A Symphony Of Home

Seventeen (Tae Ho's POV)

(Edited)

We walked forward in comfortable silence, with Elysia doing an excellent job so far. The flashlight she held illuminated the path directly ahead. I knew we'd eventually have to sweep the light to the sides, as the hidden box wouldn't be right in the middle of the path. Still, for now, we kept a steady pace, her hand in mine for support since she couldn't see where she was going.

As the stone path gave way to frozen grass, she slowed down. Her breathing became shallower, and it was clear she was feeling unsure. The trail had also narrowed, flanked by shrubs that closed in on either side.

"Let's slow down a bit," I suggested. "Move your hand slowly from left to right at the same height. That should help."

Without a word, she followed my instructions, sweeping the flashlight back and forth. I glanced at her, noticing how alert she seemed, her head turning toward every small sound. The tension in her posture, the way she was focusing on her surroundings, it was... enticing. I could understand why some people found this kind of situation thrilling—it stirred something in me too. I quickly turned my attention back to the task at hand, checking behind us to ensure we hadn't missed anything.

"You're awfully quiet," she said after a while.

"Yeah, I'm just enjoying the silence. It's rare around here."

"Sorry," she said softly, tensing again, as if my comment had made her uneasy.

"It's not you," I reassured her quickly. "It's just that living with nine other people can get... chaotic."

"I get that," she relaxed a bit. "But I like having everyone around. The energy, the personalities. It's fun seeing so many different types of people together, but they're all kind of similar too."

"Similar how?" I asked, intrigued. Every now and then, I'd have her stop and shine the light along the path.

"Well, take Yeong and Maria, for example. They're both really outgoing, especially when they're passionate about something. They clash sometimes, but they also amplify each other's energy. Then there's Damru—calm, sensible, but she has her moments. Chan Woo is the quieter type, but he's intense when he opens up. Ji Soo is mature, and he balances out Imani's moods."

"You've been paying attention," I said, impressed. "What have you observed about me?"

She cleared her throat, clearly not ready to answer that. "Are you still looking for the box?"

I chuckled at her deflection. "We'll check the outer edges and work our way in. I can see the flashlights of the others in the distance—one group has stopped, but I can't tell if they've found their item or if they're just arguing."

"Alright," she said, focusing back on the task.

As we walked, I couldn't help but admire her resilience. She hadn't complained once, even though it was freezing out here. I hadn't expected her to complain, but still, it was impressive. When she had lost the previous assignment, she had handled everyone's tasks without a single grumble. She seemed to enjoy playing along with the group's antics, but I wanted my task for her to be... different. Something memorable.

"Have you thought about a task for me yet?" she asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Not yet. But I've got time."

"Oh, okay." She didn't push further.

A little while later, I spotted a flash of fuchsia—the color of our box. I debated whether to confirm it or keep walking, but eventually, I stopped.

"Hold on. I think I see it." I let go of her hand and moved ahead toward the box. When I turned around, she was standing frozen in place like a statue. I couldn't help but laugh.