CHAPTER 86: Secrets, Surprises & Jeonghan’s Unexpected Fan

As the boys sat, DK and Minghao looked at each other and said in unison, "Guys, actually... Nian and Xuanye are sisters, not friends."

The members froze mid-bite, mouths hanging open. Scoups blinked. "Really? How did you guys find out?"

Jeonghan squinted. "How... how is that even possible, guys?"

DK and Minghao chuckled, trying to hold in their laughter.

Boo and Wonwoo asked in unison, "Wait... so you guys fell for daughters, not friends?"

The two blushed while exchanging a proud look.

Jun raised a brow. "Then why didn't they tell us?"

Minghao shrugged. "We were just as shocked when we found out. I even asked their parents if the girls were really their daughters."

The members burst into laughter.

Vernon leaned forward. "Then what happened?"

Minghao continued, "When we found out they were sisters, DK immediately asked their surname."

Boo gave him a bombastic side eye. "Guys, that's rude!"

DK pouted. "It's not rude! Boo, if you and Hoshi had the same surname and your girlfriends asked it, would you call that rude? She'd probably give you a slap."

The members burst into laughter again.

Hoshi grinned proudly. "If my girlfriend asked, I'd tell her every single detail!"

Boo rolled his eyes. "To even be asked that, I'd need a girlfriend first," he said dramatically.

"Aigoo, Boo," Hoshi said, patting his back, "don't worry. I'll find one for you. Like me." He made a heart with his fingers.

Boo coughed, then tried to bite his hand like a drama queen, making everyone giggle.

Joshua shook his head. "Enough chaos. Tell us — how did the parents react?"

DK grinned. "When we walked in, their father was watching our THUNDER performance on TV!"

The members collectively shouted, "What?!"

DK continued, "He asked us if we knew SEVENTEEN."

Mingyu laughed. "What did you guys say?"

Minghao cracked up. "We just nodded and said, 'Yeah, we know them.' Then during the performance, when Scoups's part came, he grabbed our hands and asked us to do the hook step with him."

Scoups covered his face with his hands. "Oh god... how did he react?"

DK grinned. "Actually... we recorded it. Do you wanna see?"

The members eagerly nodded, and Minghao played the video. They burst out laughing and smiled warmly.

Jeonghan placed a hand over his heart. "Seeing a Carat enjoy our performance like that... it means everything."

Woozi asked, "Then what happened when they found out you were idols?"

The two blushed.

"At first, their mother didn't seem like she'd accept it. She asked us what we'd do if we had to choose between our career and the girls."

The members went silent.

"What did you say?" Woozi asked seriously.

DK said gently, "We told her... even if we faced problems, we wouldn't drag the girls into it. We'd protect them and take care of them."

The members clapped, clearly moved.

Dino stood and clapped with pride. "Boys, I'm genuinely impressed."

Everyone clapped in agreement. DK and Minghao looked proud.

Hoshi teased, "So... when are you getting married?"

DK and Minghao froze. The boys laughed, and Woozi asked, "Hoshi, are you seriously that excited to marry them off?"

Hoshi nodded enthusiastically. "He just wants to be an uncle so he can buy toys," Boo and Dino said in unison.

Minghao and DK didn't know how to respond but were clearly enjoying the teasing.

As usual, Boo and Dino matched again — hugging each other like koalas while squealing.

Minghao then took out the lunch box. "Guys, this is for you. Nian and Xuanye's mom prepared it and told us to share it."

The members clapped with joy.

DK handed out armlets. "Their dad made these. He said they're lucky charms for our future."

The boys clapped again, touched.

They opened the food and found a variety of delicious dishes. They were practically drooling.

Wonwoo smiled quietly.

Jun noticed. "Why are you smiling?"

Wonwoo said softly, "Usually when it's Scoups's turn to cook, we end up ordering food or hoping the girls will cook... but now, even though they're not here, their mom cooked for us."

Jun nodded. "Even if they're not coming for now, their presence stays with us."

The members grew quiet and sentimental.

Joshua added, "Let's not waste a single bite. Let's eat everything and send photos to the girls. They'll be happy."

Everyone agreed and began to eat.

As they were eating, Minghao suddenly said, "DK, we forgot to tell them the funniest part!"

DK burst out laughing. "Right! The angel who can even capture men's hearts!"

The members blinked in confusion.

Vernon asked, "What are you talking about?"

Minghao was laughing so hard he couldn't speak.

Scoups insisted, "Guys! What is it?!"

DK managed to say through laughter, "It's about Jeonghan."

The members all turned to Jeonghan. He froze. "What did I do now?"

Minghao wheezed, "Their father... literally fell for you, Jeonghan."

Everyone burst out laughing again.

"What?!" Jeonghan nearly choked on water.

DK grinned. "When their dad saw you in our debut video — the one with the ponytail — he thought you were a girl. He said he literally fell for you!"

Minghao added, "And their mom gave him a pillow beating because she saw him smiling at your face!"

Boo cracked up. "No way!"

Jeonghan looked betrayed. "So... even their dad thought I was a girl?!"

Hoshi piped up, "Even I thought Woozi was a girl when I first met him!"

Everyone laughed again while Woozi silently cracked up.

As the boys teased, joked, and relived every moment — it became clear.

Even if they'd once sat on a beach, swearing not to drift apart...

No wave, no fight, no distance could ever break their bond.

This friendship — this family — was built to last.