episode_0021

Chirp chirp – chirp chirp.

“… We’re in big trouble.”

“Has so much time already passed?”

The once dark world had brightly transformed a while ago. Unable to shake off the flickering faces, I found myself indulging in smelling and calming down for just a moment, a habit I’ve been repeating all night long.

“Ugh… Am I really a pervert?”

“Where’s the crazy guy who smells other people’s clothes all day long..!”

“I should lie down now.”

As it was getting closer to wake-up time, my friends would start waking up soon too. It would be better to take a short nap now to feel less tired.

“…”

However,

Against rational thoughts, once again, my body was consumed by a sticky, instinctual desire.

Just once…

Should I smell it just one more time..?

Since things have come to this point, it wouldn’t hurt to smell a bit more, right?

Right.

There’s nothing wrong with me; it’s Kim Taeyang’s fault. Who asked a cat to guard the fish?

It’s your fault for being too kind.

Phew…

*Sigh*…♡

Yeonji still hadn’t fully regained her senses.

.

.

.

The second day was free time.

With only a day left until returning home, they decided not to wander too far and dispersed after the teacher’s instruction to return within the designated time.

Taeyang and his companions pondered where to go.

“Oh~ I hate choosing these things, so Sehee, I’ll leave it to you, okay?”

“You didn’t need to say it; I was planning on that anyway.”

“Hmm, there are too many good places to choose from.”

“Yeonji, do you have somewhere you want to go?”

“…”

“Yeonji?”

“Uh… yeah? Oh, sorry, I got lost in thought for a moment.”

“Haha, if someone saw you, they’d think you didn’t sleep and stayed up all night.”

“Haha.”

“Hey, how about this place?”

On Sehee’s phone screen, a list of must-visit spots in Jeju Island was displayed. She pointed out Aqua Planet.

“There seems to be a lot to see and it looks fun, right? What do you guys think?”

“Haha, can we see cute and fresh dolphins there?”

“I’m fine with anywhere you guys want to go.”

“Then let’s agree on that?”

With unanimous agreement, their first destination was decided as Aqua Planet.

Having had a hearty breakfast at the hotel, snacking on street food while heading there seemed like a good idea.

Upon reaching their destination, the trio entered Aqua Planet.

Inside, the aquarium was dimly lit, encouraging visitors to observe the fish swimming in tanks on both sides more closely, contrasting the bright blue hues with darkness.

Creating a romantic atmosphere between the men and women, it seemed like a popular dating spot.

“Hey Sehee, why do you look like you belong in there? You look exactly like those ugly ones, haha.”

“Better than looking like a fish that’s been squished two or three times by a dump truck, haha.”

“..Beautiful.”

While the teasing banter didn’t apply to Yeonji and the tomboyish girl, it continued.

“Hey! There’s a kid over there who looks just like you, tomboy!”

Pointing lazily as if annoyed, Taeyang gestured towards the otter family lying sprawled out.

“Haha, they look alike with their dull actions and fluffy fur.”

‘If I were that otter, would the one next to it be Taeyang?’

“Hehe.”

“Hey, why are you acting like this today?”

“Isn’t it because you keep teasing me!”

“Is it my fault?!”

Two essential places not to miss here were the overwhelmingly large main tank on display and the dolphin show.

Since there was still some time before the dolphin show, they decided to visit the main tank first.

“Wow..”

“Oh wow…”

“Amazing..”

A surreal sight that left everyone speechless.

Various fish species gathered together, creating a mesmerizing blend of different entities, along with pastel tones of blue and green mixing and shimmering.

Indeed, such places felt more profound when experienced firsthand.

After indulging in vlogs on the internet for what felt like a hundred days, it was better to experience things firsthand.

“Wow, I guess you can’t resist taking pictures in a place like this, huh?”

“I’m warning you, if you strike a weird pose like last time, you’ll be dead to me.”

“Pfft, since when did being quick-witted make someone unpopular?”

“Yeongji, come here to take a picture… Huh?”

Yeongji approached like a spooky ghost, wrapping her body around one of Taeyang’s arms.

“Haha, hey, Ice Queen, yesterday you were avoiding me like the plague, and today you’re all friendly?”

“..Oh, well… I felt bad for always avoiding you, so today I decided to be more proactive.”

“Did you suddenly grow a backbone overnight? How touching~”

“..Hmm.”

Squelch.

“Ah!”

And then, Sehee, reminiscing about the previous day, pulled Taeyang’s other arm around her.

‘…It wasn’t so bad. The fact that you kissed me and we were alone together.’

Sure enough,

Kim Taeyang seemed to have some interest in me as well.

Starting from linking arms like this, gradually becoming more conscious, and eventually…

No need for formalities or anything like that; you’re mine, so watch out!

Gasp!

“Why is she like this again?”

In an instant, finding herself holding flowers in both hands, attracting approving looks from passersby who remarked, “Ah, young love~”

“..If you stand too far away, the photos won’t turn out right! Hurry up and take the shot.”

“Alright, fine, say kimchi~”

Click!

Soon after, a dolphin show began.

The fact that the seats were filled to the brim didn’t seem like a coincidence.

Watching the delightful performance of dolphins executing high-flying acrobatics with synchronized precision alongside their trainers left the audience in awe.

“Haha, those creatures are so agile, it’s a joy to watch.”

