Flashback, 2008

Freshman Year of High School

(16)

It's the first week of August and summer vacation has just begun. Baekhyun and his friends gather at Chanyeol's house to hang out for the last time. Tomorrow, they will part ways and start their summer vacation schedules, before seeing each other again in school for the second semester.

"So, what are your plans this summer break?"

Chanyeol serves ice cream to his guests who are waiting for him in the living room. Baekhyun picks one pint of pistachio ice cream for himself.

"Jinki, Minho, Kibum, and I, we're starting a rock band!" Taemin announces, earning an amazed reaction from the rest of the boys, "My Uncle owns a hotel and we're gonna be performing there on the last day of summer. We have to practice all month for that. It's gonna be a big event."

"For four weeks, I have to attend a summer class program in Singapore. My Mom already signed me up for the advanced classes," Jongdae says with a shrug. "My crush is gonna be there, too so it's a win-win situation."

"Wait, you have a crush!?" The guys exclaim altogether, shocked by Jongdae's revelation. "From our school?"

"Nope. from a different school. We've been only texting for a week, so... I'm still starting to get to know her."

"Way to go, man! You're gonna get a girlfriend real soon!"

"Hahaha. It's still early for that!"

Everybody teases a flustered Jongdae while Chanyeol watches his friend, fondly smiling to himself.

Look how happy Jongdae is. He's blushing and grinning nonstop. So a guy's eyes can glow this much just by thinking about a crush?

It must be a wonderful feeling, to have someone who can make you feel special. To have someone who brings a smile to your face just by thinking about them. To have someone to be the reason for your heart to flutter every time you're near them. To have someone you can never stop thinking about all day.

Wait. Chanyeol also has that someone. But does it have to be a crush? Can't it be just your best friend?

"Hey." Baekhyun elbows him, pulling Chanyeol out of his short reverie. "How about you? What are your plans this summer?"

"Me? I'm going to Seoul to visit my Grandparents," Chanyeol says, smiling at his best friend. "They said they miss me already. My sister's gonna pick me up tomorrow."

"Oh."

Baekhyun falls quiet for a minute, realizing the fact that he's the only one among the group who doesn't have something interesting going on for him this summer vacation. Aside from staying at home to play video games and help out in their convenience store, he doesn't really have a concrete plan to spend his month-long off from school.

Should he get a part-time job? Or take supplementary classes? How about learning a new hobby? But that's not his thing...

And doing stuff without Chanyeol is not fun.

To think that he thought he would be spending his summer vacation with Chanyeol. He was mistaken. It wouldn't be the case after all. They'll be far away from each other for a whole month. This is just so heartbreaking.

"Wanna come with?" Chanyeol asks.

Baekhyun suddenly perks up.

"Huh?"

"If you come with me, I'll introduce you to my Grandparents," Chanyeol excitedly says, "We'll stroll around Seoul and eat delicious food. I'll take you to a big amusement park."

"A big amusement park?"

"Yup! And we can also watch the sunset in the Han River. The view is really beautiful during nighttime."

"But... But what about your Grandparents? Are they gonna be okay with me tagging along if ever?"

"Yeah, it's fine. They said I could bring a friend."

"That's really cool."

"It'll be nice if you join me. What do you say?"

Baekhyun doesn't know what to reply. Chanyeol's invitation is very enticing and he wants to say yes already. Of course, he'd love to go to Seoul! But will his parents allow him? He needs to ask for their permission first. Seoul isn't just a neighborhood spot. It's far from here. Will his mother let him leave? She'll get mad for sure if he ever dares to bring up he wants to go to the city all of a sudden.

"Uhm. I'll have to ask my Mom first if I could come with you," Baekhyun says hopefully. "But I really wanna go to Seoul. It's one of my dreams."

"Okay," Chanyeol nods, "I'll wait for your answer. Call me right away."

Baekhyun is hiding behind his Grandma's back as he nervously waits for the change in his mother's expression. She has a hand on her hip, her face unreadable since the moment Baekhyun told her about his Seoul trip with Chanyeol.

"You? Going to Seoul all by yourself?"

"I-I have Chanyeol with me, Mom..."

"Are his parents okay with this?"

"Uhm... Yes, as far as I know."

"Give me the number of Chanyeol's father. I'll call him myself."

Grandma Byun chuckles as she rubs soothing circles along Baekhyun's hunched back. Baekhyun won't stop being a worry-wart as he listens to his Mom talk with Chanyeol's Dad on the phone. They seem to be having a long and serious adult conversation. What are they even talking about? It's making him more nervous and antsy.

"Don't worry, my sweet boy. I'll give you a huge amount of pocket money so you can spend a lot in Seoul," Grandma Byun says, coddling her grandson. "Just play there and have fun."

Baekhyun's eyes grow sparkles.

"You're the best, Grandma!"

The conversation is taking too long to finish so Baekhyun decides to return to his room to continue packing. Yes, he still hasn't gotten his mother's permission but you'll never know, right? It's good to think ahead of time, and he can't also blame himself for feeling too excited. His clothes and stuff are everywhere on top of his bed while the luggage he borrowed from his brother is on the floor, zipped wide open.

Wait. What is this? Why is he preparing so much? It's not like he's going overseas. This is making him laugh.

His phone buzzes in the middle of him folding his pajamas when Chanyeol rings him up. Smiling, he answers the call in speaker mode.

[Hello! Good evening. Whatchu doing?]

Looking at the bedside clock, Baekhyun realizes just now that it's already seven p.m. Just a few more hours to go and it'll be morning. Chanyeol is already leaving tomorrow. There's no assurance yet that he's coming with him.

"Hey. I'm packing my stuff for tomorrow."

[Does this mean you already got your Mom's permission!?]

"Well... Not really," Baekhyun laughs hesitantly. "She didn't agree to it yet. She's having a phone call with your Dad right now."

[Your Mom's just probably worried about you. She's just making sure you'll be safe, especially when you're gonna be away from home. Any mother would feel the same.]

"I know..."

[This will be your first time leaving the countryside, right?]

"Yeah... But she can trust me to be on my own now. I'm already a big boy."

[Pfft. Haha. Yeah. Big boy.]

"Shut up."

A gentle knock from the door interrupts their phone call. Without hanging up, Baekhyun lets his mother in. On the other line, Chanyeol quietly listens.

Mrs. Byun sits on the edge of the bed, facing her son and holding his hand. She takes a deep breath.

"Two weeks will do, right?"

Baekhyun's eyes grow big like saucers, happiness, and excitement filling them. He nods fast, tears of joy forming in his eyes.

"Yes! It's more than enough!"

"Promise me you'll behave no matter what. No funny business in Seoul, alright?"

"Yup! No funny business!"

"Don't wander off by yourself. Always stick to Chanyeol wherever he goes."

"Yeah, I promise!"

"Okay, then. Go ahead and have fun. I'm giving you my permission."

"Really?! Aaahhh!!! Thank you!"

"Go tell your Dad when he comes back."

"Got it! Love you, Mommy!"

Thankful, Baekhyun hugs his mother, then picks up his phone, and runs around his room, screaming in victory. Mrs. Byun just smiles, shakes her head, and lets her son be. This kid. Look how energetic this son of mine is.

"PARK CHANYEOL, DID YOU HEAR THAT!? MOM SAID YES! I'm coming with you to Seoul!"

[Yeah, I heard it all! We're gonna be together for two weeks, Baekhyun!]

"Oh, my god! I'm so happy!"

[You still call your mother, Mommy?]

"T-that was just a slip of the tongue!"

They chat for an hour over the phone, animatedly talking about their plans for tomorrow's trip. Chanyeol says that Baekhyun should pack lightly because they're going shopping anyway. He'll also lend Baekhyun clothes so he doesn't have to bring anything except for his important belongings.

"Good night! See you tomorrow."

[Okay! Sleep well. Can't wait to see you!]

After ending the call, Baekhyun shoves his clothes back into his dresser and returns Baekbeom's luggage to his brother's room. Instead, he picks a small crossbody bag where he can put his phone and wallet. Looking forward to tomorrow, he prepares in advance the clothes he's going to wear and lays them out on the bed next to him before he sleeps.

Tomorrow comes in a blink of an eye.

As early as seven in the morning, a car is pulling up in front of Baekhyun's house, announcing its arrival with a honk. Immediately, Chanyeol gets out of the vehicle and meets Baekhyun outside who has been ready thirty minutes prior. As soon as they see each other, they hold hands and do some silly dance.

Please look after my son. He's quite a handful sometimes, Baekhyun's mother asks Chanyeol's sister who tells her not to worry too much. She says she'll make sure Baekhyun won't get out of her sight.

"Ready to go, boys?"

Clasping her seatbelt as he takes the seat beside their family driver, Yoora glances at the rearview mirror. She looks at Chanyeol and Baekhyun sitting in the back who are full of excitement and enthusiasm.

"Yes!"

And their journey to the city begins.

"Wow..."

Baekhyun presses his cheek against the car window, his gaze fixed on the changing landscapes outside. As the driver expertly navigates the road, Baekhyun's eyes widen in awe as he takes in the vibrant sights of Seoul's bustling streets.

