__________

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The sun was already rising high when the helicopter carrying the contestants who had spent the night in Paradise took off, slicing through the clear blue sky back towards Inferno. The mood inside was light and lively, though tinged with exhaustion from their sleepless but luxurious night.

Hye In sat near the window, gazing out at the endless ocean below, trying to steady her breathing as the helicopter began to lift off the ground. The familiar flutter of anxiety crept in, her fear of helicopters was something she hadn't quite conquered. She inhaled deeply, but her fingers gripped the seatbelt tighter.

Next to her, Jong Hoon noticed her discomfort immediately. He had picked up on her nervousness during their flight to Paradise the day before and wasn't about to let her struggle alone now. He nudged her gently with his elbow, giving her a small smile. "Rock, paper, scissors?" he mouthed, holding up his fist.

Hye In blinked, then let out a soft laugh. His persistence was endearing. She shook her head at first, but seeing his playful, encouraging expression, she gave in. They started their quiet game, their hands moving in rhythm. Paper. Rock. Scissors. Paper. Jong Hoon won the first round, raising his fist in mock triumph. Hye In rolled her eyes, but the tension in her chest loosened.

However, she could feel it, the weight of Hyun Jin's gaze. Somewhere across the cabin, he was watching. She didn't dare look up. Her heart was already betraying her. Despite the lovely time she had with Jong Hoon, her feelings for Hyun Jin had only intensified. She felt guilty, confused, and frustrated all at once.

The other girls were chattering away, their voices rising above the hum of the helicopter. Jun Seo had straightened his hair, and it had not gone unnoticed.

"Wow, Jun Seo, you look so polished today," Ji Yeon gushed, causing the others to lean forward for a better look.

Si An gasped, "Oh my god, you look like a CEO now!"

Arin tilted her head, eyes squinting as if she were inspecting him closely. "Actually... you look like my dog, Tori," she said with a straight face.

The cabin erupted into laughter. Even Jun Seo, initially confused, broke into a sheepish grin.

Hye In leaned towards Si An, her eyes twinkling. "Si An, you got yourself a new puppy!"

Si An playfully swatted at her, trying to keep a straight face, but her laughter betrayed her.

As the helicopter leveled out and the initial excitement died down, most of the passengers began drifting off to sleep. Hye In glanced around, her eyes scanning the scene. Si An had leaned her head on Jun Seo's shoulder, her eyes closed peacefully. Hye In bit her lip, trying not to laugh. She glanced across the aisle and met eyes with Dong Ho, who had noticed it too. He raised his eyebrows, and Hye In snorted, quickly covering her mouth to muffle the sound. She looked away, shoulders shaking in silent laughter.

The flight back felt shorter than expected, and soon they were descending onto the island of Inferno. The blazing heat and familiar rustic setting greeted them as they disembarked. Jong Hoon, ever the gentleman, grabbed Hye In's bag without being asked. She didn't protest this time; their friendship had settled into something natural and comfortable.

As they made their way back toward the campsite, the conversation drifted to their newfound mission, setting up Dong Ho and Hye Jin.

"So," Hye In started enthusiastically, "we need to be strategic. Maybe I can talk to Hye Jin, get her to open up, and you-"

Jong Hoon burst out laughing, cutting her off mid-sentence. He stopped walking, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. "You're acting like this is a military operation," he said between laughs.

Hye In placed her hands on her hips, feigning offense. "Excuse me! There's no such thing as 'too serious' when it comes to Inferno. This is life and death!"

Jong Hoon shook his head with a grin. "Alright, Commander Hye In. Lead the way."

They continued their walk, the atmosphere lighthearted and warm despite the heat. By the time they reached the camp, the area was unusually quiet. Most of the other contestants were likely still resting from the previous day's emotional rollercoaster.

Jong Hoon handed her the bag. "See you later?"

She nodded, smiling. "Good luck with your Hye Jin mission."

He saluted her playfully before walking off towards the men's tent.

