Autumn's Rose Chapter 2 [The Remake]
Title: Autumn's Rose Chapter 2 [The Remake]
Pairing: HyukHae, supporting!KyuMin
Side Pairings: HanChul, KangTeuk
Rating: PG
Genre: Friendship, Romance, Angst
Summary: Donghae was a hopeless case in the eyes of any adult -rude, violent and full of hatred. Transferring into a new school, hopeless Donghae meets new people; people who wants to save him. Among them is the quiet Lee Hyukjae who has never talked to anyone but his friends. What made Donghae special enough to get the voice out of Hyukjae would be the question of many. This story serves as the only answer to that one simple, unanswered question.
Narrator's POV
“Oh, Donghae! Over here!” a voice called out. Donghae looked up only to see an overenthusiastic twenty-two year old waving his hands in the air. “Over here, Donghae!”
“I heard you the first time,” Donghae grumbled as he stomped towards the male. “You don’t have to scream across the campus.”
“Well, I was afraid you wouldn’t hear me,” Jungsu laughed.
“The Marshians could have even heard you with that voice,” Donghae scoffed, annoyed as Jungsu continued smiling at him as if he didn’t mind Donghae's rudeness. Donghae has met these types of people before. I’ll smile now but once we’re alone, you’re dead.
Aiden, take over please. Donghae silently begged and felt as though something in him shifted as Aiden moved to the front.
“Are you okay, Donghae?” Jungsu asked when the male froze up suddenly.
“Fine,” Aiden answered for him. “Isn’t Sungmin supposed to be here?”
“Ming?” Jungsu chirped. “He’ll be here soon. He’s unusually late today. It’s almost eight and classes start in a few minutes!”
“Why can’t you just take me to my class?” Aiden asked. “Won’t it still be the same?”
“It’s someth-”
“Hyung!” a voice screamed across the campus before Jungsu could utter another word. Aiden spun around, scoffing when he saw Sungmin running up to them, hands clutched tightly with Kyuhyun's.
“Sorry,” Kyuhyun panted. “Sorry for being late!”
“Don’t worry about it,” Jungsu shook his head. “What happened?”
“I think Hyukjae forgot to bring his notebook again,” Sungmin frowned.
“He did?”
“Yeah,” Kyuhyun answered. “We saw him walking into the school library just now but we lost him.”
“He should be waiting by the tree during lunch time though,” Jungsu said, waving off their worries. “But just in case, do you want Heechul to make an announcement?”
Sungmin made a face but otherwise held back his remarks. “Urgh, sure,” he said. “Hyung?”
“Yes?” Jungsu replied, hands already fumbling with his phone to call Heechul.
“Hyuk’s going to be alright, right?” Sungmin whispered.
“He’s going to be fine,” Jungsu answered without hesitation. “Nobody’s going to touch him, Sungmin. Don’t you dare and go on worrying like usual. I heard from Kyuhyun that you have an Economics test yesterday and barely studied for it.”
Sungmin's head snapped to the side, eyeing his lover. “He asked!” Kyuhyun defended.
“He asked you whether I’ve studied for my Econs test?” Sungmin said sarcastically. “Uhuh, Kyu, sure.”
“Quit bickering,” Jungsu scolded. “Now take Donghae to class, you idiots.”
Sungmin made a face at Kyuhyun but otherwise tightened his grip on Kyuhyun's hand, a gesture saying I love you, stupid idiot. “Come on Donghae!” Sungmin exclaimed suddenly. He reached out to take Donghae by the arms but stop when Donghae flinched.
Without saying a word on it, Sungmin smiled at him and nodded to his right mouthing let’s go. Aiden frowned. He won’t hurt you, you know. Don’t be afraid.
Donghae shook his head. Liars, all of them.
I won’t let them hurt you. I promise.
“Donghae! Catch up!” Sungmin shouted, waving his free hand in the air -beckoning him over. “It’s five minutes before eight!”
Grumbling, Aiden ran up to them and glared. “You could have waited for me, you know,” he spat.
Kyuhyun winched slightly as Aiden spoke. That isn’t Donghae. “Are you alright, Kyu?” Sungmin nudged him but he simply shook his head and smiled up at his lover.
Sungmin hummed but even Aiden knew that Sungmin didn’t believe him. Sungmin then led the way into their class. It was homeroom first. Aiden was about to take a sit beside Sungmin when he was called to the front. “Donghae, right?” their homeroom teacher, Luhan greeted. Aiden scowled. No, I’m just a stranger who crashed into your class.
“Okay…” Luhan said uncomfortably when Aiden continued staring at him. “I guess you are Donghae…”
“Why?” Aiden spat. “Did you receive a Donghae-jackass and imbecile note too?”
“No,” Luhan answered. “But I wish I did.”
Aiden scoffed. “Don’t introduce me. I hate it,” he said and headed towards Sungmin and Kyuhyun at the back of the class. It was a three seater table and the duo had saved a seat for him.
“What?” Aiden said when they continued staring at him.
“Did Luhan bother you?” Sungmin asked.
“What makes you think that?”
“You just look unhappy,” Sungmin shrugged. “But anyway, if he did, just ignore him. If it isn’t Sehun, he’s practically a jackass to everyone.”
“Sehun?”
“Yeah, our history lecturer,” Kyuhyun answered. “But Min, he’s pretty cool towards Kai too…”
“I swear they’re having a threesome,” Sungmin muttered.
“We should really stop talking about it…” Kyuhyun giggled. “Whenever I see Kai’s face during our Science class, I can’t help but laugh…”
“The three of you at the back!” Luhan suddenly shouted. “Do you t-”
“Kids~~~ Announcement!” Heechul’s lazy voice sounded through the speaker, cutting off Luhan's scolding. There was a soft disagreement where the whole school heard a Kim Heechul; that is not how you make an announcement before Heechul’s voice came back on, still lazy and unbothered.
“Lee Hyukjae of 2-C,” Heechul said. “Lee Hyukjae of 2-C, please report to area thirteen point two at lunchtime. This has been Kim Heechul-no, I don’t care, you dimwit. This is how I make an announcement, so shut up- and have a nice day, kids.”
Sungmin scoffed. “Only Heechul can make a fool out of himself that way,” he said. Donghae pulled Aiden back saying I’ll be fine from here and took over, stretching before he talked.
“Why are you guys making a big fuss out of Hyukjae anyway?” he asked after some time.
“Oh, I guess its fine to tell you since Jungsu hyung said you’re one of us,” Sungmin shrugged. He then looked around, making sure that nobody was eavesdropping before dropping his voice into a whisper.
“Hyukjae has prosopagnosia,” Sungmin whispered.
“Proposo-what?” Donghae frowned.
“Prosopagnosia,” Kyuhyun corrected, giggling. Always finishing each other’s sentence, Kyuhyun and Sungmin are that compatible.
` “It’s a face recognition deficiency,” Sungmin whispered. “It’s an illness but we don’t like to think of it that way, so we call it Hyukjae’s special ability.”
“I don’t get it,” Donghae shook his head.
“Hyukjae knows us, right?” Sungmin asked to which Donghae nodded. “So, he knows us, he knows our names and he has memories of everything we did together but he won’t be able to match our names with a face. He can’t remember faces well.”
“Hyung has this small notebook,” Kyuhyun said. “It has all our pictures in it with our names written. Without this notebook, hyung won’t be able to remember. He remembers us without it sometimes -since all of us are together everyday- but most of the time, he needs help from it. He’ll remember us for five hours at most and then he’ll need help again.”
“The problem is,” Sungmin muttered. “-if he doesn’t bring that notebook. He’s forgetful at times, you know. Then he’ll be lost and all. We made a deal with him to meet under the oak tree at the school’s backyard whenever he forgets his notebook but just in case, we’ll always make an announcement. Thirteen point two is our secret code. Heechul came up with it -stupid name, if I have a say.”
“Oh,” was all Donghae said. It was the first time he came across someone as special as Hyukjae. “But…couldn’t you guys just call him?”
“Hyukjae often does not pick up his cellphone when he doesn’t know anyone,” Sungmin shrugged. “He said it’s because he doesn’t feel like it but we all know that he’s just afraid. That wimp…”
:::
Lunch time came and Donghae had no other choice but to drag himself and follow the bouncing Sungmin who was pulling a willing Kyuhyun towards the school backyard. They met Jungsu and the rest as they climbed the staircase down and as soon as they entered the backyard, Donghae perked his eyebrows as he saw Hyukjae sitting by himself under the oak tree.
He had his knees up, hugging it like a frightened child. He looked up, eyes wide and confused as they neared him hectically. “Hyuk!” Sungmin shouted. “Hi!”
