HIBISCUS | Bang Chan of Stray Kids

Track 22

"Even in my dreams, I've dreamt about leaving far away."

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Track 22

[Disclaimer]

This chapter contains strong themes. These themes are not explicitly written and do not involve JYP Entertainment or Stray Kids.

          Chan cleared his throat and kindly gestured for Hwayoung to sit first. She obediently followed along and sat in the closest seat with Chan following right after in the neighboring seat. The round table offered a suitable host for idle dinner conversation for a group of nine; however, that gave only one unoccupied seat on her left as Chan occupied the one to her right. Minho, Changbin, and Seungmin, being the mature members that they were, uncaringly chose a random seat at the table. Once seated, the three shifted their eyes to the remaining members that still stood even after being socially cued to sit. Wondering what they were looking at, everyone followed their visual path only to come face to face with the last remaining next to Hwayoung on her left. Seeing their golden chance and unwilling to kick Chan out of his seat, the fondest members of Hwayoung began to shuffle for the seat.

          "Hyunjin, you stepped on my shoes! These are Gucci!"

          "I want to sit next to my noona!"

          "What is this? Maknae on top? I'm the oldest out of us three."

          Hwayoung watched as Hyunjin, Jisung, and Jeongin scuffled to sit in the chair. Her face lit up with amusement, wondering why it was so important that they sat next to her. Just as Hwayoung decided that their bickering was taking a little too long and attracting a little too much attention from the other premiere attendees, Chan quietly scolded the trio, "Psst! Stop it, people are starting to look at us!"

          Normally, any member would not have even started bickering in fear that Chan would say something about it, yet blinded by their yearn to rekindle their closeness with Hwayoung, their public manners were forgotten in the JYP company van. As the bickering slightly became more intense and Hwayoung became more worried, Seungmin quietly switched seats and took over the most desired seat. He turned to Hwayoung with a kind, warm smile, "Do you mind if I sit here?"

          Hwayoung shook her head politely, "Not at all."

          When she turned her head back to the quarreling trio, Chan was ready to up his intensity in order to get them to behave; however, before he could initiate his threats, Hwayoung placed a gentle hand on his forearm. He furrowed his eyebrows together as Hwayoung casted a guilty smile, "I'll take care of this."

          Hwayoung rose from her seat without granting a chance for Chan to respond before making her way to the trio. As if she were the Crown Princess of Korea, the three immediately ceased their fire and paid attention. Hwayoung gestured to the last remaining seats that were all but near her. With a cheeky smile and a semi-threatening stare, Hwayoung ushered them to be seated, "All of you sit before none of you get Christmas presents from me this year. Just because it's two months away doesn't mean that you can start acting up right now. So, sit! Lee Minho is giving us weird looks!"

          The three sulkingly made their way to their seats without a fit. When Hwayoung seated herself comfortably, Chan thanked her, "If they kept going, no doubt the entire venue would know what they were fighting about. But, I just have one question."

          Hwayoung hummed for him to continue. Before Chan could ask, Minho had already stolen his thunder, "Why did you refer to me using my full name? I don't remember doing anything wrong. And what weird looks? The only look I have is handsome."