Here's episode two for yall, this is actually episode three on the show.

As the group disperses, everyone goes their separate ways, some heading towards the water, others returning to their tents to cool off from the intense competition. Yoo-ri, Nadine, and Se-jeong walk together, chatting lightly about the match. The sun is beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the beach.

Just as they reach the tents, a presence approaching from behind makes them pause. Yoo-ri glances over her shoulder to see Kim Jin-young walking towards them with a purposeful stride.

Unlike the relaxed, playful energy he exuded during the match, there's a certain weight behind his gaze now. He stops in front of them, offering a polite but tight-lipped smile.

Then, without much preamble, he looks straight at Yoo-ri.

"I'll come to get you," he says simply.

There's no questioning in his tone, no hesitation just a quiet statement of intent.

Before she can respond, he turns on his heel and walks away, leaving the three girls standing there, momentarily silent.

The moment he's out of earshot, Nadine and Se-jeong immediately pounce.

"Excuse me?" Nadine gasps, dramatically clutching her chest. "What was that? He'll come to get you?"

Se-jeong wiggles her eyebrows. "I swear he sounded like he was claiming you."

Yoo-ri, who had been staring after him with mild amusement, sighs and nudges them both lightly. "You two are reading too much into it."

"Are we?" Nadine teases. "Because to me, that was the most direct any guy has been since you got here."

Yoo-ri rolls her eyes but doesn't argue. Instead, she shakes her head and walks away towards the tent, leaving the two girls behind, still giggling amongst themselves.

_________

_________

Inside the tent, the atmosphere is filled with light chatter. The girls are gathered around, touching up their appearances, freshening up after the day's heat. Yoo-ri and Seul-ki sit side by side, both in front of a small mirror, applying sunscreen to their faces and arms.

Yoo-ri rubs in the last bit of sunscreen before reaching for a small compact to fix her makeup. Seul-ki does the same, smoothing down a few stray hairs as she watches the other girls out of the corner of her eye.

The conversation in the tent has naturally shifted to the new arrival, Jin-young. The girls discuss their first impressions of him, throwing out various observations and guesses about his personality.

"He seems a little quiet but confident," Soo-e says, twisting her hair up into a loose ponytail.

"Definitely confident," one of the others adds. "The way he walked in and won that match in seconds? He knows what he's doing."

"Maybe he's just reserved," Se-jeong muses. "Some guys take a little longer to open up."

Soo-e turns toward Yoo-ri and Seul-ki, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "What do you two think?"

Seul-ki hesitates for a moment, glancing down at her hands. Yoo-ri, however, doesn't need to think. She answers without missing a beat.

"Until he walked in, I didn't think I'd see someone here that fits my type," she admits, lightly dusting powder over her face. "But he fits my type to a T."

A chorus of 'oohs' fills the tent.

"Oh?" Soo-e smirks. "And what exactly is your type?"

Yoo-ri smiles, unfazed by the teasing. "Someone with a strong presence. Confident, but not loud. Someone who knows what he wants."

"Interesting," Nadine murmurs, clearly entertained.

Seul-ki, sitting beside her, seems a little more reserved in her answer. She adjusts her hair clip before speaking, her tone soft. "I think he's... intriguing," she says, almost shyly.

The girls immediately pounce on her hesitance.

"Oh my god, do you like him?" Se-jeong exclaims.

"No—" Seul-ki protests, shaking her head quickly, but the slight pink in her cheeks betrays her.

"Seul-ki, you're blushing," Soo-e points out with a grin.

Seul-ki groans, covering her face with her hands. "I just said he's intriguing, that's all!"

"That's how it starts," Nadine teases.

As the girls continue teasing her, the sound of footsteps outside the tent makes them pause. A familiar voice follows.

"Are you all decent?" Jin-young's voice calls through the fabric of the tent.

A few of the girls laugh.

"We're good," one of them answers.

