your friend from myspace taeyong

 Chanyeol rushed to his bag. He took out the cucumbers, and approached the shore. Kyungsoo stopped cooking, and watched. Chanyeol broke the cucumbers in half. He spread them around the lake, all except for one. He removed his shirt, trousers, and slippers, and went in the lake.

‘What are you doing?’ yelled Kyungsoo.

‘Please be quiet!’

Chanyeol got closer to the place he’d seen the thing. He started waving the cucumber in the air, in hope that the smell would spread. Kyungsoo got up and got closer to the shore. He could barely see anything – it was already dark outside, and his eyesight wasn’t helping.

‘Chanyeol, what the hell?’ he yelled at the younger boy.

‘I’m doing something.’ Chanyeol yelled back.

‘What exactly?’

‘You’ll see. Now shush.’

A few moments later, Chanyeol let out a scream louder than ever. Kyungsoo stood in shock. Chanyeol dropped the cucumber and started flailing his arms, still screaming.

‘Get off! Don’t touch my butt!’ Tears started flowing down his cheeks. He started running back to the shore, the creature still attached to his back.

‘Chanyeol, what’s that thing?’ It was hard to tell, but it was the size of a child, and it looked like a strange, green monkey.

‘Kyungsoo, help me! He’s trying to steal my soul.’

‘How am I supposed to help?’

‘Take it off!’

Chanyeol ran to Kyungsoo, turning so that he could reach the thing. Kyungsoo didn’t know what to do; he’d never seen anything like it before.

‘Pull his arms, or move his head down.’ cried Chanyeol.

‘What?’

‘Do it!’

And so, Kyungsoo started pulling the creature’s slimy arms. He felt like throwing up. It let go, but it also let out a piercing scream. The thing fell to the ground, still screaming. Chanyeol was still crying. Kyungsoo was even more  nauseous. The skin of the creature had the most peculiar texture, and he didn’t like it. He took a better look, and saw its skin was green in some places, and yellow in others. Its feet were webbed, and it had a shell on its back.

‘Please don’t hurt me.’ said the creature.

‘You, you speak?’ said Kyungsoo.

‘Yes, it’s a kappa.’

‘What?’ Kyungsoo connected the dots. ‘This is… Chanyeol. You’re an ass.’

‘I’m sorry, Soo. I had to check for myself.’ Chanyeol turned to the frightened kappa. ‘We won’t hurt you, as long as you don’t hurt us.’

The kappa looked at Chanyeol, not sure if to trust him. Chanyeol crouched in front of him, and offered his hand. ‘I promise.’ The smaller being hesitated. Chanyeol gave him a reassuring smile. He took his hand.

‘You can eat all the cucumbers, they’re for you.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Can we sit down and talk?’

‘Yes.’ Chanyeol helped him gather all the cucumbers back, and returned to the blanket. Kyungsoo sat down too, but further away. He was angry, scared, and shocked at the same time. He ate his sandwich quietly, and watched the kappas every move.

‘Do you have a name?’ asked Kyungsoo.

‘I do, but you would not be able to say it.’

‘Why, is it cursed?’ asked Chanyeol.

‘No. Humans are incapable of making such sounds.’ replied the kappa, and went back to munching on the cucumbers.

‘Is there anything we can call you, then?’ said Kyungsoo.

‘Humans do not speak to me usually. The few who did referred to me as monster, abomination, or thing. You could call me one of those if you would like.’

Chanyeol turned to Kyungsoo. He looked like he was about to cry. ‘We could give you a nickname, if you’d like.’ said the smaller of men.

‘A nickname?’ asked the kappa.

‘It’s like, a special name for you, from us?’

‘I would like that.’

‘How about Chen?’ said Chanyeol.

‘Chen?’ said the kappa and Kyungsoo at the same time.

‘It suits you.’

‘Jongdae will kill you.’

‘I think I like Chen.’ said the kappa.

‘Nice to meet you, Chen.’

‘Nice to meet you too.’

 From the distance, Kyungsoo saw CBX. They waved, and Kyungsoo waved back.

‘Whose kid is that?’ asked Baekhyun.

‘It’s not a child.’ answered Kyungsoo.

