Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Hotel Check-In and Beachside Bliss
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After all the twists and turns, we finally arrived at the hotel we'd reserved as our lodging. Its grander-than-expected appearance made my tension spike, and I swallowed hard.
"...Isn't this place expensive?"
"It looked decent enough in the photos, but the real thing is even better…?"
Screw it, I thought, grabbing Han Seo-ah's hand and stepping inside. The lobby, blending sleek interiors with soft lighting, was bustling with tourists like us hurrying about.
Glancing around with a "Hee—", we headed to the front desk, where the staff member gave a slight bow in welcome.
"Welcome. Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes. Could you check on the room we booked?"
I nodded calmly, showing my phone screen. The staff member smiled warmly, tapping away at the monitor in front of them.
—It went smoothly, right?
As if reading my mind, Han Seo-ah gently stroked my palm with her fingers on our clasped hands, like she was praising me.
A moment later, the staff member looked back at us with the same friendly smile.
"Yes, we have a reservation under Lee Jun-woo. Room 704. Please take the elevator on the right."
Taking the keycard from the staff, the two of us reached the elevator alone.
"Hoo…."
"Jun-woo-ya, good job…."
We let out sighs of relief in unison and exchanged glances, bursting into grins.
"It's tough, huh?"
"Everything's a first today…."
The whole day had been full of firsts.
Yet despite saying it was hard, our lips curved up happily all the same.
Probably because we were together.
>
Beep—
At room 704, swiping the keycard slid the door open, revealing the spotless interior at a glance.
"Wow…."
"Wow…."
We gawked, mouths agape, as we stepped inside. Right in the center stood a queen-sized bed—perfectly spacious for two, not too big or too small.
Naturally, the night ahead felt promising.
While I stared at the bed in the vast room, Han Seo-ah had already toured the place and was calling me from the terrace.
"Jun-woo-ya, come quick! The view outside is gorgeous!"
With the terrace at your back, gesturing me over with a smile—you looked far prettier.
Hiding that thought, I joined you. Sure enough, the cool breeze and stunning scenery made it clear we'd scored a great spot.
"Nice pick on the hotel."
Your beaming smile beside me was so endearing that I couldn't help stroking your soft hair as it swayed in the sea breeze.
As always, you nuzzled into my hand like you wanted more.
—Already a shame.
We hadn't even really started yet.
But the trip being just two days and one night already felt too short.
>
"Tell me when you're done changing~"
The room was spacious but lacked a separate changing area, so Han Seo-ah would change inside while I used the bathroom.
Slipping into the white swimsuit we'd bought together, I checked the mirror.
—Hmm, not bad?
Pretty decent, if I say so myself.
After two weeks of solid workouts, my abs were just starting to show—prince-like, not overbuilt.
These days, lean muscle was the trend anyway.
Turning this way and that for a solo fashion show in the mirror, I was satisfied until Han Seo-ah called out.
"Jun-woo-ya~ I'm all set~"
Thump.
I'd seen her in the swimsuit before.
But it wasn't something you got used to after one look—my heart raced again.
Clicking the door open, there she was, dazzling as ever, waiting for me.
—Too hot.
My body agreed emphatically.
Nothing to cover it with in a swimsuit, so I played it cool and approached her.
She noticed—of course she did—glancing down briefly, her cheeks flushing pink. But she just smiled contentedly, pretending not to see.
"…I asked back then too, but what do you think?"
"Seo-ah-ya."
"Hm?"
"I think my reaction says enough."
"…Not sure if that's a proper answer, but yeah. Crystal clear, Jun-woo-ya…."
At my bold words, she nodded with an exasperated but convinced look.
"Jun-woo-ya, you've been working out hard?"
—She noticed…!
"…Does it show?"
"Yeah! Can I touch?"
—Then let me touch too.
Barely holding back that urge, I said go ahead.
"Whoa…."
She'd seen and touched my arms and legs plenty during room workouts, but my upper body was new.
