“Yah! Yah, keep it down!” I shot up from the couch, glaring toward the kitchen where DK and Seungkwan were trying to out-sing each other—loudly. “Do you think this is a concert? It’s almost midnight!”

Seungkwan snorted, waving a spatula at me like it was a mic. “Hyung, come on. Don’t act like you weren’t just dancing with us twenty minutes ago.”

“That was twenty minutes ago,” I said, crossing my arms and trying not to smile. “I let you have your fun. Now I’m regretting it.”

DK, clearly not taking me seriously, launched into another high note, echoing off the walls. I groaned, rubbing my temples.

“This is my apartment. My peaceful sanctuary,” I muttered to myself, pacing toward the kitchen. “Why did I invite you guys again?”

“Because you love us,” Dino piped up from the floor, where he was half-wrapped in a blanket burrito, holding a game controller.

I sighed and pointed at him. “Don’t push it, maknae.”

They laughed like I’d just told the best joke in Korea. I ran a hand through my hair, half-exasperated, half-affectionate. This was the curse of being the leader—I loved these guys, but they really didn’t come with a volume control.

Just as I was about to enforce a “quiet hour,” the front door opened with a soft click.

All heads turned. My heart did that stupid flip it always did, even after five years.

There she was—my girl. Wearing a soft beige sweater, hair slightly tousled from the wind, her eyes scanning the room before landing on me.

Her smile was enough to make the room fall quiet. Not because she demanded it, but because she carried this kind of peace with her. Like calm after the chaos.

“You’re here early,” I said, stepping forward, already feeling my voice soften. I didn’t even notice the corners of my mouth lifting until she dropped her bag and walked into my arms.

“Finished everything faster than I thought,” she said, her voice muffled against my chest. “Was hoping you’d still be awake.”

“I’m barely surviving,” I mumbled, kissing the top of her head. “These kids have been shouting."