School Trip (3)
School trip first day. After lunch, our first afternoon activity took us to the Jamon Aquarium. The coastline around this island was so rich in marine ecosystems that oceanographers frequented it often. With all the mysterious sea creatures, the Jamon Aquarium was one of the top attractions in this world's Korea.
We gathered on time without causing a fuss, as the teachers instructed, and then the students scattered freely.
"Taeyang, come with me."
As I started walking, Lee Yuyeong followed right behind. Man, there were some really flashy fish. Rare blue and orange-scaled beauties swam through the crystal-clear water. Their schools moved like spilled paint.
"Whoa, so pretty."
"Yeah."
"Ah, Taeyang, look over there."
A turtle was swimming where Lee Yuyeong pointed.
"Isn't that turtle cute?"
"Eh, not sure."
I gave a half-hearted reply. She laughed it off with a "you're so cold~"
She'd asked to hang out on the bus, and I'd agreed. I'd already learned the hard way what happens if I outright rejected her. Instead, I planned to kill her affection by acting distant while we were together. Before, I'd been careful not to build it up, but now it was already too high. I couldn't just let it sit like that. If I kept up a cold attitude and boring reactions, even she would get fed up eventually.
I stuck to dull responses: "Yeah," "Really," "That's wild."
Near the ray tank, a stingray glided by. Lee Yuyeong, clearly interested, pointed with her finger.
"Whoa~ Doesn't that look like a blanket?"
"Must be warm."
"Yeah, wanna sleep under it."
The info plaque said it was an electric ray. Wouldn't you get zapped sleeping under that? I didn't know much about rays, though.
Passing the rays, we reached a tank full of tiny fish.
"Oh my, so cute~"
I heard girls oohing and aahing behind me. This section was designed to hook young visitors—lots of adorable critters. Easy to gush over.
"They're really cute."
Which was fine, but could they just enjoy the fish and leave it at that...
"Wanna poke it?"
Suddenly, someone jabbed my cheek. I turned to see a familiar face grinning mischievously.
"...Iri sis, what're you doing?"
"Heehee, what a cute little guy!"
The moment I turned, Iri sis locked me in a headlock with her left arm. My face smooshed right into her chest.
"Sis, there are people around."
"So what? We're not exactly hiding from the world."
You sure weren't hiding this morning on the bus when you yelled my name. That was embarrassing as hell. She was totally oblivious to the stares.
I wriggled free from Iri sis's headlock and turned to find myself eye-to-eye with Gahee sis.
Gahee sis smiled and waved.
"Hey, long time no see."
"Sis!"
"Hi, Yuyeong."
Lee Yuyeong threw her arms around Gahee sis. They were still thick as thieves, huh.
Gahee sis stroked Yuyeong's head and asked, "You two have been hanging out?"
"Yeah, we're sticking together all day."
Her hand paused mid-pet. Yuyeong looked up, confused.
"Oh, it's nothing."
Gahee sis seemed flustered for a sec... Nah, probably not worth overthinking.
"You guys here?"
Hayan sis and Seong Juyeon caught up from behind.
"We were wondering where you went."
"Seriously, don't just wander off."
"Sorry. I got excited seeing Taeyang."
"Yeah, miss your chance and it's gone."
Iri sis, don't treat people like exhibits.
"Taeyang's here too. Having fun, Taeyang?"
"Yeah. You?"
They all seemed to be enjoying themselves—except Juyeon, who looked preoccupied. Probably because Seonwoo wasn't around. Same with Yuli; no sign of her. If the flags were on track, she'd be tailing Seonwoo during free time.
"No Seonwoo hyung? You guys separate?"
"Oh, Seonwoo's with Yuli."
As expected, I almost blurted out. But I wasn't supposed to know Yuli yet, so I played it cool.
"Yuli?"
"Right, you wouldn't know. Let me explain quick."
Hayan sis gave the rundown, just as I'd guessed: they'd gotten close at the sports festival and started hanging out.
"She'd ask if you made new friends, but I forgot to tell you."
"No need."
Acting too interested in sis's friends would look weird.
As I said that, Iri sis threw an arm around my shoulder. She was so casual with skinship. Gahee sis and Yuyeong were right there, watching...
If those two snapped, Iri sis might be target number one. Oblivious as ever, she grinned slyly at me.
"Taeyang, you little punk. Surrounded by hot sis-types like us, and you're out hunting for more?"
"What? Don't slander me."
"Wahhh, Taeyang's such a player, it's worrying me as your sis."
Even Hayan sis joined the teasing. Same old routine—I brushed it off.
"Never chased anyone. Dealing with you all is exhausting enough."
"Ouch, harsh."
Hayan sis didn't seem worried about me at all. Just playful banter, like always. I grumbled but inwardly sighed in relief.
"Cut it out, you two. Taeyang's not like that."
Gahee sis took my side.
