Being a matchmaker is also a talent!

🎪🐎🎪

SKZ – CIRCUS

May I have your attention my ladies and gentlemen

<…>

Welcome to the zone

Feelin' good right now, feelin' good right now

      The Talent Show is today already! All participants and organizers are on pins and needles all day. After the end of classes, there were a couple of hours left before the start of the event, and everyone was actively preparing – changing clothes and repeating their performances. It was noisy and oppressive backstage. In order not to aggravate the situation and reduce the number of people, the organizers were forced to ask everyone who does not perform to leave. Felix and Changbin were particularly discontent with such measures, but they had to obey.       Seungmin was sitting cross-legged on a chair with a relaxed look and observed around the raging space in front of him: Bang Chan instructed Hyunjin to check the readiness of the equipment and the people behind it, mark those present and make sure that all the announced numbers will take place. Hyunjin ran like a scalded cat back and forth with a crumpled leaf and every now and then ran up to the Chan and reported. And at some point, Chan, with a wide smile, which he never showed either during classes or during preparation for the show, put his arm around Hyunjin's shoulders, pointed to something in a barely alive piece of paper, and they left together. Seungmin kept his eyes on them with a squint and suspected that his friend had obviously forgotten to tell him about something important. The matchmaker's attention shifted to Jeongin and Han. They looked quite confident and were chatting about something. Perhaps they repeated and discussed their joint exit. However, Jeongin's body language betrayed, at least in Seungmin's eyes. He decided to observe.       Jeongin kept correcting the hem of the jacket that they eventually bought for Han, and did not forget about his own. Persuaded the friend to take a selfie in the mirror, because they had a paired look. A slight flush of enthusiasm did not leave Ninnie's cheeks. And only now Seungmin realized that he had missed a very important point in his plan, codenamed "Minsungs". It was Ninnie with his tender, almost innocent love. But he didn't want to flaunt it either. He even partially hid it, because a long-term friendship was at stake. Many undoubtedly guessed that there was someone in his heart. This someone turned out to be his best friend Jisung – it was almost imperceptible… Or no one noticed… Or no one wanted to notice… In any case, Seungmin decided to take into account this new data and did not lose.       

***

      “Hyunjin, you are doing a great job and it is clear that you have approached the issue responsibly. But you have forgotten something,” Bang Chan found it difficult to keep a serious look and not smile.       “Do you still not believe in our students, Professor Bang?” Hyunjin already understood what they were trying to hint at.       Before leaving, the teacher brought out strange patterns on top of the line with Jisung's name. It could be assumed, obviously not from great love for the bearer of this name. Bang Chan hinted that he was very interested in the dance, which they did not want to show him. While Hyunjin was preparing an individual number, training with Felix required a little more attention from him than expected. And after another conversation with Jisung, it was decided to postpone the spectacular “surprise” until better times.       “Student Han is ready, and I personally supervised him. Or, are you so interested in watching my dance?” Hyunjin tilted his head, looked at him seductively from under his eyelashes and repeated the most memorable moments of last year's performance in his head. Just in case.       Slight tilt of the head. Movements of this kind have never failed him. The stage charm gained through dancing confused many, delaying them without the intention of letting them go back. Hyunjin did not think that he would ever have to reconsider his “ending fairy” until he faced the consequences of his choice – a new haircut failed at the most impermissible moment. A raven-black strand of hair, which just five minutes ago successfully emphasized his face and eyes, could not resist his manipulations in its place and promptly tried to poke out his left eye. Hyunjin squinted and wiped his teary eyes very quickly, after which he made a slightly cheeky expression without comment. As if nothing had happened, and he was the master of the situation again.       “The new hair color gives you a lot of confidence, Student Hwang,” the cute moment of awkwardness that caused a smile and the student's attempt to save his game gave Bang Chan time to take a breather. And he remembered that two people can participate in conversations. “You've convinced me this time. But in case of force majeure, I will personally make sure that you demonstrate the same level of confidence and charm from the stage of our beloved university.”       “Absolutely,” Hyunjin breathed.       The words caused Hyunjin excitement and embarrassment. The compliment was more aimed at teasing him and his blunder, or rather his bangs. Such a design made it possible to create an illusion – a special person for him drew attention to a change in his appearance. He finally allowed himself to relax a little. Although before that, he clearly could not find a place for himself from the fact that after a decent long time, of course, not without the help of Yeji and Seungmo, he decided to return from blonde to natural black. But it looks like the experiment was successful!       The remnants of shyness due to the difference in the status of "student-teacher" sometimes influenced his thoughts, making him doubt whether he and Chan were at that stage of the relationship where compliments were openly expressed and where Chan was one of the members of his support group. Such a not too direct remark, however, calmed his anxiety and reminded him. Nothing will happen right away. They will come to this in small steps.       Just for a moment he really wanted to go out and perform all the performances for Chan. To show all the experience that he had behind him. The Seungmin who found them helped him instantly return to his previous conclusions, reality and get involved in the upcoming work. He could show off at any time. Joint projects with Seungmin and Minho promised a lot of attention to him alone. There was no point in pulling the blanket over yourself right now. It was an evening of freshmen who wanted to help shine in the same way and just enjoy the non-academic atmosphere. The university is not just a pile of papers, but the people we met. Seungmin finished his rounds with a camera for the blog, and Hyunjin took a picture of his friend for the archive. Having once again quite examined his temporary possessions, he changed his view to a serious one and tuned in to the beginning.