Hyukjae’s face contorted in confusion, trying his best to remember Sungmin’s face but to no avail. Sungmin pouted. “You don’t remember me?” he said in a teasing tone. “Kyu! Bring me my bag!”
Kyuhyun threw the pink bag over, eyeing his boyfriend as he unzipped it. Sungmin took out a small polkadot notebook and gave it to Hyukjae.
“Trust him to use such a gay book,” Heechul scoffed.
Sungmin rolled his eyes. “I’m pretty with brains,” he said. “You’re brainless even with a good face. Pity…”
“Sungmin hyung,” Hyukjae called out before Heechul could retort. Sungmin raised his hands energetically.
“Present!” he shouted.
Hyukjae flipped over to another page. “Kyuhyun?” he said.
“Right here,” Kyuhyun answered, waving his hand.
“Jungsu hyung?”
“Here, darling,” Jungsu smiled.
“Youngwoon hyung?”
“Right beside you, kid!” Youngwoon laughed.
“Hangeng hyung?”
“I’ve got your back, Hyuk,” Hangeng answered, smiling widely.
“Heechul hyung?”
“Hyung’s right here, Hyuk,” Heechul replied, giving Hyukjae a mock-salute.
Hyukjae was about to close the book when he felt another page. He flipped it over and frowned. “Sungmin hyung, what’s this?” he asked.
“Donghae, of course!” Sungmin chirped, pointing to the new photo that was pasted in the notebook.
“Why?”
“He’s a part of our family, Hyuk,” Jungsu said. “Remember? I said that yesterday.”
Hyukjae scowled but otherwise didn’t say another word. “It’s not like I want to be a part of you anyway,” Donghae scoffed, annoyed at Hyukjae’s reaction.
Jungsu merely shook his head while the others gave Donghae a smile. It annoyed Donghae even more because they were looking at him as though they know him. Those knowing smiles are the worse.
:::
“Hyung, should we be drinking?” Hyukjae asked, frowning. “We’re not legal yet.”
“We’ll be legal in a year,” Sungmin scoffed. “You worry too much.”
“How did you get us in anyway?” Hyukjae said. “Wait, did you show them fake IDs?!”
“Idiot,” Sungmin scolded, knocking his head. “Not so loud!”
“You did?!”
“No, I didn’t,” Sungmin corrected. “I know the owner of this place. Kyu used to work here too.”
Sungmin smiled when Hyukjae didn’t prod him on the subject and instead continue whining about how he had to accompany him there. Always so considerate. “You could have brought Kyuhyun along!” Hyukjae said, annoyed. “I don’t drink!”
“You’re drinking,” Sungmin deadpanned.
“That’s because you forced me to!”
“Oh god, you complain more than a thirteen year old on her period,” Sungmin groaned. “I didn’t bring Kyu because he said he has a vocal theory test tomorrow and wants to revise, you idiot. Be honored I chose you!”
Hyukjae scoffed. “It’s because none of the others were free, right?” he said. “Because I’m the only single one there is.”
“That’s not true,” Sungmin frowned. “I could have called Donghae.”
Hyukjae rolled his eyes at the mention of Donghae’s name. “Hyuk, you could at least be kinder to him, you know,” Sungmin muttered. “Jungsu hyung already said he’s a part of us.”
“Jungsu hyung’s words do not make it a law that I must be nice to him,” Hyukjae said. “I find him strange. Stranger than anyone I’ve ever met and that’s what I’m uncomfortable about.”
“But that’s the number one reason why Jungsu hyung brought him in, you dimwit,” Sungmin scolded. “We have to help him. At times when I look at him, he seems so timid and troubled, like he does not know what to do. And at times when he’s being an ass, all I could see is this lost kid that lacks attention that he deserves. All I see is him trying to cover up his fear. It’s so sad.”
“I know,” Hyukjae admitted. “When I look at him, sometimes I feel this thing about him that I don’t understand -it’s something strong and broken at the same time. I don’t know how to explain it, but he’s someone hard to unweave.”
Sungmin smiled. “Do you know you have this unique way of talking?” he said.
“What?”
“You way of talking is unique, have I ever told you that?” Sungmin repeated. “Hard to unweave - who says that? Only you, Hyuk. Others would say something along the lines of hard to understand but you? You’re unique.”
Hyukjae frowned. “Says the man who sleeps in a night gown…” he grumbled.
Before Sungmin could retort with all the sarcasm practically oozing from his body, there was a shout and both male turned around to see a drunken men slurring everyone that even looked his way.
“Urgh,” Sungmin groaned. “Let’s go home for today.”
:::
“Why are Sungmin and Heechul always arguing?” Donghae groaned, knocking his head onto the tree trunk. It was only his third day in school and he was already tired. Sungmin and Heechul were having a go in front of him. The others were already used to it and continued eating their lunchboxes.
Kyuhyun and Hangeng were even laughing at the small jokes they shared amongst themselves. “How could one half of them get along so well and the other half is constantly eating each other’s head off?” Donghae complained.
“You’ll get used to it, Donghae,” Youngwoon laughed.
“I don’t think I would,” Donghae huffed, crossing his arms in annoyance. “They don’t even have a valid reason to argue! How would a bug biting Heechul have anything to do with Sungmin?!”
“They don’t actually hate each other, you know,” Jungsu whispered.
“I doubt that,” Donghae frowned.
“Heechul always have a weird way of showing his affections,” Jungsu said. “The very first day Sungmin entered this school, I was with him to greet the new students. I saw him looking at Sungmin immediately after all of them entered. He has this look in his eyes whenever he found someone he’ll care for. That was how he looked at Sungmin then.”
“Then why are they always bickering?” Donghae asked, confused.
“They first started bickering when Sungmin accidentally bumped into Heechul in the hallway last year. Heechul started it first of course, but all I see then was him showing his affections in the wrong way,” Jungsu shrugged. “They’re constantly bickering but I assure you, if someone were to hurt Sungmin, he’ll be the first one running - apart from Kyuhyun of course.”
Donghae frowned again. They’re all weird people, Aiden.
Why are we stuck with them, Donghae?
Because Yuki wanted me to enter this school! You were the one who accepted it!
Opps.
“You okay, Donghae?” Youngwoon asked when Donghae stoned out, bringing the male back onto earth.
Donghae hummed, shrugging.
“Which one of you is Lee Sungmin?” a deep voice sounded and all of them looked up; even Sungmin and Heechul.
“Who are you?” Jungsu asked, standing up quickly and standing in front of them all protectively.
The man took out a pocket-sized wallet and showed it to them. Jongin; head department. He was a policeman. “What business do you have with Sungmin?” Youngwoon said.
“We have to question him about a jewelry robbery that happened yesterday,” Jongin answered.
“Robbery?!” Hangeng exclaimed. “What has Sungmin got to do with it?”
Jongin didn’t answer and merely eyed them all before his eyes landed on Sungmin. “You’re Lee Sungmin, aren’t you?”
Sungmin perked his eyebrows. “Yes,” he said. “But I have no idea what you’re talking about so please explain it to me.”
“Can I see your Student ID?” Jongin asked.
Sungmin frowned but otherwise took out his wallet, searching for it. His face dropped. “Kyu?” he called out. “Is my ID with you?”
Kyuhyun stood up, taking out his wallet to search for it. “Min, it’s -”
“Is this it?” Jongin interrupted, holding out Sungmin’s Student ID towards them. “This is yours, isn’t it?”
Sungmin tilted his head. No, that’s just my picture there with my full name and all but that’s not me. Nope, it’s not. “Yes, where did find that?” he said.
“It was dropped by one of the burglars last night,” Jongin said, smirking.
“So, you’re telling me that I, a high school kid robbed a jewelry shop on a school night and returned to school the next morning like nothing has ever happened?” Sungmin spat, eyes narrowing.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Jongin nodded.
“How dare you,” Youngwoon snarled. “Sungmin won’t do something as stupid as that!”
“We’ve seen the CCTV footage and it was indeed dropped by one of the burglars,” Jongin hissed.
“You saw my face?” Sungmin asked.
“No, they were wearing mask but-”
“You didn’t see his face!” Jungsu defended. “How could you even accuse him with only a Student ID as evidence? What do you think this is? CSI Miami? You don’t find clues lying around that easily nowadays! People are not that stupid! Someone is obviously trying to frame him!”
Jongin glared at Jungsu, eyes sharp. “We have to take you in for questioning,” he said, pointing to Sungmin.
“Where did it happen?” Heechul voiced out.
“In the Kazuya district,” Jongin answered.
