The camera opens with a shot of a sleek black bus driving down a dimly lit road. Inside, laughter and chatter fill the air as the cast of the episode sits scattered throughout, visibly excited yet slightly nervous. Jade, wearing a cropped white tee paired with a grey leather jacket, loose denim jeans, and grey Jordans, is seated next to Mingyu. The two are casually playing with each other's hands, their fingers intertwined as they tease one another.

Jade turns to the camera with a bright smile. "Hey, players! Welcome to another round of Aeri's Playbook! Today's challenge is... a spooky one. The staff decided to send me to a haunted house-alone."

She pauses dramatically, looking directly into the camera. "But I said no way! If I'm going to suffer, I'm taking some of my closest friends with me."

The camera pans across the bus to reveal the rest of the cast: Jaehyun, Eunwoo, Miyeon, and Yeri, who are all chatting animatedly.

Yeri waves at the camera, already laughing. "Hi, Miluvs! Please don't blame us if this episode is just an hour of screaming. None of us signed up for this willingly."

Jade leans into the frame, shaking her head. "Correction: I didn't sign up for this either. It's the staff's fault! But I did make one strategic mistake... I invited Mingyu for emotional support."

At this, Yeri immediately bursts into laughter. "Oh, no. That's the worst idea ever! He gets scared so easily!"

Mingyu widens his eyes in mock offense. "Hey! I'm sitting right here!"

Jaehyun smirks, leaning forward in his seat. "It's true, though. If anyone's going to be screaming the loudest, it's you."

Mingyu shakes his head, turning to Jade for help. "Are you hearing this? My own friends have no faith in me!"

Jade pats his arm, barely containing her laughter. "It's okay, Mingyu. I believe in you... mostly."

The camera pans to Eunwoo, who's sitting quietly beside Jaehyun. He raises an eyebrow and looks at the group. "If Mingyu's our protector, we're doomed."

Miyeon bursts into giggles, her arm linked with Yeri's. "Honestly, I'm just here for the ride. But if I get chased by a ghost, I'm blaming all of you."

Jade clutches Mingyu's arm dramatically. "Don't worry, Miluvs. I'll survive this for you. Maybe."

She then turns her attention back to the camera, her expression growing mischievous. "Anyway, let's get started! Welcome to Aeri's Playbook: Haunted House Edition! Let's see if any of us make it out alive."

The camera cuts back to the group still seated on the bus. Everyone's mood is lighthearted and full of nervous anticipation as they laugh about the upcoming challenge. A staff member walks onto the bus, clipboard in hand, drawing their attention.

"Alright, everyone, listen up," the staff member begins. "You'll be splitting into teams of two for the next part of the challenge. Pick your partners now."

Without hesitation, Jade nudges Mingyu. "You're with me," she says, smirking.

"Of course," Mingyu replies, grinning.

Jaehyun and Eunwoo quickly pair up, sharing a confident nod, while Miyeon links arms with Yeri, declaring, "We've got this, bestie!"

The staff member gestures for them to follow. "Alright, everyone, let's move. Your vehicles are waiting outside."

The group files out of the bus into the cool night air, where three black cars are parked in a line, their engines idling softly. The headlights cut through the eerie fog blanketing the area.

"What's with the fog?" Yeri mutters, squinting at the surroundings.

"It's like we're in a horror movie already," Miyeon adds nervously.

The staff explains, "Each team will get into one car. You'll be dropped off at your designated starting point for the challenge. Once inside the car, please stay seated and wait for further instructions."

Jade looks at Mingyu, raising an eyebrow. "This already sounds shady."

Mingyu laughs but nods in agreement. "If something jumps out at us, I'm blaming you."

They climb into the first car, Jaehyun and Eunwoo take the second, and Miyeon and Yeri hop into the third. The car doors shut with a soft thud, and the vehicles start moving.

Inside their car, Jade and Mingyu sit quietly for a moment, glancing at each other. "Why does this feel like the beginning of a true crime documentary?" Jade jokes, trying to lighten the tension.

Mingyu chuckles but keeps glancing out the window. "It's way too quiet out there."

The camera briefly cuts to Jaehyun and Eunwoo in their car. Eunwoo leans back in his seat, arms crossed. "Do you think they're going to make us walk through some creepy forest or something?"

Jaehyun shrugs. "Wouldn't be surprised. They're probably waiting for us to let our guard down."

In Miyeon and Yeri's car, the two girls are already holding hands, looking uneasy. "Why did I agree to this?" Miyeon whispers.

Yeri sighs dramatically. "Because we're good friends, and now we're going to suffer together."

Back in Jade and Mingyu's car, the atmosphere grows tenser as the vehicle slows to a stop. Mingyu reaches for the door handle. "Let's get out," he says, pulling it-but it doesn't budge.

"It's locked," he says, frowning.

Jade immediately tries her own door. "Mine's locked too. What's going on?" She peers out the window but can only see the thick fog surrounding the car. "Can you see the other cars?"

Mingyu shakes his head. "No, it's too foggy."

Suddenly, a crackling sound comes through the car's speaker system, startling them both.

