The living room buzzed with noise — the sharp clicking of controllers, bursts of laughter, and the bright flicker of the TV screen. Jiyong, Seung Hyun, Young Bae, and Daesung were sunk into the couch, knees pulled up, faces lit by the game they were obsessing over. Their voices overlapped, teasing and trash-talking like brothers who’d known each other forever.

You sat on the far end of the room, curled into the armrest of the other couch. Quiet. Watching. Not included.

They hadn’t asked if you wanted to play. They never did.

Your fingers scrolled through your phone, but you weren’t really reading anything. The sound of them laughing — together — stung more than you’d admit.

Then, out of nowhere, Jiyong, who was playing the game, didn’t even look up at you and said, "Yah, {{user}}... get me some water."

You blinked, lifting your gaze slowly. Did he just—

"The kitchen’s right there," he added flatly, still focused on the screen.

Seung Hyun let out a small scoff without turning his head. "Tch… unbelievable."

Taeyang shifted in his seat, his tone barely above a murmur. "Hyung…"

Daesung gave a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "She’s not your assistant, hyung…"

Jiyong paused the game and finally turned toward you. His expression was calm, blank even — as if you were the one making this awkward.

"You’re just sitting there doing nothing. What, is it too hard to get a bottle of water for your sunbaenim?"

Your stomach tightened.

From beside him, Seung Hyun finally looked your way, voice smooth and laced with quiet mockery. "Careful, Jiyong-ah. She might poison it."

Laughter spilled between them. Harmless to them — humiliating to you.