5

The next morning was just full of vomiting and headaches for Minho. It didn't help that his roommates opened his locked door only to find out that Chan had given them Minho's car keys which also included his bedroom key.

He woke up with a throbbing right temple and all he could wish for is to come back to sleep for another two hours. But he suddenly remembered that he brought his cats with him in the apartment and he had to feed them, otherwise they would just keep meowing to no end and the other two might really push their poisoning mission. And of course, he wanted to 'purify' his body once again.

"But how did you end up with Chan hyung last night?"

Minho thought and thought for a moment to think of any excuse. He just told them that Hyunho was at his tail again last night and his 'good time' ended in misery because of that egotistical jerk. He was about to leave some details about Hyunho doing nasty things to him, but both of his friends weren't having it. They knew Hyunho too well. But he did leave the part where Chan had saved him because of the note he found on his jacket's pocket earlier.

I hope you're fine. I didn't say a single word about what happened, I'll leave that to you. But please don't tell them that I kicked some ass last night. Thank you and take care of yourself. — Channie

He couldn't help but notice how Chan's penmanship was neatly done. Even in writing, he's good at it, too. He couldn't help but blush after remembering how he called him hyung and switched to Channie last night. But he couldn't understand. Why would he not let them know that because of him, Minho was safe?

"I—uh." I can't believe I'm gonna lie for him. "I clearly don't remember. I was drunk and maybe someone came to help me because I was shouting like crazy and then it just happened that Chan was also there." He forced a smile, hoping that they wouldn't notice. He looked at Felix and the younger was just studying him. His heart started beating rapidly.

"So Chan hyung just magically appeared at the same bar you're at, out of all the bars in Korea, and he drove you home because you were drunk?" Hyunjin was intrigued and he was giving Minho suggestive looks which the older understood rather quickly. He came to his defense. "Whatever you're thinking, stop it. We didn't plan to go there together. He just helped me get home because I was really drunk."

"I didn't say anything like that."

"But your look was saying exactly that." Hyunjin just gave him an innocent look. But Minho wasn't having problems about what they'd think between him and Chan. He was actually worried that Felix was still staring right through him, as if he was contemplating something.

Finally, he spoke up. "So what happened to Hyunho? We know that he won't let you go that easily."

"Someone called the bouncers and they just grabbed him. And then Chan saw me and we came here but I was tired so I fell asleep." That was fast. Felix wasn't having any of it though, his brow still raised in Minho's direction.

"But he has power and connections. Remember when you broke up with him and the bouncers in that same bar didn't do anything to stop him? Wait— how could you even go to that bar again, you idiot? Good thing he was really drunk last time and you weren't, so you had the chance to run away—"

Minho interrupted him. "Beat his ass. I had the chance to beat his ass before running away."

Felix rolled his eyes. "The point is, how come that the bouncers now helped you?" The Australian's eyes were like balls of flaming hot lava and lucky for Minho, those were directed towards him. Great.

"I don't know! Maybe they're new? It's been months since I last went there."

They were having a staring contest and Hyunjin felt left out so he cleared his throat. "Am I missing out on something here? Felix, I thought we were just here to tease Minho hyung with your cousin?"

"No. That was your goal. I'm here to prove my suspicion and my point. Minho isn't telling us something." Does Felix know that Chan was involved in a fight? "Chris wouldn't just put on a mask because it was cold, he was even wearing shorts! Did Hyunho do something to him?" Oh, so that's why he's acting like this. He was worried that Chan might have been involved, which he was, and have already met Hyunho's derangement. Felix saw how destructive Hyunho was and as Chan's cousin, he was concerned. Well, that's what Minho thought of anyway.

"I clearly do not know what you're talking about, Felix. He wore that mask even before he came to help me." Liar, you didn't even know he wore a mask to cover up his bruise!   "And here's another point that we should focus on. I'm alive and Chan is alright and we are both fine now! How about we just dwell on that and be happy because I wasn't hurt and we got away from Hyunho unscathed! How about that?"

He can feel his head throbbing in pain again. He promised himself to never ever drink something he doesn't know anything about. Both of his friends were alarmed when he suddenly held his right temple and shut his eyes out of pain.

"Alright. I'll let this go. We brought you meds and refilled your glass with water. Drink it. Hyunjin will be feeding the cats." Felix said, helping Minho lean against the headboard of his bed.

"What? Why me? I fed them last night when Minho hyung was having fun with Chan hyung—"

"I said we didn't go clubbing togeth— ugh." His screaming intensified the pain on his head. Felix turned to Hyunjin. "See what you did? Go and feed the cats!"

