The scene cut to Yoo-ri and Jin-young stepping into the luxurious hotel suite in Paradise, their faces alight with excitement. The suite was stunning floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a breathtaking ocean view, a spacious living area with plush couches, and a private pool outside just waiting for them. The air between them was light, the thrill of escaping to Paradise making everything feel surreal.

Jin-young let out a whistle as he looked around. "Not bad. I could get used to this."

Yoo-ri chuckled, dropping her bag onto the couch. "Right? Definitely better than the tents back at the island."

He turned to her with a smirk. "Since we're here, how about we go swimming first? We can eat later."

Yoo-ri smiled, nodding in agreement. "Sounds good to me."

Jin-young pointed toward the bedroom. "I'll go get changed first. You can go after me."

"Sure," she replied, watching as he disappeared into the room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Yoo-ri let out a breath and flopped onto the couch, absentmindedly playing with a strand of her hair. The last 24 hours had been a whirlwind from winning the wrestling match to standing on the podium and calling Jin-young's name. Everything had happened so fast, but she couldn't deny how natural it felt to be around him. He was fun, easygoing, and unpredictable in a way that made her laugh.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door swung open, and Jin-young emerged in his swim trunks and a loose, unbuttoned shirt draped over his shoulders. He glanced at her with a teasing smile. "Your turn. I left your bag by the door."

"Thanks," she said, pushing herself off the couch and heading inside to change.

Inside the bedroom, she took a moment to admire the space a king-sized bed with crisp white sheets, soft lighting, and an en-suite bathroom with a massive bathtub. Definitely Paradise.

________

________

She quickly changed into her swimsuit and grabbed a hair clip, securing her hair into a casual updo as she stepped back into the living room.

Jin-young was standing by the glass doors leading to the pool, but as soon as he spotted her, he immediately walked toward her without hesitation.

Before she could react, he reached for her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers as he gently tugged her forward. "Let's go."

Yoo-ri blinked, slightly caught off guard by his casual touch. "I can walk by myself, you know."

Jin-young smirked, his grip on her hand unwavering. "No need. I'm right here."

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head at him but allowing him to guide her outside.

As soon as they stepped outside, the warm night breeze wrapped around them, the scent of salt and flowers lingering in the air. The private pool shimmered under the soft golden glow of the lights, reflecting the deep navy of the evening sky. It was quiet except for the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, adding to the dreamlike quality of Paradise.

Without hesitation, Jin-young took a few steps forward and dove into the pool, the water parting around him in smooth ripples. Yoo-ri, on the other hand, settled herself at the edge of the pool, dipping her legs into the cool water.

Jin-young swam around for a while, enjoying the freedom of being in the water, before eventually returning to where she sat. He placed his hands on either side of her legs, letting himself float between them as he gazed up at her.

Yoo-ri raised an eyebrow, amused. "Are you just going to stay there?"

Jin-young smirked. "Why? Am I making you uncomfortable?"

She scoffed, shaking her head before her fingers instinctively reached out to his damp hair. She ran her fingers through the dark strands, playing with them idly. "Your hair looks curlier when it's wet," she mused, tilting her head slightly.

Jin-young hummed, closing his eyes for a second as if enjoying her touch. Then, without warning, he shook his head rapidly, sending droplets of water flying everywhere.

"Ah-!" Yoo-ri yelped, jerking back. "You're so annoying." She pushed his head away with a laugh, wiping the water off her face.

Jin-young only grinned, watching her amused reaction. "You started it," he said playfully.

Yoo-ri rolled her eyes, but a smile lingered on her lips. They sat like that for a moment, the laughter slowly fading into a comfortable silence. The kind where words weren't necessary, and the only sounds were the gentle lapping of the water and the distant hum of nature.

Jin-young was the one to break the silence. "Now I wanna know, how old are you?"

She smiled a little, staring at him instead of answering immediately. She was in no rush to break the peaceful moment. After a beat, she asked teasingly, "Why don't you guess?"

Jin-young groaned, tilting his head back slightly. "I hate guessing."

Yoo-ri raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because if I guess too young, I sound like I'm underestimating you, and if I guess too old, I sound like I'm calling you old."

She laughed at his dilemma before splashing water at him. "Just guess."

Jin-young rubbed his chin, pretending to be deep in thought. "Hmm... 23?"

