One long cruise ride later...

A shipwreck was no joke. I'd tried my best to downplay the situation, to make it seem like just another unexpected twist in our journey. But Taehyung wasn't having it.

As we all entered the room together, we found Jungkook standing there, casually chatting with a crew member, as if nothing had happened.

"Welcome back, Ms. Lee and Mr. Kim. I trust your trip lived up to your expectations?" he greeted us with a smile that was just a little too smug.

"Up to our expectations?!" Taehyung's voice echoed through the room, sharp and incredulous.

"Is there something upsetting you, Mr. Kim?" Jungkook chuckled, clearly unfazed.

"I have neither the time nor the patience for your games right now. How dare you!" Taehyung's voice boomed, anger flaring in his eyes.

"Excuse me?" Jungkook's smile faltered, but only slightly.

"How dare you treat us like this?" Taehyung continued, his words laced with frustration. "The deciding factor when I signed up for this show was that you were the one hosting it. I thought, 'I've worked with this man... I know what he's like. He'd never put us in danger like some previous crazy hosts.' Clearly, I was wrong."

Uh oh... They were already going at it, and I was trapped in the middle of their escalating tension. Leaving now would just make it even more awkward.

"You're being dramatic," Jungkook said, his tone dismissive. "There wasn't a single moment where you were in any real danger. That island has never been inhabited, and all the indigenous species are harmless to humans."

Taehyung narrowed his eyes, his anger not abating. "And how would you know?"

"Because I own that island," Jungkook replied, the words rolling off his tongue with a confidence that made me do a double-take.

He owns the entire island?! How rich is this man, anyway?

"How preposterous." Taehyung's voice dripped with disbelief. "Is that why they chose you? Because of what you own? The Jungkook I worked with had a vision for his movies... And I expected to find the same man here. Instead, we get self-aggrandizing speeches and ridiculous events. The man I knew would have revolutionized this show into something greater, something meaningful—not this trivial nonsense."

The air in the room thickened with tension. Sensing the situation spiraling out of control, Jimin and Ishan quickly stepped in, placing themselves between Taehyung and Jungkook in a bid to calm him down. Meanwhile, I stood off to the side, stunned by Taehyung's sudden outburst. This wasn't just anger—it was deep disappointment.

"I thought I'd get to spend quality time with someone," Taehyung's voice wavered between frustration and longing. "Maybe even fall in love... But that's not really what you want us to do, is it?"

Jungkook's expression remained impassive as he replied, "Have you already forgotten the purpose of this show? Or do I need to remind you what keeps it making the headlines?"

Taehyung's eyes flashed with bitterness. "Yes, I know—we're supposed to flirt with everyone! I know it's just a frivolous show where people see each other naked and then pretend they never met a few months later! But have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe..." His voice cracked, the weight of his disappointment seeping through every word.

"...I'm only interested in one person here, and one person only. And I have no desire to sleep around, no matter how much you push for it."

Jungkook's eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could respond, Taehyung continued, his voice firm and resolute. "I'm not even trying to win this show—hell, even if by some miracle I did, I'd donate it all to charity. I've never cared much for money, and I've always been fortunate enough to have more than I need."

He paused, his gaze softening as he glanced toward us. "If it weren't for them," he said, pointing at us with a sincerity that caught me off guard, "I would have walked out of this show a long time ago. Contract or no contract."

"But you... Is money really all you care about?" Taehyung's voice was heavy with disappointment. "I know you get a big bonus if the show has good ratings, but is it seriously worth it?"

"Taehyung, I don't appreciate your tone," Jungkook responded, his voice laced with controlled irritation.

"No." Taehyung's eyes locked onto Jungkook's, unyielding. "What you don't appreciate are my words—because I'm speaking the truth."

Jungkook's composure wavered slightly, but he quickly regained control. "If you have a problem with my hosting methods, I'd prefer if we discussed it privately."

"There's no need for that," Taehyung shot back, his tone firm and resolute, making it clear he had nothing to hide.

