Finalizing the Kyushu Camping Trip
After hanging up from the travel planning call, I stared blankly at my smartphone screen for a good while. ...Huh?
"This is weird? I was definitely planning a quiet solo healing trip..."
Where did things go wrong? From the moment I mentioned going to Japan? Or was calling President Kim Manho the real mistake? But the water's already spilled. No taking it back now. Anyway, the only Japanese I know is arigato and sumimasen. No matter how good a translator app is, it's no substitute for real-time interpretation. Should I give someone a call first?
Ring ring— Ring ring—
The signal barely rang twice before a bright voice burst through the receiver, like she'd been waiting.
"Ung? Areum! What's up?!"
"Oh, Nana. You free to talk right now?"
"Yeah! Oh right! I saw your video upload! It was so funny!!"
"Th-that... forget about it... No, no. Anyway, you busy these days?"
"Nah? Super free lately... Why? Planning another camping trip?"
"Camping, yeah... but, you up for Japan together...?"
"I'm in!!"
"...? My sentence isn't even finished."
Her answer came without a hint of hesitation, before I could even get the words out. At least pretend to think about it?
"...Really? It's overseas, though, so check your schedule, think it over..."
"I'm in! Totally in! I've been feeling all fidgety lately anyway!!"
Like she'd explode if she didn't move or something...
"And I speak tons of Japanese! Total local! Trust me! When we going?!!"
"Calm down first... Gotta book flights anyway..."
"Got it! I'll get ready! Gotta find my passport!"
"Once the schedule's set, I'll call back. Probably next week... Gotta plan the route too."
"Okay! Oh, but destination set?"
"Yeah. Kyushu area first."
"KYUSHU?!!"
Im Nana's voice suddenly got louder than usual. What's in Kyushu?
"The friend who taught me Japanese lives in Kyushu too! Think it's Fukuoka!"
"Oh... Add her to the middle of the itinerary then?"
"I'll check with her first! We chat sometimes!"
Hmm, she said she cleaned up her contacts when she became a YouTuber... Didn't Park Hyunseo the volleyball player say she was pretty much the only friend left? Does that not count foreigners? Or maybe she was really close with that study-abroad friend.
"Cool, let me know after you talk to her. I'll add it to the schedule."
"Okay! I'll hit you back soon!"
Click.
The call ended, and somehow I felt drained. Where does that energy even come from? But thanks to her, the embarrassment and self-loathing that had been bugging me faded away. Acting like it was no big deal helped more than me stewing alone.
Right then, something soft brushed my foot. Looking down, Maximus was rubbing against my instep, acting all cute.
"Ah... Maximus."
I crouched and scooped him into my arms. Warm, fluffy softness. But... what to do with him? Can't take him overseas.
"Head to Grandpa's?"
I pondered briefly but shook my head. Mokpo's too far. The round trip alone would take time, and long car rides stress out a young pup.
Pet hotels still didn't sit right either. Before planning the trip, I needed to sort Maximus's stay first.
I ran through my acquaintances in my head.
'President Kim Manho... nah, looks way too busy.'
Asking the boss to dog-sit? No way.
'Yu PD? Manager Kim?'
No clue if they live alone or like dogs. Rude to ask out of the blue.
'Then... Park PD?'
Park PD's face came to mind. Always exhausted, dark circles down to her chin.
'No, she looks busy too...'
Dumping a dog on someone who practically lives at the office? Torture?
But... I remembered her surprisingly lively vibe at the popup store last time. And among the company folks, she seemed the easiest to talk to. Gut feeling.
"...Worth a shot?"
Nothing to lose. If no, find another way then.
I messaged using the number we'd exchanged.
Wha? What am I supposed to have seen? As I puzzled over it, another message arrived with a photo.
"...?"
This is the editing room? Looks just like a cozy studio apartment no matter how I squint. Plush bed, cute knick-knacks. A brown fluffy poodle playing with a toy on a dog bed smack in the middle.
A nightstand by the bed with a diffuser on it, rug on the floor. And in the corner... a bathroom caddy?
"Ah...?"
A thought flashed through my mind. Park PD, you... actually live at the office? Not just overtime or all-nighters—you've set up full residence?
'Is this... corporate welfare...?'
Or the true face of a black company? Nah, last time I learned she actually wants to work like that.
I read the replies and let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew, good."
Ppukku the poodle, huh? Cute name. I glanced down at Maximus still in my arms. No longer palm-sized... now about face-sized Pomeranian.
...That big one's Ppukku, and this tiny guy's Maximus? Weird mismatch.
"Alright, Maximus sorted."
Biggest hurdle cleared. Time to plan for real.
Ding!
Hm? Park PD with more? No, checking the phone—message from Im Nana.
Already asked? Her action speed is unreal.
Hmm, add a meetup with Nana's friend mid-trip then...
"3 nights, 4 days..."
Perfect length—not too long, not too short. But with my weak stamina, no packed schedule.
Day 1: Fly in, grab bags, rent car... Half a day gone just traveling. Straight to camping? 'No way.'
I've been hitting the gym over a month to build stamina, but I'm still human jelly/rehab patient level.
Overdo it Day 1 with tent setup? I'd catch a cold and flop uselessly Day 2.
Day 1: Sightsee, hotel crash. Good sleep, condition check—priority.
Day 2: Real camping. Drive rental to that highland campground I scouted. Pitch tent with epic views, cook tasty stuff.
Day 3 morning: Trip highlight, onsen. Hot spring village nearby—early rise, soak in steaming water... Aaah. Fatigue melting just thinking.
Post-onsen, head near airport for sightseeing. Perfect day to meet Nana's friend for local guide?
Heard stories of rushing home Day 4 with no souvenirs. Better position near airport early for chill time.
Day 4: Souvenirs nearby, eat, fly back.
Perfect. Route set—now details.
"Gotta pack camping gear, so rent spacious car..."
SUV or minivan? Oh, international license too. Japan drives right-side, opposite lanes. Kinda nervous, but...
"Safe driving, should be fine."
Nana drives too—switch if tired.
I jotted needs on my memo app: passport, intl license, cash exchange, universal adapter... Mountain of prep, but excitement trumped hassle.
"Japan camping..."
First overseas camp. What views await? What food? What mishaps... er, memories with Nana?
Heart already pounding.
"Alright, let's do this."