“Alright, you rascals, get moving and start practicing! I have to teach you the second routine,” was Hwang-ssaem’s greeting when he reached the dance studio. Everyone did as was told but as Hwang-ssaem watched his students, he counted them because it felt like they weren’t complete. “Where’s Jongin and Sehun?”

   “Ah, ssaem, I think they’re in the hospital.” Chanyeol answered.

   Hwang-ssaem widened his eyes, “What happened? Did they get into an accident?”

   “No, no!” Chanyeol shook his head, “You see, today is Jinri’s heart transplant surgery so maybe that’s the reason why they’re not here.”

   “Or maybe, that really is the reason why they’re not here.” Baekhyun added, “It’s a given. Those two will never leave Jinri alone,”

   “We actually wanted to be there,” Jongdae added. “But then again, you might punish us for not being here or something so..”

   Hwang-ssaem twitched an eye upon hearing Jongdae’s retort but immediately thought of Jinri’s mother and asked himself how she was doing now. “Ah, I see.” He just answered simply which caught the others off guard because he was calm, “Let’s pray for Jinri and that her operation be successful. Maybe we could visit later after practice.”

▢ ▢ ▢

At the hospital, Jongin accompanied Jinri inside her room while Mrs. Choi talked with the doctors outside. He was there since yesterday afternoon, feeling that he didn’t want to leave Jinri’s side at all. He felt so restless and scared that something will happen if he took his eyes off her. Jinri even assured him that everything’s going to be fine but he couldn’t help but feel worried.

   “I’ll make sure to be the first person you’ll see when you wake up,” Jongin said as he caressed Jinri’s cheek. “Or maybe the second person if you want to see your mom first.” He added, chuckling lightly.

   Jinri chuckled with him and said, “Okay, I’ll hang on to that.”

   “Are you scared?”

   “I’ll be lying if I said no, Jongin.” Jinri smiled a bit, “But I know that I’ll make it.”

   “You should,” Jongin nodded. “You wouldn’t want to leave me after all.”

   “You wouldn’t want me to leave you too anyway,” The girl grinned.

   “Well, you have a point.” Jongin said, “But kidding aside, Jinri, please stay strong, alright? Doctor Jeon said that the surgery might take more than four hours so you have to hang on. Trust me, I really want to literally be there with you but well, we all know it’s not allowed.. It’s not fair. And to think that today is your birthday..”

   Jinri leaned her head against Jongin’s palm, “I’ll see you in a few hours, Jongin, I promise. We’ll see each other before the day ends. Plus, it’s better if it’s today. It’ll feel like I will be born again, you know?” She smiled. She lifted a hand and took her necklace with the key and the promise ring from inside her hospital gown. “Can you please take this off for me?”

   Jongin blinked in confusion but did so, collecting her hair to the side and unclasping the thin lace, “Why?” He asked while he placed the necklace down on her palm.

   Jinri took the ring off, leaving the key on the necklace, and gave it to Jongin then she lightly spread her fingers on the left hand in front of him, as if signaling him to put that ring on her.

   “Jinri..” Jongin looked at her for awhile then his lips, he held the ring on the fingertips of his left hand and slowly placed it on Jinri’s ring finger. He didn’t know why but his hands were somewhat shaking. It felt like Jinri just declared herself as being his forever.

   When the boy finally wore the ring on her ring finger, Jinri immediately laced their fingers together to have his shaking hand calm down and said, “People say that there is a vein on the left hand’s ring finger that ran directly to the heart that’s why it’s where married couples put their rings. But maybe, through this, while I’m having the operation, my heart will know that you’re there and that you’re waiting for me so it’ll have to keep on beating for you. New heart or not, it’ll always beat for you. New heart or not, I will only love you.”

   Jongin bit his lip to stop the tears from flooding his sight. He placed the palm of his free hand at the back of Jinri’s hand and kissed the promise ring, closing his eyes for a second before looking at Jinri again. “I love you so much, Jinri.” He said, his voice cracking. “And I will wait for you. I’m not going to leave until you open your eyes.”

   Jinri smiled, “I love you too, Jongin, so much.”

   A knock was heard on the door and it opened, revealing Mrs. Choi and Doctor Jeon. Jongin’s heart started to beat faster because he knew that it was time.

   “Miss Jinri, it’s time for your operation.” Doctor Jeon announced with a smile on her face, “Are you ready?”

   Jinri looked at Jongin then back at her doctor, nodding. “Deh, I’m ready.”

