Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Five Followers
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Min-hoo.
Hearing the name Choi Min-hoo come from someone else's mouth left my head blank.
And from people I knew, no less.
The instant I heard that name, no other sounds reached me. Only the pounding of my heart echoed in my ears.
Like the world had gone dark for a moment.
In the sudden silence, I just stared blankly at my friends.
"Yeon-bi. What's wrong?"
"Ah... No."
Yeon-a approached from behind and rested a hand on my shoulder as she asked.
She gazed at me with a puzzled look.
Seeing Yeon-a's face got my body moving again.
Sounds from around us filtered back in.
People's joyful screams. The clatter of meals. Even Eun-a's voice drifting in from outside.
As if nothing had happened, but a sigh of relief slipped out anyway.
"...Know them?"
She whispered softly in my ear after seeing my reaction.
Her eyes were fixed on the people right in front of me.
"...No. Must've just mistaken them for someone."
A lie.
They didn't just look similar. It was them.
Three high school friends.
Not the type we'd kept in touch with after graduation, but we'd spot each other on the street and greet like old pals.
'Even got their wedding invites.'
Two of the three were married already.
With kids in tow, probably some family outing.
"Yeah? Hmm... Sit over there?"
The spot Yeon-a pointed out was the far corner table.
Full view of the scenery outside, nice distance from other tables.
Grateful for her quiet thoughtfulness, I hustled over there quick.
'Everyone's doing well.'
And hearing my old name, Min-hoo, from their mouths? Kinda nice.
Wonder what they'd say if I told them I'm Min-hoo now.
Maybe that I went to Thailand or got a girlfriend on the down-low.
They'd crack dumb jokes like that, tell me to hit them up more.
Of course. Won't happen.
'Choi Min-hoo doesn't exist anymore.'
Choi Min-hoo is gone.
Only Choi Yeon-bi remains.
Back then.
If something like this hit right after the body changed, I might've barricaded myself in my room.
But no reason for that now.
I'm Choi Yeon-bi.
And right beside me...
"This place is killer. More photo zone than restaurant?"
"Where? Where?"
"Kim Eun-a! No running!"
"Yeon-bi. What're you doing just standing there?"
With this many people around.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Aigoo, my back..."
"President! Five more to go!"
Right after lunch, we powered through the Viking ride.
Yeon-a plopped on the bench, looking a touch wiped out.
Kim Min-hyeok, propped up next to her, wasn't faring much better.
Eun-a didn't care, shaking Yeon-a's shoulders like crazy from her perch on the bench.
Meanwhile, Chan-su and Ji-su scored churros and slushies from the stand nearby.
Handed them out to everyone, then Ji-su chomped on her churro.
Her sharp eyes and stern face, but munching away so happily? Kinda cute.
'Still scares me a little.'
"Eun-a. Let's rest a bit. Swing next? I'll drop dead."
"Yeah, gotta think of the boss lady's age."
"Lee Chan-su, you trying to die?"
"Run away~"
I let out a small laugh watching their goofy antics.
Yeon-a shot me a save-me-please look, so I took the seat beside her.
"I'm bad at swings and scary stuff too. I'll chill or hit milder rides till you guys are back."
"Hmm... Guess no choice. Ji-su unnie, Chan-su, Min-hyeok oppa—you guys set?"
A hint of disappointment on her face, Eun-a grabbed Ji-su's and Chan-su's hands.
Staring at them with sparkling eyes.
Ji-su nodded like she had no say.
Chan-su beamed back at her, eyes shining just like Eun-a's.
Kim Min-hyeok caught that, paused to think, then spoke up.
"Nah, I'll sit this one out. Feels off leaving just the boss and Yeon-bi."
"I'm good though?"
Min-hyeok froze at Yeon-a's reply but shook his head, digging in.
"No, just... let me rest."
Kim Min-hyeok's white flag at last.
Yeon-bi and I shared a quiet chuckle.
"Fine. We'll knock out the rest then. Call if anything. Boss too, got it?"
Felt like Eun-a and Yeon-a swapped lines for a sec.
Yeon-a grinned and nodded. The trio bolted off toward the outdoor rides.
"Ji-su's hyped too."
"Yeah? Hardly shows..."
Yeon-a nodded, piling on.
"Right? Not like you, but her face stays stone-cold. Watch long enough, though—that's her pumped look."
I peered at her blank face from a distance.
Up close, yeah, she looked kinda thrilled.
"True. Ji-su's usually way quieter."
"Anyway. You holding up? Viking face was priceless."
"...That bad?"
"Yup. Pale as an egg ghost."
She covered her mouth with her right hand at my roast, hiding a sheepish look.
Found it hilarious, stared a beat. Felt... familiar somehow.
Always nagging at me, like I'd seen Kim Min-hyeok before...
"Ah!"
