"Come on, Unnie. Just this once please?"
"No is no, Ningning. That's final." The older sister said as she was busy typing in her desktop computer
"You're so annoying, Yiyang unnie!" She said as she stomp her foot
"Well your twin brother said I'm an angel so.." she shrugged and turned her swivel chair around to face her younger sibling, "look, mom and dad trusted me to look after you both, and you going to a party is not looking out for you." She said, crossing her legs as she stared at Ningning's eyes
The girl groaned
"You're only 17, Ningning. You're not even at legal age-"
"But unnie-"
"No buts. You'll stay here." She said and turned around to continue her paper
Ningning, frustrated, marched herself out of her sister's room and groaned as she sat at the couch beside her twin, Chenle
"Can you not be so loud, I'm watching Naruto here." Chenle said while eating chips
"I can't believe I'm the only one who will not go to Herin unnie's farewell party tonight. It's so unfair!" She whined, making Chenle look at her weirdly
"I'm not going."
"It's because you rejected Lami's invite!" She practically shouted, frustration all over her face
"It's because I know noona wouldn't approve."
Ningning groaned once more and watched the animated series in front of her.
Her sister wasn't always strict, she's more loose before but after her big breakup with her longtime boyfriend, she changed. She almost doesn't go out with her friends anymore and she also just mostly leave the house to study and work part time at a restaurant near their house.
"Get over it, Ning-ah. Just understand, Yiyang noona. She's been thru a lot." Chenle said, she knows he's right and she should understand her sister's situation.
"Fine." Ningning muttered, feeling guilty all of a sudden for throwing tantrums earlier, "I'll apologize later."
She was disturbed by the sudden buzz of her phone. It was Herin, she naybe messaged everyone to remind them about the party.
Herin: hey! Hope to see you later tonight. Don't be late, okay? ♡
She quickly typed in a reply when another text message came up.
Renjun: ningning, what time will you go to Herin's party? Let's go together.
Ningning: I'm not going, my sister didn't allowed me. Sorry.
Renjun: what? That's a bummer.
Renjun: is there really no way you can just stop by? Even just make an appearance for an hour.
Ningning: hopeless situation. :(
Renjun: how about I go there and ask permission from your sis?
She didn't get to reply as she locked her phone when Yiyang called them suddenly.
The twins both stood up and rushed to their sister's room, they saw her packing up getting ready to go out.
"I need to talk to you briefly." She said and smiled as she saw the twins sat on her bed, "I know I have been getting strict to both of you lately."
She smiled and stood in front of them, swinging her backpack on one of her shoulders.
"Unnie, before you go I just wanna say I'm sorry for the way I act earlier." Ningning said quickly as she was looking at her with apologetic eyes, "I know that you've been stress lately and me acting like a child is-"
"I'm letting you go to the party." Yiyang quickly cut her off, smiling widely when she saw how Ningning's face lit up.
"You are!?" Chenle and Ningning said in unison
"You're right, I have been stressed out lately and I have been hard on both of you these past few weeks, I'm also sorry for not letting you have fun lately." She said and sat in between her siblings, "I just don't want you to be in any harm and I just don't want you to be in a situation where you are hurting."
The twins knew their elder sibling is struggling not only with work but also with school, and the fact that she is going thru a breakup is not helping.
"I love you guys." Yiyang said and as soon as she pulled them closer, the 2 siblings hugged her tight, assuring her that everything will be fine in the future.
"But before I go, I want you Chenle to go with your sister. And no drinking alcohol or smoking." She said as she simultaneously looked at them, "also be home by 9. If you're not here by 9 on the dot, I'll cut your allowance in half for next month."
"EH? Isn't that too much?" Ningning widen her eyes as she exclaimed
"Are you going to the party or not?" Yiyang stood up, dusted her clothes when her younger sibling suddenly hugged her again
"I will. Sorry. I'll make sure to be home at 9 sharp. No drinking alcohol and smoking, promise." The girl said smiling widely her eyes twinkling with excitement, "and besides, it's just a farewell party for Herin unnie since she's going to study in England for her remaining school years."