Baekhyun ran to him. As he got closer, the shape of the kappa got clearer. When he reached them, he fell to his knees.

‘What the hell?’ Baekhyun was petrified. Jongdae and Minseok caught up with him.

‘Don’t be rude,’ said Chanyeol. ‘This is Chen. Chen, these are my other friends, Baekhyun, Jongdae, and Minseok.’

‘Nice to meet you.’ said Chen.

Baekhyun stood there with his mouth open. Jongdae cringed.

‘Hi.’ whispered Minseok.

‘What are you?’ asked Jongdae.

‘He’s a kappa.’ explained Kyungsoo. ‘Chanyeol lied and brought us here to find a kappa.’

‘Dude, that’s so uncool.’ said Jongdae.

‘He also named the kappa after you.’

Jongdae narrowed his eyes at Chanyeol. ‘You’re an ass. A big stinky ass.’

‘Why are you naked?’ asked Minseok.

‘I was in the lake, and I’m not naked.’

‘Almost’ said Baekhyun.

‘I didn’t bring a towel, I’m air drying, ok?’

Chen kept eating his cucumbers, and watched the boys. He thought he liked them. They seemed nice.

‘I think we have some towels in the rental car. I’ll get you some.’ said Minseok

‘We can’t bear the sight of you bare anymore.’ said  Jongdae as he brought his right hand to his forehead.

‘Are you a child?’ said Baekhyun to Chen.

‘No, I am almost 300 years old.’

‘Then, you knew the village idiot?’ asked Kyungsoo.

‘You met Chanyeol before?’ said Baekhyun.

‘Today is the first time I meet Chanyeol. Who is the village idiot?’

Minseok returned with a towel, and helped Chanyeol dry off. ‘Thanks.’

‘Don’t worry about it.’ said Minseok.

‘Kyungsoo is talking about a boy who was abducted by a kappa one night. His great grandson said he got bags of money every year.’ explained Chanyeol

‘I know of him, but I did not abduct him.’

‘Someone else did?’ asked Kyungsoo.

 Chen went on to tell the boys about the thriving kappa community in Kyoto. There had been many of them, but, over the years, some died, and some left and never came back. It was another kappa that had met with Mackerel Heaven’s owner great grandfather, but he did not abduct him; he had employed his help, for he was of a similar size to a kappa. To repay him, the kappa gave him money every year. Chen told them stories of his youth, of what he had witnessed over the years in the area, and news other being shared of the other regions in the country. Chen even mentioned this place he believed the missing kappas were.

'I heard a whisper, that many beings, unlike you, went on a journey for many moons to a long forgot country. Through land and water they reach a place they would be welcome.’

'Why don't you go too?’ asked Chanyeol.

'It's dangerous, and I am scared.’

'Scared of what? The trip?’ asked Kyungsoo.

'The journey is long, yes. But it is not that which frightens me.’

'What is it then?’ said Chanyeol

'It is not for you to know.’

   Chen wouldn't budge, so the boys told him about EXO, and shared stories about the band. Baekhyun even burst into a song, and soon, the rest of the boys joined him. Chen was overjoyed at the performance; he had never heard such music before. He was glad to have met Chanyeol.

 ‘It’s pretty late, we should head back.’ said Kyungsoo.

‘It was nice meeting you, Chen. I hope to meet you again soon.’ said Chanyeol, crouching in front of the kappa.

‘It was nice meeting all of you. I am happy to meet Chanyeol, and his friends.’ Chanyeol seemed like he was about to cry. Jongdae’s expression softened too. ‘I am happy for the new name, and I am thankful for the food.’

‘Can I hug you?’ asked Chanyeol.

‘Hug?’

‘It’s something friends do.’

‘Of course, friend.’

Chanyeol hugged his new found friend. Baekhyun decided he wanted a hug too. Jongdae shook hands with Chen, he was no longer upset to share his namesake. Kyungsoo was busy packing their things, and Minseok was preparing their trash for recycling. Not far from where they were sitting, there was some rustling.

‘Did you hear that?’ asked Minseok.

‘Hear what?’ said Kyungsoo.

‘There’s some noises coming from behind us.’

