School Trip (2)
The day of the school trip finally arrived. All the third-year students from Pullyip Middle School gathered in the gym and headed to where the buses were lined up in rows.
When we got to the waiting area, the high schoolers were already there. Since we were heading to the same destination and the two schools were connected, they must've rented the buses together. In the game, there was even a scene where Kim Hayan spots Kim Taeyang on the bus. So, were my sisters about to find me soon?
I glanced around casually, and sure enough, my eyes met those of the sisters who were waiting.
"Oh? It's Taeyang."
"Yeah. Looks like the Pullyip Middle kids are riding from here too."
"Taeyang!! Over here! Over here!"
"Taeyang~!!"
"......Why are they like that?"
It was so embarrassing I couldn't even lift my head. The moment they spotted me, Iri started waving her hand and calling my name loudly. I could understand Iri, but I didn't expect Gahee to join in too. Where did that calm, ladylike image go? I got that they were excited for the trip, but now all eyes were on us.
Hayan just stood there smiling gently, waving at me without trying to stop them.
With these pretty sisters calling out "Taeyang" while staring this way, not only my classmates but kids from other classes started looking for who this Taeyang guy was. Rumors had already been spreading lately because of Lee Yuyeong and Ha Eunju... What did they all think of me now?
I turned my head pretending not to notice. I tried to ignore it and tough it out, but the friend in front of me called out.
"Hey, aren't they calling you?"
"Dunno, I didn't hear anything."
"Taeyang!!!!"
"Dude, just wave once. If you don't acknowledge them, they're gonna keep going."
"Haa~"
Thankfully, their homeroom teacher quieted them down. Phew~ At least it got a bit calmer. I hoped she'd scold them properly. The guy in front of me had no idea how I felt and just looked envious.
"Hey, Kim Taeyang. How do you have so many beauties around you?"
"They're just my sisters' friends."
"Sisters? You have sisters?"
"Yeah, didn't I mention?"
"Which one's your sister?"
"That one." I pointed to Kim Hayan, who was chatting brightly and laughing amid the commotion.
Then the friend in front suddenly got serious and stared at me.
"What?"
"Brother-in-law."
"Shut up."
The high schoolers departed first, and we followed to the airport. Check-in and everything flew by in a blur. We didn't even have time to look around; we just gathered and waited a bit. Thirty minutes after the high schoolers left, it was our turn to board.
We walked down the aisle, approaching the massive plane I'd only ever seen in pictures. Putting everything else aside, I was excited. I'd never actually flown one, even in my previous life. If I'd known I'd end up reincarnated into another world so pointlessly, I should've gone on that Japan trip I'd always wanted. Why was I so obsessed with games back then?
Regrets like that were pointless now. Might as well enjoy this trip. If only there wasn't the Seonwoo problem, I could've relaxed completely.
"Oh, the seats are comfier than I thought."
"First time on a plane?"
"Yeah."
I muttered to myself, and someone next to me asked, so I answered naturally. I turned at the familiar voice, and sure enough, Lee Yuyeong was grinning.
She'd been next to me even on the way to the airport.
"I see~ Actually, it's my first time too."
"Yeah."
Why was this popular girl sitting here? She had tons of friends.
"Where are your friends? Not riding together?"
"The numbers didn't line up perfectly, so one had to sit separately. Oh, if you don't like it, should I move?"
I looked around—seats were all taken. Plus, our homeroom teacher was right nearby. I didn't know if Yuyeong planned this, but kicking her out now would make me look like the bad guy. Searching for another seat when one's right there would look weird to the teacher.
"No empty seats anyway, so just sit."
"Okay!"
I turned away from Yuyeong, who beamed and buckled up, and stared out the window. I sank back into thought.
Still... trips were nice, but I couldn't relax completely this time either. At least since I'd agreed to join the Hayan crew, things should go smoothly. After considering everything, I'd accepted Hayan's offer. That way, I could intervene directly with Choi Gahee, Cho Yuli, Lee Yuyeong, and even Kim Hayan—all the problems.
Gahee and Iri would definitely nag to hang out together anyway. I had to lower Gahee and Yuyeong's affection anyway. Better to meet them head-on, travel together, and show disappointing sides rather than keep dodging. Plus, according to Hayan, this was Yuyeong's "last chance." I could pretend to give her a shot and cut her off later.
