Chapter 15 -

"Hello? Give that back..!" I stammered with annoyance, impatiently reaching out for my stolen earphones before he stopped me by easily wrapping his fingers around my wrist, his face drawing nearer to mine.

"Interesting music. What's the name of the band?" Jaehwa asked.

"N-IX."

"Who?"

"You don't know them. You'll probably never know them anyway. Why aren't you sitting with Eliam? I texted you about it a while ago! Bus 2? 1st row?" I complained.

"Bus 2 was further away. This one was nearer," he smirked, flatly responding.

I facepalmed, wondering how the hell he was ever going to attract someone as high-leveled as Eliam. "Whatever. Not a big deal. Sit wherever you want. You're not getting Eliam with that drive of yours."

"And who's going to get the consequences from that?"

"Damn you."

"Haha! You're fun to annoy." He laughed, putting an arm around my neck.

"Clearly! Do I have to push you to Eliam? You're not a fricking baby. You could easily, with your charm, get with him again. I don't give a damn. Just do your thing; you were already partners before." I fussed annoyingly, trying to shake his heavy, strong arm off me, my earphones falling to the ground.

I bent down to pick them up, only to find his attractive face so close once I sat upright, making me insecure on the spot.

"Do what 'thing,' huh?" Jaehwa asked slowly, his expression relaxing the closer he got to me.

"Your... charm...?"

"You mean like this?" He lifted my chin with his hand, drawing me closer toward his face, his other hand shifting further downwards across my body.

I pushed him away quickly, flustered by his sudden move. "What the hell?! Was it really necessary to publicly display whatever you were going to do to Eliam?!"

He chuckled. "Of course, I need to show my progress to my teacher, right, Leon?"

"Do not call me that..!." I elbowed him, hiding my embarrassed look, making him back off at last.

He continued disturbing my peace for the whole journey.

I stepped out of the bus, running happily to escape that disaster for 20 minutes. However, I was stopped when someone held onto me tightly from behind. Feeling his warm breath tingling against the surface of my neck, I turned around.

"Jaehwa! You—" I exclaimed, only to find that it was Eliam. He looked really worried, even more so at the mention of Jaehwa's name. His green eyes stared into mine woefully, making me feel guilty for assuming Jaehwa would be the one accompanying him.

"Hm? Jaehwa? Is that why you weren't by my side? Because of him?" Eliam asked concerningly, his hands clutching my clothes tighter, securing me in his arms.

"No... That's... Sorry..! I'll be by your side, um, after the trip!" I sputtered anxiously, looking the other direction.

Eliam's expression was unreadable at my response, but then he smirked. "Sure then. After the trip, you won't ever leave me."

"Hehe..? Uh, sure." I reacted tensely. That sounded kind of scary, but well, what a good and caring friend? Right? "Wait, um... there's a bunch of people staring right now."

The plane wasn't very eventful; we were all assigned random seats, and I got to sit with some random girl doing her makeup who really liked male celebrities. She probably had a crush on Daehyun, hearing her keep rambling on to her friend about him as well. I had my music for comfort, so no problem.

I stretched out as we arrived at the terminal; at last, we were at our destination country. I sighed with slight dread for the next couple of days. Under different circumstances, this probably would have been the most exciting thing in my entire life. But I'd try to replace that dread with hope. It's not like the Grim Reaper himself is awaiting me after this! I'm going to have a good time visiting all the famous landmarks.

We arrived at the campsite. It was beautiful, both in nature and structure. There were 20 cabins lined down two cobblestone roads, each road having 10 cabins. One cabin could house about four people, so all 80 of us could fit. However, since there was just enough capacity with no free space, that meant you couldn't just transfer to different rooms and cabins if you got sick of your roommates or something like that.

In the front was a two-floored structure with a large open space on the ground floor. This felt familiar, kind of like my old school's trip when I was younger. However, the rising sun on the horizon was barely visible, blocked by enormous mountains that seemed to reach for the clouds, capped with snow. The rest of the mountains were covered with dense taiga forests.

