Valley (1)
Mid-July, the air buzzing with the relentless chorus of cicadas. The classroom of Class 1 was stifling, hotter than ever before.
"Alright, pay attention."
Standing at the lectern, homeroom teacher Ha Taemu smacked the attendance book twice and opened his mouth. But the kids were already poised to bolt, their eyes glued to the clock on the wall.
"Summer break starts today, I get that you're all excited, but I've got a few things to say. First, no riding motorcycles. Second, no pulling all-nighters at PC bangs and causing trouble."
Ha Taemu droned on in his stern voice, but his words slid right past the students' ears.
"And third. Some of you are definitely planning to hit the valleys or the beach. Do your warm-ups properly, and stay out of deep water. Got it?"
The word "valley" made Nam Siu and Seo Juwon's shoulders twitch. Ha Taemu paced in front of the blackboard, about to continue his lecture, then planted both hands on the desk and scanned the kids' faces one by one. Eyes sparkling like they'd won the world with the mere mention of vacation. Seeing that fresh, uncontainable energy, already lost in some distant valley stream, Ha Taemu's tight lips curved into a helpless smile.
"Haa... like any of that's getting through to you."
With a small, wry chuckle, he snapped the attendance book shut and barked, "That's it, homeroom's over. Have fun and come back safe."
"Woooaaah!!"
"Hey! PC bang right now!"
Ha Taemu's cool dismissal unleashed a classroom-shaking roar from the kids. Chalk dust scattered into the air, chairs scraping as friends jumped up in a chaotic frenzy. It was the signal for Daeseong High School's first summer break.
"Argh, where the hell is Park Geon! I told him I'd leave without him if he was even a minute late!"
Saturday morning, 8:20 a.m. In the cavernous train station waiting room, Chaerin—backpack slung over her shoulders—gripped her phone tightly, fuming in the already sweltering heat.
"Pfft, like that guy's ever on time. Whatever, I've got the tickets. If he doesn't show, we really ditch him."
Seo Juwon clicked his tongue, hauling his massive duffel bag. That's when Go Dasom and Ji Yoon, cooling themselves with handheld fans nearby, joined in the trash-talk about Park Geon.
"Sorry! Am I late?!"
From the distant entrance, Nam Siu burst in panting, his comparatively light crossbody bag bouncing.
"Ooh, Namjjin! Safe. Just waiting on that idiot Park Geon now."
"Haa... close call. Nearly missed the bus."
As Nam Siu caught his breath, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Nam Siu."
He whipped around. Baek Isul approached pulling her suitcase, looking breezy in a sleeveless blouse topped with a thin summer cardigan.
"Hey, Isul! You're early."
"You ran here again, didn't you? Look at you sweating."
She shot him a blunt jab but pulled a neatly folded handkerchief from her pocket and held it out.
"Th-thanks."
Blushing, Nam Siu took it and wiped his face. Then, from the station square entrance, a massive figure barreled toward them, kicking up dust in a mad sprint.
"Heeey!! I'm not late!! Let's catch that train!!"
Park Geon charged in yelling, luggage bag in tow.
"9A... 9A... Here!"
Go Dasom boarded first, scanned around, found the seats, and called Chaerin and Ji Yoon. With an awkward group of seven, the seats split into one three-seater and two two-seaters. Naturally, the girls debated splitting up, but Baek Isul casually said she'd sit with Nam Siu. That settled it: Go Dasom, Chaerin, and Ji Yoon in the three-seater; Seo Juwon and Park Geon in one two-seater; and finally Baek Isul and Nam Siu side by side in the last.
Amid the chaos of stowing bags up front, Nam Siu—last to enter the aisle—cleared his throat awkwardly and asked, "Isul, want the window seat?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
As she indifferently tried to lift her suitcase to the overhead rack, Nam Siu quickly stepped in and hoisted it up for her. He moved aside, and she slipped wordlessly into the inner window seat. Nam Siu carefully settled beside her.
So... close...
The train's two-seater felt as cramped as a bus. Not even departed yet, but her body heat and faint cardigan scent had Nam Siu frozen stiff.
"...If you're sleepy, lean on me."
Maybe feeling guilty for hogging the comfy inner seat without a word. Baek Isul turned her head slightly from the window and murmured softly.
That casual, caring gesture melted a disarming smile across Nam Siu's face.
"Then I'll borrow your shoulder later."
With that pleasant reply, the train carrying seven young hearts whistled merrily and set off toward the heart of summer.
The train hummed steadily along the tracks, speeding past the scenery.
"Hey, check this out! Isn't it hilarious?"
"Oh my god, insane!"
