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Summer had arrived before I even realized spring was over.
Somewhere between late-night movies in the living room, grocery runs that somehow always ended with Felix buying snacks nobody needed, helping Jeongin get ready for more dates, and falling asleep beside Minho almost every night...
Time had quietly slipped away.
Not disappeared.
Just...
Moved forward.
For once, I hadn't been counting the days.
I stretched my arms above my head as sunlight poured through the bedroom window.
Voices echoed from downstairs.
Too many voices.
"...Why is everyone awake?" I mumbled to myself.
The second I opened the bedroom door, the answer became obvious.
Felix sprinted past me carrying what looked like three different dress shirts.
"I CAN'T FIND THE BLUE TIE!"
Chris followed close behind.
"Because you're holding it."
Felix stopped.
Looked down.
"...Oh."
I couldn't help smiling.
The villa was complete chaos.
Hyunjin stood in front of a hallway mirror fixing Changbin's collar.
"No."
"The other left."
"...Your other left."
Changbin groaned.
"I hate formal clothes."
Jeongin calmly walked downstairs with a cup of coffee.
Already dressed.
Already ready.
"...How are you ready already?" I asked.
He shrugged.
"I woke up."
"...That's your secret?"
"Mhm."
"I've been doing mornings wrong."
He nodded seriously.
"I think so."
I laughed quietly.
Some things...
Never changed.
"Morning."
I turned around.
Minho stood in the hallway behind me, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
His graduation gown hung over one arm.
Even half asleep...
He smiled the second he looked at me.
"Morning."
I smiled back.
"...You ready?"
He thought about it for a second.
"...I think so."
"You don't sound convincing."
"I don't feel convinced."
I laughed.
"Good."
He frowned.
"...Good?"
"I'm nervous enough for both of us."
That made him laugh.
"So you're taking my nerves too?"
"I figured you had enough to deal with."
He stepped closer.
Close enough that nobody downstairs could see us.
"...Thanks."
"What for?"
He reached up and gently fixed a piece of my hair that had apparently decided to ignore gravity.
"...For being here."
I felt my chest tighten.
"There isn't anywhere else I'd rather be."
For a second...
Neither of us spoke.
Then—
"IF YOU TWO ARE DONE BEING ADORABLE," Chris shouted from downstairs.
"WE'RE LEAVING IN TEN MINUTES."
Minho sighed dramatically.
"...We're being judged."
"I think we've been judged for months."
"...Fair point."
The ceremony felt longer than it probably was.
Rows and rows of students sat beneath the summer sun while families filled the audience.
People talked.
Babies cried.
Someone behind us sneezed at least twelve times.
Felix whispered commentary through almost the entire thing until Chris threatened to make him sit somewhere else.
I spent most of the ceremony pretending I wasn't constantly looking for one person.
Every time I spotted Minho in the crowd of graduates...
My heart somehow managed to speed up all over again.
Then...
I heard his name.
Everything else disappeared.
I was already standing before I realized I'd moved.
"GO, MINHO!"
My voice echoed far louder than I'd intended.
A few people turned around.
I didn't care.
Felix immediately stood too.
"WOO!"
Changbin started clapping.
Chris laughed.
Jeongin joined in.
By the time Minho crossed the stage, our entire row had become embarrassingly loud.
I caught him looking toward us.
Even from that far away...
I could see him smiling.
The campus buzzed with excitement after the ceremony.
Graduates hugged their families.
Flowers changed hands.
Cameras flashed in every direction.
I stood off to the side while Minho took pictures with his parents.
I didn't want to interrupt.
This was their moment.
I was happy just watching.
"Jisung!"
I looked up.
Minho was waving me over.
"My mom wants to meet you!"
"...Me?"
He laughed.
"Yes."
"You."
Before I could overthink it, I found myself standing beside him.
His mom smiled warmly the second I introduced myself.
"So you're Jisung."
I blinked.
"...You've heard about me?"
She looked at Minho.
Then back at me.
"...Quite a lot."
I immediately looked at him.
"...Seriously?"
Minho suddenly found the ground fascinating.
"...Maybe."
I laughed, gently nudging his shoulder.
"...Traitor."
His dad smiled.
"It's good to finally put a face to the name."
For some reason...
Those words stayed with me.
A face to the name.
Not a stranger.
