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AFTER FOUR GRUELING HOURS, the car finally pulled into the parking lot at the foot of Jirisan National Park. Morning sunlight bathed the rugged landscape, the towering mountains looming like silent sentinels over the sleepy group. Inside the vehicle, a sense of tranquility had followed the initial anarchy.

Y/n had succumbed to sleep somewhere along the winding mountain roads, her soft snores audible over the ever-persistent war audiobook. Her head had found its way to Yoon's shoulder, and she stirred occasionally, mumbling incoherently. Yoon, ever the zen soul, remained unfazed, continuing his meditation as if her proximity didn't exist. His AirPods played gentle mantras now, a stark contrast to the aggressive narration still blaring from the car's speakers.

In front, Park and Lee had turned what started as a love letter into a bizarre, overly dramatic piece of romantic fiction. Park's hushed voice dictated lines like, "... and then y/n gazed into his charcoal orbs that glistened with the ghosts of his past, her heart aflutter with the reckless abandon of forbidden love," while Lee scribbled furiously, nodding in agreement. "Jae-sung... she whispered, her voice all breathy and mellow, like a k-drama heroine. His tongue—yes, his tongue—grazed hers, tasting her honey-sweet lips that honestly could make bees jealous. This wasn't just a kiss—it was a cinematic event."

"This is gold," Lee muttered, "pure gold." They were entirely oblivious to the mounting tension in the back row.

Kwon leaned against the window, his jaw tight and fists clenched, glancing down at his phone every so often. He had smuggled it aboard despite the strict no-phone rule, refreshing his texts anxiously. No new messages. His grandmother's condition weighed heavily on his mind, the helplessness gnawing at him like a persistent ache. The fight with his father earlier that morning hadn't helped—his jaw still throbbed faintly from the blow, the bruise hidden beneath the spot where y/n had struck him with a cane just days before. It was ironic and infuriating all at once.

As if his thoughts weren't turbulent enough, every time y/n shifted, her head dipping slightly further into Yoon's shoulder, a strange wave of anger boiled in his chest. He tried to rationalize it: maybe it was annoyance, maybe it was just the exhaustion from everything piling up. But deep down, he knew it wasn't. If he had sat in the middle, it would be him she was leaning against. That thought made his stomach churn, and he quickly shoved it aside, glaring daggers at the unsuspecting duo instead.

Why should he care? She was nothing but a nuisance, someone who always seemed to push his buttons. Yet the sight of her so unguarded, her face buried in Yoon's shoulder, brought a pang of something else—something uncomfortable. He hated it. He hated himself for even thinking it.

Kim Da-eun, oblivious to all this, remained entirely engrossed in the audiobook, her voice cutting through the car every few minutes to praise the strategist's brilliance. "The layered deception here," she remarked with an almost reverent tone, "is simply beautiful. See how he exploits not only the enemy's weaknesses but their expectations? Pure genius."

Park and Lee exchanged a glance, their shared suffering evident in their tired expressions. "I'm starting to think she likes this more than us," Park whispered, earning a half-hearted laugh from Lee.

Finally, the vehicle came to a halt, and Da-eun turned to the group with her usual commanding presence. "We're here," she announced, as if they hadn't noticed the towering mountains outside.

Y/n stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she let out a small yawn. Her half-lidded gaze landed on Yoon, whose shoulder she was still leaning on. "Oh," she mumbled groggily, sitting up quickly. "Sorry."

"It's fine," Yoon replied with a calm smile, though the large damp spot on his hoodie betrayed the real story.

Kwon snorted, unable to help himself. "Wow, drooling on Yoon now? Talk about making an impression."

Y/n shot him a glare. "Better than sitting there looking like you hate your life."

"I do hate my life," Kwon retorted smoothly. "Thanks for noticing."

Before she could fire back, Kim clapped her hands sharply. "Out of the car. Now. You have five minutes to stretch before we begin."

The air was crisp and invigorating as they stepped out of the car, the towering peaks of Jirisan National Park basking in the morning sunlight. The girl stretched her arms high above her head, feeling a slight pull in her muscles as she took in the breathtaking view. The mountain stood proudly, its rugged beauty veiled in a thin morning mist, the kind of scene that would grace the covers of travel magazines. It was hard to believe they were here for brutal training instead of a serene hike.

Kwon hung back slightly, watching y/n as she stretched her arms over her head, her y/h/t messy y/h/c hair catching the sunlight. He shook his head, forcing his thoughts elsewhere. He had bigger things to worry about than whatever weird feelings she stirred in him.

Yoon appeared beside her, his peaceful demeanor a stark contrast to the barely-contained excitement in her eyes. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he said, gesturing towards the mountain. "You know, my family visits Ssanggyesa Temple here often. It's peaceful—completely different from what we're about to do. If we get any free time, I could take you there."

