Chapter 105: Departure for the United States
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105: Departure for the United States
Incheon International Airport.
The announcement signaling the flight's departure echoed through the terminal.
Having just finished the departure procedures, I dragged my suitcase along while staring at my phone.
Texts from Ye-seul and Miju chimed in succession.
Both of them had messaged me after I told them I’d be missing a day of class this week to go to New York and take care of Hyun-kyung.
I was confident because I hadn't missed a single day of attendance yet, and my grades weren't half bad.
One time should be fine, I thought, so I picked a date and headed out immediately.
I gave them a reason—a slightly embellished one. I told them that since I was in charge of Hyun-kyung’s rehabilitation and she hadn't looked well during her match, I was going to check on her condition.
Both Ye-seul and Miju sent messages expressing their disappointment at not being able to join me.
Leaving behind their energetic replies filled with gift-wrapped emojis, I headed toward the lounge, a perk reserved for Business Class passengers.
"So this is the lounge."
The flashy lighting and modern furniture caught my eye. I grabbed a glass of wine and a piece of bread provided for the Business Class guests.
"Not bad."
It was actually quite good. I wasn't exactly a gourmet, so it was hard to describe the flavor in detail, but it was clean and refined for something given out for free.
Vrrr!
The phone vibrated again.
It was a call from Young-eun.
"Not yet. I'm waiting now."
"No, this is more than enough. Even Economy to New York costs a fortune."
I could hear Young-eun’s low, soft laughter.
"I will. Don't worry about that."
"Alright."
The call ended.
I felt a slight pang of regret. If it weren't for her schedule, we might have talked a little longer.
I looked at Young-eun’s contact info on the screen.
'Young-eun Nuna.'
The phone number she used for her private life was clearly displayed. A smile tugged at my lips as I slipped the phone back into my pocket.
Just as I finished my glass of wine and was looking down at the airport from the lounge...
The announcement for my flight's departure rang out.
A long line had formed at the gate.
There are so many people.
Just as I was wondering if I had to wait through all of that...
"Business Class passengers, please come this way."
Following the flight attendant's guidance, I finished the final boarding process.
"I'll show you to your seat."
With the flight attendant's kind assistance, I boarded the plane. I could feel the other passengers and the crew stealing glances at me.
What is it? Did I wear something wrong?
I checked myself over as the stares continued. I thought I’d dressed reasonably well, but was my style that bad?
No, that couldn't be it.
Then what?
The gazes didn't let up until I finally sat down. It was only after I leaned back and closed my eyes that I began to hear the voices around me.
"Did you see him? Isn't that guy handsome?"
"He looks a bit plain, though?"
"There’s just this aura about him. My eyes keep drifting toward him for some reason..."
"His body looks amazing, doesn't it? His chest is so broad, and his shoulders are huge..."
"I wonder if he has a girlfriend."
"Why, you gonna hit on him? He looks like he definitely has one."
This was a bit embarrassing.
I suppose I should be relieved that the stares weren't because of a fashion disaster. I’d become quite used to this kind of attention by now.
Ever since I acquired the gym and my body improved—and especially after gaining various traits related to charm—the lingering, suggestive gazes of women were no longer foreign to me.
Perhaps because of the charm effects, even though my face was relatively average, the reactions were great.
Maybe I should try being a TV model later?
I was having such ridiculous thoughts.
Business Class is really spacious.
This was my first time on a plane. Contrary to my expectation that it would be cramped, there was enough room to stretch my legs out and even swing them around.
This was Business Class?
If I got used to such a nice seat on my first experience, I might never be able to fly Economy again.
"Hello."
Just then, the woman sitting in the next seat greeted me with a smile. She was quite pretty.
If I were an ordinary man, I would have reflexively thought, Oh? and looked twice.
But not me.
Perhaps it was because I was always surrounded by women who were among the most beautiful in the world, from Miju to Young-eun.
She's decent, was all I thought.
"Yes, hello."
"Are you going to America for work?"
"That's right."
"Are you an actor, by any chance?"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, it's just that you're quite handsome. I wondered if you worked in acting."
"I'm not an actor. I'm a fitness trainer..."
Her hand slid stealthily onto my thigh.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh... I did that without thinking. Do you dislike it?"