***

      The hall is full of people and even a hum can be heard behind the scenes! Everyone is talking. They are discussing what the freshmen will show them this year. Seungmin updates the blog with his latest entry, where he and his best friend flaunt a photo with a program with the design of the same friend – Hyunjin. Bang Chan approved the drawing for the cover at the very last moment, when an enthusiast who had asked for a task to draw something suitable disappeared. Such cases are not uncommon, and everyone was ready for unexpected crises at any stage. Luckily they had Hyunjin.       There is a simple caption under the photo – a short presentation of the event. The words that this is not an advertisement, just the author of the blog will be the host. A reminder for those who do not know, and there are always such. At the end, Seungmin, noting Changbin and amused by his idea, adds a wish to find a new love among the participants, to look closely at the people on stage and nearby. Romance and indirect tackles have not been canceled.       Finally the lights went out and everyone was quiet. Seungmin took the stage first to a standing ovation from the audience languishing in anticipation of the start. As a presenter once again, he was used to and loved being in the light of bright spotlights. Without getting lost in words and thanks, he made the necessary introductory speech and announced the draw. So that the audience would not get bored, he exchanged remarks with the participants, thereby introducing the audience to future stars. All the participants were on stage and took turns approaching the host. When it was Jeongin and Jisung's turn at the very end, Seungmin, using his privileges as their friend, decides to talk to them a little.       “Ready to light up on stage? Maybe you can leave a few words about your performance?”       “I will perform a song. I hope it's... oh, I have the first number! Can I find out the order for a joint performance right away?”       With a nod, Seungmin lets the guys pull out the second number.       “So, it fell to you to perform after the intermission! Tell us, and what are you planning to express with your number? Will it be a surprise or do we need to pay attention to something?” According to the views of the guys, it became crystal clear for Seungmin who was going to confess to whom.       It reminded Seungmin of his best friend's recent complaints. Seungmin really wanted to know how things were progressing on Hyunjin's love front. Will he continue to quietly draw their teacher on the sidelines or will he still try to confess and do something about it. Does he need the help of the best matchmaker at the university, and this is definitely Seungmin (Who would doubt it?!). His friend very strangely refused his help, which meant only one thing, something was clearly going on there. And Seungmin doesn't even know. It's a real crime. all right, he will support it just as imperceptibly, acting in the shadows. It was not possible to find out more about their communication. Only that there is a lot of it. Hyunjin confessed only that everything was fine in a good way, and Seungmin took the hint. There is already mutual interest, and this is progress. Out of help – a friend will not give up the opportunity to be alone or from any ideas of Seungmo on how to keep this interest.       A lot was clear from his friend's shifty eyes. For example, it is no longer necessary to remind him about dancing and drawings. But with step-by-step planning with a hidden meaning, his slightly childishly naive and sincere friend was not very good. Which is understandable. Few people can be a real matchmaker for themselves and others. It takes talent. Just in case, Seungmin reminded that he would not use this information anywhere and that all his actions would be unnoticeable, except for the unconditional support of a friend anywhere at any time.       Mentally returning to everything that was happening on the stage, Seungmin saw where this very energy should be directed now. If he ignores the guys, their joint performance will turn into a disaster in front of the whole university, so it was worth taking one last-minute thoughtful step and giving them time to calm down so that Jisung would perform after the break.       “Dear presenter,” began Jeongin, so as not to introduce himself again. “The song we have prepared is about love. Its author is standing next to me. It would be very nice if the audience could appreciate the hard work done.”       “I am glad to hear that the speakers are in a good mood. Positive emotions and mystery – are they not part of the romance we are approaching? But I must say that it's brave of you to declare your feelings in front of a large audience,” with these words, he involuntarily glanced at Changbin sitting in the hall.       He wanted to come up with and say another tackle from the stage. But the microphone will kindly direct another flirtation to nowhere, and the target will not understand anything. Making Changbin jealous is also pointless, they are not in a kindergarten. It's better to take his chance while they're helping the younger ones. There, Changbin's skills can be evaluated so that he will notice.       