As twilight bathed the campsite in a dusky glow, Taehyung slowly stirred awake, his senses gradually piecing together his surroundings. He blinked groggily, his vision still clouded with sleep. When his eyes finally focused, he found himself in the cramped space of the tent, Jungkook's face mere inches away from his own. The unexpected sight of Jungkook's drooling mouth pressed against his chest sent a shiver of disgust through Taehyung. He recoiled, pushing Jungkook away gently, yet forcefully enough to make the boy groan in his sleep.

Taehyung sat up quickly, feeling the dirt and grass that had stained his shirt. A surge of confusion and irritation washed over him as he tried to piece together the events of the previous night. He remembered falling asleep beside the river, a serene yet distant memory now overshadowed by his current predicament.

Jungkook muttered incoherently in his sleep, "Tae Tae... I-I did it all for you... d-don't get angry at me..." The mumbled words were filled with an endearing mix of vulnerability and dedication. Taehyung's heart softened despite his irritation. He realized with growing clarity that it must have been Jungkook who had carried, or more accurately, dragged him back to the tent. His heart sank as he saw Jungkook's swollen ankle, clearly aggravated by the additional weight.

Guilt and gratitude intertwined in Taehyung's chest. He couldn't help but feel a pang of remorse for the boy who had so recklessly worsened his own injury for his sake. "Why are you so reckless?... Making your injury worse for me was not worth it..." Taehyung muttered under his breath, his voice a soft murmur of concern.

Suddenly, Jungkook's eyes fluttered open, and with a sleepy smile, he responded, "It's totally worth it." His gaze was soft and filled with a sleepy affection. He continued, "I couldn't just leave you asleep by the river. What if you fell in and never woke up again?" The playful glint in Jungkook's eyes, coupled with his hearty laugh, was the last thing Taehyung expected.

Taehyung's brow furrowed further. "When did you wake up?" he asked.

"When you pushed me away," Jungkook said with a chuckle, his eyes still heavy with sleep, "it felt like I'd dreamt of an earthquake shaking me awake."

Taehyung listened quietly, realizing that Jungkook's earlier murmurs were intentional rather than sleep talk. With a resigned sigh, he prepared to leave the tent to clean himself up. But as he moved to exit, Jungkook, now fully awake and alarmed, scrambled up. His movements were clumsy but filled with genuine concern as he grasped Taehyung's arm. "Wait, your wound is bleeding!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with worry.

Taehyung glanced at his arm and noticed the blood trickling down. Though surprised, he tried to brush it off with a nonchalant shrug. "I'll ask Mr. Kim to help me with a new bandage after I finish showering."

Jungkook's concern was evident, but his exhaustion soon took over. His eyelids drooped heavily as he nodded sleepily. With a soft groan, Jungkook settled back onto the tent floor, allowing the weariness to pull him back into sleep. Taehyung watched him for a moment before stepping out of the tent to tend to his own needs, leaving Jungkook to his rest.

Hours later, Jungkook stirred from his sleep to find the sun high in the sky. The once quiet campsite was now alive with the hum of activity. He blinked sleepily as his friends entered his tent with bright and cheerful smiles. "Kook-ah, you're finally awake!" they called out.

Jungkook, trying to mask his grogginess, responded with a casual air. "What do you mean? I've always been awake. I was just thinking with my eyes closed," he said with a feigned nonchalance. He pushed himself up and stumbled out of the tent, his limp more noticeable now.

His eyes scanned the bustling campsite for a familiar face. "Have any of you seen Taehyung?" he asked, a note of curiosity in his voice.

One of his friends pointed towards the trees. "The girls took him with them to collect berries for our breakfast later."

Jungkook's face fell slightly as he listened, but he didn't dwell on it. He grabbed his toothbrush and limped to the bathroom, his thoughts consumed by the discomfort in his ankle. As he brushed his teeth, his friends chattered around him, their voices a pleasant background hum.

When Jungkook returned to the tent, he saw Taehyung surrounded by a group of girls. Despite his injury, Taehyung had taken it upon himself to carry the berries back to the tent. His decision wasn't just about helping; he had grown impatient with waiting for the girls to catch up, knowing the berries would only slow them down.

The girls buzzed around him, their voices vibrant with admiration. "Taehyung's so strong!" one exclaimed, her eyes wide with adoration and respect. Another added, "He's carrying all these berries even with his injury!"

Jungkook's face turned into a sulk. The compliments that Taehyung was receiving stung with a hint of envy. He wished for a share of that admiration, to be seen in the same light by the girls.

Spotting Jungkook, Taehyung walked over. "How's your ankle?" he asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

Jungkook's eyes widened in surprise when Taehyung approached him with concern. He sighed and answered, "Bad. Even just standing up hurts." His voice carried a hint of frustration, reflecting the sharp pain he felt in his injured ankle.

Taehyung studied him quietly for a moment before responding, "Earlier, Ms. Aera said both of us can sit out from all of the activities today. That's a relief."

