Side Story Chapter 3
“Which ones have the highest price range? I’d prefer not to get something too cheap.”
While this might make me look like a sucker, it was an important process for me. Financial value wasn’t the top priority, but since this was our first coupling and proposal ring, I wanted to buy something as good as possible.
The employee who heard my words showed an even more professional demeanor. She showed me several more rings that, while similar in design at first glance, clearly looked more expensive.
Once again, I earnestly imagined Song Ji-hyeok wearing the ring in my mind, had an in-depth conversation with the employee, and finally chose one. After spending considerable time, only the final hurdle remained.
“Do you happen to know the ring size?”
“Ah, yes. Just a moment.”
I immediately took out a ring from my pants pocket. When Song Ji-hyeok wore casual clothes, he often wore fashionable necklaces or rings, and I remembered the ring he had worn most recently and secretly snatched it today. It was in preparation for this very moment.
“One should be the same size as this, and could I get my size measured here?”
“Of course, sir. Absolutely.”
What a truly kind employee. Thanks to her, I smoothly cleared every step, gave my sincere thanks, and left the jewelry shop.
Song Ji-hyeok’s ring that I had secretly snatched was still in my pants pocket. As I walked to the parking lot, rolling it gently in my hand like prayer beads, laughter kept leaking out without me realizing it. Soon, overwhelmed by pride and embarrassment, I even cleared my throat unnecessarily.
The female protagonist in the movie I watched yesterday shed tears of joy when she received a proposal, but I didn’t dare dream of such a thing. There was only one thing I wanted from Song Ji-hyeok.
I hoped I could see him smile happily.
***
Seven years since joining the guild. That was synonymous with seven years of working life, and during that time, I had attended various celebrations and mourning events for guild members and their families.
Among these, whenever I went to congratulate guild members on their weddings, there was one common thought. Naturally enough, the bride and groom looked the most beautiful and happy in the world.
Today’s wedding was no different. Park Jae-kyung’s face as she marched down the virgin road with her spouse’s arm linked, smiling brightly, looked the happiest I had ever seen her.
Song Ji-hyeok must have felt it too, as I heard him speak quietly beside me.
“She looks really happy.”
“She really does. She looks happy.”
As I replied, I fiddled with what was in my coat pocket. Tension almost rose, but just then, the photographer’s call for picture-taking drew everyone’s attention.
As a friend, I proudly decorated a page of the wedding photos, enjoyed a delicious meal at the buffet restaurant, congratulated the bride and groom once more, and then Song Ji-hyeok and I headed to the parking lot. Thanks to starting the engine beforehand, warmth circulated inside the car.
Song Ji-hyeok took the wheel today. My driving skills were still insufficient for long-distance travel on unfamiliar roads. Of course, if I gripped the steering wheel tightly and concentrated hard, it wouldn’t be impossible, but if an accident happened, it would be a disaster.
What kind of day is today? That absolutely can’t happen.
“Where should I go?”
“I’ll input it.”
I reached for the navigation and entered the name of a beach. After diligent research, I had carefully selected a place with good scenery even in winter and few people.
Music kept us company during the drive. I tapped my fingers to the rhythm, hummed quietly when familiar songs came on, and had various conversations with Song Ji-hyeok.
Even when neither of us spoke, it didn’t feel awkward at all. Our hearts had become even more solid, filled with mutual affection and firm trust, plus the camaraderie and fellowship as Esper and Guide, leaving no room for any negative emotions to intrude.
After the scenery changed several times, we finally arrived at our destination. We parked in the quiet parking lot, and the moment I stepped outside, my impression was this:
“Ugh, it’s cold.”
My body shrank up and the word “cold” naturally came from my mouth. The winter wind roaming the wide-open beach was more powerful than I had imagined.
Still, somehow it felt different. If the city wind was sharp enough to cut flesh and felt like it was scraping the skin, the wind from the sea had a heavy, substantial quality while making me feel refreshed inside.
“Should we go straight to the accommodation if it’s too cold?”
Song Ji-hyeok had also gotten out of the car. Toward him, I smiled and answered.
“No. Let’s walk a bit.”
If we were going to get back in the car after just a few seconds, there would be no point in coming all the way to see the ocean. After zipping up our padding jackets tightly, we began walking along the beach side by side.
The winter beach was quietness itself. It was an unknown place, and even though it was afternoon, the near-freezing temperature seemed to help block people’s footsteps.
From my perspective, this was of course better. While I might be fine alone, when Song Ji-hyeok and I were together in crowded places, attention would inevitably be drawn to us, but here I could enjoy a sense of liberation even outdoors.
I looked carefully at the scenery spread before my eyes as if etching it into my memory. The salty air, waves that retreated as unselfishly as they advanced, seagulls flying vigorously through the air as if unaware of the cold, and… Song Ji-hyeok walking beside me right now. Everything that made up this moment was enough to give me emotion like a painting.
Eventually, I looked at Song Ji-hyeok and asked like an interviewer.
“How is it? You said you wanted to see the winter ocean too.”
Song Ji-hyeok’s answer was very honest.
“It’s fucking cold.”
I could feel his sincerity just from his slightly frowning brow. Moreover, unlike me who had prepared for the cold by wearing padding and a scarf, Song Ji-hyeok, for whom style was still a priority, was only wearing a coat over his formal wear.
It was true that Espers had superior physical abilities compared to ordinary people and were resistant to cold and heat thanks to their armor-like solid bodies. But they were still human. Sometimes they got sick, sometimes they suffered from colds, and there were individual differences depending on the environment. Particularly, Song Ji-hyeok showed more weakness to cold than to heat.
Just then, I saw a white pillar in the distance. I was about to ask ‘Should we just go up to there?’ when Song Ji-hyeok spoke first.
“But it’s nice being with you, senior. I think I could endure it even if it got colder than this.”
The guy saying this was looking toward the ocean. The sun, carrying bright and soft light, was gradually approaching the horizon, creating an enchanting spectacular view.
I unnecessarily moved my lips and scratched the back of my head lightly. Whenever I heard Song Ji-hyeok’s direct expressions of affection like now, a corner of my heart tickled.
“Next time let’s come when it’s less cold.”
“Yes.”
“Should we just go to that pillar and then head to the accommodation?”
“Yes.”
Though it was the same answer, I could feel it. Suppressing laughter at his heightened tension, I started walking again when Song Ji-hyeok called me.
“Su-hyeon senior.”
“Yeah?”
“Please look at the ocean for a moment.”
I casually looked toward the ocean as I heard, but soon vivid surprise spread in my pupils. Several water droplets that were perfectly round like soap bubbles but looked much more solid and dense were floating gently above the sea.
The cute little tricks weren’t limited to that. They collided with each other and burst like fireworks, and the ring-shaped ones juggled as if they had free will. Then, like writing with a pen, they wrote ‘love you’ and even added a heart neatly.
Watching this, the corners of my mouth lifted without me realizing it. Although using abilities outside of dungeons was strictly prohibited, this was at such a cute level that it wouldn’t even be reported. I could guarantee that the energy Song Ji-hyeok consumed moving the seawater right now was less than 0.001% on a scale of 100.
Anyway, there was one reason I smiled. It was actually quite common for Espers to use their abilities slightly to create memorable events, but I didn’t know Song Ji-hyeok would join in.
Then, suddenly hearing footsteps, I turned my head. Even though we had deliberately walked to a secluded place to avoid the few people around, a child who looked to be about elementary school age was running toward us at full speed from a distance.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