   Jongin clenched his jaw. If the doctor asked him if he was ready, he’d say no. He’s not ready to let go of Jinri just yet. Isn’t there any other way to get her treated? “Jinri..” He unconsciously blurted out. Worry and fear were visible on his face. Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Wasn’t it supposed to be Jinri feeling worried and scared and Jongin assuring her that everything will be alright?

   Jinri smiled at him while the nurses helped her lie down on the bed. “I’ll see you in a few hours,” she repeated and the nurses started to push her bed out of the room.

   “Stay strong, love.” Mrs. Choi’s eyes got teary while her daughter’s bed passed her by. “We’ll be praying for you. I love you,” She bent down and gave Jinri’s forehead a kiss. “Happy birthday.”

   “I love you too, umma.” Jinri smiled, “Thank you.”

   Mrs. Choi and Jongin followed behind as Jinri’s bed was being pushed towards the operating room. Jinri closed her eyes as she played with the ring on her finger against her stomach. She didn’t show it but she too was scared; she was panicking inside. Nobody knew what the outcome of the operation will be. There were no certainties. She could either die or live. But now that she thought about it, someone donated their heart for her and the least thing she could do is live so that the heart of the donor wouldn’t come to waste. I’ll live, she thought with finality. I’ll live for Mom and Minho-oppa. I’ll live for my friends. I’ll live for Dad and Suji. I’ll live for Jongin. I’ll live for the person who donated their heart to me.

   “You can’t go beyond this point anymore,”

   Jinri opened her eyes when she heard her brother’s voice. He was already waiting by the operating room’s door.

   “Jinri..!”

   Jinri turned to look and saw that Jongin was being blocked by some of the nurses already.

   “Jongin..” Jinri tried to sit up. “Jongin!”

   “Stay still, Jinri—” Minho warned but the girl paid no heed.

   “Jinri!”

   “Jongin!” Jinri called once again as she passed the OR’s door. “Jongin, I’ll see you later! I love you!”

   And before the door closed completely with the sight of Jongin still being blocked by the nurses as he tried to chase after her, the girl heard Jongin shout “I love you, Jinri! I’ll wait for you!”

▢ ▢ ▢

Like Jongin had promised, he didn’t leave. He stayed by the operating room, restless. At one point, he’ll be sitting on the chairs that were provided on the hallway and another, he’ll be walking around in circles. One minute, he’ll be looking through the small glassed windows of the OR’s door, hoping to get a look at Jinri but was only greeted with the sight of the green curtains then another minute, he’ll be facing the wall.

   Mrs. Choi had long gone to the chapel and had offered Jongin if he wanted to go with her but he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to leave Jinri even if a door was the only obstacle between them. What if the doctor suddenly went out to bring them news but nobody was there? What if something happened but he was not there? What if Jinri asked for him?

   Then again, it has already been more than three hours since the operation started. He hasn’t even eaten anything since that morning. He wondered, what would he have been doing right now if he didn’t meet Jinri? Would she still be having this operation on the day of her birthday? Who would stay for her? Probably Sehun. He would be there.. right?

   Jongin furrowed his eyebrows. Sehun.. He thought. He wasn’t there though. Maybe he decided to join the dance class instead. And anyway, what is he going to do in the hospital then? Jongin’s there and he didn’t need to see anyone else being restless and sharing the same emotions because of Jinri. Aish! Jongin messed his hair. Why was he even thinking that way when in the first place, Sehun was the one who was there for Jinri? He wouldn’t admit it but he knew that fact from the start.

   The boy stood from where he sat, frustrated. Doctor Jeon did say that the operation is going to take more than four hours, right? He needed to clear his mind. He couldn’t keep feeling worried and scared or any other unnecessary emotions. He should be positive with himself. If he wanted Jinri to make it, she’ll make it so he has to think that she’ll make it too. He’s not going to let anyone take her from him. She’s not leaving. She promised.

   Jongin just followed wherever his feet took him and the next thing he knew, he was already in front of the chapel. He pushed the door open and looked around. He saw Mrs. Choi sitting on a pew not far from the altar and he decided to join her.

   The woman turned to look beside her, sensing someone else’s presence and smiled, “Jongin..”

   “Eomonim,” Jongin said. “The doctor hasn’t come out yet..”

   Mrs. Choi gently placed a hand on Jongin’s knee and patted it, “We’ll just have to wait for a few more hours, okay?”

