Water Park (2)
After splashing around in the lazy river for a good while, we rented a cabana—a shaded platform with a bamboo roof and footrest—and dug into some snacks. We shared warm churros, drumsticks, and ice-cold cola.
"Mmm!"
The hot meat sliding down into my chilled body felt like it was bringing my soul back to life.
"Tastes great."
[Kya!]
Aqua took a big gulp of cola and let out a satisfied sigh. Mandu was happily munching on its share of churros, its eyes curved into happy half-moons from the sugar rush.
We were midway through our snacks when Jang Gilsan returned, holding bubble teas in both hands.
"Try these too."
He set one down next to me.
"Oh? Zeroti?"
Zeroti was a famous chain for milk tea with tapioca pearls. There was an outlet inside the water park, apparently, and he'd grabbed it from there.
Americano's not my thing, but bubble tea hits the spot. It was just too pricey to have often. For a scholarship student, anything over 5,000 won was a luxury. Come to think of it, all the snacks here were brutally expensive.
"You sure you're not buying too much?"
I glanced at Jang Gilsan with a hint of guilt. He'd footed the bill for all these snacks, the cabana rental—everything. Even the unicorn tube Aqua had picked out was already paid for by the time we reached the counter.
"You know this is me entertaining you, right?" Jang Gilsan asked, chewing on a sausage.
I blinked, not quite getting it at first.
"You're entertaining me right now?"
"Chairman’s orders. Treat our top-tier spirit and her contractor right—no skimping."
His deadpan face as he said it made me chuckle despite myself. Who knew if it was true or just his way of easing my burden? Either way, it lightened my mood. Our friendship was one thing, but my tie to Union Guild was strictly business.
"Thanks. I'll enjoy it."
"Go ahead."
I sipped my bubble tea through the straw. The sweet, milky tea filled my mouth, the black tea aroma teasing my nose, and the chewy tapioca pearls made everything better.
Is this the taste of capitalism?
I smiled contentedly at the rare sugary treat.
Delicious.
As I set the milk tea down, smacking my lips, Aqua took notice. She peered curiously into the transparent plastic cup.
[Milk and water and sugar all mixed together, huh.]
"It's called milk tea. Black tea brewed with milk and ice. Wanna try?"
[Oho...! I wonder if it's tastier than banana milk!]
Aqua chomped the straw and slurped it right up. She swallowed with a gulp, her face twisting oddly.
"What's wrong? Not good?"
[Hmm...]
Aqua tilted her head a few times, then took another sip.
[What a peculiar taste.]
"Yeah, it's an acquired one."
My first time, I'd wondered why anyone paid for this. But by the end of the cup, I was hooked.
Aqua glared down through the cup at the milk tea.
[Do humans find this tasty?]
"Depends on the person."
Just then, a group of college-aged guys crowded into the neighboring cabana.
"Ugh, caffeine crash."
"Grab an iced Americano?"
"Nah. Zeroti's over there—let's get milk tea."
"I never got the hype."
"That's 'cause you haven't worked a desk job. After tasting every gross office snack under the sun, milk tea just hits different."
Aqua, who'd been eavesdropping, eyed her milk tea with newfound interest.
[Hmm.]
She took another sip, then gazed off wistfully.
[It's delicious.]
Aqua looked skyward with soulful eyes.
[So this is the taste of adulthood...]
She propped her elbow on the cabana railing, hand under her chin like she was savoring the aftertaste, eyes closed dramatically.
Her grown-up act was too cute—I couldn't resist poking fun. Stirring a tapioca pearl with my straw, I quipped,
"Not like you can handle Americano anyway."
[Eh?!]
Aqua wobbled, elbow slipping.
"That's the real adult taste."
[But...! It's bitter!]
"Real adults love bitter stuff."
Aqua puffed her cheeks with a weird "Muuuuh" noise. I poked one chubby side on impulse.
It bounced with a boing, and she exploded.
[Order one now! Americano or Africano or whatever—I'll down it in one go!]
I burst out laughing at her competitive fire.
"Kidding, kidding. Truth is, I hate Americano too."
