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The Music Man Part 2
Title: The Music Man Part 2
Genre: AU, Comedy
Rating: PG
Pairings: Kyumin, Kangteuk, Hanchul, Yewook, etc.
Summary: The Music Man, an accomplished con artist, infiltrates a small town with the intent of scamming the locals. His game? He likes to pretend that he knows a lot about the entertainment business and goes around recruiting young boys for a boy band, which of course, will never exist, before disappearing with lots of money and moving on to the next city.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is based on the musical the Music Man, so the only thing that's mine is the modernization and dramatization of it. Enjoy <3
Warning: Ages are all screwed up.
Part One can be found here.
Leeteuk sipped his coffee slowly, not in any particular hurry to get to work. Shindong's daughter was the only one he was going to watch today anyhow, and that wasn't until the afternoon. He loved Saturdays.
There was a soft knock on his door and looked up from the newspaper to see Kangin poke his head into the door.
"Hi Teukie!" He said, exuberant as always and Leeteuk smiled. "I heard that you took the stray in, is he around?"
"No, he left a little while ago. Why do you need him?"
"I wanted to meet him. He’s been going around town talking about this band of his and I was curious."
"Oh. Well, I think he’s out recruiting or something" Leeteuk said, slightly confused. He walked over to Kangin, cloth in hand, muttering, "your badge needs a little polishing." The older man scrubbed at Kangin's police marker shining on his chest.
"Hey," Kangin muttered, "if no one's here can I get a kiss?"
"You're on duty." Leeteuk said, still rubbing at a spot of grime, beginning to think that maybe Kangin put it there purposefully knowing that Leeteuk would expend lots of energy to get it clean.
"I'm always on duty when I come to see you, and you always give me a kiss. Maybe I should argue for something more...I might have a few other things your hands could be polishing."
Leeteuk's rag snapped the side of Kangin's arm. "It's a good thing I don't have any kids with me right now."
"If there were kids with you, I wouldn't be asking for a kiss," the officer pouted.
"Fine," Leeteuk muttered, and let his lips brush across Kangin's cheek.
The pout deepened.
"What? You got your kiss."
"More," was the petulant demand, and Leeteuk found that he couldn't refuse.
~~~~
After two days of not getting up early enough to see Kyuhyun, Sungmin decided to visit his library. And it was Kyuhyun’s library. Apparently, some former, famous individual that Kyuhyun had fallen in love with (and caused town scandal with,) had died rather dramatically and given Kyuhyun care of a personal collection of books. The voice coach had been so overwhelmed (distraught) that Leeteuk had suggested turning the collection into a library since the small town didn't have one. It sounded like a terribly sad tale, but Shindong had told him so carelessly, Sungmin wondered if that was actually what had happened. This town seemed to defy all sorts of reason.
The Library was a small building, but every nook and cranny was stuffed with the pages of books. Fiction, non-fiction, reference, everything a good library needed.
Upon entering the old building, Sungmin first met Henry. He was sitting at the front desk, glasses perched on his nose, reading a book that looked suspiciously foreign. He looked up as Sungmin drew near and marked his place, setting it down on the counter.
"Hi," he said brightly, "Can I help you?" Henry squinted as Sungmin drew closer, "You're the new guy in town, right? Are you looking for a library card? We haven't issued one since Shindong arrived."
The boy looked positively ecstatic at the prospect of giving Sungmin a library card. Sungmin could only think about how dazzling that smile would be on a stage...or lack thereof.
"Well, I came to see Kyuhyun, but since you offered, I'd love one. Books are such magical things."
Henry's face lit up even more and he practically dove for a box labeled "new library cards."
"Kyuhyun's at a meeting right now," Henry babbled, "I love when he’s not here because it means that I can act more important than I actually am."
Sungmin nodded, "So do you work here all day? What do you do for fun?"
Henry stamped a new card with something and gave Sungmin a pen so he could fill out a paper with his name and address.
"I work here until three or four. Sometimes Kyuhyun lets me go early so I can see Zhou Mi."
"Who is that?'
"My boyfriend. Well...sort of," Henry was blushing, "It's sort of a secret because Appa doesn't particularly approve," he leaned in slowly, throwing furtive glances around, "I'm going down to the footbridge with him today."
"That's the second time I've heard about this footbridge; what's so special about it? And I'm sorry, but I don't know the address of Leeteuk's house."
"That's fine, I know it," Henry took the pen and filled in all the appropriate boxes, "The footbridge is where all the lovers go. I don't know how I'm going to get there, though, I have to pass right by Appa's window at work and he'll definitely notice me.
Sungmin began to think hard.
"Your appa...he's the mayor, right?"
Henry nodded.
"Do you mind if I ask about Heechul?"
"Lot's of people do," Henry said, brightening, "He's Appa's lover."
Sungmin sighed. "Yes, I know. I mean...what does he do?"
"Oh...well..." Henry seemed to consider this, "He assists Appa a lot...and he's very good to me, helps me get ready in the morning."
How old are you again?
"He's really good at doing people's hair," Henry said, and swooshed his brown bangs, "See?"
Oh.
"So...you mean he's a good stylist?'
Henry nodded enthusiastically.
"Does he regularly do people's hair?"
"Only the people he likes," Henry said, like it was the most normal thing.
Well, that's slightly promising, I suppose. It was just how to get Heechul to a) trust the con man and b) allow Henry to join the band. Unless Sungmin was misjudging something and Hangeng was really the one that could cause him trouble.
"Tell you what, Henry, why don't you and I walk down to the bridge together when you get off. That way, your father won't suspect a thing and you can see Zhou Mi. I shall dutifully hide away whilst you have your time. You can tell your father that you're showing me around town."
Henry gaped. "Really?"
Sungmin smiled.
"Can you come back in an hour?"
"How about I stay for an hour? Want to help me find a book?"
Henry nodded eagerly and Sungmin followed his new found friend around the library, deciding that talking with Kyuhyun could wait. He acknowledged the other librarian politely when he came back from his meeting, just smiling as Henry talked in excited whispers concerning their plan.
Sungmin decided to wink as he walked out and rejoiced slightly at the confusion on Kyuhyun's face.
"That's the town building," Henry pointed, "and the path to the footbridge is just behind it."
Henry was skipping circles around Sungmin, stopping by an opening window and waving cheerily within it. "Hi, Appa!"
Sungmin sidled up to the window to see Hangeng look up from the papers covering his desk.
"Kyuhyun let me out early so that I can show Sungmin-ssi around town."
"That's very kind of you," Hangeng smiled, obviously very proud, and Sungmin was only semi-surprised to hear a trace of an accent in his voice. The Mayor's name wasn't exactly very Korean.
