“You can’t be serious,” Minho furrowed his eyebrows as he looked up at Jongin from the medical documents he was reading. He was in his office when Jongin came on a Monday afternoon and asked him if he could take Jinri out on a dinner date tonight. “Jongin, you know Jinri is weak. We don’t want to tire her out—”

   “I was just thinking the rooftop would do,” Jongin insisted.

   “What?” Minho said in disbelief.

   “Just the rooftop so that we wouldn’t have to go out of the hospital,” Jongin clarified. “And I won’t let anything tire her out, hyungnim, I promise.” He added, addressing Minho with respect.

   “The rooftop is off-limits, Jongin.”

   “I didn’t know that,” Jongin mumbled to himself, remembering the time when he and his friends fought at that same place one night not so long ago. “Well, anyway, nobody has to know we’re there.” He shrugged.

   “Do you know who you’re talking to?” Minho narrowed his eyes, “I’m a doctor, Jongin. I work here and don’t forget, I’m Jinri’s brother.”

   “Take a chill pill,” Jongin raised his palms up. “I know you’re a doctor and that you work here and that you’re Jinri’s brother that’s why I’m asking for your permission, hyungnim. I just want to take her out for a change. It doesn’t take a genius to know that Jinri’s tired of being caged inside the four white walls of the hospital room, you know?” He sighed.

   Minho leaned back on his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes to contemplate. Jongin was right and he did have a point. Jinri never liked staying in the hospital at all to start with; she thinks the place really doesn’t help her recover. Also, it’s not every day that someone would ask a brother if one could date his little sister. “Jongin,” he said before looking at him. “You’re really looking for trouble, aren’t you?”

   “I’ll go to that extent as long as my intention is to make Jinri happy,” Jongin looked away as he rubbed his nape sheepishly, embarrassed at his confession.

   Minho couldn’t help but smile at what Jongin had said. He shook his head and said, “You remind me a lot of Taemin, you persistent little—” He stopped and sighed.

   “I get that a lot,” Jongin grinned.

   “Fine,” Minho nodded after making up his mind and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his desk. “Alright, I’ll let you do whatever you want. But know that I’m putting my trust in you, okay? We’re dealing about my sister here and if something happens..”

   Jongin gulped as he watched Minho slide his thumb across his neck.

   “You are dead.”

   “I will be putting that in mind,” Jongin bowed. “Thank you, hyungnim.”

▢ ▢ ▢

It was a few minutes passed six in the evening and the room was beginning to get dark. Jinri stared at her selca with Sehun that was taped on the wall with the other pictures and remembered what happened yesterday. Something was wrong and she felt it. The way Sehun hugged her from the back like he didn’t want to let her go, like he didn’t want to leave her.. and that kiss, “Just this once, let me be selfish.” What does he mean? Was he hurting? Jinri frowned when a realization hit her; she never really asked how Sehun feels, if he’s okay or something. He was always the one being considerate of her feelings.

   “Let’s stay like this for awhile, okay?”

   “Yah,” Jinri spoke in no one in particular, still staring at the picture. “Oh Sehun, I don’t know what you’re thinking.. or what your feelings truly are. I hope you’d tell me,” she unconsciously took a small pillow from her bed and threw it at the wall, aiming it at their picture. “Idiot,” she pouted.

   Suddenly, a soft knock was heard on Jinri’s door. She turned her head to look at it and saw Jongin making his way inside, Minho following suit.

   “Jongin!” She smiled widely, “Oppa!”

   “Jesus Christ, that scared me.” Jongin said, stepping back a bit before searching for the light switch. “Why is your room dark, stupid?”

   That earned him a smack at the back of his head by Minho.

   “I can’t reach the light switch,” Jinri answered, blinking to adjust her sight on the now bright room. “It’s too far from me.”

   “Then you could have turned your lampshade on or something,” Jongin said, rubbing the sore part where Minho had hit, and kissed her forehead when he finally reached her. “Hey,” he greeted.

   “Hey,” Jinri smiled.

   Minho took the pillow from the floor, thinking that it must have fallen from the bed, and gave it back to Jinri. “You’re going out tonight, Jinri.” He said as he carefully took the wires that connected her from the cardiograph off her.

   “Eh?” Jinri looked at Minho then at Jongin.