"A sweet kid like him wouldn't."
Was she just wishing it true? Seizing the moment, she subtly petted my head.
"Right?"
"...Thanks. You're the only one, Gahee sis."
Truth be told, her "support" scared me more than their teasing.
"Totally! Girls flock to Taeyang, but he shuts 'em down clean."
Lee Yuyeong chimed in from the side—but she kept her hands off me, at least.
"Aw, Taeyang's got a great rep. Makes me happy as a sis."
"Just saying~"
They smoothly defused the awkward vibe. Juyeon seemed uninterested anyway—probably fixated on being alone with Seonwoo and Yuli. Our antics wouldn't entertain her. Seeing her indifference, I kinda wanted to track down Seonwoo quick and hook them up.
Lost in that thought, my eyes met Juyeon's by chance. She glanced away like she didn't care. Figures. But then she looked back—and her eyes widened slightly. Weird? She turned away again like nothing happened.
"Alright, seen enough? Let's go. Gotta find Seonwoo and Yuli."
We all moved at her words. Yuyeong and I tagged along too. Second day or now, whatever.
The sisses went ahead; I lagged to tie my shoelace. Yuyeong and Iri sis were right in front of me, walking side by side, glancing around—then their eyes met. They both looked away naturally. They'd made up after the amusement park spat, but some awkwardness lingered. Plus, from Yuyeong's view, Iri sis's casual touchiness probably grated.
Eh, not everyone clicks. Anyway, time to slip away.
"Ah, gotta hit the bathroom real quick. Don't wait—keep going. I'll catch up."
"Big one?"
I bullshitted and peeled off. Bathroom was legit, but I planned to scout Seonwoo and Yuli fast. Game knowledge told me where they'd be—I needed to beat the sisses there. There was a flag between Seonwoo and Yuli. He'd stare blankly at her by the jellyfish tank, murmuring "She's pretty..." Classic move. Did it still work? Yuli's personality said yes—starved for praise. A few "pretty" or "sweet" lines, and her affection spiked. Plus, Seonwoo was handsome. Small flag, but better to smash it. If things got iffy, I'd butt in saying the sisses were looking.
Bonus: no one followed. Perfect.
———
I stepped out of the bathroom feeling refreshed. Now to the jellyfish exhibit—check if Seonwoo and Yuli were there. Hope I wasn't late.
As I started walking—
"Kim Taeyang."
Someone called my name. I turned. The last person I'd expect: red hair in half-twintails, big red eyes staring—almost glaring.
Seong Juyeon approached from beside the bathroom door, arms crossed.
"Huh? Juyeon sis."
Caught off guard, but I played it cool.
"What's up?"
She didn't uncross her arms, just held my gaze silently. Her expression was dead serious—not her usual lightness. Kinda intimidating. What? Did I do something?
She wasn't waiting for someone else; this was about me.
"Did I mess up?"
No point souring things with a heroine. Whatever it was, I'd hear her out.
Finally, she spoke, still staring.
"Taeyang, you already knew Cho Yuli, didn't you?"
Busted. Time to play dumb—no clue what evidence she had.
"Huh?... What're you talking about?"
"You really don't know Yuli?"
"Yuli?... Oh, the one with Seonwoo hyung?... Why her?"
I bullshitted smoothly. She smirked faintly, amused.
"Really? I saw you in Yuli's contacts."
"Whoa, world's scary. When'd my info leak? Privacy breaches are rampant these days. Watch out, sis."
I joked back; she snorted. Keep talking, punk. Yeah, not buying it.
Fine, stonewall.
"Kidding. No idea."
"Teddy bear."
One word froze me. That was the only way Yuli got my number.
"Pfft—it's all over your face."
"Wait! You teasing me about the bear costume again? Didn't peg you for it, sis."
"Oh really?"
First time I'd seen her laugh at me. But no time for that—she had something on me.
"Not that."
"Then what?"
"Teddy bear chocolate cake. The limited event delivery."
But no proof I sent it, right?
"Heard from Hayan—you gave a teddy bear to some friend. Planned a surprise, changed the name, but ended up giving it away. She was all mopey about it."
"Sis..."
Still salty? I even wore the damn costume!
"And around then, Yuli got the exact same cake from an unknown sender. Dunno what she thinks, but she saved the number to remember the gratitude."
And it was mine. Too perfect to be a misdial.
Asking Hayan sis or Yuli directly would expose me.
"Should I call Hayan?"
She already knew, pulling out her phone. Game over. Checkmate. Any excuse, one call ends it.
I sighed deeply.
"So why the shady shit?"
"Friend asked."
"Sure, sure. Let's chat with Yuli and the others."
"Ow! For real!! Just help Seonwoo hyung score!!"
"Quick on the uptake. Good."
Shoulda led with that. Anyway, Seonwoo—go for the Juyeon route.