don't mind challenges," he said quietly. "In fact, I thrive on them. And I'm not one to back down, not from anything that piques my interest."

I could feel the heat building between us, the proximity making it harder to keep my composure. The weight of his words lingered in the air, and I swallowed, my throat dry from the tension that seemed to hang heavy between us.

"You're quite bold," I said, leaning forward just a bit, matching his closeness. "What if I told you that I'm not easily swayed? That I'm not someone who falls for easy charm?"

Jinyoung's lips curled into another grin, his fingers lightly tracing the edge of the table as though he was testing the waters. "I don't need to make you fall for anything," he said softly, his voice barely above a murmur. "I just want to see how far I can push you. To see what makes you tick, what makes you crack. And I have a feeling I'll enjoy finding out."

I couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped me, a mix of amusement and the nervous excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "You think you can push me?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "You might be surprised. I don't crack easily."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping lower, his breath warm against my ear as he spoke. "I don't want you to crack," he whispered. "I just want to see you bend a little. See how you react when I get under your skin." His hand brushed against mine again, this time lingering just a touch longer, sending a spark through me. "Because, I have a feeling, under all that strength, there's something... softer. Something that's just waiting to come out."

The words hit me harder than I expected, stirring something deep inside me, something I wasn't ready to acknowledge. I wanted to respond, wanted to challenge him back, but the way he was looking at me, so intensely, with that hint of something darker in his eyes, made my thoughts scatter.

"Maybe I'm not the one who'll bend," I said quietly, my voice shaking slightly despite myself. "Maybe you'll be the one who has to."

Jinyoung's smirk turned into something more genuine, more knowing. His hand rested on the table now, inches from mine, the tension palpable between us. "I'm not worried," he said, his voice low and teasing. "I think I can handle whatever you throw at me."

The air between us seemed to pulse with an unspoken promise, the magnetism between us undeniable, as though we were both waiting for something to happen—something to shift, to bring us even closer than we already were. And despite every ounce of my resolve telling me to pull back, I found myself leaning in just a little bit closer, the space between us disappearing with every heartbeat.

I broke the gaze first, turning my head to the side as the tension between us grew unbearable. The air was thick with something that neither of us had yet given voice to, and the last thing I needed was to fall into that again, at least not just yet. My eyes swept around, and that's when I caught Seulki's gaze, her eyes flickering between me and Jinyoung. For a moment, there was no hiding the way she was watching us, her curiosity evident in the way she tried to mask it. But as soon as our eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze, pretending like she wasn't caught in the act.

I couldn't help but smile, a little mischievous edge creeping into my expression. "I think you should go for a chat with your paradise date," I said, leaning back into the chair, my tone light but dripping with just enough teasing.

Jinyoung's expression shifted, that predatory smirk of his curling up at the corners of his lips. He didn't need much of an invitation. His eyes sparkled with that familiar mischievous glint as he stood, pushing himself up from the table. "You sure you want me to leave?" he teased, stepping closer once again, his gaze now more playful than intense. "I thought you might want to keep me here a little longer."

I leaned back further, my legs crossed casually as I took a sip of my soda, keeping my eyes on him. "You're more than welcome to stay," I said, but my tone was thick with amusement, the challenge still there beneath my words. "But I think Seulki is waiting for you. She's been eyeing you for a while now. Go ahead, I'll be fine."

Jinyoung chuckled lowly, his gaze flicking toward Seulki, who had now turned her head away, pretending to be engrossed in something else, but I knew. He knew. He enjoyed the game, and I could see how that little hint of curiosity tugged at him. A man like Jinyoung, confident to the core, wasn't about to let such a challenge slip away. His fingers brushed the edge of the table again as if to mark the final moment before he stepped away.

"Fine, fine," he relented, a grin spreading across his face. "You're lucky, you know? I could've stayed here with you all night, but..." He trailed off, his eyes narrowing slightly, a dangerous yet playful glint in them. "You're not the only one who knows how to play these games."

And just like that, with a glance over his shoulder, he moved toward Seulki. My eyes followed him, watching as he took slow, deliberate steps toward her. His body language was all confidence, the kind that only comes with knowing exactly what you want, and right now, it was clear he had his sights set on her. But as he reached her, the way he casually leaned in, his voice soft and low, I knew that this was only the beginning of whatever twisted little dynamic was unfolding tonight.

As Jinyoung's figure retreated into the night, his purposeful steps taking him towards Seulki, I felt an unfamiliar twinge in my chest—something subtle, like the softest pinch of envy. I quickly pushed the thought aside, trying to focus on the sound of the crackling fire and the cool evening breeze that ruffled the edges of my jacket. But my mind lingered on the way Jinyoung had looked back at me, his gaze flicking toward me one last time before he fully engaged with Seulki. It wasn't much, just a passing glance, but it sent a shiver through me, as if he was pulling me into some unspoken web between us.

I let out a breath, standing up slowly, my body feeling heavier now, weighted by thoughts I didn't want to entertain. My eyes shifted up toward the sky, toward the moon hanging low and full. It bathed everything in a soft, silver light, turning the world around me into something ethereal. The stars were barely visible, their light swallowed by the brightness of the moon, but it didn't matter. The moon was beautiful enough on its own, casting its glow over the sand, over the fire, over the quiet conversations swirling around me.

For a moment, I just stood there, letting the quiet wash over me, trying to ignore the faint fluttering of jealousy stirring within. I watched as Jinyoung leaned closer to Seulki, his smile still as teasing as ever, and his voice low, a soft murmur that I couldn't make out. His hands moved slightly as he spoke, and I knew he was using his body to captivate her, just as he had done with me. But there was something different now—something in the air that made me hesitate, just for a second. The way his eyes traveled to me once again, even while speaking to her, that subtle connection that still hung between us, was undeniable.

I turned away from the sight, not wanting to be caught in that web again. With a quiet exhale, I walked away from the fire, my steps leading me toward the small tent where the night's coolness seemed to call my name. I needed a moment of peace, away from everything, to clear my mind.

But as I passed in front of the men's tent, I noticed Jinyoung's eyes trailing after me, once more, as if he was fully aware of the distance I was creating. His attention flickered between Seulki and me, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of it—a sensation that pressed against my chest.

I paused for a moment just outside the entrance of the tent, gathering my thoughts, and as I did, the full moon seemed to shine even brighter, casting a ghostly glow over the path ahead. The night felt alive, pulsing with the energy of the unspoken, the tension, the attraction, and whatever else was brewing in the quiet moments between us all.

As I finally stepped into the tent, I glanced back one last time behind me. Jinyoung was still sitting with Seulki, but there was something in the way his gaze lingered on me, something that left me wondering just how much of this game I was willing to play.

And he was about to drive me crazy...

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My English it's a little bit bad, so if you see any mistakes, please tell me.

SOOOOOOOO, hope you're dying with Jinyoung and Yoori relationship...

Also, I erase Minsu... sorry, I had to...

(no comments from the panel. You are the Pannel, so act like it!)

Leave a lot of love and comments! Love you!

Sorry if it's not what you expected!

I wish you liked the second chapter. ♡.

- sxfsoojin -