Hye In stepped into her shared room with the girls, the cool shade offering brief relief from the sun. You Jin was sitting cross-legged, carefully applying makeup in front of a small mirror. She looked up at Hye In's entrance, her eyes lighting up.

"You're back!" You Jin exclaimed.

Without a word, Hye In dropped her bag and practically tackled her in a hug.

"I missed you," Hye In mumbled into her shoulder.

"You were only gone for a night!" You Jin laughed, hugging her back.

Before they could continue, the rest of the girls filtered into the room. The energy immediately shifted to excited chatter. Si A plopped onto her bed, dramatically fanning herself.

"I think I'm dying," she groaned.

"You look alive to me," Hae Lin teased.

The room erupted into laughter again, the warmth of their bond filling the space. For a brief moment, Hye In forgot about the tension brewing in her chest, the complicated feelings for Hyun Jin, the guilt over Jong Hoon. Here, surrounded by these girls, she felt safe.

But she knew, once she stepped outside this room, the game of Inferno would begin once more.

As the girls settled into their room, the post-Paradise buzz still lingered in the air. They were all relaxed, stretched out on their beds, cooling off from the midday heat. Si An shifted onto her side, resting her head on her hand as she turned to Arin with a teasing grin.

"So, Arin... how was your date?" Si An's voice was light, but the girls immediately perked up, curious to hear the details.

Arin smiled shyly, tucking her hair behind her ear. "It was really nice. We talked a lot... I mean, a lot. I feel like I got to know him so much better."

She paused, then chuckled. "Honestly, I think he just likes to talk. He can talk forever."

The room burst into laughter.

Hye In clapped her hands together. "Oh my god, it's a perfect match! You can both talk each other's heads off. We won't even need to be here-you two will be in your own world."

Laughter filled the room again, but a quick glance at You Jin revealed a slight downturn of her lips. She was quiet, her eyes lowered as she fiddled with a strand of her hair. Hye In noticed the shift. She knew You Jin had her eyes on Dong Ho, and hearing about Arin's smooth-sailing date with him had likely stung a little.

Si An, not picking up on the tension, shifted her focus. "Okay, okay-Hae Lin, what about you? How was your night with Hyun Jin?"

Hae Lin exhaled slowly, her smile a little strained. "It was fun. We had a great time... but..."

The girls leaned in, sensing the 'but' was important.

"I felt like... his body was there, but his head and heart weren't. Like he was present physically, but emotionally? I don't know... It felt like he was somewhere else the whole time."

The girls nodded in understanding. Hye In, though she kept her expression neutral, felt her heart twist. She knew exactly where Hyun Jin's heart had been.

"And you, Hye In?" Si An raised an eyebrow. "How was the date with Jong Hoon?"

Hye In smiled. "We had fun! We made phone cases and ate cake. But... we ended up realizing we're better off as friends."

The girls 'ooohed' in unison, but the mood stayed lighthearted.

"Honestly, I had a great time, but it just confirmed something for me."

She didn't need to say it. The girls knew. Hyun Jin.

Si An leaned back, stretching her arms. "Well, I feel like I just came back from a honeymoon," she joked.

They all laughed, but Si An's tone softened. "No, but seriously... I feel lighter now. I really let my emotions out with Jun Seo. I feel like I can breathe."

Hye In smiled. It was nice seeing Si An like this-relaxed, happy.

Their bonding session was interrupted by the familiar crackling sound of the island's speaker.

"All contestants, please gather at the wrestling arena. The men will be competing in a game to win a Paradise date."

Excited murmurs filled the room as the girls quickly adjusted their clothes and made their way to the sandy wrestling arena. The sun was blazing, but the excitement in the air was stronger. The makeshift arena had been set up earlier, a circular patch of sand surrounded by wooden seating. The girls took their places, fanning themselves while eagerly awaiting the men.

