Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Clear Your Schedule Tomorrow
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"If you have a schedule tomorrow, clear it. I've got a favor to repay."
The sky still glowed with a faint red hue, hardly nightfall yet, but the amusement park—lit only by the bare minimum of lights—felt subtly dim.
We'd lucked out today with fewer crowds than usual, but now most of the remaining visitors were gathering for the parade.
People were starting to trickle into the indoor adventure area in small groups, and it was clear there were still plenty of them. If I, a celebrity, showed up there, the place would turn into total chaos.
For safety's sake, we headed to the top floor instead of the first.
As expected, nothing beat a night view from up high. It was breathtaking.
No flowery words needed—it was beautiful, plain and simple.
The fairy-tale buildings unique to amusement parks, their magic amplified twofold by the lights.
The headbands people wore as they moved between structures made them feel like actual residents of the place, giving the sensation of peering down on a storybook world from above.
Especially the kids clutching balloons in one hand and their parents' hands in the other, beaming with eager excitement as they waited for the parade.
"Did I ever tell you? Lately, kids have been looking so adorable to me."
"You did, on that Japan trip. Kids waddling along holding hands with their kindergarten backpacks on—I found it weirdly cute too."
"...You saying kids are cute right now? The Kang Yumin I know?"
"Wanna know something even more shocking? These days, I find myself staring at roadside wildflowers."
"Our Yumin... you feeling okay...?"
"Such a mouth on you."
I lightly punched his arm, and he chuckled, shaking his head.
Right on cue, the upbeat song signaling the parade's start blared out, and massive floats followed by dancers emerged along the grand gate.
August. Summer samba theme, fitting perfectly.
"Whoa, check out those bodies."
"...Dude, you just sounded like a total auntie."
His dead-on jab had me ducking my head with a sheepish smile.
Maybe I was getting on in years, because the dancers' toned physiques caught my eye before the parade's flashiness. Next thought? How much cash do those floats even cost?
...It's because I'm an artist too. Showing performances to people. Definitely not because my inner child was gone.
Anyway.
We watched the parade in silence for a while.
Performers pouring their all into their best-practiced dances, expressions, audience interaction—nothing overlooked, all utmost effort.
My gaze would snag on their passionate shows, only to shift to...
The faces of people savoring the moment with everything they had.
Seeing the smiles of folks who loved the parade made my chest heat up.
"Maybe I should try dance sports."
"Dance sports?"
"Just... Watching this makes me wanna dance like that. Hip-hop, Latin—bring it on."
"If you dive into all those genres, what're your juniors supposed to do down the line?"
"It's a good thing. Healthy competition. Like, 'Even our sunbae’s grinding this hard—gotta step up as hoobaes!'"
"True. Positive cycle."
Yumin nodded with a grin.
When he joked about seeing me on TV in 30 years, I shot back an obvious "Duh," and...
"So what do you think you'll be doing in 30 years?"
The question baton naturally passed to Yumin.
"...Beats me."
He bit his lip, eyes on the parade, deep in thought.
Even humming as he pondered hard, but in the end, he just chuckled like he had no clue.
"Can't even decide tomorrow's breakfast—30 years? No idea."
"Have cereal tomorrow morning."
"Didn't ask you to pick."
"But you must have some 'I hope it's like this' for 30 years out."
"Yeah, fair."
"What?"
"Hmm... Spending worry-free, satisfying days with my people?"
"———."
"Yeah. That'd be enough."
He flashed a soft smile and dove back into the parade.
I found myself staring blankly at his profile.
I was shocked.
It wasn't like Yumin at all... and yet, totally him.
...The thoughtful, considerate Yumin I knew would say something like that, but regular Yumin would never voice it.
He wasn't one to show emotions easily, by nature.
So in other words———
"Alright, that's a wrap on filming."
The PD's voice announced the end of shooting.
Staff cheers of "Great work!" poured in, and Yumin and I had no choice but to bow along with them.
We had enough footage anyway, and with the parade in full swing, heading out now would dodge the post-show rush.
"Chaewon, Yumin—good job out there."
"You guys had it way worse than me. It was brutally hot today."
Yumin chatted with the PD.
My manager unnie and other team leads arrived, each handling their roles...
"Unnie, mind if I stick around ten minutes?"
She checked her watch at the mention of ten minutes.
8:15. Parade ended at 8:30, mapping show outdoors at 8:40—tricky timing with the crowds.
"Make it twenty or just five."
