"It's true. After sending that message today, it felt like she was ready to show up with a marriage certificate," Yunhyuk said, shrugging his shoulders with a joking tone.
Just then, someone came stomping noisily downstairs. It was Minji again.
Yunhyuk closed his eyes tightly, as if he was exhausted. And it made sense, it was already the third time today.
Haeyoung quietly slipped out of the kitchen, pretending not to notice. From behind, where it couldn't be seen, Yunhyuk reached out and grabbed her sleeve.
"Don't go."
From behind, he whispered like the wind.
She was sorry but there was no other choice.
She didn't know why he was helping her, but this was something he had to do.
Haeyoung left the kitchen and perched on the edge of the living room sofa. She was close enough to hear the conversation coming from the kitchen.
"Yunhyuk oppa, were you talking with Haeyoung unnie again?"
"Yeah."
"Was the person you mentioned earlier - the one you wanted to get to know, Haeyoung unnie? That was fast. I'm starting to feel a little hurt, you know."
So he used the excuse that he didn't send a vote because he had someone he wanted to get to know?
Yunhyuk didn't answer. But even then, Minji didn't back down.
It was unlike her. Usually proud and with her nose in the air, Minji was the type who couldn't stand being ignored.
That's why she always had people like Seongjun around - guys who would put her on a pedestal. It seemed like Yunhyuk's looks and his privileged background were bringing out this side of Minji.
"Why were you looking for me?"
"To return your hoodie. I really enjoyed wearing it."
"Oh, that."
Listening in, Haeyoung once again pictured Minji wearing Yunhyuk's hoodie. The discomfort returned, like a large thorn lodged somewhere in her throat.
"But you know… your hoodie smells exactly like a scent I really love."
"Yeah?"
"I know it sounds weird, but just smelling it made my heart race. Do you think people can be drawn to someone just by their scent? Maybe my instincts are responding to your hormones or something."
"Now that you mention it, they say scent plays a big role in falling in love…"
"Oh no, Oppa! What if I really fall for you? You'll have to take responsibility!"
"Why should I?"
"Because I smelled your scent and fell..."
"That's not even my hoodie."
"What?"
"It's Jo Seongjun's."
Silence fell for a moment.
"But you told me to take the one on the bed."
"Yeah, that was Seongjun's bed. I guess you're destined for him. Why don't you give him his hoodie back and ask him out? Just like I said, you should try getting to know someone else too."
"No, Oppa… I only—"
"Why? You said you felt drawn just from the scent, didn't you? So...."
"Move. Let me through."
"O-Oppa..."
Yunhyeok left the kitchen. Minji quickly scurried after him, clutching the jacket in her hands - it was Seongjun's.
Haeyeong barely held back a laugh.
So it wasn't Yunhyeok's jacket after all. The same Minji who always borrowed Seongjun's coat in front of her was now wearing it here, too, how ironic.
Yunhyeok wasn't exactly going along with Minji as planned, but for some reason, Haeyeong didn't mind that at all.
"Haeyeong."
Yunhyeok's tone suddenly turned warm and familiar.
"Let's finish that conversation we were having earlier."
He smiled wickedly, clearly saying it loud enough for Minji to hear.
Minji stood frozen, staring at Yunhyeok as he walked away toward Haeyeong. Her eyes burned with hatred and fury.
*****
"Seongjun..."
Minji gently rested her forehead against Seongjun's chest, having already confirmed they were in a blind spot with no cameras.
Dragged out of bed, Seongjun scratched his messy hair, then froze in place.
"Minji? What's going on?"
"I got zero votes again today. Do I really seem that unappealing to you too?"
"No, of course not. You're really cute, kind... Your body's a little lacking, but..."
"What?"
"Haha, I was kidding about the last part."
Minji glared at him fiercely, then lightly hit Seongjun's chest.
"I am curvy, okay?"
"Come on, anyone can see you're not exactly curvy."
"Ugh, so annoying. I'm not talking to you anymore, Jo Seongjun."
"Alright, alright. Minji's the prettiest in the world, and the most curvaceous."
Minji let out a long sigh before continuing the conversation.
"Seongjun, why didn't you vote for me? You promised last time that you would."
"Oh, that… But you didn't vote for me either."
"What? Still, you should've voted for me!"
"How does that make sense? You didn't vote for me, so why should I...."
"You're really asking me to vote for you after that?"
