Chapter Text
After 5 whole minutes of silence San finally put his phone down , opened three bottle of soju and gave one to each of his roommates.
"lets predrink it'll be less expensive in the club if we do" he take a swig of litchi soju and then turn the music on a little higher "this group as such peak music its crazy"
Eijun is a little confused and ask right away
"who are they? I never heard of them" he says as he sips on his peach soju completely trusting his bestfriends after everything they've been through together
when San doesn't answer due to liquid being downed in his body Haruichi takes the opportunity to tell the pitcher.
"Ateez , they're a new kpop group under KQ entertainment , they're breaking records at the moment , golden releases, daesangs one after the other... and apparently they're hot as fuck.
San respond almost immediately after that.
"They fucking are, look." the boy turned his phone around showing the two other a picture with 7 mens on it.
"they're seven? isn't that a lot for a band?" Eijun asked completely clueless to this world.
San well technically they're two groups one of 4 and one of 3 but they work so much together that we just assume they're one group.
"the first unit is called NIGHTFALL and the other one VORTEX, but honestly we just call them Ateez.
“Nightfall has Kuramochi Yeosang Hongjoong and Miyuki and Vortex has Wooyoung Mingi and Seonghwa”
By the time Sawamura had processed everything Kominato was already pulling him out of the car and towards the entry of the club.
They approached the bouncer Eijun fidgeting in his pockets to find his id because no matter where he would go everyone would think he's either 15 or 17.
he wasn't.
Eijun was really now 20 years old. but he didn't really mind people asking, he took it as a compliment each times over and over again. That's what a positive mindset was about.
as they reach the bouncer a strong figure appear beside him.
The man looked at San ,then at Haruichi and then he stopped on Eijun before signaling the bouncer to let them pass. the tall muscular guy did as the guy asked opening the small velour ribbon that served as a gate, well that's what Eijun thought.
walking inside it was crowded, really crowded , it smelled like cigarettes, alcohol sweat and for an unknown reason it also smelled like lemon. Haruichi , San and himself still followed the man until they reached a section of the club where there was black tables with velour banquets all around it.
Haruichi and Mura sat in silence waiting for san or the mysterious man covered in tattoos why they were in the VIP section and what did they want in exchange, But the hyperactive kid genuinely cant keep it shut so instead he got up and talked in a high pitched voice that made it almost look like he was screaming from the intensity he was putting in.
"PLEASE SIR DONT SELL OUR ORGANS WHATEVER WE DID WERE SO SORRY , THIS SAWAMURA EIJUN WOULD NEVER OFFENSE YOU SIR!!"
Everyone just froze and looked at him, including some passing clients of the club...but the buff guy didn't really looked offended especially after being accused of... well... traffic of organs...
instead his face broke down in a big smile laughing so hard he swore it could break his lungs by the force it had.
Eijun looked at him in disbelief, he was tore between scared and relived, he let out a small nervous laugh still confused about what do do or say...
before the other man even explained himself Haruichi joined the conversation looked as lost but way less scared than the pitcher.
"Are you San's cousin or something?"
Eijun looked at him like he was some kind of alien for saying such a thing.
In fact Kominato never saw the other but the resemblance between them was so obvious that he already guessed they were related…
"He's my older brother" answered San before his friends could panic even more.
"YOUR WHAT? THIS DANGEROUS LOOKING MAFIA GUY IS YOUR WHAT?"
"His brother Eijun-kun, he just said it" the pink haired added.
"YEAH I KNOW WHAT HE SAID"
"Then why are you asking bakamura" answered the younger brother.
"YOU UNDERSTOOD MY POINT YOU DUMB MOUNTAIN!"
The now new identified brother laugher only got louder.
"you guys are so funny I can't" the boy said wiping the corners of his eyes in laugher.
both Kominato and Sawamura looked at the man while San just looked out the glass wall overviewing the dancefloor and Dj set up that today's guest would be using.
"My name is Choi Jongho , I'm San's big brother and the owner of this club." the so called Jongho replied while signaling the bartender to bring them whatever drink they wanted. "drinks on the house tonight, just because you guys are hilarious"
San's eyes widened and came back to the tatted man as fast as he could "wait you're serious hyeongje?"
"Yeah, on top of that its not like today's going to be empty , I'm pretty sure we'll do at least 2 to 5 million today with the DJ" the owner answered as bored as ever by the routine.
before Sawamura could open his mouth the little Haruichi spoke up to the older
"NOXEN right?"
