Always Seven // Xdinary Heroes 7th Member

ׂ╰┈➤ part 30.

I.

As the van pulled into the parking lot of the company building, the soft jolt of the vehicle coming to a stop caused Minhee to stir slightly in her sleep. She was still resting her head on Seungmin's shoulder, her breathing deep and even, completely unaware that they had arrived. Seungmin, too, had succumbed to the comforting sway of the ride and had fallen asleep not long after Minhee, his head tilted slightly to one side, his expression peaceful. 

In the front seat, their manager quietly turned off the engine, glancing back at the trio in the rearview mirror with a fond smile. Hyeongjun, who had finished his game a few minutes ago, had spent the last few moments gazing out of the window, lost in thought. 

When he noticed that they had arrived, he turned his attention to his sleeping bandmates, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he took in the sight. "Seungmin, Seungmin... Wake up," Hyeongjun whispered, leaning over to gently shake Seungmin's shoulder. His movements were careful, his voice barely above a murmur, as if afraid of breaking the serene bubble of calm that had enveloped the back seat. 

Seungmin, who had always been a light sleeper, responded almost immediately to Hyeongjun's touch. His eyes fluttered open, blinking in confusion as he tried to orient himself. The realization that he had dozed off during the ride brought a faint smile to his lips. As he shifted slightly, he felt the weight of Minhee's head on his shoulder, and his gaze softened as he looked down at her. 

"Minhee, it's time to wake up," he said quietly, gently nudging her. Minhee's eyelids fluttered as she slowly came back to consciousness, her mind groggy and her body reluctant to leave the warm comfort of sleep. Her eyes squinted against the light as they adjusted to her surroundings, a small frown of confusion forming on her face. 

It took a few seconds for her to fully comprehend where she was and what was happening. She blinked up at Seungmin, who was already watching her with a gentle smile. "We're here," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm to her sleep-addled senses. Minhee nodded slowly, a sleepy smile pulling at her lips as she sat up straighter, rubbing at her eyes to chase away the remnants of her nap. 

The exhaustion from the long photoshoot still clung to her, but the brief rest had done wonders to refresh her, even if just a little. With a collective sigh, the three of them slowly made their way out of the van, each movement deliberate and unhurried as they shook off the last vestiges of sleep. The cool evening air greeted them as they stepped out, a gentle breeze rustling their hair. 

II.

They bid their manager a quick goodbye, with Hyeongjun throwing in a playful "Thanks for the ride, hyung!" before they turned and headed towards the entrance of the company building. The atmosphere was quieter now, the usual bustle of the day having calmed as evening set in. The familiar sight of the building brought a sense of routine and normalcy, a reminder that their day wasn't quite over yet, despite the demanding schedule they had already faced. 

As they entered the building, the cool, polished floors and sleek walls reflected the soft lighting, giving the lobby an almost serene ambiance. The familiar scent of the place—clean, slightly sterile, with a hint of fresh coffee from the nearby break area—greeted them, grounding them in the routine they knew so well. 

They walked in comfortable silence towards the elevators, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet space. Hyeongjun reached out to press the button for the elevator, his finger hovering over the panel for a moment before he selected the second floor, where his and Seungmin's classes would be held. 

Minhee, standing beside him, absentmindedly pressed the button for the third floor, her thoughts already drifting towards the hour of free time she had before her vocal class. The elevator ride was short, the soft hum of the machinery the only sound as the three of them stood in companionable silence.