Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Anticipation for Our First Trip
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#99
"Ugh...!"
Finally over. Finally.
After wrapping up those midterms that felt longer than any before—these five endless days—I stretched my arms out wide, reveling in the sheer relief of it all.
As my aching body unfurled with that refreshing pull,
"Whoa, your stretching face is straight-up nasty."
"Hate-screenshot warning."
"Are you psychos or what?"
The usual warm greetings from those two as they sauntered over to my desk today.
They both looked surprisingly upbeat, which made me blurt out,
"Exams go okay?"
"You think?"
Watching them cackle like I'd asked the dumbest question ever, it hit me.
They'd thrown in the towel. Complete lunatics.
"Aren't we seniors?"
Just to check if maybe it was only me,
"We~ have our ways."
"Studying? Not our style."
Fair enough. The world's not all about hitting the books, and these two no doubt had their angles covered.
"Anyway, tomorrow's the day, huh?"
Kim Seung-hyun's face lit up like he was the one going. I was baffled, but it wasn't incomprehensible, so a chuckle escaped me.
If our positions were swapped, would I act the same? I wondered.
"Yeah. Finally tomorrow."
"Goddamn jealous, bro..."
"You pack what we gave you?"
—The innermost pocket of my wallet.
"...Nah, you assholes."
"That reaction? Wrist on 'packed.'"
"Ankle for me, then."
"Son of a..."
That obvious, huh?
I'd tried playing it cool, but those two just smirked like they saw right through me, and my fist clenched tight.
"Have a good one. Han Seo-ah's waiting over there."
"Feels like if we hold Lee Jun-woo any longer, she'll murder us?"
They hugged their arms like the mere thought terrified them. Dumbfounded, I glanced back to find Han Seo-ah locking eyes with me, beaming like she'd been waiting all along.
Murder? Please.
"...She's just cute as hell."
My lips tugged up without thinking, and there they were, recoiling in horror.
"Hah, gross..."
"This guy's face, man... someone make him stop."
"You guys enjoy the view. I'm out."
See you next week—I shot them a friendly wave (or not), ignoring what sounded like a muttered Get lost from behind. Words not worth my energy.
"Wait long?"
"Nah, it's fine. Let's head out."
Either way, only Han Seo-ah's smile mattered—the one right in front of me.
#100 (Yay!)
"Jun-woo, you got everything packed~?"
"I said yes...!"
Toiletries, change of clothes and undies, wallet... and that inside the wallet.
—Should probably pack it, yeah?
Anyway, pretty sure I'd gotten it all, but Mom—way more anxious than me—kept double-checking, making me rummage through the bag for the fourth time already.
Now it's really done. Done.
I stashed the packed suitcase neatly in the corner and flopped onto the bed, pulling up tomorrow's itinerary right up to my nose for one last look.
Meet at 10 a.m., bus to the station, then KTX...
Parents had offered to drive us, but this was our first trip just the two of us, so we politely took a rain check.
As I pored over the details, a message pinged in.
💬 Message from Han Seo-ah -Jun-woo, you asleep? (A rabbit emoji peeking its head out) -Nah, not yet. Checking tomorrow's schedule. -Ah, me neither. Heart's racing—can't sleep. (A sniffling rabbit emoji) Her messages practically radiated excitement for tomorrow's trip through the screen, and a smile spread across my face naturally.
-Tomorrow's gonna be great. Get some sleep—we'll meet then.
-Hehe, yeah! Gotta sleep fast to see you sooner.
I was about to type goodnight when,
-Dream of me ♥
Came through.
Couldn't exactly say If you show up in my dreams, I won't sleep a wink.
-Yeah, you too.
I sent back.
"Phew..."
Cute? Seductive? ...Both, huh.
I set the phone down and was calming the impatient bulge when Dad burst into the room without knocking.
Oh crap...!
"...What's up?"
"...Bad timing from Dad?"
Déjà vu—this felt familiar from a few days back.
"N-No, not that...! Just startled me."
