The van rolled smoothly down a cobbled road, passing blooming flower boxes, colorful banners flapping in the wind, and laughing children chasing bubbles. The town looked like something out of a picture book—sun-drenched, peaceful, and glowing with charm.
From inside the van, soft gasps of awe came from the contestants as they peeked out the window. Flower stalls, tiny cafés, pastel rooftops—everything looked painted in joy.
"We're almost there," Aiden announced from the front seat, glancing back at the camera. "This lovely town will be your new playground. But that's not all—we're driving to the main square to meet the next two contestants. And yes... I hope you're ready for drama, laughter, and possibly tears."
He turned to the lens, his grin turning exaggeratedly sad.
"Also, sob... today is my last day with you guys."
He made a dramatic sniffle.
"That's right! This handsome face will be retiring for the next three days. A new host will take over."
He gave the camera a dramatic wink and puppy eyes.
---
[NOOOO WHAT DO YOU MEAN LAST DAY 😭😭😭]
[THEY'RE SWITCHING HOSTS?]
[The new one better have a jawline that can cut glass or I'm rioting.]
[No way... they must have a huge budget.]
---
The two vans came to a soft stop in front of a quaint rose-pink café on the square. Ivy climbed the brick walls, flowers poured from windows, and the air smelled like vanilla and fresh bread.
Adrian stepped out first, buttoning his cuff as the rest followed. Mike slid out with his backpack slung over one shoulder, already unwrapping a new lollipop. Mia wore a long, flowing ivory skirt, her sunglasses perched on her head like a crown.
"I hope you're all excited," Aiden said, arms spread wide. "Because in this square, two new contestants await!"
"Of course we're excited," Takahashi replied, throwing a casual arm around Yuri Song's waist. She smiled softly and leaned in.
"The more, the merrier," Lyla murmured with her signature grace, smoothing down her cream sundress.
Aiden led them into the café. The camera crew followed in like loyal soldiers, catching every detail—the jingling bell at the door, the soft pastel walls, and the warmly lit counter.
And then—
A woman stepped forward, radiant in a slim cheongsam with embroidered phoenix feathers curling around her waist. Her long black hair was pulled into an elegant knot, a single white tassel hanging from her ear.
She wrapped Aiden in a hug, then turned toward the camera with a practiced, stunning smile.
"Hello everyone. I'm your host for the next three days. I'm Bai Xinya."
The livestream erupted like a volcano.
---
[HOLY—THAT'S BAI XINYA?? THE QUEEN OF PERIOD DRAMAS?]
[She's not even a contestant? They got her as host??]
[My heart… my goddess is here. I don't care about the game anymore.]
[No jokes, the production spent real coins this season. They're not playing.]
[We went from sexy chaotic Aiden to ethereal empress Bai Xinya. I'm fed.]
---
Aiden stepped aside dramatically and bowed to her.
"Take good care of them, Sister Xinya. I'll be watching from behind the screen now."
"You've done well," she said with a small smirk, brushing imaginary lint from his shoulder.
The contestants exchanged excited, curious looks. Mia raised an eyebrow slightly, lips curled in amusement. Mike blinked slowly and offered her a respectful nod before popping his candy back in.
Adrian leaned toward Lyla and whispered, "Well, things just got a lot more interesting."
"Okay guys," Bai Xinya said with that signature poise of hers, lifting the mic delicately to her lips. "Let us welcome our new contestants. Please come out."
The café door opened with a soft chime.
A tall, handsome man walked out first, dressed in simple but perfectly fitted casual black jeans, a loose white graphic tee, and a silver chain glinting beneath his hoodie. His hair was dyed an ash-brown gradient, and his eyes gleamed with that polished, trained idol smile that screamed "center of the stage."
Following closely behind was a petite girl with long chestnut waves, a soft lavender crop top, and a pleated mini skirt that made her look like she'd just stepped off a music show stage. She bowed gracefully beside him.