"Henry," Sungmin asked, as the trudged down a dirt path, "Are you not Korean?"
"We're from China. We moved when Umma died...too many painful memories for Appa. Oh, there's Zhou Mi!"
Henry was off and running, throwing himself into the arms of a boy who looked maybe two or three years older. Sungmin smiled as Zhou Mi kissed Henry's cheek, both of them blushing shyly. Henry dragged the other boy over and introduced them.
Sungmin thought that Henry's grin paled in comparison to the sun that radiated from Zhou Mi's face. Why Hangeng didn't approve of him, Sungmin didn't know. It was probably Heechul's fault; that man seemed to stick his fingers into everything.
"I'll just be over there," Sungmin said, pointing a tree that looked perfect for napping beneath, "You can come and get me when you’re ready to go back."
"Thank you!" They both fervently said, and Sungmin heard Zhou Mi say, "He actually doesn't mind going against your Appa?"
"Kyuhyun does it all the time, I don't know why people freak out. You did."
"Yeah, look where that got us."
The rest of their conversation was lost as they walked away.
Sungmin settled himself against the tree, closing his eyes, writing out notes in his mind, when he heard someone singing. A boy singing. His eyes snapped back open and he stood up, intent on searching it out.
A moment later, he found it. Ryeowook was sitting on a rock and singing quietly. Sungmin was pretty sure he had never heard anything so beautiful in his life, and he had heard a lot of people sing.
“Ryeowook, that’s amazing,” he said softly.
The boy jumped two feet in the air and Sungmin rushed to catch him before he fell into the river.
Leeteuk’s adoptive son stumbled awkwardly over words and thanks, somehow managing to not form a full sentence.
“You don’t have to be so shy with me; we’re staying in the same house.”
Sungmin tried to think of something that would ease the boy’s discomfort. “You have a beautiful voice, Ryeowook.”
“Kyuhyun,” Ryeowook responded quietly, and Sungmin smiled, knowing exactly was Ryeowook was saying.
“He’s been coaching you?”
Ryeowook nodded.
“You love your brother,” Sungmin stated, “That’s so wonderful.”
“I...love Leeteuk too.”
“I can tell,” Sungmin searched in his pockets and pulled out a lollipop. “Would you like this? Shindong can’t resist my smile and he gives me as many as I want.”
Ryeowook reached out slowly and took it. “I like lemon,” he said, after reading the flavor on the wrapper, slipping the treat into his pocket.
“Do you sing for other people, Ryeowook?”
“Just Kyuhyun. And Leeteuk.”
Sungmin nodded, “Well, I heard you just then. So I guess that makes three people, doesn’t it?”
Ryeowook regarded him thoughtfully, minutes passing before he settled down on the rock more comfortably, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“That boy that came to have lessons...Yesung?”
Ryeowook’s blush was back and Sungmin found it endearing. “Why did you run out of the room?”
“I...he makes me nervous.”
“Why is that?”
“He sings good,” Ryeowook said softly, “Better than me.”
“You find him intimidating?”
“Oh...no.” Ryeowook blushed again.
“You like him.” Sungmin finally found the last piece of the puzzle before him. “Ryeowook, that is wonderful. Here, have another lollipop.”
“I...too much sugar.”
“Nonsense. I live on these things. Let’s talk about Yesung.”
“Let’s not,” Ryeowook whispered, his blush deepening.
“Don’t get shy on me now, we were having such a nice discussion.” Sungmin leaned closer and grinned. “Would you like to sing with him, Ryeowook?”
The boy’s eyes lit up.
“If I could provide you with an opportunity to sing with him, would you do it?”
Ryeowook regarded the con man again for a moment before saying, “If I sing with Yesung, Sungmin-ssi, I think I could perform in front of the whole world.”
Sungmin grinned.
~~~~
After walking back with Henry, Sungmin made a beeline for Leeteuk’s house, intent on finding Kyuhyun. Following his ears, Sungmin found the voice coach tinkering on the piano in the living room, oblivious to the con man's entrance, slowly working through a rhythm on the black and white keys. “So I was talking to Ryeowook.”
Kyuhyun jumped. “Sungmin-ssi!”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. That was lovely playing, by the way.”
“I...thank you...what were you saying? You...you spoke with Ryeowook?”
“Yes. I asked him about Yesung.”
One of Kyuhyun’s eyebrow’s raised slowly. “Really?”
“He wants to sing with him. Did you know that? He said he’d sing in front of other people if he was singing with Yesung.”
“I...” Kyuhyun’s mouth was hanging open. “But he’s...he’s never sung in front of other people. How did you get him to say that...he’ll really sing with Yesung?”
“That’s what he said,” Sungmin said. “And it’s all in the lollipops. I find that if I hand them out, people are much more willing to listen to you. Here.” Sungmin handed one to Kyuhyun, noting that he was going to have to visit Shindong and pilfer more of the hard sugar.
“What exactly are you trying to get me to do?”
Sungmin grinned, knowing what the other man was thinking. Kyuhyun was all for Ryeowook and Yesung singing together, he didn’t need any persuasion to jump onto that bandwagon.
“Coach my band.”
“You don’t have a band, yet, Sungmin-ssi.”
“But I will.”
Kyuhyun regarded him, and then the lollipop. “I’m not sure a lollipop is going to convince me that I should work with you. I have yet to see you display any sort of entertainment business knowledge...or anything.”
Figures that he would be suspicious. Stupid smart people.
“The lollipop wasn’t for that,” Sungmin said, hearing Leeteuk coming into the house.
Kyuhyun raised an eyebrow.
Sungmin bent down and kissed Kyuhyun, the back of his mind screeching at him that it was a very bad idea, because he couldn’t get attached to anyone because he was going to leave. He was conning these people, he was stealing their money, he was...he...well. Apparently he was falling in love. His stomach flipped as Kyuhyun slid a hand into his hair, tentatively kissing him back.
“There,” Sungmin whispered when they parted, “You won’t ever eat that lollipop now.”
~~~~
Leeteuk walked into the kitchen, Yesung trailing behind him, ready for a another voice lesson. Ryeowook was sitting at the table, flipping through some sheet music.
“Hi Ryeowook!” Yesung said excitedly.
Leeteuk’s heart stopped when Ryeowook didn’t lurch up out of his chair.
“H-hi,” the boy stammered.
Yesung’s jaw dropped. “You’re talking to me.”
“Um...yeah.”
“You’re talking to him,” Leeteuk whispered. “Oh my god, where’s Kyuhyun? You’re talking to him! Kyuhyun!”
