𝖲𝗎𝗋𝗏𝗂𝗏𝖺𝗅 | 𝖧𝖺𝗈𝖻𝗂𝗇

Chapter 24:

1.5 years to disbandment.
April 2024

ZEROBASEONE just had their second comeback with their third mini-album, and it was getting a lot of attention from all over the world. Their fanbase extended a lot, and new ze_roses were coming in every day.

Zhanghao and Hanbin still hadn't talked about what was going on. They pretended to be alright, even though they weren't. In the start, the others members were worried about it, but now they kind of got used to it.

Yujin would sometimes look dissappointed at Zhanghao, when the chinese would ignore Hanbin instead of confronting him.

But what exactly made them this way?

"Guys, please, stop being so close. I get that you're friends and all but this is going overboard. The management has talked about it, and we think you should take some distance from each other. ZB1 is getting a lot of hate because of this" Manager explained, tying her long hair in a ponytail. Zhanghao and Hanbin remeined baffled, not expecting to hear such a thing.

"People are even assuming you guys are a couple. I don't care if you are but keep it  lowkey because if this reveals to be true, you are not only fucking up yourselves but also the whole rest of the group. Think wisely before making moves"

Zhanghao and Hanbin never once talked about that conversation. After Manager was done talking, they just walked silently back into the dorms, and since then, they didn't have one single sincere conversation.

"I think we should do something about the two" Matthew said. He had reunited every member (besides Hanbin and Zhanghao) In his room to have a talk.

"You mean Hanbin and Zhanghao? I don't think we should interfere with whatever they have going on" Jiwoong disagreed, not so sure.

"But aren't you sad too that they're so distant? Being together as a whole started feeling weird now. It doesn't feel the same"

"Matthew hyung is right, i think we should do something about it" Yujin agreed, not planning to give up.

"How about we close them in a room together?" Gyuvin suggested, remembering the movie he watched yesterday.

"This is not a movie, Gyuvin" Ricky laughed, watching everybody's serious faces.

"Wait. You think that's a good idea?" Ricky questioned, baffled.

"I don't hear any other suggestion, do you?" Taerae shrugged, looking at everyone shaking their head no.

"Where should we lock them in?"

"We have practice tomorrow, and usually Zhanghao and Hanbin stay longer but in different practice rooms. How about we lock the one Hanbin usually goes in, so he has no other option than joining Zhanghao, and then, we lock them in there" Jiwoong explained, fixing his glasses. Matthew raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't you say this was a bad idea?"

"I changed my mind, it's fun"

------

It was the day after and the boys were all inside the practice room, going through the choreography one last time. This was the dance for one of their b-side tracks, which they would be performing on music shows starting nect week.

Yujin looked over to Gyuvin, who sent him a flying kiss and a thumbs up, meaning that the plan was about to start.

"We'll go, are you guys staying longer for practice?" Jiwoong asked Hanbin and Zhanghao, reciting his lines perfectly. As expected from an actor.

"Yeah" Zhanghao mumbled, bidding goodbye to the others and watching as they all exited the room, Hanbin also.

The leader of the group hummed to himself, going to the room where he usually practices alone in.

It was locked. (Courtesy of Yujin)

Hanbin really wanted to practice some parts of the new choreo again, so he huffed, deciding he would go ask Zhanghao if he could practice in the same room.

When he opened the door, Zhanghao was dancing to the last chorus of the song, trying to get all the details perfectly.

"Uh, Zhanghao? Do you mind if I practice here? The other room is locked" Hanbin said once the song was over, scaring Zhanghao.

The Chinese nodded hesitantly, grabbing his water bottle.

When Hanbin closed the door, none of the two boys heard the lock turning from outside. While Jiwoong was talking to the two before practice ended, Taerae had managed to take away Zhanghao's keys which also had a key for the main practice room.

Gyuvin, who now had successfully locked them inside, snickered to himself.

"What are you doing?" Yujin mumbled, staring at his Hyung.

"I wanna see if I can hear something" Gyuvin said, pressing his ear against the door.

"Let's just go. They need privacy" Yujin grabbed Gyuvin's sleeve, dragging him outside and on the way back to the dorms.

——

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