   Her boyfriend just had a boyish grin on.

   “Where are we going?” Jinri asked.

   “You’ll see.” Jongin answered.

   “Alright, you’re all set.” Minho said as he straightened himself. He took the IV bag off its hook and gave it to Jinri, “Off you go before I change my mind. What I am doing is an offense.” He pinched the bridge of his nose before turning to Jongin with a glare, “Kim Jongin, don’t forget what we talked about.” He narrowed his eyes at him before giving Jinri’s hair a light ruffle. “Have fun,” then he left.

   “Wha—”

   “Never mind that,” Jongin grinned as he squatted beside Jinri’s bed, his back facing her. “Hop on. A piggyback ride is a part of your bucket list, right?”

   Jinri blushed, he still remembers that? She stood and shyly lowered herself on him, placing her arms gently around Jongin’s neck. The boy placed his hands under her thighs and straightened himself, adjusting Jinri on his back. “Am I heavy?” She mumbled, resting her chin on his shoulder.

   “Unfortunately not,” Jongin answered as he headed to the door. He asked Jinri to open it for him and when she did, he carefully poked his head out to see if the coast was clear. If the last time, the whole of the hospital was on his side to have his group perform, tonight, he’s on his own because they do not tolerate the ‘kidnapping’ of a patient. Well, Minho knew his plans but technically, he’s on his own. Seeing as nobody was around, he quickly went out and told Jinri to close the door. He sneaked his way towards the elevator and pressed the up arrow button with his elbow. “That’s why I’m going to have you eat a lot.”

   “I don’t understand.” Jinri furrowed her eyebrows.

   “You’ll see,” said Jongin as he stepped inside the elevator when it opened. “Press the twelfth button please.”

   Jinri did.

   “It’s a surprise,” Jongin confessed when the elevator closed. “I’m already telling you because I don’t want what happened before to happen again..”

   Jinri smiled and hugged his neck, enough not to choke him or anything. “Okay, I’m ready this time.”

   Jongin smiled, “Good.”

   Luck was on his side when they reached the twelfth floor safely; safely meaning the elevator ride was smooth without anyone having to use it. He stepped outside and walked up the staircase going to the rooftop.

   The rooftop? Jinri wanted to ask but she didn’t. She knew it was off-limits but.. The girl just let her thoughts trail off. She waited patiently as they reached their destination and Jongin carefully placed her down in front of the door.

   “Take a deep breath and keep yourself calm, alright?” Jongin reminded.

   “Alright,” Jinri answered, nodding.

   When Jongin pushed the door open, Jinri saw a blanket spread in the middle of the floor with two pillows and a basket. There were also a few small candles lit around it and a drip stand prepared for her IV bag. “Jongin,” she said breathlessly as she stepped outside. It looked so romantic.

   Jongin didn’t know why but he suddenly felt so embarrassed and cheesy with what he’s doing. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying his best not to blush. “Um,” he cleared his throat and wondered where his words had gone to.

   Jinri turned back to look at him and smiled and Jongin thought she was so beautiful under the moonlight. Not that she wasn’t beautiful on daylight or anything; Jinri is beautiful but she looked like she’s glowing tonight—aish! Get yourself straight, Kim Jongin! What the hell—

   “This is beautiful, Jongin.” The girl said.

   “Well, it’s nothing grand or what.. I kind of feel like it’s too plain and simple—”

   “I love it.”

   And Jongin felt his heart skip a beat.

   Jinri took his hand with both hers and stepped backwards, leading him towards the blanket. “So what’s this? A picnic at night?”

   “I don’t think a picnic chooses a time of the day,” Jongin grinned as they sat down after placing Jinri’s IV on the stand.

   Jinri raised an eyebrow. “At the rooftop,” she pointed as she placed a pillow over her lap.

   “It doesn’t choose a location either.”

   Jinri giggled.

   “I don’t know if we should call it a picnic or a dinner or a picnic dinner but I hope this is enough for um, an official first date.” Jongin looked away awkwardly, knowing that he really wasn’t one to show his affections so boldly like this. He was just thankful that it was quite dark so Jinri wouldn’t have to see his reddening cheeks. “It’s just.. I really wanted to take you somewhere, away from your room, but you’re not allowed to go out of the hospital so I figured the rooftop would do.”

