under the glow of the fire, his expression held a hint of mischief.

"I'd like to ask Yoori something in front of everyone," Jinyoung announced, his voice cutting through the chatter.

The group quieted immediately, and I turned to him with wide eyes, feeling caught off guard. "What?" I asked cautiously, my voice low but steady.

Jinyoung's grin widened, and his tone was playful, but there was an edge to it that sent my heart racing. "Did you like the paradise you went to with me," he said, pausing for effect, "or the paradise you went to with Yoongjae?"

The group gasped collectively, their reactions ranging from wide-eyed shock to gleeful anticipation.

"Whoa!" Hanbin exclaimed, sitting up straighter. "Jinyoung is not holding back tonight!"

I blinked at Jinyoung, my mind scrambling for a response. My pulse quickened under the weight of their stares. "That's—" I started, but the words faltered.

Jinyoung raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "No comment?" he teased, leaning back against the bench.

The group burst into laughter at his cheeky remark, and I took a deep breath, regaining my composure. Two could play this game.

"I'll let you guess once this season is aired." I smirked, turning to face him directly. "Fine," I said, my tone laced with mock seriousness. "Then let me ask you something, Jinyoung. Which paradise did you like more—the one with me, the one with Seulki, or the one with Nadine?"

The circle erupted into chaos, with gasps and hollers echoing in the night air.

"Yoori!" Sejeong exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "That's the kind of energy I live for!"

Jinyoung's confident smirk wavered for a split second, his eyes narrowing as if trying to come up with a clever reply. "Touché," he said finally, chuckling. "You really know how to turn the tables."

"That's not an answer," I pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, Jinyoung, answer the question!" Soeun chimed in, grinning.

The group was now fully invested, leaning in with bated breath. Jinyoung glanced around, clearly reveling in the attention before looking back at me.

"Well," he began, dragging out the suspense, "each paradise was unique in its own way."

The groans from the group were immediate, with Sejun throwing a small handful of sand at Jinyoung's feet in mock protest.

"That's such a politician's answer!" Jongwoo laughed, shaking his head.

Jinyoung just shrugged, his gaze locking on mine. "But if you really want to know," he said with a playful smirk, "I guess you'll have to wait until the season airs too."

The group dissolved into laughter again, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. Despite his evasiveness, I couldn't deny that he knew how to keep things entertaining. And for now, that was enough.

FINAL DAY:

The morning sun peeked over the horizon, bathing the island in a soft golden light. The air was cool, and the gentle rustle of the waves served as a calming backdrop, but my heart was anything but calm. I stood in front of the small mirror in my room, brushing my hair back into a simple, sleek ponytail. My hands moved steadily, though my mind raced with a thousand thoughts.

Today was the final day.

The thought sent a shiver through me, not because I feared what was coming, but because of the uncertainty that lingered. The choice wasn't mine to make anymore, and for someone like me—someone who always sought control—that was terrifying.

I wasn't afraid of rejection. I had told myself that countless times over the past few days, a silent mantra I repeated to quiet the creeping doubt. Rejection wasn't a loss. No, no matter what happened today, I would win.

I glanced at my reflection, my lips curving into a faint smile. My makeup was simple, emphasizing my natural features, and my outfit—a flowing white sundress—felt effortless and light. "Whatever happens, Yoori," I whispered softly to myself, "you're walking away stronger than before."

Still, a small part of me wondered—what if he didn't choose me? What if the connection I thought we had wasn't as strong as I'd believed? The thought stung, but I quickly pushed it away.

If he didn't choose me, it would be his loss. I was confident in that. I wasn't going to let anyone define my worth, not even him.

With a deep breath, I grabbed my sandals and stepped outside, letting the warm sunlight wash over me. The final decision ceremony would take place in different spots around the island, each girl waiting in her own secluded location for the guys to make their choice. I had been instructed to head toward a quiet stretch of beach on the eastern side of the island.

The walk felt longer than it should have, my sandals crunching softly against the sandy path. Every step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of the decision ahead hung over me. But as I reached the beach and saw the empty shoreline, a strange sense of calm settled over me.

This was my spot.

