our crossed paths | jww.

fifteen.

"I brought drinks!" Mingyu burst into Jiwoo's apartment, proudly showing off a bag filled with soju and various other alcoholic drinks.

Seokmin followed, glancing at the sight before him. "I guess we'll have to hold back on the drinking tonight. We have a minor in the house."

Jiwoo was setting the table with ingredients for the hotpot, Ahrin seated beside her.

She looked up and smiled. "Hey boys, we've got an extra guest tonight. Or maybe two."

"Aww! Who's this cutie!" Mingyu dropped the drinks on the counter and immediately made his way over to Ahrin.

"Back off, Gyu. You're going to scare her," Seokmin quipped.

Mingyu ignored him, leaning down to Ahrin's level. "Hello, Ahrin!"

Ahrin looked wary, her eyes darting to Jiwoo as Mingyu's large figure loomed over her. Sensing her discomfort, Jiwoo quickly scooped her up. "Ahrin-ah, it's okay. This uncle is one of my friends."

"Uncle?" Mingyu pouted. "I think oppa sounds better."

"Oh please, Gyu. You're old enough to be her dad. 'Uncle' is just fine," Jiwoo shot back, rolling her eyes.

Mingyu frowned dramatically. "Who's the dad then? Your lover?"

"No one—" 

"Wonwoo," Seokmin cut in at the same time, causing both him and Jiwoo to exchange glances. Mingyu frowned harder.

"What are you two hiding from me? So unfair." Mingyu crossed his arms, sulking as they laughed.

Jiwoo set Ahrin down, handing her a slice of cheese to nibble on. "You know him. Wonwoo. It's his daughter."

"Wait, what? He has a daughter?" Mingyu's voice went up a notch.

Seokmin smirked. "Don't you read the news? It's been all over."

"Why would I need the news when I should hear it from you two? So much for being best friends..." Mingyu grumbled.

"Enough with the sulking, let's eat." Jiwoo stood to grab drinks just as the doorbell rang.

It was Chan, stopping by to pick up Ahrin.

"Oh, Chan! You're just in time. We're about to start dinner." Jiwoo's eyes brightened as she opened the door wider. "How about joining us for hotpot?"

"Oh that's fi-" Chan hesitated for a moment, but Ahrin's excited "Uncle, eat!" sealed the deal.

"Well, since I'm already here..." Chan chuckled, sitting next to Ahrin as the small gathering grew more animated.

"Ahrin, do you want more?"

As they dug in, Jiwoo noticed Chan observing her interactions with Ahrin. She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing." He smirked.

"You're surprisingly good at this."

Jiwoo waved him off, blushing a little. "I work with kids, Chan. It's not that surprising."

"I work with kids too, yet I could never get to the way Ji handles them, she's super good." Seokmin quipped.

"Liar. You're called my superior for some reason, Min." Jiwoo hissed.

"If you two won't admit then just say that I'm above you both. Call me boss." Mingyu added.

"No!"

Both Jiwoo and Seokmin answered.

Chan turned to the others, trying to get a sense of the group dynamic.

"You three are really close, huh?"

Mingyu grinned. "We go way back. We've got too much dirt on each other."

"We're basically aliens from the same planet!" Seokmin adds.

"Speak for yourself. I'm the only normal human here," Jiwoo added.