_______

_______

The morning sun filtered through the thin fabric of the girls' tent, casting a warm glow over the space as they gathered inside, still groggy from sleep. Some of them sat cross-legged on the floor, while others leaned against the cushions scattered around.

The familiar static sound from the speaker made them all perk up, and soon, the automated voice filled the tent.

"As Se-jun is a new arrival, he will be given the opportunity to take a contestant of his choice to Paradise this evening."

A collective gasp filled the room. Excitement buzzed in the air as the girls turned to one another, eyes wide with anticipation.

"Who do you think he'll choose?" Seul-ki asked, biting her lip.

"Does anyone like him?" So-e glanced around, curious.

Yoo-ri, who had been rubbing her temple absentmindedly, let out a small sigh. "I don't really care."

Se-jeong turned to her with an amused look. "You don't?"

Yoo-ri shook her head. "I don't want to go to Paradise anyway."

Se-jeong raised an eyebrow. "Not even with a guy you like?"

Yoo-ri just smiled knowingly but didn't answer.

Seul-ki smirked. "Right... because someone is already happy in Inferno."

The other girls giggled at the subtle tease, and Yoo-ri rolled her eyes playfully before stretching out on the floor. "You guys can go talk about it. I'm gonna rest for a bit."

She closed her eyes, hoping that would be the end of the conversation. One by one, the girls began to trickle out of the tent, leaving only Se-jeong behind.

Se-jeong sat beside Yoo-ri, nudging her lightly. "You okay?"

Yoo-ri cracked an eye open. "Yeah, just a headache. I need to rest for a bit."

Se-jeong gave her a knowing look. "You sure it's just a headache?"

Yoo-ri smiled, sensing what she was implying. "Yes. And before you ask, things with Jin-young are fine."

Se-jeong's face softened. "Good." She then stretched her arms over her head and stood up. "I'm going to find Se-jun and see what he's thinking. Maybe I can convince him to take me to Paradise."

Yoo-ri laughed lightly. "Fighting."

As Se-jeong left the tent, Yoo-ri finally let herself relax. She lay back against the cushions, enjoying the quiet. She had barely closed her eyes when she heard the soft rustling of the tent entrance.

Opening her eyes, she saw Jin-young stepping inside, his gaze immediately landing on her.

She smiled. "Hey."

He crouched down beside her, his expression concerned. "Se-jeong said you had a headache."

Yoo-ri sat up slightly. "It's nothing serious. I just needed a little rest."

Jin-young didn't look convinced, but he nodded. "Then rest."

She tilted her head. "You're staying?"

He settled onto the floor beside her. "I'll be here while you sleep."

Her lips curled into a small smile. "You don't have to, you know."

"I want to," he said simply.

Yoo-ri hesitated for a moment before shifting closer, resting her head on his knee. She felt him stiffen slightly at the sudden contact, but after a beat, his hand came up, fingers gently threading through her hair.

The rhythmic motion of his fingers massaging her scalp sent a wave of comfort through her, making her body relax completely.

She sighed softly. "This is nice."

Jin-young chuckled. "You don't think it's too romantic?"

She smirked, eyes still closed. "It's hard not to be romantic with you."

Jin-young let out a breathy laugh. "Touché."

For a while, they didn't speak. The only sound in the tent was the faint chatter of the other contestants outside and the occasional breeze rustling the fabric.

Yoo-ri wasn't sure how much time had passed, but the gentle touch of Jin-young's fingers, combined with the warmth of his presence, lulled her into a deep sleep.

Jin-young glanced down at her, her breathing now soft and steady. A small smile played on his lips as he watched her sleep, his fingers still idly running through her hair.

He wasn't sure when it had happened, but somewhere along the way, he had stopped caring about Paradise.

Because right here, in Inferno, with Yoo-ri asleep against him this felt like paradise to him.