The view was breathtaking—the endless expanse of ocean meeting the sky in a seamless blend of blue, the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. A single wooden bench sat under a large palm tree, and I took a seat, letting the cool breeze play with the hem of my dress.

I rested my hands on my lap, staring out at the horizon. Somewhere else on the island, the other girls were waiting in their own spots, probably just as nervous as I was. But I didn't feel nervous anymore.

Instead, I felt... ready.

Whether he came to this beach or not, I had already won. If he chose me, it would be because he saw my worth, my confidence, and the strength I carried within me. And if he didn't? Well, I would walk away with my head held high, knowing I stayed true to myself.

The thought brought a small, knowing smile to my lips as I leaned back against the bench. Now, all that was left was to wait.

The sound of the host's voice crackling through the speakers snapped me out of my thoughts. My heart gave a slight jolt as the announcements began, signaling the start of the final decision.

One by one, the male contestants were called to make their choices, their footsteps crunching against the sand as they approached the girls they had spent these last days connecting with.

I barely registered the first few names. My mind was too preoccupied, my ears straining to hear the name I had been waiting for. I knew they would call him last. It felt like something the producers would do, building suspense to make the moment more dramatic.

And then it came.

"Kim Jinyoung, please start," the host's voice echoed, loud and clear.

I sat up straighter on the bench, my heart slamming against my ribcage as I caught sight of him in the distance. Jinyoung's figure was unmistakable, his confident stride carrying him forward as he approached the first location.

He stopped at Nadine's spot.

My breath hitched, and I felt a sinking weight in my chest as I watched them exchange words I couldn't hear. Nadine stood there, her expression calm and collected, though I couldn't help but wonder what he was saying to her.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly as I waited, my heart racing so fast it felt like it might burst. Was he going to stay with her? Was this it?

But then, after a moment that felt like an eternity, Jinyoung stepped back. He gave Nadine a slight nod, turned, and started walking again.

Toward me.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat as his figure grew closer. The sinking weight in my chest lifted, replaced by a dizzying mix of relief, excitement, and disbelief.

Each step he took brought him closer to where I sat, the sound of his footsteps blending with the rhythm of the waves. I couldn't look away, my eyes locked on his as he finally reached my spot on the beach.

Jinyoung stopped in front of me, his gaze steady, his expression unreadable for a moment. My heart raced as I waited for him to speak, his presence overwhelming in the quiet stretch of beach.

And then, he smiled—soft, sincere, and enough to make my heart skip a beat. Whatever he was about to say, I knew this moment would stay with me forever.

Jinyoung took a deep breath, his hands slipping into the pockets of his shorts as he looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts. When he looked back up, his eyes met mine with an intensity that made the world around us blur.

"Yoori," he began, his voice steady but low, "from the moment we first talked, I knew you were different. You're sharp, confident, and so full of life. You don't just stand out—you make people stop and take notice. And every moment I've spent with you, whether it was in paradise or here, has only made me want to know you more."

I felt my chest tighten, his words sinking into me like waves lapping against the shore.

He paused, exhaling a soft chuckle, his confidence faltering just slightly. "Last night in paradise, when I told you I could see myself dating you outside of all of this... I meant it. This program, this island—it's not real life. But you... you're real. And I want to take this beyond here. I want to take you beyond here."

The vulnerability in his words struck me, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him, my mind racing. His eyes searched mine, as if trying to gauge what I was feeling, but I stayed quiet.

The silence stretched on, the sound of the waves the only thing filling the space between us. Jinyoung's confident posture began to shift, his fingers fidgeting slightly as the moments ticked by. His eyes darted to the side, then back to me.

"Wait... you didn't choose me, did you?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty now. "I mean, that's okay if you didn't. I just—" He cut himself off, letting out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh, though it carried a hint of nervousness. "This is awkward."

I couldn't help it. The corner of my lips twitched, and before I could stop myself, I started giggling softly. Jinyoung's brows furrowed slightly, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement as he watched me.

"Yoori," he said, dragging out my name like a plea. "Why are you laughing? You're making me nervous."

