Another torturous date....

She glanced at the balcony, then at the stairs she had come up.

It was as if she was worried Hae-young might have seen what she did.

"Oh, unni, you're already here? I thought I was the first since there weren't any cars outside."

"Really? I just got here too. I finished unpacking and came out."

"Oh, I see? Got it. Unni, how have you been? I missed you. You looked so pretty on the show! I was honestly so jealous."

Her face immediately brightened, and she started wagging her metaphorical tail. Of course, she needed to make a good impression on Yoon-hyuk's friend.

"Yeah, I missed you too."

Hae-young smiled warmly, lifting the corners of her lips just like Min-ji had.

__________✧⁠⑅⁠˖⁠♡｡ﾟ∘⁠˚⁠˳⁠°↝⁠^⁠.⁠_⁠.⁠^___________________

One by one, the other cast members arrived.

"Did you watch the show?"

"Yeah, it was so embarrassing."

Tae-ri flapped her hand dismissively.

"I skimmed through it."

"I couldn't even watch. Just heard what my friends told me."

Ga-eun and Tae-ri chatted about the show. They were especially surprised to learn that Yoon-hyuk and Hae-young were friends, their eyes lighting up at the revelation.

No one mentioned any of the shady behavior or negative thoughts revealed in the interviews. It was as if they had all silently agreed to avoid that topic.

"So, who did everyone go on a date with today?"

"Uh… I went with Do-jin."

"Oh really? I was with Chan-woo."

They exchanged light-hearted banter about the day's dates. Neither seemed to have made up their minds about anyone yet.

"But Hae-young unni, are you still focused on just one guy?"

Tae-ri turned to Hae-young. Everyone in the house knew that Hae-young was solely interested in Sung-joon. She nodded.

"Wow."

It was a "wow" loaded with meaning.

Probably something like, Why him, of all people?

Don't worry. I'm not going to keep this up forever. I don't have the stomach for it.

Hae-young gently patted Tae-ri's hand as if to reassure her.

"No wonder no one was downstairs. You're all up here."

Just then, the topic of conversation, Sung-joon, walked up the stairs.

"Tae-ri, how have you been?"

"Good. You?"

"I was bored, so I wanted to come back quickly."

Sung-joon sat down. Ga-eun and Tae-ri exchanged glances. Hae-young knew exactly what that look meant.

"What? Why did it suddenly get quiet when I came in? What were you talking about? Was it me?"

Sung-joon asked half-jokingly, half-seriously.

"Haha, of course not."

But that was the end of the conversation. Feeling awkward in the silence, Sung-joon fiddled with his bangs and then spoke again.

"Right, does anyone want to go to the bookstore with me tomorrow? I thought I'd buy a few books and just look around."

Books? Had she ever seen Sung-joon read one?

Whenever he had to play a role in a play, Hae-young would give him the original novel. But those books always ended up collecting dust in some corner of his place.

Is he trying to look good by suggesting a book-shopping date? Guess he's trying to make something happen with one of the girls.

"Hmm, I think I'll take it easy tomorrow."

"How about you, Ga-eun? Tae-ri?"

Sung-joon turned his sparkling gaze to Tae-ri.

"I'll pass too. I'm not really into books!"

"Oh... really? Honestly, I'm not that into books either. Then how about the flower market? Let's buy some flowers to decorate the house."

"Sorry, not into flowers either."

Tae-ri shot down both suggestions without hesitation. Sung-joon's eyes faltered. No interest in books or flowers—he must have realized she was actually rejecting him.

Of course, she'd reject you, Sung-joon. Everyone saw the same show you did.

Hae-young recalled a comment she saw on social media:

> @popong\_oziraper:

> So basically, Sung-joon fell for Hae-young and flirted with her, but when he got a bunch of texts from other girls, he was like "Wow, I'm popular!" and started hitting on everyone. Then he treated Hae-young like crap during their date.

> @odjwl:

> That's such a perfect description of him. I couldn't stop laughing.

She chuckled bitterly.

It took her six years to realize what others figured out after two episodes.

No wonder Ga-eun and Tae-ri acted like that.

