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The producer ducks his head into the recording studio, waving his hands to get Woori’s attention. “Min Sori is receiving a call from Nathaniel Lee,” he hisses.

“Oh! Get him on the line!”

Byeol’s costar is summarily shoved off the call.

Why is Nathaniel calling back when he hadn’t responded to my messages?

“Nathaniel-ssi?” Woogi says, “This is Woogi fromThe Woori and Woogi Show. I’m here with one of our guests, Min Sori. Do you have time to play a short game with her?”

There’s a loud metallic sound, then someone’s voice in the background—a girl’s voice. My heart staggers. He’s with someone.A girl.

“Sorry,” he says. He’s slightly out of breath. “What did you say?”

“This is Woogi fromThe Woori and Woogi Show. I’m with Min Sori. The challenge was to call someone—”

“Where are you, Nathaniel-ssi?” Woori interrupts.

“I’m at a batting cage.”

“It sounds like you’re with someone.”

“Just some friends.”

“Don’t say that, Nathaniel-ssi,” Woori croons. “You’ll hurt Sori-ssi’s feelings.”

“Oh no, please,” I say, waving my hands in the air. I’m relieved that Nathaniel can’t see my face, which is most definitely red.

“You can come, Sori,” Nathaniel says. His voice has gotten clearer, as if he’s moved away from where he was before. “I’ll wait for you.”

Rina squeals. Byeol’s eyes dart to me, a questioning look in her eyes.

My cheeks grow hot. I know he’s just play-acting for the show. On the TV monitor, I can see the total of live listeners practically double in number.

“The game is simple,” Woogi explains. “We’re going to ask Sori whether she likes or dislikes something. She’ll hold up anXfor disliking or anOfor liking, which those watching the video feed will be able to see.” I have small paddles painted with the letters in front of me. “You have to match her two out of three times to win?1000000 to a charity of her choice. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Nathaniel says.

“Okay. Sori-ssi, hold up whether you like or dislike...”

“Grapefruit,” Woori says.

I immediately hold up a redX.

“Dislike,” Nathaniel says, after a brief pause. “Sori loves grapes, but she hates grapefruit.”

“You know her so well! How long have you known Nathaniel, Sori-ssi?”

“For almost six years,” I say softly.

“That’s a long time. You two must be close.”

“Nathaniel helped me with a lot of troubles when I was in middle school. Because of that, he will always be a good friend to me.”

I wish I could see Nathaniel’s expression. He’s silent on the other end of the line.

“Okay, next question. Sori-ssi, hold up whether you like or dislike...”

“Snakes.”