   “It’s more than enough for me, Jongin.” Jinri smiled, moving to sit beside him and resting her head on his shoulder, “Thank you so much.”

   Jongin cleared his throat which made Jinri chuckle, “Y-You’re welcome.” Now, stuttering was never a part of his plan.

   “So,” Jinri straightened herself and clapped her hands once. “What’s on the menu?” Then she watched as Jongin opened the basket and saw how it was full of delicious meals and sliced fruits.

   Jongin and Jinri enjoyed their time together at the rooftop while they shared food with each other and talked about anything and everything. Jinri learned that Jongin had to ask Minho for a permission so he could execute all these—which made her giggle and feel all giddy inside—but that he’s dead if something happened to Jinri. She also learned that his health freak of a mom was the one who helped him prepare the food but in reality, Mrs. Kim did most of the cooking.

   “She really wanted to meet you,” Jongin said as he stared up at the dark sky. He and Jinri were already lying on their backs a few minutes after eating. “But I didn’t know if you want her to meet you like this so I just keep telling her that you two will meet soon.”

   “Does she know?”

   “About you being my girlfriend, yes.” Jongin answered, nodding. “Mom keeps on asking me why I’m keeping you to myself and not introducing you to her.” He chuckled at the memory, “but I didn’t tell her about your condition—at least not yet. I don’t want you to get mad at me because I told her without your knowing,” he childishly pouted and ate a piece of sliced apple.

   “You said your mom is a ‘health freak’,” Jinri said as she stretched out a hand to reach the sky. “Will she be disappointed if she finds out that I’m.. this? Some sick, weak girl—”

   “I’m sure she’ll love you like I do,” Jongin cut her off, smiling as he stretched out a hand as well only to interlock his fingers with hers. He brought her hand back down and kissed her knuckles. “And she’ll take good care of you like you’re one of her own.”

   Jinri turned her head to look at him, “Jongin..”

   “Did you notice that all the food she prepared was healthy?” Jongin looked back at her and grinned, “You got to taste what I always have three times—wait, two times a day because I buy my lunch in school. She wanted you to eat them too,”

   Jinri smiled, “Tell Mrs. Kim ‘thank you’ and that I loved everything she prepared.”

   “Yah, I helped too!” Jongin whined.

   Jinri laughed and lightly pinched his cheek, “Thank you too, Jongin, for tonight.. and for everything else. I had fun,”

   Jongin smiled and fed her a piece of apple with his free hand. “I did too,” he said, watching her chew. “Do you feel better?”

   The girl nodded and answered with a big smile after swallowing her food, “And stronger.”

▢ ▢ ▢

Sehun quietly closed the door leading to the rooftop and leaned back against a nearby wall. He stared blankly into space and tried to ignore the squeezing pain he felt in his heart as he replayed everything he saw back there. He wanted to visit Jinri again and purposely went to the hospital a bit late, thinking that maybe by that time, Jongin had already gone home but he was wrong.

   When he reached Jinri’s room and found that nobody was there, he panicked and ran to Minho’s office. When the hyung told him that Jinri is fine and that she was with Jongin at the rooftop, he numbed.

   “What are they doing there?” Sehun asked.

   “Dinner,” Minho answered.

   Dinner, Sehun repeated in his thoughts as he closed his eyes and heaved a deep breath. He stopped the urge to hit his fist on the wall; he had no reason to. Jinri isn’t his; she was never his, and it’s just right to see them so sweet together like that at the rooftop, holding hands and feeding each other and whatnot. But he couldn’t deny the fact that he was hurt to see the girl he loves happy with someone else.

   Minho had told him that it was best for him to leave them alone but he insisted on going anyway, without Minho knowing. Now, he got more than what he bargained for. Dinner, he repeated once again. Then why aren’t they just eating? Why did they have to be at the rooftop? With a blanket spread under them? And pillows? And candle lights? Why are they lying down next to each other?

   “It’s best you leave them alone, Sehun-ah.” said Minho as he looked over a patient’s profile.

   “Why?”

   “They’re on a date.”

   Of course, it was supposed to be a date.

   “Sehun-ah?”

   Sehun opened his eyes and saw Jinri’s mom looking at him with a worried expression. “Imo,” he whispered and when Mrs. Choi was within his reach, he pushed himself off the wall and hugged her, burying his face on her shoulder.

