Uncover

52.

-A year later-

"Oh my gosh, slow down Ji." Jieun panics as she almost trips over with the way Jisung is dragging her along, blindfolded.

"Oh sorry noona, I keep forgetting you have shorter legs." Jisung shakes his head as he slows down.

"What was that?" Jieun reaches out and even with her eyes covered, she manages to lightly smack Jisung's head. "You've been spending too much time with Haechan."

"Well-"

"I'm telling this to Renjun."

"Noona!" Horrified Jisung halts and Jieun almost runs into him.

"Jisung you can't just stop-"

"Noona, please not Renjun hyung. I'll do anything you ask."

Jieun smiles softly. She tightens their hands and pulls Jisung to her side.

After everything that happened Jisung seemed less like an 18-year-old and more like the adults around him. Remembering how he was a never a difficult child even during his childhood and teenage years, she at times pondered if the trauma had made him lose his innocence too quickly. Though she is always grateful whenever Jisung steps up to support her, protect her and comfort her, a part of her always worries that he grew up before his age. It also doesn't help that he is way taller than her now, taller than all of the boys. 

But at times like this she sees that Jisung is still her little brother, still the adorable young boy who gets flustered and whiny when teased. Jieun smiles because no matter how mature Jisung acts, in some ways, he would always be a big baby.

"Alright. Then tell me where are you taking me?"

"Noona, come on. You know I can't tell you. It's a surprise! Haechan hyung will kill me if he gets to know I revealed it to you."

"And Renjun would actually kill you if I tell him what you said to me."

"Noona, please..."

~~~

"Park Jisung, come back here!" Haechan yells as he chases after Jisung who ultimately crouches behind Chenle and Jaemin to hide. "How dare you expose the birthday party we worked so hard to plan and hide from her!?" Haechan gasps, crossing his arms.

With bent knees, Jisung peers over Chenle's shoulder. "It was either die by your hands or Renjun hyung's. You were the safer choice."

Haechan blinks, unable to decide if he was offended or happy or curious. He decides to go with all three. 

"And pray tell why you even had to choose?"

Highly amused and as a way of saving her cornered brother, Jieun slings an arm around Haechan. "Do you really think, I had no idea about the party?"

Jeno puts down the cake he was holding. "You knew? How?"

"Yeah, and I swear that was the most covert we have been our entire lives." Jaemin adds as if he is stating something obvious.

Jieun suppresses the urge to smile. She tilts her head in her boyfriend's direction.

"He's not good at hiding his expressions."

Chenle lets out a high-pitched giggle. "Yeah no. Renjun hyung would be the last person to do that noona."

Jieun shrugs. "You are not wrong. Maybe I just read him-"

Haechan runs a hand over his face. "I'm glad he's treating you well Eun. But. I worked hard to plan all of this!" He turns around to confront Renjun. The said boy is casually leaning back on the wall and doesn't even flinch.