“Weren’t you hanging out there last night, Sungmin?” Heechul asked carelessly, without realizing what he was doing.
“You were?” Jongin asked, smiling wickedly. Sungmin’s head snapped to the side.
“But it wasn’t me!” he shouted. Sungmin had wanted to say that he was at Ueda’s -a pub but he shuts up after realizing that it probably wasn’t a good idea telling a policeman that an underage person had gone to a pub.
“Where were you last night?” Jongin questioned him. Sungmin kept his silenced, choosing the glare at Heechul who was looking guilty and apologetic for the first time ever.
“He was hanging out with me,” Hyukjae voiced out. “We weren’t even near Kazuya’s Jewelry.”
“Do you have proof that he was with you?” Jongin said.
Hyukjae frowned. “There’s no proof but-”
“I’ll be taking him then,” Jongin said. They froze in shock when two other policemen appeared and cuffed Sungmin by the hand, dragging him away.
“Min!” Kyuhyun shouted but the dazed, shocked Sungmin could barely hear him as he was dragged away. They were unable to do anything. If they fought against them, it would only worsen the situation and so, as Sungmin was dragged away, Jungsu stood up and dragged them all towards the music room - where it was sound proof.
:::
“Hyung, he couldn’t have been there!” Kyuhyun shouted as soon as they entered the room. “He was beside me all night long after he came home!”
“Kyuhyun-”
“Min does not do cowardly things like stealing!” Kyuhyun insisted. “You know! All of you! Min won’t do stupid things like this! Help him! Please!”
“Kyuhyun,” Jungsu whispered, taking a hold of Kyuhyun’s shoulders.
“We know,” Youngwoon said. “Kyu, it’s not him. We know. We’ll help him.”
“Calm down, alright?” Jungsu soothed, rubbing circles on Kyuhyun’s shoulders as Kyuhyun cried.
“I hate you!” Kyuhyun screamed, startling everyone as he pointed an accusing finger at Heechul. “I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!”
“Kyu-” Heechul tried to say.
“He did nothing to you!” Kyuhyun yelled. “You didn’t have to open your big mouth! He did nothing to you! And you know it wasn’t him! Hyukjae hyung was there with him that night! You - I hate you!”
“Shhh,” Jungsu muttered, pulling Kyuhyun into his arms. He patted Kyuhyun’s hair as the male cried into neck. “Sungmin’s going to be fine. We’ll get him out, alright? Don’t cry.”
“I-If Min gets hurt,” Kyuhyun hiccupped. “I’m going to kill Heechul hyung. H-Hyung, you’ll help me, right? I want to kill him!”
“I’ll help you,” Jungsu nodded his head, much to the dismay of Heechul. “We’ll kill him together if Sungmin gets hurt, okay? Stop crying, Kyuhyun.”
“I don’t believe you!” Kyuhyun yelled, pushing Jungsu away from him and ran behind Donghae, shocking everyone. Donghae stood still, unsure of what was going on as Kyuhyun grabbed both of his shoulders and hid behind him like a frightened child. “All of you are going to hurt me without Min here, aren’t you?”
“Kyuhyun,” Hangeng begged. “Don’t be li-”
Heechul nudged on Hangeng, stopping his words. He shook his head at Hangeng. Stop.
“Kyuhyun, we won’t hurt you,” Jungsu said. “Kyuhyun, it’s us. Don’t you trust us?”
“You sold Min away!” Kyuhyun shouted. “I don’t trust you!”
“Kyu-”
“Hyung, send them away,” Kyuhyun begged, shaking Donghae’s shoulder strongly as he pointed towards Jungsu and the rest. “Send them away!” In my eyes, it’s only you I can trust.
“Guys, can you leave for just a minute while we talk to him?” Hyukjae asked, smiling apologetically.
Jungsu nodded stiffly, pulling the other three out of the room. “Kyuhyun,” Hyukjae said as soon as they left.
“Don’t touch me,” Kyuhyun flinched, hiding his face behind Donghae again. “You leave too!”
“No, not until you listen to me,” Hyukjae insisted. “And release the kid. You’re killing him.”
Kyuhyun blinked, releasing Donghae in an instant. “Did I hurt you?” he frowned. “I’m sorry.”
Donghae shook his head, unsure. “Kyuhyun,” Hyukjae called him again.
“What?” Kyuhyun scowled.
“We’re going to get Ming out, okay?” Hyukjae assured. “I understand if you’re angry at Heechul but you have to at least trust Jungsu hyung, okay? He cares for all of us. You do know that, right?”
“B-But-”
“Jungsu hyung won’t hurt you,” Hyukjae said. “Neither of us will. Even if we wanted to, we’ll be killed once Sungmin hyung is released. You love Sungmin hyung, don’t you?”
Kyuhyun nodded his head vigorously. “Then at least trust Jungsu hyung,” Hyukjae said. “Sungmin hyung trust him.”
Kyuhyun pouted but otherwise nodded his head slightly. “Fine…” he mumbled.
“Good,” Hyukjae said. “I’ll call him in and we can discuss on what to do next.”
:::
“Kyu!” Sungmin exclaimed, puzzled as Kyuhyun ran into the room and practically jumped onto him. “What are you doing here?!”
Sungmin had previously been called out of his cell after being told that he had a visitor. They ad thenthrew him into a windowless room despite him questioning them on who the visitor is.
“I missed you,” Kyuhyun sobbed.
Sungmin laughed, patting the younger’s hair lovingly. “What’s wrong?” he said. “We’ve only been away for a day.”
Kyuhyun shook his head, insisting that he missed the elder male. “Did anyone hurt you?” Sungmin asked; voice suddenly sharp and icy.
“N-No,” Kyuhyun answered. “But I hate Heechul hyung.”
Sungmin smiled, pulling the younger out of his embrace and cupping his face delicately. “Let me see your face,” he whispered. “I missed you too, you know.”
Kyuhyun looked up, eyes still brimming with tears as he faced Sungmin. Sungmin shook his head as he wiped away the younger’s tears and go on mumbling on how you should at least take care of yourself without me, you idiot.
It took a few minutes to calm Kyuhyun down -with chaste kisses. Sungmin then turned their positions around, where he sat comfortably on Kyuhyun’s laps, arms dangling loosely around his neck. “How did you get in?” he finally asked. “I thought I wasn’t allowed any visitors.”
“Youngwoon hyung pulled some strings,” Kyuhyun said, shrugging. “I said I won’t talk to him for a month if I don’t see you today.”
“He bought that?” Sungmin laughed.
Kyuhyun nodded. “Min,” he said, more serious this time. “We’ll get you out of here, you know that, right?”
Sungmin nodded. “I trust all of you,” he muttered. “So don’t worry, alright?”
Kyuhyun frowned. “You’ll be out by today,” he said.
“What?!”
“Jungsu hyung and Youngwoon hyung demanded to see the CCTV footage of the jewelry shop that night,” Kyuhyun explained. “And even though it wasn’t clear, they’ll be able to prove that it wasn’t you who did it.”
“But I thought they were wearing masks?” Sungmin asked.
“They were,” Kyuhyun nodded. “But you know the safe box which belonged to the Dubai’s ambassador? One of them took out their gloves when opening the box. They’re going there now to take a fingerprint sample and it’ll prove that it wasn’t you.”
“But there’s like five of them in there!” Sungmin exclaimed. “They could have just said that I was one of the other four!”
“Listen to me, first, darling,” Kyuhyun said. “The person opening the safe box was the one who so called dropped your Student ID. Also, Jungsu hyung and Youngwoon hyung brought over the CCTV footage from our apartment. It shows you going in at ten and only leaving with me to school in the morning. So, it’ll clear your name away.”
Sungmin froze for a moment, taking everything that Kyuhyun said in. He then slumped down onto Kyuhyun’s body weakly. “I’m going to be released?” he mumbled.
Kyuhyun nodded, putting his arms around Sungmin’s petite waist and squeezing it tightly. “Wait, what happened to Heechul?” Sungmin asked.
Kyuhyun pouted again, annoyed at Heechul’s mere name. “He went to the dentist, I heard,” he answered. “While the others were - wait, who’s calling me? Min, take my cellphone out of my back pocket, please.”
Sungmin nodded, feeling for Kyuhyun’s phone before taking it out. “Oh? It’s Jungsu hyung,” he said.
“Can you pick it up for me?” Kyuhyun pleaded, frowning.
“Of course,” Sungmin smiled as he pressed answer. “Hello?”
Kyu- oh, Ming! You’re with Kyuhyun, already?
“Yes, why? What’s happening, hyung? Why do you sound so breathless?”