"I have nothing to hide, and I don't care if this gets broadcast." Taehyung angrily pointed at the producers who were intently filming the argument. The cameras didn't bother him—if anything, they fueled his fire.

"But you..." Taehyung's voice dripped with disdain as he turned back to Jungkook. "You've screwed a lot of people over, Jungkook. And sooner or later, it's all going to come back and bite you in the ass." With that, Taehyung stormed off, his frustration evident in every step.

Jungkook watched him go, his expression hardening. "If I may be excused," he muttered coolly, turning and walking in the opposite direction, his calm facade slipping just slightly as he moved away from the scene.

I sighed, glancing at my friends who had witnessed the whole drama unfold. Their shocked faces reflected my own disbelief.

"And you all have no shame filming this?!" I snapped at the producer, who was laughing in the corner, completely unfazed by the tension in the air.

"How insensitive of you!" Jennie yelled, her voice cutting through the room like a knife.

Kiara stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "It's best for us to head to our rooms. Jimin and I will go talk to Taehyung."

We all nodded in agreement, the tension still lingering as we dispersed. I walked down the hallway with Ishan, my mind swirling with everything that had just happened.

"Well—" I started, but Ishan quickly shushed me.

"Look over there," he whispered urgently.

"Where?" I asked, confused.

"Idiot, I think Ethan's confessing!"

My eyes widened as I followed Ishan's gaze. Sure enough, there was Ethan, standing just around the corner, looking nervous as he spoke to someone. It was usually a bad thing to peek into someone else's business, but this? This was way too intriguing to miss.

"Well, thank you for accompanying Ethan," Lisa said with a smile.

"Oh, no need to thank me. I actually enjoyed my time with you on that horrible island," Ethan replied, chuckling. "I think we're lucky we even made it out alive. Not to mention someone drugged Y/N on our cruise! She said she was alright, but... I don't know, it seemed pretty serious."

"Ohhhhh..." Lisa grinned mischievously. "Lemme guess, you have feelings for Y/n?"

I choked, nearly giving myself away as Ishan desperately tried to stifle his laughter beside me.

"Sacrebleu! Where did you get that idea?" Ethan sputtered, clearly flustered.

"No reason. Just asking," Lisa said, her grin widening.

"Lisa... Although Y/N is great... there is only one woman on this show who's really caught my attention." Ethan's tone softened, and I watched Lisa's expression shift with curiosity.

"Could it be Iseul?" Lisa teased, though her laugh seemed a bit forced.

"What a ludicrous idea!" Ethan exclaimed, and I could see the relief wash over Lisa's face.

"It's you, mon amour," he said, his voice full of tenderness. Lisa's cheeks flushed as she blushed.

"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are? When I look into your eyes... I could simply drown in them. And that luscious butt—"

"Excuse me? What the hell? How did you get from my eyes to my 'luscious' butt so fast?" Lisa raised an eyebrow, her amusement tinged with disbelief. "That's not romantic at all."

"I... umm... I may have asked Jimin for some advice," Ethan admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"He chose the wrong man for advice," Ishan whispered to me, and we both giggled quietly.

"Wait... you asked Jimin for tips on how to flirt with me?" Lisa's tone was incredulous.

"Yeah," Ethan mumbled, clearly embarrassed.

"God, I messed up, didn't I?" He sighed. "He told me that women love French expressions and that I should ask you how fast you can bend... He wanted me to look like a fool, didn't he?"

"Yup." Lisa giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're lucky I already like you, you doofus," she added, her voice softening as she shyly admitted her feelings.

Ethan's confusion melted into a wide, happy grin that made Ishan and me giggle all over again.

"You do?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder as Lisa nodded shyly.

"I think you'd better come up with a real compliment," she said, her playful tone returning. "Luscious butts don't really excite me." She laughed, shaking her head.

"But... what kind of compliment do you want?" Ethan asked, genuinely curious.

"Say the first thing that pops into your mind," Lisa encouraged, her eyes locking onto his.

"I... love that wild hair of yours. You remind me of that badass Pixar princess with the bow... And you're obviously good at hunting too since you've already captured my heart." He gazed at her lovingly, his voice full of sincerity.

