*

There's something fishy going on.

Jongin knows Luhan and Sehun isn't that close yet but look at them lately--- they are always together, always sticking side by side to each other, always coming to school and going home together, always talking and whispering secretly to each other, always eating lunch together--- and Jongin is feeling kind of a little bit suspicious (jealous) now.

Is Sehun finally taking his advice to forget Baekhyun, or his bitch of a boyfriend is blatantly cheating on him?

Either way, Jongin wants to find out the truth if Luhan is really seducing Sehun to steal his best friend from him. He can't bear look at them being so chummy and close like this. Sehun is only his and there's this saying that 'Bros before Hoes.' It's a protocol to stop them before it escalated to something.

Something without him, on that note.

"HEY!"

Luhan quickly hides away the picture they've been staring at on the phone between the book they aren't actually reading. Sehun gets the device from Luhan's hand under the table, before looking up to Jongin who's sitting on the chair in front of them.

"What's that?" Jongin squints his eyes. "You're watching porn in the library?"

"What porn are you talking about? Sehun's just showing me a picture he took for our top secret investigation," Luhan reasons out.

"Okay?" Jongin lifts an eyebrow. "Can I see it?"

"No," Sehun says, crossing his arms over his chest, "You won't be of help anyway so you don't have to concern yourself over this."

"Wait, did I just hear that correctly?" Jongin laughs, shaking his head in disbelief and feeling suddenly annoyed, "As far as I know, I am Luhan's boyfriend. If there is someone who doesn't need to concern himself over him, that'd be," He points at Sehun, "You."

"Wow, okay," Sehun mutters, rolling his eyes at Jongin, "I'm not gonna steal your babe so calm your tits, Jongin."

"No, tell me the truth, Sehun!" Jongin slaps the table hard, that some bothered students turn to look at them, "You're hitting on Luhan, aren't you?"

"Oh, yes, he is! / No."

Luhan and Sehun both stare at each other.

Luhan just shrugs, "I was just, you know, stating the possibility?"

"I'm not hitting on you. I don't have time to hit on anybody," Sehun explains with a bored sigh. Jongin cackles meanwhile Luhan frowns. "I'm too lazy to even have a new crush aside from Baekhyun."

"I'm waiting until you're not lazy anymore then," Luhan grins and Jongin snorts at him, "Anyway, should we go back there after class to stake out?"

"Yeah, we need to make sure if that man with her is really him or not," Sehun answers, "The picture I took was blurry and I couldn't see the face clearly."

"It was dark too and he was wearing all black," Luhan says, nodding. Jongin is just listening cluelessly at their conversation, "I wonder if we could spot him again with her tonight."

"He drove her home the other night, though. Maybe he'll do it again," Sehun says, massaging his chin, "I have a strong gut feeling that they've been constantly visiting a place."

"Really? But where do you think it is?"

"I don't know yet. Maybe somewhere nearby? We still need to find out."

"Ah, I remember asking an old man living nearby, and he said that the family moved in about two months ago."

"If that's the case, then there's a possibility that he's been here in Seoul all along."

"But what if he didn't come with her?"

"Then how can you explain that man? He's the same height as him! It might be him. And if it's not really him, then he must be staying somewhere. Maybe they're just hiding him away."

"And why would they hide him? Has he completely gone insane? Did he become a criminal? Shit! I'm getting scared!"

"Fuck. You might be right. Maybe... Maybe he killed someone... And he couldn't show himself because the police are after him."

"That actually makes sense, oh my god! He can do that, right? Especially if the person he loves is involved, right?"

"No. I don't want to think of him as a murderer!"

"We can't rule that out! It might be the reason why he won't come back!"

Jongin has his jaw dropped, ogling dumbly at the two. "Just what the fuck are you two talking about!?" He hugs himself and shivers. "I'm getting goosebumps, seriously!" He intently looks alternately at Luhan and Sehun exchanging knowing stares at each other, suddenly getting a hint of the situation. "FUCKING SHIT! DON'T TELL ME IT'S ABOUT CHANYE---"

Sehun suddenly tugs Jongin by the neck, pulling him closer so that the three of them are huddled in a small circle face to face. Luhan has to internally gasp because Sehun's arm is literally around his shoulder and he never fails to miss Jongin smirking at him.