A second later, Jin-young peeks his head inside, his gaze sweeping over the group before settling on Yoo-ri and Seul-ki. "Are you ready?"

Seul-ki glances at her reflection, then shakes her head slightly. "I'm not done yet," she says, adjusting her hairpin. "Yoo-ri can go first. I'll meet you there."

Jin-young nods. "Alright." His eyes flick to Yoo-ri. "Let's go."

Yoo-ri finishes putting on her lip tint and grabs her water bottle before standing up. As she moves toward him, she can feel the eyes of the other girls on her, their quiet excitement buzzing in the air.

She doesn't give them the satisfaction of reacting, simply walking past them with a small, knowing smile.

As she steps outside into the fading light of the evening, Jin-young falls into step beside her.

Neither of them says anything at first. The atmosphere feels different now, heavier with unspoken curiosity.

Eventually, Jin-young glances at her, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"So," he muses, "I fit your type to a T, huh?"

Yoo-ri pauses mid-step before side-eyeing him, lips curling into a smirk.

"You heard that?"

"I hear everything," he replies smoothly.

Yoo-ri chuckles, shaking her head as they continue walking towards their dinner spot. This might be an interesting night after all.

As Yoo-ri and Jin-young walk side by side up the gentle incline towards the open café tent, the sound of their footsteps crunching against the dirt path fills the air. The warm glow of the setting sun bathes everything in soft golden hues, casting long shadows behind them. The breeze carries the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, a peaceful contrast to the lively chatter that had surrounded them earlier.

Yoo-ri, hands loosely clasped in front of her, steals a quick glance at Jin-young. There's something effortlessly cool about him the way he walks, the relaxed posture of his shoulders, and the way his gaze lingers on things just a second longer than necessary, as if he's always in deep thought.

She chuckles suddenly, breaking the quiet between them. "You only heard that because you were being nosy."

Jin-young turns to her, raising an eyebrow, but there's amusement in his eyes. "Maybe."

His nonchalant response makes Yoo-ri laugh again, shaking her head. There's something refreshing about how straightforward he is it lacks the usual pretenses she often sees in people trying too hard to impress.

As they near the tent, he glances at her. "So, how's your time in Inferno been so far?"

Yoo-ri exhales, tilting her head slightly in thought before answering. "Well... I actually just arrived yesterday."

Jin-young blinks, clearly surprised. "Yesterday? While the others were in Paradise?"

She nods. "Yep. So, I haven't been to Paradise yet."

His brows furrow slightly before a slow, knowing smirk tugs at his lips. "You mean no one's taken you yet?"

"Nope," she replies with a playful grin. "But maybe you will."

Jin-young lets out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Maybe I will."

They reach the café area a cozy, open-air tent adorned with soft lights strung along the wooden beams. A simple but elegant table is set for three, plates arranged neatly, a warm ambiance settling over the space. The scent of grilled meat and freshly cooked rice fills the air, making Yoo-ri realize just how hungry she actually is.

As they take their seats, she turns to him, propping her elbow on the table. "So, what made you pick me for the date?"

Jin-young looks at her for a long moment, his gaze steady, unreadable.

The prolonged silence makes Yoo-ri blink, and then she laughs shyly. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I was just thinking," he admits bluntly. "I suddenly zoned out."

Yoo-ri throws her head back, laughing. "Wow. You really just say whatever comes to mind, huh?"

He shrugs, a small smile playing on his lips. "I don't see the point in sugarcoating things."

"Well, at least you're honest."

He leans back slightly, glancing toward the ocean in the distance before turning his attention back to her. "Out of all the girls, you were the first to catch my eye."

Yoo-ri raises an eyebrow, a teasing smirk forming. "Oh? Should I be flattered?"

Jin-young tilts his head slightly. "You're not?"

She pretends to consider it before laughing. "I thought you were about to say you fell in love with me or something."

At that, Jin-young laughs a rare, genuine sound that surprises even himself. "That too."

