Underworld Hearts [BTS FF]

7. A New Morning

I woke up the next morning feeling a knot in my stomach. I had to make breakfast again. Just the thought of it reminded me of how unskilled I was in this world. But I couldn't let them think I was completely useless. So, I forced myself out of bed, freshened up, and made my way to the kitchen.

I decided to start with coffee—simple enough, right? As I rummaged around for what I needed, I spotted the coffee machine. Thank god. One less thing to mess up. I set it up and let the machine run while I turned my attention to making breakfast, just like Jin had taught me the other day. He'd promised to help me get better at cooking.

I was so absorbed in not making mistakes that I didn't even hear Jin enter the kitchen. His sudden voice startled me, "Not burning down the kitchen today, I see."

I let out a nervous laugh. "Trying my best here."

As I stood in the kitchen, carefully preparing breakfast, Jin casually leaned against the counter, watching me. "You're getting better at this," he remarked, a small smile playing on his lips.

I chuckled nervously, "I guess I'll get the hang of it... eventually."

"Not bad for someone who claims to be hopeless in the kitchen," he teased, lifting an eyebrow. His light-hearted tone was easing the tension I'd been carrying all morning.

"Hey, I'm trying, okay?" I shot back playfully, cracking a few eggs into the pan.

He smirked. "Well, it's a big improvement from nearly setting everything on fire the first time."I rolled my eyes. "Okay, that was one time."

"You're lucky I was here to save you from yourself," he said with mock pride, crossing his arms and watching me.

"Yeah, lucky," I murmured, flipping the eggs in the pan. There was a brief silence before Jin asked, "So, you didn't cook much before coming here, huh?"

I hesitated, the simple question pulling at memories I hadn't visited in a long time. "I did... a long time ago."

Jin's expression softened, sensing something deeper. "With your family?"

"Yeah, with my mom," I said, my voice quieter now. "Before she left us."

Jin didn't respond immediately, his silence encouraging me to continue.

"I used to cook with her all the time. She was amazing in the kitchen and taught me how to make all sorts of dishes. My favourite was always tteokbokki," I added, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at my lips.

"Sounds nice," he said gently, sensing the sadness behind my words.

I nodded, but the smile quickly faded. "Yeah... but after she left, everything changed. There wasn't anyone left to cook with. And it didn't help that my dad..." I paused, taking a breath. "He gambled everything away. Most nights, there wasn't even food to cook."

Jin stayed quiet, giving me the space to let it all out.

"I spent so much time waiting... for her to come back, or for my dad to be... different. But it never happened. So I had to figure things out on my own."

The kitchen was quiet now, save for the sound of the utensils I was absently using. Jin didn't say anything, but his silence was understanding. He knew when not to press.

Jin finally spoke softly, "You're doing more than you think. Sometimes surviving is the hardest thing. But you've made it this far."

For a moment, it felt like there was a connection, like someone finally understood, even just a little bit. But in the back of my mind, I knew—this wasn't home. These weren't my people. Yet, the warmth of his words lingered.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After everyone eats breakfast, my duties remain the same: washing the dishes and cleaning the mansion. It feels endless, but I push through, trying to keep my mind busy. While I was cleaning, I stumbled upon the dance room, which was empty.

As I stepped inside, I was immediately drawn to the large mirror that covered one wall. I stood in front of it, taking a moment to appreciate the space. Memories of dancing freely came flooding back to me—before my father's gambling began and everything changed.

I took a deep breath and decided to try some simple moves, swaying to an imaginary beat. It felt liberating, even if just for a moment. The rhythm brought a small smile to my face, allowing me to momentarily forget my worries.

Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me. "You dance?"

I turned to find Hobi standing there, a bright smile on his face. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realized I had been caught.

"Uh, I—I used to," I stammered, feeling a mix of shyness and nostalgia. "I just thought I'd try some moves."

Hobi stepped further into the room, his enthusiasm infectious. "You should! It's really fun to let loose. Want to show me what you've got?"