Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Seaside Moments
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Meanwhile, in the women's changing room.
“How do I look? Kinda cute, right?”
“Put this on over it.”
“Ah, sis, come on! Don’t change here—where are you changing?”
“Here.”
Yoon Haneul’s conservative objection made Yoo Chae-eun pout, but she eventually gave in.
“…Better?”
And with that, the full-blown water fun kicked off.
The late summer sun poured down thick and heavy from the brilliant blue sky above.
A sea so clear and transparent it could rival any foreign shore.
The guys dashed straight in, splashing around wildly.
Yoon Chan-rim burst out laughing at the sight of Woo Si-hyung hurling himself in and dragging Kang Hyun along like a water ghost.
Then Yoo Chae-eun and Yoon Haneul approached from behind, unleashing a wave right away.
Splash!
“Take that seawater!”
“Eek!”
They merged right into the massive crowd, reveling in the joyful water play like it was a show for everyone.
Families, couples, friends.
Everyone wore bright, beaming faces, as if they’d forgotten all their daily grime.
“Let’s do the banana boat!”
Next up, the banana boat ride together.
Everyone screamed in thrill between sky and sea for a moment.
“Kyaa!”
“We’re tipping!”
Splash!
When the jet boat yanked them into the middle of the ocean, their fun hit its peak.
The passionate water play, burning through everything, showed no signs of letting up.
“You ever tried the flying fish?”
“That flying manta ray thing is the flying fish? Let’s go! What about you, oppa?”
“I’m gonna grab some food with Si-hyung real quick.”
“Aww. Fine, wait a sec! I’ll ride it and come back!”
The same-age pals Yoo Chae-eun and Yoon Chan-rim, styles perfectly in sync, bolted off for some other activity.
Then Woo Si-hyung slyly poked Kang Hyun’s side.
“I’ve got the wallet, so I’ll go alone. You two have fun.”
“No, let’s go together. Huh? Si-hyung?”
Woo Si-hyung shot off like he’d sensed the vibe, leaving Kang Hyun’s eyes to land on Yoon Haneul, who was drying her wet hair with a beach towel.
Slender yet toned, the bikini fit her like a glove.
Against the backdrop of gentle waves lapping at the clear shore, sunlight cascading over her—she was breathtaking.
The curves of her figure were generous but soft, her arms and legs full of springy vitality.
She was the Yoon Haneul he always saw, but being at the beach together made her feel utterly different.
She was like midsummer sunshine, or a fairy of the blue sea.
When she looked up at him blankly, he felt the world around them go quiet.
Some might call it an emotionless expression. But Kang Hyun knew better.
He knew what her face meant.
Yoon Haneul wanted to say something to him.
“Wanna walk a bit?”
“Yeah.”
At her agreement to his suggestion, they rose and slipped away from the crowded center.
They strolled slowly toward the far end of the beach.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
The farther they got from the excited crowds, the more the sea seemed to reveal its hidden charms.
Seagulls glided leisurely overhead, people padded along the soft sand at an easy pace.
The walkers looked romantic, the sunbathers utterly relaxed.
Far off, the beach’s landmark Ferris wheel caught the sea breeze, weaving a fantastical vibe.
A slow pace, yet every instant felt precious.
After walking in silence for a while, Kang Hyun carefully broke it.
“You’ve been so busy lately, right?”
“Yeah. You too, and me.”
“Good.”
“Huh?”
“That we could make time.”
Instead of answering, she flashed him a bright smile.
A smile not for just anyone.
But a special one, reserved only for him.
Then, right then.
“…Excuse me.”
Some walkers from over there approached Kang Hyun and Yoon Haneul.
Two high school girls, or around that age, looking like they wanted a favor.
“Sorry, but could you take a picture for us?”
“Oh, sure.”
What Kang Hyun took with his ready agreement wasn’t a phone, but a Polaroid camera.
The travelers seemed to be on a girls’ trip and were hunting for someone their age to snap pics.
“You just press this, right?”
“Yeah, that button there.”
“Got it. Then over there.”
“Wait! Let’s go!”
The two struck cute poses, staring at the camera, while Yoon Haneul and Kang Hyun snapped away with pleased looks.
“Alright, taking it. One, two, three!”
Instant photo magic.
Having taken tons with Yoon Haneul before, Kang Hyun nailed shots worthy of social media right away.
They gasped in delight, freaking out over the pics.
“Whoa? Amazing!”
“Thank you!”
Kang Hyun ducked his head shyly and started to move on. But the travelers poked his back.
“You did such a great job, we’re so grateful—want us to take one of you two?”
“Huh? Really?”
“You guys look so good together anyway. We’ll do it!”
“Oh, uh…”
Kang Hyun glanced awkwardly at Yoon Haneul. She met his eyes with an equally bashful smile.
“Okay, sure!”
-Bzzz.
And so, in that dreamlike Sokcho beach, Yoon Haneul and Kang Hyun got their instant photo by chance.