When the guys finally arrived, they looked energized and ready. The speaker's voice rang out again, explaining the rules:

"This is a Korean wrestling match. The men will draw balls to determine their opponents. The one who picks the gray ball will be excluded."

Each guy reached into a wooden box and pulled out a ball. Tae Hwan opened his palm to reveal the gray ball. He laughed in defeat, raising his hands as the girls playfully booed him.

Hyun Jin opened his to see a yellow ball. Theo did the same. They locked eyes, realizing they were paired together. Hyun Jin gave a playful grimace.

The matches were set. First up: Jong Hoon versus Jeong Seo.

The two stepped into the ring, gripping each other's belts tightly. With a brief struggle, Jeong Seo managed to flip Jong Hoon onto the sand. The girls cheered loudly, while Jong Hoon laughed, brushing sand off his arms.

Next was Dong Ho against Jun Seo. The match was more intense, both refusing to give up easily. Eventually, Jun Seo managed to overpower Dong Ho, sending him sprawling onto his back.

The final match of the first round was Hyun Jin versus Theo. Both were athletic, but Hyun Jin's strength was evident. With a swift, confident move, he brought Theo down, winning the match.

"The remaining winners will now compete in a final tournament to determine first, second, and third place."

Hyun Jin groaned dramatically. "I'm not even interested in the same girls as them. Why do I need to fight?"

Laughter erupted from the girls.

Arin cupped her hands around her mouth. "Hyun Jin, your pride is on the line!"

Hyun Jin raised his arms in defeat. "My pride is intact. If I actually tried, I'd win."

The girls cheered and jeered in playful protest.

The next match was Hyun Jin versus Jeong Seo. But in a surprising move, Hyun Jin let Jeong Seo win almost immediately.

Then, Hyun Jin faced Jun Seo, and once again, he gave up without a fight.

The girls couldn't stop laughing.

"You didn't even try!" Si An shouted.

"I didn't need to," Hyun Jin shot back, grinning. "Again, we're not even after the same girls. Let them have it."

The final match between Jeong Seo and Jun Seo was intense, but Jun Seo emerged as the victor.

The speaker's voice announced the results: "First place, Jun Seo. Second place, Jeong Seo. Third place, Hyun Jin."

Jun Seo raised his arms in victory, and Si An clapped proudly. Hye In watched Hyun Jin brush sand off his hands, his eyes momentarily flicking to her. Her heart raced.

_______

_______

The midday sun hung lazily over Inferno, casting warm rays through the thin curtains of the girls' dorm. Inside, Hye In sat cross-legged on her bed, her small mirror propped up in front of her as she lightly tapped powder onto her face. Si An sat nearby, their conversation drifting between light teasing and observations about the day's wrestling matches.

Suddenly, the speaker crackled to life, cutting through the quiet hum of the room.

"Attention, contestants. Today, you will have the chance to go on dates in Inferno before tonight's Paradise selection. Please feel free to approach anyone you wish to spend time with."

Excitement immediately buzzed through the camp. Hye In raised an eyebrow, already anticipating the upcoming movements between everyone. She knew this was the kind of opportunity that could shift everything.

Before she could say anything, there was a loud knock on the door. Without waiting for a response, Theo's familiar voice followed.

"Si An, are you in there?"

Hye In burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Oh my god, Theo is such a dedicated man!"

Si An shook her head, but she was smiling as she got up. "He really doesn't waste time, huh?"

"He's moving faster than the announcement."

The two giggled as Si An opened the door. Theo stood there with his usual bright smile, his eyes only for her. "Want to go on a date?" he asked, a little breathless.

Si An gave Hye In a quick look before nodding. "Of course."

She turned back to Hye In. "I'll see you later."

"Don't come back married," Hye In teased.

As the door closed behind them, Hye In was left alone. The room was quiet again except for the gentle rustling of trees outside and the faint voices of other contestants moving around the camp. She leaned back against her bed frame, pulling out her lip tint as she hummed the chorus of Magnetic by ILLIT under her breath. The melody filled the room as she blended the color onto her lips, occasionally stopping to check her reflection.

