✓ NETWORK LOVE ━ nct 127 af

❑ chapter fifty.

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( song of the day :
best part - daniel ceasar,
h.e.r. )

saerom sat on one of the monoblock chairs provided for the contest's audience. she couldn't help but perk up once it was haechan's turn.

her astonishment greatened even more once she heard the familiar instrumental boom through the speakers. it was that song. the one that changed her outlook on him just by how he began the song.

saerom remembered that honey like singing voice playing through her earphones when she entered a train going to work. haechan removed the dullness of her mind, adding in bright splurges.

and once more, all the sincere emotions he poured while singing that particular song started to radiate. the passion, the aspiration, the comfort.

her tears threatened to spill.

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"i can't take you home tonight," mark told nixie after a short sigh, stuffing his hands on his pants' pockets. "and probably for another four days or so, i don't know. let's end our driving to home idea. you can probably handle yourself alone."

she squinted in confusion, unable to understand the reason as to why the boy was unusually cold today. "are you joining the group disgusted in me because of the scandals? come on, mark i was━"

"i didn't ask for an explanation."

mark began walking away, but the girl luckily had the right timing in tugging his sleeve for him to stop. he turned around, a sharp glance that could honestly kill pointed towards her.

"even if that was true, why would you be affect━"

"because i like you!" mark angrily exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "i don't really know why i'm feeling this, but i just really can't accept the fact that you're getting all loved up by my best friend!"

"but mark━"

"i don't wanna be with you because it hurts so fucking much. maybe if i distance myself from you the pain will subside."

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haechan won.

and during those particular moments, saerom smiled wider than she ever had for the entirety of her adulthood, the sea of colorful confetti being a perfect representation to the emotions that reigned inside of her.

the next unexpected move was haechan stepping down the stage, his golden trophy still secured by his fingertips as he did so. his gaze was focused only on her with his mind transcending similar memories.

saerom actually gave him a big boost regarding his confidence, and her simple words of praise and motivation were more impactful than anyone could ever think of. believe it or not, what flattered him the most was how she slept at the end of the line with his voice in the background, considering it as a sweet lullaby.

when he finally stood in front of her, he couldn't help but think this was nothing but a mere dream. saerom's beauty was like the serenity present in night skies : soothing. she didn't even apply desperation to achieve it.

"will you be my girlfriend?" he found himself asking with spontaneity, not even caring about all the other guests watching in awe.

"but hyuck," when she started talking, her smiley face quickly dropped, drawing her bottom lip in between her pearly teeth, "i'm sterile."

"what? sterilize?"

[ hello : so being sterile means you can't get pregnant, and saerom is worried because hyuck might want a kid later on in life and she isn't able to bring him that

this is also one of the reasons why saerom's slot description says that she doesn't plan on falling in love. she's too scared of her partner eventually splitting up with her because they can't accept her condition ]

"i . . i can't have kids. i mean, i'd say yes but you . . maybe you want children in the future but you can't have them because of me being your partner. i don't want you to be sad because of that. are you really sure with wanting me as your girlfriend?"

haechan looked at her warmly, accompanied by a smile that was brighter than the sun.

"of course i still am!" his hands snaked to her waist (and perhaps he dropped the plastic trophy, oops). she gladly returned the gesture by draping both of her arms on his shoulders. "there are a lot of other options and i'd gladly try them out with you, ms. jung saerom."

"damn, you really like me, huh?"

"i love love love you."

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♤ gabrielle's note

might update quicker than usual because I have a shit ton of ideas and prewritten scenarios 👀