still you | baekyeon

Chapter 20

Byun Baekhyun's body sprawled on the practice room's floor, a testament to the intense training session they had just endured. His fellow EXO members were strewn around, mirroring his exhaustion.

Their instructor's voice broke the post-practice silence. "Lunch break! Well done," he commended before exiting the room.

Baekhyun exhaled, his back making contact with the cool floor as he tried to regain his energy. The members were scattered similarly, recovering from their demanding practice. Taemin's suggestion of resting for a while before heading to the cafeteria resonated with their fatigue.

As time have passed, Baekhyun found himself lost in the whirlwind of the past six months. He hadn't realized it had been a month since he last spoke to her. The effort to move on was underway, a necessary step in his journey.

With a few more minutes of relaxation, the members decided to satisfy their hunger. Baekhyun, drenched in sweat, exchanged his shirt for a dry one, prepping for the meal ahead. His companions did the same before they collectively left the practice room, making their way to the cafeteria using the elevator.

Inside the cafeteria, Kai's reaction piqued Baekhyun's curiosity. The younger member's surprise prompted a bow and a polite greeting, indicating the presence of someone significant. Baekhyun's gaze followed, revealing three members of Girls' Generation—Tiffany, Yuri, and Hyoyeon. He mirrored Kai's respectful bow before scanning the area for a suitable table. Ten's gesture pointed him towards a table adjacent to the senior girls, and he accepted the position without reservation.

There was no reason to avoid the interaction; she wasn't among them. The boys ordered their meals, and Baekhyun's choice paralleled Kai's. As they ate, Taemin's playful jests elicited laughter from the group, a lighthearted atmosphere permeating the cafeteria.

Despite the camaraderie, Baekhyun remained focused on his meal, consuming it as if in solitude. Their challenging three-hour practice had kindled his appetite, leading him to polish off his food first. Restlessness grew within him as he awaited the conclusion of the meal, eager to return to the practice room and conquer a difficult routine.

Ten's offer to refill his plate was met with a polite refusal, while Yuri's culinary experimentation intrigued him. "Baekhyun, would you like to try my new recipe?" Yuri inquired.

Tiffany and Hyoyeon's puzzled expressions didn't go unnoticed, nor did Tiffany's discreet reaction towards Yuri. Baekhyun's eyes shifted downward, his cheeks coloring with embarrassment. "I wanted to, noona, but I couldn't stomach cucumbers." he murmured.

Leaving the table, Baekhyun excused himself from his fellow members, revealing his intention to return to the practice room. "I'm going back to the practice room. There's a part I can't get right," he stated, commencing his departure.

Outside the cafeteria, the sound of Taeyong's voice reached him. "It's odd. Baekhyun hyung is the first one to master the choreography."

A murmur followed, including Yuri's voice, but Tiffany silenced her companion with a hiss. Ignoring the ongoing conversation, Baekhyun continued on his path, heading towards the elevator without looking back.

.

Kim Taeyeon's attention returned to her manager's voice as he addressed her. She had been lost in the mesmerizing scenery outside, seemingly caught up in her own thoughts. Her current good mood reflected in her smile, her heart light and carefree.

The manager's words about her upcoming Japanese album pulled her back to reality. "Your single 'I Do' will be included and your title song will be chosen," he informed her. She simply nodded, her gaze still focused on the passing landscape.

Her manager's jest about visiting a psychiatrist prompted a playful response from Taeyeon. "It's not a good joke, oppa," she retorted, rolling her eyes before returning to her sightseeing.

Upon arrival, she was greeted by a familiar environment of staff, trainees, and juniors. She responded with warmth, her wide smile and friendly waves spreading her positivity. The meeting for her upcoming album went smoothly, and she expressed her approval for the new concept. Hopeful for a successful outcome, she anticipated positive results.

Inquiring about her next schedule, Taeyeon's manager mentioned a meeting with other artists for the soundtrack of an upcoming SBS drama. They walked together through the building's lobby, where she was intercepted by Heechul. Her eyes rolled in playful annoyance before she shifted her attention to her manager, directing him to wait in the car.

Heechul's presence sparked a brief exchange. "You seemed busy, schedule?" he inquired. "Obviously," Taeyeon replied, her focus still on her obligations.

Heechul's act of feigned hurt amused her. "Is there anything you'd like to say, oppa? I'm gonna be late for my next schedule. Seriously," she chided, her playfulness evident.

The topic shifted to Baekhyun, whom Heechul jokingly referred to as "Oreo." Taeyeon's response hinted at the complexities of their relationship. "Back to square one," she admitted, her expression betraying a sense of resignation.

Heechul's curiosity persisted. "Not even friends?" he inquired further, prompting Taeyeon's perspective on their connection. "It's better strangers than friends, oppa. You know what people might think," she explained, acknowledging the perceptions surrounding their interactions.

With his well wishes, Heechul signaled his departure, offering her encouragement. "Wish you all the best, Taeyeon. Better get going, fighting!" he exclaimed, adding a supportive gesture before disappearing.

Attempting to retrieve her phone from her pocket, Taeyeon realized it wasn't there. Her bag lay in the car, and she knew she hadn't left her phone there. A realization dawned upon her, and she muttered in exasperation. "Aish."

With determination, she shut her eyes tightly, ready to take action. Realizing she might have left her phone in the meeting room, she hurriedly ran back to the elevator, her goal clear in her mind.

.

Byun Baekhyun leaned against the railing on the third floor, watching the scene unfold below. He recognized the familiar gesture Heechul hyung made—the 'fighting' sign—as it was directed towards the distinct figure of a woman. Despite her back being turned, he knew it was her.

From his vantage point, he saw her searching through her pocket, her unease apparent. Eventually, she turned away and entered the elevator. Baekhyun deduced that she had likely forgotten something.

He retraced his steps to the practice room, gathering his belongings after the day's practice session. As the other members departed for their respective schedules, he opted to stay behind for a while. After securing the room, he made his way to the elevator.

Entering the elevator, Baekhyun kept his gaze lowered, paying no attention to his surroundings. The realization came a tad too late, as he lifted his eyes to find another occupant. A pair of familiar white sneakers marked the presence of someone he had hoped to avoid—Taeyeon.

She leaned against the opposite wall, her arms crossed, and her expression resolute though her gaze was fixed downward. Baekhyun positioned himself on the other side of the elevator, his hands shoved into his pockets. The silence within the confined space was palpable, laden with an awkward tension that neither of them seemed willing to disrupt.

The doors slid open at last, and Taeyeon quickly exited, her hurried steps a clear sign of her eagerness to escape the confined space. Baekhyun couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation—the divide between her, Kim Taeyeon, and himself, Byun Baekhyun.

A bittersweet smile tugged at his lips as he contemplated the situation. Her commitment to avoidance was palpable, a testament to the careful boundaries she had drawn. It was a reminder of their reality—the complexity of their history and the challenges they faced as individuals whose paths were intertwined but separated by circumstances and public perceptions.