“Finally, we can rest.” Hari plopped onto the red sofa in the rest area, Kasumi following him. 

“Hey, you guys deserve a break,” you chuckled, taking a seat beside the energyless green-head. “Mokuren drilled all of you more than usual.” 

While you were busy chatting with Kasumi and Hari, a pair of golden eyes stared nervously at you. 

‘Should I join them?’ Qu fiddled with the cap of his water bottle, twisting the lid clockwise and counterclockwise. He stole another glance at you but quickly lowered his eyes. ‘Why…?’

Team C’s second sighed and closed his eyes to escape reality. Images of your first meeting flashed through his mind; he still remembered your sweet smile and kind words as clear as day. I am a fan of Team C and will always support all of you. 

Qu slowly opened his eyes and glimpsed at you. ‘You said you will always support all of us, but what changed? Why did you start avoiding me?’ 

No matter how many times he tried, Qu couldn’t understand your behavior. He wanted an answer -desperately- but couldn’t gather enough courage to approach you. ‘What if they don’t want to talk to me? Did I do something to hurt them? What if…they say they hate me?’

His head began to spin as his deepest fears started to resurface. Touching the side of his head, he sighed and turned around, dragging his heavy body towards the rehearsal room.

As Qu left the area, you slightly turned your head in his direction. The entire time you had felt his stare, but not knowing how to react to it, you decided to avoid meeting his eyes. ‘I am sorry, Qu. I just…I can’t bring myself to tell you how I feel about you.’

“What’s wrong?” Hari asked in a concerned voice.

“Hm?” Snapping out of your thoughts, you looked at him and shook your head. “Nothing.”

Kasumi and Hari quickly glanced at each other before returning their attention to you. Both of them knowing well that you were lying.

Qu couldn’t bring himself to focus as he was preoccupied with the heavy thoughts of the previous day. He even got lost on the way to Starless, his workplace that he visits nearly every day.

Team C’s leader stopped the music and sighed, “Qu, focus! I will not tolerate any mishaps on the stage, so stop zoning out.”

A quiet sorry was all Qu could muster up before the music resumed. 

“Stop!” Mokuren’s irritated voice rang out through the practice room. “What is-” He snapped his head in Qu’s direction but grew silent when he saw his team member’s expressions.

The silver-haired man stared blankly at the wooden floors, lost in thought. His tightly curled fists shaking ever so slightly.

Qu woke up, drenched in sweat, his body trembling and heart racing. He tightly gripped his head with both of his hands, trying hard to restrain his thoughts. Despite his best efforts, the words of his ex-lovers echoed in his ears. We are through. I don’t care how much you like me; I can’t stay in this relationship any longer. 

He firmly pressed the palms of his hands on his ears. Sorry but this relationship is not working out. Tears started running down his drained face. I found someone better. Goodbye. 

These nightmares were not new, and normally, Qu would have been able to brush them aside. This time, though, his current fears had manifested in his dark dream. Qu, I can’t be with you anymore. I thought I liked you, but I was wrong. 

“Qu, are you okay?” Mokuren shook him once again with a little more force.

He snapped out of his trance and shook his head, “Sorry, Moku.”

Sighing, the raven-haired man looked at his teammates, “Let’s take a break. Qu, follow me.” 

Without asking a single question, he followed his agitated leader out to the back alley. To Qu’s surprise, you were sitting on the steps as if waiting for them.

“Hey Moku, you called-” you turned your head to look at him but froze when you saw him.

Mokuren shifted his eyes between the two of you and sighed audibly, “Might I remind you that you are adults, so stop behaving like children. Talk about your feelings like mature adults.” Mokuren crossed his arms and glanced at his teammate, “I will not let anything interfere with our team practice, so sort out what you need to right here.”

Team C’s leader shifted his eyes to you, “You need to stop ignoring Qu. It’s obvious that you two like each other. Now, talk.” Even though his words were sharp, his voice held an unexpected warmth. Mokuren patted Qu’s back before making his way back to the rehearsal room.

The tension in the air was evident. After a few minutes of silence, Qu finally spoke, “I apologize for putting you in this situation.” Averting his eyes from you, he continued, “If you don’t mind me asking, why are you ignoring me?”

You choose to keep your lips sealed as you played with the bracelet adorning your right wrist. 

A sigh escaped his pink, shimmering lips, “Do you hate me?”

You gawked at him, not expecting to hear such a straightforward question. Qu frantically studied your expressions as he restlessly tapped his foot on the concrete stair.

Realizing that your silence could send the wrong message, you lowered your eyes and spoke, “I don’t hate you, Qu. W-why did you also start ignoring me?”

The silver-haired man bit his lower lip and shook his head, “I wasn’t ignoring you, I…didn’t want my nightmare to come true.”

“Nightmare?”

“Yes,” a dejected sigh escaped his lips, “I had a nightmare, where you said, I thought I liked you, but I was wrong.”

Once more, you resorted to silence, causing Qu to immediately regret sharing his fear with you. Countless dark thoughts began to race through his mind, causing a sharp pain to reverberate through his chest.

“For-give me,” he said in a breathless voice before turning on his heel to walk away. His downcast eyes were wet, blurring his vision completely.

“Qu, wait.” You gripped the back of his black tank top to stop him from leaving. Taking a deep breath, you began, “I don’t hate you- I could never hate you.”

You took a step closer to him and rested your forehead on his back, “I am afraid…afraid of confessing and getting rejected. To most people, I seem emotionally unavailable, and they’re not completely wrong.”

Qu silently listened with one hand covering his mouth to prevent sobs from escaping. His heart was wildly pounding against his aching chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.

“It’s difficult to trust people,” tears raced down your flushed face, “especially with my feelings. People have hurt me before, and the pain was too much to bear. I am sorry for hurting you…I’m very sorry.”

Though he was afraid, Qu knew it was now or never; he pushed aside all the negative thoughts in his mind and gathered every ounce of courage within him, “Will you give me a chance then?

“Chance?” You lifted your head and stared at the back of his head, confused.

Qu slowly faced you and gently placed his hand on your cheek, “Will you give me a chance to be with you? I can relate to your fears as I have faced rejection many times. Each time I trust someone and grow comfortable with them, they end up breaking my heart.”

He took a slight pause and started stroking your cheek with his thumb, “All I ask for is a little space in your world. If I can win your trust, then please allow me to become part of your heart.”

You remained still as a lump formed in your throat, forcing your breath to become ragged. After a moment of hesitation, you lifted your eyes to his golden ones and nodded slowly.

A bright smile appeared on his lips as he delicately wiped your tears, “Thank you.” Qu encircled his arms around and held you in a gentle embrace.

The dark clouds within your hearts gave away to light as the weight of the world lifted off your shoulders.