The car ride back was unusually quiet.
The girl was fast asleep, her head resting against the young leader’s shoulder, her breathing shallow but steady. No one dared to speak—not even in whispers—afraid that the smallest sound might wake her. When communication was unavoidable, they relied on small gestures and careful glances, hands moving slowly through the air in practiced silence.
The hum of the engine and the soft rhythm of the road were the only sounds filling the car.
Sungchan, however, couldn’t relax.
His eyes kept drifting back to his sister, worry tightening in his chest. Castle J’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind—the way he had spoken about the alley, the grip on her wrist, the fear in her eyes afterward. Guilt settled heavily in his stomach. He should have been there. He should have picked her up himself.
The fact that he hadn’t made his unease worse.
When they finally arrived at the base, Jeno carefully shifted his position and brushed the back of his hand against the girl’s forehead.
The heat startled him.
She was burning up—far warmer than before.
His jaw tightened instantly.
He raised his hand at once, stopping Jungwoo before he could gently shake her awake.
“Don’t,” Jeno whispered urgently.
Jungwoo frowned. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“She’s burning up,” Jeno answered quietly, his voice controlled but tense. “She needs rest. Waking her now will only make it worse.”
He glanced at Sungchan and Jaehyun, silently asking them to trust him.
“I’ll carry her,” Jeno added without hesitation. “It’s better that way.”
Neither Sungchan nor Jaehyun argued. They simply nodded and moved ahead to open the door, clearing the way as quickly and quietly as possible.
“Hey, guys—” Taeyong started automatically as the group stepped inside.
“Shhh!” came several hushed voices at once.
He blinked, startled, then immediately understood when Jeno stepped inside, with a fragile body in his arms.
The moment they noticed the unconscious girl in his arms, everyone in the kitchen froze. Movements halted mid-action, conversations died instantly, and concern replaced confusion as they gathered closer.
“What the—” someone began, only to be cut off again by urgent shushing.
“She’s just sleeping,” Sungchan explained quietly, though his face gave away how worried he truly was.
“Where should I take her?” Jeno asked softly.
“Not the couch,” Johnny replied immediately. “Haechan will wake her up by accident, or someone else will when they come downstairs.”
“She needs a quiet room,” Kun added. “Somewhere she can rest properly. Doyoung’s room won’t work right now.”
“Why not?” a few voices asked in unison.
“Gong Myung hyung came over,” Doyoung explained. “He was exhausted, so he’s sleeping in my room for now.”
“Gong Myung hyung is here?!” Jungwoo whispered excitedly.
“Shhh,” someone immediately reminded him.
“Jeno,” Taeyong said calmly, “take her to my room. It’s the farthest from the noisy rooms, and it’s quiet. She’ll rest better there.”