But would Yuyeong be okay with that? Was it fine to waste one of her precious high school memories on a guy she'd end up dumping? She'd probably be happier with her friends.
I glanced at Yuyeong.
"Heehee."
"Yuyeong. Wouldn't it be better to stick with your friends? You really gonna hang with me for two days?"
"Yeah! And unnies are my friends too!"
Unlike the over-the-top otaku vibe she showed me, her social skills were top-notch. She texted Hayan and Gahee often, from what I gathered. I wasn't sure about her and Iri, though. Point was, she wouldn't be bored without me. Unnecessary worry.
Time to think about what needed attention. How to make Gahee and Yuyeong lose interest? Of course, with others around, I had to be subtle.
'Cuteness' beautifies everything, so that wouldn't work easily, but shattering illusions with personality flaws or hygiene issues might.
Next up: Cho Yuli. This was my first face-to-face with her. No risk of her finding out I'd secretly contacted her. And if I didn't talk to her, there'd be no connection. I'd just observe her affection for Seonwoo and her state from afar. A rare chance to insert myself in a school event, so I'd check it out.
But the top priority was my sister Kim Hayan's flag. Once we linked up with the sisters, it'd be easy to crush Hayan's flag. I could prevent her from being alone with Seonwoo. I knew the game plot—I could even prep Seonwoo's wallet ahead of time.
The problem was the nighttime counseling event where Hayan goes to Seonwoo. The cause? Originally, me. As Taeyang hits puberty and crushes on Yuyeong, he gets cold to Hayan. When she tries to cheer him up sweetly, he snaps about not treating him like a kid, and they fight. Probably because he didn't want to act like that in front of Yuyeong.
I wondered why it'd blow up over that, but anyway, that's what makes Hayan seek counseling from Seonwoo. In short, I just had to avoid creating a situation where Hayan needed counseling.
So, be nice to Hayan during the trip. No rebelling or snapping. In the current situation, I wasn't even in a rebellious phase from a crush—I was the one dodging obsession—so no worries there. But matching Hayan's moods this whole trip sounded annoying. Who knew what pranks her personality would pull?
The flight attendant started the safety briefing. Takeoff time. Flying felt pretty good.
————
The excitement from flying lasted only a moment before the tired students dozed off. I woke to the announcement that we'd arrive soon.
"Mm... Taeyang..."
"......"
I felt weight on my shoulder and turned. Yuyeong was asleep, leaning on me. Sleep-talking my name, right? I glanced around just in case—fat chance no one saw. Girls were staring right at us.
They smiled warmly, nodding without a word. Yuyeong's friends, from the looks of it. While I was distracted by the window, they set this up on purpose. I was getting riskier for their amusement.
I sighed deeply and carefully grabbed Yuyeong's head. Time to detach her. Holding her head with both hands to sit her up straight, her eyelids fluttered, and she woke.
Realizing the situation, her face turned red as she freaked out.
"You're up?"
"T-T-Taeyang, not here... this is bad."
"Talking nonsense again."
A faint squeal came from the side.
"Your shoulder was heavy, so I moved you."
"Oh, really? Hehe, sorry."
"Whatever."
I ignored the reactions around us and looked out the window. Land appeared below—vast tea fields and volcanic rocks.
The Love Chain setting guide said this island was modeled after Jeju Island. Why not just make it Jeju then? Anyway, the plane descended, and we filed out in an orderly line.
We'd arrived at our destination.
————
Day one's schedule was academic: history and geography tours. We boarded tour buses by class and followed the plan.
"This is so exciting, right?" Yuyeong asked from the next seat.
"Yeah."
Dude, at this point, wasn't Yuyeong getting ditched by her friends? She stuck to me so much it felt suspicious. I glanced over, wondering if they were ignoring her, and felt eyes from the back row opposite. They were totally treating her like tourist entertainment.
"Do you take good photos, Taeyang?"
"Nah."
"Perfect. I'm good at it. I'll take yours."
"It's fine."
I said that but didn't refuse strongly. I'd decided to give her this last chance. Act friendly during the trip, then reject her firmly after—she'd get my real feelings this time. Just endure a few days.
Oh, but no actions to raise her affection. I'd hang out while clearly dropping it.
My resolute expression, reaffirming that, got snapped on Yuyeong's phone camera.
"Come on, smile a bit~"