It’s Heechul! He’s gone! Hangeng left him for a while and he vanished! He’s not picking up his phone either.
Sungmin frowned. “What happened to him?”
We don’t know but we’re really worried now so I just want to tell you that we’ll come fetch the both of you after we meet Hangeng. You can be released already. I just received the call.
“Alright, it’s okay. Kyuhyun’s with me anyway.”
Hangeng’s really worried right now. So, if Heechul contact any of you, please tell us quickly.
“You know he won’t,” Sungmin scoffed.
But if he does, Ming…please call us. He never vanished like this before.
“Got it,” Sungmin nodded. “Call us if anything happens too. We’ll be waiting.”
:::
Heechul looked around, eyes searching and wide. Bitches being cliché. He was surrounded by old, abandoned warehouses that were labeled numerically. Three, three…where is warehouse number three?
“What are you doing here?” a deep voice suddenly sounded behind him. Heechul turned around only to see a man a few feets away from him. He was tall, tanned and stood with an intimidating poise. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
Heechul perked his eyebrows. His eyes then landed on the golden skull necklace around the man’s neck. “Are you Kim Chongjin?” he asked, sounding brave despite his rapidly beating heart.
The man narrowed his eyes. “Yes, I am,” he answered. “Who are you? What business do you have with me?”
Heechul noted the change of his poise, ready to fight and run. “I’m not from the police,” Heechul said, knowing his way around the male already.
Chongjin’s eyes impossibly narrowed again. “Then who are you?”
“I need to have a talk with you,” Heechul shrugged. “You owe me something.”
Chongjin scoffed, regaining his confidence again after he was sure that Heechul was alone and wasn’t from the police force. “Come on,” he said, nodding to his right. “Let’s talk inside then.”
Heechul followed him, knowing well the events that will follow later on. Chongjin brought him around the perimeter twice before he turned into a small alley and headed towards the most secluded warehouse. Either he thinks I’m dumb or he’s just dumb, Heechul inwardly smirked. Chongjin was obviously trying to confuse him of his surroundings so that it would be difficult to run and that he would not be able to give their location away to the police.
He was led to a blackened, algae-filled door. His eyebrows rose when he saw more people inside. Some were sitting, others were standing. It seemed like they were gambling like the fools they were. “I’m back,” Chongjin called out.
“Oh, boss!” they greeted. Heechul scoffed.
“Who is he?” one asked, ready to strike after being laughed at openly.
“No idea,” Chongjin shrugged. “He said he wanted to talk to me.”
“Pretty bad idea to come alone, darling,” another one sneered.
“No, do you want to know what a bad idea is?” Heechul said, unfazed.
Chongjin growled. “What?”
“One,” Heechul started. “-is to think that I’m an idiot. Do you really think that I wouldn’t notice where this place is located at after a mere two rounds around the place?”
At least a dozen snarls were heard as soon as he uttered those words. “And two,” Heechul said, leaning forward with an annoyed face. He moved close to Chongjin so much that their noses were almost touching. “Is to mess with my boys,” Heechul whispered.
Chongjin pushed him away. Heechul merely staggered but maintained his cool posture. “I didn’t touch anyone these few months,” he said. Honest, Heechul noted.
“Oh, you didn’t touch him alright,” Heechul nodded. “You couldn’t even if you wanted to.”
“What are you talking about?” Chongjin snarled.
“Sungmin isn’t one to be touched that easily,” Heechul spat. “That’s what I hate most about him. The only way to get him is to play dirty. And that’s what you exactly did.”
“The jewelry robbery a few days ago!” Heechul shouted when Chongjin showed signs of interrupting. “That was you and your boys, wasn’t it?”
Chongjin sneered. “So?”
“You framed Sungmin, you bloody asshole!” Heechul screamed. “Didn’t you find a student ID at the pub that night? You put threw it at the crime site, didn’t you?”
“Oh, that feminine boy in the pub? So, his name is Sungmin? Girly,” Chongjin nodded his head, as if amused. “He was just unlucky.”
“No, you’re unlucky,” Heechul corrected. That girly butt will kill you. “You are so lucky for now that it’s only me. But once Ming gets his hands on you, you’re dead -minced into little pieces of meat.”
Chongjin’s eyes widened, angered. “Minhwan,” he said. “Send the others to the other house. You and your boys stay here. It seems like someone needs to be taught a lesson.”
Here it comes. Heechul smiled despite everything. If they were going to hurt him, they weren’t touching his heart. Hurt my body not my soul.
Heechul watched as the men leaved the warehouse, leaving only nine behind -ten if you include Chongjin. Chongjin turned to him then with a wicked smile. “What were you saying?” he said, feeling tough with the back up he had.
“You framed one of my boys,” Heechul repeated calmly.
Chongjin laughed. “So, you came here to fight us?” he said. “Alone?”
“I didn’t come to fight,” Heechul shook his head. “I came here to escort you to the police. Because of you, Sungmin suffered.”
“Escort?” Chongjin mocked. “You and what army?”
Heechul smiled, startling the man. He raised his right hand, putting it over his heart. “Me and this army,” he whispered. “My heart and I are enough.”
“What are you mumbling to yourself about?” Chongjin snarled.
Heechul shrugged. “You’re a disgrace to delinquents,” he said. “All of you are a disgrace.”
“Who do you think you are?” Chongjin hissed. “Boys, get him!”
“Me?” Heechul scoffed, closing his eyes as they charged towards him. “I’m Sungmin’s friend.”
:::
“Heechul's not here yet?” Youngwoon asked; face contorted in worry.
Hangeng shook his head, his hands unable to stay still as he kept on flipping open his phone impatiently. “He said he’ll call me after he was done,” he complained. “It’s way past five already…”
“Why didn’t you go with him?” Jungsu asked, confused. “You never let him wander off alone.”
“He insisted on going alone,” Hangeng sighed. “And after all, it’s only to the dentist. Oh god, if something happens to him, I’m going to kill myself.”
“Don’t worry too much,” Jungsu scolded.
“He never left this way before,” Hangeng said. “Maybe something did happen…”
Youngwoon huffed. “Where are Hyukjae and Donghae anyway?”
“I sent them to look for Heechul,” Jungsu answered.
Youngwoon gave his lover a look. Are you kidding me? “Do you think that’s a good idea?” he asked, frowning. “Hyukjae doesn’t like being left with strangers.”
“Donghae isn’t a stranger,” Jungsu emphasized. “He’s a part of us. I’ve said that a million times.”
“I’m sorry,” Youngwoon apologized. “That wasn’t what I meant. But you know how Hyukjae is, Jungsu. Other than his close circle of people, the world is practically a stranger to him.”
“I know,” Jungsu nodded. “That’s one of the many reasons why I’m pushing Donghae over to him.”
“Pushing?”
“Eyes, Youngwoon, eyes,” Jungsu whispered. “Look into Donghae's eyes and I think you’ll get what I mean. Listen to his voice too.”
“I know what you mean,” Hangeng interrupted, one hand still on his phone, waiting for the line to connect with Heechul.
“Huh?”
“It feels like there are two souls in Donghae,” Hangeng shrugged. “At times his eyes would be bright, fearful and shy. But at times it would be deadly, murderous and full of hatred. His voice changes suddenly too. I som- oh god, Heechul, can you pick up the bloody phone?”
Youngwoon looked confused. Jungsu shook his head and merely patted his shoulders.
“Let’s go fetch Hyukjae and Donghae first before we fetch Sungmin and Kyuhyun,” Hangeng said, flipping his phone close. “And we’ll find Heechul after that.”
:::
Hyukjae nudged him. This way. If it was somebody else, he would have felt annoyed but somehow, because it was Hyukjae, he merely nodded.
The duo headed up towards the library, where they were stared at. Hyukjae’s with a new kid? “Where are we going?” Donghae grumbled. “Didn’t Jungsu hyung say that Heechul hyung went to the dentist? Why are we in the library?”
Hyukjae gave him a look but otherwise didn’t bother to answer. Donghae frowned. Is this kid ever going to talk to me? Hyukjae stopped in his tracks after they reached the last row of historical books. Donghae perked his eyebrows as Hyukjae scowled at the books, as if it did something to him.
“Well?” Donghae prodded. “Where is he?”
Hyukjae shook his head and turned on his heels to head towards the door. Having no other choice, Donghae followed him. This time, they went out of the campus.
Hyukjae headed straight for the dentist even though Jungsu had told them that Heechul wasn’t there anymore. The clinic was located in an eerily quiet neighborhood. “Stay,” was all Hyukjae said to Donghae as he pointed to the spot Donghae was standing on before entering the door of the clinic.
