Chapter 203: The First Trip Finally Ends!

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Even after returning to the villa, we stayed up all night.

The next day, we left for home a little later than planned.

“Please travel safely, young miss. I wish I could have driven you myself—it’s a shame I couldn’t.”

“You’re too kind. We’ll be fine on our own, so don’t worry too much. If we get another chance, we’ll all come back to play together.”

Before leaving the villa, the caretaker saw us off, expressing regret that she couldn’t escort us all the way to Seoul.

Though her demeanor seemed cold, this moment revealed how genuinely kind she was.

“Hey, kids, you should say goodbye too.”

“Thanks for everything—we had a great time!”

“Thank you!”

“We’ll visit again!”

“We appreciate your care!”

At CEO Kang’s prompting, we all chimed in with our thanks. For the first time, the caretaker smiled as she waved us off.

And so, we left the villa and headed back to Seoul by car, just as originally planned.

“Woooooah!”

“Whooooa!”

Unlike the train ride here, where we had to mind others, Chae-yoon unnie and Yuna let loose on the way back, filling the car with noise all day. We sang together and even held a mini talent show.

“Da-jeong, how was it? Did you enjoy your first trip?”

“Yes! It was so much fun!”

I nodded brightly at Ra-hee unnie’s question.

“Wow, that restaurant we went to was so good. Right?”

“Totally! The seaweed-aged salmon literally melted in my mouth…!”

“And that café afterward had such a nice vibe. The ocean view was perfect.”

“The café lighting was gorgeous too. I got Jia unnie’s best photo there.”

“Let me see—whoa! No way…!”

We shared photos from the trip and exchanged excited chatter.

“CEO Kang, you must be tired. Should I drive from the rest area?”

“No, it’s fine. I slept well, so I’m not drowsy. A cup of coffee will do.”

Despite our eagerness to get back to Seoul, we decided to stop at a rest area for a break. Since we’d left the villa at an awkward time, it was a good chance to eat lunch too.

“Alright, anyone who needs the bathroom, go now. Let’s meet at the restaurant by 20 minutes.”

At the CEO’s order, we spilled out of the car and scattered. Jia unnie and Ra-hee unnie headed to the restroom to touch up their makeup, while I hesitated for a moment, stuck between Chae-yoon unnie and Yuna.

“Yes! I’m getting a snack bar!”

“You’re eating a snack before lunch?”

“Eh, unnie. The stomach for snacks and the stomach for meals are separate.”

“Fair. Maybe I’ll get some roasted potatoes.”

Chae-yoon unnie and Yuna seemed really hungry, unable to wait until lunch. So-eun unnie warned them, “Don’t eat too much.”

Hmm, snacks. I usually don’t eat them before meals, but since it’s my first time at a rest area, I’m curious. What do those famous rest-stop snacks taste like?

“Da-jeong, what do you want? I’ll buy you one.”

“Hey, unnie! You didn’t offer me that!”

“Hah, don’t you know the youngest gets special treatment?”

“I’m the same age!”

Maybe Chae-yoon unnie sensed my dilemma, because she offered to treat me. I quickly made up my mind and joined the two of them at the snack stand.

The aromas that had been tempting us since we got out of the car now had visual forms, making my mouth water.

Whoa, there’s so much! Squid, hot bars, walnut cookies… but nothing’s calling my name.

“…Ah!”

If I could only pick one, what should I get? As I pondered deeply, my eyes landed on a snack, and I gasped.

No way—is that tornado potato?!

Back when I was younger, I’d see kids my age carrying these around, and their overwhelming visuals made me desperate to try one.

“I want the tornado potato!”

“Ooh, tornado potato? Good choice. What flavor?”

“Cheese!”

The thought of finally tasting it made me giddy, and my voice rose without thinking.

After we placed our orders, Chae-yoon unnie returned with the food, and soon my tornado potato arrived—freshly made and piping hot.