"Nah uh. It's your turn now, Yongbok! Quit helping Minho hyung to drink his medicine just because you don't want to feed his cats! He obviously can do it himself."

"Guys, shut up."

"Ugh, fine. Just sleep, hyung. We'll be outside if you need us."

Minho closed his eyes. They insisted that he should eat breakfast, but he wasn't hungry and all he could feel after taking a bath is the painful sensation on his head. He heard the other two bickering about why Felix should be the one to feed his cats. If he finds out that they didn't feed them, he would certainly let the cats stay here in their apartment longer and make both of them clean their litter box.

Once again, he was taken back to dreamland.

The days went by pretty fast and Chan and Minho's relationship escalated. The others had been shocked why the two had been talking and would randomly throw jokes here and there. It was really awkward at first, but Chan was an absolute angel. He was the one making small talks with Minho and he never let Minho feel the need to shy away due to the awkwardness or something.

Minho had to explain what happened the way he explained it to Felix and Hyunjin, and he noticed how Felix was having an eye conversation with Chan. The five of them went from being worried about Minho's condition to teasing the both of them endlessly because apparently, they share the same braincells with Hyunjin.

"So that's why you didn't have your car with you when you arrived! So you left it at the bar's parking lot?" Changbin asked, earning a little nod from Chan. Minho freaked out a little because Chan really did abandon his car for him. What if it was stolen or something? What if Hyunho got back at him through his car? But the next series of sentences made Minho's soul relaxed.

"I really thought you sold it or something and then just took it back because it was there in the afternoon." Jisung said while chewing his food.

"That's gross, Jisung. Close your mouth!"

"I didn't know you followed Minho to that club, Chan." Woojin spoke after taking a huge bite on his fried chicken.

"Yeah, I thought you were just meeting with someone somewhere. I didn't know you had a hidden agenda." Changbin said while making an attempt to grab one of Woojin's pieces of chicken but the older saw it and batted the younger's hand away.  "Get your own." Changbin just gave his a chicken a longing look.

Chan was about to defend himself when Jisung spoke. He always got interrupted when he was about to clear the situation. "Channie hyung is playing knight in shining armor. You're all grown up now, hyung. Congratulations. I thought you'll remain single forever." This elicited laughter from almost everyone, even Felix who was still suspicious about something. Except the two who have flustered faces and Changbin who was still trying to get one piece of chicken.

"Hey! That's not it! It was just a mere coincidence. I can't believe you're teaming up against us, y'all are insane. And Changbin, stop trying to take Woojin hyung's chicken. Here, take mine."

Chan was also generous. Wow, what is it with this guy? Minho couldn't help but stare at Chan and admire his personality.

"Take it, Changbin. Chan's trying to impress Minho." Again, another barrel of laughter erupted. But Changbin took his piece anyway. Chan just had enough and simply rolled his eyes followed by some English words he said under his breath. Minho didn't hear them, but it's fine since he thought that he won't even understand if he heard. He realized that Australians have different set of words and they're pretty weird when it came to food. I mean, who eats a shrimp on a barbie in the morning? A BARBIE! It's not even edible!

When the laughter died down, Seungmin spoke up. "I thought Chan hyung was trying to impress that girl." He pointed at the table next to them where a girl and her friends were eating. All of them turned to look and when the girl saw that Seungmin was pointing in her direction, she quickly withdrew her gaze and started talking to her friends.

"Someone's got a crush on Channie hyung!" Jisung sang, holding his spoon like it was a microphone.

They turned to their table again. "That's not new. A lot of people here have been crushing on Chris hyung since he made goals in soccer. And even before that, I guess." Felix said while finishing his cheese stick, a look of pride printed on his face. Chan couldn't be more flustered. If Minho knew that the guy who kicked some ass and kissed him was like this, he would've teased Chan from the very beginning. But he couldn't. Chan just had a certain effect on him, especially when he saw how confident the Aussie was in combat.

"Shut up. She wasn't even looking at me."

"Yes she was. She just looked away when she saw Seungmin pointing at her." Jeongin chimed in.

"Can we not dwell on this subject?"

Minho was just quietly eating his lunch. After a few moments, he looked up to see Chan looking at him while the others were engrossed in their own conversations. The older smiled at him and he couldn't help but smile back. He turned his head when he heard Hyunjin and Jisung whispering beside him.

"See? I told you they like each other." Hyunjin said in a hushed voice, as if Minho couldn't hear him.

