episode_0068
by fnovelpia“People… people… and people….”
“Let’s go to a different gate.”
“Ugh….”
From the parking lot, it was tough, but here was even more so.
I wanted to go back home.
Although the homebody in me wanted to go out with my beloved boyfriend, being in such a crowded place was a bit overwhelming.
I naturally fall into the category of a homebody.
Friends from elementary and middle school were a given, but even friends from high school didn’t bother to call or text after going to the military.
They were just temporary fun buddies when passing by. Now, even the colleagues I trained with in the military are becoming distant.
“Oh, there’s a standing spot here too?”
“Yeah. Better than before, right?”
“Well… that’s true, but how did you know about this?”
“There are ways.”
The memory of touching my phone briefly crossed my mind, but I decided to let it pass.
I’m looking at the older brother I’m trying to lead.
This indoor amusement park experience is new to me. Honestly, I have no idea what’s going on.
*Sigh*…
It was a brief wait, but the cold was creeping into my bones.
Taking off my coat, underneath was in a miserable state.
I firmly believed it would be warm indoors, but unfortunately, the waiting area wasn’t inside.
“Just bear with it a little… I’ll take off my coat.”
Luckily, I had bought slightly thicker stockings.
My thighs were practically bare, feeling like I could die, but wearing the brother’s coat helped a bit.
He must be feeling cold too, so he should have refused, but honestly, I was underdressed.
Everyone was focused on having fun, not paying much attention to their clothes. They must feel how cold it is now.
Am I trying to wear pretty clothes?
Maybe I’m just a vain woman.
“Come here. It’s cold.”
Feeling a slight warmth, I waited, noticing that the brother was shivering a bit.
“Well… compared to the extreme cold winter…”
Why does this brother keep saying such things?
“I’ve been through it too, so come here.”
“Oh. Okay.”
After pondering how to keep him warmest, I realized that if I kept hesitating, the brother would keep getting colder.
“For now… like this.”
For me, closeness is crucial.
I like it, and he likes it even more.
Depending on the situation, he might like it.
Right now, he seems to like it but feels embarrassed.
“If you’re so embarrassed, maybe covering me up is a solution?”
“…Let’s just stay like this.”
Since he embraced me from the front, I had to step back, but there were fewer people around compared to earlier. The path seemed as long as a snake.
“When everyone arrives, make sure to tell me, okay?”
“Yeah.
Despite the crowd, it felt like the brother and I were the protagonists here.
Perhaps it’s because everyone is wearing long coats.
Or maybe it’s because I’m dressed so lightly that it’s hard to believe it’s winter.
Or maybe it’s because the brother, who seems to shine in my eyes, stands tall with a handsome face.
He looked like a prince.
I may feel sorry for others, but I probably look like an extra.
It felt like a spotlight was shining only on the brother and me in a musical.
“Are you warm?”
“Yes, I am.”
The brother seemed to have gotten a bit used to it, signaling me whenever people moved forward.
As time passed, our turn was approaching, and the brother let go of me.
“That was nice. Thank you.”
We parted from the honey-like closeness we shared.
Warmth faded, leaving a sense of emptiness.
Somehow, a feeling of regret lingered, but in the distance, the voices of people were spreading vigorously.
“Excuse me.”
Upon checking the ticket, the part-timer wrapped a paper around my wrist.
This is probably the ticket, right?
“Now… I think we should go this way.”
As my brother extended his hand, I naturally took it.
We were led slowly and ascended the escalator.
“Wow…”
The wind calmed down, and the stiff feeling in my body from the warmth dissipated.
A tingling sensation arose all over my body.
Excitement surged through me.
Sure enough, amidst the crowd of people, what caught my eye immediately was the giant dome covering us like an indoor yet almost park-like space.
My mouth couldn’t help but gape at the spectacle filled with various amusements.
“What should we do?”
“Um… let’s see.”
When asked to choose between two options, one tends to decide after some thought.
However, when asked to choose among three, the deliberation time increases.
Here, there were not just three options. There were numerous attractions visible from both above and below the dome, including something far off that seemed quite entertaining.
Just from what was visible at the entrance, there were already over 10 things to consider.
In the face of endless choices, indecision often leads to unfavorable decisions.
“Ah. I want to take off my outerwear for now.”
Pointing towards the storage lockers, I removed my coat first.
Since we had to pay, our clothes were placed together in one spot.
“…It’s still embarrassing.”
“You really look good in it.”
Wearing the same uniform as my boyfriend, I shouldn’t feel embarrassed. Doing something alone might be embarrassing, but doing it together or in a group lessens the embarrassment by half.
