He dropped his hands.
Stepped back.
Put space between them.
Soorin's chest heaved.
Her body screaming.
'No, no, no, not now!'
But also—
Relief.
Because she wasn't ready.
Wasn't ready to tell him the truth.
Wasn't ready to find out if he'd fight or flee.
"We're here!" she called out.
Voice shaky.
Minjae's voice got closer.
"Where? This maze is impossible!"
"Just follow our voices!"
Haejin turned away.
Faced the hedge.
Hands clenched into fists.
She could see the tension in his shoulders.
The frustration radiating off him.
Cursing the timing.
Cursing the interruption.
Cursing everything that kept them apart.
★☆★☆★☆
A minute later, Minjae appeared.
Rounding the corner.
Smiling.
"There you are! We've been looking everywhere."
"We?" Soorin managed.
Doyun appeared behind him.
Then Taekyung.
"They paired us together," Doyun explained. "Figured we'd find you guys faster if we teamed up."
"Have you found the treasure yet?" Minjae asked.
"No," Haejin said.
