The Trip (1)

On that day, tension hung thick over the field. Under the sun beating down more fiercely than ever, the crowd's cheers burned just as hot. Families, friends, and all the other players who had come this far, shedding sweat and tears together—their fervent hopes gathered in the stadium.

Then, the commentator's voice boomed from the broadcast booth.

A boy sprinting ahead, and a girl watching him. Knowing all the sweat and tears he'd shed, she clasped her hands tightly, praying desperately. Her trembling heart poured out her earnest wish.

And then, a miracle happened.

The players rushed to the boy, embracing him. Lifting the National High School Soccer League championship trophy high, the boy grinned ear to ear.

Then, the girl, finally coming back to her senses, approached him late.

"Taeyang..."

The boy spotted the girl. A lump formed in her throat. She knew all the tears they'd shed together, the sweat, the efforts, the wounds...

The moment she took a slow step forward, pushing aside the surrounding well-wishers, the boy came to her.

"......Taeyang."

"Yuyeong!"

The girl—Yuyeong—was flustered. Taeyang had suddenly run up and pulled her into a hug.

"Taeyang..."

"Thanks, Yuyeong. If it weren't for you, I really would've given up."

Taeyang hugged Lee Yuyeong even tighter. Burying his face in her shoulder, he couldn't hold back his emotions.

"T-Taeyang. Wait! Everyone's watching!!"

Yuyeong's face flushed beet red, at a loss, but Taeyang wouldn't let go.

The teammates just smiled, watching the two. They'd all picked up on the vibe between Yuyeong and Taeyang anyway.

"Taeyang, just a sec!"

"Yuyeong."

"Taeyang..."

Kim Taeyang lifted his head and looked at Lee Yuyeong seriously. As their eyes met, his lips drew slowly closer.

"Eek? Right here?"

——

"...Taeyang, everyone's watching... hehehe."

What kinda dream is this girl having now?

Lee Yuyeong, leaning on my shoulder, was grinning like a perv and mumbling weird sleep-talk.

"Sigh~ I told you not to lean on me..."

Well, she might've done it unconsciously in her sleep, so I get it.

Better this than her waking up and being a pain.

"Mmm... Taeyang, not there..."

Scratch that thought. I immediately shoved Yuyeong's head off my shoulder.

"Mmm..."

I let out a deep sigh and looked around.

The bus was peacefully quiet. Still a long way to go.

Glancing about: Seong Juyeon and Seonwoo in the seats ahead, Min Iri across from them sleeping with her mouth wide open like a slob. And right next to our seats, Hayan unnie and...

"Gasp..."

I barely held back a yelp.

"Hehe..."

Since when has Gahee unnie been staring at me?

Thank god we were at window seats with two people between us.

"Not sleeping?"

Gahee unnie whispered softly.

"...I will."

I answered and whipped my head away.

In times like this, sitting with Yuyeong is a relief...

"Mmm... Taeyang, what should we name our baby?..."

Spoke too soon.

Even after I pushed her head away, Yuyeong stayed asleep, apparently already planning childbirth in her dream.

"Dizzy."

How the hell did I end up like this...

To explain: about an hour ago, while waiting for the bus, a few people debated who sat next to me.

That's when Seonwoo butted in.

Seonwoo's suggestion: draw lots.

Juyeon unnie panicked, assuming she'd sit next to Seonwoo... but she drew the seat next to me, so Yuyeong, who got Seonwoo's side, swapped secretly with her.

I witnessed it but went along to help Juyeon unnie.

All I had to endure was the hassle.

Yuyeong would've had the same dream even without me next to her.

Seonwoo suggesting something out-of-character from the game threw me off, but we got through it.

Better yet, I avoided Gahee unnie's side, and Seonwoo and Hayan unnie didn't end up together.

Here's hoping it stays this smooth...

No incidents at night, right? Soon as we hit the dorms, I'll chat with Seonwoo and lock the door tight.

But first, sleep. The summer vacation trip event is just beginning.

————

"Whoa!! The sea!!"

After getting off the bus and taking a short taxi ride, the vast ocean came into view.

Everyone was purely thrilled. Makes sense—it's not easy to see the sea from our neighborhood.

"Wish Yuli could've come too."

"She had sudden business, what can we do?"

"Let's take tons of pics and send 'em!"

As the unnies said, Yuli skipped the trip ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on some "urgent business" excuse.

Of course, no one knows I made her skip it.

But I have ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a shred of conscience, so I'm replying on the unnies' behalf.

The counselor knew Yuli wasn't going ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on the trip and suggested she do whatever she wanted.

So on her way home from the center, she stopped by the boardwalk, took pics, looked around.

During the chat, I lied about overcoming social avoidance by coming on a family trip. Since she goes to the same center, she suggested meeting up.

Skipping the trip, she probably wanted to see other friends.