"Welcome, challengers," an ominous voice announces. "You are about to enter the Haunted Maze. The goal is simple: escape. But to do so, each team must find four keys hidden within the maze. Collectively, all 12 keys are needed to unlock the final gate. If even one key is missing, no one gets out."

Jade's eyes widen, and she exchanges a nervous glance with Mingyu. "Great," she mutters. "No pressure."

The voice continues, "Here are the rules:
1. You must stay with your partner at all times.
2. If you encounter a scare actor, you are not allowed to touch them.
3. Each key will be marked with your team's number. You may not take keys assigned to other teams.
4. You have 60 minutes to find all the keys and escape. Fail, and... well, let's just say you don't want to fail."

The announcement ends with a sinister laugh, and the car doors suddenly unlock with a loud click. Jade hesitates, gripping Mingyu's arm. "Do we really want to do this?"

Mingyu nods, though he doesn't look entirely confident. "We don't have much of a choice."

The camera cuts to Jaehyun and Eunwoo's car, where the two are also processing the announcement. "This is going to be a nightmare," Jaehyun says, opening the door cautiously.

Miyeon and Yeri step out of their car, holding hands tightly. "I already hate this," Yeri says, her voice shaking.

Jade and Mingyu step into the foggy night, the camera focusing on their expressions. "Alright," Jade says, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this. If we survive, I'm treating myself to barbecue."

"Focus, Jade," Mingyu says, though there's a small smile on his face. "We need to find those keys first."

The group converges briefly at the maze's entrance, a towering structure of hedges shrouded in mist. The staff hands each team a flashlight and map before sending them off in different directions.

"Good luck!" the staff calls out, their cheerful tone somehow unsettling.

As they step into the maze, the camera follows Jade and Mingyu, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. Jade glances at the camera, her voice low but determined. "Miluvs, if I make it out of here, I'm never trusting the staff again."

The eerie sound of rustling leaves echoes through the maze, setting the stage for what's to come.

As each team sets off, the tension in the air grows heavier. Jade pulls Mingyu into a quiet corner of the maze, whispering so the camera can barely catch her words. "Okay, we need a plan. If we just wander around aimlessly, we'll end up wasting time."

Mingyu nods, crouching slightly to meet her eyes. "Alright, what's your idea?"

"We should start from the farthest point and work our way back towards the entrance. That way, if we find all our keys, we're already close to escaping," Jade explains, motioning towards the map they were given.

"That's smart," Mingyu says, smiling at her. "You're not just a pretty face, huh?"

"Flattery will get you nowhere in a haunted maze," she teases, rolling her eyes. "Now, come on. Let's move."

As they walk deeper into the maze, the conversation between them shifts to more casual topics to ease the tension.

"By the way," Mingyu starts, "what are we doing after this? Do you want to order food at home, or should we cook?"

Jade glances at him, tilting her head in thought. "I've been craving yup dduk and corn dogs."

Mingyu grins, his hand brushing against hers. Without thinking, he takes her hand and squeezes it gently. "Then we'll stop and pick it up on the way home. But if you scream in my ear one more time, I'm ordering plain rice for you."

Jade bursts into laughter, lightly swatting his arm. "We'll see who's screaming first."

Their lighthearted banter is interrupted when a figure leaps out from the shadows. A zombie farmer, complete with a bloodstained shirt and a menacing scythe, jumps directly into their path.

Mingyu screams loudly, startling Jade as she instinctively covers her ears and shuts her eyes. "Oh my god!" she yells, her voice echoing through the maze.

"Stay back!" Mingyu shouts, stepping in front of her. He holds his arms out protectively as the zombie takes a step closer, groaning and dragging his scythe menacingly.

Jade peeks through her fingers, still trembling. "What is that?!"

The zombie takes another step toward Jade, but Mingyu shifts to block him completely. "Nope! Not happening!" he says firmly, though his voice wavers slightly.

The zombie leans in again, refusing to back off, and that's when Mingyu grabs Jade's hand. "Run!" he shouts, yanking her forward.

Jade barely has time to process what's happening as Mingyu pulls her along. She keeps her eyes squeezed shut, still covering her ears with one hand. "Why are they so scary?!" she screams as they sprint through the maze.

Behind them, more zombies appear from the fog, chasing after them. Their groans and footsteps grow louder, echoing in the narrow corridors of the maze.

"Don't look back!" Mingyu yells, his grip on her hand tightening.

"I wasn't planning to!" Jade retorts, her voice muffled by her hands.

The camera cuts to Jaehyun and Eunwoo, who are further ahead in the maze. The two seem calmer, but their expressions betray their nerves.

"Why do I feel like something's about to happen?" Jaehyun mutters, shining his flashlight into the mist.

"Because it probably is," Eunwoo replies, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "Let's just stay focused and find the keys."

Suddenly, a zombie bride stumbles out from behind a hedge, letting out a guttural moan. Eunwoo flinches, but Jaehyun steps forward, holding out his flashlight.

"Back off, we're not scared of you," Jaehyun says confidently.

The zombie bride tilts her head and steps closer. Eunwoo grabs Jaehyun's arm. "Maybe don't provoke her?"

They carefully sidestep the zombie and hurry down another path, their pace quickening as they hear distant screams echoing through the maze.

