Permanent Substitute [SHINHWA]

Instant Muse

Their comfort room was intended for multiple users. I can see the thoughtfulness of the owner to give them this much space when it comes to this aspect. It was a very neat playground.

There were two toilets facing each other on the far end of this spatial area, its privacy curtains are tucked neatly with a string. Four showers were aligned on opposite directions in the middle part while there were two sinks with a huge mirror for full visual assistance. The wall behind me showed a variety of manly products and the scent of strawberry soap is ironically evident just now. The huge bathtub located at the centre of the shower area is still pink in colour from the bubble soap and there were floating rubber ducklings on it. The weirdest part is discovering those water guns hanging at the back of the door with different shapes and sizes.

I dismissed my useless ideas and proceeded with my original intention – I washed my face with the cold water and untied my hair to redo its arrangement to a one sided braid. My fringe is long enough to be tucked under the corner of my ears. I put my glasses back. I look better now. I decided to just wear my coal t-shirt as it is. I grasp my brother's long sleeves on my other hand and turned the door knob to get out.

I blinked twice upon making my exit. I don't get it. It is completely dark outside. I don't have any plans of searching for the switch since I am a foreigner in this place. I tried to decide whether I should go out or not. I convinced myself to wait.

Then it started to appear, a stream of white led lights began to trace the word "WELCOME HOME" and within a second, the lights went on again together with the shower of confetti on my direction. The sound of happy screams from the group of six men who will be with me for the rest of the term.

Now that I see it, all of them are wearing name tags now just like Minwoo and Dongwan.

Two new faces appeared in front of me. I saw a tall beautiful guy wearing a white polo-shirt carrying a blueberry cheesecake on his hands. His hazelnut brown hair was pulled upward to intentionally reveal his smooth forehead. His graceful appearance made him look like a prince. His shy thin lips matched his tiny nose and all together it complimented his cat like gaze. He looks so unearthly real with the kind of elegance that he possesses as a man; I'd say he is glittering like a comet. Hyesung – his name fitted him exactly.

Next to him was a man as tall as him but with a broader set of shoulders. He is continuously clapping even if the greeting already ended. His unusual behaviour made it obvious to my eyes. He is just there standing like a statue who came to life and decided to wear a white hoodie for the first time. His snapback was worn on the opposite direction which trapped his slightly curled fringe on its edge.

His puppy eyes looked at me with joy while he keeps on rubbing his cringed nose bridge. He does not need a bronzer to make those handsome cheekbones be obvious since his face was sculpted in a very exquisite manner already. Perfectly chiselled that's the way I'd describe his image which is full of exotic charisma. His name is easy to read even if his name tag was placed on his chest upside down – Eric.

I am at loss of words again. My mental state is seriously deteriorating right now. I can see that they are waiting for me to say something. I'll give it a try.

"Thank you for welcoming me like this. I'm Kahel, Ace's younger sister. Nice to meet you." It was very short indeed but I said the summary of what I felt and it is from the bottom of my heart.

"Okay! Time for dinner!" Dongwan shouted happily and started to uncover the dinner table's savoury plates. I don't know what exactly he cooked for all of us but the scent is something to die for, the roasted chicken is the only thing that I can identify together with fresh fruits of all kinds.