Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: School Trip (3)
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"Hey, what time did they say to come out by?"
"Didn't they say to unpack, rest a bit, and gather by 2?"
The bus sped past the rest area and finally arrived at their destination.
The place they'd reached was a fairly large resort near Bomoondanji.
The building's exterior and the marble floors in the first-floor lobby looked pretty impressive and upscale.
But once they took the elevator up, the worn red carpet in the hallways and the tacky floral wallpaper on the walls hinted at the resort's age.
"Hey, it's actually better than I thought."
"Yeah, at least it's not like that musty middle school dorm that felt haunted."
It was a bit outdated, but the kids' reactions weren't bad.
Above all, it wasn't some drafty ondol room crammed with ten people like a barracks.
The kids cheered at the sight of spacious rooms for six, with three bunk beds each.
"Yes! This spot's mine! I'm taking the bottom bunk!"
"Ugh, go wash up first!"
Juwon, Siwoo, and the other boys from their class rushed into the room, tossing their bags as they jostled to claim beds.
Amid the noisy chaos, Siwoo quietly smiled and set his bag down in a corner of the top bunk.
What Siwoo liked most was the room's layout.
There was a small veranda at the back, perfect for sneaking chats in the night breeze, and according to the guide map he'd seen downstairs, there was even a decent-sized convenience store in the basement.
"Hey! The bottom by the window is mine!"
"Come on, I sat by the bus window. Give me this one!"
Even after quite some time in the room, the boys' childish bed wars showed no signs of ending.
Finally fed up with the beasts' racket, Juwon rubbed the back of his neck and headed to Siwoo's corner bunk.
"Whew... tsk tsk. Instead of fighting like sweaty animals, I'll just sleep under Siwoo~"
"This spot's not bad either. Close to the door."
Siwoo, who had already unpacked, looked down at Juwon on the bottom bunk with a smile.
Juwon tossed his bag aside carelessly and sprawled out on the bottom bed, yawning widely.
"Ah, I just lie down and it's time to head out again. Where are we going now?"
"I think it's free time at Hwangnidangil Street."
"They must be really out of ideas. Free time on Hwangnidangil with just us? What are we even gonna do there?"
Siwoo, lying on the top bunk with his chin propped up, joined in Juwon's grumbling.
"Hmm... who knows. They say there are lots of tasty street foods. Or maybe some shopping?"
"Ugh, you country bumpkin. Shopping? Nah, grab a sipwon bread and chill in a cool cafe—that's the best."
"You think so?"
As Siwoo nodded at Juwon's words—
"Class 1, everyone out to the lobby! Bus is leaving!"
The class rep's booming shout echoed from the hallway beyond the open door, making the boys groan as they dragged themselves up.
Hwangnidangil Street blended hanok houses with low tiled roofs and modern sophistication.
Even on a weekday afternoon, the street buzzed with energy from all the students.
Cute trinket shops and trendy cafes lined both sides, while the alleys tempted with the nutty aroma of freshly baked sipwon bread.
Tourists in rented hanbok or gwanhabok mingled with the student groups, making the lanes even livelier.
"Oh? Hey! Let's check that souvenir shop. Come on!"
Dasom, who'd been wandering around peering everywhere, pointed at a small shop sparkling with accessories beyond the glass and dragged Chaerin along.
"You guys wait here and eat your sipwon bread!"
Chaerin and Jiyoon followed Dasom chattering into the shop.
"Iseol, you coming?"
Jiyoon asked, turning back as she opened the door, but Iseol shook her head like it was a hassle.
"Nah, I'm good. Looks crowded. I'll wait outside."
Iseol, who hated noise and crowds, leaned against the narrow eaves' shadow in front of the shop.
Juwon, Park Geon, and Siwoo were bickering over sipwon bread at a street food stall farther down.
"Hwangnam jjimdak is straight-up S-tier. Won't give you any later if you ask?"
"Sipwon bread's famous for a reason, idiot. You're messing it up like some Hongdae poser."
Juwon and Geon, who'd ordered different things, ranted at the display.
Siwoo, already munching on hotteok from elsewhere, leisurely scanned the surroundings with their argument as background noise.
Back in middle school, these field trip days felt so boring, but now being with them felt natural and fun.
A soft smile on his face, Siwoo gazed at the souvenir shop where the girls had gone—then his eyes shifted to Iseol, leaning crookedly against the wall by the entrance, fiddling with her phone.
'Wind's pretty strong... hope she's not cold...'
As Siwoo debated offering her a bite of his hotteok—
A few girls from their class approached Iseol, who was alone.
"...?"
They were too far to hear the conversation.
But as soon as one asked Iseol something, her expression hardened coldly in an instant.
Iseol turned to them, said something, then shoved her phone roughly into her pocket and strode toward the boys.
"What happened? Did they pick a fight?"
Siwoo asked cautiously, and Iseol frowned slightly, staring at his face.
"...It's nothing. They just asked something."
Iseol let out a short sigh, then sidled right up to Siwoo's side.
"That any good?"
"Huh? Oh, the hotteok? Not too sweet, pretty tasty."
The moment Siwoo answered, Iseol leaned in and took a small bite from the edge—nom.
"Mm, too sweet for my taste."
She chewed casually, looking straight ahead like nothing happened.
But seeing her lipstick mark and clear teeth imprints where she'd bitten, Siwoo froze like a statue.
