His Agony

15 - Please... he SAVED me.

Chan's POV:

It was around 6:00 PM when vocal practice finally ended. The others left the studio, exhausted.

Things have been getting pretty tough since we came back to Seoul. The comeback is close, and there's still so much to do. I stared down at the files on my laptop--unfinished tracks, unpolished mixes, and empty lines where lyrics should be. Three songs left to complete. I haven't even finished the tracks yet, let alone thought about the choreography. Deadlines are approaching.

Not that I hate this, but... it's a lot of pressure.

I absentmindedly rubbed my left arm, feeling the dull ache where the stitches had been removed the day before. It hurt a bit yesterday, but other than that, it hasn't been bothering me much.

The soft patter of rain outside caught my attention. The soft yellow light of the studio's lamps, my coffee cup sitting on the side, and the empty stillness of the room...Slowly, a melody began to form in my mind.

"Mmm... mmm... mm..." I hummed softly, my fingers lightly tapping against my lap.

" Tell me why you hate me mm m~
Can't you see ...I'm torn ~ apart..."

The lyrics just came to me, like they had been waiting in the back of my mind all this time.

I leaned over my laptop, eager to create a new track for the melody.

It had been so long since I'd felt this way--fully immersed in the music. I didn't even notice the time passing.

For the first time in a while,

I felt...like me.

Like all the noise in my head had quieted, and it was just me and the music.
and I sang... with my whole heart.

_________________________________

Min's POV:

"Drive safe, sir. It's still raining"

I told the manager as he dropped me off near the dorm. It was around 10 PM, and the rain still hadn't let up. After vocal practice, I had to go to a script reading and rehearsal for the variety show I was hosting.

Sigh. I'm tired.

It might be a coincidence, but ever since Chan started acting up like maniac, we've all gotten better opportunities--shows, interviews, even commercial films. I thought about it as I pulled my umbrella close and walked toward the door.

And then I saw him....
Sitting there, soaking wet.
Hyung...

"Hey.... hey. "

What the fuck is he doing out here...

He was slumped against the wall by the entrance, looking like a homeless person. I rushed over to him, tapping his cheek lightly. He winced and curled up even tighter, trying to make himself into a ball. eyes squeezed shut and his skin is hot to touch
I tried to open the door, but it was locked.

Did the others not let him in...

I grabbed the spare key I had on me and unlocked the door.

"Hey old man, get up. Let's go inside!"

I yelled at him, but he didn't move. Water dripped from his disheveled hair, and I tossed the umbrella aside, grabbing him by the shoulders and pulling him upright, propping him against the wall.

"Chan hyung!
Come on, snap out of it. "

His eyes remained shut, his body limp and I could hear the sound of his teeth chattering violently.