Chapter 26: First Trip with My Girlfriend

    TL: looloo

    Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat

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    The preparations for the beach trip were well underway.

    Mom checked the location of the hotel she had booked, and we looked up the transportation we''d use to get there and any nearby attractions.

    Seeing their concerns, my parents occasionally asked if everything was being prepared properly. Every time my brother or his girlfriend Yoonjung saw me, they would bring up the trip.

    Especially since it was just the two of us going, my sister made a big fuss. She''d occasionally chat for hours, insisting that we should all meet up once we returned.

    We planned to depart the day after the end-of-term ceremony. As the day approached, my feelings were a mix of anxiety, anticipation, and excitement.

    How could I not feel this way?

    If it were just a day trip, it would be like an extension of our regular dates. The mere thought of spending a night, in the same room, with my girlfriend had my heart racing.

    Such thoughts were so persistent that they began to disrupt my daily life.

    Still, time moved on, amidst all this.

    "Han Yeonho... You''re not yourself today."

    "This guy has been acting strange for days."

    "Ugh."

    "What the hell are you thinking?"

    During gym class, I zoned out while playing basketball and ended up getting an earful from Kim Suhwang and a few others.

    "Hey."

    "What?"

    "Take this."

    "What''s this... Whoa! Are you out of your mind?"

    "They might have them at the hotel, but the ones they provide aren''t that great."

    "I won''t! I said I won''t!"

    My elder brother slyly handed me a contraceptive, which led to a burst of choice words from me.

    "Jeongwoo, are you okay?"

    "Yoonjung noona..."

    "Why are you being stingy with Yeonho? You should be giving him number 1!"

    "Oh, come on!"

    I couldn''t help but curse at my sister for her nonsense.

    Being the youngest, my elder brother, despite our age difference, always looked out for me. Still, giving me a condom was crossing a line.

    Isn''t it weird for brothers to discuss this? My elder brother must be very peculiar. My younger brother wouldn''t talk about this.

    Sometimes, he seemed to regard me not as a sibling, but as his own child.

    "Have fun on your trip."

    "Yes."

    "I''ve deposited some extra allowance into your account. Spend it wisely."

    "Dad...!!"

    "Buy some delicious food for your sister."

    Raei Translations

    ---

    On the day of the trip.

    Although the excitement kept me awake, thankfully, I didn''t oversleep. As soon as I woke up, I quickly prepared to depart, changing into the outfit I had set out the night before.

    When I stepped into the living room, everyone seemed even more excited than I was.

    Usually, our household mornings are quiet, with everyone but mom asleep if there''s no school, work, or part-time job. But today, my family eagerly discussed and checked the contents of our bags, ensuring nothing was forgotten.

    It felt a bit over-the-top. After all, we''d only be away for one night. A quick online search revealed we''d be staying at a pretty decent hotel, so we could use their toiletries.

    In the end, the essentials packed in my bag were a change of clothes, swimwear, lotion, sunscreen, and sandals for the beach.

    "Are you sure you''re not taking this?"

    "Put that away before you break a finger!"

    "Jeez..."

    I chuckled at my older brother who couldn''t let go of his joke about the contraception. After mentally reviewing the items and hotel reservations, I grabbed my sports bag.

    Wearing light blue jeans, a loose-fitting white tee, a black hat, and the stylish glasses I had recently bought, I did a final check in the mirror before putting on my shoes.

    "I''ll be off then!"

    "Drive safely and have fun!"

    Leaving behind the family, minus my younger brother who was in the military, I stepped out.

    The moment I left the house, my steps felt light, as if I was floating.

    I took a bus towards Heena''s house. We planned to meet nearby and then take the train to catch the KTX.

    Initially, I thought of taking an intercity bus straight there, but Heena seemed averse to long bus rides. To get to Sokcho, even if we took the KTX, we''d still need to take a bus from Gangneung for about an hour. Still, she seemed to prefer this route.

    I also wasn''t keen on a near four-hour bus ride due to potential motion sickness, so we agreed on this plan.

    Soon after disembarking the bus, I spotted Heena in the distance near the bus stop.

    She wore matching light blue jeans and a white tee, topped with a slightly awkward black hat. It looked as if she wasn''t used to wearing hats, which made her look even cuter. Behind her stood a small suitcase.

    I approached her with a smile.

    "Have you been waiting long? It''s quite warm out, isn''t it?"

    "I just got here as well."

    Even if she had been waiting for a while, she wouldn''t admit it. Similarly, even if she had arrived early, she''d say she just got there. It was our usual friendly banter.

    "But you brought a lot. I didn''t expect you to bring a suitcase."

    "Just a few clothes. And this is super convenient to drag around!"

    "Ah, it does look handy."

    With the retractable handle and wheels, it definitely seemed like a practical choice, especially if carrying a heavy load. Had it been a backpack, I would have offered to carry it for her.

    "You came out wearing glasses?"

    "Yeah, think they go with the outfit?"

    "Perfectly! Oh, let''s take a picture first!"

    "Sure~"

    They immediately leaned in and captured a selfie in the bright sunlight. Having taken so many photos over time, their poses now came naturally.

    As soon as the photo was taken, they both checked it and burst into laughter. The picture wasn''t particularly funny, but it still brought smiles to their faces.

    After a hearty laugh, a hand was extended towards Heena.

    She gently responded, intertwining her fingers with the offered hand. Together, they continued walking at a leisurely pace.