Always Seven // Xdinary Heroes 7th Member

ׂ╰┈➤ part 14.

I.

The morning quickly passed by, and by around eleven, Minhee found herself in the kitchen with Seungmin, preparing the ingredients for lunch. Hyeongjun was supposed to help her, but he received an unexpected call from his mom, making him unavailable. The two decided to make Spicy Sundubu Jjigae (Spicy Korean Soft Tofu Stew) to pair with rice and Kimchijeon (Kimchi Pancake) as requested by Jiseok and Jooyeon earlier. 

The kitchen was filled with the bustling activity of Minhee and Seungmin working together. Seungmin was in charge of washing the rice, meticulously rinsing it under cold water, watching the grains swirl around before draining it. Meanwhile, Minhee chopped the spring onions with precision, the rhythmic sound of her knife hitting the cutting board adding a steady beat to the kitchen symphony. 

She then prepped the other ingredients, arranging them neatly on the counter. As Minhee worked, Seungmin occasionally glanced at her with a mischievous smile playing on his lips. The aroma of freshly cut vegetables and the subtle scent of spices filled the air, creating an inviting atmosphere. 

The kitchen was warm and cozy, with the soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant chatter of their bandmates in the living room providing a comforting background noise. It was a rare moment of domestic tranquility amidst their usually hectic schedules. "Minhee, can you come here for a sec?" Seungmin called out, his voice tinged with a hint of mischief. 

Minhee, momentarily distracted from her task, hummed in response and set her knife down. She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel before walking over to where Seungmin stood by the rice cooker. "What is it?" she asked, a curious smile on her face. 

Seungmin, who had just plopped the rice into the cooker, suddenly reached out and grabbed Minhee by her waist, pulling her close. She gasped in surprise as he cupped her face with his hands, his touch gentle yet firm. Before she could react, Seungmin leaned in and kissed her, his lips soft and warm against hers. 

Minhee's initial shock melted away, replaced by a giggle that bubbled up from her chest. She kissed him back, her hands resting lightly on his chest. "Hey, stop," she murmured between kisses, her voice tinged with laughter. "The others might come in here." She tried to pull away, her hands pushing against his chest, but Seungmin tightened his hold, a playful smile curving his lips as he continued to kiss her. 

II.

As Seungmin kept on kissing her, both on the lips and on the cheeks, Hyeongjun walked in to go to the refrigerator to get water. His face formed a disgusted expression as he spoke with a disgusted tone making the couple stop in their act. 

"Ugh, seriously? Can't you two keep your hands off each other for five minutes?" Hyeongjun said, shaking his head in mock disapproval as he opened the fridge door. Minhee and Seungmin immediately sprang apart, both of them blushing furiously. Minhee smoothed down her apron, trying to regain her composure. 

"We were just...uh, talking," she stammered, avoiding Hyeongjun's amused gaze. Seungmin chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah, just talking," he echoed, though the grin on his face suggested otherwise. Hyeongjun rolled his eyes, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and closing the door. 

"Sure, talking. Just make sure lunch isn't ruined by your 'talking,' okay?" he teased, heading back to the living room. Minhee sighed, glancing at Seungmin with a mixture of exasperation and affection. "Let's just get back to cooking," she said, picking up her knife again. 

Seungmin nodded, his expression still amused as he returned to the rice cooker, setting it up to start cooking. The kitchen soon filled with the sounds of sizzling vegetables and bubbling broth, the earlier interruption forgotten as they focused on preparing lunch. Despite the teasing and the interruptions, there was an undeniable warmth and camaraderie between them, making the task of cooking together all the more enjoyable.