Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Lost at the Station
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Boarding the bus and arriving at the train station had gone smoothly enough.
It wasn't difficult at all.
That is,
"Mm..."
I'd wanted to look cool in front of Han Seo-ah, buying our tickets in one smooth go without fumbling around like an idiot.
—Failed.
No chance of that happening.
I'd researched everything beforehand and even mapped it out in my head, but the station's layout was way too complicated. I kept second-guessing myself—was it this way? That way?—and wandering in circles.
Real life was a whole different beast. Sweat beading on my forehead, I stared at my phone screen when a shadow peeked out from beside me.
"Mm... Isn't it this way, Jun-woo?"
Han Seo-ah squinted at the map just like me, pondering for a moment before pointing in one direction.
"Shall we try that way?"
"Yeah!"
I doubted if it was right, but there was no reason to argue, so we headed there slowly.
—And it was correct.
I really was directionally challenged...!
I'd gone nineteen years without knowing that about myself, and now I did.
Han Seo-ah nailed the spot where I'd been hopelessly lost, leaving me scratching my head in embarrassment. Then I noticed her eyes looking right at me, as if she could read my mind.
"You're not thinking something like 'sorry' right now, are you, Jun-woo?"
—Spot on.
"No, I mean... Ugh, yeah, actually. Sorry."
I did want to look cool, sure.
Normally, I'd had someone with me, so all I had to do was enjoy the trip with Han Seo-ah.
But now it was just us two, and that made me think I needed to stay sharp for her sake.
"Jun-woo, you know what?"
"...What?"
Our hands had been clasped tightly since we left home, and I felt her squeeze mine.
"When you're nervous or worried, you tense up your grip?"
"...Do I?"
Had I been doing that?
"I'm guessing, but you're feeling that way right now because of me... Right?"
"..."
Her tone was questioning, but the certainty in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes made it impossible to deny.
"I'll hold on super tight so I never let go."
She lifted our joined hands up to our eye level and wiggled them side to side like she was showing off.
"So... you can relax."
"No matter where we go, I won't let go of this hand."
Her beaming smile and reassuring gaze left me staring blankly, mouth agape like a mute who forgot how to speak.
—You're changing me again.
"Or... do you not trust me that much?"
She sounded a bit hurt, but her upturned lips gave her away—even an idiot could see it.
"No, not at all. You're the most reliable person in the world, Han Seo-ah."
I grinned back, and she laughed with a 'Right?' I gently held her hand as we started walking again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Gulp.
"You two are headed to Daecheon Station, right?"
The ticket agent asked mechanically, glancing at us.
"...We're both going, right?"
"Mm, I think so...?"
We faced each other tensely, mumbling "Daecheon Station" until we agreed. The agent's robotic demeanor softened into an amused, 'how cute' look.
"Head to that platform over there, and make sure you're on board by the time written here. Got it?"
She circled the departure time with a pleased smile, nagging us warmly. We could only nod with a sheepish "Yes..."
Stuffing the tickets carefully into my pocket so I wouldn't lose them, my eyes met Han Seo-ah's.
"Kukuku."
"Pft."
"Kuk, what was that 'I think so'? 'I think so'?"
"You're the one who said 'We're both going, right...?' What kind of question is that? Of course it's just us two!"
We burst out laughing over our nervous idiot moments—who was dumber?—as we walked. I realized I'd been the fool for trying to handle it alone earlier.
I should've just enjoyed it with Han Seo-ah.
"We must've looked like total idiots."
"The agent started off like a robot, then switched to baby-gazing mode..."
"I wasn't the only one who noticed."
These were precious first experiences we'd never get back.
"Next time, I bet we'll do better. For real."
"To make that happen... we should take more trips, just us?"
"...Lots of them."
So there'd be no regrets about this moment.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd planned to wander the station a bit before boarding, but since we'd gotten lost, the KTX was already there.
Good thing we weren't late. I stowed our bags on the overhead rack and sat down. Han Seo-ah was hurriedly typing away on her phone.
"What're you doing?"
"Huh? Oh~ Just sending photos to the group chat with our parents."
"...What?"
Group chat with parents?
When did that happen? I checked my phone—no such chat. The top message was from those two ugly jerks: 'Die, Lee Jun-woo.'
"No such chat."
"Yeah, we didn't invite you!"
What?
"...Why?"
"Well... You'd freak if you saw the photos?"
What was she sending, anyway?
"...Can I see?"
I had to know. I held out my hand quietly, and she intertwined our fingers with a smile, pulling my hand onto her lap.
"Hee, forgot we were holding hands, huh?"
"Yeah, kinda. Don't change the subject, Seo-ah."
I wiggled my hand on her leg like 'gimme quick,' and her ticklish squirm was more satisfying than expected.
"Ahaha, that tickles, Jun-woo...!"
"So hand over the phone already."
"Nooo~ I'll invite you later, okay?"
"...Promise?"
"Yeah!"
I stilled my hand to show I got it. She exhaled in relief, her chest rising and falling slightly.
Whoa...
Her thin white blouse made the outline...
Seeing it up close like this was devastating.
I mentally sang the national anthem to calm my sudden urge when,
"Jun-woo, look here."
Her voice drew my gaze. She held her phone screen-down toward us.
"Kimchi~"
"Uh, now?"
—Nooo.
"Kimchi~"
"Kim...chi~"
Ignoring my protests with iron will, I forced a smile through my urge to cry. She checked the phone, satisfied, then froze on one photo.
"Jun-woo..."
"..."
"Why's this... bulging...?"
"Don't ask..."
—Just kill me.
I covered my face with both hands and buried my head in my lap, dying to jump out the window. Then I heard her mutter, "Guess I'll keep this one to myself..."
Please, just delete it...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We glossed over the incident with my excuse: "Guys get like that sometimes." No more questions.
Han Seo-ah looked curious but backed off when she saw my 'please don't ask' face.
After that, shoulders touching, we checked the Daecheon schedule on my phone.
"Head to the lodging first, then the beach?"
"Yeah... but I'm starving since we couldn't grab anything at the station. Eat first?"
"Sounds good! What?"
"This place's salmon sashimi..."
I listed foods she'd like, picking together.
"Beach first, then evening stroll here—perfect?"
"Totally."
"I wanna see the sunset! It'll be so pretty."
Her sparkling eyes on the screen made my choice feel right; my heart tickled.
Still hours to go, so I suggested a nap. She rested her head lightly on my shoulder.
"Heavy?"
—Smells amazing.
Not at all.
Her soft hair brushed my cheek, a faint fragrance teasing my nose.
"All day if you want."
"What even...?"
She giggled and tapped my shoulder again, then let go of our hands.
Maybe uncomfortable for sleep? Disappointing, but okay—until a shiver-inducing softness enveloped my arm. Violently soft.
"Mm..."
With a drowsy voice, she slipped her arm inside mine, linking them and leaning in.
That adorable sight and the shocking sensation up my arm froze me solid.
—Should've worn short sleeves...!
Stupid shirt... Roll up sleeves more? Insane thoughts as her breathing evened out near my ear, tired.
I glanced over. She slept peacefully against my shoulder and arm.
How am I supposed to sleep like this, Han Seo-ah...?
But humans adapt.
The sensation grew familiar, drowsiness hit, and I leaned my head on hers, drifting off.
Thus, in the smoothly running train,
With the blue-tinged sea visible through the window and salty ocean air seeping in, we leaned on each other until then.