Meanwhile, Miyeon and Yeri are not faring as well. The two are huddled together, walking as fast as they can without breaking into a run.

"I hate this, I hate this, I hate this," Miyeon chants under her breath, clutching Yeri's arm.

Yeri tries to keep her voice steady. "It's fine. It's just people in costumes. They're not real."

As if on cue, a clown with a chainsaw leaps out from behind a corner, revving the chainsaw loudly.

"Never mind, I take it back!" Yeri screams, dragging Miyeon in the opposite direction. The two run as fast as they can, the clown chasing after them with exaggerated movements.

Back to Jade and Mingyu, the two finally stop running, breathless and laughing nervously. They press themselves against a hedge, listening for any signs of their pursuers.

"I can't believe you screamed louder than me," Jade teases, still trying to catch her breath.

"I was protecting you!" Mingyu defends himself, though his face is red. "It's called strategy."

"Sure, keep telling yourself that," she says, smirking.

The camera pans back to Jaehyun and Eunwoo, who have just found their first key hanging from a branch.

"One down, three to go," Eunwoo says, pocketing the key.

"This is going to take forever," Jaehyun mutters, glancing at the map.

Miyeon and Yeri are still on edge, walking cautiously as they scan their surroundings. "We need to find a key soon, or I'm going to lose it," Miyeon says.

"Focus," Yeri says firmly, though her grip on Miyeon's hand is tight. "We're not leaving this maze without those keys."

The camera cuts back to Jade and Mingyu, who are slowly moving deeper into the maze. They pause when they spot a glimmer of something hanging from a tree branch.

"Is that...?" Jade whispers.

Mingyu nods, stepping forward cautiously. "Stay behind me."

As he reaches for the object, another zombie jumps out from behind the tree. Jade screams again, grabbing Mingyu's arm.

"Not again!" Mingyu shouts, pulling Jade away as the zombie groans and lunges toward them.

The scene fades to black as the camera zooms in on the key, still hanging from the branch.

Jade and Mingyu finally find a quiet corner, hidden behind tall, overgrown hedges, to catch their breath. Both of them are panting, their hearts racing from the earlier encounter with the zombie. Mingyu crouches down, resting his hands on his knees, while Jade leans against the hedge, her face flushed from all the running.

"Okay," Mingyu finally says, straightening up. "What's the plan? We can't just keep running around aimlessly."

Jade looks toward the direction they had come from, her mind already forming an idea. "The key is still hanging on that branch, right?"

"Yeah."

She bites her lip, glancing at Mingyu. "You're tall. What if you pick me up, and I grab it?"

Mingyu raises an eyebrow, slightly amused. "That's your grand plan?"

Jade shrugs. "Do you have a better one? Plus, if a zombie shows up, you can just carry me and run."

Mingyu chuckles softly, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smirk. "You make it sound like I'm some superhero."

"Well, you're my superhero tonight," Jade replies teasingly, her tone light but her gaze serious.

He nods after a moment. "Alright, let's do it. But we'll wait a bit. The zombies might still be lurking around there."

The two sit in the small hiding spot for a while, the eerie silence of the maze broken only by the occasional distant scream or the rustling of leaves. Jade hugs her knees to her chest, glancing at Mingyu, who seems deep in thought.

"What do you think the others are doing?" she asks softly.

"Probably the same thing we're doing-running for their lives," Mingyu says with a chuckle. "Jaehyun and Eunwoo are probably trying to act cool about it, though."

Jade laughs, nodding in agreement. "And Miyeon and Yeri are probably screaming their heads off."

"Sounds about right," Mingyu says, smiling at her.

After a few minutes, they decide it's safe to head back. They crouch low as they make their way toward the tree where they had spotted the key earlier. Jade keeps her eyes peeled for any sudden movements, her nerves on edge.

When they finally reach the spot, the key is still dangling from the branch, glinting faintly under the dim lights of the maze. Mingyu glances around, ensuring there are no zombies nearby, before motioning for Jade to step forward.

"Alright," he whispers. "Ready?"

"Ready," Jade says, steeling herself.

Mingyu crouches slightly and clasps his hands together. Jade places her foot in his grip, and with one swift motion, he lifts her up. She wobbles slightly, grabbing onto his shoulder for balance before reaching up for the key.

"Hurry," Mingyu says, his voice low but urgent.

"I'm trying!" Jade whispers back, her fingers just brushing against the key. With one final stretch, she grabs it and pulls it off the branch.

"Got it!" she says triumphantly.

"Good. Now get down before-"

Before he can finish his sentence, a distant groaning sound reaches their ears. Mingyu immediately lowers her, his grip tightening on her arm.

"Run!" he whispers sharply, and they take off before anything can appear.

As they hurry toward the next section of the maze, the groaning grows louder. Suddenly, heavy footsteps echo behind them, and a shadowy figure appears, chasing after them.

"Why are we always being chased?!" Jade yells, her voice a mix of frustration and fear.

"Because it's a haunted maze!" Mingyu replies, grabbing her hand as they pick up their pace.

The camera cuts briefly to Jaehyun and Eunwoo, who are hiding behind a hedge, their breaths shallow. They had narrowly escaped the same figure and are now crouched low, trying to stay out of sight.

