As Blind As Could Be...

You and the boys are in the practice room, conversing after hours of practicing singing for ‘Sing For You’ and the dance for ‘Unfair,’ which you were performing for the Christmas season. Suddenly, out of surprise, Lay walks into the room and sits down.

“You came?” You smile and scoot over to him.

He hugs you and you hug him back, the boys following.

“Eo. I think I’m only here for the comeback showcase for ‘Sing For You’” Lay smiles.

A lady comes into the room. It was an intern, a soon to be assistant secretary.

“Um.. Excuse me?” She says shy and polite.

“Annyeonghaseyo!” You and the boys respond, warm and welcoming.

“Honey-shi, President Lee is wishes to see you right now.” She informs.

Your reaction is shocked and confused, but you smile and get up.

“Alright, thank you. You don’t have to come with me, I know the way.” You say as she starts to follow you.

“Okay. Um… It’s an honor to meet you Honey-shi.” She says to your back.

You turn your head and smile, then continue.

After a few minutes, the boys continue to talk about the previous topic you were all discussing before Lay came.

He just sits there awkwardly…

------

“Well, you got what you wanted President Lee. But sir, have you actually, for once, just once, thought about what we wanted?” You sit down right across from President Lee and put your feet up on the table, leaning back on the chair.

“Ah my dear, you know me so well. Your very smart Honey.” President Lee smirks and folds his hands together, walking over to you and sitting at the chair right next to you. “I really don’t give a damn about what others want.”

“I’m not surprised.” You reply, annoyed.

“But… just out of curiosity, what do you want?” He raises an eyebrow.

“A trip. A break, I want everyone to have at least two weeks off. Not just EXO, but all the other groups under S.M.” You explain to him. “Your schedules and promotions are warring us down. It’s hard to even see my oppa (brother ver.) every now and then. I… the members and I haven’t seen him for a month now. I just want everyone to have a break.”

“Yeah that’s not going to happen.” He laughs. “You just don’t get it do you? Artists DON’T take breaks. Especially mine.”You show no response.

“Listen to me. Now you are going to be in a showcase at Lotte World. No matter what happens, and this goes for everyone when their promotion or hosting a showcase, you cannot leave the stage. CANNOT. Only if you need your makeup fixed or if you have to use the bathroom, or else, you absolutely cannot. It’ll show a bad image towards you and anyone else. Ya hear?” President Lee says.

“Yeah, sure whatever. Sometimes I even wonder why I joined your company.” You walk out of the room.

You come back into the room and witness Lay... isolated.

“Aish jinja those jerks really don’t pay attention.” You say under your breath and you walk back.

“Yah! Come and join us we can’t decide on which is better, chicken or hanwoo (korean beef)” Chen motions for you.

You shake your head “no” and everyone looks back at you. You lay down on Lay’s right thigh and smile.

“What’s that spaced out face for?” You ask, pinching his nose.

“Huh?” Lay shakes his head, which fixes his hair, “Oh, nothing.”

“How was China?” You question.

“The promotions? It’s alright I guess. Performances? It feels weird doing it alone… I.. kinda feel alone.” He, being the most honest freaking human being you know, admits.

The boys turn to you and Lay and scooch over more, so that Lay was surrounded.

“Sorry about that earlier… we were just in the middle of a very important talk.” Kai says.

“Yeah? About chicken and hanwoo?” You snort and everyone laughs.

You converse for hours in that room, bonding with Lay. It’s hard. It’s hard for one person to be singled out and sent to China to do promotions. Stupid President Lee… but you can’t say or do anything about it, because he’s your boss. Your foster father and mother aren’t going to always help you in life… all they can give you is money and “happiness.”

------

A couple of days pass by…

It’s the day of the comeback showcase, “Sing For You” has been out for two days.

You sit from left to right in order, Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, Lay, Kkamjong, You, Suho, Chen, Xiumin, Baekhyun, Sehun.

At the end of the showcase, after many laughs, a game and a few songs…

“Ne, let’s have Lay share his thoughts with us too~”

“Ne, 2015 wasn’t an easy year for our members. So……. Ah. (Fans whine and say “aww”). What I want to tell my members that I’m sorry and I love you.” Lay tries to say calmly.

He turns around, not showing his tears to the fans.



“All the fans here are trying to comfort you.” The MC says.

He sniffs, then puts the microphone to his mouth.

“I have forgotten that we are EXO.” He puts the microphone done, following his head.

You stand up and go in front of him, rubbing his back.

“Because there are so many fans here right now, it’s hard for him to control his emotions.” The MC says.

He stands up and hugs you. You wrap your arms around his neck and caress his hair. You let go of the embrace and take him backstage, microphone still in your hand.

Everyone can hear from your microphone, but it isn’t too loud.

“Just go back and leave Lay here right now, we’ll take care of him.” A man tells you.

