Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

June 21, 615 AC

Kyuhyun, whom just arrived at school minutes early after a blown out fight with his mother, groaned in disappointment and laid his head on his desk. As his only friend, Ryeowook was on his 16th birthday to celebrate it through a traditional, and unknown ceremony everyone was told that everyone had to do once they had turn the age of 16. No prior preparations, no nothing. Just to visit a shrine right outside the city to the unknown fields every single child, and adult was told to never venture into either.

This world was mysterious, but it wasn't that. He's simply disappointed because he won't be seeing Ryeowook for a day. To think he was dramatic... Was a certain accurate answer.

But simply put; without Ryeowook, Kyuhyun would be simply bored. only causing trouble because he thinks it's fun. But when Ryeowook is around, that doesn't need to happen because "Ryeowook is fun to be with."

Kyuhyun, whom was close to sleeping out of boredom, suddenly had an idea. Perhaps something quite... unexpectedly stupid. That's right! Sneak out of school just to see his Ryeowook. Though unplanned, he may or may not know how to figure how to... But perhaps he could escape without anyone knowing--

--

He quietly and sneakily followed an unaware Ryeowook who had a blank and empty face. A strange expression coming from a cheery and happy friend of his. Though Kyuhyun doubted that this is Ryeowook, he trusted his gut and followed Ryeowook through the gravelly downwards road in the cloudy slums full of unspeakably disgusting discarded matter.

Walking carefully and swiftly, Kyuhyun accidentally had made a loud noise, causing both Kyuhyun and Ryeowook to be surprised and terrified. Ryeowook turned around with a scared face while Kyuhyun quickly hid besides a trash bin, causing a ruckus and so that making a loud noise once again. And so in suspicion Ryeowook redirects his route to an alleyway.

...

Seeing the wrecked mess of debris and junk, he walked slowly whilst covering his nose, thinking that someone may or may not have been following him. Kyuhyun on the other hand, is unable to make an action at all behind the dumpster bin. If he moves, he'll get caught, if he makes a noise, Ryeowook's going to get scared and also eventually get him caught. So what is he gonna do? Pretend he's passed out? (Yeah... you're actually correct for guessing that. Great for you reader! or not, I donno.)

He closes his eyes and tries to move his legs and arms to a position as if, he passed out. then again as expected, he made a slight noise. Ryeowook freezes and turns his head and looks on a seemingly passed out Kyuhyun. Did he hit his head so hard he passed out? Ryeowook asked himself. Though unable to think of what to do, he stood silent for a long while, until Ryeowook realizes he's not supposed to pause and is meant to go on and visit the shrine for his ceremony. And so, left Kyuhyun alone to continue his route.

Kyuhyun again, on the other hand, sighed a breath of relief to imagine if he was caught. And instantly stood up again as soon as his instincts knew Ryeowook wasn't near him... Which was actually a bad thing in this case for him who seemed to be curious how they worked, and ran as fast as he could, and also as quietly as he could to avoid being caught by Ryeowook while also asking himself why following Ryeowook would be so necessary for him to do. It's maybe perhaps just a day without him... But them again, he does tend to cause trouble whenever he's bored.

And then again, here he goes following Ryeowook through the stinky slums they live on for their whole life. Left, Right, Down, Whatever Ryeowook went to visit the shrine for ceremonies, he'd follow out of curiosity even if he was at the same time, becoming impatient of all of the walking, and hiding he's been doing through all the identical alleys and streets of their slum-like home place, until they've had reached the end of their large town, in which Kyuhyun followed through a large temple-like building, To expect something as huge as all the houses in where they live combined, made him terrified despite hiding again in another dumpster bin, watching Ryeowook raise his head and look up at the temple and its large size with his strangely empty eyes.

Though with Kyuhyun's concerned expression to staring at Ryeowook, he starts to hear loud enraged noised from the inside. Causing Kyuhyun to become more concerned. But shouldn't he think it's only a part of the process? Why should he be concerned for whatever Ryeowook may be doing there? He may do it too in a matter of a year and his parents are there and survived, so it should be alright, right?

He stares at Ryeowook's back for as close as he could without being caught as Ryeowook took a small step closer to the temple first, then continued slowly walking whilst Kyuhyun's concern grew further and further. He wanted to go and stop him. But fears the ceremony Ryeowook's obligated to do may be ruined. And so, out of fear, he remained still inside the dumpster bin as he watched Ryeowook approach the gates closer, and closer until he was right infront of the large gate.

Ryeowook stood there, with an still, and empty face, looking down on his feet. Taking a few steps closer inside. Slowly, but surely he then again raised his head seeing a large indescribable creature with eight heads approaching him right outside the temple, five going around the body, and the others connected like an hydra. Those heads all seemed to also have multiple eyes around its forehead and a large mouth covering its whole jaw in which the jaw seemed like it can only go close an open with no for of movement to move it's lips. said creature also has 3 enlarged claws, the other coming from behind.

Ryeowook gave a small smile as tears started to form from his watering eyes. Knowing the truth about what's happening to him as he whispered and looked behind him "Kyuhyun..., byebye!"

"Ryeowook!"

Kyuhyun yelled as he decided to finally do something by running towards Ryeowook though not hearing Ryeowook's whisper from afar. However, as expected, It was all too late as Ryeowook had been took inside the temple by force by some gigantic hand before the demonic freakish monster easily squashed the ready body and snatching Ryeowook's hair away as if it was just a wig(it wasn't.) as Kyuhyun paused to see blood splattered. His eyes widened at the sight of Ryeowook being eaten part by part of his body, as the creature savored the taste of his flesh, each muscle and organ was eaten like it was steak, until Ryeowook's head was the only one that remained with skin. But, not for long as the creature began munching on his brains only to leave out his skeleton.

Whilst his blood continuously splattered outside, literally as far as Kyuhyun was splattered with Ryeowook's own blood on his cheeks and hand as he started to become pale, and his eyes shrank, tears started to fall. He's seen perhaps... The reality of this world he knew.

He stared at his bloody hand, as to realize... This is no ceremonial tradition. It's just a murder against his friend— no against their own town. Whatever he saw, whatever he heard, it wasn't something they were told. If this is what happens at the ceremony, "Why is everyone else alive then?" He thought as he began to back away slowly.

Even his thoughts couldn't process what just happened to his dear friend. His only friend whom actually minded his existence, was just eaten infront of his disturbingly bloody death. Ryeowook didn't even try running away from his own demise like he accepted it would happen. And by this state of shock, he started to run away from the large temple, in fear that if he was seen by that disgusting creature, he'd be next to die, and be dreadfully eaten just like Ryeowook. Perhaps this memory may be implanted as some sort of unforgettable memory him. Who figured the amount of regret to see what he wasn't supposed to witness.

June 28, 615 AC(Allurian Calendar)

after a whole week, no one had questioned about Ryeowook's disappearance, including Kyuhyun, but it's all because he witnessed what happened to Ryeowook. In which all affected him.

For the whole week, he was afraid, silent, and most definitely traumatized. Unable to even do a single thing. Only sleep, walk to school, go home, sleep, and repeat. Trying to avoid starting a conversation with anyone at all.

--

He dropped down and collapse on his bed, face first whilst groaning, then yawning.

Kyuhyun doesn't know what to do either. Even if that moment from last week kept him awake and stressed, what was he supposed to do? He's lonely all day long, and there's not much he can do other than study, because he hated doing so. Read a book? Probably. And literally, besides chores and everything else time consuming, perhaps he can forget it through a book.

And after thinking of that said activity (obviously, to read a book just to distract his mind), he rose and stood up from the bed, walking to the bookshelf besides his tiny, little desk, grabbing whatever he thought of, until he accidentally grabbed a book that much would rather look like a journal or something similar to that. (Probably none in particular.). But it definitely wasn't his. If it wasn't, was it his parent's old diary lying around in his room..?

He considerably hesitated as he might just go on to a side of his parent's life that could be considered as a invasion of privacy towards his parents, actually... "Why is he acting so considerate in the first place? He's meant to be the "Mischievous and Troublesome" Kyuhyun who knows no boundaries towards rules, right?" He thought to himself deeply, knowing it wouldn't be "like him" to act so considerate to others. Is it over just a death of a friend he held so dear...? Yeah of course. He loved him a lot(in a platonic way, don't be stupid.).

Despite all the unnecessary writing I've done, he grabbed the book from the tiny, bookshelf. Brushing away the dust from he book, was a surprise from its terribly written title. "려욱의 일기!(Ryeowook's diary!)" Was messily written like how a child would write in the first page. How was it here? Did he leave it at one point during one of his visits to Kyuhyun's house just to play games or study with him?

His hesitancy to not open the book's pages further failed only because of his never ending curiosity. Opening the pages, the first written thing besides the front read as:

"Today, I'm 8 years old now! Everyone is happy in my birthday, and even giving me more gifts! Like this diary grandpa gave me. He told me to write everything I wanna say here, so all I wanna say is, I love mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, auntie, and uncle, my cousins, and my friends! I love everyone and I'm so happy they came to my birthday party today!"

Although written terribly, it's probably expected for a 8-year old child. Assuming there's more, he opened pages, though only and seemingly only full of doodles, and few things about what he did in some specific dates that all related to special events that are rather happy and whiolesome, unlike Kyuhyun's. Continuing until he was assumingly 9 years old, Then skipping to six years. (He was presumingly 15.) Now obviously the writing has become clearer and neater than he was 8 or 9. Thus making it convenient for Kyuhyun and his ever self-consuming curiosity.

In the neatly written writing, contains;

"

(9/15/614 AC)

It's been a long time since I've ever touched my diary that my now dead grandfather gave me. Did I last write in here when I was 9? Doesn't matter. All I can write here will probably only be... Just... Maybe the thoughts that I'd die within a year and I can't do anything about it? It's hard to believe whatever my Grandpa said about whoever was considered appeasing to whoever was killing us, were going to use us as livestock... While the others just... Get tortured most of the time until they've submitted themselves to those terrible people just to give birth to people like me. Am I and everyone else younger than me just food to them...? They're not even humans anymore...just monsters. Darn it, I don't want that. But how can I possibly escape whatever world I know I'm in? I'll just be dead right?

"
He dropped the book and stared blankly into nothingness, and his thoughts get lost and fuzzy from the sudden new information.

Those... Weren't just acts or murder, they're just beyond horrible acts. He doesn't want it to happen to him, or anyone in particular. Especially his dear friend. But he knew all, but at the wrong time. By the few words written by Ryeowook a year before. Reading further onto the pages, He realizes that perhaps... He wasn't that close to Ryeowook too. Kyuhyun, despite to the realization of the world's true order, he was unable to be devastated by what presumably was his true status with his and Ryeowook's friendship. They weren't close in the first place even if he had thought they were close.

And he wanted to cry in frustration about it too. But held his tears right before stuffing his face onto a pillow and quietly sobbed. He didn't want to care about dying as long as his friend didn't need to. And it seems like he has to, just to keep his life. And the only way he had to do it was a simple yet complicated escape plan that he hasn't thought about until now.

--- AN

I forgot the fact I deleted it... I'm so sorry dear readers.. I'll learn from this and take my actions and opinions into consideration! T-T

Chapter Text

February 3, 616 AC

It's Kyuhyun's birthday! Although he doesn't care, his parents still attempt to forcefully celebrate it every year in some degree and whatnot even if he doesn't like to.

His parents rushed to their dining table,
Finding the birthday boy sat still as if like a rock, glaring at his parents coldly to putting his solitude away for a reminder he never wants be reminded of in the first place.