Sungmin waltzed into the room, a flustered Kyuhyun appearing behind him. Leeteuk narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He knew that look. He looked like that after Kangin visited him sometimes.
“Ryeowook has something he wants to ask you, Yesung!” Sungmin announced.
Leeteuk looked at Ryeowook, the perplexing appearance of Kyuhyun’s mussed up hair falling into the recesses of his brain. The youngest in the room stood uncertainly, nervously biting his lip, before coming to stand in front of Yesung whose jaw was still slack with shock.
“Um...I want to...sing with you.”
Leeteuk was sure that he was going to have a heart attack. Any second.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” Sungmin beamed.
“You want to...sing with me? Me?”
Ryeowook nodded. “Please.”
There was a few moments where Leeteuk’s heart thudded, reminding the man that he hadn’t just died and gone to heaven before Yesung crowed. “This is even better than going down to the foot bridge. Yes I’ll sing with you. Yes, yes, yes.”
Ryeowook blushed and stood behind Kyuhyun, music gripped tightly in his hands.
“You’ll really do it, Ryeowookie?” Kyuhyun asked, and his brother nodded.
Sungmin was still smiling, the corners of his mouth threatening to split his face in half. “You have three days,” he said.
“What?”
“I’m going to have a demo in three days and Ryeowook said that he would sing then.” Sungmin looked expectantly at Kyuhyun who sighed.
“I’ll get them ready,” he said, “But don’t expect me to condone what you’re doing. I haven’t decided what I think about all of this yet.”
Sungmin dropped a hand on Kyuhyun’s shoulder and Leeteuk’s suspicions grew.
“I’m not worried. I’m going to go get more lollipops after dinner. I expect that I can use them against you.”
The wink Sungmin gave Kyuhyun made Leeteuk want to sit them both down and demand an explanation, but he heard Kangin coming up the path way and he ushered every one out of the kitchen. “Alright, out. All of you. Don’t come back in until I call you for dinner.”
He stopped Ryeowook from following Yesung out and pulled him close whispering, “I’m so proud of you for talking to him,” making the boy squeeze back, his arms almost knocking the wind out his adoptive parent.
Yesung came back in and grabbed at Ryeowook’s hand, urging the boy along excitedly, already listing off a million songs that they should try out.
The door to the street opened as they walked away and Leeteuk turned around to find Kangin, arms full of take out. “Why are they leaving?”
“I told them I’d call them when dinner was ready.”
Kangin looked perplexed. “But...it is ready.”
“I know,” Leeteuk said, “Put the bags down, we’ll warm everything up when we’re done.”
“Done with what?” Kangin asked, almost dropping a bag as he tried to put it all on the table
Leeteuk spun him around, smirking mischievously.
“Oh,” Kangin said, and Leeteuk pushed him up against the counter.
~~~~
After visiting Shindong and restocking his supply of treats, Sungmin parked himself on a bench to consider his next step. After a good fifteen minutes of plotting (also known as trying to keep Kyuhyun’s face from popping up into his mind’s eye,) he saw Hangeng and Heechul walking towards him, hands entwined, and the con man thought that it might be a wonderful oppourtunity.
“Good evening Hangeng-ssi, Heechul-ssi.”
They stopped, Hangeng nodding his head in recognition, Heechul giving the con man a suspicious look. “Who are you?”
“Lee Sungmin.”
“I don’t recognize you.”
“I’m staying with Leeteuk.”
“So you’re one of those distant relatives that mooches off kind people?” Heechul sniffed.
“No, I’m...” Sungmin didn’t like how Heechul was staring at him, “I’m a talent scout. I’m recruiting for a boyband.”
“Surely, you’re not going to ask me to audition, Sungmin-ssi.”
“I was thinking that maybe Henry might consider it.”
That got Heechul’s attention. “My Henry?” He asked, “Hannie’s Henry? Why on earth would he waste his time with such a frivolous endeavor? He has his violin and the library and me to keep him busy.”
“Does he spend all his time doing those things? Heechul-ssi are you sure that you know what Henry’s always doing?”
“Of course,” Heechul snapped. Hangeng still looked uninterested and Sungmin decided that the situation called for desperate measures. He hated getting people in trouble, but his conning came before all else. He promised silently that he’d make it up to Henry later.
“So, you know that he met Zhou Mi at the foot bridge earlier tonight?”
“He was working earlier,” Heechul huffed, waving the accusation away.
However, there appeared a quirk in Hangeng’s eyebrow. “I thought he was showing you around town.”
“He did. But he left me to be with Zhou Mi when he was finished.” Sungmin leaned in closer to Heechul, “Zhou Mi likes Henry quite a bit.”
Heechul’s jaw twitched.
“And Henry likes him back,” Sungmin flicked his gaze to Hangeng who was watching the con man carefully, “I am, of course, a supporter of all types of love. I found their interactions to be cute, and Zhou Mi gave Henry lots and lots of attention. You shouldn’t be too mad at your son,” Sungmin added, as he noticed that Hangeng looked rather hurt, “he just needs an extra outlet, that’s all.”
“I’m not angry,” Hangeng replied, “Just very disappointed.”
“I’m angry.” Heechul snapped.
“I know,” Hangeng responded, patting Heechul’s hand, “We’ll speak to him.”
“We will do more than speak,” Heechul said, pronouncing each word deliberately. “He had better be home when we get there, or there will be hell to pay.”
“Apparently, we have some questions to ask,” Hangeng said, “If you’ll excuse us, Sungmin-ssi. Oh...” He turned suddenly, “It’d be really helpful if you could maybe come by my office with credentials. Some folks are feeling like you’re soliciting so it would be smart to get a license just in case. Siwon can be picky when it comes to the law.”
“Of course. I’ll visit when I have a moment.”
The two walked away, Heechul still muttering angrily under his breath.
The credentials were a problem, of course, seeing as he was a complete fraud. But that was okay. Sungmin was good at avoiding problems; he’d find a way to avoid this one.
~~~~
Ryeowook found Kyuhyun staring out at the sky after a few minutes of searching for him. “Kyuhyun,” Ryeowook murmured and the older offered a share in his space, wrapping them both up in blankets as they perched at the edge of Kyuhyun’s bed.
“I’m proud of you,” Kyuhyun whispered, “You sounded so good tonight. I haven’t heard you say that much to someone else in a long time.”
“Yesung...Yesung helps me forget,” Ryeowook whispered, closing his eyes, blocking out the sounds of his parents screams that were forever etched into his memory. “Sungmin helps me forget, like you and Leeteuk. I like their smiles.”