Yiyang nodded as she kissed them both on the cheek and went down.
"I'll be at work, call me immediately when you encounter any sort of problem. I'll be home at 8, eat dinner before you go home and also again be home at-" Yiyang opened the door and she suddenly stopped talking when she saw a boy with light brown hair and small eyes is waiting in front of their door
"Renjun oppa?" Ningning called suddenly when her sister opened the door, "why are you here?"
"Good afternoon, Yiyang-ssi. I'm Renjun, one of Chenle and Ningning's upperclassmen."
Yiyang eyed him, her eyebrow raised and nodded for him to continue
"I would just like to ask if Ningning could go to the farewell party with us, it's just a small get together with the few sunbaes and hoobaes. You see she and Chenle are part of our performing artist club so that's why they were invited." Yiyang nodded still staring at the kid who is trying hard not to pee in his pants because of how intimidating the older girl is.
Ningning was just staring at them, mixed emotions but mostly embarrassed of what she is seeing.
"I promise to take them home at 8:30 sharp." He quickly said and bowed 90° while waiting for the girl to reply
Yiyang crossed her arms and tried her best not to scoffed at the boy's actions, she turned her head to look at Ningning who was standing behind her, she mouthed 'boyfriend?' but the girl quickly denied.
"Alright. She'll make an appearance. I'll trust you that you'll take them home at 8:30 sharp, if not you know there will be consequences." Yiyang sternly said, Renjun straightened up and nodded
"Yes ma'am. Understood."
Yiyang nodded and proceeded in walking outside to go to work. She bid her goodbye to the 3 as her figure disappear from their sight.
"Oppa." Ningning called, her face unreadable, "what was that?!"
"What? I just asked permission. You're welcome." He smiled and let himself in as he sat beside Chenle who is now playing video games
"Yah. I didn't ask you to do that."
"You didn't replied to my text. Silence means yes, right?"
"No! Silence means let me think about it first." Ningning said as she walked out and stomp her way up to her room.
"My twin is such a pain in the butt." Chenle said while giving him the controller.
Renjun nodded and prepared to play with Chenle
"I don't even know why you like her."
The boy just smiled, "I also have no idea why. But maybe you'll understand when you feel the same way I am feeling."
Chenle turned to him, face full of disgust, as he shook his head. Hyung lost it. He thought.
It was now 5PM and the 3 guys prepared to leave the house to go the the party.
"Should I really come?"Chenle whined as he was watching Ningning ran around the house to check everything before leaving
"OF COURSE!" She screamed, "Herin unnie would be sad if you will not show up."
"And you're his favorite maknae." Renjun added
"I thought Lami was her favorite?" The boy eyed the 2 but quickly stood up and said "ah let's just get it over with. Let's go."
Renjun and Ningning looked at the boy going out on its own and looked at each other, laughed and shaked their head in unison.
As they were waiting for UBER to arrive, the 3 were silent, Chenle was minding his own business playing with his phone as Ningning was texting her friends, Renjun couldn't help but steal glances at the girl. She's gorgeous. He thought.
"Oppa? Is there something wrong?" Ningning asked when she caught him staring
Renjun woke up from his senses and smiled awkwardly, "ah nothing. I thought I saw a bee fly somewhere." Ningning nodded and saw the car parking in front of them, she proceeded in sitting in front while the 2 guys sat at the back.
"Bees? Really hyung?"
"Shut up." Chenle chuckled
The ride was not that long, only a good 10 minutes since it's not that far.
"NINGNING!" Herin opened the door when they arrived and immediately hugged the chinese kid, she also high-fived Renjun and pinched Chenle's cheek, "I'm so happy you could make it. Come inside and feel at home, foods in the kitchen and the others are playing spin the bottle."
