Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Off to Gangneung
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But it took a little time for the car to even start.
It was because of Jang Su-ho.
"Where do you think you're sitting in the back? Come up to the front passenger seat, Nayeo-ju."
"No way. It's too bright up front. I'm sleeping in the back."
"If I get sleepy, you'll have to drive, right? So sit next to me."
Ever since he'd found out I'd driven the van last time when we picked up Baekho and Gonggi, he'd been grumbling, 'You had a regular driver's license this whole time and never said a word?'
"Ugh, no!"
"Hey, kids, don't fight."
Han Ji-seong appeared and stepped in to mediate.
"We need to get going soon. This isn't helping."
Ah, that pissed me off.
Even though Han Ji-seong was still smiling, I could tell.
Jang Su-ho must have felt the same, because his pouty duck lips quickly retracted.
"Fine, I'll sit up front for now, but don't expect me to drive, Jang Su-ho."
"Ah, why not!"
"You really want to ride in a car I'm driving? For real?"
"......Put on some music."
Should've done that from the start.
Life is precious, after all.
In the back seat, the twins—who'd been bickering just like Jang Su-ho and me—also found peace with Han Ji-seong's arrival.
"Alright, let's head out."
At Jang Su-ho's words, I heard the click-click of seatbelts buckling behind us.
Anyway, as per Jang Su-ho's request, I connected my phone to the car and played some music.
It absolutely wasn't because I'd prepared a playlist in advance for the MT.
I'd just been sleepless last night with nothing to do.
The wheels began rolling smoothly, and we set off for Gangneung.
We stopped once at a rest area along the way, and by the time the sun was at its peak, we pulled into downtown Gangneung and parked the car.
This was before heading to the pension—to do some grocery shopping.
The moment we stepped out, the blazing sunlight hit us full force.
"Aaaah, so sleepy."
"Su-ho hyung drives pretty well."
"What'd you say, you punk?"
Those guys never got tired.
I rubbed my stiff shoulders and neck—I must've dozed off and nodded awkwardly at some point—while thinking that.
"You okay, Nayeo-ju-ssi?"
Kang Han had already grabbed a cart and asked.
"Oh, yeah, totally. It's hot. Let's head inside quick."
Fortunately, the mart inside was cool and comfortable.
Comfortable enough that I didn't want to go back out.
What should we buy first?
As I pondered for a moment, I heard Im Cheong-su muttering beside me.
"Everyone's staring at us hard."
"Huh?"
He was right.
People going about their daily lives had slowed their steps and were turning to look at us.
"It's the uniforms, huh."
"Could be."
Worth every penny.
I nodded in satisfaction.
Im Cheong-su looked a bit awkward, but the stares that followed us everywhere were unavoidable.
As members of the Justice Guild, they'd have to get used to it.
Still, to soothe him, I said,
"Nah, they're staring because you're so handsome, Cheong-su."
"What're you talking about."
Im Cheong-su shook his head in disbelief but added,
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Curry."
"No meat?"
"Meat first, then curry for dessert."
"Got it."
Then he toddled off alone toward the curry section.
Cute kid.
Meanwhile, Kang Han had grabbed drinking water first.
He lifted a bundle of six 2-liter bottles like it was a pack of snacks.
Whoa, jealous of that strength.
Thanks to all these strong folks, I just had to lead the way and point at things.
Before we knew it, the huge cart was packed full with food for our 2-night, 3-day trip.
Because all seven of us could eat like champs.
Even Han Ji-seong, who seemed picky, ate about twice as much as a normal adult guy.
Finally, we ended up in front of the ramen aisle.
The twins—who'd been secretly stuffing chocolate and snacks into the corner of the cart behind Han Ji-seong's back—suddenly looked dead serious for once.
"Ramen's gotta be......"
"Spicy flavor, right."
They bickered all day, but they synced up perfectly for this.
"Since it's for dessert, two packs simple enough?"
"Nah, we need it for breakfast the next day too."
"Then let's go with five packs."
They were playing drum and janggu all by themselves.
