27

After their successful comeback, Jaehyuk had planned something to surprise the boys

The van slows to a stop in front of a traditional Korean countryside house. The yard is wide and surrounded by trees, with the sound of birds chirping and the wind gently rustling the leaves.

As soon as the van doors slide open, the smell of home-cooked food lingers in the air.

Jaehyuk and Heyoung step out first, stretching a bit from the long ride. The front gate creaks open. Heyoung smiles at the familiar view.

Jaehyuk adjusts his cap and turns toward the van to welcome everyone. Ayun steps out carefully, carrying Heechan in her arms.

"Welcome to the countryside, boys. My childhood, trauma, and mom's killer kimchi all in one place." Jaehyuk cheerfully said.

Heyoung grins, "And her famous habit of asking way too many personal questions—good luck."

The SEVENTEEN members laugh as they start hopping out of the van one by one, grabbing bags and stretching. Scoups lingers, subtly brushing his hand against hers, a quiet sign of comfort.

Just then, the front door swings open—Jaehyuk and Heyoung's mom steps out, apron on, beaming.

Mrs. Lee excitedly welcomes them, "Jaehyuk! Heyoung! Aigoo, you're here! You brought all these handsome young men—ah, so tall!"

She walks over briskly, but her eyes immediately land on Ayun and the baby in her arms. Her expression softens. She gasps with joy.

"You must be Ayun-ssi, you're even prettier in person! And this must be little Heechan... Aigoo, my grandson is so cute!" Mrs. Lee happily said.

Silence. Everything freezes.

Ayun's eyes widened, "...Grandson?"

Jaehyuk suddenly coughed, "Wait, Mom—what did you just say?!"

Mrs. Lee giggled and waved her hand, "Oh, stop pretending, Jaehyuk. You brought your girlfriend and your baby home, it's nothing to be ashamed of!"

The members exchange shocked glances. Joshua and Jeonghan quietly step back to enjoy the chaos. Seungkwan elbows Mingyu, whispering, "I KNEW IT."

Ayun frantically said, "N-No, no, no! Someone, I'm not dating Jaehyuk-ssi! I'm Heyoung's best friend! Heechan's my baby!"

Jaehyuk exasperatedly said, "Mom, seriously! I didn't secretly start a family while managing idols!"

Mrs. Lee paused and confusedly said, "...Really? But why were you holding the baby's toy!"

"Mom, Jaehyuk just helped carry things. Ayun's a single mom, remember? You always say you admire women like her!" Heyoung laughed as he tried not to drop her bag.

"Well... you looked like a couple. A very tired one." Mrs. Lee was still squinting and unconvinced.

Ayun, mortified, said, "I'm just trying to raise my son, not spark rumors!"

At that moment, Scoups clears his throat and steps forward awkwardly next to Heyoung.

Jaehyuk catches it and slowly turns to look at them with narrowed eyes.

Scoups bowing politely, "Ma'am. I'm Choi Seungcheol. I... also came with Heyoung."

Mrs. Lee tilted her head and gently smiled at him, "You came with Heyoung? Are you...?"

Heyoung nervously but softly replied, "Yes, Mom. He's... we're dating."

More silence. The wind rustles. A bird chirps once.

Somewhere in the back, DK goes "OHHHHH" too loudly before Woozi shushes him.

Mrs. Lee wide-eyed, "...Oh my. Now this I didn't see coming."

Jaehyuk groaned into his hand, "Great. She thought I had a secret baby, and now her favorite child drops this."

Mrs. Lee looks between Scoups and Heyoung, then finally breaks into a wide smile.

"Well. I guess the drama was worth the wait. Come inside—everyone's hungry, and we have a lot to talk about." Mrs. Lee teased.

The entire group starts laughing as they begin unloading bags.

Jaehyuk shoots Heyoung a look as if to say "You owe me," while Ayun clutches Heechan tighter, still pale from the misunderstanding. Scoups quietly leans over to Heyoung.

"Not how I imagined meeting your mom, but... she's cute." Scoups murmured.

Heyoung smirked, "Wait until she sees your baby photos. You're so done."

=====

In the kitchen, Mrs. Lee is busy preparing lunch with the help of Heyoung, while Ayun is bottle-feeding Heechan near the dining table.

Scoups sits beside Heechan, smiling as he gently makes faces to entertain the baby. From time to time, he glances toward the kitchen, clearly nervous.

Mrs. Lee calls out to Scoups, "Seungcheol-ah! Come in here and help me cut the radish!"

Scoups got startled for a bit, "O-Oh! Ne, eomeoni."

He rushes into the kitchen, throwing a quick glance at Heyoung who smirks behind her glass of water. Mrs. Lee hands him a cutting board and a knife.

Mrs. Lee watched him closely, "You cook?"

Scoups nervously slicing the radish, "A little. We all take turns in the dorm. Shua says my kimchi jjigae is edible, so..."

