It was 1AM.

Luhan walked over to the practice room and sure enough, he saw that the light was still indeed on. He peeked his head in and noticed Jongin quickly stuff something behind his back.

“Jongin, I can smell the chicken from all the way over here,” Luhan said, grinning.

Jongin grinned sheepishly back.

Luhan walked over and sat down next to Jongin, who offered him some of his precious chicken.

“I’ll pass, thanks. But I thought we weren’t supposed to eat past 8PM?”

Jongin laughed with his mouth full. “Don’t tell manager hyung!”

“Alright, alright,” Luhan promised. “I can’t believe you ordered chicken by yourself,” he shook his head.

“I was practicing and got hungry, okay?” Jongin pouted. “But why are you here? I thought everyone went back to the dorms already.”

“Um, I wanted to talk to you,” Luhan said slowly.

“I’m listening,” Jongin said, biting into a chicken leg.

“I’m leaving.”

Jongin stopped chewing. “Where?”

“I’m leaving the group, Jongin,” Luhan repeated.

"What?" Jongin put his chicken down and stared straight at him. "But why?"

“Jongin, you know I haven’t been feeling well. I can’t do this anymore,” Luhan said softly.

“Do you really need to go this far? You can ask for a bre-“

Luhan shook his head. “You know that’s not really possible. With the comeback coming up soon, SMTOWN, our tour in Japan…”

Jongin nodded slowly.

“Can you at least try to understand?” Luhan asked.

“I’ll try,” Jongin said flatly, straightening up and starting to clean up his mess.

Luhan grabbed his arm. “Jongin.”

Jongin looked over at him and noticed how bloodshot his hyung's eyes were, dark circles almost as evident as Tao's. “Yeah?”

“Thanks for always working so hard on the choreography. You and Sehun. I know you guys are working even harder than us.”

Jongin looked away.

“But look after yourself, okay? I know your waist hurts sometimes. Remember that your health is the most important.”

Jongin turned back to him. “Stay healthy, hyung,” he murmured before taking his belongings and heading out the door.

Luhan looked around the empty practice room before lying down on the cold floor and closing his eyes.

The smell of sweat and fried chicken was giving him a headache.