Morning light slowly spread through the forest.
Birds chirped softly, and the cold air carried a strange calmness—but inside the camp, something felt different.
Daniel Williams woke up, stretching lightly, but his eyes narrowed almost immediately.
Something was off.
He looked around.
Everyone was already awake. But instead of their usual energy, there were whispers, small glances, and conversations that suddenly stopped when he got close.
"…what is going on?" he thought.
Last night flashed in his mind.
They had sent him away for water… and when he returned, everyone had gone silent.
It didn't feel normal.
But before he could think further—
"Alright guys!"
Felix clapped his hands.
"We wasted one day already. Only six days left. We need to move fast."
Everyone nodded seriously.
"Same teams. Let's go."
As they started walking, Felix briefly looked at Mary…
…and gave her a small smile.
Daniel noticed.
His brows slightly furrowed.
"That was weird…"
Mary quickly looked away.
Daniel felt something was being hidden from him.
But he didn't push.
Not yet.
Search Begins Again
The forest felt even bigger today.
They searched for hours—under rocks, inside bushes, near tree roots—but still, nothing.
"Why is this so hard?" Lucy sighed.
"We can't give up," David replied firmly.
Soon, they split into pairs:
Daniel & Mary
Lucy & Felix
Noah & Lily
David & Zoya
Daniel & Mary
As they walked, Daniel finally spoke.
"Mary… something's going on, right?"
Mary paused slightly.
"No."
Daniel looked at her.
"You're a bad liar."
She avoided eye contact.
"Focus on the mission."
That answer confirmed it.
Something was being hidden.
But Daniel stayed quiet.
Another Team
Later, they spotted another academy team nearby, searching the same area.
Daniel immediately stepped back.
"Let's not fight. We're alone."
Mary nodded.
They quietly moved away and headed back toward camp as the sun began to set.
The Moment Everything Changed
As they reached near the camp—
Daniel stopped.
"…what?"
The place looked completely different.
Flowers.
Glowing plants.
Soft lights made from fireflies.
Decorations everywhere.
It looked magical.
Mary smiled softly.
"Come."
Daniel was still confused.
As soon as he stepped forward—
"SURPRISE!!"
Everyone jumped out at once.
Lucy, Felix, Noah, Lily, David, and Zoya all shouted—
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANIEL!!"
Daniel froze.
"…birthday?"
Then it hit him.
His eyes widened.
"…I forgot."
A soft silence followed.
Mary stepped closer.
"We didn't."
A Beautiful Forest Celebration
There was no cake.
But fruits were arranged beautifully like one.
Flowers created a circle.
Fireflies floated like tiny stars.
It wasn't fancy.
But it was perfect.
Daniel smiled softly.
"You guys did all this…?"
Felix grinned.
"Of course. That's what we were planning."
David added,
"And you thought we were hiding something serious."
Everyone laughed.
The Special Note
As Daniel looked around, something caught his eye.
A small folded leaf, tied with a thin vine.
"…what's this?"
He picked it up slowly.
Unfolded it.
And read—
"To Daniel… and to [Ishita],
Some people deserve a story just for them.
A day filled with smiles, laughter, and memories you'll never forget.
Happy Birthday."
Daniel went silent.
"…you even made this?"
Mary smiled gently.
"It's not just your day."
For a moment—
Daniel didn't speak.
That one note…
felt more special than anything else.
Celebration Time
"Okay! Enough emotions!" Lucy said. "Cut the cake!"
"Fruit cake," Noah corrected.
Everyone laughed.
Daniel cut the fruit arrangement.
Cheers filled the forest.
They ate together.
Talked.
Laughed.
Even danced a little.
For one hour—
There was no mission.
No danger.
Just happiness.
A Quiet Moment
Later, Daniel sat down quietly.
Mary came and sat beside him.
"So?" she asked softly.
Daniel looked at everyone.
"…this is my best birthday."
Mary smiled.
"You deserve it."
He looked at her.
"…thank you."
She looked away slightly, blushing.
Back to Mission
Felix clapped again.
"Alright, back to reality. We've wasted enough time."
Everyone groaned.
But they stood up.
Determined again.
Days Passing
The next two days went by quickly.
Searching.
Exploring.
Avoiding other teams.
Still no treasure.
But now—
They were stronger.
Closer.
And happier.
Ending Hint
That night—
Daniel looked around and smiled.
"No secrets now, right?"