As they all congregated in the kitchen, preparing to transition to the dining room, Y/n's soft-spoken inquiry to Seungmin cut through the chatter, drawing everyone's attention like a magnet. "I wonder if you could tell me where the...?"
Felix, always eager to be helpful, perked up instantly like an enthusiastic puppy. "Oh, it's just down the corridor on the right. I'll show you."
As they departed, leaving curious gazes in their wake, attention swiftly turned to Chan, as expected. He knew the inevitable barrage of questions would come once Y/n was out of earshot. "Quickly, quickly... talk very quickly, what are you doing here with Y/n Scott?" Seungmin's gaze bore into Chan's soul, impatient for an answer from the habitual slow talker.
Jisung's ears pricked up at the mention of Y/n Scott's name, his mind racing with disbelief. "Y/n Scott?"
"The movie star?" / "Yup."
"Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, Goddy God." Panic seized Jisung as memories of their previous conversation flooded back. Meanwhile, Felix rejoined the group, clearly brimming with gossip. "I don't believe it. I walked into the loo with her. I was still talking when she started unbuttoning her jeans... She had to ask me to leave."
Chan, overwhelmed, buried his face in his hands with a loud groan before retreating to the dining table, leaving the others to exchange amused glances. Later, seated around the dinner table, the atmosphere was convivial. In this order: Seungmin, Y/n, Felix, Jisung, Chan, and Hyunjin engaged in lively conversation, the awkward tension dissipating.
Seungmin turned to Y/n, eager to learn more about her. "What do you think of the guinea fowl?" Y/n, with a smile, revealed a surprising detail. "I'm a vegetarian." His shock was palpable, but Y/n motioned for him to keep quiet as the conversation shifted to Jisung's love life.
As the evening unfolded, they all relaxed into each other's company, enjoying the camaraderie. Y/n felt a sense of ease she hadn't experienced with her celebrity friends in a long time. The sight of a homemade chocolate cake brought a smile to Y/n's face. It had been ages since she had indulged in such simple pleasures. Felix, sporting an unsuitable hat, added to the lighthearted atmosphere.
Watching Chan's infectious laughter and mock shame, Y/n couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart. They all felt like a true family, accepting her without pretense.
Hyunjin's just about being a group of underachievers elicited laughter, lightening the mood. Jisung, in good spirits, playfully accepted the title of the "saddest act," sharing humorous anecdotes about his life.
Felix chimed in, adding his quirks to the mix. Despite their insecurities, there was a genuine bond among them that made Y/n feel truly at home.
"Having you here, Y/n, confirms what I've long suspected," Seungmin quipped with a grin, breaking the tension with his trademark humor. "We really are a motley crew of underachievers."
"Shame!" Hyunjin chimed in, prompting laughter from the group as Jisung playfully took the spotlight.
"I'm not saying it's a bad thing," Jisung interjected, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "In fact, I think we should embrace it. And to celebrate, I'll award the last brownie to the saddest soul among us."
All eyes turned to Jisung, the room erupting into laughter as he launched into a self-deprecating spiel. Y/n listened intently, admiring his honesty and vulnerability.
"I work in the City in a job I barely understand, and everyone keeps leapfrogging over me. I haven't had a girlfriend since... well, since forever. And let's face it, nobody's lining up to change that anytime soon," Jisung confessed with a wry grin, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Nonsense. I fancy you. Well, I did until you got so far," Felix quipped, earning a playful exchange of winks between them. "And as for me," he continued, gesturing to himself, "I toil away at London's seediest coffee joint, all while sporting googly eyes and a complexion that's fading faster than my chances of finding love."
The room erupted into laughter once more, the genuine camaraderie filling Y/n's heart with warmth as she realized she was among true friends.
Y/n was slowly unraveling the intricacies of the game, finding it to be a melancholic journey where each player narrated their tale of woe. Yet amidst the sorrow, there lay a silver lining in the form of a delectable brownie, its promise of solace beckoning like a beacon in the darkness of despair.
"Ah, the depths of despair," Hyunjin melodramatically exclaimed, feigning tears that threatened to cascade down his cheeks. Seungmin couldn't help but roll his eyes in response. "Well, at least he's got Y/n Scott as his best friend," he remarked dryly.
"Indeed, undeniable truth. I suppose she's stuck with me, for better or for worse," Felix chimed in, wrapping an arm around Y/n with a playful grin. Y/n giggled in agreement, basking in the camaraderie shared among friends. Meanwhile, Chan observed the scene with a warmth blooming in his chest, a sense of contentment washing over him like a gentle tide.
As the attention turned back to Seungmin, he began to articulate his rationale for indulging in the brownie. "Consider this: while most of us have the privilege of functioning limbs, I find myself confined to this contraption for the foreseeable future," he lamented, gesturing towards his wheelchair. "And to add insult to injury, I've had to bid farewell to my beloved cigarettes, only to remain a target of hate for being married to the man I love."
A heavy silence settled over the room, each member of the group grappling with the weight of Seungmin's words. Hyunjin gazed at Seungmin with a mixture of admiration and pride, silently applauding his courage to speak his truth.
Though tales of Seungmin's past struggles in the legal field were well-known, the passage of time had seemingly dulled the edge of the pain he endured.
"Seungmin," Chan's voice broke through the silence, his tone gentle yet firm. Seungmin met his gaze with a soft smile, finding solace in the comfort offered by his friend. "It's not true," Jisung interjected, his voice thick with emotion, unable to bear witness to his friend's suffering.
"Such is life... filled with its share of hardships. But perhaps, a brownie is a small price to pay for a moment of respite," He remarked, while Chan extending his hand towards him, who gratefully accepted the gesture, finding solace in the warmth of their friendship. Meanwhile, Hyunjin, ever the jester, sought to lighten the mood with a playful jest, signaling the return of levity to their midst.
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