Chan mopped his brow. "Again, everyone."

They all groaned and pleaded for mercy.

"Let's just have a short break, Chan, please." Hyunjin wheezed on the ground.

"Not a chance, Hyunjin. Don't you want to debut? The showcase is in a few months!"

"How about this, Chan; one person can dance at a time and then we can critique them one by one, okay? This way everyone can be exactly the same in terms of angle and sharpness."

Chan agreed and Minho went first.

"Good job, Minho." Chan told the former BTS dancer. "Just turn your heel to the left slightly when we do that spinny thing."

Jisung did it next, then Changbin. Both of them were very clean, with only slight errors that Chan meticulously criticised. "Jisung, you're slightly off count for this move and you should shift your left foot more to the right when you do this part. Changbin, you need to be careful of your right hand when it goes behind your back. Don't curl and uncurl it."

Hyunjin, as expected, did the dance very well, but had to cover his mouth with one hand as he sneezed explosively three times in a row, leading to much laughter. "It's good, Hyunjin. Just pray that that doesn't happen during showcase!"

Felix did it next; powerfully and explosively. "It's good, Felix. But remember your expressions, all right?"

While Chan did the dance, Minho watched. "Hmm, not bad, Chan. Just make sure you twist more here-" he demonstrated, "-and here-" he showed again, "-and tilt your head more to this part."

Jeongin did his part after Chan. He clearly lacked confidence and looked sweaty and nervous. Because of this, he messed up quite a few parts, until he stopped and just stood there, blushing. Chan switched off the music and sat with his head in his hands.

He said nothing for a few moments, determined not to let his temper explode.

Minho was murmuring to Jeongin, showing him where he went wrong and teaching him the dance moves.

"We'll just skip Jeongin first; Minho, work with him, please. Woojin, you next."

Woojin didn't do it too badly; he didn't mess up and it looked okay, but lacked spark. "Woojin, you execute the moves well, but I don't feel anything looking at your dance. You have to project energy to the audience, let them feel your passion."

Seungmin received the same criticism. "Both of you have to learn to stand out more." Chan rubbed his eyes. "Jeongin, come on up again."

Jeongin did better than previously but he was still obviously nervous.

"Jeongin, you need to have more charisma. More, more, more! Don't be nervous. Be comfortable."

"I'm sorry," Jeongin mumbled, looking close to tears.

"Yah! Don't cry!" Chan pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. "Look guys, we really can't afford any more breaks now. We still have lots to improve on. Remember the criticism you received and work hard to improve it. Let's go again."

Overall, it was one of the longest trainings they ever had, continuing until after 3am in the morning.

"Quick break, everyone. Then we'll do this five more times and we'll go get some rest."

Chan took a gulp of water. "Drink up," he reminded everyone.

Jisung ran his hand through his hair. "We might as well just sleep here and have done with it."

"I wish." Changbin said darkly, "Then I wouldn't have to travel all the way home. Ugh, I bet my mum will scold me all over again. What are you doing home so late?! Do you want to sleep out on the streets? You're lucky if I even let you into the house!"

Jisung yawned and rubbed his eyes. "I'm so tired,"

Chan supported him out. "See you guys tomorrow- later." they waved at Woojin and Minho as they disappeared into their own dorm.

"Okay, to bed all of you. Jisung, make sure you unpack tomorrow."

"When will I have time?" Jisung pushed himself upright and staggered into his room. A second later, there was a 'crash'! Chan, halfway into his own room, came out again to see what had happened.

Jeongin nodded at him reassuringly from the doorway. "Jisung just collapsed on the bed. He's fine."

Chan relaxed and Felix retreated into his own room, having come out to investigate the noise as well.

Chan opened his eyes. "Ugh." he just lay there for a while, still completely exhausted. He just wanted to go back to sleep, but he forced himself to get up. Yawning, he scratched his head as he got out of bed, reminding himself painfully that Changbin had done that the day before- had it really only been yesterday?

