The girl spread her school materials across the kitchen table, letting the quiet afternoon light settle around her. The house felt unusually peaceful, a rare moment where the chaos of boys, laughter and footsteps blended into a distant hum.
She slipped on her headphones and started the playlist she always used to focus — soft, rhythmic beats that grounded her whenever life felt too loud.
She was so absorbed in her notes that she didn’t notice the slow, quiet approach behind her — nor the fond smile forming on the boy’s face as he watched her work.
Only when a shadow fell over her textbook and someone leaned casually against the edge of it did she jump, yanking her headphones off in shock.
He grinned, amused and completely unapologetic.
“Sorry—didn’t mean to scare you. Well… maybe a little.”
“My heart almost stopped!” she gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. Her pulse thundered, but despite the fright, a shy smile tugged at her lips.
“I’m really sorry,” he chuckled softly. “You okay?”
She nodded, still catching her breath.
“I just wanted to know what you’re working on.”
“School stuff…” she mumbled, embarrassed he’d seen her startled like that.
He nodded and pushed away from her table, moving back to the counter where a kettle had just begun to rumble with boiling water. She watched him, curious and comfortable in the small domestic moment.
“Oppa… is it a problem for you that I use your room while I’m here?” she asked suddenly, her voice hesitant.
He spun around, eyebrows shooting up.
“What? No! Of course not. I offered it to you, remember?”
“But I still feel bad… you’re the one who ends up sleeping with the others instead.”
“Soul, sweetheart,” he said gently, “it’s really okay. I’m just happy you’re here. And even happier that this place feels like home to you.”
He turned back to the kettle, but his voice softened even more.
“In fact, all of us are glad you’re here. You bring life into this place. You’re polite, sweet… and somehow you make this house feel less empty.”
She blinked, genuinely confused. She wasn’t doing anything special. She was just… here.
She mostly only talked comfortably with her brothers, Hendery, and Doyoung — the safe circle she’d slowly created for herself.
“Ah—right! Soul, can you do me a favor? Could you bring this soup upstairs to hyung?”
She stared at him with wide, hesitant eyes.
“Soul, it’s okay,” he reassured gently. “I know you’re not comfortable being alone with him… but he’s asleep. You won’t even have to talk to him.”
“Then why don’t you take it to him?” she asked quietly.
“Soul, I really need to do something urgent. The others are counting on me. Please?” His eyes softened into a pleading look she knew far too well.
He pouted — that unfair, devastating bunny smile — and she felt her resistance crumble instantly.
“Fine… I’ll do it,” she sighed with a small smile.
“You’re the best,” he grinned, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. Her face lit up in warm, startled red.
After Doyoung slipped out of the kitchen, Soul finished preparing the tray — soup, tea, a glass of water, and the medication the medics had instructed Taeyong to take.
Her hands trembled slightly as she arranged everything.
Going into his room alone…
She swallowed.
Well. Too late to back out now.
