Chapter 138: Busan (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 138: Busan (8)
“Thank you.”
A soft greeting. Yu Ha-neul stepped inside the venue after finishing the ticket check.
“…Hmm.”
As she took in the scene, a low hum escaped her lips.
“…There are so many people in here.”
In fact, it was unnecessarily crowded.
There had been a massive crowd outside as well, but the sheer density of the people once she was actually inside the building was on another level. At this rate, finding Lee Seung-ho was going to be a challenge.
“……”
Ha-neul looked around silently. Everywhere she turned, it was a sea of people. It seemed unlikely she would run into him just by wandering around aimlessly.
“Let’s see…”
Ha-neul checked her social media. Perhaps because he was busy walking around, no new photos had been uploaded.
‘That’s a shame.’
The easiest method was blocked. Of course, even if there had been a photo, she didn't intend to move recklessly. If he caught on to the fact that she had followed him all this way… it was easy to imagine the kind of look he would give her.
“……”
At that thought, the corners of Ha-neul’s eyes drooped. That was why acting natural was so important.
By chance. She needed the appearance of having met him purely by coincidence.
“……”
Ha-neul walked slowly through the venue.
‘Where would Seung-ho be…?’
She pondered this with every step she took. She thought about Lee Seung-ho—his black hair, his stoic expression, and the meticulous actions that contrasted so sharply with his cold exterior. Even his presence had become quite dependable before she’d even realized it. He was fine before, but his current self was even more to her taste.
“Phew…”
Just imagining him made her exhale a hot, shallow breath.
‘If it’s Seung-ho…’
He didn't enjoy crowded places, and he hated standing in lines. Since he liked taking photos, he was likely to be near the photo zones or the large displays. Of course, that would be if he were alone…
“……”
Ha-neul’s eyes grew cold and still. Since he had companions with him now, things would be different. Seung-ho tended to go along with the choices of the people around him.
‘Maybe they’re sticking to the experience booths.’
In that case, they would be at one of the famous large game companies—the kind of places girls would like. Ha-neul moved toward the major exhibits.
“Hmm…”
She arrived at a cute, charming booth.
‘…I don’t see him.’
He wasn't inside the booth, nor was he in the long line snaking outside. Either he hadn't arrived yet, or he had already come and gone. Or perhaps he was wandering somewhere else entirely.
‘I expected as much.’
She wasn't particularly disappointed. Ha-neul calmly moved to the next location.
“Hmm-hmm~”
Ha-neul hummed softly as she walked. Her steps were headed toward the exit.
“…This should do.”
Ha-neul sat down on a bench in front of the exit. She gazed leisurely at the doorway. She had already confirmed that there were no places selling food anywhere inside, as the food trucks were all gathered in the lot outside the venue.
There were several entrances, but only one exit. The re-entry door was also right next to it.
‘Besides, it’ll be lunchtime soon…’
If they wanted to eat, they had to come out through this door. If she waited here, they were bound to run into each other.
“……”
I wonder when Seung-ho will come out.
“I miss him…”
*
It was early morning. As soon as we entered the venue, we were greeted by a swarming crowd. It wasn't so bad that we couldn't move at all, but there were definitely a lot of people. I thought I heard somewhere that this event’s popularity had been declining lately… but even so, the crowd was still immense.
“Hmm…”
Shin A-young brushed her hair behind her ear as she looked around. But that was just her outward appearance.
— “Whoa…!”
Her Mini-Me’s eyes were brimming with anticipation. Swing, swing— its two small fists shook. It was incredibly excited. It was very much like her.
Shin A-young asked in a calm voice, “What should we do first? Everything looks fun.”
“…Y-yeah, I agree,” Ha Seo-rim chimed in.
Her eyebrows were slightly raised, and her face was faintly flushed. Perhaps the atmosphere of the venue had raised her spirits.
“Hey.”
Listening to their conversation, I called out to Ji Nuri, who was walking beside me. “Is there anything specific you want to do?”
Since he was the type to be thorough with preparations for things like this, he might have something in mind.
“Hmm… I don’t know…” He whispered softly so only I could hear. “To be honest, I don’t know much about this side of things.”
Ji Nuri’s eyebrows twitched. He sent me a look as if asking if I understood what he meant. Well, I didn't.
— “This place is too much of a normie pick.”
Apparently, he preferred more niche events over this one. What was the difference between the two?
‘There are plenty of cosplayers here too.’
Looking around, there were many cosplayers near the booths. They were surrounded by people taking their photos. Judging by their professional aura, they were probably hired staff.
— “…Come to think of it, he liked that kind of thing.”
A small, languid voice reached my ears.
“……”
When I turned my head, my eyes met Lee Sol’s. Her black-pearl eyes blinked as she looked at me.
“…What is it?” Lee Sol asked, pretending nothing was wrong.
“Nothing.” I shook my head.
Then, her Mini-Me’s mumbling continued.
— “…I wonder if Seung-ho would like it if I did something like that too?”
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me muttered with a serious expression.