"Hello," the man said with a warm, velvety tone. "I'm Seo Jiwan, an idol from the boy group RΞvolt. Please take care of us."
The girl giggled sweetly, eyes shining.
"Hi, I'm Arisawa Nene from the girl group Shōkō Blossom," she said in a soft Japanese accent. "We're grateful to be here—please treat us well."
They bowed in unison again, fingers almost brushing. Jiwan casually reached for Nene's hand, and she clasped his gently.
[IT IS OVER 😭😭 I was watching this in the bathroom and screamed, MY MOM BURST IN I'M EMBARRASSED]
[Wait… are they… holding hands? Is this… is this real?]
[This couple's chemistry is making me question my entire dating history.]
[MY IDOL IS ON THE SHOW. SEO JIWAN I WILL DIE FOR YOU.]
[No way... the director is feeding us LUXURY this season.]
[I licked my screen. I won't lie. Don't ask questions.]
Before the cameras could settle, a soft click of heels echoed behind them.
A woman stepped out wearing a cream trench coat, her posture upright, elegance dripping from every step. Beside her was a young girl—no older than seven—dressed in a butterfly-print sundress, her long honey-brown hair tied up in twin buns, eyes wide and delicate like a porcelain doll.
They stood confidently before the crowd.
"Hi, I'm Emily," the woman said, giving a tight but charming smile. "And this is my daughter, Natalie. I'm a single mom, and I'm happy to be here with my child."
As she finished, her gaze flicked—ever so briefly—toward Mia.
A moment so small, yet so sharp that even the camera tilted toward Mia's side just to catch her reaction.
Mia, lounging beside Mike with one leg crossed over the other, simply sipped her iced coffee, lips twitching into a subtle smirk.
Mike, holding a coloring pen in one hand and a strategy game on his tablet in the other, didn't even glance up. Unbothered.
---
[Wait wait... did anyone else see her glance at Maria when she said "single mom"?]
[Emily, girl... you're bold for that 😭]
[DRAMA ALERT 🚨 DRAMA ALERT 🚨]
[Mike and Maria now have a challenge... are they ready??]
[But seriously, Natalie is adorable. I remember her from that drama—she's the girl who cried in that hospital scene right??]
[Still can't think straight, my bias is in the show ]
[Director-nim is playing chess while we're playing checkers.]
Bai Xinya stepped forward again with that small, charming smile.
The midday sun cast a soft glow over the town square as the twelve contestants stood scattered in front of a quaint banner that read: "Welcome to Harmony Town — Let the Game Begin!" A string of pastel balloons fluttered in the breeze.
Bai Xinya stepped onto a small wooden platform, her white summer dress fluttering lightly as she spoke into the mic, voice sweet but mischievous.
"Since we're all here," she began, eyes scanning the groups with playful amusement, "it's time to form your teams. Today, the stars of the mission will be… the kids!"
Gasps. Murmurs. One camera zoomed in on the blinking face of Natalie. Another panned to Mike, who just yawned and picked a gumdrop from his pocket.
"Each child can only have four adults on their team," Bai continued with a giggle. "So kids, please step forward. Adults, it's time to pick who you want to support."
Mia placed a protective hand on Mike's shoulder, her heels clicking with command as they moved forward like a boss and her heir.
Celeste and Nathan exchanged a smirk and walked up beside Mimi Cruzi, who stood proud with a tiny bow in her hair.
Emily gently guided Natalie forward, brushing the hem of her daughter's skirt, her smile demure yet strained.
Then, the real game began.
Seo Jiwan and Arisawa Nene glided forward like idols at a fan meet, confidently joining Mike's side with matching smiles.
"Oppa, let's back the prodigy," Nene whispered with a grin, giving Mike a playful wink. He gave a lazy nod, still licking his strawberry lollipop.
Yuri Song, in a flash of hair and perfume, moved sharply to Mimi's side with a stride that could slice the air.
