The next morning dawned, and the child, true to form, was the earliest riser, reaching the summit of the back mountain to watch the sunrise. He could have taken it easy just like the other children, but his old habits clung to him like a shadow. Moreover, he loved the fragrance of the forest bathed in morning light, so he never neglected his hikes. These solitary moments to enjoy the slowly brightening sky were his own; during these times, he didn’t need to worry about the scrutiny or the moods of those around him. This was his private respite from the constant vigilance he usually maintained, an unknown burden he carried.

Descending from the mountain, he noticed the orphanage stirring from its morning slumber. When he arrived at the dining hall for breakfast, the atmosphere was noticeably more animated among the children. It dawned on him that today was the last weekend of the month, a day when a volunteer known for bringing pizzas and pork ribs would visit. Naturally, this ‘outing’ to dine on favorite dishes was an eagerly anticipated event by the children. While the child also enjoyed these richly flavored meals, he found the regular breakfasts at the orphanage equally delightful. Having taken to morning hikes, his appetite had increased significantly, prompting him to eat more heartily than most.

“You really eat a lot. Are you that hungry?” Minsoo asked, a note of concern in his voice.

“You’ll turn into a pig if you eat that much. I need to get you to exercise,” he joked.

The child just smiled and nodded at Minsoo’s typical antics. Since it was both a weekend and the school vacation, spending the morning playing together seemed like a fine idea to him.

“Later, Hyunggeun and I are going to the mountain to catch stag beetles. He once saw a pure white rabbit there too, but it ran away too fast to catch. He said it was hard alone, but if we go together, one can block while the other catches, making it easier. If Cheolyong joins us, with four of us, we can definitely catch a rabbit.”

Having never seen a rabbit on the mountain himself, the child didn’t insist on the impossibility but simply listened to Minsoo’s excited chatter. Something about Minsoo’s lively storytelling reminded him of an old friend. As Minsoo’s plate gradually cooled, his face seemed to grow warmer with enthusiasm.

Prepared with their hiking boots tightly laced, the four young boys of the orphanage got ready to ascend the mountain. Following Hyunggeun’s lead, they gathered in front of the orphanage entrance where Hyunggeun sought permission from the childcare worker, who was already there bidding farewell to other children who had weekend outings planned.

“You’re the eldest, so take good care of the younger ones. Don’t go too far. Got it?”

“Yes, Teacher!”

With an enthusiastic cheer from Hyunggeun, the group of “little chicks” eagerly followed their “big brother.” The childcare worker, watching their backs as they departed, turned around when she heard her name.

“Oh, is that Somi’s father? Oh, Somi, you dressed up so pretty today. Every time your father visits, you make sure to dress up nicely.”

While flattery was routine in dealing with parents, in Somi’s case, it genuinely felt unnecessary to embellish her praise—the child genuinely thought she looked pretty. With a warm smile, the caregiver bid farewell to Somi and her father, noticing how tired Somi appeared. She guessed the top student must have been worn out from studying.

“Getting some treats from your dad should give you a boost, right? It’s great to have a father who visits.”

Instead of worrying about the children leaving with their parents, the caregiver thought it more prudent to concern herself with the young adventurers headed to the mountain. She dusted off her apron and headed back inside the orphanage.

“Julian, Julian, what are you up to?”

“…”

“Julian, Julian, what are you doing~?”

“Just wait a sec.”

“Julian, Jul—”

“Here, look.”

“Ew, what’s that?”

Retreating in mock horror, Minsoo received an explanation from the child.

“A bird poop beetle.”

“Eh? A beetle? This?”

Named for its small, pale appearance that could be mistaken for bird droppings on a leaf, the “bird poop beetle” intrigued Minsoo. Although small, the sight of its six tiny legs wriggling captivated him. Even Cheolyong, who had been a few steps away, hurried over to join in the wonder.

“Is this different from the one earlier? Julian, you’re really good at finding these things.”

Hyunggeun approached but kept his distance, perhaps embarrassed by his inability to spot even one while the child had already found three. Despite their energy, even spirited young boys could tire from mountain trekking, and it was Minsoo who first suggested a break.

“Hyung, can we rest for a bit?”

With his face flushed from the climb, Hyunggeun reluctantly agreed.

“Yeah, let’s rest for a bit.”

He flopped down first, and the other boys quickly followed, sitting beside him and catching their breaths while looking back down the trail they had ascended.

“Hyung, I think we’ve come too far.”

Cheolyong, usually the most vigorous on the playground, found the mountain trails challenging. The atmosphere suggested they turn back, but Minsoo was not ready to give up on their quest.

“We have to go further up to catch a rabbit.”

Hyunggeun, caught between honor and pragmatism, weighed his options. As the group debated, the child, remembering a large, oddly angled rock that offered some shelter from rain, suggested a wise precaution.

“It looks like it’s going to rain soon. If it starts to rain, we could get lost or hurt on the slippery slopes, so maybe it’s best to try another day.”

Looking up, they indeed noticed dark clouds gathering. Reluctantly, Minsoo agreed to descend. Just as they began their way down, however, the skies opened into a downpour, leaving the boys frantically searching for cover. Hyunggeun suggested they run, but the child stopped him.

“It’s too dangerous. Running now could lead to serious injuries. There’s a spot nearby where we can take cover from the rain.”

He led them to the large rock, providing just enough shelter to wait out the brief storm. As they huddled together, the child thought to himself that true peril was right here, in this unexpected adventure.