Next day in school
Lumen's frustration was evident as he shot a sharp glare at Sky. "Why did you involve yourself in my affairs? Don't do it again," he snapped, his voice tense. Sky, unruffled and composed, met his gaze with an icy calm. "As class president, it's my responsibility to maintain order. I can't allow any disruptions," he replied, his words cold and deliberate. "You should focus on helping those who can't stand up for themselves, but not me," he added, his tone distant, almost indifferent. Lumen, taken aback by the coldness in Sky's voice, fell silent, but the tension between them lingered in the air, thick and uncomfortable.
The following day, Nori entered the classroom with a stack of papers in her hands. He moved from desk to desk, distributing forms to each student. "These are for the upcoming school trip," he announced, his voice steady as she handed out the forms, making sure everyone received one. Sky, standing by the front of the room, prepared to address the class.
"Listen up," Sky said, his voice firm and authoritative, drawing the attention of every student in the room. "This trip is something you don't want to miss. You'll need to fill out these forms, have them signed by your parents, and deposit 5 million Youn within the next two weeks." A murmur of surprise rippled through the class. "Once the money is in, we'll head out next month. This trip is more than just a getaway—it's a group activity that will count toward your grades and earn you a bonus of 10 extra points."
When Sky finished speaking, the room fell into a buzz of conversation as the students began discussing the trip. William leaned toward his group, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "This trip is going to be so much fun," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "It's the perfect opportunity to mess with Lumen. He's always so uptight."
Meanwhile, Lumen sat silently at his desk, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. The thought of coming up with 5 million Youn in such a short amount of time was overwhelming. His mind raced with anxiety, his stomach tightening at the thought of how he could possibly manage it. Every minute that passed only seemed to add more pressure, making the task feel increasingly impossible.
Two weeks later,
He finally arrived at school, just before the deadline for the trip submission. His appearance startled everyone—his clothes were torn and soiled, and his face bore marks of recent injuries, with fresh blood still dripping down. Despite the visible wounds, his condition didn't seem to be dire. He made his way to the front and immediately handed over the trip money.
The room fell silent, and all the students were taken aback by his appearance, except for Sky. William, not missing a beat, sneered at him, "Poor guy, how did you get that money? Let me guess, you won it in a gambling game or maybe you stole it from someone's purse?" His words were filled with disdain.
But Lumen didn't flinch. He remained calm, his voice steady as he replied, "Please, Nori, just submit my payment for the trip."
Nori, noticing the state Lumen was in, hesitated. "How did you end up like this?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.
Lumen simply nodded towards the pile of money in Nori's hands. "Please," he repeated, "Just submit it for me."
Sky, who had been quietly observing the exchange, didn't seem shocked or surprised by Lumen's condition. He simply stood there, his gaze steady and unreadable, as he motioned for Lumen to complete the submission. Without a word, Sky added, "Go to your teacher's office after this and hand in everything."
No one knew what had truly happened to Lumen, but Sky seemed to understand more than he let on. The room remained quiet, each student left to wonder about the silent exchange between the two.
Trip day
It was the day of the much-awaited trip, and excitement filled the air. The Grade 9 students could hardly contain their joy as they gathered together, ready for an adventure. The teacher, standing at the front of the bus, gave a final set of instructions, her voice steady and clear. "Please listen carefully, everyone. Remember to follow the school rules at all times. Any violation will result in 20 points being deducted from your scorecard. I expect you to be responsible and respectful throughout the trip."
The bus hummed with anticipation as everyone settled in, eager for the journey to begin. Some students were more focused on the view outside the window, their eyes tracing the endless stretch of sky and rolling hills, while others tuned into their music, headphones securely in place. Sky, sitting near the front, couldn't help but notice Lumen, who seemed to be pretending to sleep. He had been talking to Nori, but when Nori stopped responding, Lumen had shifted to feign slumber. Sky, amused by the little act, smiled to himself, enjoying the peace that came from listening to his favorite songs while watching the world pass by outside.
The bus journey took them deep into the jungle, the trees towering and the air thick with mystery. After what felt like hours, the bus finally came to a halt. An elderly man, who introduced himself as Uncle, welcomed everyone with a warm smile as they stepped off the bus and into the wild surroundings. "Welcome, my young friends," he said, his voice welcoming yet with a hint of mischief. "Please, go ahead and settle into your tents. Freshen up, and once you're ready, we'll meet for lunch."
The students scattered to their designated tents, some voices filled with excitement, while others whispered nervously, unsure of what to expect. As they settled in, a few students couldn't hide their curiosity. "It looks like so much fun!" one exclaimed. "Or maybe it's a bit scary," another whispered, her eyes scanning the thick foliage around them.
Uncle's voice echoed once again, "After lunch, we'll be starting our night game. So, make sure you're prepared. The adventure is just beginning." The students, some more eager than others, hurried to get ready, each one unsure of what the night held, but all secretly hoping for an unforgettable experience.