Chapter 132
As the sun rose, the cast members who had finished their preparations gathered one by one in the common area.
“Sae-young, did you sleep well?”, “Oppa Min-wook’s face is swollen.”, “Is it?” While making trivial conversation, the cast members settled onto the long sofa. Seo-jung was among them.
Cha Yoon, sitting a bit away from Seo-jung, glanced at him. Unlike at dawn, Seo-jung’s appearance was as usual. He blended naturally into the atmosphere, smiling and responding appropriately to others’ conversations.
That made Cha Yoon even more worried. Knowing how well Seo-jung could hide and suppress his emotions in front of others, he could only imagine how tumultuous Seo-jung’s thoughts and feelings might be beneath the surface.
Cha Yoon counted the days. There were 6 days left until the end of filming. Just 6 days to endure. Just a little more to bear…. As Cha Yoon was repeating the number 6 like a mantra, it happened.
“Oh? Look there, something’s appeared.”
Min-ha stretched her hand towards the screen. At her words, the gazes of the chatting cast members all converged on one spot.
“What’s that?”
“Doesn’t it look similar to the mission cards we used to receive?”
“You’re right. The color is pink too, it really is similar.”
The cast members tilted their heads and made their own guesses about the sparkling letter emoji on the screen. Soon after, the letter-shaped emoji disappeared and text appeared.
From now on, the previously locked ‘Likability Store’ will be activated!
Please run the application to use the store.
Exclamations flowed from the mouths of those who confirmed the text on the screen.
“What, a Likability Store?”
“Isn’t that the likability we accumulated before coming to Jeju Island?”
The faces of the cast members who spoke up showed clear signs of excitement. Ah, let’s not do that and check quickly! At Sae-young’s words, the cast members agreed and each took out their own phones. Even Cha Yoon, who hadn’t shown much interest, only took out his phone after noticing Seo-jung picking up his.
As announced, a button named ‘Store’ was activated in the application. When pressed, there was a message saying ‘Welcome to the Likability Store!’ along with instructions on how to use the store.
How to Use the Likability Store
– All cast members can buy items in the store at any time during the period the store is open.
– Items can only be purchased through likability points, and items not used within the period will automatically disappear.
– During the period when the Likability Store is open, all dates except for using items are prohibited.
– When using an item purchased from the Likability Store, all cast members will be notified of its use.
– Likability Store Open Period: 9.17 ~ 9.19 (Total 3 days)
After reading through all the instructions, Cha Yoon checked the list of store items.
NEW Date Ticket♥ 10
X Date Ticket♥ 20
Date Cancellation Ticket♥ 30
Message Revival Ticket♥ 50
The item list was concise enough for all contents to be seen at a glance.
Since making ‘Protecting Ki Seo-jung’ his top priority, likability no longer held any meaning for Cha Yoon. Nevertheless, Cha Yoon deliberately rolled his eyes to check his likability points.
11 points. The result of all that desperate effort was just 11 points. It’s not even funny anymore. He mocked the now-vanished 22-year-old Cha Yoon. His cynical reaction was understandable in a way. It would have been stranger if he didn’t despise the main culprit who had driven Ki Seo-jung to this point, even if that culprit was himself.
“What’s a Date Cancellation Ticket?”
“When I clicked on it, a detailed explanation popped up. Seems like you can prevent someone from going on a date they’ve applied for.”
“You mean stopping someone from dating the person they like?”
There’s going to be a real bloodbath for these three days. Min-wook playfully shuddered.
“Look, you can even revive messages. It says you can recall all disappeared messages. The names of who sent them will all show up too.”
“But will anyone actually buy it when it costs 50 points?”
“Probably not, right? With 50 points, you could go on five dates.”
As the cast members were in full bloom of conversation, exchanging opinions, they seemed to notice something strange and shifted their gazes. Their eyes all focused on one place. It was where Cha Yoon was sitting.
This was because everyone knew how desperately Cha Yoon had struggled to gather likability points during the past week before coming to Jeju Island. Contrary to their expectation that he would cause a huge commotion, Cha Yoon’s reaction was uncharacteristically quiet.
It was part of his effort to avoid being entangled with Seo-jung in front of the cameras, but the cast members, unaware of his deeper circumstances, continued their speculations. Did he perhaps gather enough for a date ticket? Even so, you’d think he’d be unable to hide his expression and be thrilled…. Though puzzlement showed on the cast members’ faces, they soon shook their heads. Whatever it was, it was good that things passed quietly.
“Since they said it starts right when the store opens, we can apply for dates from now on, right?”
“That’s right. It must start from now.”
“Then we shouldn’t just sit here. We should buy date tickets and apply before someone else takes the lead.”
Sae-young showed the most proactive attitude. At her words, Soo-ho’s eyes sparkled as he gave a thumbs up.
“Wow, Sae-young noona is really cool!”
I should take courage from noona’s example. Soo-ho muttered, clenching his fist. Besides Soo-ho, the other cast members seemed inspired by Sae-young’s words and stood up one after another.
“I’m going to prepare for my date too.”
“Min-ha, let’s go together.”
As the cast members sharing the same accommodation gathered and left the common area, Cha Yoon, who had been sitting on the sofa until the end, also stood up and headed to his room.
Not long after everyone dispersed, all the cast members’ phones started ringing one after another.
Kim Sae-young has used a ‘NEW Date Ticket’ and is matched for a date with Gong Min-wook.
Jung Soo-ho has used an ‘X Date Ticket’ and is matched for a date with Yeo Ji-yoon.
Shin Da-bin has used a ‘NEW Date Ticket’ and is matched for a date with Park Woo-jun.
