Fireworks
"So Na-seong became captain? And Seung-min's the vice-captain? That's wild."
Yoo Sera said it with her eyes widening just a touch, like she was genuinely surprised.
"Yeah. That's exactly what happened."
Originally, I was the one slated to be captain, but I pushed Kim Na-seong forward instead. And he, in turn, handed vice-captain to Lee Seung-min, wrapping things up neatly without any real drama.
With that slight headache resolved, my mind felt clearer now, and even my body seemed lighter.
"Why you, though? How'd it shake out like that?"
"Eh. It's not bad. No one's making a fuss about it, and it's easier for me this way."
I was lounging there with the most relaxed expression imaginable, and Yoo Sera pouted a little.
"Ughhh. Must be nice."
I couldn't help but chuckle at that, but she wasn't done.
"What's there to be jealous of?"
"You're all sorted out, and I'm stuck with my mess. It's frustrating."
With that, she scooted closer and leaned against me.
"I'm feeling so bottled up. Help me let it out."
"Bottled up? How am I supposed to help with that?"
Yoo Sera looked totally casual about it, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I'm skipping practice today to hang out. Keep me company like you used to."
...?
I closed my eyes for a second, then opened them again. For a moment, I thought I'd misheard her.
Yoo Sera, saying something like that? Even if she was frustrated, her solution was to ditch practice and goof off?
"You're seriously ditching practice to play around? For real? You sure?"
I stared at her in disbelief and asked again.
"Yeah, for real."
She answered without a hint of hesitation.
"I'm that frustrated. Just one day. One day off."
I paused, wondering how to respond. Yoo Sera loved messing around, sure, but when it came to practice or studying, she was always dead serious.
But the way she was venting to me now felt genuine, laced with real emotion. Remembering how she'd brought up American music schools and overseas competitions, yeah, she really seemed backed into a corner.
Well, I wasn't exactly clear on my own major league path either...
"Sigh... Fine. So what exactly do you want me to do? Playing around needs a plan too, right?"
In the end, I let out a small sigh-like breath and asked.
As if she'd been waiting for that, Yoo Sera's face lit up.
"I've got something in mind."
She held out her phone screen toward me.
"What is it?"
I leaned in to look.
"Uh... Han River?"
"Yep. Here."
She searched a bit more on her phone and pulled up a poster.
It showed photos from the Han River fireworks festival and the schedule.
Han River Fireworks Festival
"Let's go here."
The linked video showed sparkling fireworks filling the night sky, crowds gathered along the riverbank.
Uh... is it okay for Sera to go all the way out there?
I gave her a slightly worried look.
But Yoo Sera read my expression and quickly added,
"Come on. I'll be fine. It'll actually help."
Her tone was casual enough, but her face told a different story—like she was sulking a bit while secretly excited.
No matter how I looked at it, she really wanted to go together. And damn, it was cute.
Maybe I should tease her a little?
"I dunno, though. This is an important time for you. Wouldn't it be better to focus and head to the practice room?"
Her face crumpled like she might cry.
"If... if you say go, then we'll go."
Ah... that's not fair.
A quivering voice and that adorably teary face. It was an overpowering combo.
Yoo Sera was hitting me with an irresistible plea.
There was no way I could turn down a request like that.
I averted my gaze for a second, figuring I couldn't hide my expression anyway, then looked back at her.
She was watching me, waiting for my answer.
"Alright. Let's go together."
In the end, I said it with a small smile.
Her face instantly brightened.
So after afternoon classes ended, I really ended up going with Yoo Sera.
Not to my place or her practice room, but all the way to the Han River—a completely different spot.
Once we'd committed to the fireworks festival, things felt a bit awkward, but the promise was made.
"We heading straight there?"
"Nope! Today, we're doing all the bad stuff at once."
...
"Okay. So what's next on the bad list?"
"Over there."
Yoo Sera pointed to a famous spicy tteokbokki chain.
"There?"
"Yeah. There."
...?
Is going to a tteokbokki place really that bad?
I tilted my head but followed her anyway.
...
"Th... the secret hideout's north of my house..."
"Haha. What're you even saying?"
No, if you're unhappy, just say it outright. Why take it out on me?
I felt like I was dying.
"Spicy?"
"... Save me."
As I floundered, Yoo Sera giggled for a good while.
"Haa... why do people eat this?"
"'Cause it's tasty."
God... I'm dying here?
"Drink this."
Yoo Sera hurriedly ordered milk and handed it to me.
"Hoo..."
The milk soothed the burning in my mouth.
"Didn't know you were this weak to spice."
"Hey. Why duth everywon eat thith thtuff?"
"Pfft. What? Can't hear you."
"Gulp. No, why eat something this spicy? Ah! Milk's gone—it's burning again."
I took another swig of milk, and the pain eased once more.
"Ah~ you're hilarious."
Damn it...
Yoo Sera laughed her head off while finishing the tteokbokki, and we wrapped up a light dinner before heading to the Han River.
The sun hadn't fully set yet, but the site was already packed.
Folks jockeying for good spots had the riverbank buzzing, with plenty bringing mats and snacks.
I scanned the area quickly, eagle-eyed for openings, and spotted a prime spot with a clear fireworks view.
"Sera, here."
I led her right over.
She looked around and grinned, satisfied.
"Oh. This is perfect."
I felt a swell of pride at that.
We settled in, waiting for the show to start as the sun dipped lower, painting the sky deep blue and evening air settling over the river.
While we waited, we chatted softly—school stuff, recent happenings, dumb jokes.
"The fireworks display will begin shortly."
Then the announcement echoed from afar.
Eyes turned skyward one by one; Sera and I naturally fell quiet, focusing that way.
Some folks stood up.
"Let's stand too. Can't see with everyone up."
I nodded at her words and got to my feet.
Moments later, music blared, and the first firework burst in the night sky.
Boom~!
A massive boom and brilliant light spread over the darkness.
Colors exploded in sequence, filling the heavens.
The sound was deafening, ears ringing, but the spectacle was overwhelming.
Yoo Sera's eyes sparkled as she watched.
"Whoa~ so pretty."
I gazed up too, thinking the same. Noisy as hell, but the lights were mesmerizing.
At some point, though, my eyes drifted from the fireworks to Yoo Sera beside me.
Each burst lit her face in flashes, her joyful expression shining clear beneath.
Just watching her lifted my mood.
Hell, her face outshone the fireworks.
As we watched on, the night air grew chilly.
Unlike daytime, with the sun gone, the river breeze bit cold.
I noticed Yoo Sera shivering faintly.
"Cold?"
I asked gently.
Her eyes stayed on the sky as she murmured,
"Yeah. A little chilly."
Ah... what now?
"Want me to give you something to wear?"
I hesitated, then offered.
She shook her head right away.
"No, you'll get cold too."
"I'm fine. Athlete here."
"Nope. Don't."
With that, she shifted closer, pressing her back against me.
My body went rigid.
But she wasn't done—she tugged my arms around her front.
Now it looked like I was hugging her from behind.
Breath caught in my throat.
The warmth of her body right there, her hair brushing me—it blanked my mind.
Thump thump thump thump!
My heart pounded louder, and I had no clue where to put my body.
Yoo Sera, oblivious or not, said casually,
"Not cold anymore."
That did it—I couldn't hold back.
My arms were already around her, beyond my control.
Boom boom~!
Fireworks kept bursting, crowd's awe unending.
Ah... screw it.
I hugged her a little tighter, slowly.
She stayed put in my arms, saying nothing.