Meanwhile, Miyeon and Yeri's screams echo through the maze as they sprint away from a different zombie.

"I hate this, I hate this, I hate this!" Miyeon chants, clutching Yeri's arm as they run.

"We're going to die in here!" Yeri yells dramatically, nearly tripping over her own feet.

Back to Jade and Mingyu, the two are still running, their footsteps pounding against the ground. Jade risks a glance behind them, her heart pounding even harder.

"They're gone," she says, slowing down slightly.

Mingyu glances back as well, letting out a sigh of relief. "Finally."

As they catch their breath, Jade notices something glinting in the bushes nearby. She narrows her eyes, stepping closer.

"Jade, what are you doing?" Mingyu asks, his tone wary.

"Wait," she says, crouching down. She parts the leaves and gasps softly. There, hidden among the foliage, are two keys.

"One for us..." she murmurs, picking up the first key. "And one for Miyeon and Yeri."

Mingyu crouches beside her, peering at the keys. "What's it doing here?"

"No idea, but we'll take it. If we run into them, we'll give it to them," Jade says, pocketing both keys.

They stand up, glancing around cautiously. The maze feels eerily quiet again, but their nerves remain on high alert.

"Let's keep moving," Mingyu says, placing a hand on Jade's shoulder. "And keep looking behind us. I don't trust this place."

"Agreed," Jade says, her voice firm.

As they walk, the camera focuses on their tense expressions, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows around them. Every rustle of leaves and distant sound keeps them on edge, but they push forward, determined to make it to the end of the maze.

As Jade and Mingyu continue walking cautiously through the dark, twisted maze, they keep their eyes peeled for any signs of keys-or danger. Mingyu walks slightly ahead, holding her hand protectively as he scans the area.

"Do you think the others are doing okay?" Jade asks, her voice hushed.

"I'm sure they're fine," Mingyu replies, glancing back at her. "Though I wouldn't be surprised if Eunwoo and Jaehyun are hiding somewhere instead of looking for keys."

Jade giggles at the thought, the sound echoing lightly in the eerie silence.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves and footsteps makes them both freeze. Mingyu steps in front of Jade instinctively, both of them straining their ears to locate the source of the noise.

"Do you hear that?" Jade whispers, clutching his arm.

"Yeah..." Mingyu replies, his eyes narrowing.

Before they can react, two dark figures leap out from the shadows, screaming at the top of their lungs. Jade and Mingyu both let out startled screams, with Mingyu instinctively jumping toward Jade, clinging to her arm.

"AHHHHH!" Mingyu yells, his voice comically loud as he hides behind her.

Jade is completely frozen, her mouth open as she lets out a delayed "Ahh!" that sounds more confused than scared. Meanwhile, the two "figures" collapse onto the ground, laughing hysterically.

As the realization hits, Jade groans. "Jaehyun?! Eunwoo?! What is wrong with you guys?!"

The camera pans to Jaehyun and Eunwoo, who are lying on the ground clutching their stomachs from laughing so hard.

"We got you so good!" Jaehyun manages to say between gasps for air.

"Your faces were priceless," Eunwoo adds, wiping a tear from his eye.

Mingyu, still holding onto Jade, glares at the two of them. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

Jade crosses her arms, narrowing her eyes at the boys. "I hope you know karma's coming for you two."

Before Jaehyun or Eunwoo can respond, the sound of rapid footsteps cuts through the air. Everyone tenses, their heads whipping toward the source of the noise.

"Is it a zombie?" Mingyu whispers, his grip on Jade tightening.

The footsteps grow louder, but instead of groaning or growling, they hear familiar voices shouting.

"Wait! It's us!"

Jade blinks in surprise and turns around just as Miyeon and Yeri come into view, their faces flushed and out of breath.

"Miyeon!" Jade exclaims, running to them. She throws her arms around both of them, pulling them into a tight hug.

Miyeon and Yeri cling to her, their lips trembling in exaggerated pouts. "Jade, it's so scary!" Yeri whines.

"I don't want to be here anymore!" Miyeon adds, fake-crying as she buries her face in Jade's shoulder.

Jade lets out a dramatic sigh, joining in the fake tears as she hugs them tighter. "It's so terrible! Why did I agree to this?! I want to go home!"

Mingyu watches the scene with a fond smile before stepping forward. Seeing Jade so distressed (even if it's exaggerated) tugs at his heartstrings. Without a word, he wraps his arms around her from behind, gently patting her head.

"It's okay, we'll make it out," he says softly, trying to comfort her.

The other three-Jaehyun, Eunwoo, and Miyeon-stare at him in amused disbelief.

"Is this comfort or just an excuse to hug her?" Jaehyun mutters under his breath, smirking.

"Definitely the latter," Eunwoo replies, earning a small shove from Jaehyun.

Jade pulls away slightly from Mingyu's embrace, wiping her eyes for dramatic effect before turning to the group. "Alright, how many keys has everyone found so far?"

Eunwoo and Jaehyun exchange sheepish looks before holding up three keys. "We're missing one," Jaehyun admits.

"Just one?" Jade says, surprised. "You two actually did well?"

