The members had gotten ready and were waiting outside for the van. Inside, Nian and Xuanye were finishing packing their things.
"Xuanye, do you remember what Professor Xi told us this morning?" Nian asked. "He told us to ask the members about their favorites."
Xuanye looked uncertain. "Yeah, I remember. But… how do we even ask that? Won't they feel like we're prying into their private lives?"
Nian sighed. "That's why we'll ask politely. If they don't want to answer, we'll just change the topic, okay?"
Xuanye nodded.
Just then, Wonwoo stepped inside. "Girls, the van is here. Can we leave now?"
They nodded and quickly followed him outside. When they stepped out and saw the big van waiting for them, both girls hesitated.
Scoups signaled them to hop in.
They looked at each other and grabbed each other's hands tightly, like they were walking into a haunted house.
The van door closed behind them.
Xuanye leaned in and whispered, "Nian, now's our chance. I'll ask Joshua, Jun, Scoups, Hoshi, Vernon, and Minghao. You ask DK, Woozi, Wonwoo, Dino, Jeonghan, Mingyu, and Boo."
Nian gave her a look. "Why are you giving me the long list?! You're the leader!"
Before she could argue more, Xuanye nudged her toward DK's seat.
Nian sat beside him reluctantly. Xuanye sat beside Vernon, already starting her task.
Nian took a deep breath, grabbed her notebook, and turned to DK. "DK, can I ask you a question?"
DK removed his headphones and smiled. "Sure, what is it?"
"What are your favorite things?"
DK's eyes lit up. Mingyu, Boo, and Dino leaned forward to listen.
"Hmm, I like pizza, Wenchang chicken… I love singing. I'm a sensitive person, and I love making people smile."
Nian quickly jotted everything down.
"That's perfect, thank you!" she said with a smile and turned around, giggling.
DK was left staring at her, his heart thudding hard in his chest. His eyes sparkled as he watched her walk away.
Dino leaned over. "Hyung, don't stare so hard or your eyeball will fall out."
Mingyu burst into laughter as DK rolled his eyes, shoved his headphones back on, and blushed.
Meanwhile, Xuanye asked Vernon, "What are your favorite things to do?"
He replied casually, "I love music, sweets, cheeseburgers… I like summer and fall."
Xuanye frowned. "Don't say 'music.' That's obvious. Give me something else."
Vernon smiled sheepishly. "Okay, okay… I love cats."
She wrote it down. "And by the way, Nian and I love your smile. Smile more often, okay?"
Vernon chuckled.
Next, Xuanye asked Joshua.
"I like eating, sleeping, playing guitar, and singing," he said with a soft grin.
"And acrostic poems," she added while jotting it down.
Vernon laughed silently, while Minghao pressed his lips together, trying not to giggle.
On the other side of the van, Nian approached Boo.
"What are your favorite things?"
Boo lit up. "I love playing volleyball. I like being an MC, hamburgers, and making people happy!"
Nian smiled. "I love your bombastic side eye. Can you do it for me?"
Boo giggled like a shy girl and shot her a perfect bombastic side eye. The members roared with laughter.
Back on Xuanye's side, she stood to head to Minghao, but the van suddenly braked. She lost her balance and stumbled — straight into Minghao's lap.
The van went silent.
Minghao leaned back, startled, as Xuanye quickly pushed herself up, flustered.
The members watched in stunned amusement. Minghao helped her to her feet, offering his hand. Her hands trembled as she accepted his help.
"Are you okay?" Nian rushed over.
Xuanye nodded, still shaken. Minghao, meanwhile, hadn't moved a muscle.
Just then, the manager poked his head in. "We've arrived at the studio."
Scoups turned to the girls. "Nian, let her rest a while before joining us, okay?"
Nian nodded, and the members began filing out of the van.
DK patted Nian on the shoulder as he passed and gave her a soft smile. Her heart skipped.
He walked out.
Minghao, who had already stepped off, paused, came back, and rummaged through his bag. He handed Xuanye a drink.
In a quiet voice, almost trembling, he said, "I… I'm sorry. Please take this." He bowed and walked away.
Xuanye stood there speechless, holding the drink. A soft smile grew on her face as she watched him disappear into the building.