CHAPTER 72 — Lights, Laughter, and Love

As the boys entered the stage, the Carats screamed, chanting in unison:

"SEVENTEEN! SEVENTEEN!"

The boys' faces lit up, and they walked toward the center of the stage with bright smiles.

Scoups raised his hand.

"Carats, it's been long! How are you~?"

The crowd waved their Carat bongs in reply. He playfully winked, and the members chuckled.

When the girls spotted Jeonghan, their jealousy skyrocketed. He wore a loose shirt with an overcoat and flowing pants, his long hair cascading like a K-drama prince. He flipped it with flair and said,

"Carats, this concert is going to be even more amazing than before. Are you ready to enjoy it?"

He held the mic to the crowd.

"Yes!" they screamed.

He chuckled and gave a graceful princess bow. Carats kicked their feet in excitement while Nian and Xuanye hugged each other with butterflies in their stomachs.

"Hyung, if you keep showing off to the Carats like this, what are we supposed to do?" Mingyu joked.

Boo added,

"Mingyu, you're just itching to do your pose. Stop wasting time—we've got a lot to do today."

Mingyu pouted playfully.

"Carats, see? They never let me do anything!"

Scoups smirked.

"Stop sulking. Just show us whatever new thing you've prepared."

Mingyu proudly announced,

"I came up with something new!"

He raised both hands, made a wavy move with his body, and turned his head to the audience.

"Carats, are you ready?"

Then he burst into laughter at his own antics.

The boys leaned on each other, cracking up.

DK shook his head.

"This is your big new thing?"

Mingyu covered his face in embarrassment.

Nian and Xuanye giggled.

"They act exactly like they do at the dorm," Xuanye whispered.

"Even now, they're not acting mature."

Nian grinned.

"And yet, the Carats love every second of it."

Then came Hoshi. He raised his hand and showed off his signature move.

"Horanghae!"

He walked to the edge of the stage.

"Carats, it's been a month since I did this properly! Say it with me—Horanghae!"

He let out a powerful groan like a king of the jungle.

Carats responded cheekily:

"Vice-versa, hamster!"

Woozi and Scoups laughed behind him.

"What?!" Hoshi blinked in disbelief.

"You've been screaming 'Horanghae' for months, and now this?"

He sulked, then repeated the move.

"HORANGHAE!"

This time the response echoed like thunder.

He bent down dramatically, pressed his hands to the ground like he was recharging, then stood up energized.

"That's more like it, my Carats!"

He skipped away joyfully.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Then Dino stepped up.

"Carats, how are you? When did you arrive today?"

He flashed his "eyes of love."

Minghao teased him,

"Dinoya, are you a doctor now? Why are you checking their health?"

Dino defended himself.

"Carats are our life! We should care!"

The Carats and members all said,

"Awww~"

Dino pouted.

"Even Carats are teasing me now? That's it! Don't talk to these guys—they've corrupted you!"

The members surrounded him playfully, strangling him in a hug.

Nian and Xuanye doubled over in laughter.

"Even at a concert, they're the same chaotic boys," Nian said warmly.

"And look at the Carats—laughing, glowing. They're doing great."

Next up was Boo. With the tone of a tired mother, he said:

"Carats~ we've practiced so much, and we're exhausted. Will you give us your energy?"

The Carats screamed back, raising their bongs.

Boo closed his eyes dramatically and blew a kiss.

Then it was Vernon.

"Hi, Carats! You seem super energetic today!"

He smiled softly.

"We're going to dance to some high-energy songs. If you know the steps, get up and dance with us!"

Carats blushed but waved back.

Wonwoo followed.

"Who's ready to dance? Raise your bong!"

Almost the entire arena lifted theirs. Wonwoo gave a shy thumbs up.

Then came DK.

Nian placed her hands on her cheeks, already blushing.

"Carats! Are you READY?!" he boomed.

His voice echoed like thunder.

"DID I SHOUT?" he asked innocently.

Scoups teased him,

"DK, you didn't shout—you screamed! There's a speaker in your throat. If you keep this up, we'll take your mic away!"

Carats and members alike burst into laughter.

DK grinned.

"I'm just too happy today~ Let's start early!"

Xuanye elbowed Nian playfully.

"DK's so energetic today, huh?"

Nian blushed harder and gave her a gentle shove.

Minghao stepped up, eyes sparkling.

"Carats, a lot has changed lately… but one thing hasn't—we're happy to see you."

He looked straight into the crowd.

The members flinched, thinking he was spoiling something.

But the Carats simply screamed louder.

Xuanye leaned over and whispered to Nian,

"Expected of my Flutterhao."

Joshua added,

"Carats, I've prepared lots of acrostic poems—remind me later!"

He blew a playful kiss.

Nian and Xuanye blinked.

"When did he get this cheeky?"

Then came Woozi, ever shy.

"We hope you enjoy the songs. Like Vernon said, if you want to dance, go ahead."

He gave a small, proud laugh.

Finally, Scoups took center stage.

"Carats, shall we begin?"

The crowd roared.

The boys gathered behind him, standing tall. In unison, they declared:

"Say the name—SEVENTEEN!"

And they bowed.

Goosebumps ran across Nian's arms.

"Ye… look at my hands," she whispered.

"I used to watch this through a phone screen, but now… it's real. They're right in front of us."

Xuanye smiled and hugged her tightly.

"I know. And seeing you like this—so happy—it makes me feel grateful too."

As the boys stepped back, they walked toward the main stage like runway models.

One by one, the lights dimmed.

The crowd began to chant again:

"SEVENTEEN! SEVENTEEN!"

The girls looked at each other.

They had once dreamed of seeing SEVENTEEN live, just once in their lifetime.

But now?

Fate had brought them into their world—

—and made them part of it.

Forever.