Love Begins at Jeju

3--Alliance Begins

The sun beat down relentlessly on the island as the competitors gathered around, their muscles tense and minds sharp. The first challenge was behind them, but the real game was just beginning. Behind the scenes, alliances began to form, quietly but surely.

Jungkook, the youngest of the group, stood off to the side with Nayeon, Wendy, and Soobin, all of them huddled together, speaking in low tones, their eyes constantly scanning the others.

“Seokjin… He’s not a threat,” Jungkook said, his voice calm, but with a hint of intensity. His eyes flicked toward Seokjin, who was sitting by the fire, his demeanor as serene as ever. “He’s just… not like the others. He’s so quiet, keeps to himself. No one sees him coming. People think he’s just the calm guy who can’t win in a challenge, but they’re wrong.”

Nayeon raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. “You really think so? He’s too composed, almost too perfect. That can be dangerous, Jungkook.”

Jungkook met her gaze, his confidence unwavering. “No, trust me. Seokjin is not a threat. He doesn’t want to be in the spotlight, and that’s exactly why no one’s looking at him. That’s his power.”

Wendy, who had been quietly listening, nodded slowly. “I get it. He’s the kind of player who’s hard to pin down. People will underestimate him until it’s too late.”

Soobin, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke up. “You really think we can keep him safe, though? We need to make sure that if things get rough, we have the numbers.”

“We can,” Jungkook said with a quiet smile, a glint of something almost protective in his eyes. “We need to work together, keep him in the shadows, and make sure everyone focuses on the bigger threats.” His voice lowered, almost conspiratorial. “It’s better for all of us if they don’t see Seokjin as competition.”

Nayeon crossed her arms, the wheels turning in her head. “Alright. But you better make sure we’re all in on this. We can’t afford to have someone turn on us. You’re sure about this?”

Jungkook’s gaze flicked back to Seokjin, a sense of protectiveness settling over him. “I’m sure. We’ll keep him in our corner, and no one will notice until it’s too late. Trust me.”

---

Meanwhile, Myunbyul, who had been watching the group closely, was beginning to sense something was off. She didn’t trust Jungkook’s sudden devotion to Seokjin, and she wasn’t about to let it slide without investigating.

“I don’t know,” she said to RM, her voice low and pointed as she approached him. “Jungkook is getting way too comfortable with Seokjin. Have you noticed how they’re always together?”

RM furrowed his brow, his eyes narrowing in thought.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed. And it’s strange how Seokjin’s not being targeted by anyone. I don’t like it.”

Myunbyul’s expression hardened. “We need to shake things up. Jungkook’s playing a dangerous game, and if we don’t move now, we could lose our advantage.”

RM turned to her, his voice steady but firm. “We’ll keep an eye on him. But don’t underestimate Seokjin. There’s something about him. He’s quiet, but there’s a kind of strength in his stillness. He’s not as harmless as people think.”

---

Later that evening, Seokjin sat by the fire, his posture relaxed as he stared into the flames. The tension of the day had started to ease, and he found himself enjoying the calm for once. It was in these moments, away from the noise and chaos, that he felt the most at peace.

But even in the silence, there was a weight on his shoulders. He could feel the eyes of the others on him, and while some were intrigued, others were beginning to view him with suspicion. The game was just starting, and he knew things would only get more complicated from here.