the unsung.

ramen night.

    Ramen night is an unspoken tradition, the evening before any assignment. Kuo, of course, is characteristically first to creep into the kitchen. He boils just enough water in the kettle for himself. It is Guanyu who follows, usually out-of-breath and still dusting the powdery gym chalk from between his fingers, reminding Kuo to boil some more. Eventually Zhuang emerges from his dark, screen-filled cave, rubbing the excessive blue light exposure from his eyes. Haoran drags Michio out by the wrist once the commotion becomes irresistibly inviting.

    Qin is typically already getting his "essential" beauty sleep while Xiaokai puts baby Yuze to bed, likely falling asleep himself — which leaves the other five to giggle and quarrel and be a group of 'normal boys' over instant noodles.

    There are a few minutes of general banter, the television left on for ambient noise (usually it's the news reporting their activity from last week — occasionally they'll recognize themselves on security footage and howl in laughter).

    Then the banter ceases and the dim lights do their work on the atmosphere.

    "Tell me your stories." Haoran says, one night. "You all know mine."

Guanyu scoffed. "As if you don't already know all about us."

"I'm not a mind reader." Haoran shrugged.

"Yeah, just a casual observer." Michio teased.

"Come on." Haoran nearly begged. "Please?"

    The others glance at one another nervously, and it's Kuo whom their eyes settle on first. He's still technically the eldest after Xiaokai, their second gege — even though everyone knows Michio ranks second.

    Kuo shrugs, then sighs, first standing and stepping back into the kitchen to make himself a third or fourth bowl of ramen. When the whining and egging on persists, he shushes them and raises a finger, as if to say patience, children.

    "Kuo-ge, please?" Haoran batted his eyelashes like it would help. Michio elbowed his head.

    "Alright, alright, geez." Kuo rolled his eyes, "The story of Li Kuo..."