❄︎ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘖𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴

+ Chapter Twenty-Three: Santa Brought Me You +

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soobin's pov
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"What?" I asked. My heart started beating fast. It's beating different than before.

"Y-You're joking... right?" I asked hesitantly.

She started laughing, and I already knew it was a prank. I shouldn't really be assuming things. It's bad for my mind, seriously.

I always thought Lia wouldn't be a prankster. She's such a serious girl in my eyes, who would've thought...

"I wasn't," she said. Huh?

"I mean, I do like you. Your fans does too, and same goes for me." Oh... that's what she means.

Why am I feeling so disappointed?

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beomgyu's pov
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"Chaeryeong should be doing this job. Aish. Why did she have to buy today..." Ryujin sighed.

We were assigned to do a performance for the children. I was supposed to be fine with it, but going on stage again is making me think a lot of thoughts. The same as what happened last time in that Christmas program.

"Hey Beomgyu," Ryujin called me. I looked up at her, and saw that she was looking me like she was seeing right through me.

Now I understood why, she's a spirit who knows your personality. She's not just a spirit who can determine if you're naughty or nice. She's a spirit who knows you well, she can read your mind, and she can understand you.

"I know you know why I'm like this." I chuckled.

"I never thought you wouldn't feel better after the amusement park travel." She sat next to me.

"That amusement park was supposed to make people who feel lost better, and find themselves there." I knew it. That is why Yeonjun hyung, Soobin hyung, and the other two looked brighter than usual. We were all lost, and it looks like I was left alone.

"Did you feel deeply sad or deeply worried that day?" She asked.

Yes...you got kidnapped, and I was very worried that I might... I sighed, and nodded.

"Well... I'm here now. Aren't I?" She smiled.

I don't know what came to me, but I hugged her tightly. She doesn't know how glad I was when I saw her walking with Huening Kai towards our car. Why do I feel so attached...

Then the show manager gave us the song, and I smiled as I read the lyrics. It was English, but I thankfully understood what it means.

Santa Brought Me You - Laura Marano ft. Kris P.

"Okay. Let's do this. I'll play the guitar, you sing." I said.

"What? I'm going to sing?" Ryujin asked. I chuckled and nodded.

"No..."

"Come on. I bet you're good at singing."

We practiced, and I was singing the first stanza. Next, it was her turn.

I almost stopped strumming the guitar when I heard her voice. She doesn't have the voice of a usual girl, it was deeper, but it was beautiful.

My cheeks started heating up, so I looked down and started focusing on the chords of the song. I shouldn't feel this way. She and I are two different beings. It can't happen.

It was now our turn to perform, and children were filled with excitement to see our performance. I was smiling on the outside, but I was still nervous.

"Seriously Beomgyu? Okay... think about the things that made your Christmas days at least a bit better. So that you can feel the song even more." I nodded.

A thing?

I started singing, but what Ryujin said is still on my mind. What is it? I know that I was happier this Christmas, but who made me happier? My group members? Probably... but I wasn't feeling it.

It was her turn again, and I couldn't help but look at her while she was singing. She was happily singing for the children, and the audience were cheering and shouting for her. She would become a great idol.

I stood up from my chair, and dropped the guitar slowly as the instrumental of the song started playing.

This isn't something I would normally do
But I guess the seasons got me falling for you

She took a step closer to me, and I knew it was all an act. But... there's something in her eyes that made me so confused. It was like she meant the words she just sung.

I sent all my wishes in a letter
But that Santa, he knew better, 'cause he brought me you

Right. He brought me you.

Ryujin.

Or did he bring you to me, for my temporary happiness?
.
.
.

After the performance, we went to the backstage immediately.

Ryujin was smiling.

I wasn't.

"Congratulations Beom-" and her soft lips met mine.