A/N: Advance Happy New Year! 🎉🎊

The moment I've opened the gigantic gate of our mansion, Baekhyun's back figure is what welcomed me. Aside from that I'm not expecting him this early morning, he was holding two lunch boxes on each of his hands. Maybe he's still not yet aware that I was already standing behind him so he's not yet turning around. It's weird because the sun hasn't risen fully and he can see that my shadow's towering his. Immediately taking my phone from my side pocket, I quickly took a picture of our shadows and smiled at how our height differences looked so good.

"Done already?" I almost lost hold of my phone when Baekhyun turned around, his smile was as radiant as the rising sun. "You took a photo of our shadows. May I?" I nodded and absentmindedly handed him my phone. "Wow. I think you have a future in Digital World. What do you think?"

Scratching the back of my nape, I shook my head. Because that was the best photo I have captured in my entire life. My friends know how I suck at taking pictures that's why they never let me handle their phones for picture takings. "Why are you here? Not like I don't like seeing your here but gets? I didn't expected it."

"Me too," this is the time that I realized that his eyes were sad. "Can we eat breakfast together?" And he's not wearing our uniform but instead, he's on his casual attire today.

"Okay. Come in," I gave way but he didn't made a move. "Baek?" I called.

Baekhyun pointed at the green grassy field near our mansion. In the village we were living, there's a huge grass field wherein people will just relax during their free times. I never tried spending my time over there because first and foremost, I don't have free time and I don't like spending my time on a public place surrounded with strangers. "Can we eat these over there?"

I was left with no choice but to nod and follow him. It's still early so I guess spending breakfast here with him won't be a burden and if we will forget about the time, I'm willing to ditch the day for him. I kinda feel something's bothering Baekhyun that's why he's here. "Give me the blanket, I'll be the one spreading it," Baekhyun nodded and did what I told him.

After settling our mini-picnic during the morning, we both sat facing each other. He was sitting on the north part of the blanket while I sat on the counterpart of it which is the south part. Baekhyun started spreading the lunch boxes out and my eyes watered as I saw my favorite food. "Do you like it? I heard from Suho hyung that you like this so I prepared it for you."

"I do!" I smiled at him. I already lost count how many times did I ate Beef Bulgogi in my entire life. Mom will always scold me together with my nanny the moment she heard that I ate Beef Bulgogi. She's vegetarian and she monitors my weight 24/7. "But what's with the uncalled breakfast? And why aren't you wearing our school uniform?"

"Can I answer your questions after we eat?" There it is. His forced smile. He's wearing his forced smile whenever's something's making him feel so uneasy. One thing I've learned upon watching him from afar for years.

"Of course," I wanted to hold his hands for him to remember that I'm always here for him but I guess I can't do the things I wanted to do in a fast way. I have to wait until Baekhyun fully adjusted having someone like me on his life. "Wow! This tastes so good!"

Baekhyun blushed and looked away from me. "Stop blabbing around. Its taste is just the same with the ones being sold at food parks. It doesn't contain special ingredients so that Bulgogi was just the same from those cheap ones," he monologued and I willingly poured the freshly squeezed Lemon Juice on his glass.

"Nah. This tastes different from the others because you've made it with love," I resorted on winking because what I have said made the atmosphere awkward. "Ah. Forget what I have said. Gosh. I hate my mouth sometimes."

Baekhyun chuckled and that caught my attention. "That's the secret recipe I have, Yeol. I'm cooking with all my heart."

Laughing nervously, the juice that has been recently poured on my glass was done in one gulp. Phew. I thought I made it awkward. "Touché."

"You can cook?" Baekhyun asked in surprise, freeing his lunch box on the blanket while eyes were looking at me with so much enthusiasm. "Really?"

"I can but not like you do. I can fry only but not cook main dishes like this so I think it's not something you have to be amused of."

"But still! You live inside a huge mansion but you know how to cook simple foods! That's nice!" Baekhyun even clapped his hands and that caught the attention of the couple near us. I bowed to them but Baekhyun kept on doing it so I held his hands and motioned him to stop because the couple near us were eyeing us like we're some weirdos. "So sorry for exaggerating."

"It's fine, I don't mind it," seeing Baekhyun's free spirit side like this makes my heart flutter. Never did I really expected that I will be friends with him. And look at us now? We're on the part of our friendship that we'll share and eat breakfast together. Aigoo. It's making me blush.

"You're blushing," Baekhyun stated, his smug grin didn't helped at all. "Why? Care to share?"

"Ah. It's nothing. Maybe because the sun is already rising and my skin is sensitive to sunlight," I explained but the latter one is a fact. I don't know but whenever sunlight hits my skin, it's automatically getting itchy and all so I really hate it.

"Chanyeol. . ." Baekhyun stopped from eating and his serious face was now flustered in front of me. "I'm really thankful of the helps you have offered to me lately. Believe me when I say that I really appreciate 1A's warm welcome for me specially Suho hyung, Xiumin hyung, Chen, Kai, and Kyungsoo, even Luhan hyung. I appreciate it wholeheartedly. But I have a bad news to deliver for you."

