The theatre room was dim, lit only by the glow of the massive screen.
No one spoke.
The highlights of Leon and Aria's date played in silence—quiet conversations, slow movements, lingering pauses.
It felt completely different from the previous date.
"He looks like he's in a movie," Luna whispered, clutching her popcorn."Why is no one smiling? Is that illegal in museums?"
Minho smirked, leaning forward.
"It's not that kind of date. Watch his eyes."
On screen, Leon stood beside Aria, listening—really listening.
"That's new," Minho added."He's not pretending."
Merlin didn't laugh.
Her gaze stayed fixed on the screen.
Leon's voice echoed softly through the speakers, calm but different. Not distant. Not cold.
Careful.
That difference sat heavily in her chest.
She shifted slightly in her seat, fingers tightening unconsciously.
Beside her, Jisoo wasn't watching the screen anymore.
He was watching her.
The way her shoulders had gone still.
The way her hands were gripping her sleeve.
He didn't say anything.
But he noticed.
The screen faded to black.
No one moved.
For a moment, the silence stretched longer than it should have.
Aria stood first, smoothing her skirt with effortless composure.
"It was a good conversation," she said simply.
No details.
No explanations.
And somehow, that said more than anything else.
Merlin stood up suddenly.
"I'm getting water."
She didn't wait for a response.
Didn't look at anyone.
She just walked out.
As she passed the doorway—
She felt it again.
Leon.
Standing there.
Still.
Unreadable.
Like nothing had changed.
The kitchen lights were brighter than the theatre room.
Too bright.
Merlin stood at the counter, pouring water into a glass, letting the silence settle.
Footsteps.
She didn't turn.
Leon walked in.
Stopped.
Not too close.
Not far enough.
"You're quieter than usual," he said.
His voice was low, steady.
Merlin took a sip of water.
"I'm just tired."
A pause.
Then—
"You're not tired."
She exhaled slowly.
"Do you always analyze people this much?"
"Only when they're obvious."
That made her turn.
"Obvious?"
Leon stepped a little closer.
Not invading.
But enough.
"You watched that entire video without blinking."
"And?"
"And you didn't like it."
Merlin let out a quiet laugh.
"You think everything is about you."
"I didn't say that."
"You implied it."
Leon tilted his head slightly.
"I said you didn't like what you saw."
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Honest.
Merlin met his gaze fully now.
"And what exactly did I see?"
Leon held her eyes.
"A version of me you didn't expect."
Her grip tightened slightly around the glass.
"And that bothers you?" she asked.
"No."
A beat.
"It bothers you."
That hit.
Not loudly.
But precisely.
Merlin shook her head lightly.
"You're overthinking."
Leon gave the faintest smile.
"Am I?"
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them looked away.
Then—
Footsteps approached.
The moment broke.
Outside, near the staircase—
Kiara stepped directly into Jisoo's path.
"You've been quiet," she said smoothly.
Jisoo looked at her.
"Have I?"
"Yes."
She stepped a little closer, confidence effortless.
"Usually quiet people are thinking something interesting."
"And what do you think I'm thinking?"
Kiara smiled.
"That you don't like losing attention."
Jisoo's gaze shifted briefly toward the kitchen.
Then back to her.
"I don't think of it as losing."
"Then what is it?"
"Observing."
Kiara leaned slightly closer.
"Observation only works if you act on it."
Jisoo's expression didn't change.
"I will."
Back in the lounge, Luna flopped onto the couch dramatically.
"This is too much silence for one night."
Minho nodded.
"I agree. Someone start a fight or something."
Tara laughed softly.
"Not everything needs to be loud."
"It does for me," Luna replied instantly.
The mood lifted slightly.
Laughter returned.
But it didn't last long.
BING.
Every screen in the mansion lit up at once.
The room froze.
MISSION: SECRET SELECTION NIGHT
The time for observation is over.
Tonight, you must choose.
Each contestant will enter the Private Boothand select ONE person they want to spend the next 24 hours with.
Rules:
Your choice is completely secret.
No one will know who you selected unless the choice is mutual.
If two contestants choose each other—they will leave the mansion immediatelyfor a private getaway.
No one spoke.
Minho leaned back slowly.
"Well… that escalated."
Luna blinked.
"Wait."
"So if they pick each other, they just… disappear?"
Tara nodded slightly.
"Yes."
The weight of it settled in.
This wasn't just a game anymore.
This was choice.
Clear.
Direct.
Irreversible.
Merlin stood still.
Her heart was beating faster now.
Not because of the rule.
But because of what it meant.
She looked toward Jisoo.
He was already looking at her.
Calm.
Steady.
Waiting.
Then—
Without meaning to—
Her gaze shifted.
Leon.
He was already looking at her.
Not questioning.
Not surprised.
Just… certain.
Merlin looked away immediately.
Her breath felt uneven.
The screen flickered slightly.
The words remained.
Choose.
For the first time since entering the mansion—
She wasn't thinking about strategy.
Or cameras.
Or outcomes.
She was thinking about him.
And that realization unsettled her more than anything else.