“Yeah, that’s true.”
Since they were driving in Bae Jung-yoon’s car, it didn’t feel much like heading to a school retreat—it felt more like going on a private trip. Acknowledging that, Go Hoon stared out the window and muttered under his breath.
“It’s been forever since I’ve gone on a trip.”
“When was the last time?”
“Probably… back in high school. That class trip.”
He couldn’t remember much about that trip. Only a blurry memory of the group photo they’d been forced to take remained.
In it, Go Hoon stood alone in the back row, expressionless. While the others linked arms or played around for the camera, he was by himself—just like always.
He had never once felt truly like he belonged anywhere. Because of that, he tended to view relationships from a distance.
If a meeting occurs, a parting is bound to follow. That was simply how the world worked. It was the reason he never made an effort with people.
Anyway, that little detour aside, it was clear that the class trip had been his last vacation—and that it had been quite a while ago.
“What about the freshman MT?”
“Didn’t go. I had to work.”
“So that’s why I don’t remember you being there.”
Bae Jung-yoon murmured, as if things finally made sense. At the same time, he tapped his fingers lightly against the steering wheel.
“Should we just ditch this and go see the ocean instead?”
While traffic brought the car to a temporary stop, Bae Jung-yoon turned to glance at him. Hoon found himself absentmindedly staring back at that gentle smile.
The corners of his lips curved up softly, revealing a row of even, white teeth. His eyes folded into gentle crescents, the dark irises gleaming with a mysterious pull that seemed to stir something in the senses.
His bright smile gave off a glow of its own. It was the kind of smile that felt even fresher than the wide-open blue sky.
Realizing again just how stunning he was, Hoon barely managed to snap out of it and let out a small chuckle. He figured it was just a joke.
“What’s the fun in just the two of us hanging out?”
“Why not? If the choice is between getting lost in a crowd or spending time with just you, I think being with you would be way more fun.”
Go Hoon simply shrugged, offering no answer. But then, Bae Jung-yoon said something unexpected.
“Actually, I’ve never gone on a trip with someone one-on-one before.”
Same here. Any ‘trips’ he’d taken were always group outings through the orphanage or school. In his case, it was because he never had anyone to go with. But hearing that from Bae Jung-yoon? That was hard to believe. Folding his arms, Go Hoon replied.
“Don’t lie. You had to have gone on trips with your ex-girlfriend or something.”
Or maybe a boyfriend, for that matter. Not that he said that part aloud.
“Never did.”
“Why not?”
Go Hoon frowned. Wasn’t a couple’s trip practically a given when you’re dating?
“I just never saw the point. You can go on dates close to home—why go all the way somewhere far? It’s a waste of time.”
He’d asked to understand, but the answer only made it more confusing. Wanting to go somewhere beautiful with the person you like—wasn’t that a basic human desire? A trip was just another way to spend more time together.
Even for an introvert, that instinct should be the same. Thinking that far, Go Hoon came up with a theory—maybe Bae Jung-yoon had never actually liked anyone that deeply before.
Judging by looks alone, he probably drew attention from people ever since he was young. With a wealthy background on top of that, he was likely used to being adored. In short, he didn’t have to give affection to receive it.
“But you want to go with me?”
“Yeah. I do.”
“Why?”
“Hmm, not sure.”
He let out a soft hum, then answered with a small smile tugging at his lips.
“Maybe because I feel comfortable around you, Hoon.”
There it was again. Go Hoon stared at Bae Jung-yoon’s profile as he faced forward, then scratched his cheek. As he hesitated over how to respond, Jung-yoon spoke again—his voice firmer this time.
“So how about it? Should we actually take a trip, just the two of us? Somewhere quiet, away from people?”
Honestly… I don’t really see the point. It’s not like I need to go on a quiet trip alone with you. Sure, Bae Jung-yoon says he feels comfortable around me, but that doesn’t mean I feel the same. Are we even that close? We’ve grown a bit closer, yeah—but not to that extent.
Still, the way Bae Jung-yoon looked—so genuinely happy as he asked—made it hard to shoot him down.
“Sure, whatever.”
The words slipped out before he could stop himself.
“But not today. Some other time.”
***
“Jung-yoon!”
Just as they finished parking in front of the pension and stepped out of the car, a sharp voice rang out. Both of them instinctively turned in that direction.
“Why are you so late! I’ve been waiting forever for you to get here!”
From a distance, someone waved energetically.
It was Kang Soo-yeon.
Go Hoon hadn’t heard she’d be coming. He glanced at Bae Jung-yoon, who looked just as surprised, as if he hadn’t expected to see her either.
She ran straight up to Jung-yoon and naturally slipped her arm through his.
“I didn’t hear Soo-yeon was coming.”
With a faint smile, Jung-yoon turned to look at Jo Seong-il, who was strolling toward them. Seong-il shook his head and explained.
“She joined last minute. As soon as she found out you were coming, she insisted on tagging along.”
Seong-il gave an exasperated shrug as if to say what can you do?, but Kang Soo-yeon just flashed a carefree, dazzling smile.
Standing off to the side, Go Hoon quietly moved to the backseat to unload their bags. Jung-yoon, still linked with Soo-yeon, gently slipped free and said, “I got it.” As he grabbed the luggage, his eyes met Soo-yeon’s.
That’s when she finally noticed him. Folding her hands behind her back like a kid trying to act cute, she greeted him with a cheerful smile.