"Hey, we're not useless!" Eunwoo retorts, feigning offense.

Miyeon and Yeri, meanwhile, hold up a single key, their faces filled with regret. "We've only found one," Miyeon says.

Jade pulls the second key out of her pocket, the one she had found earlier in the bushes. She holds it out to Miyeon and Yeri with a small smile. "Here. I found this earlier. You can have it."

"Unnie, really?!" Yeri says, her face lighting up.

"Thank you so much!" Miyeon adds, hugging Jade again.

With all the keys accounted for, they now have six in total-half of the twelve needed to escape. The group huddles together, brainstorming their next steps.

"Alright," Jade says, taking charge. "Let's team up and search each area together. It'll be safer that way, and we'll cover more ground."

The group quickly agrees, deciding to explore the far corner of the maze next. Just as they're about to set off, a low groaning sound echoes through the maze, followed by the sound of shuffling feet.

"Uh-oh..." Eunwoo mutters, his eyes wide.

Before anyone can react, a group of zombies emerges from the shadows, their movements slow but menacing.

"RUN!" Jaehyun yells, and the group immediately takes off, screaming as they sprint away from the zombies.

The camera cuts between the chaos: Mingyu grabbing Jade's hand and leading her through the maze, Jaehyun and Eunwoo practically tripping over each other as they run, and Miyeon and Yeri holding hands while screaming at the top of their lungs.

The zombies follow relentlessly, their groans growing louder as they close the gap. Jade glances back, her eyes wide with panic.

"Mingyu, they're getting closer!" she shouts.

"Just keep running!" he yells back, his grip on her hand tightening.

The group weaves through the maze, their screams and laughter filling the air as they try to outpace the zombies.

After what felt like hours of running, the group finally finds a small clearing in the maze where they can take a breather. Everyone collapses onto the ground, panting and trying to catch their breath.

"Are... are we alive?" Miyeon asks between gasps, leaning her head against Yeri's shoulder.

"Barely," Jaehyun mutters, sprawled out on his back. "I think I left my soul back there."

Jade and Mingyu exchange an amused look, still holding hands. "We're alive," Jade reassures them, though she's visibly winded herself.

Once everyone has recovered, Mingyu claps his hands to get their attention. "Alright, we've got seven keys, but we still need five more. If we keep this up, we'll never make it out before sunrise."

"Do you have a better plan, leader?" Eunwoo teases, raising an eyebrow.

"As a matter of fact, I do," Mingyu replies, standing tall. "We'll split up into our original groups and search one section of the maze at a time. If anyone finds a key, shout for the others so we can regroup."

Everyone nods in agreement, too tired to argue. Mingyu stands and stretches, offering a hand to help Jade up. "Ready to go?" he asks, smiling down at her.

She nods, squeezing his hand. "Let's find those keys."

The group moves as one through the maze until they reach the first section. It's dark, with tall hedges and eerie fog swirling around their feet. The occasional groan of zombies echoes in the distance, keeping everyone on edge.

"Alright, this is section one," Jade says, her voice low. "Let's split up and look around."

Each pair heads off in a different direction, their footsteps crunching softly on the gravel.

Jade and Mingyu take the left path, carefully scanning the ground and bushes for any sign of a key. "Do you think they hid one up in the trees?" Mingyu asks, glancing upward.

"Let's hope not," Jade replies, shivering at the thought. "I'm not climbing a tree in this fog."

Meanwhile, Eunwoo and Jaehyun explore the right side of the section, with Jaehyun pointing his flashlight at every suspicious crevice. "Do you think zombies actually guard these keys?" Jaehyun asks, half-joking.

Eunwoo shrugs. "Wouldn't surprise me. This whole maze feels like a trap."

Just as he says that, his foot kicks something metallic. He freezes, looking down to see a shiny silver key partially buried under some leaves.

"I found one!" Eunwoo shouts, holding it up triumphantly.

From the other side of the section, Jade and Mingyu turn toward his voice and start making their way over. As Eunwoo bends down to pick up the key, a hand suddenly shoots out from the leaves, grabbing his wrist.

"AHHH!" Eunwoo screams, stumbling back and dropping the key.

Jaehyun jumps in alarm, his flashlight shaking in his hand. "What the-"

Before either of them can process what's happening, Mingyu and Jade burst into laughter from the nearby bushes, stepping out to reveal themselves.

"It was you two?!" Eunwoo shouts, his face a mix of relief and annoyance.

Mingyu grins, nudging Jade. "That was all her idea," he says, throwing her under the bus.

Jade raises her hands in mock innocence. "Hey, you made it too easy! How could I resist?"

Eunwoo narrows his eyes at them, brushing himself off as he picks up the key. "You're lucky I don't hold grudges," he mutters, handing the key to Jade. "Here. Just take it and keep searching."

The camera zooms in on Jaehyun and Yeri, who are standing a few feet away, laughing hysterically at Eunwoo's expense.

"Eunwoo, you're so jumpy," Yeri teases, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

"Maybe he should team up with me next time," Jaehyun adds. "At least I wouldn't let him get ambushed by our own teammates."

Eunwoo glares at them, pointing accusingly. "You two better find the next key, or I'm switching partners."