‘I didn’t hear anything.’

‘Me neither.’ added Chanyeol.

‘Hard to believe, with those big ears of yours.’ said Jongdae.

‘Step aside from the kappa!’ yelled a man. Behind him were several others, some with weapons, and some holding a large net.  The boys looked at each other.

‘You must run.’ said Chen. And so they did. Chen ran back towards the lake, but the boys were targeted too.

‘Be careful!’ yelled Chanyeol at Chen. Too many men, much larger than Chen, were tailing him. All of the boys, save for Chanyeol, were getting closer and closer to the rental car. Chanyeol kept looking back at Chen, his heart filled with worry. One wrong step, and he tripped over a boulder. He landed flat on his face, and twisted his ankle in such a manner that a snap could be heard. Chanyeol let out a scream. Chen was almost in the lake, when it happened. Kyungsoo turned around too.

‘Go to the car! I’ll help him.’ said Kyungsoo to the others. He ran back to Chanyeol, and tried to pick him up. ‘Come on, big guy.’

‘It hurts so much.’ cried Chanyeol.

‘I know, but we really have to go. You can do this.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘I will help.’ said Chen, who had run back to Chanyeol.

‘How?’ asked Kyungsoo.

‘No! You need to go back!’ yelled Chanyeol, but Chen didn’t listen. He fixed  Chanyeol’s ankle in a matter of moments. The men in pursuit were about to reach them.

‘Leave, friends.’ said Chen.

‘No, we can’t!’

‘Chanyeol, come on.’

‘No, no.’

Kyungsoo pulled Chanyeol in the opposite direction, but he wouldn’t budge. Chen tilted his head down, and fell to the ground. Chanyeol started screaming. He picked up Chen’s body, and ran in the lake. He managed to place him in the water. Kyungsoo wanted to run. They were both caught by the men, and handcuffed. Kyungsoo turned to the other boys, terrified, and nodded.

Minseok yelled at Baekhyun and Jongdae to get in the car.

‘We can’t leave them there!’ said Baekhyun.

It was 5.37 when they arrived at the hotel. Kyungsoo told the driver to wait so Chanyeol could get whatever it was that he needed so badly. Chanyeol sprinted to his room and took a heavy bag out of his suitcase. A few minutes later, he was back in the car.

 ‘Can we go to the closest convenience store, please?’ asked Chanyeol.

‘Of course.’ replied the driver.

‘Thank you!’

‘What’s in the bag?’ asked Kyungsoo.

‘Oh, some things that I need.’

‘And the convenience store?’

‘Some other things I need?’

‘Chanyeol, are you hiding Toben in the bag?’

‘What? No!’

‘What’s inside then?’

‘I’ll tell you later, promise? It’s nothing bad.’ The car stopped. ‘Thank  you!’

 It was now 5.52. Kyungsoo was starting to doubt they would arrive on time. Chanyeol sure took his sweet time in that convenience store. Or so Kyungsoo thought.  

In the store, one could find Chanyeol shifting from one foot to the other. In his arms he had around fifteen cucumbers, duct tape, garbage bags, and rope.

‘Excuse me, I’m in a hurry. Do you think I could cut to the front?’ asked Chanyeol the salary man ahead of him.

‘We’re all in a hurry, kid.’

‘I’m sorry. But I really have to go.’

The man didn’t budge. He didn’t even look back at Chanyeol. He had a cart full of groceries, and he was going to place all items excruciatingly slow on the conveyor belt.

Chanyeol’s arms were starting to hurt. He wanted to check the time, but he hadn’t got a cart or basket, so he had nowhere to place his items. It felt like slowed down. When the man in front of him finally left, Kyungsoo entered the store with his Chanyeol’s bag.

 ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Chanyeol, it’s 6.15. It cost us more to wait than to take different cars.’

‘It’s not my fault it took so long.’

‘People leave work at this hour, of course it’s going to be crowded.’

‘It wouldn’t have taken so long if the old man in front of me-‘

‘Excuse me, will you pay cash or card?’ interrupted the cashier.

‘Card.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I’m certain we lost the reservation.’ added Kyungsoo.

‘Let’s head to the lake then.’

‘What are we going to eat?’