Towering skyscrapers, electronic billboards, fancy cars, stylish people, and modern buildings of Seoul loom ahead, fascinating the country bumpkin seated beside Chanyeol. Baekhyun feels like he's stepping into a whole new world. There are bright sparkles in his eyes, amazed by what he is seeing for the very first time.

"I can't believe I'm finally here. I only saw this on TV before."

Chanyeol chuckles, leaning forward on the window and joining Baekhyun in admiring the city's wonders. Cafes, malls, restaurants, and stores are everywhere. He can't wait to show Baekhyun around already. They'll go shopping, try lots of yummy food, and visit popular spots and attractions.

"Are you guys hungry?" Yoora asks the two, telling the kind ahjussi to slow down driving. Stomach grumbling, the boys answer her with an energetic nod. "Okay. Let's grab some quick brunch!"

The scent of freshly cooked burgers and the sound of sizzling fries waft in the air as they found themselves at Lotteria, one of the most popular fast-food chains in Seoul. They place their orders, and soon enough, their trays are filled with mouthwatering food and cold sodas.

Baekhyun digs in immediately, savoring the first bite of the delicious meal. He looks over to Chanyeol, his smile mirroring his own. Both enjoy their brunch with Yoora as she talks about how adorable Baekhyun is when he eats. Perhaps it made Baekhyun blush, being complimented by his best friend's sister. His Baekbeom hyung back home only loves teasing and bullying him at all the chances he gets. His brother is annoying unlike Yoora who is the sweetest sibling on earth. Chanyeol is so lucky to have her as his sister.

Once they had their fill, they left Lotteria and set off to their next destination: the house of Chanyeol and Yoora's grandparents. Located in the upscale neighborhood of Gangnam, the car enters the tall gates and pulls up in front of a huge and expensive mansion. Its grandeur is impossible to ignore, making Baekhyun momentarily speechless.

Everybody who can see this house can say the people living here are super wealthy. Baekhyun already knows Chanyeol's family is well-off but he didn't know that they are this kind of rich. Chanyeol didn't mention it to him not even once.

"We're here, Baekhyun. Welcome to the Park Residence," Yoora says.

Getting out of the car, Baekhyun's jaw drops as he walks past a beautiful garden adorned with an insane variety of plants and flowers. There's also a big swimming pool near the garden and that's the most important. The entire place exudes elegance, luxury, and comfort. It's like straight from a movie.

Beside him, Chanyeol is equally standing flabbergasted and amazed, his eyes wide and stunned.

"Why do you look so surprised? You lived here when you were young, didn't you?"

"Yeah, but I still get the same reactions every time."

Wearing straw hats and gardening clothes, a couple in their late sixties are tending to their plants in the garden. Upon seeing their grandchildren, their faces break into a smile of recognition.

"Aigoo! My babies! Honey, they're here!"

"Chanyeol, Yoora! Give your Grandpa a hug!"

With a fond smile on his lips, Baekyun watches the grand reunion of the family. The way the siblings embrace and kiss their grandparents reminds him of his Grandma back home. A day hasn't passed yet but he misses her already.

It's not until they finish catching up with each other that Chanyeol's grandfather takes notice of a small boy standing on the side and watching them. Baekhyun instantly straightens his back before bowing 90 degrees in front of the dignified, well-built man. Chanyeol's grandpa looks intimidating but the kindness on his face is still evident.

"Oh. Are you Chanyeollie's friend?"

"Yes, Sir. My name is Byun Baekhyun."

"Isn't he so lovely? This is the first time Chanyeol brought a friend. Nice to meet you, Baekhyun. I'm Chanyeol's grandmother," Grandma Park says, smiling endearingly at the cute sight of Baekhyun fidgeting, "I heard you were from Bucheon?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you for having me here."

"How was the drive? Did it go okay?" Grandpa Park asks.

"The journey went super well. Chanyeol took care of me and Yoora noona made sure I didn't get hungry."

"So Yoora is a responsible adult now, huh?"

"Of course, I am, Granny!"

Chanyeol is oblivious of the gentle smile forming on his face seeing the interaction between his grandparents and Baekhyun. If he were to look in the mirror right now, he'd probably see hearts in his eyes.

"Oh, dear! The sun's beating down on us so hard! Why don't we go inside already? Chanyeol, show Baekhyun around while I prepare lunch. Yoora, go get your stuff," Chanyeol's grandma says, ushering them to the front door.

"Make yourself comfortable here, buddy. Consider this place your home," Chanyeol's grandpa says, tapping Baekhyun on the shoulder.

"Yes, I will. Thank you, Sir!"

Showing Baekhyun around the modern yet traditional house, Chanyeol shares a bit of his grandparents' background. His Grandpa was a retired General in the special forces while his Grandma was a woman of arts. She loves paintings and she's also a renowned art collector. Chanyeol explains that it is his grandparents who are wealthy, and having been born with their blood is a privilege. His Mom and Dad worked hard on their own to get to where they are, and they also taught Chanyeol the same thing.

I'll also become successful like them, too someday, Chanyeol says, earning him respect from Baekhyun.

After the house tour, they have a bountiful lunch cooked by Grandma Park, eat fruits, and spend the rest of the afternoon swimming in the pool and frolicking in the water.

When they get tired, Chanyeol welcomes Baekhyun to his room with the air conditioning on full blast. They play video games, watch movies, and laugh at his cute childhood photos Baekhyun found hidden under the bed. There are some clothes Chanyeol kept in his dresser he had grown out so he lets Baekhyun try them on. Although Chanyeol wants his best friend to have them, Baekhyun declines, saying they are too expensive and classy for him. Chanyeol agrees under the condition that he'll shop for Baekhyun's new clothes tomorrow.

Before dusk falls, as promised, they go to Han River and find a nice spot where they can watch the breathtaking Seoul sunset. Chanyeol has his camera ready, snapping a photo of the golden sun descending towards the horizon. Just right on time, Baekhyun's head peeks into the frame, his face being captured the moment he turns around. His pretty silhouette serves as the foreground to the sky's shades of orange, pink, and purple.

"Oh, sorry. Did I get in the shot?"

Putting down his camera, Chanyeol smiles amidst the darkness. Now that the sun has disappeared, city lights start twinkling just like his eyes that speak of affection he's yet to be aware of.

"No, it's perfect."

Baekhyun leans against the parked car beside Chanyeol; The hardworking driver who drove them here is sitting on the bench and waiting for them, slurping some hot and spicy ramen.

"Chanyeol, I realized just now. We still don't have any decent pictures together."

"Now that you said it, you're probably right. Wanna take one now?"

"But my phone camera's quality is so bad. Let's just take it using yours."

"I didn't bring my phone with me. Should we take one with this camera?"

"Let's ask Ahjussi to take a picture of us."

"He's still busy eating, though."

"Oh, I know! Let's just take it like this. Give me your camera."

"Here."

"Now bend down a little and match my height."

Chanyeol doesn't have time to react when Baekhyun suddenly smothers their faces closer, raises the 2008 Nikon digital camera in the air, and points the big lens at them. The bright two-second flash blinds Chanyeol's eyes. It should be his eyes that are stinging but why is it his ears that are heating up instead?

"H-how did it come out?" He asks, trying to not mind the way Baekhyun clings to his arm. He has no problem when he gets touchy with Baekhyun, though. But when it's Baekhyun who initiates skinship, it does a weird thing in his chest that he can't explain.

"What the hell. Why does your face look ugly?" Baekhyun complains, not knowing whether to laugh or not as he looks at the screen. "You look awkward in this shot. Your eyes are unfocused. What's with your mouth hanging open?"

"Thank you for complimenting my face. And you didn't even count, so of course, I wasn't prepared! Let me try again."

Chanyeol grabs the camera from Baekhyun's hand and does what Baekhyun did. Since his arms are longer, there is more room for good angles. Although they can't see what the viewfinder looks like, Chanyeol makes sure to aim the lens at them perfectly. He focuses the camera on the center of him and Baekhyun.

"Ready? One, two, three. Smile."

Pressing the capture button, Chanyeol endures the blinding flash; Just like how he endures the warmth creeping on the back of his neck when Baekhyun wraps his arms around his waist, hugging him sideways.

Why do Baekhyun's touches feel tingly recently?

Once done, Baekhyun releases him and Chanyeol wishes he could pull Baekhyun back in his arms so they could stay in that position a bit longer. No matter how strange this unexplainable force is, he admits that it feels good. He becomes happy when Baekhyun gets near.

"Oh. This came out well! Give me a copy when you print it back home."

"How many do you need?"

"One's enough."

"You need at least three. You should put one in your bedside table, one in your locker, one in your photo album, one in your bookcase, and one in your fridge at home. Oh, put one in your wallet, too. Just in case you miss me."

"Uhm. I don't think I'm gonna need that much."

"Well, you'll never know~"

"I'm hungry."

"Let's have samgyupsal for dinner."

"Sure!"

