note: hello, i'm happy to say thay i already finished 'My First and Last'!! it will have 52 chapters + epilogue. even if i already finished the book, i cannot guarantee you more updates due to busy schedules, i hope you understand.

another update!

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Chapter 36

"Stay with me then. Let's build our own dreams together."

Jaemin's words echoed in Haejin's head. It felt like she's in a trance.

"W-What?" She asked, her words slurred.

He smiled at her, "I'm asking you out officially, Haejin-ah. Well, if you want to?" He asked.

She was shocked. She was here to perform. She wasn't expecting this.

Mouth agape, she looked the other way while whispering, "Okay what? Oh my gosh, I wasn't informed that he'll say this? Plus, why is he so confident??! This doesn't sound like him, oh my god what do i do?!"

"Haejin-ah." He called.

She looked at her, "Y-Yes?!" She coughed once and regained her composure, "I-I mean.. yes, w-what is it?"

"I... It's okay if you don't want to... now.. I-I... I can wait, you know? I can wait forㅡ"

"Sure."

Jaemin looked at her, wide-eyed.

"W-What?! A-Are you serious roght now?! I-I mean.. you aren't kidding, right? Right?!" Jaemin said, standing up and approaching her.

Haejin nodded and smiled, "Sure. I would like to build my dream with you."

****

Later that afternoon, they went to NCT's practice room, hands intertwined secretly.

Jaemin was smiling, he feels really happy.

"Let's tell hyungs, Chenle and Jisung." He said.

Haejin's eyes went wide, "W-What? But Mark would laugh at me!" She said, looking down.

"Hey." Jaemin placed his hands on her shoulders.

She looked at Jaemin's hands which were touching her shoulders.

"Are you thinking that hyungs might not accept us? Especially your brother Mark-hyung?" He asked.

He was waiting for her to answer. But she wasn't responding.

"Hey, answer me." He calmly said.

She nodded.

He sighed, "Don't even think that they don't like you for me, because heck, they do." He said, holding her hands once again, then he started walking.

Haejin had no other choice but to follow him.

SM Entertainment Building was in sight. Haejin wants to back out. "I suddenly felt like going home."

"Are you nervous?" Jaemin asked.

She looked at him and nodded.

He sighed and continued walking, "Let's just go."

****

They're standing in front of their practice room. Haejin took a deep breath and sighed.

Jaemin knocked once. Lucas opened it.

"Oh, Jaemin... and Haejin." Lucas was shocked ro see the two together. He looked at their hands which were entwined. "Wait... what... does this mean?"

Jaemin just smiled and entered the room with Haejin trailing behind him.

"Everyone." Jaemin started.

He noticed that everyone was looking at him.

"Hyungs, and dongsaengs Chenle and Jisung..." He took a deep breath and continued, "Mark-hyung, everyone, I would like to introduce my girlfriend, Lee Haejin."

They blinked.

"OH MY GOD" -Chenle and Lucas

"WOAH, DAEBAK!" -Doyoung and Taeyong

"UNBELIEVABLE!!" -Haechan

"JEONGMALLO, JAEMIN-HYUNG! (Indeed, Jaemin-hyung!)" -Jisung

"FINALLY!" -The rest of the members said.

"Eh? What do you guys mean?" Jaemin asked.

Taeyong approached him and he swung his arm onto Jaemin's shoulder, "Ah, Jaemin-ah... we've been waiting for you to say that... and finally, the day has come!!"

Jaemin just stared at him weirdly, while Haejin on the other hand had no idea about what's happening.

"I'm happy fo you guys." Taeyong said, patting Jaemin's head as he walks towards Haejin.

"Renjun-hyung, Haechan-hyung pay up! I won the bet!" Jisung suddenly exclaimed out of the blue.

"What bet, Jisung-ah?" Mark asked.

"While on our way to the venue, we made a bet whether Jaemin-hyung could make Haejin say yes. These two hyungs said no and I said yes. So, pay up!!" He said, punching the air.

The members laughed.

"You never learn." Taeil said.

"Maknae outsmarted you guys again." Johnny added.

"Anyways, this isn't about Jisung's bet with Haechan and Renjun... it's about Jaemin and Haejin's relationship!" Taeyong said, smiling. Then he continued, "We're all hsppy for you."

"Jaemin-ah.." Mark approached Haejin.

He patted his back and said, "Remember everything I told you, okay? Do not, and I repeat DO NOT hurt my sister, okay? There should not be a time that she'll call me or anyone crying because of you. If that time will come, I might forget that we're even friends. She's precious to me, even though we always fight. She's my only sister." He then looked at Haejin and smiled.

"Me too," Jisung said out of the blue. "I'm Haejin's bestfriend. Don't hurt her, hyung. Promise us that." He said.

Jaemin chuckled, "You guys know that I can't do that ever."

"We're just giving you a reminder, Jaemin-ah." Winwin said.

"If that time will come that she'll cry because of you, it's gonna be us 17 versus you." Yuta added.

"Hyungs what the heck, why does this sound like you don't trust me?" He whined.

They laughed.

"As for you, Haejin-ah," Taeyong looked at her and then he continued, "I wish for your happiness with Jaemin."

"Mwoya? (What?) It's not like we're getting married or something." She laughed.

"Well maybe not for now. But we still wish you happiness and remember that no matter what happens, we'll always be here for the two of you." Taeil said.

"Thank you, oppas." She smiled.

"Hey, I have a question." Haechan said suddenly.

Once everyone's attention was on him, he continued, "Are you planning to announce this to our fans?"

Jaemin and Haejin looked at each other.

"Well, not for now maybe. We have to keep this as a secret. We have to keep this low-key. I trust you guys." Jaemin said.

"Okay then, we understand." Haechan replied.

Jaemin looked at Haejin and smiled. Haejin sighed as a sign of relief.

"Have you guys already eaten? If not then let's go eat!" Taeyong said, leading the way outside, the otjer members trailing behind him.