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Jaeha blinked at him, a small smile finally breaking through his tired expression.
“ Alright. I can show you. ”
He glanced around the club, searching for somewhere a little quieter before gesturing toward an empty table near the side.
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hira regarded him for another quiet moment before apparently deciding not to press .
“ fine . you don’t have to tell me . ” he adjusted the basket against his hip , gaze wandering uncertainly over the crowded room . “ but then you have to teach me how one is supposed to —-+
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“ Come on. Let’s find somewhere to sit first. I’ll order us something to drink and you can learn how we behave in places like this. ”
There was a faint teasing warmth in his voice now. As they walked toward the table,
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He smiled softly at that.
“ Thank you, I did it myself ! ”
He sat a little closer to Jean, eyeliner between his fingers as he carefully leaned in. The tip of the pencil was placed against Jean’s eyelid, his hand steady as he began tracing the line along it.
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His expression softened at Hira’s words, though the faint smile quickly faded.
“ Maybe, but I don’t think you should let yourself get involved. It’s nothing you need to carry for me. ”
A quiet sigh left him as he straightened.
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hira gathered the last of his herbs with his help , carefully returning each bruised sprig to the basket before rising .
“ thank you . ” he brushed his palms against his trousers , though concern had already replaced most of his embarrassment . “ you said you wanted to get —-+
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“ I’m just a little overwhelmed lately. ”
Being on stage was easy. For those few hours, he could pretend everything was fine. It was everything afterward that was exhausting.
“ I’ll figure it out. ”
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“ Although I didn’t exactly expect to run into you while trying to forget my problems. ”
He crouched to help gather a few of the scattered herbs.
“ How did you end up here? ”
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Jaeha blinked at the familiar voice, surprise immediately crossing his face.
“ Hira? ”
Of all people, he hadn’t expected to find him here.
“ I could ask you the same thing. ”
He glanced around the crowded club, letting out a quiet breath.
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hira stared at the herbs scattered around their feet , mortification blooming warm across his cheeks .
“physically ? yes . my dignity is less fortunate .” he crouched quickly to rescue the rosemary before it was trampled , only to glance up and finally recognize who had —-+
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“ I just finished a concert. Everyone wanted to come here and I figured I could use a drink. Get my mind off things for a while. ”
His eyes flickered down to the herbs again, amusement returning.
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