Saturday morning, day of the pre-gala show.

Suho woke up early to prepare for the show. He also woke Chen and Kai up because they had a final rehearsal that morning. Suho had said that he would just drop by the drive-thru and buy breakfast for the three of them.

Chen had prepared his costume changes the night before and he placed them inside zip-bags and piled them in the first floor landing. His parts in the play was mostly solo song performances, so he would be wearing suits.

Kai said that most of his costumes were in school, since he played a character in the play. He just got his stone-washed ripped jeans and Chucks sneakers and placed them inside a gym bag that he would be bringing to school that evening.

I was woken up by Chen's vocalization as he went down the stairs.

"La la laaaaaa...doo doo dooo weeee la la la laaaaa!"

I stretched out on the bed before I got up. Chanyeol was had just stepped out from his room. He stretched his arms upward and yawned. He then went down the stairs. Luhan stepped out the bathroom, rubbing his eyes and walking back to his room. I went downstairs and sat on the couch.

The TV was tuned in to the six o'clock weekend news.

"...stocks have dropped dramatically over the last five days. Here we have gathered different point of views from economists and we have found a common thing that they have cited to be the main reason why this has happened to one of Beijing's leading hotel chain industry."

Papa was watching intently as he sipped his coffee. No matter how late he slept at night, he always woke up earlier than most of us. Mama was in the kitchen frying some sunny side ups. Lay was arranging bacon on a plate. His dimples showing as he smiled, satisfied with how his work looked like. He also had stuffed a whole chicken with bacon and he was now putting it in the oven.

Suho came back in and ran upstairs. Seems like he forgot something. Chen and Kai waited outside for him. I looked out the window and saw Kai. He still looked sleepy and he leaned on the car. Chen was still doing vocalization outside.

I got up and went to sit on my chair at the dining and took a sliced apple from the fruit bowl that Kyungsoo had placed on the table. He was munching on a whole apple himself and thumbing through his tablet.

Me: Good morning!

Papa looked at me and asked me something I didn't really wanna answer.

Papa: Good morning, Xiao Yi. Are you and Taeyong friends now?

Me: Uhm...maybe.

Papa: What do you mean by maybe? I had expected that you make friends with him, too.

Me: He doesn't really talk to me.

Papa: Do you talk to him?

Me: Only when he does.

Papa: And Jungkook?

I die everytime I see him.

Me: We're okay.

Papa: That boy seems to call you often.

Me: Uhm...not really papa.

Papa: Oh. Has Taeyong called you?

Me: Nope.

Papa: Hmmm...

And that was it. He had seen Xiumin coming down the stairs and started talking to him.

Papa: Xiumin.

Xiu: Pa. Zao an.

Papa: Zao an. Do you have any plans for today?

Xiumin: Just the pre-gala show tonight.

Papa: Ah, good. I'll need you and Kris to come with me to the office for a while and then...plan something for dinner tonight after the show.

Xiumin: Oh. Luhan?

Papa: Your mama here wants him to come with her.

Xiumin: Okay. What time are we going?

Papa: A little after breakfast.

Xiumin: Oh, okay pa.

Kris, Tao and Baek had come down the stairs too. Baek was attempting to piggyback on Kris, but the dragon gege walked sideways so the other won't be able to reach his back. Tao took two steps at a time and hopped on the last step.

Tao: And Zitao wins! Yaaaayyy!

He slow-mo'd a run going to the dining. Baek had surrendered trying to piggyback on dragon gege. He walked behind him and kicked Kris' heels while he walked. Kris turned his head and flicked the other's head.

Suho appeared at the foot of the stairs with a large bag slung on his shoulder. He hurriedly waved goodbye as he ran outside. Luhan had followed him downstairs. The deer gege went to sit on his chair and had a faraway look in his eyes. His hair was a bit messy and he didn't bother combing it. Papa saw him and gestured to comb his hair. Luhan ran his hand over his hair one time and bit his lower lip.

Luhan: What's for breakfast?

Papa: Your mama and Lay is incharge this morning.

Lay: Chicken. And bacon. And eggs.

Mama: What would you like to have, Xiao Lu?

Luhan: I'd like some leaves, ma. Fresh leaves.

Mama: There's a tree outside, you can munch on those. Oh, what...Now, really. Luhan.

Luhan: Hahaha. I'm okay with chicken, ma.

Sehun came down the stairs last, barefoot.

Sehun: I smell bacon. And chicken.

Mama: Yes dear.

Sehun: Can I have sweet mashed potato?

Mama: I don't think we still have. Where are your slippers?

Sehun: Upstairs.

