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

Chapter 20 - Jisung

Yongbok and Chris-hyung snuck off with JYP as we were walking to the locker room to get a patch for his back to be safe for tomorrow, if we're dancing. Everyone noticed their disappearance, but, surprisingly, no one said a thing. Maybe it's because we didn't say anything? Like they're thinking if we haven't mentioned it, it must be normal so they don't have to kick up a fuss.

Either way, we needed to go to the locker room. It's so that the younger group could grab their bags, change into dance-appropriate clothing and fill up their water bottles.

The door opens and the three of them walk through, Bokkie hiding the patch in his sweatshirt pocket as the other two are in a somewhat deep conversation.

After about a minute of them finishing their conversation, us checking up on one of our sunshine's and then us just staring at them to finish, JYP tells us that he has other issues to attend and he would "assess" our dancing skills a different day. Hone your skills, he says. I think it's bullshit. If we've made it as far as we have, he better invest in our younger selves. Invest more. And maybe he'll become a lot more like the man he is today in 2023.

We pass rooms, walk hallways and use stairs to get to the practice rooms. As we make our way to the room, I can't help but look at the clock, curious of the time. I nearly choke when I see it's 6:00. I knew we spent a long time in there, chatting it up... but seven hours?

Like I know an hour of that was probably the late lunch we had at 1:00, but that's a long time to be holed up in one place.

We make it to our room, and I turn to Chris. "Hyung! It's 6:00! Shouldn't we be-"

He smiles softly. "I know studio time is right now, but don't worry! I'm sure we can miss one day... well, two now, but that's besides the point! We'll make sure to get some in tomorrow." Hyung reassures. I nod, reassured.

Woojin opens the door and holds it, letting everyone to hustle in so he can close it behind him.

The room was just as expected, a medium-sized space, with black walls and wood floor. It was almost like we were looking at this place through a screen, like this place was only meant for this version of Stray Kids. It feels unsettling and I feel out of place. The uncertainty some of the more anxious members showed on their face reminded me that I was probably not alone in this feeling.

"Okay," Chan broke the silence, looking quite unsure himself. "What would benefit you guys?"

"Personally, I think that we don't need to practice a lot today, this was more of a rest day for us anyways. I wouldn't want to eat up your practice time when you guys need it more. So, maybe we could help you guys with your dance?" Chris-hyung suggests.

Chan smiles gratefully, "Of course! Thank you for the help, s-sunbaenims?" He poses it as a question, most likely unsure how to address us.

"Oh! No need! Talk to us as you would in your group!" Woojin exclaims, and I can't help but to agree. It would be really weird to have Chan call me a hyung or sunbaenim.

"Wait! What are the positions for everybody?" Hyunjin quickly butts in.

"O-oh, right. Um, why don't we go around in a circle?"

"Sure! I'll start! I'm the leader, as you know, lead vocalist, dancer and rapper." Chris-hyung says, now looking expectantly at Woojin.

"Me? Oh, I'm lead vocalist!" He says quickly, sounding a little panicked. No wonder, with having to guess what he does—or did—in the group. He turns to me, eyes asking a question. I nod.