Hearts In Seoul - ENHYPEN

CHS 4 - In Between Moments

The apartment was unusually still when Hana woke up. No sound of clattering dishes or playful bickering from the kitchen, no footsteps echoing through the hall. It felt almost serene, the quiet embracing her like a soft blanket. She rolled out of bed, stretched, and decided to head into the kitchen to grab some coffee.

As she padded down the hall, she was surprised to find someone else awake. Jungwon was sitting at the table, a steaming cup of coffee in front of him, his eyes focused on a book. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over the scene. It felt like a peaceful pause in the otherwise bustling life of the apartment.

Jungwon looked up as she entered, offering a warm smile. "You're up early."

"So are you," Hana replied, making her way to the coffee pot. "Couldn't sleep?"

Jungwon shrugged, closing his book and leaning back in his chair. "I guess I'm just used to getting up before everyone else. It's the only time the apartment's quiet."

Hana nodded, pouring herself a cup of coffee and sitting down across from him. "I didn't expect you to be a morning person."

Jungwon chuckled softly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "I'm not, really. But someone's got to keep things running around here."

There was that same sense of responsibility she had noticed before. Jungwon always seemed to carry a quiet weight on his shoulders, like he was holding everything together. Hana took a sip of her coffee, watching him for a moment.

"You're kind of the glue, aren't you?" she said, the words slipping out before she could stop herself.

Jungwon looked at her, a little surprised, but not offended. Instead, a soft smile spread across his face, his eyes thoughtful. "I guess you could say that. It just kind of... happened."

Hana tilted her head, intrigued. "How so?"

He paused, his gaze flickering toward the window. "I was the youngest when we first moved in together. The others, especially Jay, kind of looked out for me at first. But over time, I started taking care of things—managing the household, keeping track of schedules, making sure everyone was okay. It wasn't something I chose; it just became my role."

There was a vulnerability in his words that Hana hadn't expected. Jungwon had always seemed so composed, so put-together. But now, in the quiet of the morning, she could see the effort it took to maintain that calm exterior.

"That must be a lot of pressure," Hana said softly, her eyes searching his.

Jungwon's smile was small but genuine. "It can be. But I don't mind. It's kind of rewarding, in a way. I like knowing that I'm helping everyone."

Hana felt a surge of admiration for him. Jungwon wasn't just responsible—he was quietly selfless, always thinking of others before himself. She hadn't realized just how much he did for the group until now.

"You're good at it," she said, her voice sincere.

Jungwon met her gaze, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes, something that hinted at the quiet strength he carried. "Thanks, Hana. That means a lot."

⇢ ˗ˏˋ— ࿐

Later that day, the group had planned to go out, but Sunghoon had pulled Hana aside before the chaos could begin.

"Hey, want to do something different?" he asked, his tone casual but with an edge of excitement.

"Sure," Hana said, curious. "What do you have in mind?"

Sunghoon led her to the small ice rink near the apartment. "I thought I'd teach you how to skate."

Hana's eyes widened. "You skate?"

He smirked, his usual cool demeanor slipping for a moment to reveal a boyish excitement. "Used to be pretty serious about it, actually."

As they stepped onto the ice, Hana felt her legs wobble beneath her. Sunghoon's hand shot out, steadying her with ease. His touch was firm but gentle, and for a moment, Hana's heart raced—not from fear of falling, but from the sudden closeness.

"Relax," he said, his voice soft but reassuring. "Just follow my lead."

They spent the next hour gliding across the ice, or rather, Sunghoon glided while Hana stumbled after him. But every time she wobbled or nearly fell, Sunghoon was there, his hand steadying her, his quiet laughter warming the cold air.

By the time they finished, Hana was exhausted but exhilarated. She had barely noticed how much time had passed as they skated together, the world around them fading into the background.

"You're a pretty good teacher," Hana said, leaning against the rink's edge, catching her breath.

Sunghoon shrugged, a small smile on his lips. "You're a fast learner."

There was a quiet between them as they stood there, watching the other skaters. Hana felt a connection forming, something deeper than just the surface-level interactions they'd had before. Sunghoon, despite his reserved nature, had opened up to her in his own way, and she found herself wanting to know more about him.

"Thanks for today," Hana said after a moment, turning to face him. "It was... really nice."

Sunghoon met her gaze, his smile soft and genuine. "I'm glad you came."

⇢ ˗ˏˋ— ࿐

Back at the apartment, the energy was buzzing. Jake had convinced Niki to join him in a video game competition, and somehow Hana found herself dragged into the chaos. Despite the friendly teasing from Niki, she quickly picked up on the game's mechanics and found herself laughing with them as the competition grew fiercer.

Jake, always the loudest and most energetic, kept the atmosphere light, while Niki's competitive spirit added an edge to the fun. Hana was slowly becoming part of their dynamic, her presence no longer an intrusion but a natural part of the household's rhythm.

As the evening wore on, she found herself reflecting on the day. Her bond with Jungwon and Sunghoon had deepened in ways she hadn't expected, but she could also feel the beginnings of new connections with the others. Little by little, she was finding her place among them.