The REPLAY of SKZ: Let's Go Back to Those Times

Chapter 9 - Chris

Lo and behold, three guys show up at the door, each representing a different animal: a rabbit, a puppy and a fennec fox.

Two of the three—the rabbit and fox—are drenched nearly from head-to-toe in something that dried sticky. My stomach curls in on itself, both happy it doesn't have anything more to eat with my quickly lost appetite, but I also regret eating, I feel like I could throw up thinking about all the possible unsanitary substances on them. I vaguely remember Minho mentioning they woke up in a pretty disgusting area when he called. I didn't picture it to be that disgusting.

Seungmin just looks super drained, no weird wet stains or sticky patches. There is no doubt he was found somewhere else. Somewhere nicer.

"Welcome!" Felix cheers, opening the door wide for them. Amused, we got to see their confused reactions at the young idols, as they stared back in wonder and studiousness.

"What's happening here, hyungs?" Jeongin asked cautiously, scanning the room—really rooms, plural—in easily-detectable shock and fear.

"Oh, nothing! Just enjoying company with our past-selves!" Felix says cheekily. The eldest and I chuckle, entertained at his cute forwardness.

The three look around puzzled, their eyes flicking through each face, looking for answers, and probably someone to object. That's at least what I've been waiting for. I've been anticipating that, "Hah! You've been pranked!" from anyone.

"We're in the past?" Jeongin questioned. Their eyes swipe over the older Woojin before they settle on me.

"Yeah, I think Felix is right. We're just wa-"

"How? How is that possible? How is this possible?"

"I... don't know. But what I do know is that their resemblance to our debut is unmistakable, and there was the freak accident where we all woke up separated. Let's... just get everyone here first before we decide to do anything, okay?"

"That's... so freakin' cool!" Jeongin suddenly bursts. And, wow, am I shocked. The way he just changed from scared and confused to excited? Impressive.

Minho looks like he wants to press even further, but he decides that it can wait until we're all reunited. His mouth hangs open slightly, parted for a speech that never comes.

Jeongin shrinks in on himself a bit, uncomfortable with all the unexpected attention. The debut members were staring at him intently, shocked to see their youngest so matured both physically and mentally. Minho notices and nudges his hand. When it's accessible enough, he grabs it, holding it in his tsundere way. He draws shapes comfortingly on the back of his palm, I smile at his sweetness.

Seungmin nods to himself, eyes calculating. The other Seungmin, after gawking on the youngest, narrows his eyes at his future-self. Sensing eyes, my Seungmin finds him and, next thing I know, they are intently at each other, studying and assessing. Felix hurries them in the rest of the way through the door before pushing it closed, and just like that, the Seungmins' eye contact breaks.

Since Woojin and I have finished, I grab our dirty dishes and bring them over to the sink. "One of you can take my chair." Before the others could react, Jeongin is enjoying the warmth of the empty seat.

"Yah! I'm your hyung!"

"Then you're getting a bit old and slow ahjussi!" Jeongin teased back. Seungmin smirked, ready to put his own knowledge of teasing his divorced husband, Minho, in action. If he majored in anything in college, it would've been, "how to push a Lee Minho's mental buttons."