Jibeom's storytelling
Everyone has just finished taking breakfast. Areum's mood seems so well since the morning. She wakes up to a good mood. She seems happy to be left with the staffs. Maybe because some of the staffs are friendly towards Areum too so she finds comfort in a short period with them. Jibeom has prepared all Areum's stuffs in a bag. He then handed in it to one of the staffs who will in charge to take care of Areum.
"Behave well, okay?" Jibeom says to Areum. Areum nods happily.
* * *
After sending Areum to the staff's house, Jibeom goes back to the participants' house. All members have already gathered in front of the house, waiting for the staff members to appear for their activities.
A few minutes later, some staffs come. They introduce themselves and give some instructions for today's activity.
"Today's activity is called 'blind love'. All members will be blindfolded and will be left to different places. We will only leave several hints that will lead you to find each other. Additionally, only men participants are required to find women participants. You'll be considered partner if you find each other and you say the magic word. You'll then be teamed up with participants you meet for Day 26 "couple race" activity. The official chat group will be deactivated to avoid cheating. However, only Kim Jibeom and Jung Leia will be given privileges to use the personal chats in the Serendipity app as a reward for finding each other during 'cross-path activity' on Day 2" one of the staffs say.
"I'm sorry, by that means.. we are going to be partners or we can find other partners too?" Leia asks.
"Leia, you don't wanna partner up with Jibeom?" Donghyun laughs.
"No no.. that's not what I mean.." Leia says.
"You may use the personal chat to other participants too if you don't wanna partner up with Kim Jibeom. Kim Jibeom may do the same too. But by this point, only Kim Jibeom and Jung Leia can start the personal chat with other participants. Other participants who don't get the personal chat may find each other by the clues, traditionally" the staff says.
"So I think this requires strategy too? Since today's activity will determine your teammate tomorrow" Jaehyun says.
"That's true" Jang Aya.
"Whatever games will be played tomorrow, the strongest or the smartest one should be picked first" Jaehyun says.
"Oh if that's so I'm already losing.. I can say that I'm the dumbest among you all" Joochan says.
"No don't say that!" Jang Aya says.
"What if we just pick whoever we find first? Just follow your heart to find each other" Hanni says.
"That's better to play fair" Leia says.
"Okay then" Jaehyun says.
"You have only 1 hour to find each other. After you find your partner, your optional quest is to take pictures of your partner. After that, please come to H Cafe with your partner, update the pictures you take of each other on feed to claim free lunches of anything you desire to eat at the cafe as a reward from SERENDIPITY. Whoever doesn't succeed to come after 1 hour will be given a penalty" one of the staffs say.
"WHAT?!" Everyone is shocked.
* * *
Everyone has been left blindfolded to separate locations. After a few minutes, they are all allowed to open their blindfolds. Some of the members are left at a public place and some are left at cafes whatsoever.
"These are the clues you may have. Each clues lead you to each 4 women participants. After you find your partner, you may come to the H Cafe. Good luck!" The staff says.
1 hour starts now. Jibeom has been left outside of a foreign cafe. He has no idea where to start since Los Angeles city is seemingly too big for him. He is unfamiliar with this country too.
While going through each clues, his phone vibrates. He got a message from Serendipity app.
Jung Leia :
Hey Jibeom
Wanna team up with me?
Kim Jibeom :
Hey.
I thought you don't wanna team up with me.
Jung Leia :
I never said that
I was just curious before
Kim Jibeom :
Oh I see.
Jung Leia :
Do you wanna?
Kim Jibeom :
Yes I do.
Send me your location.
I'll be coming.
Jung Leia :
📍Location
I'll be waiting :)
Jibeom smiles. He gets up quickly to find Leia. Is this considered winning? He's already succeeded his mission, doesn't he?
* * *
Donghyun's POV
Donghyun is going through the clues one by one. But from all 4 clues he read, he is interested to 2 clues given.
"Embark on a quest where petals hold power, seek the flowers that witnessed our love in full flower."
"Head to the place where music entwines, where our song played as our hearts aligned."
Magic words :
Man participant : "Together, unstoppable."
Woman participant : "Us against the world."