As his parents brought along a tiny cake smaller than what he receives for regular lunch, he plasters a unreadable, forced slight smile towards his parents before it was placed onto the circular table for the now three member-family to feast on the regular usual dinner of instant noodles, coffee with omurice but with a side of cake for the birthday boy to exclusively consume for himself.

His father flicked off the lights as he lit Kyuhyun's birthday candle on top of his cake.

"Happy Birthday, our great son Cho Kyuhyun!" Kyuhyun's parents exclaimed happily with big, genuine grins. "This looks fucking disgusting and weird." Kyuhyun thought to himself. It's not that he hated his parents, but it's that... Those big grins reminded him of... Himself that had never smiled ever since Ryeowook's disappearance.

"Now, make a wish." His mother softly said in anticipation before nodding in understanding before closing his eyes and holding his two hands together to pray.

"May I have another chance to play with my best friend for one last time." He prayed quietly before opening his eyes and blowing the candle. Although he knows it'll probably never come true, it feels that he needs to get it off his chest with something he found silly nowadays like this.

"Best friend? Ah.. What happened to Sungah & Reika?" Kyuhyun's father asks with a concerned, yet curious stare. Kyuhyun obviously lied. He just wanted to name people he knew in class just to get away from his parents' pestering about being alone all the time even before he met his actual best friend. So now, Kyuhyun deals with faking those lies and layer them with more as consequence.

"They're... Fine. They just don't hang out as often with mr anymore." Kyuhyun responded with a straight and blank face that made his parents shove off their concerns and continue bonding with their son as he held his spoon scooped with omurice as he tries to digest it into his stomach, but his stomach refused to swallow it. His food seemed tasteless and weird in his mouth, but he's chewed on it now, it'd be weird to spit it out. It's his birthday after all.

And "I don't want to make my mom and dad disappointed over this. I've already disappointed them enough anyway."

He thought to himself as he forced the chewed slice of omurice down his esophagus as he watched his parents eat like usual before they turned to give the special boy of their household some attention that Kyuhyun didn't want.

"Why are they all happy?" He thought anxiously. "I'm gonna die soon, so are they happy that I'm gonna die..?"

"Really? From a man like you, I thought you'd get warms of friends swooning." His father teased with a fake face of surprise before chuckling softly. Triggering the already pissed of Kyuhyun.

"... I don't need any, and I don't care. I don't wanna." Kyuhyun bluntly responded in a cold manner that genuinely stunned his parents.

"Kyuhyun... But then, you're going to die alone. You're gonna be lonely the rest of your life." Kyuhyun's mother awkwardly talked back with eyes filled with worry for Kyuhyun's maybe, sad future. "You can't just always depend on Reika & Sungah now that they seem busier than ever with school work."

Kyuhyun rolled his eyes as he continues forcefully munching on his food. Refusing to pay attention to their concerns. After all to Kyuhyun it's "none of their business that they should stick their heads on and explore."

As he bore himself in unappetizing food, he abruptly paused and walked away from the dining table, and to his room where he collapsed himself, bouncing slightly on the comfortable and cotton-like surface.

--- timeskip

February 16, 616 AC

A year since Ryeowook's unnervingly traumatizing death has passed, and it seems for Kyuhyun, he's stuck in an endless cycle of despair as he fell to accept his fate and suffer with his piece of mind until the next year where he meets his destiny in less than a year.

Kyuhyun climbed up the stairs up to the 2nd floor of the School building as he moved further to thankfully arrive to his rowdy, and chaotic classroom.

As he came closer to his desk, he realizes something odd today. On where his desk was, which was in a corner had a second chair besides him, which was surrounded by Kyuhyun's female classmates, In where Kyuhyun brushed it aside as he sat on his desk, and placed down his bag right besides his side. As he spectated the rowdy girls literally besides Kyuhyun.

"Jong- I mean Yesungie... Why did you move here?"

"Yesung-ssi, you know... If you were a triangle, you'd definitely be acute one... Wait- no Ah-!! That's weird.. I'm so so-" The girl stammered nervously as her cheeks brightened to soft red tone of fluster before another girl cut her off.

"Sungahnnie is so weird... Anyway, Yesung-ssi, What's your type..!?" The girl asked as her eyes twinkled in anticipation and excitement.

All the girls glazed about the them full of curiosity for this new classmate, well.. Kyuhyun was not an exception, because this isn't a romance fanfiction where he isn't like the other girls! Wait- I wish you hadn't thought it was!

Kyuhyun stated at the new boy they called "Yesung". Although he wondered how they already knew the boy's name, he didn't bother questioning everything. It's probably that he introduced himself. Nothing that special like popularity and stuff, probably.

This time he didn't bother about the chatter within and outside the circle his seatmate was located at, as it has begun to feel like a blur of noises outside his somewhat, blurry as well, and empty thoughts far to the horizon of this world.

As the clock ticked to 7:00 am, the school bells rang loudly as everyone sighed and got their notebooks out for their first subject, Math.

They all sat down and whispered beside the classmates near them with the few exceptions of Kyuhyun and Yesung that are awkwardly sat, waiting for their professor to begin their lesson.

"Thump!" Their professor slammed down her briefcase to signify that the class has started, and everyone shall be with their ready school tools, proper sitting manner, and a focus on the teacher herself.

"None of you need to introduce yourselves, right? Okay, great. Welcome to my classroom, Class 3-C." The teacher greeted with a stern, and yet gentle look. "In our first lesson with me, we will learn about GCF, Greatest Common Denominator. Has everyone been taught of this last year?" She asked before looking towards the class. And everyone shook their heads, as their professor sighed and decided to begin the basics through how to find the said Greatest Common Denominators.

The moment he heard the teacher's voice while looking down, he knew in a second who she was. It was Ms. Bada! Ryeowook's old adviser in class 3-A and his science substitute in his 4th year! Kyuhyun's gut told him from Ms. Bada's sweet yet intimidating aura, everything would turn out bad or the same for him whilst he took a deep breath to keep himself calm, reassuring himself that everything will be fine and better since it's the teacher Ryeowook looked up the most, meaning she's a good teacher right? His parents said don't judge a book by it's cover, so... He shouldn't think of such rude and disrespectful things to his new adviser.

The class begins with the introduction on "What factors are used to create a GCF for the numbers 18 and 12." Starting with 18 divided into 2 & 9(2×9), and 12 divided into 2 & 6(2×6), easily finding the number that appears the most and used to divide 12 and 18, 2. And then delved further into algebraic expressions being formed into Greatest Common Factors... Blah, blah, blah. All a blur his seatmate Yesung. (And because fuck math)

"Hey! Hey!" Yesung whispered, trying and wanting to catch Kyuhyun's attention for some reason that ended up in vain as Kyuhyun refused to budge, that is, as if Yesung's talking to a wall and ignored him, looking up at the board, and looking down in hiawws notebook to continue writing necessary points in their first lesson.

To be continued, if I'm not busy and lazy lol.

--- AN:

yes I read those fanfictions before (Maybe Tomorrow & Everything has changed) I wanted to add Skylar from the Super Junior's 11th member series but meh LOL I just felt silly to mention them
I'm halfway thru Everything has changed and I find it really angsty and cliché but I still enjoy reading it, same for Maybe Tomorrow huhuhu, any Ryeowook-centered fanfiction I will eat like Maybe Tomorrow, OK? :3

866 words for a single chapter(excluding AN notes) AHHHH I'm rushing these so bad, I'm so so so SO SORRY!

Chapter Text

lFebruary 16 616 AC

"Ring, ring ring!!!" The bell rang to remind, and signify that all teachers and students are now allowed to roam freely in school and eat their lunches, Thus an entire throng of students in the classroom exited the class, including Kyuhyun as well that mysteriously disappeared into the crowd. Yesung was ought to search for the person who's ignored him despite attempts to catch his attention, but to no avail.

"Maybe it's because it's class hours... But he's so irritating! He could've just said "be quiet" or something.. what's wrong with him?"

Yesung thought, and through childish and petty thinking processes, he began to wander all over the school www for his self proclaimed, "new rival". But there was issues new to him that made him incapable-

"Yesung-ssi!!"

The crowd of classmates(it's just like- 10 people.) he's wooed by his mere existence as a living , breathing being exclaimed in awe of his elegant aura...

Yesung begins to move away from the crowd, wanting the flock of people to leave him alone and trying to get away.

Frustrated and angry, he begins to pick up a faster pace as the rest followed alongside him before he paused, wanting to confront them as if he's angry, but as he turned around, realizing he's again, speaking to a considerable lot of of people, hit his chest with a pang of anxiety and nervousness, but he obviously knew from his last school, he has to do something to finally be alone at last.

"Sorry for ignoring you ladies and gentlemen..." Yesung cooed. "But I must say, I am required to go alone, as I really need to go to the bathroom urgently... Like right now." He added with a nervous smile and a sweat of anxiousness, hoping somehow, someway, it'll all work out on him and he'll be left to think for himself, because he isn't actually that constipated that he has to take dump..

"H-huh..? Oh. Alright, see you then!" One of the girls responded with a tone of disappointment, but also understanding as the others understood as well and eventually, one by one, and in a miracle Yesung hoped left.

Yesung, probably loved the sense of control he was able to exploit for anything, but was also scared of that power. But, he don't give a shit, and he don't care! (hangege reference hehe..)

And as he stared onto the far and wide outside view of their town accompanied by a bright shade of light blue up in the sky alongside the beautiful sea of clouds, he began to hum a tune in an angel-like voice as the wind from the 3rd floor of the school building blew against his hair, flowing beautifully and slowly before the tranquility briefly ended with a mental reminder to claim a locker to store his belongings since he always had to bring his supplies around instead of keeping them in a stored space.

Yesung looked behind him to see sets of lockers, and one most likely unused locker, and without hesitation, pulled it open to see it was... Already claimed. Camera, books, extra clothing like polos or plain white shirts, and especially pictures & stickers on the door the pictures were nothing out of the ordinary except the fact, perhaps it's his seatmate's locker because of the amount of pictures of himself and another person that's maybe younger, seemingly joyful and happy, unlike the complete contrast to Yesung's first impression.

Then, Yesung pushed to close the locker before he noticed the boy(Kyuhyun) who had been ignoring him this whole day. The boy's face paled as his two dark eyes widened. His lips separated and his stare cold, and angry as if Yesung had done something horrendous- no. Infact, extremely sinful!

"What did you just do there?" Kyuhyun angrily exclaimed, which caused Yesung's spine to shiver from the intimidating aura that Kyuhyun gave out over the locker
"It's probably because it's his locker and I shouldn't had opened it... Maybe I should've asked a teacher for any vacant ones instead..." Yesung thought as a pang of guilt hit him. Urging himself to apologize immediately for his accidental invasion of a fellow classmate's privacy.

"I'm sorry, uh..." His voiced trailed off, unaware of the name of the person he's even apologizing. Although he does wish he can get away with his fault easily.

"... Kyuhyun. Cho Kyuhyun." Kyuhyun said before he moved closer to the locker. "It's fine if you didn't touch anything. That locker is important to me.." he added further as he began reminiscing, again and as per usual. His inability to forget or move on from the disappearance of his friend had damaged himself severely.

"Right! I'm sorry Kyuhyun.. I didn't mean to suddenly open your locker like that, I swear! I was trying to find a locker! I thought no one occupied it, so-"

"Okay, I get it. Now shut up... You mistaken it as vacant. Now go away." The other said before turning away and back into where he was before... I guess?

Yesung didn't question and tried understanding his classmate, and also seatmate. "This is just repercussions for invading someone's privacy, right?" Yesung assumed in his mind nervously as he began walking away as someone creaked from behind, but he preferred to ignore it, until..

"Thump!" A loud crash occured behind Yesung, causing him to look behind himself, trembling frantically out of fear.