This location was an altered version of where The Alps should be in my world, in the country of Switzerland. However, in this world, the name was totally different: the Zyren Heights, or something, in the country of Zyre. In my timeline, that taiga forest was almost completely decimated, causing massive negative changes due to one of the worst forest fires in millennia, even making it to global news.

But in this place, this world in general, it didn't have nearly as many climate problems as my world. People my age had a brighter future that wasn't bleakened by a worsening planet where the poor get poorer.

Whatever, it doesn't matter anyway. I'm here now.

We first started with basic stuff: speeches and advice on what to do in the wilderness if something bad were to happen. All boring. This place is at the dead center of Europe; how do you get lost here? Well, maybe the thick forests block you from being found, I'm not sure. But it lasted a couple of hours. I sat with my imaginary friends Ellie and Mason through this session, and they were so nice to me! No, I didn't try finding Eliam in the crowd of students either, so I just sat alone. I probably need mental help after all this is over.

Actually, I haven't seen him in a while. I wondered where he could have wandered off to; he might not even be in the crowd—he was never in my sight since we left the airport for our cabins. That's strange. For Jaehwa and Daehyun, they were across the auditorium, their strong, radiant looks instantly eye-catching among the crowd. They were surrounded by girls wanting to get closer, as always. I guess some saw this trip as a chance to form some sort of relationship with them?

You know what? I haven't fallen in love before, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have a problem with having a nice, slow, and loving relationship with either one of the three main characters; then maybe I'll actually be in love. It's a weird thought. But that's all it is. Just an insignificant thought. Disappointing.

One of the instructors finally came on stage to end the speech. "Now, as you all know, we are going to stay in cabins for nearly all week, except for one night when we... sleep in tents!"

The crowd started chattering with excitement, people turning to each other with enthusiasm.

"Okay... okay... The tent campsite is further uphill near the waterfall, and... that's about it! The cabin keys are set on the table, so make sure you get them in an orderly fashion! And remember to stay safe. See you!" He spoke, getting off the stage shortly after.

People started hurrying over to the long marble tables, each having four keys for all 20 cabins. I didn't bother. If I couldn't get to Cabin 2 in time, which was my original plan, it didn't really matter. I would just have to trust that incompetent excuse of a man, Jaehwa, to do his job.

I patiently waited in line, contrasting with the others hurrying and skipping with excitement.

After everybody ran off, I was left alone, everyone rushing to their cabins, and there was one single gold-colored key left, surrounded by an empty white table, and the key had a number attached to it. Cabin... 2? Well, that was... really convenient? I mean, what are the chances of that among 80 keys? Is the universe finally catering to me?

I grabbed the lightweight key, feeling its cold surface against my fingers. I guess it's time to get my bag and unpack my stuff.

In my bag, I carried just a few clothes and my phone, something really little compared to what I usually do for overnight trips like these. Carrying it over one shoulder, I made my way down the street to cabin 2. Cabin 3 had the main characters in it, so I could just watch from a safe distance. I don't mean I want to watch the very interesting scenes that go on among them, I mean I want to watch the progress, or maybe I could help in some way to boost their relationships too. Not that I was certain of what I was gonna do.

I approached the entrance of the decorated wooden structure. The front of the cabin was all glass, while the walls were wooden logs, sheltered by a dark roof and lit with warm lighting on the inside. Just like in the manhwa. I also questioned if my 3 other roommates that I don't know yet were inside unpacking, or hanging outside with some of the other classes.

I opened the door, the door creaking as I opened it. I was greeted with a cozy warm interior, several bean bags lying across in front of a fluffy sofa, a large enough TV, and some animal heads for decorations that kinda freaked me out. I could tell it cost a lot to stay here, the interior quality was better than most hotels in my hometown, before I transmigrated.

There was something however, someone relaxing on the red sofa, just reading a book. It instantly struck an uneasiness in me, the familiar expensive clothing, the slicked jet black hair. Daehyun.