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

Chapter 14 - Lee Know

The conversation with JYP-hyungnim along with everything with it was about 20 minutes. After that, we decided to enjoy ourselves. It's been a stressful day after all, hasn't it?

Surprisingly, Stray Kids didn't act up any more the rest of the time we hung out. We joked and played little games, it was actually somewhat fun. We avoided the JYP phone conversation like a plague and not once did we talk about ways to improve for the future. If we're gonna be here for two weeks, then we can save a little of that for later. Plus, some of it, especially with a few members of the group, needs to be addressed privately one-on-one.

Despite the fun, the reality is that they need a lot of work to become what we are today. Their hearts are, for the most part, in the right place, they're just a little off-course.

As of now, we're trying to figure out sleeping arrangements and finding clean clothing that fits. I don't know about anyone else, maybe besides I.N, but I feel like shit. I don't doubt I look it too. My shorts and shirts have long since dried very much smelly, but they still stick to my body. I am, without a doubt, taking a shower before bed, whether I'm told I can or not.

As the laughing fit caused by Chan's storytelling skills ceased, I check the time. 10:42. We should probably head to bed soon, meaning I and any others should make a line for shower right about now. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

"Alright! I hate to be the party pooper, but we should start ready for bed, it's quarter to 11:00." I say, and it's sad to see the room get serious again. We'll have to figure out where everyone is sleeping and if/when people are showering too. Not to mention, there's other hygienic things we need to do, like brushing our teeth and any skincare routines. All in all, this is going to be an exhausting talk.

When no one else speaks up, I decide to do it for them. I voice the concerns I have, and thankfully someone responds to that. It would be really awkward if no one answered.

It's Woojin this time. "Well, if you haven't noticed this dorm barely fits 9 guys let alone 18 of them. We can set up the mats on the floor again and you can sleep there, cuddle, smooch, whatever. We'll sleep in our beds." I nod lightly in approval, and no objections ring out through the room, so I think that it's safe to say that we've got that figured out.

"And the bathroom issue?" I know we only have one, and it was nearly impossible to shower in there with hot water—and that was with 9 people sharing. At this point I'm desperate enough to shower at the company.

"Umm... good question. Maybe we can discuss this tomorrow with the company. I think they have showers. For now, only the ones who need it should shower." Woojin answers, sounding slightly more unsure of himself as he continues on.

"Sure, but if worse comes to worst, we can just shower together." Yongbok says, shrugging his shoulders. Stray Kids looks positively horrified, but really, five years in the future, I think we've all showered with some other person at one point or another.

"Sh-shower... together?!" Hyunjin exclaims, quite frankly terrified of the idea. Idiot. I give him a little glare as Bokkie shrinks in on himself.

"Y-yeah, we've showered together." He says a little shakily, but the boys have his comfort covered already. Sky slides his hand up and down Lix's back. I.N grabs his hand and starts to play with it, oddly enough, Bok always loves that. Jake, though more inexperienced, knows what to do. He cards his fingers gently through his hair, mindful to do it slowly. It's more comforting that way. Basking in the help, he gathers himself only for seconds more before he continues, "It saves time and hot water."

I watch everyone in the younger group stare at him a bit longer, gaping at what he said. Chan breaks the uneasy silence. "I-Uh... let's move on. Y-you can shower however you want. You can also take toothbrushes and whatever else from the hall closet. Why don't we bring up the clothing issue?"