That night, they returned to their dorm and sat on their chairs. Xuanye was playing the recorded concert audio and vibing with the songs, while Nian still hadn't come out of the daze from DK's wave. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched DK's plushie.
Xuanye looked over and saw Nian staring blankly at the wall.
She walked over and tapped her on the shoulder. Nian flinched and turned.
"What happened?" Nian asked.
Xuanye crossed her arms. "That's what I should be asking you! You've been frozen ever since DK waved. Did you fall for him or what?" she teased, chuckling.
Nian's eyes widened. She lightly slapped Xuanye's arm. "No! I mean... it's the first time I've seen him in real life. I still can't believe it actually happened — even without a ticket, I got to see him."
Xuanye nodded as if Nian had spoken some deep truth. "Yes, Nian~ And when Hoshi smiled, he was so cute! If I had the chance, I'd grab his cheeks and pat him. He's such a cutie~~~"
Nian shook her head, laughing. Xuanye was completely melting.
After dinner, they went to bed. Xuanye was listening to music while finishing up some homework. Nian lay on her side, facing the wall, holding her DK plushie close with a dreamy smile. She soon drifted off to sleep.
---
Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN returned to their dorms and began chatting about the concert. Scoups was beaming.
"I'm treating you all today!"
The other twelve members cheered and hugged him. DK was dancing around joyfully. Hoshi and Boo hugged each other, while Woozi giggled quietly and Minghao gave them all his usual judgmental side-eye.
---
The next morning was a holiday, so Xuanye was fast asleep. Nian woke up at 8 a.m. She blinked and stretched, still holding the plushie in her hands.
She smiled and gave the plushie a kiss.
Nian tried to wake Xuanye, but she wouldn't budge. So Nian scribbled a quick note — "I'm going out to eat" — and placed it on Xuanye's forehead. She laughed to herself and left.
The sun was bright outside as she walked through the street, taking a deep breath and feeling refreshed.
Suddenly, someone tapped her from behind. She turned around — it was Yichen.
"Why are you here?" she asked, surprised.
"Just out for a walk... then I saw you," he said with a soft smile.
Nian nodded and continued walking. Yichen followed beside her.
"Where are you heading?" he asked.
"To get something to eat, Yichen."
He didn't respond but kept walking beside her like a silent puppy.
When they reached a small, familiar restaurant, Yichen frowned.
"Can we go somewhere else? This place looks old."
Nian gave him a smirk. "Don't judge from the outside. The taste here is amazing."
She stepped forward to open the door — but a bulky man stood guard, blocking it.
Nian tried to move past him, but he didn't budge.
Frustrated, she began knocking insistently. The man finally stepped out and spoke in a deep voice.
"What do you want?"
"I want to go inside and eat," she replied, trying to push past again.
But he stopped her firmly.
Yichen stepped between them. "Can you move aside?"
The bulky man and Yichen locked eyes, tension flaring. Meanwhile, Nian started calling out.
"Sir! Sir!"
The restaurant owner came out. "Nian, what happened?"
She pouted. "I just wanted breakfast, but he's not letting me in!"
The owner scratched his head awkwardly. "Today the restaurant is booked. I'm not letting anyone in."
Nian blinked. "Booked? By who? Did he blackmail you or something?"
Everyone — the owner, the guard, and Yichen — stared at her in shock.
The owner chuckled nervously. "No no, it's not like that. I'll explain another time. For now, please just leave, Nian."
He turned and walked back inside. The guard followed, closing the door behind him.
Nian pouted. "Who even booked this place, huh~~" she grumbled as she walked off.
Yichen chased after her, trying to calm her down.
---
Inside the restaurant, the ones who had booked it — SEVENTEEN — were seated and chatting.
"Who was that girl outside?" Hoshi asked.
The owner smiled. "She's a regular. Comes here for breakfast every day. But I told her to eat at college today."
Boo looked disappointed. "You should've let her in, sir. She seemed really hungry..."
Hoshi shook his head. "Hyung, be serious. What if she saw us? We wouldn't be able to eat peacefully."
DK leaned forward. "Guys, eat before the food gets cold. We're wasting Scoups' rare treat here."
Boo and Hoshi looked shocked.
Scoups glared at DK. "Yah~ I did say I'm treating everyone, but you're making it sound like I never do!"
He pouted as everyone laughed.
DK smiled wide, his mouth open in pure joy.
The owner stood by, watching them with a smile. "Eat well, boys."
They all nodded and began eating, unaware how close Nian had been to seeing her bias again.