She was so caught up in her small beauty routine and the song that she didn't hear the light knocking on the door. When there was no response, the door creaked open slightly. Hyun Jin peeked his head inside, his eyes scanning the room. When he saw only Hye In sitting there, he stepped inside quietly, a small grin forming as he watched her, completely unaware of his presence.

He slipped into the seat Si An had just vacated, resting his elbow on the wooden desk next to her. For a few seconds, he simply watched her hum, the light catching on her profile. Then, she turned slightly, sensing someone nearby. Her eyes landed on him, and she jumped, nearly knocking over her makeup bag.

"Oh my god, oppa!" she yelped, hand over her chest. "You scared me!"

Hyun Jin burst out laughing, leaning back in his seat. "Your face, priceless."

She pouted, lightly smacking his arm. "What are you doing sneaking in here like that?"

"I wanted to talk to you," he said, his voice softening slightly. "We didn't really get a chance today."

She nodded, her expression shifting. "Yeah... It's been kind of non-stop since we got back."

He stretched his legs out, his hand brushing against hers briefly. "Also... I won a date today."

She raised an eyebrow. "I know, I was there. Congratulations."

He leaned in slightly, his tone playful. "So, what do you want to do in Paradise?"

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Huh?"

Hyun Jin's lips curved into a smirk. "I'm picking you, obviously."

Her heart did a little flip, but she tried to play it cool. "Oh... well, yeah, I figured. But you know, I had to stay humble about it."

He threw his head back, laughing loudly. The sound filled the room, warm and familiar. She couldn't help but join in, their laughter blending together.

When the laughter faded, he looked at her more seriously. "But really... what do you want to do?"

She bit her lip, thinking. "I kind of want to do a little bit of both this time. This time, maybe we can do something interactive and then return to the hotel to order room service, watch a movie, talk... just be together."

He nodded slowly. "That sounds perfect."

The air between them shifted slightly. It was more than just a playful conversation now, it felt like they were acknowledging what was already so obvious to both of them. The connection they shared was deepening, even without words.

"Oppa..." Her voice was softer now.

"Yeah?"

"I was thinking... I don't regret our first Paradise date. It was probably one of the best days I've had here. But I feel like I held back a little. I don't want to do that anymore."

His eyes searched hers. "I don't want you to hold back either. Not with me."

Her heart raced, but she felt safe with him. She always had.

He smiled, reaching out to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm really glad we're getting another chance."

"Me too."

Hye In leaned her elbow on the wooden vanity table, resting her chin in her palm as she watched Hyun Jin relax in the seat next to her. There was something so casual yet intimate about their conversation, like they had known each other for years rather than just days. Her heart still fluttered from his earlier teasing about Paradise, but she managed to steady her voice.

"So... how was your Paradise date?" she asked lightly, though there was a hint of curiosity beneath her casual tone.

Hyun Jin tilted his head, considering her question. "It was good. We had dinner, and then we played some board games after. It was fun... pretty relaxed."

She nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "Board games, huh? You don't seem like the board game type, oppa."

He chuckled. "I can be competitive when I need to be."

"Oh, I know," she teased, remembering his fight with Theo.

He glanced at her, his smile softening. "What about you? How was your date with Jong Hoon?"

Her lips curled into a small smile. "It was nice. We made phone cases together, it was actually really cute. Then we went to a café, and I had the most delicious cake. I swear, oppa, when I go back to Seoul, I have to find that place again."

Hyun Jin laughed, leaning in slightly as if committing this important cake information to memory. "Okay, okay. Cake date in Seoul. Noted."

She giggled but then quieted for a moment. "But yeah... it was fun. We got to know each other better."

There was a small pause before she turned the question back on him. "Did you... like your date with Hae Lin?"

His eyes flickered slightly at the mention of her name, but his expression remained calm. "Yeah. I mean, it was good getting to know her better. We had some good conversations. It's always good to explore connections, right?"

