Chapter 35 : Travel (1)

Sunlight kissed the leaves, bright and insistent.

I waited for my friends, dressed in a white T-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, fanning myself with my hand. Park Saeron, leaning against his car, resplendent in a fluorescent Hawaiian shirt and shorts, grumbled,

“The weather’s too nice for this. I should be home, enjoying the air conditioning.”
“You need some sun. And besides, isn’t it worth it to get out of our bet?”

I had used my wish – the prize for winning our bet about “Hundred” – to make him chaperone our drama club retreat.

The retreat was scheduled for a weekday, so asking Saeron, a freelancer, was less of a burden than asking a working adult. He replied indifferently,

“Still a pain in the ass.”
“Then just lend me your car. I’ll drive.”
“Don’t even joke about that. Get your license first.”
“I can’t. I’m still a minor.”
“I’m aware.”

I smirked.

“I bet I’m a better driver than you.”
“Sure you are.”
“It’s true! I’ve had a lot of practice.”

Saeron frowned and took out his phone.

“Where? I’m reporting anyone who lets a minor drive.”

I pointed at my head.

“In my dreams.”
“Then keep your driving in your dreams.”
“You don’t believe me? Oh, my friends are here.”

Hyelin, Yeseul, and Chaerin appeared, each pulling a suitcase. The female members of the Class 1-1 drama club were assembled.

Hyelin waved excitedly, but Chaerin and Yeseul stopped dead in their tracks, staring at something – or rather, someone – beside me.

Park Saeron.

His Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, prominent muscles, and tattoos… I was used to it by now, and Hyelin, after her little stalking adventure, knew what to expect. But to Chaerin and Yeseul, he was probably the stuff of nightmares.

Min Chaerin grabbed Hyelin’s arm, and Yeseul mouthed at me, “Are you okay?”

I nudged Saeron with my elbow.

“You’re used to this, right?”
“Sadly, I can’t deny it. Do what you’ve been told, will you?”
“Why don’t you do it yourself?”
“You think they’d believe me?”

I smirked and decided to help him out. I waved at my friends.

“Don’t worry, he may look like a thug, but he’s harmless… mostly. I mean, he threatens to beat a lady but has a decent heart…”

Chaerin and Yeseul exchanged bewildered glances. Saeron sighed and placed his hand on my head, applying pressure.

“Ow! Wait! Hey! I was helping you!”
“You should have stopped at ‘harmless.’”

I frantically pinched his arm, but he just grinned and shifted his grip, applying pressure to a different spot. I knew from experience that his headlocks, while initially painful, became bearable after a while. But with him constantly shifting his grip, the pain was relentless. I gave up pinching him, resorting to apologies and desperate struggles. He finally released me. Chaerin walked over, smirking.

“Haram, was that… a comedy skit?”
“I told you he liked hitting women.”

Experiencing it firsthand was the only way to truly understand. But it seemed my little demonstration had eased their apprehension, at least a little. I caught Yeseul’s eye.

“You didn’t call the cops, did you?”
“No, the boys are asking if we’re heading straight to Daeseongri.”
(TL Note : Daeseongri is a resort area near the city of Gapyeong, located in Gyeonggi Province. It is popular among high school and university students because it has been a popular place for a membership training)

The boys were riding with Gu Yuri, Dojun’s… sister. She had readily agreed to Dojun’s request, claiming she had nothing better to do.

“The stores in Daeseongri are expensive. Let’s meet the boys at the big supermarket near Sangbong Station and buy snacks and stuff there.”
(TL Note : Sangbong Station is a subway station located on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Gyeongchun Line and the Jungang Line)

Yeseul relayed the message.

“Sangbong Station first. Let’s go, everyone.”

Saeron was already in the driver’s seat.

“Th… Thank you,” Chaerin and Yeseul stammered, still slightly intimidated, as they climbed into the back seat.

I sat in the passenger seat. Saeron glanced at me.

“You know what happens if you fall asleep, right?”
“Of course. The front passenger is the driver’s third hand. I’m well aware of my duties.”
“Glad to hear it.”

Hyelin, sitting between Chaerin and Yeseul, rummaged through her bag.

“A… Are you hungry?”
“I am, actually. Did you bring anything?”

I was starving.

“Sn… Snacks.”
“Snacks? What kind?”
“Choco pies!”

My voice turned icy.

“Put those away. Now.”
“You… you don’t like… Choco pies?”
“I love them. But you don’t eat those in someone else’s car.”
“Wh… Why?”
“I’ll explain later. Just put them away.”

Hyelin, looking puzzled, put the Choco pies back in her bag, then pulled out something else, wrapped in black plastic.

“I… I have something… else…”
“What?”
“My… my mom made it… It’s… Injeolmi!” (TL Note : Injeolmi is a Korean rice cake made from glutinous rice)
“Injeolmi?”
“Yes…”
“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

I covered my eyes with one hand and, exercising my authority as the front-seat passenger, said, “Don’t.”

We stocked up on supplies at the supermarket and arrived at the pension. As I was unpacking, Gu Yuri walked over.

“Let’s see how much our daughter-in-law has grown.”
“That’s… creepy.”

I glared at her as she wiggled her fingers suggestively. She giggled. I suddenly felt a pang of curiosity.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were busy.”
“Impulse decisions are the best.”
“I disagree. It was planned. The thing about being an adult is that you never have time to relax and do nothing. So I told myself that summer is for fun, nothing but fun and relaxation.”

Yuri gazed into the distance, a wistful look in her eyes. She started humming, then muttered to herself,

“I wish I had summer break too.”
“Summer break is for kids. And you’re having fun now, aren’t you?”
“People always dwell on what they’ve lost. I envy you.”
“Why?”

She smiled.

“You haven’t lost much yet.”
“I haven’t gained much either.”
“That’s true. Life is fair. Although the universe can be a bit inflexible sometimes.”

She resumed unpacking, humming a tune. Despite her words about carefree fun, she seemed burdened, her shoulders slumped.

She was like a puppet, trying to mimic childlike joy, suddenly realizing she was just a puppet.

If I were her, I’d probably just laugh, finding solace in the fact that I at least liked the outfit I was wearing and complaining about the puppeteer behind my back.

After unpacking, we headed to a nearby stream. I changed into shorts and sat on a flat rock, dipping my feet in the cool water. Saeron walked over.

“Aren’t you going to join them?”
“Join who?”
“Those…aquatic warriors over there.”

He pointed to a group of our classmates engaged in a splashing war. Min Chaerin, soaked from head to toe, was glaring at someone, plotting revenge. She finally caught Hyelin and dragged her into the water. Now Hyelin was the one plotting revenge.

“I hate getting wet.”
“Is that so?”

Saeron grinned and called out to Junseok and Yeseul.

“Hey! We have a dry target over here!”

I felt a surge of unease and started backing away, only to bump into Yeseul, who was blocking my path, a mischievous smile on her face. I chuckled nervously.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Junseok answered,

“Not yet.”

Suddenly, hands grabbed my arms and legs, lifting me into the air.
And then, I was thrown into the water.

I surfaced, gasping for air, my wet hair clinging to my face. I should have brought a headband. I pushed my hair back and smirked at Saeron.

“You…”
“What?”
“You’re still dry.”
“Wait… my phone’s in my…”

I grabbed his arm, and suddenly, he was surrounded. A dry target was irresistible prey for the waterlogged zombies. As always, revenge was a chain reaction.