Face half-hidden, eyes peeking—it clicked.
He wore that same dopey expression back then. Crystal clear now.
"That shitty driver... Wait, sorry..."
Words tumbled out first.
But facts are facts.
Revenge driving? Hundred percent his fault.
"What? You two know each other? From driving?"
Yeon-a blinked in confusion, head tilt, glancing between me and the road-rage guy.
"Ah... that time... Sorry..."
He hunched over, bowing low.
Yeon-a eyed him, piecing it together.
"Figures... Tell you to drive safe, you wreck stuff. Don't tell me... you were late back then 'cause you picked a fight with Yeon-bi?"
I blew up and bounced, no clue what went down after.
Sounded like he even clocked in late.
'Chilling with a reckless driver.'
Gave him a pitying look.
Min-hyeok caught my vibe, scratched his head awkwardly, looked away.
Still, no plans to chew him out now. Said my piece back then anyway.
"Eh, water under the bridge. Not sweating it."
"Ah... Yeah. Sorry still."
Passing it off clean felt off though.
Pondered a sec, hit on a fun idea.
"Then, if you're really sorry, ride this with me?"
Min-hyeok eyed me warily.
Figuring some terror ride, probably.
I'm nice, though.
No forcing scary stuff.
Instead,
"Follow. Got something fun."
Gonna mess with him a tad.
Led the way without spilling where.
Anxious-faced Min-hyeok. Yeon-a, curious stare.
Short walk later...
"...Bumper cars?"
Bumper car zone.
Min-hyeok piped up first on arrival.
Yeon-a cracked up seeing them.
"You hold grudges like a champ."
Laughing so hard tears came; she dabbed her eyes.
Her delight made me smug for no reason.
Min-hyeok, the target, looked mixed but not hating it.
"We going?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Fun times fly by.
Sun down, dazzling lights bathed the whole park.
The carousel, kinda meh before, exploded in color now.
Couldn't resist; Eun-a herded everyone for more pics.
Parade watched, passes burned.
Yeon-a asked about more rides; Eun-a mulled, jabbed at the monorail.
"That one?"
Not scary, perfect capper; we all headed there.
"Have a blast~"
Six seats exact.
Windows: Chan-su and Eun-a snagged first.
Middle: Park Ji-su and Kim Min-hyeok each.
Door side: Yeon-a and Choi Yeon-bi settled comfy.
"Whoa. Whole park in view."
Eun-a plastered to the window, peering down.
The park we'd roamed all day filled her gaze.
"...Pretty."
Park Ji-su murmured, glancing aside.
"Aigoo... Still, thanks to Yeon-bi, we had a blast today. Thanks."
Yeon-a's words; Choi Yeon-bi nodded, bashful.
'Barely any expression shift, like always.'
The girl Kim Min-hyeok crushed on.
He still felt it, but she showed zero interest.
'No shock. How could she?'
Still, wanted excuses to chat.
She came off mature past her years, dressed sharp—tons to pick up from.
Mulling that seriously, Kim Min-hyeok spoke up careful.
"You on Instagram? Wanna keep in touch after hanging like this..."
Sure, a dash of self-interest.
More pure affection than anything shady.
Others flicked eyes to Yeon-bi at his words.
"True. Unnie, your Insta handle?"
"Huh, never added you?"
They whipped out phones, tapping away.
But Choi Yeon-bi...
"Um... Never got Instagram..."
Troubled tone.
Min-hyeok braced to apologize for putting her on spot, but she kept going.
"Gotta make one... Doing it now."
'Not a no.'
Sighed relief inside, waited as she set up.
And just like that, Choi Yeon-bi had five followers.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ They say social media's a time sink.
I agreed, never touched Instagram or Twitter till now.
Just messenger apps for friends chats?
That was it.
'...Everyone says Instagram these days.'
Young crowd chats via Instagram DMs now.
Made sense why the amusement park crew all had accounts.
Not some desperate 30-something trend-chasing.
Just... everyone does it.
End of story.
'Kinda bittersweet.'
Anyway.
Sudden five followers.
Curious their styles, tapped profiles.
First up: Yeon-a's profile.
Links galore, agency deets.
Pure business feed.
"Neat."
Quick scan, zilch fun, next profile.
This time: Kim Eun-a's.
Said she splits work and friends accounts; added me to friends one.
Park pics from yesterday, heavy edits—all glowy and glam.
No clue the vibe, but kinda fun scrolling.
Others' feeds hit fun too.
Kim Min-hyeok: car nut, more ride shots than selfies.
Park Ji-su: zero selfies.
Lee Chan-su...
'Total kid.'
College crew pics, game screenshots everywhere.
Maybe nailing that "do it while young" advice from Yeon-a.
Peeping theirs made my blank profile look pathetic.
'...Spruce it up some.'
That thought had me sitting up in bed.