Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Let's Go on a Trip (2)
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To the Sea!
I had to prepare all sorts of supplies to head to the sea.
"It's been so long since I went myself that my memory's all fuzzy."
What should I buy?
I wandered the mart alone, checking the memo on my smartphone screen.
"Tubes... life jackets... kids' swimsuits... this should be enough."
I bought the listed items in appropriate quantities.
Then I left the mart and began preparations to head to the sea.
"The first thing I need is transportation..."
The sea was currently a restricted zone, so public transport wasn't an option.
That meant I had to drive there myself.
I opened my smartphone and tapped the banking app.
[Balance: 4,164,098]
Of course, I couldn't buy a car.
I had no choice but to borrow one from someone else.
There were guys around me who seemed to know all about rental cars.
"I'll probably run into them if I wander around."
To find them, I roamed a slightly dangerous area.
It didn't take long to spot a pair tied together like a set.
"Found them. Chubby and Skinny."
I approached them, waving my hand.
"Hey, Chubby and Skinny over there. Come here for a sec."
Chubby and Skinny spotted my face and came running over.
"Oh, boss! You found us—what's up?"
"You guys know your way around rentals?"
"That's our specialty."
They rubbed their hands together like mosquitoes.
I followed their lead and said lightly,
"If you scam me, you're dead."
"W-We may look like this, but we don't do scams! This is unfair!"
"We're people who do business on trust, boss!"
Chubby and Skinny looked back at me with utterly aggrieved faces.
They didn't look like people who did business on trust.
"Whatever, just show me."
"Yes, boss. But please remember one thing. We do our absolute best and work hard."
"So what're you trying to say?"
"If there's ever an opening for a job..."
"Shut up and show me."
"Yes, boss..."
Opportunists, these guys.
They squeeze right into any gap they see.
Still, that kind of attitude was necessary to survive on these streets.
"Here we are, boss. No fancy cars, but we've got a bunch of old ones that still roll. Come on in."
I followed Skinny's words into a lot full of various cars.
Cars that were too iffy to scrap and wouldn't sell.
There, Skinny fawned over me as he introduced one.
"This is run by a buddy of mine. He said this one's in the best shape. Just trust me and pick this one."
"Then this it is."
I don't know much about cars anyway.
I decided to rent an angular model called a Pride.
Skinny gave me a really good price, so I was satisfied.
'Preparations are all set.'
Good.
Now we just had to head out to the sea.
***
The day we set off for the sea.
I'd gotten permission from the Hero Association for vacation time and to enter the restricted zone.
"Time to head out? What do you kids think?"
I wondered if they were all ready.
I checked on the kids while hefting my heavy bag.
Hwaryun had randomly strapped a tube around her waist.
Out of 100% pure curiosity, I asked,
"Hwaryun, we're not even at the sea yet—what are you doing?"
"Tube! I like it, so I'm wearing it!"
"What if you deflate it already? Take the air out and put it in the bag."
"Hmph, annoying!"
Hwaryun pouted and deflated the tube.
She was dressed in a cool tank top perfect for the sea.
I stroked Hwaryun's head and pointed to the front door.
"If you're ready, wait in the hallway. I'll bring the others out soon."
"Got it!"
Clatter clatter—
Hwaryun dashed into the hallway.
Next up was Suryun.
She had her hood pulled over her head and was sitting in the corner.
"Suryun."
"What, Dad."
"We gotta go to the sea. Come on, get up."
"..."
Suryun turned her head away, clearly reluctant.
She still seemed worried about going out.
I reached out to the slightly scared Suryun.
"Come on. Hold Dad's hand and let's go outside."
"..."
Suryun stared silently at my outstretched hand.
Then, mustering her courage, she carefully took it.
"...Fine. I'll go out."
She replied a bit curtly.
She turned her head away from me, embarrassed.
As I headed to the hallway holding Suryun's hand.
Thud—!
Choryun, with a straw hat flipped backward, grabbed my other hand and asked cautiously.
"Daddy, hold my hand too?"
Choryun grabbed my hand like she didn't want to be left out.
I gently took Choryun's hand and said,
"Yeah, let's go. Hold Dad's hand tight and follow along."
"Yes!"