“Ani, it’s okay. I’m the leader, it should be like this.” You smile.

“Go back.” He says in a more serious tone. “You know what will happen if you don’t.”

This shocks everyone. Everyone except EXO. They know the consequences, you all know the consequences, but they are kept secret from the public. You told them about your conversation with President Lee.

You nod and run back as Baekhyun talks.

“Lay… felt sorry about not being able to spend much time with us.” Baekhyun tries to cover up what everyone just heard between you and a worker. “Because he has a schedule in China and he doesn’t have much say in anything, he shouldn’t be sorry… but he still does. So that’s why he cried today.”

“Lay is really soft-hearted and sensitive.” You start.

“M-m-me?” Chanyeol tries to bring laughter.

“Not Chanyeol.” You smile to the audience.

“Ah sorry.” Chanyeol says formally.

The goodbye speeches from everyone continues and it’s finally your turn.

(A/N: During the speech, when it goes like this… (...) it means the fans are reacting, doing everything like whinning, cheering, clapping, laughing, just imagine what you think)

The camera is zoomed into your upper half and occasionally shows the reaction of the other members.

“First of all… (you clear your throat) I want to say I’m very happy to have all of the members here today, especially Lay-shi (...). And thank you EXO-L’s (...) not just here, but everywhere around the world and everyone watching us right now via V app. 2015… a lot happened in 2015… but really, a lot happens every year so it’s nothing too special. We’ve had our up’s and down’s, and this goes for every year we spent and will spend together. And thinking back on them… I notice (tears fall) (...) how much (tears fall) my members suffered (...) but still managed to stay with me (...) so I’m very thankful. And there are a lot of rumors (tears fall) that are pouring down on us (...) that aren’t true. (Kai pats your back, the other members stand up and come to comfort you, all of them except Lay atm). So I’m sorry for deceiving you all. And… hold on.” You wipe your tears and Kai turns you to face him.

He wipes the tears you missed (...) (<--lol). Lay comes back and gives you tissues and everyone sits down. You stand up and thank Lay by hugging him briefly and he jogs back to his seat. You blow your stuffy nose and continue.

“Sorry, um… For my resolution (clear throat) I’ll share it with you now because it’s almost the end of the year. And it’s to bring happiness into everyone’s life, especially EXO-L’s (...) that we do very much love (...). And I promise to be an improved leader this coming year and many years to come (...). Thank you for staying with us from beginning to end. And loving us (...) no matter what happens to us (...). I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you (...).” You stand up, smile and bow.

You finish the showcase with “Unfair.”

------

The next two days….

Everyone’s having lunch together. Lay leaves tomorrow... President Lee was not happy with the situation yesterday backstage.

“So I think our music bank performances will be great.” Sehun takes a bite of food. “Really, I’m going to be the starrrr~” “Oh hush.” Suho laughs. “We all know you are way too classy.”

“But isn’t it weird that we comeback with ‘Sing For You’, but we perform ‘Unfair’?” Kyungsoo comments.

“Can someone pass the bulgogi?” Lay asks.

“That does sound a bit weird. But who are you to talk? Your doing your ‘Pure Love’ movie with Sohyun-shi.” Chen comments back, ignoring Lay.

“The bulgogi?” Lay asks once more.

“Yah. I heard you kissed her. How was it? You two do look alike.” Baekhyun smiles, chewing his food aloud.

“Guys…” Lay sighs.

“OH shut up you guys it’s a movie.” Chanyeol says. “But in his interview he told the reporters he had a fluttery feeling whenever there were romantic scenes.”

Everyone except you and Lay laughs.

You were too far away to pass the bulgogi to Lay. And the bulgogi was also far from you.

“Yah. Give me the bulgogi.” You say and Kai immediately passes it to you.

Lay makes the (-_-) face.

You stand up and walk to Lay.

“Here.” You smile. “How much do you want?”

Lay hits the table with his fists, making the food jump and stopping everyone from eating. He stands up at the same time. Without a word he leaves the dorm. You look around in shock.

Without thinking you just drop the bulgogi and run after him. The bowl breaks on the floor and bulgogi and plate scraps fly everywhere.

“You guys go after them, we’ll clean this up.” Chen says worried.

Chanyeol, Jongin, Sehun, Baekhyun and Xiumin go running after you. Chen, Kyungsoo, Suho clean your mess up.

Meanwhile in the lobby…

“Lay…” You say walking fast after him. “Lay, Lay… Yixing!”

He walks in front of you faster, headed straight for the exit doors. You take your hand and turn him around by his shoulder. He looks at you in anger.

“What?” He sighs.

“What? That’s what I should be asking you. What was that earlier?” You ask annoyed. “Why did you just suddenly leave out of nowhere?”

“Why do you care so much?” Lay asks back. “I seem to not earn that much importance in EXO anymore. They can’t even hear my voice! You didn’t either… or you just respond late.”