"Twenty it is."
I asked knowing full well.
"...What're you even gonna do for twenty minutes?"
"What else? Have a little secret chat with Yumin."
"...Chaewon, you got zero plans to even pretend you're not dating?"
Unnie let out a disbelieving scoff.
She'd suspected when I had him drop me home last time, but now her look screamed full certainty.
"What if a dating scandal blows up tomorrow?"
"I'll chat it over with Yumin for twenty minutes."
"...What am I gonna do with you?"
"Already looped in the PD, so don't worry. Members all know too."
"...Aish, my headache. Whatever. Do you, you little brat."
"Knew you'd cheer me on~."
I winked with a grin. Unnie freaked, muttering about prepping the car, but that final smile?
Pure support from big sis, not manager. Wishing me a sweet romance.
I waved vigorously. Said goodbye one by one to the remaining staff and managers.
The bustling set of a dozen-plus dwindled to just me and Yumin, as the parade neared its finale.
"Han Chaewon, not heading home?"
Yumin approached me, still lingering.
"Gotta. But first, something to tell you."
"Talk?"
"C'mere, my Yumin~."
I closed the already short distance.
No need for subtlety—we hadn't hugged much before, but now I pulled him tight, planting quick kisses and rubbing cheeks together with smiles.
"What's this about?"
"Tomorrow's gonna be a dating scandal storm. Reporters already hitting up my manager and agency for confirmation."
"Yeah?"
"Sorry. Couldn't fake it—my boyfriend's too lovable."
"Whew. Good you know."
You smiled, stroking my hair.
I'd kept it light, but public dating with a celeb—especially a top girl group member stalked by shutters everywhere.
Yumin, no celeb, wouldn't face headlines much, but personal ties could drag him into SNS mobs and street harassment, burning him out.
Simply put, admitting it risked more for him daily life-wise...
"Now we can hold hands without a care, right?"
Your bright smile as you took my hand tenderly.
I blanked. This wasn't the logical Kang Yumin I knew—mind blown.
"...You sure you're okay with this?"
"You remember my school nickname?"
"...Voluntary loner?"
"Uni folks who might recognize me? One or two tops. Public dating fallout? Three months max. Sasaengs? Report 'em."
"———."
"Plus, my mental game's solid. Right?"
You grinned wide, kissing my cheek again.
"You okay with it? Girl group at air-twenty-two going public?"
Even now, worrying about me more.
Who was protecting who...
"I'm fine, so we can go public later..."
"Doing it all then denying? Lame."
"Huh?"
"We're doing this. Own it. My career won't tank over dating you."
"...Fair point."
"Min-ah, your noona's here."
I let go of his hand for a sec, then wrapped his waist.
Height gap meant no lead vibe even hugging...
"W-wait...?"
I bit. Sank teeth into his neck, leaving a deep mark.
Proof he was mine—no one else's, in plain sight.
"Kiss mark? Love claiming you like that. But..."
———Surer than going public?
"You're mine for life."
I pulled back slow from his neck with a smirk.
So sudden, so flustering—your face flushed beet red.
Yeah. Love that look.
"...Hey, you."
"If we're splitting hairs, it's been nineteen years."
"......"
"You grabbed my tossed-away life. Stuck by me to the end, giving it meaning. Kept me going all this time, Min-ah."
"......"
"I'll repay that favor forever. So..."
———Take responsibility for me.
No sooner said, I grabbed his neck and crashed our lips together.
Breaths shattered wildly, chests pressed—feeling each other's heartbeats.
That's how I told you.
You make me alive.
Proved that primal truth, primally.
Pfh—your held-back breath hot on my nape.
"...This the favor?"
"Want a better one?"
"...All I wanted was an 'I love you'."
"Perfect. That was just 'thanks.' You'll get 'like you,' 'happy,' 'hate,' 'love you'—all of it. No worries."
"...Hate?"
"Could show you tonight. Want?"
"...Can I handle it?"
No clue what, but seriously not.
Your obvious face cracked me up.
"Course not, dummy."
"Then pass."
"Gifts and favors? Giver's call. Take it."
"...You heading to my place again?"
"Want the full hate treatment? Though it's affection too. Right?"
I sealed that nonsense mouth with mine.
Nibbled his lower lip soft, then kissed his neck gentle.
"If you have a schedule tomorrow, clear it. I've got a favor to repay."
I smiled into his eyes.
+++
The next day.
Less than two hours after the dating articles exploded, we confirmed it.