The agreement Baekhyun made with his parents about his vacation with Chanyeol is that he'll only spend 14 days in Seoul. After that, he must go back home and enjoy the rest of his summer break in Bucheon. To make Baekhyun's stay worthwhile, Chanyeol fulfills each day with him, venturing and relishing the city's bustling spirits together.

Day one: Shopping

They dive headfirst to Myeongdong, Seoul's shopping district which offers everything, from high-end fashion boutiques to quirky street vendors selling unique items. Chanyeol asks Baekhyun what he needs, willing to spend a fortune to give anything his best friend fancies. Being humble, Baekhyun says he wants a pair of new pajamas and a matching 100% cotton pillowcase. Chanyeol pays for everything using his pocket money.

In exchange, Baekhyun buys them hotteok (sweet pancakes) and tteokbokki they indulge in. He also gets Chanyeol a cute giraffe key chain because he kind of resembles it. Before heading home, they visit a themed cafe for a cold frappuccino and enjoy an evening stroll along the dazzling streets of the district.

Day two: Namsan Tower

Baekhyun has always been curious about what this famous and iconic attraction looks like. After taking a cable car to the observation deck, they see an insane amount of couples, regardless of age, flocking at The Locks of Love area. The entire fence is attached with colorful padlocks with the names of their significant others. Baekhyun teases Chanyeol that they should write their names on the padlocks too, so they can never break up in the future.

When Baekhyun disappears to buy souvenirs, Chanyeol sneaks out and gets a big padlock. He writes his and Baekhyun's name on it including a short message: Let's be together forever with a heart. When Baekhyun asks him where he's been, Chanyeol replies that he looked for a dining spot within the tower complex which is true. They fill their tummies with marinated Korean barbecue and an array of side dishes until they can't eat anymore.

Day three: Cinemas

Chanyeol has been telling Baekhyun since then that he wanted to watch a screening of the blockbuster movie, Ironman, at a modern theater like CGV. CGV, short for Cinema Gold Class Value, is one of South Korea's leading cinema chains. When he asked his sister to watch Ironman with him, Yoora told him she was busy so they just streamed it on TV instead.

Baekhyun fulfills Chanyeol's wish by coming with him to a CGV theater in Hongdae. He feels like a king as he sits in one of those reclining chairs while wearing a pair of 3D glasses. They munch on butter popcorn and nachos during the film while being amazed by the wild CGI and effects of the movie.

Chanyeol falls asleep before the credits roll though, but not because it was boring. He must be exhausted spending all his energy and excitement for this trip that he dozes off while holding Baekhyun's hand. Baekhyun drapes a jacket on Chanyeol's chest, waiting for his best friend to wake up until it's only the two of them left inside the cinema.

Day four: Games

Not too far from his Grandparents' home in Gangnam, Chanyeol spots a huge PC bang where he and Baekhyun play computer games. There is also a nearby arcade where they amuse themselves on the dance revolution and a karaoke room which they rent for an hour. Hearing Baekhyun sing for the very first time feels like a visit to paradise for Chanyeol. He never thought Baekhyun had the voice of an angel. Baekhyun could be a singer someday and Chanyeol would be his number one fan.

They have fried chicken, pizza, and jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) delivered to their room for lunch and some sweet patbingsu (shaved ice) for dessert. Baekhyun gets an unexpected stomach ache from eating too much so they head home early. Although it's a pity that they can't go out until evening, Chanyeol is still grateful that nothing serious happened to Baekhyun. He thought Baekhyun needed to be taken to the hospital and that idea scares him.

After taking medicine for indigestion, Baekhyun seems to be fine. They play cards and board games with Yoora and Chanyeol's grandparents in the living room. It's honestly a fun experience, especially when Chanyeol throws a fit after he lost in UNO. He drew 16 cards and all of them were power cards.

Day five. Amusement park

Baekhyun has never been a huge fan of heights. He's afraid of being in high places but he thinks it won't hurt to try the extreme rides at least once in his life. Besides, Chanyeol is with him anyway so there's no reason for him to feel scared.

First things first, they fall in line for the Lotte Word's roller coaster, pendulum swing, and drop tower. The thrilling shakes, twists, and turns get their heartbeat racing and adrenaline pumping. Baekhyun screams during all the rides that Chanyeol swears his eardrums have already exploded.

Yoora and her boyfriend visit the skating rink next while Chanyeol accompanies Baekhyun to watch the parade. It features colorful floats, lively music, and beloved cartoon characters. They wear matching cat-ear headbands, eating churros and soft-serve ice cream while watching the show. They clap once the performance ends.

"Baekhyun, look. There's a short line at the Carousel. We can ride it next."

Chanyeol turns to his left, expecting to see a shorter male next to him. But to his surprise, he finds nobody.

Baekhyun is not there.

"Baekhyun?"

Looking around the sea of people in broad daylight, Chanyeol's heart begins to pound nervously. Panic rushes to him no matter how hard he tries to calm down. Did Baekhyun go to the bathroom? But why didn't he say he was leaving? Or did he perhaps wander off somewhere by himself? No, Baekhyun wouldn't do that.

"Baekhyun! Where did you go!?"

Chanyeol runs and looks around him. This is all his fault. If only he hadn't taken his eyes off Baekhyun, he wouldn't lose sight of him. What if something bad happens to him? He won't forgive himself if his dearest friend gets hurt again.

Dialing Baekhyun's number on his phone, Chanyeol traces back his steps. He screams Baekhyun's name and searches for his best friend as he waits for him to pick up his phone. Rides after rides, stalls after stalls, strangers after strangers. He looks for Baekhyun everywhere yet to no avail.

"Why isn't he answering... Shit. Baekhyun! Byun Baekhyun, where are you!?"

Chanyeol quickly picks up the incoming call from his sister.

[Chanyeol, what happened? My boyfriend saw you running just now. Is everything okay?]

"Noona...! Yoora noona..."

Chanyeol sniffles, rubbing his tear-filled eyes against the sleeves of his jacket. He must look like an idiot right now, a teenage boy sobbing alone in the middle of a joyful amusement park.

"I can't find Baekhyun... I lost him!"

[Where did you last see him? Stay right where you are, okay? We're coming to you.]

"W-we were just watching the parade and then Baekhyun suddenly disappeared... He probably went somewhere... But I didn't notice him leaving. I just...! I just don't know where he went!"

[Have you tried calling him? Maybe he just went to the bathroom.]

"He's not answering his phone... He should've told me if he was going somewhere... I-I could've come with him."

[There, there. Don't cry anymore. It's gonna be alright. We're gonna help you find Baekhyun.]

"Okay... Be quick."

Sitting on the bench, Chanyeol composes himself and tries not to feel more anxious than he already is. He is bouncing his knees nonstop, glancing around him just in case he spots Baekhyun before his sister arrives.

Meanwhile, Baekhyun, who had followed a tall dude whom he thought was Chanyeol because they wore similar clothes, realizes that he is now lost and separated from his best friend. Embarrassed when he tries to link arms with the wrong guy, he just walks away from the long line at the Ferris wheel and pretends he has something else to do.

"So... Where am I now?"

Palming his empty pocket, he also realizes just now that he left his phone in the car. What an unlucky day. Chanyeol must be looking for him already. The problem is, he can't contact anyone without a phone and he has no idea where to go. But one can never go wrong with a map, so he looks for a spot where the amusement park's map is posted. Luckily, he finds one near the Mirror Maze.

"Let's see..."

Tipping his toes up because he's too short to read the information, Baekhyun analyzes his location and distance. He can wait at the exit until he sees Yoora or Chanyeol. And if ever he misses them, he can just ask a Lotte World staff to take him to the parking lot. He knows what their car looks like and he memorized the plate number so it's not gonna be an issue for him.

"Okay. So right now, I'm here and I need to go to the outdoor complex. There's a shortcut to the magical tower if I take that route," Baekhyun says out loud as if he had someone listening to him. "I'm like, 350 meters away from the exit. It'll probably take me about seven to eight minutes if I walk. If I run, it'll cost me maybe about six minutes. But I'll just walk. I can't suffer from a stomachache again. Chanyeol will get worried."

Setting off on his journey, Baekhyun doesn't miss to feed his ever-curious eyes with the astounding and magical displays and attractions Lotte World has to offer. It's like the Korean version of Disneyland. His family in Bucheon should come here next time. Baekbeom can bring his girlfriend and have a date at the ice skating rink.

Halfway to his destination, the sweet and flavorful scent of cotton candies and corndogs stops Baekhyun in his tracks. He gets distracted by the appetizing smell of snacks so he takes a small detour. Looking at the food stalls, he can't decide which one to buy with his remaining 3,000 won. A cheesy corndog seems yummier but it will make him full quickly.

Changing his mind, he craves for something fluffy and soft to the tongue so maybe he should get the cotton candy? He's gonna buy two. A pink one for himself and a yellow one for Chanyeol. Chanyeol loves cotton candies.

After paying, he then chomps a mini bite of the cloud-like treat, the sweetness dissolving in his mouth. He is supposed to leave and go on his way when all of a sudden, someone grabs his shoulder, forcing him to turn around.

"There you are!"

