An Invitation
"I don't know if you know this, but there are penguins in the Galapagos."
"Penguins? You mean those that waddle around?"
"Yes. Those penguins. Unlike their appearance, they have long legs."
The embassy staff's words left me a bit stunned. I knew the Galapagos had all sorts of animals, but I hadn't thought that penguins would be there too.
And I guess the viewers watching my broadcast were in the same boat.
Since it wasn't a private conversation and the broadcast was ongoing, the viewers could hear the embassy staff and me talking.
That there were many people who didn't know about the Galapagos penguins was somewhat comforting. It wasn't just me who didn't know, so there was no reason to feel ashamed.
"By the way, why those penguins?"
"Actually, the Galapagos penguins are currently designated as an endangered species. Environmental factors are also a problem...... Well, due to various reasons, it's said that extinction is imminent."
The word "endangered species" for the penguins I had just learned about left me momentarily speechless.
Amid the chats reacting to the word "endangered species," I quickly banned the chat that ignored me.
"...... You're banned."
I continued the conversation with the embassy staff.
"By the way, about the sudden talk about the Galapagos and penguins...... Do you need my help with those penguins?"
"Yes, that's exactly right."
"Although I should say it directly...... Actually, my ability is somewhat close to translation, right? There's also a bit of getting some affection, but that's just a bit of affection. Can someone like me really help?"
"I don't know the detailed contents either, so I'm just passing on the facts I received. For now, according to what I received, it's to invite an animal communicator as part of preventing stress from managing the habitat of those penguins."
"Habitat management? Stress?"
The long official document-like title made by bureaucrats made me wonder if I was understanding it correctly.
"Since the Galapagos is also an island, marine debris carried by currents is a problem. And those debris are accumulating in the current penguin habitat, and to increase the survival rate of the penguins, people have to approach to clean the debris, which causes stress to the penguins."
"Ah, what you want from me is to make sure those penguins don't misunderstand people's actions as attacks and don't get stressed?"
"Yes!"
Instantly, when I voiced the thought that came to mind, the embassy staff nodded with a bright smile.
But at the same time, a question arose. Although there is only me as an animal communicator in the country, there are more in the world.
"Why not recruit other animal communicators and call me? Although I should say it myself...... I'm only doing the cafe and YouTube, and not involved in social movements related to animals."
"That's right......"
The embassy staff, who showed a slightly troubled expression at my direct question, received a message from someone.
And the following story was extremely absurd.
"In the world, there are five people who have definitively recognized the superpower of animal communicators, including Suhwan. You know that, right?"
"Yes. I know that."
"Actually, the Galapagos governor contacted the other four people, but all of them refused."
"Refused? Why?"
I thought it was strange that someone invited to the mysterious island of Galapagos would refuse.
"One said they had experienced isolation on an island and would never go to an island. Another one due to old age...... And another one is afraid of penguins. The last one said it was hard to match the amount......"
I felt that the reasons for refusal were diverse.
Even someone refusing because they were afraid of penguins felt absurd.
That absurdity disappeared quickly thanks to the rapidly blinking chats.
Well, that's scary enough.
But the embassy staff, thinking that I was hesitating for another reason, hurriedly opened their mouth.
"You don't have to worry! It's a big island, so there's no reason to get isolated, and the Galapagos penguins aren't that threatening! At best, they're only about half the size of baby ones. Adults will be around 50cm!"
"Really?"
"Yes! However, there might be a financial issue...... Instead, the Galapagos government has promised maximum convenience. They will provide special treatment so you can bring your pets, and as it's a honeymoon trip, they will actively cooperate to make it a fun and memorable trip. They promise to provide professional guides, interpreters, and security personnel for family members and animal protection."
"Oh......"
The embassy staff's urgent words made me start to get interested.
It was tempting to go to the Galapagos, famous for Charles Darwin who had a great influence on evolutionary theory, and to be offered all sorts of conveniences.
Since the Galapagos is full of all sorts of animals, making videos would be easy, and financially, there was nothing to lose.
'I heard there are many seals on the Galapagos coast, so if I film a snorkeling video with them, the views won't be bad, right?'
Thinking about the views the video would create, I wanted to accept right away.
"Okay."
"Right? Then, how about visiting the Galapagos once......?"
The embassy staff's appearance, exuding the desire to invite me to Galapagos somehow, made me smile lightly and wave my hand.
"I can't decide alone. I'm not just going to work, it's a honeymoon trip."
"Ah...... Yeah."
The embassy staff, perhaps because they were married, fiddled with the ring on their finger. And nodding with an expression that seemed to fully agree.
"If you make a final decision, contact me through this messenger. If there are any other questions, feel free to contact me anytime. I look forward to a good reply."
He bowed his head, then left the chat. The face with a lingering sense of regret for not getting a definite answer remained on the screen for a moment before disappearing.
With my positive reaction, the chat window showed reactions as if they had decided on Galapagos among themselves.
'Why are they so obsessed with fighting?'
I turned off the chat full of unnecessary chatter and headed to Noona. When I went to the room where Noona was, Noona wasn't there, and So-eun was curled up among the rabbits.
"Bye-bye!"
"So-eun, say goodbye to the camera."
"Kyaang!"
While waving my hand, So-eun waved back with one hand.
With So-eun's appearance, the chat window flared up again.
"Huh? You said you were looking for a travel destination, but you're broadcasting?"
"Ah, Noona."
While playing with So-eun for a bit, Noona appeared. Noticing that I was broadcasting with the phone in my hand and talking to myself, Noona smiled lightly.
I watched the scene of So-eun reaching out to mom for a hug and Noona hugging So-eun, then started explaining why I came to Noona.
Explaining from receiving a sponsorship message from the embassy staff, Noona started to show interest.
"Galapagos? Let's go there as a honeymoon trip?"
"Yeah. What do you think? Since they offer all kinds of conveniences, isn't it okay? We can bring the animals too, and the Galapagos should be a place that leaves enough memories."
"Hmm."
Noona seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded.
"Great!"
The island with many strange animals was enough to pique Noona's interest. Noona also liked animals a lot, so she wouldn't want to miss the experience. Moreover, since they take care of even the worrying parts, there was no reason to refuse.
So, Noona and I started looking forward to the honeymoon trip as much as the wedding. Of course, Noona's expectations for the wedding didn't disappear either.
Perhaps because of the memory of the proposal, Noona seemed to have some hidden expectations.
Eventually, after deciding on the travel destination, I had no choice but to think about the wedding again.
"Sigh...... I have no choice but to use the kids again."
It was unfair to the kids, but I had no choice this time too. When I talked to the animals, they looked at me with expectant eyes, so I couldn't refuse.
And in the situation full of expectations, worries, and concerns, time passed quickly, and that day came.