Chapter 91: Valley (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91: Valley (4)
*
Lee Seung-ho had always been that way.
It was as if he knew exactly what she was feeling, appearing at the most unexpected moments. How did he always realize when her heart was wavering? Before she knew it, he would quietly be by her side.
“…”
Thump, thump—
Lee Sol followed behind him as he led the way back to the tent. The others were nowhere to be seen; they must have headed back to play in the water.
“You worked hard on the dishes. Sit here for a second; I’ll fix your hair for you.” He tapped a chair set up in front of the tent.
“O-oh, okay.” Lee Sol sat down with hesitant steps.
“Ah, so this is how you fixed it in place?” Lee Seung-ho found the pins tucked into the slipping wig. He removed them one by one and then carefully took off the wig cap she had wrapped around her head.
His movements were incredibly deft.
Slide—
Her long, natural hair flowed down along her neckline.
“!”
Startled, Lee Sol leaned forward, pressing down on the crown of her head with both hands.
‘I—I hope it doesn’t smell...’
More than anything, she was worried she might smell like sweat.
Whirrr—
Just then, a cool breeze blew toward her from below.
“Haaa…” An involuntary sigh escaped her at the pleasant coolness. The tension in her expression melted away. When she looked up, she saw a handheld fan lightly fluttering her hair.
“What’s this?”
A faint chuckle came from behind her. “Honestly, you’re hot, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Really?”
“…”
“Be honest.”
“…” She gave a small nod. Too embarrassed to say it out loud, she only moved her head.
“Do you have a brush or something?” Once the heat had subsided from her sweat-dampened hair, Lee Seung-ho asked for one.
‘Is he going to brush it for me?’
“It’s probably… probably in the pouch inside my bag.” Her voice trembled slightly with a faint sense of anticipation.
‘Wait, was the brush actually in the pouch?’ Even as she spoke, Lee Sol wasn’t certain. She had started carrying one after learning how to do makeup, but to be honest, she didn't remember exactly where she'd put it. She usually just threw things in randomly.
“Ah, here it is.” Lee Seung-ho found the brush. Fortunately, it was exactly where she said.
“Ah.”
Touch.
His fingertips brushed against the nape of her neck, making her jump slightly.
Brush, brush—
He moved the brush with practiced movements, stroking down gently so her hair wouldn’t snag.
‘Practiced?’
“Back in elementary school, I used to do this often when our parents weren’t home. They were both always busy.”
“For Seung-ah?”
“Yeah. She does it herself now that she’s older, but she used to find stuff like this annoying back then.”
“I see.”
So that’s why he’s so good at it. Lee Sol nodded to herself, feeling a little envious of Lee Seung-ah. If it were her, she would have asked him to do it every single day. Brushing hair was such a chore—especially drying it. It took forever.
“All done.”
“Thanks.” Thanks to him, she felt completely refreshed.
“What about the wig?” She was about to put the wig back on, but she couldn’t see where it had gone.
“It’s hot; are you really going to wear it again?” Lee Seung-ho gave her a subtle look.
“…”
Well, she was only wearing it because she thought he’d like it. She wanted to show him a different kind of charm. Ji Nuri had short hair, after all, and Sol wondered if she could have that same kind of appeal. That’s why she tried it.
Could it be…?
“…Does it not suit me?” Lee Sol turned her head, looking anxious.
“No, it’s not that it doesn’t suit you.”
“…Be really honest.” She couldn’t help the nervousness in her voice.
“Honestly?”
“Yeah, it’s okay. Just tell me the truth.”
He moved the handheld fan, and her hair swayed gently in the breeze.
“I mean, you’re a model.”
“Yeah.”
“Short hair suits you too, obviously.”
“Mhm.” Lee Sol nodded slowly. Lee Seung-ho’s tone made it sound like a given. I see.
Then—
“But, as expected, you look best like this.”
“…”
Lee Sol didn’t react to those words. Or rather, she tried her best not to.
“…Is that so?” she managed, her tone sounding ordinary.
Lee Sol felt relieved they were both looking in the same direction. At the very least, she could hide the fact that the corners of her mouth were twitching.
“Shall we go now?” He turned off the power. The spinning fan gradually came to a halt.
“…”
Lee Sol lightly gripped the handle of the handheld fan. She relaxed her back and sank deep into the chair.
Whirrr—
She turned the fan back on. The breeze blew once more.
“…Just a little longer.” It was a stubborn request.
“…”
After staring at her blankly for a moment, he gave a small nod. “Alright.”
Whirrrrrr——
The soft breeze created a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere. Enjoying the sensation, Lee Sol’s eyes slowly drifted shut.
*
—“Huuuu…”
Lee Sol’s Mini-me let out a faint breath.
‘She really fell asleep.’
Well, Lee Sol didn’t have the best stamina. She had been moving around busily, both mentally and physically, so it was only natural she’d be tired. I turned off the fan and stood up.
“Urgh.” I stretched my body. I felt stiff after staying in the same position for so long.
“…”
I looked at Lee Sol’s Mini-me again.
—“Huuu—”
—“Huuu— Huuu—”
The Mini-me exhaled in sync with Lee Sol. The noise that had been flickering until just a moment ago had grown quiet.