*you must hold hands with each other*
Huh? What is this? Flower? Does it relate to a garden? Or a florist shop? Donghyun gets into a florist shop. He was left in front of a local florist shop anyway. When he enters the shop, he asks the florist about the clue in English.
"I'm sorry, may I ask.. do you know any garden nearby?" Donghyun asks.
"Oh yes, sir! It's only 10 minutes away from here" the florist begins to tell Donghyun the direction. Donghyun then thanks the florist for giving him the direction.
* * *
Donghyun arrives at the garden but he can't find anyone familiar. He starts to walk around the garden to find something that may be valuable to match the clues.
After a few minutes of walking, he takes out the clue once again to read it all again.
"Head to the place where music entwines, where our song played as our hearts aligned."
"Music?" Donghyun gets an idea. He begins to walk again to find anything related to music. Until a few steps he takes, he finds a street performer near a fountain that sings "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth. Next to the street performer, he sees a woman who's sitting on a bench. He comes closer and he finds a familiar figure. It is Ha Chaerin.
Donghyun walks slowly to Chaerin but Chaerin seems not to notice his presence. Chaerin looks sad. She only looks down, doesn't sure what is all about.
"Hi.." Donghyun greets Chaerin. Chaerin looks at Donghyun. She stands up smiling. For an instance, her frown is turning to a smile.
"Donghyun!" Chaerin smiles widely.
"Together, unstoppable" Donghyun says the magic word. He throws a high five.
"Us against the world!" Chaerin accepts Donghyun's high five enthusiastically. Donghyun smiles. Now Chaerin and Donghyun are both succeeding their missions.
"I'm so happy that you came! I thought I'll fail this challenge" Chaerin says.
"Why?" Donghyun asks.
"Joochan came before you! But Joochan said he was actually searching for another member so he left.." Chaerin says. Donghyun laughs. Does this mean that Chaerin was 'rejected' by Joochan?
* * *
Joochan's storytelling
Joochan reads the other clue that he got. After one clue has led him to Chaerin, he finds other clues. Yes, he met Chaerin at first. But she wasn't the one he searched for so he left. Joochan is actually searching for Aya. He wants to partner up with Aya. While walking, at the same time reading the clue, he finds clues that matches his curiosity.
"Uncover the secret within a book's embrace, where bookmarks whisper tales of our shared grace."
"Chase the echoes of our laughter's delight, to the spot where whispers of joy take flight."
He got an idea. Is the clue related to books? But is it related to Aya or Leia? Because Leia is a writer too. Yet, Aya is into books too lately. He is confused. He just remembered that he passed by a book store before he got to the garden if he isn't mistaken so he wants to give a try. Joochan runs to the bookstore he mentioned, hoping that Aya is there.
A few minutes later he arrives, and yes! Aya is there. But, ow snap! Jaehyun is earlier than him! Aya and Jaehyun are having good talk.
"Aya!" Joochan greets Aya. Aya smiles at Joochan.
"Hello Joochan!" Aya replies.
"Are you guys partnering yet?" Joochan asks.
"Eh? I come here first!" Jaehyun interrupts. He just realises that he doesn't yet saying the magic word so he isn't yet partner with Aya.
"Aya! Together, unstoppable!" Joochan offers his hand.
"Aya, Together, unstoppable" Jaehyun is offering his hand too. Now both of them are fighting to team up with Aya.
"What is this?" Aya looks confused.
"I came first! It should be me!" Jaehyun says.
"She hasn't chose you yet!" Joochan says.
"Go find other members!" Jaehyun says.
"You go find!" Joochan says.
"Both of you, stop!" Aya says. Joochan and Jaehyun both are looking at Aya.
"You have to make a choice, Aya" Jaehyun says.
"Aya, we're best friend, right?" Joochan looks at Aya with a sweet smile.
"Ugh you're cheating!" Jaehyun says. Aya looks hesitates. She has to choose which one she wants to partner up with?
"Us..." Aya begins to say her magic phrase.
"Against... the world.." Aya says while accepting Joochan's hand. Joochan smiles widely.
"What?!" Jaehyun looks shocked. He feels betrayed.
"I'm sorry, Jaehyun.. I actually wanna.. partner up with Joochan.." Aya says. Joochan smiles proudly.