The soft rustling of pages was the first thing Yoo-ri noticed as she slowly blinked awake. The tent was quieter than before, the warmth of sleep still clinging to her body. She turned her head slightly and found Jin-young sitting beside her, completely absorbed in one of the books she had brought with her.

A smile crept onto her lips. "Can you read that?"

Jin-young looked up at her, his lips twitching into a sheepish grin. "Not really. I'm trying my best, though."

She let out a soft chuckle. "It's in English. Do you even understand what it's saying?"

He scratched the back of his head. "A little bit. I think it's about... love?" He flipped the book around to show her the title, as if seeking confirmation.

Yoo-ri laughed at his uncertainty. "That's a self-development book, actually. But close enough."

Jin-young shut the book with a dramatic sigh. "No wonder it didn't make sense."

Yoo-ri stretched slightly, feeling more awake now. She took a moment to properly look at him his hair neatly styled, his sharp features even more prominent in the soft daylight. He was wearing a fresh, clean outfit, making him look effortlessly put together.

"You look really good today," she said, tilting her head at him.

Jin-young smirked. "Yeah?"

She nodded. "Very clean. Very handsome."

"Well," he said, setting the book aside and leaning slightly toward her, "I had to step it up. Can't have my style lagging behind yours."

Yoo-ri grinned. "Good choice. Wouldn't want you to embarrass me."

He scoffed playfully. "Embarrass you? I'll have you know, I'm one of the best-dressed here."

She laughed, shaking her head. Her eyes drifted to the entrance of the tent, realizing she had slept through most of the afternoon. "Looks like I missed all of Se-jun's dates," she mused.

Jin-young, however, didn't seem to care. He simply smiled at her and shrugged. "And?"

Yoo-ri turned back to him, meeting his gaze. She didn't even hesitate. "I'm all in."

Jin-young's smirk softened into something more genuine. He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Good," he murmured.

Feeling warm from his words, she sat up and shifted closer, resting her head against his shoulder. They sat like that for a moment, just enjoying each other's presence, before she spoke again.

"Do you think we'll leave Inferno together?" she asked quietly.

Jin-young didn't even hesitate. "Of course."

Yoo-ri turned her head slightly, looking up at him. He glanced down at her, his expression filled with certainty. "We're both all in, right? So there's nothing that should stop us."

She exhaled, relieved by his confidence. "I'm sorry," she admitted after a beat. "For constantly making you reassure me."

Jin-young shook his head. "That's just how relationships work." He tilted his head, giving her a teasing look. "What, did you think I'd get tired of it?"

She smiled, a little embarrassed. "Maybe?"

He huffed, shaking his head. "Yoo-ri, you don't have to hold back with me. If you need reassurance, you ask. That's part of the deal."

She felt a warmth bloom in her chest. It was a simple statement, but it meant a lot.

Jin-young continued, "And instead of thinking about how we haven't been to Paradise, think about what we're going to do when we go."

She chuckled. "Oh? And what do you think we'll do?"

He smirked. "First, I'll make sure we eat something decent. Then, we'll talk without interruptions. And maybe-" he trailed off, tilting his head, "-we'll see how romantic I can really be."

She let out a playful scoff. "I'll believe it when I see it."

Jin-young laughed at that. They continued talking in low, comfortable tones until the sudden sound of the speaker interrupted their moment.

"Se-jun, as the newest contestant, please announce the person you have chosen to go to Paradise with you."

Jin-young sighed, standing up. "Guess that's my cue to leave before the girls storm in here."

Yoo-ri nodded, watching as he stepped toward the tent entrance. Before he left, he turned back to her with a soft smile. "I'll see you in a bit."

She lifted her hand in a small wave. "See you."

The tent was silent for a moment after he left, the lingering warmth of their conversation settling over her.

Not long after, the girls returned, their voices a mix of excitement and speculation.

"Who do you think he'll choose?" So-e asked, sitting down beside Yoo-ri.

"I don't know," Seul-ki mused. "Maybe Se-jeong?"