‘I thought you were full from the sushi?’

‘I think I need some anger food.’

‘I have a bunch of cucumbers.’

‘Soo! I’m back!’

Chanyeol ran over and slapped his back.

‘Ouch, Yeol.’

‘Sorry, sometimes I don’t know how strong I am.’ Kyungsoo glared.

‘So, you changed from shorts and slippers to a different pair of shorts and slippers?’

‘It’s fashion. I need to look good for when people see me.’

‘I don’t know if people in this area know us. Where did you find this place?’

‘Online. I wanted somewhere closer to the lake.’

‘Why?’

‘I wanted to take nature in.’ Chanyeol put his arm over Kyungsoo’s shoulders. ‘Let’s get that sushi.’

 The boys left the resort. They made a right, and then another. Half an hour later they were nowhere near the sushi place. Kyungsoo felt like Chanyeol didn’t really know where to go.

 ‘I swear it was around here.’

‘Are you sure? We’ve been walking in circles for a while now.’

‘Look, that sign-‘

‘Don’t pretend like you know how to read Japanese.’

 Kyungsoo opened Maps on his phone. ‘What was the name of the place?’

‘Mackerel… Heaven?’

‘Chanyeol…’

‘I’m telling you, it’s around here. Let’s keep walking.’

 By the time they found Mackerel Heaven, Chanyeol and Kyungsoo were starving. Kyungsoo, in particular, was angry. He didn’t appreciate this lack of planning. Mackerel Heaven was not what Kyungsoo expected. It was old, a little run down, but homely. Another place he didn’t expect Chanyeol to go to. They sat at a table in a corner. While Kyungsoo was struggling to read the menu, Chanyeol approached a photo of an old man hanging on the wall.

'Is this your relative?’ said Chanyeol to the owner, a friendly looking, middleaged gentleman.

‘My great grandfather.’

‘Oh, is he the one who started it? I read some stories about the original owner - that he ran away and returned with sacks of gold.'

‘My great grandfather was abducted as a child. He had been missing the entire day when my family found his shoes under a persimmon tree. By the third day, they started thinking he had died, drowned in the lake, or worse. They started to prepare for the funeral. In the middle of the night, my great great grandmother heard a thud on the roof. She was so scared, she called her husband to check. When they went to check, they found my great grandfather, alive. As for the money, I don’t know for certain. Every year a small bag of coins would appear on the roof, or that’s what he said. He also spoke about some creature who took him under the lake, but he was also known as an idiot.’

‘A creature?’

‘Yes, a kappa. Have you not heard of them?’

‘Kappas aren’t real.’ said Kyungsoo.

Kyungsoo got up and walked toward the door. When he opened it, he was faced with one guard to his right, and another across, waiting in front of a door similar to the one he had just walked through.

‘Are you going to be escorting me to the restroom?’ asked Kyungsoo

‘Yes, now move along.’ said the first guard.

‘Both of you?’

‘We wouldn’t want you to go somewhere you shouldn’t now, would we?’

‘Yeah, don’t get any funny ideas kid.’ replied the second guard.

‘I wasn’t.’

 As Kyungsoo walked towards the restroom, he took in his surroundings once more. There seemed to be no more guards on the corridor, but he remembered two more outside the hall, and a dozen more on the way to the ground floor. This facility was very plain. There was a constant in everything and that was white – white floors, white walls, white lights. And somehow, no spec of dust. This was amplified by all the glass surrounding everything. Almost anything you did could be seen by someone else, and that was without all the surveillance cameras. When Kyungsoo reached the restroom, he turned to the guards.

 ‘Would you mind waiting outside? I won’t be able to go knowing you’re right outside the stall?’

‘Is this kid serious?!’ asked the second guard.

‘I wouldn’t normally request something like this, but I do feel I have an incoming case of explosive diarrhoea. Surely you’d understand.’

‘Jesus Christ. What’s wrong with these kids they picked up?’ complained the same guard.

‘Just go.’ replied the first.

 As soon as Kyungsoo entered, he could hear some low thuds above him, irregularly timed. They seemed to be coming from the vents near the sinks. Then, the thuds got louder. And louder. And the fire alarm started.

