The chapter is ready~ Hoping you lovelies enjoy it! There haven't been as many interactions lately but my Jungze heart still beats lol 

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Two hours have passed since the food has been served but the tension from before was still hanging in the air like humidity after a rain shower. Noze was pushing the sand under her feet, disliking how the feeling has clung to her and hadn’t been able to get rid of it. She glances up and sees Leejung talking to the others which she truly doesn’t mind. But on the other hand… the celebrity has been like a dull pain on Noze’s side ever since she introduced herself to them. Was she overthinking it? Didn’t it seem weird how she just pointed them out but not Gemma? The ivory-haired cat was confused but reasoned with herself that she was probably talking to Gemma first and could have just followed the woman to the grill.

 

Shaking off the budding thoughts in her head, Noze quietly leaves the chatty group, slightly unwilling due to her wild anxiety of leaving Leejung with Sarang but she was an adult. They even confirmed their feelings earlier to each other. The dancer was clearly creating more worries than she needed. She searches for Misun instead, perhaps the show veteran could put some logic into her thoughts. Stepping into the bungalow, she takes her time looking around for the blonde. “Misun? Are you here?”

 

“Over here hun”

 

Noze follows the sound of her voice and peeks into a lounging room where two other women seem to be working off the food coma from earlier. Misun sees Noze at the door and waves her over, “you were calling?”. Noze nods at her question and takes a seat on an ottoman next to her roommate.

 

“I have a question”

 

“Go on”

 

“I know this is a show basically meant to help us find our partner in life, but how do I fight off the feeling of- like this weird- it’s that feeling that is annoying and it makes you sad but you know better-”

 

“Noze"

 

“Hm?’

 

Misun places her hand on top of the other’s head, stopping her from rambling “girl relax”. When the cat-eyed woman quiet down, Misun couldn’t help but feel a little bad for her friend. “Okay from the top and take your time organizing your thoughts. What exactly are you trying to ask me?”.

 

Feeling a bit calmer Noze attempts to explain again in a whisper, “you know Sarang, the heir, so she decided to introduce herself to us but she already knew who we were and right after that, she was like flirting with Leejung. I can’t even say if that was the case though because it was so subtle that I don’t know if I’m just overthinking and making up …”.

 

Taking in all Noze’s words into consideration, Misun shakes her head “you know that sixth sense or gut feeling that people talk about when it comes to things they aren’t sure of? I’m pretty sure yours isn’t any different”. The blonde smirks and tilts her head up, “it also sounds like you’re feeling threatened~”

 

“I-I am not!”

 

“Hun, if it takes a third person to explain to you what your situation is, I’m pretty sure that’s what’s happening” she faces her body towards Noze, “you like Leejung, it’s obvious. You guys have been sticking to each other like glue since the beginning of the show. You don’t think others haven’t noticed?”.

 

The tatted woman turns pink, “we aren’t always together though…”

 

Rolling her eyes, Misun goes on “you’re an attractive woman Noze, I think you forget that. Unless society standards have drastically changed, you are sought after. Same goes for Leejung”. She points out with her finger, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Sarang thinks Leejung is attractive enough to chase after and since that lip-pieced woman is almost always attached to your hip, she will make her move even if she’s with you”.

 

The clarification was like cold water splashed in her face. Noze wanted to be told she was worrying over nothing but she couldn’t be more wrong. Misun didn’t want to stress the younger woman’s mind. Unfortunately, that’s what the show is fueled on; romance, drama, and psychological strength. The blonde knew too well from her past experience on the show. It was better she told her new friend instead of Noze having to find out through heartache. 

 

Letting out a sigh Misun throws out an idea, “how about you pull her away from the group? You are allowed to do so. Maybe it'll help you feel more secure about your connection with Leejung if it bugs you so much”.

 

“I guess I could. Wouldn’t that make it obvious that we’re talking?”

 

Misun waves away Noze’s words and gives a smug smile, “an even better reason to take her away. Let them know you aren’t someone to mess with~”.

