"I've liked you, Geurim. I have always liked you... And I still like you."

Geurim gawked at the boy before her, mouth agape and her eyes wide in absolute shock. Did she hear him right? Was this a confession from the boy she has had a crush on for years? This boy returned her feelings? The words replayed over and over in Geurim's mind like an echo. Her heart was close to bursting out her chest, her face burned, and she felt weak with euphoria. It felt like it was a dream that she was about to wake up from and return back to grey reality.

This was real.

Jaemin confessed to her.

"Jaemin-ah..." An uncontrollable smile pulled at her glossed-pink lips. "I like you too."

It was his turn to look shocked. "You do?"

"I... seriously do." Geurim felt like she was on fire. She pressed the back of her free hand to her burning cheek. Exhale. "God, you have no idea how much I like you. This doesn't even feel real."

Then, before she could still process what just happened, Jaemin picked up their intertwined hands and gave a chaste kiss to the back of her hand. Geurim couldn't help but squeal in embarrassment and shove him for such intimate contact. Jaemin burst out in laughter upon her reaction, surely she can hear the embarrassment too from him. "What? Didn't you want me to prove it to you that this is real?"

"I can't believe you!" As if he had a death wish, Jaemin pulled the girl even closer to him, barely any space between their bodies... their faces were mere inches away from each other. Geurim blinked at him, completely flustered with his bold moves. "Y-Yah! Someone is definitely going to see us and we're going to get in trouble."

"I'm doing this because when else would I be able to hold you close like this again." Listening to her whines, Jaemin did pull away a bit to give her some air to breathe. Geurim could see right through him. He probably couldn't believe he did what he did too. He made a small pout. "I kind of wish I confessed to you before so we can actually do stuff together like this."

"Me too..."

Of course, they had to remember that they were both idols now, both in groups with an ever growing fan base. This was one of the many curses that came with following this dream. It really, truly sucked that this was something so real and pure, and yet they can't just accept it so easily.

Jaemin squeezed Geurim's hand. "We can make it work."

The girl's brows furrowed together in slight confusion. "How? We're both so busy as is and neither of our companies would allow it."

"Well, that didn't stop Jiwoo and Jaehyun, did it?" Jaemin retorted. "Or Taeyong-hyung."

"Taeyong-oppa, too?" Geurim gasped.

Jaemin nodded. "Yes, and someway, they were able to make it. I want us to make it work just like them. Geurim, my heart would just hurt if we just left it to nothing when we both like each other so much... I know it'll be really hard but surely, we can do it?"

His eyes. The way it sparkled with hope and determination. Geurim had seen that look plenty of times before whenever she saw him work hard in his training and when he was preparing for NCT Dream before she had debuted. He believed in them.

She should do the same.

"This is just... so much, Jaemin. But, okay. We should try it."

Delight was evident on his face. "Yeah?"

"Yeah... I would rather not add another regret to my life by saying no to all of this," she answered in a soft tone. "Jaemin, I like you too much."

Ah... That dazzling sunshine smile Geurim loves so much.

Just before they can let out another word, Geurim's phone began ringing from her jacket pocket. She took out the device and saw it was from her manager. She frowned, because this could only mean that she has to go now. Once she answered and talked to Pyoshin on the line, she looked over at Jaemin. The fantasy had shattered and she was reminded where she was. Their time together had to end.

The two engulfed each other in one last hug, holding each other close to savor this moment for just a little more.

When they pulled away, he beamed at her, "Don't miss me too much, we're going to see each other again in just a couple days."

And Geurim just had to roll her eyes at the cheesy comment, but she nodded over at him anyway. Sadly, she knew it was time to finally leave. She bid her last goodbyes to Jaemin before she left to meet with the Tangerine staff to the first floor.

While it was quite stressful thinking about the possible risks about their relationship, Geurim had to admit that she was still overwhelmed with joy. She suppressed her joyous squeals in that elevator ride down to the first floor. Her hand covered her mouth, as she was grinning far too much for it to pass as normal.

She was just... so happy.

.

Geurim was jittery with excitement for the next couple of days. As expected, she ended up telling her Ivory members about the whole predicament, since she would have gone insane if she had to keep it in.

She gotten responses that she very much expected. All four of them screamed and cheered in celebration for the girl, that Geurim to burst into shy giggles when each member voiced their joy for her, more so Gowon. Dear youngest of their group paraded around their dorm, boasting how she had watched her and Jaemin in despair knowing that they shared the same feelings but didn't do anything about it. It was definitely a rowdy night, while Geurim was asked a couple time to retell her story about Jaemin's confession to her.

Woohee, Jinyoung, Chaeyoung, and Gowon have all vowed that they would help Geurim out in times of need for love. Geurim was a embarrassed mess at the end of their heated conversation, but she couldn't feel ever more grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people who would support her.

When the day finally came they would meet again at the Tangerine building for their SMStation project, Geurim wanted nothing more than to just see Jaemin again.

It had to be a full 20 minutes that Geurim had entered Tangerine building's meeting room with her staff members and had to wait for the other party. When SM's people finally arrived, Geurim tried her best to contain her utter excitement upon seeing Jaemin. They shared a secret smile to each other, only both knowing what it meant for them. It was then Geurim's attention shifted over to her trusted unnie, Jiwoo, who held a questionable expression on her face. Before she could ask about it, everyone was ushered to sit down so they can start their meeting.