 ‘You think you’re gonna be in there longer? We gotta evac.’ asked the first guard

‘A few minutes, ok?’

 Suddenly, two men fell from the vents. They were in full black outfits, with plain surgery masks, and ski goggles.

 ‘Who… who are you?’ asked Kyungsoo.

‘It’s us, dumbass.’ replied Baekhyun, lowering his mask.

‘What the hell are you two doing here?’ whispered Kyungsoo.

‘No time for that, Minseok bought us exactly 3 minutes with that alarm. He’s going to distract the guards while we get Chanyeol.’ explained Jongdae

‘I was going to save Chanyeol.’ replied Kyungsoo

‘Oh yeah, and how were you going to do that?’ asked Baekhyun

‘This is not the time, Baek. We’re going with the plan. Kyungsoo, follow our lead.’ said Jongdae.

 Jongdae slowly opened the door the corridor and looked outside. The guards were gone. He motioned for the others to join him. Baekhyun put his mask back on, and trailed behind Jongdae.

 ‘He’s in here, right?’ Jongdae motioned to the door opposite from where Kyungsoo was interrogated. Kyungsoo nodded.

‘Baek, stand guard. I’m going in.’

 Jongdae twisted the handle and entered the interrogation room. Chanyeol heard him and turned his head, looking confused. His eyes were red and swollen.

 ‘Are you here to kill me?’ cried Chanyeol.

 Jongdae hurried to his side, and whispered to him.

 ‘I’m Jongdae. Baek and Min are outside. We came to save you. We got Soo too. Let’s go.’ explained Jongdae

‘I thought they were going to finish me off. They said that they killed Kyungsoo-‘

‘Kyungsoo is safe. Let’s go.’

 Jongdae dragged Chanyeol to the corridor. When Chanyeol saw Kyungsoo, he pulled him in a tight hug. Kyungsoo was confused, but hugged him back.

‘Jesus, what happened to you?’ asked Baekhyun.

‘He thought they’d killed Soo.’ said Jongdae. ‘We need to hurry, Minseok is waiting for us.’

 The boys ran towards the corridor’s exit. They entered the floor’s waiting area, and were supposed to meet Minseok next to a door to the far right of the room, near the lifts.

‘Something feels wrong.’ said Kyungsoo.

‘Yeah, Minseok isn’t here.’ replied Baekhyun.

‘You don’t think they got him, do you?’ whispered Chanyeol.

 Jongdae pulled out his communicator. ‘Min, we’re at the meeting spot. Do you copy? Over.’ He looked at the other boys, his eyebrows turning into a V. ‘Come in, Min. Over.’

 ‘Oh my god… They really did.’ Chanyeol dropped to the floor and started crying again. ‘This is all my fault.’

Kyungsoo kneeled next to the taller boy, and held him.

‘It’s fine, I’m sure he’s here somewhere.’ reassured Kyungsoo.

‘We need to get going, we can’t wait for him.’ said  Baekhyun.

Chanyeol slammed his fists to the ground. ‘How can you say something like that?!’

‘I’m saying we don’t have time and we risk getting caught, get your shit together.’

 Baekhyun pulled Chanyeol off the floor and went for the staircases.

 Jongdae’s communicator started buzzing. ‘Minseok coming in. Do you copy? Over.’

They all turned to the source of the sound. Chanyeol wiped his tears with his blouse.

‘Jongdae here, copy. I got all the guys. Where are you? Over.’

‘Tell him I’m glad he’s alive!’ said Chanyeol. Baekhyun glared.

‘I’m in the back, something came up. But hurry, Sehun is coming to pick us up asap. Over.’ said Minseok.

‘We’re on our way. Over.’

‘You heard Jongdae, let’s go Yeollie.’ said Baekhyun.

‘Yeah, yeah. I’m coming.’

‘Who else is involved in this?’ asked Kyungsoo.

‘What do you mean?’ asked Jongdae.

‘I mean, Sehun is picking us up? If he’s in this too he won’t be safe.’

‘Everyone agreed to help,’ said Baekhyun. ‘We’re all in this together.’

‘We are one.’ added Chanyeol.

