Later, before heading home, we all gathered on the raised platform by the field to confirm who was coming.
"So the group's confirmed, right?" someone asked.
Irina nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Jinkyung and I both got permission!!"
Park Dong was trying hard not to smile widely.
But a faint blush crept up his cheeks.
Nice. We're going together.
He cleared his throat. "Let's meet at Suwon Station at eight in the morning, the day after tomorrow. And just in case, bring as much allowance as you can."
"Okay," Irina said, clenching her fists excitedly.
"Kyaaah, this is gonna be so fun!! I didn't even have anywhere to go this vacation."
"For real," Jinkyung agreed.
Irina's eyes suddenly landed on someone unfamiliar.
She pointed at him."But… who's that guy?"
Inseop, standing beside him, pointed casually. "The homeowner."
Suwon chuckled as he introduced him. "HEHEHE, He's Oh In-ho, but just call him Ono. That's what everyone calls him."
"Oh!" Irina smiled brightly and held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Ono!!"
Ono look at her still without a change on his expression.
Off to the side, Seolhyo and Seojin leaned against the railing.
Seolhyo rested her head against him while touching up her lip tint, completely relaxed.
Seojin's hand rested at the back of her head, gently patting her hair.
He looked down at her."…Are you really sure you're not coming?"
She sighed softly. "I told you already. My brother won't agree, no matter what."
Seojin stared out at the field, disappointment clear in his eyes.
He pulled her a little closer and spoke with a light, almost forced smile.
"It would've been nice if you could come.. I really wanted to spend this vacation with you..."
Seolhyo wrapped one arm around his waist. "I'm not going… and I actually have a lot to do this weekend anyway. So I guess it's for the best."
"…Is that so?" he murmured. "I guess it can't be helped then."
Seolhyo glanced up and caught the disappointment on his face.
Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but in the end, she stayed quiet, resting her head back against him.
-
That night, the first day of summer vacation, Seol Hyorim lay sideways on her bed, staring blankly at the wall.
Nothing to do.
They'll all be heading out tomorrow, Playing in the stream… probably taking a walk, grilling something.
Her lips twisted bitterly.
That gorilla is never going to let me go anywhere.
Of course.This really sucks.
It's summer break I've got all the free time in the world but I'm just stuck at home.
She clenched the blanket in her hands.
Can't I at least go somewhere…?
Seojin's disappointed expression flickered through her mind.
And… he really wanted me to gotoo.
If I could, I'd want to spend my vacation with my friends and Seojin…
"Hnnnngghh…"
Tears welled up and slowly slipped down her cheeks.
Then.
"WHAHAHAHAHA!!"
"WHAT, YOU PSYCHO BASTARD!!"
"This is dancing, okay?"
"STOP BULLSHITTING, YOU IDIOT LOL!"
"HAHAHA!"
Seol Hyorim jolted upright.
Her irritation flared instantly.
She wiped her tears away, marched to the window, slid it open, and shouted down.
Can't I at least have a moment of silence!!.
"UGHH! WHO MAKES THIS KIND OF NOISE IN FRONT OF SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE?!"
She sees who those people and was surprised.
"…Huh?"
Down below, three suspicious-looking guys were standing around, cigarettes in hand.
"…Is that Minsu?"
"COME OUT, MINSU!!!" one of them yelled.
"That's not Minsu," another said, squinting upward. "Looks like… Hyorim?"
"WHOA HYORIM!!! YOU GOT EVEN PRETTIER!!!"
…Minsu's friends?
"Oh," Seol Hyorim said stiffly. "Hello."
"ME, ME!!"
"You remember me, right?"
She stared at them flatly.
Yeah, I remember you guys. Because I hate all of you.
Her brows knit together.
What are these guys even doing here this late…?
"Seol Hyorim."
A calm but intimidating voice came from behind her.
She flinched and turned around.
"…Oppa."
Seol Minsu stood there, with calm presence.
"I'm going to Gyeongpo Beach."
"…You're going now?"
"Gonna head early," he said flatly.
"We'll drink, sleep there."
His gaze hardened. "And don't call those guy friends over just because I won't be around."
Hyorim looked away."…It's not like I have anyone to call anyway."
Minsu reached into his pocket, pulled out some bills, and held them out to her.
"There are side dishes in the fridge. If you want to order food, use this."
She stared at the money for a second before taking it.
"Uh… okay."
Then something clicked in her mind.
"Oppa."
He turned back.
"…When are you coming home?"
He studied her for a brief moment, as if weighing something, then replied.
"I'll be gone for a few days."
Hyorim lowered her head, biting back the huge smile threatening to break across her face.
"…Okay. Take care, oppa."
Minsu gave her one last look, then turned away.
The door closed.
And the moment the sound faded.
Hyorim's lips finally curved upward.
-
The next morning, outside Suwon Station, the group gathered with bags slung over their shoulders, voices overlapping with excitement.
"Hey over here!!"
It still felt unreal.
My first vacation after being thrown in this world.
I'm glad I was thrown here and not some fucked up world where I can be eaten by some titan or maybe in some fantasy world where I have power that return me when I died.
Then.
"Good morning!!"
Seol Hyorim appeared dramatically, flanked by Irina and Jinkyung, all three glowing under the clear sky.
"The weather's amazing today, right?" Hyorim said brightly.
We headed into the station together, and the moment she spotted me.
She broke into a run.
"Hey Careful!"
She threw herself into my arms without hesitation.
I caught her easily, wrapping my arms around her, the familiar warmth grounding me instantly.
I lowered my head, resting my forehead against hers.
"…I'm really happy you could come."
I pulled back just enough to look at her, cupping her cheeks with both hands.
She looked up at me, eyes curved into crescents, smiling so pretty it would be a crime to look away.
"Hehehe."
Around us, the mood instantly shifted.
"These two aren't even trying to hide it anymore, are they?"
"Should we drown them in the stream?"
"At this rate, this isn't our vacation it's theirs."
"I hope they break up..."
Hyorim finally realized what she was doing.
Her face flushed bright red as she tried to pry my hands off her cheeks, glaring at me when I didn't let go.
I chuckled.
"Don't mind them," I said lightly. "They're just jealous."
Then I glanced at the others and added cheerfully.
"S. I. N. G. L. E. L. O. S. E. R. S."
Veins popped and teeth grinding everyone look at me like they're going to pounce on my any seconds.
I laughed even harder at their misery.
Seol Hyorim shook her head.
Then her eyes landed on the guitar case slung over my shoulder.
"…You're bringing a guitar?" she asked. "Do you even know how to play?"
I looked at her, deeply offended. "Of course I do. What did you think I carried this around just to look cool?"
She tilted her head, smiling mischievously. "Aren't you?"
"You..."
She burst out laughing and skipped back toward the group.
I watched her go, shaking my head, a smile stuck on my face.
Being here still feels like a dream.
Waking up in this world, ending up like this and ending up dating Seol Hyorim of all people it's honestly like hitting the jackpot.
If someone told me I save a universe in my past life so this is happening, I'd believe them.
I glance ahead at them, bags bouncing, voices overlapping, and Seolhyo turning back to flash me that bright smile.
Yeah.
If this is a dream, I hope it lasts forever.