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the light dims gradually and the audience fall silent, waiting for the next performance to come up once the host steps aside from the podium after announcing for the next set of students to take up the stage.

aera's eyes fill with tears, staring at her feet, now giving up on looking around for her classmate and partner who was going to accompany her in the performance after numerous rehearsals, be it the acting and drama part or the singing part.

"go aera, we can't keep the audience waiting." the teacher says, patting the girl's back and smiles softly, "you've practiced a lot, you'll do great."

"but miss-"

"it's okay, forget about daehun for a moment." she says, giving the kid an assuring hug and gently pushes her towards the stairs leading to the stage, "now go, best of luck."

aera nods hesitantly, wiping the tears and takes a deep breath, making her way up to the middle of the stage, holding her cream colored ball gown with one hand to make it easier to walk and having a glittery, golden mic in the other hand. she closes her eyes for a second, calming herself down, before focusing on the audience as the lights turn on and curtains lift up.

a cheer from the people makes her smile and she hears the music starting in the background. for a moment she's positive that she can handle it, but then the fact that she's supposed to act as well hits her again, dropping her confidence back to the floor.

"we were both young, when i first saw you" the audience fall silent and she realises it's probably the absence of romeo that's bugging them. the tears return as she sings slowly, trying her best not to cry on stage and ruin the performance.

she blinks a few times attempting to get rid of the tears blurring her vision, but ends up dropping one on her cheek. her hand wipes it slowly when she turns around, taking careful steps up the little castle to the open balcony and faces the audience again, "-i'm standing there, on a balcony in summer air."

she closes her eyes for a brief moment, hating her friend for doing this to her, "see the lights, see the party, the ball gowns. see you make your way through the crowd and say hello."

the next thing she never expected to see was jungkook walking up to the staircase with a smile, wearing white pants, a white shirt with a chrochet design in the middle and a similar white jacket with lose, flaring ends of the sleeves. she frowns subtly, almost missing her line to sing but catches up anyway when jungkook gestures her to sing.

"-that you were romeo, you were throwing pebbles. and my daddy said stay away from juliet." she sings, still not understanding what is happening, although breaks into a smile on seeing jungkook extending his hand out from the artificial ground in front of castle, holding out a beautiful bouquet of white roses.

"-you'll be the prince and i'll be the princess, it's a love story baby just say yes."

jungkook chuckles, lip syncing the lyrics with her at times, nodding in appreciation for every note that she hits right and every smile she smiles at him. he takes a step forward, holding out his hand as he remembered it's time for her get down from the castle. aera glances at the audience, singing to them once she's responded to jungkook's bow to her, reminding her that she's indeed her oppa's princess.

"i got tired of waiting," she looks at the audience, slowly letting go of jungkook's hand and steps back, as the lights dim on his side of the stage, only focusing on her for a while, "wonderin' if you were coming around. my faith in you was fading when I met you on the outskirts of town,"

she turns to her side, facing prince jungkook again who smiles, acting a bit sad at the demand of his sister's drama and even the lyrics of the song as she continues, "-i keep waiting for you, but you never come. is this in my head?"

with another line into the song, jungkook smiles and gets on one knee with the lights glowing up again. he pulls out a small maroon colored velvet box, pressing his lips together to prevent himself from smiling too wide or maybe even laughing on seeing aera staring at him with wide eyes and even wider smile, "he knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring said-"

jungkook smiles, raising his eyebrows at her and giving a brief glance to the audience, before continuing the line, "marry me juliet, you'll never have to be alone. i love you and that's all I really know. i talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress."

"it's a love story, baby just say yes." they sing together with aera almost giggling in happiness as she steps forward hugging him tightly, making the brother chuckle as he hugs her back, patting her back, still on his knee.

"thanks, koo" she whispers over the background music lowering gradually and kisses his cheek.

"no problem, princess."

a loud cheer and the sound of people applauding brings them back in the auditorium. aera pulls away from the hug, bowing to the audience along with jungkook and waves goodbye before the curtains falls down and the lights dim again.

"you're the best! you're the best! you're the beeessstt! thank you so much oppa!" aera squeals, throwing herself in jungkook's arms who laughs at her overly excited state, hugging her back slowly.

"thank you very much, jungkook." the teacher says, "you really helped us a lot."

"it's my pleasure, miss eunha, i couldn't see her crying in such a sweet performance." the brother chuckles.

the teacher smiles at his words, nodding as she looks at aera and pats her head, "you did a great job, aera. even after such a big change in the performance, you handled it so well. i'm really proud of you."

"thank you miss." aera smiles widely, still having her one arm wrapped around her brother, having him in a half hug, letting him know that she's not in the mood to leave him any time soon.

jungkook leans down, kissing the top of her head as they head towards the exit, going to the seating arena in the main auditorium where everyone else is sitting and enjoying the annual show of the school.