Yesung was obviously unfamiliar with the school locations, so from his curiosity and the fact the "Kyuhyun" guy went that way, he scooted closer to the end of the hallway.

From his left direction was the unsanitary and filthy comfort rooms, and the other side was a ladder.

He wanted to imagine it as if it was Kyuhyun shutting the men's comfort room doors with all in force shut, but at the same time.. Yesung was oddly curious about the weird ladder that led up to, probably nowhere. Although he knew it was stupid to be curious about something like a ladder, he still went up for fun.

And as Yesung held his hands near the ladder's poles, step, by step he climbed up the ladder while looking down in fear of falling down before noticing a trapdoor handle on the ceiling. He then turned behind, remembering Kyuhyun disappeared out of nowhere after he turned around.

"If he didn't end up in the bathroom and the staircase downstairs are in the opposite side of the hallway... Kyuhyun would've probably have gone up here or something.." Yesung thought to himself out of the fear and curiosity of the loud clash between seemingly heavy metal structures.

As he began to wonder what was above the trapdoor, he held his one hand tightly for support on one of the steps above him before his other hand pushed the trapdoor up with all his force before the bright, and blinding sunlight with the blue sky appeared before his eyes.

Yesung squinted his eyes from the ever blinding sun as he continued climbing until he saw the entirety of their town just from this school alone while his dark brown irises sparkled from the spectacularly wider view of all the buildings, and the people that looked miniscule like a cell that made his jaw drop of just pure awe, almost forgetting the fact he was even wondering where his classmate was at until Yesung turned to his right where he saw Kyuhyun sitting nearby the edge, kicking his feet in the air, looking down.

This, obviously triggered something in Yesung's thoughts that quite obviously shocked, was Kyuhyun about to just "end himself right here, and right now?! Infront of me?!" Yesung thought to himself anxiously.

And out of Yesung's goodness and his instinct to just not see anything of this sort, he yelled out Kyuhyun's name and grabbed his arm with Yesung's own two hands as he dragged Kyuhyun out of the edge, causing Kyuhyun to resist slightly and flinch from the sudden act he was unable to process or understand.

Out of Kyuhyun's own instincts, he snatched his arm away from Yesung's hand, enraged by the sudden disturbance of his solitude.

"What the heck is wrong with you?! Why are you even here?!" Kyuhyun yelled as he stood up to face the other at eye level, glaring at him coldly. Obviously pissed. He didn't want his day to be pestered by some new popular boy at his class all day.

He simply wanted to let himself confine from the world. Stuck in a loop of flashbacks, depression, and grief even if Kyuhyun knew it was wrong for his own good to be so low in his life... But he'll just die, meaning all of it won't matter, right?

"No, What's wrong with you?! Were about to kill yourself?! You're crazy!" Yesung yelled angrily with disgust on his face. His face maddening as Kyuhyun remained quiet about that matter.

---flashback

August 9, 615 AC.

Kyuhyun pondered in the rooftop, kicking his feet up in the air dangerously near the edge as usual, Everything hadn't been well on him. It was obvious he was grieving about something. Perhaps a passing? Well not of time quite obviously.

Everyone pretended Ryeowook never existed, even his own parents. Ryeowook's locker only even managed to stay the same out opoof Kyuhyun's stubbornness and anger aso everyone thought he had an imaginary friend. Kyuhyun was obviously pissed, without his dearest(and only!) friend and everyone especially pretending he didn't exist.

He could go on and on about the reason he feels so conflicted and so frustrated about the realization he had an actual expiration date for his life, and everyone else's, the disturbingly traumatizing and unforgettable view of Ryeowook's flesh being snacked on by some demonic creature, Absolutely everything after that moment, He hated it, and especially that everyone thought of him as a sociopath.

As the empty, brown orbs of Kyuhyun's looked downwards onto the faraway ground, a desire dawned on him.

"If I ended it all, I can be happy and still play with Ryeowook like before, right?" Kyuhyun muttered under his breath as the desire grew slowly, yet his natural human instinct to remain alive held him by a thread, and the thought of "Able to contribute something from him if he sacrificed himself to become food for that creature from the temple.

But as he scooted himself slightly forward, the school bell rang to signify the end of lunch break. And resulted to Kyuhyun scooting back away from the edge as he opened the iron trapdoor down to the usual school hallways and climbed down to return to their class as fast as Kyuhyun could.

--- flashback END

"Answer me damnit! Why were you so close on the darn edge!?!?!" Yesung yelled, growing tired of the blank and unresponsive reaction from Kyuhyun as Yesung began to shake the c u uhhar frantically out of frustration.

"I just... Like to sit here. What about it? I'm not trying to kill myself. That's just that god said it's worst thing anyone can do." Kyuhyun lied, feigning disbelief of such a "heinous" act towards Yesung, but not to protect Yesung, only to block himself against any untrustworthy folks. Kyuhyun only knew there was probably no god in this world at all, and that this whole world beyond their town might as well be nothing too and just a facade.

Yesung obviously those words were hiding something more than that, but he couldn't pick what exactly. Thus, he chose the option to blindly believe the other.

Yesung apologized profusely, "Oh! I'm sorry! I'm so so so so sorry!! Super sorry! I uh- I over thought for something so silly..." as he began brainstorming and searching I'm his mind about how he could possibly fix that misunderstanding besides an apology.

He offers his hand towards Kyuhyun as Yesung gave the other a sheepish smile "As compensation uh.. how about we become friends? Yeah! That would be cool, right??" Yesung asked as his cheeks grew a light tone of pink from humiliation while also slightly sweating profusely. Hoping his kind charms can work on dudes too. "The perfect Yesung shouldn't act so dumb Infront of people he's trying to get a good impression on!" He swore to his (self)disgruntled mind.

Looking away from Yesung as he rolls his eyes, Kyuhyun thought, "He's really trying?" Conceiving the compensation as an genuine attempt to get on Kyuhyun's good side and as well as an actual honest effort to.. well, change. Although genuinely- Yesung didn't need change at all, it was but a simple misunderstanding of something of a gruesome act to their selves.

Turning his eyes slowly back towards the other, Kyuhyun decides to accept and accept Yesung's handshake "... It's okay. I forgive you again... I guess." Kyuhyun awkwardly murmured under his breath before their intertwined hands went up-and-down, up-and-down, and up-and-down before Kyuhyun pulled away.

"And... Yeah. Let's be friends. I don't mind." Kyuhyun added as he forced out a nervous, and small smile out of formality.

And that's where, the duo's perhaps maybe terrifying adventure begins!

--- AN

Oh my grass this shit took three days WAHHHH I'm so proud of myself.

Also, reader, I don't know does anyone even read this? Anyway, Please tell me what do you think and how do you interpret their personalities so far!? ^_^ I would LOVE to know so I can fix it slowly to adjust it to their original written personalities<3

Made with fun and The Promised Neverland in mind by Asahi0621

Chapter Text

February 16, 616 AC

Awkwardly, Yesung & Kyuhyun avoided each other as if it looked like Yesung's offer of becoming Kyuhyun's friend was just some ugly sham for forgiveness, until the clock's minute arrow struck 11:00am where another lunch break had begun without a single word their voices spoke between the two seatmates.

--- 11:00am

Yesung stood up with a ecstatic smile as he went infront of Kyuhyun's view as Yesung placed his hands on his own hips.

Declaring, He started speaking, "Let's eat together, down the cafeteria, okay?" While he gave Kyuhyun a inviting hand towards him, that Kyuhyun reluctantly accepted.

Again, and it has been repeated many times now, he still wanted some sort of solitude today. But a part of Kyuhyun also wanted out of the cage. That is, his solitude.

"Do you have any lunch money on you?" The older asked the other. Desiring to impress him like every lady and gentlemen of all ages that Yesung charmed with his own money.

Kyuhyun shook his head and began rummaging his pocket to reveal a few coins. Although it doesn't compare to the amount that Yesung thinks he's given, it was enough for him to shrug off that plan with another one instantly on the spot.

Yesung frowned slightly before his insincere, and bright smile quickly returned. Kyuhyun noticed, but he knew he shan't question every act and being in this fake mortal plane of existence. Who knows? Yesung might be some phony. Maybe everyone, including Ryeowook is a phony except Kyuhyun himself and this is just a imagination— or a dream he can't escape!

"Anyway, Let's go!" Yesung exclaimed. Meanwhile, Kyuhyun remained in a world of his own, his body was forcefully dragged along by none other than Yesung that broughy the both of them down through the long looping steps of stairs down to the bottom floor where everyone else was eating in the school yard or cafeterias.

It was a complete 180° for the atmosphere Kyuhyun was nowadays succumbed to. The calming, and gaping view of the town that stretched before his eyes, to the chaotically rowdy, and crowded yard filled with throngs of people surrounded him and Yesung in such a large space.

"Where are we gonna sit...?"
Yesung thought mindlessly as he began to scan around his own surroundings. But it turns out,
All the available spots everyone could sit on were taken by the said group of people ranging to students or school administrators or workers. Thus they lined up on the long line of students.

Meanwhile, Kyuhyun remained still in his own world, still following around Yesung for a reason he doesn't know. But all was stuck in his mind was just null. He really hadn't felt being dragged along like this or having some new guy befriend him. But maybe, just maybe, it'll bring him joy that'll make him forget everything he wants to block off so desperately. And a new pace of socialization rather than being a casted-out student in the school.

As they grabbed their trays and eventually reached the chef, they began portioning with their ladle.
Both got their usual meal all schools always give them. 2 slices of apple, mixed vegetables and rice, with a side of macaroni and orange juice placed on a thin, blue lunch tray.

Since Kyuhyun and Yesung now got their lunches, Yesung decided to joyfully drag him to a cafeteria table that he noticed, turned vacant after a few students left.

"Hi! Can we stay here?" Yesung politely asked with a charmingly adorable smile towards the other few that decided to stay in the table.

Turning their attention, one of the student's eyes glistened from Yesung's elegant aura, thus swaying the student.
Said student gestured both of them to seat and uttered with a bright smile, "Of course! Go ahead...—!"

They immediately paused as they saw the view of an ex-classmate, Kyuhyun. And so did Kyuhyun too. He remained standing and at the same time returned his mind back to reality. But, essentially, both were in a staring contest while Yesung sat down awkwardly watching them.

"Ari??? Ari! ARI!!" The other student yelled, probably 'Ari' 's classmate, trying to catch her attention.

Kyuhyun looked towards everyone as he returned from the staring contest to reality, he stared at actually... Everyone. He knew each of them, and each of them were Ryeowook's other friends, or ex-partner, which was the case for the girl named Ari.

"Sorry, sorry.. It's you again, huh?" She said and apologized towards the other student besides her briefly at the same time with a nonchalant expression towards as her smile faded because of Kyuhyun's presence.

"Sunyoung with the pretend amnesia?" Kyuhyun mocked with the same nonchalant tone that the other used.

"I told you, Call me Ari and I don't know who the heck was Ryeo—"  Ari yelled angrily before being cut off by the other seatmate. Ari was pissed not because of Kyuhyun's mocking, but rather probably the reason why she was mocked.

"Be quiet...! The teachers behind us might get pissed because your yelling, idiot."
The other scolded Ari before she attempted fixing her composure, then sat down.

In the meanwhile of the aftermath, Yesung remained silent, oblivious to all their insults because this was his first day at this school, so it was obvious Yesung wouldn't understand all the pretend amnesia or the name of a guy that he couldn't pick up that Kyuhyun claimed Ari to be aware of their existence. Yesung was also on edge about how to take back his fading spotlight he really likes to be shone on top of him at all times.