Oh god. He's really loving this.

"Ssh, Baekhyun might hear you," Sehun whispers, "He's just sleeping on the table next to us." He peeks at Baekhyun drooling on Kyungsoo's book. "I don't want to worry him especially now that things are still uncertain."

"Oh my god. So is it really Chanyeol you two have been talking about?" Jongin whispers back, surprise evident on his face. Luhan nods at him. "How did you know!? I mean, what exactly happened!? What do you know!? How much do you know!?"

"It's really hard to explain," Luhan says, "But one thing's for sure."

"What is it!?"

"There must be something strange going on," Sehun says, "It's either Chanyeol is on hiding or he's still in New York."

"The reason behind that, we still don't know yet," Luhan says, "We're looking into it to the best we can."

"We should tell Kyungsoo about it!" Jongin says, "He's good in mafia games, you know."

"And what should you tell me?"

The three look up to Kyungsoo who has just arrived.

"Sehun, is it true that you're hitting on our boyfriend?" Kyungsoo asks Sehun, sitting beside Jongin after he puts his bag on Baekhyun's side.

"Oh, yes he is! / No." Luhan and Sehun answer together.

"I see," Kyungsoo hums at Sehun, "So what is this thing you've been busy about?"

"Should we tell him?" Luhan asks.

"Yeah. I think Kyungsoo can help us unlike Jongin," Sehun replies.

"Hey!" Jongin yells from the side.

"What should I do?" Kyungsoo asks.

"Come with us for stake out," Sehun says, glancing around him before he whispers, "and lets find out if Chanyeol is there or not."

*

Looking around the almost empty coffee shop, Jongin drums his fingers on the table and clears his throat. He watches the rain outside the shop pouring incessantly.

"Ah, why is the coffee taking so long..."

Baekhyun is still ignoring him.

Apparently, he's on babysitting duty today, and his task is to watch over Baekhyun for the meantime. Kyungsoo and the guys left for some 'top secret investigation' business they wouldn't elaborate to him and he has no choice but to take care of Baekhyun, making sure he won't be alone for the day. Sehun said he'd only be useless when he tags along with them and it still upsets him until now.

"Do you think the rain will stop soon? I hate the cold, though."

No response. Baekhyun is busy fumbling with his phone.

He should be adjusting now to Baekhyun giving him the silent treatment and frowning the whole time. He actually misses the old Baekhyun--- the cheerful Baekhyun who smiles a lot to everyone, the bright Baekhyun who laughs on the tiniest things he finds funny, and the kind-hearted Baekhyun who always worry about the sake of his friends.

Ever since Chanyeol didn't arrive on that day, Baekhyun has changed. He talks less often and only when necessary. He doesn't cry anymore in front of them, maybe he has become numb of the pain. He's practically like a robot, he doesn't smile nor laugh. He's nonchalant and cold. The only good thing about it is that, he devotes his time studying hard to the point that he achieves the top rank in the dean's list. Chanyeol would be so proud of him if only he was here.

"Chanyeol!"

Baekhyun jerks his head up in surprise, hearing his lover's name. The lady on the counter looks around the place, searching for the costumer. He then feels his thumping heart suddenly slows down the moment Jongin stands to get the coffee from her.

Baekhyun trails his eyes downcast, feeling disappointed.

"Shouldn't I have done that?" Jongin says, placing the cup of latte with the name Chanyeol in front of Baekhyun. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Baekhyun answers shortly.

Minutes passed of them quietly sipping their coffees. Baekhyun is still busy tapping on his phone, maybe he's still trying to contact Chanyeol, meanwhile Jongin is busy watching him mind his own business.

"I'm sorry if I'm boring," Jongin says.

"I appreciate your silence," Baekhyun replies.

Jongin can notice that Baekhyun has been keeping on refreshing that messaging app. Not trying to be obvious about how curious he is to what Baekhyun is up to, he lowkey moves closer to take a peek on Baekhyun's phone.

He sees the display picture of the profile, it's a photo of a beautiful woman he thinks he has seen somewhere before. He can't just remember it, though. She looks familiar. Is she a celebrity? A model? A reporter?

