The weekend arrived, and on Saturday, Ketto and his group went to Hangang River Park as planned. That morning, Ketto's mother was busy preparing an elaborate breakfast. She boiled eggs, stir-fried rice noodles, made a pot of porridge, and steamed corn and sweet potatoes. She finished by frying a few omelets. She also prepared side dishes like kimchi and sweet and sour radishes. Her goal was to make a breakfast that was both abundant and impressive, like the kind one might find at a high-end buffet.
Ketto's mother was an excellent cook, and her specialty was fried rice noodles. For this dish, she prepared a wide array of ingredients, including meats such as shrimp, fish balls, sausage, and belly pork, as well as vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, carrots, bell peppers, and eggs. The exact quantities depended on how many people she was serving.
Her process was meticulous. First, she would chop the meat into small, uniform pieces and slice the vegetables into long strips. She would start cooking by frying the eggs and setting them aside in a bowl. Next, she stir-fried the meat over high heat until it was perfectly cooked, then added the sliced vegetables to the pan. Once everything was nearly ready, she added the pre-boiled rice noodles, which had gone from dry, stiff, and brittle to soft, to the wok. She combined all the ingredients for a final stir-fry. Just before taking the dish off the heat, she generously scattered chopped green onions over the surface. Finally, she would carry the wok to the kitchen table and serve her waiting family.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, Ketto said goodbye to his mother and left the house. He planned to take a public bus and then transfer to the metro. While waiting for the bus, he listened to music. If a song really resonated with him, he would play it on repeat. It was a sunny but chilly Saturday, and he found himself humming along to the rhythm, clearly in a good mood.
After getting off the bus, he texted the group to let them know he was on his way. The replies showed that everyone else was also heading out. Addy had eaten breakfast at a convenience store, and Lisa had bought food from a street vendor famous for its morning menu.
Addy was the first to reach the meeting point since he lived closest to the station. He was followed by Lily and Lisa. Meanwhile, Ketto, who was still transferring between trains, received a message saying that almost everyone had arrived. This made him anxious because he was nervous and hated the idea of being the last one. He repeatedly checked the schedule for the next express train and calculated the time before sending a final ETA to the group. He was so meticulous! The others told him to take his time, assuring him that it was no big deal if he was late.
The train was fast and got him to his destination right on schedule. After tapping his transport card on the gate to pay the fare and stepping out, he saw his friends waiting for him, smiling and calling out to welcome him. About five minutes after he arrived, Joe showed up too. Once everyone was gathered, they walked together toward Hangang River Park to begin their day of celebration and fun.
Numerous booths lined the pathways at Hangang River Park, and the aisles were bustling with people. The vendors were diverse. Some sold street food and local specialties—the kind you might find in a food court, but at more affordable prices. These are often referred to as "popular food items" online. They were delicious, but because they were so common, they lacked a unique character. To find something unique, you had to seek out the booths that catered to your specific tastes.
Other vendors sold small devices, toys, and gadgets primarily targeting children under 16. Nowadays, however, it's not uncommon to see teenagers and adults buying them on a whim. Some booth owners hosted events where customers could play games for a chance to win a big or mystery prize. This tactic undoubtedly sparked people's interest and curiosity. Many were happy to spend a little extra to participate in these activities, drawn in by the pure fun of it. Even for those just watching, seeing people compete in these games was a joyful experience.
As time passed, more and more people gathered from all directions, filling the field with laughter and excitement. The atmosphere was lively and full of energy. People smiled as they wandered between the booths that lined the pavement on either side of the field. Ketto, who had never attended this event before, was curious. Despite it being a local tradition held every year at the same time, he had never attended—partly because of the distance and partly because no one ever mentioned it when he was in middle school.
More than that, Ketto had always preferred staying home. He liked the peace and quiet and the feeling of recharging in solitude. He considered himself a "homebody"—someone who found comfort in his own space rather than in crowds or socializing. But today, for whatever reason, he had decided to step out and see what all the fuss was about.
Ketto looked around as he slowly walked, listening to Addy and the others chat. He had never seen such lively booths before, and everything felt new and fascinating. He wanted to try the games, but he wasn't brave enough to put himself in the spotlight. He worried that if he did something clumsy, people would stare at him strangely, and he would be overwhelmed by embarrassment.
Suddenly, Addy pointed to a booth not far away and suggested they try the balloon shoot to win a prize. Lisa and Joe happily agreed. Ketto didn't know how to respond, so he remained silent, deciding it was best to just watch them first and follow their lead.
They walked over to the booth where Addy asked the assistant about the rules and cost. The busy owner simply replied, "Ten thousand won for ten shots. If you pop a balloon, it counts. Pop at least eight for a gift, nine for a better one, and a perfect ten wins the top prize."