Her gaze trailed from my arms to my shoulders, lips parting in quiet awe. It made me swell with pride.
I tensed my chest, abs, and shoulders casually as her hand caressed my abs.
"Hng…."
"What do you think?"
Asking a bit smugly, she paused stroking and looked up seriously.
"Can I touch your chest too?"
…Usually guys hear that.
"Chest might be…."
Even her hands on my arms and abs were pushing my limits, so I started to refuse.
"You can touch mine too."
WHAT?
She thrust her chest out with a "Here—", and my eyes nearly popped.
Gulp.
"…For real?"
Staring like it was a joke, she grinned mischievously.
"…You even packed condoms in your wallet."
Her teasing "perv" whisper made not just my eyes but my whole face burn—I squeezed them shut.
"…Touch."
I surrendered, handing over free rein to Lee Jun-woo.
"Aren't you gonna touch mine?"
Her tone hinted at no regrets, and with a sinking heart, I gritted my teeth.
"If I do now… we won't make it to the beach."
"…."
"…."
"…Yeah, probably. Okay…."
After fondling my chest a bit longer with a satisfied look, she pulled away. I made a promise.
"Next time, expect more."
"Keep up the workouts?"
"Gotta. To impress someone."
Your joyful smile and loving gaze made any hardship worth it.
"That someone said…"
"Said what…?"
"To tell you she's thrilled and looking forward to it."
"…Guess I need to step it up."
Just meant doubling my workouts when we got home.
>
Offering my hand to head to the beach, she stared at it blankly.
Wondering why, as I opened my mouth—
"…Here goes."
Squish.
Marshmallow.
Watermelon.
The sudden violent softness climbing my arm froze me wide-eyed. She looked up, pale blush on her white cheeks.
"…How is it?"
—Loveitloveitloveitloveitloveitloveitloveitloveitloveit
The bare-skin sensation was worlds softer than on the train.
My mind was gone, no sign of return; my heart hammered like it would burst, ringing in my ears.
As I failed to answer, she glanced down then up, snapping me back a bit.
"…Could you not check my answer there?"
It kills me every time.
"But… it's the quickest, surest response?"
—Please.
Ah, foolish beasts called men….
"…No need to hold hands?"
Clinging to sanity, I tested her.
"Wanna hold hands?"
—My bad.
She moved to pull her arm away like I'd overstepped, so I grabbed it desperately.
"…Let's go like this."
"Yeah!"
Happy with every brushing sensation as we walked to the beach, we saw the vibrant blue sea and crowds of beachgoers.
Needing shade, we rented a parasol and mat, settled in, and finally felt like we were at the beach.
It dazzled from the hotel too.
But under the bright sun in her white swimsuit, Han Seo-ah shone so blindingly I feared for my eyes—and didn't want to share her with anyone.
After chilling under the parasol, we hit the water properly. Our playstyle wasn't anything special.
We had our 13-year routine.
What changed wasn't how we played, but our relationship.
Instead of splashing wildly like old times, we kept it gentle, soaking in each other's wet forms.
We who'd only snapped group pics now posed all over the sand just the two of us.
Worried you'd step on glass, I watched your feet even while playing.
Taking your tired self to a nearby shaved ice spot, I watched you shiver at the cold while calling it delicious.
Once re-energized, you wanted to see the sunset over the sea, so I smiled and stood.
Still a bit early for the sun to paint the waves red.
With crashing waves as backdrop and cool sea breeze, we strolled the beach aimlessly.
Our constant chatter paused, awed silently by the sea's majesty.
"Wow…."
The sunset dyed the sky red, and your eyes sparkled with a soft gasp.
Tucking wind-tossed hair behind your ear, you turned to me.
Your gaze overflowed with happiness for this moment—even a fool like me could tell.
"So pretty… right?"
"…Yeah, it is."
I hoped my eyes reflected in yours looked the same.
Could our relationship change tonight?
I'm too dumb to know.
But I'd give you everything.
I wished, over and over, that the girl beside me at day's end wasn't just my childhood friend.