Their shared laughter is light and easy, the conversation flowing effortlessly, as if they've known each other longer than just a few hours.

A few minutes later, Seul-ki arrives, slightly out of breath from walking up the hill. She presses her hands together apologetically. "Sorry for being late."

Jin-young shakes his head. "It's okay. We waited for you."

They settle in and begin their meal, the dishes in front of them steaming with warmth. The first few bites are filled with comfortable silence, the occasional sound of chopsticks against plates.

As they eat, Seul-ki tilts her head slightly. "You seem really strong."

Jin-young, in true fashion, simply nods and responds with a short, "Yes."

His abrupt reply makes both Yoo-ri and Seul-ki burst into laughter.

He looks between them, confused. "What?"

Yoo-ri grins, resting her chin on her hand. "You're just very blunt. It's funny."

Jin-young exhales, shaking his head slightly. "I'm not trying to be funny."

"That makes it even funnier," Seul-ki says, smiling.

He leans back slightly, considering their words. "I guess I come off as rude sometimes," he admits. "But I'm just... shy at first."

Yoo-ri tilts her head, studying him. "I get that. Some people mistake being reserved for being cold."

Jin-young nods, as if appreciating that she understands. "Yeah."

Seul-ki, shifting the conversation, leans forward slightly. "Do you have an ideal type?"

Jin-young pauses, setting his chopsticks down before answering. "Someone with good manners. Someone who can hold a conversation. And..." He glances between them, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Someone pretty."

Seul-ki lets out a small laugh at his answer, while Yoo-ri arches an eyebrow. "Pretty, huh? That's all it takes?"

He smirks slightly. "It's one of the things."

Seul-ki smiles. "Do you have a specific look you're drawn to?"

Jin-young shrugs. "Not really. It's more about the overall vibe."

Yoo-ri hums thoughtfully. "So, good manners, good conversation, and pretty. Seems like a reasonable list."

He leans forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. "What about you?"

Yoo-ri blinks. "Me?"

He nods. "Your ideal type."

She glances at Seul-ki before answering. "Someone who's confident but not arrogant. Someone who's sure of what they want." She pauses. "And someone who makes me laugh."

Jin-young raises an eyebrow. "Sounds like me."

Yoo-ri laughs. "You're confident, but you're also really blunt."

"Confidence and bluntness aren't mutually exclusive," he counters.

She smirks. "True."

Seul-ki watches their back-and-forth with amusement, glancing between them as if observing something unfold before her.

The rest of the dinner continues in a comfortable flow, the three of them getting to know each other more. Jin-young remains straightforward, his words sometimes making the girls laugh, but there's an underlying charm to his simplicity. Yoo-ri finds herself enjoying his company more than she expected, and from the way he occasionally glances at her, she wonders if he feels the same.

As the day goes on, the easy conversation, the warm atmosphere, and the undeniable chemistry between them all set the stage for what's to come.

_________

Confessional – Hong Yoo-ri

"When Jin-young first came, he had this vibe... like, you could tell he was the kind of person who naturally attracts attention." She pauses, tilting her head slightly as she reflects on the moment he walked onto the beach. "It wasn't just because he's good-looking though, yeah, he is but it was the way he carried himself. He was quiet, but not in a way that made him fade into the background. If anything, it made people want to notice him more."

A small smile tugs at her lips as she continues. "I won't lie, he fits my type the most out of everyone here." She exhales lightly, as if admitting it out loud solidifies the thought in her mind. "I like guys who are confident but don't try too hard. He has that natural ease about him like he doesn't feel the need to impress people, which ironically makes him more intriguing."

She leans back slightly, crossing her arms. "The date was pleasant. Especially at the start when it was just the two of us. It felt easy, you know? Like we could just talk without either of us trying too hard." Her eyes soften slightly as she thinks about their conversation. "I know he said he's shy at first, but I didn't really feel like I was talking to someone who struggles with conversation. He listens well, and when he does speak, he's straightforward. I like that."

