Nian looked at Xuanye and asked gently, "Hey~ are you alright?"
Xuanye held up the drink Minghao had given her and smiled softly. "Yeah~ I'm fine. Can we go?"
Nian nodded with a smile and helped her walk. As they entered the studio, both girls stood frozen with wide eyes and open mouths.
The SEVENTEEN practice studio — the one they'd only seen in videos and fancams — was now in front of them, real and echoing with energy.
Xuanye clutched Nian's hand tightly.
"Ow— Xuanye!" Nian winced. "You're crushing me!"
Xuanye blinked but didn't loosen her grip. "Nian… this is the studio. The real one. We're so lucky…"
Nian smiled, rubbing her hand. "Yeah. We really are."
---
The members soon returned, now dressed in their practice outfits.
Woozi walked up to them. "You can wait here, or stroll around if you want."
Without missing a beat, both girls shouted in unison, "No! We'll stay here quietly. We won't disturb you!"
Woozi was caught off guard. He covered his mouth in amusement, nodded shyly, and walked away.
Nian and Xuanye sat down quickly, gripping each other's hands as if waiting for exam results.
The music began.
Their hearts nearly exploded.
It was Super.
As Wonwoo started singing, the girls screamed silently, eyes wide, hands covering their mouths.
When DK's part came, Nian started bouncing in place while still seated.
But when Minghao took center with one hand on his forehead and the other casually tucked into his pocket—
"Oh god," Xuanye whispered. Both of them leaned forward, practically melting. His gaze, sharp and magnetic, made them forget how to breathe.
The setlist continued with Darl+ing, Rock With You, and more.
By the end, when the practice finally concluded, Nian and Xuanye jumped to their feet, clapping like they were at a live concert.
The members smiled at their reaction.
---
Nian and Xuanye grabbed water bottles and began passing them out.
The members sat down, catching their breath.
Nian made her way over to Mingyu with a bottle, but just as she was about to hand it to him—
DK swooped in.
He took the bottle gently from her hand, glanced at Mingyu, and then—while keeping his eyes on Nian—took a long sip.
Nian turned to look at him slowly, stunned.
He was still looking at her.
Her heart raced.
Without realizing it, a soft smile crept onto her lips.
Mingyu stood there in disbelief, then sighed and turned to Scoups, snatching his bottle instead.
Scoups gave him a look of pure judgment but said nothing.
---
Meanwhile, Xuanye was handing out bottles to Hoshi, Boo, Vernon, Jeonghan, and Wonwoo.
When she reached Minghao, her hands trembled slightly.
She extended the bottle toward him.
He took it with a gentle smile. "Thanks."
Xuanye nodded shyly and turned to walk away.
But—
Minghao reached out and softly grabbed her wrist.
Xuanye froze. Her heart skipped a beat.
She turned slowly to look at him.
Across the room, Hoshi, Boo, Vernon, Wonwoo, and Jeonghan all choked on their water, caught mid-sip.
Meanwhile, DK continued looking at Nian with quiet affection.
And somewhere in the background, Scoups and Mingyu shared the exact same judgmental expression — silent, knowing, and utterly unimpressed.