Falling For The Park Brothers' Sister ⚊ Nishimura Riki

Chapter Fifty

The hum of the car engine mixed with the lively chatter inside, and I couldn't help but smile. It was rare for all of us to be in such high spirits, and the reason was something truly special—our soon-to-be niece. I turned to Jay, who was driving, unable to keep my excitement in check.

"Can you believe it? Chanyeol's going to be a dad," I said, grinning. "We're actually going to have a niece. It feels... I don't know, kind of unreal."

Jay let out a small laugh, keeping his eyes on the road but sparing a quick glance at me. "Yeah, it's weird, but cool. I can already picture her bossing you around."

I scoffed, pretending to be offended. "Boss me around? Please. She's going to be my favorite sidekick."

Jay smirked, shaking his head, but before he could say more, Jiyoo's voice cut through from the backseat. She was practically bouncing in her seat, her energy filling the car.

"Chanyeol! What's Akira's family like? Are they as fun as Akira? Does her mom cook as well as her? Oh, and what about her siblings? Do they all look like her?" she asked, the words spilling out like an excited waterfall.

I glanced back and saw Chanyeol laughing as he tried to keep up with her rapid-fire questions. "Whoa, whoa, slow down, Jiyoo. Akira's family is great. Her mom's really sweet and an incredible cook, and her siblings... well, you'll meet them soon enough."

Jimin joined in from the back, his voice calm but carrying that same warmth. "It's nice, you know? Meeting Akira's family. It feels like our own family is getting bigger. I'm really happy for you, hyung."

"That's what I'm saying!" Jiyoo said, clapping her hands. "Our family is growing, and with Akira's baby coming, it's going to be so much fun!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. Jiyoo's excitement was contagious, and for a moment, I let myself enjoy it.

Then I glanced at Jungkook, sitting beside Jimin. He hadn't said a word the entire ride, his gaze fixed out the window, as if he was watching something none of us could see. He looked tense, his jaw tight, and his silence felt heavy, though I couldn't figure out why.

"We're almost there," Chanyeol said from the passenger seat, leaning forward to guide Jay. "Take a left here, then the next right."

Jay nodded but didn't respond. I noticed his grip on the steering wheel tighten, his usual relaxed posture stiffening slightly. It was subtle, but I caught it.

"Right up there," Chanyeol said, pointing ahead. "That's the place. Akira's mom loves this restaurant. She says the food is amazing."

I turned to look out the window, and the sight that greeted me made my stomach drop. The words Lee Family Restaurant loomed on the sign, clear as day.

My breath hitched, and I felt my pulse quicken. I glanced at Jay, who had gone completely silent. His knuckles were white against the steering wheel, his jaw clenched.

"Hyung, isn't that..." I started to say, but stopped myself.

Jimin, sitting in the back, suddenly straightened. His face, usually so composed, now looked strained. Even he was at a loss for words.

From the corner, I heard Jungkook mutter under his breath, "Oh no."

I stared back at the restaurant, feeling the tension settle thick in the car. My mind raced. Of all the places in this city, Akira's mom had to pick this one? The place where our father...

"Wow! This is it? It looks so nice!" Jiyoo said, her voice cutting through the heavy silence. She pressed her face to the window, completely oblivious to the unease spreading through the car. "Why haven't we come here before? Oh, wait! Didn't Heeseung invite us here once? You didn't want to go, though, right?"