Almost as if on cue, Lyla and Adrian strolled over. But as they reached Mimi, both stopped. Their eyes locked. Polite smiles stretched over growing tension.
"Ladies first," Adrian said smoothly.
"Too kind," Lyla answered, taking her place beside Mimi with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Ella, clutching her arm and chewing her lip, quietly walked to Mike's group, eyes darting around as if afraid to be noticed.
Then… Ren.
He blinked once, twice, completely lost in the silent war forming between Yuri and Lyla.
"Babe?" Yuri said, voice honeyed but sharp.
Ren snapped to attention, rushed to her side like a scolded puppy, and joined Natalie's group with a sheepish grin. Yuri wrapped her arm around his waist, claiming victory like a queen pinning her flag.
[Lol gosh this was so funny 😂]
[Lyla and Yuri Song racing to Mimi like they're the final two in a beauty pageant—I swear their smiles were carved with shade!]
[Ren was so lost. You could see the fear in his eyes like "what happens if I pick the wrong side " 😭]
[Emily's side was SO quiet… you could literally hear birds chirping 💀]
[They did Emily dirty… not a single adult joined her team 😭 even the camera man looked sorry]
[Mike really out here building a dynasty with his mom like… MOM AND SON IN FIRE 🔥🔥]
[The mission hasn't started but the chills from the hidden tension are already blowing through my phone screen]
---
Bai Xinya stood with a teasing smile. "So your mission is to pick from one of these cards here," she said, gesturing to the handwoven basket she held. "You'll have to do what's written—without any adult help. Once you finish, return for the next task. So, are you ready?"
The camera zoomed in on the kids, who nodded with varying levels of confidence.
Mike stepped back, lifting his hand with a polite gesture. "Ladies first."
A few contestants laughed, and the workers watching behind the cameras exchanged knowing glances.
"Tsk. Very gentlemanly, but this is a competition," one of the Asian contestants muttered. "It might affect them." He shook his head.
Mia, standing beside Mike, barely glanced at the speaker. She looked away, bored, her expression unreadable.
Natalie and Mimi Cruzi reached into the basket at the same time, fingers brushing. Both blinked. Then Natalie smiled, gently withdrawing her hand. "Pick first, younger sister," she said sweetly.
[LIVE COMMENT SECTION]
— ["Aiden is such a hater just because Mike's being nice 💀"]
— ["He's kind of right tho, competition is no joke"]
— ["So what? Being kind > being fast. Raise them right 😤"]
— ["Natalie is so precious I'm crying 😭 mature queen!!"]
After Natalie picked her card, Mike stepped forward, selected his, and unfolded it. He read the message quietly, then casually crumpled the paper, stuffed it into his pocket, and walked away without a word.
"Mike—wait!" Seo Jiwan called, confused.
"Maria, why didn't you stop him?" Ella asked, eyes wide. "Does he even know what he's doing?"
Maria sipped her drink, calm and unbothered. "It's not like we can help them. He's being followed by a cameraman. If he didn't ask for help, it means he doesn't need it."
Just then, Bai Xinya giggled and added the twist: "Oh, by the way! You can only ask for help three times today—for all tasks combined."
Ella's mouth dropped open. "Wait—what? Mike already left!"
Seo Jiwan and Arisawa Nene exchanged glances, concern flickering in their eyes.
Lyla chuckled behind her hand. "This is why you should always be patient," she said, turning toward Mimi. "So, what does your paper say, sweetheart?"
Mimi pouted. "It said I should help a woman at the end of the town to do house chores…"
Adrian frowned. "Isn't that a bit much for a child?"
"Baby, can you handle it?" Nathan asked his daughter gently. "Should we guide you to the house at least?"
Mimi nodded confidently.
"Natalie, how about yours?" Emily asked her daughter.
"Mine said I should go to a restaurant and help the chef with grocery shopping," Natalie replied cheerfully. "I'll find my way there." She beamed and ran out of the café as her cameraman followed.
