// One Week Later // 

It had been one week since Jang Mi’s birthday passed and since Mark got to meet her for the first time. 

*Beep* 

It was a message from Mark. I was surprised to see that he had gotten my number. 

Mark: Hi Eunji! I got your number from Haechan. We’re having a performance today for our new album. Do you wanna come to the filming? Please bring Jang Mi if you can hehe 

Eunji: Hi Mark :) Thank you for inviting me! We’d love to come 

Mark: Great!! 2pm at the MBC studio. See you then 

Eunji: Yes, see you! 

I tried not to be as suspicious as possible, trying not to make it obvious that I was beyond excited that he had texted me. 

“Jang Mi! Do you want to see Mark?” I asked, putting on her favorite pink sweater. 

She nodded excitedly, “I want to see Uncle Mark and all of the NCT uncles!!” 

Jang Mi and I took the bus to the MBC studio and it was about a 15-minute ride. She was beyond excited, even humming NCT’s popular songs on the way to the place. 

We arrived and there was a huge line of fans waiting outside. So many fans were holding up signs that said “Mark” or even cute headbands with his face on it. I was so happy to see that despite it all, Mark and the rest of the boys still got the fame they deserved. 

The security guard stopped me before I entered, “Ticket?” 

“Oh! Um, my name is Kim Eunji. I got a message from Mark,” I nervously said. 

He checked a list that said “VIP”. 

“Let her through,” I heard someone say before the security guard let me into the checkpoint. 

I entered the studio and the fans’ seats haven’t been filled yet. There was a stage and cameras everywhere, just like I had seen on the music shows on television. 

“Hi, Miss Eunji? Please take a seat here,” a lady approached me, giving me two chairs off to the side of the general audience. 

I bowed, “Thank you,” letting Jang Mi sit down in the seat next to me. 

Slowly, the fans began to fill up the seats, screaming for the member that they liked the most. It was my first time seeing them perform live like this. I hadn’t even seen them when Jaehyun had just started out years ago. 

“Alright everyone, we will begin our filming now. Make sure to cheer before and after the performance. Thank you!” someone from the overhead announced through the speakers. 

After that, the members of 127 walked to the stage and took their mics that were all horizontally arranged next to each other. 

Each of them were wearing black pants and black long sleeves. Mark looked as handsome as ever. 

The instrumental for the song, “Magic Carpet Ride” began playing. It was one of their newest songs from their album. 

(Hi everyone! Please click this link to see the performance of the song that I used as inspiration for this part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On5v3b5T-kU)

They sang soulfully and Mark had one of his hands in his pockets the whole time. He wasn’t smiling. In fact, he looked more serious than the others, almost as if something had been on his mind the whole time. 

The song was a gentle one with a beautiful melody. 

They continued to sing with emotion, especially as they got to the part of the chorus: 

Until the dawn where the light has fallen asleep

We can fly tonight, fly tonight

Veiled with this miracle-like night

Everything comes true

Yeah, to a higher sky

Above the cloud past the dazzling, faraway star

A view only permitted to you

You'll be able to see

However, when they got to the bridge part, that was when my heart sank. 

Jaehyun and Mark both had parts in the bridge, with Jaehyun singing first and the latter overlapping with the rap: 

Already in front of my eyes, starlight rains as if to overwhelm

I engrave myself in your dream so that you can't forget

I'm in the same place

Now, here, ever