Too bad—I'm on vacation. And no way I wanna wander in a doll costume in this sweltering summer.

Absolutely can't meet Yuli this summer.

"Taeyang, whatcha looking at?"

"Huh? Nothing."

Hayan unnie approached while I stared at my phone instead of the view.

"We're here—wanna take a pic together?"

"Sure."

Word spread, and everyone swarmed.

Déjà vu? As expected, I became the photo prop again, passed around—except for Iri unnie.

"No pic with Iri unnie?"

"...I'm good. Took plenty with the kids."

"Yeah?"

I gave her a puzzled look, and mistaking it for disappointment, Iri unnie mumbled super quietly.

"Wanna take one with me?"

"Hmm... sure, whatever."

"Right? Haha, anyway, can't wait to hit the water~"

Iri unnie laughed awkwardly and turned to the sea.

"For real. Let's change into swimsuits quick!"

Yuyeong was her usual energetic self.

Iri unnie's response was subdued compared to earlier, but probably nothing.

More pressing issue...

"Hayan, check that out."

"Whoa! The lighthouse is so pretty~!"

"Yeah, it's a must-see spot. Let's go after unpacking."

While Juyeon unnie was on a quick call, Seonwoo and Hayan unnie chatted amiably.

To anyone else, just friends talking—but I couldn't help overreacting.

I tried squeezing between them, but someone grabbed my arm.

"Taeyang, look over there!"

"Huh? What?"

"That!"

Lee Yuyeong yanked me, diverting my gaze.

"What's the big deal..."

A small dolphin sculpture on the beach. Nothing special to fuss over.

"Cute, right? Wanna take one more pic there?"

"Too much hassle. Pic with someone else."

"Ugh~"

I shook off Yuyeong's arm and slipped between Hayan unnie and Seonwoo.

"Seonwoo, Hayan, what were you talking about?"

"Call done?"

"Hey, isn't that lighthouse pretty?"

Thankfully, Juyeon unnie swooped in, casually wedging between them.

Phew~ Good to have at least one ally.

"Um... Taeyang?"

Before I could fully relax, a voice from behind.

"D-don't say no, but... with Yuyeong... and if it's okay, with me too... wanna take one there?"

Gahee unnie hesitated hugely, timidly pointing at the dolphin.

Obviously not about the sculpture—she just wanted one more pic with me.

Even gave up her spot using Yuyeong as an excuse.

"I-if you don't wanna, can't force it! It's for memories anyway!"

She was restraining herself max. Anyone else might pity her and snap the pic, not wanting to look like the bad guy.

But to me, Gahee unnie still looked scary.

Since ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠she's holding back, I dunno what to do right now.

Tricky spot.

She stared on the bus, sure, but held back on skinship for pics. No excitement or yandere mode.

Command mode unlikely from this deflated Gahee unnie.

So my play... stick to game strategy: act slightly indifferent, focus on others.

"Fine, whatever. Oh, Iri unnie!"

I grabbed the arm of Iri unnie, who'd been quiet.

"Eek!"

"Why so startled? Anyway, never took one with you, so let's do it there together."

Pretending to agree with Yuyeong and Gahee unnie, I dragged Iri unnie to the sculpture.

"Carsick or something?"

She's seemed off since earlier—worried.

"N-no, I'm fine. This unnie's tough as nails."

"......Face is red—heatstroke?"

"Ah, it's just hot, haha!"

Sick on vacation would suck. Plus, listless Iri unnie feels... off, kinda boring.

I reached out worriedly and touched her forehead.

"Eep!..."

"No fever."

"Taeyang! Let's take the pic!"

"Yeah, kids are ready to move."

Meanwhile, the two urged for photos.

"What, she's sick-ish—gotta worry, right?"

"I'm re-really fine. Rest at the dorms!"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, don't worry about unnie—have fun. Makes unnie feel better!"

If Iri unnie insists, head to dorms quick.

I snapped quick pics with Yuyeong and Gahee unnie, then one with Iri unnie.

"Kids, let's head to the dorms, unpack, and play!"

Juyeon unnie called, so one each and we turned away.

————

At the dorms, we split into guys' and girls' rooms—two each.

Obviously, just me and Seonwoo in the guys' room.

"Looking forward to it, hyung."

"Yeah, Taeyang. Let's have fun."

We grinned, picked beds in high spirits, unpacked.

After unpacking and a short rest, we'd head out—so I sat on the sofa, catching my breath.

Seonwoo plopped next to me.

Honestly, "let's have fun" was just words—we unpacked in silence.

Not that close, so nothing to say now.

Seeing Seonwoo on his phone, I replied to YuliMental's chat.

Yuli's wish—sadly, can't make it happen.

Bitter, I closed the chat, but Seonwoo spoke up beside me.

"Must be nice for Taeyang. So popular."

"Huh?"

I turned—Seonwoo was beaming at me.