52: Chapter 52: Which girl is your favorite?

At dusk, on a private beach in Aewol-eup, Jeju Island. The hustle and bustle of the day and the rhythm of the waves seemed to slow down. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the skyline in a brilliant mix of golden red and orange-purple, blending with the deepening azure of the sea, creating a breathtaking view.

The sea breeze was significantly stronger than in the afternoon, carrying a salty, damp scent. It whipped up the fine white sand and fanned the bonfire that had just been lit on the beach. The orange-red flames danced, occasionally emitting a faint "crackle."

The staff at the Villa had already set up barbecue grills, long dining tables, and comfortable beach chairs on the wooden terrace by the beach.

Fresh Jeju Island black pork, premium steaks, plump sea prawns, scallops, abalone, and various vegetables were neatly arranged on a dining table covered with crushed ice. There was a wide array of drinks, from chilled beer and sake to various fruit juices and soft drinks, all readily available.

The girls had changed into comfortable vacation attire, wearing light cardigans or shirts over their swimwear. Barefoot, they stepped on the cool, fine sand. Their laughter intertwined with the sound of the waves and the crackling of the bonfire, forming a vibrant picture of youth at dusk on the island.

Park Hyomin wore an eye-catching red bikini, with Song Tianhao's white shirt loosely draped over it. The shirt was far too big for her, with the hem almost covering her thighs, adding a touch of casual allure.

She had volunteered to take over the main grill, holding tongs and attempting to flip a row of prawns that were already showing signs of charring. Instead, she was choked by a sudden burst of thick smoke, coughing repeatedly until tears streamed down her face. Her flustered state made Im Yoona and Kwon Yuri, who were nearby, burst into laughter.

"Hey! What's wrong with this fire! The prawns are sticking!" Park Hyomin wiped away the tears caused by the smoke, poking the grill with her tongs in frustration.

A hand with distinct knuckles and slender fingers reached over from the side, naturally taking the somewhat hot metal tongs from her.

"Let me do it." Song Tianhao's voice sounded above her, calm and steady.

Park Hyomin looked up, seeing through teary eyes that Song Tianhao had appeared beside her at some point. He had changed out of his daytime suit into a simple dark gray cotton T-shirt and khaki casual pants, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his sturdy forearms.

He took the tongs, skillfully moved the charred prawns to the side, and cleaned the grill with a brush. Then, he calmly placed new, marinated steaks and sea prawns onto the grill, his movements practiced and his control of the heat just right.

Soon, the enticing aroma of fat and the sizzling sound of roasting food replaced the previous burnt smell.

"Oppa, you know how to barbecue too?" Park Hyomin blinked in surprise, her face still tear-stained, but she was already smiling. She leaned in closer, brushing against his arm without hesitation, watching him work.

"I learned it back when I was on set for outdoor filming," Song Tianhao replied briefly, his gaze focused on the grill. His profile looked exceptionally sharp under the flickering firelight, and the sea breeze blew through his slightly damp hair on his forehead.

Park Hyomin watched his focused profile, her heart skipping a beat for no reason. She secretly took out her phone, pretending to take a selfie, but actually adjusted the angle to capture Song Tianhao with his head slightly bowed, grilling meat, his profile illuminated by the firelight.

In the photo, his expression was focused, and there seemed to be a hint of relaxation at the corners of his mouth—a completely different person from the calm and distant President she saw on ordinary days. She quickly saved the photo into an encrypted album, labeling it "Jeju Island Fireworks."

Not far away, on a double beach chair, Park So-yeon and Kim Taeyeon sat side by side, each holding a can of chilled beer. Park So-yeon had changed into a conservative black one-piece swimsuit, covered with a loose light gray knitted cardigan.

Kim Taeyeon was wearing a simple white T-shirt and denim shorts. The two watched the sunset gradually sink into the twilight over the sea, chatting intermittently.

"Is your mother recovering well?" Kim Taeyeon took a sip of beer and asked softly. She knew about the surgery for Park So-yeon's mother.

