Honeymoon in Potato Country
"Ughhh! Aigoo, my body's all stiff after that long drive for the first time in forever."
"Fwaaaahhh...! I always end up falling asleep whenever you drive, Si-hyun."
"Hahaha. Did you sleep well, Luna?"
"Yeah! Hehe!"
Si-hyun stretched his arms wide as he got out of the car. After a grueling four-hour drive, he and Luna had finally arrived at their destination.
The place they'd driven to was Gangwon-do, right next to the East Sea.
"But Si-hyun, where is this?"
"Ah, this is Gamja-guk, a country within South Korea. In English, it's The Potato Country."
"P-Potato Country...? A country made out of potatoes?"
Luna's golden eyes sparkled innocently as she asked, clearly taking Si-hyun's words at face value.
Luna, seriously... When you look at me with eyes like that, how can I not tease you more?
Si-hyun felt a sudden urge to play around even more with the pure girl who believed his lie without question.
"Yeah, the currency here is potatoes. You buy everything with potatoes, and change comes in little baby potatoes."
"Whoa, really? So could I buy anything with that whole potato we got at the rest stop earlier?"
Luna quickly ducked back into the car and pulled out the whole potato they'd been sharing.
"Hahaha, of course! Why don't you head to that convenience store up ahead and grab some snacks you want? With three whole potatoes, you could buy a ton!"
"Waaah~~ Really? Okay, I'll be right back, Si-hyun!"
—Tododododo!!
Luna bolted toward the convenience store like a shot. The girl believed every word Si-hyun said, 100%.
Haa... A beautiful girl who innocently believes everything I say... She's perfect...!!
Si-hyun watched with a grin as Luna excitedly picked out various snacks.
"Ahh~~ Seriously, when she looks at me with those pure eyes, I can't help but tease her. Hahaha!"
Si-hyun planned to step in when Luna hesitated at the counter without potatoes for payment, claiming it was just a joke, and cover the bill himself.
But ten minutes later...
—Todododo!!
"Hehe, Si-hyun, look at this! The store clerk said I could take all this!"
Thud!
Luna staggered out, grunting under the weight of five massive plastic bags stuffed to the brim with snacks.
"L-Luna...?!"
"Si-hyun! Potato Country really is fun! I should've bought more whole potatoes at the rest stop. Right?"
"Uh...?!?! Y-Yeah, sure..."
"But it's kinda weird. He took the three whole potatoes and gave me this as change instead of baby potatoes."
Luna unfolded two crumpled 50,000-won bills in her hand. With just three whole potatoes, she'd scored five bags of snacks and 100,000 won in change.
Is this the miracle of the five loaves and two fish I've only heard about?
Luna declares: With three whole potatoes, everyone was fed to their hearts' content, and 100,000 won was left over.
Si-hyun pondered what on earth had happened in those ten minutes.
What the heck? Did Gangwon-do secretly turn into a real potato country while I wasn't looking?
Maybe a Ghost Story like 'Potato Tale' had popped up? Otherwise, it made no sense.
[???]: Teeheehee! From now on, everything here must be traded with potatoes! Violate this rule, and I'll turn you into a potato!
No way! As if a Ghost Story like that could exist!
Si-hyun glanced at the convenience store counter, wondering if the clerk had just misunderstood.
The part-timer nodded at Si-hyun as if he'd been waiting, then flashed a thumbs-up.
The(⎚_⎚)
In just a few seconds, Si-hyun pieced together exactly what had gone down.
"Ah, got it."
"Nom nom... Si-hyun, what'd you say?"
"Ah, nothing. Hahaha."
Luna munched happily on a chocolate bun from one of the bags. Si-hyun turned to gaze at the girl nibbling away with her little mouth.
A sailor uniform that hugged her figure perfectly. Silver hair and golden eyes gleaming even brighter under the sunlight. A body with girlish innocence yet voluptuous curves.
I forgot for a second... about Luna's insane destructive power!
He sometimes overlooked it since she was always by his side, but Luna possessed a beauty that far transcended conventional standards of attractiveness.
When such a girl thrust out a potato with sparkling eyes, the clerk would've rung up the snacks even if it was a rock instead.
"Ha... hahaha... This is the life of a real beauty, huh. No worries about snacks on this trip."
Si-hyun returned the thumbs-up to the clerk before sauntering away.
Ah, I totally get your feelings. Sure, your paycheck's gone, but holding that beauty's potato makes your day happy...!
Si-hyun imagined handing Luna a potato and sending her to buy a luxury foreign car—but quickly shook his head and dropped the thought.
The outcome was too obvious.
Ten whole potatoes would probably get her a luxury car, no problem...!
Si-hyun vowed never to joke with Luna about money again.
—Splashhhh.
"Waaah~ So this is the ocean! Selenum was too far from the sea, so I've never seen one. It looks like a green jewel melting into the water."
"We stopped by before heading to the lodging—isn't it pretty, Luna?"
"Yeah! Super pretty!"
Si-hyun was strolling along the beach with Luna. Her silver hair swayed as she ran across the sand.
I can't hold back.
"Hehe, Si-hyun! The sunlight's warm, the breeze is cool—feels amazing!"
"Luna! Don't go too far!"
"Got it, Si-hyun!"
Si-hyun watched her dash off and marveled at how clean the sea had become.
"Just a few years ago, beaches were pretty dirty, but now it's crystal clear."
After Ghost Stories started appearing, countless people had died. Ironically, nature had become pristine as a result.
No trash on the sand, the sea sparkling blue.
