Tropical mornings have a way of making even chaos feel like a vacation.
The sun spills gold across the sea, palm trees sway like they've got rhythm and somewhere in the distance, Raejin is locked in a loud debate with a crab. It's unclear who's winning, but the crustacean looks remarkably unbothered.
Yuna stretches luxuriously on a lounger, a mimosa cradled in one hand. Oversized sunglasses shade her eyes and she's wearing J-Min's shirt loosely over her pastel lavender swimsuit. The shirt smells faintly of his cologne and a dangerous lack of self-control.
"Okay, spill," Ari demands, flopping beside her with a fruity drink the exact colour of regret. "You and Mr. Pop Star disappeared after yesterday for, like, two hours."
Yuna bobs her chin innocently. "We were lying in a hammock."
Mina raises a brow, slow and deliberate. "Lying. In. A. Hammock."
"In a loving embrace," Sori adds from the other side, casually filing her nails. "We saw. Through the trees. It was cinematic."
Yuna sighs dramatically. "Why are there no secrets on this island?"
Mina smirks, sipping iced coffee. "Because you've got a face like someone who got kissed under the stars."
"Oh my god."
"Oh my Yumin™ god," Ari giggles, elbowing Mina.
Yuna glares playfully but can't suppress the grin tugging at her lips.
Meanwhile, on the beach...
Raejin is dramatically snorkeling in about three feet of water, eyes wide behind his mask, as if searching for the lost city of Atlantis or at least a good Instagram shot.
Taewon, in full Dad Mode™, adjusts his sun visor and sighs heavily. "You're going to injure yourself doing that."
"I'm hunting treasure," Raejin announces, triumphantly holding up a tiny plastic ring. "BEHOLD. SUNKEN GLORY."
"That's a cereal box toy," Taewon deadpans, unimpressed.
Behind them, J-Min jogs up shirtless, wet hair slicked back, a towel slung low on his hips. His swim shorts are the usual solid dark colour, perfectly fitting, showing off the lean muscle beneath.
Yuna, carrying a tray of fresh drinks, spots him and promptly trips over thin air.
Ari catches her before she faceplants in the sand. "Easy, tiger."
Yuna glares, cheeks flaming. "I'm fine."
Mina leans over, eyes gleaming. "He looks like someone Photoshopped sin onto a popsicle."
"Just a guy," Yuna mutters, trying to remember how breathing works.
Sori smirks. "A guy who can carry a tune, a watermelon and you in his arms at the same time."
J-Min appears at Yuna's side like a sun-kissed menace. "Don't tempt me," he says, voice low and amused. "By the way, you look cute."
Yuna blinks. "I'm wearing your shirt."
"Exactly."
She nearly spills the drinks again.
Later, the group gathers in the shallows, outfitted with snorkels, flippers and a collective attitude of "let's try not to drown."
Seo stands guard on a paddleboard, shirtless but radiating exhausted manager energy. Clipboard in hand, he yells orders like a battle-hardened lifeguard.
"No one dies! No selfies near sea urchins! And if I see anyone tongue-kissing a jellyfish, I'm quitting!"
Ari leans close to Yuna. "Who hurt him?"
Yuna and J-Min kick gently underwater, hands brushing. They share quiet smiles, exchanging glances full of unspoken words.
Breaking the surface, J-Min murmurs, "This is nice."
"Yeah," Yuna replies, catching her breath. "It's peaceful. For once."
He smiles, water dripping from his lashes. "I like seeing you like this."
"Like what?"
"Relaxed. Happy. Beautiful."
Yuna grins and splashes him playfully before he can see the blush rising on her cheeks.
The sky deepens into lavender as the sun dips beyond the horizon. Fairy lights twinkle between palm trees, casting a warm glow over the group gathered around the crackling bonfire.
There are marshmallows on skewers, fruity drinks with just a splash of alcohol and music humming softly. But the most noticeable tension is the suspicious glances Mina and Raejin keep sneaking at each other.
Yuna watches carefully as the two slip away, citing a "search for more skewers."
