"It's not that I'm upset or anything," Minji quickly denied, not wanting Hae-young to stop her.
Hae-young firmly held her hand.
There was no way out of this. Minji was now the kind of ruthless cast member who sends another female participant on an errand, shows up late, and even demands an apology.
"No, it's okay. It's just... from the way you're speaking, it feels like you're really upset with me. More than anything, I should have taken care of your request first. I really messed up."
"That's not it!"
"I'm really sorry. But I brought this for you—will you accept it and forgive me?"
Haeyoung awkwardly smiled as she forced a sheet mask into Minji's hand.
"It wasn't on purpose, so… please forgive me."
*****
Minji ended the conversation with Haeyoung, still wearing a displeased expression. She cooled her face with the mask Haeyoung had brought.
Thanks to that, it seemed like her double eyelids had returned. Before long, Minji was downstairs on the first floor, chatting away with the others.
"Jaeyoung, do I look really swollen?"
"Hmm, a little? But you still look cute."
"Aww, you're lying…! I look totally awful."
Minji buried her face in both hands. The other cast members smiled warmly, finding her reaction endearing.
It made sense—she wore a light green skirt with a white cardigan, and her hair was braided into two pigtails. She looked beautiful as always.
Not long after, Yoonhyuk came downstairs. Minji's face lit up like a spotlight had been turned on.
"Yoonhyuk-niim!"
Yoonhyuk gave a half-hearted nod in greeting and walked out the front door alone. Minji hurried after him, her short legs working overtime to keep up.
Through the window, they could see Yoonhyuk opening the car door, and Minji quickly climbing in after him. He got into the driver's seat, and for a while, the car didn't move—something seemed to be going on inside.
Haeyoung couldn't take her eyes off the scene. Only after the car finally drove off and disappeared from view did she look away.
Minji's gaze, fixed on Yoonhyuk, and the image of him standing beside her, lingered in her mind like an afterimage.
It'll be fine. He'll do well. Nothing bad will happen.
Just last night, it was Yoonhyuk who had told her to wait for him at home like a puppy. But now that she was the one sending him off, it felt unsettling—like entrusting a beloved dog to a stranger for the first time.
The others also headed out for their own personal schedules. Those who had made prior plans quietly began their off-camera dates.
Haeyoung started getting ready for her outing with Jaeyoung as well.
"What are you planning to wear today? Should we match outfits?"
Jaeyoung peeked into the room, sticking his head in with a smile.
"Sounds good. It's a bit chilly today, isn't it? How about a denim jacket?"
"Oh, I actually already took mine out. Perfect."
With even their outfits color-coordinated, Haeyoung and Jaeyoung looked convincingly like a couple on a date. Of course, Haeyoung, who had come here with a different intention, couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt toward Jaeyoung.
Jaeyoung took Haeyoung to a Japanese restaurant he had reserved. It was a counter-style place, where the chef prepared dishes right in front of the guests and served them directly.
"You really eat so well, Haeyoung."
"That's the first time I've heard that."
"Really? I find myself watching you whenever you eat. I kind of want to film you eating and play it while I eat alone."
"Why eat alone? Call me next time. Let's eat together."
"Can I really do that?"
"Of course. I don't usually eat with just anyone, but if it's you, Jaeyoung—I'd love to."
The meal was enjoyable. Jaeyoung was kind and considerate. When Haeyoung seemed thirsty, he offered her water before she even asked. When she looked around for a napkin, he quickly brought one over.
Why would someone this good… choose Minji…?
She couldn't help but recall Jaeyoung on the show—watching from the sidelines as Minji grew closer to someone else.
After the meal, they stopped by a nearby espresso bar for coffee before heading back to the house. Evening had begun to settle in.
One by one, the cast returned home and gathered around the living room table. They chatted quietly, sharing stories about their day.
"Minji and Yoonhyuk are back!"
"Welcome back!"
A chorus of cheerful greetings followed.
Minji, her cheeks slightly flushed, came in first, with Yoonhyuk walking in behind her.