"What the fuck are you doing?" Baekhyun says, annoyed at Jongin now literally grinding against his arm. He elbows Jongin's face and moves away, hiding his phone from Jongin's scrutinizing eyes.

"I think I saw her before," Jongin says while thinking hard. Baekhyun throws him a doubtful stare. "Can you show her picture again?"

"She's married and she has a child," Baekhyun rolls his eyes, "Don't hit on her."

"AHA!!!" Jongin snaps his fingers, shocking Baekhyun of the sudden outburst. "I remember where I saw that woman!"

Baekhyun furrows his eyebrows, "You know... her?"

"I don't actually know her," Jongin laughs, "I have a good eye when it comes to pretty girls, you know. I easily remember their faces." He shrugs. "I saw her at the airport. Her baby was really cute, though."

Baekhyun almost drops his phone as he stares dumbfounded at Jongin. He can feel his whole body suddenly shake, hearing those sentences.

"J-jongin... Say that again..."

"That woman. I saw her at the airport with her baby. Hmm. I think it was that day when Chanyeol was supposed to arrive in Korea?"

"A-are you sure?"

"Yes."

There are so many questions going inside Baekhyun's mind right now. Why is Yura in Korea? Why isn't she answering his messages? Why didn't she say anything when it has been two months since she arrived? Is Chanyeol with her? Why didn't Chanyeol show up that day?

"Baekhyun, are you okay?" Jongin worriedly asks, noticing Baekhyun staring blankly with tears verging in his eyes. "What's the matter? W-w-why are you crying!? Did I say something wrong!?"

Baekhyun quickly wipes his tears using his palm before looking at Jongin in the eyes.

"Jongin, that woman you saw at the airport....," he mutters, "She's Chanyeol's sister."

It takes three seconds before Jongin can even react in heavy surprise. He stands up and looks around, covers his face and rubs his palm across it, sits down again, breathes, shakes his head, and slaps his forehead.

"Shit, Baekhyun! I should've known!!! I'm sorry!" Jongin exclaims, "Fuck! She's Chanyeol sister! That's why she looks like him! Oh my fucking god! Why am I so dumb!"

Jongin's phone suddenly rings, showing Sehun's number on the screen. Baekhyun quickly snatches it before Jongin can even take it.

[We've heard news about Chanyeol. We're heading back home now.]

"It's me," Baekhyun says as he clenches his fist hard. Jongin bites his bottom lip and hides his face, "What were you saying, Sehun? What is it you were saying about Chanyeol sunbae!?"

Jongin is just staring at Baekhyun's pale face as he listens to the phone against his ear. Without a word, Baekhyun slowly drops the phone from his hand, before suddenly storming out of the coffee shop like he's about to chase something.

"Baekhyun!" Jongin calls, picking up his coat in haste. He follows the male outside, running after him. "Wait! Where are you going!? Baekhyun!!!"

The door chimes cling as they leave, Baekhyun forgetting his phone as well as his unfinished cup of coffee on top of the table.

*

"Oh my god, I want to go home. It's already raining," Luhan says as he hugs his own arms, squishing himself beside Sehun.

"Let's just wait for a bit, he's gonna come out now," Sehun says, looking through the binoculars he brought. Good thing the car windows are purely tinted, people from outside won't see them like this.

They've been on stake out outside the presumed Park mansion for four hours now when the skies start to darken and pour continuous rain. Kyungsoo turns on the wipers as he waits, when a woman comes outside carrying a black umbrella to shade herself from the rain.

"She's Chanyeol's sister, right?" Kyungsoo asks, also peeking at his own binoculars. He sees her getting her phone and calling somebody while looking worriedly at a distance. "She looks like she's been waiting for someone to arrive..."

"She's coming in and out of the house," Sehun says, "She's been also trying to call someone on her phone and I think that person isn't answering her."

Luhan stays quiet on his seat, feeling really nervous about the situation. At first he just wanted to come with Sehun and enjoy his company, but then as time goes by, he realizes this is getting more and more serious and complicated. Sehun is really determined to find out the truth, and he admits he's indeed frightened of what is to be unfolded after this.

