Chapter 8

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Inside the lodging, Dansol, hesitating with his luggage, ultimately chose the unpredictable Han Jisoo over Yoo Doohyun.

Although Jisoo’s affectionate attention was annoying, it was more comfortable than dealing with someone like Doohyun, who openly showed hostility.

Dansol hurried into the bathroom attached to the room and started changing into the training suit Woohyun had given him.

This place was one where you could get eaten alive if you let your emotions show even for a moment. he couldn’t quite remember what his expression had been when he got caught up with Yoo Doohyun.

Even after entering the bathroom to change, while Jisoo took the dressing room, Dansol reflected on his expression in the mirror above the sink.

‘Was it like this? No, I think it was stiffer… Han Jisoo was next to me… What if I get criticized… I should act friendlier during the game.’

Knock, knock.

“Dansol, what are you doing? Have you changed? Do you need help?”

“Oh… no! Are you trying to use the bathroom?”

When Dansol, who had finished changing, opened the door, Jisoo showed a disappointed expression.

“No, that’s not it… Dansol, you’re wearing shorts?”

“Oh… yes. I thought they were long pants, but they’re shorts? Will I be cold?”

“Uh… no… that’s not it…”

The black training suit Woohyun had given was a basic, ordinary item.

The top was an oversized shirt so it was okay, but the shorts were a small size, just fitting Dansol as Woohyun had said they were too small for him.

With the shorts barely reaching his thighs, Dansol’s white legs and pinkish knees were fully exposed.

Seeing Jisoo’s ambiguous expression while looking at his legs, Dansol felt self-conscious.

Although Jisoo, who was tall, also wore a black training suit, he looked sleek and sharp like a jaguar, different from him.

“Do I look bad?”

“Sigh… no, Dansol, you look good in anything…”

“What?”

“Never mind. Let’s go, Dansol. Stick close to me, okay?”

Han Jisoo’s expression was as solemn as a warrior going to battle.

When Dansol and Jisoo went down to the beach below the cliff, the other participants had also arrived. Jung Daesoo was diligently warming up.

In his workout clothes, his physique was more prominent.

If Jisoo was a jaguar, Daesoo was a large tiger.

Mesmerized by his athlete-like presence, Dansol made eye contact with Jung Daesoo.

He intended to greet him, but Daesoo turned his head abruptly upon seeing her.

‘I’ve been so busy avoiding Yoo Doohyun that I didn’t think about it. He must be displeased that I’m sharing a room with Han Jisoo…’

—Alright, everyone, you’ve changed into comfortable clothes! As expected, even in workout clothes, you all look dazzling, just like the top celebrities you are. But we’ll see if you can maintain that shine until the game ends.

—Before we start the game, let’s explain the rules of “RO Match in Survival” for anyone who still doesn’t know!

—All games in “RO Match in Survival” are played in pairs of Alpha and Omega. Alpha and Alpha, Omega and Omega cannot be on the same team.

Hearing this, Jung Daesoo sneered at Han Jisoo. In response, Jisoo straightened his back and shielded Dansol from Daesoo’s view with his body.

—Before revealing the game, Jaegal Minhyuk, who ate alone during the last meal?

“Yes?”

-Mr. Jaegal Minhyuk you are given the priority to choose a partner first. Is there a contestant you would like to team up with?

“Yes, there is.”

“Could you take that person’s hand and stand in front of the box?”

Even before returning, Jaegal Minhyuk didn’t have a partner he could officially call a couple.

His position was more akin to an artist than a celebrity, so it seemed he had no desire to stand out in this variety show format.

Although he was handsome enough to be an ambassador for luxury brands, his almost shoulder-length permed hair and sleepy eyes made him look like someone with no zest for life.

He was a man with an aura like a handsome hermit, seeing things as they were and accepting them as such.

Since he was eliminated early on, he had almost no contact with Dansol, just like Han Jisoo.

Their conversations before the return were limited to ‘Hello’ and ‘Yes.’

He, who always walked as if sliding without any enthusiasm, now strode purposefully, as if he had someone in mind already.

Jaegal Minhyuk’s steps were confident and unhesitant.

It was the moment when his eyes sparkled the most since appearing on this show.

As Dansol watched him walking across the sandy beach with his long legs, he was busy thinking about how to play the game to avoid being edited out.

Suddenly, Jaegal Minhyuk’s tattooed hand stretched out in front of Dansol.

“Dansol, would you like to team up with me for the game?”

“Uh…”

-Mr. Jaegal Minhyuk, you have chosen Mr. Joo Dansol. Since you have the priority, Mr. Joo Dansol cannot refuse. Would you both please draw a game from the box in front of you?

Dansol, confused, took Jaegal Minhyuk’s hand and approached the box, while the camera zoomed in on the disappointed expressions of the other Alpha contestants.

“I’m sorry, you might not like this… Instead, you can pick the game, Dansol.”

“Oh… no, it’s not that…”

Unaware of the situation, Minhyuk gave Dansol the opportunity to choose the game.

Dansol put his hand into the box with a round hole.

He felt a round capsule. Before returning, he had solved a quiz game and went on another date with Yiyeon…

He wasn’t confident in physical games, but if it meant avoiding being edited out, it might be better to be eliminated early.

Moreover, Jaegal Minhyuk didn’t seem to be someone suited for physical games either.

At that moment, a capsule seemed to stick to his hand like a magnet. Surprised, Dansol pulled his hand out, holding the capsule.

“Mr. Joo Dansol, could you open the capsule and announce the game?”

Wondering if he had imagined it, Dansol checked the capsule in his hand, opened it, and looked at the rolled-up paper inside.

“Pair… dodgeball.”

-Everyone except for Jaegal Minhyuk, please form teams with the people you had dinner with.

-The dodgeball game will be played in a single match. Our Alphas, please do your best to protect your partner from getting hit by the ball.

-The game will proceed with two teams of four people each, and the winning team will receive a date ticket with a person of their choice.

-Now, let’s start the warm-up game to determine the matchups. Alphas, please line up in front of the line you see here.

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