Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 23: Miso

The rain was pouring relentlessly outside of Suho's window. He watched the droplets hit the glass and run down in rivulets, creating a hypnotic effect. He felt like the weather was matching his mood: stormy and unsettled.

He looked at his lazy dog, Kibo who was sprawled out on his gray sofa, unbothered by the rain.

Suho's mind drifted back to his encounter with Joon earlier. The animosity between the two brothers was growing stronger by the day, and Suho didn't know how much longer he could take it.

He couldn't help but think about the unfairness of it all. Suho was the one who had stayed by their father's side while Joon was off doing god knows what. He was the one who was caring for their father, not Joon. He knew that Joon had three kids, another on the way because like Nick Cannon, he wasn't using a rubber, and was always looking for a way out of helping his poor wife Ha-yoon.

It wasn't fair.

"Kibo," he called.

The dog, his eyes still closed, opened them.

"What should I do, boy?" he asked, his voice filled with frustration.

Kibo yawned, as if he was saying, "I don't care, you figure it out." Out of nowhere Kibo went balistic and started barking at the front door, his fur standing up.

"Kibo, what's wrong, boy?" Suho asked, concern evident in his voice. He went over to the door, and peeked through the peephole. He was instantly caught off guard by the unexpected arrival of Zuri at his doorstep, tears streaming down her face. She looked utterly drenched and miserable. He opened the door perhaps a little too ubruptly.

"He's gone," she sobbed, her voice heavy with grief. She shivered from the cold, vulnerable and in desperate need of comfort.

Suho didn't hesitate. He pulled her into a warm, reassuring embrace, his arms wrapped around her as he whispered soothing words. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, offering solace in that simple gesture.

"Come inside," he urged when she finally calmed down a bit. He led her into his cozy apartment, the soft light casting warm hues across the room. Suho rummaged through his closet and pulled out an oversized sweatshirt for her to change into.

While Zuri changed and showered, Suho set to work in the kitchen, brewing a comforting pot of miso soup. Cooking was a talent he had always been somewhat embarrassed about, but right now, it felt like the right thing to do. He hoped that the familiar taste and aroma would help ease Zuri's grief.

He cut up the scallions and his left over tofu and through them in the pot. Then, he added the miso paste and gave the soup a gentle stir. Kibo looked up at him suddenly not lazy but eager, waiting to be fed.

"You know, Kibo, you could be a little more sympathetic to our guest," he told his dog. Damn was he really this lonely that he resorted into talking to his dog that he got 3 days ago?

Suho's thoughts drifted to Zuri. He didn't know what was going on, but she looked distressed. He was worried about her, and he wanted to do whatever he could to make her feel better. He wondered why he felt a connection so strong, for something that had been so instantaneous. And it wasn't just because of the sex, sure it was great but there was something more that drew him to her.

The steam rose from the pot, the comforting aroma of the miso soup wafting through the air. Suho ladled the soup into two bowls, just as Zuri emerged from the bathroom, her hair hung in a wild cascade of curls around her face, framed by his oversized sweatshirt. She looked ethereal, like a goddess who had momentarily descended to Earth.

Suho smiled warmly at her, holding out a steaming bowl of miso soup. "Here, this should warm you up," he said gently, his eyes filled with concern and care.