated. As Ynna sang, Milan felt kind of moved too.

“Hey, oppa, I have to tell you something,” Milan suddenly said. Chanyeol raised an eyebrow. “What is it?” He asked with a smile. “I think I’m in love with someone… I mean I’m developing romantic feelings for him,” Milan said that took Chanyeol in shock. The idol blinked a few times trying to process the information that was given to him. Milan suddenly shook her head. “Never mind. Why am I even telling you? You like me, don’t you? I’ll only hurt you,” she said with a sad smile.

“Well, Mil-ah, whatever happens, I’ll support you. Before being the guy that likes you that way, I’m your guy best friend. I can never leave you alone,” Chanyeol said, pretending to be happy. He really wanted to support her. Her happiness is his happiness after all. He doesn’t want to force himself on her.

“Didn’t I say to never remember the fact that you like me again? But I repeated it first,” she laughed softly, making Chanyeol’s heart go crazy. “You should just tell me to confess first. My feelings will never waver after all but don’t think I have dirty intentions. My love for you is pure,” Chanyeol told her. For a moment, Milan’s eyes were filled with sadness but she was able to look happy again.

“Did I hurt you?” She asked in a concerned voice. “Aniyo…” Chanyeol shook his head, not wanting the girl to worry. “Are you sure? Like 100% sure I didn’t hurt you?” She asked but now, her eyebrows were furrowed. “Ne, dongsaeng. I’m fine,” he said in the happiest tone he could imagine.

Milan sighed in relief. “Don’t worry about me dating though because the one I love is an idol and he doesn’t have feelings for me surely,” she said in a sad tone. “Who is the lucky guy? I’m sure I’m more handsome than him!” Chanyeol praised himself, leaving Milan laughing. “I swear Park Chanyeol-oppa, he is more handsome than you! He is after all Lu—“ She covered when she nearly said his name. “So I was right…” Chanyeol mumbled. “It was so obvious, I was just waiting for you to tell me,” Chanyeol added.

“Oppa, I mean—“ Milan was cut off by the MC announcing Milan to perform with her senior and friends. “Milan de Vega, EXO’s composer, is a graduate from this school and we are very proud of how successful she is right now! Today, she’ll perform the sing and dance routine she did with her fellow clubmates during the Special Program for Foreign Languages!” Milan immediately went to where the backstage connected to the stage.

She looked back at Chanyeol with worried eyes and the idol only gave her a thumbs-up and a pained smile. “Fighting, Mil-ah!” He said. Milan nodded and went on stage. “Annyeonghaseyo, I mean, hello to all of you. I am sorry if I make your nose bleed because I’m speaking in English but this is for the EXO members at the back could understand me,” Milan spoke on the mic.

The female students screamed in delight when they found out EXO was there. “Bring them out! Bring them out!” They chanted. The teachers glared at them at once and one teacher even said “Quiet down” through the mic.

“Anyways, I am so glad to be here. I never really thought I could end up working for the boys I fell head over heels for when I was a teenager. I never knew my hard work to study the language… to study how notes could be arranged on the staff could pay off. Frankly, I thought I could only manage our bakery or be an English teacher in Korea,” tears started to form in Milan’s eyes.

“I am so thankful for my teachers. From my teachers in Grade 7 till 12, I will always remember you. You all made me want to work harder and achieve greater heights. I failed a few times and got nearly kicked out of this school because of my laziness but none of my teachers gave up on me, well, one teacher almost gave up on our section back when I was in 9^th grade,” that last statement made everyone laugh. They all knew which teacher it was.

“Well, I’m here to say your endless nights of cramming and studying will pay off. One day, you’ll look back and laugh at yourself. Maybe, you could even want to go back in time because my high school days were the best in my life. Hey, students, everyone, I am so proud I graduated here. I used to MC programs when it was concerning my club. I guess that’s all,” she said as she wiped her tears.

Ynna snickered when she saw her best friend crying. Ynna was one of the members of the performers doing the sing and dance at that time and she was so happy they could redo it. The first time was an embarrassment for all of them.

The song was in Japanese and they can’t believe Milan improved in her dancing and singing too, being able to reach the notes she couldn’t reach back then. She was able to do her parts better and act cute like she was told years ago. When the performance was done, Milan was about to return backstage but her senior held onto her wrist.

“It’s not yet over, Apple,” her senior snickered and a video began to play. Milan was moved to tears when she watched it. It had pictures and videos of her memories in high school. EXO, in the backstage, were confused by the commotion and went out of the backstage through the backdoor and went in the main entrance and they saw what they were watching.

All of the members thought Milan was so cute when she was younger, not saying she wasn’t cute now. She had darker skin back then and her hair was so long and messy. She always had her hair in a ponytail and she always smiled and made silly faces in the video they were watching. Chanyeol was falling deeper in love with her seeing this side. He clutched his heart, reminding himself Milan loves someone else. And that someone else loves her back.

“She looks so ugly,” Baekhyun chuckled. “Hey, before we debuted, we all looked ugly especially you, Byun Baekhyun,” Suho narrowed his eyes on the younger. “Except for me,” Kris smirked. “She’s actually kind of cute. She may not be as white as she is now but she’s cute,” Xiumin said. Chanyeol couldn’t agree more.

At the end of the video were very familiar faces for EXO. Those were themselves. They were asked by Ynna to say something about Milan. Of course, there were English subs large enough for everyone to read it. And the first up was of course, Chanyeol.

“What do you think about Milan, Chanyeol-oppa?” Ynna’s voice was heard from the video. “Kwiyeopteun yeoja! (Cute girl!)She’s really nice and acts like more of a mother or a nagging wife. She’s the best best friend could have. And uh…” His voice trailed off and a bright smile appeared on his face. “I wouldn’t know what could happen if she suddenly disappeared. She’s really important to me. I love EXO’s little sister after all,” he continued, sincerity in his heart.

“How much do you love her, oppa? Like how much she loves Taemin?” The students saw Chanyeol laugh. “I can never love her more than that. You’ve seen her actions for Taemin right? She’s head over heels for that man,” he said, resulting to all the people laughing.

Milan slightly frowned at the question, turning it into a cute pout. Well, she is head over heels for Taemin but Chanyeol didn’t have to mention that. Aside from that, Ynna shouldn’t have mentioned that question. She remembered Chanyeol’s confession as she bit her lower lip.

“Well, I just know I love her so much. I can’t live without her.”

That statement resulted to the whispers of the students to each other. Milan had a worried expression on her face. “Oppa meant that he can’t live without his little sister. Milan is after all filled with wisdom,” Ynna said as an excuse when she saw Milan’s face. Of course, Ynna never expected that the editor could include that. “There is no way Chanyeol could have feelings for her after all and aside from that, you know she’s too boyish to be liked by anyone,” Ynna continued.

Milan hit her head. “No need for that last part you know,” she hissed. “And trust me, dudes, it’s impossible for a member of the ultimate boy group to like me so hold you horses and keep on loving oppa and please don’t hate on me,” Milan tried saying it lightly but she was really afraid of the hate she might get. She’d experienced so much and she doesn’t want to experience again.

“I’m sure oppa likes Sandy-eonni after all,” she said to rescue herself but unknown to her, Chanyeol’s heart hurt and his feelings damaged.