CHAPTER 28 – A Morning Like No Other.

The next morning, Nian and Xuanye were still fast asleep. As sunlight streamed through the curtains, Nian stirred first. She blinked at the glowing sky and slowly walked to the window. When she pulled it open, the morning light spilled in, warming her face and bathing the room in gold.

She took a deep breath and whispered,

"It's the last day… we have to go back to college."

Glancing at Xuanye, still peacefully curled up in bed, Nian quietly scribbled a note and left it on the table before tiptoeing out to freshen up.

The dorm was silent—everyone else was still asleep. After drinking a glass of water in the kitchen, she leaned against the counter and looked around the quiet house. A bittersweet smile touched her lips.

"Will we ever be here again? See them… and all this chaos?"

She stepped outside for a walk. The morning breeze was crisp, but to her, it felt warm—like a memory she didn't want to let go of.

As she strolled down the familiar street, a man in a black hoodie and mask suddenly jogged up beside her. Alarm bells rang in her mind. She picked up her pace. But the man tapped her shoulder.

Without hesitation, Nian grabbed his arm and flipped him over her shoulder.

"OWW!" the guy groaned in pain, flailing on the ground.

"Nian! Don't you recognize me?!"

She froze.

"Who are you? How do you know my name?!"

The man quickly pulled off his hoodie and mask, revealing—

"DK?!" she gasped.

He winced, rubbing his back. "You're stronger than I thought! My poor spine…"

She crouched beside him, voice shaking. "DK, are you okay?!"

"You flipped me, Nian. You don't get to ask that!" he groaned.

She started giggling and reached out to help him up.

"It really hurts," he whined dramatically.

"Can you stand?"

He tried—and nearly fell again. Nian caught him just in time, his arm falling over her shoulder.

DK glanced sideways at her, gaze lingering. His heart thudded.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

"I was just… silent from the pain," he muttered, acting tough.

She smiled. "Why were you creeping up like that?"

"I wasn't creeping!" he protested. "I saw you walking and wanted to say hi. But before I could talk—you flipped me!"

"You should've said something first!" she huffed.

"I didn't get the chance!" he leaned closer, voice suddenly deep, "You didn't let me talk."

Her heart skipped. She stepped back slightly.

"I thought you were a stalker!"

DK laughed. "That's the thanks I get for jogging near you?"

Then his smile faded.

"Nian… why are you out here so early?"

Her eyes softened. "We're leaving today. Heading back to college."

DK stopped walking.

She turned to say something, but he gently pulled her back, and she stumbled into his arms.

"You're really leaving…?" he whispered, voice trembling. "I thought we still had time."

She forced a smile, blinking back tears. "The two days are up, DK… it's hard for us too. But if we ever meet again, it'll be a pleasure."

She turned to leave, but he pulled her into his chest.

"DK, what are you doing?! Someone might see—this could be a huge problem!"

"I don't care," he said softly. "If you leave now… I don't think I'll be okay."

Nian froze.

DK met her gaze and continued, "I think I've fallen for you, Nian. Ever since I saw you in the studio… something changed. I love you. I want to be your boyfriend. Will you accept me?"

He closed his eyes, waiting.

Nian was speechless. The man who once was just her favorite idol… was now standing here, holding her, confessing love.

DK peeked with one eye.

"Nian?" he whispered.

Still no reply. Her cheeks were bright red.

He shook her gently. "I just confessed! You're acting like nothing happened!"

"I—I'm still processing!"

"Process faster!" he grinned.

Then her voice dropped. "DK… it's impossible."

His smile faltered. "Why?"

"You're an idol. I'm just a student. If rumors spread—"

DK laughed out loud. "That's what you're worried about? I thought you were going to reject me!"

"Be serious!" she scolded, slapping his shoulder.

"Ow! But seriously—just answer this: do you love me?"

She hesitated.

"…Yes."

DK beamed. He pulled her into another tight hug, practically bouncing in place.

"Then that's all I need! I don't care about anything else. I'll protect you. I'll do anything."

She peeked through her fingers, still hiding her face.

"Don't hide!" he laughed, gently pulling her hands away.

She laughed too, her heart finally catching up.

"I finally proposed," he said, ruffling her hair. "What a relief."

She crossed her arms. "Now that you're okay, can we go back?"

DK gave her a guilty grin. "It still hurts~" and plopped himself dramatically in the middle of the road.

"Get up!" she sighed, looking like a mom with a stubborn child.

"Nope. Help me~"

"You're worse than a kid asking for chocolate," she muttered.

But she still offered her shoulder, and he leaned on it with a huge grin.