Jungkook's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. "That's a relief?!" he exclaimed, his tone laced with frustration. "How could we just sit out from today's activities? It'd be such a waste! What if it's really fun and interesting today?"

"Sitting out is the wiser choice," Taehyung replied calmly, his voice steady and soothing. "You can't possibly think about joining in with your ankle like this. It'll only make your injury worse."

Jungkook glanced down at his swollen ankle, the reality of Taehyung's words sinking in. The pain he had been trying to ignore now seemed more tangible, and he had to admit that Taehyung was right. His injury was indeed a significant inconvenience.

"Still, I don't want to waste my time idling around the tent," Jungkook complained with a whine, his voice tinged with frustration. He swayed Taehyung's arm in an exaggerated motion. "I'll be bored to my death!"

Taehyung let out a deep sigh, clearly unsure of how to handle Jungkook's whines and dissatisfaction.

"Everyone, gather over here!" Ms. Aera's voice cut through the buzz of conversation, and students quickly huddled in a circle.

"Today's activities will be a Treasure Hunt after breakfast, and a Test of Courage later in the day!" Her announcement sent a wave of excitement through the group. Students chattered animatedly, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Jungkook's face fell as he processed the news. Why did these thrilling activities have to be scheduled today, when he could barely walk?

"Everyone, quiet please. I will explain the rules now," Mr. Kim's voice rose above the din as he approached. When silence fell, he continued, "For the Treasure Hunt, you'll be moving with your partner. You'll each get a treasure map, and it's up to you to find and collect as many treasures as you can before evening. The treasures can be gold coins, medals, notes, maps, or trinkets. They're scattered all around the forest, but make sure to stay within the marked barriers and return by 5 pm. Keep your whistle and torchlight with you at all times and use them in emergencies. The team with the most treasures will win a special privilege tonight!"

The crowd buzzed with enthusiasm, but Jungkook's mood darkened. His face was a mask of disappointment as he stared at his swollen ankle. He felt a lump in his throat and frustration bubbling inside him. Taehyung, noticing Jungkook's disheartened expression, comforted him awkwardly.

"Ms. Aera said we can use her phone in the tent today. We could play games, watch videos, or just hang out by the river," Taehyung suggested.

Jungkook's eyes widened with a mix of frustration and sadness. "But I'd rather go out for the Treasure Hunt," he said, his voice tinged with defeat. "I don't want to miss out on something so fun."

Taehyung chose not to press the issue, knowing his previous attempt to comfort Jungkook had fallen flat.

"What about the Test of Courage?" a student asked eagerly. "What are the rules?"

"The Test of Courage will be announced after the Treasure Hunt," Ms. Aera responded. "We don't want to overwhelm you with too many rules at once."

As the students rushed to finish their breakfast, Jungkook's mood darkened further. Ms. Aera noticed his distress and approached him with concern. "What's wrong? Does your ankle hurt more today? Should we go to a clinic or hospital nearby?"

Jungkook shook his head vigorously, his pout deepening. "It doesn't hurt. Can I join the activities today?" he pleaded, his eyes shining with a mix of hope and determination. "I really don't want to sit out."

"But if your injury gets worse..." Ms. Aera started to reason.

"My ankle's fine!" Jungkook interrupted, rotating his ankle with a grimace that he tried to hide behind a forced smile. "See? It's not painful at all! So can I join now?"

Ms. Aera hesitated, then relented. "Alright, if you insist. Just don't push yourself too hard. If you feel any pain, make sure to come back to the campsite immediately. Also, you'll need a partner for the activities, so check with Taehyung if he wants to join."

Jungkook spotted Taehyung a short distance away, passing out plates of food to their classmates. He limped over, a determined smile on his face. "Hey, best friend," he greeted cheerfully.

Taehyung looked up, his expression unreadable. He said nothing, leaving Jungkook to continue.

"Good news!" Jungkook's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Ms. Aera said we can join the activities today. Do you want to? We could go on the Treasure Hunt and win the first prize for sure!"

Taehyung's brow furrowed as he glanced at Jungkook's swollen ankle. "What about your ankle?" he asked.

"I'm fine!" Jungkook insisted, his voice full of urgency. "It's getting less painful, so don't worry! What's really painful is staying in the tent all day! Let's go, hm?"

Jungkook's lips jutted out in a pout, and he tugged at Taehyung's clothes, his eyes wide with pleading. Taehyung sighed, his resolve softening at the sight of Jungkook's earnest expression.

"Fine. But if your ankle starts hurting, you better not complain," Taehyung warned, his tone firm but resigned.

Jungkook's face lit up with a wide, grateful smile. "Okay! Thanks, Tae Tae!" he exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

Taehyung's reaction was a mix of resignation and irritation. He sighed at Jungkook's bright smile and persistent excitement. "Don't call me that," he said firmly, though a hint of reluctance softened his tone. "Please stick to Taehyung."

Despite his words, Taehyung's expression softened as he passed Jungkook a plate of breakfast. He knew Jungkook's enthusiasm was genuine, and although he didn't fully approve of the reckless optimism, he couldn't bring himself to stay upset.