“I’m glad,” Kyuhyun smoothed Ryeowook’s hair.
“Kyuhyun?”
The elder made a small noise of acknowledgement.
“What’s it like to fall in love?”
His brother was quiet for awhile, then he said, “I think it’s different for everyone, Wookie.”
“What’s it like for you?”
There was a small chuckle and Kyuhyun responded, “Lollipops.”
Ryeowook nodded, even though he didn’t understand. He thought that maybe, for him, falling in love was like singing: breathtaking, glorious, and only satisfactory if he was doing it with one other person.
~~~~
Henry was looking horribly glum when Sungmin visited the library the next day.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m grounded,” Henry said, his sad face making Sungmin feel slightly guilty. “Appa found out that I met Zhou Mi. Heechul-hyung was furious...he’s really scary when he’s mad,” Henry shivered at the memory, “Now I have to go home right after work and I can only see people when Appa or Heechul are there.”
“I’m sorry,” Sungmin said, “How long is that going to last?”
“Appa said that it was until he knew that I wasn’t going to lie to him again...and Heechul-hyung said that he won’t do my hair until Appa lets me off punishment. See?” Henry fingered his brown mop, apparently not happy with how it was done. “It doesn’t look right.”
“Looks like it was my fault. Someone must have seen you.”
“It’s not your fault at all!” Henry said adamantly, and Sungmin felt his gut twist a little bit.
“Listen, Henry, I hear that you play the violin. If I could get your appa and Heechul-ssi to agree to it, would you be willing to accompany Ryeowook and Yesung? They’re going to sing at my demo in a few days. It’s a very simple accompaniment, I’m sure you could pick it up easily.”
Henry’s face brightened slightly. “Really? You’d ask them for me? I’d love to play with them. I’ve never heard Ryeowook sing, but Yesung sang at Kyuhyun’s recital last year and it made lots of people cry.”
“I will absolutely ask. Maybe this can make up for what happened.”
“I’ll look forward to it. But really, Sungmin-ssi, you don’t have to feel guilty. I’m glad I got to see Zhou Mi. Besides, it’s not like they can stop him from coming into the library.” He pointed to a table in the far corner and Sungmin saw Zhou Mi watching them, grinning.
Henry gave him a half-hearted smile back. “I still have to be careful, though. Kyuhyun would never tell, but sometimes people see things that they would spill to get on Heechul-hyung’s good side. Speak of the devil...” He cleared his throat and made a desperate gesture at Zhou Mi who hid against the wall.
Heechul walked into the library, his red hair pinned up, arms crossed, and still looking as pissed as the night before. Sungmin saw Henry swallow. “Ready? There’s lots to be done at home.”
Henry nodded and scampered off to find Kyuhyun to tell him that he was leaving.
“I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble,” Sungmin said in a low voice.
“You didn’t,” Heechul replied, pushing back bangs, “It’s better that we know.”
“May I ask...why do you dislike Zhou Mi?”
Heechul sighed. “He’s a bad influence. He leads a gang in town and they like to play all sorts of pranks. Hangeng doesn’t want Henry to get mixed up with them.”
Sungmin nodded, the wheels in his brain turning. “You look wonderful, by the way. Henry was telling me the other day, before he left, that you’re a stylist. Is that true?”
A small smile pulled at Heechul’s mouth. “Are you trying to sell me something with that flattery?”
“Of course not, I’m just naturally curious.” Sungmin swallowed, thinking that Heechul was not going to be easy to fool. “Okay, I might be. Yesung and Ryeowook are going to sing together in the town square in a few days and I would like Henry to accompany them.”
“You would like it?” Heechul asked.
“I hear that he’s talented...think of it this way. It will keep him occupied and out of trouble.”
Heechul tapped his foot. “I will discuss it with Hangeng and we’ll let you know.”
“Thank you,” Sungmin said, “If...if you do decide to allow Henry to participate, would you also consider...er...making them look good?”
The foot continued to tap and Sungmin found that the rhythm was making him nervous.
“I will consider it,” Heechul said, and reached out, making a grab for Henry’s hand as the boy came back.
“You don’t have to hold my hand,” Henry muttered, looking at the ground, “It’s embarrassing, Heechul-ssi.”
“I know that,” Heechul said, “But if you’re going to act like your five and lie through your teeth, then I shall treat you as if you are five and hold your hand. Let’s go.”
“I’ll talk to you later,” Sungmin promised Henry.
The boy smiled and then cast a wistful glance at Zhou Mi’s hiding place as Heechul dragged him out the door, already listing off all the chores he and Hangeng expected Henry to complete before dinner.
Deciding to take the initiative, Sungmin approached the desk where Zhou Mi had been sitting and found the boy staring out the window at Henry’s retreating back. “Hello.”
Zhou Mi jumped. Sungmin sighed. He had been scaring people a lot lately, he would have to work on that.
“Oh, hello, Sungmin-ssi.”
“How are you?”
“Alright I guess.” Zhou Mi gestured towards Henry’s retreating form and Sungmin nodded in sympathy.
“Here, have a lollipop. They always make me feel better.”
Zhou Mi smiled, accepting it half-heartedly.
“It must be hard, liking the son of the mayor.”
“I suppose.”
“Why doesn’t Hangeng like you?”
“My friends and I sort of...lit Heechul’s pants on fire once.”
Sungmin snorted, remembering at the last second that he was in a library and he couldn’t laugh out loud.
“He was...giving a speech at a town meeting and...being Heechul, controlling things. So we tossed a lit firecracker next to him and Kangin saw us. No one was particularly pleased and we’ve been branded as a gang.”
“Ah...”
“We’ve been trying to...better our image, you know, as youths. I thought that if I was nice to Henry, they might start liking me again, but...it sort of had the opposite effect.”
Sungmin patted Zhou Mi’s shoulder sympathetically. “I have a proposition for you, Zhou Mi. Henry is going to accompany Yesung and Ryeowook at a demonstration in a few days and I want you and your friends to come.”
Zhou Mi’s lifted his face, a small spark of hope in his eyes. “I can hear Henry playing?”
Sungmin nodded. “Are you musical, Zhou Mi?”
“I...sing sometimes...while Henry plays.”
Sungmin couldn’t believe his luck. “I have an idea of how you can see Henry with Hangeng and Heechul’s permission. Come to the demonstration, bring your friends, and everyone just might end up very happy.”
Zhou looked down at the lollipop and then back at Sungmin. “Okay, we’ll be there.”
~~~~~~~~~
This might end up being four parts. I sort of starting writing too many side stories and got side tracked from the Kyumin. Hope no one minds.... :)
Comments are loooove <3
Part Three!
