you thought i died? well i kinda wished.

to those who are asking if there will be a third book, the answer: there will be none. let's be real guys, i just made a second book bc i don't want mfal (book 1) to be long. plus, after finishing this book, i will write (not sure) a side story of eunji. after that, i'll be making another poll.

idk if i could update a lot this week and next week bc next week will be our exams. wish me luck😬😭

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Chapter 35

SMTown Retreat Day 2

"Are you sure that you won't be joining  our birthday surprise for Jisung?" Haejin asked Eunji who was busy playing Superstar SMTown on her phone.

Eunji shook her head, satisfied when she got three stars on the song she was playing. "No, I think I'll pass..." She sighed.

"But why? This would be the chance to get closer to him." Haejin said, trying to convince her.

Eunji sighed, "Haejin-ah, I'm more than satisfied to see him or to work with him since we're label mates. Plus, I'm not close to any of NCT-sunbaes. Well, except for Jaemin-oppa, of course." She said, tapping her phone screen fast.

"Fine. Do you want to tell him something? I promise I'll tell him." Haejin said, surrendering.

"Just tell him that I greeted him a happy birthday." Eunji smiled weakly. "Oh, and give him this." Eunji said, pausing the game, handing Haejin a bracelet with the word "박쥐" Park Jwi (Mouse park)

"Wait, woah. Where did you get this?" She asked, surprised. She didn't expect that Eunji would actually give Jisung something.

Eunji shrugged, "You don't need to know."

"Heck yeah, I do. I was the last one to know about your feelings for him!"

"Whatever. Just get lost, Haejin-ah." Eunji said, her attention back to SSSM.

Haejin made aces behind Eunji because she knows that she was too absorbed in the game that she couldn't notice that Haejin already left. Plus, she also told Haejin, herself that she should get lost.

"I swear to God, unnie. You're even lucky to have a friend like me." She said, walking towards the area in which she's supposed to see NCT.

"Why the hell are you talking to yourself?"

Haejin was startled when she heard someone's voice.

"What the heck, Jisung!" She said, hitting his arm.

"Yah, stop it!" Jisung said, laughing.

"You could have told me that you were following me! Yah, you stalking creep!" She said.

"What stalking creep? It just happened that our barrack is this way!" Jisung said, defending himself. "Where in the world are you going anyway?"

She was tongue-tied. She's definitely gonna tell him that they're planning to have a surprise birthday party for him.

"I'm looking for Jaemin." She said, lying.

"Group E's barrack is the other way, though." Jisung said.

"I know, but Baekhyun-oppa told me that he's not there." Another lie. She has not seen Baekhyun today yet.

"There he is!" Haejin said, pointing at Jaemin who was sitting on the bleachers. "Bye, Jisung-ah!"

Jisung was left dumbfounded. "Yah, what is this? Chenle and Haejin forgot?" He whispered, disappointed that his two bestfriends forgot his birthday.

Haejin ran towards Jaemin, "Jaemin-ah!"

"Oh there you are. I thought you already forgot." He said, laughing.

"Thank the heavens you're here! Jisung was with me and I kind of panicked." She said, laughing.

"Let's go." Jaemin said, holding her hand.

"Wait, what about the others?" She asked.

"They're already in the van. They just told me to wait for you." He explained.

"All of them? Won't Jisung suspect?"

"I already asked Yixing-hyung and Jongdae-hyung to keep him busy. He won't notice that we're gone."

"Alright."

****

"Hi Haejin-ah!" They greeted as soon as they boarded the van.

There were a total of 3 vans. 6 people per van.

"Hi Ten-oppa!" She smiled at him.

"What did you guys get for him?" Jaehyun asked.

"Haejin got him a plushie and I got him a shirt."Jaemin answered.

They share the van with Ten, Jaehyun, Taeil and Kun.

"Wait, Eunji-unnie also got something for him." Haejin said, getting the bracelet in her pocket.

"Eunji? As in your group's leader?" Taeil asked.

"Yep." Haejin answered.

"She's the one with Jisung in the picture he posted, right?" Ten asked.

Haejin nodded.

"It was a dare, oppa." She giggled.

"Dare? What was the dare for?" Kun asked.

