prepare for a long ass chapter.
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The moment the bell rang, Renjun immediately stood up and grabbed his bag, leaving his friends dumbstruck.

"What's with him? Why is he in a rush?" Donghyuck asked, Jeno and Jaemin approaching him.

Jeno laughed, "He's following his heart."

"Eh?"

Renjun sprinted towards Chenle and Jisung's classroom, sighing in relief when he saw the two stepping out of the room. He rushed towards them and grabbed Jisung's left arm, and Chenle's right arm.

"Hyung?!" The two exclaimed, wondering why Renjun was such in a rush. Their hyung was running, as if his life was depending on it. Well, his love life is.

Once they were nowhere near from their respective classrooms, Renjun stopped running, and so did the two maknaes. They were all catching their breaths. It felt like they did a marathon from Seoul to Busan.

"I..." Renjun started, leaning his back on the bench he's sitting on. "I'm sorry... for dragging th-the... two of you..." He panted, and covered his eyes using his arm.

"What's so important that you had to pull the two of us here, gege?" Chenle asked, removing Renjun's arm from covering his eyes.

Renjun sat properly and faced his two dongsaengs, who were seated on the bench across him. "I need your help." He said, practically begging.

Jisung and Chenle looked at each other before looking at Renjun. "Renjun-hyung if it's about money, you're financially stable–" Chenle was cut off by Renjun who was looking at him sternly.

"Chenle why would I ask you guys money." Renjun said, rolling his eyes after. He sighed, "I need your help. I'll ask her out for prom this afternoon." He said.

Jisung snapped his fingers, "Oh, so that's the reason why our adviser is excusing the two of us this afternoon. That was your doing?" He asked Renjun, and the older nodded. "Damn, I thought I could play xbox already."

"Guys, please help me!" He said, now kneeling in front of the youngest two.

Chenle and Jisung's eyes widened because of what the older male did. "Stand up, hyung! You look stupid!" Jisung said. "Okay, we'll help you, now stand up!"

💓

"Wow, Chenle and Jisung are already here." Taeyong remarked as he sat down on his usual chair. "Woah, Injoon why are you so serious?"

Jisung laughed, "Maybe he's nervous because he'll do something big later, hyung."

Taeyong then looked at Renjun, who looks like he's about to cry because of nervousness. "It's okay, Renjunnie. We got your back." He said, patting the younger's back.

Renjun sighed. He's done nothing yet and he's already stressed. "Thank you, hyungs, noonas, dongsaengs... I wouldn't know what to do if you guys weren't here..." He sighed.

"Now, who'll be there to help us?" Wendy asked.

"Huang, make sure this is more important than us skipping classes, or else I'll kick you."

They all looked at the one who talked. It was Hina, with the rest of Ningning's friends, who he assumed, are also her dorm mates.

"Thank God you agreed." Renjun sighed for the nth time upon seeing them arrive. He stood up and introduced them, "Hyungs, noonas, dongsaengs, these are Hina, Koeun-noona and Jungyeon-noona." He said. He then turned towards the girls who just arrived. "Where are Herin, Sungkyung, Yiyang-noona and Ningning?" He asked.

"Of course they kept Ningning busy. You wouldn't want your surprise to he spoiled, right?" Hina rolled her eyes.

Renjun sat down, asking the others to sit down as well.

"Now, Renjun..." Taeyong started. "Tell us your plan."

✨

Renjun stared at his friends who were busy roaming around the gymnasium, working on their assigned tasks. There aren't a lot of things to do, but Renjun wanted everything to be perfect.

"Is this your only plan?" Mark approached the younger, who was staring at the gymnasium in awe.

Renjun shook his head. "Nah." He then chuckled. "Remember Yuri? The girl who's supposed to sing the closig duet with me?" He asked, and Mark nodded.

"Apparently, her group of friends are also singers, so I kinda ask her to sing a song that would fit the setting later." Renjun smiled.