"THAT is how you flirt with me. Disney references combined with cliché lines? I'm sold." Lisa grinned, clearly charmed.

Before she could say anything more, Ethan pulled her into a hug, his emotions getting the better of him.

"How badly I want to pair up with you... I can't continue this show with Amelia," he confessed, his voice muffled slightly by the embrace.

"Then let's fight for this bond," Lisa said softly, surprising him with a quick peck on the lips.

"I—"

"Wait for a real kiss. If our relationship works out even after the show, you're gonna get one," she teased, giggling at Ethan's flustered reaction.

As Ethan and Lisa shared their sweet moment, I felt my face flush at Ethan's heartfelt confession. The sincerity in his voice, the way he looked at her—it was so unexpected, so genuine, that it sent a flutter through me. I took a step back to process everything, but in my flustered state, I didn't realize just how close I was standing to the edge of the doorframe.

Before I knew it, I tripped over Ishan's foot and stumbled, completely losing my balance. In a desperate attempt to catch myself, I grabbed onto the door handle, yanking it wide open as I toppled backward.

With a loud thud, I crashed down right on top of Ishan, who let out an exaggerated "Oof!" as we both hit the floor in a tangled heap.

The door, now wide open, revealed our less-than-graceful entrance to Ethan and Lisa, who turned to stare at us in shock.

Ethan's eyes widened in surprise, and Lisa gasped, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Y/N?! Ishan?!" Lisa managed to say, her voice somewhere between shock and amusement.

"Uh, hey there," I squeaked, trying to extricate myself from Ishan, who was still lying underneath me, looking both pained and amused.

"Smooth," Ishan muttered, wincing slightly as he rubbed his back.

"Are you two okay?" Ethan asked, rushing over with a mix of concern and embarrassment, clearly trying to maintain his composure despite the hilarity of the situation.

"Yeah, yeah, we're fine," I said, cheeks burning as I finally scrambled to my feet, helping Ishan up as well. "Just... taking a closer look at the floor. Very clean."

Lisa couldn't hold back her laughter any longer and burst out laughing.

"Honestly, you two are ridiculous!" she giggled, shaking her head.

"Well," Ishan said, dusting himself off with a smirk, "at least we got a front-row seat to Ethan's confession. Quite the performance."

Ethan's face turned beet red as he glanced between me and Lisa, stammering, "Uh, yeah, about that... sorry you had to, um, hear that."

"Are you kidding? That was gold!" I said, trying to lighten the mood. "But next time, maybe less about the butt and more about the eyes."

Lisa giggled, giving Ethan a playful nudge. "See? I'm not the only one who thinks so."

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, clearly embarrassed but also relieved that we were all laughing about it now. "Noted," he mumbled, his smile returning.

"Good," I said with a grin, "because if you keep talking about butts, you're gonna keep getting into sticky situations like this."

We all laughed, the awkwardness of the moment quickly dissipating as the humor took over.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the hall, cutting through the moment with an air of urgency.

"Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for your first Dome session at 8:00 p.m."

"Oh shit, it's already 7:15!" I exclaimed, glancing at the clock on the wall. Panic set in as I realized how little time I had. "Let's go!"

We quickly bid our goodbyes, and I hurried back to my room, my mind already racing with thoughts of what to wear.

Once inside, I headed straight for my suitcase, pulling out a sleek, elegant bodycon dress that I had been saving for a special occasion. The dress was a deep shade of midnight blue, hugging my curves in all the right places, with a subtle shimmer that caught the light just perfectly. I slipped it on, feeling the fabric glide over my skin, instantly boosting my confidence. I carefully applied a light layer of foundation, followed by a touch of blush to give my cheeks a soft, rosy glow. I added a smoky eye to give my look some drama, finishing with a swipe of deep red lipstick that contrasted beautifully with the dress.

I stepped back to take a look in the mirror, making a few final adjustments to my hair, letting it cascade down in loose waves. Satisfied with the results, I grabbed a pair of strappy heels that complemented the outfit and quickly slipped them on.