"Uh.. so what's everyone's names...? Except Kyuhyun?" Yesung asked, causing the tension to cool down to give their best first impressions to him.

"I'm Kim Sunyoung! But uh.. call me Ari, I would much prefer that than my real name!" Ari introduced herself while glaring menacingly at Kyuhyun while keeping up with her confident, but also monotone voice towards Yesung.

The girl next to Ari continued, "My name's Kim Taeyeon. Nice to meet you." Taeyeon spoke in a polite manner, trying to keep her ever growing and triggering annoyance towards Ari in check.

"And I'm Lee Sungmin! The only guy in our friend group. And you?" The last boy remarked cheerfully with a wide and bright smile that tugged his corner lips ear-to-ear.

"I'm Kim Jong-woon, but also Yesung! Nice to meet you everybody! I'm Kyuhyun's friend and I'm new here!" Yesung exclaimed happily in a soft yet enthusiastic manner as he stood up.

"And I want to be friends with everyone!"

The younger out of all of the, which was Yesung, naively added as he offered his hand, directing towards everyone.

Sungmin, Kyuhyun, and Taeyeon places their hands on top of Yesung's except for the oh-so-hard-headed Ari.

"I'm not going to hang out with you three if that annoying filth keeps getting on my nerves." She pouted, slouching and crossing her arms. To everyone in the table, she was seriously acting like the annoying one here. And also was insanely bratty too.

"Fine then! Do what you want. Just so you know, You're gonna get jealous!" Sungmin fought back with an even more bratty voice than hers.

A pang of surprise and even more boiling anger hit her as she probably knew Sungmin was mostly correct despite how cliché was his words. But her ego refused to back down and give up.

Ari pointed at Kyuhyun as she declared, "No way in heck I'll give up against his annoying and depressed ass! Just so you watch, Cho Kyuhyun." She continued to voice her determination in a declarative, and harsh voice that made the silent Kyuhyun break a smile and laugh.

"This fucking bitch thinks I'm that much of a pain in the ass? Go figure." Kyuhyun pulled out of the stacked hands before walking away. Exiting the cafeteria and back towards the classroom where he can be left in solitude.

But before he had departed away from the table, he yelled out a sarcastic statement against Ari, "I'll leave then, so you won't whine about me being in your friend group."

The group became silent. Either the 4 of them felt confused or guilty until Yesung broke the awkward silence.

"What's the deal with him? We just had a promise we'd be friends.." Yesung spoke as he became dejected and down, his curious and confused face became a frowning one.

Taeyeon shrugged. "He became a really weird guy because his imaginary friend died." She remarked. Although she sounded monotone like a informant, there was a hint of sadness within.
"Isn't that just growing up?" Yesung asked as he tilted his head, glancing at Taeyeon. He felt as if everyone, was hiding something strange about Kyuhyun.
"It would be if he just suddenly became a 180° of himself and a literal sociopath." Taeyeon laughed softly, in a sarcastic manner.
Yesung only let out an "oh." before the bell rang and everyone immediately went rushing back to class.

--- timeskip

No one had heard a word from Kyuhyun the whole time as he remained vigilant towards the classes, even during times where their English teacher, Sir Kangta wasn't even present for being sick with common cold.

At this point, everyone except Kyuhyun departed the classroom. But he didn't mind. As always, he always wanted solitude, and this was the only two moments of solitude he can have today. But sometimes, those moments had to end.

Thus, he stood up as he grabbed his bag, and went towards the window seat, and stared at it. And oddly, his vision began to blur slightly, and a waterfall of salty tears threatened to stream down his face.

There was a clear reason why, and that's why he didn't even want to be in this classroom.

--- flashback

As Ryeowook brushed the dirt and dusts away from under the seats alone, there was Kyuhyun who sat on Ryeowook's desk, kicking his feet freely out of ennui.

"Why are you the only one that cleans everyday? Isn't that bad that no one's helping you?" Kyuhyun innocently asked, although with a hint of concern towards the topic of Ryeowook's satisfaction of cleaning up the room everyday.

Ryeowook found Kyuhyun's question endearingly naive. Responding back without much hesitation, "If no one's gonna do it, Then we'll get punished for it. Plus, it's better to work alone sometimes, right?" The older laughed softly, downplaying Kyuhyun's concern.

Whilst he paused his cleaning and placed his broomstick aside the wall before pushed the windows open. Letting the calm breeze hit the both of them from the top floor.

With a lighthearted smile, he rested against the wall and sat down on the floor with his legs crossed one another. Ryeowook teased, "I'll rest since you want me to. Now if you want me to, get off my desk and sit in another."

--- flashback end

Wiping his tears dry, he began walking across the hallway towards the staircase. Gazing at the vibrant orange hue with a tone of purple of the sky as the sun settled down for the moon to rise, and then looking back at the windows of the other classrooms with a lack of people and school bags, whilst the windows brightened the room.

Reaching the last room he was glancing before going downstairs, a student staring at the other window across the room catched his eye. Her silhouette was similar, and so was her straight, black hair staring into the wide view of the city stretching west to east. And Kyuhyun definitely recognizes who's this girl. That's for certain.

Kyuhyun whispered under his breath, "The hell you still here?" before he entered the unfamiliar, yet samey-looking classroom. And there was Ari. Who was holding a broom as she gazed at the town.

---AN

Had to cut the full story to 1987 words~ hehe. Ryeowook reference. And we're gonna have a bunch of those LOL

Oh, in this AU erm..you'll find it out but Ari does know who's Ryeowook.

Chapter Text

Ari overheard Kyuhyun causing a nervous shiver ran down her spine. Surprised anyone was still here at the school.

"No, why are YOU still here?! It's not like you're here to do anything else in after school hours." Ari shouted back in retaliation as she turned around to completely turn her attention to Kyuhyun as her face glistened against the bright rays of shine remaining from the setting sun.

Meanwhile, Kyuhyun was stood by the entrance of the door, casted a shadow against himself, giving him a dark yet recognizable silhouette from a cold glance away.

"I just prefer to be alone. Is that oh-so-wrong now in your books, hah? Fuck you.." He scoffed laced with sarcasm and feigned surprise, then he leaned against the entrance's doorframe and placed the back of his hand upon his forehead dramatically.

Ari stood there, obviously pissed by his continuous mocking of her... Somewhat accurately, wondering what was the matter about her that made him so rude towards her before an obvious yet stupid answer finally came to mind within her. Kyuhyun's claim of Ari having an ex-partner named "Ryeowook".

"But why over him?"

Ari contemplated in confusion as she stared at Kyuhyun, stealing his glare as both made eerily cold eye contact, attempting to read the expressionless eyes of nonchalance Kyuhyun coated his thoughts behind.

The classroom was silent, creating a suffocating atmosphere within the room as both kids try to read the other's minds.

Before long, both realized they had been staring at each other for so long, Kyuhyun shattered the silence with a sudden question, or rather an attack. Asking with a blank smug plastered on his face, "You still remember Ryeowook, right? Your ex?"

The brown irises of Ari's eyes dimmed dark as she heard another mention of that name once again. Someone she hated mentioning that promised would come back to her. She hated each and every mention of him coming from Kyuhyun.

"Why doesn't he still believe me?!" Ari thought to herself whilst her head began heating up out of the never-ending infuriation of Kyuhyun's insistence and lack of trust towards Ari's words amidst her brainstorming for another convincing lie or whatever she can think... Or maybe just a short answer insisting on his insistence.

Clenching her fists as to keep her composure in check, she replied back, "I don't. Seriously. I never remembered a single man named that in my whole life. So cut it off with your annoying ass, alright?"

Breaking the tension, Kyuhyun spoke once more.

"We're both alone now. You can be honest about it, you know? No one's gonna know. And... After all, He means a lot to the both of us."

No one's gonna know.

Those words echoed in Ari's mind. She knows he doesn't understand but, her mind relentlessly desires to admit it all. Just to lose the feeling of frustration.

Ari took one more deep breath before sighing it all out, letting her mind calm down before admitting, "You ask to be honest right? Fine. It's true. I do remember Ry-" she paused, covering her mouth with her palm. Before continuing furtherm Yelling angrily, "Actually, can't you just shut the fuck up? I'm so done with you!" whilst she placed down her palm that just covered her hand towards the window.

"Wait— AH!"

Running towards Kyuhyun, she took the collar of his shirt, raising her fists before thrusting it towards Kyuhyun's face that widened in utter shock.

It was.. certainly baffling for Kyuhyun. 

"How, and why did she suddenly hit me hard like that?!" He thought to himself as the girl quickly went back to her bag and made a run for it. Letting Kyuhyun be truly alone as blood drooled on his nostrils.

"What in the world is up with her..?!" Kyuhyun muttered as he zipped his backpack open. Ripping a piece of paper from a random notebook, then using it for his nose, praying to himself that it'll absorb all the streaming blood as he limped against the door frame, whimpering in pain.

"Ariring, Ariring, where is Ariring? Ariri—" A boy quietly hummed before abruptly pausing at the sight at a beaten-up Kyuhyun.

As Kyuhyun drifted his eyes towards the boy, he finds out it's one of Ari's friends she ate with during the cafeteria. It was Sungmin.

"Are you okay?! What the heck happened to you? And where is Ari..?" Sungmin frantically questioned handing out a handkerchief from his pockets towards Kyuhyun. In which, Kyuhyun reluctantly takes and immediately takes it as a replacement for the terrible sheet of paper.

"She left earlier, and err.. It's nothing. I just slipped, that's all... Yeah." The other answered back reassuringly. Attempting to downplay and lie, hoping that Sungmin would believe in the lie. After all, it was better if he didn't make a fuss over it.

"She promised to wait for me so we can both go home together! Ugh.." He pouted in frustration before speaking again, "Anyway, I seriously, and really need to go now! If I pass by the nurse's office I'll tell them you're bleeding, okay?" Sungmin promised with a confident smile whilst sprinting away.

Watching Sungmin lose from his sight, Kyuhyun holds onto the door's knob as a pang of lightheadedness within his head waved. But, he continued. Walking down the looping stairs until he arrives at the empty exit gate. Sighting a familiar figure sat on the edge of a stone flowerbed, kicking their feet as they scribbled gently on a notebook. It was Kyuhyun's new friend.

"You're still here?" Kyuhyun approached the other as Yesung rotate his head towards the standing other.

With an irritated glare, Yesung complained "Why do you take so long!? I've been waiting for two hours... And just for cleaning—" Pausing, Yesung covered his mouth with both of his hands as his jaw dropped wide in total, utter surprise.

"Dude, are you good?! Is that why you took an hour to literally clean up the room?!" Yesung asked, nearly vomiting at the sight of the blood-soaked towel.

Nodding reassuringly, Kyuhyun crashed onto the edge of the flowerbed besides Yesung, trying to keep consciousness.

"Okay.." Yesung looked away awkwardly before and idea popped within his mind like a light bulb. And enthusiastically exclaiming, "Wait—! wanna go to my auntie's food place? Her food is delicious, and you know... She lives nearby!" As he began daydreaming about all the cheap, mouth-watering delicacies he could ask for just for a price of absolutely nothing!

Despite the lightheadedness threatening to put him asleep, Kyuhyun reluctantly nodded. And immediately, Yesung took Kyuhyun's hand taking him in a surprise as his feet attempted to pick up the speed the other was sprinting at across the street until they arrived at a cart attached to a bicycle nearby a tiny house.

"Auntie Shoo! Hello!!" Yesung yelled as he waved and approached the cart that accompanied an actual stove, and sets of bite-sized food onto sticks

"Yesung I haven't seen you in so long! Oh— and you have Kyuhyun too?" Shoo politely asked with a bright smile. Ignoring Kyuhyun's injured face.

