Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Our Trip to the Sea
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It all started with a single comment from Hyorin.
"Shall we go on a trip?"
"Yeah? A trip out of the blue?"
"Yeah. You've been working so hard lately, and it feels like it's been forever since we went on a vacation."
It hadn't been long since we'd held the first author exhibition.
The second one was already scheduled, but we still had plenty of time before then.
"Got any places in mind?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Hyorin answered my question.
"The sea."
And just like that, our first trip destination after graduation was decided.
There were plenty of seas to choose from.
With the country surrounded by ocean on three sides, anywhere we went would have a beach.
But Hyorin had a specific one in mind.
"I want to see the Busan sea."
"Sounds good. Busan beach it is."
With our trip and destination set, we packed just two outfits each—one for today and one for tomorrow—and hopped on a bus on a whim.
We could've taken the train and gotten there in no time, but Hyorin insisted on the bus.
Honestly, I preferred the train, but when you're traveling with Hyorin, does it really matter if it's a train or a bus?
We rattled along on the bumpy bus onto the highway.
Traffic was backed up that day, but we passed the time eating the lunch we'd packed and chatting about this and that.
We hadn't had a chance to do this while prepping for the exhibition.
After a grueling eight-hour bus ride, we finally arrived at the sea.
Splash!
Maybe because summer had just ended and the weather was mild, the beach was pretty crowded.
When you think Busan, you think Haeundae Beach, right?
I gazed out at it and smacked my lips in regret.
"If the traffic hadn't been so bad..."
"Oh well. We can wake up tomorrow morning and see it again. Besides, I like the night sea."
Then Hyorin kicked off her shoes and strolled slowly along the sandy shore.
I walked beside her.
"It feels like it's been ages since we went on a real trip like this."
"Yeah, we couldn't during the semester because of school."
"But coming here like this is so nice. Looking at the sea just heals the soul."
It really did.
Unlike my hectic life, it felt so leisurely.
The truth was, the sea had always been right there.
We were just the outsiders who came to visit.
But watching the waves crash made it feel like the ocean was comforting us.
And...
At that moment, I was with the person I loved.
'Come to think of it.'
Watching Hyorin walk along the white sand, the thought suddenly hit me.
'It’s been a while since Hyorin suggested something first like this.'
At some point, Hyorin had stopped making decisions.
It couldn't be helped—with the exhibition prep keeping us so busy, things naturally revolved around my schedule.
Because of that, she'd been trying so hard to fit into my times that her own choices had dwindled.
Maybe that's why her suggestion this time felt so welcome.
'Today, let's do whatever Hyorin wants.'
With that in mind, I called out to Hyorin, who was walking ahead.
"Hyorin."
"Yeah?"
She glanced back at my call.
"It's almost dinnertime. Anything you want to eat?"
"Something I want to eat?"
"Yeah. Today, let's eat whatever you feel like. Anything's fine."
Hyorin blinked a few times before answering.
"Hmm, sashimi."
Yes! Hyorin knows what's up.
What goes better with the sea than sashimi? I gave her a thumbs-up.
"Then let's go get some sashimi."
She looked at me for a moment, then smiled.
"Yeah!"
"Daddy! What's sashi?"
Uh, I'd only meant to answer President Yun's question lightly, but somehow Daeun ended up overhearing.
Still, since it was a story about her mom, it was probably better for Daeun to hear it too.
"Um, sashimi is food made from fish, you know? Like a dish!"
Even Officer Kim, who was with Daeun, was listening in.
Talking about this stuff was kinda embarrassing, but President Yun didn't seem to mind—in fact, it felt like she wanted everyone to hear.
Then Daeun spoke up.
"Is it yummy?"
"Yeah! Super yummy!"
"Then Daeun wants to go to Busa too! And see what sashi is!"
"Oh! Daeun wants to go to Busan? Uncle does too."
"Then go with Daeun! Daeun says okay!"
"Really?"
Of course, anything involving Mom, and Daeun wanted in.
'I wonder if it's okay for her to eat sashimi at her age.'
She eats everything without being picky, so probably fine. That's what I was thinking when...
President Yun asked.
"So, what happened next?"
She seemed really curious.
I smiled faintly and picked up the story.
"Um, the sashimi place we went to with Hyorin was way better than expected."
Everyone's eyes turned to me.
I got a little worried at that.
What happened that day was, even now...
'It'll be fine.'
It was one of the most spectacular days of my life, after all.
Thud.
"Eat up."
The lady brought out a full spread of fresh sashimi that looked mouthwatering.
Thick slices of sashimi with side dishes.