   The mother hugged him back gently, a small sad smile visible on her lips. “Oh, honey..” She patted his back.

   Earlier, Mrs. Choi went to Minho’s office to check up on him first before going to her daughter. When Minho told her about Jongin’s plans with Jinri and that they’re at the rooftop right now, she felt her heart swell. That boy, she had always thought, is really sweet. But when she was also told that Sehun might have come up there to see, she got worried.

   Truth be told, both Mrs. Choi and Minho knew that Sehun had feelings for their little girl and that fate had always been harsh to him.

   “It hurts, Imo.” Sehun unknowingly let out a sob, “Why can’t it be me instead?”

   “Some things are just not meant to be, love.” Mrs. Choi admitted the bitter truth, “I’m not saying you two aren’t but then again, at the end of the day, it would always lead back to Jinri’s decisions.”

   “It’s not fair..” Sehun sobbed, looking as vulnerable as a child.

   Mrs. Choi rubbed his back soothingly. “Let’s go, baby, alright?”

   The boy just nodded obediently and together they walked down the stairs. As long as Jinri’s happy.. He thought.

▢ ▢ ▢

Jongin stirred a bit and slowly opened his eyes. He looked around, feeling his arm numbing, and found Jinri sleeping peacefully beside him, his arm already under her head. He didn’t notice that they have fallen asleep. What time is it? He thought and lifted his free arm up. His wristwatch says ten thirty in the evening.

   Ah , Jongin thought as he rested his head on the pillow defeatedly. Minho’s going to kill him for sure. He turned his head to look at Jinri and moved his body a bit so that he’s facing her completely. Jongin lifted his hand up and let his fingertips caress her cheeks as he watched her sleeping. He removed some of her locks away from her face to get a better view of her and smiled. He couldn’t explain how happy he was that they were able to do this. Despite the fact that Minho might kill him later, Jongin decided he’ll thank him again for allowing them to stay at the rooftop. He brushed his thumb lightly on Jinri’s bottom lip, seeing how was parted a little, then looked up at the sky when he felt a small droplet on his cheek.

   Jongin looked back at Jinri and leaned closer to her face, gently rubbing his nose against hers. “Jinri,” he whispered.

   “Mm,” Jinri hummed but kept her eyes closed.

   “It’s drizzling, we have to go back.”

   “Are you going to stay the night?” She whispered, placing an arm over Jongin’s torso and burying her face on his chest.

   “I want to but I have school tomorrow,” Jongin sighed. “Come before it starts to rain.”

   “Okay,” Jinri lazily sat up, rubbing her eyes.

   Jongin stood and stretched, shaking his numbing arm a bit before helping Jinri on her feet. When the girl stepped aside so that Jongin could collect the blanket, the rain started to pour. “,” he mumbled, quickly pulling the blanket off the floor, not caring if the pillows and the basket got wet—he’ll deal with them later, and placed it over their heads, his arms stretched high enough to create a roof for Jinri. “Let’s go.”

   Jinri’s hand flew to grip on Jongin’s shirt, making him stop on his tracks. The boy looked at her questioningly.

   “What’s wrong?” He asked and felt a sense of déjà vu, remembering the time they last stayed under the rain.

   “Can we stay here for awhile?” Jinri asked.

   “That’s dangerous,” Jongin furrowed his eyebrows. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. The blanket isn’t going to hold the rain; it’s going to get us soaked soon.”

   Jinri just wrapped her arms around his torso and leaned her head on his chest, listening to the beats of his heart. “For awhile,” she repeated.

   Jongin slowly placed his arms down, causing the blanket to drape and cover them fully and he couldn’t see anything, couldn’t look anywhere but Jinri. He slowly hugged her back and said, “Minho-hyung is going to kill me.”

   The girl giggled. “I won’t let that happen. I’ll tell him it’s my fault,” she looked up at him and even though it was quite dark inside the blanket, Jinri could still make out Jongin’s features and she grinned. “Isn’t this cool?”

   Jongin stared at her for awhile in disbelief and rolled his eyes, “Jinri, you are so weird sometimes.”

   “I am not weird,” Jinri pouted. “I’m special.”

   That made Jongin chuckle, “Of course you are.” He leaned down to rub his nose against hers.