 

Ending their conversation on a more positive note, Noze has gained a bit of her confidence back and mulls over the roughly set-up plan they talked about. Misun was right. If Noze doesn’t want anyone taking away Leejung from her, she has to be more upfront.

 

Coming back outside, the WayB leader scouts around the place to find her crush but doesn’t see her anywhere. “Everything okay Noze?”

 

Taking a second to calm herself, the dancer turns to face the one person she doesn’t want to see “hi Sarang, yeah everything is fine.”

 

“You sure?” the fox-like woman inquires, “you look like you’re trying to find something or…” Sarang grins, “maybe someone?”

 

If looks could kill right now, Noze would have murdered the heir 6 times by now. She replies with a clear voice, “I am actually” she sizes the celebrity up.

 

“Oh, maybe I can help”

 

“No its fine”, Noze’s eyes focus on a figure behind Sarang, and takes a step forward. While passing her, she quips while looking straight ahead, “I found her~”. Not waiting for her to reply, Noze makes her way to Leejung with a fire burning behind her eyes. “Leejung do you wanna take a walk?”

 

“Yeah sure let me just-” stopping her sentence abruptly at the sight of a competitive-looking Noze. 

 

“…” she curses under her breath. Who pissed her off? This made the younger’s stomach flip. Mad and hot is not a good combo for Leejung right now. “You good?”

 

Noze smiles coyly “I’m great”, intertwining their hands together which shocks the shorter of the two “come on, let's go”.

 

Leejung blindly follows Noze like a lost puppy away from the bungalow and onto the beach, leaving a stunned Sarang behind. Leejung’s mind felt like it was on autopilot and hasn’t processed the input commands that Noze logged. The walk for 5 minutes was just silence. The red-lipped woman couldn’t muster up words, thinking if she did something that upset her.

 

Noze stopped walking, making Leejung bump into her by accident, “Oh ! Sorry!”

 

“Huh- ah! No no, it’s fine! Sorry… I stopped without saying anything…” the cat-eyed woman weakly adds on, “ and I kinda just kidnapped you randomly”

 

Leejung snickers at the 180 attitude switch and squeezes their hands together, “it’s okay I don’t mind when it’s you”.

 

“You’re such a flirt”

 

“You’re not any better, you dragged me away from the group”

 

“But you followed without complaints”

 

Leejung couldn’t say anything to that when she could have just declined the offer.

 

The two stay in silence after that and feel the bubble of awkwardness settle between them. Leejung focuses on their hands and becomes hyper-aware of how their hands fit perfectly in each other. The way Noze’s hand is slender and as soft as a baby’s bottom. How her fingertips are a tad bit colder compared to the warmth in her palm. Leejung knows she doesn’t feel like letting go.

 

But the universe had to disagree with her as Noze pulls away and walks to the shore where the waves lap over in a cycle that would never end. “You don’t mind right?”

 

Leejung’s face contorts in confusion, “Mind what?”, she makes her way over to Noze at the water’s edge. The shorter woman holds a smile as she remembers Misun talking to her about how Leejung is practically attached to her hip.

 

Digging her heel into the sand Noze replies lightheartedly, “You don’t mind if I steal you away from the others? That I made it obvious I want your time and attention?”

 

That was not what the YGX leader of expecting to hear. Sure they talked about the plan and even about their feelings but the actual emotions that would start popping up during the plan flew over Leejung’s head. “Are you really that worried?” she lowers her posture to see the other women’s reaction. A smug grin grows on Leejung’s face, “what you don’t want to look like a simp?”

 

“What!?”

 

Noze’s outburst sends Leejung into a fit of cackles. Feeling annoyed by the lack of seriousness from her secret partner in crime, the tatted woman decided to get back at her.

 

“Ahck!” a slap of saltwater to Leejung’s face makes her sputter nonsense as she wipes her face, “HEY! What was that for- AHCK! YAH!”.

