"First game—Balloon Pop Showdown!" the host shouted with barely concealed glee.
Aster raised a brow. "What kind of game is this?"
Minji let out a shy laugh as the staff rolled out rows of chairs with balloons taped to each. "You sit on them and pop them. While your partner... holds them steady."
A beat.
Aster's eye twitched. "Right."
"Time to get real close, folks!" the host said, practically vibrating with excitement. "Couples, take your positions. Let's see if chemistry equals explosive results!"
Aster sit on the chair. Minji, blushing but game, carefully backed into his lap, hovering over the balloon on Aster's lap.
"Go!" the whistle blew.
Minji plopped down with force—pop.
"One down!"
Aster coughed. "We're not doing that again without dinner first."
Minji choked on a laugh and kept going.
Three balloons in, the crowd was in hysterics. Aster's deadpan quips, Minji's increasingly breathless giggles, and their ridiculous coordination quickly earned them the highest score.
When the round ended, the host declared them the winners. "Team Minsters takes the first point! Their... connection is undeniable!"
Aster rolled his eyes good-naturedly and helped Minji off his lap, waving at the cameras as the audience hooted.
Backstage, far away in a building with an expensive espresso machine and a disturbingly silent assistant...
Adrian's Office
Adrian stared at the footage on his phone. Minji was still blushing as she wiped sweat from Aster's temple. The screen froze on Aster's faint smile.
Jace walked in, sipping his drink. "You know, that smile is getting dangerous. Netizens are frothing over it. How do they say it?" He laugh. "'The Ship is Sailing'?"
Adrian didn't answer.
He simply reached for his calendar and said to his assistant, "Clear my Friday next week."
Jace tilted his head. "Why?"
"There's a cooking variety special next weekend. Sign me and Aster up."
Jace choked. "You? On a domestic reality show? You're going to appear on air?"
Adrian's gaze didn't shift. "The nation wants a ship. Let's give them one."
"...You're going to sink this low?"
Adrian smirked. "With a flaming soufflé and a pan-seared kiss, yes."
Back at the Studio
"Round two!" the host announced. "Time for the Couple Obstacle Course!"
Aster exhaled dramatically. "I think I'm being punished for something."
"You must carry your partner through the course without letting them touch the ground! And this time, in Bridal Carry!" the host explained, gesturing at the inflatable chaos. "Bridges! Foam walls! Ball pits! Oh my!"
Minji stared up at Aster. "Ready?"
He gave her a lazy grin. "If I collapse halfway, just call my agent."
He scooped her up, bridal style, with startling ease, and the whistle blew.
The crowd screamed as Aster took off. He dodged low foam beams, hopped into a pit of squishy rubber balls, and ducked under inflatable arches—all while holding Minji like she weighed nothing.
"Are you serious?" one of the other contestants gasped, tripping behind them.
"Built different," someone muttered from the sidelines.
They reached the final stretch. Aster nearly stumbled at the last jump but managed to right himself just as Minji yelped, her arms flung around his neck.
"Nice save," she panted.
"I told you—sports drinks sponsors. Anytime."
They crossed the finish line, victorious once again.
The host looked like he was about to burst. "Unbelievable! That strength! That stamina! Team Minsters, are you secretly dating?!"
Minji blushed.
Aster smiled for the camera.
The internet exploded.
Later That Night
The trending tag #MinstersCoupleOfTheYear shot up in search rankings.
Clips of Aster carrying Minji like a prince circulated with filters, sparkles, and fan edits. The comments ranged from innocent excitement to speculative matchmaking.
And in the privacy of his living room, Adrian stared at one such clip with an unreadable expression.
He swiped to another screen and opened a group chat.
Adrian:
Schedule confirmed.
Make sure the kitchen set looks visually expensive.
I want the lighting soft. Something romantic.
And prep the PR rollout. No hashtags about Minster next week. Only one ship will sail.