The school courtyard buzzed with life. Laughter, shuffling bags, and bursts of chatter filled the crisp morning air. The sun had barely climbed past the school roof, its light spilling over rows of students grouped in clusters, excitement exchanged between them for the field trip.
Jungtae trudged along the path, a big travel backpack hanging off one shoulder. A yawn slipped from him, eyes half-lidded with sleep. Beside him, Woojin walked with an easy pace, his own travel backpack slung lazily across one shoulder.
"Are you sure you packed everything?" Woojin's voice was soft but teasing, the kind that landed somewhere between concern and habit…half nag, half care. Almost like a concerned boyfriend.
"Yep, don't worry." Jungtae rubbed his eyes and smiled faintly. "If I missed something, I'll just borrow from you."
"I know you will," Woojin said with a mock sigh. "It's three days, Jungtae. Don't come crying when you forget something important again."
Before Jungtae could reply, Mr. Choi's voice boomed across the courtyard. "Everyone, start boarding your assigned buses!"
Students began filing toward the rows of waiting buses, laughter echoing between the engines low rumbles.
Before Jungtae stepped inside the third bus, his gaze flicked toward the first one, the one reserved for the student council officers and the richer kids. 'Woojin didn't join there.'
Through the open window, he spotted Owen leaning against the seat, his expression unreadable. Beside him sat Cha Haneul, all pale skin and soft features, his gentle voice carrying faintly as he spoke to Owen. People often mistake him for a girl.
Owen didn't reply, just rested his chin on his palm, bored and distant.
The sight stirred something unexplainable in Jungtae's chest. His thoughts flashed to the restroom that day. Haneul, flustered and covered in marks, and Owen's calm, careless voice echoing behind him.
'What's their deal…?'
"Why are you staring like that?" Woojin nudged him, following his gaze.
"Huh? Nothing," Jungtae muttered quickly, looking away.
"Really? Looks like you saw something… interesting."
He forced a dry laugh. "Weird, not interesting." And without another glance, he climbed aboard the bus.
Woojin frowned slightly but said nothing, following after him. They found seats near the middle as the last of the students piled inside.
Mr. Choi's voice called out again at the front once everyone was settled. "All right! We're headed to Seorim Mountain Base Camp! It'll take around three hours, so no chaos and no screaming!"
The bus jerked to life. Conversation, laughter, and music filled the air as the city slowly gave way to open roads and rolling hills.
Woojin leaned back, stared at Jungtae for a moment, who was quiet since earlier, focused outside the window, then pulled out his airpods. "Share some of your thoughts, Tae."
The nickname pulled Jungtae's attention. Woojin rarely used it. He blinked at him in surprise.
Woojin only smiled faintly, plugging two airpods in. "Never mind. You'll tell me when you want to." then closed his eyes.
"..."
Jungtae looked away, the corners of his lips twitching before his gaze drifted to the window again. The world outside blurred past gray highways, sunlight flashing over the glass, the bus ahead carrying Owen somewhere out of reach.
Three hours later, the buses rolled into a clearing surrounded by thick trees.
The Seorim Campsite unfolded before them, open grassy fields stretching between wooden cabins, the air tinged with pine and distant smoke. A weathered stone sign pointed toward a narrow path leading up the mountain, and far off, a small museum stood like a quiet guardian at its base.
"This place looks awesome," Jungtae said, stepping off the bus and stretching his arms.
"Yeah," Woojin agreed, eyes tracing the tall trees. "Fresh air's nice too."
Teachers gathered everyone near the center. The camp owner, a cheerful older man in hiking gear, greeted them with a wide smile and a list of safety rules.
Then came Haneul, clipboard in hand, his clear voice ringing out. "Listen everyone. We will divide into three groups. A, B, and C. For activities and tasks during our stay."
Jungtae and Woojin exchanged looks.
"Let's hope we're teamed together," Woojin murmured.
When the lists went up, Jungtae hurried to find their names. His finger slid down the page. Group B… Han Jungtae… Owen Kwon…Under Owen's name was Cha Haneul.
"Great." Jungtae sighed.
