Retreat (5)

The atmosphere at the training camp was charged, with numerous games taking over.

Since the cadets had barely had any drinking sessions due to the intensive training throughout the semester, the charged energy hung thick in the air.

-… What's that?

-Don't you know this? It's the washing machine, the washing machine!

-How am I supposed to know that just by watching you swing your arms around?

The cadets' constant creation of cringeworthy moments made the freshmen laugh with laughter.

Recreational activities might sound dull when merely described, but there's a unique joy in watching people scream and play games.

A sense of long-forgotten peace spreads warmth through the heart.

No matter how exhausted, a contented and lazy yawn slips out. It feels like a step up in one's quality of life.

"Okay, then… those with the highest cadet numbers from each team! Please come to the front!"

The game appeared to be an individual challenge.

It was a daunting trial if one couldn't handle the embarrassment of dancing wildly at the front.

"What are your cadet numbers?"

"Starting with 3? I have 2."

"I'm 4."

Given that men's cadet numbers began with 1 and 2, women seemed to be the intended participants. Upon closer inspection, it turned out that Jin Dallae was orchestrating the game.

"…Do I really have to go?"

"Fighting. Go and sweep them off their feet."

"Uh, okay."

Jin Dallae, still reeling from the embarrassment of the previous movie-guessing game, approached the front while fanning her flushed face.

The auditorium stage was crowded with notably attractive cadets.

Aside from the all-male teams, it was predominantly women.

Guseul surveyed the cadets on stage, then picked up a large piece of newspaper and began to wave it lightly.

"Alright~ Currently in the lead is Team 4 with 2100 points! And Team 10 is close behind with 1900 points. The other teams still have a chance to catch up because this game is worth 500 points!"

To increase enthusiasm for the game, it was essential to emphasize the later games significantly.

Guseul began spreading newspapers across the floor while she described the game.

"This game is simple. Just stand on this newspaper for exactly 10 seconds—only 10 seconds. Got it?"

The challenge was to endure standing on the newspaper.

The cadets on stage nodded, acknowledging Guseul's instructions.

"But!!"

The game would not be interesting without a twist.

She introduced a condition.

"You won't be alone; you'll be with a partner on this newspaper. The team that stands the longest wins. And with whom, you ask? Hehe, I'll tell you now."

Guseul chuckled, clearly amused by her own game.

"Bring the opposite-gender person you like the most onto the paper!"

-Oh!

Excitement erupted among the seated cadets.

Some female cadets on stage showed their displeasure, but why should they care?

Witnessing the embarrassing moments and love stories of others was always more fun and entertaining.

"Hurry and choose someone! You have 10 seconds. There are penalties for being late!"

Such a game could only thrive in an atmosphere charged with excitement.

Despite their reluctance, the girls went into the crowd to pick someone, each returning to the stage with a partner.

The all-male teams caught off guard, approached a few female cadets but were met with rejection—a cringeworthy scene unfolded.

Jin Dallae was also navigating through the seated cadets toward us.

As expected.

Jin Dallae's lips quivered, her face reddening like a ripe persimmon.

"I, uh, don't know anyone else… Will you come with me?"

She offered an excuse before making her request.

Despite her earlier hesitation, her voice was firm when she asked.

Her pink eyes were a swirl of nervousness and hope.

Although the spotlight at the front of the auditorium made it difficult to see her face clearly, her intent was somewhat apparent.

'Here it comes.'

We all knew it was coming.

What other choice did I have?

Just as I was about to stand and swiftly conclude the game,

-Snicker.

Guseul, looking at me from the auditorium, wore a mischievous smile.

Something felt off.

Instinctively, I sensed it.

"Take care. If we win this, it's on me."

"Uh, okay."

I left Sooyoung's pressuring words behind and stepped to the front of the auditorium. Facing many cadets, I felt every eye on me. I heard murmurs here and there but couldn't discern their content. Guseul, still grinning, took the microphone and elbowed my side, giggling.

"Everyone, remember these people's faces. Go out~ Go out~ Hehehe."

That's when my eyes met Jin Dallae's.

As Guseul smirked subtly, Jin Dallae's lips curled up slightly.

…Could it be that she concocted this scheme just to mess with me?

Guseul was inscrutable, and considering Jin Dallae's demeanor, it wouldn't be strange if she had set a trap. She yelled into the microphone, as if it were already too late.

"Everyone, get ready and climb up!"

Game start.

The first one on the newspaper was Jin Dallae.

She seemed embarrassed but oddly eager as she tugged on my sleeve, urging me to join. Whether the corners of her mouth were rising out of embarrassment or delight was unclear. The single sheet of newspaper seemed large enough, but physical contact was unavoidable.

I hesitantly stepped forward.

As we got closer, our bodies touched through the fabric. So far, it was tolerable. Other cadets also seemed to accept this level of closeness, handling it smoothly.

-Trembling.

I couldn't see Jin Dallae's face from my angle, but she shook like a drenched cat.

"Eight, nine, ten. Ding ding! Now fold the newspaper in half!"

The real challenge began with the next instruction.

The half-folded newspaper inevitably made our bodies press closer to each other.

No matter which way we moved, some part was firmly pressed in an embarrassingly close position.