"Yes, much better, thank you." Park So-yeon nodded, her tone much softer than before. "The doctor said to observe for a while longer, and once it's stable, she can be discharged to rest at home. It's all thanks to Song Tianhao's arrangements."

"Song Tianhao... he is always so thoughtful." Kim Taeyeon's gaze seemed to inadvertently sweep over the tall figure by the grill, then quickly retracted. Her tone held a hint of complexity. "How is T-ara's new song coming along? I heard there will be a change in style?"

"We are still in the selection phase. Song Tianhao and the producers gave us a few directions—leaning towards electronic and retro—we're still experimenting." Park So-yeon also took a sip of her drink, the icy liquid sliding down her throat. "What about you guys? Now that the promotion period for 'Genie' is over, what are your next plans?"

"We have some variety show and radio schedules, and then we'll be preparing the concept for the next mini-album." Kim Taeyeon smiled and looked at Park So-yeon. "Sometimes I really envy you guys; it seems Song Tianhao is more deeply involved in T-ara's musical direction."

Park So-yeon could tell there was no malice in her words, more like a casual remark, so she smiled. "Perhaps it's because we have less of a foundation, so he needs to put more effort into us. Girls Generation has already proven itself and can have more autonomy."

The two looked at each other and smiled. A subtle resonance—both being leaders, both carrying pressure, and both harboring complex feelings for that man—flowed quietly amidst the cold beer and the thickening twilight.

Although they both knew well that there might be some relationship between the other and the President that transcended superior and subordinate, at this moment, on this beach far from the hustle and bustle of Seoul, they chose to temporarily set aside those subtle competitions and awkwardness, enjoying this moment of tranquility that belonged to "peers" and "sisters."

However, tranquility is always short-lived.

"Hey! This is so boring! What's the point of just eating and drinking!"

Im Yoona appeared from nowhere, holding a half-eaten roasted corn cob. Her large eyes darted around, scanning everyone present, and a mischievous smile appeared on her face. "Let's play a game! Truth or Dare! How about it? Do you dare?"

"Im Yoona! You're always causing trouble!" Jessica Jung, who was quietly eating a grilled scallop, immediately looked up, her cool, pretty face filled with disapproval as she glared at her. In this setting, especially with the President present, playing a game prone to causing issues was, in her view, truly unwise.

"Let's play, let's play! Jessica Jung unnie! Anyway, there are no outsiders! Song Tianhao will join too!" Im Yoona wasn't afraid; she ran over, grabbed Jessica Jung's arm, and shook it coaxingly, while her eyes darted towards Song Tianhao, filled with provocation and anticipation. "Song Tianhao~ You wouldn't be afraid to play, would you?"

For a moment, everyone's gaze focused over, filled with curiosity, excitement, and a little trepidation.

On the beach, by the bonfire, playing Truth or Dare was certainly atmospheric. But with the President as the target... that made it exciting.

Song Tianhao had just distributed a batch of grilled meat onto plates. Hearing this, he looked up, his gaze calmly sweeping over the mischievous Im Yoona, and then looked at the other members who were either expectant or nervous.

There was no expression on his face; he just said indifferently, "Whatever."

"Yay! Song Tianhao agreed!" Im Yoona cheered and immediately started organizing. "The rules are simple! Spin this empty bottle! Whoever the bottle points to must choose Truth or Dare! The person who asks the question or sets the challenge is the one who was pointed to previously! No cheating!"

The first person pointed to by the bottle was Seohyun, who was trying hard to lower her presence while eating a roasted sweet potato in small bites. The one asking the question was Im Yoona herself, who had spun the bottle.

"Maknae! Choose! Truth or Dare?" Im Yoona was smiling sweetly, like a fox that had spotted a chick.

Seohyun's small face tightened. After hesitating for a long time, amidst the cheering of the crowd, she blushed and whispered, "Tr-truth, please..."

