𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝒉𝑒 𝐻𝑖𝑔𝒉 𝑆𝑒𝑎𝑠 /𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

ᥴꫝꪖρ𝓽ꫀ𝘳 ꪮꪀꫀ

Jisung and his friends were heading to school at five in the morning. Hyunjin was sketching birds in his journal, capturing the beauty of the morning sky.

While Jisung chatted with Jeongin and Seungmin about their day, Hyunjin interjected, "Guys, have you heard? There's a rumor that an enemy pirate ship is staying nearby, planning to attack the kingdom." He placed his drawing journal in his bag.

Seungmin rolled his eyes, saying, "Hyunjin, it's just a rumor in our village. There's no way they're here.”

"Our parents are pirates too, but in a different way. We protect our village and the kingdom," Seungmin added, exchanging a meaningful glance with Hyunjin.

Hyunjin nodded, "Look, I care about our safety since we're pirates.”

As the boys ran toward school and made it on time, the rhythmic sounds of brush strokes on parchment filled the classrooms. Students transcribed classical texts, and the air carried the faint scent of ink and the soft rustling of silk.

The boys settled at their wooden desks, the teacher greeted them, "Good morning, students. Take your books and turn to page 179 to learn about Korean art.”

Hyunjin discreetly passed a note to Jisung and his friends, suggesting, "After school ends, want to play hide and seek?" The note bore a happy smile.

They nodded in agreement.

"Alright, our lesson starts now," the teacher announced with a serious tone, pacing around the class as she delved into the day's studies.

When school ended, the boys walked together, leaving their bags at home. "Man, that teacher was very strict today," Hyunjin scratched his head. Jeongin nodded, "Yeah, and we got extra homework.”

"Don't forget we're playing hide and seek, and Hyunjin, you're counting since you wanted to play," Seungmin smiled.

"Alrighty," Hyunjin exclaimed with excitement.

Later, the boys left their homes, met in the forest, and Hyunjin took charge. "I'll count to ten, now hide.”

As the others scattered to find hiding spots, Jisung hurriedly searched and stumbled upon an wounded enemy pirate boy. The distinct clothing gave away the boy's affiliation.

Jisung approached the wounded enemy pirate boy who lay on the ground. He abruptly woke up, pushing Jisung down and brandishing a knife, placing it threateningly against Jisung's throat.

"Who are you?" the pirate boy demanded, his voice carrying anger. Jisung, realizing the gravity of the situation, remained silent. His eyes darted to the boy's stomach, where a visible injury bled, evidence of a gunshot wound.

"Answer me!" the pirate boy yelled, intensifying the tension. Jisung, trembling, managed to stammer out his name, "Jisung.”

"Okay, Jisung, get up. Don't think of running; I will kill you," he responded, the knife still pressed against Jisung's throat.

Relieved, Jisung was released and stood up, carefully absorbing the instructions. "Good. Now, let's hide in some bushes before someone spots you," he suggested, wincing as he covered the wound on his hand.

Jisung, maintaining his composure, followed the instructions. "Walk, I'll be behind you," he instructed, the knife now at Jisung's back. Moving cautiously, they found a cluster of bushes, and Jisung sat down as instructed.

Jisung and the wounded pirate boy sat under the cluster of bushes.

"How did you find me, Jisung?" He inquired, wincing as he tried to talk, clearly affected by the pain from his wound.