Han was pressed against the plane seat, trying not to slouch in the most uncomfortable sleeping position in the world, while Felix laughed out loud from the seat next to him.

“Hyung, you look like a crumpled teddy bear that a dog chewed on.”

Han grunted sleepily. “At least I don’t look like I have a donut for a neck. That neck pillow is more dangerous than an airport duty free chocolate sale.”

Lee Know stared at his phone, then groaned. “Our name is already trending at the airport entrance. Someone wrote that Chan hyung was seen getting coffee at the Paris airport dressed as a fish.”

Bang Chan, who had a hoodie over his cap, said only this: “I didn’t dress up as a fish. It was just a... special design. And it was warm. And the hood had fins.” Okay, whatever, I got coffee, okay?

Hyunjin used a small mirror to try to revive his bangs, which were standing as if they were fighting gravity. “If a STAY posts a single picture of me with this hair, I’ll turn off the internet in South Korea. Alone.”

Seungmin leaned his head back against the seat, stoically calm. “Are you guys resigned to being interviewed on every microphone in existence in twenty minutes about how the chicken rice was on the plane?”

Changbin flipped through the flight menu, still. “Do you think if I complain, they’ll give me food on the way home? Because I didn’t eat enough. I.N. stole the jelly dessert, for example. He looked at me and took it. That’s what brotherly love is worth.”

I.N. laughed from behind. – That jelly was trying to kill me. I just got rid of it. Anyway, we’ll be tempted to have some coffee and coconut rice balls at the airport anyway. I hope she brought some food. Or a blanket. Or patience.

Bang Chan glanced at his phone, where your message was flashing: “I’ll be waiting for you at the exit! I hope you don’t look like an oversized fish.”

Chan laughed. – She saw the fish thing too. Fantastic. I hope she brought some kind of escape plan for the airport madness.

///////

The guys slowly got off the plane. The thud of landing was as brutally real as the text message Chan had received from his manager:

“There are a lot of people at the exit. Fans, reporters, a banner that says ‘HYUNJIN, GIVE ME MY PASTA BACK.’”

Hyunjin whispered with a fading gaze: “I remember that pasta. That dinner was worth it. I’ll take the consequences.”

Seungmin: “You take the consequences? There’s a cardboard man dressed as a noodle box. What’s happening to us?”

They walked through the airport corridor to the public exit, where the noise was already starting to seep through the walls. Phones blaring, microphones blaring, flashes flashing...

Lee Know: “This isn’t an airport anymore. This is Hunger Games live. I want to get back on the plane. At least the chicken was the only threat there.

Felix chuckled. – At least she'll be there. She's our savior. Our little airport Gandalf.

Changbin: – If Gandalf stands in front of me and says, ‘You shall not pass!’, I swear I’ll turn back.

I.N took out a pair of sunglasses that he usually wears on stage. – If they stop me, I’ll dance them off. Watch. – then he started a random dance move that tripped a flight attendant.

Bang Chan: – Okay, guys. Now pay attention. We’re leaving. We’re heading to the right. Don’t stop for an interview. Find her. She’ll be the only person who acts normal... – he looked at his phone, then hesitated – ...well, the only one who doesn’t try to take pictures of our armpits.

///////

Screams. Flashes. A reporter falls on a banner with Changbin’s arm. Someone waves a life-size Hyunjin poster.

Stray Kids exit the gate. The crowd explodes.

Reporter 1: – “Bang Chan, is it true that a performance in America was delayed because of a hotdog?”

Bang Chan (with a half-smile): – I won’t comment. But the hotdog was good.

Reporter 2: – “Felix, did you really cry with a cat from Arizona?”

Felix (with fairy-like seriousness): – That cat understood me. It was a deep connection.

Han passes a fan shouting: “HAN, I LOVE YOU, BUT WHY DIDN’T YOU CALL ME BACK?”

– Who are you and when did you call me? Because if it happened while eating, it doesn’t count as official contact!

Lee Know sees the noodle cardboard figure. – Hyunjin, look! The ghost of the noodles has come for you.

Hyunjin: – If you can forgive me, I’ll eat your brand again. I swear.

In the middle of the crowd, beyond the flashbulbs and frantic reporters... a familiar figure stands. She smiles. In one hand is a banner: “Welcome back home! But please don’t bring any more fish clothes, Chan.”

Bang Chan stops. He smiles.

– There she is. She's there.

The crowd is split in two by security. The boys speed up. Finally, no cameras, no microphones... just you.

Seungmin looks at you.

– Please tell me you didn’t see me almost fall at the exit... or... lie if you did.

I.N: – What kind of food do you have? I see your bag. Food. Food. Food?!

Felix laughs at you.

– I missed you. Seriously. Even your weird nicknames.

Hyunjin hides behind you. – Protect me from the noodles. Please.

Changbin: – If you brought the “sauce-reclaim” banner, then you and I... will be friends. Or enemies. I’ll decide.

Bang Chan stops in front of you. He looks deep into your eyes. – Finally. We’re home. Or at least... closer to what I call it. As long as you’re here.