Chapter Ten 

The first thing he heard when he first woke up in the dorm were the busy steps. Like there were people running around just to get things ready for something. 

Dino groaned and got out of his bed—the double-decker bed that the members used to save space for beds—and approached the door. When he twisted the doorknob, he noticed how the footsteps silenced almost immediately and he couldn't hear a thing anymore. 

Weird, Dino thought, pulling the door open as he stepped out of his room. 

In a short second, Dino didn't put too much thought about a birthday surprise arranged by his members and the moment all of them popped out of their hiding place, yelling, "Surprise!"

Dino didn't know what else to feel. 

"Happy birthday, our youngest troop," Seungcheol greeted, bringing the cake closer to where Dino stood, utterly surprised and speechless. 

"Aw, look at him. He's about to cry," Jun teased, walking closer to Dino and holding him in his arms. 

"Are you that happy, Dino?" Seungkwan asked, trying to search Dino's face, but his face was buried in Jun's sleeve of his t-shirt. 

Dino was really speechless. He wasn't sure what else to say. He was thankful for all their existence and them throwing him a surprise on his birthday. 

Dino dried his tears and faced all the hyungs, who were beaming as they watched him. "Thank you so much. I wasn't expecting so much on my birthday but..."

The others cooed, "Aww."

Jun held him in his arms again, laughing as he ruffled Dino's hair. "It's okay, Dino. Just let it out. It's fine to cry like this."

"And... we've got another surprise!" The8 excitedly said, approaching Dino with a grin. 

Dino looked up, probably looking funny to the other members because of him crying. "Another surprise?" 

"We all got you gifts!" The8 excitedly said, pulling out of box filled with things wrapped in wrapping paper. "We'll put this in your room for now. You can open it later tonight, when we are free. Right now, Mingyu's going to make you a special birthday breakfast before we—"

"—we head on with our day. Schedules and all," Seungcheol helped The8 finished his sentence, as if he wanted to live up to his leader title. 

The8 looked at him with astonishment before shaking his head at him. "Hyung!"

"What?" Seungcheol asked innocently, as if he did nothing wrong. "Just doing my leader duties, Minghao."

"Well, then. Someone help Dino calm down. He's looking very unattractive on his birthday. While someone does that, I'm going to go ahead and cook," Mingyu said, chuckling before he disappeared to the kitchen. 

Seokmin followed after, saying something like he could help work on sauces and such. 

That show One Fine Day—or at least it was called that until they changed it to 13 Stranded Island Boys—really did something to the two, Dino thought while someone passed him some tissues. 

"We have schedules to attend to and after that, later in the evening, we'll take a picture of you with the fan gifts," Jeonghan explained, giving Dino a pat on the head. "Whose baby are you?"

Dino nearly gagged. Jeonghan was always asking Dino that question, but he had no other choice but to answer it. "Jeonghan hyung's."

"That's a good boy." Jeonghan patted Dino on the head again. 

"Well, we'll have another busy day ahead of us. We better start preparing right now before manager hyung arrives," Seungcheol advised. 

"Nae!" the others answered. 

+ + + 

Their schedules were as busy as usually, for most of the day. Talk shows. Music programs. Radio shows. Dino was starting to get tired from all that driving around and preparations. But because he chose this walk in life, he should at least take on it and see if there would be a better tomorrow to hope for. Because no one knows what will happen tomorrow. 

Whenever Dino felt tired, his members always managed to cheer him up or encourage him. That's what SEVENTEEN does. They're not just business friends who work under the same entertainment and group label. They're friends who's got each others's backs whenever needed. 

As Dino was going around with his group, his mind was overthinking and filled with different thoughts. Some thoughts concerned how he was going to do on the talk show, and that he hoped he won't mess up in any way. Another thought concerned his birthday and how fast time flies. The last thought—

Dino felt his lips pull up into a smile when he realized what the last thought was. 

The last thought was about Hwan Hyejin. He wondered when exactly could they hangout and he was still trying to find a free day for the two of them to head somewhere and just talk and maybe even enjoy each other's presence, like normal people for once. Putting aside the titles they have gained, they were still two normal people. Just a boy with a girl in a crowded place, but they could only hear each other's voices and thoughts, not anyone else's. 

While they were in the car, heading to another destination, Dino noticed how the others were trying so hard to stay awake. But they all knew they needed a few minutes of shut eye. They were tired, after all. 

Dino wanted to sleep, too. But his phone was keeping him awake and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Nevertheless, he was back on Wattpad, checking Hyejin's profile once again. 