"Don't worry, we've got this," Jaehyun replies, smirking.

The group regroups briefly to tally their progress. With Eunwoo and Jaehyun's find, they now have seven keys.

"Only four more to go," Jade says, her determination shining through. "Let's move to the next section."

The team follows her lead, their confidence slightly boosted after finding another key. However, the ominous atmosphere of the maze remains, and every rustle of leaves keeps them on edge.

As they approach the next section, Mingyu leans down to whisper to Jade, "Think there'll be another key here?"

"Only one way to find out," she replies, her voice steady despite the growing tension.

As the group makes their way through the maze, the eerie silence is suddenly interrupted by a crackling sound from the speakers above.

"Attention, participants," a voice announces ominously. "You have used up 40 minutes of your time. Only 20 minutes remain. In the final 10 minutes, all zombies will be released into the maze."

The announcement sends a wave of panic through the group. Yeri clutches Miyeon's arm. "All the zombies?!" she exclaims, her voice trembling.

"That's not even fair!" Eunwoo mutters, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Jaehyun looks around nervously. "If we don't get out before then, we're going to be swarmed."

Mingyu takes a deep breath and steps forward, his calm demeanor surprising everyone. "Alright, listen up," he says, his voice steady but firm. "We need to pick up the pace. If we're going to get out of here, we have to work faster. The zombies don't actually touch us-they just chase us. So as long as we stay ahead of them, we'll be fine."

"Fine?!" Miyeon echoes, her eyes wide. "Mingyu, that's easy for you to say! You're not the one who's been screaming every five minutes!"

Jade puts a comforting hand on Miyeon's shoulder. "We've got this," she says, trying to reassure her friend. "We're closer to the exit now. We just need to find the last four keys as quickly as possible."

Mingyu nods in agreement. "We'll split up again to cover more ground. Each pair takes a different path. When someone finds a key, sing a high note to signal the rest of us."

"High note?" Jaehyun asks skeptically, raising an eyebrow.

"You got a better idea?" Mingyu shoots back, smirking.

"Fine," Jaehyun mutters, shaking his head. "But if I hit a note so high that dogs start barking, don't judge me."

Everyone chuckles nervously before splitting up again, each group heading into different parts of the maze.

As they walk down a foggy path, Jade starts humming softly to calm her nerves. The familiar tune of Seventeen's Clap fills the air, and Mingyu immediately picks up on it.

"You're humming Clap in the middle of a haunted maze?" he teases, a grin spreading across his face.

"It's comforting," Jade replies defensively, though there's a playful tone in her voice.

Mingyu starts singing along, his voice low but melodic. "Clap your hands, clap your hands..."

Jade can't help but smile as she listens to him. "You're too good at that," she says, nudging him lightly.

"Only for Carats," he replies with a cheesy smile, making her laugh.

As they walk, Jade suddenly stops in her tracks, her eyes locking onto something. "Mingyu," she whispers, pointing toward a bush up ahead.

"What is it?" he asks, following her gaze.

"There's a key," she says excitedly. Sure enough, nestled on top of the bush is a shiny silver key.

Mingyu grins. "Good eye! Go ahead and grab it."

Jade carefully reaches up to retrieve the key, holding it up triumphantly. "Got it!" she exclaims.

"Don't forget the signal!" Mingyu reminds her.

Jade smirks, taking a deep breath before singing the iconic high note from Girls' Generation's The Boys. Her voice echoes through the maze, clear and powerful.

Mingyu starts cheering and clapping. "That was amazing!" he says, his eyes shining with pride.

Jade laughs, giving him a small bow. "Thank you, thank you. Let's keep going."

In another part of the maze, Yeri and Miyeon are cautiously making their way through a narrow path.

"This is the worst idea we've ever had," Yeri mutters, glancing nervously over her shoulder.

Miyeon nods. "Agreed. Remind me to never sign up for one of Jade's crazy plans again."

Just as they round a corner, Miyeon spots something glinting on the ground. "Wait, is that...?"

She kneels down, brushing aside some leaves to reveal a key. "Yes!" she exclaims, holding it up.

"Quick, do the signal!" Yeri urges her.

Miyeon rolls her eyes but complies, singing a shaky high note that makes Yeri burst out laughing.

"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Miyeon says defensively, slipping the key into her pocket.

"Barely," Yeri teases. "But at least we're one step closer to getting out of here."

Meanwhile, Jaehyun and Eunwoo are having their own adventure. The two of them are scanning the ground when Eunwoo spots something shiny near a tree.

"Jaehyun, over there!" he whispers, pointing toward the base of the tree.

Jaehyun hurries over and picks up the key, holding it up for Eunwoo to see. "That's three down!"

"Now you've got to sing," Eunwoo says with a smirk.

"Absolutely not," Jaehyun replies, shaking his head.

"Come on, rules are rules," Eunwoo presses, grinning.

Jaehyun groans but eventually relents, belting out an impressive high note. The sound echoes through the maze, earning cheers from the other groups.

"Not bad," Eunwoo teases.

"Don't get used to it," Jaehyun mutters, pocketing the key.

Back with Jade and Mingyu, the pair is still searching for another key when Jade suddenly freezes.