With enthusiastic applause from the audience, the show reached its climax.

“..But seriously, can’t you guys give us some space?”

It would have been more enjoyable without the two clinging to each side like cicadas on a tree.

Engaged in a seemingly mutual(?) benefit, hanging onto sturdy arms,

Yeongji tried to calm her jittery heart by surreptitiously inhaling his scent… while Sehee aimed to conquer love amidst the tumultuous battlefield of relationships!

Of course, who could dislike such actions when charming girls like Yeongji clung to them? It was just hard to adapt to the sudden change in behavior, from forcefully gripping to acting as if nothing happened within a day.

“Sigh~ Everyone’s acting so strangely today, haha.”

“Alright, everyone~ Here’s the highlight of today, please give a big round of applause!”

Rumble!!

As the dolphin show neared its end, a momentary mishap occurred when one dolphin strayed from the group, performing antics dangerously close to the audience before causing a splash that nearly hit Taeyang and his companions.

Normally, one would move to avoid getting wet, but a thought flashed through Yeongji’s mind:

“If I get splashed, my clothes will get wet.”

“Wet clothes reveal too much, leading to an awkward situation.”

“In that case, I might need something to cover up naturally…”

“Maybe this time, Taeyang will offer his jacket…?”

Given Taeyang’s character, which couldn’t bear injustice, it was almost certain he would offer his clothes.

“Hehehe.”

As Yeongji’s condition worsened, instead of dodging like others, she spread her arms wider, seemingly trying to embrace the incoming water more openly.

“Just wait, my drug!”

Just before getting soaked, as she anticipated,

Splash!

“…Huh?”

Even though she heard a sound, upon opening her eyes, all she saw was a broad back—it turned out to be Taeyang, who had taken the hit for her.

“Phew~ Why are you sitting there foolishly when water’s coming at you? Are you in your right mind?”

“…Huh?”

After the performance ended, when officials came over bowing profusely in apology, Taeyang just smiled and waved it off as if it were nothing.

“Ah, it’s okay. It’s not intentional. It’s just clothes, you can dry them again.”

“No, it’s not. I’m so sorry, what should I do about this?”

“If you don’t have any clothes to change into, we have aquarium merchandise t-shirts that we could give you for free. Would that be okay with you..?”

“Oh? Is that okay then? I was planning to go shopping separately after the performance anyway.”

“Oh, of course. If you want the other items as well, I will provide them.”

“Yay~ww I got an ultra-cute dolphin t-shirt!!”

Getting a bunch of cute gifts unexpectedly turned out to be a good thing.

“Ah~ That was fun.”

“I’m sorry, Taeyang, for getting you wet because of me…”

“It’s fine, right? If I hadn’t gotten wet, the people behind me would have been soaked too.”

“Haha, you look awkward wearing that t-shirt with your body size.”

“Haha, the more I look at it, the more I like it. What a great find!”

However, their joyful banter was short-lived.

*Gurgle*

Was it because they had enjoyed watching and playing around so much that suddenly, their stomachs were loudly demanding food?

“Hmm…”

By the time they sat down for a late lunch, surrounded by numerous restaurants, they felt they should eat something delicious since they were already out.

“Hmm… I’m not sure what I want to eat. Do you have anything in mind?”

“I… I’m not sure either.”

“Well… there’s only one place then.”

“What’s good there?”

“Ah, it’s a pork belly restaurant, of course, to replenish our protein!”

“Haha… the sound of grilling the tender, reddish meat…”

“Oh? Meat sounds good. Yenji, are you okay with it too?”

“Yeah… I’m good with it.”

Although their words might suggest otherwise, there weren’t many dining-out options besides meat during their trip.

They arrived at the barbecue restaurant in no time.

“Eating the meat I grilled for you is quite lucky, isn’t it? Haha!”

As Taeyang rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing his sturdy wrists, the women watched him intently, focusing on his wrist rather than the sizzling meat.

Slurp…

The meat was grilled to perfection based on Taeyang’s experience working at a barbecue restaurant.

“I’m fine, so you guys eat a lot, okay? Haha!”

Never hand scissors to a woman at a barbecue restaurant!

Taeyang, maintaining his dignity as Kim Taeyang, made sure to offer the wrapped meat to others as a gesture of politeness.

First, Sehee handed a generously wrapped piece to Taeyang’s mouth.

“How is it? Delicious, right? I wrap the best ssam~”

“Haha, why did you put so much garlic? Is there some sinister intention behind it?”

“I’m giving you plenty for your health.”

Observing this, Yenji made an even bigger ssam than Sehee and offered it to Taeyang.

“Taeyang, I really appreciated earlier. Here you go~”

“Oh, then I’ll accept it without hesitation.”

Munch, munch…

“How does it taste?”

“The perfect balance of chives and spicy peppers… Isn’t it amazing?”

“Hehe…”

“Hey, Kim Taeyang, eat another one of mine.”

“But I gave you one earlier. Why don’t you just eat it yourself if you’re hungry?”

“Just eat it because I’m giving it to you.”

“Hey, hold on!”

“Taeyang, feed me mine again…”

“Mm…!”

Sehee and Yenji forcefully fed Taeyang, who was already chewing on a ssam, turning the focus from satisfying hunger to determining whose ssam was tastier in a competitive atmosphere.