He made a face at himself in the mirror and roughed up his hair. He looked a complete mess. Ah well, couldn't be helped. Checking the wall clock, he realised that it was only 8:30 and he still had about one and a half hours before they had to meet for practice.

It was tempting to go back to sleep but he controlled himself, knowing that if he did, he wouldn't wake up again. Instead he had a quick shower then went to get some breakfast.

To his surprise, Jeongin was already awake and eating a muffin. A glass of orange juice sat next to him.

"Up so early?"

Jeongin shrugged. "I was up at dawn."

"Do you need more sleep? You can still go back to sleep, you know. We still have a lot of time before we need to meet."

"No, I'm fine." Jeongin bit into his muffin. "Woojin-hyung brought these over." he tapped a plastic container Chan hadn't noticed. "He was furious about Dongjin and said he needed someone to rant to because Minho-hyung's still dead to the world, apparently. He brought me muffins because I said I'd listen to him. There's plenty extra."

Chan reached in for a muffin, giving him a tired smile. "Thanks." he noted the books beside Jeongin. "Studying, huh?"

"Yeah. I'm skipping school this month so we can practice, but I have a lot to catch up on." Jeongin flipped a page about algebraic equations.

"Hardworking kid." Chan got up to pour himself a glass of milk.

"Hah. You should see Felix. Whenever the guy's not practising, he's studying his Korean. He's probably studying right now."

"Oho, want to bet?"

"Sure. 1000 won."

"It's on."

Chan peeked into Felix's room. Felix was lying on his bed, a Korean handbook flat on his face. He appeared to be fast asleep, with the covers tucked up to his chin. But he had definitely fallen asleep studying.

"He's sleeping!" Chan whisper-shouted to Jeongin. "Cough up."

"I'm not asleep." Felix's deep voice shocked Chan and he nearly unbalanced, stopping himself by holding onto the door.

"Told you." Jeongin came up behind him, "Cough up, hyung."

"Are you sure you're not sleep-talking, Felix?" Chan asked hopefully. "Jeongin, don't look at me like that!"

"No. How would I know if I was, anyway?" Felix sat up, removing the Korean handbook from his face. "I'm just dying from an overdose of Korean."

"That's good for you." Chan fished out the money and handed it to Jeongin, who danced gleefully. "If you want to take a break from Korean, go and wake Jisung up. Don't even think about refusing." he added as Felix narrowed his eyes. "I have the muffins and I won't give you one until you wake him."

Felix hissed. "Holding food hostage. That's barbaric!"

"Whatever. Go on or it'll all be gone by the time you get back."

"You realise I can just get something else to eat, right?"

"Go!"

Chan secretly watched as Felix entered Jisung's room. Jisung was curled up under the blanket, lightly snoring. He observed from the doorway as Felix stood over Jisung's bed, not knowing how to wake him.

"Annyeonghaseyo, Manager Hyung-nim!"

"What the- Annyoen-" Jisung jerked upright, saw that there was no manager in sight and groaned. "Can't believe I fell for that- Felix!" He jumped and hit his head on the bottom of the bed above.

Felix stood at a distance as he rubbed his head. "What are you doing in my room?"

"Not my choice. Chan-hyung told me to, or he wouldn't let me have any breakfast."

"That's right." Chan stepped into the room, handing them a muffin each. "Wipe that scowl off your face, Jisung."

Jisung glared at him as he pushed his hair back from his face.

"Despite that attractive glare you're giving me, it's nice to see that both of you can talk without arguing."

"We can't." Felix said immediately, backing away.

"That's right." Jisung agreed. Both of them seemed to realise what he'd just said.

"Don't agree with me, Jisung." Felix told him.

"But I do agree that we can't talk without arguing. You disagree then!"

"No, I think that too!"

"Okay guys, chill. " Chan smiled privately to himself.