He had nothing better to read so he decided to read her facts book once again. It went back to the first chapter of her book—the introductions. Dino skipped to the first official chapter of her book. The one with her trivial facts such as name, place of birth, family members and her birthday. 

Birthday: 12 February 2001 

Dino's eyes squinted as he stared at her birthday. He thought, Her birthday's a day after mine? Wait... her birthday is tomorrow? 

After realizing it, Dino let out a small gasp, careful not to wake up The8, who was sitting next to him in the mini bus. His eyes scanned around the vehicle. He wanted to get her something, but he wasn't sure what. 

What could she possibly like?

Then, Dino came up with a brilliant idea. It wasn't a birthday gift idea, but it was somewhat close. He was going to ask Hyejin what she likes and what could be a perfect birthday gift for her birthday. Indirectly and anonymously, of course. 

@dinorawr17: hi again, hwan hyejin! just dropping by to ask what type of gifts do you like for your birthday? who knows? maybe this oppa might get you something :3

Dino wasn't being obvious. Hyejin has never talked to him about his Wattpad account, so she probably didn't know it was him. For all he knew, Hyejin probably thought his account was just a one in a million of accounts out there in South Korea.

Not long after, he had received a reply. She must be on online on Wattpad, currently.

@hwan_ji replied to your message: Hmm... Well, I do like original items :) Mostly reading so maybe a good letter would do hehe :3 DIY items are also cute and... OH! MOSTLY FOOD! OR HOT CHOCOLATE! I looooooooooove hot chocolate! 

@dinorawr17: is that so? hehe, maybe I'll get you one of something :) happy advance birthday, hwan hyejin! hope you'll enjoy your day tomorrow :) it's cool how your birthday is a day after dino's birthday :) 

@hwan_ji: I know, right?! It's like we're meant to be \(^o^)/ Just kidding. If Dino read this, I'd be sooooo embarrassed X3

Dino felt guilty knowing that now. But she didn't know. He'll make sure she'll never find out he's @dinorawr17. It'd be easier this way if he stayed anonymous to her. 

@dinorawr17: hehehe XD

There was nothing else Dino could do on his phone so he decided to just screen lock it and look outside the window, where he noticed a sign the mini bus was passing by. Not exactly a sign but more like a poster of a certain person's face. 

Hwan Hyejin. 

A poster of her beautiful face was standing right in front of a bookstore. When the minibus SEVENTEEN was in stopped in front of a red light, Dino took out his phone and snapped the amazing picture in front of him. Using it as an excuse, he sent it to Hyejin with the teasing caption of: look who's famous ;) 

It honestly still felt so unreal for Dino to be texting his idol like they were just friends who went to the same school. It was kind of like Hoshi seeing Key as a host on MCountdown and him fan boying whenever he had the chance to. 

It was all the same. 

Although, it was different in a few ways, just the same. Hoshi was a fan boy of a boy group. Dino was a fan boy for a young, girl author that wrote a fanfiction of them and became famous. And when falling for the opposite gender, there are times when you can often imagine yourself being more than what you really are in reality... 

Like, most of the times, it happens. 

Dino was guilty of such a thing happening. He let his mind wander too far off, and it led him to the world he never thought he'd see again as an idol himself—fan boy imagines land. A land filled with nothing but moments that he knew will never happen. Unless he tried and something happens. 

Snap out of it, Dino. That's not happening, he reminded himself, slightly shaking his head. 

Then, he went back to thinking what perfect present he could possibly give Hyejin. He had about less than a day to come up with something for her. He wanted to make sure it was something she'd hold dear to her heart, since it would be coming from him. 

+ + + 

"We're here! Ready to see your gifts, Dino?" Seokmin joyfully asked as they parked in front of Pledis Entertainment. 

Dino was excited so he nodded and waited for the members sitting in front to get off the car first. 

"Happy birthday," The8 greeted again, beaming at Dino. "Our little Dino is growing up so quickly."

"Ah, hyung!" Dino felt embarrassed and shy all of a sudden. "Hyung, you don't have to shed tears for me. Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying," The8 protested. "Someone was cutting onions in the car. That's why I'm crying. Blame the onions."

Even though Dino was the youngest, he couldn't help but feel like The8 could be the youngest out of everyone. He was too cute for his own age and he could out-cute—if that is even a word—the youngest. 

The members shuffled their way into the practice room in Pledis Entertainment and found a bunch of cakes stacked up over others with presents lying around a congratulatory message beside all of the presents. 

