Before going to sleep, Gyeol headed to the mailbox to check the Day 3 favorability results.
It had been an unusually long, eventful day. His eyelids kept drooping from exhaustion. He’d signed up for a dating show—so why did it feel like he was filming a solo survival program?
Let’s check quickly and pass out. I’ll deal with tomorrow when it comes.
Keeping his expression calm, Gyeol approached the mailbox.
You’d think I’d be used to this by now... but I’m still not.
He let out a short breath and grabbed the handle.
Creak.
The hinge made an unusually loud noise today.
At a glance, the cards were piled high.
If this had been yesterday, he would’ve felt relieved, thinking things were going exactly according to his plan.
But now—
It was different.
These choices piling up on him weren’t welcome.
They were unsettling.
“Have you really... only been thinking about me?”
This was all because of Yo Han Sung.
What the hell was his problem?
“...I did wonder who the late-entry twist would be.”
“Hmm. So you were thinking about me after all.”
“I never imagined it would be you, Yo Han Sung.”
“So. What about now?”
Was it some cheap sense of righteousness because he was “protecting” Gyeol’s secret about Yuli?
Or resentment—that a failed idol dared to try acting?
“From now on... do you think you’ll only think about me?”
Or was it... simply Gyeol himself?
“I’ll... think about it.”
He didn’t like how he’d responded—like an idiot the whole time—while Yo Han threw those insane curveballs at him.
He’d fallen for his own assumption that the cameras would keep things safe.
There were four cards.
Should I be grateful it’s not five... or not?
Thud.
Gyeol lightly knocked his forehead against the mailbox, trying to steady himself.
Yo Han had openly said he sent cards—so one from him.
And Sun Choi, who had practically declared he’d go all-in on him—that made two.
Then the remaining two...
I was worried about you. Really worried.
He knew that handwriting.
Jun Shin.
Maybe that bastard didn’t understand the concept of this show at all.
Maybe he thought it was something like a reunion dating show—where exes got paired back together.
Keeping his face blank, Gyeol folded the card, scoffing inwardly.
Worried?
Sure—maybe about the moment Gyeol fell into the sea.
But hearing it from Jun—
It stirred nothing but a burning sense of betrayal.
If he’d been the kind of person who had any right to worry about Gyeol—
Then eight years ago, he shouldn’t have abandoned the group.
Pressing his tongue against the inside of his upper teeth, Gyeol unfolded the next card.
Every day is fun and happy because of you, Gyeol. I want to make you happy too. I sincerely hope you never find yourself in danger or get hurt again...
Neat, carefully written handwriting.
Sun Choi.
Something warm spread through Gyeol’s chest.
I was really scared today, but I’m glad you’re okay. I want to go on a date with you too! Take care of your health!
“...Pfft.”
A small laugh escaped him when he saw the potato doodle in the corner, crying its eyes out.
That’s cute. Making me laugh even now.
He brushed his thumb over the drawing.
Yeah... if I get the chance, maybe I should go on a date with Tommy tomorrow.
Out of everyone, Tommy felt the easiest—no pressure, no complications. Just... cute.
After the pheromone matching, it seemed like Tommy had gotten closer to Hee Jun Kang. Gyeol had assumed he wouldn’t pick him again.
Thinking of Tommy’s bright, almost childlike smile, Gyeol laughed softly once more.
Now—
Only one card remained.
And since it had already been foreshadowed—
He already knew who it was from.
You’ll end up choosing me in the end.
Yo Han Sung.
***
—Pheromone Island, Day 4.
—Today, the postponed Ivory Mansion date will take place.
The sky was gray and heavy.
The bright blue from yesterday felt like a lie as harsh sea winds whipped through their hair and clothes.
“Looks like it might rain... The ones going to the Ivory Mansion are lucky.”
Isu Yoon muttered to himself.
Gyeol didn’t respond.
The Ivory Mansion date.
It was practically the core system of R-Connect.