   “You love doing that, don’t you?” Jinri teased.

   “Not really,” Jongin shrugged. “Maybe? I don’t know.. Yeah.” He ended up admitting it.

   “Isn’t this supposed to be the time to kiss me?”

   Jongin’s heartbeat quickened as he widened his eyes and felt as if all his blood, even the last drop, rushed up to his face. He was taken aback with what Jinri just said and he wouldn’t be surprised if she pointed out how his face started glowing up red literally. “W-Wha..”

   Jinri bit her bottom lip but the laughter she was supposed to suppress with it still made its way out of , “I was just kidding!” She said, “Aigoo, what fun it would be to see your facial expression under the light.”

   “Y-Yah.. Don’t tease me like that,” Jongin muttered.

   Jinri reached up to pinch his cheek, “Sorry.”

   Their surroundings started to get colder and their blanket wet, they could already feel its dampness.

   “Jinri,”

   “Hm?”

   “Since we happened, I couldn’t help but be scared of you.” Jongin admitted.

   “What do you mean?” Jinri frowned.

   “Scared of you in a sense that.. What happens if something happened to you? What am I going to do? I’m scared of what will become of me if I lose you. I’m not ready, I’ll never be ready. I want to save you.. Sometimes, I couldn’t help but feel that you’re indirectly saying goodbye.. Like you’re so sure that you’re not going to live any longer.. You scare me with every single thing you do because the outcomes are uncertain, you scare me because I don’t know when it will happen again, you scare me because you make me feel this way; you scare me because I love you.”

   “Jongin..”

   “There are a lot of what ifs in my mind, Jinri..” said Jongin, “I’m scared of you. I’m scared for you..”

   Jinri cupped one side of Jongin’s face, immediately feeling his head lean on her hand, and caressed his cheek with her thumb. She felt them wet and was not sure if those were tears or the droplets that have already penetrated through the blanket. “I’m sorry if I make you feel that way, Jongin..” She said, “but remember that as long as I’m alive, I will always love you.”

   “Jinri..” Jongin furrowed his eyebrows.

   They were quiet for awhile, just staring at each other and ignoring the fact that their heads and shoulders had started to get wet. Jongin lifted a hand and placed it against Jinri’s neck, his thumb gently tracing on her jaw, and leaned down.

   But just as when their lips were about to meet, they heard someone clear their throat and Jongin froze, shutting his eyes in the process and clenching his jaw in annoyance. Minho-hyung, he thought. Just let me kill you first before you kill me.

   Jinri lifted the blanket off them and found her brother in his usual white coat beside them, a big umbrella already sheltering them from the rain. “Oppa,” she whispered.

   Minho scowled at Jongin when he was completely uncovered by the blanket, “How do you want to meet your death?”

   “It’s my fault,” defended Jinri. “It started to rain but I told him I wanted to stay here for awhile.”

   “Jinri,” Minho let out an exasperated sigh. “I know you love the rain but it’s going to worsen your health.”

   “Take a chill pill,” said Jongin. “We’re not that soaked, at least.”

   Minho glared at him, “Let me remind you that there is no such thing as a chill pill, Jongin.” He said, “And don’t think I’m letting you get away with this. Look at yourselves: not soaked but still wet. It started to rain and I came to Jinri’s room and still, no one was there. You two have been here for hours.”

   “We fell asleep earlier..” Jongin defended, mumbling.

   “Oppa, don’t get mad now.” Jinri grinned, “You’ll get wrinkles.”

   Minho rolled his eyes, “Let’s just get back and have you dried up, brat.”

▢ ▢ ▢

After Jinri dried herself and changed her hospital gown to a comfortable pajama, Minho carefully re-attached the wires to her body and the cardiograph started to measure her heartbeats once again, leaving the beep sounds to dissolve in the air. He changed her IV bag then told Jongin to come with him so that he could lend him a dry shirt to change to.

   “How long have you been there at the rooftop earlier?” Jongin asked as Minho took out a fresh shirt from a small cabinet in his office.

   “Long enough to hear your confession,” Minho answered, handing his shirt to Jongin.

   The boy blushed, “Aish..” He rubbed his nape and took the material from him. “That’s embarrassing.”