( Part II )
Pairing: HyukHae, supporting!KyuMin
Side Pairings: HanChul, KangTeuk
Rating: PG
Genre: Friendship, Romance, Angst
Summary: Donghae was a hopeless case in the eyes of any adult -rude, violent and full of hatred. Transferring into a new school, hopeless Donghae meets new people; people who wants to save him. Among them is the quiet Lee Hyukjae who has never talked to anyone but his friends. What made Donghae special enough to get the voice out of Hyukjae would be the question of many. This story serves as the only answer to that one simple, unanswered question.
Narrator's POV
“Oh, Donghae! Over here!” a voice called out. Donghae looked up only to see an overenthusiastic twenty-two year old waving his hands in the air. “Over here, Donghae!”
“I heard you the first time,” Donghae grumbled as he stomped towards the male. “You don’t have to scream across the campus.”
“Well, I was afraid you wouldn’t hear me,” Jungsu laughed.
“The Marshians could have even heard you with that voice,” Donghae scoffed, annoyed as Jungsu continued smiling at him as if he didn’t mind Donghae's rudeness. Donghae has met these types of people before. I’ll smile now but once we’re alone, you’re dead.
Aiden, take over please. Donghae silently begged and felt as though something in him shifted as Aiden moved to the front.
“Are you okay, Donghae?” Jungsu asked when the male froze up suddenly.
“Fine,” Aiden answered for him. “Isn’t Sungmin supposed to be here?”
“Ming?” Jungsu chirped. “He’ll be here soon. He’s unusually late today. It’s almost eight and classes start in a few minutes!”
“Why can’t you just take me to my class?” Aiden asked. “Won’t it still be the same?”
“It’s someth-”
“Hyung!” a voice screamed across the campus before Jungsu could utter another word. Aiden spun around, scoffing when he saw Sungmin running up to them, hands clutched tightly with Kyuhyun's.
“Sorry,” Kyuhyun panted. “Sorry for being late!”
“Don’t worry about it,” Jungsu shook his head. “What happened?”
“I think Hyukjae forgot to bring his notebook again,” Sungmin frowned.
“He did?”
“Yeah,” Kyuhyun answered. “We saw him walking into the school library just now but we lost him.”
“He should be waiting by the tree during lunch time though,” Jungsu said, waving off their worries. “But just in case, do you want Heechul to make an announcement?”
Sungmin made a face but otherwise held back his remarks. “Urgh, sure,” he said. “Hyung?”
“Yes?” Jungsu replied, hands already fumbling with his phone to call Heechul.
“Hyuk’s going to be alright, right?” Sungmin whispered.
“He’s going to be fine,” Jungsu answered without hesitation. “Nobody’s going to touch him, Sungmin. Don’t you dare and go on worrying like usual. I heard from Kyuhyun that you have an Economics test yesterday and barely studied for it.”
Sungmin's head snapped to the side, eyeing his lover. “He asked!” Kyuhyun defended.
“He asked you whether I’ve studied for my Econs test?” Sungmin said sarcastically. “Uhuh, Kyu, sure.”
“Quit bickering,” Jungsu scolded. “Now take Donghae to class, you idiots.”
Sungmin made a face at Kyuhyun but otherwise tightened his grip on Kyuhyun's hand, a gesture saying I love you, stupid idiot. “Come on Donghae!” Sungmin exclaimed suddenly. He reached out to take Donghae by the arms but stop when Donghae flinched.
Without saying a word on it, Sungmin smiled at him and nodded to his right mouthing let’s go. Aiden frowned. He won’t hurt you, you know. Don’t be afraid.
Donghae shook his head. Liars, all of them.
I won’t let them hurt you. I promise.
“Donghae! Catch up!” Sungmin shouted, waving his free hand in the air -beckoning him over. “It’s five minutes before eight!”
Grumbling, Aiden ran up to them and glared. “You could have waited for me, you know,” he spat.
Kyuhyun winched slightly as Aiden spoke. That isn’t Donghae. “Are you alright, Kyu?” Sungmin nudged him but he simply shook his head and smiled up at his lover.
Sungmin hummed but even Aiden knew that Sungmin didn’t believe him. Sungmin then led the way into their class. It was homeroom first. Aiden was about to take a sit beside Sungmin when he was called to the front. “Donghae, right?” their homeroom teacher, Luhan greeted. Aiden scowled. No, I’m just a stranger who crashed into your class.
“Okay…” Luhan said uncomfortably when Aiden continued staring at him. “I guess you are Donghae…”
“Why?” Aiden spat. “Did you receive a Donghae-jackass and imbecile note too?”
“No,” Luhan answered. “But I wish I did.”
Aiden scoffed. “Don’t introduce me. I hate it,” he said and headed towards Sungmin and Kyuhyun at the back of the class. It was a three seater table and the duo had saved a seat for him.
“What?” Aiden said when they continued staring at him.
“Did Luhan bother you?” Sungmin asked.
“What makes you think that?”
“You just look unhappy,” Sungmin shrugged. “But anyway, if he did, just ignore him. If it isn’t Sehun, he’s practically a jackass to everyone.”
“Sehun?”
“Yeah, our history lecturer,” Kyuhyun answered. “But Min, he’s pretty cool towards Kai too…”
“I swear they’re having a threesome,” Sungmin muttered.
“We should really stop talking about it…” Kyuhyun giggled. “Whenever I see Kai’s face during our Science class, I can’t help but laugh…”
“The three of you at the back!” Luhan suddenly shouted. “Do you t-”
“Kids~~~ Announcement!” Heechul’s lazy voice sounded through the speaker, cutting off Luhan's scolding. There was a soft disagreement where the whole school heard a Kim Heechul; that is not how you make an announcement before Heechul’s voice came back on, still lazy and unbothered.
“Lee Hyukjae of 2-C,” Heechul said. “Lee Hyukjae of 2-C, please report to area thirteen point two at lunchtime. This has been Kim Heechul-no, I don’t care, you dimwit. This is how I make an announcement, so shut up- and have a nice day, kids.”
Sungmin scoffed. “Only Heechul can make a fool out of himself that way,” he said. Donghae pulled Aiden back saying I’ll be fine from here and took over, stretching before he talked.
“Why are you guys making a big fuss out of Hyukjae anyway?” he asked after some time.
“Oh, I guess its fine to tell you since Jungsu hyung said you’re one of us,” Sungmin shrugged. He then looked around, making sure that nobody was eavesdropping before dropping his voice into a whisper.
“Hyukjae has prosopagnosia,” Sungmin whispered.
“Proposo-what?” Donghae frowned.
“Prosopagnosia,” Kyuhyun corrected, giggling. Always finishing each other’s sentence, Kyuhyun and Sungmin are that compatible.
` “It’s a face recognition deficiency,” Sungmin whispered. “It’s an illness but we don’t like to think of it that way, so we call it Hyukjae’s special ability.”
“I don’t get it,” Donghae shook his head.
“Hyukjae knows us, right?” Sungmin asked to which Donghae nodded. “So, he knows us, he knows our names and he has memories of everything we did together but he won’t be able to match our names with a face. He can’t remember faces well.”
“Hyung has this small notebook,” Kyuhyun said. “It has all our pictures in it with our names written. Without this notebook, hyung won’t be able to remember. He remembers us without it sometimes -since all of us are together everyday- but most of the time, he needs help from it. He’ll remember us for five hours at most and then he’ll need help again.”
“The problem is,” Sungmin muttered. “-if he doesn’t bring that notebook. He’s forgetful at times, you know. Then he’ll be lost and all. We made a deal with him to meet under the oak tree at the school’s backyard whenever he forgets his notebook but just in case, we’ll always make an announcement. Thirteen point two is our secret code. Heechul came up with it -stupid name, if I have a say.”
“Oh,” was all Donghae said. It was the first time he came across someone as special as Hyukjae. “But…couldn’t you guys just call him?”
“Hyukjae often does not pick up his cellphone when he doesn’t know anyone,” Sungmin shrugged. “He said it’s because he doesn’t feel like it but we all know that he’s just afraid. That wimp…”
:::
Lunch time came and Donghae had no other choice but to drag himself and follow the bouncing Sungmin who was pulling a willing Kyuhyun towards the school backyard. They met Jungsu and the rest as they climbed the staircase down and as soon as they entered the backyard, Donghae perked his eyebrows as he saw Hyukjae sitting by himself under the oak tree.
He had his knees up, hugging it like a frightened child. He looked up, eyes wide and confused as they neared him hectically. “Hyuk!” Sungmin shouted. “Hi!”