"What's wrong?" Mingyu asks, following her gaze.

A zombie is standing just a few feet away, its lifeless eyes staring directly at them. Jade jumps back in fear, instinctively grabbing Mingyu's arm.

"Mingyu!" she whispers urgently.

"Relax," he says calmly, placing a reassuring hand on hers. "It's not going to do anything. Remember, they just chase us."

Jade clings to him, her eyes wide with fear. "That doesn't make it any less creepy!"

Before Mingyu can reply, they hear two high notes coming from different directions.

"Looks like the others are having some luck," Mingyu says with a grin. "Come on, let's keep moving."

Jade nods, still holding onto his arm as they make their way further into the maze, determined to find the last key and reunite with the group before time runs out.

As the group continued their frantic search through the maze, another announcement crackled through the speakers, jolting everyone to attention.

"Attention, participants: you now have fifteen minutes remaining."

Jade froze, her eyes widening in alarm. "Fifteen minutes?!" she exclaimed, glancing at Mingyu. "We need to hurry. Let's head toward the entrance and check there. We might find something."

Mingyu nodded in agreement. "Good idea. The exit is close to the entrance anyway, so we can be ready to leave as soon as we get the last key."

They made their way toward the entrance, splitting up to cover more ground. Jade took the left side while Mingyu scoured the right.

As Jade carefully examined the bushes near the maze's edge, she felt a sudden hand clamp down on her shoulder.

"Stop messing around, Mingyu," she said without turning around, her voice edged with irritation. "We don't have time for jokes-just keep looking!"

From across the maze, Mingyu's head snapped up. "Jade!" he shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Her blood ran cold as she realized the hand on her shoulder wasn't Mingyu's. Slowly, she turned her head and came face-to-face with a zombie, its grotesque face just inches from hers.

Jade let out a piercing scream and bolted, her instincts taking over. As she moved to run, her eyes caught the glint of something shiny around the zombie's neck. It was a key.

Without hesitation, Jade lunged forward, snatching the key from the zombie's neck before taking off at full speed toward the entrance. "I've got it!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the maze. "We have all the keys!"

Mingyu, hearing her frantic shouts, ran to meet her at the gate. "Did you seriously grab it off a zombie?" he asked, both amused and impressed.

"Let's just get out of here!" Jade said, panting as she handed him the key. Together, they began unlocking the color-coded locks on the gate.

Just as they finished inserting the keys they had found, another announcement blared through the speakers.

"Attention, participants: ten minutes remaining. All zombies have now been released into the maze."

The distant sound of rapid footsteps and guttural growls sent chills down their spines.

"We're going to need the others," Jade said anxiously, glancing at the remaining locks. "Where are they?"

"I don't know," Mingyu replied, scanning the area. "We should hide until they get here." He gestured to a thick bush nearby. "Come on, let's wait there."

Jade and Mingyu crouched in the bush, their breaths shallow as they listened to the chaos unfolding around them.

Meanwhile, Miyeon and Yeri were sprinting through the maze, two zombies hot on their heels.

"I hate this game!" Yeri shouted between breaths, clutching the keys they had collected.

Miyeon glanced back at the zombies gaining on them. "Keep running, Yeri! Don't stop!"

As the entrance came into view, Miyeon skidded to a halt. "Go!" she yelled, pushing Yeri forward. "Get the locks open-I'll distract them!"

"What?!" Yeri cried, her face pale. "Are you crazy?!"

"Just go!" Miyeon insisted, picking up a branch from the ground. She waved it at the zombies, trying to buy her friend some time.

Yeri hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Be careful!" she shouted, sprinting toward the gate.

As Yeri reached the gate, Eunwoo and Jaehyun came running from another direction, holding their keys.

"Yeri, give me the keys!" Eunwoo called out, rushing to her side.

Yeri handed him the keys with shaking hands, watching as he began unlocking the remaining locks with practiced efficiency.

Jaehyun, meanwhile, stopped to help Miyeon. He picked up another branch and swung it at the zombies, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her. "Why do we always end up in situations like this?" he muttered.

"Maybe because we're terrible at saying no," Miyeon quipped, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips despite the fear in her eyes.

Jade and Mingyu watched the chaos from their hiding spot. "They're going to need help," Mingyu said, already moving to stand.

Jade grabbed his arm. "Be careful!" she said, her voice laced with concern.

As they emerged from the bush, Jade spotted a zombie breaking away from the group and heading straight for Yeri. Without thinking, she sprinted toward her friend, grabbing her hand.

"Come on, Yeri!" Jade shouted, pulling her along.

"But the locks-" Yeri began, looking back.

"Eunwoo's got it!" Jade interrupted. "We just need to run!"

Behind them, Eunwoo shouted triumphantly, "It's done! The gate's open!"

The group made a mad dash for the exit, their hearts pounding as the sounds of the zombies grew louder behind them.

Mingyu held the gate open as everyone scrambled through, slamming it shut just as a zombie reached for it. They all collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, as the adrenaline began to wear off, laughter bubbled up among them.

"We did it!" Yeri exclaimed, throwing her arms around Miyeon.

Jade hugged Mingyu tightly, her face buried in his chest. "That was way too close," she mumbled.

