Light It Up | NCT

Chapter 41

Haechan's POV

Everyone is depressed. That's not good. I should cheer them up.

Then again, I can't blame them. I'm devastated, too.

In exactly 15 hours, we are going to be returning to Korea. To our lives as idols. To leave Kayla. To leave this house that feels like home. To leave the fun, leisurely things we can do here.

Who knew we would get so attached to this place

"So, should we get... um... packing?" Taeyong asks, looking upset.

"It's kind of our only choice," I try to make a snarky remark, but the energy isn't there.

"Let's do it," Kayla suggests without emotion. Even Mark's "Let's Get It!" is missing its usual hype. What is wrong with us?

I follow Doyoung to our guest room, lagging behind him. He pulls out a few suitcases that we bought and rolls one to each of us.

"Pack," he orders curtly. We scramble to grab items from the closet, dressers, and shelves to stuff into the suitcases.

Within half an hour, we're pretty much done. That would be a record. Doyoung's even checked each of our suitcases and finished his customary nagging. At least somebody is continuing normal behavior.

"So... now what?" Yuta questions, sitting down on his unusually clean bed, with nothing but the sheets, blankets, and pillows on it.

"I think we should-" Doyoung starts, but gets cut off by his phone ringing.

"Hey, Taeyong," he greets the person on the other end.

"Put it on loudspeaker!" Hendery hisses. To my surprise, Doyoung complies, and now we can hear both ends of the conversation.

"So, the managers sent me all the plane tickets to print out, and there was an EXTRA ONE! They told me it was a mistake and to just ignore it," Taeyong says excitedly.

"So your point is..." Yuta mutters, and I'm sure Taeyong heard him.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Taeyong continues, ignoring Yuta. Doyoung's face suddenly lights up with realization. I piece everything together and gasp.

"You sure?" Doyoung asks, as if he and Taeyong have already exchanged a message through telepathy.

"Of course I'm sure," our leader confirms, then teases, "You wouldn't want to make the children sad, would you?"

"What? I mean..." Doyoung mumbles stubbornly.

"You wouldn't want to see Jisung crying, would you? Or a depressed group of Dreamies?" Taeyong taunts persuasively, his voice filled with emotion.

"Alright! Fine!" Doyoung surrenders, although I have a suspicion that he's secretly relieved.

"Okay! When do we tell everyone? By the way, I'm hiding out in the bathroom right now," Taeyong says.

"TMI, and we should tell them as soon as possible," Doyoung responds, the excitement in his tone obvious.

"Alright, I'll text everyone to meet in the living room," Taeyong decides impatiently, about to hang up.

"Wait! What happens if Kayla says no?" Doyoung stops him.

Taeyong considers this for a moment, then replies, "I'm sure we'll be able to persuade her. See you later!"

"Wait, Doyoung, did you guys even have the same idea?" Hendery questions, as it's his first time witnessing the magic between Doyoung and Taeyong.

"I'm sure we did," Doyoung assures him, then starts herding us out of the room. To be honest, I'm not sure if I was even thinking the same thing as then. We'll see.

Within a few minutes, all 24 of us are gathered in the familiar meeting place again, seated in our customary places on the couch.

"Why do some of you look so happy? This might be the last time we sit here..." Jisung sniffles, looking downcast and glancing at the smiling faces of Doyoung and Taeyong.

"Don't be so negative, it'll be okay," Kayla tries to comfort him, although she doesn't look too cheerful herself.

"Yeah, don't be too sad, because we have something to tell you all!" Taeyong bursts out. The whole group turns their attention to them in interest.

"So, we have an extra plane ticket," Doyoung begins, leaning forwards and then pausing.

"And you were wondering if I wanted to come with you guys," Kayla finishes his sentence. So I was thinking the right thing.

"Yes!" Doyoung confirms, not even upset that he was interrupted as he waits for her answer expectantly.

"I'm not sure if I can..." she trails off guiltily. "I'd have to clear all of my responsibilities here before I could go to Korea with you guys."

"Please!" Shotaro pleads.

"I-" Kayla starts hesitantly.

"Please!" all of the Dreamies plead simultaneously. No way she rejects them.

"Only if I can clear my responsibilities," she says stubbornly.

"What if we help you clear them?" Kun asks, now also in on the convincing.

"I doubt you can, but sure," Kayla shrugs.

"Let's get it!" Mark cheers, and this time it sounds very normal and Mark-like.

Operation Kayla has begun.

~💡~

What am I doing...

Thanks for reading!