Yoo-ri smiled, shaking her head. "Close. I just turned 24 two weeks ago."

Jin-young's brows lifted in surprise. "Oh? Happy belated birthday, then."

"Thanks," she said with a soft smile. "And I'm guessing you're 28?"

His mouth parted slightly, visibly shocked that she got it right on the first try. "How'd you guess that?"

Yoo-ri shrugged, laughing. "I'm a psychic."

Jin-young chuckled. "That, or you did your research before coming here."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Sure, let's go with that." Then, after a small pause, she added, "I guess that means I have to call you oppa now."

His lips quirked up in amusement. "Go on then. Let's hear it."

Yoo-ri hesitated for a moment before softly saying, "Oppa."

Jin-young's reaction was immediate he threw his head back in laughter, the deep sound echoing in the night air.

Yoo-ri pouted, tilting her head in confusion. "What's so funny?"

He grinned, swimming back a little as if trying to escape. "It just sounds cute coming from you."

Yoo-ri rolled her eyes, though she couldn't stop her own laughter from bubbling up. "Don't run away after making fun of me."

She slipped into the water effortlessly, the coolness wrapping around her as she started swimming toward him. Jin-young stopped moving, watching her with mild amusement.

"You're actually a good swimmer," he noted as she reached him.

Yoo-ri smirked. "Of course. I'm an ace when it comes to sports."

Jin-young shook his head, impressed. "You're full of surprises, huh?"

She shrugged, floating on her back for a moment. "I like keeping people on their toes."

He watched her as she floated, her eyes half-closed, a peaceful expression on her face. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her skin, making her look almost ethereal. For a moment, he just... looked.

And for the first time since coming to Paradise, he let himself admit something he liked being around her.

There was something effortless about Yoo-ri. She didn't try too hard, didn't force anything. She laughed when she wanted to, teased when she felt like it, and called him out without hesitation. She made things easy, and he realized how rare that was.

"What?" Yoo-ri suddenly asked, noticing the way he was staring at her.

Jin-young blinked, shaking himself out of his thoughts. "Nothing."

She narrowed her eyes at him playfully. "Liar."

He chuckled. "Fine. I was just thinking."

"Thinking about?"

Jin-young hesitated for a second before smirking. "How Paradise feels a lot better with you in it."

Yoo-ri stilled for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. She met his gaze, searching for any signs of teasing but he was serious.

A slow smile spread across her face. "That almost sounded romantic, oppa."

Jin-young let out a small laugh. "Maybe it was."

She looked at him for another beat before shaking her head with a laugh, splashing water at him again. "You're such a flirt."

He only grinned, swimming closer. "And yet, you're still here."

Yoo-ri hummed, tilting her head. "Maybe I like Paradise better with you in it, too."

Jin-young's grin softened into something more genuine. "Good. Then let's make the most of it."

_______

_______

After spending time in the pool, Yoo-ri and Jin-young changed into dry clothes and made their way to the dining room. The setting was intimate, with dim lighting casting a soft glow on the elegantly set table. A variety of delicious dishes were laid out before them, filling the room with a warm aroma.

Yoo-ri sat across from Jin-young, enjoying the meal as they slipped into easy conversation. She took a bite of her food, chewing as Jin-young watched her with amusement.

"What?" she asked, covering her mouth as she finished chewing.

He shook his head, resting his chin on his hand. "Nothing. Just thinking about how Paradise feels a little better when you're enjoying yourself."

She gave him a skeptical look but smiled nonetheless. "You sure you're not just trying to make me flustered again?"

Jin-young smirked but said nothing, instead taking a sip of his drink. "So," he started, setting his glass down. "What's your ideal date?"

Yoo-ri took a moment to think before answering, "I like interactive dates."

Jin-young raised a brow. "Interactive?"

She nodded, placing her utensils down. "Yeah, like ice skating, going to a water park, cooking and baking classes-"

"I like those," Jin-young said, nodding in approval.

"-and paragliding."

Jin-young nearly choked on his drink. "Paragliding?" he repeated, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Yoo-ri laughed at his reaction, covering her mouth again. "What? You don't think it sounds fun?"

He scoffed. "I think it sounds terrifying. Aren't you scared?"

She shrugged, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Of course, I am. But I still want to go."

Jin-young stared at her for a moment before shaking his head with a laugh. "You're braver than you look."

Yoo-ri tilted her head. "Do I not look brave?"

