*******

Van 001

"Hi, I'm Kang Daniel," he introduced himself as he entered the van, leaving everyone stunned as they each introduced themselves in turn.

He naturally took the seat beside Sieun, and the van driver resumed driving.

"Sieun, right?" he asked, turning toward her.

She smiled and nodded. "You're making sure you don't forget?" she teased, and he nodded in response.

Junho noticed Sieun shiver from the blast of the air conditioner and quietly draped a blanket over her shoulders.

"Thanks," she said with a soft smile.

---

Commentators

LJS: Woah, he's marking his territory.
RS: Guys do that too? 😂
KNJ: Oh, absolutely. Some guys place their hand on the girl's shoulder or use their arm as a protective shield while walking.

---

"Your smile is pretty," Daniel said, watching her intently.

She playfully posed with her hand under her chin. "Only my smile?"

"Of course not. Every part of you is pretty," he grinned, and her cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink.

---

"I don’t mean to gossip, but do you think there’s already a love triangle brewing? I mean, he just got here," Yejeong whispered to Haru, who chuckled quietly.

"I mean, he has to be bold. He’s the wildcard; he doesn’t have many chances to make an impression."

"That’s true. Everyone else is pretty much paired off already."

"Like you and me?" Haru smirked.

She rolled her eyes and pouted, "I’m unpredictable. For all you know, I could choose someone else in the end."

"What are you saying? You’re the most predictable person here," he laughed, and she couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

*****

Van 002

Van 002

The van abruptly stops at a bus stop, leaving everyone stunned.

"We’re getting off here," Jaehyeon announces with a smile, grabbing Lisa’s hand. She looks confused but smiles back.

"Where are you guys going?" Jiah asks curiously.

"Somewhere. We’ll join you all later," he replies, waving as the automatic doors of the van close behind them.

"I wonder what they’re up to," Juhan muses, and Jiah nods in agreement.

---

Commentators

RS: What’s going on?
Host: Well, I can’t give away any spoilers. I’ll just say he’s not kidnapping her! 😂
KNJ: He basically just did.

---

"We’ve been walking for ages now. I’m tired, and my eyes are blindfolded," Lisa grumbles.

"We’re almost there," Jaehyeon reassures her.

"You said that minutes ago," she pouts, and he chuckles.

Finally, he stops. "We’re here. You can take off the blindfold now."

---

"Wow," Lisa breathes, unable to form proper words. In front of her is a beautiful setup, and Jaehyeon pulls out a bouquet from behind his back. It’s not just flowers—it’s adorned with Polaroid pictures of them together.

"Thank you," she mutters, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Are you surprised?" he asks with a grin. She nods, blinking back tears. He gently rubs her hand, grounding her emotions.

"I wanted to do something special for you," he says softly. "I even created a short clip of our journey at Heartburn." He hands her his iPad, and she watches a montage of their memories together.

The video shows moments of them talking, cooking together, and sharing meals. As it ends, she notices the title: My Lili. She releases a soft chuckle, wiping at her eyes.

"Throughout my time at Heartburn and even now, I haven’t met anyone I trust as much as you, Lisa. Your smile lights up my world in a heartbeat. When you’re near, everything else fades away. I’m in love with you, Lisa. I don’t know if you feel the same, but I’ll wait if you don’t. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Lisa’s eyes glisten as she smiles. "I also have feelings for you. I get butterflies whenever you’re near. And when you’re not around, it’s like a piece of me is missing. You’ve become such a big part of my life. Yes, I’d love to be your girlfriend."

He wraps her in a passionate hug as tears of joy stream down her cheeks.

---

Commentators

KJS: Yes! Finally! Jaehyeon is so romantic!
RS: Agreed, total green flag. He makes her feel so loved—I can already see it.
KNJ: I’m so happy for them. I can’t wait to see how the group reacts.
LJS: Oh, Jiah is going to tease her endlessly.

---

Jaehyeon takes out a ring and gently slips it onto her pinky finger. The inscription reads, Jaehyeon’s. He shows her his matching ring, which says, Lisa’s.

Lisa leans in to give him a casual peck on the lips, but he deepens the kiss, whispering, "I love you."

****

VAN OO2

"Cheers!"

They clinked their soju glasses, staring out into the twinkling night. Kyojun sat with a guitar they had stumbled upon, strumming softly.

She's the prettiest girl I've ever known
And her eyes sparkle in the dark
She's my one true love, the stars design
I think I'm in loveeeeee
Her name starts with J, ends with H… mmmm
Her name starts with J, ends with H… mmmm

Kyojun sang, his gaze locked on Jiah. She stared back with a smile, swaying her head to the slow R&B rhythm.

"Guys, we’re still here," Juhan cleared her throat, breaking the moment. Both Kyojun and Jiah chuckled.

