Chapter Text
Sirens
Blood
“BABA”
“MAMA”
“PLEASE JUST STAY AWAKE.”
“BABA! MAMA!”
“CAN YOU HEAR ME?”
“Junhui… I’m… so proud… please… take care… Yangyang. Mama loves…”
“MAMA BABA JUST STAY AWAKE PLEASE”
—
“–don’t forget to actually click submit. I don’t want another mass email incident.”
“It was just one time!”
“Yes I know, Lee Chan-ssi. Bet the whole school couldn’t forget that.”
Junhui had been dozing off as Professor Cho was giving the last reminders before dismissing the class. Luckily, he tends to sleep with his eyes open and Prof. Cho was actually one of the more friendly professors since he was teaching a general requirement course. He shook himself awake as everyone was packing up their things.
“Excuse me, Jun-hyung?”
It was one of the kids in the row in front of him. He seemed familiar to Junhui, but he couldn’t quite name him. He doubted he knew him because Junhui was supposed to be a 3rd year student, but he had to take some time off university.
“I’m sorry?” Do I know you?, Junhui added internally.
“I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Lee Chan from the high school dance team. Soonyoung-hyung was our dance captain when I was a freshman in high school and you guys were seniors.”
“Of course I remember you! You’ve grown so much, what the heck? I almost didn’t recognize you. Then again, didn’t you send a mass email back then too?”
“Hyunggggg…”
“So I guess some things DON’T change”
“Anyway, I was shocked to see you today. I mean, it’s already been a month in, but I think it’s my first time seeing you here. Aren’t you supposed to be a 3rd year?”
Junhui knew this was where the conversation would be headed. “Yeah, I just took some time off after high school to… figure things out.” He was lying, but that’ll do for now.
“Well, I’m glad to know there’s a familiar face in here, I’ll see you around then!”
This encounter gave Junhui an odd feeling. For the past two years, he’d only been with his closest childhood friends and whoever they brought along. This was genuinely the first time he had made an effort to anyone outside that circle. It was something he never thought he could be after what happened.
—
Junhui lived in a 1-bedroom apartment with Soonyoung, Mingyu, and Seokmin. These guys were his first friends when he first moved to Korea. Back then, he could only speak Chinese, but it made them want to hang out with him even more. At this point, they were less friends than they were family. They called each other’s parents ‘Eomma and Appa’ and treated each other’s siblings like they were their own. The 1-bedroom apartment had always been their plan. Soonyoung was going to be dance major, Seokmin a theatre major, Mingyu a culinary major, and Junhui was going to live with them so he could be closer to the entertainment company he was signed to at the time. Their plans hadn’t changed, save for Junhui who was now a medical student.
Two years ago, Junhui and his parents had gotten into a car accident. He was the only survivor.
Junhui had been an idol trainee at BOMG Entertainment. He had been training there since he was a freshman in high school. He was the star trainee. He was always the top trainee for vocals and dance. Despite being one of the most respected trainees, he was also one of the friendliest. He liked to help the other trainees whenever they asked him for it.
The BOMG Ent. building was located somewhere in Seoul. Because it was still a fairly new company, they weren’t really at the center of anything. It was quite a drive from his neighborhood, so he usually had to take the bus to get there. On a February night, the company had announced the final lineup for the new boy group that would debut that year. It wasn’t the official public announcement, but it was when they invited the parents of the trainees who were going to debut. Junhui had been announced as the leader and main dancer of ‘LoveSick’. It was the best night of his life. He had just graduated highschool and he was now going to become an idol. His parents had always been supportive of his endeavours.
Junhui was in the backseat of the car telling his parents about how excited he was to tell Yangyang once they got home, when a drunk driver crashed into them. Everything happened too fast. Jun barely remembers what happened. Well, that’s what he tells everyone who asks. The truth is, he remembers everything. He had been conscious for most of it. He saw the moment his Baba’s hand had gone limp on the wheel and he heard his Mama’s last words. He remembers how much he screamed for help. He remembers how he couldn’t feel his legs and how he felt absolutely helpless in that moment.
On that night, Junhui had become Yangyang’s legal guardian, even though he had just turned the legal age himself. Thankfully, the Kwon, Kim, and Lee households had taken turns taking care of Junhui and Yangyang. They had helped take care of everything, from the funeral, his rehab, make sure Yangyang got to school; they had helped them through it all.
—
When Jun got home, he found his three best friends in the kitchen. Mingyu was making another dish for everyone else to try.
“Yaaa Junjun, your homeeee! Come try this, it’s actually better than I thought it would be.”
Mingyu spoonfed Jun a spoonful of… beef? Whatever it was, it was actually amazing.
“Mmmmmm. Gyu, this is the best thing you’ve made so far.”
Soonyoung and Seokmin nodded in approval.
“Junnieeee, how was school?” Soonyoung asked.
“It was fine. Oh by the way, I have a class with Lee Chan.”
“Oh yeah he mentioned it. Apparently he’s now an underclassman in my major. I’m surprised you actually talked to him.”
“I mean he approached me first. It’s not like I’d just stare at him.”
“I know, but he said you were actually enthusiastic.”
“Wow Junnie, you’re actually talking to other people in class now,” Seokmin chirped in.
“Guys, can we please not make this a big deal,” Jun really did not want to talk about these tiny improvements he’s made. He knows this is supposed to be a big deal, but he really was never one to take compliments. What made it even worse was it was supposed to be a normal thing, to make small talk with other people.
“Ok ok, now come and have a meal before you have to study,” Soonyoung made him sit beside him as they all talked about their day, save for Jun who was content listening to them.