Mama: Go get them.

Sehun: Ahhh...I'm okay barefoot.

Mama: Go have a seat, then.

Sehun went to sit beside Kyungsoo and watched him play on his tab. He started to press his finger somewhere on the screen and the other glared at him.

Kyungie: Don't touch it! I only have one life left...

Sehun: You always get game over at that level.

Kyungie: And you bother me. It'll stay that way unless you leave me alone. Go get your own.

Sehun: I'm just watching you.

Kyungie: Just watch. No touching.

Sehun: Have you touched Chagiya?

Kyungie: No.

Sehun: But you want to?

Kyungie: Go away. Go sit at your own chair.

Sehun: You're such a mood killer, hyung.

Kyungie: Go.

And Sehun went to sit on his own chair. Chanyeol had come to sit at the table, then. He was watching Lay as the latter prepared the sauce for the chicken which was done. Mama had finished with the sunny side ups and placed them on the table.

"Time to eat!"

Around nine o'clock, papa and some of the boys left for his office. Aside from Xiumin and Kris, papa let Lay, Chanyeol and Kyungsoo come with him. Mama asked the rest of us to come with her and Luhan to the mall. That meant that all of us were out of the house. Mama had said that she'd just drop Baek and Tao later at their martial arts classes.

Papa took the Sienna to his office. Luhan drove the Odyssey to the mall. Mama sat in front and she talked to Luhan on the way to the mall. Baek and Tao had just brought their gym bags in the car.

I sat behind the driver's seat so Luhan could easily check on me from the rearview mirror. I knew I was not really safe back here. Baek was beside me and Tao was behind me. Sehun had slept at the backseat.

Baek was singing loudly, but Sehun had slept soundly. Tao attempted to poke my cheeks from the back. I leaned forward and squealed. I could hear him giggling and kicking the back of my seat.

Mama and Luhan said the same thing at the same time.

"Zitao. Enough."

Talk about being synchronized.

Luhan parked the car in the basement parking. Then he and mama led us into the elevator and punched for the upper groundfloor. Mama then led us into the Home Improvement department.

We followed her like lost puppies. She asked Sehun to go get some kitchen towels. Tao followed Sehun as he went to get what mama asked for. Mama then walked over to the pots and pans. She had wanted to get a new set of non-stick pans. Luhan stood by, checking his phone every now and then. Baekhyun had gone checking some of the lampstands on display. I stood beside mama. Tao and Sehun came back with a stack of kitchen towels. Tao also had a mini emergency lamp that looked like a ship's lantern.

Tao: Ma, can we buy this?

Mama: What do you need it for?

Tao: Emergency lamp. I can use it as night lights too.

Mama: Didn't you already have a night light?

Tao: Yes, but I want this one too.

Mama: Hao le. Go get some batteries too. For the TV remote control in the media room.

Tao: Okay.

He and Sehun went to get some batteries too. Luhan had placed a call to someone. He was talking softly on his phone now. There were a few people who passed us by and looked at him. I guess they were just admiring him, because they giggled while they passed.

Mama chuckled a little when she caught two girls eyeing her Xiao Lu. When Tao and Sehun returned, some of them gasped and talked in hush tones with each other.

Yeah. I'm the lucky sister.

Mama then went to the nearest cashier. Tao and Sehun carried the stuff that mama bought and placed them on the counter. Then they went to check out the magazines that were on the rack just beside the counter. Sehun picked up one that was opened and flipped the pages. He got a sealed one and placed it on top of the other items mama was buying. Baekhyun went over to them and picked up two How To's magazines. Mama just sighed and paid for it, too.

Luhan: Ma, can we go to that music store next? Chanyeol needs some replacement guitar strings.

Mama: Okay. Did he say if they're still in your papa's office?

Luhan: Yes, they're still there.

Mama: Your papa should have already called for reservation for dinner tonight.

Luhan: Kris was on it.

Mama: Oh? That's good, then.

I knew papa would be busy today, even if it was a Saturday. I can just imagine the other boys with him, trapped inside a room or something while waiting for him.

After paying for the stuff at the Home Improvement department, we walked towards the nearest escalator. As we reached it, Mrs. Kim and J walked towards it as well. J had bubbletea on one hand and a shopping bag on the other. He was helping his mom do shopping, too. We stepped on the escalator going down.

Mama: Annyeong!

Mrs. Kim: Annyeong! Doing your weekend shopping?

Mama: Ne, we are. Couldn't find another time, so I decided to do it today.

Mrs. Kim: Same here, actually.

Mama: Helping your eomma, Hoseok?

J: Yes, I am.

