“Dream, meet my sister. Lee Haejin.”
Haejin felt her senses sharpen as she noticed the other members looking at her, awaiting her response. She offered a neat ninety-degree bow. “H-Hello, I’m Haejin…”
“Haejin, you’re going to stay here until everything’s sorted out, okay? Feel at home. Be comfortable,” Renjun said, his tone surprisingly gentle.
*Did Huang Renjun just talk to me? Oh my god, am I dreaming?* Haejin mentally patted herself on the back for not screaming. Standing before her idols, and having Renjun address her directly… it was almost too much.
“You’ll be one of us now. Hi, I’m Jisung,” Jisung offered his hand. Haejin shook it, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Wait, how old are you?” Haechan asked, ever direct.
“Hmm, I’m fourteen. Turning fifteen this May. I’m the same age as Jisung…” Haejin silently cheered herself for managing to speak without stuttering. She felt a genuine swell of happiness. If only Jaemin were here, she thought. She was happy now, truly she was. But a certain person was missing, and that person happened to be Na Jaemin.
“Oh, okay… hi, I’m Haechan!” Haechan and Haejin shook hands.
Her gaze drifted to the boy beside Haechan – Jeno, with his distinctive crescent eyes.
“Hi, I’m Jeno!” Jeno bowed slightly and shook Haejin’s hand.
“Annyeonghaseyo, Renjun imnida~” Haejin murmured to herself, almost involuntarily.
*This is surreal! I’m meeting NCT Dream!! I think I’m going to explode from the feels!* The thought bubbled within her, threatening to spill out as a giddy exclamation.
“Hi, I’m Chenle~” Chenle greeted her warmly.
After the introductions, they found Mark laughing—a loud, unrestrained laugh that seemed to come from nowhere. It was normal for him, they knew, but it felt… off.
“Mark-hyung, we really suggest you go see a doctor. You’re laughing by yourself, what the heck is wrong with you?” Haechan asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
Haejin chuckled softly. “If only you guys knew what he was like in Canada…”
“Why did you even bother introducing yourselves? I told you, she’s a fan. She knows you guys,” Mark said, finally regaining composure.
“Jinjja?” Haejin echoed, tilting her head.
The Dream members played dumb, or perhaps someone genuinely had forgotten Mark’s earlier remark. Jeno or Jisung, maybe.
Haejin nodded, and the boys laughed.
“Be comfortable… we’re all friends now,” Chenle said, smiling.
*Oh my gosh, Zhong Chenle smiled at me!* Haejin’s heart fluttered. If she could have fangirled freely, she would have. But she had to maintain composure, her brother was watching her, expecting her to act… civilized.
“Understood, Chenle-oppa,” she replied smoothly.
Jisung, standing beside Chenle, laughed, then leaned in to whisper something. Chenle’s face twisted into a playful grimace.
Though they were a few feet away, Haejin clearly overheard Jisung’s teasing, “Oppa~ Chenle-oppa~”
The other members looked at them and giggled.
*Why are they so cute? I want to scream!*
Chenle looked at Haejin and said, “Please… talk to me informally like Jisung does… you two are born the same year after all…”
“Anyways, we’re going to give you a tour here in Seoul with Taeyong-hyung later, okay?” Mark said. Haejin nodded.
***
“Hyung, can you go with us?” Mark approached Taeyong, who was carefully folding laundry—his own, Jaehyun’s, and Haechan’s.
“Go? Where?” Taeyong asked, placing the last shirt into Haechan’s pile. He looked at Mark, who was standing before him.
“My sister arrived, and I want to give her a tour here in Seoul before her training starts.”
“What if we get recognized?” Taeyong asked, his brow furrowing.
“Hyung, we’ll wear disguises, of course.”
“And if that doesn’t work? What if they still recognize us? Worse, we’re with a girl? What will they think?”
Mark stomped his foot, “Hyung, that won’t happen! We’ll be careful, okay? Hyung, please!”
“Fine! Fine!” Taeyong conceded, sounding exasperated.
“Wait, it’s a tour, right?” Taeyong asked.
Mark nodded, “Yes, why?”
“Can we bring Jaehyun with us? He knows where to eat good food.”
“Sure!”
***
“Taeyong-hyung, Jaehyun-hyung, meet my sister, Lee Haejin.”
Haejin stood frozen, awestruck. It took her a full five seconds to shake Taeyong’s hand that was extended toward her.
“Hello, sunbaenim! I’m Lee Haejin. N-nice to meet you,” Haejin bowed respectfully.
Taeyong laughed, “Don’t be too formal. I feel so old.”
“Hi, Haejin-ah, nice to meet you too,” Jaehyun smiled warmly.
Haejin nodded and returned the smile.
The four of them stood outside Dream’s dorm. Taeyong wore his hair down and a black mask, paired with a black coat. Mark, in contrast, sported a white mask and white coat, his hair also down. Jaehyun wore a black hoodie and white mask.
A gust of wind swept past, sending shivers through them all. Haejin glanced at her brother, whose bangs partially obscured his eyes. When had Mark become so handsome? No, she needed sleep.
She scanned the surroundings. It would take time to adjust to this place. It would take time, but she knew it would be worth it.
She glanced at her wristwatch: 6:27 am.
It was 6:27 am, and she was going out. Unlike in Canada, she couldn’t go out before 8 am. Here, she could. Because of work. Well, technically, this wasn’t work-related, but who cared? She just wanted to explore.
She was going out with NCT, which both thrilled and terrified her.
What if they got recognized? What if stalker fans spotted them? She shook her head. It wouldn’t happen. Think positive, Haejin-ah!
“Where are the others?” Taeyong asked.
Mark shrugged.
“Guys, hurry up! While it’s still early!”
The other members rushed outside. Jisung moved near Haejin and casually slung his arm around her shoulder. Chenle, meanwhile, grabbed Haejin’s left arm and clung to it.
*Oh great, I’m third-wheeling.*
Renjun locked the door and followed the others. Chenle released Haejin’s arm and ran toward Taeyong, engulfing him in a hug.
“Taeyong-hyuuuuuungggg!!!”
“Okay, let’s go!!”