-Moon's POV-
When the bus stopped and the shaking got lower, I opened my eyes to First's gentle touch on my shoulder.
"Moon, come on, wake up dude, we're here."
I blinked and tried to straighten up. My temple was pressed against the cold window of the bus, but strangely, in the deepest part of my sleep, I felt an indescribable warmth as if I had been leaning onto something "alive".
It felt as though I hadn't been sleeping against the icy glass, but in a living, protective harbor.
The sensation was so intense that for a moment, I wondered if I had actually slept on someone's chest, but the seat next to me was empty.
Sun had already gotten up.
"Are we here?" I muttered, my voice raspy from sleep.
"Yes, we're in front of the resort. Everyone's heading out, let's go," First said, helping me with my bag with his usual protective manner.
When I stepped off the bus, the warm afternoon air hit my face. The resort's massive entrance and the luxury stretching between the palm trees were enough to make me forget all the exhaustion of the road.
The luggage compartment under the bus was open; Ten, Bee, and the others were already chasing after their suitcases.
Among the crowd, my eyes involuntarily searched for Sun. I saw him a little further from the luggage area, picking up his own suitcase.
Earth wasn't with him, he was talking to Bank. Right then, he turned his head, and our gazes locked for a few seconds.
That "warm awakening" feeling rushed back to my heart the moment our eyes met. Could it be..?
Nevermind, I mustn't go crazy.
Unlike his usual distant stance, Sun didn't look away this time. Instead, he gave a slight nod as if there were a silent secret between us.
"Moon! Your suitcase is here, grab it!" Bee's voice snapped me out of it.
I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the group. As we walked toward the resort reception, I could feel Sun's footsteps behind me.
I thought I was being delusional, becuase even Bee had set aside his "chemistry" claims and was talking about food.
~~~
-Author's POV-
The large, airy lobby of the resort echoed with the clicking of suitcases and the excited voices of students.
Everyone wanted to settle into their rooms as soon as possible, but there was a small problem: the rooms were for two people, and it wasn't yet clear who would stay with whom.
To be fair, the group leaders decided to draw lots for their own groups.
As everyone held their breath, the first lot was drawn. The student in charge opened the paper and read aloud:
"Sun and Moon, room 304."
A brief silence fell over the hall. Moon froze at what he heard, while Sun just took a deep breath and looked down.
However, the first person to break the silence was First, who lunged forward like a lion.
"No way! I don't accept this!" First shouted, stepping in front of Moon as if to protect him.
"Moon should stay with me. I can't let him be in the same room as Sun. Make another match!"
Moon whispered, "P'First, calm down..." feeling a bit embarrassed, but First wouldn't back down.
Just then, the second lot was drawn and the names were announced:
"First and Bank, room 305."
First paused when he heard his name. He slowly turned his head and met eyes with Bank, who was standing nearby.
Bank was looking at him with a slight smile.
First's determined stance from moments ago vanished instantly. He cleared his throat and shifted restlessly, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Well... I mean... since those are the rules..." First stammered, his voice dropping.
"Moon isn't a kid anymore anyway, I guess he can take care of himself. Staying with Bank isn't a bad idea either, I mean... just because of the rules.."
While Bee chuckled at First's sudden change of heart, the drawing continued.
When Bee and Mint were matched, both seemed happy with the situation.
However, the real tension occurred when the last names were announced:
"Wee and Ten, room 306."
With this announcement, Wee and Ten looked at each other at the same time.
Wee scratched the back of his neck and stared at the ceiling, while Ten gripped his bag strap tightly and averted his gaze to his shoes.
A slight blush got welcomed onto both of their cheeks. After the "sleeping on the shoulder" incident on the bus, the idea of staying in the same room had intensified the shy electricity between them.
As the lobby slowly emptied, Sun gripped the handle of his suitcase and turned toward Moon.
Before making any eye contacts with the sleepy boy he tightly hugged on the bus, he also took the little ones suitcase too.
"Shall we go?" he asked, his voice calm yet inviting.
Moon looked at Sun, then at First, who was still muttering to himself about how he would stay with Bank. He nodded slightly and followed Sun.
As he walked toward the door of room 304, he felt that the ice between them wasn't just melting—it might completely disappear inside this room.
~~~
When Sun and Moon stepped into room 304, they both froze at the same time. The room was luxurious, spacious, and had a sea view; however, right in the middle of the room sat a massive double bed with crisp white sheets welcoming them.
The two, who were expecting separate beds, stared at the bed in silence for a while.
"This... must be a mistake," Moon said, unable to hide his surprise.
Sun left his suitcase by the door and approached the bed.
"We should go to the reception and ask. They probably made a mistake."
