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

Chapter 18 - Lewis

"Who's the most popular?" JYP asks, toying with the red-ink pen in his hand, clicking and un-clicking the tip furiously.

Listen, I get it, he wants to succeed with the group, but he's not doing a lot with the compassionate bit. What he's really asking is if there's someone he should promote a bit more than the rest to get the media's attention.

Chris struggles to answer him truthfully. I understand why. I mean the most popular members are probably Sam and Yongbok with their looks. They go to more modeling events than the rest of us, that's for sure.

But Chris and Yongbok are probably the most popular among idols. Chris has plenty of friends from both his personality and how long he was a trainee. He was one for seven years, meaning he knows a lot of people who were friends with him but debuted before he did. Yongbok is an absolute treasure and most people who meet him act almost parental (but don't worry, we'd make sure he wasn't getting adopted into another group, despite all the offers).

In terms of sub-units, 3RACHA is really big. Not only do we self-produce Stray Kids' music, we also do solo tracks—like HEYDAY, JUST BREATHE and ZONE, and even older tracks like Start Line, WOW and Matryoshka. We're well-known in the community for the talent we possess.

In terms of position, Chris has been called out by both fans and critics alike for his caring nature and leading ability. Despite how much he insists that he isn't, people will view him as at least one of the best leaders of K-POP. His humbleness only adds to that.

Jisung and Lee Know are known basically everywhere just because of their ship name—MinSung. They're probably just as known for their ship as they are for their actions of shipping themselves together. Dispatch who? I only know MinSung.

Not to mention that VOCALRACHA has been getting a love more love recently, from the variety shows they've been doing with members or alone to solo projects like the Lee Mujin Service, which has frequented them both.

Then there's the other ships. ChangLix and HyunLix shippers have been a little violent with each other lately, and staff hasn't been helping with any of it. As though separating us is going to do so much. But at least the 2Min-ers and HyunHo-ers have been getting a lot of content lately. I don't think any ChanLix shippers will ever get over that MANIAC concert where Lix was sobbing his eyes out in Chris's chest.

So, all in all, truth be told, whatever, it isn't really possible to answer that question honestly. Because, truthfully, it's a loaded answer and too many correct answers when there's only supposed to be one. Also, if I was going to say it honestly, it would probably be Yongbok. I don't think JYP would appreciate that answer very much. It would mean that he's not just wrong—but completely wrong. By a landslide.

"I... don't think there's a right answer to that question. We're all well-known in our own ways." Chris-hyung finally says, his eyes searching the room like it'll give him the answers to the universe.

"I don't believe that. It's okay to admit that it was a mistake adding those two ba-" He starts, but Chris furiously cuts him off. With a laugh.

"If anything those two are probably two of the most popular of the group! Minho is a main dancer and choreographer. Felix probably is the most biased. They have plenty of talent." Chris bursts, and I don't blame him. My arm has already been placed around our cute Rhino protectively, a familial instinct that will never go away. If I could I would yell at him, dare him to repeat what he just said because I would love to sock him for his disrespect, but this isn't my battle to fight (unfortunately).

"Why are they so loved? Is it the pity? Should I promote that?" I scoff and JYP gives me a cold stare. "Go on. Is this funny to you?"

"Now let's not get upset here. Ignore him, I can answer your quest-" Chris is quick to jump in, trying to mediate the peace.

"No," JYP says sharply. "Answer me boy." He demands and I can feel the room drop a few degrees. Lee Know-hyung lets out a soft noise of pain as my nails dig into his shoulder. I relax the fingers.

"Yongbok has spent months to learn Korean. He learned Korean in less than a year. You know how long is Koreans spent to learn this language? Years. If that isn't dedication I don't know what is. He's always the first one to comfort us after a long day and the last out of the practice room. He's loved for his personality, his kindness, his commitment to anything and everything.

"Our Lee Know is best known for how motherly he is. You might say he's the coldest one in the room, but he's one of the most protective and loving of us all. He's created choreographies and written songs. His fancams have gone viral! He has talent and technique that you can't even see with our tunnel vision you've been! Every single time a 'most' has been brought up, you try to bring them down. To convince us to lose them when, in truth, we genuinely need them." I finish. Lee Know has already put a comforting hand on my thigh and Chris has stolen my hand, hugging it with his.

"I stand by what he says. All of it." Hyung states, his voice hardened with anger.

The shocked silence that fills the room is loud. JYP is in disbelief. That whole side is.

"I'm offended by what you've insinuated. I've done nothing wrong. I'm just trying to see if what I did for you was worth it or not." He smiles, "I suppose I've got my answer: it is."

"Of course it was!" I erupt, but Chris-hyung puts a careful hand to my chest.

"Calm down." He warned, whispering the command. I breathe in and out shakily. He's just trying to protect you. He's trying to keep the peace, or at least salvage it, I remind myself. Realizing my newfound peace, Chris gently takes his hand off my chest and places it in my arm on the armrest. He continues speaking, "Now that we're trying not to kill each other, let's continue. I think we've finished our talk on who's most popular."

JYP reluctantly nods in agreement. "Yeah. I think so too," he says, sparing me a glance. "What collaborations have you done?"

"Well we're doing one with Tiger JK for our comeback in June. We've done a collaboration with CORSAK and Alesso. And Yongbok over here," His voice smiles was he points in direction to our Sunshine and the two youngest each hold a hand up a hand of his, proud while he blushes at the attention, "Has done a collaboration with Nayeon for one of her solo songs!"

JYP looking a little upset that he was, once again, proven wrong about LK-hyung and Bok-ah, accepts the answer. But enough about him, let's talk about the adorable squeal Felix let out when he realized he would make a song with Nayeon, an aspiring figure in his eyes.

"Really?! With Nayeon?" He shrieks.

"Yep! It was super fun!" Yongbok replies, smiling warmly at his younger version all giddy over fanboying TWICE.

Cutely, Han, the other Sunshine Twin, squeal too, though about someone entirely different. "And Tiger JK? He agreed to work with us?" He asks, as if he was really asking; he wanted to work with me? "Considering he did a rap with you, yep!" I smile. I remember how even Jisung was terrified of speaking and messing up his little friendship with the Tiger JK. He was even too shy to ask for his phone number. It was adorable to see him blushing so much! The Jeekies were very pink and squish-able.

He just gaps at us, trying and failing to form words as his brain short-circuits and is attempting to reboot. While his brain catches up, the stars in his eyes about his future where meets his hero, much like Felix. Chan ruffles his hair fondly.

"Why haven't you done a lot of collaborations? That would give you more attention, would it not?" JYP questions, though if we're really being honest here, we don't get as much say in that as he's making it seem like.

"Because we already have a lot of attention as it is, and it makes any collaborations more special that way anyways." Chris responds, shrugging. "We also don't really make music for that unless we are doing collabs, we suit our music for us, with our limits, voices and style. It wouldn't really work as well with others."

JYP nods, thankfully a little more tame.

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Hello! Sorry for the wait! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! It's on the shorter side, but I promise next chapter is longer! As you might've seen on my post, I had a couple friends over and they stayed the night. I would've updated at the regular time, but I needed to edit it a bit more.
I also heard somewhere that Changbin's song <Fly High> (for Samsung) will be coming out tomorrow along with an music video! (If the source is right) I can't wait!