Not just one of Minho's friends.
Someone they'd heard about.
Someone they already knew mattered to him.
"Picture!" Felix suddenly shouted from somewhere behind us.
"Everyone!"
Within seconds, we were all trying to figure out where to stand.
Chris somehow ended up holding three bouquets.
Changbin had Minho's cap.
Hyunjin kept trying to straighten everyone's clothes.
"It doesn't matter," Changbin protested.
"It absolutely matters," Hyunjin replied.
I quietly stepped back.
There probably wasn't room for me anyway.
Before I could take another step...
I felt a hand wrap gently around mine.
I looked over.
Minho smiled.
"...Where are you going?"
"I was just—"
"Stay."
He gave my hand the smallest squeeze.
"You belong in this one."
My heart stopped.
Not because everyone looked at me.
Nobody did.
Nobody questioned it.
Nobody asked why I was there.
I simply stepped beside him.
Like I'd always been meant to.
The camera clicked.
Then another.
And another.
As everyone laughed over Felix making ridiculous faces behind the photographer...
I realized something.
For the first time in a very long time...
I didn't feel like I was standing on the outside anymore.
I wasn't looking in through a window.
I wasn't wondering if I belonged.
I already did.
And somehow...
That felt even bigger than graduation itself.
By the time we arrived at the restaurant, I was convinced graduation ceremonies existed solely to make people hungry.
The place buzzed with conversation, families celebrating around nearly every table.
Chris had somehow managed to reserve one big enough for all of us, plus Minho's parents.
The second everyone sat down, the table erupted into conversations in every direction.
Felix was already showing Minho's graduation photos to anyone willing, or unwilling, to look.
"Look at this one!"
Changbin leaned over.
"...Felix."
"Yeah?"
"That's your thumb."
Felix frowned at his phone.
"...Oh."
He swiped.
"Okay, this one."
"...That's still your thumb."
Chris sighed into his menu.
"I have no idea how you've survived this long."
"I have excellent instincts."
"You have excellent luck."
"I'll take it."
I couldn't stop smiling.
Across the table, Minho caught my eye.
He smiled too.
It still amazed me how easy it had become.
The waiter eventually made his way around the table, taking everyone's orders before asking the question I'd been waiting for.
"And would anyone like something to drink?"
Chris glanced at Changbin.
"I'll have a beer."
"Same," Changbin added.
Hyunjin nodded.
"Me too."
The waiter wrote everything down before looking toward our side of the table.
"And for you four?"
Felix opened his mouth.
"I'll—"
Chris didn't even look up from the menu.
"Juice."
Felix looked horrified.
"I was going to say soda."
"Mhm."
"I was!"
"You absolutely weren't."
"I was considering my options."
"The option was juice."
I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to laugh.
Felix turned to me dramatically.
"Jisung."
"...Don't involve me."
"You understand my pain."
I sighed theatrically.
"...Unfortunately..."
"I do."
Jeongin looked up from the menu.
"We're victims."
"We really are," Felix agreed.
"We're grown adults."
Chris raised an eyebrow.
"Legally?"
"...Almost."
Changbin grinned.
"You'll survive one more year."
Felix leaned back dramatically.
"I've never experienced oppression like this."
Hyunjin nearly choked on his water.
"You are not oppressed."
"I watched four people order beer."
"And?"
"I watched."
Chris finally looked up.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"I'll let you smell mine."
The entire table went silent.
Felix stared at him.
"...That's somehow worse."
I laughed so hard I nearly dropped my menu.
Even Jeongin had to hide a smile behind his glass.
The waiter returned a few minutes later, setting everyone's drinks down.
Four beers.
Four soft drinks.
I looked at mine.
Then at Chris's.
"...Just saying."
Chris took a sip.
"Mhm?"
"In another year..."
He smiled knowingly.
"I know."
Minho looked over at me.
"...You'll probably hate beer."
I shrugged.
"Maybe."
"Definitely."
"You sound confident."
"I've seen you react to sparkling water."
"...That's different."
"It really isn't."
I narrowed my eyes.
"...Whose side are you on?"
He reached beneath the table, gently bumping his knee against mine.
"Yours."
"...Good answer."
The food arrived not long after, and for a while the only sounds were conversations, laughter, and Felix insisting everyone's fries tasted better than his.