“Thank you.”
“Have a great date!”
“Oh, yeah.”
They’d taken countless pics together, but always snapping each other or goofing off with selfies. Never a proper one out somewhere, just the two of them.
“Looks good.”
“Yeah, it came out great.”
Sharing new experiences with her.
That’s what made his heart race.
It felt so natural, so serendipitous, but both their hearts pounded fiercely.
Yoon Haneul and Kang Hyun both sensed it in each other.
The sky and sea seemed to gaze at them, even the smallest sounds whispering just for them.
“Haneul.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve got something to say.”
“…What?”
She held the fresh photo, looking up at him with wide eyes.
Yoon Haneul gazing at Kang Hyun looked more beautiful than anyone in the world, as if she were focusing solely on him.
“Well…”
But the moment didn’t last.
“Waaah!”
“Kyaa!”
Yoon Chan-rim and Yoo Chae-eun screaming from afar. Woo Si-hyung approaching with snacks.
Reality crashed back, and Kang Hyun shook his head.
This wasn’t their private beach.
A pang of regret hit him, and he let out a small sigh.
But she was still waiting for his question, as if ready to give any answer.
Gathering courage, Kang Hyun spoke.
“Uh… well… It’d probably be more fun just us two, what do you think?”
“Me too.”
Her simple reply was enough to dizzy him—and steel his resolve.
“Then, next time, just us?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
Her answer left his head spinning, breath short, joy surging like he could leap.
As Kang Hyun spaced out, Yoon Haneul toddled ahead, leading him.
“Let’s go to that spot. It’s pretty over there.”
“Okay.”
Somehow, he held the photo she’d handed him.
There, Kang Hyun and Yoon Haneul smiled radiantly straight at the camera, like a painting.
They returned to the pension late that evening.
A twenty-minute walk inland from the beach—not too close, but the place was spotless and charming for the price.
Exhausted from all the water fun, their bodies should’ve felt like lead, but their overflowing energy made it a breeze.
Once there, preparations for the barbecue party started out front.
“Si-hyung, over here?”
“Yeah, that should work.”
While Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim hauled the grill and charcoal, Kang Hyun clutched his rumbling stomach and headed to the owner for the pre-ordered meat.
Clunk.
“Hello. What can I do for you?”
Inside the main building with the lobby, a man who looked just a few years older than him greeted Kang Hyun.
“Hi. Staying in Building B—here for the meat we ordered.”
“Oh, one sec.”
He nodded to a young woman, who headed to the back storage.
While waiting, Kang Hyun glanced around the lobby desk area.
Sea-themed knickknacks everywhere, cozy corners spotless as if touched by caring hands.
The late evening outside felt a tad chilly with summer fading, but the lobby was warm and inviting.
The owner must’ve put a lot of personal effort in.
That made Kang Hyun a bit curious about him.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks. Is the owner around? Wasn’t here at check-in this morning either.”
“Huh?”
“The guy I talked to on the phone the other day.”
Kang Hyun remembered the reservation voice as an older man’s, so he asked—and the guy looked puzzled for a sec before grinning wide.
“Oh! The manager? He’s out right now. But why… something up?”
“No, just wanted to thank him for the super helpful explanation. Wait, so you’re the owner? And he’s staff?”
“Haha, yeah.”
He chuckled.
“You got lucky. The manager’s got tons of know-how and helps a lot.”
“Wow, impressive.”
“I owe him big time, though.”
Kang Hyun was a little surprised.
He looked about the same age, yet running a pension.
Not even a small operation, and doing it so confidently—he let out a quiet “Whoa.”
“I’ll pass on the thanks if you come by. He doesn’t go out much… running late, though.”
Something felt off in the young owner’s words, but thinking of his friends waiting hungrily by the fire, Kang Hyun hurried off.
“You’re back?”
“Chan-rim, check it out. Got soot on her from starting the fire.”
The vibe outside had shifted from the bright day.
Sea breeze blowing, but warm firewood crackling, red-hot coals ready for meat—everyone was blissed out.
“Just beer for drinks?”
“Cola for me.”
“Beer.”
“Three beers, one cola, and some soju mix.”
They fired up the grill and prepped the booze.
The tail end of a joyful trip.
Their story of memories drawing to a close.
“Cheers?”
“Yep.”
“Si-hyung oppa, say something.”
“Let Si-hyung do it.”
“Alright? Ahem. Everyone gather round.”
Woo Si-hyung, now fully embracing his quirky-fun character, cleared his throat.
“I figured after what Hyun said, it’d be awkward? But this is a blast.”
Giggles erupted.
“So, let’s make tonight fun. No regrets when the night’s over…”
But then.
“No way that’s true!”
A yell that shook the whole neighborhood.
Kang Hyun set down his glass.
It was unmistakably the pension owner’s voice—the same guy who’d been chatting and laughing just moments ago.