Family Outing with Taeyeon (2)

"Jaeseok-hyung! Don't you forget that I came here with Taeyeon today," Jihoon called out, feigning seriousness as he dusted off his sleeves, "Don't you think it's a little rude to leave her standing there like a lost puppy?"

All eyes swung back toward him, the air light with laughter from the earlier exchange. Jihoon used the moment to redirect attention—half playful, half intentional.

He pointed a finger dramatically at the national MC. "If this is what a national's MC about, then maybe you should take the day off and let Hyori noona run the show instead!"

"YA! What did you just say?" Yoo Jaeseok clutched the back of his neck dramatically in mock offense, staggering backward like he'd just been shot. "Do I have that little presence? I'm your hyung, Jihoon-ah!"

Jihoon gave a playful bow, his voice filled with dry mischief. "I'm sorry, Jaeseok-hyung," he said, his tone clearly not sorry at all.

It was the kind of harmless banter variety shows lived for—a little drama, a little playfulness.

Enough to stir the mood without stepping too far. It also had a dual purpose: to let the audience see another side of Jihoon.

He wasn't here to act like a polished idol or revered filmmaker. In fact, that was exactly the point.

Jihoon didn't agree to SM's PR stunt just out of obligation—he saw it as a calculated move. By revealing a more grounded, unpolished side of himself to the public, he was setting the stage.

Because when the shadowy figures behind the scenes inevitably reached for their favorite weapon—the media—to drag his name through scandal, their punches would land softer.

Keep expectations low, and there's nothing left to shatter.

Taeyeon, standing off to the side, couldn't hide her amusement. Her eyes sparkled as she watched Jihoon joke and spar with ease.

She pouted with exaggerated jealousy. "Yah… didn't he say he's never done variety before? I even offered to teach him how to act on camera!"

Now she was the one looking like the rookie. Jihoon blended in so effortlessly, it felt like he'd been doing this for years.

"How does he do everything so well…" she muttered to herself, arms crossed as she watched him charm the entire set.

Jaeseok, meanwhile, had expected he'd need to carry Jihoon through his first appearance—maybe guide him through awkward moments, give him generous cuts.

But after only a few minutes, it became clear Jihoon wasn't here to be babysat.

He was here with a purpose.

And Jaeseok, ever the professional, picked up on it quickly. This wasn't just an innocent guest spot—it was Jihoon showing up to shield Taeyeon, to show unity with the girls, to quiet the controversy without ever needing to address it directly.

So he switched gears. He turned toward Taeyeon and gently guided her forward. "Taeyeon-ssi, let's introduce you properly to the family."

He pointed to each cast member with an easy smile. "This is Sooro-hyung, over there is Daesung, and the two ladies behind you are Yejin and Hyori-noona—though you might already know that."

After the pleasantries, Jaeseok asked casually, "Taeyeon-ssi, how old are you this year?"

"I'm eighteen this year, sunbae!" Taeyeon answered politely, her posture proper and voice filled with respectful formality.

"Oh my god!" Jaeseok shouted dramatically, nearly spilling his cue card.

Beside him, Kim Sooro let out a loud sigh, his expression exaggerated for comedic effect. Slowly, his eyes drifted toward Hyori and Yejin—who were both standing silently with their arms crossed.

The cameraman, sensing a moment, zoomed in on their stone-cold expressions.

Yejin's brow lifted ever so slightly. Hyori rolled her eyes.

They knew where this was going.

Then, without missing a beat, Hyori turned toward Jihoon. "Jihoon-ah, how old are you this year?"

Jihoon grinned, reading the setup perfectly. "Also eighteen, noona," he said sweetly, casting a mischievous glance toward the guys.

"Oh my god!" Hyori and Yejin cried out in unison, mimicking Jaeseok and Sooro's earlier over-the-top reactions. Their comedic timing landed like clockwork.