   “Were you here all this time?” Jongin asked.

   “Yes,” Mrs. Choi looked back at the altar. “Few years ago, I was here too, Jongin, at the same pew looking and praying at the same altar.”

   Jongin watched Mrs. Choi reminisce.

   “But for a different reason,” Mrs. Choi smiled sadly. “If today, I’m here praying because Jinri finally had a donor heart, a few years back, I was here praying because my husband had an attack. It felt really heavy, Jongin-ah.. to see my husband suffering like that. In the end, he didn’t make it.”

   “I’m sorry, Eomonim.” Jongin placed his hand over hers that was rested on his knee.

   “Don’t be,” Mrs. Choi looked at him with the same sad smile. “You’ve got nothing to apologize for. But you know, if he were alive, he would have liked you as well.”

   Jongin chuckled shyly, rubbing his neck.

   “How did you and Jinri meet, love?”

   “Oh, uh..” Jongin’s mind turned blank and it suddenly rewinded itself on the first day Jinri popped out in front of him and his life. “Well, it might sound crazy to be honest but actually, she was the one who approached me first. I was really cold to her back then,” he looked at Mrs. Choi, expecting any reaction, but she was just looking at him with a smile, waiting for him to continue. He turned to look at the altar and decided to just spill everything. After all, Mrs. Choi gave out a vibe that one can really tell her anything and she would just listen. “She was this.. annoying kid who asked me a favor to date her but made me promise not to fall for her. I thought she was crazy but my friends talked me out and told me not to be harsh on her and stuff so I just accepted with the thought that I was just being considerate of her feelings. At first, it was mind-boggling.. It’s as if she was a living riddle or something. Like why would she ask me that kind of favor? What’s the purpose? What was she planning? Then slowly, as time went by, things just started to unfold.

   When we were at the Seoul Central, Soojung and I got separated from Taemin and Jinri. At that time, Soojung told me to just trust Jinri with what she was doing; that I have to be there for her and never leave her side.. that there was a reason why Jinri made me promise not to fall for her, that she didn’t want me to get hurt. I didn’t understand because everything was just contradicting. Soojung said I’ll eventually know and find out but it just didn’t make any sense. Then when I saw her at that bed, Eomonim, I just.. I just lost it. Soojung knew, of course, about her condition. And Taemin. And Jinri’s friends. But what shocked me the most were my friends being there.. Jongdae-hyung, Baekhyun-hyung, Chanyeol-hyung and especially Sehun. It’s annoying how of all people, I didn’t know. When Sehun talked to me, everything came into place. Jinri didn’t want me to know because she didn’t want me to leave her. She didn’t want me to fall for her because she didn’t want me to get hurt.. but Eomonim, it was too late. I’ve already fallen for her.

   But my feelings for her were already there before I even made that promise!” Jongin defended. “I didn’t even realize it was her all along.”

   “Tell me about it, Jongin-ah.” Mrs. Choi urged.

   “Well, it was back when Jinri’s hair was long; I think it was last year. I mistook her for Soojung so I thought my feelings were for her. I heard Jinri singing in the hallway near the dance studio where I was but her back was facing me so I couldn’t really see who she was. The moment I saw Soojung, I thought it was her, and by then, Jinri was already gone and when she came back, her hair was short already. When I heard her sing the song she sang back then at the hallway, I knew it was her and my feelings just..” Jongin sighed, “But when I asked her, ‘what if I fell for you?’, she just kept telling me I can’t.”

   “That’s typical of her,” Mrs. Choi lightly giggled, shaking her head. “The time when you dropped by our house to ask for Jinri, I knew she didn’t tell you anything. It was expected of her but I figured it was time for you to know so I brought you with me at the hospital. I can relate to that, of course, because that’s what happened between Jinri’s father and I. It wasn’t exactly like yours but back then, when we were in college, the professor assigned partners for us and he happened to be my partner. For the whole semester, it was always us together, making projects and assignments and reports.. He was my best friend. Eventually, we fell in love. One day, he just.. suddenly started staying away from me. He’s gotten cold, he wouldn’t talk to me, he wouldn’t even look at me. I asked him what was wrong and what happened and he just pushed me away, telling me that he didn’t want to see me again.” Mrs. Choi gave out a tight-lipped smile as she looked down, blinking back tears. “I thought we were over. I thought I’ve done something wrong that made him so mad. Then I found out from his parents that he’s sick, Jongin. When he found out that I already know, he isolated himself from me even more and told me that I’m just staying because of pity. But I wasn’t. I stayed because I loved him. Slowly, we started to go back the way we used to. He was happy, really happy. Then a few years after, we married and had Minho and Jinri. We were a happy family,” she looked up at Jongin. “And then his sickness took him away.