His eyes moved lower. Woojin's name was under Group A.
Jungtae groaned softly. "Of course."
Woojin frowned, scanning the list beside him. "Guess we're split up. Take care, Tae."
Jungtae tried to sound casual. "I'll survive. Probably."
From across the clearing, Owen caught his gaze and smirked.
"Trouble," Jungtae muttered under his breath.
The groups split off toward their areas. Jungtae's group ended up near the treeline, where pine needles carpeted the ground and sunlight dappled through the leaves.
"Set up your tents before lunch time everyone! You can also pair up." a teacher called.
Jungtae knelt on the ground, wrestling with the stubborn tent poles. Sweat dampened his palms, and one of the rods nearly poked him in the face.
"Need help?"
That voice came from behind, Jungtae didn't need to turn to look to know.
"No," he said flatly.
Owen crouched beside him anyway, grin tugging at his lips. "Doesn't look like a confident no."
Jungtae tightened his grip on the pole. "Go bother someone else."
"You're really not fun."
"I'm not trying to be."
The corner of Owen's mouth twitched, amused. He watched for a while as Jungtae worked, saying nothing. When the tent finally stood upright, Jungtae dusted his hands off and glared at him.
"Thanks for nothing."
Owen chuckled, pushing to his feet. "Anytime. Jungtae"
By the time all the tents were up and everyone had lunch, four hours later, the sun had climbed high. Haneul gathered everyone in the open field again, clipboard in hand. "Before dinner, each group will choose a color for your flag. It'll also represent your team during activities."
Owen was the first to speak. "Purple."
A few murmurs rose from his group, then nods followed. Purple it was.
Jungtae sighed. "Figures."
When dinner came, the smell of grilled meat and sizzling kimchi spread through the camp. Students sat at long tables or around portable stoves, laughter and clatter filling the cool evening air.
Jungtae spotted Woojin across the field and waved before making his way over, tray in hand.
"Hey. Woojin."
Woojin smiled, scooting a little to make space. "So, what color did you guys pick?"
"Purple."
"We're red."
"And Group C?"
"Blue."
"Red, Blue, Purple…" Jungtae chuckled. "Sounds like we're in some battle royale."
Woojin laughed quietly. "Guess we'll see who wins."
"See you in the activities." Jungtae laughed.
"Yes. Hope it's exciting."
When the teachers started calling students back to their camp areas, Woojin stood and brushed crumbs from his lap.
"See you tomorrow, Tae."
"Yeah. Good night."
The sky had already deepened into indigo by the time Jungtae returned to his tent. Firelight flickered across the camp, shadows dancing against the field as voices drifted softer in the distance.
He loosened his shoes, about to unzip his tent flap when something caught his eye.
Right beside his tent stood another one, sleek, larger than the others, and clearly expensive. The brand tag glimmered faintly under the lantern light.
"Huh? Who owns this?"
Before he could think too much about it, a familiar voice spoke behind him.
"Nice view, huh?"
Jungtae turned. Owen stood there, flashlight in hand, a grin stretching across his face.
"Why…" Jungtae started, "Why is your tent here?"
Owen shrugged, all casual ease. "They said pick a spot. I liked it here."
"There are a hundred other spots you could've liked," Jungtae said, irritation flickering in his tone.
"Yeah, but this one's beside you," Owen replied without missing a beat.
'This prick'...Jungtae dragged a hand down his face. "Unbelievable."
"Get used to it, neighbor." Owen walked past him, zipped his tent and disappeared inside, still chuckling.
Jungtae crawled into his own tent, collapsing onto his sleeping bag. From the other side of the thin fabric, he could hear Owen humming softly to himself, tuneless but strangely calm.
"Too close…" Jungtae muttered, rolling onto his side.
He stared at the wall of fabric, the shadows flickering faintly from the fire outside. His eyes grew heavy as the night deepened, the hum of crickets filling the silence.
This trip is going to be unpredictable, he thought, before sleep finally pulled him under.
Outside, the wind stirred through the trees, carrying the faint scent of burnt firewood into the still night.