"yeah he comes once in a while, but theses days he started to come more often, not that I mind but it must be exhausting for him..."
"anyways have fun tonight guys if you need anything ill be helping the bar , please don't start off a fight or something.."
before anyone could protest a small annoying voice emerged from behind Jongho.
"Is that your little brother Jongho?"
the newcomer had a sharp, expressive face with cat-like eyes that mirrored Eijun's, a defined jawline, a strong presence that asked respect without sharing any words...a playful, charming look that already made Sawamura overheating just by locking eyes with the man.
"Yeah it is, that's his friends, by the way Wooyoung, what are you doing here?" the other said his voice monotone clearly already bored by Wooyoung's antics.
"I came along with Kuramochi and Hongjoong, since NOXEN is performing tonight"
"Do you guys wanna join us?" Sawamura asked before he could even think about what he was saying.
San continued "you guys are from ateez right?"
Both Haruichi and Ei looked at him and then at Wooyoung in the small time of exactly 3 seconds.
"Wait San you mean that-" the pinky said
Wooyoung cut him right away not a care in the world "We're here for a good time , we don't want any media attention if you guys don't mind not screaming or names or something" by the time Wooyoung had finished his sentence two figures appeared : Kuramochi and Hongjoong.
"We're here for the same reasons so there's no advantage of us doing that"
"Great!" Wooyoung said as he slide on the banquet right next to Eijun Kuramochi taking his place next to the second base and then Hongjoong next to him.
The moment Wooyoung slid into the seat beside him, Eijun's brain stopped functioning.
Completely.
Gone.
Evaporated.
The pitcher sat there stiff as a board, staring straight ahead while internally screaming loud enough to rival the club's speakers.
*He's real.*
*He's actually real.*
*Why is he real?*
A few hours ago he had been drinking peach soju in San's car while listening to stories about some famous K-pop group. Now one of them was sitting so close their shoulders were almost touching. Eijun was pretty sure this qualified as a medical emergency.
"You okay?"
Wooyoung's voice snapped him out of his crisis. The idol was looking at him with obvious amusement dancing in his eyes. Eijun immediately sat up straighter.
"YES."
"..."
"..."
"Actually no."
Wooyoung laughed. Not the polite kind either. he was making fun of him that for once was clear. The kind that made his eyes disappear into crescents.
"Happens a lot?"
Hongjoong asked from across the table.
San nodded immediately.
"Constantly."
"HEY!"
"You screamed about organ trafficking five minutes ago."
"THAT WAS A VALID CONCERN!"
"It really wasn't," Haruichi replied while taking a sip of his drink.
Wooyoung leaned forward onto the table, chin resting in his hand.
"I don't know. I kind of see where he was coming from."
"Thank you!" Eijun pointed dramatically.
"Finally someone with common sense." he continued.
The idol smiled. "You're welcome."
Eijun almost fell off the booth.
Kuramochi, who had been quietly observing the interaction, took one look at the pitcher's face and immediately started laughing.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"Oh, this is bad."
"What is?"
Kuramochi pointed directly at him.
"That idiot has a crush already."
The entire table went silent.
Even the music somehow felt quieter.
"WHAT?! IM NOT AN IDIOT YOU-"
Wooyoung blinked.
Hongjoong raised an eyebrow.
San buried his face in his hands.
Haruichi looked entirely unsurprised.
"That was fast," he commented.
"Eijun-kun usually takes at least ten minutes."
"I DO NOT HAVE A CRUSH!"
"You invited strangers into our booth."
"They were already standing there!"
"You offered them your fries."
"I WAS BEING POLITE!"
"You gave Wooyoung the last mozzarella stick."
The table collectively gasped.
"THE LAST ONE?" Kuramochi asked dramatically.
"That's serious."
"Very serious," Hongjoong agreed.
Eijun looked around in horror as everyone suddenly seemed to be against him.
The third Betrayal of the night...
Even Jongho, who had somehow returned carrying a tray of drinks, looked interested.
"What did I miss?"
"Eijun's in love."
"I AM NOT!"
Wooyoung finally lost whatever composure he had left and doubled over laughing. His shoulders shook. His face was bright. Which was really unfair. Because nobody should be allowed to look that good while laughing.
Absolutely nobody.
Especially not an idol looking this pretty.
Especially not while looking directly at him.
"You're cute."
