Chapter 151: Festival Sightseeing-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 151: Festival Sightseeing-3
Stepping outside with So-yu, In-ho looked slightly overwhelmed by the massive crowds.
Merchants looking to make a killing at the festival had set up their stalls, and since there were few other things to do, people flocked to the area until it was bursting at the seams.
As they walked through the marketplace, where there was hardly any room to breathe, the distance between In-ho and So-yu naturally began to shrink.
"S-stay a bit closer."
So-yu pulled on In-ho’s arm, her gaze fixed on a shop selling smoked chicken.
In-ho felt the full weight of his master leaning against his arm.
It feels a bit like a date, In-ho thought as he watched his master surreptitiously cling to him.
In-ho stopped in front of the smoked chicken shop.
"Do you want to eat this?"
"Weren't you the one staring at it because you wanted some, Master? You’ve been looking at it for a while now."
When So-yu asked, In-ho countered with his own question.
So-yu started to say something in response to her disciple’s remark, but she quickly clamped her mouth shut and turned her head away.
In-ho took that as a silent "yes."
"We haven't eaten since lunch, so we should get something."
"T-then just buy a little. Just a little."
Namgung So-yu spoke while still avoiding his gaze, and In-ho obediently bought a whole chicken leg as she suggested.
The chicken leg, wrapped in several layers of paper, was quite hot. In-ho moved them to a spot with less foot traffic.
"Here, have the first bite."
In-ho held out the glistening chicken leg.
So-yu reached for it, but In-ho shook his head.
"You’ll get it on your hands. Just eat it like this."
It ended up looking like In-ho was feeding her. Namgung So-yu tucked her hair behind her ear and took a small bite of the chicken.
The chewy texture of the skin and the savory juices immediately took over her tongue. Perhaps because she had been fasting for so long, it tasted twice as delicious.
Without realizing it, an "Mmm~" escaped So-yu’s lips. She hurriedly cleared her throat to maintain her dignity.
"How is it? Is it good?"
In-ho, who was still just holding the chicken leg, asked as he watched her. So-yu replied with a simple nod.
"Then I’ll have a bite too."
In-ho bit into the side opposite where So-yu had eaten.
Tearing off a large piece, In-ho filled his mouth and chewed, letting out a series of impressed grunts.
"G-give me another bite too."
Seeing In-ho eat with such gusto must have whetted her appetite, as So-yu whined like a child.
Amused by her behavior, which finally seemed to match her actual age, In-ho continued to chew as he brought the chicken leg back to So-yu’s mouth.
This time, So-yu took a much larger bite than before.
It was a truly satisfying meal.
They took turns biting into the chicken leg until it was nothing but a bare bone.
"Ah~ that was good. It was delicious, right?"
In-ho said as he wiped his greasy hands with the wrapping paper. Namgung So-yu nodded in agreement.
"I’m still a bit hungry, so let’s go find something else to eat."
Rubbing his moderately full stomach, In-ho started to head back into the crowd.
Tug.
Feeling a pull from behind, In-ho turned around to see So-yu holding his sleeve, her eyes cast toward the ground.
"What is it?"
When In-ho asked, So-yu pressed herself firmly against his arm. In the process, he felt the soft sensation of her side against him, but he didn't let it show.
"B-because there are so many people. Don't get separated from me."
In-ho gave a gentle smile at the sight of So-yu, who was somehow avoiding his eyes.
"Then, shall we stay stuck together like this today? Since there are so many people."
"S-shall we?"
So-yu brightened at In-ho’s suggestion.
And so, their time of eating and enjoying the festivities continued.
Following In-ho’s goal of "Enjoying all the festival food," they bought one of everything and shared.
They split braised pork, thin noodles, dumplings, and sweets.
Though they worried about when they would ever get full by sharing small portions, their stomachs were soon bursting after visiting several stalls.
Perhaps because their hunger was satisfied, In-ho and So-yu slowed their pace. Instead of food, they began to watch the performances of clowns and street musicians.
"......"
Watching the people laughing, drinking, and dancing, In-ho was reminded of the previous dimension.
It would have been nice if we could have enjoyed a festival together.
He thought he had shaken it off and forgotten, but memories of the previous dimension poked through like an awl in a pocket.
"In-ho?"
So-yu looked at her disciple with concern as he stood still, staring blankly.
"Ah, it’s nothing. Let’s go that way."
So-yu tilted her head as she watched In-ho force a smile.
In a corner of the street, clowns were dancing to music.
Their movements were somewhat exaggerated and ridiculous, but their skill was excellent, and So-yu watched the spectacle as if entranced.
"But Master, you could easily do those kinds of moves yourself."
As the crowd cheered at a clown performing a series of consecutive somersaults, In-ho spoke to So-yu.
"They are performing such difficult movements without even learning martial arts. That is why it is impressive."
"Why don't you ever show me that kind of flexibility?"
In-ho grumbled with puffed-out cheeks, making So-yu chuckle.
Once the performance ended, So-yu suggested they go watch the moon.
To find a suitable spot, they headed toward a less crowded area, which allowed them to distance themselves from the bustling streets.
"Hmm... there are already guests here as well."
They had come to a place known for its view of the moon, but several people had already claimed the best spots.
They could have squeezed into an awkward gap, but So-yu didn't want to.
Deep down, she wanted to watch the moon with her disciple in a place where no one else was around.
"Master, how about over there?"
In-ho pointed toward a five-story pavilion.
"Aren't there already people there too?"
"No, not inside. On the roof. We won't be disturbed by anyone up there."
"But on the roof... it might cause trouble for the neighbors..."
"Oh, come on. When else are we going to do this? Let’s just go."
In-ho waved his hand dismissively, as if it were no big deal.
"Fine. Just this once."
Since So-yu didn't want to be strict with In-ho today of all days, she readily nodded her head.