Chapter 129: Project S.U.V, Engage!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 129: Project S.U.V, Engage!
The day we planned to visit the President's villa on the island with the other student council members was August 16th.
Since today was August 9th, that meant we had exactly one week.
"Of course I didn't forget. What do you take me for?"
[Good. It seems I was worried for nothing.]
I silently thanked the Vice President.
If I hadn't gotten his call today, I probably would have completely forgotten about the trip until the day before.
Having too much on my schedule during vacation was becoming a problem.
"Are the President and Minami doing well?"
[Those two are the same as always. If anything, they're even more energetic. It's probably because they're looking forward to this trip so much.]
Hearing this from the usually strict Vice President made me feel a sense of responsibility.
I had thought of it as a simple getaway, but for the President, who was graduating next year, it might have felt different.
"I'll be sure to prepare thoroughly."
Then, the Vice President said from the other end of the line.
[No, you don't need to prepare anything. We'll take care of all the preparations. All you need to do is think about enjoying a midsummer vacation with the President.]
"No, but still... I can't just show up with nothing."
They were providing the lodging, meals, and even transportation, and I was supposed to prepare nothing? My conscience wouldn't let me.
[Considering the Saionji family's wealth, the expenses for one person like you are nothing. Like I just said, all you need to do is show up.]
"...I understand."
With him speaking in such a firm tone, it was hard to argue further. I decided to humbly accept the President's goodwill.
[I'll see you on the day of, then. Stay healthy.]
"Ah, yes. You too, Vice Pres—"
Click!
The call ended before I could even finish my sentence.
I thought for a moment he was being a little kinder than usual, but the Vice President was still the Vice President.
I could feel his immense devotion to the President even through the phone.
*
A week passed.
With no other particular plans, I spent my time leisurely, going back and forth between home and the gym.
Even though I had rejected her confession at the festival, Minato kept sending friendly texts. While it made me a little uncomfortable, I replied just enough to not hurt her feelings.
Compared to before, when all we talked about was muscles, she was definitely being more forward now. It was probably because she remembered what I'd said at the festival.
As for the members of Group D, whom I'd parted with on a slightly sad note, we all got together over the weekend and went to a karaoke room.
After singing our hearts out, we ate at a family restaurant, then went to an arcade before heading home.
Regardless of the laws of rom-coms, we just hung out like normal high school students.
Considering my phone's contact list used to only have my parents' numbers, it feels like I've made huge progress.
Now, not only did I have the numbers for the Group D members, including the Class President and Satoru, but also for my junior, Minato, and for Meiling, who had returned to China.
I'd actually had one international call with Meiling.
We caught each other up on our lives—she told me her master was interested after hearing about me, and that it would probably be a while before she could visit Japan again because of an international tournament.
Considering it had only been about two weeks since she left, it might seem like we were being dramatic, but you feel the absence of someone more keenly when they're gone.
After all, she had been a guest at my house for a full five days.
And just like that, a week flew by in the blink of an eye, and August 16th finally arrived.
The long summer vacation was already past its midpoint.
*
On the day of our trip.
BAM!!
"Ohohohoho! Good day! Mother! It has been a while since I last paid a visit!"
Bursting through the shop door as if to break it down, early in the morning, was the President and her entourage.
It felt like it had been quite a long time since I'd seen them.
Even though the last time was on the first day of summer vacation, about three weeks ago.
I had heard a week ago that the President would be picking me up herself, so I was mentally prepared, but she still makes such a grand entrance.
"Oh my, it's been a while, President."
My mother, who was in the middle of restocking the liquor in the fridge, greeted her warmly. The President covered her mouth with a fan and glanced at Minami, who was standing beside her.
Minami nodded and held out a bag she was carrying in her right hand.
Ms. Lee Mi-ja blinked and asked.
"What's this?"
Minami bowed her head slightly and replied.
"It is a gift set of green tea from the President's favorite brand. I do hope you like it."