"They've been gone for twenty minutes," Sori notes, eyebrows arched.
Ari hums knowingly. "Maybe they're looking for a coconut tree."
"They're kissing," Taewon says flatly, eyes not leaving the darkening beach.
"They're probably kissing," Seo groans, rubbing his temples.
Yuna's phone buzzes suddenly.
[Incoming Video Call: MOM & DAD]
She answers, grinning. "Hi, guys!"
Her mom's face appears, squinting suspiciously. "Why does your hair look like island romance?"
Her dad leans in. "Did that pop star feed you fruit from a palm tree yet?"
Yuna laughs nervously. "I'm hanging up."
Mina appears behind her, cheeks flushed, smirking. "Tell them I say hi!"
Yuna's mom gasps. "Mina! Is your lipstick smudged?!"
"Gotta go, BYE!" Yuna ends the call mid-squeal.
Turning slowly, she fixes Mina with a knowing look. "You kissed Raejin, didn't you?"
Mina shrugs, grinning. "We were tipsy."
"You don't drink."
"Tipsy...on vibes."
Raejin strolls back, lips suspiciously shiny.
"I fell into a mango," he says solemnly.
Taewon mutters, "That's not how mangoes work."
J-Min and Yuna sneak away from the group, walking the shoreline under the thick blanket of stars.
"You think they really kissed?" J-Min asks, threading his fingers through hers.
"Oh, 100%. The mango excuse was tragic."
He laughs, pulling her close until their noses brush.
"Should we do something equally scandalous?" he teases.
"Like what?"
"Hold hands in public."
"Oh, the scandal!"
Yuna grins up at him and he pulls her even closer, lips brushing softly against hers.
"This trip is dangerous," he murmurs, voice low.
He kisses her forehead, holding her close beneath the stars.
Somewhere behind them, Raejin yells, "GUYS, I FOUND A STARFISH THAT LOOKS LIKE SEO!"
Seo groans loudly. "I want a refund on my life."
Back at the Villa
J-Min and Yuna retreat to his room, the warm island night curling around them like a secret. The patio door is open just enough to let in the sound of waves and the distant crackle of the dying bonfire.
"Did you hear that?" Yuna whispers, stopping in her tracks as a tiny gecko zips across the floor and disappears under the dresser.
J-Min flicks on the bedside lamp dramatically. "Fear not, I will protect you from the lizard overlords."
Yuna giggles, jumping onto the bed. "You're so dramatic. It's like sharing a villa with a Disney prince who missed his calling in slapstick."
He grins, prowling toward her. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"Jury's still out," she teases, backing onto the pillows.
He catches her ankle playfully, tugging her toward him. "I'm growing on you, admit it."
Her voice drops. "Like a rash."
Their laughter quiets. Their eyes lock. The tension shifts, charged and slow.
J-Min cups her cheek gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You drive me crazy, you know that?"
She leans in, lips grazing his. "Good."
The kiss deepens...slow at first, then hungry. His hand slides to her waist, fingers pressing into the curve of her back as her own thread into his hair. Their breaths come fast and warm between kisses, hearts thudding in sync.
Just as his lips trail down to the edge of her jaw...
bzzzzz.
"NOPE!" he exclaims, swatting at the air like a man under attack.
Yuna falls back on the bed, laughing breathlessly. "Really? A mosquito?"
He groans, rolling off her. "That bug has terrible timing."
"It's a sign," she giggles, wiping a tear from her eye. "Nature says, slow your roll, pop star."
He flops beside her with a dramatic sigh. "I'm being personally targeted by the insect kingdom."
They lie there, catching their breath, fingers still intertwined.
Yuna turns her head to look at him. "So...do mosquitoes usually third-wheel your romantic moments?"
He laughs softly, tugging her closer. "Only the lucky ones."
She rests her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
The night stretches on...full of whispered jokes, teasing kisses and limbs tangled beneath light sheets. It's not about how far they go. It's how close they feel. And in this room, under island stars and a mosquito net of mild chaos, it feels like the start of something real.