Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Summer Beaches Lack Romance (2)
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The sun blazed down relentlessly today as well, as if it had burned away every last cloud, leaving it alone to torment us. It felt even angrier after just a day or two, heating everything up like this. Maybe planning this beach trip wasn't such a bad idea after all.
So what am I doing right now? Transferring the mountain of luggage piled up in front of the house into Sihyun's car.
"Sihyun."
"What?"
"It's heavy."
Truth be told, it wasn't heavy at all. I just thought there was way too much stuff no matter how I looked at it... I figured whining like this might get her to leave a few things behind.
"Oppa, you know what?"
"What?"
"Even healing-type Hunters are super strong?"
"...I'm an escape-type Hunter~"
I pretended not to hear her.
"Exactly. I know it's not heavy for you. I even took vacation time to go on this trip with you, so are you gonna keep this up?"
"But... isn't there just too much luggage...? We could pack lighter and buy whatever else we need there."
"We already have it all, so it'd be a waste to buy more. Saving money is never a bad thing, so quit grumbling and load it up already!"
Sihyun marched ahead with her arms full of bags. Every few steps, she'd glance back and pout at me to hurry up.
"Got it~"
I replied cheerfully enough, but inside, I felt a pang of gloom.
Thinking about it, it'd been months since I returned, and summer was already approaching, but I'd never seen Sihyun splurge on herself. Same outfits, same hairstyle, same makeup. Even after nearly half a year, I couldn't recall her buying anything new.
If anything, the only money she spent was on me. My clothes, my phone, my computer, my whatever. She never skimped when I wanted something to eat.
Even for delivery food, she'd always pick the best value options and order exactly what I wanted.
Was it because she'd lived alone for so long? Ever since high school. Money must've been tight.
Whenever I saw the scars crisscrossing her hands, these thoughts would creep in. She was only 28, still so young, yet she'd already endured so much. Ten years fending for herself must've been brutal.
I'd suggested this vacation to give her a break like that. She hadn't taken a single day off in half a year, after all.
"Oppa, hurry up and load the luggage. Don't zone out again."
Half a year. Yeah, she'd rested a lot in that time. She could sleep in now, at least. She must've recovered quite a bit.
So maybe after this vacation ends, I should start working a little myself.
Ah, I never thought worrying about my little sister would make me give up my house husband dreams.
Is there really no one out there willing to let me mooch off them?
"Oppa!!"
"My apologies, milady. I was lost in thought for a moment."
Thwack!
"Ow."
It hurts a bit when she swings first without reading her big brother's heart...
But I endure it because I love her.
After all sorts of twists and turns, we crammed everything into the trunk and back seat. There was so much luggage that this wheeled metal box was stuffed to the brim, without a hint of empty space's elegance.
"Ugh, seriously. If you'd moved faster, we'd be on the road by now."
"Sorry~"
I bowed my head quickly and buckled up. Beside me, she was already revving the engine like it was some emergency. It was still the first day, and we had a whole week of vacation left, but whatever.
"Hey, Sihyun. It's not that urgent, so no need to...! Whoa!"
The car lurched forward with a roar, slamming my head back. Had her driving always been this aggressive? I hadn't ridden with her much, so who knows.
"Sihyun...! Your driving's a bit too wild, don't you think...?"
We're gonna die at this rate.
"Whatever, just floor it! You haven't taken a Busan taxi, right? I'll give you the full experience."
"No, hate it... Gah!"
For the first time, I thought my sister had lost her mind. She weaved through traffic like a maniac, her face lighting up with thrill, ignoring my screams entirely. By the end, she was grinning ear to ear as she yanked the wheel.
It took two hours from Seoul to Busan.
By car.
This crazy girl... I'm never working again, vacation or not...
Taking a deep breath fills my lungs with the salty sea air. I can't help but make a weird face at this briny scent you can never get inland. It's not bad, just unfamiliar, so I tilt my head for a while before looking outside.
Busan teems with crowds. From winter through spring, as summer's warm sun approached, everyone must've had the same idea. The beach in the distance was packed denser than the ocean itself.
The road to the beach had somehow lost its divide from the sidewalk, turning into a path for casually dressed guys and girls, kids clutching floaties, and their parents. Why was the start of summer always this popular? It made me a little sad.
"Oppa~ Luggage's all sorted. Ready to head out?"
Sihyun sidled up beside me, looking happier than I'd expected. I'd worried since she never took vacations despite her daily grind, but that beaming smile put my mind at ease.
"But are beaches always this crowded? It's barely early summer...?"
"Oppa, this is all about reading the room~ Everyone probably came early fearing it'd overflow once summer really hits. We lost that game."
"Ugh... My perfect plan..."
"Haha~ A few people won't ruin it~ Hurry and change. Let's hit the beach!"
Sihyun dashed into her room to change. I felt deflated, but dragged myself to mine anyway.
You might think we'd wear swimsuits since we're at the beach, but not me. With all these scars still unhealed, better to cover up.
I pulled on the rash guard Sihyun got me. Hmm, it clings a bit too much for my taste. But she said wear this if I didn't want to strip, so no choice.
- Oppa~ You dressed? Come out quick, let's go!
Her voice from outside brimmed with excitement, making me chuckle. So different from her usual mature vibe—it was kinda cute.
"Yeah~"
I opened the door. Sihyun stood there, eyes sparkling with anticipation, shoving her face close. She wore a matching rash guard.
"Oh, looks good on you."
Whoever's daughter is she? Such fine features.
"I know~ Whatever... You might be tolerable if you shut up."
Huh? I complimented her, but why's the comeback so backhanded?
We headed out toward the beach. Joining this chaotic throng was disorienting, so I clung to Sihyun's sleeve to keep up. As expected of the family breadwinner in these rough times, she bulldozed ahead without hesitation.
"So cool...! That's the weight of being the head of the house...?"
"Oppa... Don't say it so loud. It's embarrassing."
Eh, I meant it sincerely.
"Embarrassing for me?!"
This big brother, embarrassing?
"Yeah, embarrassing..."
Hng.
I shut my mouth and quietly trailed behind her.
After a short while, we were trudging across the yellowish sandy beach. We wove between parasols stuck in the sand, dodging people lounging on mats, inching forward bit by bit.
"Oh~ Been ages since I saw the sea~ What about you, Oppa? Long time?"
"Me too."
Quite a long time, actually. Even in Pretoria, it had been years since I'd seen such a sight.
The Demon God's territory, the Demonic Realm, brimmed with demonic energy. A polluted land where not a single blade of grass could grow, skies so murky that flying birds rotted mid-air, endless hordes of monsters infused with demonic qi. I'd lived there—eating, sleeping—for years before slaying the Demon God.
The Empire and the Demonic Realm were both deep inland, so I'd only seen seas, beaches, and happy beachgoers back when I traveled to handle crises in various countries.
So this brilliant blue sky, matching blue sea, and golden sands shimmering beneath—it was truly a rare sight.
I dipped my toes into the water gingerly. Cool seawater seeped between my sandals, gentle waves lapping at my ankles. I grabbed Sihyun, who'd been watching me quietly from behind.
"Whoa?! Wait, I wasn't planning to go in yet!"
She protested, but I pulled her to my side anyway, soaking our feet together.
"No way. You wore the rash guard for this—can't back out now."
"Ugh, seriously~ I was gonna take your photo! So oblivious."
At that, I draped an arm around her shoulders and flashed a V-sign.
"Photos are for taking together."
"Ooh, nice save. Alright, strike a pose~"
Sihyun grinned, pulling out her camera, and I smiled beside her.
We needed a new family photo to carry around now, after all.