They quickly took the elevator down to the lobby. After Moon explained the situation, the receptionist looked at the computer screen for a long time and shook her head with an apologetic expression.
"I am very sorry, sir, but the entire block reserved for your school group is completely full. All other rooms have been filled with two people each. Unfortunately, we have no other rooms or single-bed options left. We cannot help you for tonight."
Moon mumbled, "But we requested separate beds, we can't stay like this." but the receptionist ended the conversation by saying, "I'm truly sorry, we have no other choice due to the high occupancy."
The two returned to the elevator, defeated.
While going up, they avoided looking at each other in the elevator mirror. When they got back to the room, Sun closed the door and turned to Moon, taking a deep breath.
"Look, no one needs to know about this." Sun said, his voice more serious than usual.
"Especially First. If he hears that two guys are sharing one bed, he'll tear the hotel apart. He'd probably make us walk all the way back home."
Moon couldn't help but agree with Sun, imagining First's reaction.
"You're right. And if Bee hears, we'll never hear the end of it. She'll joke about it for months."
"Then let's make a deal." Sun said, extending his hand.
"What happens in this room stays in this room. We're just going to sleep anyways, that's it."
"Of course thats it P'Sun, what else could it be?!"
"Then… No mentioning the single bed issue to anyone. Everyone will think we have separate beds."
After a short hesitation, Moon shook Sun's hand. "Deal. Not a single soul will know."
As they both stared at the size of the bed, putting aside the melting ice between them, they now had to sleep side by side on top of it.
This forced closeness had already become their biggest secret to keep.
What could possibly happen anyways?
~~~
After everyone settled into their rooms and shook off the exhaustion of the road, they gathered at the seaside cafe of the resort.
As the evening breeze blew cool from the sea, the group's spirits were high. Tables were joined, and drinks were ordered.
Just then, the head professor approached the table with a stack of sticky notes and pens in his hand.
The professor stood at the head of the table and smiled.
"Alright kids, since the journey is over, it's time for some real bonding. We're going to do a warm-up round.
You all know the 'Who Am I?' game. A paper will be stuck to your forehead, and you'll try to find out who you are by asking questions to others."
As the group murmured in agreement, the professor dropped the real surprise:
"But this time, we're adding a twist to it. The papers won't have the names of famous artists or historical figures.
To help you get to know and observe each other better, I wrote the names of the people in this group on the papers!"
This explanation immediately created a wave of excitement and curiosity at the table. The professor began to distribute the papers randomly. No one was to see what was written on their own forehead.
First, a paper was stuck on Moon's forehead. While Moon looked around curiously, Sun, sitting next to him, smiled slightly when he saw the paper.
In large letters on Moon's forehead, it was written "FIRST." At the same time, a paper was stuck on First's forehead, which said "BANK." First, still unaware of the situation, was preparing his questions with great seriousness.
Ten and Wee were sitting side by side, and when they read the names on each other's foreheads, they fell back into that shy silence again.
On Ten's forehead was "WEE" and on Wee's it was "TEN", it was as if the professor had made this match on purpose.
The professor blew his whistle. "Let the game begin! Ask only questions that can be answered with 'Yes' or 'No'!"
A literal mess broke out at the table. First immediately turned to Moon and asked: "Am I handsome?"
Moon burst out laughing and said, "Yes P'First, very much so!"
First smiled proudly. "I definitely found myself; it must be me!"
At that moment, Bank, who was sitting next to him, chuckled softly. He couldn't stand First's extreme overconfidence any longer and leaned toward First's ear without letting anyone notice.
While his warm breath brushed against First's skin, his whisper was low enough that only the two of them could hear:
"Don't get excited for nothing, P'First... You can't guess your own name because your name is already right in front of you, written on Moon's forehead."
When Bank pulled back, there was a mischievous expression on his face. First, however, turned to stone for a moment at what he had heard.
His gaze immediately shifted to Moon's forehead across the table. That's when he realized; the paper on Moon's forehead read "FIRST" in capital letters.
The change in First within those seconds was worth seeing, his face first froze in shock, and then he turned red up to his ears from the effect of Bank leaning so close and whispering.
"Well... I mean... I already knew that." First stammered, his previous cool attitude completely gone.
"I just... did that to warm up the atmosphere..."
Bank's smile as he looked at him confused First even more. Now, his only concern wasn't finding the name on his own forehead, but fixing his heart rhythm, which had been disrupted by Bank's whisper.
Between the laughs and hums,
at that moment, Sun leaned in and whispered in Moon's ear:
"Don't ask questions to me by the way, because the person on your forehead is watching us very closely right now."
With Sun being this close, Moon momentarily forgot the goal of the game. He didn't break the eye contact as he rise up his hand, shouting: "First, am I P' First???"