"Hey! Siwoo the stud, what're you doing! Let's walk the stone wall at Daereungwon!"
If Juwon, who'd gone ahead, hadn't waved and shouted, Siwoo might've stayed rooted there.
"Uh, yeah! Coming!"
Siwoo startled, shoving the bitten hotteok into his mouth.
He couldn't taste it, but the money spent felt worth every penny.
Led by Dasom and Chaerin, they roamed Hwangnidangil endlessly.
Free time over, the scattered students gathered and headed to a large restaurant for group dinner.
At the table eating bulgogi hot pot, Siwoo barely knew if he was eating with his mouth or nose.
Iseol had seemed especially vibrant today, and above all, her red lips from the hotteok bite lingered in his mind.
But oblivious to his turmoil, Iseol acted as normal afterward.
As they left the restaurant to board the bus again, the sky had shifted from deep orange sunset to cool navy.
Exhausted from walking all day, the kids dozed off immediately on the bus, while unfamiliar city streetlights flickered on outside.
When full twilight fell, the bus pulled up smoothly.
"Alright, everyone up. Last schedule, so buck up! We'll work off dinner and see the night view before heading back."
The half-asleep kids rubbed their eyes at the teacher's bark and got off.
The final stop: Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, cradling the moonlit night of Silla.
"Whoa... nicer than I thought."
"Hey, take my picture!"
Golden lights illuminated the pavilions around the lake, painting a picturesque night scene on the serene water.
Even the weary kids gasped in awe.
The paths overflowed with tourists and students.
Swept in the crowd, the seven ended up scattering naturally.
Dasom and Chaerin dragged the dying-of-laziness Jiyoon to night view spots ahead.
Juwon and Geon veered to the shop for ice cream.
In the end, walking side by side on the dark path were Siwoo and Iseol, quietly at the rear.
"So many people..."
To shield Iseol from the crowd, Siwoo walked on her outer side, arm lightly around her shoulders, murmuring.
The dimly lit path, streetlights sparse.
The lake's rippling golden light softly lit Iseol's pale profile.
She walked silently beside him, lost in thought.
As Siwoo walked the lakeside in awkward excitement—
"Excuse me."
A guy suddenly popped from the crowd, blocking them.
Neatly styled hair, designer-logo tee—sharp features, the sleazy handsome type.
"I've been eyeing you since the entrance. You're totally my type. No boyfriend? Gimme your number..."
Ignoring Siwoo, he flashed a smug smile and held out his smartphone to Iseol.
"......"
Caught off-guard by the pickup, Iseol stopped, staring up at him silently.
Her dark eyes under the streetlight revealed nothing.
As she stood mute, the guy stepped closer with a grin.
"Aw, don't be shy. You're exactly my type—"
"Um, excuse me."
At that moment.
Siwoo awkwardly jumped in front of Iseol.
"...?"
"...?"
Iseol and the guy both froze at Siwoo's sudden back.
"We're with our group. Gotta go soon. So, uh, you should just... go..."
Siwoo's voice trembled awkwardly, obvious even to Iseol.
His smaller build amplified his awkward, innocent vibe.
The guy sneered mockingly.
"What the hell, dude. I didn't ask you, so step aside. Loser..."
As he reached irritably toward Siwoo—
"Hey."
An icy voice cut from behind Siwoo.
Iseol grabbed Siwoo's sleeve, pulled him back lightly, and stepped forward, staring the guy down.
"Do you know me?"
"...Huh? No, first time today, but if I get to know—"
"How can it be your 'type' or 'ideal' if you don't even know me."
Iseol sneered, scanning him up and down.
"That shallow vibe judging by looks and shoving your number in—it's fucking gross and unpleasant. Go your way. And don't touch my friend."
The guy's face flushed beet red at her brutal words.
Iseol deemed him unworthy of more, grabbed Siwoo's wrist, and walked off without a glance.
"Ha, fuck. What a bitch. So uppity."
Whispers from the guy and his crew trailed, but Iseol and Siwoo didn't stop.
Until they reached a quiet corner of the path, Iseol gripped Siwoo's wrist firmly, eyes forward.
"...Iseol."
Dragged helplessly, Siwoo cautiously halted and spoke.
"Y-you okay? Don't mind that psycho. He's the trash."
Siwoo fumbled to comfort her.
Only then did Iseol release his wrist and slowly look up at him.
Siwoo gazed at her worriedly, afraid she'd been hurt, eyes full of gentle concern.
Staring into those clear eyes, Iseol pondered deeply, then let out a small chuckle.
"...Yeah. That's why."
"Huh...?"
"I hate being judged by just looks. My friend, whom you don't know, called 'type' so lightly..."
Iseol mumbled lowly, head down, too quiet for him to hear.
Moments later, she looked up—her expression clearer, more at ease, like solving a puzzle.
"Whatever. Don't care. Not the first time with guys like that."
Her casual voice scattered in the night breeze.
As she turned to walk, she tossed back at Siwoo.
"You too—watch out for anyone approaching with that shallow curiosity."
With lighter steps than before, she resumed along the path.
Siwoo blinked, lost on her sudden shift, then hurried after.
"H-hey, Iseol! Wait up!"
He couldn't catch her mood change but matched her pace, strides aligning.
Donggung and Wolji's golden lights stretched their shadows long and tenderly into one.