Chapter 142
The final selection day was approaching. Perhaps because the last choice was imminent, the participants were each burning their last flame, knocking on the doors of their chosen contestants’ rooms or going on final dates together. As they moved about busily, evening arrived. The participants gathered in the living room according to the mission details received on their phones.
It’s the day before the final selection. From now on, all participants will gather to start the ‘Truth Game’.
Participants can ask up to three questions.
However, direct questions related to the final selection are prohibited.
“It’s so strange that there’s only one day left until the final selection.”
“I can’t believe it either. It feels like we just entered the X House yesterday.”
“I know, right?”
After Min-ha finished reading the mission card, the participants looked lost in thought, as if reminiscing about everything that had happened. After a while, Sae-young broke the silence in the quiet living room.
“So, how should we set the rules for the Truth Game?”
“Since it’s a Truth Game, how about we answer only with the truth, no matter what? No refusing to answer.”
“Can’t we drink the alcohol over there?”
“No, no avoiding with alcohol.”
“Alright. Let’s do this properly since we’re doing it.”
The participants discussed and set their own rules for the X House Truth Game. With everyone’s agreement, the Truth Game that would mark the last night of the X House began.
Sae-young was the first to break the ice.
“I’ll ask Ji-yoon unni a question.”
“Am I starting first? Oh, I’m nervous. Okay. What’s your question?”
“What’s occupying the biggest space in your heart right now, NEW or X?”
The first question was quite intense. Soo-ho’s shoulders, which had flinched at the mention of Yeo Ji-yoon’s name, were now completely stiff. His eyes were fixed on Ji-yoon’s lips.
“Didn’t you say we can’t drink?”
“Yeah, you have to answer no matter what. No avoiding.”
Faced with Sae-young’s unyielding words, Ji-yoon emptied the glass in front of her and opened her mouth.
“It’s X.”
As the answer flowed from Ji-yoon’s lips, Soo-ho exhaled the breath he’d been holding, hunched over, and then his shoulders shook. Is Soo-ho crying again? This is crazy, really. Joo-ah, sitting next to him, noticed the change first and handed him a tissue.
Starting with Sae-young’s question, the participants poured out their questions and exchanged answers. Do you regret coming here with me? No, I think it was good to come. Can you support your X if they end up with someone else? With my current feelings, yes. Who was your favorite date? It’s you. Questions were exchanged several times, but two people, Seo-jung and Cha Yoon, didn’t use their question rights at all.
As time passed, more participants finished their allotted three questions, and each picked up their glass with different feelings. It was around the time when the Truth Game was wrapping up.
“I have a question. Can I ask it now?”
The voice belonged to Seo-jung.
“Of course.”
“What is it? I’m curious who Seo-jung will ask.”
As Seo-jung, who hadn’t used his question right even once, opened his mouth, the participants nodded.
“I’ll ask Cha Yoon.”
Cha Yoon, who had been hanging back as if observing, met Seo-jung’s eyes at the mention of his name.
The other participants were not much different. Cha Yoon? It was a name that hadn’t appeared even once in the Truth Game so far. Even the participants who had been drinking without much thought became interested and gathered their attention. Seo-jung, regardless of the participants’ gazes fixed on him, stared only at Cha Yoon.
Their gazes met completely in mid-air. After maintaining eye contact silently for a moment, Seo-jung slowly opened his mouth.
“You said before. That you’d like me to do whatever I want.”
Cha Yoon recalled their conversation at dawn as soon as he heard Seo-jung’s words.
“Yes, I did.”
“Do you still feel the same way?”
“…”
“No matter what choice I make, are you okay with it?”
The participants next to them looked puzzled, not understanding, but Cha Yoon, the person in question, understood. The meaning behind Seo-jung’s words.
“Yes, I’m okay with it.”
That’s why he didn’t hesitate to answer. He didn’t want to burden Seo-jung anymore. No matter who Seo-jung chose, if it was his decision, it didn’t matter at all. He was prepared to handle whatever consequences came from it.
“So, do as you wish, hyung.”
Cha Yoon, having conveyed his feelings, slightly curled up the corners of his mouth. As if to say not to worry about him. Seo-jung, who couldn’t take his eyes off those lips for a long time, finally spoke.
“Alright.”
I’ll do that. Hearing Seo-jung’s final answer, Cha Yoon nodded as if that was what he wanted.
And on that night, one day before the final selection.
Thank you. For giving me the courage.
For the first and last time, a message arrived in Cha Yoon’s mailbox.
“I have something to say to the writer.”
“…”
“This doesn’t need to be off the record.”
Someone knocked on the door of the staff’s accommodation.
This is a message sent by Ki Seo-jung.
It was really time to cross the line.
***
D-0.
The morning of the final selection day dawned.
Someone is waiting for your X.
Please take your X there.
Following the production team’s message, Cha Yoon had just gotten back into his car after dropping off Song Joo-ah, his X, at the promised location. That’s when it happened. Zing, at the vibrating sound, he checked his phone and found a strange message had arrived.
Someone wants to confess to you.
Please go to the location below to respond to the confession.
Someone wants to confess to me? Cha Yoon unconsciously frowned as he checked the content of the message. He thought his role here was over after dropping off Song Joo-ah. So he thought he only had to focus entirely on Seo-jung now, without worrying about anyone else’s feelings. But the situation was different from what he expected. Cha Yoon brushed back his fallen bangs.
It was all incomprehensible, but it was only for an hour or two at most. Just be patient a little longer. Calming himself, Cha Yoon slowly pressed the accelerator and started the car.
The car sped along the coastal road. After driving for a while, he finally arrived near the designated destination. Near the beach? Cha Yoon glanced at the navigation and slowly turned the steering wheel. Soon, a message played saying the navigation would end. He completely parked the car and opened the driver’s side door to step outside.
The sea water, tinted with the sunset glow, could be seen rippling. After taking in the scenery for a moment, Cha Yoon checked his wristwatch.
“When are they going to come?”
He muttered softly to himself and then sighed. The impatience rose again, making his earlier attempts to calm himself seem futile.
As he continued waiting to fulfill his final duty, he heard the sound of an engine. When he turned his head, he saw a car approaching from a distance.
Cha Yoon guessed it was the person who had called him here. Shortly after, the vehicle stopped. Due to the dark tinting, he couldn’t clearly see who was inside. Cha Yoon turned towards the car, not taking his eyes off the driver’s seat, hoping the person inside would get out as soon as possible.
How much time had passed like that? Click. An unfamiliar sound intruded on this place where only the sound of crashing waves could be heard. It was the sound of the car door opening that he had been waiting for so eagerly.
One foot emerged from under the car door. Cha Yoon’s gaze reflexively moved downward. That’s when he first felt something was off.
He saw a well-polished shoe and above it, an ankle with visible anklebones. It seemed too angular to be a woman’s, and moreover, it was all too familiar. While he couldn’t take his eyes off the sight that mixed unfamiliarity and familiarity, it happened.
Finally, as the other foot came out of the car, the person slowly rose. Cha Yoon, who had fixed his gaze on the lower part, slowly moved his eyes upward. Past the straight fingers holding the car door, the shoulders stretching in a straight line, and the long neckline, he could finally see the person’s face.
“…Seo-jung.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
