The next day, the girls returned home. After waving goodbye to their boyfriends, they entered their house—still flustered and giddy. But the moment they stepped into the living room, they froze.
Their parents were sitting on the sofa, arms crossed, watching them silently.
Still in their own dreamy world, Nian and Xuanye barely noticed—until their mother asked sternly, "Girls, where did you go last night?"
Startled, the girls glanced at each other and gulped.
Their father followed up, "Did you visit the boys?"
Nian nodded nervously. "Yes, Dad… we went to see them last night."
Their mother narrowed her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Xuanye stepped forward and explained, "Mom… we've been so busy with work. The boys just got back from Japan the day before yesterday. Yesterday, we interviewed them and then had a small celebration after."
Her mother continued to glare. The girls tried to remain calm, but inside, they were panicking.
Finally, their mother huffed. "Do this again, and you can stay outside for good."
The girls quickly nodded with scared smiles.
Their parents softened. "Go freshen up and come eat."
The girls scampered to their room and shut the door behind them.
Outside, their mother muttered to her husband, "Zhang… I think they did something last night. Look at their faces—they look like they just robbed a bank."
Their father chuckled. "What robbery? It's obvious—they went on dates."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
He smirked. "Don't act like you weren't the same when we were young. You used to sneak out to meet me too."
She flushed red. "Zhang! We're getting old now. We need to be strict."
"But our daughters are responsible," he said gently. "And more importantly, they're scared of you. They won't do anything without your permission."
She sighed, shaking her head. "Maybe you're right."
He smiled. "Besides, you're always young to me."
She gasped and hit him with a pillow, blushing. He laughed while she turned away, giggling like a teenager.
—
Meanwhile, in their room, Nian and Xuanye collapsed onto their beds, still smiling like fools.
Nian turned to her and asked, "How was your date yesterday?"
Xuanye blushed. "We baked a cake together. It was perfect."
Then she elbowed Nian and smirked. "What about you, Buh~?"
Nian chuckled, "We set up a tent on DK's balcony and camped there. It was so romantic."
The girls giggled, hearts still fluttering.
—
At the dorm, the boys returned and found the rest of the members lounging in the hall, bright and cheerful.
DK blinked. "Wow, you all look so happy. What's going on?"
Hoshi, hugging Dino dramatically, said, "We went on a date! Dino was so cool, I fell for him all over again!"
Dino played along, "Oh, Hoshi~" and patted his head.
The rest of the boys tried not to laugh as DK sighed and hugged Minghao. "Oh Hao, you looked so beautiful yesterday. I missed you so much~"
Minghao stood frozen like a statue while Boo threw a pillow at DK and Hoshi. "Stop being weird!"
They all laughed and sat down.
Mingyu leaned forward. "So? How were your dates?"
DK threw a heart. "Awesome!"
Minghao smiled, "We had fun."
Then he surprised them all.
"I've decided… I'm going to propose to Xuanye."
The members gasped and immediately started kicking their feet in the air. DK's eyes widened. "I… I was thinking the same. I want to propose to Nian!"
The boys exploded with cheers and hugs.
Hoshi squealed, "We're going to become uncles! Finally!"
Jeonghan, feeling emotional, told DK, "Don't overthink it. Just do it—it'll be one of the most memorable moments of your life."
DK looked nervous. "But… what if she's not ready?"
Everyone fell silent.
Minghao placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "DK… trust yourself. Every time Nian looks at you, her face lights up. Don't doubt it."
The boys nodded.
Vernon added, "We're all rooting for you."
DK smiled, touched by their support. The members tackled him and Minghao with a group hug, bursting with pride and excitement.
—
Back at home, the girls were getting ready for breakfast when Nian suddenly froze.
Xuanye tilted her head. "What's wrong?"
Nian pointed at her phone. "In three days, it's DK and Vernon's birthday!"
Xuanye's eyes widened. She ran to the calendar. "You're right!"
"We have to do something," Nian said.
Xuanye smirked. "Let's plan a surprise party."
After breakfast, they locked their room and huddled together like secret agents.
From the kitchen, their mother watched and muttered, "Zhang… are they okay?"
He chuckled. "Let them be. Girls their age have a lot on their minds."
Inside, the girls pulled out notebooks and began planning.
Nian said, "Step one: we order a big cake for DK and Vernon."
Xuanye nodded. "Step two: we celebrate at their studio—it's their favorite place."
Nian continued, "Step three: we ask Jun, Joshua, Wonwoo, and Woozi to help. They're the most trustworthy—they won't spill a thing."
They giggled mischievously.
With a blush, Nian added, "And… I'm going to sing one of DK's solos at the party."
Xuanye gasped, excited. "WHICH ONE?!"
Nian giggled and whispered in her ear.
Xuanye screamed, but Nian quickly hushed her.
"Are you really going to sing that one?" Xuanye asked in awe.
Nian nodded. "It's our love anthem now."
Xuanye hugged her tightly. "I'll be cheering you on."
The girls smiled, already picturing the perfect moment.