Dawn After the Camping Memories
I woke up the next day, memories of camping still fresh. It was still dim in the early dawn. My eyes popped open a bit earlier than planned, ahead of schedule. I crawled out of the tent lazily and breathed in the crisp morning air—felt like oxygen was finally rushing back to my stalled brain. Since I was up early anyway, maybe I should take a short walk? It was still dark, but the sun seemed to be rising, so it'd brighten up soon enough.
"Ugyagyagyagya-."
Stretching with a big noisy yawn, I was about to step out when—hmm, still too dark to see well. Should I grab the lantern? Or would my phone flashlight do? I pulled out my smartphone and tapped the screen. Then I saw the flood of Instagram notifications.
"What the heck? Why are there so many notifications?"
Looking closer, it seemed my post from yesterday had blown up with comments. No surprise—Maximus is pretty damn cute, right? People were loving him too, judging by all these alerts. I navigated to Instagram.
Whoa, followers up by 5,000 in one day? Gotta be the Im Nana effect. She followed back yesterday. 'I'll be with you forever... Nana-sensei...' Like that day I swore to become a mosquito, I worshipped Im Nana from the depths of my soul once more.
"Already 5,000... This could hit 100,000 in no time."
Brimming with excitement, I checked the comments on the photo of me hugging Maximus. About 50 comments—not bad for day one, right?
Praise him more! Maximus! Follow if you wanna see more Maximus! ...Huh, saying it like that makes me sound like some revolutionary. Maybe Maximus is a bit much...? But can't change it now.
"Notifications over 300, but only 50 comments? Do follows send separate alerts?" That'd mean over 5,000 notifications... Scrolling down, the feed shifted, revealing a photo of the pretty night sky. Oh yeah, I snapped that before bed and posted it. Comments? Over 300. Why so many? What'd I even caption it?
I tapped the photo to check the caption. And there it was—that profoundly cringy text.
"What the hell is this? Shit."
Did I write this? Kyaargh!!! Lie! Tell me it's a lie! Even in middle school, I wouldn't touch this crap! I wasn't drunk yesterday... Gotta delete it! Now!
I tapped the delete button. Right then, a best comment caught my eye.
'Reposting~ (Camping Gallery crew)'
...I'm screwed. That's my verdict. Totally screwed.
"...It's over."
Thud—I dropped to my knees right there. Now my image is locked as some 00s mini-homepage emo NT boomer. Forget the sweet, kind camping girl-next-door; NT is... Nooo...!
Then, rustling from behind, and Im Nana's voice.
"Yaaawn~ Morning, Areum... Huh? What's up?"
She was saying something, but my brain looped on 'Even my breath turns cautious.' Couldn't snap out of it.
"Areum? You okay? What's wrong?"
Im Nana crawled out and came over. "Sleepwalking? Areum? Geez, dropped your phone too..." She picked up my phone to hand it back—then froze on the still-open screen.
"Whatcha looking at? Lemme see..." She peered in.
"...lol ...."
"......?"
"...lolol... kek... kuhh...!"
Yeah, laugh it up. It's funny, so just let it rip!
"...You don't have to hold back."
"...Uhuh lol...? No, nooo lol... Pfft... Puhahaha!!! "
Shit, good thing no other campers around. Almost drew a crowd.
"Kuhaha! Areum, you wrote this? Uhahaha!"
"...Dunno."
"Uhahahaha! Eek... Ehehihihi...!"
She plopped down beside me, dying laughing. Whew, gonna pass out. Even if I said laugh, this is too much!
"Kuh... Wanted those stars that bad? Reach out and grab 'em in your hand? Ehehihi!!!"
"...Aish. Wanna smack you."
"Ehihi! Huh...? What'd you say?"
"Monkey laugh... Huh? Didn't say anything?"
"Really? My imagination?"
Her eyes sharpened—good thing I shut up, or I'd be the one smacked. Finally calming, she asked,
"Ugh... So why'd you write this?"
"I really don't know... I remember snapping the pic and typing something, but I was tired, just dashed it off and closed it..."
"And out came middle-school-level cringy emo?"
"...At least say it's full of emotion."
What's done is done. Dying to check Camping Gallery, but too embarrassing in front of Nana. Kinda weird proudly browsing your own community in public, right? Fine, check at Grandpa's or later. Still pinging notifications—probably blowing up somewhere.
"Time to pack and head out. Leaving now, we arrive midday easy."
"Yup!"
We packed tents, loaded the car. Wiped down the portable table—forgot a few dirty spots. Double-checked, then left the campsite that made our night memories.
"Just entered Mokpo tollgate."
"Weekend traffic jammed even mornings... But made it by noon?"
"Yeah. Any later start, it'd be afternoon."
Left camp, down the mountain, highway—but weekend snags. Moved slow, but arrived Mokpo on time.
"Saw you on broadcast, but what's Grandpa like?"
"Grandpa? Hmm... Hard to pin down..."
"Like?"
"Just a playful grandpa. Super considerate—no worries."
"Worried if he dislikes something! Prep in advance."
Grandpa dislikes...? Picky eating? Glanced at Im Nana. Her? Pfft, even Maximus would snort. If she picky-eats in front of him, he'd just chuckle 'Eat balanced~' and warn gently. Never heard him feud or yell? Dad stories got him grumbly, but fair. Friendly with neighbors. Perfect village grandpa image. Friendly bonus.
"Not bias—really no worries. Scared you'll bond more than me."
"Huh? More than his granddaughter?"
"Grandpa's total social butterfly. You'll click huge."
"Sweet!"
No sweat. He's my ultimate brag—personality, plus sponsoring three nurseries for 40+ years. Volunteered there with Dad. Whoa, wondered where his money came from back then. Mystery solved.
"That village—Grandpa's."
"So cozy!"
"Yeah? House is different vibe..."
"Renovated?"
"Nah... You'll see. Almost there."
Winding country roads, Grandpa's house appeared. Smoke from chimney? Late, but burning leaves? Pulled through always-open gate, parked. Breathed in rural charm. Felt nostalgic, even two weeks ago.
From the yard opposite parking, Grandpa's voice: "My lil pup's here~?"
"Grandpa~! I'm here!"
"Pfft... Ha, Grandpa..."
Ugh, clear throat. Family affection ain't bad, okay?
"...Just let it slide."
"Yeah... Areum's such a cute granddaughter..."
Saw it on broadcast—why nitpick now... Embarrassing. Approached smoking yard—eyes deceived. Massive smoker machine puffing away.
"Gasp... G-Grandpa, wh-what is...?"
"Euhahaha! Grandpa promised a whole pig smoked, right?"
Center yard: enormous smoker, thick twine-bound whole pig skewered, spinning. Long smoked—skin browned crispy. Late-to-yard Im Nana gaped.
"Whooooa!!!"
"Heavens, miss's jaw gonna drop! Euhahaha!"
Truly... tonight's whole hog BBQ. Scale too huge, Grandpa...