Mama: Where are your brothers?

J: Jin hyung is with appa. At the office.

Mrs. Kim: Jimin and Kookie are at the arcade.

Mama: Boys will be boys.

Mrs. Kim: Oh, yes. You could say that again. It's good that Hoseok here preferred to come with me.

J: Eomma, I'm a good boy.

Mrs. Kim: And you're saying your brothers are not?

J: Just a bit.

Mama: What a way to defend your brothers, Hoseok.

J: Heheh.

And we reached the ground floor. J and his eomma went for the grocery while we went the other way towards the music store. Luhan went in, and we waited for him outside. Mama had pointed to a bakeshop across the store and said that we should go and try out their food after Luhan paid for the guitar strings.

Mama's phone rang.

It was Suho.

Mama: Are you having lunch there? No? Why didn't they include lunch for you and your members? Ahhh...come here then. We're in FTC mall. Okay.

Then she hung up. Luhan had gone out the store and stood in front of us as mama ended the call with Suho. She then told Luhan that Suho, Chen and Kai will be joining us for lunch. Baekhyun told mama that we go eat at a newly opened restaurant in the mall. It was an Italian resto. Baek and Kai were known to be fans of Italian food eversince papa had taken us to Giuseppe's back when we were still in Tianjin. That was when the others just came for the holidays or summer vacation.

Baek had said that Giuseppe's had opened a branch at this mall, so he wanted to eat there. Mama agreed, but she had us drop by the bakeshop across the music store first. She was craving for some creme brulee that they had on display. She placed an order for a takeout.

"Your papa would like this with his coffee."

Awww...so sweet.

Luhan chuckled. Tao giggled. Baek tilted his head. Sehun asked if papa will scold him if he ate some of it. Mama had to buy another box for Setan. LOL.

Suho, Chen and Kai arrived just in time for lunch. Suho still had his big bag slung over his shoulder. Kai and Chen followed him as they entered the mall. We were by the lounge area and sitting on the benches that lined the area. There were food stalls around it, too.

Suho: I think I'm gonna die.

Chen: Me too.

Kai: I'm already dead.

Suho: Are we late?

Mama: No, just in time. How's final rehearsal?

Suho: Just a small glitch on that curtain, but so far, everything's good.

Mama: Good to hear that. What time are you going back?

Suho: We're supposed to be back around 4:30 or 5PM.

Luhan: Show starts at 5:30?

Suho: No, 6:30 PM actually.

Luhan: Oh.

Kai: My feet are sore. I need to sit down.

Chen: I can't sing anymore. I had to do my part like three times. Each song! That was not a rehearsal. That was torture!

Mama: Then, stop talking. Rest your voice. Let's go, so Kai can sit down and rest as well.

And we all trooped towards Giuseppe's, mama and Luhan in the lead. Sehun and Tao had taken Suho's bag and they were helping him carry it.

I followed quietly, as I always did.

We entered the restaurant and Kai and Baek were the ones who picked the table. We were seated by the glass windows overlooking the outside of the resto. An attendant came and handed us the menu. Mama chose first, then she asked Luhan and Suho what they wanna have. Baek and Kai already placed their order after mama did. Suho and Chen both chose Linguine a Vongole. I chose Cannelloni. Luhan chose Chicken Parmigiana, just like what Baek and Kai chose.

As we were waiting for our food, Luhan, mama and Suho were talking about the pre-gala show. It was evident that Suho was excited and nervous at the same time. It was his first time to co-direct a play. He commended Chen and Kai for being professional, even though he was the older brother who directed them.

Suho: It's actually refreshing to know that they haven't given me a headache when it came to doing the part over and over just so we could get the right emotion for the scene. Oh, and Chenchen, there's pei pa koa in the pocket of my bag. It'll help you with preserving your voice.

Luhan: No misbehavior? Really?

Suho: Yeah. I'm quite surprised. Especially since the other members were expecting them to get lax and all because I'm their brother, but they behaved like professionals.

Mama: What's in that bag?

Suho: My laptop, charger, camera, some books and a change of clothes.

Baek: Books? What did you need them for?

Suho: Just references.

And Kai smiled at someone from outside the glass window. He also waved a hand. I turned to look in that same direction.

The Kims were passing by. This time, Jimin and Jungkook were with their eomma and J. Jimin had come near the glass window and stood there. He smiled and waved at us inside. J waved as well. Jungkook just smiled, he stayed beside their eomma.

Kai: They should come in and try the food here.

Sehun: *does hand gestures to Jimin*

Kai: What are you doing?

Sehun: Asking them to eat here?

Kai: Hahahaha. Okay.

