The first thing you noticed about the house was how loud it was.

Not in a bad way.

Just… full.

Someone was laughing in the kitchen before the luggage had even been brought inside. Hoshi was already trying to convince Dino to play a game, Seungkwan was teasing Mingyu over something that had happened in the van, and Jeonghan was somehow making everything more chaotic while looking completely innocent.

You lingered near the entrance, fingers tightening around the strap of your bag.

“Everyone,” S.Coups called, setting his own backpack down. “This is my younger sister.”

Every head turned.

You bowed quickly.

“H-Hi…”

The greetings were warm, but there were so many names, smiles, and conversations that they blurred together. By the time everyone scattered to choose rooms, you were already feeling drained.

S.Coups glanced back at you.

“You okay?”

You nodded automatically.

“I’m fine.”

He knew you well enough to know that “fine” usually meant overwhelmed, but he didn’t press. Instead, he gently squeezed your shoulder before disappearing to help Mingyu carry supplies.

You stood there for another second before quietly picking up your bag and walking upstairs.

⸻

The first afternoon passed with everyone naturally settling into groups.

You stayed close enough to hear the laughter but far enough not to interrupt it.

You folded blankets someone had left on the couch.

You rinsed dishes after lunch without anyone asking.

You sat on the porch with a book you barely read, more interested in listening to the wind than the conversations drifting outside.

Nobody bothered you.

Nobody ignored you either.

It was… nice.

⸻

Across the yard, Minghao sat beneath a tree with a sketchbook balanced on one knee.

He wasn’t really drawing.

Not yet.

Instead, his pencil rested between his fingers as his eyes wandered around the property.

He noticed details other people missed.

A squirrel climbing the fence.

The way the sunlight shifted across the lake.

The quiet girl who seemed to disappear every time the group gathered together.

He watched for a moment before looking back down at his blank page.

He didn’t think much of it.

Just another observation.

⸻

That evening, everyone crowded around the dinner table.

You slipped into the empty seat beside Joshua, keeping your eyes mostly on your food while conversations bounced around you.

Occasionally someone included you.

“Want more rice?”

You smiled politely.

“Thank you.”

That was enough.

No one tried to force you into the conversation.

Across the table, Minghao quietly listened more than he spoke.

Once, while reaching for a glass of water, your eyes met for less than a second.

He gave a small nod.

You returned it before looking away.

That was all.