   “But you were right,” Minho said as he arranged the papers on his desk. “We don’t know when she’ll have an attack again. It scares me too, Jongin; nobody wants to lose her.”

   Jongin remained quiet.

   “Jinri is a stubborn girl and she unfortunately inherited our dad’s illness,” Minho stared at the piles of paper in his hands. “She’s just like dad. She does all the things she likes and ends up getting herself in danger that’s why what you said was right. Her actions, we don’t really know what their outcomes are..”

   “Life sure is unfair..” Jongin mumbled.

   “Yeah, sure is.” Minho smiled a bit. “Anyway, I won’t be allowing visitors tomorrow, okay? Except for umma,” he reminded. “Tell the others too if they planned to visit. I just want her to rest for the whole day, just in case. You understand, right?”

   “Yes, hyungnim.” Jongin nodded. “Thanks for allowing her to go out with me.”

   “Chuh, rascal.” Minho rolled his eyes and neatly placed the pile of papers on the side of his desk. “Go change before you get sick. Stay safe and say goodbye to Jinri before you leave.”

   Jongin nodded.

   “Don’t do anything stupid.”

   And with that statement, Jongin was sure that despite being covered with the blanket earlier, Minho saw and knew that he was about to kiss Jinri that time that’s why he decided to interfere. “A chill pill, hyung.” He reminded and immediately left the office before Minho could say anything.

   After changing his clothes inside the restroom, Jongin went to Jinri’s room, knocking first before going inside. When the girl saw him, she slowly sat up and smiled. Jongin sat on the space by the edge of her bed and looked at her.

   “Hey,” he greeted.

   “I thought oppa killed you already.” Jinri grinned.

   “Were you anticipating it?” Jongin twitched an eye.

   “I’m kidding, sheesh.” She laughed.

   “Psh,” Jongin rolled his eyes. “Anyway, how are you feeling? Are you alright? Does your head hurt or anything?”

   “I’m fine,” Jinri smiled. “I see oppa lent you a shirt.”

   “Uh-huh,” Jongin nodded. “I didn’t bring an extra. I didn’t know I’d need one,”

   “Sorry~”

   “Nah, it’s no big deal.” Jongin smiled. “Anyway, I can’t be for long anymore so you rest and sleep well, okay?”

   Jinri nodded, “I had so much fun today.”

   “Me too,” Jongin lightly ruffled her hair and grinned. “Next time, it’s not going to be on the rooftop anymore.”

   “Anywhere’s fine as long as I’m with you.”

   “You’re teasing me again. Stop being cheesy,”

   “I’m not teasing you!” Jinri pouted, “Or maybe, just a liiiiittle bit~”

   “Aish!” Jongin softly pinched her cheek, “Weirdo.”

   “You love this weirdo.” The girl grinned.

   Jongin lightly chuckled and slowly leaned his face closer to Jinri’s, “Yeah, I do.”

   “And you’re a weirdo for loving a weirdo,” Jinri whispered.

   “Maybe,” he rubbed his nose against hers. Jongin was thankful that his heartbeats weren’t being measured because he was scared that its rates were a bit over two hundred beats per minute which is literally abnormal and embarrassing for him. He wanted to kiss her badly but he feared it might do Jinri’s heart a damage. If only thinking about kissing her would make his heart skyrocket like that, what more in Jinri’s case?

   “Jongin?”

   “Hm?”

   “I love you so much.”

   Jongin felt another wave of déjà vu and remembered back when Jinri fell in his arms after he responded to her. He pulled back a bit, studying Jinri’s face, and saw sincerity in her eyes. A smile kept her pale face bright, her cheeks reddening a bit, as if she was nowhere near sick. Jongin didn’t know how she looked like back then, before she lost consciousness, because she was hugging him tight but he knew that if he saw, Jinri’ll pretty much show that she was in pain. Even though he couldn’t feel it himself, he could hear through the cardiograph’s beeping that her heart was beating a bit faster but wasn’t giving her a hard time. “Jinri..” He unconsciously said. He brought his hand on her cheek once again and caressed it with his thumb.

   Jinri tilted her head a bit to the side to lean on his hand. It felt really warm, contrasting her cold skin, and it was very comfortable. She kept her soft gaze on Jongin’s face and memorized all his features: his well-defined jaw line, his plump pink lips, his sharp nose, his dark eyes, his cute eyelashes—

   “You’re staring,” Jongin whispered, breaking the silence.