The two cotton candies Baekhyun is carefully holding with both hands end up being thrashed on the ground. He is now being hugged by a strong pair of arms without a warning.

"I've been looking for you everywhere! Thank goodness, I found you..."

Speechless and flabbergasted, Baekhyun is in a state of shock as he stands in the middle of the busy street packed with different people. Being enclosed inside Chanyeol's tight embrace, he still can't grasp what's fully happening.

Because amidst the noisy chatter of the crowd and the upbeat music of the amusement park, it is Chanyeol's loud heartbeat he can only hear.

"Where did you run off to anyway? Why did you suddenly disappear without telling me!? You got me worried to death, Byun Baekhyun!"

When it finally dawns on him that Chanyeol is now here and that they've reunited, Baekhyun pulls away. He takes note of the hard expression on his best friend's face. Chanyeol's gaze is filled with a mix of frustration, anger, fear, relief, and something else he's never seen before.

Somehow, this drifts him back to the day when he and Chanyeol stopped talking. He never wished for it to happen again. It's a memory he chooses to forget and erase from his mind.

"Are you... Are you mad?" Baekhyun asks. "No, don't get mad... It's my fault."

Chanyeol is taken aback by what Baekhyun said. He stares at his own hands gripping Baekhyun with extra force. When he lets go, it is Baekhyun who pulls and grabs him again.

"I followed the wrong guy like an idiot. I thought he was you since he was tall. And then I got lost. I didn't mean to wander off by myself."

As Baekhyun rests his forehead against his chest, Chanyeol has to clench his fist and bite his bottom lip so he won't shed another batch of tears. This is so frustrating. Why is he always acting like a fool in front of Baekhyun?

"Sorry, Chanyeol... I shouldn't have left your side. It won't happen again. Let's not fight anymore, please?"

And who told Baekhyun to apologize like this? Hearing him say sorry breaks his heart.

"Silly, why would I... Why would I fight with you, stupid?"

"You look like you were gonna throw a punch anytime. This is the first time I've seen you like this.."

"I was just mad at myself. If there's someone I wanna punch right now, it's gonna be me. I'm the stupid one. My mistake..."

Chanyeol transfers Baekhyun's hand into his own and laces their fingers together. He looks at him sincerely in the eyes.

"Are you okay? You're not hurt anywhere, are you?"

"Nope. I'm fine."

"That's good. Come on, they're waiting for us at the security desk."

He leads the way, pulling his best friend with him as if he were afraid to lose Baekhyun the second time around.

Sparing one last glance at the soiled cotton candies on the ground, Baekhyun can only frown. Damn. I was still gonna eat that.

He allows Chanyeol to take him away as if he were a lost kid who got found by his mother in a grocery store. Peeking at Chanyeol's face, he asks.

"How about you? Are you okay?"

Side-eyeing him, Chanyeol scoffs and continues walking.

"I don't know."

"I wasn't planning to go anywhere. You didn't have to cry like that, you know?"

"I didn't cry."

"Why are your eyes red?"

"It's because of the dust in the wind."

"Why did you raise your voice, then?"

"Because you were being so stubborn, not answering my calls, mindlessly following another dude."

"I-it's not like that..."

"So just because he was tall, you'd come with him?"

"No! It's just... He wore the same shirt as you so I thought-"

"Am I that easy to be mistaken for somebody else? Do I look like just someone to you?"

Speechless, Baekhyun turns quiet, pressing his lips together so he can contain his growing smile.

Oh, no. Why is this guy suddenly acting like an overprotective bodyguard? His brother isn't even like this towards him. Was Chanyeol really that worried?

Noticing Baekhyun's silence, Chanyeol steals a glance, only to see his best friend grinning like a complete idiot.

"W-why are you smiling like that? Are you crazy?"

Baekhyun shrugs, teasing Chanyeol even more.

"No? Hahaha. It's just, you look cute when you're mad."

"I'm not mad."

Flustered, Chanyeol drops Baekhyun's hand and runs ahead fast so he can also hide the redness of his cheeks. The weather's getting pretty hot these days and it's bad for his health.

"Hey, wait for me! Let's go together!"

After begging on his knees, Chanyeol rejoices when Yoora begrudgingly grants his request to keep the incident of Baekhyun getting lost a secret from the adults. She promises not to say a word about it to their grandparents, and most especially, to Baekhyun's Mom.

Aside from it being embarrassing (Chanyeol crying like a baby, Baekhyun mistaking another dude for Chanyeol, Yoora forgetting she had siblings to take care of), what happened was just a mishap nobody of them had seen coming. So, for everyone's peace of mind, they decide to bury that shameful memory and pretend it never existed.

As if the news of Baekhyun suddenly disappearing isn't devastating enough for Chanyeol. What he's going to hear next will definitely shatter him more.

Because as soon as he returns home, his Grandmother receives a phone call from Baekhyun's father in Bucheon, saying it is an emergency.

"Baekhyun's grandma got into an accident this morning."

When it was announced, Chanyeol flings his gaze towards Baekhyun to see his reaction. Baekhyun, without a doubt, is extremely crestfallen and anxious. His face is pale, while his eyes are on the verge of tears.

"W-what happened to my Grandma?" Baekhyun asks, calm yet pained deep inside, "C-can I talk to her, please?"

"Here, sweetie. It's your father on the other line."

Baekhyun gets the telephone being handed to him and speaks in a quiet, shivering voice:

"Hello, Dad?"

Listening to his father explaining what happened, Baekhyun stays composed and held back. According to his father, his grandmother slipped and hurt her back when she was doing her rounds this morning. His Dad says it's not a major injury and there are no broken bones found, but Grandma Byun's condition still needs to be monitored. The elderly insisted not to make this matter a big deal. She said she wanted to be discharged from the hospital right away because she preferred to recover at home.

[Your Grandma wants to see you, son. Will you be able to come home early to take care of her?]

Baekhyun heaves a sigh of relief, wiping the sole tear that escaped his eyes. He nods his head like his father could see him.

"Okay, Dad. I'm coming home..."

[Don't worry about her. She's fine now. Granny says she misses you already.]

"I miss her, too..."

[Your brother will come and pick you up. Send my regards to the Parks for me.]

"Yes, Dad. I will."

[Say goodbye to Chanyeol for now, alright? You're going to see each other at school when summer break ends anyway.]

"Okay. Please tell Grandma to wait for me. Yeah... Bye, Dad."

After hanging up the call, Baekhyun stares at Chanyeol who is equally looking at him with a heavy and sad expression. To give them privacy, the rest of Chanyeol's family leaves the room so they can talk.

"So, when are you leaving?"

Helping Baekhyun pack his things, Chanyeol lends him a suitcase. Folding Baekhyun's clothes from shopping, he puts the souvenirs and snacks they bought in smaller bags.

"I'm leaving this afternoon. Baekbeom hyung's picking me up."

Silence falls between them as nobody speaks after that. Baekhyun is still supposed to have nine days left to spend in Seoul but because of the unforeseen situation, he needs to go back to Bucheon earlier than planned. Both of them feel heartbroken about parting ways but it's not like they can do something except wait.

"Three weeks and five days. Only 26 more days left and we'll be seeing each other again," Baekhyun says.

This is hard for Chanyeol. He has grown overly attached to Baekhyun. Just thinking about being far away from him is giving him separation anxiety. But it's not like they'll stop being friends if they don't see each other anyway. And there's a phone. They can communicate through calling and texting all day.

But still. It's not enough. He doesn't want to be apart from Baekhyun even for a single minute. It's like losing a part of himself. He feels empty and incomplete without Baekhyun by his side.

"Baekhyun! Your brother is here!" Yoora hollers from the door.

An hour of waiting in Chanyeol's room and watching TV feels like a snap of a finger to Baekhyun. Baekbeom is already pulling up in front of the gates of Park Residence. He's driving an old car their Dad used to drive to work.

"Can I use the bathroom? Thanks!"

As Baekbeom takes a visit to the restroom, Baekhyun uses this opportunity to bid farewell to his best friend. The atmosphere between him and Chanyeol is so gloomy that it seems like they are not gonna see each other again.

"Hey, say something..."

His brother is buying them time as Baekbeom chooses to have some cake first, greeting Chanyeol's grandparents in the living room.

"What do you want me to say?" Chanyeol mutters, refusing to look Baekhyun in the eyes. He does the job of putting Baekhyun's suitcase in the trunk. "I don't want you to leave and I can't lie so what am I supposed to say..."

"At least tell me not to skip my meals or something. Don't just stand there like a moping spoiled brat."

That makes Chanyeol burst into a chuckle but his heart feels like being ripped apart. Why is he getting dramatic over something so trivial? This isn't so like him.

"Fine. Call me every day. And don't skip your meals. Or else I'll get mad."

Standing face to face with each other, Chanyeol removes his cap and brushes his hair through his fingers. He then puts the cap backward on Baekhyun's head, a few strands of his bangs sticking out to the hole.

"There. You can keep it."

Thinking of something he can give Chanyeol too, Baekhyun decides to exchange his watch with Chanyeol's cap. Unlatching his watch, he shakes it off his hand and wears it around Chanyeol's wrist. It's a simple black watch his Mom bought for him last Christmas. Now he's giving it to Chanyeol.