"Oh, my, you shouldn't have! You could have just come empty-handed."
My mother said this, but she didn't refuse the gift.
She enjoys drinking tea during the shop's quiet hours.
I must have mentioned it offhandedly once, and it seems the President remembered.
"Since you're here, how about a cup of tea? I can get it ready in a moment."
The President shook her head.
"I am terribly sorry, but I'm afraid that will be difficult. We are quite pressed for time."
"Ah, if that's the case, it can't be helped."
When my mother's shoulders slumped in disappointment, the President, as if pained by the sight, quickly added.
"Instead, once this trip is over, I will come again and join you for a tea party. So please do not be disappointed."
"President..."
While the two women were sharing a strange emotional exchange, the Vice President, who had been anxiously glancing at his watch, spoke up.
"President, we're out of time. We must leave now if we're to make it."
"Ah, right."
The President muttered, "Where is my head," and looked at me.
"Secretary Kim Yoo-Sung, you are ready, I presume?"
"Ah, yes. I packed last night."
She had said they would prepare everything and that I could just show up, but I figured I should at least bring a change of clothes, so I'd packed a few things in a bag.
"Then let us depart immediately. Even if we leave right now, we'll be cutting it quite close for our flight."
"Huh? A flight?"
I was following the President out the door when I stopped in surprise.
Weren't we going by car?
The President tilted her head and said.
"Did I not mention it before? My family's villa is in Okinawa."
"That's the first I'm hearing of it."
"Well, you've heard it now, so it should be fine. This student council's special intensive training camp will be held at my family's villa, built on our privately owned island in Okinawa."
Suddenly, a classic Japanese manga cliché had just popped up.
An island owned by her family? Just how rich are they?
In any case, since she said we were short on time for our flight, I was whisked into the limousine she'd arrived in, all in a mad dash.
The limousine sped down the road and arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
There, we got our tickets and boarded a flight to Okinawa.
Thanks to the President, I was riding in first class for the first time in my life.
The only thing that puzzled me was that, usually in these situations, a private jet would be involved. Why would someone as rich as the President need to use a commercial airline?
When I asked her about this, she looked at me as if I were being absurd.
"Haven't you been reading too much manga, Yoo-Sung? Even chaebols don't take their private jets for domestic travel."
I had nothing to say to the President, who said it as if it were the most obvious piece of common sense.
Why is this the one thing she's normal about?
*
It took about three hours to get from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Okinawa Airport.
For a domestic flight, it was quite a long time, and it felt different from just visiting Jeju Island.
Though being in first class for the first time in my life was also a factor.
When I mentioned I hadn't eaten breakfast, the President, sitting next to me, ordered an in-flight meal for me.
"The food they serve here isn't half bad. I sometimes eat it myself on days when I'm too busy to have a proper meal."
Thanks to her, I got to cut into a steak first thing in the morning.
The portion was so small it barely made a dent in my hunger, but I held back, thinking about lunch.
Anyway, after the three-hour flight, as soon as we arrived at Okinawa Airport, we got into a sedan that was waiting for us and headed toward the port.
A luxurious yacht was already docked at the pier. It seemed we would be taking that to the island.
As we got out of the car with our luggage, an old man with a sturdy build who had been waiting in front of the yacht took off his captain's hat and bowed to the President.
"It is an honor to serve you on this trip, Young Miss."
"It's been a while, Captain."
The President waved her hand familiarly and was the first to board the yacht.
"If you get seasick, let me know beforehand. I've prepared medicine."
The Vice President said, holding out two types of motion sickness medicine: a patch to put behind the ear and a drinkable one.
After a moment of thought, I chose the drink.
"We will be departing now, so please, everyone, board."
The old man said, heading for the cockpit.
Once I, the Vice President, and Minami were on board, the captain turned the helm without hesitation.
Whirrrrrr!
The grand sound of the electric motor filled my ears.
Aboard the white, luxurious yacht, we set off for an isolated island in the distant sea.