“Lead the way quickly, boyfriend. Everyone is getting settled. If you keep feeling embarrassed all day, you won’t be able to enjoy anything.”
“…That’s okay.”
“Huh?”
The meaning of “that’s okay” became clear later on, but for now, I held onto my brother and followed him.
Though the crowd remained thick, my brother guided me once again.
Passing through trees exuding a winter atmosphere and an entrance adorned with fake snow, people were lined up once more.
“Phew…”
“Let’s take a quick look here and then move on to something else?”
Although he mentioned this wasn’t popular, we still had to wait for 10 minutes. Since popularity truly begins from at least an hour, it seems like conversing with your partner rather than enjoying the ride is the actual purpose.
In a joyful place, conversations seem to flow naturally, perhaps due to the heightened mood.
“Wow, a tiger! Brother, it’s a tiger!”
While everyone rushed towards the popular spot, we opted for a regular safari.
The earlier entrance led outdoors while also connecting to the safari area.
Safari didn’t seem particularly exciting, so for someone like me who preferred other rides, it felt like entering a new world.
Was I watching the animals or watching my brother watch the animals?
The bus was warm and perfect for animal viewing.
Seeing the animals up close was exactly like watching them on screen, yet somehow it felt fascinating.
“Wow, I caught it!”
“Oh, really.”
Especially when we threw bread, the bear catching it instantly seemed like a video game graphic.
“Hmm… why is this so fun?”
“Yeah, it seems even more enjoyable up close.”
Glancing at his watch, my brother took my hand.
“Now… shall we go for something fun?”
“Do we really have to wait for an hour?”
Watching people pass by and buying coffee from a nearby cafe to sit on a bench and chat seemed more enjoyable.
“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Filled with confidence, I obediently followed my brother.
This is what’s cool.
Passing by people, we entered a thrilling ride filled with cheers.
Even though a sign flashed by stating a minimum 100-minute wait…
“Huh.”
“Let’s go.”
“Huh?”
Impressed by the amusement park.
Without waiting in line, they went straight to another place and got on a ride right away.
What are they waiting in line for?
“No… Why?”
“You’re paying for time.”
It’s not like the old days where you just spent time chatting; now you can make reservations to get on rides.
Seems like it costs quite a bit of money, though.
My brother doesn’t seem to care about that kind of thing at all.
“…Is this scary?”
“Uh. I don’t like scary things either. Just heard it’s a bit fast.”
Following the staff’s instructions, we filled out the safety bar, put our phones and bags in the net, and listened to the lines flowing almost at the level of memorization like reading a Korean textbook before setting off.
Slightly faster. Mezzo forte.
“Uh… Uh!?”
“Oh, darn.”
No. This was fortissimo.
Who said it was just a bit fast?
We screamed on the fast-moving train.
Hair wildly shaking, hitting our faces, my brother shouting.
“Ugh….”
A brief resting period.
The train rolled slowly as if creating tension.
Making creaking sounds, even inducing fear.
“Oh… Brother.”
“…Nooo!!”
My brother’s words were drowned out by the strong wind blowing.
Going up and down, this ride that seemed to want to inflict pain on people could be a killing machine.
Even after arriving, my mind was still replaying the previous situation.
Even after slightly regaining my senses and getting off, my body felt weightless.
“…I’m gonna die.”
“It’s easy… Let’s ride something easy. Yeah… I think the carousel would be nice.”
Reckless driving… That kind of feeling.
As we stumbled out, the next person screamed.
What sounded like cheers before riding now sounded more like pleas for mercy.
“Phew… It was still fun.”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t have fun… I just don’t feel like riding again.”
Sitting on a bench, leaning on each other, we took a short break.
In the latter part, barely opening my eyes to look ahead, I debated whether to savor the quickly passing scenery or ride feeling like a pilot battling strong winds, but watching my brother gripping the safety bar tightly with a bewildered expression was the most fun.
“Anyway… Shall we ride more? Looks like there are designated spots for good photos.”
Standing in front of the carousel, taking turns with lovers, it seemed like a place with a picture-perfect backdrop.
“Oh… That one looks alright.”
My brother stood up energetically.
Today, it seemed like he was determined to see it through to the end no matter what.
…?
“Lift me up.”
I spread my arms.
After hesitating for a moment and trying various poses, my brother hugged me and lifted me up.
“Okay. Scored some points.”
I didn’t let go of my brother.
“Ah… Jihye…”
“Hehe. Okay.”
My brother looked around, trying to somehow get me off, but he couldn’t use his strength.
Watching my brother embarrassed might be the joy of life.
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