Plus the spicy fish stew we'd ordered since we hadn't eaten properly.
Gulp.
"Wow..."
Hyorin and I swallowed hard at the feast before us.
"Don't even know where to start."
"Sashimi first, obviously. It gets bad if it cools."
"Yeah."
We dove in without waiting for the other.
Chewy, clean flavors.
Maybe because we hadn't eaten right, it tasted incredible.
After quickly polishing off the sashimi, we dug into the rice and spicy stew in front of us.
The sharp spiciness paired with the deep, simmered umami was out of this world.
I'd always loved spicy fish stew, but this place nailed it.
Clink.
No conversation at the table—just the sound of chopsticks.
Then, a bit later.
"Whew!"
"Ah! That hit the spot."
We both let out satisfied sighs, rubbing our full bellies.
"So good."
"Seriously. I don't think I'll ever forget this sashimi."
I grinned at Hyorin's words.
"Why say forever? We can come back. Next month, or winter, or next year..."
Her expression darkened in an instant.
'?'
Something felt off—I sensed it intuitively.
"Why?"
But she just shook her head.
"Nah."
She turned to look out the window.
A seat with a clear view of Haeundae Beach.
The open vista was refreshing.
Gazing at the scenery, Hyorin smiled faintly.
"This is enough for me."
"Enough what?"
"I've been happy enough."
I had no idea what she meant.
Enough what? Happy how? But she didn't give a straight answer.
Instead, she stood up.
"Let's head out. I want to see the sea up close."
We'd already walked the beach before dinner, but she wanted more.
I couldn't figure out what was on her mind, but I'd decided to go along with whatever she wanted today.
"O-Okay."
I followed her out, back to that same spot.
Crunch, crunch.
The beach with waves crashing.
The difference from before? The mood, I guess.
Treading carefully around her shifting emotions, I asked.
"You seem kinda off today."
"Yeah, I..."
"Yeah. Anything bad going on?"
She thought for a moment, then looked away.
"No, nothing. Everything's perfect right now."
Perfect how?
I pressed her again.
"You're acting weird today. You keep saying it's good. Did something bad happen?"
"No, really, nothing."
It wasn't nothing.
I'd known Hyorin for years, through thick and thin—I could read her face like a book.
Something was definitely up.
Grab.
I took her arm as we walked and turned her to face me.
"No, there's clearly something. Otherwise..."
But I couldn't finish.
Tears...
"N-No, really, it's... nothing."
Hyorin was crying.
Sniff.
Hyorin cried for a good while before calming down.
I watched her a bit longer, then asked.
"Why were you crying? Did something happen?"
She shook her head again.
It felt so unlike her.
Whenever there was a problem, Hyorin was the type to step up and fix it.
Knowing that side of her, I waited.
Time passed, her tears fully dried, and she finally spoke.
"Let's head back to the lodging."
I grabbed her hand.
"Let's stay a little longer."
I'd planned to follow her lead today, but now that I'd noticed her issue, no way.
She sat back down at my gesture.
Silence fell again.
All sorts of thoughts raced through my head.
Had I done something wrong to Hyorin lately?
Any problems? Racking my brain, nothing came up.
Just our usual days.
Then, staring at the now fully dark night sea as the sun set, Hyorin said.
"You're curious, right?"
"Yeah."
It was true.
"I wasn't going to tell you before we left today. But it felt wrong keeping it from you—or me."
Finally, Hyorin was opening up.
And I got to hear what was in her heart.
"I've felt so sorry to you all this time."
"Sorry...?"
"Yeah. I haven't been helping you at all."
"What?"
Before I could respond to the sudden confession, she continued.
"If anything, I've been holding you back."
"What are you talking about?"
"I couldn't shake the feeling. I really felt it during the first exhibition. You're not the type to settle here—you need to climb higher."
"So?"
"You should become even cooler, more famous... and to someone like that, I'm..."
"What?"
"An orphan... with no family to back you up, and..."
Her words made my face harden.
"Where's that kind of thinking come from?"
"It's reality. If you had someone supporting you from behind, you could go so much higher."
What was she even saying?
Orphan support?
I couldn't easily accept it.
"No, wait. Are you saying you've thought like this all along?"
"It's the truth."
What truth?
Orphan? I'm an orphan too.
And success based on support like that? That wouldn't be real success.
I'd paint my own paintings, and as long as there were people who understood them...
And Hyorin stayed by my side...
Then, clenching her teeth, Hyorin said.
"So I made up my mind."
"About what?"
And with her next words...
"To break up with you."
The world came crashing down.