A Recipe for Love ( Le sserafim X Fem reader )

Chapter 12: More Than Just a Day Out

AN: Sorry for the long break. I've been doing kinkvember over at tumblr and combined with school I've been very busy.

Y/N slowly opened her eyes, feeling the gentle morning light filtering through the curtains. She lay there for a moment, cocooned in the warmth of her bed, but her thoughts were heavy. The sound of soft chatter and the clinking of utensils drifted from the kitchen, accompanied by the comforting aroma of breakfast—scrambled eggs, crispy toast, and the sweet scent of coffee brewing. The girls were up, and their presence in the house, after such a long time, brought a sense of familiarity she hadn't realized how much she missed.

She rubbed her eyes and let out a small sigh. Despite the heaviness that still lingered in her heart—an ache she had grown accustomed to—there was a fragile sense of comfort knowing she wasn't alone. The girls had stayed over in their old rooms, like the old days. Y/N knew they had done it for her, sensing her need for company without her having to ask. But even surrounded by them, grief clung to her, persistent, like a shadow that wouldn't lift.

For days, she had felt stuck in that shadow, her life moving in slow motion while everything around her continued at its usual pace. Losing her mother had been like losing a part of herself, and now every day felt like a battle just to get up. Yet, today, something felt different. There was a lightness in the air, faint but undeniable, and she found herself drawn toward it.

She shuffled into the living room, where Sakura was busy at the stove, wearing one of her aprons adorned with cartoonish hearts, waving a spatula like it was a magic wand. Chaewon was setting the table, meticulously arranging the utensils, her brow furrowed in concentration. The others—Yunjin, Kazuha, and Eunchae—were gathered around, chatting and laughing as they enjoyed the familiar routine of a shared meal.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" Sakura greeted with a bright smile, her eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and genuine warmth. "We made breakfast. Thought you could use a little cheering up."

Y/N smiled, feeling touched by their thoughtfulness. She sat down at the table, appreciating the normalcy of the moment, though she could feel the girls' curious gazes on her. They exchanged glances, and it was clear they were holding back something.

Sakura set down a plate of eggs and toast in front of Y/N, then leaned on the table, her expression a mix of excitement and confusion. "So... how do you know IU?"

Y/N, still a bit groggy, blinked at her. "IU? Oh Ji-eun, we just met near the convenience store. I was having a rough night, and she came up to me. We talked, and she comforted me. That's all." She shrugged, thinking nothing of it, as if meeting someone kind was the most ordinary thing in the world.

The room fell silent as the girls stared at her, their expressions a mix of shock and amusement. Chaewon's jaw dropped, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Wait... Y/N, do you seriously not know who she is?"

Y/N frowned, genuinely puzzled. "Ji-eun? She's just... Ji-eun, right? She was really sweet."

Yunjin couldn't hold back her laughter, covering her mouth with her hand. "Oh my god, Y/N. You've been hanging out with IU and didn't even realize it?"

Eunchae giggled, her cheeks puffing out as she tried not to burst into a fit of laughter. "That's amazing. Only you, Y/N, would spend time with IU and not even recognize her!"

Kazuha nudged Y/N gently, a smile playing on her lips. "She's one of the most famous singers in Korea. Like, you know, 'Good Day,' 'Palette,' all those songs?" SHe puloled out her phone and Showed Y/N, IU's profile

Y/N's face turned a deep shade of pink as every moment with Ji-eun replayed in her mind—how she had been so down-to-earth, never once mentioning her fame. Y/N groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "I can't believe it... she was just so normal! I didn't even think..."