Blind Hearts Unveiled|ZB1

17: A Night of Memories

The air inside the apartment was filled with warmth and anticipation as Jiwoong and Matthew worked diligently to set up their cozy Christmas gathering. The soft glow of twinkling lights illuminated the room, casting a festive ambiance that danced on the walls. Wrapped presents adorned a table, adding an air of excitement to the space.

Just as they were putting the finishing touches on the decorations, the doorbell chimed, signaling the arrival of their friends. Jiwoong's face lit up as he moved towards the door, and Matthew's smile mirrored his excitement. The sound of laughter and chatter from Taerae and Gunwook permeated the air as they stepped into the apartment, carrying presents in their hands.

"Hey, guys! Welcome!" Matthew's voice carried genuine enthusiasm as he warmly greeted his friends.

Jiwoong's friendly demeanor matched Matthew's as he added, "Yeah, make yourselves at home."

Gunwook shifted slightly, an awkward grin on his face, as he cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah, about the whole pie incident... I'm very sorry for that, Jiwoong-sunbaenim."

Taerae chimed in, playfully nudging Gunwook. "Yeah, they got a bit carried away with their 'fun.'"

Jiwoong's lips curled into a small smile as he waved it off, his tone light. "No worries, Gunwook. It's all in good fun."

As the group gathered, the cozy apartment buzzed with energy and laughter, the earlier mishap quickly forgotten in the joy of the moment.

The next one to arrive was Junhyeon. Junhyeon's entrance was like a burst of energy, his excitement contagious as he greeted everyone with his usual cheerful charm. Laughter echoed through the apartment as he effortlessly blended into the festive atmosphere, adding a touch of liveliness to the preparations.

Then, Yujin entered the apartment with a shy smile, his presence noticeably different from the others in the room. The unfamiliar surroundings and the sea of faces he didn't quite know made him a tad awkward.

"Um, hey," he greeted softly, his voice tinged with a hint of nervousness. His eyes shifted around, meeting the gazes of Matthew, Jiwoong, and Taerae, who were already present. It was clear that he was trying his best to blend in, despite the visible unease.

Matthew offered a warm smile in return. "Hey there, Yujin! Thanks for coming."

Jiwoong, as always, exuded an approachable charm. "Welcome, Yujin. We're glad you could make it."

Taerae's playful grin came next. "You must be the youngest here, right? Don't worry, we won't bite."

As their friendly greetings enveloped him, Yujin's nervousness seemed to ease slightly. Though he was still finding his footing amidst this new group, he could sense the genuine warmth and acceptance radiating from their words. And slowly, as the night went on, he began to realize that maybe this gathering wasn't as intimidating as he had initially thought.

Matthew, Jiwoong, and Taerae made sure to engage Yujin, drawing him into their circle with genuine interest and kindness. Through shared stories and light-hearted teasing, Yujin began to open up, his playful side emerging bit by bit. The age gap seemed to fade away as they found common ground in shared interests and a genuine sense of camaraderie.

Gyuvin and Ricky made their entrance with their matching Christmas sweaters immediately catching everyone's attention. Laughter filled the room as they stepped in, their outfits prompting a series of teasing remarks.

"Look at these two, making a fashion statement," Matthew quipped with a grin, his gaze shifting between the coordinated sweaters.

Gunwook joined in the lighthearted banter. "I never thought I'd see the day when Ricky would wear something like this."