"They're literally the same fries," Jeongin said.
"No."
"They're happier."
"...Happier?"
"They've lived a better life."
I looked at Minho.
"...Do we tell him?"
"No."
"Why?"
"It's funnier this way."
By the end of the meal, my cheeks actually hurt.
Not from eating.
From smiling.
I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed this much in a single day.
Maybe...
I never had.
By the time we pulled into the driveway, the sky had turned a deep shade of blue.
The lights from the villa glowed warmly through the windows, and for a second I just sat there, looking at it.
It had been a long day.
A really good one.
Chris parked the car before glancing into the rear-view mirror.
"So."
He looked directly at Minho.
"How're you feeling?"
Minho looked back at him, blinking once.
"...I..."
He paused.
"...Good."
Another pause.
"...Really... good."
Changbin chuckled from the passenger seat.
"That's all?"
Minho thought about it.
"...And..."
He frowned in concentration.
"...I'm..."
A few seconds passed.
"...Hungry."
Felix snorted.
"You literally ate twenty minutes ago."
"I know..."
Minho nodded very seriously.
"...But..."
He paused again.
"...That garlic bread..."
Another thoughtful nod.
"...Changed me."
The car went quiet.
Chris sighed dramatically.
"He's gone."
"I'm..."
Minho looked around the car.
"...Still here."
That was enough to make everyone laugh.
Even Jeongin had to cover his mouth to hide his smile.
Getting inside somehow became my responsibility.
Not because anyone had asked me to.
Mostly because Minho had quietly slipped his hand into mine somewhere between the driveway and the front door.
"...Minho."
"Hm?"
"We're inside."
"I know."
"...You can let go."
He looked down at our hands.
Then back at me.
"...Do I..."
A pause.
"...Have to?"
I couldn't help smiling.
"...No."
His fingers tightened around mine just a little.
"...Good."
Chris walked past us carrying the leftovers from dinner.
He looked at our hands.
Then at me.
"...Good luck."
Before I could respond, he was already halfway up the stairs.
Traitor.
Felix walked by next, grinning.
"He gets clingy."
"I've noticed."
"It's adorable."
"...Go upstairs."
"I'm going!"
He disappeared laughing, with Jeongin following behind and shaking his head.
Within a couple of minutes...
The house was quiet.
I found Minho standing in front of the refrigerator.
The door was open.
He was staring inside.
"...What are you doing?"
"...Thinking."
"...About?"
He looked at me.
Then back into the fridge.
"...I..."
A pause.
"...Forgot."
I laughed, walking over beside him.
"You forgot?"
"Mhm."
"You've been standing here for, like, a full minute."
"...Have I?"
"You have."
"...Huh."
He looked genuinely surprised.
I reached past him and grabbed a bottle of water before closing the refrigerator door.
"I think this is what you were looking for."
He stared at the bottle in my hand.
Then at me.
"...I knew..."
A pause.
"...That."
"You definitely didn't."
"...No."
He smiled sheepishly.
"...I didn't."
I handed him the bottle.
"There you go."
He accepted it with both hands.
"...You're..."
He stopped.
Thinking very hard.
"...Really..."
Another pause.
"...Really..."
I waited.
"...Helpful."
I smiled.
"You were trying to say smart, weren't you?"
"...Maybe."
Another pause.
"...I forgot."
That made me laugh harder than it probably should have.
After taking a long drink of water, he set the bottle on the counter.
Then, without saying a word, he stepped closer.
His arms wrapped loosely around my waist.
Not tightly.
Just enough that I could feel the warmth of him.
He rested his forehead against my shoulder.
"...Minho?"
"Hm?"
"...You okay?"
"Mhm."
His voice was quiet.
"...Had..."
A pause.
"...A really..."
Another pause.
"...Really good day."
"I know."
"So did I."
He smiled against my shoulder.
"...Good."
We stood there for a while.
Neither of us spoke.
The only sound was the refrigerator humming quietly behind us.
Eventually he lifted his head.
His eyes met mine.
He just...
Looked at me.
"...What?" I asked.
He smiled.
"...You're..."
A pause.
"...Really..."
Another pause.
"...Really pretty."
Heat rushed straight to my face.
"...You're tipsy."
"Mhm."
"You know that?"
"Mhm."
"And you're still staring."
"...Because..."