Jimin had tilted his head trying to understand what Sehun tried to act out. Tao took out his phone and typed something, then being nearest the window, he pressed his phone on the glass, the screen facing Jimin. The latter nodded and went to tell his eomma.

Great.

Lunch with my future family.

I saw Jungkook peek over Jimin's shoulder, since he was blocking my view. When he saw me looking at him, he raised a hand and waved.

Kai: Ayiiiii. Kookie says hi to Xiao Yi.

Tao: Do you hear him?

Kai: No, pabo-ya. You can see him waving, right?

Tao: Not from where I'm sitting.

Sehun: Oh, they're coming inside. Mama...

Mama: Hmm?

Sehun: Jungkook's here and his eomma and brothers.

Mama: Where?

Sehun: Just entered the door.

Mama: Oh. Should we invite them to sit by us?

Kai: Please. I know someone is dying to have lunch with them.

Mama: Okay, then we need more tables and chairs over here. Xiao Lu, go ask that attendant over there...yes dear...xiexie.

And Luhan had to obey mama. Even if he didn't really want to. When he came back, he eyed me meaningfully. He then sat beside me, instead of beside mama.

Defense tactics.

J and Jimin happily came by and sat at the now added chairs and tables. Their eomma and Jungkook followed. The seat that Luhan had vacated earlier was now occupied by my future mother-in-law.

Oh god.

When you think about it, it sends shivers down my spine. This arranged marriage thing just doesn't help with my breathing. If I had my way, I would have just chosen who I wanted to marry when I came to that marrying age. Not like right now that it has been forced upon me.

For the good of the family.

For my future.

For the merging of two prominent business families.

For the love of Jungkook.

Wait.

Let's not go there yet.

There was the pre-gala show tonight and I needed to be there to support my brothers. It was their time to shine.

Luhan: Ma, Kris just texted. He had already made the reservations for tonight's dinner. He just confirmed it with papa before he told me.

Mama: Alright, then. Do you know what time the show will end, Suho dear?

Suho: Around 8 PM, ma.

Mama: Oh, that's fine then.

The Kims had placed their order now. Mrs. Kim had mentioned that they will be watching the show that night as well.

J: Did you know that Yoongi hyung has a part?

Suho: Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you that. He was personally hand-picked by teacher Cen to play the part of a young mobster.

Kai: Hmm..yeah. I only ever saw him practice once.

Chen: Because he has homeroom meetings.

Suho: He leads the class research team.

Jimin: Nerd hyung.

J: Like Jin hyung.

Suho: You can't expect Yoongi to be the nerd type because he looks like the easy-going type.

J: I agree.

Jungkook: But you know he is smart, and not all looks and style.

Jimin: I think that's why Taehyung looks up to him the most.

Mrs. Kim: He's a good kid. I just wish that you boys would be like him and your Jin hyung.

Jimin: Eomma...I'm an angel, right?

J: Angel of death...raaahhhhh..

Jimin: Harharhar.

Then the table went Korean boys noisy. Kai and Chen joined in the Korean boys noise. The other boys catched up with them well, since we were used to Korean already. I just listened to them. I think the only time I spoke was when mama asked me what I wanted to eat.

I wished I had a sister.

Sohee eonni!

I wanted to meet her badly already. I knew I would like her. I haven't spoken to her yet. Not even on the phone or video call. But I just knew I would like her. I hoped that papa would ask her to come with him to meet the whole family. It would be awkward though, but I would make her feel at home.

I have an older sister!

Beep!

I had a text message. I checked my phone and read the message.

"Are you happy to see me? I like it when you're smiling."

My head snapped up and automatically faced Jungkook.

He nodded and pointed to my phone with his mouth.

What?

Wait.

Did he just...?

Because I think I saw him...?

I sent him a reply.

"Did you just point using your mouth?"

Then I saw him look away, smiling, after he read my message.

Luhan: Xiao Yi, no flirting on the lunch table.

*facepalm*

A lot of feels today. There's a new Bangtan Bomb video. Danger MV the making. Like WHATTTT?? I was just 30 minutes awake and there it was. Good lawwwddd. My feels. Then EXO photo updates on twitter nonstop. Pleaaaaassssse... LOL. Not to mention BTS photo updates as well. *  * I can only take this much: _____, but then they give me this much: ___________________________________________________________________ And it already looks like my lifeline.  Blanket Kick, Danger and 24/7 Heaven ruling my music on loop now. It's not helping...  This crazy bunny has to go now, before I get any more crazy thaaan I already am, so: → ♥♥♥ 吳愛你們！我愛你們！