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The studio was too quiet, the kind of silence that gnawed at Hyunjin's restless energy. He had finished his routine hours ago, but with no one around to spar with or talk to, boredom was hitting him like a truck. Sitting still wasn't an option.

Grabbing his bag, he decided to head to Jay's place. Jay always knew how to liven things up, and besides, it had been a while since Hyunjin had hung out with him.

When Hyunjin arrived, the faint thrum of music spilled out of Jay's apartment, accompanied by the warm hum of conversation. Jay greeted him at the door with his signature grin, arms spread wide.

"Hyunjin! About time you showed up."

"What's all this?" Hyunjin asked, dropping his bag near the entrance.

"Just a little get-together," Jay replied nonchalantly, gesturing to the snacks and drinks spread across the counter. "I invited a few people. Changbin, Sunghoon, my cousin Jake... oh, and Chan and Minho are coming too."

Hyunjin's eyebrow arched. "Minho? As in Lee Minho?"

"Yeah. Why?" Jay smirked. "Got beef with him or something?"

"Not yet," Hyunjin muttered, his mind wandering to the rumors swirling around the infamous Lee Minho. Still, the intrigue was enough to keep him from backing out. He never turned down a chance to meet new people—or stir the pot.

By the time an hour had passed, Jay's living room was alive with energy. Changbin was showing off his rap skills, Jake and Sunghoon were locked in a passionate debate about soccer, and Chan laughed heartily at something Minho said.

Hyunjin leaned against the kitchen counter, nursing a soda as he took it all in. Jay wandered over, bumping his shoulder with a grin.

"You look like you're plotting something."

Hyunjin smirked. "Maybe I am. Got to keep things interesting, right?"

Jay shook his head, laughing. "You're ridiculous."

But before Hyunjin could reply, the front door opened, and the mood of the room shifted slightly. Conversations lulled for a moment as two new arrivals stepped inside.

Lee Minho, sharp-eyed and self-assured, strolled in like he owned the place. He exuded a quiet confidence that immediately drew attention. Beside him was someone Hyunjin hadn't expected to see—the freckled boy from the studio.

Hyunjin's grip on his soda tightened instinctively as his gaze locked onto the blonde. The boy looked different outside the studio, dressed casually yet effortlessly, his freckles softening his features. But there was no mistaking the grace in his movements or the quiet energy that seemed to follow him everywhere.

The freckled boy's eyes briefly scanned the room, landing on Hyunjin for a split second before flicking away. That single glance sent an annoying jolt through Hyunjin, like a challenge unspoken but understood.

Jay, oblivious to Hyunjin's internal storm, clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Minho and Felix! Glad you made it!"

Felix. So that was his name.

Hyunjin watched as Minho and Felix made their way further into the apartment, their presence adding a new dynamic to the already buzzing atmosphere. His jaw tightened, the restless energy in him flaring anew.

Unpredictability. That's what this night had just turned into, and Hyunjin couldn't deny he thrived on it.

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