episode_0402

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Transparent seawater lapping over scorching hot sand.

I dipped my feet into the clear water—neither as blue as it appeared from afar nor shimmering with blinding sunlight.

Cool seawater seeped into the plush slippers I had been wearing. The unfamiliar sensation made me slow my steps, and Lee Hayoon, who had been walking ahead, flashed a bright smile and tugged me toward her.

Step by step.

The water, which had only reached the tops of my feet, now rose to my ankles.

The waves, soaking my ankles, climbed higher—to my calves, then to my knees with each gentle ripple.

And then—

“Take this!!”

Before I knew it, the water came crashing down over me.

It took less than a second.

“Nuna, wait… That’s cheating…”

“Wait for what?!”

“It is cheating… …Pfft!”

A wave far too large to have been scooped up by mere hands slammed into me, carrying the sound of Lee Hayoon’s delighted laughter.

Thanks to that, my stiff, dry hair was instantly drenched in seawater.

The parts of my body she had meticulously slathered with sunscreen—You have to apply it thoroughly!—were now completely soaked.

She even went as far as lifting me into her arms and lightly tossing me toward slightly deeper water.

For someone who always insists on acting like the older sister around me,

these occasional antics of hers are no different from a child’s.

“Ahaha~ Look at your hair, all wet now. But it must feel nice and cool, right~?”

“…I can’t believe you.”

“Here. Take my hand.”

Still, it seemed her mischief had its limits. As I surrendered without even putting up a fight, Hayoon giggled and reached out her hand.

Her usual cute smile, now turned toward me with the scorching sun at her back.

Putting up with meaningless pranks like this was something I’d been trained to endure for nearly a decade by a certain troublesome Japanese person.

Compared to that, this was nothing.

Brushing back my wet hair, I took Hayoon’s small hand and pulled myself up.

“Phew… I’ve always wanted to do something like this at least once. Guess I got to cross it off my bucket list before dying.”

“You’ve never done this with friends?”

“Well, I’ve done it a couple times with friends… but they’re all girls.”

Chattering away, she added with a sly smile—This is my first time doing it with a guy.

My first time.

Could there be any sweeter words than that?

Painting a blank canvas with my own colors, shaping it as I please—

who wouldn’t love that?

As I indulged in these pleasant thoughts, watching Hayoon avert her gaze as if belatedly embarrassed,

I felt eyes on me from afar.

From the direction of the parasol.

I turned my head slightly toward it.

“……?”

…Did I just make eye contact with Seol Dahyun under the parasol?

My eyesight is decent, but it happened so quickly that I couldn’t be sure.

Even as I kept staring, wondering if I’d imagined it, Seol Dahyun was now just helping Baek Jiho with organizing their things.

Her body wasn’t even facing this way—she was turned toward Baek Jiho beside her.

Well… I guess she just happened to glance over and our eyes met.

But since we’re already at the beach…

It’d be nice if I could make use of these little opportunities.

“…….”

Just then, a good idea came to mind.

After organizing my thoughts, I looked down at Hayoon, who was now fidgeting with an innocent float after her first time comment.

If Seol Dahyun occasionally glances this way…

The best way to plant a favorable image would be—

this.

“…Huh? Wait, here…?”

Showing the two of us getting along like this—

and showing how much I cherish Hayoon—would be the best approach.

“……, …. …Pfft….”

Since we were outside, lighter than usual.

After a brief kiss, I pulled away.

Even if it’s relatively quiet now, there are still eyes around.

“I’m happy. That I was your first.”

The gaze I’d felt earlier—the one that appeared and vanished—

returned the moment our lips touched,

then disappeared just as suddenly.

402

…Thinking about it pisses me off.

Me, huh?

Who do you think I wore this swimsuit for…?!

You think I put on this damn bikini just so random creeps could sneak glances at me?!

Baek Jiho, I even wore this embarrassing bikini for you, but you keep avoiding my eyes with that lame excuse of having to organize things…

I helped you finish quickly since it was taking forever, and now you’re rushing ahead to join the teacher…

You could just look at me openly…

“Sigh…”

…Anyway.

Baek Jiho’s reaction wasn’t exactly great, but it wasn’t bad either. That’s what I should focus on.