No desire for another awkward mix-up, I showed off my perfectly intact pants. Only then did he nod knowingly and plop into my desk chair.
—Seriously, why does no one knock in this house...
After two misunderstandings, I was starting to feel legit wronged when Dad pulled out his wallet.
"Use this when you're out with Seo-ah."
"It's fine..."
But it was way too much cash.
"...Thanks."
"Yeah. Even if her folks cover stuff, a guy's gotta spend when he needs to."
His that's what men do add-on hit home—not for the money, but the truth in it. I nodded.
"And..."
"...?"
He lowered his voice and beckoned me closer. I leaned in,
"No pregnancies yet. Got it?"
He pressed that familiar soft texture into my hand—the same one I'd felt days ago.
"D-Dad...!!"
"Shh, quiet. Your mom finds out? Chaos."
"I don't need this...!"
"Don't need it? You two already...?!"
"What the hell?! No, we're not, so no need!!"
I recoiled at his wild assumption, trying to hand back the condom, but he grabbed my shoulder with a dead-serious look.
"Jun-woo, listen up."
"...What."
I swallowed hard at the sudden gravity,
"Not doing it... that's not just your call."
"..."
What.
Han Seo-ah's image flashed in my mind, and yeah... he had a point. Sold.
His tone was so persuasive, I shot him a wait, you too? glance,
"...Don't give me that look, Jun-woo."
He cleared his throat awkwardly and turned away, looking embarrassed. I just gaped, speechless.
No one wants to see a middle-aged guy get flustered.
"Ahem... Point is, better safe than sorry. Not telling you to use 'em. Just be cautious."
"......Got it."
We exchanged the item without meeting eyes—father and son.
"It's good stuff. Pricey too."
"...Weren't you saying don't?"
"...Anyway, you know."
Dad bolted like he was escaping. I quietly opened my wallet.
The one already inside was there.
—Might need a bunch.
No clue how many go per go, but...
Better too many than too few. I tucked Dad's contribution right beside it.
#101 Didn't sleep a wink.
My head was stuffed with trip thoughts—chaining endlessly like a snake eating its tail. No rest, and the mirror showed a hollow-eyed wreck staring back.
...I'm doomed.
Praying the exhaustion would fade, I showered and washed up spotless, then slipped into the outfit I'd modeled for Mom yesterday like a runway show.
Light-wash jeans with the hems double-cuffed for flair, white shirt rolled up to the forearms.
Worried it might be warm, but it matched Han Seo-ah's color pick perfectly, and a shirt felt more grown-up than a tee.
"Our boy's looking sharp~"
I was fussing with my hair in the mirror when Mom appeared beside me, clapping.
"...Looks decent?"
Bit shy, but better than sloppy—I asked. She acted like it was obvious,
"More than decent? Seo-ah'll love it~"
That landed nice. I shrugged, feeling good.
...Damn, do I look kinda hot today?
Final pre-departure ritual: fifth bag check from yesterday. All good. Grabbed the suitcase easy now.
...Phew.
Actually stepping out? Heart racing more than expected.
"I'm heading out!"
"Have a blast~ Send tons of pics, don't forget!"
"Call if anything comes up, son."
Parents' worried send-off fading behind me, I stepped out—just as the neighbor's door clicked open. She was ready too.
I looked over. Our eyes met—Han Seo-ah gazing right back.
Figured as much. That's why she specified the outfit.
Sky-high white blouse hugging the breeze, jeans accentuating her long legs. Total couple coords. Couldn't help but grin at us.
"What's with the straw hat?"
"Hehe, found it at home and tried it on. Whaddya think?"
—Adorably perfect.
"Grab one for me on the way?"
"Yeah!"
Her eyes twinkled like Not thrilled?
Instead of words, I just said I'd get one. She smiled like it was the best idea ever.
Maybe the sunlight, but she was dazzling. Unlike old times, I held out my hand without forgetting.
She took it naturally, smiling soft and firm. Hand in hand, we started walking slow.
Already buzzing for what the day's trip would bring.