5. Adventure in the Garden

As the sun hung high in the sky, Joon-hyuk and his friends continued to relax on the park bench, enjoying the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves. Their laughter echoed through the park, blending with the distant chirping of birds and the occasional chatter of other children playing nearby.

After finishing their ice cream, Mi-jin stretched her arms and stood up. "Let's play something else! What about tag?"

Zin grinned. "I'm in! But let's make it more fun—how about the person who gets caught has to do a silly dance?"

"That sounds hilarious!" Yohan laughed, already imagining how ridiculous they would all look.

Joon-hyuk nodded in agreement. "Alright! But no backing out once we start. Mi-jin, since you suggested it, you should be 'it' first."

Mi-jin pouted but quickly accepted the challenge. "Fine! But you guys better run fast!"

She counted to five before dashing towards Zin, who barely dodged in time. Yohan, being the fastest, ran circles around Mi-jin, teasing her as he went. But eventually, Mi-jin managed to tag Zin, who groaned and began to dance in the silliest way possible. His exaggerated movements sent them all into fits of laughter, rolling on the grass in delight.

After several rounds of the game, the group collapsed onto the soft grass, staring up at the vast blue sky. The clouds floated lazily above them, forming shapes that sparked their imaginations.

"That one looks like a dragon," Yohan pointed.

Mi-jin giggled. "And that one looks like a cat!"

Joon-hyuk observed the sky with a serene smile. Moments like these, surrounded by his closest friends, made him feel at peace. However, deep inside, he knew that the world wasn't always as kind as this park. He had seen glimpses of hardship and pain, and a part of him wanted to ensure that he could protect the people he cared about from such suffering.

"Hey, guys," Joon-hyuk said, breaking the comfortable silence. "Do you ever wonder what we'll be like when we grow up?"

Zin sat up, brushing the grass off his shirt. "I already know! Like I said, I'll be a knight! But not just any knight—I'll be the strongest warrior, protecting the weak and fighting against evil."

"I still want to be an explorer," Yohan added, eyes gleaming. "There are so many places in the world I want to see! Forests, mountains, oceans... I want to experience it all."

Mi-jin clasped her hands together. "And I'll be a singer! I want to make people happy with my music. I'll perform in big concerts, and you guys have to come watch me!"

Joon-hyuk smiled as he listened to his friends' dreams. Their excitement was contagious, but when it was his turn to answer, he hesitated.

"I don't know what job I'll have... but one thing's for sure: I want to protect the people I love. No matter what happens, I'll be strong enough to keep you all safe."

The others were quiet for a moment, taking in his words. Then, Mi-jin reached out and held Joon-hyuk's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"That's just like you, Joon-hyuk," she said softly. "You've always looked out for us."

Yohan nodded. "Yeah! If you ever become some kind of hero, I want to be on your team!"

Zin grinned. "Me too! Every knight needs a leader."

Their words warmed Joon-hyuk's heart. He felt a deep sense of belonging, a bond that he knew would last forever—at least, that's what he hoped. They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about their dreams, playing more games, and making promises about the future.

As the sun began to set, they made their way back to Joon-hyuk's house. His mother, Han Soo-jin, welcomed them warmly, preparing snacks as they settled in the living room.

"You kids had fun today?" she asked while placing plates of fruit and cookies on the table.

"Yes! We played so many games!" Mi-jin answered enthusiastically.

Zin nodded, still munching on a cookie. "And we talked about our futures. We all know what we want to be when we grow up."

Han Soo-jin chuckled. "That's wonderful. Just remember, whatever path you choose, always be kind and work hard."

Joon-hyuk glanced at his mother, feeling a surge of warmth. He wanted to make sure she was always safe and happy. One day, he would be strong enough to protect her, too.

As the evening deepened, his friends began to head home one by one, promising to meet again soon. Joon-hyuk watched them leave, a soft smile lingering on his lips.

He didn't know what the future held, but for now, he was grateful for the precious moments he shared with his friends. Moments like these were what made life beautiful.

Unbeknownst to them all, their innocent childhood days were numbered. Change was on the horizon, and soon, Joon-hyuk would be faced with challenges that would test everything he believed in.

But for tonight, under the soft glow of the moon, all was peaceful.