 The boys reached Sehun’s car in no time. He and Minseok were waiting right outside.

‘Does anyone else feel like we got away too easily?’ asked Kyungsoo.

‘No, we’re EXO; the government wouldn’t kill us. It would cause a riot.’ said Baekhyun.

‘What are you talking about? This is not a government institution.’

‘How do you know that? They wouldn’t reveal things like this to the public.’

‘Did you see the building? The weapons they had when they caught us? This has to be funded by someone.’

‘We can look into that later, right now we need to leave.’

‘Speaking of leaving, how did Sehun manage to park in the building’s car park with no issues?’

‘I gave the guard some money, said I was waiting to pick up some friends.’ said Sehun.

‘And he just let you park?’

‘That’s what he said, Soo.’ cut in Baekhyun. ‘Let’s go for now.’

‘So, we got a bit of an issue.’ said Minseok. ‘There’s six of us, two of which are giants, and only five seats.’

‘Chanyeol takes the front and the rest of us will squeeze in the back.’ said Jongdae.

‘That’s not safe.’

‘Yeah, I didn’t drive all the way here to get anyone injured.’ said  Sehun

‘Then, one of us will have to squeeze in the trunk.’ replied Baekhyun.

Jongdae smiled. ‘Ok, then. You go.’

‘Hold on… I didn’t say it had to be me. You’re smaller, you  go.’

‘It was your idea, you go,’

‘I could do it!’ said Chanyeol.

‘No!’ said everyone else.

‘Think of it as a challenge!’ continued Chanyeol.

‘The only challenge here is to get home safely.’ said Minseok.

‘Which is why you’ll take the trunk.’ added Jongdae.

Minseok turned to face the younger man; if looks could kill, Jongdae would be deader than dead.

‘I’ll do it, let’s just go already. This place doesn’t feel too safe.’ said Kyungsoo.

He opened the trunk, and got inside.

‘If I didn’t know better I could’ve sworn it was made for you.’ said Jongdae.

Kyungsoo closed the trunk. He turned Sehun’s gym clothes into a pillow, and went to sleep. About an hour later, he was woken up by Baekhyun’s shaking. He refused to open his eyes.

 ‘Kyungsoo… Wake up. Kyungsoo… Soo… Do Kyungsoo…’ murmured Baekhyun, still shaking him.

‘Do you think he died?’ asked Jongdae.

‘You killed Kyungsoo?! You told us he was fine!’ yelled  Jongin from the doorstep.

‘What?!’ Chanyeol ran to the trunk. Kyungsoo was still pretending to be asleep. The only way to get some peace and quiet around here.

‘Kyungsoo, please wake up. I love you. I’m sorry I dragged you to Japan like that.’ said Chanyeol.

‘I’m gonna get a bucket of water, stay here.’ said Baekhyun.

With that, Kyungsoo bolted from his position, and hit his head on the roof of the car. He winced and grabbed the top of his head. ‘God damn it, Baek!’

‘I’m not the one pretending to be dead.’ retorted Baekhyun.

He picked up his car keys and opened the door for you. Then, he took your hand in his and didn’t let go until he reached the car. It’d been like that ever since you and Donghae became a couple. He was so touchy and loving.

‘Are you ready?’ he asked.

‘Yeah.’

‘What are we gonna listen to now?’ he smiled so cutely.

‘Something pumping?’

‘Black Eyed Peas?’

‘Donghae…’

‘It’s pumping!’ he whined. ‘What about Britney Spears?’

‘Britney?’

‘Yeah!’ Donghae reached for his phone, and next thing you knew, you were shouting the words to Toxic. He had one hand on the wheel, and another on your thigh, slapping it to the rhythm of the song.

 It wasn’t long until you arrived at Heechul’s. Donghae even managed to parallel park in one go.

‘After you, my love.’

‘Why, thank you.’

One door closed, and another opened. With an arm around your waist, Donghae guided you to the destination. He knocked on Heechul’s door a couple of time.

‘Open up, it’s the police!’ he yelled.

‘Jesus Christ, I might leave you outside.’

‘No you wouldn’t.’ said Donghae, and kissed his friend on the cheek.

