Rain hammered against the umbrella as Gyeol climbed the steep stairs one step behind, looking up at the man ahead of him.
Roughly 190 centimeters? No—probably even taller.
Gyeol himself was around 180, yet his gaze barely reached the man’s shoulder line. Broad shoulders, a small head, long limbs—his proportions were so striking it made his exact height hard to judge.
Beneath a navy short-sleeved shirt patterned with white palm trees like an ink painting, thick forearms bulged with veins. Unlike his refined face, his body was brutally powerful. A dominant Alpha, unmistakably.
If he hit me once, I’d probably die.
R-Connect, filmed on a deserted island, had originally been a dating show for ordinary people. Even though Season 10 was a special edition featuring celebrities, the existing system left no space to accommodate personal managers or stylists trailing behind them.
So every participant had agreed to come without personal staff, relying instead on themselves or shared stylists provided by production.
Because of that, with multiple outfit changes per day, makeup kits, and hair tools to carry, Gyeol’s luggage was heavy despite this being only a one-night, two-day date.
Yo Han Sung carried both his own bag and Gyeol’s in one hand as he climbed the stairs. Not only did he not struggle—he looked completely at ease.
Moments like this made the natural physical gap between Alpha and Omega all too apparent, and irritation simmered faintly inside Gyeol.
“Gyeol Go, are you okay?”
As if he had read his thoughts, Yo Han Sung turned back with a light smile.
Gyeol curled his lips upward and answered calmly.
“Of course. You’re the one carrying my luggage too—I should be the one worried.”
“Watch your step. It’s slippery. Hard to tell if this is a reward or a punishment. The path to the Ivory Mansion is rough.”
We’d both rather just climb in silence.
But Yo Han Sung kept the conversation going lightly, likely conscious of the cameras following them.
Gyeol played along easily.
“Good things are usually found at higher places, right? They say the view is worth it.”
“You’ve got a great mindset.”
“You’re too kind. I’m just trying to keep up with you.”
Between their smiling faces, invisible sparks flew.
Of course, it was a silent clash only the two of them could sense. To everyone else—especially the production team trailing behind them—it looked warm and pleasant.
Date or not, Gyeol already felt exhausted. If he could, he’d ditch Yo Han Sung, climb the rest of the stairs alone, take a hot shower, stretch out, and sleep all day.
“The person I want to go on the Ivory Mansion date with is... Yo Han Sung.”
This is ridiculous.
Outwardly, he maintained a bright, lively expression. Inside, though—to hell with everything.
Naturally, not even one percent of genuine affection had influenced his decision to choose Yo Han Sung as his date.
There had to be affection for it to influence anything. To Gyeol, Yo Han Sung wasn’t just devoid of romantic feeling—he rated below zero even as a human being.
Even so, he had chosen him. It was a mix of stubborn pride and selfishness.
Part pride—refusing to look like he was running away under Yo Han Sung’s pressure.
Part selfishness—wanting to fully exploit the opportunity in front of him.
Gyeol Go was not stupid.
He had joined R-Connect Season 10 with desperation stronger than anyone else’s.
A late-entry twist—the element that shakes up a dating show—naturally receives far more attention and buzz than the rest.
And Season 10’s late-entry twist was Yo Han Sung. It was practically a cheat code for success.
Setting aside personal feelings and the unseen history between them, the narrative viewers would see—“Yo Han Sung and Gyeol Go”—was already on a perfect trajectory.
An Alpha who entered as a late-entry twist rescued the most popular Omega from danger.
That same night, the two expressed interest in each other and seemed to connect.
The next day, that Alpha declared he would hand over the hard-earned date ticket to that Omega.
When a story unfolds like this, what choice do viewers expect?
Yo Han Sung.
The answer was obvious. It was practically a textbook “Cinderella story.”
A world-class top actor at the peak of Korea’s industry, paired with an unknown former failed idol.
“We’re almost there.”
Gyeol hated Yo Han Sung. Just as Yo Han Sung openly showed his disdain for him, Gyeol hated him just as much.