For a second, he again compared their methods and at what moments the words and actions of each of them were appropriate. To give a break and gain strength to withstand the storm, and then force everyone to discuss everything, even those who are not ready for it. With all the expected difficulties, the alignment seemed right and more faithful than ever. After all, if they had swapped places, Changbin's words to the guys could have had the opposite effect. He would definitely add how, in the continuation of their comments and songs, he would expect stories from two guys, who confessed to whom and when. Unless it happens at the moment of the song. It is worth warning his "colleague" not to let the phone out of his hands in the near future, and for this he has to go behind the scenes as soon as possible.       “Have a good performance,” Seungmin concludes on a joyful note while he looks at Jisung, whose gaze is again directed into the hall. The guy doesn't look in love with his stage colleague. He is terrified, most likely because of Minho's reaction to the words he heard. It's good that he's already letting them go and giving them a little time to sort everything out.       “We'll think about it before coming back to the stage,” says Jeongin.       The draw was over, and Seungmin announced the start of the concert program. The hall was quiet waiting for the start of the first number. The beginning is always the most exciting. Jeongin gathered his thoughts and rubbed his slightly sweaty palms. This is far from his first performance on stage, but it is especially exciting to be the first performer.       “Jeongin, Jisung and I are supporting you from here, and your new friends are from the audience. We're all rooting for you!” Seungmin patted him on the shoulder.       “I.N, I really want to listen to your song! Give me your hands,” Han slapped Jeongin's palms, then he clapped back. Then, holding hands, they closed their eyes, exhaled and smiled at each other.       “Is this some kind of your personal ritual?” Seungmin decided to clarify.       “Yes,” Jeongin explained without looking away. “We always do this before performances, for good luck. Jisung's support is very dear to me. Hannie,” he tightened his grip on his friend's hands, “Be sure to listen to my song. If it wasn't for you, I would never have been able to compose it!”       Jeongin, without giving an opportunity to answer, finally nodded to Jisung and Seungmin and went on stage.       “Hello again!” he began with his radiant smile. “Today I would like to perform for you a song that I composed myself. It's called HUG ME. I really hope that it will find a response in your hearts and especially in the heart of the person to whom this song is dedicated.”       The hall exploded with applause! And the embarrassed Jeongin asked to turn on the music. From the very first verse, he literally captured the audience. He knew that Jisung was supporting him from behind the scenes. Invisible, but no less tangible. This added to his confidence in front of a new audience. As he sang, memories surfaced in his head, in which he spent serene days with Hannie. Every moment together was imprinted in Jeongin's heart, forming a desirable world where they are always together. after all, at such moments, the sincerity of the performance is just felt? Glancing briefly at the audience, he saw a group of his other friends. Indeed, with the admission to the university, he made more happy moments and got people around.       In the light of the bright spotlights, it is difficult to see specific faces, but Jeongin was able to recognize Felix standing to the side of the stage. For a split second, it seemed to him that Lix shone brighter than any spotlight. He looked so happy, enjoying the performance and supporting Ninnie with both hands. And in the next moment, Jeongin could only imagine time with Lix. How they chatted about everything in the world. Not only Honey, but Felix lit up his day. When Hannie disappeared from his field of vision and Jeongin began to feel sad and bored, sometimes he instantly forgot about it, because he was with Felix. The moments captured him, and from the abundance of images and memories, he finished the second part especially sensually.       Having drawn out the last words, he froze in disbelief. It seems that everything ended with noisy applause. But something was missing. He looked at Felix, who was jumping up and down with impatience to express all his impressions, smiled at him and bowed to leave the stage. He couldn't wait to share his impressions with Hannie and, most importantly, to confess his feelings to him. There was no longer any strength to remain silent, so passing by the presenter, who thanked him for his performance, Jeongin agreed to the comment with a glance. In case the next person also needs a second to exhale and put his thoughts in order.       “A great start to the concert, Jeongin,” the presenter congratulated his friend and turned on professionalism, ending with a call to the microphone of the next participant. However, in his favorite joking manner. “Ah, if only somebody could dedicate such a song to me! We welcome the next participant. Unlike me, the unfortunate one was less lucky. And instead of cute hugs behind the scenes, he gets only the cold of the microphone. Let's sympathize with him together.”       Backstage, Seungmin's smile disappears, and he thoughtfully leads Jeongin past the stage queue to a more private place. The younger ones will definitely sort things out without attracting attention, but somewhere nearby. Otherwise, Hyunjin or Bang Chan will destroy them. The rest of the participants are also on their nerves, so it will be superfluous to distract and interfere in their drama. Seungmin himself won't stand by either. No one invited him to the dialogue, and the guys are old enough. Of course, he is still worried about them, so he will write to Changbin about the next step of his plan immediately after a small action – a change that only he can make. Seeing Felix running up, Seungmin turns Jeongin around.       “You're in a hurry, but not accepting flowers right after your performance would be rude, don't you think? Will you give Felix a couple of minutes?”       “Of course! It's just so unexpected that such a bouquet is for me,” Jeongin was embarrassed.       Jisung on the other side of the room also missed Felix, although he was going to be the first to approach him. He even wondered why he hadn't bought Ninnie flowers himself. They were so looking forward to this day. why didn't i prepare anything? i'm not a bad friend, right? yes, i've been thinking a lot about minho lately, but not so much that i completely forget about my best friend...  need to give him more time, but for now let felix give him the moment he deserves.       “It was a wonderful performance!” Felix began enthusiastically, holding out the bouquet.       “Ohh, thank you for the equally wonderful flowers,” Jeongin smiled in response.       “No, it was really great! I listened and couldn't tear myself away! Your voice. The text that you came up with, and how it all sounds together with the music. It might be like finding out your secrets, but can I ask?”       Jeongin nodded with interest.       “There was such a transition at the end. And I do not know what it is called. In general, your intonation or something like that has changed a little. Was it my imagination? Or was it meant to be?”       “Ohh, I didn't notice,” Jeongin's thoughts were chaotically revolving around the confession, so it was difficult for him to focus on a normal answer. “Thank you for watching carefully, Lixi.”       “He-he,” Felix lowered his gaze in embarrassment, “In any case, you shone on stage and definitely performed the best! And it doesn't matter that the others haven't performed yet! Your song really touched me, so can I hug you?” Felix asked, feeling that Ninnie would soon leave him and run away to the Han.       Jeongin, smiling, agrees and lets Lixi hug him. He finds Han's gaze, and attention returns to his willingness to confess his feelings to his best friend. The magic of the moment disappears for Felix, unlike Ninnie's warmth, which no longer remains with him for several long seconds.       great, felix and jeongin managed to talk… Seungmin sighed inwardly, wishing everyone good luck. And sent a message to Changbin. He no longer observed the younger ones. It was impossible to leave to check them – everyone around would start to worry. As a result, Seungmin decided to leave everything in their hands and entrust them to fate, or rather to Changbin's strong hands. He wouldn't dare doubt them. As a last resort, if suddenly everything goes wrong, Changbin will write to him. And they will act on the situation. Hoping for the absence of force majeure, he once again replied to Hyunjin, who had previously seen off Han leaving with his worried look, that everything was fine. There is nothing to remind anyone. The second performance of the guys will also definitely take place.       The subsequent numbers went smoothly, which teacher Bang and Hyunjin were incredibly happy about and very much hoped that the event would take place without excesses. Bang Chan was still sending noticeable looks to Seungmin to his friend. Seungmin, watching these peepers, dissuaded his hands reaching for the phone to capture these two. I wanted it incredibly, but in front of others it could have obvious consequences. Pretending that this was a special language understood only by the organizers, he continued his duties. The new number was suddenly followed by the last one in the first part, he even had to check the schedule to see if they missed anyone. But everything was fine. The expected alarm messages were also not observed, his phone was silent.       So the first section flew by unnoticed even for the presenter himself. And he finally announced an intermission.

