Lost and Found (Mingrui)

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The award show had finally come to an end, and the corridors backstage bustled with people shuffling in and out of dressing rooms, carrying costumes and chatting excitedly. Mingrui, the secind youngest member of Boy Story, felt exhausted after a whirlwind of performances and press interviews. He slumped into a nearby chair, barely aware of his surroundings. His eyes grew heavy, and before he knew it, he had dozed off.

Moments later, Mingrui found himself in an unfamiliar room. Disoriented, he blinked rapidly, trying to piece together where he was. He wasn't in Boy Story's dressing room. A wave of panic rose within him as he scanned his surroundings. The room was empty, and the clothes scattered about weren't those of his bandmates. Where am I? he wondered, his breathing growing shallow.

He heard footsteps approaching. Instinctively, Mingrui shrank into a corner, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. He clutched his arms tightly around his knees, pressing his forehead against them, his heart racing as the door swung open.

The members of Zerobaseone entered the room, chatting and laughing among themselves. Hanbin was the first to notice the small figure huddled in the corner. He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Is that... someone from another group?" Hanbin whispered, nudging Jiwoong beside him. The other members quickly noticed as well, and silence fell over the room.

Hanbin and Jiwoong stepped forward, their expressions softening as they approached the trembling figure. Mingrui didn't move, his shoulders shaking slightly as he hugged his knees tighter. Jiwoong crouched down, trying to meet Mingrui's gaze, but the young boy didn't respond.

Hanbin slowly crouched down as well, "Are you ok? Who are you?" Are some of the questions he asked, but instead of a reply Mingrui started shaking more.

Mingrui started mumbling, "Hanyu gege, I need him. Leave me alone, please."

At the confused and concerned faces of their eldest and leader, Ricky and Zhang Hao exchanged glances, understanding that Mingrui was likely feeling overwhelmed. Realising that he spoke Mandarin, they knelt beside him, offering soft reassurances in the language they shared.

"It's okay," Ricky said gently, his voice soothing. "We're not going to hurt you. Are you alright?"

At the sound of Mandarin, Mingrui looked up, his eyes red and watery. The fear in his gaze eased slightly as he processed Ricky's words. Zhang Hao gave him a warm smile and introduced himself, speaking slowly and calmly.

"You're safe here, don't worry," Zhang Hao added, placing a gentle hand on Mingrui's shoulder. "Can you tell us your name?"

"Mingrui," he managed to whisper, his voice barely audible. "I'm from Boy Story."

Hanbin exchanged a concerned look with Jiwoong. They were familiar with Boy Story's reputation as an popular Chinese group, and seeing one of their members so vulnerable struck a chord with them.

As Ricky and Zhang Hao continued speaking to Mingrui in Mandarin, they noticed his breathing had slowed, his initial panic giving way to cautious curiosity. The two tried to keep things light, asking him simple questions to divert his mind from his earlier distress.

"You know, I once accidentally ended up in another group's dressing room too," Ricky said with a chuckle. "It was so awkward!"

Mingrui managed a small smile, and Ricky and Zhang Hao exchanged a relieved glance. They could tell he was still anxious but was starting to feel more at ease.

"Are you okay?" Zhang Hao asked softly, noticing the tear stains on Mingrui's cheeks. Mingrui nodded slowly, wiping his face with the back of his hand. His gaze flickered towards the door, and his eyes filled with longing.

"Your members?" Ricky asked, understanding immediately. "We'll help you find them."

Mingrui nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Ricky and Zhang Hao reassured him that they'd find Boy Story, and he wouldn't be alone for long.

Hanbin and Gyuvin volunteered to go find Boy Story. They exited the room, weaving through the crowded hallways, searching for any sign of Mingrui's group. After a few minutes, they spotted a group of young boys frantically looking around, calling out a familiar name.

"Mingrui!" Hanyu's voice was tinged with panic, his eyes darting around the corridor. The others—Zeyu, Zihao, Xinlong, and Shuyang—were equally distressed, and it was clear they'd been searching for a while.

"Excuse me, are you Boy Story?" Hanbin approached them, catching Hanyu's attention.

"Yes!" Hanyu responded immediately. "Have you seen Mingrui?"

Gyuvin offered a reassuring smile. "He's safe with us in our dressing room. He seems a little shaken up, but he's okay."

A wave of relief washed over the Boy Story members, and they hurriedly followed Hanbin and Gyuvin back to Zerobaseone's room. The urgency in their steps mirrored the concern etched across their faces.

Back in the dressing room, Mingrui had relaxed slightly, listening to Ricky and Zhang Hao as they shared lighthearted stories about their own experiences as trainees. He perked up at the sound of familiar voices approaching. When the door opened, and he saw Hanyu, he sprang to his feet, rushing towards him with open arms.

Hanyu knelt down, pulling Mingrui into a tight hug. "We were so worried about you," he murmured, stroking Mingrui's hair. The other Boy Story members gathered around, each taking turns to pat Mingrui's back, murmuring words of comfort and relief.

"You gave us a real scare, Mingrui," Zeyu said, smiling as he ruffled Mingrui's hair. Mingrui managed a small, sheepish grin in return.

Zerobaseone members watched the reunion with warm smiles. They could see the closeness between the Boy Story members and felt a sense of camaraderie, understanding how important it was for each group to look out for one another.

Once Mingrui had calmed down, Hanyu turned to Ricky and Zhang Hao. "Thank you so much for looking after him," he said, bowing deeply. The other Boy Story members followed suit, their expressions filled with gratitude.

"We're just glad he's okay," Zhang Hao replied, bowing back. "He must have had quite the scare. But he's a brave kid."

Ricky nodded, adding, "If you ever need anything, just let us know. We're all here for each other."

Hanyu smiled, appreciating the sentiment. Boy Story and Zerobaseone exchanged a few more words, both groups grateful for the unexpected bond that had formed. As they prepared to leave, Hanyu placed an arm around Mingrui's shoulders, guiding him towards the door.

Before they exited, Mingrui turned back to Ricky and Zhang Hao, his eyes glistening with appreciation. "Thank you," he said softly, his Mandarin words echoing in the room.

Zerobaseone members waved goodbye, their hearts warmed by the brief but meaningful connection they had made. They watched as Boy Story disappeared down the corridor, united in their own way by the shared experience.

As the door closed behind them, Zerobaseone members exchanged thoughtful glances, each silently vowing to always be there for those who might need a little extra support. After all, in a world where they all faced their own struggles and triumphs, it was these moments of understanding and kindness that truly mattered.

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