The 3 nodded as Ningning found her way beside Lami and Hina who were chatting and eating some snacks
"Ohhh! Renjun-ah, did you fetch the twins?" Koeun teased as she saw Renjun with Chenle eating on the table
"He did." Chenle answered earning a glare from the boy
"Aigoo, this kid is grown up now, courting a girl." Mark said and laughed
"Ah hyung! I'm not courting her." Renjun defended himself but his ears are now turning red
"Well you should, considering that you're trying so hard to be close to her..."
"And failing miserably." Koeun and Mark high-fived, Renjun groaned at their teasing but somehow it is true.
Renjun's been trying hard to be friends with Ningning but he knows she only sees her as a sunbae and reliable oppa.
"I told you my twin is hopeless." Chenle patted his back, "and I bet noona wouldn't approve of her having a boyfriend."
Chenle then walked out and sat beside his friend Jisung who is currently playing Tekken on the wide screen TV.
Koeun and Mark chuckled as they pulled the boy in to play spin the bottle with the others.
"Just in time friends!" Herin said, "Haechannie is just about to do his gwiyomi dare."
"You'll pay for this." He said as he stared at the camera in front of him, Jeno was recording everything to Herin's orders as he did some cute poses while singing to the gwiyomi song
Their friends in the circle cheered while some groaned in disgust.
"Alright, spin." Haechan demanded as Herin spun the empty wine bottle as they wait for it to stop to a certain person
"HINA!" Herin said happily
"Truth." The girl exclaimed while grinning
"If you were stuck in a boat with Jeno and Jaemin with only 2 life vests left, who will you save?" Koeun was the one to ask
"Noona, do you want us to die?" Jeno said but everyone shush him as they listen to what Hina answered
"Well, I'll just give them the life vests."
"Eh?! You'll die instead!" Both Jeno and Jaemin said in unison
"Silly, I'll give you the life vest and throw you out the water so I can ride the boat to the shore and save myself."
With Hina's wits, everyone laughed except for the 2 guys involved who might or might not got hurt by the girl's answer.
As time passed by, everyone seemed to have lots of fun. They played plenty of games and took many pictures for Herin's scrapbook and also talked about their memories with each other.
"Hey, have you guys seen Chenle?" Ningning asked suddenly as she scanned the room for her twin
"Nope." Jaemin answered, "he's with Jisung last time I saw him."
Ningning looked at Renjun with worriness in her eyes
"I called him but he's not picking up."
"Oh hey Ningning, Renjun hyung." Jisung called, he was passing by eating some chips
"Jisung-ah, have you seen Chenle?" Renjun asked
"Oh, Lele said he will go home early. I heard the new episode of One Piece is going to air at 8 so he told me he will be on his way."
"Aish that kid!" Ningning said as she gritted her teeth, "did he at least bid his goodbye to Herin unnie?"
Jisung nodded and smiled. The girl also smiled and let out a sigh of relief but still annoyed at the fact that her twin left her.
"Do you want me to take you home also?" Renjun asked
"No that's okay." She answered as she proceed to sitting beside Herin who is still engulfed with the spin the bottle, the only players are now Herin Mark and Koeun
"Come play with us." Herin said as she dragged Renjun to sit beside Mark.
The girl spinned the bottle and landed to
"Renjunnie!" Herin exclaimed excitedly
"Truth." The boy said while smiling at his Herin noona
"Are you courting Ningning?" Herin asked innocently while nudging the chinese girl beside her
"Unnie..."
Renjun's ears got red instantly, he glanced up to meet Ningning's eyes as he answered "no."
They were silent for a moment and awkwardness filled the air.
And just in time, Ningning's phone rang. It was her alarm indicating that she needs to be home because of the curfew.
"Oh. Okay dear, let's take a photo first before you leave." Herin said and fetching her phone in the kitchen
"I'll wait for you outside." Renjun whispered to Ningning's ear as she only nodded in response
Koeun and Mark eyed them and can only chuckle. They are so bad at hiding their feelings. Mark thought as he gave Renjun a nod before he went out the house.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Ningning finally went out after 5 minutes of taking photos. She saw Renjun fumbling with his phone.
"Oh it's fine. I couldn't get an UBER. It's taking me a book one."
