Winter Falls || Lee Know ✓

🎓:Stuck In The Dinner

~🎬~

Minho's pov:

I followed Seungmin back into the living room, feeling a little awkward after laying Suhyun down in her bed. The others were already gathering around the dining table, chatting in low voices as Mrs Kim set out steaming bowls of kimchi stew and rice.

"You guys can sit anywhere," Seungmin said casually, gesturing toward the table. "Mom makes a mean stew, so you're in for a treat."

"Thanks," I replied, nodding politely. I took a seat next to Han, who immediately elbowed him with a grin, trying to lighten the mood.

Hyerin was already at the table, chatting happily with Felix and Hyunjin as if everything was completely normal. Soyeon hesitated for a second before sitting across from me, glancing around the unfamiliar setting.

"Looks like it's going to be a full house," Felix said, shooting Minho a teasing gin.

"I hope you all like it," Aunt Jieun said warmly as she finished setting down the food. She wiped her hands on her apron and smiled at the group. "It's been a while since Seungmin's had friends over."

Seungmin blinked, clearly taken aback. "Mom..."

Aunt Jieun ignored him, her focus shifting to the unfamiliar faces around the table. "So, who's who? I know Hyunjin, Hyerin and Felix, of course, but I don't think we've met the rest of you."

Felix, never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot, jumped in immediately. "This is Minho," he said, pointing at me with a cheeky grin. "We're... friends, I guess. And that's Han, Minho's best friend."

I raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, nodding slightly to Aunt Mrs Kim as she looked at him.

"Nice to meet you," Aunt Jieun said, smiling warmly. "And you must be Soyeon? I've heard a lot about you from suhyun." she asked, turning toward the girl across the table.

Soyeon smiled. "Yes, ma'am. It's nice to meet you."

"Lovely," Aunt Jieun said, her voice full of motherly warmth. She turned to Seungmin next. "Why didn't you tell me you were friends with all these lovely people?"

Seungmin rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh, actually... I'm not. I mean, I know Felix, Hyerin, Han and Hyunjin, but this is my first time meeting Minho and Soyeon."

"Oh?" Aunt Jieun raised her eyebrows in surprise but didn't push further. Instead, she clapped her hands together and said, "Well, friends or not, you're all welcome to enjoy dinner."

As everyone dug into the food, the atmosphere became a bit more relaxed. Felix, being his usual self, tried to spark conversation with jokes, while Hyunjin asked Seungmin about some video game they both played. Hyerin and Soyeon chimed in occasionally, though they were more focused on eating than talking.

I, however, couldn't help but glance around the room. I had never expected to be sitting in Suhyun's house like this, especially after everything that happened between us. The fact that Seungmin was Suhyun's cousin felt odd. It wasn't until Felix had mentioned it that I realized I had no idea Suhyun even had a cousin But I was kinda...Relieved? to know she has someone to look after her.

"So," Seungmin said suddenly, breaking My train of thought. "Have You ever been to our place before?"

I blinked, realizing Seungmin was talking to me. "Uh, yeah. Once. It was raining, and Suhyun and I were paired up for a project."

Seungmin nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense."

The conversation ebbed and flowed around the table, with Aunt Jieun checking in on everyone, making sure they had enough to eat. I found myself quietly observing the dynamic between Seungmin and the others. Felix, Hyerin, Han and Hyunjin clearly knew him well, laughing easily at his sarcastic comments. But the fact that Seungmin didn't know me or Soyeon at all made the situation feel a little more surreal.

As the dinner wound down, I couldn't help but wonder how Suhyun would react when she woke up and find how she fainted and I had to pick her up to her house, she would be too embarrassed—The thought made me smirk. Something told me this wasn't going to be the last time I will find myself in a situation like this—Or to say at her house.

~⌛~

Author's pov:

Dinner wrapped up with everyone full and content, the clatter of chopsticks and bowls slowly fading as Aunt Jieun cleared the plates. The group exchanged glances, knowing it was time to head out, but none of them seemed in a rush.

"Thanks for the food, Mrs. Kim!" Felix piped up with his usual sunny smile, flashing a thumbs-up at Aunt Jieun, who was still bustling around the kitchen. "That was amazing!"

"You're welcome, Felix," Aunt Jieun replied with a chuckle, clearly charmed by his energy. "Make sure you all get home safe, okay?"

"We will!" Hyunjin chimed in, dramatically placing a hand on his chest. "I, for one, shall take responsibility for ensuring everyone's safe departure."

"Are you ever not a drama queen?" Soyeon quipped, rolling her eyes. She pushed herself up from the table, her sarcastic tone balancing out Hyunjin's theatrics.

As the group made their way to the door, Seungmin lingered behind, watching them with a raised brow. It wasn't every day he had a crowd this large over, and certainly not with people like Minho, who was now leaning against the wall with his usual cold expression. Minho hadn't said much during dinner, just the bare minimum, and Seungmin could tell he wasn't exactly the chatty type. But the thing that puzzled Seungmin the most was that Minho didn't fit in the way Felix, Hyunjin, or Han did.

Seungmin knew the rumors — everyone at his own high school did. Minho was notorious, the school's so-called 'bad boy.' He was always in some kind of trouble, always picking fights. Seungmin had even heard from Chan and Changbin about the latest brawls Minho had been in. The guy had a reputation that preceded him, but as Seungmin watched him now, Minho just seemed... quiet. Brooding, yes, but not the aggressive troublemaker he'd heard so much about.

Still, Seungmin didn't bring it up. There was no point in making things weird.

As they all gathered their things, Seungmin casually turned to Minho. "Hey, thanks for helping with Suhyun earlier," he said, his voice low enough that the others wouldn't hear.

Minho glanced at him, barely nodding. "No problem," he muttered.

Seungmin shrugged. Typical. Though, He didn't know Minho was Suhyun's sworn enemy.

"Alright, we're heading out!" Felix called, already halfway out the door, followed closely by Hyunjin, who was still dramatically lamenting the end of dinner.

"Thanks for having us, Mrs. Kim!" Hyunjin waved one last time, pulling the door shut behind him.

Outside, the evening air was cool, the sky already darkening as the group gathered on the sidewalk in front of Suhyun's house. Hyerin glanced around, pulling her jacket tighter. "Well, I guess it's time to split up."

"I can walk you guys home," Hyunjin offered, his arm slung casually over Felix's shoulder.

"Nah, You just want an excuse to keep hanging out," Soyeon snickered, earning a playful shove from Hyunjin.

"Guilty as charged," he replied with a smirk.

"Come on, let's go before the drama llama gets started again," Han chimed in, bouncing slightly on his feet. "I'm this close to losing it if I hear one more exaggerated speech!"

The group laughed, and Minho, as usual, stayed quiet on the edge of the group, hands stuffed in his pockets. 

~🎬~

Was it a bit fun?

Last chapter's answer:
Darkness

Today's riddle:
What has many keys but can't open
a single lock?