Chapter 126: Outside. Sea Song (3)
Part 8
“…And so, everyone—”
“THE BEACH!!!!!”
The explosive shouts cut off Yoonseo’s attempt to recap the situation, and she closed her mouth with a wry smile. The 4Gang and Sanghyun, already ahead, bolted from the hotel—their lodging—toward the shore like arrows.
“…Didn’t we see enough of the sea on the boat ride?” she muttered, unanswered. Watching the five figures dash off with wistful eyes, a vibrant laugh—“Hahaha”—erupted beside her, so bold it made her cheeks flush as if it were shouting, “This is fine!”
“Looks lively, bright,” Sihyun said.
“…Sorry, they’re a bit immature,” Yoonseo replied.
“No need. It’s practically a deserted island—no one else to mind.”
Glancing at Sihyun’s grinning face, she sighed and looked away, realizing he wasn’t exactly normal either. He’d probably laugh off even a spit in his face. Since when, she wasn’t sure, but that impression had stuck.
“It’s a shame your parents couldn’t come, but this isn’t bad,” Sihyun said.
True, the trip was meant to give her parents a luxurious getaway, but their sudden schedule conflict left only her and Sanghyun. She’d felt guilty, but with plans set, backing out wasn’t an option. Still, she didn’t voice it—ruining the mood wasn’t her style. Instead, she shifted topics.
“…Surprising. I thought you didn’t like noisy stuff.”
Sihyun’s smile, watching the five rowdy figures banter in the distance, felt out of place. The Sihyun she remembered was quieter, gloomier—a person who’d once resolved to face death, who’d lost more than he’d gained. Years had passed, and busy lives meant they rarely met face-to-face, so her image of him lingered on that moment, watching his solitary back leave a bar.
“People expect celebrities to be all sparkle, but it’s not like that. I’ve been in business-like relationships since before this change—nothing new,” Sihyun said, as if reading her thoughts. His gaze slid toward her, his faint smile less familiar, more like a different person’s.
“But once you taste this, it’s hard to forget.”
“Taste what?”
“This.” He shrugged lightly, eyes returning forward. No further words, but the scene—five people sprinting to the shore, tirelessly chattering—spoke for him. It was something even he, with nearly everything, couldn’t have.
“If you like lively stuff, make time for it,” Yoonseo said.
“My time doesn’t mean you have time.”
“Those five have plenty.”
“It’s no fun without you.”
“Gross.” She scrunched her face and stepped away. His stifled laugh at her reaction made her own grimace feel silly, and she relaxed.
“…The others seem fine. I’m the only one seasick?” a voice called from behind.
Yoonseo and Sihyun stopped simultaneously. The five ahead had overshadowed the others still here. Some didn’t know about her or Sihyun’s illness, so casual talk wasn’t entirely safe.
“You okay, Bonfire-nim?” Yoonseo asked.
“Humans… aren’t meant to endure eight hours on a boat…” Bonfire groaned.
Leaving Sihyun’s shrugging, ambiguous expression behind, Yoonseo approached the stragglers: Bonfire the streamer, the doctor, and Minho and Hyunji from Flying Rabbit, whom she often relied on.
She let out a small laugh. These were people she’d met post-transformation, symbols of her new life’s positivity. Bonfire stumbled, supported by Minho’s wry smile; Hyunji fidgeted nervously; the doctor offered medicine from who-knows-where.
“Weak, Bonfire-nim. So tall yet so frail,” Yoonseo teased.
“Ow… Bratty Yoonseo? That’s rare…” Bonfire muttered.
“Bratty…?”
The term sounded familiar. Tilting her head, she saw Bonfire’s half-dead face force a smile. If he could still joke, he was probably okay.
“Maybe rest inside,” the doctor suggested.
“You’re scaring me, doc… Fresh air’s better than AC. Don’t fuss,” Bonfire said.
“Oh, thanks for the meds. Where’s the trash?” “Beach should have bins.” Hearing their chatter, Yoonseo decided they’d be fine and let them be.
“By the way, Yoonseo-ssi, no swimsuit?” Minho asked.
“Need swimsuit pics?” Hyunji added.
“Just thought, since we’re here and you okayed photos,” Minho said, tapping the camera around his neck, trailing off apologetically.
The word “swimsuit” drew sharp looks from Bonfire and Hyunji, but Yoonseo, used to ignoring such reactions, played it off.
“It’s a beach cardigan. Proper swimsuit underneath. Too shy to show much skin.”
“Oh, got it—” Minho started.
“Ho, a beach cardigan,” Hyunji cut in, her voice sly.
Swallowing a sigh, Yoonseo stiffly turned to Hyunji. “What about it?”
“Nothing, just… it’ll be a showstopper at the beach. Right, Bonfire-nim?”
“Setting traps like that? Sneaky, Yoonseo…” Bonfire added.
What were they talking about? Glancing at Minho, he just shrugged, as clueless as her.
“Also, Yoonseo-ssi,” Hyunji continued.
“What.”
“No need to be so guarded. Ever worn a beach cardigan at the sea?”
“…No?”
“Hmm… I see… Hmm…”
Ominous. Bonfire, half-dead, and fidgety Hyunji both wore sly, unsettling smirks. Muttering softly, Hyunji’s words were inaudible, but Yoonseo’s gut screamed to escape.
“Anyway, don’t jump in the water like that. Rest when you reach the beach. Getting hurt on vacation’s worse,” she said.
“Yeees,” Bonfire replied, his weak tone either understanding or perfunctory.
On a peak summer day, a vacation on an unnamed private island was beginning.