Morning in the house arrived quietly, though the atmosphere felt slightly heavier than usual.
The pool party from the previous day had left everyone relaxed, but there was also a growing awareness in the air—time was running out.
Only a few days remained.
Dahye stood in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of orange juice while glancing out toward the backyard. The sunlight was warm, but her mind felt restless.
Behind her, footsteps approached.
"Still thinking about yesterday?"
Dahye turned to see Yerin leaning against the counter, her hair loosely tied back. Even in the soft morning light, Yerin somehow managed to look effortlessly composed.
"Maybe," Dahye replied, taking a sip of her drink.
Their eyes met briefly.
There was something different in the air between them today—something quieter, more aware.
Before either of them could continue, the voice of the show echoed through the speakers.
"Good morning, contestants."
Everyone gradually gathered in the living room.
"Today marks Day 11 in the house. You now have three days remaining to explore your connections."
Some contestants exchanged nervous glances.
"Tonight's activity will be Anonymous Confession Night."
The room immediately filled with curious murmurs.
"You will each write a message to someone in the house. Your confession will remain anonymous. The recipient will not know who sent it."
Jiyeon grinned immediately.
"Oh this is going to be chaotic."
Sohee chuckled. "Definitely."
The voice continued.
"Write honestly. Your message will be delivered later this evening."
The announcement ended.
Dahye leaned back slightly on the couch, her mind already racing.
Anonymous confession.
Her eyes drifted toward Yerin.
Yerin seemed thoughtful too.
Neither of them spoke.
Later that afternoon, the contestants were each given small envelopes and blank cards.
They were instructed to write their message privately.
Dahye sat alone on the balcony, the card resting on her knee.
For several minutes she simply stared at it.
There were so many things she could say.
But writing them down suddenly felt much harder.
Finally, she sighed and began writing.
Her handwriting was soft but careful.
"I didn't expect to meet someone who makes this place feel comfortable. Every time we talk, it feels easier to breathe."
She paused.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Then she slipped the card back into the envelope.
Evening arrived quickly.
The contestants gathered in the living room again, where a small box of envelopes sat on the coffee table.
Excitement buzzed in the air.
The voice spoke again.
"Your anonymous messages have now been delivered."
Everyone immediately reached for their envelopes.
Dahye blinked in surprise when she noticed two envelopes in front of her.
Two?
Across the room, Yerin stared at the table.
There were four envelopes with her name on them.
Jiyeon gasped dramatically.
"Whoa, Yerin! Someone's popular."
Sohee laughed lightly, though her expression held something thoughtful.
Yerin looked slightly overwhelmed.
Four messages.
She slowly opened the first envelope.
Her eyes scanned the words.
"I've liked you since the beginning. Watching you with others makes me realize how real my feelings are."
Her brows furrowed slightly.
The second message was longer.
"Even if this show ends soon, I want you to know that meeting you here meant something to me."
Yerin's expression softened.
Then she opened the third.
"You probably don't realize how much you affect people around you."
Her eyes lingered on that line.
Finally she opened the fourth envelope.
Her heart skipped slightly.
"I didn't expect to meet someone who makes this place feel comfortable."
Her eyes paused.
That sentence felt different somehow.
More familiar.
Her gaze slowly lifted across the room.
Dahye.
But then doubt crept in.
It could be Sohee.
Or Jiyeon.
Both of them had been close to her during the show.
And their confessions had sounded serious.
Yerin leaned back slightly, clearly conflicted.
Meanwhile, Dahye quietly opened her own envelopes.
The first message read:
"Talking with you always feels natural. I wish we had more time here."
Her heart warmed.
The second message was shorter.
"You're easy to be around."
Dahye folded the cards again, thoughtful.
Across the room, she noticed Yerin staring at her.
Yerin quickly looked away.
Later that night, the house grew quieter as most contestants retreated to their rooms or the backyard.
Dahye stepped outside onto the balcony, enjoying the cool evening air.
A moment later, the door slid open behind her.
She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"You came out here too?"
Yerin's voice was soft.
Dahye smiled slightly.
"Needed some fresh air."
Yerin walked closer until she leaned against the railing beside her.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The night felt calm compared to the tension earlier.
Finally, Yerin cleared her throat.
"So…"
Dahye raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
Yerin glanced sideways at her.
"You got messages today too."
"Two," Dahye said casually.
Yerin nodded slowly.
"I got four."
Dahye turned toward her, eyes widening in mock surprise.
"Wow."
Yerin sighed.
"Yeah."
Dahye tilted her head playfully.
"Looks like someone's popular."
Yerin groaned slightly.
"Don't start."
Dahye crossed her arms, pretending to study her.
"Miss Popular Yerin."
Yerin laughed quietly.
"You're teasing me."
"Am I?" Dahye smirked.
Yerin looked down at the balcony floor briefly before speaking again.
"I was actually trying to figure something out."
"Oh?"
Yerin hesitated.
"Did you… send one of them?"
Dahye blinked innocently.
"Maybe."
Yerin narrowed her eyes.
"That's not helpful."
Dahye leaned back against the railing.
"You have four options, Yerin."
"That's exactly the problem."
Dahye chuckled.
"Must be difficult being so loved."
Yerin studied her carefully.
"Why do you sound jealous?"
Dahye scoffed dramatically.
"Jealous? Please."
But the corner of her lips betrayed her.
Yerin stepped a little closer.
"Are you?"
Dahye looked at her.
For a moment, the teasing faded slightly.
"Maybe a little," she admitted softly.
Yerin's heart skipped.
"Really?"
Dahye shrugged lightly.
"Hard not to be when three other people are confessing to you."
Yerin looked genuinely surprised.
"You think it was three?"
Dahye smirked.
"I'm assuming one of them was mine."
Yerin laughed quietly.
"You're impossible."
Dahye leaned forward slightly.
"So which one do you think is mine?"
Yerin hesitated.
"The one that said… you make this place feel comfortable."
Dahye froze for half a second.
Yerin noticed immediately.
"That was you, wasn't it?"
Dahye quickly recovered.
"Maybe."
Yerin smiled softly.
"You're terrible at hiding things."
Dahye rolled her eyes.
"And you're terrible at not being obvious."
Yerin leaned closer against the railing beside her.
The distance between them suddenly felt much smaller.
"So it was you."
Dahye looked away toward the dark backyard.
"I never said that."
Yerin's voice softened.
"But it was."
Dahye felt her heart beating faster.
"Does it matter?" she asked quietly.
Yerin considered that.
Then she shook her head slightly.
"No."
Her eyes met Dahye's again.
"But I'm glad you wrote it."
The silence between them grew warmer.
The teasing had faded into something more delicate.
More honest.
Dahye exhaled softly.
"Well," she said, trying to lighten the mood again, "you still have three other admirers to figure out."
Yerin chuckled.
"I'm starting to think I only care about one."
Dahye blinked.
Before she could respond, Yerin straightened slightly.
"Goodnight, Dahye."
"Goodnight… Miss Popular."
Yerin laughed again as she turned to go inside.
But before stepping through the door, she glanced back one last time.
Dahye was still standing at the railing, watching the night sky.
And for the first time since reading the messages earlier, Yerin felt certain about something.
One confession mattered more than the others.
And she had a feeling she already knew whose it was.