Amidst the gentle murmur of the sea, Wonik turned toward Nabi as they sat together on the cushions to have a small talk .
"It can get pretty chilly at night, don't you think?" He asked her
"Yeah, it gets really cold. I'm quite glad I packed those extra blazers and pajamas for the night." Nabi responded with a nod .
"So, how have things been?" As Nabi poured water into her cup, Wonik steered the conversation
"It has been good, And you? We didn't get a chance to talk more about your paradise date." She replied with a smile, cup in hand
"It went well, but I'm admittedly a bit awkward, especially with new people. So, it might have been a tad awkward." Wonik confessed and Nabi nodded empathetically at his words .
"So, you thought the date wasn't all that smooth?" She asked Setting her cup on the table after a sip, maintaining her friendly smile.
"Yeah, at least that's what Sieun mentioned," Wonik chuckled.
"Well, you know, when chatting with someone, don't overthink your replies. Just be yourself. Sometimes, even silence can be comforting and not awkward at all. So, if you have something to say, let it out. If not, don't pressure yourself," she advised, him with a small grin .
Wonik laughed at her words , revealing a bit of vulnerability "..Sometimes, I worry if I don't talk, I might be forgotten. So, I try my best, but it ends up a bit awkward."
"Nah, it's rather charming. Don't fret about it," Nabi reassured him, smiling as he nodded with a grateful "thank you."
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"I really appreciate how openly he expresses his feelings and concerns to Nabi. It seems like he's picking up on Sieun's attraction to Minwoo, and that's causing some concern,"
shared one kyuhyun his perspective with the group.
"I agree. Despite not having extensive conversations, when they do talk, it's always comfortable and flows well,"
Dahee added, observing the interaction between the two on the screen.
"That's why many participants feel at ease talking to her. No matter the topic, Nabi guides the conversation in a way that avoids any discomfort or awkwardness,"
Hanhae concurred, emphasizing the positive and reassuring atmosphere Nabi creates in her interactions.
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"..Gwanhee is coming .." Wonik announced, eyeing the approaching men, prompting Nabi to turn her head and scrutinize him.
"Hi, I am not interpreting you , right?" Gwanhee asked as he took a seat next to Nabi.
"..Nah, I should let you two have a talk," Wonik said with a respectful smile ,getting up from his seat to walk away, leaving the two to exchange glances.
"You don't seem thrilled to see me," joked Gwanhee as he and Nabi finally made eye contact.
"Should I be clapping at your arrival so you can tell I'm happy?" she replied , leaning back on her couch, her hands reaching to calm her wind-messed hair.
"A little smile can do the work," he suggested, looking at her stoic expression.
"Like this," she said, flashing a wide, sarcastic smile, making him burst out laughing.
"That seems forced," he remarked as she nodded.
"..Well, I've got nothing to smile about," she shrugged.
"You've got me," he told her, making her smirk.
"..Why are you a clown or something?" she added, and he laughed at her witty retort.
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"Nabi is just not having any of it,"
Dex chuckled, thoroughly entertained as he watched the two bicker on the screen.
"Honestly, I love how he gets all hopeful, only for Nabi to crush his dreams with her sarcastic and witty comebacks,"
Jinkyung laughed, joining in the amusement along with the rest.
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"Are you upset with me?" he asked, scrutinizing her expression.
"Why would you think that , do you think you did something to upset me?" she countered, eyebrows raised, as he shook his head.
"No, I don't think so, but I had a brief chat with Hajeong this morning. She mentioned that what I did during the campfire might've been upsetting and came off as rude," he added, closely observing her reaction.
"So, you don't think you did anything that would upset me or the other girls?" she inquired, seeking clarity.
"Well, I'm not sure," he hesitantly replied.
"You asked me during the bonfire how many candies I received," she stated as he nodded in curiosity.
"I received six," she revealed, and he lowered his gaze to his hands, a tense atmosphere settling between them.
"I don't mean to brag, but after the way you called me along with Hajeong, and Hyoseon , it hit a nerve. It felt like you were convinced we all had a crush on you, eagerly waiting for your signal. I have five other guys interested in me, so why should I fall for someone making me feel like a backup plan? I felt disrespected, and I'm pretty sure the other girls did too. Just because they didn't voice it doesn't mean they didn't feel it," she confessed, her words delivered with a mix of frustration and sincerity, while he listened attentively.
"I was just trying to be honest. My words weren't meant to be as disrespectful as they sounded," he declared, finally meeting her gaze. She threw her head back in reaction to his words.
"You know what's perplexing? Even when I'm telling you your words were disrespectful, there's no apology. Instead, you're arguing and finding excuses for your behavior," she replied, creating a charged silence between them as he steadfastly held eye contact.
"I thought after openly declaring my interest in you, you'd appreciate it and be open to making the first move," he said after a few moments of silence, deflecting her earlier criticism.
"I was busy chatting with Minwoo and Minkyu," she retorted, clearly irritated by his words, as he nodded in acknowledgment.
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"Wah, Nabi's laying it all out, and I can't decide if he's enjoying the honesty or not,"
Kyuhyun remarked, observing the recent clash between Nabi and Gwanhee.
"I'm glad she's speaking up for herself and the other girls. Plus, him trying to brush it off like nothing happened and pretending he didn't disrespect them is a major turn-off,"
declared Dahee.
"Dahee-shi, I think you might just have a little grudge against him,"
Jinkyung teased, and they all burst into laughter.
"Well, maybe I do,"
Dahee admitted amid her laughter.
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"I think we should head back; it's getting pretty late," nabi announced, rising from her couch, and he followed closely behind as they began to walk. Suddenly, his hand reached for her wrist, gently stopping her from moving farther.
"Nabi-shi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to feel that way," he apologized, their steps now synchronized as they walked side by side.
"See, it wasn't that hard," she replied with a nod, looking up at him.
"I just don't want you to get the wrong idea about me. We didn't have much time to talk, and having us argue on our first real conversation isn't what I wished for. I hoped to get to know you, and having you think poorly of me isn't my wish," he explained as they reached the women's rooms.