Dino was speechless. It was probably his second year celebrating his birthday with the fans after his debut. He immediately took the center spot and looked around at all the different type of cakes. He was absolutely speechless. 

"Okay, Dino." Their manager suddenly entered the room, holding up his phone camera. "Smile for the camera. We're going to update this on SEVENTEEN's official Twitter account for the fans."

Dino forced up a smile as he did a v-pose. Click. The picture was taken and their manager was trying to upload it on their Twitter account. After he was done, he instructed the members to take the cake the entertainment got for them and put Dino up in front, with the other members standing around him. 

After they were done, SEVENTEEN couldn't help but feel playful. Dino was staring at the cake and he had no idea. That was three seconds before it happened, of course. The members only laughed at what has been done. 

Dino was standing there, unable to process what had just happened, face covered with cake and cream everywhere. Seconds later, he shouted, "Hyungs!"

The others laughed and chorused, "Happy birthday, maknae."

"Aish," Dino muttered under his breath, removing the cake from his eyes. "So, this is what I get for my birthday."

His manager was chuckling beside him and he put a hand over his shoulder, saying, "Clean yourself up. I have a surprise for you later."

"Not another cake makeup, I hope?" Dino joked, putting the cake he was holding down onto the floor. 

"Don't worry. It's not a cake," his manager assured. 

"Great," said Dino. "I'll be back, then. For that surprise that will not be a cake. I'm going to the boys's bathroom to get cleaned up. Gee... thanks for that, hyungs."

"Don't be salty," Seungkwan teased, patting the top of his head. "Go. Get cleaned up. We'll play around in the entertainment for a few minutes before we can finally head back to the dorm and rest. Oh, and don't forget. We still have presents for you to open back at the dorm."

Dino nodded and went alone to the boys's toilet to clean all the cake on his face. It was a tough job and it was super sticky, but Dino managed to get his face cleaned. He stared back at the mirror and saw his bare face—clean and plain. Just like the Lee Chan before debut. 

He went back to the practice room, only to find that their manager wasn't there anymore. Only the members were there, doing some practicing instead of resting. The vocal unit were singing. The hip hop unit were rapping. The performance unit were doing different dances. 

"Where did manager hyung go?" Dino asked Joshua, who was sitting in the corner, playing his guitar. 

"Hyung?" Joshua paused from strumming and looked around before he looked back at Dino. "I think he said something about going to his office. He said to see him there."

"Really?" Dino wondered why he had to move there instead of giving the surprise here in the practice room. "Okay. Thanks hyung."

Joshua smiled back in response before he went back to strumming his guitar. 

That church oppa feel. 

Dino found their manager's office and entered after knocking thrice. "Why did you move to your office, hyung? And what surprise is that?"

His manager turned away from looking out of the window and picked something up from his desk to hand it to Dino. It was in a pastel purple envelope and it was scented with peppermint. "Here. I took this out from the fans's gifts since it would be better if you take this, instead of the entertainment taking it."

Dino stared at the envelope, wondering what it could be. "What's this, exactly? Is it my gift from you, hyung?" 

His manager lightly laughed as he shook his head. "Not, not from me. You can say... your fan? Your idol? Read it. It must be something special, just for you."

Dino took it from him and said, "Thanks, hyung. I'll go check on the hyungs right now. See you later."

"Sure," his manager replied. 

In reality, Dino rode the elevator and pressed on the rooftop button. He wanted to be alone when he reads the gift from Hyejin. He was both anticipating what could it be. Maybe it was a letter? A letter of her confessing her undying love for him? Dino could only wish. 

He sat down on the wooden beach that was located near the metal railings and opened the letter. The sun was already down and the clouds that were full of different, vibrant colours slowly turned dark blue, creating a serene atmosphere. 

There was only one source of light nearby that hung above the door of the rooftop and Dino depended on that light to see what Hyejin had written in it. Dino finally opened it up and read what she had written on it. 

★

It was like another day, a day like none other when I first saw him, shinning brightly in front of me. I had lost all my thoughts. He was beautiful. He was different. He was precious. He had radiance. I wanted to keep him. I wanted him all to myself. But I don't live in that world, the world he belongs to. He's not mine, I know that. He belongs to other people. The fan girls, his agency, his parents and his members.

Who am I to own him? A girl in the vast ocean? But still, he was different. And, today is the day his mother had given birth to a new life, many years ago. 

I want to thank your parents for bringing you into this world, Lee Chan :)

Happy birthday.

Yours Truly,
Hwan Hyejin.

★