She gave a small nod, though the answer made her chest tighten just a little. She bit her bottom lip before glancing up at him.

"You know... I was sitting in front of you on the helicopter ride back."

He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint already forming in his eyes. "Yeah, I noticed. Why?"

She pouted, shifting in her seat as she faced him more directly. "I couldn't see what you were doing back there."

Hyun Jin smirked. "Why? You curious?"

She folded her arms. "I was just wondering if you held her hand or... let her lean her head on your shoulder or something."

His eyes widened slightly in amusement. He leaned in closer, resting his chin on his hand as he stared at her, a teasing grin forming. "And what if I did?"

Her mouth dropped open as she gasped dramatically. Without thinking, she reached out and flicked his forehead lightly. "Oppa!"

"Ow!" he exaggerated, though he was clearly holding back a laugh.

"You better not have!" she huffed, narrowing her eyes at him.

He held his hands up in surrender, still chuckling. "Okay, okay. I didn't. My hands and shoulders are exclusively for you."

Her cheeks burned at his words, and she smacked his arm lightly. "Don't say stuff like that so casually!"

He grinned, leaning back in his chair, pleased with himself. "Why not? It's true."

She tried to suppress her smile but failed. Their playful banter was so natural, yet underneath it, there was something more, something real.

After a beat of silence, Hyun Jin's tone softened. "But seriously... how did you feel about your date? Like, really."

Hye In exhaled, her gaze drifting down to her hands. "Honestly... it was a good date. But... we both realized we just have a friendship bond. Jong Hoon and I, we don't feel that kind of spark."

Hyun Jin nodded thoughtfully. "I kind of figured. I saw you two talking a lot, but it always seemed more... comfortable. Like friends."

"Exactly," she said, glad he understood. "It was good to clear that up, though. I feel like it gave us both some clarity."

There was a brief pause before she hesitated, then spoke again. "Hae Lin... she said you seemed a little distracted on your date."

Hyun Jin's eyes softened, and he exhaled slowly as he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "Yeah... I was."

She tilted her head. "Why?"

He looked at her directly, his voice quiet but sure. "Because I was thinking about you the whole time."

Her heart skipped a beat. She blinked, not expecting him to be so straightforward.

"Oppa..."

"I'm serious," he said with a small smile. "I tried to focus on the date, and Hae Lin is great... but my mind kept drifting back to you. I kept wondering what you were doing with Jong Hoon, what you were talking about, if you were laughing a lot."

She felt her heart swell with warmth. "You were thinking about me that much?"

"Of course," he said, his voice gentle. "I can't help it."

Her face flushed as she glanced away, trying to compose herself. This was exactly what she had been hoping to hear but didn't expect him to say it so openly.

She glanced back at him, her voice soft. "I thought about you a lot too... during my date."

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah?"

"Yeah... I kept wondering what you were doing. And honestly... I kind of wished I had been with you instead."

Hyun Jin's smile grew wider, his eyes filled with warmth. "Me too."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of their feelings hanging between them. It felt like the room had grown smaller, quieter like they were in their own little world.

After a while, Hyun Jin leaned back in his chair. "So... Paradise today. Just us."

She nodded, her heart racing but her smile steady. "Just us."

"I'll make sure it's even better than last time."

"You better," she teased.

He stood up slowly, stretching. "Alright... I should probably leave you to pack.

She nodded, though she didn't really want him to leave. "Okay."

Before he stepped out, he turned around with a grin. "Oh, and remember, my shoulder and hand privileges? Still yours."

She covered her face with her hands, laughing. "Oppa, get out!"

As the door closed behind him, Hye In fell back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling with a wide smile. Her heart was full.

________

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The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over Inferno as the girls lay sprawled across their beds in the shared room. The air was thick with suspense, but there was also a buzzing excitement, they all knew that soon, three of them would be heading to Paradise.