"I didn’t know you could play the guitar," Jiah said as Kyojun settled into a seat beside her.

"Yeah, I can play the piano too," he replied with a small grin. "But only for one person."

"Really?"

"Yup, no one else."

"Ouu, look what I found!" Juhan interjected, holding up a set of cards. "These have questions. Let’s play! You ask Mun and me, and we’ll ask you two."

They all nodded in agreement.

"First question," Mun read, chuckling. "What’s the sexiest part of your partner?"

"Her eyes," Kyojun said without hesitation.

"Ouuu," Juhan teased, nudging Jiah as Mun let out a whistle.

Jiah picked up the next card. "Who’s your second choice after your partner?"

"I don’t have any," Juhan said quickly. Mun, however, paused to think for a moment before answering, "No one." Juhan visibly frowned, annoyed by his hesitation.

"Your partner’s way of apologizing?"

"He'd probably bribe me with gifts and sweet talk," Jiah said with a sheepish smile.

"She’d put on a distracting outfit," Kyojun teased with a smirk.

"How scandalous, Mr. Kyojun-ssi!" Juhan joked, imitating a news reporter. Everyone burst into laughter.

"She’d understand," Kyojun added with a knowing look.

"Ouuu, I feel like I’m missing something here," Juhan muttered.

"Next: What’s your partner’s weak point that’ll have them begging on their knees?"

"His would definitely be physical touch," Jiah replied, avoiding his eyes. "He’d probably lose it if I refused to kiss him or hold his hand."

"Probably attention," Kyojun said with a shrug. "Ignoring her needs or not feeding her would be my downfall."

"Okayyy," Jiah said with a smirk.

"Next up," Mun interjected. "Who’s your second choice after your partner?"

Kyojun answered instantly, "No one." Jiah echoed his response just as quickly.

Kyojun picked up the next card. "Would you be your partner’s girlfriend or boyfriend if they asked?"

"I’ll drink to that," Juhan said with a forced smile.

"Probably not," Mun answered, leaving everyone in shock.

---

Commentators

KJS: What? Mun, you’re doing everything wrong!
LJS: Yeah, he hesitated on the second choice question, and now this? Though maybe he wants to ask her first?
RS: Or maybe not. What if he’s just a player messing with her feelings?
KNJ: That’s another angle… I just hope this doesn’t turn into a disaster.

---

Noticing Juhan’s mood shift, Mun draped his hoodie over her shoulders, whispering, "Are you okay?"

"I don’t want your hoodie," she said coldly, taking it off even though she was visibly shivering.

Before Mun could say more, Jaehyeon and Lisa walked into the luxury campsite hand in hand.

"Woah, they’re holding hands!" Jiah and Juhan squealed in unison.

"Are you guys dating now?" Mun asked.

Lisa nodded shyly, and Jaehyeon declared, "She’s officially mine now."

All the girls squealed, while Lisa buried her face in Jaehyeon’s chest, blushing furiously.

"Where did you take her?" Jiah asked.

"A romantic beach setup for two," Jaehyeon replied proudly.

"Ouuu, take notes, boys! That’s how you do romance!" Juhan teased.

---

Van 001

The van stopped abruptly, and Haru grabbed Yejeong’s hand, leading her out.

"Where are you guys going?" Sieun asked.

"Secret," Haru replied with a grin. "See you later!"

---

Later, the van dropped Sieun, Daniel, and Juhan off at the campsite, where most contestants were already asleep.

"I think everyone’s in bed," Daniel whispered as they quietly entered. Lisa tiptoed to the girls’ room, while the boys slipped into theirs.

"We’ve been waiting for you!" Juhan whispered loudly to Sieun. "Where’s Yejeong?"

"I thought you guys were asleep. Yejeong went out with Haru. They’ll probably be back tomorrow morning," Sieun replied casually.

"What? Woahhh," Lisa exclaimed.

"Coming from someone who just went on a date," Jiah teased, earning a pillow to the face from Lisa.

"You did?" Sieun asked, and Lisa nodded.

"She’s Jaehyeon’s girlfriend now," Juhan announced with a grin.

Sieun smiled warmly. "I’m happy for you, girlie."

Lisa hesitated before speaking. "Actually, I wanted to apologize. I was kind of snobby to you when we first met. I got jealous when you were talking to Jaehyeon and said some mean things. I’m really sorry."

"It’s understandable. I forgive you," Sieun replied, smirking. "Ms. Jaehyeon."

Lisa blushed furiously as everyone burst into laughter.

---

A/N

Woah, who expected that sweet, sweet date? Since no one submitted their date ideas, I did it my way—so no complaints about it being too plain! You had your chance.

Adios! Hope you loved this chapter!