Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Market Spotlight and Underwater Tension
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After roughly finishing up with unpacking, I started feeling hungry.
We hopped in the car and headed to the nearby market to grab some simple snacks and some sashimi for dinner.
Even from the market entrance, waves of hot air hit us.
The narrow passageway, barely wide enough for shoulders to pass, was packed with people.
The moment we stepped inside, Sea's steps noticeably quickened.
"Hey, look at that. Black pork skewers!"
Without waiting for my reply, she bolted toward the stall.
No sooner had she popped one skewer in her mouth than she pointed at some Hallabong juice next.
I trailed behind her, one hand clutching a black bag of mackerel sashimi, the other a bag with fresh shrimp and beer.
"Slow down a bit. How are we supposed to eat all the sashimi for dinner if you keep this up?"
"You think snack stomach and dinner stomach are the same?"
Sea shot back, cheeks bulging as she shoveled in peanut ice cream.
She really packs it away.
I wondered where it all went in that tiny waist of hers—it was almost magical.
I shook my head and handed her a tissue to wipe the ice cream from her mouth.
"Whoa, hey, check out that tteokbokki over there. The color's insane."
Sea barely acknowledged me as she pushed through the crowd ahead.
"Hey, wait up. It's crowded."
I was just about to catch up when—
"Isn't that her?"
One guy from a group in front of the tteokbokki stand pointed at Sea.
"Who?"
"The only daughter of Hanul. The one from the news."
"Oh my god, for real. She looks way better in person."
Murmurs spread like ripples through the narrow alley.
In an instant, dozens of eyes locked onto Sea.
Some pulled out their phones outright, cameras flashing.
Sea froze, glancing back at me in panic.
She was usually so full of energy, but now she stiffened as people swarmed.
Her eyes darted around anxiously, lost.
"Dojin..."
It had finally happened.
Well, a few photos might actually work in our favor for some viral buzz, given our situation.
But in this uncontrollable crowd, anything could go wrong.
If they surged and started shoving, it'd be a headache.
I rushed to her side.
"Stay still."
I instinctively hooked an arm around her slim waist and pulled her close.
My arm wrapped firmly around her.
"...Huh?"
"Head down. You don't want to look bad in the pics."
I tucked her tight against my side, using my shoulder to block the views.
We were practically pressed together as one.
Her body heat radiated straight through to my side.
We hurried away, dodging cameras and stares.
Shoving through the pressing crowd, we broke free.
Once we reached a quieter corner away from the throng, the noise finally faded, and I stopped.
"Phew, we're safe. You can look up now."
I let out a sigh and checked on Sea.
She stayed nestled in my arms, not moving a muscle.
Her head was still buried against my chest.
"What's wrong? Did you get bumped?"
"..."
No answer.
Her small hand gripped the hem of my shirt, knuckles white.
"You really got spooked? Since when are you such a scaredy-cat?"
I teased lightly to ease the tension, and she pinched my side—not hard, just enough.
"Scaredy-cat, my ass."
"Then why're you still clinging like this?"
Sea slowly lifted her head.
Her face was flushed beet red.
"You went all alpha on me out of nowhere... I'm just not used to it."
Her mumbled voice dripped with shyness.
Seeing her hand still clutching my shirt killed any urge to joke further.
She couldn't quite meet my eyes—it felt awkward.
My ears started burning too, for no reason.
I averted my gaze to hide my own flush and kept my arm around her shoulders as we quietly headed to the parking lot.
"Hey, you sure about wearing this out? It's kinda embarrassing."
I muttered, pulling the hotel-logoed white robe up to my neck.
Walking the halls in just a swimsuit underneath felt weird.
Sea, on the other hand, strode ahead confidently.
Her loosely tied waist sash fluttered open with each step, flashing glimpses of her smooth legs.
"Don't be such a rube. Everyone walks around like this. Hurry up."
Our reflections in the elevator mirror looked odd—a guy and girl in matching white robes, damp hair.
"Whoa, no one's here."
It was around 4 p.m., but the pool was dead quiet.
"Weird. Shouldn't it be packed by now?"
"Who cares? It's nice and peaceful."
Sea casually stood by a sunbed.
Whoosh.
The sash came undone, and the robe slipped to the floor.
The sight of her in the sunlight stole my breath.
Black bikini.
It contrasted sharply with her pale skin, drawing my eyes like a magnet.
"..."
I stared blankly, and she grinned.
"What? Heart skipping a beat?"
"N-no."
"Liar. Your ears are red."
Splash.
She slid into the water without hesitation.
"Come on in. Water's warm."
I hesitated, then perched on the pool's edge.
I gripped my phone tight in its waterproof case, just in case.
"Can I just wear this watch in?"
"Yeah, it's waterproof. Hurry."
Splash.
The warm water enveloped me.
A slight turn of the head offered a stunning Jeju sea view, but the scenery barely registered.
Sea’s curves, glistening wet, were too distracting.
