☆𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑦 𝐾𝑖𝑑𝑠 𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑠☆

☆𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔☆ (JeongHo)

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Jeongin wasn’t thrilled about the dinner.

His family hosted these gatherings regularly—large, formal dinners with other wealthy families, business partners, and colleagues. It was part of the image his father maintained as the CEO of one of the most successful companies in the city. But Jeongin found these events stifling. He always had to sit through endless small talk, forced smiles, and discussions about business deals he didn’t care much about. This evening was no different, or so he thought.

Until he heard that Minho would be attending.

Minho’s family was just as wealthy as Jeongin’s, his father another CEO at the helm of a rival company. Jeongin had never met Minho before, but he’d heard plenty about him. Rumors always flew around in these social circles—about Minho’s arrogance, his aloof nature, how he thought he was better than everyone else. Just from what he’d heard, Jeongin didn’t like him. The idea of being trapped at a dinner table with someone like that for hours didn’t appeal to him at all.

On the other side of town, Minho was thinking the same thing. He had heard about Jeongin through mutual acquaintances—how Jeongin came from one of the wealthiest families, how he was the pampered son of a powerful CEO. Minho assumed Jeongin was just like every other heir in their social circle: entitled, spoiled, and unaware of the real world. He didn’t expect to enjoy meeting him.

Yet, as their families gathered that evening at Jeongin’s sprawling estate, both boys were in for a surprise.

---

The dinner was set up in a grand dining hall, chandeliers casting a soft glow over the long table filled with gourmet dishes. Jeongin sat quietly beside his parents, making occasional polite conversation with the guests. He noticed Minho as soon as he walked in. The two boys locked eyes for a brief moment before quickly looking away. Minho was just as Jeongin had expected—tall, composed, with a cool expression that made him seem distant.

Minho, on the other hand, had been observing Jeongin since he arrived. He had expected someone haughty, but instead, Jeongin seemed quiet, almost withdrawn. He wasn’t surrounded by admirers like Minho had imagined. Instead, he sat in silence, barely engaging in the conversations around him. Something about that caught Minho off guard.

As the dinner progressed, Jeongin found himself sitting directly across from Minho. It was an awkward arrangement, neither of them really wanting to speak to each other, but it was impossible to avoid interaction entirely.

"So, Jeongin," Minho’s father began, breaking the silence, "I hear you’re studying business. Are you planning to follow in your father’s footsteps?"

Jeongin offered a polite smile, though he hated answering that question. "I’m still figuring things out," he said diplomatically. "But yes, business is one option."

Minho raised an eyebrow at that. He had expected Jeongin to be someone who had his life all planned out, someone eager to take over the family empire. His response surprised him.

"And you, Minho?" Jeongin’s father chimed in. "I’ve heard great things about your studies. Are you planning to join the family business as well?"

Minho shrugged, clearly less enthusiastic. "Maybe. I’m not in any rush."

Their parents continued chatting about business, but Minho and Jeongin exchanged a few more glances across the table. The more they observed each other, the more their preconceived notions seemed to crumble. Jeongin noticed how Minho wasn’t as cocky as he’d been led to believe. He was more reserved, thoughtful, and he didn’t seem eager to flaunt his status. Similarly, Minho saw that Jeongin wasn’t the spoiled, overconfident heir he’d imagined. Instead, there was something almost vulnerable about him, a quietness that Minho hadn’t expected.