“Unnie, thanks for the food!”

“Thanks for the food, unnie!”

“Yeah, eat up, my child.”

After thanking Chae-yoon unnie, I bit into the end of the spiral-cut potato.

First, the crisp, thinly fried potato. Then, the cheese seasoning sprinkled on top.

This is impossibly delicious.

“Mmm, so good. You have to eat snacks at a rest stop!”

“True. Skipping snacks here is a crime.”

“Hehe, right? How could anyone pass up something this tasty?”

As we chattered away, happily devouring our snacks—

“Hey, you brats! Who said you could eat snacks before lunch?!”

“Eek! S-sorry…!”

“So-eun unnie said it was okay…!”

“Run for it!”

CEO Kang’s sudden scolding sent us scrambling into the restaurant. Only then did I realize: we’d gotten permission from So-eun unnie but not from the CEO.

Ugh…

I’ll sneak one more on the way back. Next time, onion flavor.

And so, we returned to Seoul and went our separate ways. Since Ra-hee unnie and I are neighbors, we rode back together.

“Tofu! Were you good while Mom was away?”

“Meow.”

Of course, our Tofu was with us too.

Hehe, speaking of our Tofu…

I think you’ve gained a little weight since I last saw you?

Does that mean the hotel life was comfy and nice?

Still, I’m glad Tofu didn’t seem reluctant to come home.

I worried the hotel might’ve been too appealing, but—

See? To Tofu, no one compares to Mom!

“You must be tired—get some rest, Da-jeong.”

“You too, unnie!”

After parting ways with Ra-hee unnie at our doorstep, I stepped inside and was greeted by the familiar warmth of home.

Nothing beats your own place.

Sure, Ra-hee unnie’s villa was luxurious and stunning, but this coziness is unique to home.

“Tofu, want a Churu treat?”

“Meeew!”

After unpacking and changing into comfy clothes, I decided to spoil Tofu first.

Maybe Tofu had already eaten at the hotel, but since we’re back after so long, this much is a mom’s duty.

Nom-nom-nom.

Tofu devoured the Churu in seconds, making adorable munching sounds.

Just watching Tofu healed my soul.

I met plenty of cute cats during the trip, but to me, Tofu will always be the cutest.

Is this what they call a mother’s bias?

“Haaah…”

Thud—

After playing with Tofu for a bit, I collapsed onto my bed.

I know I should shower, but I’m exhausted.

I didn’t even drive or fuss over the members like Jia unnie—why am I so drained?

“Mew…?”

The door was slightly ajar, and Tofu peeked through the gap.

Was she asking for more playtime?

But my energy was at zero—I couldn’t even wiggle a finger.

“Ugh… Sorry, Tofu. Mom’s too tired to play…”

“Mrrow…”

Hop!

As I apologized, Tofu tilted her head, then leaped onto the bed.

She padded over and tapped my leg with her paw—

Almost like she was saying, “Don’t worry, just rest.”

Touched, I stroked his head.

“Thanks, Tofu. Mom’ll nap a little.”

“Mew.”

Tofu yawned, curled up beside me like a pretzel, and settled down.

Guess she figured she’d snooze with me.

Seems home is where Tofu feels comfiest too.

Same here, buddy.

“I wanna stream…”

As I watched Tofu doze off, the words slipped out.

The trip with the members was fun, but…

For some reason, I really miss the Cherries.

All the hilarious moments, the new foods I tried—

I want to share everything with them, just like our usual lively streams.

Tap-tap-tap.

Craving an outlet, I grabbed my phone and opened Twitter.

———————–

[Blue LUV Lulu (@Lulu) · 20s ago]

Miss you, Cherries. Let’s meet soon.

Too many stories to tell.

————————

I wouldn’t normally post this, but maybe the post-trip nostalgia got to me.

After sending the tweet, I closed my eyes.

I don’t remember clearly, but I think I dreamed something really happy.