"So whenever you look at the time, you'd think of me," Baekhyun laughs. "There. Don't take it off except when you're going to shower. It's not waterproof."

Right now, there's only one thought that brushes Chanyeol's mind as Baekhyun gently holds his wrist like this. It is to touch Baekhyun's face and press a kiss on Baekhyun's cheek.

Wait. What the hell did I just think? Get a hold of yourself, Park Chanyeol! What's wrong with you?

"I really had a great time during my stay here," Baekhyun says, smiling. "Thanks for inviting me to Seoul with you. I had a lot of fun."

"Me, too. See you at school. Don't forget to text me when you get home."

Chanyeol opens the door for him. Baekhyun gets in the car, waving goodbye to his best friend. His brother is already behind the wheel and ready to drive, waiting for him to finish his farewell speech.

"Have a safe trip, Baekhyun. Take care."

"Same goes for you! Bye-bye."

Sending Baekhyun off with a smile on his face is the most difficult part. Holding back his tears, Chanyeol waves at the moving car and cups his hands around his mouth.

"I'm going to miss you!!!"

Baekhyun sticks his head out of the window and does the same. He yells at the top of his lungs:

"Me, too!!! I'm going to miss you, too!!!"

Remembering something he forgot to give Baekhyun, Chanyeol suddenly chases the car like it's a scene from a movie.

"BAEKHYUN!!! WAIT!"

Shocked, Baekhyun's eyes widen upon seeing Chanyeol running after them. He shakes the driver's seat aggressively.

"Hyung, hang on! Pull over!"

"Huh? Why?" Baekbeom asks, catching a glimpse of a boy on the side mirror running as if his life depended on it. "Aren't you two finished talking?"

"Will you just stop the car for a second? Please!"

The car slows down beside the road and eventually halts. Chanyeol stops running and perches his hands on his knees, giving himself a minute to catch his heavy breathing. When he sees the door opening, he walks towards the car and meets Baekhyun inside.

"What is it? Why did you call me?" Baekhyun asks, looking at Chanyeol's disheveled state. Baekbeom, on the other hand, is just watching them from the rear-view mirror. "Did I forget something?"

"Yeah..." Chanyeol, who has now calmed down, grabs his crumpled 1,000 won bills from his pocket and hands them to Baekhyun. "Here. For the cotton candy..."

"Cotton candy?"

"Back in Lotte World, I crushed your cotton candy, didn't I? Go get yourself a new one at home."

Baekhyun stares with his mouth hanging open, looking at Chanyeol in disbelief. He stopped me just because of this?

"Are you for real?"

"Yeah... Sorry about that."

"Pfft. Haha. Give me that. I need the money."

"Here. I got 3,000 won."

"Oh, by the way. Come a little closer. I have to tell you something."

"Huh? What is it?"

Watching those two kids quietly, Baekbeom hides his laugh behind his hand. Oh, to be young and innocent.

The smile on his face instantly wears off though, his eyes turning big like golf balls, witnessing a scene he's not expecting to see in the backseat.

Wait, what are they up to!?

Snapping his head back, he catches his little brother and that Chanyeol guy with their faces dangerously close to each other. It was like they were doing something remotely inappropriate.

Or is he just imagining things?

Either way, it's dark in the backseat so he can't make out properly what's happening. He only catches the part of Baekhyun having his hands around Chanyeol's neck, pulling him close.

"Hey! What the hell are you two doing!?"

Chanyeol jolts and pulls away fast, his head almost bumping against the roof of the car. He bows at Baekbeom as a greeting, hiding his flustered and blushing state.

"You! Go home already!"

Like his butt is set on fire, Chanyeol runs away at the speed of light, not even having the audacity to look back.

"Why are you so rude to Chanyeol?" Baekhyun frowns, glaring at Baekbeom in the driver's seat. "You could've talked to him nicely. He's my best friend!"

"Best friend? For pete's sake, Baekhyun! Best friends don't kiss each other, you little shit!"

"What?"

"And he's a guy! You can't just casually kiss a guy! Especially in front of your brother! Are you even thinking?"

"Who said I kissed him? I just fixed his hair. What's wrong with you?"

A thick, awkward pause arises. Although it's bothering him, Baekbeom brushes the matter off, starts the engine, and continues to drive.

"Oh. Is that so."

"Your eyesight's getting worse. I'm telling Mom you need to wear glasses."

"Shut up."

"If you yell at Chanyeol again, I'm not gonna let it slide next time!"

"Don't stick to that dude too much, bud. I don't like how that punk looks at you. He's got some possessive aura in him."

Rolling his eyes, Baekhyun folds his arms across his chest. Why is his brother unreasonably overreacting?

"Hyung. You're the possessive one."

"No, like for real. I sense something different about that Park Chanyeol kid."

"Aren't you being like that because you're jealous? He's way more good-looking than you, right?"

"Oh, please. That guy's just tall. He's not even that handsome."

Upon arriving home after sending Baekhyun off, Chanyeol rushes straight to his room and ignores everybody else. He jumps into the bed, hugging a pillow, and holding his face where the warmth of Baekhyun's hot touch still lingers.

It replays in his mind so vividly, the way Baekhyun leaned forward and kissed his cheek ever so gently.

Thank you, Baekhyun said, before smiling at him and running his fingers through his hair. Baekbeom was just right there sitting in the driver's seat while all that happened. Baekhyun didn't even bat an eyelash when he gave him a peck on the cheek. How could Baekhyun be this risky? Doesn't he care about things like privacy? Or is he just a naturally clingy person?

Ah, shit... What should I do? My heart won't stop beating so fast... This is crazy...

Staring at the ceiling, Chanyeol deeply exhales, feeling conflicted and strange all over.

"Byun Baekhyun... What the fuck have you done to me?"

His mind is racing, filled with confusing thoughts and overwhelming emotions that are very new to him. He still has 26 days to figure this out, and hopefully, by the end of summer break, he can sort out these puzzling feelings. So that he can look at Baekhyun with clear intentions; So that he can genuinely stay by his side as Baekhyun's best friend.

*

Three weeks have passed uneventfully.

Summer fades into autumn, bringing a pleasant and cool weather with decreasing humidity. It's the start of the second semester in the month of September. The school welcomes back students who have drastically changed over the break. Some got a haircut and some had their braces removed. Some started dating as well. Meanwhile, others were hit by puberty hard, gifting them a sudden growth spurt.

And Baekhyun is not an exception.

It's Jongdae who notices it first when he meets his friend at the shoe lockers. He thought it was a different person not until Baekhyun closed his locker and wore his indoor shoes. He was taller by half an inch than Baekhyun before, how come this guy is taller than him now?

Jongdae is about to compliment him when three dudes appear out of nowhere, slinging their arms over Baekhyun's shoulder.

"Yo, Byun Baekhyun! Did you take vitamins all summer break?" Kibum exclaims. "You grew taller!"

"What's with your undercut hair? You're trying to be cool now?" Taemin asks. "Suits you, though. You went from pretty to handsome."

"Hey, don't touch my hair!

Minho laughs and ruffles Baekhyun's nicely trimmed hair, annoying the shit out of him. Jongdae chuckles, shaking his head. He stands close to Baekhyun and compares their heights.

"No, like for real. I'm shorter than Baekhyun now. This is insane."

"Guys, this is still me. I just grew an inch," Baekhyun shrugs.

"Way to go! You're not the shortest in your class anymore," Minho says.

Baekhyun smirks, feeling giddy hearing his friend's flattery. He didn't do anything special this past three weeks, though. But drinking milk before bedtime and exercising in the morning surely did the trick.

"Heh. I can reach the top of Chanyeol's head now."

"No, you can't."

At the mention of his name, Chanyeol pops out in the middle of the conversation and towers over his pals.

"What? You also grew taller!?" Everybody gasps, wide-eyed, staring at the giant behind them. "And you've got yourself a tan!"

"I helped out in my Grandparents' garden and I swam a lot. Probably that's why I got burnt under the sun. Hope my color goes back to normal in a few days."

"Looks good on you though," Baekhyun says, "You're sun-kissed."

Hearing the word kissed, Chanyeol immediately shuts up.

"Woah. Who are these new people?" Jinki, who's passing in the hallway, greets his bickering comrades. "Nice to see you again, guys."

Baekhyun approaches his best friend, elbowing him. This isn't the first time they've seen each other since the day they parted ways three weeks ago. They actually met up yesterday when Chanyeol just got back from Seoul, and Baekhyun's reaction upon seeing his favorite buddy was far more exaggerated than his friends.

Chanyeol was the same too, as he wouldn't stop talking about how Baekhyun had a growth spurt. Baekhyun teased him back for having an uneven skin tone. Chanyeol didn't take off the watch Baekhyun gave him so the skin around his wrist is the only area that is pale. It's like an instant bracelet.

"Are you Mount. Everest or something?" Baekhyun comments, looking at Chanyeol from head to toe, "What's the point of me growing taller if you also grew taller? This is literally unfair. It's like nothing has changed..."

