STEP

CHAPTER 10

A few days later, Jin picks up a call from his colleague. The insiders finally reporting the conclusion he has long predicted. "The fingerprint analysis is out. The driver's real identity has already been confirmed a while ago." His friend states, "They aren't related to the two members from EXO."
"Then who is it," Jin frowns as his eyebrows knit together.
"Someone who was already dead before everything happened." The person behind the phone answers.

Nearing a week later, Luhan and Kris never brings up Yixing's name at all. However, during schedules, Lay was often brought up by the host as he fakes a few tears. It was arranged and planned this way to touch the hearts of the audiences. The two were the only exception.
He's still around, somewhere around us, yet you people just decide to end his life with words like that, it's pretty hilarious.
"Kris, how long have you known Lay?" The host asks amidst the melancholy tune of the background music.
"5 years." Kris replies.
"Do you still remember what happened when you first met him?" The question that never fails to appear pops out yet again.
He stares blankly for a moment. "I can't remember."
The fans below hint him with the not-so-subtle whispers, "while heading up the stairs... he said that you were really handsome..."
The tensed atmosphere quiets down as fans await his answer. Kris continues to stare dazed with a faraway look in his eyes as he speaks. "Perhaps I never really knew him at all."

At a photoshoot, the music plays softly into the studio."Relax yourselves and move along to the music." The photographer orders while adjusting the lenses of the camera. He points to Luhan's current position and deadpans, "you can move closer to him. Why are you leaving a gap in between?"
Luhan visibly stiffens and shifts reluctantly to Kris.
"I said to relax. The both of you can afford to be a little more intimate, hang your arm around him." The camera flashes, clicking away. The photographer waves his arms around, clearly exasperated. "You guy are experienced, you know what I want. Don't make me teach the both of you."
Eyes downcast, Kris sneaks a peek at Luhan before picking up the other's arm and placing it on his own shoulder. Luhan lifts his head, his eyes quickly darting over, opting to stare at Kris' ears instead.
"Yes yes, look at each other like that." The photographer says, satisfied, as he looks into the camera.
It isn't long before he looks up again, irritated. "What's the gap in between for?"

The multi-colored lights shine on the T-stage as the idols from the company collaborate. The spotlight shines so magnificently it feels as though everything in the vicinity is submerged in darkness. Under the numerous blinking lights and awe, Kris walks forward silently. Every particular detail emphasized during practise, every single expression he memorized, all thrown aside.As he walks towards the edge of the T-stage, it's as if he sees a door. He raises his arm slightly to reach out and tries to knock...
The light glares into his eyes. He turns back around and returns to his original position without a word. His shoulder brushes past Luhan's for a fraction of that second. The latter wearing sporty clothes as he slides a cap over his head. Kris feels the wind tickle his ear as he walks past. He tries hard to look away from that familiar smile from the corner of his eye, leaving the stage with a turn of his body.

--

Just before rehearsal, while they were still in the dressing room, their manager had pulled a stranger before them, introducing him. "Shang is also from China. He'll be taking over Lay's position temporarily." The man glanced awkwardly at Tao. Luhan stood in a corner, not even bothering to lift his head as he plays with his phone.
"He's from my hometown," Tao explained as he brought the boy forward. "He came not long ago. He's good at dancing and he knows a little Korean."
"Is he dancing to Lay's part?" Minseok questioned.
"Yes, I've already learnt it." Answered Shang in Chinese as he looks at Kris.
"Speak in Korean when we're around the other members." Kris spared him one last glance before leaving the room. Tao glared as he leaves.
"Don't bother about him, he's always like that."
"It's fine." Shang bowed.