A quick glance at the clock told me it was 7:55. "Cutting it close, Y/N," I muttered to myself as I grabbed my clutch and headed for the door.

I glanced at the envelope I had found on the island, now sitting innocuously on the table where I had left it. Its presence seemed almost out of place in the midst of everything else, yet it held a quiet intrigue, like a secret waiting to be uncovered. Without giving it too much thought, I slipped it into my small purse, tucking it away for later, and left the room.

I walked down the hallway, the sound of my heels clicking against the polished floor, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside me. As I approached the grand hall, I could already hear the murmur of voices, the anticipation in the air palpable.I scanned the room, taking in the sight of the others who were already gathered. They were dressed to impress, each person showcasing their own unique style, but it was clear that everyone had put in the effort for tonight's event.

I spotted Ethan and Lisa standing together, chatting quietly, and caught a glimpse of Taehyung, who seemed to be deep in thought. 

As I made my way to join the group, the tension in the room grew. We were all waiting for the host to arrive and kick off whatever this "Dome session" was supposed to be. This was what we had signed up for, after all—drama, intrigue, and maybe even a few surprises along the way.

Just as I took my place among the others, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight focused on the entrance. The air grew still as we all waited in silence for the host to make their grand entrance and start the show.

"Alright, folks," he said, his voice brimming with excitement, "let's get this party started! I'm Jungkook, your host for today's dome session, and I'm thrilled to see so many of you here."

He turned his attention to the contestants lined up on the stage. "Before we dive in, I want to hear from you all. Let's start with a few questions to get to know our brave contestants a little better."

Jungkook glanced at the screen behind him, which now showed a clip of Emily carefully picking berries from a bush on the island.

"Emily," Jungkook began, "we all saw you confidently gathering berries when food was scarce. How did you figure out which ones were safe to eat? That's not something just anyone would know!"

Emily smiled, recalling the moment. "I actually remembered something from a survival show I watched years ago. I knew some basic rules—like avoiding berries that were white or yellow—and I did a small taste test to check for any immediate adverse reactions. Plus, I used a bit of logic; I saw some birds eating them, and figured if they were safe for the animals, they were probably safe for us too."

Jungkook nodded, impressed. "Smart thinking! Definitely a life-saving skill. Now, Laurent," he said, turning to another contestant, "there's been some buzz about your time on the island. People are questioning your fears. Were you really scared of something while you were out there?"

Laurent took a deep breath, clearly gathering his thoughts. "Yeah, I'll admit it—I did have some fears. The island was unpredictable, and there were a few moments where I felt out of my element, especially at night. The darkness and the sounds can mess with your mind. But I tried to confront those fears head-on, which helped me push through and stay focused on the game."

Jungkook nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Facing fears isn't easy, especially in such an intense environment. It's commendable that you pushed through those moments. I think everyone here can relate to feeling fear in uncertain situations."

He looked at both contestants with a smile. "It's clear that each of you has had to draw on some deep resources to make it this far. Whether it's survival instincts or facing fears, you've shown a lot of strength. Let's see how that strength holds up in the next challenge! Audience, give them a big round of applause!"

Jungkook's grin widened as the energy in the room intensified. He took a step forward, his voice dropping slightly to build suspense.

"Alright, folks, let's get into the real juicy stuff," he said, his tone playful yet probing. "We've had some incredible moments on this show, but none have sparked more chatter than the rivalry between Miss Y/N and Iseul. So, let's talk about it."

The screen behind him flickered to a scene from the Christmas event, showing me and Iseul in what seemed to be a tense exchange. The audience watched closely as the clip played, showing Iseul leaning in to whisper something to me, her smile devilish, followed by my mysterious smile as Iseul walked away.

"Miss Y/N," Jungkook began, turning with a raised eyebrow, "everyone's talking about this. Your best friend joining the show and almost taking your spot—that's already a lot to handle. But then, we've got this moment here. What's going on between you and Iseul? That looked like more than just friendly competition. What's the nature of this rivalry? And what game are you both cooking up?"