A luxurious, six-star hotel-level mansion where two people spent an entire night alone.
The opportunity was rare—and the conditions strict.
Unless someone was truly popular, they often wouldn’t even set foot inside.
Which meant—
Going to the Ivory Mansion was proof you were one of the season’s stars.
For Gyeol, it was essential.
A necessary step toward becoming the main character of Season 10.
Clips of former contestants talking about how incredible their Ivory Mansion dates were regularly pulled in hundreds of thousands—sometimes over a million—views.
Gyeol had dreamed of it even before coming to Pheromone Island.
But now—
Not anymore.
—Yesterday’s Alpha Death Save Match winner, Yo Han Sung, has secured the Ivory Mansion date ticket.
If the partner was Yo Han—
He’d rather never go at all.
—Yo Han Sung, who will you choose for your date?
The Omegas standing side by side tensed slightly.
They straightened up, smiling brightly.
The late-entry twist—Yo Han Sung’s presence—was overwhelming.
Gyeol couldn’t fully grasp how the previous dynamics had been flowing.
But during last night’s Truth Game, aside from Isu Yoon—who was clearly focused on Jun Shin—the other two Omegas had openly shown interest in Yo Han.
Especially Jaekyung Park.
From the beginning, he’d stayed close to Yo Han—and even directly asked, “What do you think of me?” during the game.
...So maybe it won’t be me.
It was closer to a wish than a thought.
Gyeol desperately hoped Yo Han wouldn’t choose him.
Spending a night alone with Yo Han—
Just imagining it made his breath hitch.
And that fifth pheromone...
The one that had reduced him to a mess in the booth.
He was almost certain it belonged to Yo Han.
There was no way he wanted to be trapped in an enclosed space with him.
Yo Han knew how he’d reacted.
Who knew what he might do with that?
Deliberately release pheromones—
Push him until he lost control—
Humiliate him.
The tension tightened around everyone.
Then Yo Han raised a hand gently and spoke.
“I have a question.”
—Go ahead.
It wasn’t something just anyone could do.
At the exact moment he was supposed to choose his date—he asked a question instead.
Some of the cast couldn’t hide their surprise.
Yo Han smiled slightly.
“The date ticket I won—can I transfer it?”
Murmurs rippled through both cast and staff.
Transfer it?
That wasn’t something that happened on a dating show.
Normally, people fought for even a single chance at a date.
Especially on R-Connect, where opportunities were scarce.
And the Ivory Mansion date?
It was the most coveted of all.
And yet—
He was offering to give it away.
Yo Han Sung.
The late-entry twist who had just dominated the competition.
“Please wait while we discuss.”
Producer Yoo and the staff went into an emergency meeting.
They couldn’t make it look like they were catering to a contestant’s whim.
They needed to maintain the show’s principles.
Yo Han was already impactful enough—this would give him even more spotlight.
Opinions clashed—
Until Producer Yoo spoke.
“If it’s entertaining, that’s all that matters.”
She removed her sunglasses, her tone firm.
“Principles, whims—who gives a damn? You’ve all worked on this show long enough. Have you lost your instincts?”
“But if we let him transfer it... what if the result is dull?”
“No.”
If it was Yo Han—
He would take this show to the top.
“Allow it. Let him transfer it.”
Soon, the cast was gathered again.
Standing in a line, their expressions were a mix of anticipation and shock.
Gyeol struggled to suppress the unease tightening inside him.
Then the announcement came.
—Yo Han Sung, the transfer of the date ticket is permitted.
Drip.
Fine rain began to fall.
Under the heavy sky and restless sea—like everything might collapse and swallow them whole—
Yo Han smiled.
Radiant.
As if he carried his own light even without sunlight.
Too perfect.
Too distant.
Too untouchable.
“I’ll transfer the date ticket to Gyeol Go.”
With a saintly expression—
Yo Han completely seized Gyeol—and shook his entire world.