‘Not in front of your lover, you know how shy I get.’ replied Heechul. ‘Welcome slooshie.’ he said, hugging you.

‘Guess who’s here!’ yelled Donghae, as soon as he was inside. ‘Hyukjae!’ pointed your boyfriend, as he ran into his arms.

Heechul looked at you. He didn’t have to say anything. He just shook his head. You knew. You shrugged.

‘So, anything good to eat?’

‘Anchovy pizza.’

‘Anchovy pizza?’

‘I’m joking.’ smiled Heechul. ‘We have durian pizza too.’

‘My favourite.’ you cringed.

‘Only the best at Heechul’s house.’

‘I love coming here.’

‘If you hadn’t come to my other party, you would’ve never hooked up with your lover boy.’

‘I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.’

‘Hey babe.’ you heard from behind.

‘Sunmi!’

‘Miss me?’

‘Not as much as me.’ said Heechul. ‘You never talk so nice to me.’

Sunmi stuck her tongue out at Heechul. ‘You don’t deserve it.’

‘Have you tried this durian pizza?’ he said.

Your best friend threw him a look of disgust. ‘Did you really buy that?’

‘It’s gourmet.’ you said.

‘My ass.’ she replied. Hyukjae chuckled.

‘Were you eavesdropping?’ asked Sunmi.

‘I was on my way to get a slice of the delicious pizza Heechul handpicked.’

‘Only anchovy pizza for you.’ said Heechul.

‘I’m not a cannibal.’

Donghae appeared behind you. He wrapped his arms around your waist and placed his head on your shoulder. ‘I was abandoned.’ he pouted.

‘What a tragedy.’ remarked Heechul.

‘I have separation issues.’ said Donghae.

‘We can tell. You can’t be alone for 3 seconds before you act like a hurt puppy.’

‘I am a hurt puppy.’

‘You are my puppy.’ you said, kissing his forehead.

‘Eww!!!!’ said Hyukjae.

‘I’m gonna throw up.’ said Sunmi, hunching over.

‘I can’t believe you do this in my home.’ said Heechul. ‘Absolutely disgusted. That’s it.’ He pushed you two towards the door. ‘Party’s over. Thanks for coming.’

‘We created a monster.’ said Sunmi.

‘I miss the old you.’ said Hyukjae.

‘I’m going to cry.’ warned Donghae.

‘Don’t cry.’ you pouted.

‘Oh god.’ said Heechul. ‘Who’s ready for a party game?’

‘Aren’t we supposed to wait for more people?’ asked Hyukjae.

‘This is all the people.’

‘What? You have no other friends?’

‘For your information, I have lots of friends. This is a small get together.’

‘That’s what someone with no friends would say.’

‘You monkey!’

Sunmi raised an eyebrow at you.

‘How do you understand what she says?’ asked Donghae.

‘We’ve known each other for a long time.’ said Sunmi.

‘We’re telepathic.’ you answered.

‘Wow.’

‘Donghae and I are telepathic too.’

‘I actually believe that more.’ said Heechul.

‘I’m offended.’ said Sunmi. ‘We’re totally telepathic.’

‘My ass.’ said Heechul.

‘I thought we were playing a game?’ asked Donghae.

‘You’re bad at games.’ noted Hyukjae.

‘I just wanna have fun.’

‘Girls and Donghae.’ said Sunmi.

‘Me and girls?’

‘You know, the song?’

‘There’s a song about me?’

‘Not yet, but I’ll write it.’ said Heechul.

‘I can’t wait.’

‘Is it a diss track?’ asked Hyukjae.

‘Lil Chul in the house.’

‘Oh boy,’ said Sunmi.

‘I’ll have to diss you back then.’ said Donghae.

‘Oooooooooh!’ you heard Hyukjae.

‘I can’t believe we’re the first to witness the HeeHaek beef.’ said Sunmi, switching to her camera app.

‘What are you doing?’ asked Heechul.

‘We’re going viral.’ you said.

‘Whose side are you on?’

‘Do you have to ask?’ said Donghae.

‘I’ll have a collaborative diss with all the rappers in the city.’ said Heechul.

‘Then I’ll do it with Hyukjae.’

‘Yeah, we’ll even dance to it.’