CHAPTER 63: Moonlight Talk & Heartfelt Truths

As the van started to move, Nian and Xuanye returned to their seats. By 6:30 PM, they reached the dorm. The members yawned and stretched while Nian noticed the sky—a breathtaking mix of red and white sunrays painted across the clouds like an intentional masterpiece. She smiled at the view.

The boys entered their dorm, and the girls followed. As they stepped into the hall, Nian and Xuanye were stunned. The boys were sitting cross-legged on the floor, a hot-pot dinner ready, surrounded by golden fairy lights twinkling softly.

Xuanye gasped.

"When did you prepare all this?"

Nian added, "We were with you all morning. When and where did you even buy this stuff?"

The boys looked smug. Boo beamed,

"You girls don't know how tough it was to get them to help. It took us an hour!"

But Wonwoo called him out,

"Boo, you made it harder. We told you to blow the balloons."

Boo sulked, "I did! I blew them up."

Vernon deadpanned,

"Yeah, but you didn't tie them. They just flew off."

Boo shot him a dramatic side-eye.

Nian and Xuanye exchanged glances and laughed.

Joshua gestured.

"Come on in, girls. Sit."

The girls nodded and joined them. As the hot-pot sizzled, the group began eating happily. Then Dino suddenly asked,

"Wait... did we forget someone outside?"

Everyone froze.

Jun counted, "No, Dino. All 13 are here."

But a beat later, Dino frowned.

"Wait—where's Manager Zheng? He didn't even say goodbye…"

Boo scoffed,

"Is he your girlfriend now? Why does he have to say bye?"

He shrugged. "He probably had something urgent."

Dino sighed and kept eating.

---

Meanwhile...

At the company, Manager Zheng entered a tense office atmosphere.

He raised a brow.

"Why is everyone still working so late?"

A coworker replied,

"There was a paparazzi sighting. Some say they saw SEVENTEEN near Seoul University."

Zheng nearly choked.

"What?! Was it a major leak?"

"No, just a blurry photo," she said, pulling it up.

Zheng leaned in—and froze. A lock of long hair appeared to be falling on DK's back in the image.

His heart sank.

"It's just... hair, right?" he said nervously.

"Maybe it belongs to... someone special to DK," he added under his breath.

She squinted.

"What did you say?"

Zheng laughed it off.

"Nothing! Nothing. Is there a real issue with the photo?"

"No," she replied. "But the higher-ups asked us to track it and take it down from the original site."

Zheng sighed in relief.

"Crisis averted... hopefully."

---

Back at the dorm...

After dinner, everyone went to bed early. Around 10 PM, Nian was still scrolling on her phone.

"Xuanye," she whispered,

"Do you remember what day it is tomorrow?"

Xuanye looked up.

"Your birthday?"

Nian gave her a death glare.

Xuanye chuckled.

"Just kidding! Of course I remember—we're buying SEVENTEEN concert tickets tomorrow!"

She added dramatically,

"And this time, we're inside their dorm... their aura better bless us!"

They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Minghao, on his way to grab a pillow, walked in and saw them giggling like maniacs.

He paused with a raised brow.

"What's going on here?"

The girls clammed up.

Xuanye smirked,

"Just talking, Hao. You should sleep, though. You must be tired."

He gently took the pillow from her hands and ruffled her hair.

"We worked hard. Of course we're tired. But hey—are you saying you two just sat around and did nothing?"

He walked away laughing.

Xuanye blinked, catching his words only after a few seconds.

"Did he just—did he just mock me?"

Nian laughed hysterically.

"Ye, your reaction time is worse than my phone's Wi-Fi!"

She added dramatically,

"Do you need me to get you a doctor?"

Xuanye shot her a playful glare, picked up a pillow, and gave her a light smack.

"Don't laugh like that, or the boys will think we've gone mad!"

She stormed off to her room. Nian, laughing, chased after her.

---

Later that night...

At 10:30 PM, Nian woke up to drink water. The kitchen was dim, but as she passed by the balcony, she noticed someone standing outside.

She walked toward the figure quietly—

It was Jun, gazing up at the moon.

"Jun?" she asked gently, tapping his shoulder.

He turned, surprised.

"Nian? What are you doing awake?"

"I could ask you the same," she teased. "You look... nervous. Is it the concert?"

Jun hesitated.

"...A little, yeah."

Nian nodded knowingly.

"Do you get nervous before going on stage?"

Jun admitted,

"Sometimes. During practice, we're playful. But once we're near the stage, it's different. There's pressure—my stomach feels like it's flipping."

Nian offered a calm smile.

"Jun, when I first discovered SEVENTEEN, I was in a dark place. I had failed my high school finals and thought I couldn't get into college."

Jun looked at her quietly.

She continued,

"One day, I was scrolling through reels and found a clip from your Italy trip—where you all had to lip-read while wearing headphones."

Jun chuckled.

"Oh... that chaos."

Nian laughed too.

"That moment made me laugh. It gave me peace. Then I started watching GOSE, then listened to your songs... and slowly, I started healing."

Jun's eyes grew soft.

"So don't be nervous. Think of this concert as a group practice—with your brothers beside you."

Jun smiled warmly and patted her head.

"Thanks, Nian. That really helped."

Then he hesitated.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"How did you fall in love with DK?"

Nian blushed and laughed.

"His weird dances. His silly personality. That smile of his... it hits differently."

Jun chuckled.

"Yeah, that's DK. He never shows his pain, only his smile."

Nian nodded.

"Exactly. That's why I love him. And all of you—not for your image, but for your sincerity, humor, and courage to be real on camera, even if it's embarrassing."

Jun was touched.

"I think… we're lucky to have met you and Xuanye. It must be fate."

Nian smiled softly and began walking away.

"Now go sleep. You have a concert to conquer, Jun. Fighting!"

He watched her leave, the moonlight outlining her figure.

A quiet smile spread across his face.

"Yeah... it's fate."