Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Off to the Hotel Vacation (2)
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Anyway, the train ride packed with card games finally ended, and we were able to get off at Busan Station.
Myth's eyes sparkled as she threw her chest out wide and took a deep breath of air.
"Mmm. The smell of Busan."
Seeing her inhale the air so refreshingly, I couldn't help but sniff the Busan scent myself.
It had been a little over half a year in subjective time, but more than seven years in reality since I'd last come to Busan. The smell definitely felt different from Seoul somehow.
It was purely a sensation—I couldn't say exactly what was different—but the distinct otherness was strangely fascinating.
"I figured Busan would have that sea breeze smell, but nope."
"We're a bit away from the ocean here."
Myth winked. Her energy was clearly amped up. Was arriving in Busan really that thrilling for her?
Well, I'd lived in Busan for nearly seven years myself, so I imagined heading up to Seoul would feel pretty novel too.
"So, where are we going?"
"We'll be there soon, so hang on just a bit longer, Seol-ah. Ah, the taxis I called are here."
Turning at Myth's words, I spotted two taxis pulling up almost simultaneously from the distance.
I glanced around, wondering if others were waiting too, and saw Woori and Sara hurriedly piling into the taxis.
"Alright then, unnie. We'll check out downtown like we planned and meet up in the evening."
"Got it. Remember what I told you? Full Busan tour—make sure you have a blast."
"Yeah! We'll have tons of fun. See you tonight. Unnie! Legend oppa!"
Woori and Sara were gone in a flash.
I stared at the receding taxis in disbelief before Myth tugged my hand, leading me into the other one.
We'd come on a trip together, so splitting up to wander wasn't totally incomprehensible. Still, with no clue what was going on, I just felt dazed.
"Hop in."
"Thanks, sir. XXX Hotel, right?"
"Yep. Here on vacation? It's pretty far—taxi'll run you a pretty penny. You good?"
"Yes. Don't worry, just head there."
The navigation screen on the driver's phone or terminal showed nearly 30 km. Seemed pricey, but probably around 30,000 won.
Living with Myth must've dulled my senses—it didn't feel that bad. Hmm, maybe my money sense was going down the drain too.
But Myth's sense of money was even more wrecked than mine.
"Ah, sir? If it's okay, could you swing by Yeongdo, then cross the Busan Port Bridge and Gwanganda Bridge?"
"That'll jack up the fare big time—nearly 40,000 won. Sure about that?"
"Not rush hour on Gwanganda, right?"
"Hmm... Weekday midday, bridge should be clear, but heading into Centum might get a tad backed up?"
"It's not far. That's fine."
"Alright then. If you're cool with it, I won't argue."
The car veered sharply. The taxi nailed a tight U-turn on the empty road and sped off.
"Myth. Why the long way around?"
"The route over Busan Port Bridge onto Gwanganda is my personal favorite scenery. The ocean stretching out wide from a bridge over the sea—you can't get that in Seoul."
"Even so, the money—"
"And also..."
Myth squeezed my hand tight. Her eyes held mine, curving into a happy smile.
"I wanted to share my favorite view with you."
All the things I couldn't show you over the past seven years, piled up high, even more now.
Myth said that and suddenly pulled me into a tight hug.
The warmth against my chest, her arms locked firmly around my back—it radiated a love so undeniable that even the most oblivious person would feel their heart tickled.
"Sorry. Guess my love's overflowing a little."
"What're you even saying, you idiot."
"Hehe. That's just how it is."
Love overflowing. I love Myth too, but I wasn't quite sure what that felt like.
No more words passed between us.
We savored the brief silence together for a while.
Silence? With our faces burning red, the palpable heat, the lingering pressure of her embrace on my body, and my heart pounding so loud it filled my ears—it hardly felt silent.
- KakaoTalk.
The message chime rang out, and I pulled out my phone.
[Myth: I love you]
[Myth: Hehe. Too shy to say it in front of the driver, so... like this]
"Ugh."
The sudden strike hit me hard—I clutched my chest and doubled over.
