Bae Dahye didn't believe in love anymore.
Not because she had never experienced it.
But because every time she did…
It expired.
At 26, Dahye had been in eight relationships.
All with women.
All real.
All serious.
All doomed.
Her longest relationship lasted three months.
Her shortest?
Six days.
She still remembered that one clearly.
Day 1: "You're different."
Day 3: "I really like you."
Day 6: "Let's break up."
Dahye didn't even cry.
She just stared at her phone and muttered,
"…At least switch the script."
There was always a pattern.
Week one? Perfect.
Week two? Slight distance.
One month? Fewer messages.
Two months? "I've been thinking…"
Three months?
"Let's break up."
Same tone.
Same awkward pause.
Same gentle voice like they were doing her a favor.
At some point, Dahye stopped asking why.
Because the answer didn't matter anymore.
"You look like a ghost."
Dahye slowly lifted her eyes.
Across from her sat Cho Yuna, eating comfortably like life was simple and relationships lasted longer than a carton of milk.
"I feel like one," Dahye replied flatly.
"That bad?"
"My last girlfriend broke up with me while recommending a restaurant."
Yuna paused mid-bite.
"…What?"
"She said, 'You should try the kimchi there, it's really good,' then immediately followed it with 'let's break up.'"
Yuna blinked.
"…That's actually insane."
"I know."
Dahye leaned back, arms crossed.
"I'm done."
"With what?"
"Love."
Yuna almost dropped her fork.
"Be serious."
"I am serious."
"No more dating. No more feelings. No more 'let's break up.' I'm retiring."
"At 26?!"
"Yes."
"You're acting like you're 80!"
"At least 80-year-olds have longer relationships than me."
Yuna stared at her for a moment.
Then slowly leaned forward.
"…What if I told you there's a way to fix that?"
Dahye didn't even look at her.
"There isn't."
"There is."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Dahye sighed, already tired.
"…What is it this time?"
Yuna grinned.
"A dating show."
Silence.
Yuna quickly added—
"It's not a joke! I heard that any couple that comes out of that show lasts long."
Dahye slowly turned her head.
"Really?" she said, clapping slowly. "Okay. Okay. Let them be deceiving you."
"I'm serious!"
"Yeah, sure," Dahye waved her off lazily. "And I'm sure those people are already couples before entering."
"No, they're not!"
"Yes, they are."
"No, they're not!"
"Yes, they are."
Yuna groaned.
"You're impossible."
"And you're gullible."
"Really?"
A third voice joined in.
Both of them turned.
Kwon Nari had just arrived, dropping her bag as she slid into the seat beside them.
"Which show?" she asked, curious.
Yuna immediately perked up.
"Wait, I'll show you."
She grabbed her phone and opened the site.
"Here—look."
Nari leaned in, her eyes scanning quickly.
Then—
Her expression shifted slightly.
"Oh…"
"What?" Dahye asked, uninterested.
"This one is actually popular," Nari said. "I've heard about it."
Dahye rolled her eyes.
"Of course you have."
Nari ignored her.
"Show me properly."
Yuna scrolled.
"It has three categories," she explained. "Straight, boys love, and girls love—"
Before she could finish—
Nari took the phone from her hand.
"Let me see."
Her fingers moved quickly.
Tap.
Scroll.
Tap.
Her eyes sharpened.
Then—
A slow smile formed on her lips.
"…Interesting."
Yuna blinked.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Dahye didn't even bother looking.
"Apply for it if you want," she muttered. "I'm not doing that."
Nari said nothing.
Instead—
She quietly started filling out the form.
Name.
Age.
Preferences.
Without hesitation.
Without asking.
Without permission.
Click.
Submit.
Done.
She placed the phone back into Yuna's hand like nothing happened.
"Here."
Yuna looked down.
Then froze.
"…Wait."
Her eyes widened.
"You applied."
Dahye turned slowly.
"…You what?"
Nari leaned back casually.
"For you."
Silence.
Dahye stared at her.
"…For me?"
"Yes."
Dahye stood up.
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
"You're dead."
Nari laughed.
"Relax. It's just an application."
"I said I'm done with love!"
"And I said you're dramatic."
Yuna quickly looked at the screen again.
"…Wait, what category did you pick?"
Dahye froze.
Slowly turned.
"…What category did you pick?"
Nari rested her chin on her hand, completely relaxed.
A small, knowing smile playing on her lips.
"The one that suits you."
Dahye narrowed her eyes.
"…Nari."
"Yes?"
"…What did you pick?"
Nari didn't answer.
But the look on her face said everything.
And somehow—
For the first time in a long while—
Dahye felt something unfamiliar.
Not hope.
Not excitement.
But something far more dangerous.
Trouble. 😏🔥