18 Years Old, Heading to the Meeting
I walked along, glancing around nervously.
Perhaps it was because my wrist was held so firmly. My body wouldn't move the way I wanted it to. I was simply being led in the direction her footsteps took.
The stinging pain began to dull as time passed. Human adaptability is truly amazing. It had hurt so much at first, yet now, it felt like nothing.
The shoulder where teeth marks were faintly etched.
The wrist she had gripped until it bruised...
Everything was buried and forgotten beneath the sound of my pounding heart.
We didn't speak for a while.
Only an awkward silence filled the hallway.
I found this situation suffocating.
Was there no good way out of this?
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't find one.
She seemed thoroughly angry...
I suppose the right answer for now was to watch quietly, right?
This was all Jeong Daye's fault.
I never expected her to pull such an impulsive stunt.
I’ll have to give her a sharp warning when I see her next.
I need to clearly define who the senior is and who the junior is. I won't let myself be taken advantage of so easily next time. I clenched my fists and made a vow.
After walking for a long time, she stopped. Then, we boarded an elevator. Where were we going? I poked my head out to see.
Huh? The 7th floor? What was up there again?
I remembered it being the floor with the largest space...
Was it an underwater experience? Or an aquarium?
I recalled an information board I had seen in passing. It was the only place that gathered a vast collection of rare marine life. What could be in there?
My heart fluttered for no reason.
While I was lost in thought, the elevator doors opened. It was glass on all sides. From the ceiling to the floor, the entire wall was made of a massive water tank.
“...Wow. What is all this?”
Large and small fish were swimming inside. The water, a mix of blue and green, rippled gently beyond the glass.
To think there was an aquarium inside a ship...
I knew it existed, but seeing it right in front of me was fascinating. I wanted to wander around and look at everything. My body was itching with excitement.
Just then, the grip on my wrist loosened slightly. I couldn't miss this chance. I didn't know when an opportunity like this would come again.
I quickly slipped out of her hold and took a breath.
It felt comfortable. Finally, I was given a moment to catch my breath. Let’s enjoy this moment from now on.
I pressed my body against the glass.
Leaning in, I peered into the tank step by step. Familiar things caught my eye first.
It was filled with things I had seen in aquariums or on TV when I was younger, like tropical fish, sharks, and turtles.
On the other hand, there were many things I was seeing for the first time. Bioluminescent jellyfish, fish with vivid blue stripes. Strange-looking creatures whose names I didn't even know. A strange, new world I had never experienced was unfolding before me.
“Don’t you want to go inside together?”
It was Seorin. Her voice had softened considerably.
A smile appeared on her face, which had been frozen stiff.
Thank goodness. She had calmed down a little.
The nerve-wracking nightmare was finally over...
But wait, go inside the aquarium?
Would I have to take off this dress for that?
This is such a hassle to put on.
It takes so much effort...
But wouldn't it be a waste to give up on such a precious experience? Should I or shouldn't I? After a brief moment of hesitation, I decided.
“I’ll have to change, right? Where’s the changing room?”
“That’s too much trouble. There’s another way.”
“Then? Don’t tell me... in this outfit?”
Seorin nodded quietly.
Right on cue, a strange shadow approached us. I looked carefully, wondering who it was. It was two staff members in uniform.
“We are ready. Would you like to come this way?”
Following the staff’s guidance down the hallway, a small room appeared.
It was a room filled with damp humidity.
Sniff, sniff. What is this?
I smell soap from somewhere.
Following the source of the scent, a cylindrical machine sat in the center.
It was a structure of metal and glass, and the inside was filled with a hazy, mist-like substance.
It was a machine I had never seen in my life.
What is it used for?
I couldn't get a handle on it at all.
“It’s a special membrane soap bubble. If you cover a person’s body with it, an air layer is maintained, allowing for underwater exploration without any separate equipment.”
The staff member continued to explain, but honestly, I could barely understand half of it. Soap bubbles on a person’s body? Is that even possible?
Is it for real? I started to feel suspicious. Nothing bad is going to happen, right? I tapped my feet in anxiety.
Is it okay to do this? Is it really safe?
Slyly, my gaze turned toward Seorin.
There wasn't a single sign of trembling.
Her face was calm.
Right. Let’s trust her.
I stood in front of the machine and waited quietly.
A low vibration hummed, and a transparent membrane wrapped around my body in a circle. Fortunately, nothing major happened. If anything, it felt warm and cozy.
The space was roomy enough that I could move my arms and legs freely without any issues.
I didn't know such things were possible these days.
But isn't this closer to a glass window than a soap bubble? When I tapped it once with my finger, I felt a smooth texture.
Next, shall I check the oxygen?
I looked around inside the bubble for a moment.
Where is it? Ah! Found it.
I didn't expect it to be right in front of my nose.
A green icon was indicating 95%.
Only after confirming all the safety measures did we stand in front of the water-filled space.
Click. The door opened, and I took a step forward.
My foot went into the water, but it didn't get wet.
I put both feet in. It was the same.
The soap bubble was perfectly blocking the water.
“This actually works?”
While I was marveling, Seorin took a step toward me. And then, she entered the bubble as if it were nothing.
It happened in an instant.
Before I knew it, two people were inside one space. Perhaps because the space was narrow, our shoulders naturally brushed against each other. I could feel her warm body heat immediately.
“Wait, is it okay for both of us to be in here?”
“Yes. The space expands.”
It was just as she said. As Seorin entered, the membrane naturally puffed up and widened.
It’s fascinating. But because of this, a problem arose. The distance was too close. I could hear her small breaths right next to me.
