“Ooh wee this strawberry is sweet!” Xiumin said.

“You wanna know why?” D.O asked him as he also took a bite.

“No, not actually. I’m just really satisfied that it is.”

“Wow you’re dense.”

“Why, D.O?” Suho slipped in the conversation.

“Thank God someone’s interested in the science behind fruits. They’re sweet because they’re ripe. They’re ripe because of hormones. Plant hormones.”

“Do continue.” Suho asked.

“I’d love to, but I only know about that much.”

“My faith in humanity is destroyed. Thanks to you, D.O”

“Kyungsoo, I expect more from you. Suho, restore your faith. I can explain why it’s sweet.” Kris said. “The hormone involved in the sweetening of the fruit is ethylene. Ethylene speeds up the ripening of fruits by stimulating the production of cellulase. As we should know, cellulase hydrolyses the cellulose in plant walls, making the fruit soft. At the same time, hydrolysation of cellulose produces simple sugars. Farmers use this ethylene hormone to ripen and sweeten immature fruit.”

“I hope girls won’t use the ethane to make guys sweeter. Cus we’re born tough!” Xiumin said.

“I’m not even sure whether you’re joking or if you’re a naturally born airhead.” Kris said.

“It’s ethylene, Xiumin. And no, it can’t be used on humans, but ethylene gas can diffuse from a fruit to another fruit. So if you place an unripe banana right next to these strawberries, it will induce the ripening of the banana.” Lay explained.

“That is some useful information, Lay. Thank you.” Suho said.