Nodding, Yesung remarked back, "Yeah, he's super...! Um..." Yesung scratched his scalp awkwardly, thinking of an accurate compliment before brushing off and chucking nervously about that tiny problem. Continuing,"Anyway, You know him?"

"He always used to come here with his friend! How are you both today?" Shoo furthers her curiosity about the two boys she hasn't communicated in very long.

"And, how's your Mom and Dad, Yesung?" Shoo offered politely, causing Yesung to become anxious despite the fact he thought Shoo as "someone he's comfortable with." 

As Kyuhyun noticed Yesung's eyes constantly shift gazes around the place while the other padded his sweating hands as the atmosphere silently tensed up.

Deciding to break the silence, Kyuhyun's head tilted down to the tray of freshly-cooked street food. Asking, "Anyway, Miss Shoo, what's that there?" His finger pointed to a few piles of fried orange balls.

"What? Oh! The new food on my menu!" Shoo thought enthusiastically as her eyes twinkled.

"Fried orange quail eggs that I made up recently! You both should give it a try!" Shoo offered as she took tiny sticks, stabbing the quail eggs until they're enough to fit within the stick before dipping them in a jar of sauces, offering it to Kyuhyun and Yesung that both reluctantly took the hot food.

"Thank you Auntie Shoo!" Yesung spoke brightly with a tiny smile of appreciation, taking a bite out of one of the balls.

---- AN

Forget it all. Guys!! Asahi makes fluff again!!! wtff!!1!1!!1!!!?!?!

Chapter Text

His eyes sparkled and dilated from the superb taste of Shoo's cooking. Yesung's lips slightly parted from the sweet savor tingling in his tongue. As if he just witnessed the heavenly grail of all foods.

"It's delicious!" Yesung complimented, his speech muffled amidst his munching of the warm, crunchy-on-the-outside and soft-in-the-inside snack.

"But we'll go now, see you soon Auntie!"
Swallowing the munched pieces of the quailed eggs and finishing it. Suddenly taking Kyuhyun's arm that took the other by surprise and instantly walking away. Raising his arm and waving a goodbye with a bright grin that reached ear-to-ear.
m1
Kyuhyun gasped as he was left without any words to fight back from Yesung's irresistable, bright aura. Following along through Yesung's direction and swiftly picking up on the shorter's pace pace. Running down the fairly empty streets as the sunlight shone against their skin amidst the orange-hued sunset.

They both ran and ran
As Kyuhyun arrived at an unfamiliar road he tensed up slightly whilst Yesung halted his running. His breath ragged and exhausted as it panted the clean, fresh air from high up their town's lands, and he couldn't help but be in awe at the breathtakingly stunning view from slightly above their entire town even if he's went here multiple times.

"Where are we?" Kyuhyun panted out nervously as he sat down on a patch of soft, yet spiky grass. Looking behind him was most of the town right below them and the rays of light against them that left him fascinated and amazed. Causing his eyes to dilate and twinkle, and his mouth to slightly drop. The view was nothing but new and stunning to him. Infact even better than the view at the "secret" rooftop in school he loved to visit.

Yesung sat down and positioned himself to a slightly comfortable distance besides the other before Yesung remarked gleefully, "This is a path to my house! My grandma told me it's kinda a shortcut she always takes when she goes to those wet markets for groceries!" Pointing to the same upwards slope they're both sat by as they remained awkwardly quiet amidst the silent, and soft breeze that blowed against them.

"Ah... I see. It's really pretty here." Kyuhyun remarked softly as a sensation of nostalgia waved towards him. "Is this déjà vu?" He wondered amidst the beautiful moment that is tranquility.

However, even if Yesung was clearly with the other, and was interested in conversing with Kyuhyun, His mind couldn't help but drift back to think about a deceased comrade he'll mourn for eons although he knew he shouldn't at this time, a time where he's with someone else he'd just become friends and should've tried getting to know and bond by the bare minimum. "No, that's way too awkward." Kyuhyun thought, trying to drift away his thoughts about the past back to the present.

The two remained awkwardly sat besides the sidewalk, both absentminded. And meanwhile, Yesung's thoughts were beginning to wander, to Kyuhyun- to his classmates, new and old- the scenery- songs- until a thought wormed into his mind whilst he rose his head towards the gigantic mountains that towered around the entire townscape. "What were beyond those giant mountains..?" To satisfy his growing curiosity, he turned around to the other absent-minded fellow besides him, Kyuhyun.

Breaking the silence, Yesung monologized, "I wonder... What's beyond those tall mountains." Yesung twisted his head, looking at the blank-faced other whom looked down on his lap.

"Haha... I wonder too. Has anyone even went climbing there?" Kyuhyun replied hesitantly with an disingenuous, small, sly smile. Dragging the conversation that brought little company that calmed his turmoil.

Chapter Text

--- Flashback
"Ding, dong, ding, dong", the school bell slowly, yet loudly rang that signaled the students that school has temporarily ended. In the meantime, a pair of a brown haired girl, and black haired boy sat besides a flower bed flooded with beautiful, assorted flowers tend by the gardening club by the school the school's entrance. Quietly, the girl rested on the boy's shoulder. Her mind and heart conflicted to be whether at peace or fear as their faces shone from the illuminating orange sky that will fade to darkness as streetlights flickered on and off.

"You're going to the ceremony tomorrow, right?" She murmured. Shifting closer to the boy as she clung tightly onto his arms like her life depended on him. Her grip tight, yet firm.

The boy gave her a small nod. He had lied her that he'd be gone far away for the ceremony to commence per tradition. Looking at her whom wholeheartedly believed the lie and her determination to wait for him despite the long time to wait. Despite the slim chances he might never make it to see her ever again, he still promised Ari , to return to his side once again.

With a small, warm smile, he answered plainly, "Yeah.". And suddenly- the girl released her arms just to wrap her body around the boy, pulling him into a tight- yet warm embrace.

"Ryeowook... Do you really have to go?" She asked weakly. Pouting in disappointment.

"Ari..." his voice trailed off. Aware she was against the idea, Ryeowook gave the embrace back, smelling the scent of lilies from her hair. "I'll come back like I always do, okay? I will always be by your side no matter where I go. So, don't be sad. Okay?" He lied as he began ruffling her hair affectionately whilst the melancholic atmosphere grew warm, and affectionately sweet.

"Can you promise you'll stay by my side until I go home?" Ari requested. Letting her arrogant side fade to vulnerability towards the one she chose to trust. Burying her face onto Ryeowook's shoulder after she noticed her face began to turn a little peachy-colored.

"I promise." He whispered to her ear softly. Tears creeping onto Ryeowook's eyes. Knowing it would be his last day with her for a while, or forever. Smiling it all for the sake of nothing but to not rouse concern.

Ari smiled, closing her eyes slowly as her heart was calmed down, and her thoughts were reassured.

"Stop blushing though. You look like a cute little tomato." Ryeowook teased. Handing himself a tiny distraction of what was to await him the next day. Although Ari's face faded to red, she couldn't help but feel comfortable just feeling his pulse. It was relaxing... And familliar.

-- Present

The door creaked while it revealed Ari's head hung down, devoid of any emotion.

"I'm home." Ari spoke with a feigned smile she forced out. Trying to raise her head up infront of her mother.

Her mother's gaze shifted towards Ari before tugging her own smile. Waving at her. Replying back joyfully, "Welcome home. How was school?"

Ari grimaced at her mother's smile. It was the same smile that smiled no matter what Ari's mother did. It didn't matter if she was genuinely happy. Such a simple smile crawled to her skin for some apparent reason.

"It was fine." Ari smiled off her disgust. Walking to her Mother's side and took a sit down the wooden chair.

For a brief moment, the entire household was silent besides the buzzing cicadas outside before her Mother added something Ari would've never liked to hear.

"Also, while I was cleaning your room, I accidentally dumped a few pictures outside, did you need them?" Ari's mother replied with the same, 'kind' smile unwavering.

Pictures. Ari had instantly concluded in her mind. It was none other than the pictures she left on her desk of her partner and the one that made her heartbeat soar the skies- The only presence she had held of him onto aside from memories until now.

For a moment Ari's smile faltered to a look of fear. Her mom probably didn't do it by accident- No. She hated Ryeowook for "getting in the way of her studies", she hated just Ryeowook's existence in Ari's life in general.

Ari chuckled nervously. Her gaze shifting away from her mother before she shook her head. The words she had to say to her mother were catched up and stuck on her throat, as the fear of disappointing her mother lingered in her mind. Dancing around like it was pointing and laughing at her. Ari wanted to yell and scream about how devasted she was just to lose a few pictures because- it's what she had left.

"No. I don't really need them. It's fine."
Ari plainly lied to her mother. It was the only plausible answer that lead to no consequences anyway.

Her mother was content, seemingly pleased by her response. Continuing, "That's good. Now, how's your day?" She spoke like throwing Ari's "happiness" in exchange for her mother to be happy was nothing. "But it was okay right? Everything has a price like she said." Ari reassured herself. Abruptly leaving the table to her room.

There she sat on her bed. Blankly sat with her hand on top of her hands. Looking at the desk where she once stored all her pictures and shared all her memories.

"If I forced him not to go, would have I felt this way?" Ari murmured to herself in contemplation and trepidation.

Her head began dropping. Leaning against the window, then she curved into a ball, she should her head. Tugging a small yet lopsided smile that plastered onto her face. looking onto the neighborhood illuminated by street lanterns against the dark evening sky as she chuckled, and chuckled to herself.

After she finished chuckling, she spoke to herself once again, "I shouldn't be scared. Maybe I should forget about him for the time being. That's what mom said would be good for me, right? She doesn't want me to be sad." Letting out a relaxed sigh before she unwrapped herself within her own arms, then stood up. Her mind ticking for another study session of flipping books and writing on notebooks until the end of the day. Lighting a candle with a match as it illuminated her room with it's warm glow that shone against the void-eyed Ari.

As she tried studying and studying, her mind began drift away and shift to what had happened during school. Where agonizing ringing ran through her head and she abruptly whacked Kyuhyun's face. She never knew or understood but... Whenever he was mentioned, her mind throbs painfully that usually result in her unable to feel control in her body and feel a surge of irritation.

Chapter Text

As the sun rested and the moon awoke, the two young boys sat in Yesung's room.

Yesung rested on his stomach against the soft mattress, holding an open book while Kyuhyun sat on the floor, reading the book with Yesung.

"If you love a flower that lives on a star, it is sweet to look at the sky at night. All the stars are a-bloom with flowers..."

Yesung repeated the contents of the book abruptly before closing it. Yawning sleepily before his lips curled to a big smile

Kyuhyun slightly frowned as a pang of irritation struck him. They were barely halfway to this stupid kids book Yesung offered to read, and he just- stopped? He was secretly anticipating for more despite his insistence to do something else quite earlier.

He couldn't quite grasp it, but the book certainly reminded him of someone- again. Stop thinking of him.

"We weren't even done." Kyuhyun said. Giving Yesung a deadpan stare

Yesung nodded and sighed. Replying back enthusiastically, "But I want to do other stuff now. Like talking about..." Yesung's voice trailed as he looked back at Kyuhyun. Reminding him of the bleeding nose he intentionally didn't pry but was definetely was concerned. "Your nose!" His finger pointed to Kyuhyun's nose.

"Uh... My nose?" Kyuhyun feigned ignorance. His voice dripping with hesitancy. "What about it? I told you I tripped, so..." Kyuhyun added. His eyes shifted away from Yesung. Unable to look at him from the eyes out of anxiety.

