sunday ride .ᐟ

still... something lingers beneath it. it might be the extra pep in his voice, like he’s overcompensating, or the way his shoulders don’t sit quite as high as they used to. but akio doesn’t comment on it yet. it’s too soon, and he’s not sure if he’s imagining things. he tends to worry about misaki more than he does most people. he’s like a younger brother to him and while he has no doubt he knows how to take care of himself, he tends to wonder if he’s eating enough, sleeping enough, pushing himself too hard. 

instead, he lets out a low laugh, crossing his arms. “hungry? sammy, i think you ordered enough for a small army,” he teases, nudging him lightly with his foot. “luckily for you though, i am starving.” his tone is warm and playful, letting the moment breathe as they wait for the delivery person to arrive. he doesn’t often crave sweet food, but he appreciate the occasional pastry. after spending months of what could probably qualify as a depressive state (without the official diagnosis), akio has noticed he’s lost some weight. not a whole lot, but still noticeable for a guy like him who’s already very tall and very lean. 

well, maybe that's a lie. it bothers him a little, life events stacking atop slowly broadening shoulders, the pressure reaching levels he's never had to really carry before. he's always been capable, always been the type to laugh and bulldoze through as he adapts and overcomes, so misaki knows it won't be long before he feels like his usually fiendish self once more. still, adjusting is a tiring endeavor, something that leaves physical evidence he doesn't really care to cover up outside of simply being happy. he doesn't want anyone to worry, but he also doesn't want to lie.

there's still excitement laced beneath his skin, gaze unyieldingly glued to where his phone showcases the delivery drivers slowly nearing location, but his words catch on the tip of his tongue as akio speaks.

happy?

he could latch onto the strawberry cream bread. he could tease the older for being so sappy. misaki could do a lot of things to deflect from the uncomfortable, but with akio, misaki is never uncomfortable.

while it’s still some time ahead, with how busy things have been going, minki can’t help but start imagining the break they will be having ahead. four days is a lot, what with their current schedule, he can’t even begin to figure out what he’ll do. obviously, he’ll spend time with his sister—but doing what? going where? other than a buffet, surely there are other more exciting activities he can do.

finishing up his skincare, of which are recommended by the staff, make-up artists and dermatologists he has been able to meet—still in his pjs and a bunny-shaped headband sitting quaintly on his forehead—he poses @lgcsaem with a question. “what do you kids like to do nowadays?”

he'd been playing a mobile game, body draped comfortably across his bed for once while his mind is occupied, but the older mans question pulls his attention immediately. "you kids— hyung, i know i make fun of you a lot for acting like an old man, but you're not actually an old man!" his tone is one of delight, a laugh leaving him, expression showcasing a bright smile as best as he can without disturbing his sheet mask too much.

no one was expecting hyuk to show up at that time of a random sunday and that would make everything even more interesting. the mzsd dorm has always been a place he wanted to visit anyway, and since he missed jasper a lot, why not show up and pay a visit?

he took with him some of his friend’s favorite lemon tarts because he knew they’d remind him of home, and asked his driver to drop him just around the block because it wasn’t his intention to draw any attention to himself when all he wanted was to make a surprise.

hyuk didn’t even think about the logistics of entering an idol’s dorm because that would be impossible. they’ll think you’re a creepy stalker, he thought to himself as he watched the building, waiting for one of the guys or a manager to show up.

when the gate opened, he just crossed the street as fast as he could, catching up the guy by his arm, recognizing his face as a former trainee - they even practiced before, hyuk was sure. “hi gorgeous!” he offered with a smile and a wink praying he wasn’t just another face in the crowd for him. “is you papa jasper home?”

believe it or not, however, there were moments ( far and few between, but moments scattered here and there nonetheless ) where misaki liked being alone. given recent developments within the world of mzsd, a brief recentering moment had become needed for misaki, his mind and heart a bit off kilter. so, in spite of the odd feelings sitting deep in his stomach, he'd decided to take his mind off things and decompress a little.

he hadn't meant to leave the dorm for very long, only wanting to do a quick snack run before returning home, but the hand suddenly clasping at his arm changes things. he lets out a yelp in surprise, eyes wide, the hood he'd placed atop his head falling off and revealing a mop of hair in desperate need of a trim. he's got half a mind to straight up scream, but then his eyes land on the strangers face . . . and he's not a stranger at all!

next came the second pastry — a blueberry jam tart topped with cherries. when it comes to tarts, texture is everything for her. she’s always on the lookout for ones with a crumbly, buttery base, and the way the edges gave way with her first bite told her immediately: this might be a new favorite.

mentally, misaki counts down— three, two, one! his teeth sink into the tarts crumbly crust, the sweet blueberry jam hitting his tongue with a burst of flavor he hadn't been expecting. now this is how you utilize blueberries! there are practically stars dancing in his eyes, bright lights tinkling within his dark pupils thanks to all the lighting equipment set up in front of him and jaehwa, and misaki can't help the loud hum of approval that pushes through his lips as he continues to chew.

