School Trip (6): Vitamin Street
The morning of the second day of the school trip dawned. This was the day the main event finally kicked off.
After heading into town, we got some free time, and Yuyeong and I made our way to the meeting spot with the noonas. I double-checked the bus route as we boarded.
"Vitamin Street… what kind of stupid name is that?"
"Huh? What's wrong with the name?"
Yuyeong looked puzzled, having overheard my mutter. No surprise there—the people here just accepted these names without batting an eye. A place proudly boasting Korea's long history and tradition called Jamon Island? The name alone felt miles away from any Korean heritage.
"It's cute and refreshing. I love it."
"Yeah, sure."
Classic Lee Yuyeong, admiring the inexplicable sense of naming here.
We got off the bus and arrived at the central square of Vitamin Street. Apparently, there was a massive grapefruit model in the middle of the square, making it a famous meetup spot. I'd heard the island grew a ton of grapefruits, so they used it as their symbol. Right as we stepped off, the statue below was already swarming with people.
Wasn't picking this place for a meetup just asking for chaos? But before I could worry, someone spotted me and yelled.
"Taeyang!! Yuyeong!! Over here!"
I turned toward the voice cutting through the noise, and there they all were, gathered already.
"Oppa and noonas, hi!"
Yuyeong greeted them brightly, and I mumbled along as we slipped out of the square.
"Sleep well, Taeyang?"
"Yeah, you too, noo—"
"Kim Taeyang! Why's your voice so hoarse?!"
I'd barely exchanged greetings with Hayan noona when Iri noona barged in. Told her to quit with the headlocks. It didn't hurt or anything, but her chest kept pressing against me. If only she'd remember I'm a guy sometimes.
"Let go."
"You adorable little thing. Didn't sleep a wink, huh?"
"What are you doing in a crowded place like this?"
Yuyeong jumped in to pry us apart.
"Fine, fine~"
Iri noona let go, still awkward around Yuyeong, and didn't say much else, killing the conversation.
"Finally hanging out with Taeyang."
A soft voice came from the other side. Gahee noona had slipped into the spot next to me, beaming. Her bright white dress paired perfectly with her elegant blonde hair, giving off a graceful, beautiful vibe. Even in an oversized fit, it highlighted her midsection just right—she was definitely built attractively. Suits her so well. I nearly blurted out the compliment. Saying something like that, even in admiration, would spell disaster.
"Taeyang looks great in his outfit today."
Gahee noona beat me to the punch with her own praise.
"Yeah?"
I replied curtly. Hayan noona picked up the thread.
"Of course. I picked it out."
"Oh my, Hayan picked it?"
"Ooh, noona's got killer fashion sense!"
Yuyeong buttered her up with a thumbs-up. What was so special about my clothes?
"Seriously~ I was shocked seeing what Taeyang wore last time. Ever since, I've been picking his outfits whenever we go out."
"Noona, that's embarrassing—don't bring that up here."
I hurriedly covered Hayan noona's mouth, feigning shyness. Of all times and places. Had it really been that bad? I'd dressed like that on purpose to sneak up on Yuli noona without standing out.
"Oho~ What'd he wear?"
My reaction only piqued Iri noona's interest. She was in her school gym clothes for the trip, same as yesterday's casual tracksuit vibe. She always wore comfy stuff like that.
Anyway, I swiftly changed the subject before Hayan noona could spill.
"More importantly, aren't we going to that famous grapefruit pudding place? It'll sell out if we don't hurry."
"Oh, right!"
"Gotta go quick."
Whew~ Crisis averted. If Yuli noona caught wind of my getup back then, she might connect the dots. I glanced her way—she wasn't paying attention. Just like yesterday, she was glued to Seonwoo's side.
Had my persuasion fallen flat?
"No time to waste—straight to Vitamin C Street!"
Vitamin Street was divided into sections like A, B, B-1, B-2, C, K, and so on. Made it easy to remember for science tests, at least. I was over complaining about the naming sense.
We headed to the pudding shop. But the formation was…
"Taeyang, hurry!"
"Taeyang, hold noona's hand tight so you don't get lost."
"Who you treating like a kid?"
"Ah, Taeyang, wait up."
Iri noona yanked my arm on one side, while Gahee noona claimed my hand protectively on the other. Yuyeong trailed behind, robbed of her spot. Further back, with some distance, came Hayan noona, Seong Juyeon, Cho Yuli, and Seonwoo.
This isn't what I had in mind…
"Taeyang's really popular."
Hayan noona chuckled—right next to Seonwoo!!! And Seong Juyeon's expression soured. She'd been pushed behind him, losing both sides.
"Haa~"
Flanked by three girls, I stayed like that all the way to the dessert shop. Hayan noona better not start building flags with Seonwoo.
"Something wrong, Taeyang?"
Gahee noona asked cautiously, reading my unease.