"Ey!" Jaehyun is about to slap Joochan's shoulder but he counters.
"Actually... there's someone is waiting for you... probably you can find her.." Aya says to Jaehyun.
"Who?" Jaehyun asks.
"Hanni" Aya says. What? Hanni is waiting for him?
"Ah! But I don't know which clue that will lead to her!" Jaehyun says.
"I can give you a spoiler. The clue with 'flowers' isn't her. It's Chaerin's" Joochan says.
"As if I'm gonna trust you" Jaehyun rolls his eyes to Joochan.
"I'm being genuine! I met her first!" Joochan says.
"What? So why don't you partner up with her?" Aya asks.
"Oh I'm actually searching for you so I told her that she wasn't the one I'm looking for so I left" Joochan says. Both Aya and Jaehyun look dumbfounded.
"What?! Joochan you—j" Jaehyun says.
"What? It's better to be honest!" Joochan says. Aya shakes her head.
"Ugh! It left only 30 minutes! How can I find Hanni with other clues!" Jaehyun says.
"What are the clues?" Aya asks. Jaehyun shows all the clues cards to Aya.
"I think.. this?" Aya shows a clue card to Jaehyun. Jaehyun reads it.
"Unlock the next step where our love takes flight, find the place where we shared dreams under the soft moonlight."
"Journey to the scene of our favorite view, where the panorama holds clues of love so true."
"What makes you think this is her?" Jaehyun asks.
"Nothing.." because another clue seems like more showing to Leia. Jaehyun looks at another clue.
"Navigate to the spot where time stands still, where our initials first met in a lock and key thrill."
"Follow the path to the place where our eyes first met, and let the gaze lead you to the heart of our connection."
Jaehyun agrees. The clues are like showing about Leia and Jibeom's first meeting at the art gallery.
"Thank you, Aya" Jaehyun thanks Aya before he leaves the book store.
* * *
Jaehyun's storytelling
Jaehyun comes to a famous cafe spot. When he arrives, he sees Hanni is enjoying the views alone around the cafe's garden with some meals Hanni has bought specially for anyone who meets her first.
"Hanni!" Jaehyun calls for Hanni. Hanni turns her back. She smiles widely when she sees Jaehyun.
"Jaehyun! Hi!" Hanni greets.
"Together, unstoppable?" Jaehyun offers his hand. Hanni then without hesitation accepts Jaehyun's hands.
"Us against the world!" Hanni says. Jaehyun smiles. Finally, he gets to partner up with someone! Jaehyun looks at his watch. Oh my, it only left 15 minutes more to go to the cafe.
"Let's go to the cafe now!" Jaehyun says. Hanni nods.
* * *
Leia's storytelling
Everyone succeeds to complete their missions within one hour. The earliest, of course Leia & Jibeom. The last couple is Jaehyun & Hanni but they make it to the cafe within one hour.
"Joochan, you're the traitor!" Chaerin says when Joochan arrives to the H Cafe.
"What? I'm just being genuine!" Joochan says. Chaerin rolls her eyes to Joochan. Jibeom and Leia who are eating their lunches at that time laughing together at Chaerin and Joochan as Chaerin has told them about Joochan's 'rejection' of Chaerin to them beforehand.
* * *
An hour has passed, the staffs in charge congratulate them for succeeding the mission. Master then upload their feeds for all members to see
"Donghyun is really good at taking pictures! It's like a photoshoot!" Joochan compliments Donghyun's photography skill. Donghyun smiles.
"I know right?! I look so good! Thank you so much, Donghyun!" Chaerin says.
"Today's activity ends for now. You all may go sightseeing or you may go straight home too. Master has reactivated the group chatroom. For tomorrow's activity, Kim Areum once again needs to stay with the staffs. Please wear a proper attire, specifically sports wear. Please be available at 8am, in front of your house. See you all again tomorrow!" One of the staffs says. Everyone nods.
Finally, today's activity was simple yet fun. They had fun and enjoyed the activity searching for each other. At the same time, they were nervous about what tomorrow might bring.
-To Be Continued-
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A/N :
This chapter is quite boring, right?
I know, that's why I updated 2!😜
Day 26 will be updated tonight!