   Right now, I couldn’t afford losing Jinri because of the same reason too. Minho and I can’t. That’s why Minho is doing his hardest just to help his sister. But Jongin, I have this feeling inside of me that everything is going to be alright.” Mrs. Choi smiled and the boy just couldn’t help but embrace her.

▢ ▢ ▢

It had been more than five hours and no one’s coming out yet. Jongin just finished his cup of ramyeon that was brought by Mrs. Choi yet the operating room was still quiet. He looked at his wristwatch and it says 1:35pm. He had been looking at the time for the umpteenth time yet it felt like it wasn’t moving at all. The boy sighed and leaned back on his chair, also making his head lean back on the wall. Jinri, I hope you’re fine in there.

   “Jongin-ah,”

   Jongin turned to look at Mrs. Choi who already came back. She left a little while earlier, telling him she had to fetch someone, and true enough, behind her were Soojung and Jinri’s three other friends: Qian, Sunyoung, and Amber. He stood up and bowed at the newcomers then gave Soojung a quick hug. “Hey,”

   “Any updates?” Soojung asked, her eyebrows furrowed at the center.

   Jongin just shook his head quietly.

   “What time did the operation start?” Amber asked.

   “Around eight in the morning.” The boy answered.

   “Wha—It’s taking that long?!” Amber messed her hair.

   “Calm down, Amber,” Qian said. “Of course it’ll take long. The doctors have to be very careful with their actions because one wrong move and there’s going to be complications and consequences. We wouldn’t want that to happen,”

   “But Jinri’s alright, right?” Sunyoung asked. “She’s going to be alright?”

   “I’m sure she will,” Mrs. Choi smiled, “Jinri is a strong girl. Right, Jongin-ah?” She turned to him and Jongin nodded with a “yeah.”

   A few minutes later, Jongin received a text message from Chanyeol, asking where he was. When he replied that he was in front of the operating room, it wasn’t long until low but quite loud noises started filling up the place. Jongin resisted the urge to pinch Chanyeol on the ear because apparently, everyone and everyone meaning all ten of his dance mates plus Hwang-ssaem came. The giant could have warned him that the others were coming as well.

   “Sssh! An operation is on-going. Keep it down please!” A nurse in her mid-forties hissed.

   “What the , bro?” Jongin hissed at Chanyeol, “You could have told me you weren’t alone.”

   “They wanted it as a surprise?” Chanyeol answered in a questioning voice.

   “Boohoo, we’re going to get in so much trouble. Look at how many we are, crowding in front of the operating room.”

   Chanyeol did and counted with his eyes. Eleven plus four plus one plus one equals.. “Seventeen,” he answered and he received a smack on the head.

   “That’s a lot, genius.” Jongin then pinched the bridge of his nose. He turned to look at Mrs. Choi to see how she’s doing and what her reaction was but he was greeted with a sight of Hwang-ssaem conversing with her. “Seriously?” He muttered.

   “Hey, how’s Jinri?” Jongdae approached Jongin with Yifan, Joonmyeon, and Kyungsoo.

   Jongin sighed as he turned to look at the operating room’s door. “I don’t know, hyung.” He answered.

   “How long has it been since the operation started?” Yifan asked.

   “More than five hours,”

   “How are you?” Kyungsoo asked.

   Jongin looked at Kyungsoo then lifted up a corner of his lips in a wry smile. “Beats me,” he replied.

   “Well, to lighten up your mood,” Jongdae swung an arm over Jongin’s shoulder and cocked his head to Hwang-ssaem’s direction. “Someone’s doing his moves.”

   Jongin shivered as he tried to look away. Their dance teacher was patting Mrs. Choi on the shoulder. “Please,” he said. “That does not make things any better.”

   “But it’s fun teasing Hwang-ssaem though,” Yifan commented. “His face go flushed whenever Mrs. Choi is mentioned.”

   “He obviously likes her,” Joonmyeon added.

   “Guys, really, this conversation is weird.” Jongin commented.

   “Hey!” Baekhyun popped in with Luhan and Yixing then he looked around, “Where’s Sehun?”

   The rest in the circle looked around then Jongin answered, “I thought he’s with you guys at dance class.”