"Nah. Chan hyung is just smiley. And it would be rude in Minho hyung's part if he didn't smile back." Jisung replied in a whisper.

Minho broke the two apart when he said, "Next time you talk about me, make sure I wouldn't hear it."

The two just turned to him and smiled awkwardly. Idiots. Minho wouldn't want to know what would happen if these two were going out on a date. It would be chaos. Hyunjin can be as loud as Jisung and if he was in a mood for a competition, he can be louder and messier. Just thinking about the mess Hyunjin and Felix would make inside their apartment already made his face scowl.

The bell rang and all of them dispersed into the crowd. But before that, Chan actually gave Minho a small wink. He felt like hyperventilating. That was Chan alright. Good thing that the older already had his back turned against Minho so that he wouldn't see the red pigment flashing on his cheeks. What was that? He pushed himself to believe that he was just seeing things.

But so what if Chan just flashed him a sexy wink? Minho was more than that. He could even get anyone with just a bat of his eyelash! So why would he be flustered for a simple wink? Gosh, Minho! What happened to your flirtatious self?

A few more days passed and Minho was having the best days of his life. The incident with Hyunho was out of his mind, his classes weren't that annoying anymore, and a dance competition is just around the corner. The last time they joined, they were just in second place. But that didn't stop them from practicing harder. In fact, it gave them a boost to show more.

Sure, second place is not that bad when you're in a competition with many participants. But the group always had a competitive edge. They wanted to be the best. And by winning, it would prove to their parents that dancing while being in college was not a hindrance to their success. Dancing was like a fuel to do better. It was their kind of escape from the mountainous piles of work sheets and study papers they had to face almost everyday.

Just like most of his his teammates, Minho's parents were also against the idea of splitting his time between studying and dancing. It was practicality versus passion. But nevertheless, he managed to convince his parents that he could do both. He'd combine being practical while indulging into his passion. And competitions like this would surely prove something.

Plus, there's a winning money. They would be lying if they said that they didn't care about the cash prize and they're only there to take part and have fun. Bullshit. Economic prices aren't going lower so they better grab evey opportunity they could get to have money. It'll help some of them to sustain themselves because they're parents already left them on their own when they entered dancing and chose their passion over having a 'decent career'. Tsk. What's so wrong about jobs under arts?

"So what about your parents? They didn't send you to study on your own, right?" Chan was sitting on the couch inside their dance studio. They were waiting for everyone else since they were buying food. Felix and Hyunjin were on the other side of the room listening to the tracks Chan, Changbin, and Jisung made. Minho was just resting because he was tired. Not because he wanted to talk to Chan. Yup, that's right. I'm tired as hell.

Well, the dance team were all tired. The others already left while the three of them stayed to finish their choreography since they were kind of like in-charge for this season. The seniors in their team were busy complying with their academic projects and they just couldn't leave those behind.

So their friends went to help them. Chan volunteered to make the music track and Changbin and Jisung wanted to help. Jeongin and Seungmin were still in freshmen year so they're not totally heavy-loaded. Well, they just finished their homeworks early. And they just wanted to annoy their hyungs. Woojin was alone in his dorm since he doesn't have a roommate so he decided to stay here for the night.

And now here they are, Minho sharing his experiences to Chan about dancing and what his team had been through because he wasn't having the idea of just sitting with him while waiting for food. It would just be awkward.

"No. Well, they actually warned me that if my grades went on a flatline, they'd abandon me, which I doubt they would. They love me that much to actually leave me alone and fend for myself. But I guess they just did that so I would study harder and not have failing marks. But even without that kind of warning, I'd surely keep my grades high. It's the least I could do for them." He said with a proud smile.

Chan just hummed and his bright aura was slowly fading. Minho thought if he said something wrong but the older spoke again. "You're parents are proud of you." He said with a low voice. Minho didn't know what to say so he just asked, "How do you know?"

Chan turned to him with something in his eyes. "You're an amazing dancer, judging by how you moved earlier, and you obviously don't have low marks. You handled both well. I bet your parents are really proud." The way Chan said it sounded kinda sad but Minho was moved.

"I hope they are. Actually, they always came to my dance competitions and I could see that even though they didn't agree at first, they were still being supportive."

Silence. Chan didn't answer to that except for a sigh. It seemed like the other lost his focus on the conversation. Minho panicked, thinking that he ruined the atmosphere. "So, how about you?"

Chan looked pleasantly surprised. "What about me?"