Haejin and Jaemin looked at each other, uncertain if they should tell them.

"Apparently, they lost in a game and yeah, that was the dare." Haejin explains.

"Oh, so what is she going to give him?" Jaehyun asked.

"This." Haejin showed them the bracelet that Eunji gave.

"It's so cute!" Jaehyun said.

"Why did she gave him a gift though?" Ten asked.

Haejin shrugged, as if she really has no idea. "Is it bad to give a gift?"

"Oh come on, Haejin-ah! We already know that Eunji likes Jisung!" Jaehyun said, looking at the two of them.

"W-What?! How?" Haejin asked, surprised.

"We could tell. Plus, the pictures they both posted." Kun answered.

"Why didn't she come? Did you invited her?" Ten asked.

Haejin nodded, "Yes oppa. I did, but she refused. I think she's shy."

They nodded.

****

Once they arrived at the venue, they saw that the set was already decorated. The gifts were already organized, and so were the treats.

"Woah, you guys really came here early." Haejin said, amazed by the area in which NCT decorated.

"Mark-hyung, who will tell Jisung about the president prank, though?" Jaemin asked.

"Jongdae-hyung." Mark answered.

Jongdae-oppa?! Well damn, he's a great prankster and troll.

"Yixing-hyung already texted me! They said Jisung is on his way!" Renjun said.

"I'll be the lookout!" Doyoung said, walking outside.

"Now, let's just prepare the party poppers and be silent." Taeyong said, handing Jaemin and Haejin a party popper each.

A few moments later, Doyoung rushed inside, "He's here! He's finally here!"

They all found their respective places, and waited for the door to open.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JISUNG-AH!!" They yelled and popped balloons— anything that would create loud noises.

Jisung gasped and pulled the hood of his hoodie to cover his eyes as he sat down , his back against the wall.

"YAH, JISUNG IS CRYING!!!!" Taeyong said, laughing as he approached Jisung.

"Jisung-ah, uljima!" Haejin shouted and laughed.

"Yah, Jisungie! Why are you crying? Did you actually thought that we forgot your birthday?" Chenle asked, laughing.

"I hate you guys," Jisung muttered under his breath.

Jaemin sat beside him and shook his shoulders, "Oh I know you love us."

They all handed him their gifts as he stood up, now wiping his puffy eyes.

"This is like... the second time you guys did this. The first was when we were still trainees.. (ya'll better watch it if you haven't.) I was really scared when the president told me that I messed up something." Jisung said, still sniffling.

"Everything was planned, Jisung-ah!" Haejin laughed.

"So... was this the reason why you were towards our barracks earlier?!" Jisung said.

Haejin nodded innocently.

Jisung scoffed, "I should have known." Then he continued, "I'll just open your gifts at the hotel room. Or maybe in Seoul, once we get back." He said, finally smiling.

"Wait, I forgot something." Haejin said, remembering about the bracelet. "Here." She said, handing Jisung the bracelet.

Jisung gasped, surprised at what Haejin gave him. "You made this? For me?!"

Haejin rolled her eyes, "Of course not. You're expecting me to do that for you? That's not even my present for you." She backfires.

"Eh? Who gave this, then? He asked.

"Eunji-unnie." Haejin answered. "I invited her and she said that she's sorry that she couldn't come. She also wishes you a happy birthday." Haejin smiled.

Jisung raised a brow, "Don't play jokes with me, Haejin-ah. You did this, didn't you?"

Haejin acted as if she was crossing her heart, "Cross my heart. I did not. Ask Jaemin if you want. In fact, ask your hyungs if that's my gift for you." She said.

Jisung looked at his hyungs and NCT Dream, who were the ones with Haejin when they bought gifts for him, shook their heads at once.

"See? They were with me when I bought my gift for you. I swear, Jisung-ah. Eunji-unnie was the one who gave that." She said.

"Why won't you believe her, Jisung-ah?" Yuta asked.

"Why would Eunji-noona give me something?" Jisung asked.

Mark patted his back, "Just believe Haejin, Jisung-ah!" He smiled at him.

"Isn't this a good sign? Your crush liking you back?" Lucas said, covering his mouth.

"LUCAS-HYUNG!"