August is one of the very special months for the Choi Family. Mainly because August was the birthday of the beloved oldest.
"Okay, so I just got Eomma and Appa to distract Hyung" Chan said as he closed the door to the triplet's bedroom.
All 12 brothers are gathered the triplets' bedroom because it was the only room that can fit all of them.
"So what's the plan?" Seokmin asked who was sitting in his bed, with Seungkwan and Soonyoung cuddled up beside him.
"Okay, so we all know our Hyung's birthday is in a week" Jeonghan started as he began to write in the huge white board that Mingyu owned. "And I know everyone agrees when I say we want the best surprise birthday party for him"
They all nodded. It was true. For the past few years, Seungcheol always planned their birthdays. And with the previous birthday celebrant's comments, his birthday was worth it, "the best one so far" he said. AND! Not only that, he gives the best presents. The BEST of the BEST.
"So, let's make his 20th birthday memorable" Jisoo said. "Mingyu, Jun, you help Eomma bake the cake and the other foods"
The two saluted.
"Us, Wonwoo and the maknae twins, we'll be in charge of decoration" Jisoo said.
"Got it! " Seungkwan chirped whilst Hansol nodded.
"Cool" Wonwoo smiled.
"Jihoon, we need you to set up the music playlist. I'm sure you know Cheol hyung's favorite songs"
Jihoon nodded. "I'm on it"
"Soonyoung and Chan, we need you two to come up with some fun games"
"Awesome!" The two high fived.
"Seokmin, you'll be the MC"
"Yes!!" Seokmin cheered.
"And Hao you'll be in charge of the guests"
Minghao widened his eyes. "B-But I don't know much of Cheol's friends"
Seungkwan raised his hand. "I think me and Hao Hyung should switch. I know everyone's circle of friends here at this point" He confidently said, smiling softly at Minghao who sighed in relief.
"Okay then" Jeonghan clasped his hands together. "I guess that's all?"
"I think so" Jisoo said, closing the cap of the marker he was holding. "Oh wait, one more thing" He said as the brothers looked at him.
"What are we gonna get him??"
The brothers looked at each other.
✾
August 6, 2023
"Boys, me and the twins will be out for a while 'kay?" Eomma Choi said as she grabbed hrthe car keys, the two pairs of twins waiting outside the door. "Any requests?"
Seokmin perked up. "Pizza please Eomma!!"
Eomma Choi chuckled. "Okay, anything else?"
"Threads please Eomma" Minghao said. "Someone decided to play around with my sewing threads and now it's all freaking tangled up" He side-eyed Chan who was looking away.
Eomma Choi shook his head and sighed. "We're gonna have a little talk about that later boys" She said as she closed the door.
The 5 of them got in the car as Eomma Choi turned on the engine.
"So" She said as they drove out to the street. "What present are you giving to your Hyung?"
Jisoo, who sat at the passenger seat, glanced at the back seat through the rear mirror, his twin shrugging.
"We're still thinking about it" Jisoo replied to their mother.
"Actually" Hansol raised his hand. "I have a suggestion"
His twin looked at him. "Oh?"
"Do tell" Jisoo said.
✾
August 7, 2023
"Hey, what's the plan for tomorrow?" A giddy Seungcheol asked as he skipped his way into the kitchen.
"Nothing actually" Wonwoo replied, pushing his glasses back up.
The oldest's smile fell. "Eh?"
"Oh!" Seungkwan perked up, getting Seungcheol's hopes up. "It's your turn to go shopping with Eomma after class" His smile fell again.
"Oh....." He muttered as he slumped back in his seat.
Seungkwan smiled mischievously but Hansol was quick to nudge him.
✾
August 8, 2023
D-Day!!
"Kids! C'mon!" Appa Choi yelled as he grabbed the car key while her wife fixed his tie.
Immediately the boys came jogging down the stairs with complete school uniform and backpacks as they raced each other out of the house.
Their father counted his children, his furrowed his eyebrows afterwards. "Cheol??"
"You guys go first Appa" A weak voice from Seungcheol was heard as he walked down the stairs.
"You sure? What's with the sullen look squirt?"
"Yeah just go ahead. I'm just not in the mood to be with them" Seungcheol said.
"Okay then, you can go with me. I'll be off in a few minutes" Eomma Choi smiled.
Seungcheol nodded, making his way to the living room and sitting on the couch, tossing his bag to the other end of the couch.
The married couple just looked at each and silently chuckled.
Eomma Choi straightened his suit before looking up at him. "I'll handle him, don't worry"
His husband nodded as he kissed her before leaving the house.
He got into the seat and put the key in. "Okay, everyone ready?"
Jun furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the empty passenger seat. "Appa, where's Cheol Hyung?"
Appa Choi pursed his lips. "He had uh, something to finish. He said he'll go with your Eomma"
Jeonghan looked at his twin. Jisoo patted his knee. "It's okay" He whispered.
✾
It wasn't okay.
Seungcheol didn't show up at school. Eomma Choi had texted Jeonghan that Seungcheol felt under the weather so decided to skip school. Jeonghan knew better.
"Are you sure??" Soonyoung asked, frowning.
The hyung twins, along with Soonyoung and Jihoon were at Seungcheol's classroom in hopes the older just hasn't left the classroom.
Nayeon, his classmate, shook her head. "He hasn't been here since this morning"
Seungcheol's other classmate, Kim Jisoo, popped up behind Nayeon. "Is the invite still valid though?"
"Yes Noona, you guys are still welcome to come" Jeonghan chuckled.
Jisoo bowed. "We'll be off then, thank you"
The two girls nodded before the brothers left.
"Have you guys tried calling him?" Jeonghan asked.
"I've been calling his number several times but it keeps going to voicemail" Jihoon sighed, clutching the phone that went into voicemail yet again.
"It's already the maknae twins' dismissal, they should've been home by now" Soonyoung muttered as he check the time on his wrist watch.
"I'll call them" Jihoon said, dialing the number immediately.
A few rings late, it answered.
"Hello?"
"Kwan-ah? You and Sol home yet?"
"Just arrived actually"
They heard a shuffle followed by another voice.
"Kwan...."
They 4 could heard the panic voice of Hansol
"Sol? What's going on there?" Jisoo asked.
They heard muttering as Seungkwan yelled out a "what?!"
"Guys" Jihoon called them again. "What's going on there?"
"H-Hyung...." Seungkwan's shaky voice came in line.
"Seungcheol hyung's not here"