Jaeseok and the rest of the guys froze mid-laugh—mouths agape, hands mid-air—comically stunned at being one-upped by the two women. The entire set burst into laughter.

Even the camera crew behind the lens couldn't hold it in, their chuckles echoing across the open fields. It was the kind of spontaneous chaos that made variety shows shine—unscripted, heartfelt, and wildly entertaining.

Just as the laughter settled into giggles, a black car pulled up quietly on the gravel road nearby. Jihoon and Taeyeon, still smiling, noticed it first.

Standing side by side like well-trained juniors, they snapped into a polite bow as veteran singer Yoon Jongshin stepped out of the vehicle.

At first glance, Jongshin looked fatigued, but the moment his eyes landed on Taeyeon, it was as if a jolt of energy hit him.

His posture straightened, his smile widened—like a patient miraculously cured.

He quickened his steps toward her, laughing as he patted her shoulder affectionately.

Yoo Jaeseok, never one to miss a beat, jumped in with a smirk. "Hyung, I don't think you've ever smiled that brightly for Hyori or Yejin!"

Hyori and Yejin didn't need prompting. They sauntered up with mock annoyance, waving their arms dramatically. "Oppa! Hello~! We're here too!" they chimed in exaggerated unison.

Jongshin glanced at them with a half-smile and muttered dryly, "Ah… you two are here too, huh."

Both women exchanged a look, smiling bitterly but playing along like seasoned pros. Their laughter added another layer to the performance.

Jaeseok turned back toward Jongshin. "Hyung! This is Jihoon—my dear dongsaeng!"

But Hyori jumped in with a laugh, "Oppa! Jihoon just said he's not even close with you!"

"YA!" Jaeseok shouted, spinning around dramatically. "That's exactly why I have to keep introducing him—over and over!"

Everyone laughed again, and Jongshin stepped forward, extending a hand to Jihoon with a warm smile. "I've seen your work—your films and your music. Really impressive. Keep at it."

Jihoon bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Jongshin hyung." Though they'd never met before and Jihoon should've properly called him sunbaenim, the casual "hyung" was part of the show's relaxed, comedic tone. He played along effortlessly.

Finally, the last member of the cast, Lee Chunhee, arrived to mild fanfare. Jaeseok introduced everyone again for the cameras, and the whole group moved to a nearby pavilion to settle in for a short chat.

As Chunhee reached out to greet Taeyeon with a handshake, Lee Hyori suddenly stepped in between them like a protective older sister guarding her baby chick.

She narrowed her eyes and shook her head with mock severity.

After a bit of awkward bobbing and weaving, Chunhee managed to shake Taeyeon's hand—but Hyori immediately swatted their hands apart like a jealous big sister.

The whole cast erupted in laughter again.

Watching Chunhee flinch under Hyori's slapstick antics, Jihoon couldn't help but smile to himself.

This hyung is so tall… but clearly not built with brains.

Soon, Jaeseok pulled out a folded village map, dramatically explaining their first mission. As he held it out to Jihoon, the younger man took one glance and handed it off to Taeyeon without hesitation.

"Hyung, you know how lazy I am," Jihoon said with a straight face. "If you put me in charge of directions, I'll probably lead us into a rice paddy."

The crew laughed again, and Taeyeon raised the map like a proud flag. "Let's go to Grandma's house!" she announced enthusiastically.

The men howled in mock despair, stumbling after her in exaggerated reluctance.

As the group made their way down the sunlit country road, Taeyeon led the way, confidently holding the map while the male members hovered around her like over-eager bodyguards, each trying to win screen time with exaggerated manners and fake chivalry.

Meanwhile, toward the back of the group, Jihoon strolled casually with Hyori and Yejin, the three chatting like old friends.

It was barely an hour into filming, but the chemistry was already undeniable.

[Author's Note: Heartfelt thanks to Wandererlithe, OS_PARCEIROS and Daoistadj for bestowing the power stone!]