Park Outing (1)
The spring sunlight felt warm against my skin as we walked through the park entrance. I glanced over at Aram, who was practically bouncing with excitement beside me.
"Ramithunder?"
"It's the nickname I've been pushing lately. Would you like one too, Gaeun unnie?"
"No, I'm good."
"I can't lose either. Your Majesty, if you would?"
The Queen reached into her handbag, pulled out a hair tie, and gently gathered my hair into a ponytail.
"Tteongi the Lightning, Descent."
"Whoa~ That's fire."
"Then Ramithunder. Looking forward to today as well."
"The pleasure is all mine."
Meanwhile, The Queen and Gaeun unnie took a few steps back to prepare for the stream.
"They're having so much fun together."
"They really are. Tteongi-nim is just too cute."
"Your Majesty~ I'm all ready. Please start the broadcast."
"Her Majesty is filming for us. Anyway, Ramithunder, could you do the intro?"
"Hello everyone~"
Aram spun around to show off her ponytail.
"When my hair is tied up like this, I'm Ramithunder! Please keep that in mind, everyone."
"And when I tie my hair up, I'm Tteongi the Lightning."
"It's not that I'm about to poop..."
When I grinned silently, the camera tilted downward in perfect sync.
"Wait for it."
I turned around and lifted the hem of my hoodie zip-up so my butt was clearly visible.
"Poop."
"Don't explain it in such detail!"
"E-everyone, this is a park... Please watch your language."
"I'm just wearing normal workout clothes... They're a little short, though."
Aram, who had been quietly watching, suddenly spoke up.
"Tteongi-nim, I'll step out for a moment, so please deliver a cool line."
"Alright, let's change the mood with something cool."
Aram walked out of the camera frame.
"..."
Before doing anything, I scanned the area around the main gate. Thankfully, since it was a weekday afternoon, there was no one else around. No people, just cherry blossoms blooming beautifully... Perfect for the line.
"What a truly beautiful day... The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming..."
"On a day like this, you flatlanders should..."
I put on an angry expression.
"Burn in the fires of hell."
"Krr~ Tteongi-nim, the chat is on fire."
Aram, who had somehow returned to stand beside The Queen while watching the stream, spoke up.
"As expected. Ramithunder, how many viewers do we have right now?"
"Current viewer count... We've surpassed 7,500!"
"That's what I'm talking about! Then let's go straight into it..."
I unzipped my hoodie to reveal my sports bra, pale stomach, and belly button.
"I politely decline."
"Aaaack! I'm dying."
Gaeun unnie quickly supported Aram, who looked like she was about to collapse.
"You like my belly?"
I deliberately stepped closer to the camera and showed off my stomach.
"Is my belly that pretty?"
"Tteongi-nim, you're really beautiful. Can I stroke it just once?"
"J-just once then..."
The Queen gently stroked my belly.
"Haha, it's like a puppy."
"Ehehe... woof woof."
"The opening was a bit long, wasn't it? Let's go rent some bikes now."
We passed through the main gate and arrived at the bike rental station right in front. The same auntie from last time greeted us warmly.
"Oh, it's the group from last time~ Welcome back!"
"Hello! You remember us!"
"Of course~ How could I forget such pretty young ladies?"
"Ahaha..."
I laughed shyly at the compliment.
"You're even dressed for actual riding today. What kind of bikes would you like?"
"One tandem couple bike, and..."
Meanwhile, Aram began examining the bikes with a very serious expression.
"The secret to choosing a good bike is to tap the saddle."
"Y-you mean like picking a watermelon?"
Gaeun unnie was working hard on her tsukkomi as usual.
"Your Majesty, what bike should we choose?"
"How about a pink one?"
"Sounds good. Pink bike it is."
Aram and Gaeun unnie also picked bikes that suited them and rented them.
"Wait, I'll pay."
"Kyaa~ Tteongi-nim is so cool!"
"Ooh~ Tteongi's looking pretty slick."
"Hehe."
"Shall we ride right away?"
"Hold on. Wouldn't you like to hear Ramithunder's lightning-fast lecture on bike riding?"
"Ooh... I'm curious."
We sat on a bench while Aram stood in front of us and began teaching.
"Bikes, you see, the most important things are gears and pedaling technique."
"Ramithunder-nim, I have a question."
I raised my hand high.
"Yes, Tteongi-nim, go ahead."
"How about we each have a cup of coffee while listening?"
"And you're buying all of them, right Tteongi?"