He grinned. "You look... soft."

Her brows furrowed. "Soft?"

He nodded, pointing his chopsticks at her. "You have this gentle vibe, you know? Like someone who enjoys cozy coffee shops and reading in quiet corners."

Yoo-ri considered thisv before nodding. "I do like coffee shops and reading," she admitted. "But I also like adventure."

Jin-young smirked. "Clearly. Paragliding? That's intense."

She grinned, leaning forward slightly. "Well, if we both make it to the end of the show, maybe we should go together."

Jin-young leaned back in his seat, pretending to think about it. "Hmm... I don't know if I trust you to keep me calm up there."

Yoo-ri rolled her eyes. "I'll be the one keeping you calm."

He laughed. "Alright then. Deal."

Yoo-ri smiled, feeling her cheeks heat up slightly. She reached for her drink, subtly trying to hide her flustered expression.

Jin-young, noticing this, chuckled but didn't call her out on it. Instead, he changed the topic. "We haven't really talked about our jobs yet," he pointed out. "What do you do?"

Yoo-ri's eyes lit up in realization. "Oh, you're right. We haven't." She leaned forward slightly. "You go first."

Jin-young took a bite of his food before answering. "I'm a YouTuber."

Yoo-ri nodded, unsurprised. "I figured. You have that cool, laid-back energy."

He smirked. "Cool, huh?"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't let it go to your head."

Jin-young chuckled, setting his chopsticks down. "I actually used to be in the UDT before becoming a YouTuber."

Yoo-ri blinked in surprise. "Wait... UDT? As in the military UDT?"

He nodded.

She gasped, her jaw slightly dropping. "You were a soldier?"

Jin-young grinned at her shocked expression. "Yep."

Yoo-ri shook her head in amazement. "I knew you had that tough, disciplined vibe, but still... I didn't expect that."

He chuckled. "Most people don't."

She leaned forward slightly. "So why did you leave?"

He shrugged. "I wanted to do something different. I loved the discipline, but I also wanted a life where I could explore my own interests."

Yoo-ri nodded, impressed. "That's actually really cool."

Jin-young smiled. "Alright, your turn. What do you do?"

She took a sip of her drink before answering, "I'm in my last year at Korea University."

Jin-young's eyes widened in shock. "Korea University?!"

Yoo-ri laughed at his reaction, shaking her head. "Why does everyone react like that?"

He let out a short laugh. "Because it's Korea University! Do you know how hard it is to get in?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "You sound just like Yoong-jae. He said the same thing when we went to Paradise together."

Jin-young smirked, tilting his head. "So I'm not the first guy you impressed with your intelligence?"

Yoo-ri raised an eyebrow. "You find it impressive?"

He scoffed. "Of course. Korea University isn't just any school." He leaned forward. "What's your major?"

She smiled. "Corporate law."

Jin-young's mouth fell open slightly. "You're joking."

Yoo-ri laughed, enjoying his reaction. "Nope."

He shook his head, laughing in disbelief. "There must have been a little genius in the air when you were born."

Yoo-ri grinned, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I just work hard."

Jin-young studied her for a moment, then smiled. "That's even more attractive."

She faltered slightly, caught off guard by his bluntness. She tried to play it off by taking another sip of her drink, but the warmth in her cheeks was undeniable.

Jin-young watched her reaction, amused. "Did I make you shy again?"

She scoffed. "You wish."

He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "I don't have to wish. It's happening."

Yoo-ri shook her head, laughing. "You're impossible."

Jin-young chuckled, lifting his glass. "To interactive dates and little geniuses."

Yoo-ri rolled her eyes playfully but clinked her glass against his. "To not being scared of paragliding."

He groaned. "I take it back. You're actually terrifying."

She laughed, the sound soft and genuine.

As their dinner continued, the conversation flowed naturally, filled with teasing, laughter, and moments of quiet admiration. Neither of them said it out loud, but the night in Paradise was quickly becoming something unforgettable.

_______

_______

The night in Paradise stretched on, the warmth of the day lingering even as a soft breeze drifted through the open windows. Yoo-ri and Jin-young sat comfortably in the living room, the atmosphere relaxed and intimate. A bottle of wine rested on the small table between them, their glasses half-filled as they leaned back into the plush couch, shoulders slightly angled toward each other.

