The class was quickly divided into two groups: Team A for fishing at the river and Team B for berry picking in the forest. The rule was simple—each student must stick with their partner to ensure no one wandered off alone. Ms. Aera would supervise Team A, while Mr. Kim, a seasoned forest guide, led Team B.

Fate, however, seemed determined to separate friends. Jungkook's heart sank when he heard he was assigned to Team B, while Taehyung was placed in Team A. Not one to accept defeat easily, Jungkook immediately tried to sneak over to Team A, hoping to blend in unnoticed. But Dao Li, sharp-eyed and quick, caught him and pulled him back to his designated group.

He made another attempt, weaving through the crowd of students in Team A, but Ms. Aera's stern voice cut through the chatter: "Jungkook, stay with your team!" Caught red-handed, he had no choice but to slink back to Team B, his shoulders slumped in resignation.

With the groups finally settled, Team A set off first. Their destination was further into the forest, toward the eastern side where the river flowed. Each student carried a fishing rod, buzzing with the excitement of a first-time adventure. As they made their way through the thick foliage, the sound of the flowing river grew louder, pulling them deeper into the heart of the wilderness.

When they arrived at the riverbank, they were greeted by a breathtaking sight. The clear water sparkled under the sunlight, and a family of deer stood gracefully at the edge, sipping from the cool water. The students watched in awe, their whispers filled with wonder.

"They're so cute!" one student murmured, her eyes wide.

"Shhh! You'll scare them away!" another cautioned.

"I wish I had a camera," someone else whispered, mesmerized.

Ms. Aera gently guided them further along the riverbank, away from the deer. "Remember," she said softly, "we're guests in this forest. This is their home, so let's be quiet and respect their space."

She led them to a quieter spot and set clear boundaries for fishing. The students eagerly spread out, searching for the perfect place to cast their lines. Taehyung allowed Mira to choose their spot. She picked a shaded area beneath a cluster of large trees, away from the direct sunlight. Taehyung silently began setting up the fishing equipment while Mira watched with admiration.

"You're really good at things like this," she remarked.

Taehyung didn't respond verbally but gave a small nod, his focus remaining on the task.

Ms. Aera observed her students with pride. "Everyone, remember to move slowly and carefully so you don't scare the fish away," she advised. "Fishing requires patience. Don't give up easily, even if you don't catch anything right away!"

"Yes, Ms. Aera!" the students replied in unison.

Meanwhile, Team B made their way to the berry-picking area, which happened to be near the spot where Jungkook had stolen apples from the monkeys earlier that morning. As they walked, Jungkook looked around, a hint of recognition flickering in his eyes.

"Weird, this place looks awfully familiar," he mumbled.

"Why? Have you been here before?" Dao Li asked curiously.

"I'm not sure," Jungkook replied with a chuckle, scratching his head. "But then again, everything in the forest looks the same, doesn't it?"

Dao Li nodded in agreement.

Noticing the students growing quiet, Mr. Kim decided to lighten the mood. "Do any of you know what animals live in this forest?" he asked energetically.

Hands shot up, and answers flew fast and wild:

"Squirrels!"

"Birds!"

"Ants!"

"Mosquitoes!" (This one earned a collective groan.)

"Pigs!"

"Boars, you mean?" a classmate corrected.

"Yeah, boars!"

"Elephants!" (This drew confused looks.)

"Mammoths!" (Even more confusion.)

"Wolves!" (A hint of fear in that voice.)

"Tarzan!" (The group burst into laughter.)

"Crocodile!"

"Snake!"

"Shark!" (More laughter.)

"Dragons!" Jungkook shouted proudly.

"Cyclops!" (Another round of giggles.)

"Hey, that's just crazy!"

"Monkeys!" Jungkook yelled again, more confidently this time.

Mr. Kim struggled to keep a straight face, unsure if the students were joking or if they actually believed what they were saying.

"Wow, you all know so much!" he said, amused. "Many of those animals really do live here. So if we see any, let's stay far away and not scare them. That way, everyone stays safe and we can all have a great time."

"Yes, Mr. Kim!" the students chorused.

He led them to a lush, green area where the sweet aroma of ripe fruits and berries filled the air. Colorful berries dotted the shrubs and trees.

"This is where you can pick as many fruits and berries as you can fit into your baskets," Mr. Kim announced. "Remember to stay with your partner, and above all, stay safe! No climbing trees or doing anything risky. The pair who collects the most wins a special prize!"

The students cheered and scattered, eager to begin. Jungkook and Dao Li, always up for a challenge, decided to venture deeper, hoping to find the rarest berries and secure their victory.

As they moved further in, Dao Li looked up at the high branches laden with berries. "Do you know what we should pick?" she asked uncertainly. "The ones near the ground look too plain. Everyone will pick those. The ones on the trees look better, but they're so high up."

Jungkook flashed her a confident smile. "Don't worry, I know how to climb trees," he said, puffing out his chest.

"But Mr. Kim told us not to," Dao Li reminded him, worry in her voice. "What if you fall and hurt yourself? I'm sure Taehyung wouldn't want to be friends with someone who has a cracked head..."

Jungkook's bravado wavered for a moment. "Hey! Don't say something so scary! I won't fall!" he protested.

"Are you sure?" Dao Li pressed. "Have you ever climbed a tree before?"

"Of course!" Jungkook declared, regaining his confidence. "Those apples you ate this morning? I stole them from six monkeys up in a tree! I think I was born to climb like a monkey!" he joked, grinning widely.