At that, Yoo-ri turned her head to look at Se-jeong, who remained quiet. Before she could ask her anything, the speaker crackled again.

"Se-jun has chosen So-e to accompany him to Paradise."

A chorus of cheers erupted in the tent. The girls clapped, congratulating So-e, who covered her mouth in surprise.

"Finally! You're escaping Inferno!" Seul-ki teased.

So-e laughed, eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't believe it!"

Yoo-ri clapped as well, genuinely happy for her. But amidst the celebration, she noticed Se-jeong's expression a tight-lipped smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Moving closer, Yoo-ri lowered her voice. "You okay?"

Se-jeong turned to her with a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Yoo-ri gave her a knowing look. "Are you sure?"

Se-jeong hesitated for a second before sighing. "I mean... I was hoping, but it's fine. It's just a game, right?"

Yoo-ri nudged her playfully. "Don't worry. When this is over, I'll personally make sure you meet a ridiculously handsome guy on the outside."

Se-jeong let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

Yoo-ri grinned. "I'm serious! I have high standards for you."

Se-jeong rolled her eyes, but there was a genuine smile on her face now. "Fine, fine. I'll hold you to that."

As the excitement in the tent continued, Yoo-ri sat back, feeling at ease. Things were falling into place not just for her and Jin-young, but for everyone else as well.

The night air was cool, carrying the scent of the sea as the contestants gathered around the boys' tent, laughing and playing games. The atmosphere was lighthearted, a welcome change after a day filled with emotions and unexpected choices.

Yoo-ri sat among the group, leaning comfortably against Se-jeong as they all took turns playing a simple but entertaining game. The laughter was contagious, and for a moment, she allowed herself to simply enjoy the night.

That was until Yoong-jae turned to her.

"Yoo-ri," he called, his tone softer than usual. "Can we talk for a bit?"

The playful chatter around them momentarily quieted as a few people glanced in their direction. Yoo-ri felt Se-jeong nudge her gently, a silent gesture asking if she was okay with it.

She met Yoong-jae's gaze, offering him a tight-lipped smile before nodding. "Sure."

Without another word, she got up, following him out of the boys' tent. The further they walked from the lively group, the more the sounds of laughter faded, replaced by the steady crash of waves in the distance. The moon shone brightly above them, casting a soft glow over the island.

They reached the girls tent, where a few empty chairs sat outside. Yoo-ri lowered herself onto one, her posture relaxed but her gaze fixed on the ocean. She didn't look at him.

Yoong-jae hesitated before sitting down beside her. He seemed to be gathering his thoughts, preparing to speak, but before he could, Yoo-ri spoke first.

"Oppa," she began, her voice steady, "I want you to know that I don't really care who you want to get to know on the island. You don't owe me any loyalty. We're on a dating show to find a connection, and if you feel like you have a better connection with Seo-un, then I'm happy for you."

Yoong-jae remained silent, listening carefully.

"But what I don't appreciate," Yoo-ri continued, finally turning to look at him, "is disrespect."

His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt.

She inhaled deeply, keeping her voice calm but firm. "The way you went about your date with Seo-un yesterday... I found that disrespectful. We had just come back from Paradise, and the first thing you did was go straight to grab Seo-un, right in front of me. You didn't even glance at me."

Yoong-jae's lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself, letting her continue.

"I get that you wanted to talk to her," Yoo-ri said, tilting her head slightly. "But the timing? The way you acted? It felt like the moment Paradise was over, I didn't matter to you anymore. And the way you were in Paradise compared to here... it's different. It's making me wonder if you only acted that way just to get a chance to go there."

A beat of silence stretched between them. The sound of the waves filled the space, and for the first time since they sat down, Yoong-jae looked away, exhaling through his nose.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke. "I didn't mean to make you feel that way."

His voice was low, sincere.