Hyukjae’s face contorted in confusion, trying his best to remember Sungmin’s face but to no avail. Sungmin pouted. “You don’t remember me?” he said in a teasing tone. “Kyu! Bring me my bag!”
Kyuhyun threw the pink bag over, eyeing his boyfriend as he unzipped it. Sungmin took out a small polkadot notebook and gave it to Hyukjae.
“Trust him to use such a gay book,” Heechul scoffed.
Sungmin rolled his eyes. “I’m pretty with brains,” he said. “You’re brainless even with a good face. Pity…”
“Sungmin hyung,” Hyukjae called out before Heechul could retort. Sungmin raised his hands energetically.
“Present!” he shouted.
Hyukjae flipped over to another page. “Kyuhyun?” he said.
“Right here,” Kyuhyun answered, waving his hand.
“Jungsu hyung?”
“Here, darling,” Jungsu smiled.
“Youngwoon hyung?”
“Right beside you, kid!” Youngwoon laughed.
“Hangeng hyung?”
“I’ve got your back, Hyuk,” Hangeng answered, smiling widely.
“Heechul hyung?”
“Hyung’s right here, Hyuk,” Heechul replied, giving Hyukjae a mock-salute.
Hyukjae was about to close the book when he felt another page. He flipped it over and frowned. “Sungmin hyung, what’s this?” he asked.
“Donghae, of course!” Sungmin chirped, pointing to the new photo that was pasted in the notebook.
“Why?”
“He’s a part of our family, Hyuk,” Jungsu said. “Remember? I said that yesterday.”
Hyukjae scowled but otherwise didn’t say another word. “It’s not like I want to be a part of you anyway,” Donghae scoffed, annoyed at Hyukjae’s reaction.
Jungsu merely shook his head while the others gave Donghae a smile. It annoyed Donghae even more because they were looking at him as though they know him. Those knowing smiles are the worse.
:::
“Hyung, should we be drinking?” Hyukjae asked, frowning. “We’re not legal yet.”
“We’ll be legal in a year,” Sungmin scoffed. “You worry too much.”
“How did you get us in anyway?” Hyukjae said. “Wait, did you show them fake IDs?!”
“Idiot,” Sungmin scolded, knocking his head. “Not so loud!”
“You did?!”
“No, I didn’t,” Sungmin corrected. “I know the owner of this place. Kyu used to work here too.”
Sungmin smiled when Hyukjae didn’t prod him on the subject and instead continue whining about how he had to accompany him there. Always so considerate. “You could have brought Kyuhyun along!” Hyukjae said, annoyed. “I don’t drink!”
“You’re drinking,” Sungmin deadpanned.
“That’s because you forced me to!”
“Oh god, you complain more than a thirteen year old on her period,” Sungmin groaned. “I didn’t bring Kyu because he said he has a vocal theory test tomorrow and wants to revise, you idiot. Be honored I chose you!”
Hyukjae scoffed. “It’s because none of the others were free, right?” he said. “Because I’m the only single one there is.”
“That’s not true,” Sungmin frowned. “I could have called Donghae.”
Hyukjae rolled his eyes at the mention of Donghae’s name. “Hyuk, you could at least be kinder to him, you know,” Sungmin muttered. “Jungsu hyung already said he’s a part of us.”
“Jungsu hyung’s words do not make it a law that I must be nice to him,” Hyukjae said. “I find him strange. Stranger than anyone I’ve ever met and that’s what I’m uncomfortable about.”
“But that’s the number one reason why Jungsu hyung brought him in, you dimwit,” Sungmin scolded. “We have to help him. At times when I look at him, he seems so timid and troubled, like he does not know what to do. And at times when he’s being an ass, all I could see is this lost kid that lacks attention that he deserves. All I see is him trying to cover up his fear. It’s so sad.”
“I know,” Hyukjae admitted. “When I look at him, sometimes I feel this thing about him that I don’t understand -it’s something strong and broken at the same time. I don’t know how to explain it, but he’s someone hard to unweave.”
Sungmin smiled. “Do you know you have this unique way of talking?” he said.
“What?”
“You way of talking is unique, have I ever told you that?” Sungmin repeated. “Hard to unweave - who says that? Only you, Hyuk. Others would say something along the lines of hard to understand but you? You’re unique.”
Hyukjae frowned. “Says the man who sleeps in a night gown…” he grumbled.
Before Sungmin could retort with all the sarcasm practically oozing from his body, there was a shout and both male turned around to see a drunken men slurring everyone that even looked his way.
“Urgh,” Sungmin groaned. “Let’s go home for today.”
:::
“Why are Sungmin and Heechul always arguing?” Donghae groaned, knocking his head onto the tree trunk. It was only his third day in school and he was already tired. Sungmin and Heechul were having a go in front of him. The others were already used to it and continued eating their lunchboxes.
Kyuhyun and Hangeng were even laughing at the small jokes they shared amongst themselves. “How could one half of them get along so well and the other half is constantly eating each other’s head off?” Donghae complained.
“You’ll get used to it, Donghae,” Youngwoon laughed.
“I don’t think I would,” Donghae huffed, crossing his arms in annoyance. “They don’t even have a valid reason to argue! How would a bug biting Heechul have anything to do with Sungmin?!”
“They don’t actually hate each other, you know,” Jungsu whispered.
“I doubt that,” Donghae frowned.
“Heechul always have a weird way of showing his affections,” Jungsu said. “The very first day Sungmin entered this school, I was with him to greet the new students. I saw him looking at Sungmin immediately after all of them entered. He has this look in his eyes whenever he found someone he’ll care for. That was how he looked at Sungmin then.”
“Then why are they always bickering?” Donghae asked, confused.
“They first started bickering when Sungmin accidentally bumped into Heechul in the hallway last year. Heechul started it first of course, but all I see then was him showing his affections in the wrong way,” Jungsu shrugged. “They’re constantly bickering but I assure you, if someone were to hurt Sungmin, he’ll be the first one running - apart from Kyuhyun of course.”
Donghae frowned again. They’re all weird people, Aiden.
Why are we stuck with them, Donghae?
Because Yuki wanted me to enter this school! You were the one who accepted it!
Opps.
“You okay, Donghae?” Youngwoon asked when Donghae stoned out, bringing the male back onto earth.
Donghae hummed, shrugging.
“Which one of you is Lee Sungmin?” a deep voice sounded and all of them looked up; even Sungmin and Heechul.
“Who are you?” Jungsu asked, standing up quickly and standing in front of them all protectively.
The man took out a pocket-sized wallet and showed it to them. Jongin; head department. He was a policeman. “What business do you have with Sungmin?” Youngwoon said.
“We have to question him about a jewelry robbery that happened yesterday,” Jongin answered.
“Robbery?!” Hangeng exclaimed. “What has Sungmin got to do with it?”
Jongin didn’t answer and merely eyed them all before his eyes landed on Sungmin. “You’re Lee Sungmin, aren’t you?”
Sungmin perked his eyebrows. “Yes,” he said. “But I have no idea what you’re talking about so please explain it to me.”
“Can I see your Student ID?” Jongin asked.
Sungmin frowned but otherwise took out his wallet, searching for it. His face dropped. “Kyu?” he called out. “Is my ID with you?”
Kyuhyun stood up, taking out his wallet to search for it. “Min, it’s -”
“Is this it?” Jongin interrupted, holding out Sungmin’s Student ID towards them. “This is yours, isn’t it?”
Sungmin tilted his head. No, that’s just my picture there with my full name and all but that’s not me. Nope, it’s not. “Yes, where did find that?” he said.
“It was dropped by one of the burglars last night,” Jongin said, smirking.
“So, you’re telling me that I, a high school kid robbed a jewelry shop on a school night and returned to school the next morning like nothing has ever happened?” Sungmin spat, eyes narrowing.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Jongin nodded.
“How dare you,” Youngwoon snarled. “Sungmin won’t do something as stupid as that!”
“We’ve seen the CCTV footage and it was indeed dropped by one of the burglars,” Jongin hissed.
“You saw my face?” Sungmin asked.
“No, they were wearing mask but-”
“You didn’t see his face!” Jungsu defended. “How could you even accuse him with only a Student ID as evidence? What do you think this is? CSI Miami? You don’t find clues lying around that easily nowadays! People are not that stupid! Someone is obviously trying to frame him!”
Jongin glared at Jungsu, eyes sharp. “We have to take you in for questioning,” he said, pointing to Sungmin.
“Where did it happen?” Heechul voiced out.
“In the Kazuya district,” Jongin answered.