"You were amazing," Mingyu said, stroking her hair.

Jaehyun and Eunwoo high-fived each other, grinning. "We're never doing this again," Jaehyun said, though the smile on his face betrayed his words.

"Agreed," Eunwoo replied, shaking his head.

The group sat in a circle, catching their breath and reveling in their victory. Despite the terror, they couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment-and a bond stronger than ever before.

The group sat in a messy circle near the maze's exit gate, their laughter and heavy breaths filling the chilly night air. Despite the ordeal, their spirits were high as they teased one another about the most ridiculous moments they'd experienced.

Jade, leaning back against a post, clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Okay, first things first-did everyone have fun?"

Yeri groaned loudly, her head falling onto Miyeon's shoulder. "Define fun, unnie. If you mean screaming my lungs out and running like my life depended on it, then sure, I had so much fun."

Miyeon laughed, patting Yeri's head. "You were great, though. Very dramatic! Running like you were in a thriller movie."

Yeri pouted. "I wasn't dramatic! I was surviving."

"I don't know," Jaehyun chimed in with a smirk. "From where Eunwoo and I were, it looked like a drama audition."

"You mean like how you fell on your face during that chase scene?" Eunwoo shot back with a grin, making everyone burst into laughter.

Jade shook her head, clearly amused. "Okay, okay, enough roasting. Be honest, though-would any of you do this again?"

Eunwoo stretched, pretending to consider it. "Depends. Does the next episode involve sitting on a couch and eating snacks?"

"Or something cute and cozy, like painting," Miyeon suggested, holding her hands up in an innocent gesture.

Yeri pointed at Jade. "If it's anything spooky, unnie, I'm out."

"Noted," Jade replied with a grin before turning to Mingyu. "What about you? Would you sign up for another round?"

Mingyu shrugged with a mischievous smirk. "Only if you're on my team again. I need someone who can scream louder than me to distract the zombies."

"Wow, thanks," Jade replied sarcastically, nudging him. "That's such high praise."

As their laughter subsided, Jade got to her feet and gestured for everyone to join her in facing the camera.

"Alright, guys, we've made it to the end of today's challenge," she said, her tone warm and energetic. "Thanks so much for watching this chaotic episode of Aeri's Playbook!"

"Tell us in the comments who screamed the loudest," Eunwoo joked, pointing at himself.

"Or who should be forced to do the next challenge," Jaehyun added, smirking at Yeri.

Jade laughed, motioning for everyone to gather closer. "Okay, ready for the outro? Let's do it together. On the count of three!"

She began counting down, and on "three," they all shouted in unison:

"See you at the next round!"

As the camera zoomed out, the group burst into laughter again, some of them high-fiving while others playfully shoved one another. The screen faded to black with their voices and smiles lingering, leaving viewers excited for whatever Jade had planned for the next episode.

This episode was pure chaos, and I loved every second of it. Jade and Mingyu screaming together was comedy gold!

Mingyu shielding Jade from the zombies and holding her hand while running was the cutest thing ever. Protect boyfriend behavior!

Yeri saying she was 'surviving' and not being dramatic-girl, I felt that!

This episode was just proof that Mingyu would risk it all to keep Jade safe-even in the most ridiculous situations!

Eunwoo and Jaehyun falling over during the chase scene had me wheezing. I replayed it like ten times.

Mingyu telling Jade they should just order corn dogs and yup dduk after the maze... can they adopt me?

Miyeon and Yeri running from the zombies was the best scene. I need these two on every episode!

Jade snatching the key off the zombie's neck and screaming all the way to the gate was the most relatable thing ever.

Every time Jade screamed, Mingyu was either grabbing her hand or standing in front of her. I'm officially shipping them harder than ever!

The group hug at the end was so cute! You can tell they were genuinely relieved it was over.

Mingyu taking charge and coming up with a strategy? Leader vibes right there!

I hope Jade invites this group back for another episode. Their chemistry is unmatched!

Can we talk about how Mingyu's first instinct was always to make sure Jade was okay? Ultimate protector vibes.

Not me screaming alongside them when the announcement said all the zombies were being released.

Who else feels like they're watching a survival drama whenever they watch this show? Jade's concept is genius!

Mingyu cheering Jade on when she sang a high note to signal they found a key... the way he hypes her up is everything.

Can we talk about how Seventeen's Clap randomly turned into a theme song for this episode? Iconic.

Not Mingyu telling Jade, 'The zombies won't touch us; we just have to run,' like that was supposed to be comforting. 😂

I'm voting for Miyeon and Yeri to get revenge on Eunwoo and Jaehyun in the next challenge!

Jade, girl, you have the funniest reactions ever. I couldn't stop laughing.

The way Mingyu didn't even flinch when Jade started humming Clap and joined in singing was everything. These two are too iconic together.

This episode felt like a K-drama and a horror movie combined. Jade's creativity is on another level.

We need Mingyu and Jade together for every future episode. They're such a hilarious and heartwarming duo!

Who else wants to see a behind-the-scenes video of them screaming off-camera?

Honestly, Mingyu's calmness while protecting Jade made him seem like the ultimate lead in a rom-com. Someone give this man an award.