But more terrifying than that were the long years of obscurity, public indifference, harsh judgment, mindless hate comments... and the crushing poverty that made it hard to even provide for the one precious child in his life.
“There’s a high step at the entrance. Want me to give you a hand?”
If he could set aside personal feelings—if he could withstand Yo Han Sung’s manipulation and pressure—
“Yes, thank you.”
If he could turn things around and use Yo Han Sung instead—
“Here, give me your hand.”
He could succeed.
He had to succeed. The extent of that desire was something even he couldn’t fully grasp.
“Your hands are...”
“Yes?”
“They’re small. And cold.”
Yo Han Sung’s large, warm hand wrapped over Gyeol’s. The heat poured into his slightly damp skin, and Gyeol curled his fingers slightly, pressing his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he endured it.
When he stepped onto the final stair, the grand Ivory Mansion revealed itself through the heavy rain.
***
The sound of pouring rain echoed beyond the closed door.
Setting down their wet umbrellas, the two entered the vast hall side by side, perfectly timed for the camera shot.
Above them, a massive chandelier gleamed brilliantly. Marble staircases curved upward along both sides of the hall in perfect symmetry.
Aged paintings hung on the walls. Plush carpets cushioned their steps. Every detail exuded classical luxury.
It was hard to believe a place like this existed in Korea.
“Wow......”
The admiration slipped out of Gyeol naturally.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It really is.”
Looking down at Gyeol’s wide eyes, Yo Han Sung let out a soft chuckle.
His smiling face was undeniably handsome—but to Gyeol, it felt like nothing more than mockery.
Turning his head quickly, pretending to examine a painting, Gyeol spoke.
“So what should we do first? Since we’re at the Ivory Mansion, we should enjoy it properly. But with the rain, the outdoor pool might be difficult.”
In truth, it wasn’t. The infinity pool on the third floor had a structure that allowed swimming even in the rain.
It was just his way of saying—I don’t want to be half-naked splashing around with you.
“Since we’re here, maybe we should look around first—”
“You’re soaked, Gyeol Go.”
Yo Han Sung stepped closer, and Gyeol’s body stiffened instinctively.
At some point, Yo Han Sung had pulled out a large towel and draped it over Gyeol’s head. The faint scent of his pheromones lingered in the fabric.
“Ah... thank you.”
Yo Han Sung himself was just as drenched. If anything, more so—he had been carrying both their bags and holding the umbrella alone.
One shoulder was completely soaked, as if he had fallen into water. Likely from taking everything in one hand near the end and helping Gyeol up the stairs.
Now I feel bad for no reason.
It bothered him. Even knowing Yo Han Sung’s care was all for show, Gyeol couldn’t shake the guilt. His nature wasn’t something that could turn cold overnight.
With a gentle touch, Yo Han Sung brushed the moisture from Gyeol’s hair. His hand slid down—to the nape of his neck, then his shoulder.
Standing alone together in the quiet hall, it felt strangely intimate. The sensation made Gyeol uneasy, and he tugged at the edge of the towel.
“You’re soaked too.”
“I’m fine.”
The towel slipped down to rest on Gyeol’s shoulders. As Yo Han Sung reached to pull it back up, his hand paused—then lightly touched Gyeol’s cheek.
The back of his hand was warm against his skin.
“You’re cold.”
For a moment, Gyeol nearly slapped his hand away.
If the cameras hadn’t been there, he would have.
Instead, he clenched the towel tightly, forcing himself to endure it.
“I-I’m fine.”
His voice came out awkward, stuttering. His cheeks flushed red with humiliation as he stepped back.
Yo Han Sung slowly withdrew his hand from the air between them.
“You should warm up first.”
“Ah, yes. That sounds good.”
It was a reasonable suggestion, so Gyeol nodded.
Seemingly pleased, Yo Han Sung smiled brightly, eyes curving into crescents.
“Then let’s start with the hot tub.”
...What?