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ⒸⒽⒶⓅⓉⒺⓇ ➂

“Follow”

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Practice had resumed and each member had fallen back into their determined silence. The joking and laughter from before was once more replaced by sweat and pain. The biggest thing on their minds wasn’t Kris but the upcoming concert. While someone, like D.O, still felt annoyed that Kris was causing a distraction he refused to let himself worry about it. That was the general consensus of the group until the door opened once more.

Unlike before where many of the members hadn’t even noticed the man’s arrival. This time all the boys stopped to watch him as he entered. The same man as before entered once more only this time he looked even more concerned than before. Well, concerned was really quite an understatement for how the man looked. His face was wrinkled with worry and his hair looked disheveled as if he had run his hand through it one to many times.

He motioned to their manager but didn’t waste the time to greet him properly. Instead he came straight to Tao.

“I need to see your phone. Has Kris responded?” He asked. There was a sense of urgency and panic in the man’s tone that made Tao doubt this was really a prank. He was pretty sure the man wasn’t that good of an actor. Tao honestly didn’t know the answer to the man’s question. He hadn’t even looked at it once since the last time the man had been there. Tao obediently handed the man his phone once more but there had been no change. It only showed that Kris had read Tao’s messages from before but he still hadn’t replied to them.

The man gave a defeated and frustrated sigh as he returned the phone. He turned to the group.

“It’s official. A lawsuit against SM has been submitted under Kris’ name. We also believe he has no intention of returning to participate in the concert.” The man turned his attention to their manager. “We’ll need to contact their choreographer right away. They need to create a new routine for only the remaining eleven members and there isn’t much time.” He looked back to the group. “With Kris gone and not much time left before the concert you will need to make some changes. I’m very sorry about this and I’m sure you are all very tired but we will need you to push a little further.” The man looked back to their manager. His expression clearly read that he wished to speak to him privately.

“You guys rest a minute. I’ll be right outside.” Then two men made their way to the door.

As soon as the door closed behind them the room erupted in conversation. The light playful mood from before had completely vanished. All of the members of EXO liked Kris for different reasons and considered themselves friends. Some even would say they loved him. But they were sore, tired, sick, hungry, hot and many had already passed their breaking point two days ago. That’s why, despite what happened that day, Tao knew it wasn’t really a reflection of them hating the leader.

“Are you serious? Start over?!” Sehun steamed.

“I can’t. I really can’t.” Chanyeol said quietly as he