Jin-young swirled his wine glass thoughtfully before glancing at Yoo-ri. "So, tell me," he began, his voice carrying a quiet curiosity, "when did you know that I was who you wanted?"

Yoo-ri smiled at the question, tilting her head slightly as she ran a finger along the rim of her glass. "The first time we met."

Jin-young blinked in surprise before shaking his head with a chuckle. "You're lying."

She laughed, her eyes sparkling under the dim lighting. "I'm being honest."

He gave her a skeptical look. "So you're saying that the moment I stepped into inferno, you just knew?"

She nodded. "Mhm. When you arrived for the challenge, I had already decided that I was going to try pursuing you." She lifted her glass, taking a small sip before adding, "And clearly, I did a good job."

Jin-young scoffed but couldn't hide his amusement. "You're way too confident."

"And yet, here we are," she teased, raising an eyebrow.

He exhaled through his nose, smiling. "Alright, your turn."

Yoo-ri leaned forward slightly. "When did you know?"

Jin-young glanced down at his wine for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts, before looking up at her. "For me... it was also when we first met."

Yoo-ri raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh?"

He nodded, his expression softening. "I thought you were really pretty. That's what caught my attention at first."

She let out a small laugh. "So it was all about looks?"

He smirked. "At first, yeah. But then we had the triple date, and that's when I really knew."

Her expression shifted, more curious now. "What do you mean?"

Jin-young leaned back against the couch, his fingers loosely holding his wine glass. "That day, I realized that you weren't just someone I was interested in. You were someone I wanted to get to know."

Yoo-ri absorbed his words in silence, a quiet warmth settling in her chest. She had always been confident in their connection, but hearing him say it so plainly made it feel even more real.

A comfortable silence stretched between them, both lost in thought until Yoo-ri broke it. "If you could go back in time," she asked, "would there be anything you'd want to do differently?"

Jin-young hummed, rolling the question over in his mind. He took a slow sip of wine before answering. "Maybe I would've picked you when I came to Paradise for the first date."

Yoo-ri nodded, mirroring his sentiment. "I thought the same thing."

He glanced at her, studying her expression. "But..." he started, "if I had picked you then, maybe things wouldn't have gone the way they did."

She met his gaze, understanding exactly what he meant. "Yeah," she murmured. "Maybe it had to happen this way."

Jin-young set his glass down and turned slightly toward her. "You already told me why you picked Yoongjae for your first date," he said, his voice gentle. "But I never told you why I picked Seul-ki."

Yoo-ri tilted her head. "No, you didn't."

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "After that date, she was the one who talked to me the most. And at the time, I wasn't sure where you stood."

Yoo-ri furrowed her brows slightly. "What do you mean?"

Jin-young sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I knew I wanted to get to know you," he admitted. "But we hadn't really spoken much yet. I wasn't sure if you felt the same way, or if I was just imagining things."

She exhaled through her nose, a soft smile playing on her lips. "So you picked her because she made it obvious?"

He nodded. "Pretty much."

Yoo-ri took another sip of wine, processing his words. "That makes sense," she said after a moment. "I think, in a way, I did the same thing."

Jin-young gave her a questioning look, and she continued. "When I picked my first date, it wasn't because I wasn't interested in you. It was because I wasn't sure if you were interested in me."

He let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "So we were both just overthinking the whole time?"

She laughed. "Looks like it."

A comfortable silence settled between them once again, but this time, it wasn't heavy with unspoken words. Instead, it was filled with a mutual understanding one that had taken time to develop, but now felt undeniable.

Yoo-ri glanced down at her wine, swirling the liquid in her glass. "If we could redo everything, would you still want to?"

Jin-young considered her question carefully before shaking his head. "No," he said simply.

She looked up at him, a little surprised. "No?"

He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees. "If I changed anything, I wouldn't have had the chance to realize how much I wanted you." He gave her a small, knowing smile. "And that would've been the biggest mistake."

Yoo-ri felt her breath hitch slightly. Her fingers tightened around her wine glass, her heart picking up speed at the sincerity in his voice.

She swallowed, attempting to compose herself. "You're really good at this," she muttered.

Jin-young smirked. "At what?"

She rolled her eyes. "At making me flustered."

He chuckled, picking up his glass again. "It's my favorite hobby."

She scoffed playfully, but the warmth in her chest remained. As they continued talking, sharing laughter and stolen glances, it became clearer than ever what they had wasn't just fleeting. It was something that had been growing since the beginning, something undeniable, something real.