Mrs. Lee chuckled, "Good enough. As long as you won't let my daughter starve."

Scoups blushed, "I'd never."

Heyoung turns away to hide her grin. Jaehyuk enters just then, drying his hands with a towel and noticing the scene in the kitchen.

Jaehyuk said under his breath, to Heyoung, "You let him in the kitchen already? Brave."

"He's holding up better than you did when you brought your college girlfriend home." Heyoung teased.

Jaehyuk scowled, "That was one burnt egg and she cried, okay?"

In the living room, Seungkwan, Jeonghan, and DK are gathered around Heechan, trying to make him laugh. Heechan lets out a giggle, throwing his pacifier at Seungkwan.

"He likes you," Jeonghan said.

"Because I'm naturally good with kids. Obviously. It's the Jeju charm." Seungkwan dramatically said.

"Or maybe he thinks you're a cartoon character." DK jokes.

Back in the kitchen, lunch is finally ready. Everyone gathers at the low dining table, the members folding their long legs and marveling at the dishes.

Mrs. Lee proudly set down a bowl of soup,

"I made extra since you boys eat like a small army."

Joshua bowed politely, "It smells amazing, thank you so much."

They begin eating. Scoups sits beside Heyoung, sneaking her bits of meat and vegetables.

Jaehyuk, across the table, notices but says nothing. He's keeping a close eye.

"Seungcheol-ah, what are your intentions with my daughter?" Mrs. Lee asked, after a few bites.

The entire table goes silent. A few chopsticks freeze mid-air. Heechan burbles softly in the background.

Scoups straightening, "I... I really care about her. She's someone I respect deeply, and I want to be with her. For a long time, if she'll have me."

Heyoung's eyes slightly widened, Jaehyuk shot him a look—half warning, half impressed. Mrs. Lee studies him for a bit, then nods slowly.

Mrs. Lee faintly smiled, "Good. If you hurt her, the whole countryside will know before you make it back to Seoul."

Laughter breaks the tension. SEVENTEEN sighs in relief and starts eating again.

Heyoung squeezes Scoups' hand under the table.

"You survived," Heyoung whispered.

Scoups softly and grins, "Barely."

=====

The golden sunlight filters through the trees in the backyard. A low wooden table has been set out on the grass, and some of the SEVENTEEN members are lounging around lazily after lunch.

Others are tossing a ball around or helping Mom pick vegetables from the garden.

Ayun is sitting on a picnic blanket with Heechan in her lap, cooing and bouncing him gently. Heyoung is nearby, sipping iced barley tea while watching Scoups—who is currently being taught how to properly pick lettuce by her mom.

Mrs. Lee had her hands on her hips. "Seungcheol-ah, don't pull it like that! You'll break the roots—twist and lift. Like this."

Scoups being focused, "Twist and lift... Got it."

Heyoung grins, "You're working hard, country boy."

Scoups said with mock pride, "I'm trying to impress your mom before she marries me off to farming."

"You wouldn't last a week. This guy can barely keep a cactus alive." Jeonghan shouted from the shade.

"Betrayal. In front of my future in-laws, no less." Scoups said while pointing at Jeonghan with a lettuce leaf.

Heyoung tries to hide her laugh. Jaehyuk walks over, arms crossed, watching Scoups and their mom bonding with a curious expression. He quietly sits beside Heyoung.

"...He's serious about you," Jaehyuk said in a low voice.

"I know." Heyoung quietly said, still watching Scoups.

Jaehyuk lets the silence hang for a second before sighing.

"If he ever stops being serious...tell me soon, Heyoung-ya."

Heyoung smiling slightly, "You sound like Appa."

"Someone has to now." Jaehyuk chuckled.

Their mom suddenly waves toward the house.

"Jaehyuk, Ayun-ssi, bring the baby in! He'll catch a chill!" Mrs. Lee shouted.

Ayun gently picks up Heechan in her arms. "Yes, eomeoni."

Jaehyuk stands and walks over to help Ayun carry the baby bags.

As they head inside, Mrs. Lee turns to Scoups, handing him the small basket of freshly picked lettuce.

Mrs. Lee softly said, "I like you, Seungcheol. You've got kind eyes. And I can tell you love my daughter."

Scoups humbly said, "I do. A lot. I'll do everything I can to take care of her."

Mrs. Lee nodded and warmly smiled, "Good. She's strong, but even strong women want someone to lean on. Don't make her carry everything alone."

Heyoung, listening nearby, looks away to blink back the warmth in her chest. Scoups walks over and sits beside her, placing the basket down.

"Your mom likes me." Scoups gently said, nudging her knee with his.

Heyoung smirked, "She likes you. Doesn't mean you're in the clear yet."

Scoups grins, "Challenge accepted."

He leans back, his hand brushing against hers between them on the picnic blanket. She doesn't move it away.

In the distance, Heechan's babbling echoes through the open window of the house. Laughter and the hum of family life surround them. For a moment, everything is peaceful.