   “We thought he’s with you.” Baekhyun retaliated. “Hm, weird.”

   “Let me call him,” Kyungsoo said before fishing out his phone from his pocket. He went to his contacts and tapped on Sehun’s name then placed the phone on his ear. They waited for a few moments but Kyungsoo just placed his phone down. “I can’t reach him,” he said.

   “Hey, Jongin-ah,” Soojung called for his attention. “The girls and some of the guys are going to the chapel, anyone of you wanna come?” She looked at the rest who was with him.

   “I’ll go,” Kyungsoo smiled a bit then he turned to Jongin. “Maybe Sehun’s just resting. Let’s reach him later.”

   Jongin just nodded and watched his hyung go. Joonmyeon and Yifan followed. The rest who stayed were just Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and Jongdae. Hwang-ssaem was still conversing with Mrs. Choi.

   “Things will work out fine,” Hwang-ssaem comforted. “At least Jinri got a heart donor. And you mentioned that her brother’s inside too? I’m sure he’s doing his best to save her.”

   “Seeing Hwang-ssaem like that is really weird,” Chanyeol commented.

   “It gives me the creeps.” Baekhyun added. “It’s like he’s a whole new Hwang-ssaem,”

   “What if Hwang-ssaem got dibs on Mrs. Choi?” Jongdae asked.

   “Please,” Jongin facepalmed. “I can never imagine a future with him. Have mercy on me,”

▢ ▢ ▢

For some unknown reasons, having his friends around somewhat lifted Jongin’s spirit up. The worry and the fear were still there but it wasn’t as strong as before when he was alone. He didn’t know what else to feel whenever a nurse or a doctor passed by to silence them or whenever he watched as Hwang-ssaem kept Mrs. Choi company. He felt really light when his friends and Jinri’s friends go to the chapel alternatively to pray for Jinri or when they ask him how he is or how he was feeling.

   It’s already nearly four in the afternoon and yet, no one’s coming out from the operating room. Is that even possible? And by that time, everyone has gone quiet. Some of the boys already sat on the floor because the chairs were already occupied. Some would converse in whispers but the rest are just staring into space, waiting for a miracle to happen. Nobody wanted to leave. Most of them may not be that close to Jinri but they were close to Jongin and they wanted to be there for him. They wanted to be there when the news is delivered.

   A few moments later, Taemin arrived and was rather shocked seeing a lot of people in front of the operating room. He greeted Mrs. Choi with a kiss on the cheek then hugged Soojung after. He quietly scanned his eyes through the crowd and clenched his jaw when he didn’t see Sehun. He had been trying to call the boy ever since their last conversation but he wasn’t picking up. He couldn’t even have a time alone with Minho because he was too busy preparing for Jinri’s operation the past few days. Did Sehun really do what Taemin thought he did? That can’t be..

   Everyone quickly stood up when the operating room’s door opened. Doctor Jeon and Minho came out but both stepped back a bit upon seeing a lot of people waiting outside. Jongin rushed towards the two and quickly asked:

   “How is Jinri?”

   The silence could have killed them. Doctor Jeon looked at Minho and nodded, as if giving him a signal.

   Minho his lips as he looked at everyone then at Jongin and his mom. “It was successful,” he announced and not even one second had passed when everyone began to cheer. Mrs. Choi hugged her son so tight as tears started to stream down her cheeks. Yifan gave the frozen Jongin’s shoulder a squeeze.

   It was successful, Minho’s voice echoed inside Jongin’s mind. He looked dazed then. How was he supposed to react again? He looked around and saw everyone cheering, smiles on their faces, some had tears of joy. Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and Jongdae gave Jongin a hug but he didn’t respond. He was too happy to respond. Jinri’s alright. She’s alive. She’s going to live!

   “Quiet down, please!” The same nurse warned them and they did so, giggling and chuckling to themselves.

   “W-When can I see her?” Jongin asked, surprised that a stutter had come out of his mouth.

   “In an hour or so,” Minho answered. “We’re going to transfer Jinri in the Intensive Care Unit in awhile so you can wait.”

   “But there are surprisingly a lot of you,” Doctor Jeon chuckled lightly. “You know the rules of the Intensive Care Unit, right? And since the operation just finished, it’s best if you all don’t bombard our patient with anything. She’s still going to need all the rest she can get.”

   “What took the operation so long, oppa?” Soojung asked Minho.