He doesn't want anyone to know he suddenly got beat up by some girl! No-no-no. He's the tough wannabe delinquent everyone always knew him asand WON'T show weakness!

"Nothing really happened, I swear. Really! I-I tripped onto the floor by accident a-... And stubbed my toe! I know I was stupid, but really! I swear like- I'm saying the truth!"
Kyuhyun nervously rambled to Yesung. Dripping sweat from his temples, unsure whether he's trying to convince Yesung or himself. But he was sure he was panicked

"...Okay?" Yesung awkwardly replied. Baffled by Kyuhyun's sudden long response. Wondering the reason why Kyuhyun became so suddenly nervous and agitated over a question.

Yesung's head rolled his head. Trying to process all of Kyuhyun's words. Before his eyes switched gazes towards his desk.

A moment of awkward silence deafned the room. Kyuhyun refused to tell a soul about how he got his injury, and Yesung slightly doubted Kyuhyun after he began suddenly rambling.

"Now I think about it... Why were you on the rooftop?" Yesung abruptly broke the silence to ask. Wanting to move on from the conversation

Kyuhyun shook his head, replying hesitantly with a forced nonchalance, "...I just wanted to be alone".

His mind was still tensed up, just slightly lessened. Although, Yesung's ears didn't ignore the shakiness of his voice at all towards the constant switching of conversations. He had completely no idea how Yesung got him talking about topics that were sensitive to him quite obliviously.

It was a clear answer to Kyuhyun- he seriously, and really was going to plan to "leave this world" that morning. And if it weren't for Yesung's tomfoolery, maybe he wouldn't be smiling a lot today and earlier.

"Really huh? I think you're lying!" Yesung accused with feigned playfulness. His eyes narrowing in suspicion whilst Kyuhyun grumbled grumpily as his lips curled to a cheeky smile while his upper body fiddled mindlessly. Keeping his gaze on the anxious Kyuhyun.

"You really think? I doubt I lied to you at all..!" Kyuhyun remarked back nervously with a snarky smile. Knowing his cold front was melting by Yesung's ever ungodly amounts of persistence on something-

And it was irritating but yet again, "It wasn't really Yesung's fault, no?" Kyuhyun thought to himself with a deflated expression. They've only been friends for a day, it's obvious that Yesung would be curious about his new friend at this new school as a new transferee.
Slowly, Kyuhyun calmed down. It won't be that bad if he admitted the little argument.
"Okay. Fine... Maybe I lied but that's not a big deal, you know?" Kyuhyun admitted with a defeated expression on his face. Continuing, "But, it's not a big deal- right?"

"Huh?" Yesung obliviously replied. Zoning out of the awkward silence he kept. Pissing off Kyuhyun before facepalming himself. His ears fumed out of embarrassment.  "I seriously have to fucking repeat myself again?!" Kyuhyun thought to himself as his face slammed onto the mattress. Staring at it with wide eyes.

"...I was lying, dumbass. Were you even listening..?" Kyuhyun spoke with an irritated voice. Leaving Yesung feeling guilty for not paying attention knowing that he accidentally pissed off his only friend at school.

"I'm sorry! Surely... It's not a big deal, right? Just tell me the truth or something... And er... Again, sorry!" Yesung frantically apologized and pleaded. Padding his hands before intertwining both of his own hands.

"Dude! Calm down... Fucking hell. Nevermind. Just give me a second." Kyuhyun sighed. The redness of his face fading to it's usual pale- almost white color. His composure returned to normal. Placing an imaginary always-grumpy face.

Kyuhyun looked at Yesung. Staring at him fuming with not embarrassment, but anger. Continuing on, "Ari beat my ass up all of a sudden while we were fighting about something with her "ex-boyfriend", A.K.A. my fucking friend. I swear, no kidding. She's seriously lying like her father did when her mom found out HE cheated. Like what do you mean he never existed? Never existed MY ASS!"

Kyuhyun rambled angrily. Shifting on Yesung's soft mattress before sighing. Adding further, "She's seriously going in denial that he's not there? I know she doesn't know that his ex is deader than her grandmother but surely he was sti-"

Suddenly, Kyuhyun paused his enraged ramble. Realizing he might've exposed private matters on some guy the same age as him.

Yesung stared in confusion once again. Once again- seemed to be in a daze. Attempting to process Kyuhyun's little rambling. All Yesung understood was that Ari beat him up or something similar to that. Immediately concerning

Yesung sighed, unsure if his friend was being honest. Ari wasn't THAT rude at his first impression. She seemed rather sassy but also kind. Asking for more into Kyuhyun's little debauchery with Ari, Yesung asked away, "But isn't-" before being silenced by Kyuhyun.

"...Sorry, um... That got personal." Kyuhyun murmured in a gruff voice that was laced with threads of regret. "Anyway, there. I said it. And since I talked over you... Just speak ahead." He added as Yesung nodded away. Signaling his understanding.

"But isn't Ari... Like- kind of nice? Surely you did something wrong to begin doing all of that." Yesung continued what he was meant to inquire from Kyuhyun.

Kyuhyun's eye slightly twitched from irritation. Irritation at Yesung's question. He's such an oblivious dumbass, isn't he?

"Yes I know she is to you and everyone else. But we don't like each other because she acts like she hasn't met her "precious" and "important" "partner" at all. I was thinking that she was in denial, but..." Kyuhyun's voice trailed off, trying to describe this rather admittedly- petty and childish rivalry in the best of his

"Since she admitted it, but then said she doesn't know... What the fuck up with her fugly ass?" Kyuhyun added further before scoffing. Laughing dryly and rolling his eyes arrogantly.

Yesung's lips frowned a little. The way Kyuhyun spoke about others was quite... Foul and offensive.

"You shouldn't really say those stuff, you know? I get like... She pretends your partner or her boyfriend isn't there or never existed, but... If you knew she's in denial, maybe understand her?" Yesung inquired towards Kyuhyun. His brows furrowing, slowly getting a little irritated as well from Kyuhyun's attitude.

But something ticked in Kyuhyun's mind. A word he or not much of anyone understood to do.

"Understand her, huh? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Kyuhyun mocked to Yesung.

Yesung shrugged. "Well... I don't know! She must've HAD a reason so she would punch you! Because it doesn't make sense if she didn't have one!" He retaliated. His frown growing more apperent and his eyebrows furrowing further.

Staring at Yesung, Kyuhyun can't help but laugh about how childish he looked with the angry face. "God, you look unironically stupid." He scoffed.

"F-fuck you?! What does that have to do with her?!" Yesung exclaimed angrily. Taking offense as his jaw dropping from Kyuhyun's straight up AUDACITY to speak that badly.

Yesung's face reddened as Kyuhyun shocked at the scene. "Does he think he's intimidating, seriously?" He thought to himself. Laughing internally. "It's true, isn't it? You look like you're about to shit yourself." Kyuhyun added further to fume Yesung's anger. Which quite expectantly— worked.

"Stop calling me stupid, asshole! I didn't even ask for your opinion about my face!!" Yesung continued to yell.

It was clear that Yesung's quite pissed off. But to Yesung's unfortunate situation, he probably will get more laughs from his new friend if he continues trying to take Kyuhyun seriously.

"You know what?!?! Get out of my room!!!" Yesung yelled angrily as his eyes dilated. He sounded like a spoiled brat, and Kyuhyun still couldn't take him seriously. But, he complied anyway. Raising his hands in defeat before walking away. "Alright, alright! Calm down.. heh." Kyuhyun chattere teasingky. Feigning surrender.

Yesung closed the door shut on Kyuhyun. Causing a loud "bang!" to echo around the quiet house. And that was where a realization slightly dawned on Kyuhyun. Even though he was just nitpicking on Yesung's expressions... Yesung took actual offense to it and took it seriously, while Kyuhyun took it as mocking banter.

"...What the hell?" Kyuhyun swore under his breath. It was childish and he couldn't even understand why Yesung was straight up— throwing a fit on something he thought was just all tease even if he just wanted to forget about the entire ordeal with Ari.

"I'll see you tomorrow, I guess?" Kyuhyun answered awkwardly across the door before walking down the stairs and leaving Yesung's house. Immediately feeling the wave of reality seeing streetlights flicker off to on, and the sun sinking down for the moon to rise. Realizing he probably has to go home before his parents get worried.

--- time skip.

Kyuhyun twisted the door knob before entering. Seeing the view of his parents eating their usual meal of cup noodles on the dimly lit kitchen room.

They seemed cheery and happy. Like usual. It's not like they never ever smiled in front of him. Noticing the quiet return of their child's house, his father grinned brightly his teeth shining under the cold light and 

"Kyuhyun! You're back! You were almost late for dinner! Haha." His father remarked. His mother meanwhile, ran to the stove to pour the remaining portions left for her child onto a bowl. "Kyuhyun's been going home often now. Met new friends?" His mother wondered. 

Kyuhyun simply ignored his mothers inquiry. Proceeding into the dining table and plopping down his bag onto the floor and himself on a vacant chair.

Chapter Text

"Ding dong..!" The bell rang loudly like it did everyday. It has been days since that day and nothing has changed. Yesung still remains popular for his appearance and voice, and Kyuhyun has gone back to being invisible to everyone. 

"Yesungiee~!!! Good Morning!" A bright girl approached Yesung. And then in a blink a timid girl joined alongside the bright girl. "D-do you want to join the... science club? We have an event coming up an-and I'd love to see you participate! We'll... go to a karaoke too! My suggestion." She stammered nervously. Afterwards, multiple other girls and even some boys joined in to blabber and ask questions to Yesung as Kyuhyun just stared at him. With no thought in mind. They were one of the many folks that ended up lovestruck to Yesung just because he looked handsome and was new. It always been this way with most transferees. And then they slowly fade into obscurity like an afterthought within a week. It's all fleeting and impermanent. Like their foolish romances and lives.

Turning back around and looking down onto his desk, Kyuhyun rested his head onto the cold wooden desk that was the only thing gave him some sort of numbing familiarity. Running his hands through his hair in frustration. "Is this where I just hit rock bottom or is this just gonna be a normal thing until a few months?" Kyuhyun murmured to himself. Quiet enough to blend in every student's joyful chatters with each other. "What's the point of living anyway? I brought myself down from some arrogant troublemaker to some pathetic mess that no one likes because he was a troublemaker?" Kyuhyun pondered to himself in vexation. If Ari could just simply- move on and he couldn't, what is wrong within him that tells him to be stuck in numbing solitude. There was no longer even a reason to continue living for what he wants if his own fate was to be controlled by some terrifying man-eaters? It's as if he's the one that pulled himself down towards a downwards spiral.

...

The day resumed, and it was uneventful and numb. Kyuhyun saw Yesung in some occasions with Ari and such, he stared and reminisced on his dear friend's locker, stared at the edge of the school roof, go back to class nothing was happening- at all. Until the bell tolled. Telling everyone that it was time to leave the school premises. But Kyuhyun didn't budge. He remained still like a still rock. Sitting on his desk even though he finished cleaning the entire classroom by himself like a good ol' unpaid school janitor.

Kyuhyun knew he wanted to cry, but for all the moments he's held all of his tears back... It won't even prickle onto the corners of his eyes. Even if he was alone and such. Thus, he remained still. And in the meantime, a set of footsteps began echoing, approaching closer to the classroom before a figure appears- It was Sungmin! He panted loudly in exhaustion before looking up.

Noticing the presence of each other, the 2 yelled in surprise. Sungmin fell onto the floor, head first- while Kyuhyun fell down from his chair, his scalp hitting the wall, causing a concerningly loud "pang!" to ring across the room whilst his chair fell onto his legs.

