Ding dong!
Jiho held a bag of instant ramen and waited awkwardly outside the door.
He didn't want to arrive empty-handed. Even if it was just something basic.
The door clicked open, and Kyungho greeted him with that usual bright smile as ever.
"Yo, I knew it was you. Come on in, what are you carrying?"
He took the plastic bag from Jiho like a natural host, already reaching behind the door for a pair of slippers.
Oh.
Jiho raised an eyebrow. Of course. That's Kyungho. The social butterfly who made himself at home anywhere.
"It's just some ramen from my cabinet. Nothing fancy." He slipped on the slippers and glanced around. "Where's Sunbae?"
Jiho peered but didn't see any sign of Minjae.
"You didn't have to. My brother-in-law's treating us tonight," Kyungho said, grinning proudly.
Jiho chuckled. "You're really proud of that."
Kyungho nodded enthusiastically then replied to his previous question. He knew without asking who it was.
"Minjae sunbae's in the kitchen," he whispered, eyes sparkling with excitement. "He's making steak."
Jiho gave a small nod, gaze shifting toward the kitchen.
Sure enough, Minjae was there, sleeves rolled up, focused, with Hyunsuk acting like a slightly chaotic sous-chef.
"I'll drop this off in the kitchen. Might as well say hi," Jiho said, reaching for the bag before Kyungho could walk off with it.
Kyungho tilted his head, surprised, then smiled and handed it back. "Sure. Go ahead."
Avoiding Kyungho's inquiring gaze, Jiho made his way into the kitchen.
"Oh, you're here," Minjae said, not looking up for long. "Didn't think parties were your thing."
Jiho placed the ramen on the counter and replied flatly, "Still isn't. Just being polite."
Minjae smirked, clearly amused.
Then, as if he couldn't resist, he leaned in and reached toward Jiho.
Jiho watched him, unsure what he wanted to do until Minjae's hand dove into his hair and ruffled it into a mess.
Minjae laughed, quiet but pleased. "How obedient."
"I'm not a kid," Jiho muttered, swatting his hand away and trying to smooth his hair back into place.
Minjae gave a thoughtful nod. One that absolutely disagreed.
Tch.
Jiho clicked his tongue and looked around. "Need help with anything?"
Before Minjae could answer, Hyunsuk raised a hand from the corner, eyes watery.
"I do," he sniffled.
Jiho's mouth twitched.
The guy looked like a damsel in distress with an onion in one hand and a knife in the other.
"Help me dice those carrots and potatoes over there," Hyunsuk added, blinking rapidly. "I'm making curry noodles."
Jiho nodded and grabbed the veggies, rinsing them under the sink. "Sounds good."
Hyunsuk wiped his face with his sleeve and yelped, "I'll be back! Gotta wash my eyes!"
He dashed out dramatically, leaving Jiho holding a knife and watching him go like he was in a tragic soap opera.
"…What even."
Still, Jiho placed the vegetables on the board and began slicing them neatly into cubes.
Minjae glanced over, impassively. "You didn't have to help. Don't you want to go outside and drink?"
"I don't drink."
"Eat snacks?"
"I literally just woke up."
Minjae: "…"
He paused, then tilted his head slightly. "Can you help me taste this?"
He held out a bite-sized piece of stir-fried beef from the pan.
Jiho hesitated just for a second before leaning in and taking the bite.
He chewed, nodded. "It's good."
Minjae gave a satisfied hum, turning back to his steak, now sizzling gently in butter.
The smell of butter and beef filled the kitchen, Jiho rarely felt hungry, but even he thought it smelled good.
Minjae asked casually, "So, did you get a good sleep?"
"Um… yeah? I was planning to sleep the whole evening though."
"You can sneak into my room later if you want to rest," Minjae offered without looking up.
Jiho nodded, rinsing off the cutting board under running water. "Sure? That'd be nice. I didn't know you were having a party. It's kind of nice like this too."
Minjae gave him a glance and shrugged. "I didn't know either."
He scoffed as he reached for a plate. "Apparently, Sangmin, that filthy bastard decided he wanted to 'have some fun.' He's up to no good."
As if on cue, the living room erupted in noise. Laughter, cheers, and a few high-pitched voices mixed in.
Both of them instinctively looked toward the source.
Heh.
Lee Sangmin strolled in, grinning from ear to ear, followed by a group of girls. One had long, curly hair and waved with a soft smile.
"Yo, make yourselves at home," Sangmin said, addressing the guys with a nod. "Don't mind a few more people, right? Let's get wasted tonight!"
The girls giggled as they greeted the room. The one with curly hair added, "We brought some drinks. Hope we're not crashing anything?"
"Of course not," someone replied instantly, shifting over to make space. "Food's almost ready too, help yourselves."
Then Sangmin turned and waved toward the kitchen. "Bro! Come have a drink first!"
Minjae gave a short nod in reply, then leaned closer to Jiho and whispered near his ear, "Bet he planned this."
He patted Jiho's back. "Help me watch the fire," he said before stepping out.
Jiho flinched slightly, touching his ear as if to erase the sensation, then returned his focus to the steak sizzling in the pan.
Haah.
He lazily stirred the pot of boiling vegetables beside it.
A moment later, Hyunsuk reappeared with a drink in hand.
"I'm back. Want one?" he offered.
Jiho looked at the cup, surprised, and shook his head. "I don't drink."
"Eh? Really?" Hyunsuk blinked. "Don't drink, or never tried?"
Jiho let out a small laugh. "Don't drink. I get drunk too easily."
"Cool," Hyunsuk shrugged, taking a sip from his own cup. "Time to add the magic cubes. You can head out, I've got it from here."
Jiho glanced toward the living room. The energy was a different level over there.
To be honest? He didn't want to go. Way out of his comfort zone.