"Okay!" Im Yoona's eyes lit up. "Seohyun xi, when was the last time you secretly ate chocolate? Don't think about saying no! I saw the wrapper in your bag last time!"

"Ah! Yoona unnie!" Seohyun's face turned bright red instantly, and amidst the good-natured laughter of everyone, she stammered and confessed her "crime."

The game started just like that. The atmosphere gradually became lively, and the questions went from harmless to slightly bolder. There were questions about first loves, questions about the most embarrassing experiences; the dares included shouting strange slogans at the sea and imitating the classic actions of other members.

The laughter rose wave after wave. Even Jessica Jung, who had opposed it at first, was dragged into it and forced to recite cheesy confession lines with her "iceberg face." Her confession target was the sea in front of her, which drew roars of laughter from everyone.

The bonfire illuminated every young, vivid face, and the sea breeze seemed to carry a joyful atmosphere. However, the dark clouds gathering on the distant horizon were getting thicker, the sea breeze was getting stronger, and the flames of the bonfire were blown violently, swaying intensely.

The bottle neck spun again.

This time, the direction it slowly stopped in was, without deviation, pointed directly at Song Tianhao, who was sitting on a beach chair, still in a relaxed posture.

The questioner was Im Yoona, who had just finished a humiliating dare of "writing with her butt" and whose cheeks were still flushed.

Everyone went quiet; even the sound of the waves and the wind seemed to have diminished.

Everyone's gaze, filled with irrepressible excitement, curiosity, and nervousness, scanned back and forth between Im Yoona and Song Tianhao. Finally... it was the President's turn!

Im Yoona took a deep breath, suppressing a trace of trepidation in her heart. Looking at Song Tianhao, her eyes sparkling with the gleam of a successful prank, she asked clearly, word by word, that question that had circled in the minds of almost every girl present, but which they would never dare to ask out loud:

"Song Tianhao, please choose: Truth or Dare?"

Song Tianhao held a can of beer, his fingertips tapping lightly on the cold aluminum can. He lifted his eyelids and looked at Im Yoona, his tone still indifferent: "Truth."

"Great!" Im Yoona was waiting for exactly this sentence. Almost without pausing, she threw out that bombshell of a question:

"May I ask, Song Tianhao, among all the girls present..."

She deliberately drew out her tone, her gaze slowly sweeping over Park So-yeon, Kim Taeyeon, Park Hyomin, and Ham Eunjung, who were holding their breath in an instant... every single member of T-ara and Girls Generation.

"Which girl do you like the most?"

"..."

A deathly silence.

Only the crackling of the bonfire and the whistling of the sea breeze could be heard.

All the girls, no matter how indifferent they had acted before, now had their hearts in their throats.

Park So-yeon's fingers tightened slightly around her beer can, Kim Taeyeon lowered her eyes, Park Hyomin bit her lower lip, and Ham Eunjung watched Song Tianhao quietly.

Even Im Yoona, who had asked the question, felt a sudden chill run down her spine after the words left her lips.

This question was too tricky, and too dangerous!

No matter who Song Tianhao answered, or if he didn't answer at all, it could lead to unpredictable awkwardness or even conflict.

There was still no ripple of emotion on Song Tianhao's face.

He didn't even answer immediately; instead, he took another sip of beer in a leisurely manner, then placed the beer can on the low table beside him.

He raised his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over every young, beautiful face present, each with different expressions, before finally landing back on Im Yoona's face, which was full of both tension and anticipation.

The corners of his mouth curved upward in a distinct arc.

Then, in his steady voice that betrayed no emotion, he answered clearly:

"The one I like most..."

He paused, successfully keeping everyone's heart hanging in suspense.

"Is the next question, the one that can stump me."

"..."

The silence lasted for two seconds.

Immediately after, "Pfft," "Hahaha"... bursts of laughter erupted one after another.

The tense and awkward atmosphere was instantly blown away by this witty and cunning answer.

"President! You're cheating!"