Visually, they looked like a great match. Especially the contrast in their body types—something viewers would likely find especially appealing.
Earlier, when the two of them left together, it felt like just a fleeting moment. But now, seeing them standing side by side, something about it felt uncomfortable—like a speck of dust had gotten in her eye.
She quickly looked away and turned to Jaeyoung, saying something—anything—to distract herself. They exchanged a few words, but none of it really registered.
"...Haeyoung."
"Haeyoung?"
"Huh?"
When Haeyoung turned around, Yoonhyuk was already standing right in front of her, having quietly approached. He was the one calling her name.
Suppressing the uneasy feeling in her chest, Haeyoung put on a polite, business-like smile.
"You're back late. Looks like you had fun today!"
"I did."
She'd asked the question half-hoping he might say no—that it hadn't been fun at all. But Yoonhyuk agreed without hesitation. Still, there was something off about his expression.
What is that? That smile…?
It was a look she'd never seen from him before.
How to describe it… Maybe like the smile of a mischievous kid who stole a box of cookies and fed them all to the birds?
It seemed no one else noticed—but Haeyoung did.
"Yesterday, when you said Minji was kind, I wasn't so sure. But after going on a date with her, I realized she really is." Yoonhyuk finished.
Minji?
What on earth had happened today?
Did something happen between them?
Now that she thought about it—
where was Minji, anyway?
It seemed she had gone straight up to her room. Gaeun, who had been sitting nearby just moments ago, had also disappeared, so maybe they were talking together.
"By the way, you look nice today. Your outfit."
Yoonhyuk spoke slowly, as if choosing each word deliberately. His gaze was fixed on Haeyoung and Jaeyoung's matching couple look.
"Oh, this is just…"
Haeyoung instinctively started to explain herself but then closed her mouth.
There's no need to justify it.
"It suits you."
Yoonhyuk said it in a tone that didn't quite sound like a compliment.
Haeyoung left him behind and headed upstairs. She found Gaeun and Minji deep in conversation.
Minji and Gaeun?
On the show, as far as Haeyoung remembered, the two seemed friendly. But could that really be called friendship? It was more like Minji saw Gaeun as someone easy to manipulate.
Gaeun wasn't the type to express her feelings well. Which made her the perfect target—easy for someone like Minji to control.
In fact, Haeyoung remembered how Minji had started off acting nice, only to gradually treat Gaeun more and more carelessly, as if she were beneath her. Were they still like that now?
*****
"Gaeun! Gaeun!"
Gaeun, who had been touching up her makeup at the vanity, turned her head. Minji came running toward her with arms wide open.
Her flowing hair and bright smile made her look like something out of a sports drink commercial.
"How was your date?"
"It was sooo, so, so, so exciting and wonderful!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! Honestly, the moment I saw Yoonhyuk yesterday, I just knew. Like—I want to make him mine, you know?"
Minji let out a little squeal and shut her eyes tight. The way she spoke so openly and happily about her feelings made her seem genuinely lovable.
"Do you think Yoonhyuk feels the same way?"
"Yes! Of course!"
"You've been through a lot emotionally, but it's a relief that someone who appreciates your charm has finally appeared."
Gaeun smiled warmly. But Minji's expression suddenly hardened.
"I haven't really been upset. Why would I be?"
"Ah… well, you did seem a bit down because of the texts you weren't getting."
"Huh? Haha."
Minji laughed lightly, as if she found it amusing.
"It's possible not to get texts sometimes. I haven't really had anyone I liked much anyway. So it doesn't bother me."
"Still, I thought I might feel upset if I were you."
Minji stared intently at Gaeun.
"Did I look pitiful to you?"
"Huh? No, that's not it!"
Minji was still smiling, but somehow she looked different from before. Had she been upset by what was said?
"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I really didn't mean to."
"No, it's not like that. Why would I be upset over something like this? I really like you, Gaeun. Let's go downstairs now."
Minji linked her arm with hers.
Yeah, there was no way kind and sweet Minji would get upset over something like this.