Minho could see in his peripheral view that Hyunjin and Felix were giggling at the both of them. But he just ignored them. "You know, you like making music and you're also studying and... doing other things." He said the last part with a shy voice and Chan just gave him a small smile, clearly understanding what Minho meant by 'other things'. "So what do your parents think about it?"

The older was quiet for a while. "It's okay if you won't answer though."

"My father's dead and well, my mom wasn't really enthusiastic about me producing music. So I just continued taking my course here in Korea when I moved so that she wouldn't be worrying about me actually finding a 'decent job'", he air quoted, "I mean, there are still decent jobs aside from those under sciences and businesses. Same as you, I guess, but minus the supportive parents. But my mom's learning to accept it though." Chan was fiddling with his fingers, which Minho found cute. But now is not the time to gawk at Chan, especially when he just learned that his father's already dead.

"I-I'm sorry for asking."

"Nah, it's fine. I asked about you first anyway." Minho was about to tell him something when Chan said, "Oh, they're here. I'm actually hungry."

The older immediately stood up, as if he was dodging more questions about the topic. Minho just looked at him and he felt sad that the older had to experience losing his father that early. He couldn't even imagine his life without his father by his side. Nevertheless, he stood up and acted like he didn't hear a single word from Chan since that's what the older would like him to do.

After eating while throwing insults here and there, and with Woojin taking half of the chicken pieces they bought, saying that it was his money anyway, the three continued to listen to the tracks. They were amazed how great the sounds were and how they could easily fit choreographies here and there.

"Chan hyung would make them when he couldn't fall asleep. Which happens every night. That's why he has bags under his eyes." Jisung said, motioning to Chan who was currently talking to Woojin about sports stuff.

"Yeah. His bags are getting bigger  everyday, it could carry his laptop and books — ah!" Changbin yelped when Felix slammed his hand against his head.

"Don't talk about him like that. It's already bad that he couldn't fall asleep earlier."

They continued to talk about their plans for the remixing of their music and all. Minho seemed like he's spacing out again, which the others didn't mind since he was really drained. But he was just thinking.

Felix is always concerned about Chan. Of course because he was his cousin, but there's something more to it than meets the eye. Maybe because he knew Chan's life struggles. And maybe that's why Chan didn't want anyone to know that he was involved in two fights already (or maybe more) because he didn't want anyone to worry about him. Minho could see that with Chan. He doesn't like it when someone worries about him.

"Minho hyung, we should head out. It's getting pretty late. Jeongin's mom would kill us if we let him stay here a little bit longer."

Jeongin glared at Seungmin. "Hey! I'm not a baby anymore. And my mom is like how many miles away from here."

"We should probably go home. We still have classes tomorrow." Woojin said while standing up and went to the mirror to fix his hair.

Jisung gasped dramatically. "Oh man! I thought today was Friday!"

"Dude, today's Tuesday. How could you think it's a Friday?"

Hyunjin quickly embraced an embarrassed Jisung and showered him small kisses. The others were loudly complaining. "Hey! There's a baby here!" Jeongin shouted.

"You just said you're not a baby anymore." Jeongin just rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue to Seungmin.

Felix was complaining about how gross they looked and Hyunjin just answered, "Hey! I've seen you two do worse!" Pointing to Felix and Changbin.

It was getting pretty loud and Chan had to step in. "So, who's gonna throw these mess away?" He said pertaining to the food wrappers and other materials they used for eating.

Seungmin raised his hand, and the others thought that he volunteered, which was new. But he volunteered someone else. "Changbin hyung."

"Why you little—"

"I agree. Changbin should do it." Woojin seconded, heading for the door.

"Changbin hyung would clean it up nicely."

"Good luck, hyung."

"We'll just wait for you outside. Here's the key. Lock it up." Felix said, handing him the key.

Changbin sulked. "Aw. Not you, too, Yongbok." Felix just smiled at him innocently.

Chan was the last one to take an exit. "Sorry, buddy. Want some help?" Changbin's eyes lit up when he asked that but was quick to frown when Chan continued. "Maybe some other time. Just hurry up before I drive home with only one passenger."

Changbin grunted and went to work immediately. Outside, Minho was still tying his shoelace because he almost stumbled and fall when he stepped on it a little while ago. Chan almost bumped into him on his way outside. "Oh, hey Minho." He waited for Minho to get up so they could walk outside together.

"Hey, Chan." He didn't call him hyung anymore since the other insisted that he was just a year older than him. He argued that Chan calls Woojin "hyung" even though they're born on the same year. But the blonde just insisted that Minho call him by his name without the hyung. So he just did.