"Wanna walk until you book a car?" Ningning suggested but didn't really waited for his reply and instead started walking
The boy jogged to followed her and ended up beside her as he still tried to book a car for them.
The walk was silent and awkward. Their footsteps can be heard and the two were keeping a good distance, Ningning was only looking at her shoes while Renjun could only steal glances at the girl.
"Hey oppa." Ningning called, stopping her tracks as she cling on the the straps of her sling bag and looking at her feet.
Renjun also stopped and faced the girl
"Do you like me?"
The boy's eyes widen in shock and was taken aback by her sudden interrogation.
He saw her bit her lower lip and started walking again.
"Nevermind." She said
"Wait wait." He quickly pulled her back by holding her arm and making Ningning face him
Renjun's ear were not flushed red and he prayed that it was too dark for Ningning to notice.
"I do like you"
"So you like me but not courting me?" Ningning asked, both of them staring at each other.
Renjun swears his heart stopped beating because of how nervous he is.
"I-" he scratch the back of his neck and let out a heavy sigh.
Ningning waited for him to explain because she is also getting confused of his actions.
"I don't know." He could only say those words.
"You're confusing, Renjun oppa. All this time I thought you are courting me. You always buy me bread when it's lunch and with all those nice things you always say to me? And you taking care of me in school and in the club you always look out for me? And this.." The girl stopped, disappointment evident in her eyes.
"You wait for me and Chenle and take us home after school. You even walked me home tonight. Were you just being nice? Am I just overthinking this?" Ningning continued as she looked up again to saw how Renjun would respond
"No.. I really like you, Ningning. It's just... I thought you only see me as your upperclassmen." He admitted and sighed again, Ningning also sighed and shaked her head, "I messed up didn't I?"
"Yep." Ningning said and continued to walk
"Do you want me to stop? Stop doing those things to you? And stop confusing you?"
Ningning twirled around and walked backwards while saying, "No."
Renjun smiled at the cuteness of the girl.
"I want you to court me. Because I like you too." She confessed and then twirled around and walked normally again.
"You what?" Renjun was now smiling widely as he jogged to catch up with her
Ningning could only smile while holding back her laughter.
Renjun smiled, he didn't needed Ningning to repeat what she said, because by the way the girl is smiling, he knows he made her happy.
"This is your home." Renjun announced when they arrived in front of the girl's house.
"Yep. I'll see you around then." She said as she was about to open the door
"Hey." She turned to look at him, her eyes filled with curiousity
"Nothing. I just want to say good night." Ningning smiled and nodded as she went inside. Renjun then proceeded to walking, a smile still plastered on his face.
He couldn't help but feel giddy.
When he got home, he immediately called Ningning.
"You're still awake?"
"I was just about to go to bed. Did you arrive home safely?"
"Hmm.." he responded, still smiling while he lay on his bed staring at his ceiling
"Hey Oppa, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure what is it?"
Just then a different voice was heard on the call
"Can you wait until my sister graduates high school before you date?" It was Yiyang, Renjun quickly stood up from his bed and got flustered
"Ah. Of course ma'am. I'm willing to wait for her until she is ready."
"Aigoo, I already heard that line so many times."
"Oh, don't you worry Yiyang-ssi, I am a man of my words. I promise to not hurt Ningning and to always protect her and take care of her."
Silence. Renjun couldn't help but feel nervous because the silence he is hearing was defeaning
"All right, Renjun. I trust you will keep your word. For now, the only date you can both have is by taking her home everyday after school but that's just it. Ningning should focus on her studies."
"UNNIE!"
Renjun couldn't help but smile, he nodded by himself and responded with a firm "yes"
"Alright, don't talk to long now you 2 get some sleep." Yiyang said
"Thank you, Yiyang-ssi. Good ni-"
But the call got cut off. Renjun sat on the edge of his bed, grinning by himself. He was about to go to bed when he received a text message.
"Good night oppa. Sweet dreams. Thanks for taking me home today. I'll see you tomorrow." - Ningning