"If I only could stop growing, I had done it already. And what do you mean nothing has changed? Look at my tan marks."

"Appearance-wise, something has changed. But between us, nothing has changed, right?"

Chanyeol senses a twinge in his heart.

"Right..."

"Let's go to class! First period's starting. See you at lunch."

"Okay. See you."

No, Baekhyun. I'm not the same anymore.

Chanyeol can no longer deny it.

It's all clear to him now. What he feels for Baekhyun is different and not normal. After being apart from him for a while, he realizes that the confusing emotions he is harboring towards his best friend are not conventional. It's not something you feel about your ordinary close friends. This unexplainable attraction brings a deeper connection that can't be defined by casual brotherhood.

Sure, Baekhyun has always been special to him. He holds a special place in his heart. But after piecing things together, Chanyeol unlocks a definite answer to his questions about his sexuality.

He likes Baekhyun. He likes him not just as a friend but more than that. His feelings for Baekhyun go beyond friendship, and it's not just simple admiration.

It's a romantic affection, the reason for the sense of completeness whenever they're together. It's the reason for the fluttering of his heart and the warming of his face every time he holds Baekhyun's hand. It's the reason for his happiness seeing Baekhyun's smile. It's the reason for his excitement thinking of spending the next day with him. It's the reason for his nonstop thoughts about Baekhyun, wondering what he's doing and missing him every second. It's the reason for his desire to have worthwhile and meaningless conversations with him.

Honestly, they don't even have to talk. He could just sit in comfortable silence with Baekhyun and it would already make his day so much better.

So for now, he'll call it a crush. Yes, he has a crush on his best friend. He has a crush on Baekhyun even though he's a guy. He has a crush on Baekhyun regardless of his gender.

As he replays all the fun moments they shared in Seoul, he admits that this realization scares him. What he'll become after this frightens him. It's too early to tell, but if he were to be bisexual or gay, he wishes he could be ready to embrace it in the future. The self-discovery and acceptance he's going to experience along the way, he hopes to have the courage to overcome it.

But for now, one thing's for sure. What he feels for Baekhyun is genuine and pure. He cherishes their friendship a lot, so to maintain the bond that they have, he'll keep his feelings a secret for as long as it takes. That way, he can stay by Baekhyun's side without regrets. That way, he can relish the beauty of their connection even though it's unrequited.

It may be a relief to finally acknowledge the unspoken truth about what he feels. But he swears not to risk their friendship over his greed, locking away even the slightest desire of confessing and making his feelings obvious. He needs to hold his emotions in check. He must constantly remind himself that he is Baekhyun's best friend, and Baekhyun sees him that way.

After all, this is for Baekhyun's sake. Chanyeol doesn't want to break Baekhyun's trust. It's the most precious thing in this world he wants to protect.

"Alright, class. Settle down. I have something to announce."

The homeroom teacher tapping on the desk has Chanyeol focusing back on the present. They've just changed their seating assignments and nominated a new class representative, and guess who it is. Yes, it's him. He's now Class 2's new leader, thanks to his classmates who voted for him. This is for the better. Since he has more responsibilities to do from now on, he can take his mind off thinking about Baekhyun too much before he falls for him even harder.

(He's wrong though, because what he'll hear next will definitely make it impossible.)

"Apparently, your classmates Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun have transferred schools because of their parents' jobs. That leaves us two extra seats in the back. Chanyeol, kindly move the chairs to the front. Someone will occupy them."

"Yes, Sir."

Different reactions arise from the class. Some are shocked while others are curious. Chanyeol's expression remains neutral, not until a familiar presence walks into his peripheral vision. Springing up to see who it is, he stands there in utter surprise, his face numb and eyes wide.

This can't be real.

"To even out the number of students in our class, two new classmates will be joining us from now on. Come in and Introduce yourselves."

Chanyeol feels like his surroundings turning mute and blurry the moment Byun Baekhyun meets eye contact with him. Breathless and disoriented, he needs ample time to recover from this unexpected revelation.

"Nice to meet you, everyone. My name is Baekhyun and I'm from Class 7. I volunteered be to your new classmate for this school year. Hope we get along well," Baekhyun says to the class, bowing in front of the teacher. When he marches over to his new seat, he lively greets Jinki, Minho, and Kibum with a big wave.

Looking at his best friend in the back whose face is oddly unresponsive, Baekhyun frowns and glares at him. He gets his phone and secretly texts under his desk, writing in pure capslock.

HEY! SNAP OUT OF IT! WE'RE CLASSMATES NOW! AREN'T YOU HAPPY TO SEE ME?

Reading the text seems to break the spell for Chanyeol as the colors in his eyes return. Having a delayed reaction, he is smiling so wide that his cheeks are starting to hurt. He feels like tears of joy are streaming down his face.

Oh, my god.... You're in my class...!

Yup. I did this for us, you know? So that we can always see each other. This is how much I wanna be with you.

You wanna be with me...?

Yeah, I wanna be with you!

Over the clouds, Chanyeol's thumb automatically types exclamation marks and sends them to Baekhyun.

!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?!?

Hehe. We'll be together for the rest of the school year! Isn't that great!?

Chanyeol stands up in the middle of the class, does a fistbump in the air, and screams:

"YEESSS!!!"

Everybody turns to look at him in surprise. The teacher shoots him an eyebrow raise.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Embarrassed, Chanyeol silently goes back to sitting. He can hear his group of friends at the back, obnoxiously cackling at him. Baekhyun, on the other hand, is giggling behind the book he is fake-reading.

The school's rooftop is their hang-out spot for lunch today. Some are having home-cooked meals while the rest are having food they bought from the cafeteria. Everyone takes turns talking about their summer vacation experience, sharing the fun and exciting moments they had during the past break.

Laughter fills the atmosphere while the boys joke and goof around, and Baekhyun, being the center of the group, always has his way of setting the mood for everybody. His presence brightens up the entire room. He is effortless when it comes to telling stories. Everything he says sounds funny and entertaining.

"Look at him... He's still dazed and out of it," Taemin says.

"He's been like that since Homeroom," Jinki says. "What a weirdo."

"He must be so happy that he's classmates with his wife now," Jongdae says.

"Hey. Park Chanyeol, are you still with us?" Kibum asks.

In the middle of the noisy chatter of his friends, here Chanyeol is, zoning out with a dumb smile across his stupid face. He has his cheek resting on Baekhyun's shoulder, using Baekhyun as his personal human pillow. Their friends got used to the sight of them acting like a married couple now so no one's commenting anymore how Chanyeol is literally hogging Baekhyun all to himself.

"Earth to Chanyeol?" Minho says, snapping his fingers at the taller's face. "Are you awake?"

"Dude, they're talking to you," Baekhyun mutters, nudging his best friend and putting his arm over Chanyeol's shoulder. Unresponsive, Chanyeol just hums and grabs a piece of breadstick so he can munch on it.

"Anyway, don't mind this guy. He probably just lacks sleep. Where were we again... Oh, right! Tell me about your band! How did it go?"

The way Baekhyun speaks with that soothing voice makes Chanyeol calm and sleepy. Not to mention Baekhyun's arm resting on his shoulder as they sit side by side. He feels safe and protected like a baby.

If only he and Baekhyun could stay like this forever. If only there were just the two of them right now together.

"Baekhyun, feed me some kimbap."

"You want the kimchi or the spam?"

"You."

"What?"

"I mean, you? Whatever you pick is fine."

This is day one of Chanyeol hiding his crush on his best friend. May he endure the next following days, months, or years to come. Hang in there, Park Chanyeol. It's gonna be all right.

Hopefully.

*****

Present, 2022

(30)

"Can't you stay for a bit longer, son?"

"Dad, as much as I wanted to, I have to return to Seoul after the weekend."

"Okay, then. Seems like it can't be helped. When are you coming back here?"

"I can't really tell for now. But I'll try my best to visit you guys on Chuseok."

"You have to come home on Chuseok, sweetie. Spend time with your family as often as you can while you're still not married. It'll be hard to see your face once you've already tied the knot."

"Mom... Not the marriage talk again."

"I'm just saying, honey. I'm not saying it has to be now."

The living room of the Byun household radiates a sullen and gloomy atmosphere as the youngest son of the family bids farewell to his parents. Outside, Chanyeol is helping Baekhyun's Dad to load their stuff in the trunk. There's a lot of seafood and side dishes Grandma Byun wants them to take home. She said to refrigerate them immediately once they arrived in Seoul.

Siwoo, Baekhyun's adorable nephew, hugs Baekhyun's waist as he refuses to let go of the favorite adult he rarely sees. He only sees him on special occasions and holidays, or when there's an emergency at home. His Uncle Baekhyun was not even there when he celebrated his 8th birthday.

"Uncle Baekhyunnie, can't you just take me with you? I promise I'll be a good boy!"

Looking at Siwoo reminds Baekhyun of his youth, specifically that day when he begged his Mom to go to Seoul for the first time. He swore he looked like this, too.

Laughing, he pinches the child's nose.

