CHAPTER 26: “With All Our Hearts, SEVENTEEN”

As the members hugged them and sat down, all of them were covering their faces and trying to act cool. But their eyes were red from holding back tears. Jeonghan spoke in a trembling voice, "Nian and Xuanye... this is how you make it unforgettable, huh? See—even the happy ones are crying like they just ate onions."

Nian and Xuanye chuckled through their tears. Nian said, "Guys, it's real. We didn't say all that because you're idols. We said it because you truly helped us—especially me—overcome my depression. I won't forget you or your chaos," she finished, tearing up.

Xuanye placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "Hey, don't cry. If you cry, the tears I've been holding back will come out too." Nian chuckled and shook her head gently.

The members looked at the girls with pale, touched expressions. DK clapped his hands to break the silence and said, "Guys, let's read what Nian and Xuanye wrote in our notes—or else we might forget it."

Hoshi's swollen eyes nodded deeply in agreement. Nian and Xuanye looked at each other with teary smiles and sat down.

Scoups read his note:

> "Don't make us crazy with your A.L.O., A.L.O., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. And don't do that brow raise and tongue bite—it makes us lose our souls. You're a good alpha leader."

Scoups shyly raised his brow and bit his tongue again, laughing. Nian and Xuanye gasped with a smile. Xuanye called out, "Scoups! We just told you not to do that!"

He laughed, wore the bracelet, and thanked them.

Jeonghan opened his note:

> "Jeonghan, you are an angel—and we're your long-hair fans. Always keep smiling happily."

Jeonghan closed his eyes in shyness. "Girls, again you started this, huh?" he said, then laughed when he saw a smiling emoji on his bracelet.

Mingyu read:

> "Mingyu, we know your struggle with house chores. Be happy—you're a great player."

He smiled like they had read his diary. Seeing a puppy-eyed emoji on his bracelet, he held it to his face and asked, "Looks like me, right?"

Nian and Xuanye crossed their arms and nodded with a knowing smile.

Dino's note said:

> "Dino, you're the youngest maknae but more mature than the others. Don't show this to the other members—they'll complain!"

He chuckled and raised his note and bracelet. "Thanks!"

Boo read his and immediately gave a bombastic side-eye:

> "Boo, don't act like a sulky puppy. Don't act like you don't care—we love your bombastic side-eye. Your humble character makes others happy, including us."

He covered his mouth dramatically and said, "Thanks," like a proud mom.

Hoshi read aloud:

> "We're fans of your horanghae and clingy nature and you are a hamster,will you accept it~ Your performance leadership is awesome—and we loved when you helped DK with his dance steps."

He looked at Nian and asked, "It was you, right?" Nian nodded shyly. The members, minus DK, said in unison, "Aww~~"

DK looked at Nian like she was his girlfriend. His heart was racing.

Xuanye added, "Hoshi, see? That horanghae was for me."

He immediately made the horanghae sign again. "But I'm a tiger!"

Xuanye teased, "Nope, you're a hamster. Even though sometimes you look like a cute tiger, you're still a hamster to us."

The members were done with him. He laughed and hugged his bracelet, which had a tiger claw engraved on it.

DK picked up his note nervously:

> "DK, you're truly my happy virus. Don't lose that—it makes us happy too. Every time I see you on screen, I smile unknowingly. But... I can't help but blush."

DK was blushing hard. Hoshi tried to peek at his note, but DK hid it and said a quiet, "Thanks," to Nian. He wore the bracelet and gave her a bright smile.

Nian was completely flustered.

Wonwoo's message:

> "Wonwoo, you're a good gamer and a cute cat. Don't be shy to talk—with your members, you'll grow. So talk freely and happily."

Wonwoo giggled with his mouth closed and admired his bracelet, which had a small cat charm.

Vernon read:

> "Vernon, you have a beautiful smile. Don't hide it. There are so many Carats waiting to see you smile."

He gave his iconic seagull laugh and nodded with closed eyes.

Minghao's note:

> "Minghao, are you introvert or extrovert? We can't tell—but your sudden energy always makes us happy. You're the 'five-minutes-to-nail-it' master. Your awkwardness and judging stares make you lovable."

He giggled, then looked at Xuanye with a quiet, blushing smile.

Nian chuckled, seeing them. Xuanye was beaming like a streetlight.

Jun read:

> "Jun, you're hardworking—please rest too. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. And do more aegyo—we're fans of it!"

He smiled and nodded.

Joshua's note:

> "Joshua, we're fans of your acrostic poems. Share them when you're free—we'll use them. And don't be sad. Be happy always."

He looked pleased and wore his bracelet, which had a king's crown charm. He showed it off with a playful grin.

Woozi read:

> "Woozi, please do your ending fairy for us—we're waiting. And don't act like you dislike Hoshi. So many Carats love your interactions. You two make great friends."

Woozi was kicking his feet in the air, blushing like the evening sun.

As the messages ended, the members stood up once more and gave a deep bow. Scoups raised his glass.

"To Nian and Xuanye—we're lucky to have you as Carats and as friends."

Everyone raised their glasses.

Xuanye suddenly interrupted, "Scoups, you're going to say 'Salute!' right?"

Scoups chuckled, surprised. "Yes."

She asked, "Can we say it together?"

He laughed again, nodding.

Everyone, including Nian and Xuanye, raised their glasses and said in perfect unison:

"Salute~!!"

The owner, watching from behind the counter, smiled to himself and muttered, "At last, they found their group. They're lucky."