Mark just nodded and ruffled the younger's hair. "Why didn't I think of this before?" He then laughed. Renjun stiffened, upon realizing everything. "You're lucky that you're my friend." Mark laughed. "I'm okay, Renjun. Don't worry."

And then everything was all set.

Renjun smiled in satisfaction. Seeing the balloons, the flowers, and the banners in their proper places.

"Sungkyung texted me, they're on their way." Koeun announced, using the microphone.

They all went towards their respective places, which is behind the stage. Renjun was left alone in the koddle of the school's gymnasium.

Everything was dark. Yuri, and her friends were already on the stage, setting up the microphones they'll use. Taeil and Taeyong are behind the stage, fixing the lights.

Renjun took a deep breath before closing his eyes as he clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to relieve his nervousness. "I don't think I can do this." He said, loud enough for his hyungs, dongsaengs, and noonas to hear.

"You're doing great, you dummy!" Johnny shouted.

"They're here, shh!!"

The door opened, showing a hint of light comig from outside. Renjun's heart was beating so fast, he was afraid that the people who just entered could hear it.

Ningning, on the other hand, was confused. Confused as to why her friends brought her inside the dark gymnasium.

On Taeyong's cue, a spotlight opened and it hit Renjun, who was standing alone in the middle of the gym.

"Renjun?" She asked, walking towards the guy slowly, leaving her friends who accompanied her at the entrance. They slowly made their way towards the bleachers, where their other friends are at.

Renjun showed a nervous smile, "Yizhuo." He then retrieved his right hand that was behind his back, showing a pink rose that was meant for her.

Her eyes widened upon seeing the rose. She knows that Renjun already confessed, but what is this all about? What's with the rose?

"I'll give you bunch of red roses when the right time comes." Renjun chuckled.

Ningning looked at him with confusion evident on her face. "Thank you.. for the rose.. b-but what are you saying?" She asked in their mothertongue, which became her habit every time she's nervous and they're left alone. "A-Ah, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to speak in Mandarin..."

Renjun chuckled and held her hand. "It's fine."

On Taeyong's cue, all the lights opened, showing the scattered pettals and heart-shaped balloons that were scattered everywhere.

"W-What?"

Minjoo and Hyewon–Jo Yuri's friends, started playing the guitar, and she, too, started singing.

"Woo really really like you"

Her eyes widened upon singing Yuri singing on stage. "R-Renjun what is this?"

"Shh..." He held her hand tighter.

Her heart was beating fast. Is this going to be another confession?

"Oraejeonbuteo gidaryeowassjyo
Chuun gyeouri jina bomi oneun sorie
Eoneusae nado moreuge imi
Jamdeureo issdeon simjangi ttwieo
Geuttaega nan tteoolla"

I've been waiting since a long time ago
With the sound of Spring that comes after the cold Winter
Unknowingly, my heart that has been asleep is now running
I am reminded of that time

If someone else could relate to this song, it has to be Ningning. She could clearly remember who she would watch Renjun from afar, and how she would smile unknowingly because of the little things he does.

"I remember
Cheoeum mannan uri geunal
Neomu manhi chuwossna bwa
Cuz I'm with you
Eoreobuteun gyeoul jina
Saessagi jarana"

I remember
That day we first met
I think we were very cold
Cuz I'm with you
Passing by the freezing Winter
The sprouts grow

The book.

She remembered how he returned the book–their first meeting.

"Really like you nae soneul kkok jabajwo
I son nohji mara jwo
Ttaseuhan du soneul japgoseo kkumkkul su issge
I really like you
I really really like you
Neowa hamkkeraseo hwanhage bichnaneun
Kkumeul kkwo oneuldo
With you"

Really like you, please hold my hand tight
Please don't let go of this hand
So we can dream while holding onto our warm hands
I really like you, I really really like you
Since I'm with you I am able to dream a brightly shining dream again tonight
With you

She looked at their hands. She looked down and unconsciously leaned forward, making her head hit Renjun's chest.