He frowned, searching for the words.
"...I..."
Another pause.
"...Like..."
"...Looking at you."
My heart did something it absolutely shouldn't have.
"...Minho."
"It's..."
He smiled softly.
"...True."
I looked away, trying to hide how warm my face had gotten.
"...You always do that."
I glanced back at him.
"What?"
"...You look away."
"I do not."
"You..."
A pause.
"...Just did."
"...Stop paying attention."
"I..."
He smiled to himself.
"...Like paying attention."
I laughed quietly.
"...You're impossible."
"...Probably."
His hand found mine again, our fingers fitting together naturally.
He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
"...Thank you."
I blinked.
"For what?"
"...Today."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I do."
He looked down at our joined hands before looking back at me.
"...I kept..."
A pause.
"...Looking for you."
"...Really?"
"Mhm."
"...Every time..."
He smiled.
"...I found you..."
Another pause.
"...Everything felt..."
He searched for the word.
"...Easy."
I didn't know what to say.
So I squeezed his hand instead.
His smile widened.
"...There it is."
"There what is?"
"...That smile."
I laughed.
"...You've officially become a sap."
"Mhm."
"...Probably."
Another yawn interrupted him.
His shoulders sagged.
"...Tired?"
He nodded immediately.
"...Very."
I smiled.
"Come on."
I reached for his hand.
"Let's get you to bed."
"...Okay."
He followed without complaining.
Halfway up the stairs, he stopped.
"...Jisung?"
"Yeah?"
He looked at me for a second.
"...I'm..."
A pause.
"...Really glad..."
Another pause.
"...You're here."
My chest tightened.
I smiled.
"...Me too."
He smiled back, satisfied with my answer.
"...Good."
Then he kept walking upstairs beside me, our hands still linked together.
For some reason...
I hoped he'd remember at least some of this tomorrow.
And if he didn't...
I wasn't sure I'd ever tell him just how much those simple, honest words had meant to me.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was that the other side of the bed was empty.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting warm strips of light across the room. I blinked a few times, trying to wake myself up before glancing at the clock.
Just after nine.
I stretched, the events of yesterday slowly coming back to me.
Graduation.
The restaurant.
Everyone laughing.
"...That garlic bread changed me."
A laugh escaped me before I could stop it.
Minho was never going to live that one down.
I pulled on one of my hoodies and quietly made my way downstairs.
The villa was surprisingly peaceful.
Chris was sitting at the kitchen island with a mug of coffee in one hand and a book in the other.
He looked up as I walked in.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"You sleep okay?"
"Mhm."
He took another sip of his coffee.
"Minho's still asleep."
"I figured."
Chris smiled to himself.
"The hangover finally caught up to him."
"It isn't that bad, is it?"
"Nah."
He shrugged.
"Just a headache."
"I told him to stop after the second beer."
"I don't think Changbin helped."
Chris laughed.
"Absolutely not."
We sat in comfortable silence for a minute.
I opened one of the cupboards and grabbed Minho's favorite mug.
Chris looked over the top of his book.
"Making tea?"
"Mhm."
"I had a feeling."
The kettle clicked on with a quiet hum.
While I waited for the water to boil, I started making breakfast.
Toast.
Scrambled eggs.
Some fruit.
Nothing complicated.
Just something easy on his stomach.
Chris watched me for a second before smiling.
"You're good to him."
I looked down at the toast, suddenly feeling warmer than I probably should've.
"I try."
"You don't have to try very hard."
I glanced over.
"What does that mean?"
"It means..."
He closed his book.
"He looks at you the same way people look at home after they've been away for a long time."
I didn't know what to say.
Chris smiled like he'd already said enough.
"I'm heading out for a bit."
He stood, grabbing his keys from the counter.
"Tell Sleeping Beauty I said congratulations again."
"I will."
The front door clicked shut.
The villa became completely silent.
A few minutes later, I balanced a tray with breakfast and a mug of tea before heading upstairs.
The bedroom door creaked softly as I nudged it open.
Minho hadn't moved much.
One arm was draped over his eyes to block out the sunlight, his hair somehow even messier than usual.
I set the tray down quietly on the bedside table before sitting on the edge of the mattress.
For a moment...
I just looked at him.
A few months ago, I never would've imagined mornings like this.
They weren't dramatic.
