Chapter Text
"And here is your new apartment. Apartment #8. Are you sure about renting this place?"
Chan and Felix looked at the landowner before nodding, "Yes, we're sure. We really need a place to stay, but if it's not okay to rent this room, we can always look for another one--"
"No, no, it's just.. I thought you'd be scared since... you know..."
Chan glanced at Felix before looking at the landowner again, "It's really okay Mr. Park, we can handle it."
Mr. Park smiled, "Just call me Jinyoung hyung kids. I'll leave you now. Oh, and the furniture is new so don't worry. If you need anything, I'm just downstairs."
Chan and Felix smiled and bowed as Jinyoung walked out, closing the door in the process. The two of them examined the new apartment they'll be staying in now. The apartment wasn't small, but it wasn't too big either. It was just perfect for 2 people. There were 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 kitchen, and 1 bathroom. There was even a balcony that shows a good view of the world outside. Plus, the appliances are already here. They don't need to buy anything anymore.
Felix set down his backpack on the couch and sighed in relief, "It's a good thing I got hungry and asked to go to the convenience store. Or else, we'll never be able to find this apartment."
Chan chuckled, "I saw the same flyer on the way here 50 times. Don't exaggerate on me." Chan said making Felix laugh
"It's good to have a new change..." Felix said, sitting on the couch, his expression suddenly turning gloomy
Chan smiled sadly seeing Felix in this state, "Hey, forget about that okay? We came here for a fresh start. It's time to leave the past behind and look at what's in front of you. Okay?" Chan gently rubbed Felix's back with one hand as the other held his hand tightly
Felix squeezed his hand and smiled, "Thanks hyung."
Chan smiled, "That's more like it. Now come on, let's go unpack. Good thing it's a furnished apartment." Chan said and stood up, Felix following behind him
Felix entered his chosen room and put his luggage on his bed and started taking his clothes out, placing them in the closet. The room was suitable enough for one person. It had a single bed, a closet, a desk, and a big window. Felix liked it even though it was simple.
Felix continued unpacking his stuff. By the time he finished, it was already 5 in the afternoon. It's almost time for dinner. Felix stepped out of his room and looked around for Chan. Seeing that he wasn't in the kitchen, bathroom, or living room, he guessed he was still unpacking in his room.
Felix knocked on the door before walking in. Felix saw Chan putting up picture frames on his wall. It was THEIR picture.
"Aww Chris, you make me feel flattered." Felix teased
Chan chuckled, "Shut up Yongbok."
Felix glared at Chan before laying on the older's bed, "What are we gonna eat?"
Chan thought for a moment, "Black bean noodles?"
Felix smiled, "I'll go ask for a delivery number from Jinyoung hyung."
And the night went on without any problems occurring.
But this is only the beginning...
"Hyung we really have to go grocery shopping soon.." Felix said as he opened the cupboards for the 5th time
He already knew there was nothing there. He just opened them repeatedly, hoping food would magically appear in there.
"I know, I know. Should we go after brekky?" Chan asked, eating a spoonful of his chinese food
Chan ordered more food than usual so they'll have something to eat for breakfast. Felix is very much thankful for his parent-like attitude.
"Yeah sure." Felix said, sitting back down and eating another spoonful of his food
The two of them finished eating and went grocery shopping while also taking hundreds of pictures together.
"Do you think we'll be able to make friends here?" Felix asked as he and Chan were walking back to their apartment, grocery bags in hand
Chan shrugged, "I honestly don't know. I think we'll only be able to make some when we actually get jobs." Chan said
Felix groaned, "We just got here and you're already thinking about getting a job? Let's have fun first, you're rich right?" Felix joked
Chan chuckled, "You really think I'll spend all my money on you?"
Felix glanced at him, "You wouldn't?"
Chan smiled, "Of course I will, I love you."
Felix laughed, "This is why you're my favourite hyung." Felix said making Chan laugh
The two Aussies finally got home and put away their groceries. Just as Chan finished putting the last bottle of coke in the fridge, someone knocked on their door. Chan and Felix looked at each other with a confused look before Chan walked towards the door. Chan figured that maybe it was Jinyoung so he went and opened it. Chan opened the door and saw an unfamiliar face, who is definitely not Jinyoung.
