Always Seven // Xdinary Heroes 7th Member

ׂ╰┈➤ part 31.

I.

As the waiter left their table with their orders, Felix and Minhee settled into the plush seats of the private booth, the dim lighting casting a warm glow over their faces. It had been a while since they last had a moment to sit down and catch up, and both of them were eager to dive into conversation. 

"So, how's everything going with Xdinary Heroes?" Felix asked, his deep voice cutting through the gentle hum of the restaurant. He leaned back in his chair, relaxing as he waited for Minhee's response. Minhee, meanwhile, looked thoughtful for a moment, her mind flicking through the whirlwind of events that had taken place recently. 

"It's been crazy busy," she finally said, her tone a mixture of excitement and exhaustion. "We're all focused on 'Deadlock' right now. The release date is creeping up fast, and we're doing everything we can to make sure it's perfect." Felix nodded in understanding, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. 

"I get that. We're in the same boat, you know. STRAY KIDS has been working nonstop on our next album too. We're aiming for a June or July release, depending on how things go." He let out a small sigh, the weight of their shared experiences evident in his voice. Despite the different timelines, there was an unspoken understanding between them — the grind of preparing for a comeback was something only fellow idols could truly relate to. 

Minhee nodded in agreement, her eyes brightening as she thought about their respective groups' journeys. "It's wild, isn't it? The amount of work that goes into these albums... sometimes it feels like there's never enough time," she said, her voice trailing off as she reflected on the sleepless nights spent in the studio. 

Felix chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "Speaking of studio time, I heard you helped out Changbin-Hyung with 'DLC'?" he asked, his tone shifting to one of curiosity. He had heard bits and pieces from the other STRAY KIDS members, but he was eager to hear the details directly from Minhee. 

"How was it? Did they treat you well? I swear, I told them to be nice," Felix added with a dramatic sigh, running a hand through his hair as if the thought of his members misbehaving was too much to bear. 

II.

His playful tone made Minhee smile, and she couldn't help but laugh at his concern. "They were amazing, really," she assured him, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "They were all super brotherly yet professional. I don't know how they do it, balancing both sides so well." Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she recalled the time she spent with 3RACHA, working on the lyrics and musical arrangement for 'DLC.' 

It had been an incredible experience, one that she would never forget. "I was so nervous at first," she admitted, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke. "But they made me feel right at home. Changbin-Oppa is such a perfectionist, but in the best way possible. He knows exactly what he wants, and working with him was like watching a master at work. And Chan-Oppa and Han-Oppa... they were just the sweetest. Always encouraging and making sure I was comfortable. I learned so much from them." 

As she spoke, Felix watched her with a fond smile, proud of how far she had come since her debut. Felix couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swell in his chest as he listened to Minhee recount her experience. He had always known she was talented, but hearing how well she had meshed with 3RACHA only reinforced that belief. 

"I'm glad to hear that," he said warmly, his tone sincere. "They're lucky to have you on board. I knew you'd be a perfect fit." His words made Minhee blush slightly, and she ducked her head in modesty. "Thanks, Felix," she murmured, her voice soft. "It was such an honor to work with them, and I'm just happy I could contribute something meaningful."