Her fingers lightly drum against her knee as she considers her next words carefully. "I think out of everyone I've talked to so far, he was the easiest to get along with. It wasn't awkward, and I never felt like I had to fill in the silence. If anything, the silences we did have were comfortable."

She exhales through her nose, a small chuckle escaping her. "I don't know what'll happen next, but I think he's someone I'd like to get to know more."

_________

As the three of them make their way back to the group, the atmosphere around the kitchen is lively. The contestants are gathered around, some cleaning up while others are chatting and laughing. The smell of food still lingers in the air, and the sounds of plates being stacked and water running from the faucet create a warm, homey atmosphere despite the competitive nature of the show.

Yoo-ri's eyes immediately search for Nadine and Se-jeong, spotting them near the counter as they finish tidying up. Without hesitation, she rushes toward them, wrapping her arms around both of them in a quick, excited hug.

"You're back!" Nadine exclaims softly, squeezing Yoo-ri's hand before pulling back slightly.

Se-jeong grins, giving her a once-over. "How was it?" she asks in a low voice, her tone laced with curiosity.

Yoo-ri glances around before leaning in slightly, lowering her voice as well. "I'll tell you when we leave," she says, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

Nadine and Se-jeong exchange knowing looks, clearly intrigued, but they don't press her for details just yet. The group begins to naturally disperse from the kitchen, all heading toward the tent where they typically wind down and relax during the day. As everyone moves, Yoo-ri notices that Jin-young is still at the sink, drying his hands with a towel.

She hesitates for a moment before falling back slightly, waiting for him to catch up. When he finally does, he glances at her with mild curiosity.

"You didn't have to wait for me," he says, his voice calm but laced with amusement.

Yoo-ri shrugs lightly. "It would look bad if we all just left you alone in there," she replies, glancing up at him.

Jin-young raises an eyebrow before smirking slightly. "That's the only reason you waited for me?"

Yoo-ri catches onto his teasing tone immediately, tilting her head as she challenges him. "Do I need another reason?"

He chuckles under his breath, clearly entertained. "You're quick," he remarks. "You can actually keep up with my banter."

Yoo-ri grins. "It's just the way I am."

With that, they fall into a comfortable silence as they walk back to the tent together.

The warm glow from the vanity mirrors casts a soft light over the room as Nadine and Se-jeong sit in front of them, fixing their hair and touching up their makeup.

Yoo-ri watches them with a smile, feeling a sense of familiarity in the scene. Even though they had only met the day before, it felt natural to be sitting here, talking and laughing like old friends.

Se-jeong suddenly remembers their earlier conversation and turns toward Yoo-ri with renewed interest. "Okay, spill," she says, putting down her lip tint. "How was the date?"

Yoo-ri leans back slightly, stretching her arms before responding. "I actually liked it," she admits, her tone thoughtful. "I liked the pace of it, it wasn't rushed, and the conversation flowed naturally."

Nadine raises an eyebrow as she smooths out her hair. "So, does that mean you'd want to go to Paradise with him?"

Yoo-ri nods, but then she hesitates slightly. "Yeah, I think he's someone I'd like to go to Paradise with," she says honestly. "But I don't think I'll choose him today."

Se-jeong and Nadine both pause at that, exchanging glances before looking back at Yoo-ri. "Why not?" Se-jeong asks curiously.

Yoo-ri shrugs. "I mean, I only just met him a few hours ago. And besides, there may be other girls who caught his eye too. I don't want to get ahead of myself."

Nadine looks up at her through the mirror, her expression amused. "You're not territorial at all, huh?" she comments.

Yoo-ri laughs, shaking her head. "I just met the guy today," she says, grinning. "There's no territory for me to claim yet."

Se-jeong hums in thought before nodding. "That makes sense," she agrees. "But still, he did seem interested in you."

Nadine then tilts her head, considering something. "I think I want to talk to him too," she says casually.

