Chapter 289: Trip Departure
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 289: Trip Departure
I dragged my heavy suitcase into the airport.
The evening had grown dark. Even though it was a time when most people would be resting at home in preparation for tomorrow, this place remained bustling. I realized for the first time today that the night view unique to airports has a certain sentimental quality to it.
It was currently 9:00 PM.
The flight was scheduled for 10:00 PM.
I had arrived now because the girls insisted I had to be at the airport at least an hour early.
Are they really in the lounge already?
They said they were going to go ahead and have some fun. They had been making such a fuss, saying they wanted to try out the lounge since the seats were booked for First Class.
That means they’ve already checked in.
I was about to pull out my phone to call them when a familiar figure walked toward me from a distance.
"You've arrived, Young Master."
"Senior Ju-hee?"
To my surprise, Senior Ju-hee was waiting for me.
Caught off guard, I stood there stammering, unable to find my words. Without a change in expression, she explained the situation.
"I have been assigned to provide security for this trip. I look forward to working with you."
"You’re... providing security, Senior?"
"Yes, that is correct."
She bowed slightly as she greeted me, which felt a bit overwhelming.
In the past, I would have been happy to travel with her, but...
Things had become awkward between us now. Specifically, ever since I got drunk and caused that "accident."
Ah, is it really okay to just let that slide?
She had told me it was nothing and to just move on. Honestly, though, she was constantly on my mind. I felt like I had to follow whatever she said, and I found myself walking on eggshells around her.
It wasn't just because she was my senior in the English Department. It was because of the guilt that remained like a lump in my chest.
I briefly met her eyes. Her dark pupils stared intently at me, checking to see if there was any problem.
"Um, I’m going to go make a quick phone call."
"Yes, understood."
Come to think of it, I had bought a women's wristwatch at the department store last time to give to her. If I had known she was coming, I would have brought it. I felt a pang of regret.
Keeping some distance from Senior Ju-hee, I called Big Hyung.
While the dial tone rang, I fell into thought.
The fact that he attached Senior Ju-hee—who is basically just a part-timer—as my security means there’s something going on.
Knowing Big Hyung’s personality, he wouldn't have assigned her just because we were close.
As if he knew I would be calling around this time, Big Hyung picked up immediately.
"Hello?"
— Right, you must have arrived at the airport.
"Then you know exactly why I’m calling, right?"
— It’s because of Min Ju-hee, I assume?
"Yeah. Why Senior Ju-hee? It’s not that she’s incompetent, but she doesn't have much experience yet."
— I heard that you’re wary of Min Ju-hee.
"..."
— The security chief and the team leaders said so with one voice. That’s why they often assign Ju-hee to matters involving you.
Ah.
So they paired us up because I’m uncomfortable around her.
Well, he is the man who almost made me get a vasectomy.
Since any other bodyguard wouldn't be able to stop me, he assigned the one person I actually feel pressured by, even if she lacks experience.
— I told her in advance. That she must clearly stop you if you try to cross the line.
"...Do you really have that little faith in me?"
— Correct. I don't.
When he put it that bluntly, well, I had nothing to say. Especially since I had a track record of causing an accident with Senior Ju-hee while drunk.
— I also told her that it’s okay for her to cross the line.
"Cross the line?"
— It means that no matter what Min Ju-hee does, I will absolutely have her back.
"..."
— Even if you get thrashed by her.
Even if I get beaten up by her? Why did the atmosphere suddenly turn so chilling?
— No, I told her clearly. To stop you even if she has to hit you.
"Sigh."
I let out a long sigh. However, I didn't feel like Big Hyung was being unreasonable.
Normally, I can control myself, but things become a problem when I drink. As I’ve said several times, I did that kind of thing to Senior Ju-hee while drunk. If the consequences only affected me, it wouldn't matter, but it could cause great harm to the girls' lives.
"Fine. I guess this is for the best."
Once I accepted it, Big Hyung replied in a slightly lighter tone.
— I’m glad you understand.
"Yeah. I’m heading off now."
— Don't cause any trouble.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I got it."
After hanging up, I glanced back. Senior Ju-hee was waiting, staring straight at me. Now, that gaze felt like she was monitoring me.
"Ahem. Senior, shall we head in?"
"The others have already checked in and are in the First Class Lounge. Shall I guide you there?"
"Yes... but, please speak comfortably. Like you usually do."
"No. I am here on business."
This is so uncomfortable.
But Senior Ju-hee didn't budge an inch. Her dignified appearance made it clear that she had come on this trip with a firm resolve.
Since she was my senior, Big Hyung had booked her a First Class ticket as well, so we moved to the lounge together.
"It certainly is spacious."
It felt like everyone was assigned their own large sofa. It was wide and offered privacy with partitions, and of course, food and drinks were free.
