The bus was quiet yet lively, In-Su's head was resting on the window while, Yuki was beside him sleeping his mouth slightly ajar.
Nira was perched at the front seat, her legs crossed comfortably, flipping through her phone.
Ha-Joon and Joon-Seo occupied the last row, cramped but comfortable.
Joy sat at the front seat expression irritated while Ji-Hoo drives smiling mischievously.
The rest of the space, were packed with their equipment-bags, tools, and travel essentials leaving little room to move.
Suddenly In-Su's eyes widen in amusement, he turns to Ha-Joon who was poking his nose, looking confused.
''Look Ha-Joon.. Mountains!'' In-Su said pointing at the window, Ha-Joon's face lit up with a smile, he leaned closer pressing his cheeks on the window, by doing so, he unintentionally leaned on Joon-Seo , who was sitting beside him not actually enjoying the proximity.
''Ooh it's pretty In-Su...'' Ha-Joon said softly eyes shinning as he continue to look out the window.
Joon-Seo's expression darken slightly, his tone came out as harsh and impatient ,
'' Could you sit back down ?'' he demanded. Startled Ha-Joon quickly sat back to his seat, looking down at his feet, a little guilty.
In-Su visibly annoyed, clenched his fist trying to stay calm, he didn't say a word he just faced his front.
Ha-Joon whispered quietly ''Sorry'' without meeting Joon-Seo's gaze.
Trying to distract himself Ha-Joon pulled out his phone, and slipped on an earbud bobbing gently to whatever music he was listening, humming a little in his seat.
Joon-Seo shot him a glance narrowing his eyes '' Can't you sit still?'' he asked tone laced with annoyance.
Ha-Joon turns to him and shrugged with a grin '' No I am sorry but I can't'' he replied casually.
Ha-Joon smirked '' The music is nice.. it makes me wanna dance..'' he said that so casually that he hesitated for a moment before handing Joon-Seo an earbud.
Joon-Seo glanced at him but collects the earbud and mutters ''Thanks I guess''.
When Joon-Seo puts it in a small smile tugged on his lips, '' I mean yes it's nice. is it the song for the MV?'' He asked voice neutral.
Ha-Joon nodded smiling and Joon-Seo returned back to his phone, without returning the earbud.
''You're quite something else Ha-Joon'' Joon-Seo thought to himself. ''I talked harshly to you and you still wanna talk, I like that.'' He thought again, smirking to himself.
I guess Ha-Joon noticed that and he thought it was weird.
What's even more weirder is that, Ha-Joon has a habit of wanting to be friends with those who ignored him the most, Then what about Joy?.
Meanwhile the vehicle moved along, and everyone inside the bus doing their own thing, Ji-Hoo disturbing and teasing Joy, Nira flipping her phone deeply engrossed in her reading, Yuki sleeping his mouth wide open, and In-Su looking out the window, eyes flickering with amusement.
---------------
After some time, the bus pulled at the coast and everyone got down, their bags and equipment in hand.
The scene was breathtaking stretching out before them was the stunning Busan beach.
The sand was golden and soft glistening under the bright sun. It took them One hour to reach there, but some time, to breath.
Waves crashed gently across the shore creating a soothing rhythm that echoed through the air.
Beyond the beach, rows, of colorful hotels and resorts lined the coast, their balconies overlooking the sea, shimmering glass reflecting the sunlight.
The salty breeze swept over them, carrying the scent of the sand and ocean. Ha-Joon stepped out of the bus last and smiled to himself.
''Wow.. I've outdone myself'' he murmured happily.
The others gathered around all looking around and admiring the view.
Yuki and Nira, stood by the edge of the sea feeling the warm sand beneath their toes, while the rest admired the hotels and resorts.
Meanwhile, a hotel staff member, came towards them smiling holding a tray for keeping bags. She spoke kindly her voice gentle but efficient.
''Welcome sir....'' She said bowing to Ji-Hoo, who apparently his parents owned the resort.
''Welcome all... I will take your bags to the private hotel'' she said, Nira stepped forward and nodded politely as the staff keeps the bags down .
'' Thank you so much'' Nira said softly and the staff nodded, and walked away with a smile.
Suddenly Ji-Hoo's voice cuts through the peaceful thoughts '
' So guys let's pick a room.'' He said , jiggling three keys in his hand.
