The mansion had finally calmed down after the date highlights.
Well…
Almost.
Minho was still complaining about the sunglasses clip.
"That footage should be illegal," he said, leaning back dramatically on the couch.
Tara sat beside him, quietly sipping her drink.
"You chose to wear them."
Minho placed a hand over his chest.
"I was emotionally manipulated."
Luna raised an eyebrow from across the table.
"By who?"
Minho sighed.
"The sunglasses."
Kaito nearly laughed into his soda.
This house is unbelievable, he thought.
Most of the contestants were gathered in the living room.
Snacks covered the table.
Someone had brought soda.
Someone else had found chocolate.
The atmosphere felt relaxed.
Like friends hanging out after a long day.
Merlin sat comfortably on the couch, watching the chaos unfold.
This place really does feel like a social experiment, she thought.
Across the room, Leon leaned casually against the wall.
Arms crossed.
Quiet.
Observing.
She laughs easily, Leon noticed.
Interesting.
Meanwhile Jisoo sat in the armchair near the window.
Silent.
Watching everyone.
Too many personalities in one room, he thought.
Then suddenly—
The large screen on the wall turned on.
Everyone looked up.
Luna pointed dramatically.
"Oh no."
Minho groaned.
"What now?"
The host appeared on the screen again.
"Good evening, contestants."
Minho waved sarcastically.
"Hello again."
The host smiled calmly.
"I hope everyone enjoyed their dates today."
Luna nodded enthusiastically.
"We did."
Minho muttered,
"Some of us were humiliated."
The host continued.
"Tonight, we have prepared a small activity."
The screen behind him changed.
Large letters appeared.
MISSION 3 — THE MIDNIGHT TRUTH GAME
Minho leaned forward suspiciously.
"That sounds like trouble."
Kaito looked curious.
"What are the rules?"
The host explained.
"Each contestant will take turns picking a card."
"The card contains a question."
"You must answer honestly."
Luna gasped dramatically.
"Oh my god."
Minho immediately pointed at Yuri.
"He's going to hate this."
Yuri leaned back calmly.
"I already do."
This is inefficient, Yuri thought.
A small box suddenly slid open on the table.
Inside were several cards.
Luna grabbed the box instantly.
"THIS IS AMAZING."
Minho shook his head.
"You were born for chaos."
"Yes."
"Alright," Luna said.
"Who's first?"
Everyone immediately looked at Minho.
Minho pointed around the room.
"Why me?"
Luna handed him the box.
"Because you complain the most."
Tara hid a smile.
That's actually accurate, she thought.
Minho sighed and picked a card.
He read it.
Then groaned.
"No."
Luna leaned forward eagerly.
"What does it say?"
Minho read it out loud.
"Which contestant surprised you the most today?"
The room immediately became interested.
Minho looked around slowly.
Then pointed beside him.
"Tara."
Tara blinked.
"Why?"
"You laughed."
"That surprised you?"
"Yes."
Everyone laughed.
Minho shrugged.
"I thought she was the quiet mysterious type."
Tara smiled.
"I still am."
Luna clapped happily.
"That was wholesome."
Minho leaned back proudly.
"Next victim."
Tara picked the next card.
She read it quietly.
Then smiled slightly.
"What does it say?" Luna asked.
Tara answered,
"Who would you choose for another date?"
The room suddenly became quiet.
Minho leaned closer.
"Don't say someone else."
Tara laughed.
"I'll say… Minho."
Minho leaned back dramatically.
"Victory."
Kaito whispered to Luna,
"He's going to brag about that all week."
Luna nodded.
"Absolutely."
Next was Kaito.
He picked a card and read it.
Then froze.
"Oh."
Luna leaned over his shoulder.
"What?"
Kaito read the card aloud.
"Who in the mansion do you trust the most?"
He thought for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"Luna."
Luna blinked.
"Really?"
"You're loud," he said.
"But honest."
Luna looked unexpectedly touched.
Minho nodded.
"That is surprisingly accurate."
He's not wrong, Merlin thought.
Next was Kiara.
She picked a card gracefully.
Then read it.
A slow smile appeared on her face.
"Oh this one is interesting."
Minho leaned forward.
"Tell us."
She read the question.
"Which contestant do you find the hardest to understand?"
Kiara looked across the room.
Directly at Yuri.
"Yuri."
Yuri didn't react.
Minho laughed.
"That's fair."
Kiara crossed her arms.
"You hide everything."
Yuri shrugged.
"Efficiency."
He's definitely hiding something, Kiara thought.
Now it was Yuri's turn.
He picked a card calmly.