[What?! Then you're not an adult either!]
"Adulthood's funny like that. Kids wanna grow up, but once you do, you wanna stay a kid."
[What does that even mean?]
I smiled at her puzzled tilt of the head.
Kids idolize adults. I wonder if spirits in Neverland feel the same. Maybe that's why Aqua wanted to be Spirit King—to grow up.
"I like kid Aqua just fine."
[Hmph! Nice try! Fetch that Americano! I'll prove I'm a grown-up spirit!]
Looks like I'd properly ignited her fighting spirit. Shaking my head, I dutifully bought an Americano.
[Hmph! I'll crush it!]
Aqua snatched it and attacked the straw like a warrior.
[Eek!]
She screamed and switched to milk tea to neutralize the bitterness.
"Pfft... heh heh..."
I watched, chuckling, as she alternated between the two for nearly ten minutes before draining both.
[All gone!]
Her body tinged brown, Aqua crossed her arms triumphantly.
[See? I'm more adult than you now!]
I surrendered to her spirit. First cola, now this—she got competitive with any liquid.
"Totally grown-up now, Aqua."
[Hmph! I've always been an adult spirit!]
A rustling drew my eyes down. Mandu was crawling into the milk tea cup, gobbling the leftover tapioca pearls Aqua couldn't finish. Guess the churros weren't enough.
[Chirp?]
[Hee hee hee!]
Aqua pressed her face to the floor, peering adoringly at Mandu in the cup.
[That's what you wanted? You're gonna be one heck of a pigmander someday!]
Aqua beamed, calling out fondly.
[Our little pig!]
I never knew "pig" could sound so loving and adorable.
* * *
We finished our snacks and cleaned up.
"What now?"
"Hit an attraction?"
"Yeah?"
[Ooooh! Let's go!]
"Haha. Just gotta tidy this up first."
That's when it happened.
"Um..."
Two women in swimsuits approached shyly.
"Wanna play with us?"
I instinctively glanced at Jang Gilsan. It happened sometimes when we hung out. He was sharp-featured, handsome, A-rank, ripped, and exuded that born-rich aura—enough to get modeling offers.
But Jang Gilsan was looking at me, like it was my call.
Puzzled, I turned back. The women were staring at me, not him.
"...Me?"
I pointed at myself, flustered.
"Yeah."
They blushed shyly. It clicked.
They wanna play with Aqua.
I shot Aqua a look. She blinked back curiously.
[Why look at me?]
"Wanna hang with these ladies?"
Aqua tilted her head.
[They're asking you. You decide.]
I pondered what'd make Aqua happiest.
"Sorry. We're here as a family."
I scooped her up. The women retreated with awkward smiles.
[Hee hee hee!]
Aqua giggled, hugging me back tight—clearly pleased.
Jang Gilsan, dumping trash, muttered,
"Healing water really is something."
"What?"
He smirked.
"Never mind. Let's hit that attraction."
[Hurry!]
Prodded by Aqua, I rushed to the ride.
* * *
Soon, we stood before it. Unicorn tube stashed in storage.
The massive four-story drop loomed intimidatingly.
"...This might be too scary for Aqua."
Jang Gilsan nodded seriously.
"Could be."
This wasn't a simple slide. It stood you vertical, dropped the floor, left you free-falling.
"KyaAAAAH—!"
The endless screams said it all.
I eyed the milder one next door—a standard tube slide.
Better for Aqua.
As I turned that way—
[Where you going?!]
Aqua, riding my neck, glared down sternly.
[You think I'll back down after that?!]
Her competitive fire blazed.
"But... it's seriously scary. No kids under 12."
[What?! Insulting me?!]
"No, I mean..."
[I won't retreat from this! Let's ride!]
I grinned, rubbing my nose.
"That's my spirit! Alright, we're doing this!"
[Charge!]
"Let's go!"
We bolted for the beast.
"Hey! Wait! You really putting Aqua on that?"
Jang Gilsan panicked, but our momentum was unstoppable.
"You lunatic!"
"She'll be fine—no dying!"
Pumped, we joined the line.