Aquarium
We headed toward the cluster of restaurants outside the dorms.
"Where do you want to go?" Seo Ha-yoon said to me.
Hmm... yeah, wandering around endlessly wasn't ideal. Was there a decent spot nearby?
"Let's look a bit more. I mostly eat the team meals from the club, so I'm not too familiar with places around here..."
"Oh, really? I figured players came out to spots like this all the time."
"Well... I'm on the minimum salary, so... cough... gear costs eat up my budget, and I can't come out much."
"Got it. I didn't know—sorry."
"No need to apologize."
We wandered in front of the restaurants until I spotted a sign that read Whole Chicken.
A whole chicken place? Like they serve samgyetang or something? Summer was coming soon. It was time for tonic foods. This kind of dish wasn't a bad choice at all.
I pointed at it with my finger.
"Let's go there."
Seo Ha-yoon tilted her head slightly.
"Huh? There? Ugh, why whole chicken?"
"It's already getting this hot—gotta stock up on some nourishment. And understand that I'm a player currently sidelined for weight issues."
Seo Ha-yoon's lips curved up just a bit.
"Oh, right. Then we should go wherever you want to eat."
Inside the restaurant, it was surprisingly clean. They'd clearly considered the warming weather, keeping the interior nicely cool. It was about a quarter full, but not too noisy.
"Welcome~! Table for two?"
The ajumma inside greeted us warmly.
"Yes, that's right."
We took our seats as guided. The menu had just three options: whole chicken, spicy chicken stew, and braised chicken.
"These places have so many options these days. I was thinking samgyetang, but it's spicy chicken, braised chicken, and whole chicken...?"
"This one's made for foreign customers. We Koreans don't really eat whole chicken like this. Apparently it's like a mix of samgyetang and shabu-shabu? I've never tried it myself."
"Then how about the whole chicken? We can give it a shot."
"Sounds good. What size? They do portions for 2, 3, or 4 people."
I held up four fingers.
"Excuse me~!"
The ajumma came over shortly after.
"We'll have the whole chicken for four, please."
"Oh my, just the two of you ordering that much? You sure you can finish it?"
I gave a small, confident smile.
"It's fine. The guy in front does sports, so he can eat plenty."
The ajumma's eyes lit up.
"Ah-ha, an athlete! Is your boyfriend an athlete?"
What? Seo Ha-yoon looked flustered at the ajumma's words.
"We're not at that stage yet."
"Oops, my mistake. Sorry for jumping the gun. Coming right up with four whole chickens."
As the ajumma left, I let out a small sigh.
"Phew... Seo Ha-yoon...?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Doesn't it feel like we slipped up there?"
Seo Ha-yoon's eyes darted around shyly.
"Sorry for saying 'not yet' on my own."
...Huh?
"What are you talking about? Why'd you say he's an athlete?"
"Huh?"
"The Turkeys' 2nd team dorms are right across the street. If you say athlete, my identity's gonna come out way too easily. Please... watch your words, okay?"
"...Yeah. Sorry. I'll be careful. Everything else is fine, right?"
"Everything else?"
Just then, the ajumma started serving the food with a large pot.
"Here you go! Food's out."
Soon, two whole chickens bobbed in the boiling pot. Steam rose with the scent of green onions, filling the air with rich chicken broth aroma.
Whoa... this smells good.
"Oh... feels better than I expected."
"Right?"
As a specialty spot, the sides came out quick. Steam billowed as the chickens cooked in the pot, the sounds whetting our appetites.
"Looks done. Let's eat."
I picked up a piece with chopsticks, blew on it carefully, and popped it in my mouth. Tender meat and deep broth flavor filled my senses.
I was savoring the warmth when I noticed Seo Ha-yoon watching me intently.
"So... something bad happen?"
At her cautious question, I set my chopsticks down for a moment.
"Why?"
"When we left the dorm, your face looked kinda down."
Hmm... she noticed that?
I sighed softly.
"Just... got some advice from a senior, and it kinda bummed me out."
"Advice?"
"I wanted to hang with the rookies, but he said since I'm close to the 1st team, I should get used to their crowd."
I poked at the chicken idly with my chopsticks.
"Basically means all the other rookies won't be around next season except me. He's not wrong, I get what he means. But it still... sours the mood a bit."
Seo Ha-yoon quietly studied my face.
"I was the 11th round pick, lowest among rookies. Now it feels weird... I should've been the one getting that treatment."
For a while, the only sounds at the table were chopsticks clinking and the broth bubbling.
Then Seo Ha-yoon asked softly.
"So... that's why you're feeling down?"
I nodded slightly.
"Yeah. It's my off day, but the mood's just off. Keeps nagging at me..."
Seo Ha-yoon thought for a second, then grinned to shift the vibe.
"You said it's an off day all day, right?"
"Yeah... pretty much."
"Perfect."
She set her chopsticks down.
"Best way to change your mood is to have fun. There's an aquarium nearby—let's go."
I looked at her in surprise.
"Aquarium?"
"Yeah, weekday, so it shouldn't be crowded."
I stared blankly at the steaming pot for a bit at her suggestion.
Hmm... aquarium... a day off like this... not bad.
I nodded slowly.
"Yeah. Sounds good. Time to clear my head for once."
"Great. Finish the chicken and let's head out."
* * *
"Ahh... didn't know Goyang had a place like this..."
Inside the aquarium, there were more families than expected. Couples pushed strollers near the entrance, kids ran around inside. It felt noisy at first, but the children's laughter soon eased my mind.
"Hmm... tickets are a bit pricey?"
"It's for a full day of fun..."
Colorful fish swam in the massive tanks, lights sparkling off the waves that danced like shadows on the ceiling. I stood staring through the glass for a long time. A huge manta ray glided overhead, drawing "Whoa!" from the kids. I couldn't help but smile.
As I watched, Seo Ha-yoon sidled up beside me, hands clasped behind her back, leaning in slowly.
"How's it feel?"
"Hm?"
"Your mood now. Better?"
I glanced at her and nodded.
"Yeah. Pretty good. Better than I thought."
"See? Nothing beats a date for a mood boost."
She winked playfully.
Huh? Date?
"Dates involve holding hands. This is just a walk."
I said it like it was obvious.
Seo Ha-yoon glanced down at my hand.
"Oh... you want to hold hands that bad?"
What? I panicked at the sudden turn.
"No, why's it going there?"
Her hand reached out. I quickly crossed my arms, tucking my hands defensively against my body. She giggled at my reaction.
"Aww, you're embarrassed?"
She playfully grabbed for my arm. I backed away in a fluster.
"No! Not like that. I'll get tired later—don't cling!"
She pouted.
"Hmph. No fun. I offered my hand like a proper lady, and you refuse."
"You don't have to. Don't ruin my life more. It's risky enough already, Seo Ha-yoon."
"Fine. Next time then."
"We'll see. I said it's fine."
We bickered lightly as we strolled between tanks. The blue-lit corridor felt like being underwater, waves rippling across the walls and over our faces. Before I knew it, my expression had softened. Tension left my shoulders; just watching the fish swim lightened my heart.
After looking around, Seo Ha-yoon pointed somewhere.
"Cafe over there. Let's grab coffee before we go."
We headed to the cafe inside the aquarium. Through the glass walls, a sea tank showed small sharks and turtles swimming lazily. Staring at the scenery relaxed me completely.
"Glad we came today, right?"
I nodded at her words.
"Yeah. Thanks—cleared my head."
"Good."
Seo Ha-yoon sipped her coffee with a satisfied smile. I watched her quietly. For some reason, her happy face stuck in my mind.