The production van slowed to a stop along a lively street filled with cafés, bakeries, and colorful shop signs.
Luna pressed her face against the window like an excited child.
"Oh my god."
Kaito leaned slightly forward to see what she was staring at.
The entire street looked like something out of a travel magazine.
Rows of dessert shops.
Bright pastel signs.
People walking around with ice cream, pastries, and drinks.
"This place looks amazing," Luna said.
Kaito chuckled quietly.
"I should've guessed you'd be excited about food."
She turned toward him dramatically.
"Food is happiness."
The staff member near the door nodded.
"You two will have two hours for your date."
Luna was already halfway out of the van.
"Let's go!"
Kaito laughed and followed her.
The moment they stepped onto the street, Luna spun around slowly.
"There are so many choices."
Kaito glanced around calmly.
"You're analyzing desserts like it's a strategy game."
"It is a strategy game."
She pointed at the first bakery.
"Step one: cake."
Inside the bakery, the display counter was filled with colorful desserts.
Strawberry cakes.
Chocolate pastries.
Macarons.
Tiramisu.
Luna leaned closer to the glass.
"I want everything."
Kaito crossed his arms.
"That's dangerous."
"I have excellent self-control."
"You just said you want everything."
"That's emotional honesty."
A few minutes later, Luna returned to their table carrying three plates.
Kaito stared.
"You ordered three desserts."
"One for you."
"One for me."
"And one for emotional support."
"That's not how desserts work."
Luna sat down proudly.
"It is today."
She took a bite of the strawberry cake.
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"Oh wow."
Kaito blinked.
"That good?"
She pushed the plate toward him.
"Try it."
Kaito hesitated.
Then took a bite.
He nodded slowly.
"Okay… that's actually impressive."
Luna pointed her fork at him.
"I told you."
While they were eating, Luna studied him curiously.
"You're quieter than I expected."
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
"That's a bad thing?"
"No."
She leaned forward slightly.
"It's just interesting."
He shrugged.
"I like listening."
"That's rare."
A few minutes later, Luna suddenly burst out laughing.
Kaito looked confused.
"What?"
"You have frosting on your face."
He wiped his cheek quickly.
"Did I get it?"
"Not really."
Without thinking, Luna grabbed a napkin and leaned across the table.
She gently wiped the frosting from the corner of his mouth.
For a brief second, they both froze.
The camera zoomed in slightly.
Then Luna leaned back awkwardly.
"Well… that happened."
Kaito rubbed the back of his neck.
"Thank you."
After leaving the bakery, they continued walking down the dessert street.
Luna now held an ice cream cone while Kaito carried a small box of pastries.
"You're making me carry everything," he said.
"You volunteered."
"I did not."
"You implied it."
They stopped near a small street performer playing guitar.
A small crowd had gathered.
The music was soft and warm.
Luna listened quietly for a moment.
Then turned toward Kaito.
"You sing, right?"
"Yes."
"Then sing something."
He blinked.
"Right now?"
"Yes."
"In the middle of the street?"
"Yes."
Kaito looked around nervously.
"You're serious."
"Very."
He sighed.
"You're impossible."
"Correct."
After a moment, he took a breath and quietly sang a short verse.
His voice blended softly with the guitar music.
A few people nearby turned to listen.
Luna's expression slowly changed.
Her usual playful smile softened.
When he finished, she clapped quietly.
"Wow."
"What?"
"You're really good."
Kaito looked slightly embarrassed.
"Thank you."
As they walked further down the street, Luna suddenly stopped.
"What now?" Kaito asked.
"There's a claw machine."
He stared at her.
"Absolutely not."
She grabbed his arm.
"Come on."
"You're competitive, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Five minutes later, Kaito was struggling to win a small plush toy from the machine.
Luna stood behind him giving completely unhelpful instructions.
"LEFT."
"I know."
"NO, YOUR OTHER LEFT."
"I KNOW."
The claw dropped.
And failed again.
Luna laughed.
"You're terrible at this."
"Then you try."
Luna stepped forward confidently.
"Watch a professional."
The claw lowered.
Grabbed the plush toy.
And lifted it perfectly.
Kaito stared.
"You've done this before."
"Many times."
She handed him the plush toy.
"A prize for surviving the date."
Later, they sat on a small bench overlooking the river.
The evening sunlight reflected across the water.
Luna leaned back slightly.
"That was fun."
Kaito nodded.
"It was."
She looked at him sideways.
"You're actually easy to talk to."
"That sounds like a compliment."
"It is."
Back at the mansion later that evening, the other contestants gathered in the living room.
The TV screen showed highlights from the date.
Minho leaned forward.
"That was adorable."
Merlin laughed softly.
"Luna found her dessert soulmate."
Across the couch, Tara smiled quietly.
Jisoo watched the screen thoughtfully.
And near the window, Leon stood silently observing everything.
The dates had only just begun.
But little by little…
The dynamics inside the mansion were starting to shift.