PART 1 : The Game

Sunday chaos at Monwenee café

It was a lazy Sunday, the kind that begged for laughter and caffeine.

The four friends had claimed their usual table at Monwenee Café, a cozy little spot owned by Shownu and Kihyun. Everyone called them Showki, the perfect duo who served coffee with love and fought like a married couple when nobody was looking.

The place was famous not just for its pastries, but for the little touches that made it feel like home, like the basket of board games near the counter for kids who came with their parents.

That basket would soon seal Hyungwon's fate.

...°°°...

"Alright, we need something to kill the boredom," Minhyuk declared dramatically, chin resting in his palm like he was about to announce world domination. "What's more thrilling than a game of skill, chance, and pure destiny?"

Hyungwon, already suspicious, leaned back in his chair. "...Nap time?"

"Wrong!" Minhyuk shot finger guns. "Jenga."

The others looked up. Jooheon's grin was wide. Changkyun perked up instantly.

"Yes!" they chorused, already picturing the chaos.

Hyungwon groaned, pulling the hood of his oversized sweatshirt tighter around his face.

"Guys, I don't think..."

"Come on, Hyungwon, you're no fun," Jooheon and Changkyun said at the exact same time, smirking like mischievous twins.

"Traitors," Hyungwon muttered.

"Don't worry," Minhyuk coaxed sweetly, batting his lashes. "It'll be fun. Just a simple game. Oh! And whoever loses gets a punishment."

The sparkle in his eyes should've been a warning siren, but Hyungwon sighed, already defeated.

"Alright, alright."

Kihyun, passing by with a tray of croissants, muttered, "Don't break the table or I'll make you clean it with your sleeves."

Shownu simply placed the Jenga tower on the table with a warm smile. "For kids," he said kindly. "Play nicely."

Thirty minutes later, Hyungwon was sweating like he was taking a college entrance exam. Every move felt like a battle against fate itself. His friends, on the other hand, were thriving, leaning back in their chairs, sipping iced americanos, pretending they were master strategists.

Hyungwon's fingers trembled around the next block. One wrong push and...

Minhyuk made the signal. A subtle nod. Jooheon's lips twitched.

Then-

"Haaachooooo!"

Jooheon's exaggerated sneeze rattled the air. The sound was so sudden, so violent, that poor Hyungwon jolted like a deer in headlights. His elbow bumped the tower.

CRASH.

The blocks scattered across the table in a dramatic clatter. The café echoed with his groan of despair while the other three cheered like they'd just won the Olympics.

"That's not fair!" Hyungwon yelped, glaring at them with wide, betrayed eyes. "I got startled!"

Jooheon doubled over laughing, holding his stomach. Changkyun was clapping like a seal. Minhyuk leaned back smugly, already flipping through his mental dictionary of punishments.

"You..." Hyungwon narrowed his eyes, smacking Jooheon lightly on the shoulder. "That was sabotage."

"Sabotage?" Jooheon wheezed. "That was strategy."

Minhyuk tapped his chin, pretending to ponder. "Now, what kind of punishment befits a tragic loser like you..."

Hyungwon's heart sank. His fate was sealed, and knowing Minhyuk, it wouldn't be pretty.

Tbc 🩷

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***