CHAPTER 25 – The Chaos Returns

As Nian and Xuanye were still fangirling over the members' antics, the rest of SEVENTEEN arrived at the dorm.

Mingyu placed his hand on the doorknob but paused when he heard loud laughter inside. He pouted and glanced at Hoshi with a dramatic sigh.

"They're laughing so happily… but us?" Mingyu whined.

Dino patted his back. "If you want to be happy like them, you should learn from Boo."

Mingyu leaned in, intrigued. "Why him?"

Dino smirked. "Because Boo's always prepared to throw hands at Hoshi. They're basically Tom and Jerry. And guess who usually calms Boo down?"

Mingyu looked over at Boo and chuckled. "Me."

Behind them, Jeonghan, Boo, Scoups, DK, Minghao, and Hoshi were waiting impatiently.

Scoups raised a brow. "What are you two doing? Open the door already. I'm exhausted."

Still giggling, Dino and Mingyu finally opened the door.

Inside, Nian and the remaining members were laughing their hearts out.

Jeonghan walked in and looked around, impressed. "You guys look like you're having fun."

Joshua grinned and shot back, "You're late, Yoon Jeonghan. You missed all the action."

Jeonghan groaned. "Now what did I do?"

Jun walked straight to Minghao and nudged him forward. "Go. The girls made us play some challenges. Now it's your turn."

Minghao scratched his head, confused. "What? Why me?"

Jun whispered in his ear. Minghao's reaction had the rest of the members rolling on the floor. His mouth hung open, and he blinked in disbelief—his jaw clenched like he was trying not to scream.

Boo, DK, and Hoshi swarmed Jun, demanding an explanation.

Jun sighed and explained like a tired teacher repeating a lesson to noisy students. "They're asking us to do cute or funny stuff. Nian and Xuanye made Vernon, Joshua, and the others do it. Now it's our turn."

The girls turned to face the new arrivals with innocent smiles.

"Are you guys ready to join the game?" Xuanye asked. "Vernon, Joshua, Jun, Woozi, and Wonwoo did great."

"We were even thinking of giving them a treat," Nian added. "You too can get one if you join."

At that, the earlier members gasped.

"If I'd known that, I would've done even better!" Vernon cried.

Joshua and Woozi laughed from the corner, enjoying the chaos.

Without hesitation, Boo and Dino raised their hands like eager school kids. "We'll join! Ask us anything—we're ready!" they said in unison.

Scoups perked up. "Wait, if we're getting a treat, then I'll cook for you tomorrow. I found a new recipe!"

Boo didn't even turn around. "You found a new disaster," he muttered with a pout.

Mingyu shot him a look. "Yeah, Scoups. First learn to cook properly, then experiment with new dishes."

Woozi turned to Nian. "Do you even have enough money to treat all of us?"

Nian crossed her arms confidently. "Don't mock us, Woozi. We have money—and we'll give you an unforgettable treat."

Woozi nodded, impressed.

Then DK stepped forward with a playful glint in his eye. "An unforgettable treat, huh?" He leaned closer to Nian. "So what exactly are you planning?"

Nian's heart skipped. His voice, his smile—it was all too much.

"I… I'm not telling!" she stammered, gently pushing him back. "You don't have to stand that close to ask!"

DK chuckled, ruffling her hair. "I'll wait, Nian. Whatever it is, I know it'll be special."

Nian froze, her heart pounding.

From the side, Dino nudged Hoshi. "See that? That's fate. We were meant to witness this."

Hoshi dramatically clasped his cheeks like he'd been proposed to. "I didn't know DK could be this sweet!"

As Boo walked past, pouting, he muttered, "Then go marry him if you love his sweetness so much."

Dino burst into laughter and gave Boo a high-five, while Hoshi stared at Dino like he'd just betrayed their friendship.

Woozi calmly walked behind Boo, grabbed Hoshi by the ear, and dragged him like a scolding mother.

Nian and Xuanye watched it all unfold.

Xuanye sighed dreamily. "They're just too cute."

Nian laughed, hiding her face in her hands. "I can't believe we're lucky enough to witness this chaos."

By afternoon, all the members were fast asleep. Nian and Xuanye quietly stepped outside to the garden behind the dorm.

"Hey," Nian began, stretching, "we've already booked the restaurant, but what song should we sing? You know we're not exactly great singers."

Xuanye, glued to her phone, nodded absently.

Nian raised an eyebrow and elbowed her. "Are you even listening to me?!"

"I am!" Xuanye insisted. "My ears are perfectly fine."

"Then don't be silly," Nian pouted.

Without missing a beat, Xuanye reached up and pulled her ear. Nian winced. "Ow! Let go!"

"You taped my mouth, remember? I let it go this morning. But now? You're bold enough to joke?" Xuanye smirked.

"You were literally smiling in your sleep," Nian laughed. "Rabbit teeth out and all! What were you dreaming about? Escaping from Professor Xi again?"