"it's really pretty, cozy and relaxing. a great spot for anyone looking to unwind if you ask me. and honestly, what better distraction than the cats? i'm sure all your worries will temporarily melt away at the sight of their cute faces," she replies with a warm smile, carefully choosing her words.

eyes widening as he looks at his options, misaki continues. "i want to start with a pastry first and then try a drink . . . oh!" lifting a hand, misaki reaches for his first treat of the day, a chocolate biscotti. frosted on one end with white is a little cat paw, a cute detail misaki can't help but zero in on. "it's been so long since i had one of these! this has got to be my first taste test!"

“i think stray cats are more wary and cautious since they’re more likely to be bullied by other strays. that’s why it takes more time for them to warm up to people,” jaehwa adds thoughtfully, only to pause at her own words. she had just shown empathy for the stray cat community, so why hadn’t she given a second chance to the cat that scratched her? “just from this, i can tell you’re someone with patience, determination, and a lot of love to give,” she admits with a smile. “i can’t wait to see what everyone else picked.”

"wow, they decorated this place so nicely!" there's an obviouce overtone of awe to his words, spinning in place as he looks from one end of the room to the other, taking in the cafe decore mixed with cat goods. "the company really went all out, but i didn't expect any less! what do you think, noona?"

it kinda tugged minjun’s heart, making him forget everything he had planned to do (find the ring’s owner, drink some coffee and maybe get some ramen later before returning to practice). “hey, calm down ok?” he held the guy by his shoulders, offering him a reassuring smile as he paid more attention to what he was about to say. 

"i'm lost— wait, no, it's lost!" the words tumble from his lips, brows furrowing as he peers up at the other, eyes still wide. quickly, his right hand shoots up, fingers splayed out as he waves the appendage back and forth slightly. "i always have a ring on me that i got from my mom, but i don't have it anymore and i don't know where it is!"

god, his mom was gonna be sad if she found out. misaki couldn't let that happen.

she hummed softly, giving her decision one more moment of thought before nodding. “it’s fine, i’ll try to take this as a challenge for myself,” she said with a reassuring smile, even though her heart was thumping wildly in her chest. “not all cats are the same. maybe the ones in the café are super friendly. or maybe… i did something wrong before that caused me to get scratched. either way, your help would be really appreciated if something happens.”

"i've never had a cat before, but this one ice cream shop i used to bike to all the time back home used to have one that lived in its back alley for a few years— he was super spunky and didn't like anyone, not even me!" mikaki thinks back to those days with a happy grin, the outline of a old black cat forming in his mind. "it took months of bringing him treats often and letting him swat at my hands anytime i tried petting, but eventually we were cool. i guess some cats just take a little more finessing to play with than others, but don't worry, my members and i picked the best!"

“cats are cute, but i’ve always been more of a dog person,” she admitted with a nervous smile, already feeling uneasy despite her past experience in a number of variety shows. “i got attacked by one when i was younger, so… there's a bit of lingering trauma.” she let out a soft chuckle, subtly wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans.

"really?" surprisingly, he does well to keep his voice relatively calm as he speaks, not wanting to startle the older more than she already seems. "you don't have to touch them if you don't want— if they get too close, i'll pick them up and put them in kitty jail!" kitty jail does not exist as far as misaki knows, but what he does know is his own level of self confidence. misaki thinks he could hold all the cats comfortably in his grasp, safely away from jaehwa, if need be.

as much as hyoseop loved to join variety shows, there was so much going on with this one. not knowing his team pretty much had him running solo, whatever challenge was thrown his way he would do his very best, and sometimes make sure the people he were doing the challenge with weren’t doing as well as him. but it was all fun, boys energy was different from hyoseop’s usual days, and not needing to practice while filming the show slightly made it feel like a break.

he’s with saem, and the two are a chaotic duo no matter whether there’s cameras filming them or not. with two big bags of marshmallows, they’ve found two other tourists which have been dragged into their chaotic missions. “so, whoever can fit the most marshmallows in their mouth wins” he turns to saem “how do you think you’ll do for this challenge?”.