Should I be happy or sad about this...? One thing's for sure: Earth is probably happier now than before. Haha.
The salty, fishy scent carried on the sea breeze triggered a memory for Si-hyun—one every healthy Korean guy his age shared: the military.
"Army days are flooding back all fresh and green... I swore I'd never even pee around Gangwon-do again, yet here I am."
Si-hyun closed his eyes, reminiscing about his early twenties in service.
Forgetting his helmet at home on leave return and nearly getting sent to the disciplinary unit. Endless night punishments from psycho Sergeant Kim. Never once getting a girlfriend visit like everyone else.
Ah, but Ga-eun and Mom came often, so I did get visits. Sucks they weren't a girlfriend, though.
The hell from seniors demanding an intro to visiting Ga-eun.
Every memory pissed him off more, so Si-hyun stopped thinking about it.
"Yeah... even a billion won wouldn't get me back in the army."
The reason Si-hyun, who'd sworn off Gangwon-do post-discharge, brought Luna here was a special festival.
"Si-hyun, what's that say over there?"
"Ah, there's a festival happening here. One where you can see a super pretty moon."
Moon-Watching Night Festival Opens! Welcome to Gangwon-do!
Gangwon-do's Moon-Watching Festival—the undisputed spot in Korea for the most beautiful rising moon. Local festivals existed everywhere, but post-Ghost Stories, Gangwon-do claimed top-tier status.
"Gangwon-do's where the 'Moon-Watching Rabbit' Ghost Story was resolved. Not sure if it's related, but the moon here is super bright and huge every night. Full moon goes without saying."
"Really? Does a bunny like Lulu really live on the moon too?"
The Lulu doll Si-hyun had splurged 100,000 won on because it resembled Luna. She cherished it especially since it had chased Greed out of her dreams.
—Stroke.
Unable to resist how cute she was, Si-hyun gently petted Luna's head without thinking.
"Yeah. A silver bunny like Lulu came down today just to show you a pretty moon."
Ghost Stories tied to folklore, myths, or regions often left lingering effects even after resolution—like Gangwon-do's 'Moon-Watching Rabbit' or Jeju-do's 'Frost Queen.'
Hence the annual Moon-Watching Festival in Gangwon-do and Snow Flower Festival in Jeju-do.
Ghost Stories were terrifying, but humanity exploited their remnants.
Feels like Ghost Stories have truly become part of this world now.
Human adaptability was impressive.
"Luna, wanna unpack at the lodging, rest a bit, then head to the festival?"
"Yeah! Sounds good!"
"I prepared a pretty outfit perfect for you today, so look forward to it! Haha."
"D-Don't make me wear anything too sexy, or, ah, nooo...?"
From sailor uniforms to maid outfits, office lady looks, yukata, gothic lolita—Si-hyun had dressed her in his fantasies lately, so her worry was valid.
But he had common sense. In crowded places, he'd never expose Luna's skin.
I wanna show off her cuteness, but I'd get jealous if other guys saw.
"Not the embarrassing kind you think, so don't worry."
"O-Okay...! I trust you, Si-hyun! Hehe."
Si-hyun took Luna's hand and headed to the lodging.
"Waaah... Si-hyun, this is just for us two?"
"I transform at night, so I can't room with others. And it's our honeymoon—gotta be just us."
"Hauuu... S-Suddenly feels embarrassing..."
"?"
Moon-Watching Pool Villa
The lodging Si-hyun had scraped together his salary to book for Luna. Ocean view out front, green mountains behind. Its high price during festival season came from the massive terrace window perfect for moon-gazing.
It hit the wallet hard... but for my cute princess, it's worth it!
Si-hyun led Luna inside. After unpacking and resting, it was already 6 PM.
"I can fully control the jet-black energy now, so with an eye-covering half-mask, night dates with Luna are totally doable."
The Moon-Watching Night Festival was enjoyed in hanbok like cosplay, so masks and props raised no eyebrows.
"It suits me better than I thought? Figured it'd look silly, but my build pulls it off."
Si-hyun wore samurai-like hanbok with a wooden sword. His concept: warrior guarding the moon princess. Only role that fit without seeming weird under a mask.
Si-hyun struck a pose in his guard outfit and quipped dramatically.
"Princess, please forgive my meager imagination."
"If you tell this humble one that you love her, I can forgive any transgression."
"Huh?"
A soft girl's voice came from behind as Si-hyun muttered to himself. Luna must've changed already.
"Luna, when did you—"
Si-hyun turned casually—and froze.
"Were you waiting, my lord? Hehe."
An angel bathed in bright moonlight stood there.
Pale pink fabric shyly wrapped her porcelain skin. Silver hair cascading over her shoulders gleamed flawlessly. Golden eyes stared straight at him, brimming with love.
"Si-hyun, how do I look...? P-Pretty...?"
Twirl.
Luna lifted her skirt lightly and spun. Just turning in place under the moonlight, she looked divine.
—Thump.
This... I can't hold back.
Si-hyun followed his pounding heart, kissing her cheek then neck in turn.
Mwah.
"Hyaaahhh...? S-Si-hyun...? Wh-What suddenly...?"
"Luna, I don't think I've said it properly, so I'll say it now."
"Wh-Wh-Wh-What...?"
Si-hyun locked eyes with her embarrassed gaze and confessed earnestly.
"Luna, I love you."
"...!!!"
—Thump!
On this night when the silver moon shone especially brilliantly, Si-hyun cast an unbreakable curse on Luna's heart once more.