Sung-joon had isolated himself without even trying, unlike Woo Min-ji who actually put in some effort. He revealed his true self, and that was enough.

All she had done for him was help him get those three votes on the first day. Everything else was on him.

"Oh, then... Hae-young noona…"

Beads of invisible sweat seemed to form on Sung-joon's forehead. He looked at Hae-young with eyes begging for help.

Should I help him or not?

She deliberately hesitated, pretending to think it over. Sung-joon's face twisted like he was being tortured second by second.

"I'll go with you—to the bookstore."

At her words, Sung-joon's face lit up.

Ga-eun and Tae-ri quickly excused themselves, saying they had unpacking left to do. Only Sung-joon and Hae-young remained.

He looked at her with eyes full of unsaid things.

He leaned in slightly and whispered in her ear.

"Hae-young noona, thanks for coming with me."

She nearly gagged.

He hardly ever said thank you. He must really mean it this time.

But the more sincere he seemed, the more nauseous she felt.

The look in his eyes, like he was seeing a loyal wife who stood by him after he'd lost everything—she found it revolting.

But she had to endure it.

Because when he truly believes he has no one left but her, that's when she'll leave him.

She couldn't wait for the day Sung-joon would stop being her "boyfriend."

And maybe because of that—or maybe because he felt there was no hope with any of the other women—Sung-joon sent Hae-young a text that evening.

[Hae-young noona, let's get books and flowers tomorrow.]

It was the first text he had ever sent her after filming started.

She scoffed.

The results of that day's text vote were predictable:

• Min-ji: 0 votes

• Hae-young: 3 votes

• Ga-eun: 1 vote

• Tae-ri: 1 vote

• Chan-woo: 1 vote

• Sung-joon: 1 vote

• Do-jin: 0 votes

• Jae-young: 0 votes

• Yoon-hyuk: 2 votes

__________✧⁠⑅⁠˖⁠♡｡ﾟ∘⁠˚⁠˳⁠°↝⁠^⁠.⁠_⁠.⁠^___________________

The next morning, a new mission was announced:

> Female contestants, please give a gift to the person you'd like to go on a date with.

It was the gift she had picked with Yoon-hyuk before entering the house, a neatly wrapped candle set. Hae-young took it out of the drawer.

Guess I have to give this to Sung-joon. Another torturous date awaits...

"You're giving it now?"

A voice startled her. Yoon-hyuk was leaning against the doorframe.

Dressed in a crisp sky-blue polo and light pants, he looked even more charming than usual. Maybe it was the smile on his face.

"Yeah, I figured I'd feel better getting it over with."

"You're giving it to Sung-joon, right?"

"Yeah."

Yoon-hyuk stepped closer. His expression was unreadable.

"You know, they said you can give it to a friend too."

"Really?"

"Then give it to me."

He grinned. Half-joking, but with a hint of sincerity.

"Why would I?"

"Because it's fun and comfortable when we eat together."

"Well, that's true. But we're here to find romance, aren't we?"

Yoon-hyuk tapped the doorframe, thinking deeply.

Then, acting casual, he snatched the gift from her hands and examined it. He leaned in close, whispering just softly enough to avoid the microphones.

"I've gone on two dates with Min-ji.

Dating someone you're not into is… pretty miserable."

His voice was full of honesty.

Yesterday's date with Min-ji had come from the viewers' votes, but he had come back with a sour expression and headed straight to his room.

He even ignored Hae-young's suggestion to text Min-ji and sent one to Hae-young instead.

Min-ji had seemed to enjoy the date, but now Hae-young was curious about what really happened.

Maybe next episode would show Min-ji and Yoon-hyuk's date?

"Can you handle it?" he asked.

Hae-young smiled and nodded.

Of course it would be hard. Eating face to face with Sung-joon might give her indigestion.

But what could she do? This was the revenge path she chose.

"You too. Good luck on your date. I'm sure Min-ji's going to give you a gift."

Yoon-hyuk's face darkened.

Hae-young gave him an encouraging pat on the back.

"Hope the next mission comes quickly," she said.

She was talking about the next move in her revenge—not the show's mission.

"It'll come. For now, let's focus on today's."

Yoon-hyuk's hand slowly fell to his side.