The night had stretched into the quiet hours, their glasses of wine nearly empty as they sat comfortably in the living room, bathed in the soft glow of the overhead lights. The conversation had slowed into a peaceful lull, but neither of them made any move to leave. The weight of the day, the warmth of their connection it all made the moment feel still, like something neither of them wanted to end.

Then, out of nowhere, Jin-young spoke.

"When we leave... we should go on a trip together."

Yoo-ri blinked at him before letting out a small laugh. "Suddenly?"

He grinned, nodding. "Yes. Suddenly."

She tilted her head, playing along. "And where should we go?"

Jin-young leaned back against the couch, pretending to ponder before saying, "Maybe Japan. Or somewhere local, like Jeju Island."

Yoo-ri hummed, pretending to think it over. "That actually sounds nice."

"Then it's decided," he said as if it was already set in stone.

She shook her head at his confidence. "How about after my graduation?"

Jin-young nodded firmly. "We must go after your graduation." His lips quirked into a teasing smirk. "I'm already thinking about what I'm going to wear for it."

Yoo-ri narrowed her eyes playfully. "You better dress appropriately. I don't need you embarrassing me in front of my friends."

Jin-young scoffed. "You always tell me how embarrassing I dress."

"To be fair," she said, grinning, "you've been looking better these days."

He let out an exaggerated sigh. "So I've finally earned your approval?"

She nodded solemnly. "For now."

They both laughed, their shoulders brushing as the warmth of the moment settled between them. The night had been long, and though neither of them wanted it to end, the drowsiness beginning to creep in told them it was time to call it.

"Let's go to bed," Jin-young finally said, standing up and stretching.

Yoo-ri agreed, and together, they made their way to the bedroom.

As soon as they entered, Yoo-ri headed straight to the vanity, tying her hair up before beginning her nighttime skincare routine. Jin-young watched her for a moment, his lips curling at how focused she looked.

She caught his gaze through the mirror and smirked. "Do you want me to do your skincare too?"

His brows raised in amusement, but he nodded. "Why not?"

Yoo-ri turned toward him, laughing as she grabbed a few of her products. "You look cute for some reason."

Jin-young scoffed. "I always look cute."

She rolled her eyes but stood between his legs, the warmth of his presence making her heartbeat a little faster. As she began applying the toner to his face, he let his eyes flutter shut, a small, contented smile forming at the gentle way her fingers moved.

"You're really into this, huh?" she teased, dabbing the serum onto his skin.

"I don't get this kind of treatment often," he murmured, cracking one eye open to look at her. "Might as well enjoy it."

She shook her head fondly. "Well, when you wake up, your skin is going to look amazing."

Jin-young smirked. "So basically, I'm going to be even more handsome?"

Yoo-ri sighed dramatically. "I don't know if we're that powerful, but we'll see."

He chuckled, his fingers lightly grazing her waist as she continued her work. She ignored the warmth that spread at the simple touch and instead grabbed a face mask, carefully placing it on his face before putting one on herself.

"Alright," she said, satisfied. "Now we should sleep."

Jin-young nodded, getting up from his seat and stretching before heading toward the smaller bed in the room. But just as he was about to lay down, Yoo-ri spoke.

"You can sleep with me in the big bed."

Jin-young froze mid-step, turning to face her. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, her voice quieter this time. "I want you to."

His gaze softened. "I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."

"If I wasn't comfortable, I wouldn't have asked," she said simply, meeting his eyes.

Jin-young held her gaze for a moment before smiling, nodding. "Alright."

Under the Moonlight

They settled into the bed, lying on their sides facing each other. There was barely any space between them, their faces close enough that she could see the faint glow of the moonlight reflecting in his eyes.

Yoo-ri smiled at him, feeling a kind of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.

Jin-young caught the look and smirked. "Why are you smiling at me like that?"

She shrugged slightly. "I'm just happy."

He tilted his head. "Happy about what?"

"That I finally got to go to Paradise with you."

At her words, something shifted in his expression. He reached up, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Then I'll win the challenge tomorrow," he murmured.

Yoo-ri blinked. "What?"

"I'll win the challenge tomorrow," he repeated, his voice firm but warm. "So we can come back again."

A warmth bloomed in her chest at his words. She felt her throat tighten slightly, overwhelmed by how much he meant it.

