Faking Broke, Falling Hard || HeeJake

Part 6.

Heeseung's POV

Nine hours had passed in what felt like both an instant and an eternity. My feet ached, my voice was hoarse from talking to customers, and my hands smelled faintly of paper and vinyl polish. Yet, despite the exhaustion, there was a lightness I hadn't felt in a long time.

I closed the register, wiped down the counter, and slung my bag over my shoulder. The bell chimed behind me one last time, empty this time, letting the quiet of the street settle around me.

The walk home felt slower, calmer than usual. Streetlights flickered on, casting long shadows along the sidewalks. I thought about the day — the small laughter, the boba, the sweatshirt, the way Jungwon, Sunoo, and Ni-Ki made me feel... normal. Safe. Seen.

When I reached the gates of the mansion, I paused. The driveway stretched before me, quiet, familiar, intimidating in its own way. I typed in the code, hearing the familiar click of the lock disengaging, and stepped inside.

Dad and Heedo were in the kitchen, laughing softly over something I didn't catch. The scent of dinner — roast, herbs, warm bread — wrapped around me like a blanket.

"Back so soon?" Dad asked, glancing up from chopping vegetables.

I shrugged, setting my bag down. "Yeah. Just finished."

Heedo leaned against the counter, smirking. "You sound tired."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Long day."

"Don't forget your shower," Dad said, eyes soft. "You'll need it before dinner."

I nodded silently, moving toward the stairs, but paused. The warmth of the house hit me differently tonight. Not just the food, not just the familiar voices, but something else — comfort.

It had been so long since I'd felt like I belonged anywhere without pretending.

I knew it wasn't perfect. Not yet.

But for the first time in years, going home didn't feel like returning to a cage.

It felt... like returning to a place that could be mine.

And maybe tomorrow, when the store opened again, I could step out into the world and let a little more of that warmth follow me.

I grabbed a towel from the hallway closet and headed toward the bathroom, ready to wash off the long day. My muscles ached, my brain felt mushy, and all I wanted was hot water and silence.

But right as I reached the door, my pocket buzzed.

I frowned, pulling out my phone.

One notification lit up the screen:

'You have been added to 🌟 Squad Goals 🌟'

My eyes widened.

A group chat?

I tapped it open.

Members:

• Heeseung 💼

• Sunoo ☀️

• Jungwon 🎨

• Ni-Ki 🩰

I stared at the screen, blinking.

They added me.

To their group chat.

Before I could even process it, messages started flooding in.

Sunoo ☀️:

 HEE YOU'RE HEREEEEE ✨💗