B O N U S

Gemini café hums with soft acoustic music, the clink of dishes, and the smell of cinnamon and espresso in the air. A cozy window table is cluttered with notebooks, color swatches, and a half-eaten croissant.

Heechan, now nearly 1, sits in a baby chair beside Ayun, rhythmically banging his sippy cup like a drum.

Ayun smiled at her son, "I swear he's trying to summon dinosaurs already."

"If he brings a T-Rex to the party, we're blaming you." Jaehyuk laughed as he wiped some bananas off Heechan's cheek.

Heyoung scrolling on her tablet.

"Okay, so picnic setup, dino theme, soft play area for the babies... oh! Should we hire someone in a dinosaur costume?"

Ayun raised her eyebrow, "I'm scared that'll either make him laugh or cry forever."

"True. Emotional trauma by triceratops isn't ideal." Heyoung said

Just then, Heyoung's phone vibrates with a video call — the screen lights up.

Cherry<3

Heyoung smiled, "Hold up, it's Cheol. Probably checking if I've eaten lunch."

She answers the call. Instantly, the screen fills with the bright, chaotic energy of SEVENTEEN — they're in their practice room, drenched in sweat, water bottles in hand.

[ "Hey, love—wait, are you with Ayun and Heechan?" ] Scoups asked, slightly breathless.

[ "HEECHAN!!!" ] The rest of SEVENTEEN shouted as soon as their leader-nim mentioned Heechan's name.

[ "WHERE IS THE BIRTHDAY KING?!" ] Hoshi asked while dramatically leaning in.

Heyoung laughed as she turned the camera to Heechan, "There he is—still royalty, still sticky."

Jeonghan cooed at the screen, [ "Look at him! He got even chubbier! That face should be illegal." ]

Heechan squeals, reaching for the screen with both hands, "Bababababaaa!"

[ "Pretty sure that was him saying 'Hyung, where's my gift?" ] Joshua laughed.

Ayun smiled and was clearly touched by the Boy's interaction with her son, "He remembers your voices, you know. You guys come over so often that he thinks you're cousins or something."

DK gave a mock-serious tone, [ "We are family. Dibs on my favorite uncle." ]

"You'll have to fight Seungkwan for that one." Jaehyuk teased.

Seungkwan immediately chimed in from the back, [ "I heard that! I bring snacks every time!" ]

[ "You're the boyfriend, right? Good luck keeping up. Heechan's fan club is... extensive." ] Mingyu playfully said to Jaehyuk.

Jaehyuk grinned, "I'm just trying to get promoted to 'Cool Stepdad' before they all beat me to it."

[ "You're doing fine. Just don't mess up the cake." ] Scoups said as he approvingly nods

Woozi deadpan, [ "Or the playlist. I'm sending you a baby-friendly remix of 'Aju Nice.' You're welcome." ]

"Y'all better send a video message for the party. If not, I'm putting your worst selfies in the slideshow." Heyoung demanded the group.

Jun grinned, [ "Too late. I already submitted ten." ]

Ayun laughed but got a little emotional, "Thanks, guys. Really. Heechan may not remember this birthday... but I will."

Scoups gently said, [ "He's lucky. Not every kid grows up surrounded by so much love." ]

They all go quiet for a beat — even the noise from the café feels softer for a moment. Heechan lets out a happy yell, breaking the silence.

[ "Okay! Operation Tiny Dinosaur: green hats, balloons, and good vibes. Let's go!" ] Hoshi brightly declared.

Heyoung ended the call.

"Mission accepted. SEVENTEEN over and out."

As the screen goes dark, the table erupts in laughter again. Ayun leans over to kiss Heechan's cheek, and Jaehyuk gently takes her hand.

"One year. And somehow... it already feels like a lifetime." Ayun quietly said to herself.

=====

The park is buzzing with laughter. Kids chase each other with bubble wands, balloons float overhead, and a small speaker plays gentle music. The party is full of greenery, pastel dinosaur decorations, and the occasional cupcake-covered toddler.

Suddenly, the peaceful vibe is shattered—in the best way possible.

Mingyu barrels in first, arms flailing in a bright green inflatable T-Rex costume.

Mingyu yelled through the plastic mouth, "HEECHAN! YOUR DINO-HYUNGS HAVE ARRIVED!"

Behind him come Hoshi, Seungkwan, and DK, all equally puffed up in ridiculous dino suits, wobbling toward the picnic area in full character.

Seungkwan roared, "The kingdom of cuteness is ours!"

Hoshi trips over a root and lands face-first on a fruit platter.

Ayun, holding Heechan, bursts out laughing.

"Oh my god. You guys are so banned from his second birthday."

"Let me guess—this was Seungkwan's idea," Jaehyuk said while watching Hoshi struggle to get up.

"Excuse me?! This was an artistic commitment!" Seungkwan said.

A few moments later, Jeonghan strolls in like it's a red carpet—casual, but with elegance only he can pull off.

On his arm is Arin, SEVENTEEN's stylist and now very official girlfriend. She wears a soft linen dress with tiny dinosaur prints and a warm smile.

Ayun and Heyoung light up the second they see her.

"ARIN! You came!" Ayun shouted.

Arin hugged them both.

"Like I'd miss Heechan's party. Also, someone—" Arin glances at Jeonghan. "—wasn't subtle about wanting me to come."

Jeonghan grinned at her, "She bullied me into matching outfits."

"You look like Pinterest parents. I hate you both." Heyoung excitedly said as she noticed their outfits.

They all laugh as Heechan squeals in delight, reaching toward the glitter on Arin's dress.

Heechan is seated at a low table, the softest green crown on his head. His dino-smash cake sits in front of him. Cameras are up, guests gather, and the inflatable dino quartet starts chanting.

"SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!"

Heechan slaps both hands into the cake, grinning like a king.

Everyone cheers.

=====

As the chaos slows and kids start to wind down, Heyoung slips away toward a quieter part of the park with a cup of fruit tea. Scoups finds her under a string of fairy lights, watching Heechan play from a distance.

"Finally escaped the dinos, huh?" Scoups softly said while coming beside her.

Heyoung smirked, "I love them. But they're a health hazard in that costume."

Scoups laughs, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"You're glowing today. I mean, you always are—but here, with all of this... it suits you."

Heyoung turns to face him, their hands naturally finding each other.

"You know... a year ago today, Ayun was terrified. Alone. And now? Look at her. Look at all of us."

"You helped her. You built this circle around her. Me included."

He leans in and kisses her forehead gently.

Scoups quietly whispered, "One day... if we ever have a little dino of our own, I hope our life looks a little like this."

Heyoung smiled, "You're soft today, Leader-nim."

"Only for you."

=====

Thank you to all of the readers of Cherry with Love! Thank you for joining the storyline of our general leader, Scoups, and our miss editor, Heyoung.

This wraps up the first series of SEVENTEEN-FOUND LOVE SERIES.

Lee Heyoung and Choi Seungcheol are now signing off!