"Really?" y/n's face lit up at the idea, her lethargy momentarily forgotten. "That sounds amazing."

Kwon, standing a few feet away with his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets, couldn't hold back any longer. His voice, sharp and dripping with cynicism, cut through their exchange like a blade. "Hate to break it to you, but you're not here for a temple tour. This isn't some school trip. You're here to train, not to sightsee."

The girl's smile faded as she turned to glare at him. "Thanks for the reminder, Captain Buzzkill. No one asked for your input."

Yoon, ever the diplomat, simply sighed and shook his head but said nothing. Meanwhile, Lee and Park, observing the tension, exchanged mischievous grins.

"Did you catch that?" Lee whispered, nudging Park. "The jealousy! Perfect for the next chapter."

Park smirked, adding a dramatic whisper, "We should make him brood more—like, brooding in the rain, thinking about her."

Unfortunately, their hushed conspiratorial tones weren't as quiet as they'd hoped. Both y/n and Kwon turned to them with identical expressions of exasperation.

"What the fuck are you two yapping about?" y/n asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing," Park said quickly, waving his hand dismissively. "Just brainstorming."

Before the conversation could go any further, Kim Da-eun's commanding voice rang out, silencing the group. She had opened the trunk and was pulling out heavy sacks of water. "Enough chatter. Everyone, grab your sack. You'll be carrying these up the mountain."

Y/n approached to pick hers up, grunting slightly at the weight. When Kwon stepped forward, Kim handed him two sacks with a faint smirk. "As per our agreement."

Kwon's jaw tightened as he slung the sacks over his shoulders. He didn't complain out loud, but the muscle twitching in his temple said it all. y/n couldn't resist a small, smug grin as she passed him.

"Enjoying yourself?" he muttered darkly as they began their ascent.

"Immensely," she shot back. "I warned you not to underestimate me in that spar."

"You did not... but okay," he rolled his eyes bitterly. "You just went all psycho without warning after getting provoked by what, one strike at your ankles by Sensei?"

"Don't tempt me to give you a matching one one now." she deadpanned.

Kim Da-eun's voice cut through the air like a whip. "We're taking the east trail," she declared, her sharp tone leaving no room for argument. "No ropes. No climbing gear. Just your hands, feet, and those sacks. Keep up, or you'll be left behind. And don't expect me to slow down for anyone."

Y/n glanced at Yoon, her brow furrowing. "No gear at all? Isn't that... kind of dangerous?"

"It is," Yoon replied calmly, adjusting his sack of water over his shoulder. "But that's part of the training. The east trail is infamous—steep cliffs, uneven terrain, and loose rocks. Even seasoned climbers struggle here. Just stay close to me. I'll guide you through it."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, his reassurance calming her nerves. "Thanks, Yoon. I appreciate it."

Kwon, who had been quiet until now, scoffed loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Maybe you should hold hands while you're at it," he muttered, rolling his eyes as he hefted his double load of water sacks.

Y/n cocked up a brow, glancing at him over her shoulder. "Jealous much?"

"Jealous?" Kwon snorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Of what? Watching you trip over your own feet?"

Yoon frowned but kept his voice steady. "What's your problem, man?"

"My problem," Kwon snapped, "is that I'm stuck hauling double the weight because of someone who doesn't know when to quit." He glanced pointedly at y/n, his jaw tight.

"Oh, I'm sorry," y/n said, her voice saccharine with mock sympathy. "Do you need a break, Kwon? Maybe I could ask Kim to let you take a nap halfway up."

Lee and Park stifled their laughter, nudging each other conspiratorially. "Did you hear that?" Lee whispered. "Their banter is straight out of a rom-com."

"More like enemies-to-lovers," Park added, grinning. "This keeps getting better!"

Both y/n and Kwon turned to glare at them simultaneously. "Shut up," they said in unison, their tones eerily similar.

Kim, oblivious to the drama brewing behind her, clapped her hands again. "Let's move out! The trail doesn't wait for anyone."

As they began the climb, y/n fell in step behind Yoon, focusing on his steady movements and clear instructions. The incline was brutal, and the uneven ground made her footing precarious. Behind her, Kwon started muttering to himself, his voice low but deliberately loud enough for her to catch snippets.

"Can't believe I'm stuck with this circus," he grumbled in Korean, his words laced with irritation. "If she falls, it's not my fault."

Y/n clenched her jaw, trying to ignore him, but he kept going. So she quickened her pace, keeping close behind Yoon as he guided her over the rocky incline. Her legs burned, and the weight of the sack on her back felt heavier with each step. But the real challenge wasn't the climb—it was Kwon's voice drifting back to her, loud enough to catch but just quiet enough to sound like he was talking to himself.

"Maybe you should've stayed back at the dojang," he muttered in Korean, his tone laced with mockery. "This trail's no place for rookies."