Read it.
Then looked slightly amused.
Luna leaned forward.
"What does it say?"
Yuri read it.
"Which contestant would you want as a partner in a challenge?"
He thought for a moment.
Then answered,
"Kiara."
Kiara smirked.
"Smart choice."
Minho whispered to Luna,
"Chess partners forever."
Next was Aria.
She picked a card quietly.
Then read the question aloud.
"Who do you think is hiding their true feelings?"
The room suddenly became quiet.
Aria slowly looked around.
Then said calmly,
"Jisoo."
Everyone turned toward him.
Minho whispered dramatically,
"Oh this is getting interesting."
Jisoo rubbed the back of his neck.
She notices too much, he thought.
Jisoo picked the next card.
He read the question.
Then paused.
Luna leaned forward.
"What does it say?"
Jisoo read it aloud.
"Which contestant would you like to know better?"
His eyes moved slowly across the room.
Then stopped.
"Merlin."
The room reacted instantly.
Luna gasped.
"OH."
Minho whispered loudly,
"The plot thickens."
Merlin laughed nervously.
Well… that was unexpected, she thought.
Across the room, Leon remained silent.
But his gaze shifted slightly.
"Your turn," Luna said, handing Merlin the box.
Merlin picked a card.
She read it.
Then raised an eyebrow.
"Oh wow."
Minho leaned forward.
"What?"
Merlin read the question.
"Who made your heart race today?"
The room exploded.
Luna screamed.
"THIS GAME IS AMAZING."
Minho leaned closer.
"Answer the question."
Merlin looked around the room slowly.
Her eyes briefly met Leon's.
Then Jisoo's.
She smiled calmly.
"Today… was interesting."
"That's not an answer," Luna complained.
Merlin shrugged.
"Exactly."
The room burst into laughter.
Merlin leaned back on the couch, relieved the attention had moved away from her.
Across the room, Leon watched quietly.
She dodged the question, he thought.
Interesting.
Jisoo leaned back slightly in his chair.
Very clever.
Luna suddenly clapped her hands.
"WAIT."
Everyone looked at her.
"We forgot two people."
Minho raised an eyebrow.
"Who?"
Luna pointed dramatically.
"Me."
"And Leon."
Minho nodded.
"That's true."
Kaito laughed.
"You've been hosting the game. You forgot to play."
Luna gasped.
"You're right."
She grabbed the box and pulled out a card.
She read it.
Then immediately started laughing.
"Oh this is perfect."
Minho leaned forward.
"What does it say?"
Luna read it dramatically.
"Which two contestants have the most obvious chemistry?"
The room instantly reacted.
Minho whispered loudly,
"This question is dangerous."
Yuri corrected him calmly.
"Accurate."
Luna looked around the room like a judge.
Her eyes moved between everyone slowly.
Then she pointed.
"Merlin."
Everyone immediately looked at Merlin.
"And…"
Luna turned her head slowly.
"Leon."
The room exploded.
Minho slammed his hand on the couch.
"I KNEW IT."
Tara tried to hide her laughter.
Kaito leaned forward.
"Evidence confirmed."
Merlin covered her face.
"Oh my god."
Leon remained calm.
But one corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
She's bold, he thought.
Across the room, Jisoo stayed silent.
But his gaze shifted briefly toward Leon.
Then back to the table.
"Alright," Minho said dramatically.
"Now the real moment."
He grabbed the box and handed it to Leon.
"Your turn."
Leon looked at the box.
Then slowly picked a card.
He read it quietly.
Minho leaned closer.
"What does it say?"
Leon looked up.
His expression unreadable.
Then he read it aloud.
"Which contestant caught your attention the most today?"
The room became very quiet.
Minho whispered,
"Oh this is huge."
Leon leaned back slightly.
His eyes moved across the room.
Kiara.
Tara.
Aria.
Then—
Merlin.
He answered simply.
"Merlin."
Luna screamed.
"I KNEW IT."
Minho fell back against the couch laughing.
"This show is incredible."
Merlin blinked.
For once, she had no clever response.
Across the room, Jisoo watched the scene quietly.
So that's how it is, he thought.
Not annoyed.
Not upset.
Just… aware.
Meanwhile Luna grabbed the popcorn bowl again.
"Best game ever."
Minho nodded.
"This house is going to become chaos."
Yuri corrected calmly.
"It already has."
The group slowly settled back into conversation.
But something in the room had shifted.
Small moments now felt heavier.
Small glances lasted longer.
And tonight's game had done exactly what it was meant to do.
Reveal just enough…
To make everything more complicated.