𝕎𝔸𝕐 𝔹𝔸ℂ𝕂 ℍ𝕆𝕄𝔼 ||𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋||

Chapter - 21

The room was filled with a mix of anxiety and uncertainty as the students contemplated the approaching day. So-yoon voiced their collective concern, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"It's tomorrow. What are we supposed to do?" she asked, her eyes searching the faces of her fellow students.

Hee-rak let out a deep sigh, his fear evident in his trembling voice. "I'm really scared," he admitted, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Jang-soo attempted to offer some reassurance. "It won't be that dangerous in the suburbs," he said, his voice carrying a faint sense of optimism.

However, Jun-hee's question cut through the fragile optimism. "Then why would they have us write our wills?" she wondered aloud, her voice trembling with unease.

As the conversation continued, Tae-man, who had been dozing off, was nudged awake by Yeon-hwa's elbow. His eyes widened, as he struggled to stay awake.

Yeon-ju interjected with a mix of hope and uncertainty in her voice. "They'll let us go home if we get through this, right?" she pondered, her words carrying a glimmer of longing for the comfort of home.

Il-ha nodded in agreement. "That's the only reason I'm going. If we get through this..."

A collective sigh rippled through the room, a shared sentiment of missing their parents and the familiar comforts of home, the weight of their emotions hanging heavily in the air. Soon-yi's voice trembled as she spoke, "I miss my parents."

Yeon-ju joined in, her voice filled with longing. "Me too."

Deok-joong lightened the heavy atmosphere for a brief moment with a touch of nostalgia. "I miss my mom's Kimchi Jigae. I'd gulp it down," he mused, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

As the students expressed their longing for their parents, Yeon-hwa's thoughts took a different turn. Amidst the chorus of missing parents, she felt a different kind of longing-a longing for something she had never truly experienced. She wondered how it would feel to miss her parents. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have a loving mother who would embrace her in times of fear and a supportive father who would offer guidance and reassurance. The concept of family and the sense of connection eluded her, leaving a void in her heart.

In her heart, Yeon-hwa yearned for the warmth of a family's love that seemed so elusive to her. Growing up in a household where only the social status and hierarchy mattered the most, she had never experienced the simple joys of a parent's affection or the comforting presence of a family. The absence of those connections had left an indelible mark on her, a longing that often resurfaced in moments like these.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, imagining what it would feel like to have parents who would hold her hand and tell her everything would be alright. The image of a loving family enveloped her thoughts, and a bittersweet smile graced her lips.

Lost in her thoughts, Yeon-hwa was jolted back to reality as footsteps approached. Yu-jeong's eyes widened, and she urgently gestured for everyone to stay silent.

Lieutenant Lee and Sergeant Kim entered the tent, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise. In a frenzy, the boys sprang into action, attempting to hide the girls amidst the chaos.

Tae-man, acting quickly, pulled Yeon-hwa down with him onto the bed, draping a blanket over them. The other boys scrambled to conceal the girls beside them, their faces contorted into exaggerated expressions.

Lieutenant Lee glanced around, amusement dancing in his eyes. Sergeant Kim walked over to Deok-joong and called out to him.

Deok-joong smiled at him sheepishly. When he realized it didn't work on Won-bin, he got off of Ae-sol's lap, revealing the statuesque girl.