The guy laughed upon seeing the girl flustered. "Don't let go of my hand..." He said, tilting her chin up, making her look at him.

Her face was already pink. Probably because of the embarrassment and all of the feelings she's trying to keep inside.

"Chagaun barame oetuga doeeojun neo
Hamkke ollyeodabon sunoheun jeo byeoldeul
Maju bon sungan banjjagineun yonggi
Mareun piryo eopseo urin da hal su isseo

Bamhaneurui byeoreun bichi doego
Jageun saedeurui noraega sijakdoego
Mellodie majchwo neowa na chumeul chwo
Forever with us"

You became my outer wear for the cold wind
The countless number of stars we at above
The moment our eyes locked, my courage sparkles
There's no need for words, we can do everything

The stars in the night become the light
The songs of the small birds starts
Along with the melody, you and I start to dance
Forever with us

Pondering every strength and courage left in his body, Renjun took a deep breath before stepping away from her, still not letting go of her hand.

He looked at his left and he saw his friends hiding behind the bleachers. He slowly nodded, signaling them to come out.

"Johassdeon sigan uriui chueok
Hanabuteo yeolkkaji
Modu da hamkke isseo neul hamkke isseo

I remember
Uri mannan geunal marya
Yunanhi deo chuwossna bwa
Cuz I'm with you
Eoreobuteun gyeoul jina saessagi jarana"

The great times, our memories
From one to ten we were in it together, always together

I remember
The day we first met, it must've been particularly colder
Cuz I'm with you
Passing by the frozen Winter, the sprouts grow

Ningning's eyes widened upon seeing everyone, including her friends, wearing a shirt with some random designs on it. But what caught her attention was Renjun's friends. They were wearing identical shirts, and they were smiling weirdly.

Weird in a good way. Weird in the sense that it's comforting.

"Really like you nae soneul kkok jabajwo
I son nohji mara jwo
Ttaseuhan du soneul japgoseo kkumkkul su issge
I really like you
I really really like you
Neowa hamkkeraseo hwanhage bichnaneun
Kkumeul kkwo naeildo"

Really like you, please hold my hand tight
Please don't let go of this hand
So we can dream while holding onto our warm hands
I really like you, I really really like you
Since I'm with you I am able to dream a brightly shining dream again tomorrow

Renjun slowly nodded at them and they slowly turned around. There were letters behind their shirts.

Ningning's eyes widened as she looked at Renjun with complete shock on her face. "M-Me?"

"I think I really like you
Tto geunarui uril tteoollyeo
Eojeboda han ppyeom deo jaran
Uriui kkumi haneure dahgil
Neowa na bichnaneun kkumeul hyanghae
Han georeum deo georeo han georeum deo"

I think I really like you, I think of us on that day once more
I wish that our dreams that grew since yesterday would reach the sky
You and I, following the shining dream
We walk a step forward, a step forward

Renjun smiled at her and knelt on one knee. Chenle appeared out of nowhere and handed him a bouquet of flowers.

Chenle looked at Ningning and smiled.

"Really like you ne soneul kkok jabeulge
I son nohji anheulge
Ttaseuhan du soneul japgo
Jeo haneureul barabwa
I really like you
I really really like you
Uri hamkkeramyeon
Eonjena bichnal su isseo Forever
With you"

The song ended and Renjun smiled at her, giving her the bouquet of flowers which she gladly accepted.

"I believe you've read the text on the shirts?" He chuckled, then he coughed, becoming more serious. "Will you be my date this prom?"

Their friends cheered, she hasn't even said anything yet and they're already yelling their congratulatory messages.

Seeing her friends giving her thumbs up and smiling at her made her smile as well.

She gently pulled Renjun up and smiled at him. "I'll be your date."

–tbc.
this is me trying to update everyday sksksksks hAVE YOU SEEN NCT 127— JAHDKSHDNSH #WE_ARE_SUPERHUMAN

this is so far the longest chapter i've written in this book--

good night ya'll!!