Genre: AU, Comedy
Rating: PG
Pairings: Kyumin, Kangteuk, Hanchul, Yewook, etc.
Summary: The Music Man, an accomplished con artist, infiltrates a small town with the intent of scamming the locals. His game? He likes to pretend that he knows a lot about the entertainment business and goes around recruiting young boys for a boy band, which of course, will never exist, before disappearing with lots of money and moving on to the next city.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is based on the musical the Music Man, so the only thing that's mine is the modernization and dramatization of it. Enjoy <3
Warning: Ages are all screwed up.
Part One can be found here.
Leeteuk sipped his coffee slowly, not in any particular hurry to get to work. Shindong's daughter was the only one he was going to watch today anyhow, and that wasn't until the afternoon. He loved Saturdays.
There was a soft knock on his door and looked up from the newspaper to see Kangin poke his head into the door.
"Hi Teukie!" He said, exuberant as always and Leeteuk smiled. "I heard that you took the stray in, is he around?"
"No, he left a little while ago. Why do you need him?"
"I wanted to meet him. He’s been going around town talking about this band of his and I was curious."
"Oh. Well, I think he’s out recruiting or something" Leeteuk said, slightly confused. He walked over to Kangin, cloth in hand, muttering, "your badge needs a little polishing." The older man scrubbed at Kangin's police marker shining on his chest.
"Hey," Kangin muttered, "if no one's here can I get a kiss?"
"You're on duty." Leeteuk said, still rubbing at a spot of grime, beginning to think that maybe Kangin put it there purposefully knowing that Leeteuk would expend lots of energy to get it clean.
"I'm always on duty when I come to see you, and you always give me a kiss. Maybe I should argue for something more...I might have a few other things your hands could be polishing."
Leeteuk's rag snapped the side of Kangin's arm. "It's a good thing I don't have any kids with me right now."
"If there were kids with you, I wouldn't be asking for a kiss," the officer pouted.
"Fine," Leeteuk muttered, and let his lips brush across Kangin's cheek.
The pout deepened.
"What? You got your kiss."
"More," was the petulant demand, and Leeteuk found that he couldn't refuse.
~~~~
After two days of not getting up early enough to see Kyuhyun, Sungmin decided to visit his library. And it was Kyuhyun’s library. Apparently, some former, famous individual that Kyuhyun had fallen in love with (and caused town scandal with,) had died rather dramatically and given Kyuhyun care of a personal collection of books. The voice coach had been so overwhelmed (distraught) that Leeteuk had suggested turning the collection into a library since the small town didn't have one. It sounded like a terribly sad tale, but Shindong had told him so carelessly, Sungmin wondered if that was actually what had happened. This town seemed to defy all sorts of reason.
The Library was a small building, but every nook and cranny was stuffed with the pages of books. Fiction, non-fiction, reference, everything a good library needed.
Upon entering the old building, Sungmin first met Henry. He was sitting at the front desk, glasses perched on his nose, reading a book that looked suspiciously foreign. He looked up as Sungmin drew near and marked his place, setting it down on the counter.
"Hi," he said brightly, "Can I help you?" Henry squinted as Sungmin drew closer, "You're the new guy in town, right? Are you looking for a library card? We haven't issued one since Shindong arrived."
The boy looked positively ecstatic at the prospect of giving Sungmin a library card. Sungmin could only think about how dazzling that smile would be on a stage...or lack thereof.
"Well, I came to see Kyuhyun, but since you offered, I'd love one. Books are such magical things."
Henry's face lit up even more and he practically dove for a box labeled "new library cards."
"Kyuhyun's at a meeting right now," Henry babbled, "I love when he’s not here because it means that I can act more important than I actually am."
Sungmin nodded, "So do you work here all day? What do you do for fun?"
Henry stamped a new card with something and gave Sungmin a pen so he could fill out a paper with his name and address.
"I work here until three or four. Sometimes Kyuhyun lets me go early so I can see Zhou Mi."
"Who is that?'
"My boyfriend. Well...sort of," Henry was blushing, "It's sort of a secret because Appa doesn't particularly approve," he leaned in slowly, throwing furtive glances around, "I'm going down to the footbridge with him today."
"That's the second time I've heard about this footbridge; what's so special about it? And I'm sorry, but I don't know the address of Leeteuk's house."
"That's fine, I know it," Henry took the pen and filled in all the appropriate boxes, "The footbridge is where all the lovers go. I don't know how I'm going to get there, though, I have to pass right by Appa's window at work and he'll definitely notice me.
Sungmin began to think hard.
"Your appa...he's the mayor, right?"
Henry nodded.
"Do you mind if I ask about Heechul?"
"Lot's of people do," Henry said, brightening, "He's Appa's lover."
Sungmin sighed. "Yes, I know. I mean...what does he do?"
"Oh...well..." Henry seemed to consider this, "He assists Appa a lot...and he's very good to me, helps me get ready in the morning."
How old are you again?
"He's really good at doing people's hair," Henry said, and swooshed his brown bangs, "See?"
Oh.
"So...you mean he's a good stylist?'
Henry nodded enthusiastically.
"Does he regularly do people's hair?"
"Only the people he likes," Henry said, like it was the most normal thing.
Well, that's slightly promising, I suppose. It was just how to get Heechul to a) trust the con man and b) allow Henry to join the band. Unless Sungmin was misjudging something and Hangeng was really the one that could cause him trouble.
"Tell you what, Henry, why don't you and I walk down to the bridge together when you get off. That way, your father won't suspect a thing and you can see Zhou Mi. I shall dutifully hide away whilst you have your time. You can tell your father that you're showing me around town."
Henry gaped. "Really?"
Sungmin smiled.
"Can you come back in an hour?"
"How about I stay for an hour? Want to help me find a book?"
Henry nodded eagerly and Sungmin followed his new found friend around the library, deciding that talking with Kyuhyun could wait. He acknowledged the other librarian politely when he came back from his meeting, just smiling as Henry talked in excited whispers concerning their plan.
Sungmin decided to wink as he walked out and rejoiced slightly at the confusion on Kyuhyun's face.
"That's the town building," Henry pointed, "and the path to the footbridge is just behind it."
Henry was skipping circles around Sungmin, stopping by an opening window and waving cheerily within it. "Hi, Appa!"
Sungmin sidled up to the window to see Hangeng look up from the papers covering his desk.
"Kyuhyun let me out early so that I can show Sungmin-ssi around town."
"That's very kind of you," Hangeng smiled, obviously very proud, and Sungmin was only semi-surprised to hear a trace of an accent in his voice. The Mayor's name wasn't exactly very Korean.