 

With the tables turned, it was Noze’s time to laugh at the now-drenched head-to-toe tiger. The water had no mercy on the shorter woman as it made Leejung’s clothes cling on to her body in the most interesting ways. Calming down from her laughter, Noze gets a better look and hushes down even quicker as she sees a very compromised-looking Leejung. Wait, wasn't this supposed to be revenge? Why are my cheeks feeling warm? The short circuit in her brain allows Leejung to scoop her arms into the water and splash a defenseless Noze. Shrieks erupt from the pair and an all-out water fight breaks between them. Water flies everywhere as hands waves around. 

 

“Stop!” Noze screams in laughter.

 

“You started it! You stop!” 

 

The fight doesn’t stop until 10 minutes later with both women tired out from their water fight. There’s no winner when both are barely able to throw their hands to make splashes. Calling it quits on their sudden battle, the women waddle back to shore. “Wait for meee” Noze whines, “you’re going too fast!”
 

“No, hurry your up, the water is getting cold” Leejung teases.

 

The lack of consideration makes Noze huff and tries to quicken her steps, “I’m tryi- Ah!”

 

SPLASH

 

Noze grunts. She definitely stubbed her toe. that hurt. I think I scraped my palm too. She pushes her upper body up. The sound of water dripping from her clothes makes them feel even heavier.

 

“, hold on. Don’t move so fast…”

 

Noze opens her eyes more and finds herself on top and tangled with Leejung. The poor woman broke half her fall and has become a groaning hot mess under her. Wait, no. She didn’t mean it was hot. Leejung’s just- Noze stares. There were water droplets speckled on her like glitter. Strands of Leejung’s hair have stuck onto the exposed parts of her fair skin. Noze’s eyes couldn’t help but follow the little cute swirls, seeing where they would end up. Some at the neck, some fell off the shoulder, and some were dangerously close to her cleavage.

 

“My eyes are up here if you're done staring~” If Noze’s eyes snapped up any faster, she could have been considered the Flash. “Do you like what you see?” Leejung’s famous smug grin plays on her lips, “we just started getting to know each other but you want VIP access already?~”. Noze can feel her face turn redder by the millisecond. If there’s a god up there, please! HELP ME! 

 

“I- I was just-”

 

“Checking me out?”

 

Noze doesn’t dare utter another word, sure she could just deny that, but there was no way that was going to justify her gawking at the sight she just mentally drowned herself in.

 

Still smirking at the now quiet Noze on top of her, she feels a sense of silly pride after knowing her effects on the older woman. Her back is still in pain, but that can wait. Ever so slowly, Leejung moves the both of them into an upright sitting position, while Noze was moved to straddle her lap. What a familiar position indeed. She takes her hand and softly caresses the WayB leader’s cheek, thumbing affectionately. Not wanting to scare off the smaller woman, Leejung guides Noze to look at her and softens her gaze, “tell me to stop if it’s too much…”

 

Dazed, Noze could only make a confused sound that was just over a whisper. The feelings Leejung has stirred in her stomach couldn’t be held back for much longer. With a gentle touch on Noze’s hips, the young woman presses tender kisses along Noze’s neck. A buzz of electricity spreads throughout Noze’s body, making her let out a shaky sigh. Only one word goes through their heads.

 

 

Leejung languidly places more kisses on her muse's neck. In return Noze tilts her head up, giving more access to the affection-hungry woman under her. The two were lost in their world, the ocean was muted, the other contestants didn’t exist, and as far as the pair was concerned the show they were on wasn’t even running. Leejung pushes her head deeper into the base of Noze’s neck, teeth nibbling desperately as if she was trying to fulfill an unattainable craving. 

 

“Lee-...” moans, “Leejung…” Noze whimpers. The owner of the said name was too busy making her current favorite place pink. away at the supple flesh and peppers more kisses up to Noze’s jawline. More mews escape from her lips, but Noze needed to get a hold on her very much invested date. “Leejung… we have to stop now…” An unhappy groan replies, making Noze feel a little bad for having to stop the wonderful thing that was happening between them. But if she doesn’t it might turn into something more than she can do right now “Please?”

