fever | ateez lore story

CH 5

•yunho•

Might practice my verse today, since I'm on the way to the music rooms.

I reach the door and slide it open, the room slightly dim and empty. As soon as I walk in, I fall back into the wall behind me, eyeing a sulky San, moping away with headphones in.

"San-ah! What are you doing?" I interrogate, holding my chest like my heart is about to explode. I've walked into my brother producing so early in the morning in the dark garage we turned into a music room, so I thought I'd be used to being scared like this. Guess I was wrong.

"Oh, Yunho. Hello." He says in the most robotic, monotone voice. It scares me how a spitting image of Wooyoung can be so diluted down.

"A-are you okay?" I ask, slowly approaching him. I settle at the desk beside his, my eyes glued to his black hair. He nods, his dark locks bouncing.

That's a lie, if I've ever seen one.

"San-ah, what's up?" I ask, moving his dark hair to the side. He takes a very deep breath before responding, like he's suffering from a heavy heart.

"I have so much to show the group, but none of them are available after school. Or the day after, or the day after that. It feels like everyone's avoiding me." He explains, his voice hoarse from being so quiet. I'm not sure what to say, so I continue the silence but lightly rub his lower back.

"Yunho..." he turns to me suddenly, his whole body shifting.

-"Did I do anything wrong to you or the others that I haven't noticed? Please, just tell me. I'll apologise immediately."

His sudden question took me by surprise, the way his eyes plead for some kind of answer that would give him closure. I can't help but feel incredibly sorry for him. As much as I want this present to be a surprise, I don't want San to think he's done something wrong.

"No. If you did do something, we would've talked it out by now." I say, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Then what? Why is it that everyone is avoiding me? I finally find a place with great friends and with a slim chance of moving somewhere else, but I'm still having problems!" He rants with a sudden outburst, flailing his hands in front of him. I can see that he is trying to avoid hitting the table. I've known San for only a couple months, and he's been mad before, but not like this.

Should I tell him? It'll ruin the surprise...

---

•hongjoong•

"You what?!" I gawk at Yunho, fighting the urge to smack him round the head.

Can't believe he told San that!

"I had no other choice! The poor guy was on the brink of tears, and I couldn't think of anything else!" he whisper-shouts, rubbing his palms together.

"And you thought telling him we're all "hormonally emotional at the moment" was a good idea?!" I scold, smacking a hand against my forehead. He shrugs, a silly, guilty smile on his face. Despite how serious I am when scolding him, he can't seem to hold back a giggle. The stupidity of this situation is contagious, so I can't help but join him.

"How did he believe you?" I ask, breathing heavily to try and calm myself down.

"I guess he was too upset to even think about it." Yunho responds, sympathy in his voice.

We have a few days left to record and finalise San's present. We've only recorded a quarter of the song, so we have the rest left. I just hope San will like it, that's all I'm concerned about.

---

It's Sunday, the last day of recording.

I feel a buzz in my pocket, and I pull out my phone to be greeted with a message from San.

san-ie
hey hyung, hope you feeling okay! if you're still feeling quite emotional today, my grandparents have bought some nice tea from the countryside. let me know and I'll bring some for you all.
sent: 11:16am

I can't help but laugh. Yunho's dumb excuse must have really been believed.

san-ah, you're too sweet. I feel okay today, but thank you. I'll take you up on the offer next time.
sent: 11:17am

I switch the chat to the 'birthday surprise' chat we made. I felt slightly guilty when making it without San. He's like a little glue stick - he's always with us, so doing something without him feels like we're always missing someone. You can really sense his absence when we record. But, I hope this present will make him happy.

Our San, you're turning another year old. Glad it's with us this time.