She smiled, reaching forward to poke his forehead lightly. "You better."

Jin-young grinned. "You'll see."

The room fell into silence again, but this time, it was the kind of quiet that didn't need to be filled. The kind that felt right.

Slowly, their eyes grew heavier, and sleep began to claim them. But even as their breaths evened out, neither of them moved away. Instead, they stayed close, wrapped in the warmth of a connection that was only growing stronger.

_______

_______

The morning sun streamed through the large windows of the dining room, casting a golden glow over the table where Yoo-ri and Jin-young sat, enjoying their first breakfast together in Paradise. The air smelled of fresh fruit and baked goods, and the atmosphere felt unhurried, peaceful as if the rest of the world didn't exist beyond the quiet of their little moment.

Yoo-ri stirred her granola into her yogurt, taking a slow bite as she glanced at Jin-young across from her. He was eating scones with jam, his usual playful expression replaced with something more relaxed, almost soft. The table between them was filled with fresh strawberries and grapes, the colors vibrant against the white plates.

As if reading her mind, Jin-young picked up a knife and carefully cut a scone in half, spreading just the right amount of jam before placing it onto her plate.

"Here," he said, nudging the plate toward her.

Yoo-ri raised an eyebrow. "What's this for?"

"For you to try," he replied simply, his lips quirking up in a small smile.

She looked down at the scone, then back up at him. "You just want me to validate your good taste in food, don't you?"

Jin-young chuckled. "Maybe. But mostly, I just want to see if you like it."

Shaking her head fondly, Yoo-ri picked up the scone and took a bite. The moment the buttery pastry met her tongue, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh," she said, covering her mouth as she chewed. "This is really good."

Jin-young grinned, clearly pleased with her reaction. "Told you."

She swallowed, nodding. "Now you definitely have to win today's challenge and bring us back here."

His grin widened. "I promise we'll come back."

But Yoo-ri quickly shook her head. "Don't make promises like that."

Jin-young frowned slightly, tilting his head. "Why not?"

"Because," she said, setting her spoon down, "it's okay if we don't win today. If we can't come back now, we can always come back after the show ends."

He stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head, his voice firm when he said, "No."

She blinked, slightly taken aback. "No?"

Jin-young leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers. "I want to come back with you. Before the show ends."

A quiet pause settled between them, the weight of his words sinking in. Yoo-ri swallowed, suddenly feeling a little too warm despite the morning breeze drifting in through the open windows.

She lowered her gaze, poking at her granola with her spoon. "You're really determined, huh?"

Jin-young smirked. "Have you not figured that out by now?"

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "I have."

Jin-young reached for a strawberry from the center of the table, his fingers brushing lightly against hers as they both reached for the same one. Neither of them moved away, their hands lingering for a moment too long before Yoo-ri finally pulled hers back, letting him take the fruit.

He popped the strawberry into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "You know," he said after a moment, "even if we don't come back, I'm still glad we got this."

Yoo-ri glanced up at him, tilting her head. "Got what?"

"This," he said, motioning between them. "A chance to just... be. No games, no distractions. Just us."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

She'd spent so much of her time in Inferno wondering where she stood with Jin-young, wondering if the connection she felt was real. Now, sitting here with him, eating breakfast in Paradise, she realized that this was exactly what she'd been searching for the feeling of certainty.

A slow smile spread across her lips. "Yeah," she murmured. "Me too."

Jin-young's gaze softened as he picked up another scone, cutting it in half. Without saying anything, he placed the piece onto her plate again, watching as she laughed and took another bite.

As Yoo-ri and Jin-young walked down the sandy path back to Inferno, the difference between Paradise and Inferno felt almost surreal. The luxury and comfort of their previous night were gone, replaced by the sweltering heat, the sound of waves crashing against the shore, and the distant chatter of the remaining contestants.

Ahead of them, Se-jeong and Dong-woo were lounging under the sun, tanning on makeshift mats. The sight made Yoo-ri grin as she cupped her hands around her mouth and called out, "Se-jeong!"

Se-jeong lifted her head, squinting against the sun. The moment she spotted Yoo-ri, a bright smile spread across her face.

"Yah, Yoo-ri!" she called back.

"I missed you!" Yoo-ri shouted playfully.

Se-jeong laughed, stretching her arms above her head. "I missed you too! I'll come by the tent in a bit after I finish packing up."