Se-jeong nods in agreement. "Me too. He has an interesting vibe."

Yoo-ri doesn't seem fazed by their words. Instead, she simply smiles. "Go for it," she says with a shrug. "It's only the beginning. There's plenty of time to figure things out."

The three of them sit in comfortable silence for a moment before Nadine and Se-jeong finish their touch-ups. "Alright," Nadine says, standing up and stretching. "Let's go."

Se-jeong follows suit, but before she leaves, she glances at Yoo-ri. "You coming?"

Yoo-ri shakes her head. "Nah, I think I'm going to stick back and try to get some rest."

Nadine and Se-jeong nod in understanding before heading out, leaving Yoo-ri alone in the softly lit room. She takes a deep breath, leaning back in her seat as she lets herself relax for the first time all day.

As much as she enjoyed her date with Jin-young, she knew that things were only just beginning. There were still so many dynamics at play, and she wasn't in a rush to make any big decisions just yet. For now, she was just going to take things as they came.

After Nadine and Se-jeong leave, Yoo-ri finally gets some quiet time to herself. She lies down on the cot, stretching out with a small sigh. The air is cool, and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore provides a calming backdrop to the otherwise lively atmosphere of Inferno. It had been a long day between the intense challenge, the surprising turn of events with Jin-young, and the date, she finally had a moment to breathe.

Just as she closes her eyes, a voice calls out from outside the tent.

"Can I come in?"

Yoo-ri blinks, sitting up slightly. She wasn't expecting anyone, but she answers anyway. "Yeah, you can."

As the tent flap moves aside, she sees Yoong-jae step inside. His presence catches her off guard. Of all the contestants, she hadn't had much interaction with him yet, especially since he had been in Paradise.

Her lips curl into a small smile. "Oh, Yoong-jae. I haven't had the chance to talk to you yet," she admits. "I thought you'd still be catching up with the others."

Yoong-jae offers a polite smile before settling onto the seat near her cot. "Yeah, Soo-e and I talked for a bit earlier, but I wanted to find you," he says.

That surprises her. "Me?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

He nods. "Seon is with Han-bin right now, so I figured I'd take the chance to get to know you better. We haven't really talked since you arrived."

Yoo-ri tilts her head slightly, taking in his words. She wasn't expecting this, but she didn't mind either. "That's true," she agrees. "It's been kind of hectic. There's always so much going on, and I feel like I've barely had a chance to have proper conversations with everyone."

Yoong-jae leans back slightly, resting his arms on his knees. "Yeah, Inferno is chaotic like that. You get pulled in different directions, and before you know it, the day is over."

She nods. "Exactly. But at least the people here are nice. When I first got here, I thought I might have a hard time fitting in, but everyone was really welcoming. I was lucky that I didn't have to spend my first night alone."

He gives her a thoughtful look. "Yeah, I remember when I first got here, it took me a while to adjust. But you seem like you fit in just fine."

She laughs lightly. "Well, I'm trying my best."

Yoong-jae chuckles before shifting the conversation. "So, how was your first day in Inferno?"

Yoo-ri thinks for a moment. "It wasn't bad at all. The people who were still in Inferno when I arrived made sure I was comfortable. We talked, we ate it wasn't as harsh as I expected. I think I got lucky."

"That's good," he says. "The first night can be tough, but it helps when the group is welcoming."

Curious about his experience, she tilts her head. "What about you? How was your time in Paradise?"

He exhales, a small smile forming. "It was nice," he admits. "The food was great, and spending time with just one person made it easier to have real conversations. I got to know Seo-un a lot better."

Yoo-ri nods in understanding. "I can imagine. The setting alone probably makes it easier to connect with someone."

He chuckles. "Yeah, exactly. But even then, there's still this pressure. It's like... You want to make the most of the opportunity, but you don't want to force anything either."

She hums in agreement. "Makes sense. Do you think you'll want to go again?"