— “I can just say we’re shooting for social media…”
It seemed she was thinking of cosplaying under the pretext of taking photos for her SNS. It would probably cost quite a bit of money to do it properly.
“……”
I scratched my forehead for no reason. Hearing that she’d do it because she thought I’d like it made me feel a bit embarrassed.
“Seung-ho, Seung-ho.”
Just then, Shin A-young tugged on my wrist. It seemed she had decided where to go.
“Let’s go over there.”
*
‘…Finally.’
How long had she been waiting in line? Ha Seo-rim was finally able to take her turn. Still, she hadn't been bored while waiting because she’d been chatting with the group.
“Please take a seat inside.”
“Okay.”
Following the staff’s guidance, Ha Seo-rim took a seat. There was a stand with a phone connected to a charger, and other people were standing in a row beside her. It felt a bit novel.
“……”
Do I just do it like this?
She glanced around to see what others were doing. Lee Seung-ho, in the seat next to her, started operating his device first. Seeing that, Ha Seo-rim tapped the screen with somewhat clumsy fingers.
She fumbled at first, but as she kept going, she gradually got the hang of it.
‘…This is actually fun.’
It was very fun. However, she couldn't make an objective judgment. Was the game simply well-made? Or was it fun because she was playing it here?
“Next person, please step inside.”
Because she was so immersed in the game, the experience felt like it was over in an instant.
“Phew…”
A faint breath escaped her. It came out naturally as her concentration broke.
“Thank you~”
Hearing the staff’s farewell, Ha Seo-rim stepped out of the booth. She was quite satisfied with the experience.
“Senior, how was the game—”
“Seung-ho, what did you think?”
Before Ha Seo-rim could finish her sentence, Shin A-young poked her head in first.
“It was pretty fun.”
“I think I’ll try it when it’s released. Want to play together later?”
“When it comes out.”
Lee Seung-ho and Shin A-young walked side by side. Ha Seo-rim quietly watched their backs.
“…Hmm.”
Ha Seo-rim scratched her cheek, feeling a bit awkward. Somehow, she had missed her timing. She’d talk to him later; she felt like she should at least say thanks for bringing her along.
“Shall we go grab some food? It looks like it’s lunchtime,” Lee Seung-ho asked, glancing back.
“…Is it that time already?” Ha Seo-rim checked her phone.
Oh, it really was. Once she realized it, she could feel her stomach growling.
“Is there a place to eat inside?” Lee Seung-ho looked around, searching for a restaurant.
Seeing that, Ha Seo-rim spoke up. “When we were coming in earlier, I saw a bunch of food trucks gathered outside.”
“Near the parking lot?”
“Yes.”
To get there, they had to leave the building first.
“Is it okay to go out?” Lee Sol asked. She seemed worried that they wouldn't be able to get back in.
“You can come back in. Most events are like that.”
“Really…?” Lee Sol looked relieved at Ji Nuri’s words.
“……”
Press.
Ha Seo-rim got a stamp on the back of her hand as she passed the exit. If she showed this, she could come back in. Now, they just had to grab a quick lunch at the food trucks—
‘Huh?’
Ha Seo-rim’s eyes widened. She checked several times, thinking she might have seen wrong… but nothing changed.
‘N-no way…’
A girl was sitting near the entrance. No matter how she looked at it, it was Yu Ha-neul.
‘Why is Ha-neul here…?’
The answer to that question came to her quickly. This must have been it—the place she said she was going to visit last time was Busan.
“……”
Ha Seo-rim turned her head. She saw Lee Seung-ho walking ahead of her. Her pace slowed. Her mind raced.
‘If they run into each other so suddenly like this…’
It was obvious it would create an awkward situation for both Lee Seung-ho and Yu Ha-neul.
‘Ha-neul did ask me to arrange a chance for them to talk, but…’
That was only supposed to be okay if they met in a prepared setting. A sudden situation like this was a different story.
“……”
She felt bad for her, but she thought it was best to pretend she hadn't seen her for now. The moment Ha Seo-rim turned her steps to avoid the spot—
“…Seo-rim?”
She heard a voice calling her name.
Ah, seriously.
Ha Seo-rim struggled to maintain her expression.
“It is Seo-rim…!”
“…O-oh, Ha-neul?”
Ha Seo-rim followed suit, acting as if it were their first time seeing each other there. It was awkward acting. Fortunately, Yu Ha-neul seemed so caught up in the joy of seeing her that she didn't notice.
“You came here too?” Yu Ha-neul took her hands and shook them. “But…”
Yu Ha-neul’s gaze slowly moved past her shoulder.
“……!”
Ha Seo-rim hurriedly tried to stretch her neck to block her view, but the gaze arrived first. Yu Ha-neul’s eyes, fixed on one spot, began to tremble.
She was one step too late.
“…Seo-rim.”
A voice called her name shortly.
Sigh—
Ha Seo-rim let out a long sigh internally. The situation had taken a very troublesome turn.
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Yu Ha-neul Busan