Normally, Seongjun would've backed down by now, but this wasn't the reaction Minji expected.
"I only got a vote from Haeyeong today. You said we'd date after this was over, but you still sent a message to Yoonhyuk, didn't you?"
"That's because, obviously, I had a date with Yoonhyuk today. I didn't have a choice."
"Oh, please. You're totally into Yoonhyuk now. You're practically throwing yourself at him, body and heart. Just because he's rich… you're such a gold digger. Honestly, Seo Haeyeong's better than you."
"Did you just compare me to Seo Haeyeong? Are you insane?"
Minji's voice immediately turned sharp. She was already irritated because of Haeyeong lately.
"Why not? It's true. Even when Yoonhyuk was all over her, she still sent her message to me. She might be frustrating, but at least she's loyal."
Minji, who had been glaring fiercely, suddenly latched onto an odd part of Seongjun's comment.
"Wait a second. What do you mean Yoonhyuk is hitting on Haeyeong unnie? When did that happen?"
She had noticed something off between them, but not enough for someone as clueless as Seongjun to pick up on it.
"It's obvious. They were drinking together in the living room while everyone else was asleep. Honestly, I don't think Seo Haeyeong would've made the first move."
"So you're saying Yoonhyuk is interested in her? No way. Haeyeong unnie must've flirted with him first. I told you before, keep an eye on her."
"No. I dated her for six years — you think I don't know her? This is all on that bastard Yoonhyuk. He acts innocent, but he's the type to go after every girl behind the scenes, relying on his background."
Watching Seongjun rant angrily, Minji shook her head in disbelief.
What use was it listening to clueless Seongjun's words? Anyone could clearly see that Yoonhyuk's interest was directed at her.
"Anyway, I don't like Han Yoonhyuk. Right now, he's riding the hype wave from the show, but soon enough, his true colors will show and his popularity will drop. You should pick someone else instead of him. I'm way better."
Unaware of that, Seongjun spat curses at Yoonhyuk.
Seriously. The contrast between the sincere, gentle Yoonhyuk and the crude, tacky Seongjun was so clear that Minji just shook her head.
Whether before or now, Jo Seongjun was definitely not boyfriend material. All he had to do was just vote for her.
"Okay."
Minji linked her arm with Seongjun's.
"Even if I vote for someone else halfway through, I'll definitely choose you in the end."
"Really?"
"Yeah. The more people I meet, the more I realize Seongjun is way better for you."
"That's true. Han Yoonhyuk is all hype. I'll prove it soon enough."
"So you'll text me too, right? You don't really have anyone going well for you right now anyway."
"Well…."
"What? You don't want to?"
"No, it's just that you don't know—I actually do have someone I'm getting close with."
"Still, text me! Just shut up and text me!"
Minji couldn't hold back anymore and shouted.
*****
Today was the last day of the first group retreat. Everyone was busy packing their bags early in the morning.
Haeyoung had a simple breakfast with Jaeyoung and gathered the luggage she had packed earlier to one side. She wanted to get out of this house as soon as possible.
As soon as she stepped outside, Haeyoung turned on her phone, which had been returned to her. She found a flood of messages from various people.
Ignoring them all, she first checked the reactions to Friendship Romance 2. Since it was still before the first broadcast, there wasn't much meaningful content yet.
"- Another romance show? So boring, these enzyme-selling people."
"Those girls will probably get voted off anyway lol."
• Finally, it's happening!! My stopped heart is racing again — my dopamine, my heart, my destiny.
• But this time, they really stepped it up. The visuals are all insane.
• My dopamine's totally gone. I was planning to take it slow and wait for reactions, but no way now.
└ Still, running live like this is what makes it fun.
ㄴ True that.
• The male contestants are seriously next level.
ㄴ Eh? The female contestants are way crazier.
• Minji is insanely pretty. Totally my type.
ㄴ Yeah, that's just filters.
From people who decided to binge-watch the first episode just because of the contestants' looks to those saying all the photos are heavily edited…
There were even people who said they couldn't believe any of it because everything looked so heavily edited. The reactions were varied.
• I'm betting my entire fortune on the visual combo. Even if someone held a knife to my neck, I'm Team Dojin and Taeri… I don't care if this path is full of thorns.
• Honestly, I'm really conflicted. Haeyoung has that girlfriend vibe that's crazy good—she could be with anyone and it'd work out…