   “So are you.” Jinri answered and the boy smiled.

   Jongin decided to do it, slowly leaning his face closer to hers once again. He tilted his head to the side, keeping his eyes locked on her lips. He glanced up at Jinri for a second and seeing her eyes already closed made him smirk but at the same time, he was glad to know that she wanted it too. He closed the gap between them, softly pressing his lips against her.

   Jinri’s heart started to pound and it was heard through the beeping of the cardiograph. When she felt that Jongin was about to pull away (because he panicked and thought that something bad might happen to Jinri if they continued), her hands quickly flew on his chest to grip on his shirt, hoping for him to get the message that she didn’t want him to pull away. Yes, her heart was pounding but it wasn’t hurting either. It just made her even more alive.

   So when Jongin felt her stopping him from pulling away, the hand that was on her cheek s its way on her nape to keep her close. He leaned in more, slowly moving his lips to kiss her deeper, and Jinri responded, the dormant volcano on her stomach suddenly erupting with fireworks. Their lips felt perfect against each other and tasted sweet apples. The kiss was deep but soft and gentle and it wasn’t rushed; both of them were savoring the moment while their feelings surged with each of their lips’ movement. She could feel his heartbeats against her fists and it made her happy to know that it was beating only for her; that Jinri was the one causing Jongin’s heart to pound that way.

   When they felt the need for air, Jongin and Jinri pulled away almost at the same time, leaning their foreheads together but still keeping their eyes closed. They panted a bit before looking at each other’s eyes full of love with a shy but contented smile.

   Jongin his lips as he ran his thumb across Jinri’s lips then he answered, “I love you too.”

AUTHOR’S NOTE: First off, I just wanna give misstirs a super big thanks for giving me the candle light dinner idea at the rooftop! ♡ The outcome wasn’t exactly it but I hope it has met your standards. ;w; I actually had to repeat almost the whole chapter again after putting it in the AFF drafts because my first idea felt so plain and all and . . . yeah. ; ; I’m still not satisfied with this though. :(( Trust me, I’ve read this chapter a lot of times and I just—dies. Anyway, wow, I didn’t know I’m gonna have such heart-fluttering feedbacks for the previous chapter, I— /harakiris. Regarding f(x)’s new music video: Guys, if Sulli was just as stunning, wae she not have a longer screen time! ; A ; /slapped by yous. I’ve been thinking about this for awhile now: Don’t you think SMEnt is doing this on purpose? Like the lack of Kailli and Sesul interaction? Like.. They somewhat have prophesied that “Oh, hey, I’m sure the fans have the hots for a Kailli or/and a Sesul interaction. How about some little photoshoots over here and little bit interaction at the back over there while people are crowding the front of the stage and then that’s it? ♡” WHY, SMENT? Why must you deprive us of the pleasure of cruising the Kailli and Sesul ship?! /smacked. Such a tease. e n e ; By the way, I have six hours of Advanced Statistics tomorrow, wow.

REPLIES:
   misstirs ; Hi, bb. ♡ Once again, thank you for the idea! I dedicate this chapter to you. c: I agree with everything you just said. I don’t really like Krystal tbh, huhuhu. :(( She just gives me the “meh” feeling of some sort, IDEK—and yeah, Sulli’s lines were so short. ; A ; I was anticipating her lines the most but like.. croo, SMEnt, waaae! w(QAQw);; Anyway, I hope you liked how I wrote this. OTL
   taeunfan11 ; You don’t know how honored I am to receive such comment from a hardcore Taeun shipper like you. ; ; And to think that out of all kpop pairings and fanfictions that ever existed, you chose to read this story too, I’m just very thankful. I’ve been waiting for so long for someone, anyone, to tell me that while they’re reading this fic, it’s like watching a drama and when I read it in your comment, I totally flipped out because that’s exactly what I was aiming for. ; ; Thank you so much! Thank you for giving this fic a chance, love. Thank you for the heart-swelling comment too. ♡
   kim_taehyung95 and geekymark ; Sorry, I just had to point this out. I love your usernames. ♡ ;w;

A SONG FROM SEHUN TO JINRI. <|3 BECAUSE HE CAN #RELATE.