-Ah, I can't do this.

-Hehe, right.

Several cadets tried and failed, tumbling off.

Trying to fall off appeared to be a good strategy to avoid becoming the academy's laughingstock.

Before I stepped onto the newspaper, pointing at cadets feigning to tumble, I asked Dallae.

"Should we stop? Falling and getting disqualified doesn't seem too bad."

"Hurry up and come here."

She still appeared flushed… no, actually more relaxed than before, extending her arms toward me.

"…We need to win this game."

Her voice was a mix of command and entreaty. It was me who needed to comprehend.

"Come on, hurry~!"

Guseul, full of excitement, prodded us, and eventually, I managed to step onto the shrunken newspaper.

We were forced to press against each other.

Jin Dallae wrapped her arms around my waist to keep from falling. The snickers of the cadets ahead and Guseul's cunning glances were completely irritating.

"…Huff."

Our breathing intensified slightly.

The pressure just above my belly. Push, push. The soft sensation pressing in rhythm caused me to catch my breath.

Her hands on my waist shifted slightly, teasingly.

I glanced down at Jin Dallae slowly.

For some reason, she was gazing directly into my face rather than looking away.

"…Huh."

Her eyes were a mesmerizing fusion of crimson and bright light.

Those eyes, expected to be so, were deeper and more intense than ever.

Her look was peculiar.

People often say a switch flips when they are thrilled, but Jin Dallae seemed like someone whose switch had truly been activated.

Haah-

The warm breath I let out softly brushed against my face.

The subtle floral scent reminded me of the body fragrance from trees I had encountered before.

A fragrance that could drive one to distraction.

Coupled with her beguiling aura, it was the primary thing that unsettled my mind and that I needed to be most vigilant about.

She gripped me tighter as I slightly bowed my head to create some distance between us.

"Please, don't fall."

'Has she always spoken like this? She isn't even stuttering now.'

Her hand moved up to my shoulder blade, groping around, and then she unabashedly buried her face in my neck.

"Ten! Ding, ding, ding! Please step away!"

Guseul, chuckling, sped up the countdown, and Jin Dallae tumbled from my embrace. Despite being the object of her jest, Jin Dallae's expression involuntarily worried me.

"…Are you okay?"

Her face was flushed as though she were intoxicated.

"I'm fine. Let's go to the next, the next round."

Obsession.

I realized too late that assuming everything was fine because there had been no problems so far was too convenient for me.

It had been over a week since I first saw signs of obsession in Jin Dallae's affection level.

Hwangdo had reacted immediately, but Dallae had held out for a long time. Now, seeing Dallae proactively folding the newspaper, I found myself speechless.

"I-I'll start now! Please step up!"

Even Guseul seemed hesitant as she called out. The remaining cadets stepped onto the newspaper.

Some were already confirmed couples, engaging in skinship without hesitation.

Two of the remaining four teams were couples.

Another team, a strong contender like us, had advanced through sheer determination.

"Aren't you coming…?"

Let's try.

If I didn't, it felt like something bad would happen.

I stepped forward, feeling the noticeably reduced space.

Given my size, fitting all four feet on the now-smaller newspaper was difficult.

Normally, this would mean falling off.

"…"

If it had been normal.

"Shall I step on your foot? Or do you want to step on mine?"

"…Step on mine."

"Tsk."

Jin Dallae, slightly displeased, climbed onto my foot and hugged me tightly. Although balancing was precarious, we managed. Standing on my foot, Jin Dallae's height increased, creating an even more awkward scene.

The heavy moment came again.

"One~ Two~ Three~"

Those damned 10 seconds, which actually felt more like 30 due to Guseul's trickery.

-Ouch!

-Aah!

Some cadets collapsed nearby.

Since we couldn't avoid the rumors of romance, I gritted my teeth and maintained my balance.

"Are you okay…?"

"Not really."

"I'll get closer."

As she said this, she pressed her face against my collarbone, nearly causing me to lose my balance. Our pose now resembled an intense embrace. The cadets cheered, enjoying the spectacle.

"Who will win? Only two teams left! Essentially, the winner here takes it all!"

Guseul broadcast enthusiastically, heating up the atmosphere.

In the midst of that pink atmosphere, Jin Dallae, unnoticed in my arms, whispered something barely audible.

-...….

I didn't hear it.

Her voice was too soft, and the surrounding noise too loud.

"Ah, uh…."

The problem was that this whisper seemed to be a significant point for Jin Dallae.

-Pop.

A little above her left temple, a faint pop sound, barely audible, emanated from her head.

Pink flower.

Modest yet radiant petals blossomed, similar to the color of her hair, symbolizing her joy.

-Teeter!

Suddenly, Jin Dallae, who had just bloomed the flower, lost her balance and fell backward.

"Ah!"

For some reason, I felt it shouldn't be seen by others as if it were a fruit. I reached out and pulled her back.

It was a bit rough but effective. She regained her balance and covered one side of her head with her hand.

'Why would a flower bloom in her hair?'

Bewildered by this inexplicable phenomenon, I saw Jin Dallae's face up close.

"..."

Her eyes were darker than before.

And slightly… dangerously so.