The next day, the boys woke up in their dorm at 7 a.m. They stepped out of their rooms, greeted by warm sunlight pouring through the windows. Wonwoo, Vernon, Woozi, Joshua, and Jun were already seated on the sofa, while Boo, Hoshi, Dino, Mingyu, Jeonghan, DK, Minghao, and Scoups walked in, still rubbing sleep from their eyes.
"The sun's so bright today, I can't even see clearly," Mingyu groaned.
Joshua chuckled. "Don't stand there too long, or red is all you'll see."
The boys laughed and sat down. DK squinted toward the window with a soft smile. "If I had met Nian today, I would've gone on a date with her."
The boys looked at him, butterflies fluttering in their chests. Hoshi giggled. "DK, if you go on a date with Nian, where would you take her?"
DK blushed and started dancing out of happiness. "I... I'd do whatever Nian wants. Just being with her would be enough."
Hoshi turned into a clingy tiger and flopped onto Dino's lap, blushing while Dino patted his head.
Dino then turned to Minghao. "What about you? If you went on a date with Xuanye, what would you do?"
The boys leaned in curiously, knowing Minghao wasn't one for going out much.
Minghao calmly leaned forward. "I'd ask her to come to my house."
Boo's curiosity piqued. "And what would you do at home?"
Minghao smirked. Hoshi's eyes widened. "What~? At home~?!"
The boys all stared at Minghao, waiting for an answer.
"Guys, hear me out," Minghao continued. "I'd just want her to stay and talk with me. That's it." He smiled proudly.
The room erupted in laughter.
"As expected," Wonwoo said, "Even after falling in love, Minghao still doesn't want to go outside."
"What's the difference?" Minghao asked innocently. "We still talk either way."
All the members turned to him in disbelief, laughing harder.
DK added, "But when you go out, it's romantic! She can lean on your shoulder while you talk."
Dino and Hoshi immediately acted out a date scene with Hoshi playing Xuanye and Dino as Minghao. As DK narrated, they mirrored every word, making Minghao blush just from watching.
He suddenly remembered Xuanye walking beside him during one of their strolls. Even if I don't enjoy going out much, she makes me want to go. She balances me... and that's what love is.
Meanwhile, back at the girls' office, Nian and Xuanye were rushing—it was already 10 a.m., and the interview was about to start in an hour. Technicians and producers were checking equipment, while Xuanye double-checked the backdrop and Nian reviewed the guest files in the waiting room.
In the van, the boys were en route to the interview.
"Boys," Zheng said, "This is a spontaneous Q&A. No scripts. They'll ask you questions on the spot."
The boys looked at him in alarm.
"But what if they ask something too personal?" Vernon asked.
Zheng reassured them. "If that happens, I'll handle it. Just follow my lead."
DK raised his hand. "Zheng… I didn't tell Nian I'm coming. She'll be worried."
Zheng sighed. "Don't worry. You can meet her afterward."
The boys chuckled while DK sulked affectionately. As they reached the company, they stepped out of the van one by one. Minghao, stepping out first, froze as he looked up.
"This… this is where Xuanye and Nian work," he whispered.
The rest of the boys followed his gaze. DK's eyes widened. "I didn't expect we'd end up here…"
They all looked at Zheng.
Zheng blinked, confused. "What? What's wrong?"
DK and Minghao asked in unison, "Did you know they worked here?"
Zheng shook his head. "I swear I didn't. If I had, I would've told you!"
The boys nodded with reluctant acceptance. With straightened postures, they walked proudly into the building. The receptionist blushed upon seeing them. Employees whispered and smiled, starstruck by the presence of Seventeen.
"We're here for the interview," Zheng said, glancing at the receptionist.
"It's on the 3rd floor," she replied sweetly.
Zheng turned to the boys. "And act mature, please. Don't look like you're about to propose."
DK and Minghao stifled their excitement.
As they entered the lift, anticipation built in their chests.
Downstairs, the receptionist phoned the production team. "They've arrived."
Inside, the producer turned to Xuanye. "The group is here. Call Nian. Let's do a final check."
Xuanye nodded and hurried out.
Upstairs, Zheng stood in front of Room 117 and knocked.
Inside, Nian was reviewing files, her back turned. "Come in," she said without looking.
Zheng opened the door. "We're from Pledis, here for the interview."
The boys entered slowly. As DK scanned the room, his breath caught.
There she was.
He froze, heart racing, palms sweating. His voice cracked as he called out, "Nian…"
Everyone turned in shock. Zheng turned toward DK, surprised.
Nian dropped her file, hands trembling.