Yoo-ri nodded, pleased, before turning back to Jin-young. He had been walking beside her in a leisurely manner, his hands in his pockets, but she noticed the way his eyes stayed on her, amused.

When they reached the tent area, Jin-young dropped his bag near the entrance of the guys' tent, but instead of heading inside, he continued following Yoo-ri into the girls' tent.

Yoo-ri turned around, arching an eyebrow as she watched him step inside. A laugh bubbled out of her. "What are you doing?"

Jin-young leaned against the wooden frame, looking at her as if the answer was obvious. "I don't want to leave your side."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the warmth spreading through her chest. "Fine," she said, shaking her head in amusement. "Come in, then."

Jin-young grinned, following her inside. The tent smelled of sun-warmed fabric and soft vanilla her scent. She sat down on her bed, adjusting her pillow before lying back. Jin-young sat beside her, and without hesitation, Yoo-ri shifted, resting her head on his lap.

He glanced down at her, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Comfortable?"

She hummed in response, tilting her head slightly to look up at him. "Very."

They continued talking about random things little stories from their lives, silly jokes, and favorite foods until Se-jeong walked in.

The moment her eyes landed on them, a smirk tugged at her lips. "Well, well," she teased. "Mom and Dad are back from their holiday."

Yoo-ri let out a laugh, while Jin-young shook his head in amusement. "Did you miss us that much?" he asked.

Se-jeong sat down on a nearby cot, crossing her legs. "Of course," she said dramatically. "The tent felt so empty without all your late-night whispers."

Yoo-ri playfully swatted at her. "Stop exaggerating," she said, before shifting to sit up properly. "So, how was it here while we were gone?"

Se-jeong shrugged. "The usual."

Yoo-ri frowned. "That's not fair. You haven't gotten to go to Paradise yet."

Se-jeong chuckled. "Not everyone gets lucky, you know?"

But Yoo-ri wasn't satisfied with that answer. She turned to Jin-young, determination in her eyes. "You have to win today's challenge and take Se-jeong."

Jin-young blinked, caught off guard by her sudden declaration. Then, he and Se-jeong both burst into laughter.

"You're so dramatic," Se-jeong said between laughs.

"I mean it!" Yoo-ri pouted. "It's unfair that you haven't gone yet."

Jin-young shook his head, still laughing. "So now I have to win for Se-jeong?"

"Yes," Yoo-ri said firmly. "Do it for me."

Jin-young leaned closer, resting his chin on his palm as he gazed at her with a teasing glint in his eyes. "I thought you wanted me to win so we could go back to Paradise."

Yoo-ri faltered for a second before crossing her arms. "We can go again later. Right now, Se-jeong deserves a turn."

Se-jeong held up her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, let's not pressure him too much."

Just as they were laughing, the voice of the loudspeaker crackled to life, cutting through the chatter across Inferno.

"Attention, contestants," the voice announced. "There will be a game to determine who will win a date in Paradise."

A surge of excitement rushed through the camp. Yoo-ri turned to Jin-young, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Well," she said, grinning. "Looks like it's time to see if you can keep your promise."

Jin-young smirked, stretching his arms above his head. "Don't worry," he said, voice full of confidence. "I will."

______

______

The sun blazed overhead as the girls gathered around the beach, the gentle waves lapping at the shore behind them. Laughter and chatter filled the air as they watched the boys approach, all dressed in their swim trunks.

Yoo-ri had been casually observing the scene, but the moment her eyes landed on Jin-young, her focus wavered. His toned chest glistened slightly under the sun, his muscles flexing subtly with each step. She swallowed, feeling her face grow warm.

A nudge from Se-jeong brought her out of her trance. "You're staring," Se-jeong whispered, amusement dancing in her tone.

Yoo-ri snapped her head toward her friend, her cheeks burning. "I was not," she denied, though her voice lacked conviction.

Se-jeong smirked. "Sure, sure."

Before Yoo-ri could retaliate, the loudspeaker crackled to life, and the announcer's voice echoed across the beach.

"Contestants, today's winner will be decided in the same way as yesterday. The top three competitors will earn a spot in Paradise."

"The challenge," the announcer continued, "is a water-based battle. The contestants will enter the pit, and their goal is to push their opponents out. The last three remaining will be the winners."