"When I went to grab Seo-un, I really didn't have any bad intentions. I just... I wanted to talk to her after we both went to Paradise with different people." He turned to her, his gaze earnest. "I didn't realize how it looked. I didn't realize how it would make you feel."

Yoo-ri remained quiet, watching him carefully.

"I know that's not an excuse," he continued. "And I'm sorry. If I had thought about it more, I would have handled things differently."

Another pause. This time, it didn't feel as heavy.

Yoo-ri sighed softly, her shoulders relaxing a little. "I just needed to say it," she admitted. "I don't want to leave this place holding grudges."

Yoong-jae gave a small nod. "I get it." He hesitated before adding, "And for what it's worth, I did mean the things I said in Paradise. I wasn't just trying to secure a date."

She studied him for a moment, then gave him a small, accepting nod. "Okay."

He let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.

They sat in silence for a few moments, neither feeling the need to say anything more. Eventually, Yoong-jae stood up, glancing down at her. "I'll see you back at the tent?"

Yoo-ri nodded, offering him a faint smile. "Yeah."

He gave her one last look before turning and walking back toward the boys tent.

As soon as he was gone, the night felt peaceful again. She leaned back in her chair, staring up at the sky, allowing herself to unwind from the conversation.

A few minutes later, she heard soft footsteps approaching.

"Are you okay?" Se-jeong's voice was gentle as she and Nadine came into view.

Yoo-ri smiled at them. "I'm fine."

The two girls exchanged glances before settling into the chairs beside her. They didn't press for details, and she was grateful for that. Instead, they simply sat with her, all three of them gazing up at the sky together.

"The stars are really bright tonight," Nadine murmured, tilting her head back.

Se-jeong hummed in agreement. "It's nice, isn't it?"

Yoo-ri let out a small, content sigh. "Yeah. It really is."

They sat in comfortable silence, the kind that only close friends could share. No more tension, no more lingering frustration just the sound of waves, the twinkling of stars, and the quiet comfort of knowing she wasn't alone.

The morning sun peeked through the tent's fabric, casting a soft glow inside as the girls sat together, chatting excitedly while waiting for Soo-e's return. The atmosphere was lively, filled with hushed whispers and bursts of laughter.

Just as they were debating whether they should have woken up earlier to greet Soo-e at the entrance, the tent's zipper suddenly slid open. The girls turned their heads at once, anticipation shining in their eyes.

Soo-e stepped inside with a bright, satisfied smile on her face.

"Soo-e!" Seoun squealed, immediately jumping up from her seat.

The rest of the girls followed suit, clapping and cheering for her return.

Yoo-ri, who had just walked in after finishing a private conversation with Jin-young, grinned as she noticed something familiar draped over Soo-e's shoulders. Without missing a beat, she pointed at her.

"Wait, are you wearing Se-jun's jacket?!" Yoo-ri blurted out dramatically, making the girls burst into laughter.

Soo-e, unbothered, grinned mischievously. "What? I just bought this jacket."

The girls erupted in laughter again, playfully nudging her while pressing her for details about her night in Paradise.

"So? How was it?" Se-jeong asked eagerly, leaning forward.

Soo-e plopped down onto a cushion, looking completely at ease. "It was really nice," she admitted, stretching slightly. "I actually slept really well."

"And the food?" Nadine prompted.

Soo-e let out a delighted sigh. "Oh, we ate so much dessert. Turns out, we both love sweets, so we went a little overboard. We had three cakes!"

Gasps filled the tent.

"Three cakes?" Se-jeong repeated. "I'm jealous."

Yoo-ri shook her head in mock disappointment. "Meanwhile, we're here barely surviving off rice and meat."

The girls laughed, but before they could tease Soo-e further, the sudden crackle of the speaker interrupted them. The room fell silent as everyone turned their heads, waiting for the announcement.

"Contestants, listen carefully. There will be a game for a chance to go on a date in Paradise."

Excitement buzzed through the group.

"Another chance for Paradise?" Se-jeong whispered, nudging Yoo-ri. "We better win."