"If you come with me, who'll take care of your baby sister now? You have to look after Seoyul, right? You're already a big brother."

Siwoo's response is just a teary-eyed frown, nodding his head. When he sees his Uncle Chanyeol passing behind him, he clings to the man's arm instead, asking the same question if he could come with them to Seoul. To mess around with Siwoo and brighten up his mood, Chanyeol carries the boy over his shoulder and swings him around, pretending to throw him in the air.

"Weee! You like that?"

"Ahhhh! Put me down, Uncle! I'm too old for this!"

Baekhyun momentarily smiles at their cute interaction before remembering that two of his family members are missing. They're not here to send him off.

"Where's Grandma, noona?" He asks his sister-in-law, Seohee, looking into the kitchen just in case Grandma is in there baking cookies.

"As usual. Grandma's moping in her room. She doesn't wanna see you leave," Baekbeom's wife says with a sad smile, carrying the baby in her arms. "Can you check on her? She hasn't come out in a while."

"Okay."

Three gentle knocks on the door, and Baekhyun is already letting himself in quietly. The view of his sulking grandmother's hunched back is what greets him the moment he enters the room. Somehow, it shatters his heart when his grandmother gives him the cold shoulder like this. She has this habit of treating him coldly so it won't hurt as much when he already left.

"Grandma? Chanyeol and I are leaving in a few. I just wanna say goodbye."

Grandma Byun doesn't spare her grandson a single glance, her gaze focused on the wide balcony of her room. Even though they're not facing each other, Baekhyun can already imagine the sad expression on her kind face.

"Go ahead. You guys can leave. Have a safe trip."

"Aren't you going to kiss me before I leave?"

"...."

"I'm going to miss you, Granny..."

At the mention of that, Grandma Byun isn't able to hold back anymore. Her small shoulders trembling, she finally turns around and cries, tears falling on her cheeks. Spreading her arms, he allows Baekhyun to place himself inside her embrace.

"Goodness, gracious... My baby..."

"If you cry like that, I won't be able to leave easily."

"Then you should visit us more often, at least for this old woman's sake."

"Mm-hm. I'll do that."

"Bring along Chanyeol, too."

"Sure. And then we'll flirt in front of you."

"Dear, I don't think I'm ready yet for that kind of behavior."

"We're normal, though. What you see is what you get."

Their eyes twinkling with love, both of them share a hearty laugh. Grandma Byun presses a soft kiss on Baekhyun's forehead.

"Come home once a month, son. That'll make me so much happier already."

"I can't promise anything but I'll make it work."

"Oh! Then, how about I visit you instead? Was the last time I went to your apartment three years ago?"

"At your age? You? Going to Seoul all by yourself? No way!"

Grandma Byun slaps Baekhyun on the shoulder.

"You brat! Are you hiding something? Why won't you let me see your place? Don't tell me you two are cohabiting already?"

"W-we're not!"

Heat creeps up on Baekhyun's face at his grandmother's bold accusation.

"Then when are you planning to do it? Move in together?"

We haven't even had our first sex yet, Baekhyun tells his mind. Isn't Grandma being way too fast?

"Probably soon, but not now. We still haven't talked about that matter yet."

"Okay. But take buying a house into consideration in the future, alright? If you need cash, just tell me. I have plenty."

"Yes, Grandma."

"And if Chanyeol can't provide for you, break up with him immediately."

"He can provide for this whole neighborhood, I'm telling you."

"It's nice to have a rich lover, then. Reminds me of your Grandpa back in the day. He used to spoil me a lot like a princess. Psh. That bastard. If only he didn't have such weak lungs. He could've been here until now."

"Don't worry. This grandson of yours is getting his princess treatment, too~"

Massaging his grandmother's shoulders so he can flatter his way out before saying goodbye, Baekhyun engages in a few more stories about his Grandpa. He knows this puts his grandmother in a good mood.

Chanyeol comes knocking outside the room moments later, and he's also joining Baekhyun in sitting on the floor in front of Grandma Byun. The elder doesn't have to say anything else; She only needs to hold both of his grandsons' hands while lovingly looking into their hopeful eyes to give her blessing.

"Be happy."

Those two words almost result Chanyeol in shedding a tear if not only for his self-control. He presses Grandma Byun's warm and wrinkly palm against his cheek, and Baekhyun feels his heart melting at the affectionate gesture.

"Look after our Baekhyun for me, Chanyeol. I'm entrusting my grandson to you."

"Yes, Grandma."

Baekhyun leads the bow on the floor. When his grandmother raises her hand, it's a sign for him and Chanyeol to rise and take their leave respectfully. Carrying a heavy heart, Baekhyun stops himself from sparing one last look at the house where he grew up. Doing so will only make it harder to hold back his tears.

They proceed to the car; Baekhyun drives calmly while Chanyeol sits on the passenger side, setting off on their journey to Seoul back to their normal lives.

"I didn't see your brother this morning. We haven't said goodbye to him yet," Chanyeol says, breaking the comfortable silence. "Where did he go?"

"Hyung's already at work so we're gonna drop by to see him on his lunch break. Is that okay?"

"Sure. He's working as an instructor at a taekwondo gym, right?"

"Yeah. So if you dare mess around, he'll just have to kick you in the face."

"That'll never happen!"

Baekbeom's workplace is located on the topmost floor of a sports building in Bucheon. Driving to the parking lot, Baekhyun tells his brother that he and Chanyeol will wait for him to finish so that the three of them can have lunch together.

"Let's wait for his reply. He's probably still in the middle of a sparring session."

"Your relationship with your brother... How was it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I know you're on good terms. But do you guys always talk?"

Chanyeol's question makes Baekhyun pause and think.

"Hmm. Sometimes, we talk. Sometimes, we don't."

"Yeah?"

"You know how we are. When we were younger, we used to bicker a lot. But it wasn't anything serious. Since we're both guys and we kinda have the same temper, he always annoyed the shit out of me. But that's about it. He's a cool brother and I like him better now that we're adults."

"Uh-huh, I can see that."

"If you're asking if I tell him everything like how you do to your sister? No, I don't. It feels awkward when it gets serious between us. I can't remember a time when we actually sat down and talked about anything deep... It just feels weird! We're close, but we're not that close. I don't know if you get me. But, yeah."

"I see. Yeah, I got you."

"Why're you asking suddenly?"

"Nothing! Just curious."

Chanyeol shrugs, smiling tight-lipped. As they bask in this moment alone inside the parked car together, Baekhyun reaches for Chanyeol's hand. He plays with his boyfriend's fingers on top of his lap as he admires their new couple rings.

"Baby, serious question. Does my brother scare you?"

"He always scares me."

"Like, seriously?"

Chanyeol doesn't need to be asked twice when he nods his head furiously.

"Your brother knew all along..."

"What did he know?"

"He knew I had feelings for you ever since."

"And?"

"And it seems impossible that he won't suspect something's going on between us already. Especially now that you brought me home for your Grandma's birthday. We even slept in the same room. He wouldn't stop giving me the stinky eye."

"Are you worried he's gonna tell our parents?"

"Nope. I'm worried he's gonna tell you to break up with me."

"He won't do that. I think..."

"Your whole family likes me as your best friend. They already treat me like I'm one of their own. But if they found out I'm your lover, it's gonna be a different story. Same goes with Baekbeom hyung. How do you think is he gonna react if he finds out we're dating?"

Baekhyun shakes his head, rubbing his temples. Just thinking about Baekbeom's rage when he tells him he's in a relationship with a man is enough to make him pass out.

"Ahh... I don't know. My head hurts. I can't imagine!"

"W-what if he kicks me in the face for real?"

"Then kick him back. I'm giving you my permission. Can you beat him on a fist fight?"

"Dude, are you serious? I can't hit a family member!"

Meanwhile, said family member is riding down the elevator. He checks his phone for the last time, reading Baekhyun's text that they've just arrived. Chanyeol said he'd buy them lunch so who is he to decline a free meal?

Walking into the parking lot, Baekbeom sees his younger brother's car right away. That gorgeous black Porche stands out among the normal-looking cars parked in parallel. Being the only person around, he is about to raise his voice and greet his sibling when something stops him from doing so.

It's the vibe inside the car.

From the angle where he is standing several feet away from the elevator, Baekhyun's view in the driver's seat is visible. Facing the passenger's seat which is, of course, occupied by someone, Baekhyun has his one hand on the steering wheel. His other hand rests on the chair as he leans intimately close to the person he's having a conversation with.

Baekhyun is not doing anything in particular. He's just talking, smiling, nodding, and laughing, but his gaze speaks thousands of words. His eyes carry emotions so passionate and warm, heavy with love and affection.

It feels like de javu. Baekbeom has already seen this look before, a look full of admiration, tenderness, and sincerity. This is how he looks at his wife. This is how his Grandma looked at his Grandpa. This is how their parents look at each other.

And this is how Park Chanyeol looks at his brother.

And now, Baekhyun has this gaze in him too, as if he was Chanyeol himself personified.

If only Baekbeom didn't know who Baekhyun was with in that car, he would think it was his girlfriend he's so in love with. But it's not some woman. It's Park Chanyeol, his little brother's guy best friend.

