Chapter 33 - Old Fashion Tag

Kaiden laughed softly before a sigh escaped his lips. He sat down at the barstool and watched Shun finish the meal he was prepping.

"I was dropped off in the town I grew up in," the popular trainee closed his eyes as he explained, "I was not… the nicest person then. I've wronged a lot of people. When my family left the town, I didn't leave on the best of terms."

Shun listened and felt empathy for the man. The truth was, he also felt the same for his own life. As a prince, he was lazy, selfish, and did everything to avoid social situation even on the status of his parents. He played his role, but Shun knew he broke many hearts, especially his mother's.

People change. He had changed, hadn't he?

He was becoming an idol for people to live, Xiong Shun's dream, and Wen Dong's goal. This was not just about him anymore. He worked hard in his skills and was putting himself out there instead of hiding away. His mother would be proud of him, wouldn't she?

'Mother, you did not raise a lazy child. I promise I will do better here and when I return, I will apologize profusely to you.'

Setting the items in the large bowl, he tossed the salad and looked over at Kaiden who was watching him was a faraway look. He offered a smile and nodded in understanding.

"Do you regret what you did back then?"

"Yes."

"You were a child, Kaiden. We do stupid things as kids, but we grow, we change, we do better, right?"

Kaiden blinked at him before a smile replaced the straight lips. He heard a soft laugh from the man and watched the way his brown eyes crinkled. Shun understood why this trainee was popular. He was handsome, talented, and kind. He inwardly sighed knowing that he had a long way to go to reach Idol status like Suu Jun and soon-to-be Kaiden.

"Thank you," the popular trainee helped him set up the table and they called to the others.

==

When the morning sun rose, he snuggled closer to the warmth in his arms. His body was tired and exhausted. All Shun wanted to do was lie in bed and sleep all day. The body in his arms wiggled and he groaned, clutching even tighter.

"Gege," the voice muffled trying to push away from his hold.

"Didi," Shun frowned and refused to open his eyes, "Just a little longer. Mm tired."

The wiggling stopped and he sighed with a smile. He was lulled back to sleep, but was suddenly shook awake. It reminded him of the time he showed up in this world and so he sat up quickly with his eyes wide opened. Was he... Did he... Is he going to a different place? Back home maybe?!

When reality set in, he was faced to face with Taemeng, whose nose was inches from his. He stared into those cold brown eyes and his heart stuttered at the sharpness.

Nope. Same place, same world. He inwardly sighed, but just staring at Taemeng... The guy was intimidating. Shun was certain anyone who got on the dancer's bad side would die from just the look!

Flushing, he leaned back and turned to see Ping staring at him with droopy eyes, ruffled clothes, and a bedhead that made the boy look even more adorable.

"Shun, you were suffocating him," the dancer stated.

"Huh? I was?"

"Head hurts," Ping mumbled and swayed in his seat.

"My apologies Ping Ping," Shun quickly patted those chubby cheeks, "Let us go eat."

He thanked the dancer for saving his little friend to earn a warm smile. Shun quickly averted his eyes, afraid staring at such a smile was going to make him melt. When they joined the others at the kitchen, Kaiden offered them breakfast.

"Do we know what the plan for today is?" Shun questioned eating the parfait.

"We haven't heard anything yet. I wonder if they are deciding some crazy challenge?" Mikey, a trainee with blondes at the tip of his hair, questioned with food in his mouth.

Shun shuddered at the thought of his mother here in the world and witnessed Mikey's openmouthed eating. The boy would have gotten smacked on the head with that metal fan his mother loved. It hurts. He was the victim of that fan a few times and he never once ever did it again.

"Maybe they are finally giving us a break," Heeang sighed and rubbed the already healed cheek.

"If that's the case, let's do something together to bring us closer," one of the trainee spoke up, "Do you think they still have the bounce house?"

Ping perked up and narrowed his eyes at Heeung with a mischievous smile. Shun quickly tugged the boy's hair with a quirk of his brow. Pouty lips and big brown eyes stared innocently at him. His stern stare wavered and he inwardly swoon at such an adorable face.

"I don't think so," Kaiden spoke up, "I believe they returned those items. We could play football outside."

"Where's the football?" Shun questioned and Kaiden just stared at him, "There is none…"

"Let's go with old fashion tag," Kiki offered, "Heeang is it."

"Wha-"

"Great!" Ping exclaimed happily and stuck out his tongue at the traitor.

Leaving the building and out on the open lawn, the trainees played with staffs watching them and holding cameras.

Shun laughed as he was chased around the building. The rule was no one can enter the house and could not leave the vicinity. Honestly, they probably couldn't either way with some of the staffs outside watching them. It was weird, but Shun had to tell himself this was like those days of frolicking through the daisies with the princesses, as their parents watched.

That was weird too.

Twisting and running around the trees, he laughed when Kiki gave up trying to tag him. Then Kaiden and the rest gave up trying to tag him and Ping didn't even try. So, he assumed Taemeng would do the same.

"Shun," the boy neared with his straight face, "I heard Ping crying."

"What?"

"I think he hurt himself, you should check on him," Taemeng pointed to where Ping was and Shun, in his brotherly fashion, quickly ran toward the area.

He suddenly felt a hand slapped his arm.

"You're it."

"…"

The boy grinned and Shun stared wide eyes and mouth wide.

"You… How dare you trick me by using Ping! I will get you Taemeng!" He shouted with laughter and chased the boy.

Of course, with his skill and poise, he tripped on his own leg and tumbled forward. In the end, the only one to have gotten hurt was him. Go figure.

When they returned to the top floor, they saw they had 15 white boxes on the dining table. The television came on with the host's face. Shun breathed out a sigh of relief. At least he knew that host was not dead or something.

"Contestants, before you are 15 boxes. Choose one and do not open it until tomorrow when told to."

'Wonder what this could be… Oh! Is it a present from home? Did Ah Dong gift me something?' Shun was excited to see what was inside.

He missed Wen Dong.