 

The lip-pierced woman finally stops, but not before giving a few more longing kisses on Noze’s neck. If she wanted her to stop, she’s gonna make her wish she didn’t ask. Seeing a frustrated Noze leaves Leejung satisfied and ends her torment.

 

Self-control was a curse and a blessing for them, but for now, they had to be patient. If they jump the gun now, they might make themselves suspicious. Aunt Yena warned them, even if it seems too cautious, they need to stay in line with their goal. 

 

FLASHBACK

 

“In this world, you need to have a partner by a certain age group. You two seem to fit the bill, and by the looks of it, you will be sought after frequently.” The women blush at the compliment and thanked for the statement. “Now the reason why I say this is because there is a public event that takes place and its purpose is to help those who need a partner, find a partner. At the end of each event, the pairs are portaled away to who knows where because they are designed to send you off where it fits you best. Those who I have housed before and successfully portal, I never hear from again. Those who have portaled with a person here, usually make this world their home.”

 

Leejung scratches her head and gives an unsure face, “this sounds really complicated…”

 

“Oh I know dear, but this is the plan with the best success rate if you want to go back to your own world.” 

 

Noze pipes in, “so me and Leejung will just need to attend this event and it’s a chance to get back?”

 

“Yes, precisely. You will have to be unassociated individuals for this to work. If they find out you’re working together, you’re out and leaving with a zero chance of returning home.”

 

END OF FLASHBACK

 

The pair have been gone for about an hour now and decided it was probably better to head back before it gets too dark. They dust themselves off and get rid of the sand stuck to their clothes. Arriving back at the bungalow Leejung and Noze saw other potential couples coming back as well. Leejung’s eyes catch sight of something that makes her grin, “I guess we weren’t the only ones that had the same idea” and catch the sight of Misun walking with another woman. 

 

As the group settles around the bonfire to end the night Misun, Noze, and Leejung gathered together further toward the back. “Where did you guys go?” Misun huddles in her camping chair “I asked around but some said you guys just left in a hurry”.

 

The other two laugh awkwardly as the oldest raises a brow at them suspiciously. Noze clears “we just took a walk around the beach and got to know each other”. 

 

“That’s all? That’s all you took from our conversation~?”

 

“Huh?” Leejung looks back and forth between the two, “did you guys talk about something?”

 

“Oh yeah~ Noze was looking for me and-”

 

“And!” the said woman frantically cuts into the conversation, “Aaaand I was just curious about how she felt about being on the group date!”. It wasn’t the best save Noze could have done, but Leejung got the hint that maybe she shouldn’t push too much on the topic. Whatever it was Noze could tell Leejung on her own time.

 

The night air and crackling fire brought the merry group of contestants into a peaceful silence. The adrenaline that everyone felt prior had disappeared and a wave of calmness had enshrouded the entire cast. Noze’s eyes droop in a sleepy manner and find their way to Leejung who was babysitting a marshmallow over the fire. A giggle quietly escapes her lips as she watches the girl who took her heart fan the now burnt marshmallow on a stick. 

 

 “Oh I almost forgot” Noze excuses herself from Misun and comes back with beers in her hands, “Jung-ah come over here”.

 

The nickname slipped out of the WayB leader’s lips and acts casual about it but she can see Leejung wasn’t the only one to notice. Thankfully she was saved by Misun who sat up from her comfortable position.

 

“Beer?” Misun takes her share and pops it open as Leejung scampers over in a happy mood. Was it because of the beer or the nickname Noze wonders?

 

“We promised Simone and Cara our first drink would go to them”

 

Leejung eagerly opens her can and plops down next to Noze, wiggling happily “come on~ let’s do a cheer!”.

 

Misun chuckles and extends her drink outward, “to Simone and Cara, to us, and to finding our happiness!”.  The trio cheers merrily, clanking the beer cans together, and takes a swig. Satisfied sighs were shared as the group settle in their seats. Leejung and Noze took tonight as a time to rest before things get hectic again.