"..."
Senior Ju-hee’s eyes widened as if she were surprised, but she didn't forget her position as a bodyguard and silently followed behind me. I wanted to tell her to rest as much as she wanted until we boarded the plane, but she probably wouldn't.
"Have you had dinner?"
"Yes, I have."
"..."
I was going to suggest she try some of the food here if she hadn't eaten.
As I wandered around looking for the girls, I found Yoo Ah-rin wearing sunglasses and reclining in a chair like it was a sofa.
"Why are you wearing sunglasses at this hour?"
When I approached and asked out of sheer absurdity, Yoo Ah-rin grinned.
"Hey, I had no idea First Class was like this. Wow, this is insane."
"This is my first time flying like this since I grew up, too. There’s definitely a reason they charge so much."
Yoo Ah-rin sat up abruptly, took off her sunglasses, and smiled at Senior Ju-hee.
"Senior, you should just hang out here too. This guy will manage just fine on his own anyway."
"No, thank you."
"Ugh, so stiff."
With that, Yoo Ah-rin put her sunglasses back on and lay back down. I wondered what she was doing, but if she was comfortable, that was all that mattered.
"Where are the others?"
"Choi I-seo is sleeping in the next seat, and Seo Ye-rin said she’s taking a shower. You can take showers here too."
"The next seat?"
I peeked over, and sure enough, Choi I-seo was asleep with her eyes tightly shut.
"Does she always sleep like that? She’s not even moving. Do you have to sleep in formation like that in the military?"
"I don't think they make you maintain formation while sleeping in the military."
Regardless, Choi I-seo was sleeping perfectly straight with her hands and feet neatly positioned. You could say she slept gracefully, but honestly, she looked like an unopened figurine in its packaging.
"Maybe I should take a photo."
I pulled out the camera I had borrowed from Bong-geun. It was an incredibly expensive camera that I’d borrowed specifically for this trip.
Click.
As soon as I took a photo of the sleeping Choi I-seo, Yoo Ah-rin sat up at the sound.
"Hey! Hey! Take one of me too!"
"Strike a pose."
"Right now, this. The 'relaxed' vibe."
She posed half-reclined with a wine glass in one hand. After I took a few shots, Yoo Ah-rin grinned and bounced in her seat.
"Ah! I’m so excited! This is great! I want to leave already! The furthest I’ve ever been is Japan!"
"You’ve been to Japan?"
"Osaka. Just a quick trip. I went with my high school friends after graduation."
"Was Seo Ye-rin there too?"
"Of course. Back then, some guy even gave her a business card asking if she wanted to be an AV actor."
"..."
Knowing Seo Ye-rin, she might have actually been interested. As I felt a slight surge of worry, Yoo Ah-rin chuckled.
"Hey, she was so innocent back then. She couldn't even talk to guys properly."
"I guess."
"Look at her now. She’s half-broken or something."
"She was always like that. She was just hiding it."
I glanced over at Choi I-seo. I wondered if our talking would wake her up, but she was still fast asleep.
"But we have to sleep for a long time on the plane. Why is she sleeping already?"
"She said it’s her first time flying. Apparently, she’s sleeping because she’s nervous."
"Ho."
I nodded with interest and moved to get a simple drink.
She’s still following me.
It was a bit distracting having Senior Ju-hee trailing behind me like a game pet or a sidekick, but I had to understand since she was doing her job.
There were several high-end wines available, but I decided to just have some orange juice. Just as I was about to offer a drink to Senior Ju-hee...
I saw someone already making a drink.
A woman was sipping busily through a straw in a juice glass.
"Jin-ah?"
When I reflexively called her name, Choi Jin-ah flinched and stole a glance toward me.
Right, it was Choi Jin-ah.
"...Why are you here?"
When I looked at her with suspicious eyes, Choi Jin-ah avoided my gaze and answered.
"I was invited to perform, so I’m going."
"Where are you going?"
"The USA."
"I mean, where in the USA?"
"...Hawaii."
"Phew."
As I let out a long sigh, Choi Jin-ah put down her glass and began making excuses.
"I-I mean, Woo-jin, we’re fiancés, aren't we? But my family was pressuring me, asking why I wasn't following you when you’re going to Hawaii..."
"So you decided to come along? Did you come alone?"
"With a new friend I made."
"Sigh, fine. Let's just try not to overlap and hang out separately if possible."
It felt somewhat unsettling having Choi Jin-ah involved. When I said that, Choi Jin-ah looked a bit pouted, said "Fine," and scurried away as if escaping.
A friend, huh?
Does Choi Jin-ah even have friends?
I wondered if it was the two women I saw at the reunion, so I followed her with my eyes.
Where Choi Jin-ah ran to, there stood a red-haired woman who was now all too familiar to me.
"Oh Yun-ji?"