And with his locked answer, Moon was the first one to complete the game. Sun gave him an indecisive smirk as he continued playing.
The game was in full swing when it was Ten and Wee's turn. Both were unaware of the names on their foreheads, looking at each other more embarrassed than ever.
Ten cleared his throat and decided to ask his first question.
"So... Is this person very quiet in the group?"
Bee smirked, looking at the word "WEE" on Ten's forehead. "Yes, you could say that."
Ten thought for a while, everyone's attention at the table was on them. Then, trying to suppress that strange feeling inside him, he asked the question everyone was waiting for:
"Well, do I like this person?"
There was a brief silence at the table. Bee, with a mischievous smile showing she wouldn't miss this opportunity, leaned toward Ten. He leaned into Ten's ear at a distance where everyone could hear, but her whisper was loud enough for Wee, sitting right next to them, to hear clearly:
"Normally I'd say 'no,' but the answer is definitely 'yes.' Because you think you don't like them, but you're dead wrong, dude."
While these words had a bombshell effect at the table, Wee caught his breath for a moment at what he heard. He quickly looked away from Ten and focused on his drink, but it was clear that his hands were sweating. Ten, on the other hand, was literally in shock from Bee's move.
He was sure who it was now.
As he turned red up to his ears, the weight of the paper on his forehead felt like tons of pressure.
"What... what does that have to do with anything?" Ten stammered, his voice trembling. "We're just playing a game so don't forget that, Bee!"
But Ten's protest didn't convince anyone. While Wee sat with his head still bowed, he kept repeating the answer to that "do I like them?" question in his mind.
The shy and electric air between them had reached a point where it could no longer be hidden after Bee's little intervention.
At that moment, the professor cut in with a giggle, saying, "Alright, Ten and Wee... would you like to guess who you are?" and they both shouted at the same time "Not yet!" As laughter rose at the table, the tense between Ten and Wee had already started to burn with that small spark Bee had thrown.
While everyone at the table was trying to find their identities, this little game had risen up all the tension, leaving behind an evening full of laughter.
~~~
Evening had fallen over the shore, and the official part of the orientation was over. The campfire blazing in the middle of the beach cast moving orange shadows on the students' faces.
After the professor went to his room, the atmosphere relaxed completely; drinks were opened, and the rhythm of the music blended with the sound of the waves.
The campfire blazing in the middle of the beach rose bluntly against the darkness of the night, its crackling mixing with the joyful voices of the crowd and the roar of the waves.
On one side of the fire, Sun and Moon sat side by side, as if they had leaned on each other to break the heavy silence and tension between them.
The distance between them had narrowed significantly after that proximity on the bus and their shared secret in the room.
As Sun took a sip of his drink and told Moon something, the rare peaceful expression on Moon's face became even more evident under the orange glow of the fire.
On the exact opposite side of the fire, a pair of eyes watching them through the flames seemed intent on shattering this picture.
Although Earth sat right in the middle of the group, his soul was far from that circle. While the dance of the flames reflected in his pupils, his gaze was as sharp as a knife, wanting to sever the invisible bond between Sun and Moon. He gripped his glass until his knuckles turned white, with every smile Sun directed at Moon.
Moon stood up from the log he was sitting on, saying, "I'll go grab some snacks; they must have been left on the table," Earth's attention peaked instantly.
Moon stepped out of the area lit by the fire and headed toward the dimly lit tables on the beach. Earth waited for a few seconds, as if fighting a short internal battle between going and staying.
Finally, he slipped away from his friends, saying, "I'll grab a new drink for myself too, I'll be right back."
Driven by the blinding urge of jealousy, he followed Moon. Muffling the sound of his footsteps on the soft sand, he glided into the dimness behind Moon.
Earth was no longer waiting, he was like a threat approaching silently through the shadows.
~~~
-Moon's POV-
The noise of the beach and the crackling of the fire turned into a muffled hum behind me as I reached the dimly lit snack counter. As I stuffed a few packaged items into my bag, I felt that familiar, unsettling tingling on the back of my neck.
I didn't even need to turn around; I had memorized who that sharp, disturbing presence belonged to.
I smirked slightly, not bothering to hide the mocking tone in my voice as I placed the chip bag on the counter.
"You know, Earth, when you cornered me at the rest stop, it was impressive for a moment, I'll give you that." I said, slowly turning toward him.
Earth emerged from the darkness like a shadow and stood right in front of me. The dark rage in his eyes was even more intense than what I had seen by the fire earlier.
"But when you come back a second time and pull the same stunt, believe me, the effect isn't the same…" I continued, mocking him as I looked straight into his eyes.
"I thought you were a bit more creative."
The expression on Earth's face changed instantly. His calm, sinister stance was replaced by an unpredictable harshness.
