Building Up Karma
I was in the middle of picking out the meat to buy for the trip to Grandpa's place—trying to accumulate some good karma—and mulling over the detailed travel route when I heard rustling outside the front door. Moments later, an alert popped up on my smartphone.
Hmm... yeah, everything's gotta be fast these days, huh? Video editing done in a day flat. Packages in half a day. Must be the new standard. I ordered cosmetics this morning, and here they are by evening. Time to unbox...
A few boxes and some plastic-wrapped deliveries were scattered in front of the door. I gathered them up, brought them inside, set them on the dining table, and started opening them.
"...So now I've gotta use this stuff every single day?"
Laid out like this, it looks like even more. And what's with all these samples? I swear I remember the explanations, but actually trying it feels overwhelming. Gotta start with a shower, right? I'd come straight home, booked the campervan still in my camping clothes. I cleared away the packaging and headed to the bathroom, clutching the shower products.
"Let's see... Wash hair first: shampoo, treatment, conditioner in that order."
Three rounds for the hair, huh... Hmm, leave it on for at least a minute? It'll probably take several anyway to cover my whole head. Then cleansing, body wash, lotion, oil... body last, got it. Here goes. First time, so it seems like a lot of steps, but it'll be fine.
* Nope. The process was insanely long and tedious. Even once I'm used to it, I doubt it'll get much shorter.
"What kind of shower takes over 30 minutes..."
Oh, Im Nana told me how to dry my hair too—start from the roots. No wonder it felt endlessly damp blow-drying from the bottom. There's a method to it. Following what I remembered cut the time noticeably. And with all the stuff I applied while washing, my hair feels a bit silkier than usual.
Next up: the mysterious cosmetics on the table. Cleanser, toner, ampoule, serum, lotion, cream. Names so foreign to me. I pulled up the guide Im Nana sent and slowly started applying them one by one to my face. A few drops on a pad, wipe down; squeeze another, wipe again. About 10 minutes later, basic skincare done, I stood in front of the mirror.
'Huh, what's different?'
Doesn't look like much changed, so I absentmindedly ran my fingertips over my cheek.
Pow-yong-.
"...?"
Pow-yong-.
...What? This skin elasticity? It's not just bouncy—it's ridiculously smooth too? Is this... the power of modern chemistry? My already great skin feels even better. But this dramatic? Do I just have skin that soaks up skincare like a sponge?
'Skin was always my big regret as I got older...'
As a guy, I figured it was too late and gave up. But now that I'm young again, I'll take care of it this time. Even if I'm not a guy anymore.
The next morning, I'd woken up ages ago but stayed in bed, lost in thought. My skin was still plump and oil-free even after a full night's sleep—bonus. Not some grand life crisis, just pondering this woman called Han Areum.
'After turning into a girl and getting a youth reset, have I totally ignored how this body grew up?'
Something hit me talking to Grandpa yesterday. Beyond the filial piety fail with the liquor bottle swing, other chats drove it home. Dad died the year I became an adult as Hangeol—and as Han Areum, he passed last year, the year I "became" an adult. Another realization: people around me only remember up to my 21st year. At least with Grandpa; not sure about others.
One silver lining: Grandpa's age reset too, matching my rejuvenation. Mid-60s these days is more like a middle-aged uncle. Back when I was a guy pushing 30, his health tanked hard. This time, I'll make sure he gets all his checkups.
Thoughts sorted, lying there staring at the ceiling started itching. 'Alright, enough deep stuff.' Not like answers are popping up now anyway. I'm no sage. Future stuff will sort itself in future relationships. What I need to focus on right now is...
"Heuh... campervan... heuheu..."
I bolted upright in bed. Just thinking about it makes me grin like an idiot. Campervan! My dream ride, Coachmen! Latest model! Time to start prepping?