"...Correct. I'm buying everything!"
"Y-you guys are really dead."
"I'm confiscating the zipper for ten minutes."
I zipped the hoodie all the way up, covering my sports bra and belly.
"Yare yare, it can't be helped."
We drank our coffee while listening to Aram's lecture.
"...And that's it. How was it?"
"Ten points... out of ten."
Recalling what Aram had said and my memories of riding bikes before, I climbed onto the bike and gripped the handlebars.
"Alright."
I placed the phone that was currently streaming on the right phone mount and set my still-half-full coffee on the left.
"How's the broadcast? Is the angle okay?"
"Looks good. Your Majesty, please sit behind me."
"Okay~"
She got on behind me and placed her feet on the pedals.
"I'll carry you comfortably, Your Majesty."
"Thank you."
Meanwhile, Aram and Gaeun unnie were stretching.
"Gaeun unnie, whoever completes two laps around the lake and reaches the bench first wins."
"Alright, I'm definitely winning this time."
"You two are racing?"
"Yep."
"It's like Kart Rider but with Aram."
"Something like that!"
"Our team has to win."
"I'll win no matter what to become part of Tteongi-nim's team!"
While the two of them began their race, we enjoyed a cozy little date.
But it turned out riding a bike in this body was harder than I thought.
"Ugh... It's harder to ride a bike than I expected."
"I'll help."
The Queen started pedaling from behind as well.
With the help of The Queen and the viewers, the bike slowly started moving. Gaining momentum, we gradually picked up speed while admiring the lake scenery.
"The cherry blossoms are everywhere. It's so nice."
"It really is. Want to take a picture before we keep going?"
"Sure..."
We parked the bike behind a tree and attached the phone to the selfie stick again. The Queen smiled brightly at me as if she had no idea what was going on.
"This somehow feels like a date."
"D-does it?"
"Hey... kids~ Don't put Her Majesty in such an awkward spot."
"It's not that harsh."
"Tteongi-nim~"
At that moment, The Queen linked arms with me.
"Since the topic came up, shall we take a picture like lovers?"
"Yes..."
I smiled brightly with The Queen as we took the photo.
"The picture probably turned out great."
"I'll send it to you later, Tteongi-nim."
Right then, Aram sped past us with her bell ringing loudly.
"Tteongi-nim! I already finished one full lap!"
"She's so fast..."
"See you later! Bye!"
And not long after, Gaeun unnie also zoomed past.
"Both of them are no joke..."
I watched the two of them disappear into the distance like it was a show on the other side of the river.
"Then Your Majesty~ Shall we get going too?"
"Aren't you tired? Want to switch?"
"Honestly it's a little tiring but..."
"Should I ride in front now? It's easier for the person in the back."
"Just a little longer. I want to carry you, Your Majesty."
The Queen smiled brightly and stroked my bangs.
"But if it gets too hard, tell me right away."
"Okay."
We continued riding while keeping the sweet atmosphere.
"Have you ridden bikes a lot, Tteongi-nim?"
"Well... um. I rode a lot when I played X-ketmon."
"How adorable."
Chatting about this and that, we somehow completed one full lap around the lake. And I did it all from the front without switching once.
"Hey kids, how was that? I can ride around the lake once too!"
When we returned to the bench, Aram handed us sports drinks.
"Tteongi-nim, Short Hair Queen-nim, please have these."
"Thanks, I was just getting thirsty."
After drinking, I asked about the results of their race.
"So who won the EunRam War?"
"I won by a hair's breadth."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. I'm weak at biking. If it had been running I would've won for sure."
It wasn't a short distance like last time; they had sprinted two full laps around the lake, yet she still looked completely fine. And she doesn't even have an athletic job like Gaeun unnie...
"Aram's stamina is insane."
"It's Ramithunder."
"R-Ramithunder."
"The bike license really came in handy after all."
Aram pulled out her bike license from her wallet and showed it to the camera.
"I brought it specifically to show everyone."
"Whoa..."
"Winner Ramithunder, what should I buy you for lunch today?"
"You're treating, Tteongi-nim?"
"Obviously. Speak comfortably."
"Then chicken...!"
I lowered my voice, trying to sound as cool as possible.
"I'll buy it."
"Tteongi's buying is the best!"
"T-Tteongi the Lightning..."
"Also, there's something I want to tell you."
"What is it?"
"H-Tteongi's new YouTube channel has reached 600,000 subscribers!"