Go Dasom, Chaerin, and Ji Yoon huddled facing each other, giggling uncontrollably over a single phone screen. Up front, Park Geon and Seo Juwon muttered over what seemed like a mobile game, their snickers nonstop.
And at the very back. A different vibe hung around Nam Siu and Baek Isul.
"Wanna hear this song?"
Mid light chat about the passing views, she pulled out one wireless earbud and offered it.
"Yeah, sure."
Nam Siu gently took it and popped it in his right ear. Soft, refreshing indie band tunes flowed into both their ears. The music blended perfectly with the train's white noise, wrapping them in a drowsy, peaceful air.
They rode in comfortable silence, gazing out the window. Then—
Nod.
"...?"
Baek Isul, chin on her hand, listening quietly—turned at the faint movement beside her. Up all night buzzing for the trip, then sprinting to the station with luggage. Nam Siu's head bobbed forward in deep sleep, teetering dangerously.
She stared at his unguarded form. An unconscious faint smile tugged at her lips.
Said he'd borrow my shoulder.
His silly words from takeoff echoed in her mind. With a soft inward sigh, she adjusted her slipping cardigan hem. Then tilted gently toward him, placing a light hand on his wandering head and guiding it softly to her shoulder.
Thud.
The moment it touched, Nam Siu's face relaxed like he'd found home, breathing steadily. Her right shoulder heavy, but she didn't push him away—just turned back to the window.
"Mm..."
"Nam Siu. We're here. Wake up."
Her calm voice slowly lifted his heavy eyelids.
...Huh?
A strangely comfy pillow even in half-sleep. A sweet, faint scent at his nose. Focus sharpening—her slim shoulder cradling his head, smooth nape in view.
"Wha—what?! S-sorry! Why was I... like this..."
Realizing, he jolted up. Ears to neck flushed crimson.
"D-did I drool?! Oh god, sorry! Was I heavy?!"
He flailed apologies, but she just casually massaged her stiff right shoulder, expression unchanged.
"No drool. And you said you'd borrow my shoulder earlier."
"Huh? Th-that was just a joke..."
"We're here. Grab your stuff and get off."
As he stammered, she stood nonchalantly, pulling her suitcase down. Her utterly unfazed demeanor left Nam Siu alone clutching his pounding heart.
The seven hopped off with the announcement, heading first to a big mart before the village bus.
"Dude! Samgyeopsal for sure! Load up big!"
"Ease up, you pig! You trying to bankrupt the group fund?"
Chaerin yanked Park Geon back from the meat section mid-rant; Go Dasom and Ji Yoon piled snacks and drinks mountain-high in the cart. Meanwhile, Nam Siu cradled a massive watermelon like a lifeline.
"Don't forget you're the watermelon shuttle. Drop that, and you're drowning in the valley stream today."
Nam Siu pouted at Seo Juwon's teasing. Beside him, silently pushing the cart, Baek Isul eyed the giant fruit, then reached for his crossbody bag on his shoulder.
"If it's heavy, I'll take the bag. Just hold the watermelon."
"Oh? Th-thanks."
He set it down briefly to hand it over. Such a small, casual kindness meant the world to him.
After the shopping storm, bags and boxes divvied up, they piled onto the rickety village bus. Bump, bump! Unpaved country roads jolted them toward the ceiling. Go Dasom and Chaerin griped about motion sickness as lush green rice paddies and thickly wooded mountains filled the windows.
Finally, the quiet rural village stop. Psssh— Doors hissed open; the group tumbled out with their heavy loads.
"Uwaaah~ Thought my ass was gonna split."
Park Geon dumped his bags first, stretching dramatically.
"Ahh~ This is it! That dirt smell! Cicada song! Been too long!"
He spread his arms wide, inhaling deeply with a whoop. A short uphill walk along the village path revealed a cozy farmhouse with a wide yard and big persimmon tree.
"Grandpa!! Grandma!! Geon’s here!!"
His booming call brought the kindly elderly couple out the inner room door, beaming welcomes.
"Aigoo! Our pup's back! And friends, you must be tired from the trip. Hot out—drop your stuff in the rooms first!"
"Hello!"
The seven bowed noisily in greeting. Boys and girls split to unpack in their rooms.
"Haa... alive..."
Nam Siu gently set his precious watermelon in a corner of the broad platform under the tree shade, shaking out his arms.
"Yo, soak the watermelon in the stream! Carry it again when we head out later!"
"Me again?"
Nam Siu grumbled entering his room, bag courtesy of Baek Isul.
"Unpack quick, change clothes, out in 10! Straight to the valley!"
Park Geon, first unpacked, hopped onto the platform yelling. Afternoon, faint stream sounds drifting— the real fun was just beginning.