Nothing exciting was happening.
He was just...
Sleeping.
And somehow...
That felt enough.
I reached over, gently brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead.
His eyebrows twitched.
"...Mmm."
"Morning."
One eye slowly opened.
He squinted at me.
"...Why're you..."
He paused, his voice still rough with sleep.
"...Looking at me?"
I smiled.
"I was making sure you were still alive."
"...Rude."
"You'll recover."
"...Debatable."
I laughed quietly.
"How's your head?"
He groaned before answering.
"...Feels like..."
A long pause.
"...Someone's playing the drums..."
Another pause.
"...Inside it."
"I thought you said two more beers was a good idea."
"They..."
He frowned.
"...Seemed like..."
Another pause.
"...A good idea yesterday."
"And today?"
"...Today..."
He sighed dramatically.
"...I think water is my best friend."
I reached for the mug.
"I brought tea."
His eyes immediately landed on it.
"...For me?"
"Mhm."
"And breakfast?"
"Mhm."
He blinked at the tray before looking back at me.
"...You're..."
He smiled sleepily.
"...Really sweet."
Heat crept into my cheeks.
"Drink your tea."
He pushed himself upright with a small groan.
The blanket slipped down his shoulders, revealing hair sticking out in every direction.
I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
"...What?"
"You look..."
I tilted my head.
"...Very sophisticated."
He reached up and ran a hand through his hair.
"Better?"
"...Not even close."
He sighed.
"I was afraid you'd say that."
I handed him the mug.
Our fingers brushed for the briefest second.
Without really thinking about it, I leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss against the corner of his lips.
It only lasted a moment.
Just enough to make him smile.
"...Good morning," I whispered.
His smile grew a little wider.
"...Morning."
For a while, the room stayed quiet.
He sipped his tea while I sat beside him, stealing pieces of fruit from the plate whenever he wasn't looking.
Eventually, he looked over at me.
"...Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
He hesitated.
"...Did I..."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"...Do anything embarrassing yesterday?"
I looked at him for a second before smiling to myself.
"What do you remember?"
"The restaurant."
"Mhm."
"...Garlic bread."
I laughed.
"Of course you remember the garlic bread."
"I remember getting home..."
He frowned.
"...I think."
"I remember the kitchen."
"Mhm."
"...After that..."
He looked genuinely confused.
"...Nothing."
I hummed thoughtfully.
"I guess you'll just have to wonder."
He narrowed his eyes at me.
"...Jisung."
"What?"
"You're smiling."
"I know."
"...Why?"
I shrugged.
"No reason."
"...You're hiding something."
"I would never."
"...Liar."
I laughed, leaning over to steal another quick kiss before standing up with the empty fruit bowl.
"Finish your breakfast."
As I walked toward the bedroom door, I heard him mumble something under his breath.
"...Worth a try."
I smiled to myself.
Maybe some things...
Were better left as little mysteries.
By the time Minho had finished breakfast, his tea was gone and the color had finally returned to his face.
"Head any better?" I asked.
"A little."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I still don't think I'm ever drinking again."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You said that about spicy ramen."
"...That was different."
"It really wasn't."
He smiled.
"I was hoping you'd forgotten."
"I remember everything."
"I've noticed."
He reached over, quietly taking my hand before I could stand up.
"Thanks."
I looked down at our hands before smiling.
"You've thanked me three times already."
"I know."
"You don't have to keep saying it."
"I want to."
I didn't know why that made my chest feel so warm.
Maybe because he always sounded so sincere.
Not dramatic.
Just...
Honest.
I leaned down, pressing a quick kiss against his forehead.
"You're welcome."
His ears turned the faintest shade of pink.
"...I like when you do that."
"The forehead kisses?"
"Mhm."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"You should."
I laughed.
"I wasn't asking for permission."
"I know."
"...I'm encouraging you."
A little while later, we finally wandered downstairs.
The villa had become significantly louder.
Music played quietly from a speaker somewhere in the living room while Changbin and Hyunjin argued over whose turn it was to unload the dishwasher.
"I did it yesterday."
"You put away three plates."
"That still counts."
"It absolutely does not."
Chris looked up from the couch.
"It doesn't."
"I liked you better five minutes ago," Changbin muttered.
Felix was sitting cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through pictures from graduation.