"how did you know daehun didn't come?"

"i just came to see if you were you nervous or anything, but i got a little late. and when i came your teacher told me that your partner didn't sow up, so i asked if i can help."

aera smiles up at him, holding his hand as they head to the restroom first. jungkook fixes his hair and checks himself nodding at the mirror while the sister leans on the counter top, glancing at his reflection and says, "i was so mad and upset because that stupid didn't come on such an important day. i was crying, but when you came and i saw you, it made me so happy. you're the best brother, and the best romeo. i hope my partner doesn't come in future too."

jungkook laughs at her words, shaking his head and turns to face her, "i'm the best romeo?"

"yes, and you sing so much better than daehun. he's like a donkey."

"ri, that is rude." he says but laughs which makes aera giggle as well.

"anyways, you really looked like a prince. do i look like a princess?"

"of course, in fact you are a princess." he says, patting her cheek gently as he winks at her, "which was your favourite part?"

"of the performance?" aera says and thinks for a moment before gasping with a wide smile, "when we sang together and i hugged you. oh! and! and! when you gave me flowers and told me to marry you, and near the staircase. "

"that is all of the performance, kiddo." he chuckles.

"yes," she nods, "i'm so happy today because of you. so i'll give you my last cookie as a present."

"ah really? thanks." he laughs, "by the way, i didn't tell you to marry me. it was in the song." he says and laughs harder when aera gives him a straight face, all the bubbliness vanishing in a moment. "what? are you done being happy?"

"yeah, you're being rude..."

"i'm not being rude." he snickers at the sister, "why are you upset?"

"why did you say don't wanna marry me."

"you wanna marry me?" jungkook chuckles, earning a nod from aera which makes him laugh again, "aw i'm so sorry, you cannot do that. we don't marry our siblings, princess."

"not even a little bit?" aera looks at him with a pout and he shakes his head, smiling softly.

"not even a little bit." he confirms.

"but you love me right? and you take care of me and hug me."

"that doesn't mean we have to marry. we can just love someone because they're a nice person, they can be our family or friends or anyone. not all relationships are romantic and marriage types."

"hm yeah, i got it, i was testing you."

"oh? testing me how?"

"to see if you're actually smart or not."

"ah i see," he raises his brows, scrunching his face at her, "we've tickle monster waiting for riri then. let's see if riri's actually brave or not hm?"

"no!" she laughs loudly as jungkook steps forward tickling her sides, making her lean down and jungkook chuckles, lifting her up in his arms, grinning widely at her.

he smiles fondly, placing a kiss on the tip of her nose and bumps his forehead against hers gently, "i love you a lot, my little baby."

"love you too," she giggles, "let's go now, other oppas must be waiting to give me a hug. and i'm hungry too."

"milkshake?"

"yes!"

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"oppa," aera smiles widely, wrapping her arms loosely around jimin's shoulders as she approaches his seat from behind, making him turn around and smile instantly.

"hey my princess," jimin smiles as she comes forward, squeezing herself between the hoseok and jimin's sofa as they're sitting much in the front in the vip area for being the benefactor and in touch with the school's welfare association.

"did you see my performance? and! and did you see koo? how did we do? did i look good?"

"yes yes, relax." jimin chuckles as she sits on his lap, taking a sip of her milkshake while the brother speaks, "your performance was amazing, and i didn't know jungkookie would be there too, but it was great."

"and do i look pretty?" she anticipates, staring at him after taking another sip from the straw.

"very pretty," he smiles, kissing her cheek, "i think i've never seen anyone prettier than my little girl."

"really?" aera giggles, tilting her head at an adorable angle that manages to make the boys smile with fondness and love, "i'm juliet that's why i'm pretty."

jimin chuckles softly, shaking his head and pinches his sister's cheek, "you're aera that's why you're pretty."

"oh, yeah that too." she nods, her eyes wandering towards the stage, coughing as she gasps pointing at the stage, staring at the group of older boys performing her favourite song.

"yeah, careful with the drink." jimin pats her back.

aera gulps the milkshake down and looks at him, "i'll dance next time! and you teach me okay? your song!"

"alright," he smiles, "which one?"

"mic drop- no! idol- or wait! fake love, or boy with luv? dynamite? dope? or-"

"we'll decide that home, watch their performance for now." jimin chuckles, pointing at the front and aera nods, clapping for the five boys dancing on the stage.

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a/n- did you see the spoiler (on my mb) before this?🤭 i can't seem to follow a schedule so i updated 😤 (i really can't 😭)

anyways how was the chapter? and the edit? 😚

please vote if you like either of them and do let me know your thoughts about the chapter.

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