"You're doing good. I bet you'll win."  Chan was boosting his energy because it was too obvious that Minho was really exhausted. The younger just smiled but replied. "You haven't saw our opponents yet."

"I believe in you guys and that's enough." Chan said nonchalantly but it made Minho's heart dance wildly. This guy right here was doing crazy things to Minho's heart. He wouldn't be surprised if he'll be diagnosed with a heart problem one day.

"Thanks. But we really need to finalize everything this week so that we'll start practicing as a whole the next and arrange ourselves into formations." He sounded really troubled but Chan's pat on his shoulder made him relax.

"You'll do just fine. Don't stress yourself that much. You're a natural. You all are."

There's always something in Chan's voice that Minho admired. It was calm. It made him feel relaxed and collected. When everything would sound chaotic, Chan's voice would be his safe haven. Okay. That was too much. But Minho really liked listening to Chan's voice.

They arrived outside with the others, waiting for Changbin. Minho leaned on Chan's car. They're apartment building was the farthest among them, so they really had to bring this. The older leaned beside him, sighing.

When Changbin went down, Woojin dragged Seungmin and Jeongin with him after bidding their goodbyes. Changbin then made his way to Felix and was having a short conversation with him before bidding goodbyes. The same with Jisung and Hyunjin. So Chan and Minho were still waiting for their children to be done so they could all go home.

Jisung and Changbin said bye to Hyunjin and Felix at the same time, making both of them look at each other before yelling "Shotgun!" and ran their ways to Chan's car, shoving the owner and Minho away because they were leaning against the shotgun's door.

Changbin was the one who occupied the seat, leaving Jisung groaning and not-so-lightly knocking on Changbin's window, while the shorter just smirked at him.

Chan spoke up when he thought that Jisung was about to hit the car strongly. "Uhm, excuse me? That's my car." Jisung just gave up and went to the backseat, slouching.

"Hey Minho hyung! Give your goodbye kiss to Chan hyung already! We're going home!" Felix said while crossing his arms on his chest, waiting for Minho.

Minho just gave him a look and Chan just laughed. "So, see you tomorrow." The older said while looking at his eyes.

"Yeah. See you." Then Minho walked away and stopped at where Hyunjin and Felix were standing. Chan went inside the car and drove to the opposite direction, but not before giving them one last wave.

In the car, Changbin said "See you? Hyung, that was so lame. You should've hugged him at least."

Jisung, who was still salty because Changbin claimed the shotgun for the night, came to Chan's defense. "I didn't see you hugging Felix, shortie." They were now arguing and Chan couldn't do anything but sigh.

On their way home, Hyunjin spoke up. "You should've just kissed him right there and then, Hyung. Show him who's the boss!"

Felix shuddered. "What the hell, Hyunjin? That's so gross. Minho hyung, if you ever want to kiss Chris, which I bet you do, don't do it in front of my face."

Well, you weren't there when we— Oh my gosh, stop thinking about that! "What are you guys talking about? I do not want to kiss him." Minho was furiously blushing, but they didn't need to know that. Good thing it was dark.

"Lix, have you ever considered the thought that Minho hyung didn't go on dates for like more than a month already?"

"Yeah. I wonder why."

"Stop talking like I'm not here." Minho sighed because it was true. He was too caught up with gawking at Chan to actually find himself someone to date. Is he losing his powers in flirting? He couldn't have a crush on Chan, right? He was just too overwhelmed to know that there's a human being who existed such as Chan. He was both a devil and an angel.

Either way, Minho wasn't complaining how he's not acquainted with other people right now. He's enjoying himself with his his cats and his friends, especially that there are three official additions to their small family and the other one is just so cute and handsome at the same time. That one who calms Minho's nerves down and makes him look at the brighter side of life. Who gives advices and words to encourage everyone to continue living their life to the fullest. That one who has too many secrets but doesn't matter because he was nice all in all.

Yup. He doesn't like Chan.

Or at least he doesn't want to admit that he does.

Hey, guys. Me again. So, ta-da! Another update. Please don't hesitate to leave comments, say what you have in mind. And I love you for reaching this part :> I'm so sorry for mistakes and errors, I'm not actually that good in writing lol. Thank yoouuuuu. Peace out, yo!

And before I forget, I changed my @ from @stayracha13 to @minchanberi so don't get confused. You could always message me if you have any thoughts about the story, I don't bite. Love you, mwuah!