Today, the staff members made sure to have cameras set up so they can shoot behind-the-scenes footage for the extra content to their SM Station. Fortunately for Geurim and Jaemin, they allowed them to sit next to each other so they can be the same shot together. The staff asked them a couple simple questions to start off the interview portion of the future video. Like how did the two of them first meet, first impressions, and one silly memory they shared together. Jaemin and Geurim were able to answer them wholeheartedly, and the staff even had to put a halt since they gotten more than enough stuff for their first behind-the-scenes video.

Next, they went through the song in detail with the sample track the producer made herself. Geurim could tell why Jiwoo had mentioned before how the song could be reminded of the two of them. And it really made Geurim feel warm inside, because she had always seen Jaemin as her sunshine. She'll have to make it up to Jiwoo for making such a great song for them.

(Jaemin and Geurim's SM Station)

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

After their discussion about the song, Jaemin and Geurim began practicing the song together so to know how to sing it themselves. That itself took a couple hours to work through, but they were able to make positive progress by the time they wanted to stop it for the day. The two teen idols surprised the adults when they were able to make the song feel like their own by the end of that session. They noted that they will be able to record the song the next time they meet after hearing how well they sounded together.

Before they could finish their meeting, the director that SM hired explained quickly about his vision of their music video. Geurim wasn't sure if it was a blessing or some kind of twisted fate that the director wanted the two of them to act as a sweet high school couple in the video. He noted that they would have spurs of scenes of them going on various dates, the last one in the video being that the two of them ending a fun-filled day at the beach (in which the story goes that they skipped a school day to go to). Geurim and Jaemin were then given the script for the music video so they can review and practice before shooting day.

The meeting ended after that.

Both sides of the party quickly congratulated each other for a job well done and muttered hope to work hard for their next meeting. Just as everyone was about to leave for the day, it was then Jiwoo chimed in that she wanted to talk to Jaemin and Geurim on their own before they could separate. No hesitation was made at the request, and both the staff from both SM and Tangerine let the three young adults have time to themselves in that meeting room.

Jiwoo was back to having that same unsure expression on her face when it was just the three of them.

"Noona, what's up?" Jaemin asked Jiwoo with concern in his voice.

The older girl peered back and forth between the two, a speck of curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Before I spill anything, Jaemin, did you finally do the thing?"

A faint blush reached the NCT Dream's member's cheeks. "Y-Yes."

Jiwoo clapped her hands together, a sudden grin. "Aw congrats, you two! I knew you would be adorable together~"

Geurim gaped upon hearing her words. "Huh? You—"

"I gave him some advice on the whole dating in secret thing, Geurim-ah," Jiwoo replied with a wink. "You have my full support, by the way." She then shook her head, a serious expression crossing her face again. "But anyway, I have something to mention to the two of you about this whole project."

"Which is?" Jaemin murmured.

"I had a discussion with Lee Sooman, Geurim's CEO, and a few of the staff. This is actually something that will be discussed to you after this whole project is done. But anyway, we were talking about how much we want this SM Station to really bring success and benefits to both sides," Jiwoo explained. "So, this is going to sound insane but they were thinking of pushing the idea of the two of you actually dating."

The older girl hummed, before continuing, "Which, I mean, is technically true, but no one really knows that. They're planning on some of our people to leave comments in social media and such to have people believe in it."

This stumped the two young idols. They exchanged worried glances before looking over to Jiwoo again. "I know, it's really absurd to push through," she responded. "We don't know for sure if it will really roll into something bigger. We want it hinted enough for people to be interested in the idea, but to not lead it to any scandal. That is what they hoped for."

"My CEO agreed to this?" Geurim questioned.

"Yes and no? This was just an idea at the time, not something official. I wanted to tell you two so you have time to process it before it might happen." Jiwoo let out a heavy sigh, her fingers running through her dark hair out of stress. "It's not quite the right thing to look forward to, but it could give you two some leeway to actually date. And if this ever gets out of hand, both companies will take care of it, I'm sure. Neither of you would be punished for whatever would happen. We just want fans to ship you guys a bit, that's all, and that will give both sides some attention..." A grunt left her lips. "I keep worrying about it but maybe it won't happen."

"W-Well, thank you for telling us about this, unnie," Geurim uttered out. "I guess we'll see in the future, although it doesn't really settle well with me."

"Sadly, that's business," Jiwoo replied. "But, hey, nonetheless, this project is the perfect time for you two to actually hang out and be together. You have to savor every chance you get."

Geurim and Jaemin's eyes met again, and a smile broke out on both their faces, because that much they could understand. The project ended up being much more than they anticipated, but they might as well face this head on together.

After all, they both knew living the idol life was never meant to be easy.

As long as they had each other, they'll be fine. They always ended up fine because they are best friends that knew one another like nobody else. They'll survive whatever comes at them.

Despite being young for their age, Na Jaemin and Woo Geurim won't let anything come in between them.

♡

" When my moon rises
Your sun rises as well
Under the same sky... "