The Trip Begins in the Bathroom
"This place is really delicious!"
We'd waited in quite a long line, but it turned out the hype was real. Yoonah's eyes had been sparkling non-stop since we sat down, repeating "delicious" over and over while devouring the soup curry. The most famous dish on the menu—glad I picked right.
Well, considering what we'd talked about earlier... it seemed like something she already liked anyway.
I watched her eat with a satisfied smile. "Eat up."
"Ahem. Let me try some too." It was definitely good. I'd expected something familiar since it was half-familiar territory, but this was on another level. "Ahem, it's different." Like, what is this? Real stew? That's the vibe. The unexpected flavor was pretty shocking.
"It's good, right?"
"Yeah? I get cravings for this back in Korea sometimes too."
We chatted away, splitting our bowls of soup curry.
"But why's my bowl already empty?"
"Ahem, it's that good."
She slurped up what I'd left like a vacuum. If it's that tasty, just order another one. What an oddball. Still, she scarfed it down.
"Ah, only half a bowl means I'm still hungry."
Should've ordered three from the start. With the line outside, no chance now—we headed out, stomachs rumbling inevitably.
"Ahem, ahem. Sorry. It was so good I lost track."
A place with killer food but no wait time? Doesn't exist on this planet. Still, the wait was worth it. Made me want more. Half a bowl's nowhere near enough for a real meal anyway.
"How about grabbing a light snack to tide us over?"
I wasn't sure if it'd fill us up, but I nodded. "This area's famous for dairy—wanna hit up an ice cream shop?"
The sunlight was warm and pleasant against our skin, making everything feel lazy and relaxed. Perfect weather for holding an ice cream cone and strolling—no way it'd melt too fast.
Liking the idea, we linked hands and ducked into a nearby shop.
"I'll have plain milk ice cream."
"Chocolate for me!"
Idols always seem like they eat like birds in my head, but Yoonah packs it away no problem. How does she stay so slim? Extra workouts during activities? Or just killer metabolism?
"Here, Jisoo's. What're you pondering so hard?"
She handled most of the talking since my Japanese sucks. Handing over my ice cream, she tilted her head curiously.
"Just... you eat a ton but stay so skinny. Crazy."
Might come off rude, but I suck at sugarcoating. Probably why I've never had a real relationship.
"During activity periods, I cut back on cravings and move a ton. Dance practice, singing—burns it all off."
"Yeah, makes sense."
"My basal metabolic rate's sky-high from that. Takes a lot to pack on pounds."
Fair enough. Nearly a decade of that lifestyle? She'd be built different.
"Impressive. But you still restrict during activities?"
"Kinda. These days, full-group stuff's rare anyway."
True—as a near-ten-year vet, solos and features dominate. Group concerts? Rare now. Usik was bummed about that too, her fanboy ass.
"Idol life's rough, huh."
"Tell me about it."
Ice cream in one hand, hers in the other, we strolled the park smack in the road's center—nicely landscaped for a chill walk end to end. We looped it twice, swapping stories. Life so far, what we'd seen.
"I'm big on Southeast Asia trips."
"Oh, my parents are heading there soon too."
"For real? They can totally unwind, shop 'til they drop, have a blast."
We delved deeper into tastes, preferences.
"It's a bit chilly."
"Wanna head inside?"
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Spring breeze had a bite—not bad for a quick chat, but a long walk? Definitely cooling off. Plus, her outfit was light.
Scoping nearby buildings: department store, restaurants, cafes, all sorts. Then one jumped out.
"Wanna check that out?"
"Where?"
"There—Don Quijote!"
The drugstore with the penguin mascot. Famous even among Koreans. I'd wanted to hit it up—eyes sparkling, I pointed eagerly.