***

      Releasing Ninnie, Felix continued to spin behind the stage. Although he was not a direct participant, he had to help with a mini-production. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed how Jeongin was leading Han into a separate room, and couldn't resist following them. He was completely sure that after their conversation, he would need to be near Ninnie.       “Did you dedicate this song to me? You're the most tactless person I know! How did you manage to create a song about hugging?” Jisung, congratulating Jeongin on his successful performance, hugged the abruptly shy Jeongin. “Keeping silenceKeeping silence? Or has someone else taken my place?” Han jokingly put his hand to his heart and demonstrated all the wonders of his acting skills.       “Um... this song is really for you, Hannie. You heard me, I wanted her to find a response in your heart, and judging by your reaction, I can afford to hope that my feelings are mutual.”       “I can hug you forever, just ask. Friends forever”  With that, Han hugged Jeongin and reached up to stroke his head. His friend was too nice in showing his affection.       “I meant it in a different way. That is, we could be,” Jeongin began hopefully, “not just friends?”       “Um, soulmates? But we're—” Jisung still didn't understand. “The real bro, what else do you need for happiness?”       “Would you agree to date me?” Jeongin decided to ask directly. It seems that Jisung needs to explain everything, although of the two of them, he is the eldest and in theory the more understanding.       “Dating?”  Jisung looked at him in surprise and couldn't find the words to continue.       “Yes, I meant a romantic relationship. I would be very happy if you would agree.”       “Jeongin, I'm... sorry, but I can't respond to your feelings,” Han was in a state of shock, but he was trying to formulate the necessary sentences. “I already like another person. More precisely, not just like. I have deep feelings.”       “To someone other than me? But... I don't understand. I was there all the time, we were good together. And it's almost always just the two of us. Did I do something wrong? Why wasn't I enough?”       “Jeongin, you are more than enough for me. You're my best friend. And I appreciate having you around. What you do for me. But it happened so that there was a guy whom I fell in love with. And I do not know how to explain it.”       “Seriously, so you wrote a song for him and you can't explain it to me? And I thought I noticed everything, but who is it? Hannie, is this Hyunjin?”       Now, with the realization of Jeongin's feelings, everything felt a little different. Jisung didn't like that he could no longer hear his nickname without a hidden meaning. He himself did not expect such a reaction from himself. What's wrong with an innocent nickname? Hannie, Sungie ... apparently, the meaning that the speaker himself puts into them. Not opening up in response would be unfair to Jeongin. He hoped they could still be friends. There were no words to figure it out. But a friend deserved to hear at least a few short ones.       “This is Minho. Our …”       “I see,” Jeongin answered him just as quietly, and an oppressive silence hung between them. “Maybe I need some time to process this.”       It seems that Jeongin was on the verge. Jisung really wanted to go up to him and hug him, calm him down, but completely stupid reasons prevented him: thoughts screaming that now it has a different meaning; the words of a song that recently sounded like his friend's voice; the look of Felix who appeared in the room, who seems to have heard part or all of their conversation. The new friend seemed to be reproachfully saying that Han would only make it worse. It seemed to Jisung that it couldn't get any worse, he did everything he could. He won't fall further. But with a speaking look , he believed and could only squeeze out of himself.       “I'm sorry.”       “And I don't,” a lump of feelings suffocated, preventing him from breathing, and Jeongin smiled at Jisung with tears in his eyes. “I'm glad that I managed to talk about my feelings before it was too late for that. Even if I'm already late,” he inhaled sharply, trying not to start crying right in front of Jisung, and while his speech remained coherent, he asked his friend to leave.       “But... we can talk about it. I don't know how…”       “Is it mutual?”       Han at first did not understand what he was asked about, and then belatedly answered, lowering his head.       “Like you, I wanted to confess to him in the song.”       “Mental connection,” Jeongin smiled bitterly. “As always, we do the same thing. Talk to him for now,” he said, alluding to Minho. “You can find me later. I'm not running away.”       Han looked at his friend questioningly, again not having time to follow his logic.       “I'm not forcing you to confess, although, probably, everything is mutual between you. Just so he doesn't draw the wrong conclusions after hearing your song and its theme. Like me, for example.”       Jisung couldn't answer anything and just nodded.       After his own words, Jeongin could not resist and still began to cry, turning towards Felix. He didn't want to cry for show, but all the outlines were blurred, so he had no idea where he could hide from the eyes of his friends. Are he and Hannie still friends? When he tried to open his eyes, he could only make out the outline of Felix's head, without the expression of his face. And movement. The fact that he nodded to Hannie. Apparently, so that he would finally leave and let him cry quietly without being reminded of what had happened. Although you can't forget about this anymore. At least, Jeongin had no idea how he was going to react and live this life now.