"Shit! A police car is coming. What the fuck is happening right now," Luhan says when a police car stops in front of the mansion. He feels his heartbeat speeding up the moment the police gets off with a tall man wearing a black cap. They are sharing one umbrella. "Kyungsoo! That was the man we saw with Yura!"

"Is he Chanyeol!?" Kyungsoo says, carefully looking at the man's back facing him who is standing beside the police. The three are having a conversation under the rain, and since it's already getting dark, it's hard to make out the man's face. "Oh my god, I'm getting goosebumps right now."

"What the hell are they talking about!?" Sehun mutters, watching the people talk seriously in the distance.

Yura bows at the police and the officer bows at her in return before riding the car again. The tall man beside her soothes her back comfortingly, and just in time when he faces the car where the trio are all staking out in, he finally takes off his cap.

The three of them hold their breaths inside their chest.

They see blond hair and a beard.

"It's not Chanyeol," Sehun announces after a minute of silence of them just watching the couple retreat back inside the mansion, "It's probably her husband."

Kyungsoo releases a slightly relieved but still anxious sigh, "Yeah. At least now we know Chanyeol isn't him."

"So where is Chanyeol exactly?" Luhan asks.

The bright headlights of the police car shine at them, and Kyungsoo has to cover his eyes as if he could be blind. "Oh shit, the police saw us! Fuck!"

The officer carrying an umbrella and a flashlight gets off the mobile, now heading towards their car.

"Shit! We need to hide!" Luhan cries in panic, sinking under the backseat when the police knocks on the window. "Don't open it, Kyungsoo! I don't wanna go to jail!"

"We're not doing anything wrong so don't be scared," Sehun says, moving next to Kyungsoo on the passenger's seat. "Kyungsoo, open the window."

Taking a deep breath, Kyungsoo opens the window to the driver's seat to slowly reveal his face. The police suspiciously looks at him, then at Sehun on the passenger's seat.

"What are you all young men doing here in this rainy evening?" he asks skeptically, aiming the flashlight at their faces. He turns again to Kyungsoo. "Can I see your ID?"

Kyungsoo fumbles nervously with his wallet and with shaking fingers, he hands his ID to the officer. "Here, Sir."

"You're still a student," the officer says, "Let me ask again what your business is in this place?"

"W-w-we..." Kyungsoo stutters, "Actually we..."

"We got lost," Sehun says. The police looks at him. "And we couldn't find our way back home."

The police hands Kyungsoo's ID back, shaking his head. "Why are young people frequently getting lost these days? You kids need to be careful."

"W-what do you mean, officer?" Sehun asks, furrowing his eyebrows.

"The couple living in that mansion reported their younger brother getting lost. He has been missing for days and they couldn't find him," the police says while flipping the pages of his notebook. "You all should go back now before it gets late."

"Can we ask... what his name is?" Kyungsoo bravely asks.

"The name's Chanyeol. Park Chanyeol."

Kyungsoo clamps his mouth shut due to utter surprise. Sehun has his eyes wide open, shocked of what he heard. Luhan is staring astounded in disbelief.

"He's just around your age, though. Maybe you kids go to the same school as him," the officer says, then he gives Kyungsoo a piece of paper, "And that's your ticket for illegal parking."

Kyungsoo pays the fine before closing the window again. The police kindly tells them the direction on their way back home even though he already knows it as the driver. All are still in the state of shock until Luhan decides to speak.

"I think Baekhyun needs to know now. We should tell him what we found out."

"Yeah," Sehun nods, "We're going to tell him everything as soon as we come home tonight."

"Call Jongin and tell him we're heading home," Kyungsoo says, starting the engine of the car before he drives.

Jongin quickly picks up on the first ring to Sehun's surprise.

"We've heard news about Chanyeol. We're heading back home now."

It's been quiet on the other line so Sehun checks the screen if the call is still ongoing.

"Hello?"

[It's me.]

It's Baekhyun's voice.

[What were you saying, Sehun? What is it you were saying about Chanyeol sunbae!?]

Sehun brings his hand to his forehead and deeply sighs. Luhan looks worriedly at him as well as Kyungsoo from the rear-view mirror of the car.

"Let's talk at home when we arrive. I'll tell you everything so please calm down and---"

The call suddenly hangs up.

