Team of Hearts || GeminiFourth

Palate purgatory

As dawn broke, the former spouses found themselves confronted with the early and unforgiving light of a new day. With only a brief moment of reprieve, they steeled themselves for the challenge that awaited them at their designated meeting point. Among the assembled participants, murmurs circulated that the day's trial would entail another ruthless elimination challenge. With ten couples still in the program, the grim reality sank in that one pair would be culled from the competition by day's end.

Gathering around, they listened intently as Satur, the taskmaster, outlined the rules for the day's ordeal.

- Today, you will face an eating challenge. - He announced with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the assembled participants, His words elicited a mixture of excitement and trepidation from the contestants. - For every completed meal, you will earn one precious point. However, be warned: the couple with the fewest points at the end of this challenge will be eliminated from the program.

Fourth cast a worried glance at his partner, sensing his apprehension. He knew all too well his aversion to unfamiliar foods, especially vegetables, which often triggered an unpleasant reaction. While he himself possessed a resilient palate, capable of devouring any type of meat without hesitation, he understood that their success in this challenge relied heavily on her ability to overcome her distaste. The thought of facing a barrage of unpalatable dishes only heightened his stress, prompting him to brace himself for the daunting task ahead.

- Oh, great. - Nattawat sighed, his tone laced with sarcasm. - I can hardly contain my excitement at the thought of dishes that might induce vomiting.

Gemini shook his head in resignation, but a glint of determination gleamed in his eyes. Despite the daunting prospect ahead, they both recognized the inevitability of facing a grueling challenge.

As each team was escorted to their designated table, they found themselves isolated behind black curtains, effectively shielded from any attempts to glean insights from neighboring contestants. With no knowledge of who sat beside them or how they fared, they were left to grapple with their own apprehensions in solitary anticipation.

Before them lay an array of twenty covered lampshades, each concealing a mystery dish. The air crackled with tension, mingled with a potent blend of anxiety and adrenaline, as they braced themselves for the imminent commencement of the challenge. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, each participant steeling themselves for what lay ahead.

The team of hearts shared nervous glances, their emotions a whirlwind of excitement and apprehension as they prepared to tackle the challenge ahead. Despite their eagerness, a lingering sense of worry gnawed at them, uncertain of the gastronomic horrors lurking beneath the lampshades. Nevertheless, they steeled themselves for battle, resolved to demonstrate their unwavering determination to emerge victorious.

As the lampshades were lifted, revealing the contents beneath, the men were met with a ghastly array of repulsive dishes. Their expressions shifted from anticipation to dismay as they beheld the grotesque offerings laid out before them. Among the revolting delicacies gracing the table were jelly infused with liver, crunchy beetles, frog submerged in gelatinous goo, and the notorious balut-an egg harboring a partially developed duck embryo within its shell.

The stench emanating from the repulsive dishes assaulted the senses of the men, triggering an instinctual urge to retch. Overwhelmed by the nauseating odor and the sight before them, their initial reaction was one of visceral disgust, threatening to send them reeling. In that moment, the younger member of the team made a decisive choice, driven by a combination of revulsion and empathy.