Left Out Friend

10

@eunwoo🥀 posted 2 photos: 4 hours ago

[Photo 1] A little fun wouldn’t hurt, right?
[Photo 2] Glad you liked it! 🦊💛

374,266 likes | 72,265 comments

@delulu_mee Broo… Always handsome. 😭
@husbandjennie The son of Aphrodite.
@daddyshrek👽 Wait… that stuffed toy looks kinda familiar.
@rachellynDy Who’s the guy?
@reyahmelalie🦄 replied to @rachellynDy 😳 Doesn’t look like one of his members…
@wifeofeunwoo Marry me, please!!!
@skzlover Wait!! Wait!! Is this…? No way!!
@beach🥰gun replied to @skzlover I understood… Where’s my people??
@sunoofox🦊💫 Sunoo just posted 5 hours ago with that same stuffed toy!! I smell something!!!
@marymarymary replied to @sunoofox_🦊💫 Don’t say anything!! 😡😤
@kimtae replied to @sunoofox_🦊💫 I know, right? Lol.
@comewithmE People here are so dramatic. 🙄 They’re just friends.
@catlovver NooooOooo my Sunki. 😢
@astroshipper Cute! 😍 New ship!!

***

Sunoo made his way downstairs, expecting the usual atmosphere of playful banter and chaotic energy from his members. Instead, he was greeted by a strange sight—the remaining members were gathered in the kitchen, moving around with quiet efficiency as they prepared an impressive spread of food on the table.

His eyebrows furrowed as he observed them, a curious expression settling on his face. Something felt off.

“What’s the occasion?” he asked, stepping closer to inspect the food. "You guys went all out."

Even after the scolding he received the other day, he couldn’t help but notice how distant the members had been acting toward each other. There was an odd tension in the air, subtle but present, and Sunoo found himself laughing a little at the absurdity of it.

"We invited a friend for lunch," Sunghoon replied quietly, his voice unusually subdued. "She might bring a few friends along, so we made extra."

Sunoo tilted his head, side-eyeing Sunghoon, noticing the slight change in his demeanor. His words lacked the usual warmth, as if there was something weighing on his mind.

The explanation made sense, but something about it didn’t sit right with Sunoo.

They had made all this effort for a guest.

A special guest.

A familiar tightness formed in his chest, but he quickly pushed the thought away. It wasn’t like he was entitled to their attention. He shouldn’t be bothered by this.

And yet… he was.

Sunoo had been lost in his thoughts ever since the incident with the members. The way they scolded him for something as simple as hanging out with a friend still echoed in his mind. He started wondering if he had done something to make them dislike him—if maybe, just maybe, they didn’t want him around.

He had read the comments, seen the opinions. Too childish. Too feminine. Too soft for an idol.

Maybe they thought the same thing. Maybe those sweet moments, the teasing, the clinginess—maybe it was all just an act for the cameras.

Shaking his head, he forced himself to brush off the thoughts. Instead, he walked over to the couch, turning on the smart TV in an attempt to distract himself.

It wasn’t long before the sound of the door unlocking caught his attention.

Jungwon stepped inside, his gaze immediately landing on Sunoo. His expression shifted into a frown as he took in the younger’s appearance.