"Don't worry, Sehun. Baekhyun's gonna be okay," Luhan whispers, bringing a hand behind his back to comfort him. He smiles. "He won't get mad at you when he hears your reason. I'm sure of that."

Sehun nods, burying his face into his palms, "I hope so..."

"Jongin!" Baekhyun exclaims all of a sudden as he pats his pockets. They're already inside the taxi heading home, "My phone! I forgot my phone!"

"Shit, you must've left it there at the coffee shop," Jongin says as he grabs his phone, calling Baekhyun's number. It just keeps ringing so it might be still on the table, "Should we go back!?"

"I can't lose my phone! It's important to me! Chanyeol sunbae gave it to me," Baekhyun says, feeling like he's about to cry. "Please pull over!"

"Baekhyun! I'll come with you!" Jongin yells when Baekhyun quickly gets off the cab the moment it stops. He sees him running under the rain until he's out of sight. "Baekhyun!!!"

The door chimes of the coffee shop cling, and the girl at the counter wears her best fake smile. "Welcome to Star---" But she immediately erases it off her mouth, seeing a lanky beggar entering the shop. He closes his umbrella and puts it on the rack while looking around for a table.

"Oh god. We should make him leave," the cashier tells her co-worker while covering her nose, looking at the stinky homeless now rummaging inside the trash. The stench is too strong that some costumers are now complaining. "Tell him to leave."

"I'm scared! What if he attacks me?" the girl says when the ragged man walks closer to the table near the counter.

Seeing the blinking phone on top of the table, the begger picks it up with his right hand while he gets the cup of cold coffee with his left hand.

He stares at the cup for a few seconds.

"What the hell is he still doing there," the cashier mutters while observing the hobo just standing creepily, "Is he crazy or something?"

"This," the shabby man says as he holds the cup, facing the two ladies at the counter who scream the moment they see his dirty face, "This is mine!"

"Hey you! Get out!" a male costumer yells, hitting him with a cane. He shoves him, shooing and driving the filthy man away like he's a street dog. "You smell like shit! Leave before I call the police!"

Alarmed, the beggar quickly takes the cup of coffee with him and hands the phone to the counter with a bow, before opening his umbrella in haste and leaving the coffee shop silently.

"What a weird guy," the cashier says while setting aside the phone a costumer probably left. The door chimes cling again, so she places back the fake smile to welcome the costumer who's now totally drenched wet. "Welcome!"

Baekhyun heads straight to the table he sat earlier, seeing nothing on it. "Oh my god, my phone. Where is it." He quickly goes to counter and asks, "Have you seen a phone on that table? That was mine and I left it earlier."

"Yes, I think this is yours," the girl says, handing Baekhyun his phone. Baekhyun hugs the device the time he touches it again with his hands. He thought he's gonna lose it for real.

"Thank you so much!" Baekhyun cries, bowing at the girl gratefully. The girl shakes her head in denial.

"Oh no, you shouldn't thank me. A man saw your phone on the table and brought it here. I thought he was gonna take it with the coffee but he kindly returned the phone to us."

"I should thank him! Where is he?" Baekhyun asks, looking around the coffee shop.

"He left just now."

Baekhyun ignores the pouring rain as he goes out of the coffee shop, looking around the streets for a particular tall lanky man looking like a beggar just like what the cashier described. The least thing he can do is to thank him for returning his phone before he goes home.

"Ah! There he---"

Baekhyun's whole world stops, seeing him from a far.

His feet seem to freeze on their spot while everything turns into a blur. Even from meters away and even from miles away, he would right away recognize who he is. It's dark yet he can see him clearly. It's cold yet he can feel him beating inside his heart.

Soaked in the rain, his knees are trembling in fear and his chest is hammering in excitement while he walks towards him. The distance is getting narrower as he takes steps after steps towards the man standing under his black umbrella.

Baekhyun doesn't think twice as he outstretches his hand towards the man when he arrives exactly right behind him. Taking a deep breath, he tugs his coat, and as if on slow-motion, waits for him to turn around.

"Chanyeol sunbae... It's you, right?"

The man turns around and their eyes meet, and Baekhyun's tears automatically roll down his cheeks, seeing the name Chanyeol on the cup of coffee the man is now holding in his hand.

*

To be continued.