The words left Wooyoung's mouth casually. Like they meant nothing. Like they hadn't just caused Eijun's soul to leave his body.
The pitcher froze.
Kuramochi choked on his drink.
San slammed his head against the table.
Hongjoong quietly muttered, "There he goes."
And somewhere in the distance, a DJ began setting up for the night's performance while Sawamura Eijun sat motionless, wondering if death by embarrassment was a real thing.
Before Eijun could combust from embarrassment, the lights above the dancefloor suddenly dimmed. A ripple went through the crowd. People who had been chatting at the bar immediately turned toward the stage. Others began pulling out their phones. The giant screens surrounding the DJ booth flickered to life, displaying dark visuals that pulsed in rhythm with the bass vibrating through the club.
Eijun blinked.
The pressure crushing his lungs disappeared instantly.
"Oh."
His attention shifted completely.
Wooyoung noticed immediately, the pitcher was practically glued to the glass overlooking the dancefloor. His eyes were wide. Curious. Focused, Like whatever had just appeared on stage was the most interesting thing in the world.
"..."
Wooyoung narrowed his eyes.
"Really?"
Eijun didn't answer. The staff members were currently moving around the booth carrying equipment while someone dressed entirely in black walked onto the stage. The crowd exploded. Thousands of screams echoed through the club. The figure wore black cargo pants, combat boots and an oversized jacket, a silver chain hung around his neck. His face was hidden behind a sleek black mask. Only his eyes were visible. Even from the VIP section he radiated confidence.
The kind that didn't need words, the kind that made people watch.
"That's NOXEN?" Eijun asked.
His voice was filled with wonder.
Jongho nodded "That's him."
The masked DJ casually greeted the crowd with a wave before beginning to adjust cables and equipment ,Immediately another wave of screaming followed.
Eijun stared. And stared. And stared.
"Why is everyone losing their minds?" he asked.
"Because he's famous," Hongjoong replied.
"How famous?"
The three idols exchanged looks.
"Very."
The answer somehow made Eijun even more interested.
"He's cool."
Wooyoung's eye twitched.
"Cool?"
"Yeah."
"Cool?"
"Yeah?"
"The guy hasn't even done anything yet."
"He walked on stage."
"..."
"Confidently."
"..."
"And he's wearing a mask."
"..."
"That's kind of cool."
Wooyoung stared at him in disbelief.
Five minutes ago this same boy had nearly fainted because Wooyoung smiled at him.
Now he was completely mesmerized by a man whose face he couldn't even see.
Kuramochi noticed immediately.
A dangerous grin appeared on his face.
"Oh."
"No."
"Oh, absolutely."
"Kuramochi."
"Someone's jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
Hongjoong snorted into his drink.
"You are a little jealous."
"I'm not."
"You sound jealous."
Wooyoung pointed toward the stage. "He's literally just mixing."
The masked DJ was indeed standing there, mixing songs... Adjusting a cable.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
"He looks mysterious."
Wooyoung scoffed.
"Mysterious?"
"Yeah."
"He's wearing a mask."
"Exactly."
"Anyone can wear a mask."
"But not everyone can make it look cool."
Kuramochi immediately lost it.
Hongjoong was laughing now too.
Even Jongho looked entertained.
Only Eijun seemed invested in whatever was happening on stage. The screens flashed again. With Blue and Yellow symbols altering with the 'NOXEN' logo. The bass intensified. NOXEN finally placed both hands on the mixer. The crowd erupted. The masked man slowly raised his head. Then he looked directly toward the VIP section. Toward their booth. Toward Eijun. Or at least that's what Eijun thought. For a split second those dark eyes seemed to lock onto his. The pitcher froze. His heart skipped. Then the DJ lifted one gloved hand. A simple gesture. A greeting. The crowd screamed louder. Eijun swallowed.
"Wow."
Wooyoung leaned back into the booth.
Offended.
Actually offended.
The boy had spent the last twenty minutes trying to flirt with Eijun.
Meanwhile Mr. Mysterious Masked Man had looked in their general direction once and suddenly he was getting heart eyes.
"This is ridiculous."
"What is?" Hongjoong asked.
"I'm competing with him again."
"Looks like you're losing again too."
Wooyoung immediately threw a napkin at him.
Across the room, NOXEN lowered his hand and began preparing the opening track. The crowd counted down, The anticipation building by the second. And much to Wooyoung's annoyance, Sawamura Eijun couldn't take his eyes off him.