***

      Changbin briefly read the new message from Seungmin and continued to run after Minho. A friend who usually runs with a tiny step, together with Felix, ran out of the hall with lightning speed after Jeongin's performance and ran briskly in an uncertain direction. Fortunately, Changbin knew that the only place, where Minho would run without hesitation, would be his studio. Otherwise it would be difficult. He has to catch up with him. where does his strength come from? I shouldn’t have fed him so much...       “Minho!! Where are you running to? Wait!”       Shouting was not worth it, so as not to attract attention, which in fact was already caught. Changbin, whose group of friends was often the center of attention because of Hyunjin's loud laughter, didn't particularly care. If they stopped in the hallway, Minho wouldn't forgive him. Not now, when he is in full view of everyone and is about to show not his demonic, but a weak and quite human side. Changbin doesn't know if his training is yielding results or if Minho is finally running out of steam, but he catches up with him closer to the studio, where he is silently allowed to enter with him, and tries to reason with him. Fortunately, he had an idea of what his friend had in mind. Changbin had read the new details of his and Seungmin's plan in their chat on the run and was now sure that he understood everything correctly.       “Hey, they're just friends.”       “Well, yes, of course! And almost in the gums they kiss, begging each other to come with me to eat, because they are just friends. They live and sleep together because they are just friends. They compose songs for each other too, because…”       “Slow down,” Changbin fails in Minho's request to shut up and regain his breath. “Yes, we both understood what Jeongin wanted to say with his song. But you didn't hear the other version. You could ask what Sungie thinks about this…”       “Don't call him that anymore! Don't give me false hope!”       He can see how his friend's anger is literally pulsing. Even worse, his desperate attempts to hold back tears are visible. Changbin does not mind being a human band-aid, and then remind Minho how it sometimes is harmful to think and make decisions for others.       “Do you want me to find him and shake his soul out of him?" Or answers?” Changbin does not hope that this will help. Methods of calming and usually flowing words do not come to his mind either. Like everyone else, Minho definitely won't fit.       “No need, I've already heard everything.” Minho suddenly quieted down, for some reason deciding that Changbin would really go in every sense to grind Jisung's bones.       The last thing he wanted was to make him sad. Minho's feelings are not Jisung’s problem. It is Minho who thought of something for himself and misunderstood. It remains to somehow force himself to accept this and prepare mentally for the next time he sees Sungie. Probably near Jeongin. On and off the stage. Minho doesn't believe that he's making something up for himself in Jisung's friendship with Jeongin. Everything is already clear. Ignoring Changbin and what he's doing with his phone, Minho reaches for his own to… to what, delete photos and correspondence with Sungie so that he understands that something is wrong? erase a person so that nothing remains, because he is very weak and will not be able to treat him as a friend? Realizing that he could not have done any of this, Minho puts the smartphone back and tries to dissolve into the atmosphere. Meditation wasn't his thing, but there was no way out anymore. It was necessary to calm down urgently and return to the gym. He does not remember when the intermission begins and ends, but there is still a lot of time before Sungie's performance. It's worth calming down to stay human and go support his younger one. He will always have time to cry with his cats. Minho notices that Changbin's attention is again devoted only to him, but gives a sign that it's ok, everything is already normal (almost).       let's just forget about everything and stand…       Changbin, seeing the new instructions to keep an eye on the younger ones, doubts at first. After standing at the window for a while, in the reflection he notices a frisky squirrel on the horizon, which is only getting closer by the second, and realizes that he can leave a friend alone in the studio with Han and run back to reassure his new friends. It was unusual to observe not his own, but their general plan in work. Their expectations surprisingly coincided with the observed reality. So, he can trust Seungmin further.       

