𝗖𝗢𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘 ➵ 𝗃. 𝗁𝗒𝗎𝗇𝗁𝗈

3.

The soft tweeting of birds filled the ears of the students as they ventured along the mountain trail. Sol-Hee's eyes wandered, absorbing the earthy tones of brown and green from the trees and dirt surrounding them. When she looked up, the clear blue sky greeted her, its brightness prompting a slight squint. The landscape stretched before them, a serene panorama that offered a brief escape. The trail unfolded with a simple yet enchanting beauty, offering glimpses of a peaceful landscape. In the background, the rhythmic splashing of waves against rocks added a coastal rhythm to their journey. And if it only a different circumstances, it would be a delightful hike for her.

Except for the fact that they had to keep a close eyes on the white line.

"You could cross out mountain hiking in your bucket list," Hyun-Ho remarked from behind Sol-Hee. She hummed in response, turning to see him with a smile, his gaze focused on the unfolding trail.  "If the situation is far from here, it would be nice," she added, her words echoing a bittersweet longing for normalcy. The sentiment lingered in the air, casting a poignant layer over the scenic beauty of their unexpected mountain hike. As they moved forward, Hyun-Ho observed Sol-Hee placing her hand on Woo-Ram's, helping the girl in climbing up and to make sure she won't accidentally slip over.

Behind him stood Nahee, watching the scenes unfold with a heavy heart and mind, she was aware of what occured a few months back to the couple as it was a big gossip around their school, especially inside their classroom.

Sol-Hee observed the three other girls who joined the impromptu hike, noting the discomfort evident on their faces as they continuously tugged at their skirts. A frown formed on her face, and a sigh escaped her lips. "You guys should've changed into more appropriate clothes when you volunteered to hike," she remarked, her words carrying a hint of frustration. Somi scowled in response, rolling her eyes but choosing not to engage in an argument, silently acknowledging that Sol-Hee's point held merit. Sol-Hee brushed her hands on her jogging pants before reaching for the hair tie on her wrist. With a swift motion, she gathered her hair and tied it into a low ponytail, unable to opt for a bun due to the recent shoulder-length haircut she had given herself a week before their trip.

Hyun-Ho watched intently as Sol-Hee wiped away stray beads of sweat from her neck and tucked loose strands of hair behind her ears. In that moment, it felt like a scene from a romance series, with him playing the role of the male lead, captivated by the seemingly simple yet impactful actions of the female lead. A sweet smile adorned Sol-Hee's face as she successfully tied her hair, and the ordinary gesture carried an unexpected charm that resonated with Hyun-Ho

"Dude, you're really weird," Dong-Hyun teased his friend, who scowled in response and nudged him slightly. After about ten minutes of hiking, they were tired and the only notable thing was the persistent white line guiding their way. Sol-Hee found the shape of the line oddly strange on the mountain trail. Sol-Hee couldn't help but wonder about the purpose of the line on the mountain trail. She pondered whether the creator intended to enclose and imprison them within the Youth Center, deliberately hindering any chance of finding a way out. The oddity of the situation lingered in her thoughts, leaving her with a sense of unease as they continued their hike through the mountain trail.

With a hint of frustration, Somi inquired, "Any idea how much longer to the village?" Shielding her eyes from the sun, they all paused, panting for breath. Jun-Hee, at the forefront, glanced ahead and then back at the group. "Just a few more minutes," he stated. Exchanging looks, a collective sigh of exasperation filled the air before they resumed their hike up the mountain.

But without a minute in their journey, a misstep happens.

Ascending a steep part of the mountain, Jun-Hee and Hyun-Ho aid everyone in a careful clim. Sol-Hee, positioned at the back, provided a support to Nahee while the girl is being guided by Hyun-Ho, having her hold his hand as he help her to climb up. However, the tension escalated when Nahee, attempting to lift her left foot, slipped. She stumbled, losing her grip on Hyun-Ho. In a heart-stopping moment, Sol-Hee's eyes widened as both of them roll down the mountainside. Suppressing a sharp curse, Sol-Hee instinctively shielded her head, but colliding with a tree trunk sent a jolt of pain through her right wrist. Grimacing, she sat up, cradling her injured wrist, she rolled up her sleeves and saw bruises immediately forming around her arm and a purple hue on her wrist.