I chuckled, clearly aware of the buzz around the moment. But instead of diving into an explanation, I decided to pass the ball to Iseul, knowing that whatever she said would be revealing.

"How about Iseul answers this," 

Iseul, never one to shy away from the spotlight, took the microphone with a calm confidence. She didn't hesitate as she began speaking. 

"For me, when Ha-eun entered, it stopped feeling like just a game. I've known her for a long time, and to be honest, it was never a pleasant experience. In fact, I can't stand her. Most of my fans know that."

Jungkook, always quick to pick up on the drama, leaned in with another question. "But don't you hate Y/N too?"

Iseul turned to Jungkook, her expression serious but not unkind. "There's a difference. I don't hate Y/N; instead, I find her to be my competition. She's a good player, and I respect that. In every show I've been on, I've never tried to eliminate my competition because that would kill the spirit of the game. Let me make this clear—I really didn't want Ha-eun to enter this show. That night, I decided to be brutally honest with her—gave her some advice on how to handle herself in the game."

Iseul's words caught me off guard. As she spoke, it became clear that there was a line she drew between our rivalry and her outright hatred for Ha-eun. She wasn't just here to win; she was determined to maintain the integrity of the competition.

As Iseul finished, my eyes met hers, and a silent understanding passed between us.

"Y/N, do you have anything to add?" Jungkook asked, his gaze locking onto me, inviting me to join the conversation.

"Let's just say we both know how to play the game. Iseul's comment was a little reminder that she was here to win, but I wasn't going to let her intimidate me. There's a lot at stake, and we're both in it to win. But that's what makes it fun, right? And that smile? It was my way of saying, 'Game on.'" I shrugged, giving a playful glint in my eyes. 

"Wow, sounds like we've got a real psychological game going on here," he said, his voice filled with interest. I could feel the weight of his gaze, sharp and assessing, like he was peeling back the layers of our interactions, trying to get to the core of what was really happening.

"You know," he began, his voice lowering a notch, "this isn't just about who can keep up with the challenges. It's about who can handle the unexpected. Who can stay strong when things don't go as planned."

"I think it's time to shake things up a bit," Jungkook continued, his tone almost casual, but there was an edge to it that made my heart race. "Tonight, there will be a surprise elimination."

The gasp that followed was almost collective. I glanced at the other girls, each of them wearing a mask of uncertainty and fear.

"Some of you have shown real strength," Jungkook said, standing up and pacing slowly. "But others... well, some connections just haven't worked out the way we hoped." He paused, his eyes sweeping over us like a hawk eyeing its prey. "We need to make room for those who are truly invested in finding something real here."

Jungkook's words hung in the air, the tension almost suffocating. He paused for a moment, letting the anticipation build before he continued. "But before we move on, there's something else you all need to know," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that made everyone lean in closer.

"A secret letter was left on the island," he announced, his eyes glittering with the thrill of revealing something we weren't expecting. "It holds important information—something that could change the course of the game. Only one of you has found it."

A murmur spread through the room, the girls exchanging nervous glances. My heart started pounding faster, a mix of dread and curiosity swirling inside me. I knew what was coming next, and it took every ounce of self-control to keep my face neutral.

Jungkook scanned the room, his eyes sharp and probing. "The letter was hidden well, meant to test your instincts and determination. And one of you," he said, his gaze landing directly on me, "was clever enough to find it."

The room went dead silent as all eyes turned to me. A confident smirk curved on my lips as I took a step forward, feeling the weight of the moment and the mix of disbelief and envy from the others. I walked up to Jungkook, and with a self-assured smile, I handed him the envelope.

 Gasps erupted from the audience and the other contestants, their surprise. The tension in the room heightened as Jungkook took the envelope from me, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He seemed almost unsurprised as if he had expected me to be the one to find it.

Jungkook smiled, a small, approving tilt of his lips. "Impressive," he said, his voice holding a note of admiration. "But the real question is, what will you do with the information you've found?"