"Oh!"
He suddenly looked up.
"There they are."
I already knew that smile.
"...What?"
Felix held up his phone.
"Question."
"No."
"I haven't asked it yet."
"My answer is still no."
He ignored me.
"Minho."
"...Hm?"
"Do you remember the garlic bread?"
The room went quiet.
Minho frowned.
"...Why does everyone keep asking me about garlic bread?"
Changbin burst into laughter.
"He seriously doesn't remember."
Chris set his coffee down.
"No way."
Felix stood dramatically.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
He cleared his throat.
"I present..."
He pointed toward Minho like he was introducing someone on stage.
"...The Garlic Bread Speech."
"Oh no," Minho mumbled.
Felix puffed out his chest and lowered his voice in what was supposed to be an impression of Minho.
"'I think...'"
He paused dramatically.
"'Everyone...'"
Another pause.
"'Deserves...'"
He pointed toward an imaginary restaurant.
"'That garlic bread.'"
The entire room erupted into laughter.
Even Hyunjin had to lean against the kitchen counter.
"I did not sound like that."
"You absolutely did," Chris said.
Felix wasn't finished.
"'It changed me.'"
"I never—"
"'It was...'"
Felix pretended to wipe away a tear.
"'Really good garlic bread.'"
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.
Minho slowly covered his face with both hands.
"...I'm moving."
Changbin shook his head.
"No you're not."
"I have to."
"You'll never escape this."
Chris smiled over the rim of his mug.
"I'm bringing it up at every family dinner."
"...Chris."
"Every."
"...Chris."
"Single."
"...Please."
"...One."
Minho groaned.
"I regret graduating."
"That's a little dramatic," I laughed.
He peeked at me through his fingers.
"...You're supposed to be on my side."
"I am."
"You're laughing."
"I can do both."
He sighed.
"...Traitor."
I bumped my shoulder against his.
"I'm laughing because you're cute."
He blinked.
"...Oh."
That was apparently enough to completely derail his train of thought.
The room went quiet for exactly one second.
Then Felix gasped dramatically.
"HE'S BLUSHING."
"I am not."
"You absolutely are."
Chris didn't even bother looking up from his coffee.
"He is."
Minho looked at me like I was supposed to rescue him.
I smiled as innocently as I could.
"...I don't know what they're talking about."
"Liar."
"I learned from the best."
His expression softened almost immediately.
"...Fair enough."
For a moment, the teasing settled into comfortable conversation.
Music continued playing.
Someone opened a window.
Warm summer air drifted through the kitchen.
I leaned against the counter beside Minho, our shoulders barely touching.
Nobody said anything about it.
Nobody looked twice.
It had become...
Normal.
And somehow...
That still amazed me.
Jeongin wandered in from upstairs a few minutes later, his phone still in his hand.
He looked between the two of us.
"...Can I ask you guys something?"
"Sure," Minho answered.
Jeongin scratched the back of his neck.
"So..."
He smiled a little.
"...Élise and I were talking."
I immediately looked up.
"Oh?"
"We were thinking..."
He hesitated for a second.
"...Would you guys want to go on a double date next weekend?"
I looked over at Minho.
He looked back at me.
Neither of us said anything for a second.
Then...
"I've never been on a double date," I admitted.
Jeongin laughed.
"...Neither have we."
Minho smiled.
"So none of us know what we're doing?"
"Pretty much."
"...That actually makes me feel better."
I laughed.
"Me too."
Jeongin's smile grew.
"So..."
He looked between us hopefully.
"Is that a yes?"
I glanced at Minho.
He was already looking at me.
The corners of his mouth lifted into that soft smile I'd somehow never gotten used to.
I smiled back.
"...Yeah."
"I think we'd like that."
Jeongin let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"...Good."
Almost immediately, Felix looked up from the couch.
"...Where are we going?"
Jeongin shrugged.
"We haven't decided yet."
Felix grinned.
"I vote aquarium."
Chris nodded.
"Actually..."
"That's not a bad idea."
Hyunjin looked over.
"There's that shopping district right next to it."
"Oh!" Felix said.
"We could do both."
Jeongin looked down at his phone, already typing.
A second later, it buzzed.
He smiled.
"...Élise says yes."
I couldn't help smiling too.
For some reason...
I had a feeling next weekend was going to be one of those days I'd remember for a very long time.
