Chapter 24 - The Trip

It was a busy day. Not what Son Jin Ae was expecting for the semestral break. She got up early to prepare for the class camping. She only put essentials on her backpack and some cup noodles. She hoped the class officers used their class contribution wisely on foods. The girls were allowed to choose their seats first in the bus and so she was already sitting in the second row, beside the window. She had carefully studied where the east and west side was to avoid the sunlight. After all the girls were already sitting on the bus, the boys were next. Most of the boys preferred the seats at the back and some were obviously afraid to take the seat beside her. When it was Kim Jeong Won's turn to get inside the bus, Jin Ae heard the girls giggle. Some were in high hopes that he would take the seat beside them.

Jin Ae scoffed. "Looks like he's quite popular," she said softly to herself and shook her head. She stared outside the window giving off the impression that she was not paying attention.

Jeong Won stopped near the driver first and studied the empty seats from the back, where most of the boys gathered, to the front and finally settled down his eyes at the empty seat beside the bored Son Jin Ae. He looked at her in the corner of his eyes.

Jin Ae felt the cushion of her seat move and she could see Jeong Won sitting beside her out of her peripheral view. She could hear the girl's disappointed sighs. With that, she let out a satisfied smile.

* * *

"Son Jin Ae-ssi?"

Kang Dong Wan stopped in his tracks and turned his back to the lady who just passed by.

"Son Jin Ae-ssi?" He called out. Now louder for her to hear.

The lady stopped walking and turned around to face him. She was wearing a sky blue long-sleeved collared blouse and knee-length skirt. Still, she looked beautiful like the first time she saw her at the party.

"Yes?" She responded calmly. Not a hint on her face that she recognized him.

"It's disappointing that you don't remember me, Jin Ae-ssi. I'll still give you a chance," he said in a gentle way and walked closer to her.

She remained confused, with her brows almost reaching each other.

"Alumni party... Two nights ago," he hinted.

"I'm so sorry. I really have a short-term memory," she said apologetically.

"Hmmm. You said you love architecture and you even said you'll treat me to ramen if we happen to meet again," he said not giving up in the hope that she would remember him.

Her eyes widened, a sign she remembered him finally, "Oh yes, you're Architect..."

"-Kang Dong Won, at your service," he finished when she lingered longer in remembering his name. He was used to people saying he had a unique face that was hard to forget. But for this charming woman in front of him, he was more than willing to forgive.

"I'm so sorry for not recognizing you. Why are you here in Daegu?"

They stepped aside and talked in front of a shop in the busy street of Daegu.

"I just had a meeting with one of my clients. It did not go well as planned though. I was supposed to go back to Seoul but my car broke so I decided to stay for a night. Unfortunately, I still couldn't book one." He said with a sigh.

"Bad luck," he muttered.

Jin Ae pouted and shook her head, "Uh-uh, Dong Won-ssi. It's so unlike for a man like you to think like that."

"-You met me.... that could be considered good luck, right?" she remarked confidently, beaming at him.

He smiled sheepishly, "I think warm food could bring out the optimistic side of me. Is the ramen treat still available?"

* * *

The trip was long with the loud music being played on the speakers: H.O.T, G.OD, S.E.S songs, now the students were singing along with FIN.K.L "Forever Love". Kim Jeong Won smiles at the happy atmosphere inside the bus but he couldn't let himself join in singing, not beside someone who was listening to another song in her walkman. Judging from her serene expression, it seemed to be a mellow song.

"Son Jin Ae!"

It was faint but Jeong Won heard that someone was calling at Jin Ae. He moved his upper body forward and stretched his neck to look outside the window. He could see a car running beside the bus. Jin Ae, who was already staring outside, saw the car as well. She removed her headphones and beamed at the people inside the car. Chul Soo was driving, Dokyeom sitting beside him, while In Na and Mi Do, who was waving, sat at the back.

"They asked me if they could join and so I allowed them to tag along," the teacher sitting in the seats in front of them said when she noticed them too.

Jin Ae thanked her and returned her gaze to her friends. Although she rarely interacted with them after she was transferred, they remained friends. Chul Soo gave her a final wave before driving faster, overtaking the bus to get into the destination first.