The silent vibration of his phone startles him. Hyung, where are you? It's been five minutes. Are you still busy?

Still in his hiding spot, Baekbeom witnesses the way Chanyeol's head blocks the view. He seems to be whispering something to Baekhyun that makes the other blush and chuckle.

If the sight of them sitting with zero personal space isn't already suspicious enough. Now Baekbeom still has to see a sight that will surely give it away? Because as soon as he decides to finally reveal himself and get this over with so he can stop this uneasiness and pointless suspicion, Baekhyun needs to do something that will blow his mind.

He presses a kiss on Chanyeol's cheek.

Nah. It couldn't be that bad. Maybe they're just messing around---

And then Chanyeol kisses him back.

On the lips. Passionately.

Yo, what the fuck!? What are these two doing?

Baekbeom clamps his mouth, dumbfounded by what he is seeing. The lights arent playing tricks on his eyes, right? Right?

Are they actually making out?

No. But more importantly. Are the two of them dating? They're boyfriends? Romantically? How? When? Why!?

What the hell is happening???

Is Baekhyun gay now?

"T-this is crazy..."

Baekbeom knows Chanyeol is into dudes. He also knows Chanyeol has had a thing for Baekhyun in the beginning. But the fact that Baekhyun, his precious little brother, also feels the same way is a bit...

He doesn't know what to feel about this. Though he might have an inkling that it could be the case, everything is still shocking. He has nothing against same-sex couples but when it's already his brother involved, he can't just easily accept this truth. Especially if it's with Park Chanyeol. Regardless of their gender, why Chanyeol?

Along the lines of being like Chanyeol's real-life brother through the years, Baekbeom may have rooted for Chanyeol and supported him. But being faced with the real thing, he realizes he's not ready for this yet. He has no idea how to react. He thought he'd be more welcoming. But all he wants to do right now is ask Baekhyun why?

Is this simply curiosity? Or have you realized you were attracted to men, too? Did Chanyeol influence you? Or is this what truly makes you happy?

Are you going to be fine with your same-sex relationship? Will you tell me, your big brother, so I can understand what's going on?

With trembling fingers, he calls Baekhyun's phone, marching over to the crime scene. The heated moment inside the car is interrupted when Baekhyun picks up. Chanyeol seems disoriented. He's panicking all over.

[H-hello, hyung? What took you so long? Are you on your way here now?]

"You..."

Baekbeom exhales. He rubs his forehead and deeply sighs. He stops walking and turns around.

No. He can't confront them like this.

"I'm... I'm heading to the lobby. Let's just meet there so we can go to the restaurant together."

[Oh. I thought we were meeting in the parking lot.]

"Want me to go there?"

[No! Don't... You don't have to. We'll just go to you.]

"Okay. See you in a bit."

Going back inside the elevator like nothing happened, Baekbeom sighs and shoves his face into his palms.

"What am I even doing... How am I gonna face those two?"

Lunch is awfully quiet and unbearably awkward. Strangely enough, grilling the meat calms Baekbeom after what he witnessed. It gives him a clear head to think, yet it doesn't help the tension building up in the air any less uncomfortable. The "couple" seems to be walking on eggshells around him. They're just quietly stuffing their face with food for merely an hour now.

"If you're going to say something, just say it."

Chanyeol flinches, yet he musters enough courage to ask. Baekhyun simply doesn't wanna talk.

"Are you... Are you mad about something, Baekbeom hyung?"

"Why wouldn't I be mad!? HUH!? I just found out that you two are...!"

The image of two innocent puppies blinking at him is what greeted Baekbeom when he raised his head. You can't be serious. You were just making out in the car a while ago!

Besides, what are those matching rings you guys are wearing right now? Are those engagement rings already!?

"What did you find out?" Baekhyun asks.

After all, Baekbeom can't bring himself to say it out loud. His brother's personal life is already out of his bounds. Baekhyun is a grown-up, and whether he likes guys now is not his concern anymore. Whether Baekhyun fell in love with his best friend of over a decade is not something he should stick his nose into.

Maybe this is for the better. He'll just wait for Baekhyun to confess it himself. If he wants to, that is.

"I found out you two sneaking out my scooter the other night. It was parked the other way around," Baekbeom says. "And the helmets. Two helmets were missing from the garage. You didn't even bother putting them back."

Baekhyun's face pales. Wait. He didn't see what happened in the riverbank, right?

"I just found out about it this morning," Baekbeom adds so Baekhyun can relax, "So no, I didn't follow you guys."

"It's not like I was gonna ask you if you followed us or not," Baekhyun mutters.

"Did you two get high and you didn't want our family to find out?" Baekbeom asks.

"Of course, not!" Chanyeol exclaims. "We just..." And then he exchanges meaningful stares with Baekhyun beside him. "We just went out to get some fresh air. That's all."

Sure. If kissing on the riverbank and reading a love letter meant getting some fresh air, we surely did that, Baekhyun tells his mind, feeling guilty about something he's not supposed to feel guilty about. But it's Baekbeom he's talking about here. His brother always gives the stinky eye. Because Chanyeol is right, it even gets stronger this time. They're already leaving Bucheon so the least he wants is for his brother to have some negative feelings about them.

"I'm sorry, hyung. I should've told you."

Baekbeom tightens his hold on his chopsticks.

"About the scooter... You must be mad," Baekhyun says.

Gazing at him softly, a gentle expression flashes the older's face.

"No. It's just a scooter. I just wish you'd tell me things more."

Chanyeol feels like the whiff of air has suddenly changed. To give them privacy, he quickly finishes his pieces of meat and immediately excuses himself to the bathroom.

"I mean... If you wanna open up... You can just do so," Baekbeom says carefully, "So I hope, if ever... Just in case, you find your happiness someday, I wish to be a part of it, too. I'm your brother after all."

"This is not about the scooter."

"Yeah."

Ah, what is this...

Baekhyun feels like he's gonna choke on his food, his chest going numb. His throat is closing up and his mouth is running dry.

His brother. He definitely knows about him and Chanyeol.

Clenching his fists on top of the table as he avoids his brother's heavy stare, Baekhyun doesn't realize him spilling out these words. They're coming out of his own accord.

"Hyung."

"Yeah?"

"That guy who left just now."

Baekbeom waits with bated breath.

"I love him."

Silence falls between them. The sound of chattering in the background, the noise of clanking utensils, and the crackle of grilling meat all become louder.

"He means the world to me."

When Chanyeol returns from his business in the bathroom, he doesn't see the brothers eating anymore. The table is all cleared and Baekbeom is transacting with the cashier, paying for their meal. Baekhyun is outside the restaurant and poking his mouth with a toothpick.

But I said I was gonna pay for it, Chanyeol whispers to the older which Baekbeom disregards. He slaps his future brother-in-law in the back. Hard.

"Nah, I got this. It's fine."

Chanyeol feels chills running down his spine. That slap was a personal one. His backbone just cracked.

Their final greeting is just brief and simple since Baekbeom doesn't wanna make this all too dramatic. He says the basics, reminding Baekhyun to call more often and to take care of his health. Sending the two off, he waves goodbye to their car, watching it disappear on the streets.

When there's no trace of them anymore, he shakily gets his phone and calls his wife. A grown-ass, macho man like him is on the verge of crying.

[Hello, hun? Are you done with your work?]

"Honey... Sniffle. Come pick me up, I don't think I can make it home by myself... Sob."

[What, what happened to you!?]

"I need a drink... A strong one."

Chanyeol volunteers to be the designated driver as he senses Baekhyun's mood turning lukewarm after their lunch with Baekbeom. What could've they talked about to make Baekhyun space out on the window and fall quiet like this?

He pats Baekhyun on the thigh, squeezing his boyfriend's knee comfortingly.

"You alright, babe? Want me to turn on the music?"

"It's okay. I'm just a little sleepy..."

"Let's get coffee when we see a drive-thru."

"Yeah. I want something strong."

Seems like the weather today is also being affected by Baekhyun's mood, because once they leave the city proper, clouds start to darken, and in no time, it's already raining. It's quite a fast downpour. The weather app didn't say any signs of storm but it's good to take measures. They can't continue driving like this.

"I think we need to take shelter first. Looks like this rain isn't stopping anytime soon," Chanyeol says amidst the loud sound of rain. When they reach the intersection, he slows down driving and looks around for a place where they can temporarily park. "Oh. There's a cafe nearby."

"Yeah, but it's closed," Baekhyun says, helping Chanyeol find shelter. A gasoline station, a supermarket, or a restaurant. Anywhere's fine as long as they don't have to waddle under the pouring rain. "I wonder if it's also raining in Seoul..."

The traffic signal turns red so they stop on the crossroad for a bit. While waiting for the green light, both their eyes catch a glimpse of a bright neon retro sign on the billboard.

It's a drive-in motel.

Staring at each other, they share a long, deafening pause, before Chanyeol brings himself to ask:

"Do you... Do you wanna check in for a while?"

To be continued

(Updates every 10th, 20th, and 30th of the month!)