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

Chapter 13 - Lee Know

RIInnnGGgggg!! RIInnnGGgggg!! RIInnnGGgggg!! RIInnnGG-

"JYP-hyungnim, hi. I'm very sorry for interrupting whatever you were doing, but we have- we have an issue." Minho says, extremely nervously I might add. I can already see the thoughts running through his head; oh god, what if I get kicked out again... but for real? What if I get into trouble because of their lack of responsibility? Not word for word exact with how I would have thought in this situation now, but it is how I would have seen it and no doubt I'm panicking because what the hell. And it pisses me off. Chan pisses me off. Woojin pisses me off. Stray Kids pisses me off.

I rip the phone from his hands. I don't care about repercussions on either side, my past self is obviously panicking and his members were either being apathetic or stupidly oblivious. I pray it's the latter, but considering how little we knew each other at this time, I can't say for sure. A handful of people from Stray Kids gasp, some sound in how unfair it is and others just sound like they're in pure shock. My own members look a little nervous but not exactly shocked. They saw this coming. Hell I'm sure some of them would've done it if they could.

"Hyungnim, I understand that it'll sound a bit odd... but it's true. All I ask is that you believe us and we talk it out."

"Okay... I'll do my best to comprehend it, but let's backtrack. What's happened? Is someone hurt? Any second thoughts? Because I assure you that Stray Kids will succeed, just give it time."

"Well... no, not to worry! It feels like we're..." I realise I gotta make this sound like Minho is speaking, not Lee Know. I manipulate my voice into a slightly higher pitch and force myself in my 19-year-old mindset. He won't notice. "...hallucinating. So you see, our... uhm- future selves have come to the past."

Silence.

"Hyungnim? Are you there? I- I know it's a lot to take in."

"I- yeah, I'm still here. I just- are you sure? This... this is impossible! Ridiculous! I suggest you stop this- this prank right this moment!"

"100% positive, we're not lying or anything of the sort. This is completely real, though it might be better to meet in person to discuss this... I think we both can agree that this isn't something you talk over the phone about."

He sighs, but I can't tell what feeling makes him do so. Is he angry? Frustrated? Stressed? Worried? "You're right. Look, I got a meeting soon, let's- wait! Where's Chan-ah? Or Woojin-ah? Shouldn't they be calling?"

"They umm..." Shit. What do I say? The truth? That they were too chicken and forced their dongsaeng to do it for them so I had to step up? Not that they would know that, but still. No. No, as satisfying as that would be, it definitely wouldn't go over well. "...They're busy." An idea pops in my faintly frazzled mind. An evil, but totally justifiable one. "But I'm sure they wouldn't mind taking out time to speak with you!" Chan and Woojin, already having an inkling about where this is going, start shaking their heads, desperate to not speak to him. Nobody from Stray Kids wants to speak to him, especially about an issue like this. How could anyone believe them? But I've done the hard part, all they have to do is sell it.

Woojin appears more on edge, probably because he doesn't know JYP as much as Chan. He seems positively horrified with the possibility of speaking with JYP. Good. He deserves that for acting so rudely earlier. I doubt any of them noticed, but if we're all going to get along—both intergroup and intragroup—then there's gotta be a bit more compassion.

Chan on the other hand looks nervous, but not terrified per se. He seems to have already accepted the fact that he will be speaking on the phone with our boss. I doubt he's horribly nervous though, taking into account he's been a trainee under him for seven years and JYP let him handpick his members. Something that was one-of-a-kind and not likely to happen ever again.