Even if I can’t erase this awkward tension between us all at once, little moments like this will add up. Eventually.

Then maybe one day, we can play around happily like those two earlier.

Or even kiss like a couple, showing off.

It might become possible.

If I’m lucky…

Maybe not in the distant future, but as early as tonight.

“The alcohol? Did you bring it, Dahyun?”

“Here. Can’t you see?”

“Ah, okay.”

No matter how much you love the summer beach, you can’t stay in the water all day.

After enjoying watery torture and other fun under the blazing sun, we returned to the pension before sunset to prepare for the next activity.

Nothing fancy—just a barbecue on the pension’s rooftop.

At first, I worried about bugs, but Seo Woojin mentioned it was a private space with a stunning open view through transparent glass, so I dropped it.

Honestly, seeing the price of this place was a bit shocking.

They better have amenities like this.

“Looks like they provide kimchi, utensils, bowls, and even ssam vegetables. Guess we didn’t have to bring everything.”

“Then I’ll go get them. You and your boyfriend worked hard today…”

I thought we came back early, but maybe washing up took longer than expected.

The sky was already half-painted in sunset hues.

A colorful panorama stretching from the dimly darkened east to the fairytale-like shades of the west.

After briefly admiring the view, I set the cooler I’d brought on the table.

Baek Jiho’s side had ramen, instant rice, and… enough meat for four people, maybe even a bit too much.

This side was alcohol.

It’ll probably go to waste, but better too much than too little.

“Shall we eat now? Everyone must be tired and hungry.”

“I’m all for it. Ah, can you pass me the gloves and torch?”

“Hold on.”

Seo Woojin handed the gloves and torch to Baek Jiho, who was checking the grill for charcoal.

As I absentmindedly stared at him passing by, I noticed his black T-shirt looked more casual than what he’d worn earlier.

Probably loungewear or sleepwear.

I thought someone as rich as him would wear something fancier, but seeing him look no different from me made me smirk.

Maybe I just had preconceptions about the wealthy.

His pants were just ordinary sweatpants, too.

At home, or when spending weekends with Hayoon, he probably dresses like this all the time.

“…….”

…Or maybe…

Since he mentioned having trouble keeping up with their sex life,

maybe he doesn’t even wear pants.

So normally, he’s just… like in those risqué videos, you know.

Starting off limp, then getting hard from a woman’s touch…

…Ah, on weekends, maybe Hayoon and Jiyoon do it together like that time I overheard…

…I should really stop these thoughts.

Ever since the festival, I keep…

Randomly imagining…

“Hm?”

“…”

Was I staring at Seo Woojin too long while lost in these embarrassing thoughts?

He noticed my gaze and met my eyes.

Come to think of it, we made eye contact like this earlier at the beach, too.

Though it was from a distance then, he must have sharp senses.

…Or maybe, since I was wearing that bikini, it was just a natural reaction as a guy.

Either way, I pretended not to notice and looked out at the evening sea.

Sadly, I soon heard the sound of a chair being pulled out across from me.

“What’s that?”

“…What?”

“The cooler you brought. That one has meat, right?”

“Alcohol. Bottled beer and soju. Some canned beer, too. And cola, just in case…”

“Oh…”

Seo Woojin let out a short exclamation, then asked, Mind if I take a look? before reaching for the cooler beside me.

Last time we double-dated, I think he said his limit was around three bottles.

I don’t remember the exact amount, but I do recall he drinks well.

Seems he enjoys it, too.

As I reminisced, I rested my chin on the table and gave him a sidelong glance.

“The cola’s for Hayoon and, uh, Baek Jiho. You know that, right?”

“Of course. Last time, I noticed they don’t drink much.”

Well, then there’s nothing else to say.

I can’t exactly bring up the advice he sought from me in front of Baek Jiho.

So I stayed quiet, idly scrolling through my phone while listening to Seo Woojin and Baek Jiho’s small talk to pass the time.

“Ta-da~! I brought a mountain of lettuce, perilla leaves, and all sorts of stuff~!”

As always, the cheerful Hayoon waddled up to the rooftop, and with that, our little barbecue party began.

Not grand, but cozy.

Eating happily.

Drinking until we’re happily drunk.