Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Planning the Summer Vacation Schedule!
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After my birthday passed, full-blown summer had arrived.
Of course, early July had been plenty hot already.
But the heat now made even that feel like child's play, hitting us with even fiercer intensity.
But this year, the heat didn't scare me as much.
And for good reason—we finally had an air conditioner at home!
With AC on my side, summer had nothing on me!
"It's so hot..."
"Nyaang..."
It felt like just yesterday I was boldly declaring that.
So why was I sprawled on the sofa with Tofu, whimpering like a dog suffering in the heat?
The answer was simple.
The air conditioner at home had broken down.
If only I'd tested it out beforehand, I could've prevented this disaster.
But no such luck.
And apparently, it wasn't just my place—lots of other homes were dealing with the same issue.
Every AC repair center I called said no one could come right away.
The soonest was a full week out. Pure hell.
"Sorry, Tofu. It's hot, isn't it? If Mom had known ahead of time..."
"Nyaang..."
As I stroked Tofu's fluffy fur and apologized,
Tofu rubbed his head against my thigh, as if to comfort me and say it was fine.
Sob, my Tofu is just too sweet.
Forgiving a lousy mom like me.
I'll give you an extra churu today as a special treat, Tofu.
Ding-dong—
"Huh? Is that Ra-hee unnie...?"
Even with Tofu's comfort, the heat wasn't letting up.
I was debating a quick shower when the intercom buzzed.
I rushed over and checked—it was Ra-hee unnie, just as I thought.
Beep—
"Unnie!"
"Yeah, Da-jeong. How've you b— What? You didn't even turn on the AC?"
I went to greet her at the door and opened it myself.
Ra-hee unnie stepped in, felt the stifling air, and flinched.
"Hehe... Um, the AC broke. The repair guy's not coming till next week."
"What? That long? Well, this time of year, I guess it's unavoidable."
I scratched my head sheepishly and explained.
Ra-hee unnie looked shocked at first but quickly nodded in understanding as she came inside.
"You should've told me if the AC broke. You could've hung out at my place where it's cool and just popped over for streams."
"I didn't want to impose..."
"Ugh, our maknae worries about everything."
"Ubub...! Un, unnie... Ahaha...!"
I tried resisting as she grabbed my cheeks and stretched them out as punishment.
But she showed no signs of letting go.
Ugh...
My cheeks were all stretched again.
What if they never snap back, like a rubber band that's lost its elasticity?
"Anyway, what brings you here?"
"Huh? Didn't you check the chat? President posted a notice."
"Huh? The chat?"
I cooled my flushed cheeks with my palms and asked.
Ra-hee unnie tilted her head.
My phone was charging on the bed since the battery died.
Looks like something went up in the announcement channel in the meantime.
I dashed to my room, grabbed my phone, and opened the chat.
Sure enough, there was a message.
The notification vanished as soon as I checked it—meaning everyone else had already seen it.
The moment I saw the chat, I knew why Ra-hee unnie was here.
She must've come to go to the office together.
It was a regular thing now that she lived next door.
Wow, our 1st anniversary already.
Technically a bit early,
but we'd probably have streams on the actual day, so this was like a pre-celebration.
Hehe, summer vacation—kinda exciting.
Never had a real break or vacation in my life.
The closest was taking a few days off streaming...
But planning a proper break or trip like this? Total first for me.
"Da-jeong, I'll wait in the car with the AC on. Just change and come out?"
"Sure thing!"
Once Ra-hee unnie left the living room,
I bolted to my bedroom and flung open the closet.
Can't keep her waiting long.
Just throw on anything.
We're driving there and back anyway—no need to dress up.
"Nyaang!"
"Tofu...?!"
Meanwhile, Tofu followed me into the room, watched me grab clothes,
and headbutted my ankle like, 'You're ditching me alone in this hell?!'
S-sorry, Tofu.
I'll give you one churu now and another when I get back.
Meetings at the office had one unwritten rule.
The tardiest person buys coffee for everyone.
It started as the latecomer feeling bad for making others wait,
so they'd volunteer.
But at some point, it became official custom.
That's how the chat usually went.
Whoever arrived first claimed their rank,
requested their drink,
and the last member bought them all.
Today, riding together made Ra-hee unnie and me jointly responsible.
"I can buy it."
"No way. You got delayed waiting for me, so I should."
But as always, she insisted on paying.
It was my fault she was late anyway.
Couldn't make her drive and pay,
so I bought the coffees and we arrived at the office.
"Sorry we're late..."
"Coffee shuttle's here."
I apologized as we opened the meeting room door.
Ra-hee unnie showed off the carrier bags.
All eyes around the big table turned to us.
"You two late together? Traffic?"
