episode_0401

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The festival had already become a story from weeks ago.

As the days piled up, so did the stifling summer air—and the discomfort index along with it.

Even the cicadas’ cries, which at first made me think, Ah, summer’s here, now only grated on my nerves.

I had expected it to some extent, but ever since that day after the counseling session ended,

Seo Woojin had been reaching out to me occasionally.

“I tried taking care of it myself, but that didn’t help at all.” That was the gist of it.

Well, of course it wouldn’t.

Unless I were some kind of expert, how could a half-baked solution I spat out possibly work?

Besides, he’d already tried masturbating—saying he wanted to cut down on how often he had sex with Hayoon and Jiyoon.

So unless he picked up some pervert who’s into lewd stuff just to relieve his urges… it’s not like there’s an easy fix.

Not that I, with my eyes wide open, would ever turn a blind eye to such deviance, of course.

But at this point, I couldn’t think of any other sharp solution.

Unless, in the distant future, I somehow became utterly obsessed with sex with my boyfriend, it’s something I’d never understand in this lifetime.

So I just sent back dry, indifferent replies like “That’s unfortunate,” “Time will heal it,” or “Have you tried an onahole or some adult toys?” and floated through my monotonous daily life.

Chatting with friends, including Hayoon.

Complaining to my boyfriend—who was going out less because of the heat—that it was only mid-June and already unbearably hot.

Keeping my skills sharp by sparring. Studying.

…And on the rare quiet days at home,

with my lips tightly sealed,

I’d indulge in my own pleasant, private time.

…One more time.

Enjoying myself.

Amid all that, something quietly crept closer.

“Ah, right. Dabin, remember what we talked about last time?”

“Last time? …Last time when?”

“After the double date! When we rented the place and showered together! Don’t you remember?”

“…Showered together… After the double date…”

“I asked when we could hang out again! You really don’t remember?”

“…Ah. …Did I say we should go to the beach because it’s hot?”

“Yeah, yeah! That! Or even just a pool would be fine too!”

“Hmm…”

“So? Wanna go?”

At the tail end of the semester, the final exams loomed.

And then, a summer vacation with absolutely no plans.

401

[Lee Hayoon] – Wouldn’t it be best to go before the hottest part of summer, before we get busy with training?

The finals were over.

Judging by gut feeling, my grades would probably be around the usual.

Written exams: mid-tier. Practicals: upper-mid range.

With that, I figured the training I’d undergo this break wouldn’t be a problem.

The hero industry had always suffered from a chronic lack of manpower, so unless you were in the absolute bottom tier where serious issues might arise during training, they’d take just about any student.

A prime example from the lower ranks was Hayoon back in our first year.

And Baek Jiho, who was probably next door right now, giggling at YouTube videos.

Right on cue, as I pressed my ear to the wall, I heard a snorting laugh.

I’d thrown out that comment offhand, but it seemed he really was doing just that.

Pathetic. Really…

Anyway, Hayoon’s biggest hurdle wasn’t just being in the lower ranks—it was how easily she got hurt when using her powers.

But she overcame that flaw with her boyfriend’s help, which was why she became this year’s “Academic Excellence Scholarship” recipient. And why a few well-known agencies—the kind everyone recognizes by name—had sent her love calls. All of it was truly fortunate.

Even if I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of inferiority, given our similar career paths.

But Baek Jiho? Still rock bottom.

Did this guy not worry about his future at all?

Spending even his third-year summer break at the academy—if it were me, I’d be so embarrassed I’d at least train harder.

Back then, he joked about becoming a manual labor ace if things didn’t work out, but maybe he wasn’t kidding…

Setting aside my unwarranted older-sister-like concerns for Jiho, I tapped on my phone.

[Seol Dabin] – Yeah. – If we’re going, earlier is better. – It’s already too hot for early July.

[Lee Hayoon] – ? – Early July is supposed to be hot, though?

[Seol Dabin] – I mean, even for early July, it’s too hot. – Maybe I’m heat-struck. That came out weird.

[Lee Hayoon] – Well… – The news is going crazy about it too. Crazy.

The news.

Now that I thought about it, while lying on the living room couch watching TV, I’d seen the words “record-breaking heatwave” crawling along the bottom of the screen.

It felt like an exaggeration, but since it’s something you see almost every year, I didn’t pay much attention.

But some regions had already hit highs of 36°C, even 37°C. Emergency heatwave warnings and disaster alerts telling people to stay indoors kept popping up…

This year really was hotter than last.

Summer would stay like this all the way through August, as usual.

By mid-July, it’d be so hot you’d understand why summer break exists in the first place.

So as for water activities…

One trip now wouldn’t be bad.

Baek Jiho could use a refresh too.

[Seol Dabin] – Just the four of us again, like last time?

[Lee Hayoon] – For now? – We’re all adults anyway, so a one-night, two-day trip should be fine. – Or we could stay an extra day and hit up some famous food spots.

[Seol Dabin] – Famous food spots…

That was a tempting proposal too.

Of course, you couldn’t expect much from restaurants near tourist spots, but occasionally, you’d find a real gem.

Even if we stepped on a landmine, it’d be a fun memory.

Lying back comfortably, I kept typing.

[Seol Dabin] – Alright. I’ll ask my boyfriend. – What about you? Did you tell the health teacher?

[Lee Hayoon] – Hmm… I haven’t yet, but I think he’d go if I asked. – He mentioned being free all summer break last time.

[Seol Dabin] – Ah.

That lowered the chance of scheduling conflicts.