He stays quiet for a moment, as if carefully considering his answer. Then, he looks at her and says, "I think I would."

Yoo-ri raises an eyebrow at the way he phrases it. "With Seo-un?" she asks, testing the waters.

Yoong-jae is silent for a beat before shaking his head slightly. "I think... I'd like to go with you next time."

That catches her completely off guard. She blinks at him, tilting her head slightly in surprise. "Me?"

He nods. "Yeah."

She lets out a small laugh, still processing his words. "Why?"

Yoong-jae looks at her, his expression thoughtful. "You have a kind of cold but friendly aura," he says. "It's interesting. It makes me curious about you."

Yoo-ri laughs, shaking her head. "Cold but friendly?" she echoes. "That's an interesting combination."

He chuckles. "I mean it in a good way. You don't seem like someone who easily opens up, but at the same time, you don't push people away either. You're approachable, but there's something beneath the surface that makes me want to know more."

She looks at him, amused. "Maybe you're already understanding the surface."

He shakes his head. "No," he says firmly. "I know there's more to you."

Yoo-ri's smile lingers as she studies him. His words are straightforward, and yet there's an undeniable sincerity behind them. She hadn't really considered Yoong-jae before, but now that they were talking, she could see that he was observant someone who didn't just listen to what was being said but also paid attention to what wasn't.

"I guess you'll have to stick around to find out," she teases lightly.

He smiles. "I plan to."

A comfortable silence settles between them before Yoo-ri finally stretches her arms. "Well, if we're going to keep getting to know each other, I'm going to need some rest first," she says playfully.

Yoong-jae chuckles and stands up. "Fair enough. I'll let you rest."

As he heads toward the tent flap, he pauses. "Bye, Yoo-ri."

She smiles. "See you , Yoong-jae."

And with that, he steps out of the tent, leaving Yoo-ri with a lot more to think about than she expected.

_________

Confessional – Hong Yoo-ri

"When Yoong-jae came to see me, I was honestly surprised. We hadn't really had the chance to talk at all, so I wasn't expecting him to seek me out. I thought he'd be more focused on the girls he had already connected with, especially since he just came back from Paradise. So yeah, it caught me off guard."

She pauses, tilting her head slightly as she thinks.

"But... it was nice. He's really observant more than I expected. I could tell he was paying attention, not just to what I was saying, but also to how I reacted. The way he described me was interesting too. I didn't think I gave off a 'cold but friendly' vibe, but I guess that's how he sees me."

A small smile forms on her lips.

"I don't know what to make of it yet, but I'm curious now. I'll have to keep an eye on him."

_________

_________

The girls lounged inside their tent, each of them recounting their conversations with the male contestants. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated their faces, casting a warm light over their expressions of excitement, curiosity, and uncertainty.

"I had a good talk with Jin-young," Se-jeong said, a subtle smile playing on her lips. She twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, her eyes drifting slightly as if replaying the conversation in her head.

Yoo-ri, who had been listening intently, tilted her head and asked, "Do you think he'll pick you for Paradise?"

Se-jeong bit her lip, deep in thought. "I honestly don't know. He's hard to read. He doesn't really give much away."

"That's true," Soo-e chimed in. "He has that mysterious, kind-of-cool vibe. But who knows? Maybe that's just how he is with everyone."

Seul-ki, who had been sitting cross-legged beside them, let out a small sigh. "I talked to Jong-woo earlier. He's really sweet, and I liked our conversation... but I don't know how I feel about him yet."

Yoo-ri nodded in understanding. It was still early, and feelings were still forming. Some connections were immediate, while others took time.

At that moment, all eyes turned to her. "What about you, Yoo-ri?" Nadine asked, leaning forward. "You had a conversation with Yoong-jae, right?"

Yoo-ri smiled and nodded. "Yeah, we finally got to talk one-on-one. And honestly, I was surprised that he wanted to talk to me in the first place."