"Let's knock out one mission first."
Sea swiped through her watch screen with wet fingers.
"Hmm... This one. 'Splash each other.'"
"Sure. Safest one."
We awkwardly mimed splashing and snapped the photo.
Click.
"Done. One down."
That's when—
Bzzz—.
A nasty vibration buzzed long on my wrist.
"What? Another one?"
My eyes widened at the screen.
Feel each other's breath underwater.
Tip: Hold for 10 seconds at a lip-brushing distance. Points deducted on failure.
"...Hey, this is insane, right?"
"What is it?"
"It's telling us to take an underwater kiss shot."
"What? Kiss?"
Sea’s eyes went wide too.
"This thing's lost it. Underwater kiss? Seriously?"
"Says points get docked if we don't. Just do it."
"What's the deal with these points anyway? Do we get something good if we rack 'em up?"
"No idea, but I can't stand leaving points on the table."
Sea casually crouched to dive.
"Lips don't have to touch—just hold breath. On three, we dive."
"Hey, wait—"
"One."
"Give me a sec to prepare!"
"Two, three!"
Sea dove in without waiting.
I sucked in a breath on reflex and followed.
Splash.
The world turned blue.
Eyes open underwater, her face was right there.
Her hair floated like jellyfish tendrils in the rippling currents.
She grabbed my shoulders, pulling closer.
Noses almost touching.
No sound underwater, but my heartbeat pounded in my ears.
Her eyes curved into crescents.
Bubble bubble.
Tiny air bubbles escaped her lips.
Like a signal begging for a kiss.
Mesmerized, I tilted my head without thinking.
Her face drew nearer, captivating me completely.
Forgot I was even underwater.
Tense, I inhaled big—
Water rushed up my nose.
"Pffft!"
I coughed violently, shooting to the surface.
"Cough, hack, hack!"
Pwah.
Sea surfaced right after, smacking my back.
"Hey! Why'd you bail like that?"
"Water... up my nose..."
"Not even three seconds! Ugh, we gotta redo it."
Sea slicked back her wet hair and pointed at my wrist.
"Quick, again. Getting chilly out here."
She shivered, grabbing my arm.
"Okay, okay. For real this time."
We took big breaths again.
Splash.
Second, third, fourth time.
Lost count of the dives.
"Hey, let's take a breather. I'm dying here."
Sea flicked water from her face and glared.
"Break? We keep going till it works. Get in."
Frustrated by the failures, she looped both arms around my neck this time.
Locked in tight—no escape.
No room to adjust distance.
Underwater eyes open—her face closer than ever.
Her clear eyes stared straight into mine through the swirling water.
Lips a hair's breadth from touching.
In the pool's silence, our gazes locked tight.
Her lips parted slightly, holding her breath.
A tiny bubble grazed her cheek, rising.
Trapped in her hold, no backing away.
Time lost meaning in the breathless quiet.
I was frozen, entranced by her expression.
Then, she tilted her head forward ever so slightly.
Something soft and cool brushed my lip's edge.
Lip? Water? Bubble? Unclear.
Pwah!
We burst from the water in sync.
The silent pool filled with our ragged breaths.
"Huff, huff... Did it get it?"
I wiped my face and asked.
Sea just splashed around, no words.
Her silence meant probably no contact—good.
Actual contact would've been mortifying.
Then, a short buzz on my wrist.
Without a word, as if by agreement, we headed for the pool steps.
I climbed out first onto the deck.
Cool air hit my wet skin immediately.
The temperature drop made my jaw chatter involuntarily.
Sea followed, gripping the metal railing carefully as she emerged.
Water dripped from her narrow, pale shoulders.
"...Cold."
She huddled, murmuring softly.
"Told you to ease up. Let's go lie down over there."
I pointed to the roofed cabana behind the sunbed area.
"Warm in there?"
"Heater on the ceiling. C'mon."
I grabbed our robes from the sunbed, draped one over her shoulders, and led her inside.
We flopped onto the mattress, and red light poured from above.
The ceiling heater blasted cozy warmth over our wet bodies.
"Whoa... jackpot. This is paradise."
Sea clutched her robe collar and burrowed into the mattress.
Under the orange glow, we lay side by side like corpses.
The heat dried our swimsuits and robes bit by bit.
It felt like a luxury sauna—pure bliss washing over us.
Tension melted into drowsiness.
"Man, this sucks my energy. We'll get sick doing all these missions."
I sighed, staring blankly at the red ceiling light.
"Drama queen. It's your weak stamina."
Sea mumbled, turning slightly toward me.
The wide mattress didn't matter—instinct drew us close for warmth.
"Hey, Dojin."
"Yeah?"
"Back in the water..."
"Yeah, what?"
"...Never mind. Forgot. It was nothing."
Sea swallowed her words and rolled back to face the ceiling.
Crackle crackle.
The heater's faint hum filled the awkward silence.