A Bittersweet Smile

Why did we break up?

Lu Han's POV

“Now, since Lu Han is already home, why don’t we talk about you group’s comeback? As 12.”

We are now at our CEO’s office. We were summoned so early so that when we finish our discussions, we could start our 1-week break. The company has given us an opportunity to go on a vacation, since  the other members made such a huge impact on the hallyu wave these past 3 months. They won 1st place in Inkigayo for 7 straight weeks. They were mostly the topic of every social media and news. And yesterday, they just won 1st place for the 15th time in a row in Music Core Live.

“Umin, you’ve made us proud.”

“What is going on with Xiumin?” I silently asked Chen.

“Umin hyung had a lot of promotions and activities lately. He’s the one who made our 15-time-in-a-row win in Music Core. He was offered with a movie production last week, and they would start filming next week. He was crowned with the title “The Issue Maker King” because he became pretty famous in the news and social sites. Some producers even offered the company some new songs that would fit Xiumin hyung. They said that Umin could go on a solo career successfully.”

Does that mean, he’s leaving the group?

“Of course not. Xiumin hyung decided that he could just sing some songs for our next album, in solo.”

Did I just say it out loud?

“Yes. Yes, you did hyung”

This kid is a mind reader.

----

After the discussions, everyone excitedly left the company with a vacation in mind. Chan Yeol and Baek Hyun planned to go to their grandmothers’ houses. Kris and Tao said that they would be going back to China. Chen and Su Ho planned to go on a trip to Paris, since they also wanted to accept the invitation for the new season’s fashion runway.

“Hyung, do you wanna go to the Galapagos Islands? You said that you wanted to try the meat there. How about in Maldives? Ah! You said you want to go to Jeju Island, right?”

“I’ll go to where ever you go.”

“Arasseo, then I’ll take you to Jeju Island.”

Jeju Island? Sounds fun.

“Lu, is Lay and Xiu Min hyung going to Jeju?”

“Yup.”

“Where would you go?”

“Do you want to go to Beijing?”

----

“Hyung, are you ok?”

I couldn’t answer Se Hun’s question because of the scene outside right now.

“W- why is it s- so high?”

“Hyung, Namsan Tower is on a mountain. What do you expect to see?”

Although we planned to go to Beijing this week, it didn’t work out because of the storm approaching Seoul. All flights were cancelled. Chen and Su Ho made it to Paris because of Su Ho’s family’s private plane. Kris and Tao decided to go for land travelling. But, Xiu Min and Lay are at Jeju right now because they took their flight the moment we finished our meeting with the CEO.

“Hyung, why did Min Seok hyung break up with you?”

Se Hun’s question caught me off guard. It was so random, yet I couldn’t answer it without thinking about the past again.

*Flashback*

“Woomn~ah! Hurry. The cafe is about to close”

Baozi and I decided to get some coffee before going back to the dorm

“Lu Han, why do we need buy from this cafe? There’s one near our dorm that would be closing an hour later.”

“Just hurry.”

I decided to hold a surprise event for Baozi. Tomorrow would be our 1000th day anniversary and I plan on greeting him at 12 midnight.

“The usual, please”

This cafe is where I confessed to Baozi, and this is where we started our relationship. It has been our favourite ever since, but I don’t get it why Baozi would prefer other cafes. This is the first time.

“Lu Ha-“

“Do you remember? This was where I first met you. You were so chubby back then. This was also where we told our first I love you’s. You would always turn red every time we sat on that same table, remember?“

“Yeah.”

I noticed that Baozi has been feeling quite down lately. He seldom talks. He doesn’t play that much anymore.

“Min Seok, is something wrong?”

He didn’t respond. I took it as a yes, but I didn’t push. I know Baozi would tell me if he’s already ready. We waited silently for our orders to arrive, but Xiu Min broke the ice. And at the same time, he broke my heart.

“I’m breaking up.”

Break. Maybe I heard it wrong.

“What did you say again?”

He looked away and didn’t respond.

“Kim Min Seok, don’t play with me. You’re joking, right? This is a prank for our 1000th anniversary. You’re planni-“

“Lu Han. I’m breaking up with you. It’s over.”

W- why all of the sudden? This gotta be a joke.

“Stop joking, Woomin~ah”

I held his hand and tried to get him to tell me that it’s all a joke.

“Woomi-“

“I said it’s over!”

With his final word, he shook off my hand coldly and walked towards the exit of the cafe. Middle way, he paused. I expected him to turn back wearing that cheeky smile of his and laugh and tease me for being such an easy-to-fool guy. But, he didn’t. He didn’t turn back, and didn’t laugh.

“Leave me alone, Lu Han. Go away. I don’t want to do anything with you anymore.”

After he went out, the waitress came to our table and brought with her our coffees and a box, my supposed to be anniversary gift for him. I opened it and there I saw the ring necklace that Xiu Min, my Baozi, always wanted. And I saw the other ring placed on my finger.