Yoo-ri let out a small laugh, but her expression turned serious as she considered the competition ahead.

______

______

They all left the tent, making their way toward the beach, where the twelve contestants gathered in front of two large circles drawn in the sand. One of the circles had water filled inside it, while the other was empty.

The speaker crackled again.

"The female contestants' game will now begin. The challenge is Korean wrestling. Each participant will draw a ball to determine their opponent. The goal is to make your opponent fall to the ground. The fastest three winners will be ranked first, second, and third and will earn their spot for a Paradise date."

A few of the girls exchanged glances, sizing each other up. Yoo-ri inhaled deeply, already trying to come up with a strategy in her mind. She wasn't the strongest in terms of physical strength, but she had quick reflexes. Maybe that could work in her favor.

One by one, they reached into a black box, pulling out colored balls to reveal their matchups.

Seul-ki and Soo-e pulled red.
Se-jeong and Nadine pulled green.
Seo-un and Yoo-ri pulled yellow.

Yoo-ri's fingers tightened slightly around the ball in her palm. This was it.

The first match was Seul-ki versus Soo-e.

Yoo-ri stood at the edge of the ring, watching closely. Seul-ki had a naturally strong stance, keeping herself grounded as she maneuvered Soo-e's movements, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Soo-e, on the other hand, was more agile, constantly shifting her weight to avoid being thrown off balance. The match didn't last long Soo-e saw her opening and flipped Seul-ki over, making her land in the sand.

The second match was Se-jeong versus Nadine.

From the start, it was clear that neither of them was holding back. Nadine had the upper hand in terms of sheer strength, but Se-jeong was nimble and persistent, managing to hold her ground longer than expected. The two grappled fiercely for control, sand kicking up around them as they struggled. But one brief misstep was all it took Se-jeong's foot slipped slightly, and Nadine took the opportunity to push her down, securing the win.

Finally, it was Yoo-ri's turn.

As she stepped into the ring opposite Seo-un, she felt the tension settle in her stomach.

"You got this!" Se-jeong called out.

"Yeah, show them what you're made of!" Nadine added.

Yoo-ri took a steadying breath and focused.

The moment the match started, she found herself struggling to gain control. Seo-un was strong, her grip firm as she tried to destabilize her. Yoo-ri planted her feet, resisting the pull, her mind racing to find an opening.

Then, suddenly, she saw it.

Seo-un shifted her weight slightly to one side, leaving herself vulnerable for just a split second.

Yoo-ri seized the opportunity, twisting quickly and throwing her off balance. Seo-un stumbled backward, trying to regain her footing, but it was too late Yoo-ri pushed forward with just enough force to make her fall.

The match was over.

The speaker's voice rang out again.

"First place: Yoo-ri with 6.38 seconds."

A wave of cheers erupted from the contestants.

"Second place: Soo-e with 6.40 seconds."

Gasps filled the air at how close the time difference was.

"Third place: Nadine with 7.68 seconds."

Yoo-ri exhaled deeply, relief flooding through her as she realized what this meant she was going to Paradise.

Se-jeong ran up to her first, wrapping her in a tight hug. "I told you you'd win!"

Nadine joined in, giving her an excited high-five. "That was impressive, Yoo-ri."

The other contestants offered their congratulations, and even Seo-un, despite her loss, smiled at her. "Good match," she said sincerely.

Yoo-ri nodded, still catching her breath. "You too."

As she stood there, surrounded by the energy of the moment, she couldn't help but smile.

She had won. And now, she had the chance to go to Paradise.

______

______

After the intense wrestling match and the announcement of the winners, the girls retreated back to their tent, still buzzing with excitement. The atmosphere was light and playful, but an unspoken curiosity lingered in the air.

"So," Se-jeong began, stretching her legs out in front of her. "Who do you think the three of you will pick?"

The girls turned their attention toward the winners Yoo-ri, Soo-e, and Nadine.