[LIVE COMMENT SECTION]
— ["LMAO Mike said no time for drama BYE 💨"]
— ["Natalie's maturity… I have hope for Gen Alpha now 😭"]
— ["Mimi asking Dad for help = smart move tbh"]
— ["Mike probably got something crazy hard and rage quit 😂"]
---
Mike's Solo Journey
Mike calmly walked to the center of the square, the camera trailing behind him. He stopped before the public map board, studied it for a moment, then tapped a location: "Supermarket." Without hesitation, he turned and began walking.
"You sure that's the way?" the cameraman asked, half-joking.
"No thanks," Mike said, not even turning around.
Nathan, Celeste, and their group were seen helping Mimi down a narrow road toward the old woman's home. Mimi smiled and whispered, "I'll do my best," before entering with her cameraman.
Meanwhile, Natalie—her hands swinging—asked passersby for directions with a polite bow and a sweet smile.
Back with Mike, the cameraman was about to speak again when Mike stopped and turned around.
"Bear with it. We're here," he said calmly, pointing at the supermarket just ahead.
"…You sure?" the cameraman blinked. "How did you know the place?"
Mike raised an eyebrow. "The map is made for directions. Isn't that obvious?"
[LIVE COMMENT SECTION]
— ["Mike be acting like he's 30 not 7 😭"]
— ["He read a MAP. A MAP. A physical map. Meanwhile I get lost in malls."]
— ["Everyone else: asking for help. Mike: solo speedrun mode."]
— ["It's either genius or insane luck, I'm not sure anymore."]
---
Supermarket Showdown
Mike walked into the supermarket and approached the front desk.
"My handsome boy, how can I help you?" the saleswoman cooed, immediately smitten as she pinched his cheek.
Mike pouted cutely, his hazel eyes glistening under the lights. "Sister, can you help me call the manager? I'm on a mission. If I don't complete it, I won't have a place to sleep during this task. Pretty sister, help me, please?"
The woman nearly fainted. Her hands flew to her chest, and she ran to the office.
All around, customers pulled out phones, snapping photos and recording videos.
"Beautiful sisters and brothers!" Mike turned to the crowd, giving a small bow. "Please shop more and ask me for help. I'll be your new worker today—at your service."
He made a finger heart and sent a flying kiss.
Several women screamed. A few elderly ladies clutched their hearts. Even two young men near the juice aisle blushed.
The manager came rushing out, confused—until he saw the mini crowd chanting.
"Hire him!"
"Let the boy stay!"
"If you don't hire him, I'm boycotting this place!"
Panicked and overwhelmed, the manager nodded.
Mike turned to one of the clerks. "Please give me instructions. I want to do my job well," he said earnestly.
"Ahhhh!" the woman squealed. "You're too cute—I can't! Come with me, baby!"
[LIVE COMMENT SECTION]
— ["Mike's mouth: please help. Mike's aura: I own this building."]
— ["Genius, polite, and manipulative—Mia raised him right 💅"]
— ["I would die for this child. Let him run the country."]
— ["Petition to let Mike host the next season 😭"]
---
Meanwhile: Mimi's Struggle
Mimi Cruzi stepped into the modest home and walked toward the grumpy old woman waiting inside.
"Oh, you're the one they sent?" the woman frowned. "Can you even do chores? Look at those soft little hands. Have you even held a broom before?"
Mimi nodded politely.
The old woman sighed and led her to the kitchen. "Start by cleaning those dishes. Can you handle that?"
Again, Mimi nodded. Alone now, she stood before the sink and stared at the sponge like it was alien technology.
She picked it up between her thumb and forefinger, lips twitching, blinking slowly at the first plate.
[LIVE COMMENT SECTION]
— ["Mimi vs. Sponge: the battle of the century 💀"]
— ["She looks like the sponge insulted her family 😭"]
— ["Meanwhile Mike's organizing supermarket inventory 💅"]
— ["She's trying tho 🥺 respect for baby girl"]
---