Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 4

The reunion

THE NEXT DAY:

The airport was alive with the usual hustle and bustle-passengers rushing by, airport staff directing crowds, and announcements of flights echoing overhead. Joshua and Mingyu stood near the arrivals gate, peering through the sea of faces for one that they had been longing to see for years. They were waiting for Xu Minghao-their fashion-forward, graceful yet savage friend-who was finally returning from China.

Joshua shifted nervously on his feet, his eyes scanning the crowd. Mingyu, taller than everyone around him, tried to spot their friend from a distance, his leg bouncing in anticipation.

"Do you think he'll look different?" Joshua asked, rubbing his hands together. "I mean, it's been so long."

Mingyu smirked, not taking his eyes off the arrival gate. "Knowing Minghao? He's probably rocking some designer outfit that'll make the rest of us look like peasants."

Joshua chuckled softly but didn't disagree. "He was always the best dressed, even when we were all just bumming around at the flower shop. How does he manage to make a t-shirt and jeans look like runway material?"

Before Mingyu could answer, a familiar figure finally appeared at the entrance, and it was exactly what they expected. Minghao, with his perfectly styled hair, designer sunglasses, and a casual yet stunning outfit, walked out as if the whole airport was his runway. He rolled his suitcase with one hand, the other tucked casually in his pocket, completely unfazed by the whirlwind of activity around him.

Mingyu was the first to spot him. "There he is!" He nudged Joshua hard, making him stumble. "Look at him-he's even cooler than before."

Joshua's eyes widened, and a huge grin broke out across his face. "Minghao!" he yelled, waving like an excited child. Mingyu followed suit, yelling just as loudly.

Minghao spotted them, his cool, composed expression cracking into a bright smile. He raised a hand, waving back with that effortless grace they missed. As he approached, the three friends wasted no time. Mingyu, being the giant puppy he was, rushed forward first, grabbing Minghao into a crushing hug that nearly lifted him off the ground.

"Easy, you giant!" Minghao gasped, laughing as he pushed against Mingyu's chest. "You're going to break me, Mingyu!"

Joshua joined them, wrapping his arms around both of them. "We missed you, Hao. It's not the same without you."

Minghao, now sandwiched between the two, smiled softly. "I missed you both too. And look at you, Joshua! Still as handsome as ever."

Joshua laughed, a little embarrassed by the compliment, while Mingyu pouted. "What about me? No compliment for your best friend?"

Minghao rolled his eyes, pushing his sunglasses up to rest on his head. "Please, Mingyu. You look like a 6-foot puppy who hasn't slept in three days. But hey, at least your fashion sense hasn't gotten any worse."

Joshua burst out laughing, and even Mingyu couldn't help but grin. "Wow, you're back for less than five minutes and already roasting me. I see nothing's changed."

"Why would it?" Minghao replied, smirking. "Someone has to keep you all in check. Let's get going before I'm subjected to more of your terrible jokes."

With that, they grabbed Minghao's luggage and headed toward the parking lot. Mingyu and Joshua couldn't stop talking as they made their way out of the airport-filling Minghao in on everything he had missed, the new updates about the flower shop, and the antics of Seungkwan, Seokmin, and the rest of the gang.