"Henry," Sungmin asked, as the trudged down a dirt path, "Are you not Korean?"
"We're from China. We moved when Umma died...too many painful memories for Appa. Oh, there's Zhou Mi!"
Henry was off and running, throwing himself into the arms of a boy who looked maybe two or three years older. Sungmin smiled as Zhou Mi kissed Henry's cheek, both of them blushing shyly. Henry dragged the other boy over and introduced them.
Sungmin thought that Henry's grin paled in comparison to the sun that radiated from Zhou Mi's face. Why Hangeng didn't approve of him, Sungmin didn't know. It was probably Heechul's fault; that man seemed to stick his fingers into everything.
"I'll just be over there," Sungmin said, pointing a tree that looked perfect for napping beneath, "You can come and get me when you’re ready to go back."
"Thank you!" They both fervently said, and Sungmin heard Zhou Mi say, "He actually doesn't mind going against your Appa?"
"Kyuhyun does it all the time, I don't know why people freak out. You did."
"Yeah, look where that got us."
The rest of their conversation was lost as they walked away.
Sungmin settled himself against the tree, closing his eyes, writing out notes in his mind, when he heard someone singing. A boy singing. His eyes snapped back open and he stood up, intent on searching it out.
A moment later, he found it. Ryeowook was sitting on a rock and singing quietly. Sungmin was pretty sure he had never heard anything so beautiful in his life, and he had heard a lot of people sing.
“Ryeowook, that’s amazing,” he said softly.
The boy jumped two feet in the air and Sungmin rushed to catch him before he fell into the river.
Leeteuk’s adoptive son stumbled awkwardly over words and thanks, somehow managing to not form a full sentence.
“You don’t have to be so shy with me; we’re staying in the same house.”
Sungmin tried to think of something that would ease the boy’s discomfort. “You have a beautiful voice, Ryeowook.”
“Kyuhyun,” Ryeowook responded quietly, and Sungmin smiled, knowing exactly was Ryeowook was saying.
“He’s been coaching you?”
Ryeowook nodded.
“You love your brother,” Sungmin stated, “That’s so wonderful.”
“I...love Leeteuk too.”
“I can tell,” Sungmin searched in his pockets and pulled out a lollipop. “Would you like this? Shindong can’t resist my smile and he gives me as many as I want.”
Ryeowook reached out slowly and took it. “I like lemon,” he said, after reading the flavor on the wrapper, slipping the treat into his pocket.
“Do you sing for other people, Ryeowook?”
“Just Kyuhyun. And Leeteuk.”
Sungmin nodded, “Well, I heard you just then. So I guess that makes three people, doesn’t it?”
Ryeowook regarded him thoughtfully, minutes passing before he settled down on the rock more comfortably, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“That boy that came to have lessons...Yesung?”
Ryeowook’s blush was back and Sungmin found it endearing. “Why did you run out of the room?”
“I...he makes me nervous.”
“Why is that?”
“He sings good,” Ryeowook said softly, “Better than me.”
“You find him intimidating?”
“Oh...no.” Ryeowook blushed again.
“You like him.” Sungmin finally found the last piece of the puzzle before him. “Ryeowook, that is wonderful. Here, have another lollipop.”
“I...too much sugar.”
“Nonsense. I live on these things. Let’s talk about Yesung.”
“Let’s not,” Ryeowook whispered, his blush deepening.
“Don’t get shy on me now, we were having such a nice discussion.” Sungmin leaned closer and grinned. “Would you like to sing with him, Ryeowook?”
The boy’s eyes lit up.
“If I could provide you with an opportunity to sing with him, would you do it?”
Ryeowook regarded the con man again for a moment before saying, “If I sing with Yesung, Sungmin-ssi, I think I could perform in front of the whole world.”
Sungmin grinned.
~~~~
After walking back with Henry, Sungmin made a beeline for Leeteuk’s house, intent on finding Kyuhyun. Following his ears, Sungmin found the voice coach tinkering on the piano in the living room, oblivious to the con man's entrance, slowly working through a rhythm on the black and white keys. “So I was talking to Ryeowook.”
Kyuhyun jumped. “Sungmin-ssi!”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. That was lovely playing, by the way.”
“I...thank you...what were you saying? You...you spoke with Ryeowook?”
“Yes. I asked him about Yesung.”
One of Kyuhyun’s eyebrow’s raised slowly. “Really?”
“He wants to sing with him. Did you know that? He said he’d sing in front of other people if he was singing with Yesung.”
“I...” Kyuhyun’s mouth was hanging open. “But he’s...he’s never sung in front of other people. How did you get him to say that...he’ll really sing with Yesung?”
“That’s what he said,” Sungmin said. “And it’s all in the lollipops. I find that if I hand them out, people are much more willing to listen to you. Here.” Sungmin handed one to Kyuhyun, noting that he was going to have to visit Shindong and pilfer more of the hard sugar.
“What exactly are you trying to get me to do?”
Sungmin grinned, knowing what the other man was thinking. Kyuhyun was all for Ryeowook and Yesung singing together, he didn’t need any persuasion to jump onto that bandwagon.
“Coach my band.”
“You don’t have a band, yet, Sungmin-ssi.”
“But I will.”
Kyuhyun regarded him, and then the lollipop. “I’m not sure a lollipop is going to convince me that I should work with you. I have yet to see you display any sort of entertainment business knowledge...or anything.”
Figures that he would be suspicious. Stupid smart people.
“The lollipop wasn’t for that,” Sungmin said, hearing Leeteuk coming into the house.
Kyuhyun raised an eyebrow.
Sungmin bent down and kissed Kyuhyun, the back of his mind screeching at him that it was a very bad idea, because he couldn’t get attached to anyone because he was going to leave. He was conning these people, he was stealing their money, he was...he...well. Apparently he was falling in love. His stomach flipped as Kyuhyun slid a hand into his hair, tentatively kissing him back.
“There,” Sungmin whispered when they parted, “You won’t ever eat that lollipop now.”
~~~~
Leeteuk walked into the kitchen, Yesung trailing behind him, ready for a another voice lesson. Ryeowook was sitting at the table, flipping through some sheet music.
“Hi Ryeowook!” Yesung said excitedly.
Leeteuk’s heart stopped when Ryeowook didn’t lurch up out of his chair.
“H-hi,” the boy stammered.
Yesung’s jaw dropped. “You’re talking to me.”
“Um...yeah.”
“You’re talking to him,” Leeteuk whispered. “Oh my god, where’s Kyuhyun? You’re talking to him! Kyuhyun!”