“Weren’t you hanging out there last night, Sungmin?” Heechul asked carelessly, without realizing what he was doing.
“You were?” Jongin asked, smiling wickedly. Sungmin’s head snapped to the side.
“But it wasn’t me!” he shouted. Sungmin had wanted to say that he was at Ueda’s -a pub but he shuts up after realizing that it probably wasn’t a good idea telling a policeman that an underage person had gone to a pub.
“Where were you last night?” Jongin questioned him. Sungmin kept his silenced, choosing the glare at Heechul who was looking guilty and apologetic for the first time ever.
“He was hanging out with me,” Hyukjae voiced out. “We weren’t even near Kazuya’s Jewelry.”
“Do you have proof that he was with you?” Jongin said.
Hyukjae frowned. “There’s no proof but-”
“I’ll be taking him then,” Jongin said. They froze in shock when two other policemen appeared and cuffed Sungmin by the hand, dragging him away.
“Min!” Kyuhyun shouted but the dazed, shocked Sungmin could barely hear him as he was dragged away. They were unable to do anything. If they fought against them, it would only worsen the situation and so, as Sungmin was dragged away, Jungsu stood up and dragged them all towards the music room - where it was sound proof.
:::
“Hyung, he couldn’t have been there!” Kyuhyun shouted as soon as they entered the room. “He was beside me all night long after he came home!”
“Kyuhyun-”
“Min does not do cowardly things like stealing!” Kyuhyun insisted. “You know! All of you! Min won’t do stupid things like this! Help him! Please!”
“Kyuhyun,” Jungsu whispered, taking a hold of Kyuhyun’s shoulders.
“We know,” Youngwoon said. “Kyu, it’s not him. We know. We’ll help him.”
“Calm down, alright?” Jungsu soothed, rubbing circles on Kyuhyun’s shoulders as Kyuhyun cried.
“I hate you!” Kyuhyun screamed, startling everyone as he pointed an accusing finger at Heechul. “I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!”
“Kyu-” Heechul tried to say.
“He did nothing to you!” Kyuhyun yelled. “You didn’t have to open your big mouth! He did nothing to you! And you know it wasn’t him! Hyukjae hyung was there with him that night! You - I hate you!”
“Shhh,” Jungsu muttered, pulling Kyuhyun into his arms. He patted Kyuhyun’s hair as the male cried into neck. “Sungmin’s going to be fine. We’ll get him out, alright? Don’t cry.”
“I-If Min gets hurt,” Kyuhyun hiccupped. “I’m going to kill Heechul hyung. H-Hyung, you’ll help me, right? I want to kill him!”
“I’ll help you,” Jungsu nodded his head, much to the dismay of Heechul. “We’ll kill him together if Sungmin gets hurt, okay? Stop crying, Kyuhyun.”
“I don’t believe you!” Kyuhyun yelled, pushing Jungsu away from him and ran behind Donghae, shocking everyone. Donghae stood still, unsure of what was going on as Kyuhyun grabbed both of his shoulders and hid behind him like a frightened child. “All of you are going to hurt me without Min here, aren’t you?”
“Kyuhyun,” Hangeng begged. “Don’t be li-”
Heechul nudged on Hangeng, stopping his words. He shook his head at Hangeng. Stop.
“Kyuhyun, we won’t hurt you,” Jungsu said. “Kyuhyun, it’s us. Don’t you trust us?”
“You sold Min away!” Kyuhyun shouted. “I don’t trust you!”
“Kyu-”
“Hyung, send them away,” Kyuhyun begged, shaking Donghae’s shoulder strongly as he pointed towards Jungsu and the rest. “Send them away!” In my eyes, it’s only you I can trust.
“Guys, can you leave for just a minute while we talk to him?” Hyukjae asked, smiling apologetically.
Jungsu nodded stiffly, pulling the other three out of the room. “Kyuhyun,” Hyukjae said as soon as they left.
“Don’t touch me,” Kyuhyun flinched, hiding his face behind Donghae again. “You leave too!”
“No, not until you listen to me,” Hyukjae insisted. “And release the kid. You’re killing him.”
Kyuhyun blinked, releasing Donghae in an instant. “Did I hurt you?” he frowned. “I’m sorry.”
Donghae shook his head, unsure. “Kyuhyun,” Hyukjae called him again.
“What?” Kyuhyun scowled.
“We’re going to get Ming out, okay?” Hyukjae assured. “I understand if you’re angry at Heechul but you have to at least trust Jungsu hyung, okay? He cares for all of us. You do know that, right?”
“B-But-”
“Jungsu hyung won’t hurt you,” Hyukjae said. “Neither of us will. Even if we wanted to, we’ll be killed once Sungmin hyung is released. You love Sungmin hyung, don’t you?”
Kyuhyun nodded his head vigorously. “Then at least trust Jungsu hyung,” Hyukjae said. “Sungmin hyung trust him.”
Kyuhyun pouted but otherwise nodded his head slightly. “Fine…” he mumbled.
“Good,” Hyukjae said. “I’ll call him in and we can discuss on what to do next.”
:::
“Kyu!” Sungmin exclaimed, puzzled as Kyuhyun ran into the room and practically jumped onto him. “What are you doing here?!”
Sungmin had previously been called out of his cell after being told that he had a visitor. They ad thenthrew him into a windowless room despite him questioning them on who the visitor is.
“I missed you,” Kyuhyun sobbed.
Sungmin laughed, patting the younger’s hair lovingly. “What’s wrong?” he said. “We’ve only been away for a day.”
Kyuhyun shook his head, insisting that he missed the elder male. “Did anyone hurt you?” Sungmin asked; voice suddenly sharp and icy.
“N-No,” Kyuhyun answered. “But I hate Heechul hyung.”
Sungmin smiled, pulling the younger out of his embrace and cupping his face delicately. “Let me see your face,” he whispered. “I missed you too, you know.”
Kyuhyun looked up, eyes still brimming with tears as he faced Sungmin. Sungmin shook his head as he wiped away the younger’s tears and go on mumbling on how you should at least take care of yourself without me, you idiot.
It took a few minutes to calm Kyuhyun down -with chaste kisses. Sungmin then turned their positions around, where he sat comfortably on Kyuhyun’s laps, arms dangling loosely around his neck. “How did you get in?” he finally asked. “I thought I wasn’t allowed any visitors.”
“Youngwoon hyung pulled some strings,” Kyuhyun said, shrugging. “I said I won’t talk to him for a month if I don’t see you today.”
“He bought that?” Sungmin laughed.
Kyuhyun nodded. “Min,” he said, more serious this time. “We’ll get you out of here, you know that, right?”
Sungmin nodded. “I trust all of you,” he muttered. “So don’t worry, alright?”
Kyuhyun frowned. “You’ll be out by today,” he said.
“What?!”
“Jungsu hyung and Youngwoon hyung demanded to see the CCTV footage of the jewelry shop that night,” Kyuhyun explained. “And even though it wasn’t clear, they’ll be able to prove that it wasn’t you who did it.”
“But I thought they were wearing masks?” Sungmin asked.
“They were,” Kyuhyun nodded. “But you know the safe box which belonged to the Dubai’s ambassador? One of them took out their gloves when opening the box. They’re going there now to take a fingerprint sample and it’ll prove that it wasn’t you.”
“But there’s like five of them in there!” Sungmin exclaimed. “They could have just said that I was one of the other four!”
“Listen to me, first, darling,” Kyuhyun said. “The person opening the safe box was the one who so called dropped your Student ID. Also, Jungsu hyung and Youngwoon hyung brought over the CCTV footage from our apartment. It shows you going in at ten and only leaving with me to school in the morning. So, it’ll clear your name away.”
Sungmin froze for a moment, taking everything that Kyuhyun said in. He then slumped down onto Kyuhyun’s body weakly. “I’m going to be released?” he mumbled.
Kyuhyun nodded, putting his arms around Sungmin’s petite waist and squeezing it tightly. “Wait, what happened to Heechul?” Sungmin asked.
Kyuhyun pouted again, annoyed at Heechul’s mere name. “He went to the dentist, I heard,” he answered. “While the others were - wait, who’s calling me? Min, take my cellphone out of my back pocket, please.”
Sungmin nodded, feeling for Kyuhyun’s phone before taking it out. “Oh? It’s Jungsu hyung,” he said.
“Can you pick it up for me?” Kyuhyun pleaded, frowning.
“Of course,” Sungmin smiled as he pressed answer. “Hello?”
Kyu- oh, Ming! You’re with Kyuhyun, already?
“Yes, why? What’s happening, hyung? Why do you sound so breathless?”