Si An lay on her side, propped up on one elbow, eyes flitting between the others. "It's so hard to know who the guys are going to pick. I feel like some of them are so unpredictable."

You Jin nodded, adjusting the pillow beneath her head. "It's hard for most of the boys... but Hyun Jin isn't exactly a mystery."

There was a beat of silence before all eyes turned to Hye In. She groaned, pulling the blanket up over her face. "Oh no, don't start this."

The girls burst into laughter, Si An reaching over to tug the blanket away from her. "Come on! You can't deny it. That man is glued to you."

Hye In peeked out, her cheeks already flushed pink. She couldn't help the smile spreading across her face. "Okay, okay. Maybe he's easy to predict... but what if someone picks me before his turn?"

The room filled with laughter again, Arin rolling onto her stomach as she clutched a pillow. "Oh, the scandal! Imagine that drama."

Hye In widened her eyes in mock horror. "Right? I'd have to fight my way out of it."

Hae Lin giggled. "Honestly, I think Hyun Jin would carry you out of here himself if that happened."

Before Hye In could protest, the familiar sound of the speaker crackled to life. The girls immediately sat up, eyes wide as the voice rang out:

"Jun Seo has chosen Si A for Paradise."

The room erupted into cheers and claps. Si An grinned, though her cheeks turned pink as she stood up. "Ah, I knew it! But I'm still nervous."

"You guys are basically married now," Arin teased.

"Just go, honeymoon couple," You Jin added with a laugh.

Si An threw a playful glare over her shoulder before slipping out of the room. The rest of the girls leaned back against their pillows, the chatter resuming as they speculated on the remaining choices.

Moments later, the speaker crackled again:

"Jeong Seo has chosen You Jin for Paradise."

The room fell into stunned silence. You Jin froze, her eyes wide as she slowly sat up. "Me?"

Arin clapped her hands, laughing. "Why do you look surprised? Get up before he leaves without you!"

You Jin scrambled to her feet, still in disbelief. "I didn't expect this."

Hae Lin grinned. "Plot twist! Go, go!"

With a final glance at the girls, You Jin hurried out, leaving the room buzzing with excitement and speculation.

Finally, the speaker spoke one last time:

"Hyun Jin has chosen Hye In for Paradise."

A collective "Oooooh" rang out from the remaining girls. Arin and Hae Lin dramatically gasped, clutching their chests as if they were shocked.

"No way! Who could've seen this coming?" Arin teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Hae Lin wiped a fake tear from her eye. "So unpredictable."

Hye In couldn't hold back her laughter as she stood up. Her cheeks were flushed, but her smile was wide. "Okay, okay! You guys win."

She bent down, giving them each a quick hug. "See you tomorrow."

As she stepped out of the room, her heart began to race, not from nerves, but from excitement. She made her way toward the center of the camp, where Hyun Jin stood waiting. He was alone, his tall frame relaxed, but his eyes lit up the moment he saw her approaching.

She smiled, and as she got closer, he stepped forward to meet her halfway.

Without a word, he reached for her bag, slinging it over his shoulder like it was second nature. Then, his hand found hers, warm and steady. Their fingers intertwined effortlessly.

"You ready?" he asked, his voice soft but filled with warmth.

She nodded, squeezing his hand lightly. "Ready."

Together, they began the walk toward the helicopter, leaving Inferno behind. As they stepped onto the sandy path, the reality of their second trip to Paradise settled in. This time, there was no uncertainty. They both knew what they wanted, each other.

Hyun Jin glanced down at her as they walked. "You know... the girls are probably teasing you like crazy right now."

Hye In laughed. "They are. They pretended to be shocked when your name was called."

He smirked. "Predictable, huh?"

She squeezed his hand. "Maybe... but I like it."

He smiled, his thumb gently brushing against the back of her hand as the helicopter came into view.

This time, there was no hesitation. No wondering or questioning. Just them, hand in hand, stepping into what felt like the beginning of something real.