"What is that?"

"I have to stop schooling for the meantime and work for my family," I was shocked when tears started brimming on his eyes so I was quick to give him my handkerchief which he gladly took. "Mom. . . She's diagnosed with breast cancer. We just happened to know when it's already critical and our only hope is the operation. Mom didn't told us about it but she's been feeling pain on her breast for the passed few years, she thought it was just normal but last night, she wasn't able to endure it anymore that's why we brought her to the nearest hospital and that's when we learned that it's a cancer. We need to pay at least half of the operation fee in order to be scheduled for it. Baekbeom hyung and Dad's savings weren't enough to attain the required amount of money we need so I've decided to quit schooling first and find a job that will pay me before the deadline set by the hospital came. I actually found one job and I'm starting this afternoon, my shift ends at 5 o'clock and I get paid for my work daily."

"Last night, I've received a call from my friend, Heechul hyung. He said that the company he's working at is needing of a manpower urgently and the way they give the salary for their workers was just like the same on how I get paid on my first job. Did you know that this is destined for me? Because my second job starts at 6 o'clock and ends at 12 in the midnight. Maybe after two days, we can talk to the Finance department of the hospital to let Mom have a scheduled operation. I've heard Dad and Baekbeom hyung will try to ask their bosses to give them their salary in advance. Or maybe I can still search for a thirdㅡ"

I didn't let him finish his words anymore when I pulled him for a hug and that made him cry harder. "ㅡhow much do you need, Baek? I'll lend you my savings. I have enough savings this month. Maybe you can take it first and pay me after you've saved for it. Sounds cool, right?"

Baekhyun pulled away from the hug and looked at me with so much sincerity. "Chanyeol, you've done enough for me. I cannot fathom that. It's your own money so you should spend it for yourself only."

Shaking my head, I took my wallet out and was about to pull my card when Baekhyun prevented me from doing it. "What? I don't need money this time and if ever I'll be needing, I can ask for Suho hyung's help."

"No, no, Chanyeol," Baekhyun simultaneously shook his head. "Hearing your wants to help my family is more than enough. I don't want to borrow money from anyone else because it will remain as a headache in our part. And Chanyeol. . ." Baekhyun held my hands gently. "Our financial problem doesn't ends the moment Mom got discharged from the hospital. We have to buy her maintenance medicines and doctors said it will still cost us a lot. I guess, I will never be coming back to school anymore."

"Don't say that, okay? We will find a way for it. We will make through this problem together. Right, Baekhyun?"

"I hope so, Yeol."

-

-

Calling Baekhyunnie. . .

"What's up?" I was waiting for him to call me ever since we got separated. I offered to bring him home but Baekhyun resisted saying that me, being absent today, is enough to make him feel bad for being a burden in my life. I didn't made it for the first period's class so I ended up sending Suho hyung a text message saying that I can't come today because an emergency came up. It only took him few seconds before dialing my phone number. He welcomed me by asking what kind of emergency did occurred and I told him that it's not on me. It's on Baekhyun and Suho hyung sighed. I know why because he's kinda disappointed on me nowadays. He knows Baekhyun is a good-hearted person but he doesn't like how I react having Baekhyun near me. Quoting what he said to me, "You're not being yourself anymore, Chanyeol. It's like you're not the Chanyeol I grew up with."

"There's an ambulance here in our house and they said they're taking Mom into their hospital. Yeol, what's the meaning of this? When I asked them who sent them here, they said it's a certain Park Chanyeol. Didn't I told you that you don't have to help us anymore?" I smiled at his words.

"Baek, calm down, okay? The hospital is owned by Suho hyung's father. I told him about your situation and he said he'll be doing the operation for free. Can you hear me?!" I said in excitement.

"Chanyeol. . . This is too much."

"Anything for you, Baekhyun. Now, let the nurses take auntie inside the ambulance and rush your way over there. I'll be coming in a few."

"Okay," Baekhyun said and I heard on the other line that he was instructing the nurses to take care of his mom and held her gently while he prepares clothing for the both of them. I even heard him talking with Baekbeom hyung on the landline telling that auntie will be undergoing an operation tonight. After a long silence shared between the both of us, I can hear from his side the unzipping of bags. "Chanyeol. . ."

"Hush now. Relax, okay? Auntie will make it," while for me, I started revving my own car and was readying to leave when Chen appeared on the passenger's seat. "Chen! What are you doing here?"

"Shh! I'm here to witness how you two develop your feelings for each other! Go on! Drive!" Chen motioned me to do it so I was left with no choice but sigh and drive both of us in the hospital. "Hi, Baek! Will it be a bother if I'll join Chanyeol?"

"H-hey, Chen! Of course not. Take care both of you, okay?"

"A'ight, Baek. See you in a few," I ended the call because Chen was about to say something stupid and uncalled reaction once again.