"Hello!" The unfamiliar boy smiled as he bowed
Chan immediately reciprocated the greeting, bowing as well.
"I heard from Jinyoung hyung that you guys moved in. I'm your neighbour, Yang Jeongin. It's nice to meet you." The boy with sharp-like features said with a smile, holding out his hand
Chan smiled, "It's nice to meet you too. I'm Bang Chan and I moved in with my best friend Lee Felix." Chan smiled as he shook the boy's hands
"Please come in." Chan said and stepped aside
Jeongin smiled as he walked in, "Oh I also got this for you. My mom made a lot so I decided to give some to the new neighbours. They're rice cakes." Jeongin said, giving Chan a basket
Chan gasped, feeling shy, "Oh you didn't have to."
Jeongin smiled, "It's a welcome gift. Just accept it."
Chan smiled and thanked him, "Please sit down and make yourself at home." Chan headed to the kitchen just as Felix stepped out
"We got company." Chan mumbled to Felix
Felix headed to the living room and smiled to their new neighbour, "Hi, I'm Lee Felix, nice to meet you."
Jeongin looked up but instead of him greeting Felix as well, the boy just stared at him with a shocked face.
Not shocked as in "I'm surprised by your good looks" shock.
Shocked as in "What the hell is that?" shock.
Felix stood there awkwardly as their neighbour stared at him like he had a huge pimple on his face. Felix touched his face and felt around it, feeling nothing out of the ordinary. Then why was he staring at him like that?
"Uh excuse me? Are you okay?" Felix asked, waving his hand in front of Jeongin, trying to snap him back to reality
Chan walked in the living room holding three empty glass cups, "So Jeongin, do you want water, juice or coke? What about milk?"
Chan halted from his tracks when he saw the boy staring at Felix, "Woah, I didn't think your so-called hypnotism skills would work on him."
Felix turned to Chan, "That wasn't me. I just introduced myself and then he looked like he glitched or something."
Chan placed the glass cups on the coffee table before shaking the boy, "Hello!" Chan called out
The action finally made Jeongin snap back to reality, "Yes I would love some pudding."
Chan stared at Jeongin with a weird look, "Wait what?" Jeongin asked himself
"Are you okay? You spaced out for a while..." Felix said as he took a seat on the couch across the boy
"I'm sorry for spacing out, it's just.. you look a lot like someone I know." Jeongin explained
"Really? Is that a... good thing?" Felix asked, unsure
If Jeongin stared at him like that then it's either he looked like someone who did something bad to him before or someone dear to him.
"Kind of? Not really? I don't know. Just ignore it, I was delirious." Jeongin said
Felix was still curious but he decided not to push further into the topic. It might be a sensitive subject for him so he let it go. The whole day, the 3 boys just talked about random things and got to know each other. Chan and Felix found out that Jeongin has been living here for 4 years.
Jeongin said he wanted to start being more independent so he moved away from his home in Busan to start a new life in Seoul. Chan and Felix were amazed at Jeongin's maturity and braveness in living in such a big city at a young age. Chan and Felix had fun talking to the young boy. Jeongin was really easy to talk to and was naturally a very fun person.
Throughout their conversation, there was something that Chan couldn't keep off of his mind. So he decided to risk it and just drop the question.
"I have a question. What exactly happened in this apartment..?.." Chan hesitantly asked
Before they even paid for the place, they were told that there was an incident that occurred right here in Apartment #8. But Jinyoung didn't specify what exactly happened.
Jeongin's face suddenly turned gloomy, "Oh.. that... I knew you'd ask..."
"Did something really bad happen?" Felix asked, his brows scrunched in concern
"Yeah... kind of... honestly, I was really shocked when Jinyoung hyung told me that someone rented this room. No one has lived here for the last 2 years... not ever since that accident." Jeongin said
Chan and Felix became even more curious. 2 years? No one lived here for 2 years? How bad was it?
Chan figured that maybe someone passed away here or maybe someone committed a really bad crime here. But he isn't sure.
"You guys will know soon. I don't think you guys would want to know yet. I mean, you just got here. I don't want you guys to be uncomfortable or anything. But don't worry, the security in this apartment is very reliable and safe." Jeongin said
The two Aussie's gaze fell to the floor as various thoughts filled their minds.
What really happened in Apartment #8?