The rest of the afternoon passed the way most summer afternoons seemed to in the villa.
Slowly.
Chris eventually came home with groceries, Changbin disappeared to the gym, and Hyunjin settled onto the back patio with his sketchbook.
Felix had somehow convinced Seungmin to help him bake cookies.
From the smell drifting through the house...
I wasn't convinced they were succeeding.
I wandered into the kitchen just as Felix frowned down at a tray in the oven.
"...They're supposed to be flatter."
Seungmin looked at the recipe on his phone.
"You forgot the butter."
Felix blinked.
"...That would explain a lot."
"It explains everything."
"I thought something looked different."
"You thought wrong."
I laughed quietly as I grabbed a glass from the cupboard.
Felix looked over.
"Jisung."
"Hm?"
"...Can you pretend these are good when Chris gets home?"
I looked at the tray.
Some were round.
Some weren't.
One looked like it had somehow merged with the cookie beside it.
"I'll do my best."
"Thank you."
"You owe me."
"I'll bake another batch."
"...Maybe let Seungmin help a little more."
"I heard that," Felix called as I walked away.
"I wanted you to."
His offended gasp followed me into the hallway.
By the time dinner was over, the sun had started sinking behind the trees, bathing the backyard in warm shades of gold and orange.
The others drifted off one by one.
Chris and Changbin started a movie in the living room.
Felix insisted on bringing the "experimental cookies."
Nobody questioned why they were called experimental.
Minho nudged my shoulder.
"...Want to go outside?"
"Sure."
We slipped through the back door and onto the deck.
The evening air was warm enough that I didn't need my hoodie.
The backyard was quiet.
The only sounds were birds settling into the trees and the faint laughter drifting through the open living room window.
For a while, neither of us said anything.
We leaned against the railing, watching the sky slowly change colors.
"...I'm excited," Minho said quietly.
I looked over.
"For the date?"
"Mhm."
"I am too."
He smiled.
"I've never done a double date before."
"Neither have I."
"...Think it'll be awkward?"
I thought about it for a second.
"Maybe for the first five minutes."
"And after that?"
I shrugged.
"I think we'll forget it's even a double date."
He laughed softly.
"Probably."
The conversation drifted into another comfortable silence.
I found myself watching the sky more than anything else.
Summer always seemed to make everything slower.
Not in a bad way.
Just...
Gentler.
Minho nudged my arm again.
"What?"
He looked down at my hoodie.
Without saying anything, he reached over and folded my collar back where it'd gotten caught underneath itself.
There.
Fixed.
"...Thanks."
"Mhm."
He didn't even seem to realize he'd done it.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I smiled to myself.
Jeongin had been right.
I really didn't notice when he did things like that.
At least...
Not until someone pointed them out.
"You smiled again," Minho said.
"I did?"
"Mhm."
"What about?"
"I don't know."
He smiled too.
"I was hoping you'd tell me."
I laughed under my breath.
"I don't think I can."
He looked at me for a second before gently reaching for my hand.
His fingers slipped between mine so naturally that neither of us really thought about it anymore.
It wasn't something we had to ask ourselves if we were allowed to do.
It had simply become...
Us.
"I had a really good graduation," he said after a while.
"I'm glad."
"I think..."
He glanced toward the living room where everyone else was laughing at something Felix had said.
"...It would've felt incomplete if you weren't there."
I looked down at our hands.
"I wouldn't have missed it."
"I know."
Another quiet settled between us.
Comfortable.
Unhurried.
The kind that never felt like it needed filling.
"...Hey?" I said.
"Hm?"
"If I get lost in the bookstore next weekend..."
He smiled before I could even finish.
"...I'll come find you."
"What if I'm in there for an hour?"
"I'll still come find you."
"What if I buy too many books?"
"I'll carry them."
I laughed.
"You don't even know how many."
"I don't need to."
I shook my head.
"...You're unbelievable."
"I've been told."
I leaned against his shoulder without really thinking about it.
He rested his head lightly against mine.
Neither of us moved.
Inside, someone cheered at the movie.
Felix immediately shouted that the ending had been spoiled.
Chris reminded him they'd all seen it before.
I smiled.
The world felt wonderfully ordinary.
And for the first time in a long time...
Ordinary was exactly what I wanted.