The rules were simple, yet Yoo-ri knew the game itself would be brutal. She glanced at Jin-young, who was stretching his arms, a determined glint in his eyes. He caught her staring and flashed her a confident grin.

"Watch closely," he said. "I told you I'd win."

Yoo-ri rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. "Just don't hurt yourself."

Jin-young chuckled. "No promises."

With that, the game began.

The moment the whistle blew, chaos erupted.

Jin-young wasted no time, immediately charging toward Se-jun, attempting to shove him out of the pit. Se-jun, caught off guard, stumbled slightly but dug his heels into the sand, resisting the force. They grappled for a moment, both trying to gain the upper hand.

But before Jin-young could finish the job, the rest of the boys swarmed him, ganging up on him in an attempt to push him out. Yoo-ri's heart jumped as she saw him struggle under the weight of multiple opponents.

"Come on, Jin-young!" she called out, gripping her hands into fists.

Despite the odds, Jin-young managed to break free, using his agility to slip past the others. He barely had a moment to catch his breath before Dong-woo lunged at Jong-woo, trying to force him out, but his efforts were in vain.

Jin-young took the opportunity to target Se-jun once again. He braced himself and shoved forward with all his strength. Se-jun teetered on the edge, struggling to regain his balance, when suddenly, the rest of the boys turned their attention back to Jin-young.

Yoo-ri's breath caught in her throat as they tackled him, sending him crashing into the water.

Se-jun, however, surprised everyone by giving up. "You guys are relentless," he muttered, allowing himself to be dragged out voluntarily.

Now, with fewer competitors remaining, the tension grew.

Yoo-ri watched Jin-young closely, her gaze darting over his body. That's when she noticed it scratches and red marks scattered across his skin. Concern flared inside her.

"Jin-young!" she called out. "You need to stop. Just get out it's fine!"

He looked up at her, water dripping from his hair, and shook his head. "I made a promise," he said simply, determination burning in his gaze.

Yoo-ri exhaled, frustrated but touched by his resolve.

Jin-young pushed himself back onto his feet and set his sights on Dong-woo. Without hesitation, he grabbed him, lifting him upside down as Dong-woo flailed in protest.

"Yah! Put me down properly!" Dong-woo yelled, laughing between his protests.

Jin-young ignored him, his muscles straining as he tried to toss him out. Seeing his struggle, Yoong-jae stepped in, grabbing onto Dong-woo's legs to assist. Together, they managed to haul him out of the pit, leaving only a few competitors standing.

With Dong-woo gone, the focus shifted to Han-bin. It didn't take long before Jin-young and Yoong-jae teamed up again, successfully eliminating him as well.

Now, only three remained: Jin-young, Yoong-jae, and Jong-woo.

Jin-young exhaled, hands resting on his knees as he surveyed the remaining players. He could tell the others were exhausted as well, their breaths labored, their movements sluggish.

But as he glanced between them, realization struck each of them had a different girl they were interested in. Yoong-jae's gaze briefly flickered toward Seo-un, and Jong-woo had been hoping for a chance with Seul-ki.

A small smirk formed on Jin-young's lips.

"I'm tapping out," he announced, standing up straight.

Surprise flashed across the other two contestants' faces.

"You sure?" Yoong-jae asked.

Jin-young nodded. "I'm exhausted. You two fight it out."

And with that, he stepped out of the pit, letting the final battle unfold between Yoong-jae and Jong-woo.

The moment the game ended, the loudspeaker crackled again.

"And the results are in!" the announcer declared. "The winner of today's challenge is... Yoong-jae!"

Cheers erupted from the contestants.

"In second place, Jong-woo! And in third place, Jin-young!"

Yoo-ri let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Even though Jin-young hadn't pushed himself to the absolute limit, he had still secured a spot in Paradise.

As he walked out of the pit, shaking off the water, his gaze immediately sought hers. She rushed forward, grabbing his wrist.

"You okay?" she asked, concern laced in her tone.

Jin-young grinned, though exhaustion was clear in his features. "Told you I'd win."

Yoo-ri rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Next time, don't let yourself get scratched up like that."

He chuckled, tugging her closer. "I'll consider it," he teased.

She sighed, shaking her head but unable to stop the warmth spreading through her. He had kept his promise. And now, they were heading back to Paradise together.

If you watched love catcher in Bali you know that this gives Sooro and Taeun and that's exactly what I want, these two know what they want so all they're thinking of is the future.