Just when Jiho was about to politely reject Hyunsuk's kindness.
Kyungho excitedly walked over, grinning like he'd been waiting for the perfect moment.
"Jiho-ya~ Come on already. Let Hyunsuk finish up."
Jiho opened his mouth to object, but Hyunsuk waved him off with an encouraging nod.
"I've got it. It's almost done anyway. Go ahead, I'm the chef today."
"See? He's got it. Hyunsuk's an expert at this," Kyungho chimed in. "He likes this stuff. Let's go~"
While speaking, Kyungho was already half-dragging Jiho toward the living room before he could form another excuse.
Kyungho dropped him onto the living room floor beside him.
Jiho sat stiffly in the crowd.
Kyungho grinned happily, cheeks flushed, and stole a snack out of Gunwoo's hand with zero remorse. With a gleeful little flourish, he offered it to Jiho.
"Here, since you don't drink, eat up my little baby."
Jiho scowled. Just how many drinks did this guy already have?
He stared at the half-crushed chip packet now in his hands, then at Gunwoo's stunned expression across from him.
Jiho calmly adverted his gaze.
He coolly shifted his gaze to the more entertaining scene on the other side of the room.
Lee Sangmin, in full host mode, was pouring drinks like a gentleman for the girls, especially attentive to the pretty girl beside him.
She was wearing a pink A-line dress, her long hair falling softly over her shoulders, delicate features glowing in the warm light. A delicate campus beauty.
"What does Yujin want to eat? Are you hungry?" Sangmin asked with a charming smile.
Han Yujin softly smiled and replied, "It's okay. We stopped by the night market earlier, we're not that hungry."
Sangmin laughed. "Is that so? Still, you should eat before you go. Minjae's the main chef tonight, right, bro?" he called out.
Jiho's gaze shifted to Minjae.
Minjae sat on the floor, one knee up, cup resting casually in one hand. He hummed in reply, he was effortlessly cool.
The girl beside him tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling shyly as she struck up conversation.
"I heard Seo Minjae's always locked in the project room. I didn't know you could cook too."
"Well," Minjae smirked, lifting his glass, "I'm full of surprises. Cheers?"
Oh.
Their cups clinked, and Minjae knocked his drink back in one smooth motion.
Jiho didn't recognize the girl, probably someone from their class, judging by the familiarity.
He nibbled a chip absentmindedly, almost detached from the noise around him.
Then, a new presence shifted beside him.
Hmm?
A girl with short, wavy hair set down her drink and sat beside him.
"You're Yun Jiho, right?"
Jiho turned briefly and nodded. "Right…"
She wore a coral-toned lipstick that suited her skin well, and something about her energy made her seem friendly and inviting.
She gave a small chuckle. "I'm Lee Hana, junior year. You know, you're kind of famous in my department."
Jiho's smile faltered slightly. Great. He already didn't want to ask why.
Sensing his silence, Hana rushed to clarify, her hands raised slightly.
"Oh! It's not because of that video. Not at all, I swear!"
"It's okay. It doesn't matter," Jiho murmured, brushing it off.
"No, really! I mean it. You're known as, like, the handsome nerd on campus."
Jiho choked on his chip. Handsome nerd? Who the hell came up with that nickname?
Lee Hana smiled, as if her compliment had landed just right.
"I didn't expect you to be here tonight. I'm glad I came."
Jiho thought. What was he supposed to say?
'I'm glad you came too'? No. That sounded too suggestive.
His lips parted slightly but then stopped when a plate appeared in front of him, piled high with meat and vegetables.
"Huh?" Jiho blinked, looking up.
He hadn't even noticed Minjae leave the room. But now Seo Minjae was back, setting the plate down with his usual unbothered air.
He poured Jiho a glass of water next, then added softly, almost offhandedly—
"Remember to eat while you talk. It's not healthy to survive off one piece of triangle kimbap."
Jiho shot him a glare. "I know."
Minjae only grinned, playfully.
"Let me know if you want more. I saved some for you."
Jiho muttered under his breath.
Why do you even care?
Before he could get too caught up in his irritation, Lee Hana leaned in and whispered with a small smile.
"I didn't know you and Minjae-sunbae were so close. He takes care of you."
Jiho scoffed lightly. "He just likes messing with me."
Still… they had gotten closer lately.
Lee Hana smiled at his response, clearly not convinced.
"Well, that proves my point. You want a drink?"
Jiho repeated his standard line.
"Um... I'm a terrible drinker. I'd rather not."
Lee Hana nodded, looking understanding.
"That's a shame. Then, cheers?"
She picked up a piece of meat and raised it like a toast.
Jiho stilled at her playfulness, then gave a soft laugh. "Cheers."
He followed her lead, biting into the meat. It was still warm, and as he chewed, the juice burst across his tongue.
It was perfectly cooked, full of flavor.
It was delicious. Actually, amazing.
One bite turned into two. Then more.
He barely noticed the conversations going on around him, just vague replies thrown here and there.
Between bites and casual exchanges, Jiho and Lee Hana quietly demolished the plate in front of them like a well-coordinated team.
After days of eating ramen and kimbap, Jiho finally felt like he'd had a real meal.
He let out a small, satisfied sigh and reached for his water. Without thinking, he tilted the cup and drank deeply—
Then froze.
"Ugh…" Jiho winced, his expression twisting as bitterness flooded his mouth.
He struggled not to spit it out. Swallowed hard. His eyes narrowed.
"…Isn't this my cup?"
Across from him, Kyungho stalled and looked down at the cup in his hand.
"Oops. This is water?"
Jiho inhaled sharply, trying to stay calm.
Calm. Down.
Even if he's clumsy. Even if he's a total idiot. He's still your best friend. A kind man, deep down.
Kyungho, looking sheepish, hurriedly set the cup down.
Jiho called out. "Be careful—"
Thud.
The cup tipped and hit the table, then rolled sideways and—
Spilled.