Number 9 |jaewoo|

11

There was a little bird singing a song. An unknown light coming from above filled his body with warmth and comfort. He shifted and fluttered his eyelids.

Jungwoo grinned, pleased to hear the bird's singing. He revealed his eyes, using his hand to block the sun shining down on him. He sat up. Looking around he discovered that he had been laying on top of a blanket on the soft, crunchy grass. He was in the orchard again. The wind was cool and crisp when he took a breath.

"Good morning," a familiar voice spoke.

Jungwoo blinked and noticed Jaehyun, standing right behind him, holding a basket. "It's you."

"Yup." Jaehyun giggled and sat down across from him. He set the basket down between them.

"What happened?" Jungwoo asked. His memory was a little fuzzy.

"It's been two weeks. And let me tell you... you gave us quite the scare."

Jungwoo looked at his fists. They were healed and smooth. "Those men... did I..."

"Don't worry about that. We took care of everything, and Taeyong fixed you all up. It's over now." Jaehyun said.

"Jaehyun," Jungwoo recalled. "I remember what I did that day... I sacrificed myself."

"Yeah." Jaehyun looked ahead and saw the rest of the group coming outside with baskets and containers. "I remember what you said to me." With that, Jaehyun went over to his ear. "I love you too."

Jungwoo thought for a second and then blushed. The group came swarming in, greeting Jungwoo with pats and hugs. They set down the baskets and containers full of food on the blanket and sat in a circle. Donghyuck plopped himself right beside the blond, saying, "Ah, someone's awake!" The tanned male then tossed a handkerchief on Jungwoo's lap. "Oh, and you left this in the saferoom. Thought you'd want it back." Donghyuck winked.

Jungwoo picked it up and held it close. "Thank you. But, may I ask... what is all of this?"

"It's a picnic." Taeyong answered, his eyes sparkling in the sun. "Just to celebrate you."

"Me?" Jungwoo eyed all of his friends and then at all the food, thinking it was all too much.

"Yes. I had to admit. When you destroyed the prototype, I was in disbelief. I never thought I'd see something so brilliant. I knew you had it in you from the start. You saved our lives... again."

"But how did I do it?" Jungwoo raised an eyebrow.

Taeyong just chuckled. "Yes, you're still human... but combined with your modifications, your strength tripled."

Jungwoo cringed at the time he tossed Taeyong and then Jaehyun across with one push. "I see. Ugh, I'm so sorry I hurt you. I... I don't feel like a hero. I feel like a monster. What am I, Taeyong? Really. What am I?"

Taeyong took out an apple from a basket and started eating, along with everyone else. Waiting for an answer, Jungwoo fiddled with the handkerchief. He wasn't hungry. Instead, he just sulked. When Taeyong caught a glance, he rolled his eyes. He then patted Jungwoo's head, ruffling his hair. "You are superhuman."

THE END