Seo Min-ha has used a ‘NEW Date Ticket’ and is matched for a date with Ki Seo-jung.
Many cast members’ names popped up and disappeared repeatedly, but Cha Yoon’s name was nowhere to be seen. However, the cast members, already preoccupied with their own dates, were unlikely to pay attention to such a small detail.
The only ones who might notice this were Song Joo-ah, who wasn’t going on a date herself, and Ki Seo-jung, who was always on edge around him.
Seo-jung, who had finished preparing first and come out, found Cha Yoon sitting in the ground floor common area with the floor-to-ceiling windows wide open. He unconsciously paused his gaze to observe Cha Yoon.
“……”
Their eyes met, just like they had in the early morning. As he was staring, unable to even think about averting his gaze, it happened.
“Seo-jung oppa, shall we leave right away then?”
Seo-jung was pulled back to reality by the voice calling him. As he turned his head, he saw Min-ha who had finished preparing and come out. He hurriedly lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Ah, yes. Let’s do that.”
“Oh? Look there. Cha Yoon oppa is waving at us.”
He must be seeing us off, wishing us a good date. At Min-ha’s words tinged with amusement, Seo-jung couldn’t say anything. Of course, he couldn’t wave back to Cha Yoon like Min-ha did.
It was impossible for him to do such a thing while going on a date with someone other than Cha Yoon. Even if he had been told during their brief conversation in the morning that it was okay to do as he wished, it was still the same.
“Min-ha.”
Seo-jung called Min-ha, who was waving her arm, to get her attention.
“Let’s just go. We have a lot to do, don’t we?”
“Ah, that’s right. Yes, let’s hurry.”
Min-ha made an expression as if she had just realized something, then moved her feet following Seo-jung’s words. Soon after, the two left the garden.
Cha Yoon, who had been waving towards the two retreating figures, only lowered his arm when Seo-jung was completely out of sight. The bright smile he had been wearing was also gone.
Now that I’ve done what I needed to do immediately, let’s rest a bit. As Cha Yoon was rubbing his shoulder and about to head to his room, it happened.
“…What are you?”
It was Joo-ah, who had ended up guarding the New X House with him, who stopped him. She looked back and forth between the window and Cha Yoon several times with an expression of disbelief. It was a natural reaction for her, as Cha Yoon’s long-time friend who had stood by his side. The immature Cha Yoon that Joo-ah knew was not someone who would see off the person he liked going on a date with someone else.
“What.”
But unlike the surprised Joo-ah, Cha Yoon himself showed a thoroughly indifferent reaction.
“Did you just see those two off? Really?”
“So what.”
So what? Did he just say ‘so what’? At his tone that seemed to ask what the problem was, Joo-ah became even more confused.
How can a person change so suddenly? As if he’s suddenly matured overnight…. As Joo-ah was continuing her thoughts, she suddenly halted all her thought processes.
The traffic accident that occurred two days ago, and Cha Yoon’s suddenly changed attitude. There was only one link connecting these two things.
“You, you don’t mean… you’ve returned?”
“Yeah.”
“Huh?”
“I’ve returned, completely.”
Unlike Joo-ah’s stammering question, there was no hesitation in Cha Yoon’s answer. Joo-ah, digesting the conversation, covered her mouth in shock.
At the same time, she recalled Cha Yoon’s behavior that had seemed odd somehow since coming to Jeju Island. It had seemed very strange for the 22-year-old Cha Yoon, but for a 29-year-old Cha Yoon who had properly matured, everything made sense.
He really has regained his memories. That’s truly fortunate. This was good news for both Cha Yoon and Joo-ah.
Nodding her head and continuing her thoughts, Joo-ah suddenly paused. Wait a minute. Then what’s going to happen with him and Seo-jung oppa? Moreover, didn’t Seo-jung oppa just go on a date with another female cast member today?
Complicated thoughts mixed chaotically in Joo-ah’s mind. However, she shook her head as if to shake off these thoughts. Whatever it was, an apology had to come first. While it might have been an opportunity for the memory-lost Cha Yoon, it must have been like a bolt from the blue for the Cha Yoon who had regained his memories.
“Cha Yoon, first of all, I’m sorry things turned out this way. I thought it could be a good opportunity for both you and me.”
Joo-ah’s face was full of apologetic expression. She seemed to rub her cheek for a moment, then soon opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.
“Instead, now that things have turned out this way, I’ll also work hard to help…”
“Song Joo-ah.”
Cha Yoon cut off Joo-ah’s words as she was urgently opening her mouth to continue her apology.
“Huh?”
“I get what you want to say, but just stay put.”
“……”
“It’s not even something I should receive an apology for in the first place.”
It wasn’t just empty words. Whether or not there had been Song Joo-ah’s suggestion, it was that damn kid who had ultimately decided to come here. Moreover, would Song Joo-ah have ever imagined that he would come here and cause such a ruckus?
Despite Cha Yoon’s words, Joo-ah still looked like she had a lot to say. Just as Cha Yoon was about to speak once more, it happened. Zing, a vibration sounded.
Cha Yoon, please come to the interview room right away.
After checking the notification, Cha Yoon swept back his bangs and turned his gaze back to Joo-ah. He didn’t have time for a long conversation with Song Joo-ah. He already had more than enough to do on his own.
“I’m busy, so entertain yourself.”
“Hey…”
“I clearly told you not to cause trouble.”
After giving a final warning as if telling her not to cause any incidents, Cha Yoon quickly left his seat. Joo-ah, with a complicated expression, couldn’t take her eyes off Cha Yoon’s retreating back for a long time.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