Se-jeong's eyes landed on Yoo-ri, a teasing smile forming on her lips. "Actually, I don't even need to ask you. It's obvious you're picking Jin-young."

Yoo-ri, who was lying on her side with her head propped up by her hand, let out a small laugh. "I mean... yeah, it's pretty obvious for me."

The girls giggled, but then their attention shifted toward Soo-e.

"But for Soo-e," Yoo-ri continued, "it's not obvious at all."

All eyes turned toward Soo-e, who immediately groaned, falling back onto her cushion with an exaggerated pout. "I hate this. There are too many options. I really don't know who to pick."

"You're lucky," Se-jeong said, shaking her head. "Some of us don't even have one option, let alone multiple."

"Right?" Seo-un chimed in.

Soo-e sighed dramatically. "It's honestly a burden at this point."

Se-jeong smirked. "Then you should let me take your spot instead."

The tent filled with laughter as Soo-e swatted Se-jeong playfully.

As they continued chatting, the conversation eventually drifted into playful teasing and speculation about who would pick whom. The girls couldn't wait to see how things would unfold at the upcoming selection.

Later that afternoon, Yoo-ri and Se-jeong found themselves inside the boys' tent, sitting comfortably as they chatted with Jin-young.

Yoo-ri was sprawled across Jin-young's bed, her head resting on her arms as she laughed at something he had just said. Jin-young sat close to her, leaning back on his hands while Se-jeong sat cross-legged in front of them, deep in conversation.

"Okay, so what's your strategy?" Jin-young asked, tilting his head at Se-jeong. "Are you gonna be more proactive about talking to guys?"

Se-jeong huffed. "That's the problem I don't know how to talk to guys."

Yoo-ri turned her head to look at her. "Honestly, you don't even need to try. You're already cool as it is."

Jin-young raised an eyebrow. "That's not advice, though."

Yoo-ri scoffed. "What do you mean? That's the best advice. Girls like Se-jeong shouldn't be chasing after guys they should be running after her."

Se-jeong grinned, clearly pleased with Yoo-ri's words. "I like that logic."

Jin-young rolled his eyes with a smirk. "You guys always say stuff like that, but sometimes you have to make the first move."

"Not for Se-jeong," Yoo-ri argued. "She's a total catch. Any guy worth her time should be making the effort."

Jin-young let out a chuckle, but before he could argue further, the tent's entrance unzipped, and Nadine stepped inside.

"Can I steal him for a second?" she asked, glancing between them.

Yoo-ri sat up with an amused smile. "You've been dismissed," she said dramatically. "You can take him now."

Jin-young let out a small sigh as he stood up. "Guess I have no choice."

Yoo-ri laughed as she watched him leave with Nadine, and then she turned back to Se-jeong, still smiling. "See? Even now, he got stolen by someone else. That's exactly why you shouldn't be chasing after guys."

Se-jeong laughed. "I guess you have a point."

As the sun began to set, Yoo-ri, Soo-e, and Nadine stood, ready to announce their choices for their Paradise dates.

The rest of the contestants stood off to the side, watching in anticipation.

The speaker crackled to life. "The winners of today's challenge will now announce who they wish to take with them to Paradise."

Yoo-ri was first. She took a deep breath before stepping forward.

She already knew who she wanted. There was no hesitation.

"I pick... Jin-young."

As soon as his name was called, the boys' changing room opened, and Jin-young walked out with an easy grin on his face.

"Finally!" he cheered, raising his arms in victory.

The contestants laughed at his reaction, and Yoo-ri shook her head in amusement.

As Jin-young approached, she stood waiting for him with a playful smile.

He didn't say anything at first he simply reached for her bag, slinging it over his shoulder as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Then, he turned to her and grinned.

"Let's go to our date," he said.

Yoo-ri let out a small laugh. "So eager, huh?"

"Of course," Jin-young replied confidently. "I've been waiting for this."