Seoul — After the Airport Chaos
The vans split at a busy intersection.
One headed toward SEVYN Music's dorms.
The other toward Eom Residence.
Inside the first van, the atmosphere had finally relaxed. The city slid past outside in soft morning light.
Jeremy stretched like a cat.
"Freedom."
Dain, eyes still half-closed, murmured, "You call school freedom?"
Jeremy shrugged. "Compared to tour schedules? Yes."
Jayden glanced nervously at his phone.
A message notification flashed.
Hannah: DID YOU GET HOME SAFELY??
Another.
Hannah: I MADE COOKIES!!
Another.
Hannah: ALSO I THINK I BURNT HALF OF THEM BUT—
Jayden's eye twitched.
Jeremy leaned over.
"Oh wow."
Jayden sighed. "She's very… enthusiastic."
"Terrifying," Jeremy corrected.
Romeo chuckled quietly from the window seat.
Meanwhile Ashe sat silently beside them, typing.
Madigan: Did your manager say anything weird?
Ashe:
"Contract stuff."
Three dots appeared instantly.
Madigan:
"Two months?"
Ashe blinked.
How did she know?
Before he could reply—
The van stopped.
REBUS Dorms — Late Morning
The girls burst inside like a storm.
Bo Ra dropped her bags dramatically.
"I CANNOT BELIEVE HE TOOK MY GIFT."
Na Yoon rolled her eyes.
"He took the bag. Not your heart."
"It's the same thing."
Shantel collapsed into a chair.
"You've said that five times already."
Hannah skipped into the kitchen with a tray.
"Cookies!"
Everyone stared.
Half the cookies were black.
Bo Ra squinted.
"Are those… edible?"
"Probably!"
Na Yoon whispered to Shantel, "This is why Jayden fears her."
Shantel smirked faintly.
But the smile faded quickly.
Her thoughts drifted somewhere else.
Shantel's POV
Ashe.
The name slipped into her mind uninvited.
He had been kind to her since trainee days.
Patient.
Gentle.
He always listened.
Sometimes too well.
She leaned back against the chair, staring at the ceiling.
He smiled today.
Not the stage smile.
The private one.
The one someone gets when they read a message they want.
Her stomach twisted slightly.
"Shantel?"
Hannah's voice snapped her back.
"Cookie?"
She took one automatically.
"Thanks."
It's nothing, she told herself.
Ashe was friendly with everyone.
Still…
That smile.
It lingered in her thoughts longer than she liked.
Eom Residence — Noon
The Eom house was not a house.
It was practically a compound.
Old money elegance.
Traditional architecture blended with modern luxury.
Inside the kitchen—
Mrs. Eom moved like a commander preparing for battle.
Pots simmered.
Steam filled the air.
A feast was forming.
"More rice!" she called.
The housekeeper rushed to help.
She smiled to herself.
"My son finally comes home."
Outside
The LUCENT van pulled up.
Jeremy stepped out first.
"Whoa."
Jayden stared.
"This is… big."
Romeo shrugged.
"My mother likes guests."
Inside the house—
A small girl ran into the hallway.
"Sera!"
Romeo froze.
His little sister launched into his arms.
"You're back!"
Romeo laughed softly.
"Missed me?"
"Yes!"
She looked up at the others.
"Are these the famous brothers?"
Jeremy bowed dramatically.
"Jeremy, professional nuisance."
She giggled.
The House Begins to Fill
Soon the doorbell rang again.
REBUS arrived.
Bo Ra immediately straightened her hair.
Na Yoon muttered, "You're unbearable."
Shantel entered quietly behind them.
Her eyes briefly scanned the room.
Then—
Ashe appeared from the hallway.
Their eyes met.
He waved casually.
"Hey."
She nodded back.
Why does that feel weird today?
More Guests
Then two identical voices shouted.
"Sera hyung!"
Twin teenagers burst inside.
Romeo's maternal cousins.
Ji-hwan — tall, mischievous.
Ji-eun — sharp-eyed and playful.
Ji-hwan grinned.
"The superstar returns."
Ji-eun circled the LUCENT members like a curious scientist.
"So these are the legendary idols."
Jeremy whispered to Gage.
"I like this family."
And Then
The front door opened again.
The mood changed instantly.
Romeo's expression hardened.
His father walked in.
Expensive suit.
Sharp smile.
Beside him—
A woman clung lightly to his arm.
Elegant.
Cold.
And holding the hand of a three-year-old boy.
"Father," Romeo said flatly.
"Ah, Sera," the man replied. "Thought I'd stop by."
Everyone knew what that meant.
A business opportunity.
His gaze swept the room.
Lingering on LUCENT.
Lingering on REBUS.
Lingering on connections.
The mistress smiled sweetly.
"Such a lively house."
Romeo ignored her.
But the little boy looked up at him curiously.
"Hyung?"
Romeo softened slightly.
He crouched.
"Hey."
The boy grinned.
Romeo ruffled his hair gently.
A child wasn't responsible for adult mistakes.
Across the room—
Mrs. Eom appeared.
Her polite smile did not reach her eyes.
"Well," she said.
"Dinner is ready."
Dining Room — A Full House
The table stretched like a banquet hall.
LUCENT.
REBUS.
Cousins.
Siblings.
Parents.
Mistress.
Child.
The room buzzed with voices.
Bo Ra tried sitting near Romeo.
Ji-eun stole the seat first.
Bo Ra nearly combusted.
Hannah kept offering Jayden cookies.
He accepted one out of fear.
Jeremy whispered commentary to Gage like a sports announcer.
Meanwhile—
Shantel sat quietly.
Across the table—
Ashe laughed at something Ji-hwan said.
That same private smile flickered again.
Her chest tightened slightly.
She looked down at her food.
Stop it.
Later That Evening
Outside the Eom residence—
Romeo stood alone on the balcony.
The city stretched endlessly.
Footsteps approached.
Ashe.
"Family drama?" he asked.
Romeo exhaled.
"Something like that."
Ashe leaned against the railing.
"You'll survive."
Romeo smirked faintly.
"We all will."
Across Seoul—
contracts were nearing expiration.
Secrets were tightening.
And inside one crowded house—
the future of several lives sat unknowingly at the same table.