I had the upper hand now, but with it came the pressure of making the right choice. Everyone was waiting, expecting, but I knew better than to reveal my next move too soon. The game had just changed, and I was holding the most dangerous piece.

"Let's open this first." The camera zoomed in on Jungkook's hand as he carefully unfolded the paper, the suspense hanging thick in the air. Every movement was deliberate, heightening the tension in the room.

"We've got a cash prize!" he finally announced, his voice ringing out with excitement. "It's 800,000 won! Congratulations!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, and the sound of clapping and shouting filled the space as everyone turned to congratulate me. For a moment, it felt like the world had tilted in my favor, my heart racing with the sudden rush of joy.

But then Jungkook's voice cut through the celebration like a knife. "But..." he said, drawing the word out just enough to pull everyone's attention back to him. The room fell into an uneasy silence, the cheers dying down instantly.

"There's a letter," he continued, holding up a small envelope. "It says something..." His tone was laced with mystery, the audience now holding their breath in anticipation as the camera panned back to his unreadable expression.

"Greetings, contestants, I hope you're well,
But the show needs sparks, as stories tell.

Rivalry is key, it seems to me,
And too many of you, is what I see.

So here's the twist, wrapped in this clue,
A game of fate awaits a few.

To the one who finds this envelope,
Your task is clear, don't miss the scope

Choose wisely now, as it's your role,
To send 10 couples packing home."

Gasps rippled through the crowd, the tension thickening like a heavy fog. All eyes were on me, the weight of the moment pressing down.

"So, Y/N now holds the power to choose those ten couples," Jungkook announced, his voice steady despite the unease that had settled over the room. "But before that decision can be made, there's a riddle to solve." He paused, letting the suspense build before continuing, "It says..."

"In a crowd of twenty, hearts do sway,
Two souls dance in a secret ballet.
Hidden from sight, their love runs deep,
Among the many, their secret they keep.
Find the pair that shares the light,
Who are the two in love, shining bright?"

"Oh well," Jungkook continued, a sly grin spreading across his face. "We're handing each of you a cue card. On it, you're to write down the names of two people who aren't officially paired up but might just be secretly in love."

The room fell into a tense silence as we each took our cards, carefully considering our choices. The scratch of pens on paper was the only sound as we scribbled down the names, glancing around the room in suspicion. One by one, we handed the cards back to Jungkook, who began to read them aloud.

"Alright, let's see what we've got..." he began, the anticipation thick in the air.

"Iseul and Jimin—1 vote. 
Taehyung and Y/N—3 votes. 
Ross and Jennifer—4 votes. 
Jennie and Y/N—2 votes. 
And finally..." He paused dramatically, holding up the last card, "Lisa and Ethan—10 votes!"

The crowd erupted in surprised murmurs, the energy in the room shifting as the votes sank in. Jungkook raised an eyebrow, his expression teasing as he asked, "So, should we confirm it?" The audience responded with a resounding "Yes!" filling the room with their unanimous excitement.

"Oh great," Jungkook announced with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Now, Y/N has the power to decide if Lisa and Ethan should go to the Oracle and confirm if they're an ideal match."
All eyes turned to me, the anticipation in the room palpable. I could feel everyone waiting for my answer, their curiosity hanging in the air.

I took a deep breath and gave the couple a small, encouraging smile. "I know my friends, and I definitely want them to go to the Oracle." My voice was steady, but the weight of the decision wasn't lost on me. Lisa and Ethan's faces lit up with joy, and they quickly ran over to hug me, their excitement infectious.

"That's so sweet of you," Jungkook commented, a soft smile playing on his lips. But then his tone shifted, growing more serious. "But with every joy, there's a consequence. If today, Lisa and Ethan are confirmed as an Ideal Match, then Ethan's first match, Amelia, and Lisa's match, Laurent, will have to leave the show as part of the ten couples."

A collective "Oooo" echoed from the audience, the tension skyrocketing as everyone realized the gravity of the situation. Whispers spread like wildfire, with everyone wondering what was going to happen next.