"So, this is how you want to play, Moon..." he muttered, his voice as sharp as a knife.
Before I knew what was happening, Earth lunged and grabbed my wrist. His fingers, gripping like a claw, dug into my skin as he pulled me toward him with great speed.
With that sudden jolt, the beer bottle in my other hand slipped through my fingers. I watched in slow motion as the bottle hit the counter and fell to the ground, the liquid inside spilling and foaming over the dark sand and wood.
But Earth had no intention of stopping. He began to drag me in the opposite direction of the crowd and music, toward the desolate rocks where the beach ended.
As the fierce waves of the sea crashed against the rocks and shattered loudly, we moved quickly toward that quiet shore where no one could hear our voices.
I tried to free my hand, but his rage had given him much more strength than usual.
As the sharp edges of the rocks dug into my back, I realized I had nowhere left to run. Earth closed the last remaining gap between us and leaned over me; his shadow was close enough to block out even the moonlight.
The cold, obsessive glare in his eyes was proof of how far we were from the cheerful atmosphere of the beach.
I felt my blood run cold when he leaned in and whispered his toxic words into my ear.
"I see you've gained some unnecessary courage." he said, his voice as low and uncanny as a snake's hiss.
He let out that chilling giggle from the corner of his lips. "I wish you were this brave back when I used to strip you and dance with your cold and smooth skin..."
That disgusting insinuation made my stomach turn. As his hand slid down from my cheek toward my neck against my will, I pushed him with all my might, my hands trembling.
"Don't touch me!" I screamed.
My voice was lost in the massive roar of the waves crashing against the rocks.
"Let me go Earth, you've lost your mind! You're drunk just leave it!"
I made a move to leave, trying to slip past him, but Earth went much further this time. He grabbed my wrist with such fury and slammed me back against the rock that the pain in my back took my breath away.
As he tried to cover my mouth with his other hand, there wasn't a single shred of logic left in his eyes. There was only pure, uncontrolled possessiveness and hatred.
"No one can hear you, Moon." he breathed against my face.
"There's only the waves here, and your endless lies."
I struggled to get free, trying to push him away with my feet, but his weight had fallen over me like a nightmare.
My heart was pounding in my throat; I knew Sun was there by the fire waiting for me, but right now, the few hundred meters between us felt unreachable, as if we were in another universe.
As Earth's fingers burned my skin, I realized this night wouldn't just end with an argument—he had completely lost his boundaries.
I felt Earth's ice-cold hands climbing up under my shirt toward my chest. His touch, like the cold scales of a snake, made my stomach turn.
He leaned heavily over me, his breath burning my face as he whispered in a commanding tone:
"Call me P' too... Just like you call him. You will show me respect, you will call me P'Earth."
I looked into his face with the hatred in my eyes. Suppressing the sob and fear in my throat, I struck each word across his face like a slap:
"I'd rather die! You don't deserve respect... You disgusting pervert!"
I tried to push him away with one last burst of strength to free my wrists, but this resistance, instead of stopping Earth, triggered that desire inside him even more.
A distorted, psychotic smile appeared on his lips.
"Is that so? Let's see how long your resistance lasts."
he muttered, pressing his lips against my body, trapping me between the rock and himself. I couldn't breathe anymore.
As fear took over my entire being, tears began to stream down my cheeks independently.
While I silently prayed for help with trembling lips, I thought everything was over.
Just then, a sharp footstep cut through the darkness of the rocks.
"Let him go!"
~~~
-Author's POV-
Before Earth could even comprehend what was happening or who the owner of that voice was, Sun burst out of the darkness like a storm, gathering all his rage into his right fist and landing it on Earth's face.
The sound of flesh hitting bone echoed like an explosion that drowned out the roar of the waves. Earth was thrown backward, falling hard onto the wet sand.
Sun didn't hesitate for a single second. The usual distant calmness in his eyes had been replaced by anger and betrayal.
He grabbed Moon—the young man who was still trembling with fear and hadn't realized what happened—by the waist and pulled him firmly behind him.
He hid Moon's shaken body within his safe zone, under his own shadow. While one of Sun's hands held Moon tightly, he shielded him against Earth with the other.
His body rose like The Great wall between the nightmare and its victim.
Looking down at Earth, who was groaning in pain while clutching his face on the ground, Sun had a dark and lethal glare in his eyes.
Behind him, Moon clung to Sun's shirt, trying to suppress his sobs, feeling the disgusting cold touches that had burned his skin moments ago replaced by Sun's unwavering and warm protection.
In that moment, in the silence of the shore, only Sun's angry breath and Earth's moans on the ground could be heard.
Sun had declared with his entire stance that he would no longer allow a single hair on Moon's head to be touched.
End of Chapter 11.