Nian and Xuanye stared in shock at the pile of SEVENTEEN members on the kitchen floor. Jun tried to stand up, dazed, and gave them an awkward wave. Nian and Xuanye returned the gesture with stiff smiles.
Joshua was half-smashed under Vernon and Boo, who were scrambling to their feet. Boo pushed Hoshi back with an annoyed grunt.
"Yah, Hoshiya! Why'd you push me? See what you've done now?" Boo shouted.
Vernon, Joshua, and Jun were groaning and rubbing their backs, while Minghao, Scoups, Mingyu, DK, Dino, and Jeonghan laughed hysterically in the corner.
Nian crossed her arms, standing beside Xuanye.
"Jun… what were you guys doing? Peeking into the kitchen like spies?"
The members instantly fell silent. Jun glanced at Vernon and Minghao, elbowing each other.
Xuanye narrowed her eyes. "Well? Speak."
Jun raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. When I woke up, I saw you two cooking, so I went to tell them. Then Joshua dragged us to see what was happening."
Joshua leaned forward and glared at Jun.
Nian and Xuanye turned their eyes to Joshua. He gulped and quickly pointed to Vernon.
"We were just discussing! Not my fault," Vernon said coolly. "Everything happened because of Hoshi."
Boo shot him a bombastic side eye.
Hoshi, still half-asleep with barely opened eyes, smiled brightly. "I just went to hug Boo! He didn't stand properly, so we all fell."
The girls shook their heads in disbelief. DK kept giggling at the entire scene.
Scoups stepped forward and gave each of the chaotic trio a light tap on the head.
"Say sorry."
The members looked up with puppy-dog eyes.
But Nian and Xuanye laughed.
"It's okay, Scoups," Nian said with a grin. "They didn't mean it. Honestly, it was entertaining."
"See! Even they're happy," Hoshi said proudly, clinging to Boo's arm like a needy cat.
Boo sighed like a worn-out parent.
Nian clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, chaos squad — breakfast is ready! Go get changed and come eat."
Immediately, the members dashed to their rooms like kids hearing the lunch bell.
Xuanye groaned. "They're really babies."
Nian chuckled. "It feels like we're managing kindergarteners."
They set the table and began placing dishes. Soon, the members came out, now fully dressed, and took their seats.
Nian and Xuanye served them, and as the members took their first bites… they froze.
In perfect harmony, they exclaimed, "It's awesome! Way better than our cooking!"
Hoshi beamed as he devoured his food. Boo, still in sulky mode, quietly shoveled in bites like a dignified baby. Mingyu was stuffing his cheeks like a squirrel. Joshua dramatically moaned, "Ohhh~~ this is heaven."
Woozi looked at the girls seriously. "This is better than Scoups' cooking."
Scoups pouted, facing his bowl. "...It's nice."
Xuanye leaned over, smiling. "Scoups, I liked your cooking too! You can cook for us sometime, okay?"
Scoups brightened like the sun, nodding like an eager puppy.
DK grinned. "You two should be full-time chefs, not journalists. Nian, if you're okay with it, can you cook for us again sometime?"
Nian, mid-bite, choked.
Mingyu immediately poured her a glass of water and handed it over.
She took a sip and replied with a shaky voice, "DK… I can cook for a month, not a lifetime!"
The room exploded with laughter.
Xuanye shook her head, amused. Hoshi patted Nian's back.
"He's just joking, Nian. Don't take it seriously."
Nian's expression fell a little. She looked down and quietly resumed eating.
DK noticed and stopped laughing. Guilt flickered in his eyes.
Xuanye quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, guys! Isn't it getting late? Don't you have practice?"
Scoups glanced at the time, nodded, and stood.
"Alright, let's get moving. Everyone, clean up and get ready."
The group scattered again, buzzing with energy — full, happy, and very much like a found family.
And for Nian and Xuanye, another memory with SEVENTEEN had just been made.