Lisa and Ethan slowly approached the Oracle, their hands tightly clasped together, their nerves evident in the way they gripped each other. The room was thick with anticipation, every eye glued to the couple as they took their place before the mysterious Oracle.

"Are we a match?" they asked in unison, their voices a blend of hope and anxiety. The lights flickered, casting an eerie glow that made the moment feel even more intense. We all held our breath, waiting for the Oracle's verdict.

"You...
are..." The voice of the Oracle seemed to stretch out time, each word echoing through the room, drawing out the suspense.

"AN IDEAL MATCH!!"

The announcement reverberated through the space, and the room exploded into cheers and applause. Lisa and Ethan's faces lit up with pure joy as they embraced, the relief and happiness clear in their eyes. The crowd's excitement was electric, celebrating the newly confirmed couple, while the weight of what this meant for the others still hung in the air.

Yet a bittersweet feeling lingered in the air. We couldn't ignore the reality that Laurent and Amelia would have to leave, casting a shadow over the joy.

"Congratulations, Lisa and Ethan!" Jungkook announced, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "You're officially the first Ideal Match of Matchmaker Season 7! And here's some good news—you'll be safe until the semi-finals!"

The crowd cheered again, but Jungkook's tone shifted as he continued, "But as we all know, they aren't the only ones leaving tonight." His eyes scanned the room, everyone on edge as he reminded the twist. "Shall we see what happens next?"

He turned to me with a serious expression. "Y/N, you now have a choice. You can either select the other nine couples who will be leaving, or you can let the audience and your fellow participants help you make that decision. So, what will it be?"

"Let it be fair," I said, my voice resolute. "A collective decision. I'll let the audience and the participants vote on who should be voted out."

The room buzzed with a mix of surprise and approval, the tension shifting as everyone realized their voices would play a role in the outcome. 

After a few tense minutes, the huge screen flickered to life, revealing the votes. One by one, the names appeared, each revelation tightening the knot of anxiety in my chest.

The final list showed the remaining couples:

- Y/n & Jimin

- Lisa & Ethan

- Iseul & Jake

- Taehyung & Kiara

- Ishan & Jennie

- Alex & Ava

- Mingyu & Jiho

- Aiden & Yuna

- Woo-Jin & Emily

- Jaemin & Jiwon

As our names appeared under the "Safe" category, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. We were safe. But the weight of the moment wasn't lost as I glanced at the others, knowing the tension for those who were now marked as "unsafe" would only grow.

"Unfortunately, the rest have to leave the show today," Jungkook announced, his tone somber yet firm. "This was a huge elimination for the season. Contestants, it's time to say goodbye to the show and also to the audience who has supported you."

The atmosphere in the room shifted, heavy with the reality of the moment. As the eliminated contestants began to make their way around, many of us went over to bid them farewell. There were hugs, a few tears, and words of encouragement as they prepared to leave the mansion for the last time.

"The first dome session was a huge twist for this season," Jungkook continued, his voice carrying the weight of the day's events. "But we'll end the day here. Thank you! This is your host, Jeon Jungkook."

With that, the shooting of the session finally wrapped up. The room was quieter now, the excitement from earlier replaced with a sense of loss. We all felt bad for those who had to leave, so we gathered together to hold a small farewell for them before they left the mansion, sharing a few last moments of camaraderie.

Next Morning

The night passed by in a blur. Yesterday was no less than a storm, the shock of the eliminations still fresh in my mind. After the exhausting farewell and the emotional whirlwind, I finally had some time to relax. I let out a long sigh, sinking into the comfort of my bed. Everything was quiet for the first time in hours.

But then my eyes landed on something at the foot of my bed—a bouquet. It could only mean one thing.

Another note from the secret admirer.

I picked up the envelope tucked between the flowers and unfolded the note inside.

"Dear Y/N,

Congratulations on surviving the elimination. But I have something to share. I thought I was the only admirer you had. Apparently, I have a few others joining me as competitors, fighting for your love."

WHAT!?

I blinked, re-reading the message. 

Was one secret admirer not enough!?