Replay || l.jeno

C l i p - 19

"It feels nice to be back!" Namu beamed. She happily skipped to her usual chair in the library. Jeno followed after her and took his seat across her. "We're back in our own little world."

It had been three months since that day and school had finally begun. Johnny and Namu told everyone else in NCT a couple of days after the incident and all of them swore to protect the secret. Almost all the members had admitted that they have been interacting with her through their stan account.

Except for Jeno.

"Jeno. Can we talk outside?" Johnny called quietly. Everyone else was busy talking and didn't notice the two slip out of the room.

"What did you want to talk about?" The younger asked.

"Well, Namu doesn't want to tell me what her mom told her. I think she'll open up to you but if she does, don't tell me. I want her to tell me when she's ready." Johnny started. "Other than that, Doyoung slipped and accidentally told me about your feelings for Namu."

Jeno felt the panic in him rise as he prepared for the lecture of a lifetime. He tried to play it cool and  "What about it?"

"First of all, I appreciate your genuine feelings for her and everything you've done for her. But I'll tell you what I told Mark." Johnny said. "She's young and has been through a lot. I hope you don't hurt her or put her on the spot. If she comes crying to me I'll forget you're my friend."

"So you don't favor anyone?"

"No. I'm not that biased, I just want her to be happy and safe with whoever she chooses." Johnny answered. "Second, I hope this doesn't affect your friendship with Mark. By the looks of it, I think it already did."

"What exactly is their relationship?" Jeno asked.

"They're close friends. You know how Mark feels with the pressure and expectations everyone put in him right?" Johnny explained. "Namu's been the one to always calm him down and keep his head straight. He's also Namu's rant buddy."

"Then he has a bigger advantage than me." Jeno thought out loud. He realized what he said and covered his mouth.

"You never know. Sometimes, a person you've known for four months can make you feel more than someone you've known for four years."

"You actually sound wise." Jeno joked. Johnny messed his hair.

"But I have one request."

"What?"

"Wait til she's 17 before you try to make a move."

"Earth to Jeno!"

"I'm sorry what was that?" Jeno apologized. He put his pencil down and put his full attention on the girl.

"I asked what hair color do you plan to get for the next comeback." Namu repeated. She had asked the rest of dream except for Jeno. They were preparing for We Go Up which she helped choreograph.

"I'm actually not sure. I was thinking of keeping it black but I want to try another color." Jeno answered, playing with the tips of his bangs. "What color do you think would suit me?"

"How about light hair like blonde? I think blonde hair suits you a lot. I really liked your hair during 'We Young' era." Namu suggested. She saw his hesitation in answering and understood he wasn't as confident. "How about brown?"

"Sounds good." He answered. "Will you accompany me to the salon? So you can choose."

"Treat me to ice cream on the way then." She bargained, a cheeky grin on her face. He was glad she gained more confidence.

"You've been spending too much time with Donghyuck if you're getting shameless like that. What should I do with you?" Jeno jokingly sighed. He shook his head and she stuck her tongue out at him. "And give me my hoodie back."

"It's mine now." Namu said, hitting him with her sweater paws. "I look better in it."

Jeno pointed to the notebooks on the table. "Go do your homework now so we can play more video games later after practice."

Namu's life force drained when she opened the first notebook. She hated doing homework the most. She just wanted to laze around and play video games already. While the girl was busy, Jeno was doodling in his notebook.

"My brother talked to you that day, didn't he?"

"He kind of did." Jeno let out a sheepish laugh as he scratched the back of his neck.

"It's written all over your face you know. You can ask me, I'll answer you honestly and directly now." Namu pointed out. She finished up her math homework and moved onto her science homework.

"Are you willing to share with me what happened that night?" Jeno asked. He put his notebook aside and put a hand over hers. "I don't want you to force yourself."

"That night... I met with my mom at a restaurant. She treated me to a meal but didn't talk to me. She didn't talk to me until it was time to go." Namu explained. She squeezed Jeno's hand as she recalled the nights. "She told me that was the only time she'd meet me. She doesn't want to see the result of her mistakes. She said a child like me should have never been born."

"She's wrong!" Jeno exclaimed. He was shushed by the librarian from afar. He calmed down himself down. "She's wrong about her last statement. She doesn't want you because she can't acknowledge that you're not a mistake. You're a blessing. If she doesn't want you don't worry. I want you."

"Eh?" Namu squeaked. Did she hear the last sentence right?

"W-we want you. All of us. NCT." Jeno stammered. "We love and appreciate you and you shouldn't care about her anymore! Show them they're wrong!"

Namu burst into laughing fit, earning another warning from the librarian. She tried her best to muffle her laughter with her hand as she put her head down on the table.

Jeno's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Did I say something funny?"

"You made the same face when you're playing games. I never expected you to react this way." Namu laughed. "You're so adorable!"

"Yah!"

"But I really do appreciate the thought." Namu thanked. She wiped the tear from her eyes as she finally stopped laughing. "I've heard worst things than that from my dad, but I guess it just hurt because it came from my mom."

"Then it's not okay!"

"But it will be because I have you, my brother and the rest of the guys." Namu assured. "Looking back at it I'm happy that I was able to meet her and have one meal with her."

"What's important is that you're okay." Jeno mumbled.

"But what were you drawing earlier?"

"Secret."