Match Making

Chapter 6: Poolside Connections

                                                                      -----Yoona-----

Hyun-woo, Joon, and Sangwon took charge of preparing the pork. Si-woo, Jae-hyuk, and No-jun were in charge of the beef. Each of them moved with purpose, their faces set with determination.

I turned to Jisoo and asked, "Then should we make ramyeon?"

Jin nodded, "Okay, sure. Then should we prep everything else?"

Haneul and Soo-min had already started setting the table, their movements efficient and coordinated. The clinking of plates and utensils filled the air as they arranged everything meticulously.

Hyun-woo called out, "Wait, can someone microwave the instant rice?"

Ji-a responded, "Yeji and I will handle it."

Ji-won asked, "We need to rinse these veggies, right?"

"Yeah," Jin replied, already busy with another task.

The barbecue party was in full swing as everyone did their job. The aroma of grilling meat filled the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and conversation. Hyun-woo, Joon, and Sangwon expertly flipped the pork on the grill, ensuring it was cooked to perfection. Si-woo, Jae-hyuk, and No-jun worked on the beef, their faces glowing in the light of the flames.

Jisoo and I worked side by side, preparing the ramyeon. The bubbling broth and the smell of spices made my mouth water. Haneul and Soo-min moved gracefully around the table, adding final touches and making sure everything was perfect.

Yeji and Ji-a efficiently microwaved the rice, the rhythmic beeping of the microwave adding to the symphony of sounds. Jin and Ji-won washed and chopped the vegetables, their synchronized movements a testament to their teamwork.

As the sun began to set, the backyard was filled with the warm glow of fairy lights strung above us. The night air was filled with the sizzle of meat on the grill and the happy chatter of friends. Plates were filled with delicious food, and glasses clinked in celebration. Even in the lively gathering Sangwon and I found ourselves stealing glances at each other, our eyes meeting across the table with a silence.

The barbecue party was going smoothly, with each of us contributing to the festive atmosphere. The connection and laughter made it a night to remember, a perfect ending to an amazing day.

                                                                      -----Sangwon-----

The next morning, we were instructed by our director to wear our swimsuits and head to the pool for a new challenge. As I walked with the boys towards the pool, I noticed all the girls already seated by the water, each looking vibrant in their colorful swimsuits. Among them, Yoona stood out to me in her pink swimsuit. She looked stunning, her smile radiant in the morning sun.

A crew member began explaining the rules of the challenge. "In this challenge, you need to form pairs, so choose the person you feel the strongest connection with."

I didn't need to think twice. Ever since our date, Yoona has been on my mind constantly. I showed my card, confidently saying, "Yoona."

"Sangwon," Yoona said simultaneously, revealing her card with my name on it.

"So, with all seven pairs formed, let's start the challenge," the director announced. "In this challenge, I will ask some questions to the girls about the boys. Girls will write down what they think is the correct answer, and boys will write the actual answer. Let's begin."

The first question was about my birthday.

"December 9," Yoona answered confidently.

I smiled and turned my card to show "December 9" written in bold letters. She beamed, proud of getting it right.

The second question was how many siblings I have, which I was sure she would nail.

"One sibling," Yoona responded excitedly, and she was correct.

The director moved on to the next question. "What's the name of his pet?"

Yoona showed her card with "Chai" written on it, accompanied by a small, adorable drawing of a dog. I couldn't help but feel proud of her for getting all the answers right so far.

"Alright, the fourth question: what animal do his fans refer to him as?" asked the director.

I could see Yoona struggling with this one, her brows furrowed in concentration.

"Rabbit. He looks cute, so maybe a rabbit," she said hesitantly.

"It's the penguin but you think I'm cute?" I teased, grinning at her.

Yoona avoided eye contact, her cheeks flushing slightly. I chuckled at her endearing expression.

"Last question: what is his favorite ice cream flavor?" the director asked.

"Maybe chocolate?" Yoona guessed.

"It's coffee," I corrected gently.

In the end, Yoona got 3 out of 5 questions correct, which wasn't a bad score at all. I was impressed with how much she knew about me.

The director announced the results. "Those who got the highest scores—Joon and Jisoo, Si-woo and Haneul, and No-jun and Soo-min—get to go on a date tomorrow!"

Although we didn't win the top spot, her effort and genuine interest in getting to know me made the experience truly special.