Chan looked outside the dorm and wished he could just stay inside. Rain lashed against the windows and the wind howled outside. Lightning flashed and there was a loud crash of thunder, causing Chan to jump.

"Guys, get your raincoats. I'll get the umbrellas." As Chan went over to the rack where they kept their umbrellas, he had a sudden flash of inspiration. "Jeongin!" he hissed.

Jeongin came over obediently. "Yes, hyung?"

"Are there any more umbrellas in the dorm?"

"No- oh, Jisung-hyung has one. Why?" Jeongin asked curiously.

Chan whispered his plan into Jeongin's ear.

"Oh! Okay!" Jeongin scuttled away immediately, then came back. "Jisung-hyung's lying on his bed! What do I do?"

"Okay, where is the umbrella?"

"Hanging next to his bed."

"Take these two umbrellas up to my room and hide them somewhere." Chan dumped them into Jeongin's arms.

Chan walked into Jisung's room. "Jisung, get your raincoat."

Jisung propped himself up and went to get it.

Chan reached for the umbrella then stopped. He recognised it as the one Changbin had given Jisung for his birthday. Changbin had it specially made for him with the words '3racha' emblazoned on the black umbrella in gold. He thought of how upset and hysterical Jisung would be if he couldn't find it and decided not to take it.

He left and bumped into Jeongin on the way out. "Nah, don't take Jisung's. He'll freak if he loses it."

"I'll take another umbrella from the rack up then."

"I'll do it. You get your raincoat and hurry,"

"Okay, I hid the umbrellas under your bed."

"Okay, are we ready to go?" Chan arranged Jisung's raincoat more snugly around him and pulled up Jeongin's hood, making sure that Felix was completely covered up by his raincoat.

"Hey, what happened? Where are the umbrellas?" Chan pretended to check the rack. "Why is there only one?"

"I have one in my room." Jisung said, "I'll go fetch it."

"I have one too." Felix started towards his room.

"Oh don't worry, Jeongin will fetch it." Chan made a series of faces towards the maknae, who rushed off to get it.

"Um, okay. It's beside my bed!" Felix called after him.

Thankfully, Felix and Chan's room's were both out of sight, so Jeongin was able to take Felix's umbrella and hide it in Chan's room without Jisung or Felix seeing. He returned with a puzzled look, saying, "I can't find the umbrella, hyung?"

"What? That's odd-"

"Never mind," Chan interrupted. "We'll just share. Jeongin, you come in with me."

Both Jisung and Felix suddenly realised what that meant.

"Woah, wait no! I'm not sharing with-"

"No, no, wait-"

Chan cut them both off. "Get under that umbrella. We're already late,"

"I'll just walk in the rain." Felix said, a stubborn expression flickering across his face.

"No, Felix. We need to protect ourselves from illness now, and I don't want you to get sick." Chan said firmly, barely hiding his delight as Felix heaved a sigh and went over to Jisung.

"That was a smart idea, hyung." Jeongin whispered as he cuddled closer to Chan to hide under the umbrella.

"Yeah," Chan peeked back at them and beamed as he saw Felix and Jisung huddling close to each other. The umbrella wasn't big enough for both of them, though and to his astonishment, he saw Jisung tilt the umbrella slightly to shelter Felix, causing the rain to drench him. He smiled happily.

Minho made a face at the pairs of shoes there. "They're here. They must have come to get dinner too. We'll just take the food and eat in Chan's dorm then."

"It's a lot to carry. Minho, you, me, Chan and Changbin-"

"Maybe not Changbin." Minho interrupted, "Dongjin don't like him. Seungmin, you come. At least Dongjin know you,"

Seungmin made a face. "Ugh, I never wanted to see them again."

"Just ignore them when we go in. The rest of you go to Chan's dorm and Jisung, go and lie down." Jisung had sneezed mightily the whole day and complained of headache. Chan was secretly worried it was because of the umbrella thing.

