Parallel Universes Unveiled: Maya's Fascinating Quest for Knowledge

The group embarked on a journey that took them through sprawling fields, not-so-dense forests, and meandering rivers, crossing every path they encountered along the way. Their trek had been a lengthy one, spanning nearly half a month, but they remained resolute in their pursuit of an elusive destination.

Led by Maya, the group placed their unwavering trust in her, subconsciously following her every move, for she was the only one who could hear the mysterious voices calling out to them. As they trudged on, exhaustion began to take its toll on even the strongest among them, as Minho gasped for breath and inquired about their whereabouts.

"Maya, where do you think where the destination is?" Minho, who was out of breath from walking for so long, said.

"I don't have any ideas; let's take a break here, I don't have any energy left," Maya said, as she intentionally lost all control of her body, making it fall on the soft grass, laying down on the ground.

Everyone looked at her while shaking their heads in agreement.

"Maya, you're a wild child, always laying down in any old spot and getting your dress dirty!" scolded Jaena, playfully channeling her inner kindergarten teacher.

But Maya just grinned and replied, "Hey, it's no big deal. I spent three years living in the forest, so this is like second nature to me. You should try it sometime; it's not as scary as you think!"

As she lazily stretched out on the grass, Maya gestured for Jaena to join her in the dirt. But just as Jaena was about to lie down, Seola and Jaebin swooped in and stole her spot. "Hey, that's my turf!" Jaena protested, but it was no use.

One by one, everyone in the group joined in on the impromptu grassy picnic, gazing up at the endless blue sky and the little flowers dotting the rolling hills. There were no buildings or signs of human life in sight—just them, the cold breeze that hit their tired bodies from time to time, and a sense of pure, unadulterated relaxation.

"I wish we could settle down here and always stay together; I will never want to go back home if I have a choice. Let's make this our home forever," Minho spoke softly, his words tinged with a hint of sadness.

The group lay together, taking in the beauty of their surroundings.

Jaena placed a reassuring hand on Minho's shoulder. "It's okay to feel that way now, but one day you'll see that everything will be fine. You just have to be strong, my boy."

"Did something happen to him?" Maya asked, puzzled.

Are you okay, Minho?" Her voice quivered with worry as she addressed her friend.

A deafening silence fell upon the group, with even Seola's expression now shrouded in mystery. The only problem was that Maya couldn't see her friend's faces since they were all lying down. It was as if the world had come to a standstill, and Maya's heart pounded in her chest as she waited for a response.

Jaena spoke up to answer for Minho. "No, Maya. He just doesn't like studying. He feels burdened by it and wants to escape."

Maya's eyes lit up as she changed the subject. "Well, I'm quite the opposite. I love studying. In fact, I have a ton of books on the parallel universe. There's so much to learn about the world and beyond. It's fascinating."

Daehyun was curious. "Why are you so interested in the parallel universe?"

Maya smiled and asked, "Where do I even begin? There's so much to tell. We have so much to discover about this world and what lies beyond it. Hidden things are living among us, and we don't even know it. Look at me; don't you think I'm strange? At first, I didn't believe what was happening to me, but with time, I realized that I don't belong in this world anymore. But you guys are my friends, and you accept me for who I am. I'm grateful for that."

Maya's words hit like a ton of bricks, causing everyone to ponder them deeply.

"Am I putting you all to sleep? Let's switch gears. Jaena, I've got a burning question for you - who's the oldest between you and your brother?" Maya quizzed, noticing the group's sudden silence.

Jaena responded with a devilish grin, "You'll have to ask him, he's the one with all the answers."

"Uh, okay. So who's older between the two of you?" Maya asked hesitantly, only to be met with a deafening silence.

"Why so quiet, folks? Am I talking to myself?" Maya asked, feeling perplexed.

Seola interjected, a mischievous glint in her eye, "Maya, it might help if you use people's names when addressing them."

"Oops... my bad. Jaena's brother, care to enlighten me?" Maya apologized awkwardly.

Jaebin said, in a deep voice, after some time, "I have a name," as if he was offended by Maya's statement.

Maya's face reddened with embarrassment, "I'm sorry! Jae- Jae, let's go over there. I feel a magnetic pull from that direction," she said, quickly standing up and pointing in a random direction.

"I don't get why she's so shy," Jaena whispered to Daehyun with a little smile.

"I wish you were a bit shyer. I have a thing for demure girls, but you're always screaming at the top of your lungs," Daehyun teased, trying to get a rise out of Jaena.

"What, you don't love me now?" Jaena bellowed, causing everyone to turn their heads in their direction.

Maya let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes as she watched the couple bickering yet again. She had endured enough of their pointless arguments during the journey, and it seemed her other friends, who had been seeing this for years, felt the same way. They were all fed up with this crazy couple and their constant drama.

"Why wouldn't you love Jaena? She's a freaking goddess," Maya exclaimed, rushing to Jaena's defense.

"I never said that! Don't put words in my mouth," Daehyun retorted in shock as if Maya had accused him of murder.

Maya turned to Jaena, only to find her bolting away from the group, red-faced and flustered. Maya smile and thought to herself, "I wish I had a connection or relationship like that with someone."

As Jaebin stood there, gazing at Maya, he couldn't help feeling a twinge of hurt. She had referred to him as "Jaena's brother," and it stung more than he expected. He locked eyes with her, almost as if he could read her thoughts, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why he was so offended.

"Let's go, we have to complete our journey. Maya, where were you saying, which direction?" Minho's words made Jaebin come back to this world.

"That way," Maya pointed north.

"Do I have to wear this now? "No one is here," she said, motioning for the hoodie to be removed, but no one heard her because they were busy planning and plotting how to proceed in that direction, except Jaebin, who was acutely aware of her actions.

He stepped closer, his voice low and intense, "Why Jaena's friend? Do you want to get caught?" Jaebin whispered in her ears.

“…”

After hearing his word, Maya understood that he was somehow offended for not calling him by his name, earlier

Maya was taken aback by his sudden proximity, but she couldn't deny the intensity of his gaze. As he turned to walk away, she couldn't help but call out to him. "Are you upset?"

As she saw him walking away from her, she almost yelled, "Are you upset?"

The sudden outburst drew everyone's attention, and Jaebin felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. Without a word, he made his way to the north side, determined to push past his hurt feelings and focus on the task at hand.

"She is just so unexperienced in love tch tch tch," Jaena thought to herself and decided to teach her some love words, later.