Kyuhyun began to feel disoriented. As if his head was shook faster than a shooting star can hit the earth. And a wave of pain seemed to attack and ache his head. And meanwhile, Sungmin stood up and ran towards the disoriented Kyuhyun out of concern and panic. "I'm so sorry!" He apologized profusely. Sweating nervously. Kyuhyun lightly shoves him away. Pulling his feet away from the chair, then held onto a window frame as he stood up slowly despite the knocking pain inside his head.

Sungmin quickly rotates Kyuhyun's chair back up to its old position before grabbing Kyuhyun up from his fallen position, back to his chair realizing the weight of the taller man he's carrying.

"... It's okay." Kyuhyun forgave Sungmin. Shoving a hand away from him.

Sungmin gave the other a concerned stare before shaking his head. Giving him a gentle smile before he walked to another chair that seemed to have another bag that was left by its owner. Then, zipping it open as he began rummaging through its contents until finding a camera and cans of films. Snatching them and raising it up with a happy face.

The other stared at him. Immediately, he recognized noticed the bag, and recognized that it had seemed to be Yesung's bag. And Sungmin seemed to look like he was robbing the camera.

Thus, despite the lingering pain in his head, Kyuhyun stood up. Clenching his fists in anger before walking up to Sungmin with a cold, death glare and gripping the collar of Sungmin's uniform. Raising his fists as he was going to throw in a punch to the shorter man.

Sungmin's senses heightened. The camera and film can fell out of his hands as his body trembled whilst it tried squirming away from Kyuhyun's impending anger. "W-wait! Yesung... W-wanted me to get his— camera! Don't hit me!" He yelled out, attempting to ease the other's anger and cleanse the misunderstanding that hanged in the room.

Kyuhyun lowered his fists as he spoke in a panic. His grip loosened, and then eventually fading as he let go of the other's collar.

Feeling a pang of guilt from what he would've done, he rose his hand and scratch the nook of his neck. Looking away in a tense manner. "...Sorry." he quietly apologized. Albeit he remained his cold demeanor that contrasted his guilt.

"It's fine, atleast you stopped." Sungmin replied in optimism. Picking up the fallen camera on the icy, concrete floor. His eyes scanning for any damages before noticing a scratch on the lens. Realizing that, he nervously glanced at Kyuhyun. Keeping the damage quiet as he began scrambling to find a back up lens in Yesung's bag.

Unbeknownst to Sungmin, the other seemed to have become suspicious of him. Forcefully taking the camera out of his hands. His teeth gritting as he gave Sungmin a threatening glare. "The fuck are you trying to do now? You said you were here for Yesung's camera." Kyuhyun wondered. Staring at the camera before his eyes switched back to Sungmin's tense appearance.

Sungmin stared at him nervously"...The— The lens is scratched. I... I'm trying to find if he has any other backup lens in case, and..." He hesitantly stammered. Stopping his searching as Kyuhyun finished his sentence.

"You can't find any?" Kyuhyun guessed. Sighing as he threw the camera towards him. Luckily catching it as he came over to his own bag and hooked it on his one arm. His eyes still locked onto Sungmin.

He nodded in response as he zipped Yesung's bag shut. Giving Kyuhyun a disappointed frown as he stood up and grabbed Yesung's bag. Walking out of the classroom.

As he was about to step out, he realized Kyuhyun was still standing there. Glaring at him rather blankly.

"Do you wanna come with me? Yesung-ssi is there too!" Sungmin invited the other. Giving him a kind smile that crept onto his lips. "Me and the others are gonna go to the edge of town and stargaze for our science project!" He added further.

Kyuhyun stood silent. Hearing the name 'Yesung' was something that immediately turned him off from the idea. He didn't want to face him even though he knew he eventually had to face it. Apologize for the comments he said, since it was clear as day that Yesung was hurt by his words. But why should he face his face again? What if he doesn't forgive Kyuhyun at all? Even if it's something so small as Kyuhyun's teasing, what if he becomes invisible again?

"...No. I'd rather go home." Kyuhyun spoke with feigned disgust. Furrowing his brows as his brown eyes darkened.

Sungmin felt a sense of deceit from Kyuhyun. He had known the other for a while by now albeit they hadn't interacted in a frequent basis. Only knowing his existence simply because of Ari. Yet, there's doubt in his mind that pokes at him. Wanting to take a shot on getting to insist on the invitation even if it ends up he gets hit by Kyuhyun otherwise.

Taking a deep breath, he confidently looked at Kyuhyun. "Did you guys fight or something?" Sungmin wondered curiously, taking a guess before shaking his head. Realizing he probably can't push anyone or the taller guy to do, really.... Anything. "Actually... Scrap that. Sorry for asking something personal." He profusely apologized. Sheepishly scratching the nook of his head. Backpedaling his feet towards the doorframe before quickly exiting. Leaving Kyuhyun alone to stare blankly at the spot where Sungmin stood.

Was that the right choice? To run away from responsibility? Kyuhyun used to be so upfront back in the days. Yet now, he can't blurt out a single apology. Even in a half hearted manner that he spoke in countless times. Something in his mind stung him. Knowing he shouldn't had done all of that for the sake of his dignity, and go back from his word.

Kyuhyun clenched his fists. Gritting as his teeth. As he felt something come up from his eyes.

.... Plop, plop, plop.

Slowly, and yet uncontrollably. Drops of salty tears fell like clear raindrops. Streaming gently against Kyuhyun's face as his heart stung of regret. A regret wondering curiously whether he'll ever be the same. The same Kyuhyun that doesn't hide anything even if it's terrible. And whether anyone will still stay. Stay with a pathetic excuse of a "troublemaker". Someone that knew the unfortunate fate of every single person like the back of his hands.

Yet, he knew he can't go on like this if he wants to be pulled up once again. He knew that, perhaps...

Chapter Text

Thud, thud, thud. The hallways echoed as Sungmin strode along towards the staircase down. Feeling ecstatic about the stargazing with his precious friends and Yesung tonight. His walking close to practically hopping at that point whilst his lips arched to a wide, happy smile. 

Suddenly, the thudding harmonizes to equivalent of two people. Signifying a presence of another fellow walking down towards the staircase. There, Sungmin immediately knew who was coming closer.

He froze abruptly before his head rotated to look at what he thought was a figure. His guess being correct. 

Kyuhyun forcibly dragged his feet towards Sungmin, tugging his sleeve gently as his head hung down. Hiding the tears he briefly shed. Weakly asking to the other, "... Actually, can— can I join?" He pleaded. His voice cracking as he attempted to veil his voice in nonchalance. And it seemed like, Sungmin did not miss that.

"Kyuhyun-ssi, are you sure? You don't seem..."Sungmin inquired hesitantly. Unsure of how to approach the possibly vulnerable Kyuhyun that felt unfamiliar to him. Suddenly, the other talked over him.

"Yeah, I'm damn sure." Kyuhyun talked back. Wiping the dried residue of his tears before he raised his head up. His composure seemingly reversing back as his eyebrows furrowed. Attempting to suppress the entirety of his emotions from the other.

The other smiled happily. Although he was glad that there was more to join their stargazing, he wasn't quite sure why Kyuhyun happened to be this indecisive about it. "Did anything happen, Kyuhyun-ssi?" He wondered curiously. Attempting to gently pull away Kyuhyun's tug from his sleeve.

Realizing Sungmin was signifying him to pull his grip out, Kyuhyun lets go of Sungmin's sleeve. "No, nothing happened. I just can't decide for shit." Kyuhyun answered bluntly to Sungmin's question. Immediately— silence lingered around them. Nerving the brunette haired as he stared at Sungmin. Who looked rather suspicious of his statement.

"Ah, goddamnit." Kyuhyun groaned in frustration. Knowing he couldn't really get away with that terrible lie. "I did something wrong to Yesung. That's it. That's why I kind of didn't want to join in." He announced nervously. Anxiously waiting for the other's response.

Sungmin nodded in understanding. "Oh... Then you should apologize to him. After all— You just said it was your fault." He advised. Giving Kyuhyun a confused glance. 

"I know, Sherlock. I'm... just scared. Really fucking scared" Kyuhyun murmured quietly. His voice slightly quivering. His breath shuddering as he hesitantly spoke once more. "I... I'm scared because I know Yesung won't forgive me for shit." He added further.

Confused, Sungmin rose an eyebrow. Gradually becoming concerned for Kyuhyun's well being even if they haven't talked much. Because it all simply just felt out of the ordinary for him to look at Kyuhyun that acted weary and cowardly. And, he felt compelled to atleast ease the boy's doubts.

Sungmin took a deep breath. Hoping he won't end up being almost beat by Kyuhyun before replying back, "I'm sure he'll forgive you. After all, you're his friend, right? And all friends make mistakes. That's why you shouldn't be scared." He tried to reassure Kyuhyun as his face contorted to a nervous smile. Praying that Kyuhyun wouldn't break down infront of him.

"...Will he?" Kyuhyun wondered doubtfully. 

Sungmin nodded. Calming the anxious Kyuhyun.

Kyuhyun breathed a sigh of relief. Raising his gaze to the other. The other gave him a small smile before offering Kyuhyun his hand. "If you're absolutely sure now, let's go. I really don't want Ari to yell at me again. Haha..." Sungmin nervously laughed before Kyuhyun accepted his hand gripping it tightly. Suddenly dragging the other downstairs forcefully, until they reached the school's arched black gates. Met with 3 people awaiting Sungmin; Ari, Jisoo, and at last— Yesung. Whom none expected Kyuhyun to arrive first alongside Sungmin.

Ari's face flared with anger. Furrowing her brows as she attempts to gather all her emotions down all because of Kyuhyun. He was gonna ask her about him again, won't he?

"Why in the world did you bring this asshole here?!" Ari interrogated. Her eyes narrowing as she gave Kyuhyun a fuming glare. One that seemed to embolden Kyuhyun.

"Wah, Wah, Wah. He invited me here, so why don't you just shut the fuck up?" Kyuhyun mocked Ari. Crouching down to her level as he feigned sadness. Sticking out his tongue. Just for a little more to sprinkle in Ari's fuming face.

“Oh my god you act like a whore…” Ari insulted back in a whisper, clenching her fists as she watched Kyuhyun act all high and mighty to her— after all, this was the last straw, if he was to continue, it was just gonna be another ordinary occurrence of them fighting like they're about to die.

Minjae rolled her eyes as she silenced the two of them a menacing glare, hoping that way, and once and for all— they would keep their mouths shut. “Can we just… Go now?” She inquired them in irritation, one that she tries to suppress against this heavy, and tense atmosphere that began to loom above the quartet of children that excluded Kyuhyun albeit he felt the same way. 

Meanwhile, Yesung stared nervously, he was uncertain on how to proceed and deal with something he has no knowledge of its perhaps deep-rooted history between his newfound friend, Ari, and the first person he bothered to interact with in Sangsoo, Kyuhyun— It was as if he was a midpoint in an intense game of tug and war, and it was certainly a compromising situation that shouldn't try to be poked at.

He walked over to Kyuhyun, his head hung down in nervousness as he avoided Kyuhyun's gaze, shoving his hands down the pockets on his pants as he began to speak.

“Why are you here?” He plainly asked the taller child— But, he should've never asked that as they already knew the answer: Kyuhyun was there because of Yesung. He wasn't sure whether it was out of his own goodwill or malice, but— he still wanted to find out because of his curiosity that desired to dig deeper as it was hungry..

Kyuhyun gave him a blank stare, there, and immediately he felt as if his feigned confidence faded slowly simply because of Yesung's question. He wasn't sure if he were to truly let his dignity out of the way for this short-lived “friendship”, but he knew that it was certainly necessary, perhaps for his imminent death.