This is a huge problem because I can't help but be conscious of it.
My heart won't be able to take this.
Because the bubble was round, our bodies kept tilting toward the center. I tried twisting my body slightly, but it was no use. The white skin exposed to the outside bumped against each other.
“...Isn't this too close?”
“That’s the better part, isn't it?”
She had a look on her face that suggested she wasn't uncomfortable at all.
If anything, she even looked relaxed.
Sigh. It can't be helped. Since it’s come to this...
Let’s do as Seorin wants.
I linked my arms with hers while we were pressed together. Since we were stuck together anyway, wouldn't it be better to be even closer?
We took another step forward just like that.
Splash. Our bodies slowly submerged into the water.
Seeing it with my own eyes, it’s so different.
Fish were swimming all around us.
It was blue, quiet, and strangely beautiful.
To think I would face a scene I only ever saw in documentaries like this in person.
A yellow tropical fish darted past in front of my eyes. There was no way I could catch it, but I reflexively reached out my hand. It was a bit of a shame I couldn't touch it.
Meanwhile, a school of fish gathered from somewhere and circled around us. It was like a whirlpool in the water.
This time, I slowly lifted my head.
The surface of the water rippled in silver.
There, blue water light, pink coral. Green seaweed.
All sorts of colors unfolded before my eyes.
It’s dazzling. It was too much for my eyes to follow.
Even so, I couldn't take my eyes off it.
My mouth fell open on its own.
Ah, it’s truly beautiful.
How should I express this?
Words aren't enough.
“...How is it?”
“I’m speechless.”
A low laugh was heard.
Only then did the tension leave my frozen shoulders.
Seorin slowly turned her body.
Her black eyes were shaking, reflecting the water’s light.
I didn't avoid that gaze.
Seorin stroked my cheek and opened her mouth.
“I want to do it. Is it okay?”
“I like it. As much as you want.”
The touch on my waist was light and cautious.
Even so, my body was drawn to her on its own.
I couldn't resist.
With just one layer of the dress in between...
Our warmth wrapped around each other.
Thump, thump. The heavy and rhythmic sound was transmitted clearly through the fabric.
Was it her heartbeat...
Or was it mine?
I couldn't tell which was which.
Without realizing it, my hand moved to her back.
Not gripping tightly, but just resting there.
That alone was enough.
Seorin gently rested her chin on my shoulder.
Unlike in the hallway earlier, she wasn't cold. If anything, it felt like she was melting into me.
I had forgotten for a moment.
This was the her I knew.
Rough, but somehow gentle...
It was a familiar touch.
Her hand rested gently on my chest.
My hand also went to her chest.
Not gripping tightly, but just as if we were touching.
The vibration was transmitted clearly to the inside of my palm.
It moved fast and rhythmically.
My heart must have been the same.
“...I can hear Yuna’s heartbeat.”
“You’re the same, aren't you?”
A brief silence flowed.
A faint laugh escaped.
I didn't deny it. I had nothing to say.
Because it wasn't a lie.
I didn't know how much time had passed.
We just looked into each other’s eyes.
Without a word... continuously. Continuously.
A gray shark passed us by leisurely.
The coral swayed, and bubbles floated up.
The blue water light wrapped around the two of us in silence.
We didn't say anything for a while just like that.
How much time had passed?
Heat rose in my body.
Even if I tried to cool it down, it was useless.
If anything, it burned even brighter.
Seorin’s face was the same.
Her cheeks were flushed red.
I felt like I would lose if I avoided her eyes, so I just looked.
Neither of us said anything.
That made it even more embarrassing.
“Se, Seorin.”
While I called her name, Seorin’s face slowly drew closer. It seemed like she would stop, but she didn't. Closer. A little more. Closer.
There was no room to avoid it. Our lips overlapped.
“Ugh... um.”
Reflexively, I placed both hands on her shoulders.
The arm wrapped around my waist tightened.
If anything, it deepened. My toes floated in the air.
I was suffocating. I pushed her shoulders, twisted my body, and grabbed her wrists. It was all useless.
Only after a long time did Seorin slowly pull her lips away. We gasped for air at the same time.
My ears were ringing. The sounds seemed to be coming from far away. The sound of the waves, the sound of the bubbles.
Everything was blurred and muffled.
I was afraid to meet her eyes.
I didn't know what else she might do if we met eyes.
When I lowered my gaze slightly, I saw the corners of her mouth. Was she in a good mood? They were turned up as if she were satisfied.
I can’t even breathe properly over here...
Seeing her look so calm made me feel like I was going to get jealous. She’s too skilled. That’s unfair.
Still, that feeling just now...
It was good. It was also somewhat sweet.
Isn't it too short...
No. No. That’s not it...
I debated whether to say it or not, but in the end, I went through with it.
“...Hey. Do you want to do it one more time?”
It was a word I barely managed to squeeze out.
Light is good, but rough isn't bad either.
If anything, maybe this is more my taste these days. It’s all because of her. Otherwise, there’s no way I would say something like this.
She made me this way.
“Okay. This time...”
I opened my mouth slightly at her words.
The sensation of something entering my mouth...
Something sticky and warm flowed along the tip of my tongue. My Adam’s apple moved on its own. Gulp. It felt like I had to swallow it.
Just once more.
It’s not enough. Once more.
Just one more time...
How many times did I swallow?
But it felt good.
I think I’m going to get addicted.
Strength went into my fingertips.
Deeply. Deeper. More and more.
The fish floated through the water and passed us by. As if nothing had happened.
A quiet silence flowed between just the two of us.