It wasn't that I disliked it. Who would hate being approached by a beautiful woman?
She just didn't meet my standards, but the woman next to me was certainly a beauty in her own right—aside from the slight hint of plastic surgery.
However, with Young-eun’s face so vivid in my mind, I couldn't bring myself to fall for such blatant temptation.
"I'm sorry. I'm technically on duty, so this is a bit uncomfortable."
"Ah... ahem."
The woman bit her lip and frowned, her pride clearly wounded.
Sorry, but you're just not my style.
While I was thinking that, the plane slowly began its takeoff.
Finally, I was going. To America.
*
"Phew. I'm so stiff..."
A twelve-hour flight.
My back and shoulders were aching from sitting for so long.
If only I could give myself a massage.
Swallowing that regret, I finished the U.S. immigration process.
"Thank you, very much."
I stepped out of the gate, struggling with my limited English.
"What do I do with this..."
I looked at the small note the flight attendant had handed me along with my in-flight meal.
The note even had a red lipstick kiss mark on it.
"I didn't expect such a blatant appeal."
When I was with Miju or the other girls, I never got approached like this. Getting hit on? I thought that only happened in other countries.
I had wondered if my charm was still lacking despite it increasing.
It was just because I was always next to Miju and Ye-seul.
They were more radiant than any other women. There’s a saying for that, isn't there? People who brighten up a room just by being there.
"I don't know if I should be happy about this or not."
A sigh escaped me. But there was a more pressing issue than that.
"Where the hell am I?"
The problem was how to find Hyun-kyung.
Vrrr!
Then, my phone rang.
It was a call from Coach Lee Seo-hye.
"Where are you?"
"Understood."
Immediately after deciding to go to America, I had contacted Coach Lee Seo-hye. Coach Lee, who had been worried about Hyun-kyung’s condition, was delighted when I said I was coming and promised to pick me up from the airport.
"No, of course not."
I felt a slight pang of guilt.
"How was the Round of 32?"
It seemed Hyun-kyung’s mental state was currently pushed to the edge of a cliff.
Was it really that big of a deal? Seeing Young-eun and me together...
"Yes, please get here before I get lost and become a missing person."
After hanging up with Coach Lee, I let out a long sigh.
"Sigh."
It was frustrating. I had no idea where to start or how to talk to her. I doubted she’d even believe me if I spoke, and I wasn't sure if her broken spirit could be restored.
What if this ends her career as an athlete?
The worry gnawed at me. As I was dragging my suitcase along, lost in thought...
"Kyaak!"
"Huh?"
I collided with a foreign woman who was also dragging a suitcase. I hadn't been looking ahead because I was thinking too deeply.
Thud!
Clatter!
The suitcase toppled over, and the foreign woman fell backward, her golden hair fluttering.
It was a reflex. I grabbed her arm as she fell and pulled her toward me.
Naturally, her body swung toward me, and I ended up in a position where I was holding her arm with one hand and supporting her shoulder with the other.
"Are you okay?"
Blue eyes were staring up at me.
Even her eyelashes are golden.
She was beautiful. Flawless white skin, hair that shimmered like gold, deep blue eyes, a sharp nose, and bright red lips in between.
Wow.
Her exotic beauty was enough to make me marvel instinctively.
"Don't touch me!"
The woman shrieked and pushed me away.
"Huh?"
I could understand her pushing me. After all, I was the one who bumped into her and then suddenly pulled her close.
But then...
Brush, brush!
She began to dust off her wrist and shoulder with a scowl, as if she had touched something filthy. Those were the spots where my hands had touched her to keep her from falling.
Hey, that’s a bit much.
It wasn't like she had to act as if some disgusting filth had gotten on her.
"@$#@%@%#%."
She ranted something in English, but it didn't reach me, armed as I was with my "I can't speak English" defense.
I didn't know what she was saying, but I got the gist of it. She was probably angry that I dared to touch her.
Sigh. There’s no helping it.
In that case, I had something to say too.
"I'm sorry. Very sorry. Okay?"
I'm sorry! I really don't want to be branded a harasser or a criminal and taken to a police station!
At that moment...
"Mr. Jae-ho?"
Coach Lee Seo-hye arrived. My savior had come.