“Hey, Go Hoon. You came too?”
“Yeah. Hey.”
His blunt reply didn’t faze her at all. She pointed at herself with a playful look.
“What’s my name again?”
“Soo-yeon.”
“You just copied that after overhearing, didn’t you?”
What kind of nonsense is that supposed to be? Though baffled, Go Hoon answered flatly, repeating her full name.
“Kang Soo-yeon.”
“Ooh, good memory. Correct!”
“What are you two even talking about?”
Jo Seong-il, overhearing them, tilted his head in confusion. Bae Jung-yoon had the same look, eyes fixed on Go Hoon without asking anything.
“It’s a thing. You don’t need to know.”
Soo-yeon responded airily and gave Seong-il a playful side-eye.
“What the hell. Why are you two keeping secrets? What is it? Tell me too!”
Even more intrigued, Seong-il pressed for details, but she only smiled, lips curving mischievously.
“Wow, even Go Hoon’s showing up to something like this.”
Soo-yeon and Seong-il weren’t the only ones taking interest in the new arrivals. The student council president, who’d been watching from a distance, approached and casually acknowledged Go Hoon.
“Good to see you.”
Go Hoon bowed slightly in greeting.
“Ah, yeah, yeah. Now that you’re back in school, it’s good to see you joining in on these things. Still—Bae Jung-yoon, I didn’t expect you here either.”
“Thought I’d been stuck under too many assignments lately. Figured it was time to get some fresh air.”
Jung-yoon replied with a friendly smile, and the student council president nodded before turning around and shouting toward the group.
“Hey, everyone! Come say hi—these are rare guests you don’t get to see often!”
Why’s he talking like a gangster?
Thanks to that little performance, all eyes suddenly turned to them.
Feeling dozens of unfamiliar stares, Go Hoon forced an awkward smile. He couldn’t exactly scowl when the upperclassman student president was standing right beside him.
“Go Hoon, you’d better brace yourself tonight. I’ve got my eye on you.”
The president went one step further, pointing at him and squinting like he was delivering a challenge.
Brace myself for what, exactly?
Go Hoon had a bad feeling. Something told him these next three days were going to feel much longer than they should.
***
After arriving at the guesthouse, Go Hoon found out he and Bae Jung-yoon had been assigned to different rooms. The student council had split the rooms to mix students of different years, so it was only natural.
Jung-yoon looked genuinely disappointed when he heard, but Go Hoon didn’t mind.
The main event on the first day was the evening recreation session, so everyone spent the time before dinner unpacking and resting. Once dinner ended, they gathered in the seminar room for the official program to begin.
They were divided into groups of eight for team games and quizzes. Go Hoon gave it his all, but unfortunately, his team came in last place. That earned them the first “friendship shot” of the night.
From there, the real drinking began.
Go Hoon had never seen people drink like this before. The drinking games were so intense that by around 11 PM, students were passed out all over the floor.
Go Hoon wasn’t far behind. Sure, he’d been through his share of heavy drinking with middle-aged men at company dinners, but this was a whole different beast. Honestly, it felt even more brutal than those factory nights.
He had no talent for drinking games to begin with. And on top of that, since he was known for rarely showing up to social events, he became the perfect target—starting with the student council president.
All eyes were on him, and every mistake meant another penalty shot.
He’d briefly considered using his health as an excuse, but if that were the plan, he shouldn’t have come at all. So instead, he said nothing and took every drink handed to him.
And that’s how he ended up like this.
“…Gonna hit the bathroom real quick.”
Clutching his spinning head, Go Hoon mumbled to whoever was nearby and slipped away to the restroom.
The noise behind him still buzzed like a hive. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to clear the fog. His reflection showed a slightly flushed tan face, but he still looked reasonably composed.
Gotta keep it together. If he got any drunker, who knows what kind of embarrassment was waiting. He wasn’t some eighteen-year-old freshman—he was twenty-four. Making a fool of himself now was unacceptable.
To shake off the tipsy haze, Go Hoon gave his head a good shake and slapped his cheeks. After steadying himself, he stepped out—only for someone to grab his arm.
Startled, he looked up sharply.
“You okay, Hoon?”
The one who grabbed him was none other than Bae Jung-yoon.
Since the team games had separated them, Go Hoon hadn’t had the chance—or the mental clarity—to pay him any attention. But seeing him waiting right outside the bathroom meant he’d followed him.
So you were watching me, huh?
Go Hoon stared at Jung-yoon’s pale, clear face. Not a single flush. He looked completely sober. So much so, it made Hoon wonder if he’d even been drinking at all.
What the hell, this guy. Why’s he totally fine?
As that annoyed thought bubbled up, Jung-yoon suddenly held something out to him.
“Here. Drink this.”
What was it? Go Hoon blinked, then realized—it was a hangover drink. The tension between his brows instantly eased.
“When did you even get this?”
He was already dreading tomorrow. There were physical activities planned, and this kind of drinking was going to make it hell. So honestly, he was grateful.
He grabbed the bottle and chugged it in one go. It tasted like mango—not bad, actually.
Jung-yoon took the empty bottle from him and tossed it into a nearby box of trash before returning.
Go Hoon watched him from where he stood—then suddenly swayed.
Without hesitation, Jung-yoon caught him, wrapping an arm around his lower back to steady him.
