When they arrived downstairs, Jeno carefully let the girl down on one of the chairs in the kitchen, making sure she was steady before he released her. She still felt a little light-headed, her fingers instinctively gripping the edge of the table as if the ground might give in again at any moment.
“Ohh! Soul! You’re awake!” Taeil exclaimed warmly, immediately crossing the kitchen to her. Before she could even react properly, he wrapped her into a gentle hug, careful not to squeeze her too tightly. “It’s so nice to have you here.”
“Hello, Taeil oppa!” she said brightly, trying to sound energetic despite how drained she felt. Her eyes scanned him briefly and she let out a small laugh. “Wah… you look even more handsome than usual today. Are you going on a date?”
Taeil laughed, clearly pleased. “Hehe, thank you—but no! I just try extra hard when you’re around. You’re my secret motivation,” he teased, winking before gently pinching her cheek.
She laughed quietly, her shoulders loosening a little.
But Taeil’s playful expression shifted almost immediately. He leaned back slightly to really look at her face. “Hm… wait. You look much paler than usual. Are you really okay?”
Another voice chimed in worriedly, fingers brushing her cheek. “Your cheeks are really warm… do you have a fever?”
The girl opened her mouth to answer, then hesitated.
“I-I’m fine, oppa,” she murmured softly, lowering her gaze as if that alone could make it true.
“I wanted to make her some tea,” Renjun explained quickly, stepping in before anyone could press her further. “We told her to rest, but she really wanted to see you guys. So I thought it would be okay if she rested on the couch instead.”
“Yeah... the only problem could become Haechan and Lucas...” Kun said. “they are extremly energetic today....”
“…they’ve been running through the house all morning,” Taeil added with a sigh, “so Taeyong and Doyoung already scolded them earlier. Especially since Soul and GongMyung hyung were sleeping.”
“G-GongMyung?” The girl echoed quietly, blinking.
“GongMyung hyung?!” a bright voice suddenly echoed through the room, full of excitement.
“Is he awake already?!” Jungwoo asked eagerly, practically rushing into the kitchen, stopping right next to the girl.
“Yeah,” Taeil nodded, amused. “He woke up about half an hour ago.”
“Where’s he?”
“He and Doyoung went for a walk.”
Jungwoo’s eyes lit up, he turned and was about to run outside again when he noticed the girl. “Oh! Soul, you’re here too!” He hugged her carefully. “It’s really nice to see you.”
The girl let out a shy giggle, her cheeks warming even more.
“Hello oppa!”
Then, as fast as he came into the kitchen, the fast he hurried outside again.
“Doyoungie… who is this girl there?”
A deeper, unfamiliar voice spoke up from the doorway.
His voice was calm and curious, not intrusive, but genuinely warm. His gaze lingered on the girl for a second longer than polite, not out of suspicion, but concern. She looked small between all of them, wrapped in a blanket that seemed almost too big for her, her shoulders slightly hunched as if she tried to make herself invisible.