“Are you really going there? Is that what this is about?” You fold your arms. “You aren’t any different Lay, trust me. We all love you, but-”

“But what? You want me to leave the goddamn group too? I am the only Chinese member left. All the Korean people stay. Are you going to be judgy and racist like everyone else in the world is?! Should I leave like Tao, Kris and Luhan?” Lay lashes out at you.

“THEY have and had their own reason Lay I don’t see why you have to think so selfishly like that. You’re putting the blame on us but who’s the real enemy here?” You go closer to him. “If there is something wrong you should speak up about it, my lord. But that doesn’t mean you run away from your problems.”

“Shut up. You always try to tell others what they should and should not do. And you treat me different than the other members, in the worst way ever. I’m not a child. I can take care of myself.”

“Then stop bluffing and prove it to me.” You say.

“I don’t need to PROVE anything to you.”

Lay grabs your collar of your shirt with both hands and throws you across the room. You crash into glass that had the fire extinguisher behind it. Like this, but a bigger version and bigger glass. And also adding the literal thing itself was built inside the wall.




The glass shatters and little cuts are made everywhere on your body. Lay doesn’t bother looking back. He starts walking to the exit doors once again.

“Eunsoo-ah!” Jongin yells and runs to your aid with the others following. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Members from other groups and some staff come to help you.

“Move.” You say, weakly. “I have to get… Yixing.”

You are weak, but force yourself to walk faster and limp. There are pieces of glass stuck to your hair and skin. It pierces your nape and you bit your lip, walking out the doors to Lay. Fans, not a lot, are waiting outside for anyone to come out. They first say Lay, but now they see you, cut, hurt, bleeding.

They ask you questions and record you and whine and try to comfort you, but you ignore all of them.

“Yah! Zhang Yixing!” You yell.

He stops and turns around. Your on the steps of the company. He walks back to you, looking at your injuries. His soft-heart wants to apologize and help you, but he knows nothing will happen if it goes down that direction.

He waits for you to talk.

“Stop walking out on me… like that.” You say catching your breath. “Where are you going?”

All the boys come outside, Suho, Kyungsoo and Chen finished cleaning and they reunited with the others. Members from other groups come outside as well. They are all greeted by the fans, but they ignore them and listen.

“Where am I going?” He scoffs. “Somewhere far from here. I’m sick and tired of playing the games all of you (gestures EXO) play with me, all the games Lee Sooman plays with all of us! I hate being the outsider and I’ve been to kind and hidden about this feeling ever since I met you (points to you). So it’s all of YOUR fault that I’m like this. If you didn’t get your eyes back, none of this would’ve happened and I would’ve have a normal LIFE!”

“What are you saying?” You say softly.

Lay grabs the collar of your shirt again, but Chanyeol moves you two away from each other and goes in your place. You stand behind Chanyeol.

“Not again.” Chanyeol growls. “Don’t be our enemy.”

“Enemy? HAH! I think I was your enemy all this time.” Lay rubs his hands together.

“What are you saying? It’s bullshit.” Chanyeol laughs slightly. “Is this just an excuse to leave the group? Stall time? What?”

“I’m going to kill you.” Lay says with a deep voice.

You come in between them. “Guys st-”

Lay punches your face, when it was meant for Chanyeols. You get knocked back and fall into Super Junior’s arms, who just arrived.

“Yah!” Heechul, the leader of SJ yells. “Haven’t you done enough? What a bad image your putting on yourselves. STOP everything already! You two aren’t hurt, but look at Eunsoo-ah who is receiving the pain for you. Selfish bastards. Listen to your sunbae and STOP.”

Everyone comes to tend you, especially Kyungsoo. Lay walks out of the SM grounds and down the street. You push and shove everyone trying to help you and force yourself to run after him. Everyone looks at each other. SJ’s Ryeowook starts running after you and everyone follows his sudden movement. Taeyeon and the girl groups call an ambulance and look for any other things they can do to help.

------

You aren’t far from Lay. It’s been 20, no… 30 minutes since you left S.M. Your tired, your weak, he won’t stop running. Finally, there’s a stoplight. Lay doesn’t seem to notice though.

“Lay!” You try to warn him. “LAY!”

He doesn’t respond.

“ZHANG YIXING!” You yell to the top of your lungs.

He looks back while walking on the road.

“BEEP BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!” A truck comes just as he walks on the road.

Everything happens in slow motion. He looks at the trucks blinding lights, then back to you, who was running to save him.

He inhales.

To Be Continued...

Notes

What's gonna happen? I don't know, haven't decided yet. The fate is in my hands lol is he lives or dies.... to be discussed.

But yeah, lemme know what you think about this chapter. VOTE! SUBSCRIBE! COMMENT! Don't be a stranger!

See you in the next chapter
~Alexis Thao
~Kyungsoo's Wifey