"What kind of answer is that!"

"As expected of the President! Completely unfazed!"

The girls laughed and teased, though inwardly they all breathed a sigh of relief, while simultaneously feeling a faint trace of disappointment and the realization of "as expected."

It was truly impossible to get that kind of answer out of the President.

Im Yoona laughed too; although she felt a bit unwilling to let it go, she admired the President's quick wit: "Fine, fine, this round goes to the President! Let's continue, let's continue!"

The game continued.

The atmosphere was even more relaxed because of Song Tianhao's brilliant answer.

However, fate always seems to like playing jokes.

This time, the bottle neck slowly stopped, pointing at Park Ji-yeon, who had been trying her best to minimize her presence and sitting tightly next to Park Hyomin since the game started.

The questioner was Jeon Boram, who had just been asked about the "male actor she most wanted to work with."

Park Ji-yeon's little face went pale.

"Ji-yeon, choose. Truth or Dare?" Jeon Boram asked with a smile.

Park Ji-yeon looked at the distant sea, which appeared pitch black and slightly turbulent under the darkening sky, then looked at Park Hyomin, who was watching her encouragingly beside her.

She gritted her teeth and whispered: "D-Dare, please."

She was afraid of being asked some unanswerable question if she chose Truth.

"A dare, huh..." Jeon Boram thought for a moment, her gaze also turning toward the sea, and said casually, "Then... go for a swim in the sea! You don't have to go far, just to that buoy!"

She pointed to a red warning buoy about twenty meters from the shore.

"..."

Park Ji-yeon's face instantly turned from pale to green, and her body trembled almost imperceptibly.

She was afraid of water, especially the deep sea under the dim sky.

Asking her to swim to the buoy alone? Just imagining it made her feel breathless.

"Unnie! Ji-yeon is afraid of water!" Park Hyomin spoke up immediately, putting her arm around Park Ji-yeon's shoulders.

"Ah! Sorry, sorry! I forgot!" Jeon Boram realized her mistake and apologized quickly, "Let's change it, let's change it! Ji-yeon, how about you bark like a puppy three times?"

But the rules of the game were that once a Dare was chosen and the task was assigned, unless it was completed, one had to accept a more severe punishment, usually drinking a large glass of hard liquor.

And that more severe punishment was even more terrifying than Swimming for Park Ji-yeon, who had a low tolerance for alcohol.

Park Ji-yeon bit her lip, looking at the sea and then at the glass filled with the "punishment wine," her eyes beginning to redden.

Just then, Song Tianhao, who had been watching in silence, suddenly stood up.

He said nothing, simply taking off his dark gray T-shirt and tossing it onto the beach chair nearby, revealing his strong and well-defined upper body.

The evening light and the reflection from the sea outlined his clear muscular contours.

Then, under the surprised gazes of everyone, he walked straight toward the sea.

The seawater covered his ankles, calves, knees, waist... He walked steadily, then swam toward that red buoy.

His Swimming style was standard and powerful, cutting a line through the increasingly turbulent waves.

He quickly reached the buoy, tapped it lightly, then turned back, Swimming back just as smoothly.

When he stood back on the beach, soaked through with water droplets rolling down from his hair and chest, the glow of the bonfire made his wet body appear as if it were glowing.

He wiped the seawater from his face and looked at Park Ji-yeon, who was still in a daze.

His voice was calm but carried an unquestionable strength: "I've completed your share for you."

Park Ji-yeon's tears streamed down her face, mixed with touched emotions, guilt, and relief.

"Oppa... thank you..."

Song Tianhao nodded and said nothing more.

He bent down to pick up the T-shirt he had tossed on the beach chair, but instead of putting it on immediately, he draped it over his shoulder.

Then, as if sensing something, he raised his head and cast his gaze toward the edge of the distant beach, at the dark windbreak forest that appeared black in the twilight.

Just a moment ago, when he was Swimming, there seemed to be an extremely faint reflection in the direction of the forest, as if a camera lens was capturing the scene.