“...I just wanted to say sorry for… Saying you looked terrible.” Kyuhyun hesitantly murmured, taking a deep breath before saying so, just praying Sungmin didn't get his hopes up— otherwise, he was screwed.

As Kyuhyun sweated nervously at the sight of Yesung’s head looking down and his shoulder tensed, awaiting the shorter's reaction. Yet, Yesung felt rather surprised— surprised someone common children blabbered as arrogant, narcissistic, and mean, and Kyuhyun was certain Yesung would have finally picked up on that school of thought about Kyuhyun that was frequently used to take him down all because of his old persona of being a troublemaker.

"It's fine." Yesung murmured to the other, his mind remaining uneasy, but ultimately— he was well aware that his reaction that day was but irrational, one he thought should've been casted away.

The apology calmed the anxious Kyuhyun, letting out a breath that he never realized he held in from how on edge he has became. "I'm glad, then..." Kyuhyun gave Yesung a sloppy curve of his lips, one that made his heart thump warmly, feeling a sense of fuzziness deep within— one which he seemed to ignore before Sungmin, who had been standing worried out of his mind if a fight would break out— talked above Kyuhyun.

"Let's just all go, okay? Everyone, let's not fight this time...!" Sungmin spoke in a panicky voice, his body trembling as he sneaked in-between the sappy pair of children as he let out a forced laugh, pinning his hopes where that they'd all agree with him for once and for all.

Minjae nodded in agreement, since she wanted things to finally come to a close. "Right. But this time, none of you pull out insults like you guys are in a literal rap battle, got it?" She added, a tinge of frustration in her face was apparent.

"...Fine. Let's go!" Ari exclaimed hesitantly, her lips puckering a pout out of defeat before she suddenly gripped Minjae's larger hand, intertwining hers as she forcibly dragged her away from the school gates, Causing Minjae to flinch from the action out of shock— trying to match her long strides.

The rest stared at the 2 girls, whom were also unimpressively surprised, began to slowly, and reluctantly follow them, down to the same concrete road that everyone had always stepped on the way back home.

Soon, Yesung and Kyuhyun begin to feel a sense of familiarity as Ari lead them to the same slanted roadway that lead to Yesung's house, where they once chartered just a few days ago— albeit it rather felt like years, and it wasn't long until the younger paused her tracks onto a rather unfamiliar gravelly pathway that went upwards to the mountains that enveloped the town like a little bowl.

Although it didn't seem like no one was around the path, everyone immediately felt tense and froze up in an instant— there was certainly people there, one that wandered around the tall, forested mountains for anyone who dares to step in its vicinity.

"Now I think about it, isn't it a bad idea I thought of photoshooting on the top?" Ari wondered to everyone, her voice slightly shaking as she held onto Minjae's hand tighter out of anxiety, and the hopes that her doubts could be soothed.

Minjae smiled nervously before nodding, it wasn't like that it wasn't true anyway, and everybody's knew that they couldn't lie that it was a tricky situation if they end up do so— but it was all for their school project. "Yeah, but if we get a cool photo of the night sky, we're gonna be A-OK." She reassured Ari, adding further as she advised the other; "Plus, we can just lie about where we got it."

"She has a point, huh?" Kyuhyun carelessly provided with a casual side comment. "Also, I just wanted to see the stars as well." He added, lying further as a dying sense thirsted him to know what's beyond the boundaries of their hometown, and if he would see a flicker of hope that would turn him to escape this world even if he was all alone.

Chapter Text

The quintet of children trekked the gravel lane that slanted upwards in-between the towering trunks of trees that illuminated a line by the moonlight, where Yesung's wandering eyes located a small yet— strange, luminescent sparkle of light that only seemed to signal one thing. And it was that someone was around, and if they were to be caught— it only would mean trouble.

Yesung looked around frantically, his body freezing as everyone seemed to dismiss or ignore it, trying to find a solution or a path for escaping detection that might be close to inevitable if he weren't to move.

There, Yesung finally decided to catch up to the four other children, then suddenly— he took the hand of the nearest from him, gripping it tightly before bolting in a haste out of the blue, startling the child that Yesung dragged upwards towards the mountain— who ended up being Kyuhyun. "People!" The child yelled out frantically.

"Ah! Goddamnit! Slow the hell down!" Kyuhyun exclaimed out of surprise, widening his eyes as his feet rushed to keep up with Yesung's pace meanwhile everyone watched the 2, stupefied by their sudden dashing as the 3 other children behind them ultimately decided to run after them as well, wondering why he ended up running out of the blue.

"Yesung!" Sungmin called out his name, continuing to eventually catch up to him across the dim pathway.

Eventually, the duo arrived at the serene view of the cliff sides, as if a reward for them who ran away from the Peacekeepers who would've punished them accordingly, but who would want that?

"Why the hell did you drag me?" Kyuhyun inquired in a demanding manner, remaining baffled from the sudden sprinting of his friend, furrowing his brows with a deepened frown as he panted frantically from the running. 

Shortly, the rest finally set a foot upon the edge of the forest, revealing a windy field of grass that ended with a cliff.

"Peacekeepers were..there." Yesung pants frantically, taking deep, yet short breaths as his paranoia ignored the tranquility and safety of the location they ended up within as his body crashed down against the soft bladed grass, leaning against a tiny stone boulder.

Kyuhyun noticed the boy’s panicked demeanor, his shrunken eyes, and he couldn't help but become increasingly worried for Yesung.

Although he didn't expect for Yesung to forgive him ever so suddenly and their friendship to fade into a nasty, aching gap, he approached Yesung, and crouched to the other’s level, creeping a hand onto his back as he rubbed gentle circles— hoping that the panicked boy would calm down.

“Calm down. They're not here anymore.” Kyuhyun hesitantly reassured Yesung, his brows furrowing as he thought to himself, was it ever necessary for them to risk trouble so that they could just obtain mere pictures?

"What's up with you?" Ari asked, frustrated as she approached Yesung with furrowed brows and gritted teeth, she really didn't want to handle some new problem now that she has the opportunity to do something forbidden.

Kyuhyun gave Ari a deadpan face, signifying that her own frustration wouldn't help anything at this moment, causing her to lessen her vexed stance as she saw Yesung's expression— clearly panicked, and afraid.

"N-nevermind, forget what I said— sorry..." She stammered, anxiously scraping the nook of her neck, and gazing her eyes away from the paranoid boy.

As the other's were debriefed of Yesung's well-being, Minjae began to set up the camera, staring blankly for a passing moment before continuing until she was done, admiring the camera that stood upon the highest peaks of the town they loved so dearly, a place where everything seemed so peaceful and harmonious.

While Minjae overheard their own comforting words about Yesung as soon as she diligently finished the set up of the camera, staring at them blankly, as a thought crept up her mind. One of annoyance that she herself kept suppressed deep inside and never even knew why she even felt annoyed at Yesung.

Her hands clenched into fists and her eyebrows furrowed from the irritation before she then pushed those thoughts away, knowing that she shouldn’t cause more tensions between her friends, and even Kyuhyun. 

Minjae then hesitantly shifted her feet towards her companions, her legs crouching down towards them “Hey, I finished setting up the camera, we should take some photos for school now.” She calmly announced, before continuing further: “If we stay for too long, then we might as well be caught by the Peacekeepers, don’t you all think?” she cautiously reminded them, a tinge of concern and worry in her voice albeit her attempt to suppress so.

Ari then flinched, suddenly remembering their purpose of visit thanks to Minjae’s statement. She stood up as a cold sweat of nervousness quickly dropped down from her temples.

“R…Right. I don’t wanna be caught, so let’s just shoot a few photos of some stars and, er…I guess get this thing done with.” She sheepishly declared, her eyes looking away from everyone and onto the dancing blades of grass. 

Everyone seemed to oblige as they began to take photos, smiling widely and laughing wholeheartedly, as if they’ve forgotten the world beyond them below the dark dome of the starry, night sky.

Amidst the fun that ensued from the 4 children, Kyuhyun sat upon a boulder out of boredom,  rocking his upper body, his hands intertwined between spread legs, and his stare towards them deadpanned and half-lidded. This night will be a long one, and so will be the rest onwards, but no one really knows about that. 

Suddenly, Minjae abruptly came closer to Kyuhyun, sitting down beside the boulder, where Yesung sat earlier. Realizing that Kyuhyun hasn’t interacted with anyone, including Yesung

“Hey, what’s up?” She casually blurted out to the other, her casual gaze meeting him whilst her head lolled against the boulder.

Kyuhyun gazed back at Minjae, taken aback by her sudden appearance, after all, she was talking with Ari and everyone else so cheerfully he’d thought he’d be left alone to his thoughts, causing him to sigh in defeat, aware that he has to entertain her until she gets what he wants from him. Or, he makes her leave.

“What?” He replied, feigning a sense of annoyance, which he prayed would notify Minjae to back off.

Minjae gave him a bothered expression, finding his sudden annoyance bizarre and unreasonable. She clenched her fists once more. “I just wanted to ask how you are doing, is that so bad?” she complained, shifting her feet slightly against the grass nervously. It was clear that his tactic was working against her. Yet, she still didn’t back off, which wasn’t a part of Kyuhyun’s expectations, leaving him baffled by her reaction.

“Well, no. And I’m doing good.” Kyuhyun clarified once more.

Minjae’s lips curved with a tiny smile. It was faint, but it was there, as if she was trying to tell the other that she was just there for some simple talk with no strings attached.

“That’s nice. But, er..” She calmly uttered, her voice then trailing off for a short while as she tried to find the right words that were stuck on the tip of her tongue.

“Why don’t you talk with anyone?” She inquired, nervously anticipating Kyuhyun’s response, albeit she expected an offended reply that was usual to receive from this boy.

Kyuhyun’s mouth closed, keeping his lips shut like a cork of a wine bottle. He was well aware that her query was one with good intent and out of curiosity, and yet, he still felt hesitant to answer. He used to be so blunt and unapologetically honest, but now… that habit is now of the distant past to uphold away from the present.

His gaze then eventually stared back down at the grass, before reluctantly answering, “Well, it’s not like anyone is down for that, and so am I.” He replied coldly, his rudeness contrasting the nervous tensing of his shoulders.

Minjae lets out a light chuckle, it’ll take some time until Kyuhyun could feel comfortable with her, especially because she was closely affiliated with Ari after all. And those two never had the best bond either.

“Well forget my question.” Minjae said, letting out a heavy sigh and shrugging casually. “Let's talk about something else.” She quickly suggested, snapping her fingers enthusiastically.

“Do you wanna play truth or dare?” Minjae proposed after another moment of silence

Kyuhyun kept himself quiet, reluctantly nodding his head, realizing she seemed to persist talking to him, hence- his refusal was practically futile, and Minjae would end up victorious.

In response, Minjae’s hands clasped together as her smile grew to a grin. “That’s perfect then!” She exclaimed. Teasingly, releasing a tiny, mischievous chuckle out of boastfulness. She then began to crawl up to the boulder, sitting up besides the other as her eyes fixed onto the bright, twinkling above them that shone, and stood out against the dark blue sky. 

“So, truth or dare?” Kyuhyun asked her after a quick second, crossing his arms, already putting up walls of defense even if the questions or demands that are about to be thrown at him soon were unknown.

“Truth.” She confidently hurled back.

He placed his palms on his chin, his mind dwelling in thought for a question, a question that might be a good starter. For the two of them to begin with. After all- they’re practically strangers with their only connection frequenting Ari, whether to hangout or argue with her with every encounter.

“Do you wanna do anything after the ceremony?” Kyuhyun asked, albeit vague, he wanted to know if Minjae knew something or was oblivious, like everyone else around him.