First, the most important: food. Theme's South Sea seafood and farmed meats for Grandpa. "Farmed" meaning he loves American-style BBQ. Spare ribs, steaks, etc. Or maybe he just loves meat. Hmm, let's see. Order today, arrives tomorrow... Better order meat then. Campervan fridge unknown capacity. Or ship straight to Grandpa's? Yeah, tell him to stick it in his fridge.
Two sirloins and two rib racks. That'll do. Can't splurge on premium cuts right now...
"Now, Geoje-do seafood..."
Pretty sure there's a seafood market there. Get it fresh on-site. But seafood alone feels lacking. Pasta? Jambalaya? Sigh... So many tasty seafood dishes. Pasta's low-effort anyway—pack some just in case. Jambalaya too; have to make it. Even my half-assed attempt before was killer. One sashimi-grade fish, some shellfish... perfect. Seafood means white wine, can't skip that.
"Haa... drooling already."
Food sorted. Next: gear check. Campervan covers most conveniences, but I can't skip my gear. They handle the 'vibe' of camping. I don't hate vibe gear per se. What grinds my gears is folks chasing 'vibe only,' ignoring performance for reckless trips. Deck out in vibe gear and go camping—you'll regret it hard. LEDs too harsh or dim, tents flapping all night ruining sleep. Gear should function first, vibe second.
"Imji plains, so pack the fire pit... chairs, outdoor table..."
Even on a campervan trip, can't stay inside forever. Tarp for setup, one-person tent for chill spots—essentials.
Packing and organizing one by one, dusk fell before I knew it.
'Whoa... time flew. Feels like I skipped a meal.'
Prep is exciting in itself. But hunger wins, so delivery for dinner. Shower, then meticulous skincare again. Supposed to do it morning too... but got lost in thought, not pointless though. Tapped my smooth cheeks, checked weather app. South coast all weekend: 'partly cloudy, clear.' Perfect. Prep done. Just go.
Lying in bed, eyes closed. Two days left—agonizing. Gear check tomorrow will fly by. Coachmen... how cool in person? Rented ones were modded Starex or Bongo. Pro brand? Can't wait.
"Heuheu, heuh..."
Pulled covers over, kicked legs. Damn, too hyped to sleep. Wanna share with someone. That's why folks do Insta and SNS? Anyone...
Grabbed phone, dialed the now-familiar number.
Riiing-.
"Hello? Areumie?"
"Heuheu, Nana. Whatcha up to."
"Huh? Just enjoying my last day off before a packed schedule~"
"Heuh, heuheheu... Gotcha."
"Areumie? You drunk?"
"Nope, heuh... just so hyped for this weekend camp."
"What? Where to, that our vet camper's this excited she can't sleep?"
"Well? Heh... euheuh. I'm going in a campervan this time. Cam-per-van."
"Oh? Sounds fun."
.....
...Huh? Not the reaction I wanted. Too bland!
"...You ever tried a campervan?"
"Nah? Last camp was my first—when would I campervan?"
"Ahah, figures. That's why the boring response."
"That fun, campervan camping?"
Haa! She doesn't know campervan joy—poor soul.
"Fun? Tsk tsk, too lowly a word. Campervan is romance incarnate."
"...Yeah? Areumie, just to check if I'm wrong—"
"Yeah?"
"You calling to tease me?"
"...Gasp!"
"Hey! Han Areum! Some of us got schedules starting tomorrow, and you're rubbing in your vacation?! "
Kehek, caught too quick! Didn't know about her schedule! For real! But started, gotta finish.
"Ahaha! Work hard! I'll have fun and come back!"
"Hey! You wait til I—"
Beep-.
Phew, almost disaster if I'd dragged longer. Might get smacked next meet. Ka-talk-.
...Too late, probably. Sigh, but feels lighter. Heart racing slowed... Wait, what did I just do? Body changed, brain following? Nah, felt straight-up dumb. Aish, how hyped was I to drop IQ points? Snap out. Youthful looks don't mean youthful mind—that's regression. Smack-! Slapped my cheek hard to focus.
...Fucking hurt. Weak strength, but why's the sting so fierce? Maybe overdid the slap...