The production van stopped in front of a small outdoor art market.
Colorful stalls lined the street, filled with handmade jewelry, paintings, vintage books, and small decorations.
Minho stepped out first and looked around.
"Well…"
"This is different."
Tara stepped out of the van a moment later, adjusting the strap of her small bag.
Her eyes moved slowly across the market.
"It's beautiful."
Minho glanced at her.
"You like places like this?"
She nodded.
"Quiet places."
Minho smirked.
"Then this might be a challenge."
They walked between the stalls together.
Minho looked relaxed, occasionally stopping to inspect random items.
Tara, on the other hand, seemed more focused on the artwork displayed everywhere.
One stall caught her attention.
Small handmade notebooks filled the table.
She picked one up and opened it.
The pages were decorated with tiny watercolor drawings.
Minho leaned beside her.
"You write lyrics in notebooks like that?"
"Yes."
"You must have a lot of them."
"Too many."
They continued walking.
At another stall, Minho picked up a pair of ridiculous sunglasses.
Bright pink.
Heart-shaped.
He immediately put them on.
"Well?"
Tara stared at him.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she laughed.
Actually laughed.
Minho pointed dramatically.
"Victory."
"You look ridiculous."
"That's the point."
They stopped at a small food truck a few minutes later.
Minho ordered two drinks.
When he handed one to Tara, she looked slightly surprised.
"You didn't ask what I wanted."
"I observed."
"You observed?"
"You like fruit tea."
She blinked.
"How did you know?"
"You looked at the menu twice."
Tara smiled slightly.
"That's impressive."
As they walked through the market again, Minho suddenly spoke.
"You're quieter than everyone else in the mansion."
Tara shrugged.
"I talk when I have something to say."
"That's very different from Luna."
Tara laughed softly.
"Yes."
"Very."
They stopped near a small stage where a young singer was performing.
The music was soft and calm.
Tara listened carefully.
After a moment, she spoke.
"I like this song."
Minho glanced at her.
"You're analyzing it, aren't you?"
"A little."
"Songwriter brain."
She nodded.
A few minutes later, Minho noticed something nearby.
A painting booth.
Blank canvases.
Paint supplies.
And a sign.
Paint Something For Your Partner
Minho grinned.
"Oh no."
Tara looked at the sign.
"This could go badly."
"Perfect."
They sat at the table with two blank canvases.
Minho picked up a brush.
"I'm not an artist."
"That makes it more interesting."
"What are you painting?"
"You'll see."
Ten minutes later…
Minho held up his painting proudly.
It was a very terrible stick figure drawing.
A stick girl holding a notebook.
Tara stared.
"That's me?"
"Yes."
"You forgot my hair."
"That's artistic interpretation."
Tara slowly turned her canvas around.
Minho blinked.
Her painting was actually good.
A cartoon-style drawing of him wearing the ridiculous heart-shaped sunglasses.
Minho laughed loudly.
"Okay that's amazing."
"You deserve it."
Later, they sat on a small bench near the end of the market.
The afternoon sun was beginning to set.
Minho leaned back slightly.
"I didn't expect this date to be so relaxed."
Tara looked at him.
"You expected chaos?"
"Yes."
"You caused some chaos."
"That's my specialty."
For a moment, they sat quietly.
Then Tara spoke.
"You're different from what I expected."
Minho raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds suspicious."
"I thought you were just playful."
"And?"
"You pay attention."
Minho smiled slightly.
"Only sometimes."
Back at the mansion later that evening, the contestants gathered again in the living room.
The screen showed highlights from the date.
Luna leaned forward excitedly.
"That painting was hilarious."
Merlin laughed softly.
"Tara exposed him."
Minho covered his face.
"That footage should be illegal."
Across the room, Jisoo chuckled quietly.
And near the window, Leon watched silently again.
The second date had ended.
But several more were still waiting.
And the mansion was slowly becoming a place where feelings…
and confusion…
were beginning to mix.