"And what are the exact prizes?" Lisa continued.
Another customer pointed to a sign and said, "Look over there." They gathered in front of the board to check out the rewards, which ranged from third class to first class.
"Wow! The first prize is a huge doll. I want it!" Sunny exclaimed.
Lily looked it over and added, "But the second- and third-class prizes are just small trinkets."
Addy smiled encouragingly. "Don't be discouraged! Everyone has the potential to win first place. We all have a chance to pop all ten balloons!" After a moment, she continued, "But even if we don't win, it's okay. It's just a game. Don't overthink it or put too much pressure on yourselves. We're the best!"
Ketto finally opened his mouth and murmured in agreement. "Yeah, we are the best. I agree with you!"
Addy was the first to step up. "I'll take ten shots, please!" he called to the booth owner, pulling a ten-thousand-won note from his pocket. It was his carefully saved pocket money that he didn't usually spend frivolously. The assistant handed Addy the toy gun with ten pellets.
Addy was brimming with confidence, certain that he had the skill to win the top prize. He wanted to show everyone his technique. As he walked to the firing line, he made a "guaranteed win" gesture to his friends before taking aim.
His first shot was a perfect beginning. The pellet flew straight and popped a balloon.
"Wow, good job!" Ketto exclaimed, caught up in the excitement. The others cheered Addy on. As his close friends, they were nervous too, fervently hoping he would win. Everyone held their breath, clenching their fists tightly.
Addy took his second shot. Wow! Another direct hit—a second balloon popped.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Addy kept succeeding, just like before. One by one, the balloons popped—two, three, four, five, six, and then a seventh!
"Wow, well done!" everyone exclaimed.
"You can do it! Come on, show us what you've got!" Lily encouraged him.
Ketto clapped his hands, thinking, "You are the best. You're going to win."
Addy looked around, smiled, and waved to his friends. "Thank you! I'll give it my best shot!" He then focused his gaze on the target and carefully adjusted his angle and the gun's sight. Once he was sure of his aim, he pulled the trigger.
The shot flew fast and true. All they heard was a sharp pop as another balloon burst.
Sunny was thrilled. "That's unbelievable! You're amazing! I admire you! Keep it up!"
Yes, the eighth balloon popped. This secured his third-place finish and a tiny bear. However, Addy was determined to challenge himself for the biggest and best prize.
He took a deep, deliberate breath, inhaling and exhaling slowly. As he raised the launcher, every movement seemed carefully planned and calculated. It was as if he had computed the exact angle and distance of his shot to pop the balloon with precision.
He focused his gaze straight ahead, took a slight step forward, and steadied himself. Then, he fired one of his two remaining shots.
Fantastic! The balloon popped. He had delivered the shot with perfect accuracy. He did a great job, didn't he?
His friends were incredibly proud of him. In their minds, he was already successful. He had shown them his true strength and determination.
The ninth shot was a success. Addy laughed confidently and turned to his friends, making a triumphant "well done" gesture. His group members clapped loudly, their excitement and enthusiasm reaching a peak.
Now, only one shot remained. He had already won second place, and even if he failed now, he would still be a winner. But Addy wanted the top prize. He was determined to push himself until the very end.
Lisa came to his side and whispered a few words of encouragement, hoping to will him to victory. Ketto watched, his fists clenched tightly as he silently predicted Addy's success.
One, two, three... Addy seemed more confident and relaxed than ever. He took the final shot. The projectile flew swift and true. Everyone watched, holding their breath, their hands clenched, the tension thicker than ever before. For a moment, it felt as if the whole world had stopped. The noisy chaos of the alley and its surrounding booths seemed to vanish. All that remained was the sound of the arrow cutting through the air and the fate of the final balloon.
They watched, certain that the shot was about to hit its mark and burst the final balloon. However, for no apparent reason, the projectile suddenly veered off course and fell to the ground. This was completely unexpected.
Everyone stared in amazement, unable to believe what had just happened before their eyes. Addy stood there, shocked and astonished, his mouth wide open as he looked at the fallen dart.
Ketto was numb, still immersed in the tense atmosphere; his mind was in chaos. He struggled to make sense of the abrupt end, but it was difficult. Lisa and Sunny were disappointed and frustrated, but they knew Addy had done extremely well. It was his personal best in the game. Although he was only one step away from winning, that step represented a valuable lesson.
Addy turned back to them, his voice flat with disappointment. "Well, guys... I'm a loser."
Joe quickly walked over and patted his shoulder. "No, you were amazing! You showed us something incredible."
Sunny continued smiling and said, "Yes, you're the best shooter here. The first-place prize is just a thing, but your sportsmanship means a lot more than the game itself. You brought us joy and real excitement."