Xuanye froze. "It was nothing!"

Nian grinned. "Uh-huh. Who was in the dream, hmm?"

Xuanye looked away quickly and buried herself in her phone. She scrolled until she found a song. "This one?"

Nian peeked over her shoulder and smiled. "Perfect. Let's practice."

They began rehearsing in soft voices under the shade of the trees.

At 4 PM, the members started waking up. When they walked out to the living room, they found Nian and Xuanye standing like receptionists.

"Guys," Nian said firmly, "please stand in line."

Though confused, the members complied like obedient puppies.

"Are you ready for your treat?" Nian asked.

Everyone leaned forward with sleepy excitement and nodded eagerly.

"Then go get dressed. We leave at 5 PM!" Xuanye added.

The members rushed toward their rooms—except Boo, DK, and Mingyu, who showed up in shorts and t-shirts.

Xuanye put her hands on her hips. "You three. Go change. This isn't a stroll in the park!"

Mingyu pouted. "You're crossing the line, Xuanye! It's just a treat!"

"Do as I say, Mingyu," she replied coolly.

Defeated, they went to change.

Nian approached Scoups. "Can you call the van for us?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Well," Nian explained, "we could all walk... but if SEVENTEEN goes out with us in public, chaos will follow."

Xuanye added, "And we said we'd pay for the food, not book a whole fleet of cabs. There are too many of you. Will you sit on each other's laps?"

Scoups took a step back, blinking. "I-I'll call now."

As the van arrived and everyone piled in, the members looked sharp in formal suits.

Nian covered her face. "Why do they look like university professors?!"

Meanwhile, she kept stealing glances at DK, who looked effortlessly handsome. Xuanye, blushing, peeked at Minghao in glasses—he looked too good to be real.

Minghao noticed and nudged Dino. "How do I look?"

Dino smirked. "Like always."

Minghao frowned.

Dino glanced at Xuanye, then added, "Oh... now I get it."

Minghao brightened. "Really?"

"You look like an old man with glasses," Dino teased.

Xuanye chuckled softly.

DK kept glancing at Nian, and she kept catching him. Both were blushing like teenagers in love. Mingyu and Boo watched them, sulking like jealous puppies.

After an hour, they arrived at the restaurant—and the members froze.

"This is... the place we celebrated after our concert," Vernon said.

Jun's eyes widened. "Wait. How do you know this place?"

Nian and Xuanye smirked. "Come inside."

Inside, the owner greeted them warmly. "I've prepared everything. I even closed the restaurant for you, so don't waste anything!"

"These two girls," he continued, "are my regular customers. Lucky charms, honestly. One day, you booked this place... but Nian? She almost fought your bodyguards that day."

The girls turned to the owner with wide eyes. "Sir!"

"Ohhh," the members chimed in unison. Jun laughed. "So it was fate's play."

DK blinked. "Wait... that night... the girl I saw in the restaurant... that was you?"

The girls looked at the owner. Busted.

Minghao laughed. Boo leaned toward them, teasing, "You're not naughty... you're chaotic cuties."

Xuanye proudly declared, "We're not naughty—we're cuties!"

Everyone groaned in unison, cringing.

They all sat down. Nian and Xuanye whispered to each other and clapped.

"Guys," they announced, "we have a gift for you."

They handed each member a small box. Inside was a bracelet with their name engraved and a handwritten note.

Speechless, the members stared at the gifts.

"It's not over yet," Xuanye said.

She nodded to the owner, who dimmed the lights and turned on a spotlight.

Then, in unison, Nian and Xuanye began to recite:

---

"To SEVENTEEN, With All My Heart"

In a world that often feels too loud,

Your voices became the calm I didn't know I needed.

You didn't just sing — you reached out,

Through lyrics, laughter, and the light in your eyes.

From "Adore U" to "Circles,"

Every beat carried something deeper —

A reminder to keep going, to believe, to smile,

Even when the world says otherwise.

You are 13 hearts,

But one soul that never gives up.

Through your music, you've taught us

That hard work isn't just sweat, it's love in motion.

I admire the way you lift each other.

I respect the passion you pour into every stage.

I'm motivated by the way you fall — and rise higher every time.

You've never needed to be perfect.

You've always just needed to be you.

And that's what made me stay.

Because SEVENTEEN isn't just a group.

You're a feeling, a comfort, a spark.

And as long as you sing —

I'll keep listening, cheering, and shining beside you.

Forever a CARAT. 💎

---

The room fell silent. Their voices trembled at the end, but the emotion in their words resonated through the quiet.

Then, they began to sing "Circles."

The members didn't speak. Their eyes were glossy, and their hearts were full.

When the song ended, the members stood and clapped—some with tears, some with smiles.

Each of them walked up and hugged Nian and Xuanye, one by one.

In that moment, it wasn't just a treat.

It was a memory stitched into their hearts forever.