Dao Li's eyes widened. "You what?! You stole apples from monkeys?"

"Yep!" Jungkook replied, pride unmistakable. "And I didn't fall! Pretty impressive, right?"

"How could you?" Dao Li exclaimed with mock severity, her eyes glinting. "I'll tell the police you're a thief! You can't just steal from monkeys! You'll spend the rest of your life in jail! Taehyung definitely won't want to be friends with a criminal!"

The color drained from Jungkook's face. "Y-you can't do that! The police will catch you too! You ate the apples—you're my partner in crime! We'll go to jail together!" His voice wavered between fear and disbelief.

Dao Li tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips as she continued her teasing. "But you have no proof that I ate those apples," she stated, her tone matter-of-fact. "By the time the police arrive, I'll have already digested them. The monkeys, however, could be witnesses that it was you who stole from them."

Jungkook's heart pounded as the thought of jail loomed over him. His eyes darted around, searching for an escape from this imaginary nightmare, until Dao Li's hearty laughter finally broke through his panic. Her chuckles echoed through the trees, and Jungkook, realizing he had been tricked, felt a wave of relief mixed with embarrassment wash over him.

"You're so annoying!" he grumbled, crossing his arms in a sulk. "How could you scare me like that?"

Dao Li, still chuckling, nudged him playfully. "Don't be mad. Your reactions are just too funny! You're too adorable to resist teasing." Her tone was light and affectionate, and despite himself, Jungkook felt his irritation melting away.

"So you won't call the police on me?" he asked, trying to sound serious though a small smile tugged at his lips.

"I won't," Dao Li reassured him with a grin. "Even if I did, they'd just scold me and hang up."

Jungkook breathed a dramatic sigh of relief as they approached a towering 40-foot tree laden with ripe, red berries. The tree stood like a giant, its branches heavy with sweet fruits that seemed to beckon to them. The sight made Jungkook's eyes light up with excitement.

He pointed toward the highest branches, where the berries glistened in the sunlight. "How about we pick those berries up there? I'm not sure what they are, but they look safe to eat. See, even the birds are eating them!"

Dao Li nodded, though her voice carried a hint of worry as she eyed the impressive height. "Okay," she agreed.

Jungkook rubbed his hands together, his confidence returning. "Don't worry," he said, sensing her hesitation. "I've got this. I climb trees like this all the time."

Dao Li watched, her heart pounding with anxiety, as Jungkook began his ascent. Despite her concerns, she couldn't help but admire his agility. With a steady rhythm, he climbed higher and higher, his small hands and feet finding secure holds on the rough bark. When he finally reached the top, he shooed away the birds pecking at the berries and started plucking them by the handful.

"Hey, catch them well, okay?!" Jungkook called down, his voice carrying through the leaves.

"Got it! Just throw them down!" Dao Li shouted back, her basket poised and ready.

One by one, the berries rained down, and Dao Li deftly caught them, her basket filling quickly with the vibrant red fruit. They worked together seamlessly, their teamwork as smooth as if they had been partners for years.

By the time Jungkook had picked the last of the berries, Dao Li's basket was brimming. The bright red fruit contrasted beautifully with the woven reeds. She signaled for him to come down.

"Great job!" she called up, her voice warm with genuine admiration.

"You were great at catching them too," Jungkook replied, brushing off her praise as he nimbly descended. Once on the ground, he noticed the basket's weight and quickly offered, "Let's switch."

Dao Li blinked, surprised by his thoughtful gesture. She hadn't expected such chivalry, especially from someone she had just teased so mercilessly. But she smiled and handed him the heavy basket, taking his empty one in return.

Back at the river, the scene was starkly different. The air was heavy with the sound of lazy water flowing by, glinting in the soft afternoon light. The students of Team A sat along the riverbank, fishing rods in hand, but the earlier excitement had long evaporated, replaced by a somber stillness.

The children were slumped over, their eyes drooping with boredom as they waited for a fish that never seemed to bite.

"Why isn't there any fish?..." one boy whispered, his voice barely louder than the rustling leaves.

"Maybe the forest animals ate them all?" another suggested, his tone equally dejected.

"Or maybe the fish are sleeping?" a girl ventured, her words tinged with fading hope.

"Maybe we're just out of luck today!" someone else chimed in.

"What should we do now?" The chorus of frustrated voices grew louder.

"Wait, I guess?"

"How long do we have to wait? I'm bored!" one boy complained, kicking at the pebbles by his feet.

"I wonder what Team B is doing. Picking berries sounds more fun."

"Yeah, anything is more fun than this!"

"And I thought fishing was fun!"

"Ms. Aera! I want to go back to my tent!" one girl finally called out, her voice edged with impatience.

The growing commotion spooked the fish near Taehyung's line, sending them darting into deeper waters. Taehyung sighed quietly, his expression calm yet tinged with clear disappointment.

"Ah... they swam away..." Mira murmured, disappointment lacing her voice as she watched Taehyung reel in an empty line.

Taehyung didn't say a word, but his mind was made up. He stood up and gathered the fishing gear with quiet determination. Mira, sensing his resolve, followed without question. They moved further away from the noisy group, seeking a quieter spot where they wouldn't be disturbed by the others' chatter.

Once Taehyung set his mind on something, he was unyielding. He cast his line back into the river with practiced ease, the motion fluid and graceful. Then, he settled in to wait, his focus unwavering as the world around him faded into the background.