Choryun beamed innocently at my words.
And so, holding Suryun's and Choryun's hands, I headed to the hallway.
Hwaryun stood there with arms crossed, waiting for me.
"Dad, you're late! I was waiting!"
"It didn't take that long."
"The point is I was waiting! More importantly! Why are you holding Suryun and Choryun's hands?!"
"It just happened."
"Ugh, uuuugh..."
Hwaryun scowled, clearly displeased.
Then she whipped around.
"Hmph, let's get going already! I wanna see the sea!"
Dash dash dash—!
Hwaryun bolted up the stairs and out.
I chased after her, saying,
"Go slow! Don't trip like last time!"
Falling down the stairs would really hurt.
Worried she might trip, I followed closely.
We made it out of the building without incident.
An old car was parked in front.
I loaded all the supplies into the trunk, then opened the doors.
"Alright, everyone in. Time to ride."
"Uuuugh...!"
"Hmm..."
"Mm..."
What? Why aren't they getting in?
The kids just stared at the car.
No sign of climbing inside.
I asked the hesitant kids,
"You've never seen a car before, huh?"
"No, not never. I've seen them passing by. This is my first time riding."
"Ah."
Makes sense.
First time in a car, they'd react like this.
To help the scared kids follow, I got into the driver's seat first and said,
"We can't be late—everyone hop in. And Hwaryun."
"What!"
"You're shotgun. Sit up front with me."
If she's in the back, I can't stop her chaos.
Better to put her in the front.
Hwaryun hopped in with a bright smile.
"Yay! This is exciting!"
She seemed thrilled in the passenger seat.
Suryun and Choryun followed into the back seats.
"Once everyone's buckled in, we're off. Seatbelts go like this."
Click—
I demonstrated buckling up, and the kids—as dragons—followed perfectly.
Except Hwaryun.
"Dad! This is uncomfortable! Can't I skip it!?"
"No."
"Hmph, hate it!"
"Like it or not, seatbelts are mandatory. Safety first."
Everything seemed ready now.
I confirmed everyone was buckled and turned the key.
Vroom—!!
"Ooh! What's that sound! So cool!"
Hwaryun wasn't startled by the engine noise—instead, she loved it.
Meanwhile, Suryun and Choryun were totally freaked out.
"Suryun."
"...Y-Yeah, Dad?"
"No need to be scared. You'll end up glued to the seat at this rate."
Suryun had pressed herself so hard against the seat they were practically one.
At my words, Suryun snapped indignantly,
"N-No...! I'm not scared...! Don't say weird stuff...!"
She seemed a bit more relaxed now.
I smiled at Suryun and looked at Choryun.
Choryun was analyzing with a serious expression.
"...This smell isn't good. Why do cars spew out such harmful exhaust? The Earth must hurt from it. To restore the Earth to normal, we should get rid of cars too."
"Choryun, don't say scary stuff..."
Had Suryun's chuunibyou rubbed off?
Choryun was starting to seem off too.
She was so innocent—I didn't want her getting weird ideas.
This could be trouble.
"Good thing Hwaryun's too much of an airhead to have any ideology."
"What'd you say? Dad, what was that!?"
"Huh? I didn't say anything?"
"You called me an airhead—"
"Alright, let's go!"
Vroom—!!
I hit the pedal and headed for the sea.
The dragons jumped in surprise, making things chaotic for a moment.
But as time passed and they got used to it, the mood settled down naturally.
"Wow! Dad! Faster! Pass that guy! We're losing! What are you doinggg!!"
Except for Hwaryun, who was going wild on dopamine.
'...Humans and dragons alike are creatures of adaptation, huh.'
I glanced at the back through the rearview mirror.
Choryun looked carsick, eyes closed in sleep.
Suryun had the window open, watching the outside world.
"..."
She propped her chin, silently gazing out.
Feeling the cool breeze blowing in through the window.
The outside world didn't seem scary anymore.
'...Good that she's enjoying it. I was worried.'
I hoped it'd stay this relaxed the whole way.
So Suryun could overcome her agoraphobia.
With those thoughts, I slipped on sunglasses and focused on the road to the sea.
'Feels nice and cool.'
Our first family trip road brimmed with the hot, breezy scent of summer.