"Nah, just uncomfortable."
"Oh, sorry."
She released my hand with an apology. Iri noona followed suit upon arrival. Good so far—but a new problem arose.
The shop was packed, as expected. Tourist must-do, after all. Lucky anything was left in stock. One person froze at the entrance, unable to step in.
"Yuli?"
Hayan noona called, but Yuli noona hung her head, body rigid.
"Yuli and I will check out somewhere else real quick."
Seonwoo stepped up to look after her, as expected. I caught Seong Juyeon noona's glance. She didn't glare outright, but she frowned at Seonwoo's self-sacrifice for Yuli. Our eyes met.
"……"
Seong Juyeon just averted her gaze silently. Still, we'd agreed to help each other out. Time to act.
I broke free from the cluster and took Hayan noona's hand. Couldn't risk her tagging along if she wanted to leave.
"Noona, it's crowded here. How about we just grab desserts to go instead of eating inside?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah! Weather's perfect!"
Yuyeong chimed in. Probably worried about Yuli.
"Maybe?"
"Sure!"
"Yeah, let's."
Everyone agreed, so we opted for takeout. Dodged leaving Yuli and Seonwoo alone, at least. They'd wait outside briefly, though.
"What about Seonwoo and Yuli's?"
Hayan noona noted the counter sign: one per person limit. Shop policy due to demand.
"Hmm… If we're sharing, two of us might have to split one after giving them theirs."
Hand one each to Seonwoo and Yuli, then two share the last.
"Taeyang! Noona only needs a little—wanna share?!"
Gahee noona's eyes sparkled before anyone could respond.
"What? Nah, I don't even need any."
"No way! Noona loves desserts!"
Yuyeong cut in as I refused.
"Taeyang, share with me."
Hell no. A subtle stare-off ensued between Gahee noona and Yuyeong. They seemed to sense something about each other.
"Uh… Yuyeong? I've had it before, so…"
"No, it's school trip pudding—special! We still have one more trip left anyway."
To outsiders, it looked heartwarming. But I knew the truth and felt awkward. Both were gunning for my affection points.
"It's fine, Yuyeong. Watching you eat fills me up."
"What? We should yield since we're younger."
As they went back and forth, Iri noona and Hayan noona happily chatted, their shares secured. Treating it like a show.
Iri noona tossed in teasingly, giggling.
"Or noona could share a bit?"
"Yes! Thanks, Iri noona."
"What?"
"One bite for me, and you need to watch your figure with all that training."
"Taeyang?"
Iri noona panicked—it'd been a joke.
"Sharing with Iri noona makes me feel less guilty."
"Feel more guilty!"
"You tease me every time we meet—no guilt there."
"Eh? No need to feel bad, Taeyang."
Gahee noona and Yuyeong looked flustered, but I grinned and thanked Iri noona.
"No way! Not sharing~!"
"Thanks for the meal."
We played it off with jokes. Nearly sparked a catfight between Gahee noona and Yuyeong. One sports festival catfight's enough!!
We grabbed our puddings and headed out. Somehow, I ended up offering mine to Seonwoo.
"Huh? You don't have to."
"Who said free? Let's split. I don't like sour anyway."
Seong Juyeon beat me to it. No way she'd let Yuli and Seonwoo share amicably.
"Sure, but…"
Seonwoo glanced at Yuli noona. I quickly handed mine to her.
"Huh?"
"Don't like sour."
"Oh, th—"
"Iri noona~"
I ignored her thanks and bolted to Iri noona.
"Ugh, get lost."
Cold even to me around desserts. Perfect distance.
"Fine. Don't love grapefruit anyway, and I hate forcing it."
"Yeah? Phew~"
As Iri noona relaxed, I stole a spoonful from her dish.
"Hey! Kim Taeyang!!"
"Not bad."
Payback for the headlock earlier, done.
"I'll buy you another later."
"Yeah, gonna bleed you dry today."
"Haha, Iri, wanna swap with me?"
Gahee noona offered.
"Nah, this is fine."
"R-really?"
Iri noona took another bite. Gahee noona's gaze lingered, pretending nonchalance.
"Taeyang, one bite's not enough, right?"
"Nah, Yuyeong. Eat up—I'll mooch off Iri noona again."
"You jerk!"
Honestly, even if I ate now, I wouldn't taste it. Too much on my mind.
Yuli noona still wouldn't leave Seonwoo, and Hayan noona was deliberately staying away from me. Giving me up to the others today, maybe to give Yuyeong a shot. Keeping her closer to Seonwoo.
Needed to pry those two apart and pair Seong Juyeon with Choi Seonwoo somehow…
As I racked my brain, talk turned to the next stop.
"Teddy Bear Museum next, right?"
Seonwoo said it, but for some reason, all the noonas' eyes turned to me. Even Yuli flinched.
"What? Why?"