   “Jinri’s heart had gotten really weak so it was a very great timing that we did the operation. The donor heart, however, is a healthy one so we decided to do the orthotopic procedure and have her original heart removed.” Minho answered then smiled. “And Jinri made it. If we’re fortunate enough, she’ll be able to wake up before the day ends.”

   “Thank goodness,” Mrs. Choi sobbed. “Thank you, Minho-ya. Thank you!”

   Minho hugged his mother tight and looked at the happy faces of all of Jinri and Jongin’s friends but his smile faded when he saw how Taemin seriously looked at him. He mouthed the words “We need to talk” and all Minho could do was furrow his eyebrows and nod.

▢ ▢ ▢

It’s past ten in the evening already and everyone had gone home. Their friends couldn’t wait for Jinri to wake up but it was getting late. At least they were able to catch a glimpse of Jinri at the ICU before they left for their homes and they were all thankful that she is safe and she didn’t have to suffer anymore.

   Jongin refused to leave her side even when Mrs. Choi told him that he can go and at least rest. He wanted to keep his promise and he’ll keep it no matter how long it takes. He gently caressed Jinri’s cheek as she slept peacefully and even when she’s asleep, she already got her colors back, looking much livelier than before. His eyes travelled to her hand and saw the promise ring glinting despite the dimmed-lit room. Gently, he took her hand in his and kissed it with a smile, happy because Jinri is alright.

   The boy froze a second when he saw Jinri’s fingers move slightly and he turned to look at her, saying, “Jinri? Are you awake?”

   Jinri’s chest rose and fell, as if taking in a deep breath, before slowly opening her eyes and scanning the room she’s in.

   “Jinri?” Jongin stood from his seat and bent down, hovering Jinri’s body a little. “Can you hear me? Are you alright? Does it hurt anywhere?”

   When Jinri’s eyes met his, she smiled so gently that it melted Jongin’s heart. “You kept your promise,” she said in barely a whisper.

   Jongin stared at her for awhile and chuckled before kissing her forehead. “I’ll go get the doctor,” he was about to go when he felt her hand tightened on his a bit.

   “Stay here for awhile.” Jinri pleaded.

   Jongin stayed quiet for awhile before responding an “alright.” He went back to his seat, pulled the chair closer to the bed and rested his chin on the bed, smiling gently at Jinri. “How are you feeling?”

   “I can literally hear my heart beating loud and strong.” Jinri answered, returning back the smile.

   “Am I still the one inside your new heart?” Jongin joked.

   “Hmm,” Jinri narrowed her eyes to think about it.

   “Yah!” Jongin pouted and the girl just giggled.

   She may still feel a little weak because of the operation but seeing Jongin by her side made her feel energized nonetheless. “Pabo,” Jinri commented. “I told you, right? New heart or not, it’ll always beat for you. New heart or not, I will only love you.”

   Jongin smiled and lightly pinched her cheek.

   “Jongin, how long was I out?”

   “The operation finished at four and right now, it’s ten thirty in the evening already.” He informed.

   Jinri silently giggled, “I told you I’ll see you before the day ends.”

   “Yeah,” Jongin rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. “Welcome back, Jinri. Happy birthday,”

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Oh my god. I think this chapter gave too much heavy feels. I felt it too while I was writing and at some point, I kind of felt as if my eyes were sweating or something. Especially the part when Jinri was about to go inside the operating room and Jongin was being blocked by the nurses. Were you able to imagine it? ;w; Ew, the drama. OTL I even thought of dividing the chapter into two parts but I didn’t want you guys to suffer from too much seriousness so I just wrote it in one go. Don’t worry, I’ve thought of what the next chapter will be about and it’s quite light so you guys can breathe and enjoy or . . . whatnot. Also, I’m going to insert a chapter explaining Sehun’s side so you guys won’t feel heavy again and . . . yeah.

   Anyway, I just wanna say thank you guys for waiting and for being patient. I found the time to write the chapter and thought of updating right after finishing it because well, I love you guys. For those who welcomed me back from here and from my two other new fics, thank you too! I really appreciate it. You guys are too cute and I missed you as well! ♡ I just also wanna say that Closer, You and I will be updated really very slowly because I haven’t really thought of the whole story yet. I have ideas but they aren’t stable so yeah. Thanks again, guys! Sorry for the heavy feels. And I wasn’t intending to write a long Author’s Note—I wasn’t even planning to write an Author’s Note too but I wanted to talk to you guys and well, I did make it long anyway so sorry too, lmao.