Song Tianhao's face showed no expression of surprise; he even curled the corner of his mouth almost imperceptibly toward that direction.

Then, he raised his still-dripping hand and made a clear, unmistakable "V" sign toward the forest.

His smile was casual, and the gesture even carried a hint of playfulness, as if saying: Go ahead, take your shots.

This action was only vaguely seen by Ham Eunjung, who had been paying attention to the distance with doubts in her heart.

She frowned slightly but remained silent.

"President! Hurry and wipe yourself off! You'll catch a cold!"

Park Hyomin was the first to react, grabbing the white shirt of Song Tianhao that she had folded and placed aside earlier, jogging over to hand it to him.

Her face showed undisguised concern and... a hint of pride.

Look, this was their President.

Song Tianhao took the shirt and wiped his hair and upper body casually, still not putting it on.

Just then, a large, cold raindrop hit Song Tianhao's shoulder without warning.

"Plop."

He looked up.

Dark, ink-like clouds had swallowed the last trace of twilight, pressing heavily above the sea.

A violent wind suddenly picked up, swirling with sand and a damp scent, instantly extinguishing most of the bonfire's flames, leaving only a faint, struggling red glow.

"Pack up, go inside."

Song Tianhao's voice suddenly became clear and penetrating, drowning out the suddenly strengthening wind.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then reacted, scrambling to pack up the remaining food and drinks.

However, the weather changed faster than they had imagined.

Almost as soon as they ran to the terrace, bean-sized raindrops poured down like a deluge, instantly shrouding the world in a deafening curtain of rain and white mist.

The strong wind roared, frantically lashing against the Villa's glass windows, making a heart-stopping "bang-bang" sound.

Everyone rushed into the Villa's living room in a disheveled state, all somewhat soaked, still shaken.

"Scared me to death, how did it start raining so suddenly..."

"My hair! It's all wet!"

The sounds of complaints and relief hadn't yet faded when all the lights overhead suddenly flickered twice.

"Zzzzt... Pop!"

Then, all the lights went out completely without warning.

In an instant, the entire Villa was plunged into absolute darkness.

Only the occasional lightning flashing outside briefly illuminated the terrified faces and the vague outlines of the furniture inside.

"Ahhh!"

Park Hyomin's scream suddenly rang out in the darkness, filled with genuine fear, "Oppa! I can't see anything! It's so dark! I'm scared!"

Immediately following that was a muffled "Bang!" sound, like something heavy hitting the floor, mixed with the crisp sound of glassware shattering!

"Hyomin?!"

"Unnie!"

Several exclamations rang out at the same time.

"Everyone stay where you are, don't move!"

Song Tianhao's voice rang out in the darkness, calm and authoritative, instantly suppressing the panic, "Ji-yeon! Go get the medical kit! It should be in the storage room under the stairs on the first floor! Everyone else, use your phones for light, but don't walk around!"

The weak light of an emergency lamp finally flickered on, barely dispelling a small patch of darkness.

Where the light reached, Park Hyomin could be seen lying on the floor at the corner of the stairs leading to the second floor, her face pale.

She was clutching her knee with one hand, and bright red blood was seeping out from between her fingers, staining the hem of her nightgown and her smooth calf.

Beside her was a shattered glass vase and a puddle of water.

Apparently, in the darkness and panic, she had tried to go upstairs but accidentally slipped and bumped into the decorative shelf nearby.

Song Tianhao had already rushed over in a few steps, crouching down to carefully examine her wound.

The wound was not shallow; glass shards had cut through her skin.

Park Ji-yeon also stumbled over, clutching the medical kit, her little face even paler than Park Hyomin's from fright.

Song Tianhao took the medical kit, opened it quickly and professionally, and took out disinfectant and gauze.

Outside the window, the rain poured down like a deluge amidst thunder and lightning, while inside the Villa, there was only the pale halo of the emergency lamp and the suppressed breathing of everyone.