Hoshi leaned forward, his eyes sparkling. "So, who's your bias?"
DK, Mingyu, Dino, Vernon, and Boo all leaned in, eager for answers.
Nian and Xuanye were frozen for a second.
Xuanye broke the silence. "Hoshi!" she said confidently, and immediately mimicked his signature move, throwing up a peace sign and saying, "Horanghae~~!"
Hoshi beamed like a proud hamster and returned the gesture. Boo rolled his eyes in mock boredom.
Mingyu turned to Nian. "What about you?"
Nian hesitated, her cheeks flushing. But before she could answer, Xuanye blurted out, "She loves DK so much!"
The room fell silent for a split second before DK burst into laughter in the corner. Dino looked at DK like he'd just found treasure.
Nian gave Xuanye a light smack on the arm. "I love all the SEVENTEEN members equally!" she said quickly, trying to recover.
Before the moment could get more awkward, a loud crash came from the kitchen.
Scoups, Woozi, and Minghao were yelling in panic.
The members laughed while Nian and Xuanye stood up and peeked into the kitchen.
"Do you need help?" Nian offered.
But Wonwoo and Jeonghan quickly waved them off. "No, no! Please rest. We've got this."
Inside, Minghao, Woozi, and Scoups were holding a mangled potato that looked more like it had been attacked than peeled. Xuanye laughed.
"You guys are killing the ingredients," she teased. "Are you sure you don't need help?"
Minghao gave an awkward smile. "We're good. Please wait outside."
He shut the kitchen door.
Nian and Xuanye crossed their arms and turned to the others in the hall.
"This is why we don't let Scoups cook," one of the members explained. "We could've ordered food in 10 minutes, but they've been in there for an hour."
Boo raised his voice. "I'm starving! Hurry up!"
Dino pulled out his phone.
DK noticed. "What are you doing?"
"Ordering food. I don't think they're ever coming out."
DK nodded. "Ramen for everyone, as usual."
Meanwhile, Mingyu was already asleep on the couch, curled up like a puppy.
Xuanye whispered, "I thought we were hard to handle, but they're like children."
Nian smiled softly. "That's why Carats love them. Their hearts are so pure."
Xuanye nodded. "You're right."
A few minutes later, the kitchen door flew open. Wonwoo stepped out, grinning like he'd won a cooking competition.
Woozi and Jeonghan followed proudly.
"Table time!" they called out.
Everyone jumped up, set the table, and arranged the bowls and chopsticks.
Scoups, Minghao, and Joshua brought the food.
DK sat beside Nian, who nearly forgot how to breathe. Her heart was pounding as DK gave her a gentle smile.
Mingyu whispered in Xuanye's ear. "Please don't hurt Scoups. Even if it's bad, just say it's good."
Xuanye replied, "Why are you acting like he cooked a time bomb?"
The group burst into laughter.
Scoups, pretending not to hear, served the dishes proudly.
The members hesitated.
But Nian and Xuanye both took a bite — and their eyes lit up.
"It's better than our college food!" they said in chorus.
Xuanye happily shoved spoonfuls into her mouth. Scoups beamed with pride.
The members whispered, "Their acting deserves an Oscar." Jeonghan chuckled.
After dinner, everyone rested.
There was a knock on the door. Dino jumped up to get it.
It was a delivery.
Inside the bag — everyone's favorite drinks.
The members clapped like excited children.
Meanwhile, Nian and Xuanye began clearing the table.
But Vernon and Joshua stopped them. "We've got it. You two rest."
Nian and Xuanye blushed, their hearts fluttering.
"We thought we were lucky just to see them," Xuanye whispered. "Now we're living with them."
Nian smiled. "Totally reversed."
As they were about to relax, Xuanye's phone buzzed. She checked it — a message from Professor Xi.
"He wants us to send project material," she said with a groan.
Wonwoo asked, "What's wrong?"
They explained.
"We should go back. We've got work to finish."
Boo pouted. "Why not stay until morning?"
"We can't," Nian replied. "But we'll come again tomorrow. Promise!"
They packed up their things.
The members sighed.
Then all eyes turned to Minghao.
He sensed it. Slowly looked up. And saw everyone staring.
Woozi said, "The8, drop them off."
Nian and Xuanye turned fast. "No! We'll book a cab. Don't trouble yourselves."
Woozi shook his head. "It's late. Cabs are rare here."
Minghao sighed, grabbed a cap and mask, and stood. "Let's go."
Nian and Xuanye followed, stunned.
"Don't look so shocked," Vernon teased. "Just act normal."
They stepped outside. As the door closed behind them, the girls finally exhaled.
"If we stay here every day, my heart is going to explode," Nian muttered.
Xuanye nodded in agreement.
"Are you coming or not?" Minghao called from ahead.
They snapped to attention and ran toward him.
The road was quiet. Minghao walked silently ahead.
Xuanye elbowed Nian. "Talk to him."
Nian elbowed her back.
Minghao noticed. "Why are you fighting?"
They stopped. "You're so quiet, Minghao. Why?"
Xuanye grinned. "Did you forget to meditate today?"
Minghao peeked at her and chuckled.
"I don't mingle with strangers easily. It takes time."
Nian opened her mouth dramatically. "Wow~ Tough shell."
He smiled.
Xuanye continued, "What do you do in your free time?"
"Rest at home."
"Don't you hang out with the members?"
"Sometimes."
Nian looked like she was watching a slow-speed ping-pong match.
Soon, they arrived near the college.
Nian booked a cab and told him the car's code.
They bowed politely. "Thank you, Minghao."
Before leaving, Xuanye turned to him. "You should smile more, Minghao. Don't look so sad. You've got Carats — and us."
She gave him a bright smile and walked off.
Minghao stood in silence.
A light smile crept onto his face.