Sungmin waltzed into the room, a flustered Kyuhyun appearing behind him. Leeteuk narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He knew that look. He looked like that after Kangin visited him sometimes.
“Ryeowook has something he wants to ask you, Yesung!” Sungmin announced.
Leeteuk looked at Ryeowook, the perplexing appearance of Kyuhyun’s mussed up hair falling into the recesses of his brain. The youngest in the room stood uncertainly, nervously biting his lip, before coming to stand in front of Yesung whose jaw was still slack with shock.
“Um...I want to...sing with you.”
Leeteuk was sure that he was going to have a heart attack. Any second.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” Sungmin beamed.
“You want to...sing with me? Me?”
Ryeowook nodded. “Please.”
There was a few moments where Leeteuk’s heart thudded, reminding the man that he hadn’t just died and gone to heaven before Yesung crowed. “This is even better than going down to the foot bridge. Yes I’ll sing with you. Yes, yes, yes.”
Ryeowook blushed and stood behind Kyuhyun, music gripped tightly in his hands.
“You’ll really do it, Ryeowookie?” Kyuhyun asked, and his brother nodded.
Sungmin was still smiling, the corners of his mouth threatening to split his face in half. “You have three days,” he said.
“What?”
“I’m going to have a demo in three days and Ryeowook said that he would sing then.” Sungmin looked expectantly at Kyuhyun who sighed.
“I’ll get them ready,” he said, “But don’t expect me to condone what you’re doing. I haven’t decided what I think about all of this yet.”
Sungmin dropped a hand on Kyuhyun’s shoulder and Leeteuk’s suspicions grew.
“I’m not worried. I’m going to go get more lollipops after dinner. I expect that I can use them against you.”
The wink Sungmin gave Kyuhyun made Leeteuk want to sit them both down and demand an explanation, but he heard Kangin coming up the path way and he ushered every one out of the kitchen. “Alright, out. All of you. Don’t come back in until I call you for dinner.”
He stopped Ryeowook from following Yesung out and pulled him close whispering, “I’m so proud of you for talking to him,” making the boy squeeze back, his arms almost knocking the wind out his adoptive parent.
Yesung came back in and grabbed at Ryeowook’s hand, urging the boy along excitedly, already listing off a million songs that they should try out.
The door to the street opened as they walked away and Leeteuk turned around to find Kangin, arms full of take out. “Why are they leaving?”
“I told them I’d call them when dinner was ready.”
Kangin looked perplexed. “But...it is ready.”
“I know,” Leeteuk said, “Put the bags down, we’ll warm everything up when we’re done.”
“Done with what?” Kangin asked, almost dropping a bag as he tried to put it all on the table
Leeteuk spun him around, smirking mischievously.
“Oh,” Kangin said, and Leeteuk pushed him up against the counter.
~~~~
After visiting Shindong and restocking his supply of treats, Sungmin parked himself on a bench to consider his next step. After a good fifteen minutes of plotting (also known as trying to keep Kyuhyun’s face from popping up into his mind’s eye,) he saw Hangeng and Heechul walking towards him, hands entwined, and the con man thought that it might be a wonderful oppourtunity.
“Good evening Hangeng-ssi, Heechul-ssi.”
They stopped, Hangeng nodding his head in recognition, Heechul giving the con man a suspicious look. “Who are you?”
“Lee Sungmin.”
“I don’t recognize you.”
“I’m staying with Leeteuk.”
“So you’re one of those distant relatives that mooches off kind people?” Heechul sniffed.
“No, I’m...” Sungmin didn’t like how Heechul was staring at him, “I’m a talent scout. I’m recruiting for a boyband.”
“Surely, you’re not going to ask me to audition, Sungmin-ssi.”
“I was thinking that maybe Henry might consider it.”
That got Heechul’s attention. “My Henry?” He asked, “Hannie’s Henry? Why on earth would he waste his time with such a frivolous endeavor? He has his violin and the library and me to keep him busy.”
“Does he spend all his time doing those things? Heechul-ssi are you sure that you know what Henry’s always doing?”
“Of course,” Heechul snapped. Hangeng still looked uninterested and Sungmin decided that the situation called for desperate measures. He hated getting people in trouble, but his conning came before all else. He promised silently that he’d make it up to Henry later.
“So, you know that he met Zhou Mi at the foot bridge earlier tonight?”
“He was working earlier,” Heechul huffed, waving the accusation away.
However, there appeared a quirk in Hangeng’s eyebrow. “I thought he was showing you around town.”
“He did. But he left me to be with Zhou Mi when he was finished.” Sungmin leaned in closer to Heechul, “Zhou Mi likes Henry quite a bit.”
Heechul’s jaw twitched.
“And Henry likes him back,” Sungmin flicked his gaze to Hangeng who was watching the con man carefully, “I am, of course, a supporter of all types of love. I found their interactions to be cute, and Zhou Mi gave Henry lots and lots of attention. You shouldn’t be too mad at your son,” Sungmin added, as he noticed that Hangeng looked rather hurt, “he just needs an extra outlet, that’s all.”
“I’m not angry,” Hangeng replied, “Just very disappointed.”
“I’m angry.” Heechul snapped.
“I know,” Hangeng responded, patting Heechul’s hand, “We’ll speak to him.”
“We will do more than speak,” Heechul said, pronouncing each word deliberately. “He had better be home when we get there, or there will be hell to pay.”
“Apparently, we have some questions to ask,” Hangeng said, “If you’ll excuse us, Sungmin-ssi. Oh...” He turned suddenly, “It’d be really helpful if you could maybe come by my office with credentials. Some folks are feeling like you’re soliciting so it would be smart to get a license just in case. Siwon can be picky when it comes to the law.”
“Of course. I’ll visit when I have a moment.”
The two walked away, Heechul still muttering angrily under his breath.
The credentials were a problem, of course, seeing as he was a complete fraud. But that was okay. Sungmin was good at avoiding problems; he’d find a way to avoid this one.
~~~~
Ryeowook found Kyuhyun staring out at the sky after a few minutes of searching for him. “Kyuhyun,” Ryeowook murmured and the older offered a share in his space, wrapping them both up in blankets as they perched at the edge of Kyuhyun’s bed.
“I’m proud of you,” Kyuhyun whispered, “You sounded so good tonight. I haven’t heard you say that much to someone else in a long time.”
“Yesung...Yesung helps me forget,” Ryeowook whispered, closing his eyes, blocking out the sounds of his parents screams that were forever etched into his memory. “Sungmin helps me forget, like you and Leeteuk. I like their smiles.”
“I’m glad,” Kyuhyun smoothed Ryeowook’s hair.