‘It’s back to normal.’
She seemed quite stressed earlier for various reasons, but now, it looked like her mood had cleared up.
“…”
I knew what Lee Sol was thinking. I knew what she wanted to do, too.
‘Because I can see how hard she’s trying…’
Watching Lee Sol like that, I felt like I should do something.
‘…It’s been a while since I brushed someone’s hair.’
From a romantic perspective, how long had it been since I had approached her so directly?
“Sigh…” A low breath escaped me. I carefully covered the sleeping Lee Sol with my jacket and walked outside.
*
“Ugh…”
While the water play was in full swing, Shin A-young stared toward the tent with narrowed eyes. She could catch glimpses of Lee Seung-ho and Lee Sol.
‘Why are they so late?’
The dishes should have been finished ages ago. What on earth were those two doing over there? It bothered her immensely.
‘Should I pretend to get a drink of water and just take a quick peek…?’
She was seriously contemplating it.
“Sip…” Shin A-young pursed her lips. The plan was set, but she found herself hesitating.
‘…It was kind of scary.’
It was because Lee Sol’s expression came to mind. Her eyes trembled slightly. The way Sol had smiled and looked at her after A-young applied sunscreen for her… She was no pushover.
‘Even though I’ve interrupted Sol a few times before…’
Back then, it had happened naturally because she didn’t intend it. The situation was different now.
“A-young! Pass, pass!” She heard Ji Nuri calling her name.
“Okay!” Shin A-young laughed lightly and threw the beach ball. They were currently playing water volleyball.
Smack—!
The ball she hit hard flew far away.
‘Hmm…’
To be honest, it wasn’t that fun. Rather than a beach ball, she wanted to have a cozy chat with Lee Seung-ho.
“Ack!” Park Min-ji fell into the water while trying to catch the ball.
“Pfft—” Seeing that, Ji Nuri burst into laughter.
“…”
This was why she kept playing.
‘Geez… she’s having so much fun. How can I say I’m going to take a break?’
Shin A-young’s tendency to worry about what others thought was still there. People didn't change that easily. Although she felt more relaxed when she was with Lee Seung-ho, it didn’t mean she stopped caring about other people’s gazes. It was a habit that had hardened over time.
“…”
Even so, Shin A-young kept glancing at the tent.
‘It’s a bit much to openly interfere.’
That weighed on her conscience. If she had decided to interfere properly, she wouldn’t be standing here in the first place. She was restraining herself in her own way, interfering in a "natural" way by pretending to be helpful.
“Oh, he’s here.” At Ji Nuri’s words, A-young turned her head. She saw Lee Seung-ho slowly walking toward the water.
“Seung-ho, you want to play too?” Ji Nuri held the ball over her head.
“What were you guys doing?”
“Volleyball.”
“Is it a team game?”
“No, individual. …Wait, where’s Sol?” Ji Nuri looked around.
Just as she said, Lee Sol was nowhere to be seen.
“She fell asleep for a bit.”
“Huh? She fell asleep?”
“Yeah, I guess she got tired from playing.”
“Really?”
Shin A-young watched the conversation and felt relieved. It seemed like nothing much had happened.
“Here, you serve.” Ji Nuri tossed the ball.
“Okay.” Lee Seung-ho caught it easily and walked into the water, bouncing the ball. He had joined the game.
‘Oh.’
Shin A-young rubbed her lips with a strange expression. Suddenly, water volleyball started to get fun.
……
After playing for a long time, dinner time approached. Since they had to head back before the sun went down, Shin A-young hurriedly packed her things. It would be a headache if they missed the bus.
‘Phone’s here… swimsuit, change of clothes, wallet, fan, hat…’
Good, she had everything. Shin A-young zipped up her bag.
Nearby, she saw Lee Seung-ho nagging Ji Nuri as she packed.
“Did you pack everything?”
“I told you I did! How many times are you going to ask?”
“…You have a track record.”
“N-no! Last time, I really thought I had everything.” Ji Nuri protested as if it were unfair.
‘…Last time?’
Shin A-young tilted her head. She caught a word she couldn't just let slide and sidled closer to them.
“…Did you two meet during the break?” Shin A-young asked with a giggle. Usually, Ji Nuri would complain about being bored and cling to her every day. This was strange.
“We just happened to run into each other while traveling, you know?”
“I-is that so?”
“I’m telling you, the country is really small!” Ji Nuri laughed it off as if it were nothing.
“…”
No wonder Lee Sol was on guard. Ji Nuri really was a girl you couldn't underestimate.
“Yaaaawn~” Lee Sol passed by, letting out a long yawn.
“…?”
Shin A-young tilted her head. Lee Sol must have heard that too, but surprisingly, she didn't seem to care at all. She just blinked her eyes slowly. It was strange that the person who should have been the most shocked was perfectly fine. Did she already know?
“Ah, right.” Lee Sol stopped in her tracks and spun around. “Seung-ho—”
She walked over to him with quick, light steps.
“Yeah? Did you forget something?”
“N-no. It’s not that.” Lee Sol shook her head. “…My mom said she wants to see you.”
……Huh?
=========
(Napping Sol)
Happy New Year!