Her jaw tightened, her limited grasp of the language enough to catch the insult. "I'm doing fine," she snapped back, her Korean clumsy but pointed.

Kwon stopped mid-step, turning just enough to flash her a grin. "Oh? Looks like someone's been studying," he teased, his voice lilting with fake surprise. "Your accent's adorable, though. Like a baby trying to speak for the first time."

Her eyes narrowed. "Shut up," she snapped, struggling to find the right Korean words to keep up with him. "At least... I'm not the one whining about extra weight."

"Not whining," he corrected, his smirk widening. "Just pointing out that you owe me a massage when we get back."

Y/n blinked, thrown off. "What?!"

Kwon leaned closer, his voice dropping conspiratorially as he switched to English. "You heard me. Shoulder massage. It's the least you can do for making me carry double."

Her cheeks flared. "I didn't make you do anything!" she protested. "You're the one who lost the spar."

"Oh, right," he said mockingly. "Because you're such a skilled fighter and totally didn't get lucky."

"Lucky?" she huffed. "You call that lucky? I worked for that win, and you know it."

"Sure, sure," he drawled, his tone playful but patronizing. "Keep telling yourself that, rookie. Maybe one day you'll actually believe it."

"I swear to god, Kwon--"

"Careful," he interrupted smoothly, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Your face is turning red. Wouldn't want Yoon thinking I'm getting under your skin."

Her gaze darted to Yoon, who was thankfully focused on navigating the trail ahead. She glared back at Kwon. "You're such a—"

"Heartthrob?" he supplied, his grin downright cocky now. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

"Asshole," she corrected, her tone venomous.

Kwon chuckled, his confidence unshaken. "You're fun when you're mad, you know that?"

She didn't dignify that with a response, biting back the string of insults threatening to spill out. But Kwon wasn't done. As they started walking again, he leaned just close enough for his words to reach her ears.

"Don't worry," he murmured in Korean, his voice low and teasing. "You know I'll always go easy on you. Wouldn't want you crying over another bruise."

Her brows furrowed at the unfamiliar phrasing. She caught part of it but not the whole meaning. Sensing her confusion, Kwon smirked wider and switched back to English. "Don't hurt yourself trying to figure it out, princess. You're better off not knowing."

The uneven terrain seemed to echo the sharpness of their bickering, the sound of boots scraping rock mingling with the girl's mounting irritation.

"I still think it's funny," she quipped, throwing him a glare over her shoulder, "how you're blaming me for losing the spar. You do realize that mark on face side was all skill, right? Not luck."

Kwon smirked, rolling his shoulder under the weight of the sacks. "Skill? Is that what you call flailing a stick around like you're in a bar fight? Face it, y/n/n, you got lucky."

"Lucky enough to beat you... again." She shot back, her tone smug. "And if you're not careful, you'll end up with a matching bruise on the other side."

"Oh, please." Kwon chuckled, glancing over his shoulder at her. "I think you should focus on your own face first. Don't think I forgot about that smack with the bo staff yesterday." He pointed at his own cheek, taunting her for the bruise on her face.

Her jaw clenched at the reminder of her humiliating misstep during training. "At least I wasn't whining about it for three days like you are now."

He stopped abruptly, turning to face her with mock surprise. "Whining? Me? I'm not the one who flinched every time someone walked past yesterday like they were gonna hit me again."

Y/n's cheeks burned. "I wasn't flinching!"

"Sure," Kwon said, his grin infuriatingly broad. "You're just naturally jumpy. Real warrior spirit."

Fuming, y/n quickened her pace, brushing past him as her concentration wavered. The loose gravel beneath her boots shifted treacherously, and her balance faltered. Her breath hitched as she started to tip backward, but before panic could fully set in, strong hands gripped her waist.

She found herself pressed firmly against Kwon's chest, her back meeting the hard lines of his torso as he steadied her. For a moment, the world seemed to still, the tension between them palpable. His breath was warm against her ear, and she could feel the faint hammering of his heartbeat—or was that hers?

"Careful," he murmured, his voice low and teasing, almost intimate. "Wouldn't want you bruising more than just your ego."

Her breath caught as her senses flooded with the scent of him—soap and sweat and something distinctly Kwon. But before she could fully process the moment, he released her, stepping back as though nothing had happened.

She spun around, staring at him as her heart raced. "I had it under control."

"Sure you did," he replied, his smirk returning with infuriating ease. "Lucky for you, I was here. Maybe I am your good luck charm."

She bristled. "More like my bad karma."

He laughed, the sound annoyingly deep and rich, as he moved past her. "Don't get too flustered, little one. There's still a lot of mountain left to climb."

As he strode ahead, y/n clenched her fists, torn between yelling at him and trying to catch her breath. She followed silently, her cheeks still burning as his teasing words lingered in her mind. "I hate you," she muttered under her breath.

His laughter echoed back to her, infuriating and... oddly captivating.

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