Valley (End)
"Ugh... my whole body aches, seriously..." Seo Juwon shuffled out into the yard, his face puffy and his hair a messy bird's nest, rubbing his eyes. Ahead of him, Park Geon and Dasom had already set two massive enamel pots on the ground and were filming a full-on ramen mukbang right from the morning.
"Hey, what time's our train back? We're screwed if we miss it." Juwon yawned hugely as he asked, and Dasom—who was inhaling noodles till her cheeks ballooned—waved her chopsticks wildly in the air. "Slurp—oh, train's at 2 PM! We've got plenty of time. Sit your butt down and eat some ramen before it cools."
As if last night's scorching heat had been a dream, the countryside house's morning was utterly serene yet chaotically lively.
"..."
Nam Siu gripped his chopsticks, blankly stirring the pot, oblivious to whether the ramen was heading for his mouth or his nose. His own voice from last night—facing Baek Isul under the starlight—still buzzed in his ears like a drone. You're insane, Nam Siu. For real... After mentally kicking the blanket hundreds of times over, he unconsciously glanced at the spot beside him.
"...!"
And wouldn't you know it—his eyes locked with Isul's, who was quietly sipping water right there, their gazes tangling in mid-air.
The two jolted like they'd been scorched, whipping their heads away in unison. "Cough, hack...!" "H-Hot...!" Isul hacked violently like she'd choked, while flustered Siu accidentally slurped hot ramen broth, scalding his tongue and flailing in panic.
"Well, aren't you two something. Take it easy—no one's stealing your food." Juwon tsked pitifully at the sight, shaking his head.
Naturally, Juwon and the rest of the friends missed the odd tension swirling between Isul and Siu, brushing it off without a second thought. Only Ji Yoon—propped on her chin next to Isul, eyeing the pair with keen interest—curled her lips in a knowing smile.
"Grandpa, Grandma! We had a blast—thanks so much! We'll come back soon!" The seven kids, bags packed and ready to roll, lined up neatly at the gate and bowed deeply from the waist.
"Yup. Back home, no fightin', just have fun now. All that school studyin'? Don't mean squat! Stayin' healthy and playin' is what counts." Park Geon's grandparents saw them off with fond smiles, lingering regretfully as the kids bounded away.
"Grandpa, next year I'll drag the whole crew back here."
"Sounds good. If it gets lonely in between, swing by anytime—even outside vacation."
With the two waving from the gate until the kids shrank to dots, the group trudged down the country road, cicadas droning cool and relentless. Heavy packs on their backs, but hearts stuffed even fuller with memories, they headed for the station.
On the path from the village edge to the station, gravel crunched pleasantly underfoot, but their steps dragged with endless reluctance and regret.
"Ah... I really don't wanna go home. Coming right at the start of break was the best, but 2 days 1 night was way too short?" Dasom whined, staring skyward while clutching her bag strap, out in front.
"Tell me about it. Soak your feet in the valley stream, and boom—time to head back. Shoulda stayed one more day?" Chaerin smacked her lips wistfully, twisting back for one last look at the fading village.
"Kinda sucks, yeah. But hey, we can come again anytime."
Juwon plopped a hand on Chaerin's head as she pouted. "Hey, even when we're adults, wanna do this every year—all together?"
"Ooh, love it! Then we gotta collect dues! Treasurer's gotta be detail freak Ji Yoon!"
Dasom clapped gleefully at Juwon's pitch, but Ji Yoon—trailing behind—chuckled in exasperation. "Pass. Manage your cash and I'll die young. Just open a joint account—we all handle it."
"Aww, c'mon~!"
Their fresh, boisterous voices promised future trips amid the mix of regret and joy. Tucked in that noisy chatter, Siu and Isul walked side by side in silence, trailing the group.
"Ahem. Sl... sleep okay?"
Isul broke the suffocating awkwardness first, voice smaller than usual as she eyed the kids ahead. "You crashed into your room last night—guess you're fine now."
"Oh, d-did I? I don't really remember getting to the room..."
Isul's eyes flashed as she dodged his gaze awkwardly. "You... don't remember?"
Her tone iced over in an instant—maybe thinking he'd forgotten last night's events. Siu flailed his hands in defense. "N-No, not that...! I remember everything outside! Just the room part..."
Her sharp glare softened at the frantic explanation, and she nodded faintly. "...Good."
A beat later, with the others chattering ahead without a glance back, Isul's pale hand crept toward Siu's side. Her fingertips brushed his hand, then tentatively laced their fingers together.
"...!"
"..."
The warmth from their clasped palms burned hotter than the midday summer sun. Siu's heart hammered wildly. Holding hands secretly right behind their rowdy friends? Cold sweat trickled down his spine at the thought of anyone turning—but the soft grip was too sweet to let go.
Like they'd rehearsed, they clamped their lips shut, faces flushed, staring straight ahead as they walked.
Even at the bus stop waiting for the ride, amid the group, Siu and Isul stuck to the back, hands locked tight. Sweat slicked their palms unnoticed as they boarded for the station.
"Train next, then we're home?"
"Man, it's freaking hot. Hurry inside—bet the AC's blasting."
Park Geon quickened his pace toward the station, and the others hustled after. As they hit the crowded plaza, Isul regretfully eased her fingers free with a gentle squeeze. Siu got it logically, but eyed his now-empty hand with longing.
Regret was short-lived. "Hey! Grab some walnut pastries before we go!"
"I'm getting drinks!"
The kids buzzed around the station, arms loaded with snacks. Soon, an announcement blared, and the massive train glided into the platform, ready to ferry them back to routine.
"Whew, saved. AC's cranked."
"I'm crashing hard... wake me when we arrive..."
They'd taken the fast train out, but chose the slowest back for a leisurely ride. Crammed into seats, the cool blast hit, and one by one—like clockwork—they slumped asleep. After yesterday's valley frenzy, stamina was zilch.
Amid snores, passenger chatter, and the train's rhythmic clatter, a subtle tension lingered only between the side-by-side Siu and Isul.
"..."
"..."
Siu sat ramrod straight, eyes front; Isul stared at the blurring scenery outside. Each jolt rocked their shoulders together then apart. Siu flinched with every brush, sucking in breath; Isul buried her reddening cheeks deeper toward the window.
How long had they ridden? Maybe from a sleepless night, or the train's soothing sway—Isul's head, fixed on the view, began nodding downward.
Didn't sleep well last night...?
Slowly...
Her head lolled loose just as Siu shot out a hand, gently cradling it. Careful not to wake her, he eased it onto his shoulder.
Soft hair against his shoulder, faint even breaths at his ear. Siu froze, barely breathing himself, as he shifted awkwardly. Even then, she nuzzled closer unconsciously, cheek rubbing his shoulder—Siu gasped sharply.
Late afternoon sun slipped through the window, warmly gilding their tender, leaning figures. And at the edge of that dazzling light, their tightly clasped hands—entwined again unnoticed—sparkled softly.