He began smiling,
'' We have three bedroom, each of them has two beds, except for the last one that has one big bed'' He began to hand out the keys looking uncertain, he was unsure to share a room with Joy, he glanced at her who was trying to hide her smirk.
Joon-Seo clearly fed up snatched the keys,
'' Here'' he said face serious voice firm.
''The main leads will share a room, the big bed one...'' he said passing Ji-Hoo a key.
''In-Su and Ha-Joon you will share a room too...'' he said handing Ha-Joon the key.
''And I will share with Yuki and Nira..'' He said clutching to the last key.
After sharing the keys he abruptly turned and walked away the breeze washing over him, the sand brushing on his slippers.
Ha-Joon nodded at In-Su and the two started walking away, followed by Yuki then Nira, walking side by side.
Ji-Hoo remained standing there for a moment watching the waves moves, he turned to Joy, and puts a hand on his waist.
'' Well I guess we're sleeping together '' he said teasingly. Joy rolled her eyes and sighs.
''It's part of the be ' comfortable thing' I guess'' she said and Ji-Hoo nodded.
''Still I can't wait for tonight'' he said with a wink, and Joy gasp.
''Oh no You don't, you're sleeping on the floor..'' Joy declared pointing out her fingers.
Ji-Hoo shakes his head then smiled '' No I am not...'' he protested and Joy snapped, she chased him to their room.
NIGHT FELL....
That night, the room was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of a bedside lamp.
Ha-Joon sat cross-legged on his bed, his messy hair damp from the bath. In his hands, he held a brown book titled "Uncover the Power."
Suddenly, from the corner—believed to be the bathroom—In-Su appeared, slipping quietly out.
He moved with a silent grace but lost his footing for a moment.
His foot slipped on his own bed, causing him to stumble and land softly between the two beds, just a few feet from Ha-Joon.
He sat up quickly, rubbing his head, and glanced over at Ha-Joon, who was still engrossed in the book, eyes unblinking.
In-Su slowly removed his mask, setting it aside.
He ruffled his hair absentmindedly, then looked at Ha-Joon with a faint smile, revealing his sharp fangs.
"What are you reading?" he asked softly, voice gentle but curious.
Ha-Joon looked up, startled out of his thoughts. "Nothing," he said quickly, closing the book a little. "Just a book."
In-Su's gaze shifted to the cover, and he gulped softly.
His expression grew distant for a moment, as if recalling something.
He seemed to hesitate, then asked himself, "Is he reading this book? Then… that means he remembers."
Ha-Joon noticed the distant look in In-Su's eyes and tilted his head.
"What happened?" he asked, concern flickering in his voice.
In-Su snapped back to the present, his smile returning—though a little strained, showing his sharp fangs.
"No, it's nothing," he said quickly. Then, hesitantly, he added,
"Can I come sit with you?"
Ha-Joon nodded without hesitation. "Sure," he replied softly.
In-Su made his way to Ha-Joon's bed and sat down carefully.
He ruffled his hair again and looked at Ha-Joon for a moment, as if weighing whether to say something.
Then, he pulled out his phone and scrolled through photos. He paused, revealing a picture of a girl—long black hair, red eyes, a sweet smile. she wore a pink, dress and a pink hair band. She looked almost identical to In-Su but more girly.
"Do you know her..?'' In-Su askes smiling hopefully.
Ha-Joon leaned forward, narrowing his eyes as he studied the photo.
"No," he said slowly, "but I think I saw her face somewhere…"
He paused and then added, " But Where?"
In-Su's face fell slightly but he still smiled holding up the photo.
"In my dreams.... yes I saw her in my dream In-Su..," Ha-Joon replied eagerly.
A flicker of disappointment crossed In-Su's face as he looked down. "Oh… so he doesn't remember," he thought silently, a shadow crossing his expression.
Ha-Joon looked at him curiously. "Is she your sister?" he asked gently.
''Because she's cute....'' Ha-Joon added looking at the photo once more.
In-Su nodded silently. "She was someone you knew," he whispered, almost to himself.
'' Then What's her name...?'' Ha-Joon asked excitedly and In-Su smiled.
''Sora...'' He replied.
''Oh Sora.. what a nice name for her... will you introduce me to her?'' he asked.
'' No I don't think so....''. In-Su replied and they smiled.