Almost blind | Haobin

46| Wrong Eyes Found Us |46

"Where were you two? I thought you missed the fireworks!" Matthew called out dramatically, flailing his arms in the air like a man stranded at sea spotting a rescue boat. The moment he spotted Hao and Hanbin approaching from the shadows, he abandoned the group he'd been chatting with, his eyes lighting up like sparklers.

In truth, the two boys had been on the balcony the entire time, basking in the kaleidoscope of fireworks as if the universe had prepared a private show just for them. It was quiet-except for the explosions in the sky-and oddly intimate, like the world had shrunk to just the two of them and the sky ablaze above.

Now, stepping back into the party chaos, they tried to look as innocent as kittens caught in a laundry basket. Hanbin wore a confident, cheeky grin, while Hao looked like he'd been caught sneaking cookies before dinner-nervous, blushing, and completely see-through.

"We watched it from the balcony," Hanbin declared smoothly, waving a dismissive hand like a politician dodging scandal. "Don't worry, dad, how could we miss the whole reason we came here?"

Matthew just chuckled, shaking his head. Right beside him, Keeho stood with a bottle of questionable liquid courage in one hand, his other arm dramatically draped around Matthew's shoulder for stability-or possibly survival.

"Kids these days," Keeho said, squinting with mock disappointment. "Missed the traditional New Year's shot. Shameful." Then, without warning, he lifted the bottle like it was Excalibur and handed it to Hanbin. "Happy New Year, you delinquents!"

Hanbin locked eyes with Hao, a mischievous glint flickering in his gaze. He took the bottle with the reverence of someone accepting a holy relic. Together, like a pair of synchronized swimmers who forgot their choreography, they said, "Happy New Year!" before Hanbin glanced suspiciously at his dad. "How many has he had already?"

"Too many," Matthew deadpanned, grinning as he watched Keeho sway like a tree in a thunderstorm. "He'll be face down on the carpet in ten. Can't hold his booze to save his life."

"Lies!" Keeho protested, slurring slightly as he nearly tripped over nothing and gripped Matthew's arm like it was the last lifeboat on the Titanic. "I'm fine. Fiiiiine. Just a little... gravity-challenged."

Hanbin laughed and took a bold sip from the bottle. Instantly, his face lit up with surprise-the burn slid down his throat like liquid fire, sending warmth blooming in his chest and cheeks. He hummed softly, clearly enjoying it more than he expected, then extended the bottle toward Hao like he was offering him a ticket to a forbidden roller coaster.

"What?" Hao blinked, taking a cautious step back. "I'm still underage. I can't-"

"We won't tell Ricky," Matthew cut in quickly, flashing a grin. "A few sips never hurt anyone, right, Keeho?"

"Oh please," Keeho added, now half-leaning, half-collapsing against Matthew like a melting candle. "At your age, my drunk ass was spinning in nightclubs like a confused Beyblade. Phones didn't even have cameras yet. No proof. No regrets."

Hao burst into laughter-he couldn't help it. The entire scene was pure chaos, like a sitcom episode on fast-forward. Matthew trying to play adult, Keeho delivering ancient drunk-man wisdom, and Hanbin watching Hao with puppy eyes and flushed cheeks.

"They're right," Hanbin said softly, voice just slightly slurred, but full of that familiar sweetness that always made Hao's stomach flutter. "Just a few sips. With me."

Hao hesitated. But the warmth in Hanbin's eyes, the soft encouragement in his voice, and the contagious laughter swirling around them-how could he say no?

He took the bottle, hesitantly and took the tiniest sip possible. His nose wrinkled instantly, and he coughed. "Its so disgusting!"

"Welcome to adulthood," Keeho announced solemnly before promptly slipping down Matthew's side and landing on the floor with a soft thud. "Hes not even adult you alcoholic peace of trash!" Matthew shouted, making everyone only laugh.