“Kyuhyun?”
The elder made a small noise of acknowledgement.
“What’s it like to fall in love?”
His brother was quiet for awhile, then he said, “I think it’s different for everyone, Wookie.”
“What’s it like for you?”
There was a small chuckle and Kyuhyun responded, “Lollipops.”
Ryeowook nodded, even though he didn’t understand. He thought that maybe, for him, falling in love was like singing: breathtaking, glorious, and only satisfactory if he was doing it with one other person.
~~~~
Henry was looking horribly glum when Sungmin visited the library the next day.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m grounded,” Henry said, his sad face making Sungmin feel slightly guilty. “Appa found out that I met Zhou Mi. Heechul-hyung was furious...he’s really scary when he’s mad,” Henry shivered at the memory, “Now I have to go home right after work and I can only see people when Appa or Heechul are there.”
“I’m sorry,” Sungmin said, “How long is that going to last?”
“Appa said that it was until he knew that I wasn’t going to lie to him again...and Heechul-hyung said that he won’t do my hair until Appa lets me off punishment. See?” Henry fingered his brown mop, apparently not happy with how it was done. “It doesn’t look right.”
“Looks like it was my fault. Someone must have seen you.”
“It’s not your fault at all!” Henry said adamantly, and Sungmin felt his gut twist a little bit.
“Listen, Henry, I hear that you play the violin. If I could get your appa and Heechul-ssi to agree to it, would you be willing to accompany Ryeowook and Yesung? They’re going to sing at my demo in a few days. It’s a very simple accompaniment, I’m sure you could pick it up easily.”
Henry’s face brightened slightly. “Really? You’d ask them for me? I’d love to play with them. I’ve never heard Ryeowook sing, but Yesung sang at Kyuhyun’s recital last year and it made lots of people cry.”
“I will absolutely ask. Maybe this can make up for what happened.”
“I’ll look forward to it. But really, Sungmin-ssi, you don’t have to feel guilty. I’m glad I got to see Zhou Mi. Besides, it’s not like they can stop him from coming into the library.” He pointed to a table in the far corner and Sungmin saw Zhou Mi watching them, grinning.
Henry gave him a half-hearted smile back. “I still have to be careful, though. Kyuhyun would never tell, but sometimes people see things that they would spill to get on Heechul-hyung’s good side. Speak of the devil...” He cleared his throat and made a desperate gesture at Zhou Mi who hid against the wall.
Heechul walked into the library, his red hair pinned up, arms crossed, and still looking as pissed as the night before. Sungmin saw Henry swallow. “Ready? There’s lots to be done at home.”
Henry nodded and scampered off to find Kyuhyun to tell him that he was leaving.
“I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble,” Sungmin said in a low voice.
“You didn’t,” Heechul replied, pushing back bangs, “It’s better that we know.”
“May I ask...why do you dislike Zhou Mi?”
Heechul sighed. “He’s a bad influence. He leads a gang in town and they like to play all sorts of pranks. Hangeng doesn’t want Henry to get mixed up with them.”
Sungmin nodded, the wheels in his brain turning. “You look wonderful, by the way. Henry was telling me the other day, before he left, that you’re a stylist. Is that true?”
A small smile pulled at Heechul’s mouth. “Are you trying to sell me something with that flattery?”
“Of course not, I’m just naturally curious.” Sungmin swallowed, thinking that Heechul was not going to be easy to fool. “Okay, I might be. Yesung and Ryeowook are going to sing together in the town square in a few days and I would like Henry to accompany them.”
“You would like it?” Heechul asked.
“I hear that he’s talented...think of it this way. It will keep him occupied and out of trouble.”
Heechul tapped his foot. “I will discuss it with Hangeng and we’ll let you know.”
“Thank you,” Sungmin said, “If...if you do decide to allow Henry to participate, would you also consider...er...making them look good?”
The foot continued to tap and Sungmin found that the rhythm was making him nervous.
“I will consider it,” Heechul said, and reached out, making a grab for Henry’s hand as the boy came back.
“You don’t have to hold my hand,” Henry muttered, looking at the ground, “It’s embarrassing, Heechul-ssi.”
“I know that,” Heechul said, “But if you’re going to act like your five and lie through your teeth, then I shall treat you as if you are five and hold your hand. Let’s go.”
“I’ll talk to you later,” Sungmin promised Henry.
The boy smiled and then cast a wistful glance at Zhou Mi’s hiding place as Heechul dragged him out the door, already listing off all the chores he and Hangeng expected Henry to complete before dinner.
Deciding to take the initiative, Sungmin approached the desk where Zhou Mi had been sitting and found the boy staring out the window at Henry’s retreating back. “Hello.”
Zhou Mi jumped. Sungmin sighed. He had been scaring people a lot lately, he would have to work on that.
“Oh, hello, Sungmin-ssi.”
“How are you?”
“Alright I guess.” Zhou Mi gestured towards Henry’s retreating form and Sungmin nodded in sympathy.
“Here, have a lollipop. They always make me feel better.”
Zhou Mi smiled, accepting it half-heartedly.
“It must be hard, liking the son of the mayor.”
“I suppose.”
“Why doesn’t Hangeng like you?”
“My friends and I sort of...lit Heechul’s pants on fire once.”
Sungmin snorted, remembering at the last second that he was in a library and he couldn’t laugh out loud.
“He was...giving a speech at a town meeting and...being Heechul, controlling things. So we tossed a lit firecracker next to him and Kangin saw us. No one was particularly pleased and we’ve been branded as a gang.”
“Ah...”
“We’ve been trying to...better our image, you know, as youths. I thought that if I was nice to Henry, they might start liking me again, but...it sort of had the opposite effect.”
Sungmin patted Zhou Mi’s shoulder sympathetically. “I have a proposition for you, Zhou Mi. Henry is going to accompany Yesung and Ryeowook at a demonstration in a few days and I want you and your friends to come.”
Zhou Mi’s lifted his face, a small spark of hope in his eyes. “I can hear Henry playing?”
Sungmin nodded. “Are you musical, Zhou Mi?”
“I...sing sometimes...while Henry plays.”
Sungmin couldn’t believe his luck. “I have an idea of how you can see Henry with Hangeng and Heechul’s permission. Come to the demonstration, bring your friends, and everyone just might end up very happy.”
Zhou looked down at the lollipop and then back at Sungmin. “Okay, we’ll be there.”
~~~~~~~~~
This might end up being four parts. I sort of starting writing too many side stories and got side tracked from the Kyumin. Hope no one minds.... :)
Comments are loooove <3
Part Three!