"Why?" Se-jeong asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I figured he'd be more focused on the girls he already had an interest in, especially since he just came back from Paradise. But he said he was curious about me, and after talking to him... I think I'm really interested in what kind of person he is."

The girls let out small gasps and exchanged glances, intrigued by her admission.

"So, would you pick him if you had the chance?" Soo-e asked.

Yoo-ri chuckled, not giving a direct answer. "I guess we'll have to see what happens."

Just then, a loud chime rang out from the speakers, causing all the girls to sit up straight.

"Contestants, the time has come to reveal tonight's matches for Paradise."

The tension in the room spiked instantly. The girls exchanged nervous glances, the reality of the moment sinking in.

"What if we don't get picked?" Se-jeong murmured.

Seul-ki took a deep breath. "Well, there's nothing we can do but wait."

One by one, names were called.

"The first match for Paradise is..."

A brief pause heightened the suspense before the speaker announced the name.

Seul-ki exhaled sharply, clutching her hands together.

Then, the second name was called.

"The second contestant heading to Paradise is... Hong Yoo-ri."

Yoo-ri's eyes widened in shock. She blinked a few times, processing what had just been said.

The girls erupted in cheers, clapping and nudging her forward. "Go, go!" Nadine grinned. "What are you waiting for?"

Yoo-ri let out a breathless laugh, still surprised. She hadn't expected this. Not so soon.

"Wow," she muttered before standing up. She reached for her bag near the entrance of the cabin, still shaking her head slightly in disbelief.

As she stepped outside, she saw Yoong-jae waiting for her, his usual calm demeanor accompanied by a small, satisfied smile.

She met his gaze and smiled back. "I'm actually shocked you picked me."

He tilted his head slightly. "I meant what I said I want to get to know you more."

Before she could say anything else, he reached for her bag. "I'll carry this for you."

"Oh, it's really heavy though" she said, taken aback by the gesture. She handed it over with a soft, "Thank you."

He nodded, then motioned toward the path leading up the hill. "Shall we?"

They walked side by side, climbing the steps toward the waiting helicopter. The night air was cool, and a faint breeze carried the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.

She glanced at him, studying his profile. There was something steady and composed about him, something that made her feel at ease despite the sudden turn of events.

"You seem very sure of yourself," she noted.

He chuckled, giving her a sideways glance. "Is that a bad thing?"

She shook her head. "No, it's just interesting. A lot of people hesitate when making choices here, but you don't seem to."

"I make decisions based on what I feel," he admitted. "And I felt like you were someone worth knowing."

Yoo-ri couldn't help but smile. "Well, I guess we'll see if you still think that after tonight."

He laughed. "Guess so."

As they reached the top of the hill, the helicopter came into full view, its blades slowly rotating as it waited for them to board. The lights inside the cabin glowed warmly, promising a night of luxury and deeper conversations.

She took a deep breath before stepping forward. Paradise, here we come.

_________

Confessional – Hong Yoo-ri

Sitting in the private confessional room, Yoo-ri adjusted the mic clipped to her dress, gathering her thoughts before speaking. A small, thoughtful smile played on her lips as she reflected on the events of the night.

"The reason I picked Yoong-jae for Paradise was because he genuinely interested me after our conversation," she admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "At first, I was surprised that he even wanted to get to know me. I mean, we hadn't really talked before, so I wasn't expecting him to come find me. But after speaking with him, I felt like there was something there—like he saw past just the surface level and actually wanted to understand me."

She paused for a moment, thinking.

"If I'm being honest, I probably would have chosen Jin-young," she confessed with a small chuckle. "I liked our date, and I feel like there's a fun dynamic between us. But I also know that a lot of people probably picked him tonight, and I didn't want to risk getting sent back to Inferno. So I figured... I'll pick him another time."

She smiled, leaning back slightly. "For now, I'm excited to see what kind of person Yoong-jae really is. I have a feeling there's more to him than what he lets on."

_________