"What's up? Somewhere hurt? Heart? Want me to rush you to a hospital?"
"N-no, just got startled for a sec. Thanks for checking."
"Gotcha. Holler if you feel off."
Blushing in embarrassment, I turned away, only for Myth to giggle and stick her tongue out at me.
Suppressing the impulse to grab that tongue, I turned my head and masked my fluster with a question.
"We crossed a bridge earlier—where are we now?"
"Yeongdo, an island right off Busan. Only accessible by bridge. Wasn't coming here for anything specific—the Busan Port Bridge you exit on is such a wild one, I wanted to show it off."
"A bridge that's wild?"
"Yeah. You'll see. If it's too scary, you can cling to me."
"How scary can a bridge really be?"
I snorted dismissively.
Myth had a habit of treating me a bit like a kid sometimes, but even I wouldn't freak out over a bridge spanning the sea.
A guy like that couldn't even cross the Hangang Bridge.
-Or so I'd thought back then.
The taxi cruised leisurely through Yeongdo's streets and was just entering the bridge when the structure visible out the window looked off. No—eerie.
"Myth. Feels like we took a wrong turn. This right? Under construction?"
"Hehe. Told you it'd be a little scary. Plenty of outsiders wander in clueless and end up parking midway 'cause they can't drive anymore."
"Haha! True, happens a lot. Hard for non-Busan folks not to lose it seeing this."
The bridge looped in a full 360 degrees.
Or, how to put it—the thing twisted like a corkscrew suspended in midair.
I gripped the handle and Myth's hand without thinking. Sure, you could call it a fancy roundabout, but climbing that fatal height where one slip meant death was a whole different beast.
"O-oh. N-no big deal, right?"
"Ahaha. Exactly. Nothing to it."
Myth said that, gripping my hand even tighter with glee.
Thankfully, one full twist and it straightened out. The taxi now barreled down the open span. It felt a tad faster than Seoul cabs, but maybe 'cause of the earlier shock—this was bearable.
"Uncle, mind if we crack the window?"
"Go for it~"
Hearing that, Myth urged me to lower it quick. A fierce sea wind smacked my face as the window dropped.
I stared blankly out at the ocean, its waters gleaming as they reflected the sun. In that instant, a brilliantly shining sea filled the view.
"Pretty, huh?"
Myth asked. I nodded quietly.
"Come to think of it, this is my first time seeing the sea."
"Eh?! For real?! The ocean's brand new to you?!"
"Parents were always busy, so no trips. I'm not the type to go out playing much either. Only waterpark with friends a few summer breaks."
I'd lived solely in Seoul, never really traveled, school trip to Gyeongju at most. Surprisingly, the sea was genuinely a first.
- Buuuuuuum!!!!!!
Cargo ships sliced across the sea with mighty roars, and far off, a spot loading containers onto them. That must be Busan Port?
The unobstructed vista, the horizon I'd only known from words.
Just this morning I'd been rolling around in bed, yet suddenly my world felt vastly expanded.
"Seol-ah. What're you thinking?"
Come to think of it, it was always like this.
She was the one who'd first sparked in me the desire to do something on my own, back when I was just grinding studies to join Dad's company.
Still hard to believe, but becoming a Nutuber (no videos) with millions of subscribers, gaining millions of followers—it was all her doing. Same with bonds like Yeon-ah, Sara, Label, and more.
My own skills played a part, sure, but stepping into this world was ultimately thanks to her.
"You."
Was it the sea breeze, the scenery of the ocean shattering sunlight into dazzling brilliance?
The truth slipped out unbidden.
"Thanks for showing me. Myth."
"Huh?"
"I love you."
I smiled and passed on my honest feelings. A bit embarrassing, but now I finally got what she meant by love overflowing.
So this is it.
Moments when love spills over from the smallest things, turning you into a fool who whispers it outright.
"...Ugh. So embarrassing."
"Me too."
But this very embarrassment was proof we loved each other.
It didn't feel bad at all.
One July day. Atop a bridge in Busan.
We whispered our love.