President looked puzzled—we were usually the earliest.
"N-no. I took too long changing."
"You? That's new. Check the chat super late or something?"
Gasp, how'd she know?
President's insight is terrifying.
A chill ran down my spine; I just nodded vigorously.
She chuckled softly, like 'Knew it,' looking at me like a kid.
Somehow embarrassing.
Grab—
I ducked the gaze and sat primly,
only for something to tackle me from behind in a hug.
Extra hyper Yuna today.
"Da-jeong, Da-jeong! Where do you wanna go?! Mountains? Beach? Or hotel vacay?!"
"Huh? M-mountains...? Beach...? Ho, hotel...?"
Wh-what's this all of a sudden?
Mountains and beach?
Hotel vacay was short for... hotel vacation, right?
"We were just discussing where to go as a group! FYI, me and Chae-yoon unnie say beach! Ji-ah unnie wants glamping or mountains! President and So-eun unnie are neutral!"
"Oh..."
Yuna explained kindly to my confused self.
Now it clicked.
We were talking summer vacation plans.
Hmm, beach or mountains... No clue.
Not that I disliked either,
just never been to them, so hard to pick.
Travel's all new to me—figures I'd know less.
"Um, anywhere's fine. It'll be fun together anywhere."
"...Always impresses me how you say stuff like that so casually."
"Huh? What stuff?"
"Nah, better if you don't know. It's you."
What'd she mean?
I tilted my head, blinking blankly at Yuna heading to Ra-hee unnie.
"Maknae! Summer means beach, right? Right?!"
Then beach-team Chae-yoon unnie slung an arm around me, pitching her case.
Not just sharing her opinion,
but recruiting me to secure votes.
"Unnie, you like the beach, huh."
"Duh! Gotta dip your feet in the ocean on a rare summer break!"
Hmm, yeah, Chae-yoon unnie suits the beach.
Like those tanned athletic anime chars.
Her vibe matches.
"Chae-yoon! Don't pressure her—she's got her own opinion!"
Spotting the subtle arm-twist, Ji-ah unnie yanked Chae-yoon unnie away, scolding.
"N-not pressuring...?! Why mountains anyway? You should be beach team!"
"Huh? Why me?"
Yeah, I wondered too.
Why should Ji-ah unnie be beach?
She seemed more stay-put type.
Mountains or camping fit better.
"Cuz you and Ra-hee unnie got those huge—don't you wanna show 'em off?! I'd be buying swimsuits right— Gahk?!"
Gasp.
Wh-what was that?
Light burst from Ji-ah unnie's hand.
Unnie, did you awaken goddess powers IRL...?!
"Wh-what're you saying in front of Da-jeong?! Wanna get it?!"
"You already did... Koff!"
Whoa, never seen Chae-yoon unnie floored like that.
She usually keeps peace.
Ji-ah unnie's top dog in our group, huh.
Our eldest unnie indeed.
But "in front of me"?
I'm not a kid.
Even same-age Yuna's fine hearing it.
Feels like my image's baby-fying more each day.
"Still, beach would be best, President."
"Why's that?"
As they resumed heated debate,
Ra-hee unnie went to President... and surprisingly backed beach.
Why surprising? Similar to Ji-ah unnie.
Ra-hee unnie isn't super active.
More intellectual—pitching a tent, reading by campfire vibes.
Expected her to side with Ji-ah unnie.
This was unexpected.
Ji-ah unnie looked betrayed too: 'Ra-hee, you too...?!'
Ra-hee unnie calmly continued, unfazed.
"We have a family villa by the sea. No prying eyes, cheaper than renting a pension."
"Villa?"
That word froze the room.
Even President blinked like 'Did I hear right?'
Villa—like the big houses rich folks have at beaches in anime?
She has one? For real?
"Yeah. Not huge, but enough for us to sleep."
"Er... We're fine, but won't it be a hassle?"
"No issue. Family's using villas in France or Italy; won't need the one here awhile."
Even overseas ones, huh.
Wonder what Ra-hee unnie's family is like...
"Unnie! Pool too, right? Like, rooftop?!"
"Yeah, rooftop. Outdoor one too..."
"Th-then! Like manga, a cruise?!"
"Not quite cruise, but a three-story yacht. If that's ok, I'll prep it."
"For real?!"
Ra-hee unnie fielded Yuna and Chae-yoon unnie's frantic questions calmly.
Silence fell after.
All eyes turned to sole mountain fan Ji-ah unnie.
"I... wanna see the villa too."
Even mountain-lover Ji-ah unnie couldn't resist.
"Yay!"
"It's decided!"
Beach duo finally won, hugging and dashing around the room.
Thus, our first group summer vacation spot was set.