ᴼᵁᴿ ᵀᴵᶜᴷᴵᴺᴳ ᵀᴵᴹᴱ~|ᴴʸᵁᴺᴸᴵˣ~|

38

After the chit-chatting of the cousins, they joined the other boys who were still cooking in the kitchen, giving a helping hand or two to the rest. Yongbok, Chan, and Minho took responsibility of the cooking while the remaining others were tasked to only do the preparing because we can't afford burning Hyunjin's house down.

The kitchen was now the room filled with noise, which Hyunjin was being grateful for as they are now a bit distant from his room, at least giving him space of peace and quietness. It's not like he'd yell at them to shut the fuck up. He don't want that. After all, the boys aren't capable of such task anyways.

Just after an hour, the guys outside have finished creating their masterpiece with Yongbok adding to cook pasta. And they were so delicious it felt like they're floating in the sky. No wonder why Yongbok was certified to work on Wangjok.

A few more eats and talks, the gang decided to say their goodbyes already since the sun is about to set. It was nice to have some fun again together, now with Yongbok - but they still hope the next time this happens, Hyunjin will gather along.

Yongbok headed across Hyunjin's room, knocking on the door to appear his presence. "Hyung, the boys are going home. Do you want to say goodbye to them?"

"Bye. Don't come back." Hyunjin monotonously rebutted. Yongbok glanced at the circle of friends, seeing their sad smiles and hearing the humorless laugh they're emitting.

"You know he doesn't mean that." Yongbok stated.

"Of course." Chan answered for everyone, keeping a smile of confidence in him. He proceed to step forward and pull Yongbok for a hug. "We missed you, little dragon. I wish we could have more of this next time....with Hyunjin tagging along."

Yongbok sighs, softly patting the older's broad back. "I'm sure it'll come. I'll make sure of that."

"Please. We miss our friend already. You know, Hyunjin was a bit cold and mean even before but, we can still hangout with him. At least we want that Hyunjin back." Jisung looks down, not risking the embarrassment to appear he's about to cry again. Yongbok placed a hand over the squirrel looking male's shoulder, gently gripping on it.

"He will. We just need to give him some time to spare."

Everyone nods, trying their best agreeing and believing even though the used to be rope of hope is now shredding into thinner thread. "We hope so. Alright. We'll get going now. It's getting late already." Chan insisted, the guys heading to the door and making their goodbyes.

"Alright. Take care, you guys." Yongbok grinned, quickly pulling each and everyone for a short hug.

"Thanks for inviting us over, Yongbok!" They waved their hands as they hopped in to their respective vehicles.

"Until next time!" Yongbok waves back, waiting for them to finally drive away and make sure they're safe. Once they're out of his sight, a heavy air that was stuck in his chest was released, shoulders slumping down. He then closed the door and walked towards Hyunjin's room, knocking on the door once again.

"They're gone now, hyung. You can come out of your cave." He announced.

A bit later, the door was unlocked and pulled open, revealing the relieved Hyunjin. "Thank God. Ugh, I really can't stand their noises."

"We cooked ramen and pasta there. You want some?"

"I guess. Who cooked?" The boys went to the kitchen, Hyunjin sitting on one of the accumulated dining chairs.

"Me, Minho hyung and Chan hyung."

Hyunjin timidly smirks. "That's good. The others are terrible in the kitchen anyways."