It’s Heechul! He’s gone! Hangeng left him for a while and he vanished! He’s not picking up his phone either.
Sungmin frowned. “What happened to him?”
We don’t know but we’re really worried now so I just want to tell you that we’ll come fetch the both of you after we meet Hangeng. You can be released already. I just received the call.
“Alright, it’s okay. Kyuhyun’s with me anyway.”
Hangeng’s really worried right now. So, if Heechul contact any of you, please tell us quickly.
“You know he won’t,” Sungmin scoffed.
But if he does, Ming…please call us. He never vanished like this before.
“Got it,” Sungmin nodded. “Call us if anything happens too. We’ll be waiting.”
:::
Heechul looked around, eyes searching and wide. Bitches being cliché. He was surrounded by old, abandoned warehouses that were labeled numerically. Three, three…where is warehouse number three?
“What are you doing here?” a deep voice suddenly sounded behind him. Heechul turned around only to see a man a few feets away from him. He was tall, tanned and stood with an intimidating poise. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
Heechul perked his eyebrows. His eyes then landed on the golden skull necklace around the man’s neck. “Are you Kim Chongjin?” he asked, sounding brave despite his rapidly beating heart.
The man narrowed his eyes. “Yes, I am,” he answered. “Who are you? What business do you have with me?”
Heechul noted the change of his poise, ready to fight and run. “I’m not from the police,” Heechul said, knowing his way around the male already.
Chongjin’s eyes impossibly narrowed again. “Then who are you?”
“I need to have a talk with you,” Heechul shrugged. “You owe me something.”
Chongjin scoffed, regaining his confidence again after he was sure that Heechul was alone and wasn’t from the police force. “Come on,” he said, nodding to his right. “Let’s talk inside then.”
Heechul followed him, knowing well the events that will follow later on. Chongjin brought him around the perimeter twice before he turned into a small alley and headed towards the most secluded warehouse. Either he thinks I’m dumb or he’s just dumb, Heechul inwardly smirked. Chongjin was obviously trying to confuse him of his surroundings so that it would be difficult to run and that he would not be able to give their location away to the police.
He was led to a blackened, algae-filled door. His eyebrows rose when he saw more people inside. Some were sitting, others were standing. It seemed like they were gambling like the fools they were. “I’m back,” Chongjin called out.
“Oh, boss!” they greeted. Heechul scoffed.
“Who is he?” one asked, ready to strike after being laughed at openly.
“No idea,” Chongjin shrugged. “He said he wanted to talk to me.”
“Pretty bad idea to come alone, darling,” another one sneered.
“No, do you want to know what a bad idea is?” Heechul said, unfazed.
Chongjin growled. “What?”
“One,” Heechul started. “-is to think that I’m an idiot. Do you really think that I wouldn’t notice where this place is located at after a mere two rounds around the place?”
At least a dozen snarls were heard as soon as he uttered those words. “And two,” Heechul said, leaning forward with an annoyed face. He moved close to Chongjin so much that their noses were almost touching. “Is to mess with my boys,” Heechul whispered.
Chongjin pushed him away. Heechul merely staggered but maintained his cool posture. “I didn’t touch anyone these few months,” he said. Honest, Heechul noted.
“Oh, you didn’t touch him alright,” Heechul nodded. “You couldn’t even if you wanted to.”
“What are you talking about?” Chongjin snarled.
“Sungmin isn’t one to be touched that easily,” Heechul spat. “That’s what I hate most about him. The only way to get him is to play dirty. And that’s what you exactly did.”
“The jewelry robbery a few days ago!” Heechul shouted when Chongjin showed signs of interrupting. “That was you and your boys, wasn’t it?”
Chongjin sneered. “So?”
“You framed Sungmin, you bloody asshole!” Heechul screamed. “Didn’t you find a student ID at the pub that night? You put threw it at the crime site, didn’t you?”
“Oh, that feminine boy in the pub? So, his name is Sungmin? Girly,” Chongjin nodded his head, as if amused. “He was just unlucky.”
“No, you’re unlucky,” Heechul corrected. That girly butt will kill you. “You are so lucky for now that it’s only me. But once Ming gets his hands on you, you’re dead -minced into little pieces of meat.”
Chongjin’s eyes widened, angered. “Minhwan,” he said. “Send the others to the other house. You and your boys stay here. It seems like someone needs to be taught a lesson.”
Here it comes. Heechul smiled despite everything. If they were going to hurt him, they weren’t touching his heart. Hurt my body not my soul.
Heechul watched as the men leaved the warehouse, leaving only nine behind -ten if you include Chongjin. Chongjin turned to him then with a wicked smile. “What were you saying?” he said, feeling tough with the back up he had.
“You framed one of my boys,” Heechul repeated calmly.
Chongjin laughed. “So, you came here to fight us?” he said. “Alone?”
“I didn’t come to fight,” Heechul shook his head. “I came here to escort you to the police. Because of you, Sungmin suffered.”
“Escort?” Chongjin mocked. “You and what army?”
Heechul smiled, startling the man. He raised his right hand, putting it over his heart. “Me and this army,” he whispered. “My heart and I are enough.”
“What are you mumbling to yourself about?” Chongjin snarled.
Heechul shrugged. “You’re a disgrace to delinquents,” he said. “All of you are a disgrace.”
“Who do you think you are?” Chongjin hissed. “Boys, get him!”
“Me?” Heechul scoffed, closing his eyes as they charged towards him. “I’m Sungmin’s friend.”
:::
“Heechul's not here yet?” Youngwoon asked; face contorted in worry.
Hangeng shook his head, his hands unable to stay still as he kept on flipping open his phone impatiently. “He said he’ll call me after he was done,” he complained. “It’s way past five already…”
“Why didn’t you go with him?” Jungsu asked, confused. “You never let him wander off alone.”
“He insisted on going alone,” Hangeng sighed. “And after all, it’s only to the dentist. Oh god, if something happens to him, I’m going to kill myself.”
“Don’t worry too much,” Jungsu scolded.
“He never left this way before,” Hangeng said. “Maybe something did happen…”
Youngwoon huffed. “Where are Hyukjae and Donghae anyway?”
“I sent them to look for Heechul,” Jungsu answered.
Youngwoon gave his lover a look. Are you kidding me? “Do you think that’s a good idea?” he asked, frowning. “Hyukjae doesn’t like being left with strangers.”
“Donghae isn’t a stranger,” Jungsu emphasized. “He’s a part of us. I’ve said that a million times.”
“I’m sorry,” Youngwoon apologized. “That wasn’t what I meant. But you know how Hyukjae is, Jungsu. Other than his close circle of people, the world is practically a stranger to him.”
“I know,” Jungsu nodded. “That’s one of the many reasons why I’m pushing Donghae over to him.”
“Pushing?”
“Eyes, Youngwoon, eyes,” Jungsu whispered. “Look into Donghae's eyes and I think you’ll get what I mean. Listen to his voice too.”
“I know what you mean,” Hangeng interrupted, one hand still on his phone, waiting for the line to connect with Heechul.
“Huh?”
“It feels like there are two souls in Donghae,” Hangeng shrugged. “At times his eyes would be bright, fearful and shy. But at times it would be deadly, murderous and full of hatred. His voice changes suddenly too. I som- oh god, Heechul, can you pick up the bloody phone?”
Youngwoon looked confused. Jungsu shook his head and merely patted his shoulders.
“Let’s go fetch Hyukjae and Donghae first before we fetch Sungmin and Kyuhyun,” Hangeng said, flipping his phone close. “And we’ll find Heechul after that.”
:::
Hyukjae nudged him. This way. If it was somebody else, he would have felt annoyed but somehow, because it was Hyukjae, he merely nodded.
The duo headed up towards the library, where they were stared at. Hyukjae’s with a new kid? “Where are we going?” Donghae grumbled. “Didn’t Jungsu hyung say that Heechul hyung went to the dentist? Why are we in the library?”
Hyukjae gave him a look but otherwise didn’t bother to answer. Donghae frowned. Is this kid ever going to talk to me? Hyukjae stopped in his tracks after they reached the last row of historical books. Donghae perked his eyebrows as Hyukjae scowled at the books, as if it did something to him.
“Well?” Donghae prodded. “Where is he?”
Hyukjae shook his head and turned on his heels to head towards the door. Having no other choice, Donghae followed him. This time, they went out of the campus.
Hyukjae headed straight for the dentist even though Jungsu had told them that Heechul wasn’t there anymore. The clinic was located in an eerily quiet neighborhood. “Stay,” was all Hyukjae said to Donghae as he pointed to the spot Donghae was standing on before entering the door of the clinic.
( Part II )