Baek Jiho would be completely free until his remedial classes started, and right now, he’d probably jump at any chance to go out.

Especially if “going out” meant the beach.

After rolling around in bed and exchanging a few more messages, I knocked on the wall before heading next door.

It was right next door, after all.

Better to talk in person than dryly over text.

“The beach… Wow, it’s been ages since I last went. Three years? Maybe four?”

“Yeah. Around then.”

“That was a family trip, right? Your family and mine.”

“Yeah. Obviously, minors wouldn’t have gone alone. …If that had happened, your dad would’ve come to wring your neck.”

“Damn, imagining that is terrifying. Your dad’s sweet, but his face is kinda…”

“Ah, here it is. The swimwear shop.”

“Didn’t know there was a place like this around.”

There was a lot to prepare, but

this came first.

One day, not long after summer break began,

Baek Jiho and I visited an offline swimwear store. I frowned slightly as I looked inside the shop, which felt more like a marketplace.

Not because it was crowded.

But because there were so many swimsuits—enough to make the word “market” come to mind.

Rows of identical swimsuits, likely bulk stock, and beyond that, every imaginable style hanging thickly on the walls.

The sheer variety made it hard to choose.

Maybe I should’ve gone to a department store instead, but my wallet couldn’t handle that.

With a quiet sigh, I stepped inside without another word.

“Baek Jiho, what are you getting?”

“Trunks. They’re the safest, right?”

“Hmm…”

“You? A one-piece? Rash guard? Monokini?”

“…What? How do you know more types than me?”

“Nothing weird. Just skimmed through swimwear types last night.”

“…Last night?”

“…H-Hey. Not like that. It’s not what you think.”

Hmm.

If sex is off the table, at least he’s still taking care of himself.

I kicked Jiho’s shin lightly with the toe of my shoe and walked ahead.

With each step, my eyes landed on the countless swimsuits filling the store.

The types Jiho mentioned were there, along with ones he hadn’t—like bikinis.

If I had to pick the one that appealed most…

It’d probably be a rash guard or one-piece, since I wouldn’t have to worry about stares.

“……”

But this is a double date with Hayoon’s couple.

And a one-night trip at that.

“Hey. Baek Jiho.”

“Yeah?”

“What about this?”

Next to a plain-colored rash guard,

I picked up a bold bikini top and held it up to my chest.

“…What kind of answer are you looking for?”

“Your thoughts.”

“My thoughts… Hmm…”

“It’s simple. Do you want me to wear this?”

“……”

“……”

“Pretty… Yeah. …It’s pretty.”

“Then I’ll get this. No—I am getting this.”

“…Okay.”

“And since the health teacher’s covering the lodging, we should at least buy some food to bring…”

10 out of 100 points.

A feeble attempt to make up for that drunken slip-up.

“Are you okay with the fatigue?”

“Hm?”

“You drove the whole way here alone.”

“Oh, that. It wasn’t that long. I sometimes drive for my dad during holidays.”

“Ugh… I should’ve at least gotten my license…”

“Ah, don’t worry about it. Besides, you booked this expensive pension for us, right? Let me at least carry the bags!”

“Whoa—”

Before me stretched the blue sea and a pale sky.

Baek Jiho, carrying both our bags, ran ahead.

Watching his back, I let out a light chuckle and followed.

About a month had passed since the double date with Seol Dabin.

The only progress in our relationship was “briefly exchanging lewd talk,” but luckily, a new opportunity arose just a month later.

During summer break, I’d planned to either check in on the academy’s bottom-tier failures in person,

meet up with girls I remembered from nearby areas,

or just relax after all the chaos so far.

But who knew I’d run into Seol Dabin like this?

Fortune must’ve favored me.

“Phew…”

Separately,

though I’d seen it on the drive here, the beachfront was packed with people in swimsuits, even along the busy road.

Seeing this from the pension onward, it seemed to be the norm here.

Since this was my first time visiting a beach, I trailed after Baek Jiho like a country bumpkin, gawking at everything.

Step, step. The sunbaked sand made a pleasant sound underfoot.

“Teacher, do you like meat? We brought some really good stuff to make up for the lodging costs. Well, it’s my parents’ money, but still.”

“Who doesn’t? Unless you’re a vegetarian.”

“Then later, I’ll grill it like a madman, so you can look forward to—”

“Woojin—”

Just then,

Lee Hayoon’s voice called from behind us, near the pension.

She must’ve taken a bit longer because of her swimsuit, but changing clothes didn’t take that long.

Turning with a hand shielding my eyes from the sun, I saw Hayoon in a swimsuit that suited her well, with a light cover-up over it.

And—

“Hey, Baek Jiho. This is a towel and drinks… These are spare clothes… And also…”

Despite the leering stares from men around her,

Seol Dabin ignored them effortlessly and walked up to Jiho.

We’d only exchanged a few words,

but she was a woman I hadn’t even dared to touch yet.

A woman who already had a firm partner.

…Which was exactly why.

I wanted her even more.

“Woojin, isn’t it nice coming to the beach together?”

“Yeah. The air feels fresher somehow.”

“Ahaha… With all the cars honking, I doubt it’s that fresh.”

As I stared at her, lost in thought,

she glanced my way after briskly passing me to reach Jiho.

“Hey, you two. Don’t just play around—help out a little.”

“…Ah, hold on. Noona, let’s go over there.”

“Hey, the teacher booked this place for us, why are you—”

Well, it wasn’t exactly a kind remark, but still.