Minho's looked similar to Chan's dorm, but there were two people there that he didn't want to see in his dorm. "Oh, what are you doing here?" Jaejin raised an eyebrow as Dongmin looked up from eating his food.

"We're just getting food." Minho went straight to the fridge and started taking out cling film-wrapped plates of dumplings. Woojin helped him and handed Chan and Seungmin one each.

They were nearly out the door when Dongmin spoke. "How's your dorm without Changbin, Chan?"

Chan fought a surge of anger as he answered without looking at him, "It's all right. I still see him most of the time,"

"For now." Jaejin muttered, but Chan still heard it.

Chan replied calmly, "Yes. Now, until, and after we debut."

"How can you be so sure you will debut?"

"I just know."

Dongmin opened his mouth to retort, but Minho, carrying a heavy pot, ushered Chan out the door using his elbows.

"Food!" Woojin announced, unwrapping the plates on the table. "You kids, come when I call you. Yah! Yang Jeongin, don't do that! You startled me!"

Jeongin who had just popped up from under the table, nimbly caught the dumpling plate that had started to slip off the table and put it back in the center. "Sorry, Hyunjin told me to pick up any litter underneath."

"Where's Jisung?" Chan asked as Minho disappeared into the kitchen.

"He's asleep. Hyung, I think he has a fever."

Chan cursed under his breath.

"Language," Woojin nodded approvingly at Seungmin.

"Sorry." Chan went to go check on Jisung. He was stretched out on his bed, mouth open slightly. Chan felt his forehead and uttered another curse. He was definitely burning up.

"Language." Chan jumped when he saw Changbin lying down on the bed opposite Jisung.

"Ah, I didn't see you there."

Changbin rubbed his forehead. "He has a fever, doesn't he?"

"Yes, I think so."

Changbin swore, not bothering to keep it under his breath.

Chan couldn't be bothered to do the 'language' thing.

Just then Felix came in with a bowl of hot, creamy soup. He stopped when he saw Chan and Changbin.

"Come in, Felix." Chan encouraged him.

"I- Minho made some seollengatang." Felix pronounced the word carefully.

Chan cocked his head. "What's that?"

"Ox bone soup."

"Seolleongtang," Changbin corrected.

Felix blushed.

"It's okay, Felix. That's a hard word. Even I mispronounce it sometimes." Chan said kindly.

"Um, anyway, Jisung likes this so I just thought, well- I mean, Minho made it and it's a waste if we can't finish-"

"What a nice idea, Felix!" Chan beamed. "Isn't it, Changbin?"

"Mhm."

"I'll just leave it here." Felix put the bowl down on his bedside table and retreated quickly. "Woojin-hyung says hurry up because the dumplings are running out."

"Already?" Chan and Changbin followed Felix out.

"Jisungie," Chan stroked Jisung's hair, speaking softly, "Wake up, come on."

Jisung didn't move, still dead asleep.

"Chan, how about you let him rest?" Woojin suggested, coming into the room. "Just a few more hours of sleep wouldn't hurt and it might help break his fever. As a matter of fact, why don't we all go to sleep? We need to be well rested as much as we need to be well-prepared."

"I don't know…" Chan hesitated. He was desperately tired and he was aching for more sleep. But they did need to practice…

"Oh yes, hyung." Hyunjin poked his head in. "Sleep is the key to success."

Chan laughed. "I suppose…"

"Just one night won't hurt." Seungmin called from the living room.

Chan sighed. "Okay, okay. But I expect you all to work doubly as hard tomorrow."

"Yes!" there was a slam and Chan jumped.

He went outside and saw that Seungmin had already left. "Bye, hyungs," Hyunjin left as well.

Minho gathered up his things with Woojin's help. "See you tomorrow, Chan." he yawned and they left too.

"I'll stay here tonight." Changbin said. "I'll leave when Jisung's not sick anymore. I'll stay in his room just in case he needs anything. Jeepers, when I'm not in your dorm, you guys get sick missing me."

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