When next Saturday rolled around, Chanyeol was practically sleep-deprived, but had never been so happy in over a year, as he excitedly threw the covers from his bed, waking up even before his alarm clock hit 7 a.m., heading straight to the bathroom to freshen up and change clothes.

Bok Hee was startled that the young master of the house went to the kitchen, ready for the day, even before either of his parents. The worried nanny pressed her palm on Chanyeol’s forehead, feeling for his temperature. “Omo! Are you running a fever, Chanyeollie? Why are you up so early?”

Chanyeol only chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Very funny, ahjumonie. Good morning to you, too.”

Bok Hee smiled, warmth overcoming her to see the familiar twinkle on the young man’s eyes that she loved so much. She handed him a glass of orange juice and Chanyeol thanked her while he sat down for breakfast, as the nanny fixed him a plate.

Chanyeol largely appreciated the bowl of rice and the omelet and spinach banchan and miso soup, of course. He wanted to have a hearty breakfast as he planned on helping out a lot in the soup kitchen. He was already waiting in the car when his mother finally came down and climbed into the passenger seat, with Chanyeol smiling brightly at her.

Lee hojangnim laughed in amusement, reaching over to give him a kiss on the cheek. She found her son animatedly thrumming his fingers on the steering wheel, as he would when playing the drums. While still smiling, he wordlessly asked if they were already going with his mother nodding as she secured her seatbelt.

Chanyeol agreeably exited his family’s driveway and headed for the road.

Lee hojangnim’s smile grew even wider when Chanyeol started humming softly. “So, what are you listening to, adul?”

Chanyeol brightened even more, taking off one of his airpods. “Uh... just some recordings that I did... with Kyungsoo-ssi.”

“Oh, that’s right. You told me he came over the other day,” His mother enthused, at the mention of the other young man of her volunteer team. “Did he have a good time?”

“I hope so.” Chanyeol chuckled, somewhat nervously. “Would you like to listen?”

His omma blinked at him in suprise, as a soft smile bloomed on her face. Normally, Chanyeol would be very shy about letting his parents hear his music, so this was a welcome change. “Jinjja?”

“You have to hear Kyungsoo sing, Omma!” Chanyeol enthused, gently stepping on the breaks at the traffic light, and set up the bluetooth speakers of his car’s music player so he could play the songs from his phone.

And a melodious, soothing vibrato rang into the air, a young man singing in nearly flawless English, with a higher vocal register than her son’s. “Wow! That’s Kyungsoo-ssi?!”

Chanyeol’s grin grew even wider, as he started to drive on. “He’s probably the best singer I’ve ever heard... apart from Jongdae, of course.”

Lee hojangnim also did not fail to notice that Chanyeol didn’t even acknowledge his own background vocals, which were exemplary as well, giving depth and roundness to Kyungsoo’s raw and soulful singing. “If you hadn’t told me who it was, I would have thought I was listening to a professional singer.”

She giggled as memories of Chanyeol unabashedly singing in the house years before came to mind. “I remember when you and Jongdae would put up singing competitions when you were younger.”

Chanyeol could feel his face blushing as he gave a laugh. “Well, Jongdae always won, obviously.” His childhood friend still sang for a jazz band occasionally. “Speaking of Jongdae, I’m planning to visit him later at the cafe where he works.”

“Oh, really? How is he?” Lee hojangnim asked in fondness. She missed that courteous young man who had grown up with her children, as if he had become their own sibling.

“I think he’s still alive,” Chanyeol joked, guffawing as he received a slight slap on the arm from his mother. “He doesn’t know I’m coming over.”

“Well, then, send him my love and to his parents as well. I’m afraid I need to go to the office again after the soup kitchen, to pick up supplies.”

Chanyeol’s expression changed to concerned. “Would you need help, Omma?”

Lee hojangnim shook her head. “I have some staff from the office who could do that. Besides, it might take us hours.” She patted his hand in comfort. “If you could pick me after spending time with Jongdae, that would be great.”

Chanyeol nodded as the soup kitchen came into view. He stopped at the entrance, as his mother unclasped her seat belt and alighted the car first.

His eyes grazed the glass windows hurriedly, with the volunteers already hard at work, but he was looking for a sign of Kyungsoo.

Chanyeol didn’t see him, which disappointed him a little bit, as he vaguely nodded at his omma telling him she would see him inside.

He sighed, turning to a corner, to the back entrance, where he could park his car. Once done, he jogged over to the back door of the kitchen, where his eyes instantly lit up at the sight of Kyungsoo chopping vegetables.

He kind of froze where he stood, unconsciously greeting back the elder kitchen staff who acknowledged him, even bowing mindlessly as his eyes returned to the smaller guy serenely handling the kitchen knife with mastery and with such concentration.

Too cute, Chanyeol couldn’t help thinking, as his chest filled with such a warmth that he was beginning to associate with Kyungsoo. He was unable to explain it, except that he felt good around Kyungsoo’s presence.

Kyungsoo adjusted his glasses on his nose bridge with his right forearm—since his hands were a bit messy at the moment—and halted at what he was doing when he looked up to see the chairwoman’s son already looking at him. “Uh, annyeong-haseayo, Chanyeol-ssh...” Then he laughed, a shy, tentative, even breathy laugh that had Chanyeol chuckling too, as he caught himself addressing him formally. “I mean, Chanyeollie.”

Chanyeol bit his lower lip, to prevent a full grin from forming. “Annyeong, Kyungsoo-yah.” He went and reached for a spare apron to go and stand beside him. “Can I