I leaned forward slightly, my laughter subsiding into a soft smile as I extended my hand toward him. He stared at it for a moment, his eyes flickering back to mine, trying to read my expression.

Finally, I tilted my head, unable to suppress another giggle as I said, "You're cute when you're nervous, you know that?"

He let out a laugh of his own, shaking his head as he reached out to take my hand. "You're impossible," he said, but there was nothing but relief and warmth in his voice.

As our fingers intertwined, I looked up at him and said softly, "Jinyoung... I chose you the moment I saw you walking toward me."

The tension in his shoulders melted away, and his confident grin returned as he stepped closer, his hand tightening around mine. "Good," he said, his voice low and teasing. "Because I wasn't leaving this beach without you."

We started walking, the golden sand warm under our feet as the waves whispered softly beside us. The island felt quieter now, the weight of final decisions settling like a calm after the storm. Jinyoung swung our joined hands slightly, the simple gesture making my chest feel lighter, like all the tension of the past few days was finally dissolving.

"So," I began, breaking the silence, "you were really nervous back there, huh?"

He glanced at me, his brows quirking. "Me? Nervous?" he said, feigning offense. "I was just giving you time to process my, you know, grand confession."

I burst out laughing, nudging his arm. "Oh, please. You were practically sweating. I thought you were supposed to be the cool, confident one."

"Hey," he shot back, grinning now, "you try confessing to someone who might publicly reject you on national television. It's character-building."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress my smile. "Well, for the record, you pulled it off. Barely."

"Barely?" he echoed, stopping to turn and face me, his free hand resting on his hip. "You're really going to make me work for this, aren't you?"

I tilted my head playfully. "Of course. What's the fun if I don't?"

He laughed, shaking his head, and started walking again, pulling me along with him. For a while, we walked in comfortable silence, the kind that felt easy, natural, like we'd known each other far longer than we actually had.

Then, out of nowhere, he said, "You know, this whole thing... it's crazy."

"What is?" I asked, glancing up at him.

"This," he said, motioning around us with a sweep of his hand. "Us meeting here, on some random island, with cameras in our faces. I mean, what are the odds?"

"Pretty slim, I'd say," I admitted. "But... I don't know. Maybe it was meant to happen."

He stopped again, turning to look at me with an expression I couldn't quite place. It was soft, almost reverent, like he was memorizing this moment. "I'm glad it did," he said simply.

My chest tightened, and I looked away, trying to hide the way my cheeks burned. "You're such a smooth-talker," I mumbled.

"Hey, you started it with the 'meant to happen' stuff," he teased. "But... for real, Yoori, I've never met anyone like you. And I don't want this to end when we leave here."

I swallowed hard, his words tugging at something deep inside me. "It doesn't have to," I said quietly. "You just have to promise not to annoy me too much."

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer as we continued walking. "Deal. But only if you promise not to call me cute when I'm nervous. That's my one condition."

"Can't make that promise," I said, grinning. "You're way too fun to mess with."

We reached a small clearing near the edge of the island, where the ocean stretched endlessly before us, the horizon painted in hues of orange and pink. He stopped, pulling me to face him again, and for a moment, neither of us said anything.

"You know," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face, "this might just be my favorite view on this island."

My heart flipped, and I couldn't help the shy laugh that escaped me. "You're really laying it on thick now, huh?"

"Only because it's true," he said, his smile soft but sure.

As the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow over everything, he leaned down, his forehead resting gently against mine. I closed my eyes, letting the moment sink in, every sound, every feeling.

And just like that, the last bit of uncertainty melted away. It wasn't just a program anymore. It wasn't just an island. It was us, and whatever came next, I knew we'd figure it out.

Somewhere, I could hear the waves crashing, but all I could focus on was him—his warmth, his steady presence. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't scared of what came next.

It was terrifying, exhilarating, and everything in between. And it was ours.

___________________________________

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

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

Leave a lot of love and comments! Love you!

THE LAST CHAPTER! SEE YOU IN ATTRACTING (SINGLES INFERNO 4) & PRETTY LIES (SQUID GAME)!

Sorry if it's not what you expected!

I wish you liked the seventh chapter. ♡.

- sxfsoojin -