CHAPTER 45: Confessions, Chaos, and Concerts

As Nian and Xuanye returned to their room, Xuanye rubbed her sore ear and groaned.

"Haa~~ My ears! Nian, I'm a patient, but you're treating me like this, huh?"

Nian closed the door with a loud thud, making Xuanye flinch. She sat silently in her chair while Nian placed her phone on the table and joined her.

"So?" Nian asked. "What exactly happened?"

Xuanye gulped and replied, "I was walking when my stomach suddenly started hurting. I wanted to call you, but then I realized I forgot my phone… so I just sat at the bus stop. And after that, you probably know the rest." She gave a sheepish smile.

Nian tapped her fingers on the table. "And what if Minghao hadn't been there, huh?"

Xuanye grabbed her hands gently. "Nian, I'm fine. Don't get angry. Besides, I have a surprise for you."

Nian pouted. "If this 'surprise' makes me angry, I swear I won't talk to you."

Xuanye chuckled. "Yah~ Don't be so dramatic! It's not that serious."

Nian shot her a death glare. "If I tell Mom, she'll come flying with a broomstick. You want to get beaten?"

Xuanye gulped. "Why are you imagining stuff like that now? Just the thought is making me shiver!"

She paused, then smirked. "See? You distracted me again."

Nian chuckled. "Alright. Spill."

Xuanye blushed. "Flutterhao proposed to me, Nian!"

Nian's jaw dropped. She clutched her mouth like she'd just tasted something too sweet.

"He WHAT?! When?!"

Xuanye laughed. "It happened when he was taking me to the hospital. He suddenly confessed… I was so flustered, I didn't even know what to say!"

Nian clapped dramatically. "Aww~ Our Xuanye has a boyfriend now, huh?" She raised her brows teasingly.

Xuanye playfully shook her arm. Nian laughed and joined in, shaking hands with her like they had just completed a long project.

---

Later that evening, Minghao headed to the studio for practice. When he arrived, only DK and Jun were there.

"Where are the others?" he asked.

Jun replied, "They're on their way. Most of them woke up at 5 p.m."

DK chuckled. "I don't know when they'll finally become mature."

Minghao and Jun looked at him.

"DK," Jun said, "you're one of the most immature. Why are you mocking them?"

DK was stunned into silence. He cleared his throat.

"I've been like this since I was a baby," he said proudly, placing his hand under his chin and tilting his head with a smile.

Jun rubbed his arms, pretending to get goosebumps. Minghao walked closer to DK.

"Don't act like that in front of Nian. I don't know what she'd do if she gets mad at you," he said with a smirk, then headed to change his clothes.

Jun laughed. DK was still confused.

"Yah! What will she do? Tell me!" DK shouted, kicking the air in frustration.

---

One by one, the rest of the members arrived, changed into practice outfits, and gathered around. Scoups clapped his hands and sat on the floor, motioning for the others to join.

"Guys," he announced, "we're going to hold a concert at the end of next month."

Murmurs filled the room. Woozi raised a concern.

"But didn't we just have one last month?"

Scoups nodded. "Yes, but it's the end of the year. Carats deserve something special."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Wonwoo asked, "Which songs are we performing?"

Scoups smiled. "This time, we get to choose our favorites."

The room buzzed with excitement. Applause broke out. Woozi, as the producer, began listing suggestions:

Left and Right

Adore U

Cheers

God of Light Music

God of Music

Lalali

Monster

Rock with You

Aju Nice

HOT

Orbit

Holiday

April Shower

Everyone looked at Woozi in admiration. Then Hoshi raised his hand and asked softly,

"Uji~ can we add Fighting, CBZ, Prime Time, Stupid Idiot, and 96'ers?"

Woozi thought for a moment, then gave a thumbs up.

"Yay!" Hoshi jumped on Woozi with joy, his eyes half-closed in excitement. "This concert's going to be a hit!"

The members placed their hands together in the center and shouted in unison:

"Let's make it unforgettable!"

As their voices echoed through the studio, the air felt charged with excitement—and something more. A promise, maybe. That this concert would be their gift. To the Carats. To each other. And to the people waiting for them with hearts full of love.

They raised their hands high and cheered.