I couldn't help but chuckle, when I spotted two guys in their twenties across the shelf, in the corner, sneakily filming us with their phones.
They thought they were hiding, but it wasn't enough to escape my glance or Kang Han's habitual vigilance.
"......Should I stop them?"
"Eh, whatever. Let 'em. If they spread it online, it's free guild promo, right?"
Besides, their squealing didn't seem malicious.
They were just excited to bump into the Justice Guild by chance.
I patted Kang Han's rock-hard shoulder—muscle or bone? Not sure.
"The more famous the Justice Guild gets, the more you'll have to get used to it, Guild Master."
"......I'll try."
Kang Han replied with a deflated smile.
I gave his shoulder one last pat, then squeezed between the twins and said,
"Kids, that's no good."
"Ah, why? Five packs might not even be enough......"
"Add one mild flavor pack. Mixing them makes it taste better."
"Ooooh."
These kids were still too young to know.
We finally arrived at the pension.
It had been a solid five hours since leaving Jongno.
"Pensions are the best!"
"What is this?!"
"There's a pool too!"
"Woooah!"
Jang Su-ho and the three high schoolers jumped out of the car and bounced around excitedly.
"Told you I spent some cash."
I struck a pose with hands on hips, clearing my throat.
"I was bummed it wasn't beachfront, but Nayeo-ju noona, you're awesome!"
Lee Yu-chan, uncharacteristically hyped, hugged me tight and yelled.
"Drop the bags quick and let's hit the water, Lee Yu-chan!"
"No wonder I wanted to pack swim trunks!"
"I'm just jumping in with shorts!"
These naturally strong kids united in their pool craving, so unpacking was done in a flash.
But I stopped the beagles who were ready to dive right in.
"Tsk. Eat dinner first, then pool time."
"Ah, why!"
"Wooo."
"What's with the whining? We gotta start the fire and prep ingredients now if we want meat for dinner. You don't want meat?"
"Meat!"
"Meat!"
They'd been chanting "Pool!" moments ago, but now it was "Meat!"
One ran off to buy firewood from the pension owner, another went to clean the grill—they were cooperating surprisingly well.
Ah, is this why everyone loves MTs?
I sat comfortably in the shaded area by the pool, thinking.
Kang Han and Jang Su-ho took charge of grilling.
Kang Han naturally grabbed the tongs, and Jang Su-ho wanted to show off his skills.
The friendly pension owner had given us free charcoal, which glowed red-hot, and finally, the first meat hit the grill.
"That sear is no joke. I'm starving."
"Can't eat till the blood's gone, right?"
"It's pork, not beef. Snap out of it."
"Hiiiing."
Hiiiing my foot.
You've got a big day tomorrow.
I pulled out my phone on a whim to check some info.
'Going smoothly.'
Smiling contentedly, I remembered why we'd chosen Gangneung during peak holiday season in a country full of options.
The aroma of cooking meat wafting over made me grin even wider.
"Nayeo-ju-ya, pretty hungry?"
Han Ji-seong came over and asked.
"Yeah, starving."
Starving for food... and for popularity.
Kang Han took off his uniform jacket and set it far from the fire.
It wouldn't get ruined by this little grill fire, but it felt right.
Seeing that, Jang Su-ho stripped off his own jacket, hung it on a chair, and said,
"Feels like a dream, hyung. Us on an MT like this."
"......Yeah."
Kang Han agreed, glancing away from the fire toward the pension where bright light spilled out.
He could see Han Ji-seong washing veggies for the kids to chop as they noisily made curry, and Nayeo-ju laughing at some joke.
It was a scene unimaginable just a year ago.
All he'd done was endure the crises that kept crashing down.
Like building a sandcastle on a beach pounded by endless waves.
Gripping wet sand in bare hands over and over, he'd grown exhausted.
And when the waves finally threatened to swallow both the castle and him, she'd appeared out of nowhere and changed everything.
Just then, Nayeo-ju burst into loud laughter at someone's words.
And before he realized it, a smile spread across Kang Han's face too.