***

      All this time Felix stood quietly by, afraid to interrupt the guys and make it worse. As soon as Jisung left, he cautiously approached Jeongin and hugged him. The latter tried to push him away, but Felix, swaying, began to tell him quietly that he would not let him go now. He would like to say right away that can never let him go, but it's too early. He continued to reassure Jeongin that it was normal to feel feelings, that first he needed to ground himself, drink water and remember how to breathe properly, and only then let him at least push off. Felix can listen, if necessary.       During these couple of minutes, Jeongin was mentally tired, as if he had already outlived his own and even more. He was hurt, he was disappointed in himself and Jisung, and at the same time he didn't want anything else. Felix saw it, Ninnie was too easy to read now. And he also understood that words will not help grief, and only one thing will affect Jeongin now.       “I can say harsh things now, but I hope it helps, and you won't hate me and stop communicating with me.”       “I don't care anymore, Felix. Do whatever you want.”       “Great, then I'll start. This is unprofessional, Ninnie. Yes, you have to live and let go of everything you're clinging to right now. Yes, I'll be there. But right now I need you to tell me if you can try to pull yourself together to perform with Han. The last thing I want to do is push you today. On the same day that you were so “broken up”. Remember the words of the guys and mine too. Not the ones that sounded now, but about your performance. Your voice deserves to be heard! It is not necessary to perform the same song, you can improvise at all. Just don't run away if you can! This will help you both let things go and remember who you are and what you are apart from your friend. That is, the most valuable and beautiful person in my life – you!       Felix was afraid that he had gone too far and did not need to initially climb with his incorrect support. It was just necessary to remove Ninnie from the performance, make him uncomfortable and that's it. As a last resort, they had Hyunjin ready to act in an unforeseen situation. But deep down Felix would like to be reminded of this and offered a choice, so he did just that and let I.N decide how good an idea it was.       “I hate to be seen like this, but you're right. I think I will be able to perform just one song, but another one that Jisung can also play. We'll just talk. Selected dramatic content, but it fits so perfectly that I will even be able to squeeze out the remnants of feelings from myself in order to be sincere and experience it right now.”       “Should I write to him from your phone so that he starts remembering the composition?”       “You can go to Google Drive and there is a folder J-ONE, send it to him with the words that we are playing “Sorry, I love you”. If he's with Minho now, he might not find it.”       “It will be done.”       Talking to Felix actually helped not to slip into self-pity, and I.N decided to continue working with breathing so as to be able to go on stage and not get back into it too quickly when Jisung returns. There was less and less time left, so you should ask Lixi to help him with makeup so that he would be allowed to go on stage at all and the microphone would not be taken away. But first the breathing technique.       At this point, Changbin bursts into the room and looks around for the younger ones. Successfully found objects clarify why he was looking for them at all. Changbin hastily comes up with an excuse that everyone is worried now, he was a freshman himself and understands everything. And this means that they urgently need to eat stress or eat and calm down. There is a lot of time, and refusals are not accepted. Jeongin does not want to eat at all, as well as to argue with Changbin, so he gets up first. Changbin decides to cheer up at least one of them at the scene and winks at Felix, saying he'll arrange everything. Felix is too worried about Jeongin to pay attention to the nervous tics of other people, so he discreetly thanks the elder and hurries after Ninnie.

***

      At this time, Hyunjin was especially nervous in the next room. Seungmin had just told him about the ongoing stories in his favorite style of radio broadcast, only this time in the form of news. Most likely, he was training before the next video for the portfolio. Hyunjin was for Minho and his almost found happiness was infinitely happy in advance, but no one warned him. And if they stop performing now, it may affect him and, accordingly, Bang Chan. The latter was sitting next to him and persuaded that there was no need to go anywhere and set anyone's heads and nerves in place, they would figure it out themselves. It's not worth worrying about him at all, although it's nice for him. There is no need to dance either, they will fit in time without it. Along the way, he controlled that Hyunjin drank all the offered tea with valerian. There was no water, and the situation was urgent, so I had to add some bottled tea. Bang Chan was not responsible for the taste, but maybe it is quite acceptable.       “Okay performance. Even though I'll dance and sing to you myself, even about love. But they took Felix. Who will help with the mini–production in 15 minutes? The guys will not have time to explain what they need and where they need from the props. Relying on one person has never been so naive.”       “Hey, I don't think he forgot,” Seungmin sent a message to Felix and Changbin at the same time, just in case. “Another 15 minutes. He's just coming from the dining room and will even bring you an Americano.”       “Are you kidding me?”       “The “Atonement in Advance” delivery is on its way, my Prince.”       Changbin and Felix received the notification at the same time and exchanged glances. Changbin himself offers to help, he treats them anyway. One more coffee, one less. Yes, he will be more athletic. Felix is forced to agree, because he is not ready to leave Ninnie now, and quickly explains the surprisingly easy role of an assistant for 5 minutes. Jeongin doesn't have the energy to think about anything other than the performance, but he wants to distract himself, so during the instructions he manages to buy coffee to save everyone time, and get the promise of a delicious dinner in the evening from Changbin and instruction, almost an order, to finish everything they see on the table in front of them. In the queue, Jeongin sent his geolocation to Han so as not to run after him, and from him too, so they will definitely be helped with food. And then you can rehearse. The performance will be difficult.