No matter what happened, it was just a game. Ketto stepped forward and gently patted Addy on the back. "Don't be sad. You are the winner. You got second place this time, but that doesn't mean you aren't good enough. It means you are amazing and excellent. Success doesn't require a perfect performance, and not everyone can come in first. Challenging yourself, taking steps forward, and overcoming barriers...that's what makes you a true winner."
Addy took a deep breath, absorbing Ketto's words. "You know," he said, "in a way, you're right. You're not a loser. Finishing first isn't always the best scenario. Sometimes, the most splendid scenario is the journey of participation itself."
As Ketto had said, winning the game wasn't the most important thing. What truly mattered was the strength it gave you and how you used it to persistently challenge yourself and move forward. That's what matters most.
Inspired by Addy's performance, Lisa decided to give it a try. Looking at the booth, she felt a surge of confidence and thought she might be able to pop all the balloons with her skill.
Speaking of which, it was actually her first time playing the game. For no particular reason, though, she felt sure she could win. She took the money out of her pocket, handed it to the booth owner, and said, "Here you are. I'll take ten darts."
The owner handed her the darts. Sunny and Lily watched her, impressed by her confidence and daring to challenge for the top prize.
"I can win," Lisa stated proudly.
Joe glanced at her several times, his expression uncertain. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I think it's really hard."
"Don't look down on me," Lisa retorted, looking straight at him. "Don't kill my spirit."
Addy gave her a look of pure determination. Without saying a word, he conveyed a surge of strength, energy, and vigor through his fiery gaze. She stepped forward and struck what she thought was a cool pose.
Joe watched her and exhaled in disbelief. "Oh my gosh! She hasn't popped a single balloon, yet she's acting like a winner. That's just crazy."
Sunny elbowed him to stop. "Don't laugh at her," she whispered.
Ignoring them, Lisa eyed the balloons, then threw her first dart. It sailed through the air but missed its target completely, landing far from any balloon.
Yet, Lisa didn't give up. "The first one was just a try," she announced confidently. "Now, watch me. This second one is where I'll show my true skill."
Everyone fixed their eyes on her once more. But Joe was filled with doubt. In his mind, she was just a braggart—a "small chick" without any real skill, all talk and no action.
As Lisa prepared her next shot, Joe leaned over to Addy and whispered, "I don't believe her. She's going to fail again. She's all talk, no power."
"Just encourage her," Addy replied softly.
"Okay, fine," Joe repeated, "but I'm just telling the truth, whether you believe it or not. She will lose again. Definitely."
In contrast, Ketto silently cheered for Lisa. Meanwhile, Lily and Sunny moved closer to offer their support.
"Don't worry," Lisa said confidently. "Just watch me." She quickly took her second shot. But to everyone's embarrassment, the dart fell short, landing pathetically halfway to the target.
"She's terrible, you see? Just like I said, she's completely useless at shooting," Joe scoffed.
"You're so mean," Lily said coldly.
"I'm not being mean. I'm just telling the truth. Believe it or not, she's going to lose the next several rounds too," Joe continued, his voice filled with confident certainty.
"Don't be such a jinx! Lisa already lost. Please don't make her feel worse," Lily warned.
"I'm not jinxing her," Joe explained. I'm just stating a fact." "I'm her friend. Of course I want her to win. I just think her chances of success are very low."
"Then just shut up," Lily snapped. She shot him a dirty look and stepped away, not wanting to stand next to him anymore. She thought Joe was saying too many discouraging things, which was disheartening for everyone.
Lisa looked at the dart lying on the ground and let out a long sigh. But she didn't give up. She turned back to look at her friends and was touched to see so many of them cheering her on. A small smile touched her lips, filling her with renewed determination. She would not be beaten down.
As Lisa carefully aligned the dart with the balloon target, Joe deliberately turned his head away. Ketto noticed and was taken aback.
"I think she's going to fail again," Joe explained. "I don't want to watch another embarrassing moment."
Ketto simply offered an uncomfortable smile. He thought it was unfriendly. Lisa was their mutual friend, and he believed that support was important, regardless of the outcome.
Lisa took the shot. This time, the dart actually made contact with the balloon! However, perhaps she didn't throw it hard enough—it merely tapped the surface before falling to the ground, leaving the balloon completely intact.
Joe turned back to look at the balloon board and the fallen dart, his expression unreadable.
Lisa's spirits began to sink. Popping the balloons felt like too tough of a challenge. She was losing patience and growing increasingly frustrated.
Seeing this, Lily stepped in to encourage her. "Maybe we can form a team! Me, Sunny, and you."
"Is that allowed?" Lisa asked, her curiosity piqued.
Sunny immediately called out to the owner. "Hey! Could we form a team and play together?"
After thinking for a moment, the booth owner agreed. "Okay, but if your team wins a prize of any kind, you only get one."