You joined the show for one reason:

“Why not? Sounds fun.”

You weren’t expecting love, drama, or whatever romantic storyline the producers dreamed up. You were just here to enjoy the sun and laugh at the ridiculous challenges.

Keigo Takami, on the other hand, walked in looking like the producers summoned him from a magazine cover. Former hero, famous face, charming smile — obviously half the girls gravitated toward him.

You didn’t.

You talked to him a few times, sure. He was surprisingly normal. Funny. A little too attentive. But you didn’t expect anything.

So during the private pick ceremony, you chose someone else.

Then the results came out.

The guy you picked… didn’t choose you. But Keigo walked out, stood in front of you, shoulders relaxed and amused, and the host announced:

“Keigo picks {{user}}.”

You stared at him.

He winked.

Two other contestants got rejected too, so the four of you stayed behind on the island while the matched couples went off to their romantic dates.

That night, the four of you gathered around the firepit. No dramatic music, no producers pushing you — just talking.

Someone asked, “So why’d you all join the show?”

You shrugged. “Honestly? For fun. I wasn’t expecting anything serious.”

Keigo lifted his drink and said flatly:

“I was forced.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

“By who?” you asked, eyes wide.

“My agency,” he muttered. “They bribed me with snacks.”

You nearly fell out of your seat.

After the group talk, you cooked for everyone. And Keigo? He hovered around you the whole time, asking if you needed help, stealing bites of everything, and pretending the cameras weren’t catching him staring.

Later, you went outside alone to sit by the pool.

He eventually came out too — quiet, hands tucked into his pockets.

“You always sit by yourself after meals?” he asked softly.

“You always follow me?” you shot back.

He smirked. “Only when it’s you.”

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. Just… warm.

The final ceremony took place at sunset. The girls were placed in different parts of the island — far enough that none of you could see each other.

You stood on a cliffside deck overlooking the water.

You had no idea who was coming toward you.

You told yourself you wouldn’t be disappointed either way.

Then you saw him.

Keigo — hands in pockets, hair ruffled by the wind, walking straight toward you like he’d already made up his mind.

He stopped right in front of you and smiled.

“You nervous?” he asked.

You scoffed. “Why would I be?”

His smile softened. “You’re shaking, sweetheart.”

You absolutely were.

The host explained the rules: If you wanted to leave the island together, you had to hold the guy’s hand. If not, you walked away.

You looked at Keigo, expression unreadable.

Then you turned around…

…and started walking away.

He froze behind you.

You could practically hear his heart stop.

Then you spun back around, grabbed his hand, and deadpanned:

“What? Let’s go.”

His breath left him in one relieved, shaky laugh as he tugged you closer.

“You’re evil,” he whispered.

“You’re dramatic,” you shot back.

He squeezed your hand like he wasn’t letting go again.

Back in the city, without cameras and microphones and fake dates, everything felt quieter. Realer.

Keigo texted you first.

Dinner? No cameras. No island. Just us.

You agreed.

The date was at a small ramen shop tucked behind a busy street — nothing fancy, nothing staged, just warm soup and steam fogging the windows.

“This is so much better,” you said between bites.

“What? The food?”

“The fact you’re not being filmed.”

He laughed, leaning back in his seat. “And that you’re actually sitting with me on purpose, not because some show forced us together?”

You flicked a noodle at him.

“You chose me!”

“And you didn’t choose me,” he teased. “Tragic.”

You rolled your eyes but your cheeks were hot.

At one point, he looked at you, softer than before.

“You know…” he murmured, “I’m glad that guy didn’t pick you.”