CHAPTER 31: A Dorm Full of Love

Meanwhile, on the other side, Minghao was lying upside down on the sofa with his legs draped over the backrest, smiling and giggling at his phone. Around him, the other members were going about their day, until Wonwoo turned to Vernon and said,

"Vernon… isn't the dorm unusually quiet today?"

Vernon nodded. "You're right, Wonwoo. Even with all thirteen of us here, it never felt this still. After the girls left… this house feels empty."

Jun chimed in with a sigh. "I feel the same. I really want to see them again. They matched our vibe so perfectly."

Joshua gently patted Jun's shoulder, his expression pale. "If we ever get the chance to meet them again, we shouldn't miss it. Can we all promise that?"

The others looked at him solemnly. Woozi nodded. "Yeah. I feel lonely without them. They were like the final piece in our puzzle."

Mingyu pouted. "But how are we going to meet them again? We don't even know where they live or go to college."

Scoups casually offered, "I could ask our manager to get their address."

Everyone turned to him in surprise.

Dino clapped and smiled. "Sometimes you're actually thoughtful, Scoups!"

Scoups leaned forward and tapped Dino's forehead. "You… I've been managing you like a father for ten years, and now you're mocking me? Fine. Try being a leader for a day. If you can handle them"—he pointed to Boo and Hoshi—"even for an hour, I'll accept any challenge."

Dino laughed while Boo sulked. "What did I do?! I was minding my business and now I'm the villain?"

Hoshi folded his arms and pouted. "Seriously, Scoups? I'm not a child—I'm a matured man."

Boo rolled his eyes with a dramatic bombastic side-eye. Jeonghan smirked and said,

"Hoshi, you're a hamster."

Hoshi gasped in betrayal. "Yoon Jeonghan! I'm not a hamster! I'm a tiger!" He struck a pose and showed his iconic horanghae.

Jeonghan laughed. "See? That's exactly what I mean."

Scoups high-fived Jeonghan as the others burst into laughter. DK chuckled, leaning into Woozi.

"Hoshi, you're just a man with a child's nature."

Woozi, barely holding in his laughter, added, "Even you can't stay serious for one second."

Hoshi whispered, betrayed, "Even you, Woozi?"

But while everyone was caught up in the chaos, someone wasn't paying attention—Minghao was too busy giggling over his phone. Vernon looked around.

"Wait… someone's missing. Who is it?"

Jun turned and spotted Minghao blushing.

"Guys!" he whispered. "Look at Minghao."

Everyone stood slowly and crept toward him. DK positioned himself behind his head while Joshua, Vernon, and Mingyu stood at his feet.

As Minghao lowered his phone, DK grinned mischievously.

"Minghao~ our martial arts master~ what are you giggling at?"

Before Minghao could react, the trio at his feet grabbed his legs while Jun, Mingyu, Hoshi, and Dino held his waist, and they began swinging him in the air. Minghao shrieked.

"Stop!! I'm going to fly!!"

Woozi grabbed Minghao's phone and Dino peeked at it, reading in a dramatic voice,

"Take care~ don't eat late~ sleep early~"

The members laughed.

"YAY! Don't read it!!" Minghao screamed, flailing.

"Alright, alright," Scoups laughed. "Put him down."

They gently placed him on the couch. Minghao immediately stood up and snatched his phone from Woozi, hiding it behind his back like a child.

The members surrounded him like villains closing in.

Mingyu teased, "So~ who were you messaging?"

Wonwoo leaned in with a grin. "Who's the lucky girl grabbing your attention?"

"Guys!" Minghao stammered. "I was just… texting Xuanye."

They all went, "OHHH~"

Joshua asked with a sly smile, "Was it just a message, or a confession?"

Minghao blinked rapidly, trying to play dumb. Jeonghan noticed his sweaty hands and snatched the phone again.

"Huh?! You guys won't let me live!" Minghao sighed. "Fine, I won't hide it."

The members all sat on the floor, ready for tea.

"I messaged Xuanye because I was worried," Minghao said, voice soft. "I couldn't bear to part with her."

Hoshi clutched his heart and tapped Scoups like he'd been hit by a love arrow.

Scoups rolled his eyes. "This is what I deal with daily."

Minghao continued. "To be honest…" He paused, then blurted, "I love her."

He immediately shut his eyes in embarrassment.

The room exploded.

"We know you love her," Woozi said with a smirk. "Why are you so surprised?"

Minghao's jaw dropped. "It was that obvious?"

Everyone nodded. Minghao laughed in disbelief.

Jun leaned forward. "So what now?"

"I want to pursue her," Minghao said, this time with confidence.

DK clapped him on the back. "You'll win her for sure."

The members all giggled and teased.

Vernon pointed at DK. "Why are you so cheerful, huh?"

DK grinned and blushed. "Because… I have a surprise too."

"What is it?" Joshua asked.

DK was almost glowing. "I proposed to Nian this morning."

Everyone froze.

Boo's eyes were wide. Woozi, Wonwoo, and Vernon started laughing and rolled on the floor. Jeonghan, Scoups, and Mingyu looked at him like proud parents. Hoshi and Dino squealed and high-fived.

Minghao looked at DK like he'd just been betrayed.

"What happened next?!" they all shouted.

DK told them everything. The room was full of impressed silence.

"You're like a K-drama lead," Dino said dreamily.

DK made a heart with his hands.

"But… why in the middle of the road?!" Boo asked.

"Once you fall in love, Boo," DK said dramatically, "you'll know that only the feeling matters—not the place or how grand it is."

Boo nodded slowly, silenced.

"And she said yes," DK added.

Jun gave a slow, stunned thumbs-up.

DK looked at Minghao. "Don't hesitate. If you love her, go for it. What does your heart say?"

Minghao placed a hand over his chest.

"I love her."

"Good boy," DK grinned, patting his head.

The members fell to the floor in giddy chaos, squealing like fans.