'They should have their own trip,' Jeong Won said to himself.

* * *

A hand suddenly stole Jin Ae's grip on the big basket she brought such that she had to turn to her side surprised. There he was, weighing the thing on his hand.

"What's this? Why is it so heavy?" Jeong Won asked. Instead of answering him, Jin Ae reached for the bag but before she could get it back he had started to walk already. She followed him and ran beside him. He hid a smile.

She glanced at him sharply before saying that she brought kikimbap for everyone, emphasizing that she did it out of thanks to their adviser.

"Really?"

"Why? Do you think I won't do that?"

"I just don't think you have to do that. But you did, so I was surprised."

"Well, yeah. I could have not bothered at all," she said curtly.

"But it's nice that you did. Just like how you brought halmeoni a kikimbap too before, right."

It was meant to be a compliment but it struck a different chord and Jeong Won belatedly realized it when as if a cold wind passed between them. He scolded himself right after saying that.

"I won't force you to talk about it but you can always confide in me any time," he said consolingly. There was something comforting in the way he said that made Jin Ae glanced at him, it was such a pity he did not see her looking at him wistfully.

Twenty meters away, Son Jin Ae's friends were following their trail as well. But instead of excitement, In Na and Choon Hee were complaining.

"Aish, why do I have to be here?"

"My legs are itchy!"

"I should be watching movies now in the City."

"Wait, I'll apply insect repellent first."

Do Kyeom exhaled loudly to them, "Yah! You two shouldn't have come if you'll just keep on complaining."

"-remember that we are all doing this for Yejin. She might be an outcast now," he continued.

"Hmmm. I don't think so," In Na said, remembering how Jeong Won looked after Jin Ae a while ago. She did not seem like it but she was observant and her hunch was always right.

Chul Soo did not mutter a word and walked ahead. Do Kyeom followed him after scolding the two girls once more.

It took them half an hour to get into the camping site. It was actually a flat ground in the middle of the mountain. It's free time for today's itinerary, so after setting up the tents, they had lunch, and they were free to do what they wanted as long as they stayed with a buddy. They would all be partnered up randomly for tomorrow's hike.

"What do you think of Jin Ae as a partner for tomorrow?" Jeong Won and Hyeon Seong were sitting on a log lying on the ground. They were munching on a snack since lunch did not satisfy their hunger. They were talking about the hike for tomorrow. Hyeon Seong happened to see what the activity was all about and it was like a race with partners choosing their own trail to reach the summit.

Hyeon Seong's question was unexpected so Jeong Won asked him why he asked suddenly. Without them knowing, Jin Ae's eyes popped open upon hearing her name. She was lying inside her tent, which happens to be just right at their backs. She moved her face closely in the mantle that separated her from the two.

"I think she'll be a capable partner. We might reach the summit first. She is fun to be with and I think she could even give me a back ride," he laughed.

She giggled at his remarks but then she heard Jeong Won snorted.

"Do not be fooled by her eye smile," she heard him say. She scoffed.

"-if she'll be your partner, don't ever think of getting there in one piece," he continued. She propelled herself up and crossed her arms. Her nose was ready to blow fire.

"You see, not all people can handle h-"

"Yah!"

Jeong Won and Hyeon Seong were taken aback by the sharp sound and saw the subject of their conversation at their back. Her brows formed a knit. If stares could kill Jeong Won should have been sent to the emergency right now.

She shook the tent in front of her and complained.

"This spot has so many pebbles! It hurts my back. Undo this thing fast!" She said and pointed to another location.

"That's a bit far away," Jeong Won noticed.

"It's much better than listening to unnecessary noises," she retorted and went back inside the tent.

Jeong Won could only scratch his head. He turned to Hyeon Seong.

"See. I told you."

Not far away, on the upper side of the camping site, Jin Ae's friends settled their tents.

Watching the scene that just happened between Jin Ae and Jeong Won below, In Na shook her head.

"I think we just wasted our time coming here."

Choon Hee seconded, noting how the two boys built Jin Ae's tent. How Jin Ae even bothered bringing kikimbap for the whole class.

"What do you think, Dokyeom?"

"I think you should all stop eating or we will all starve tomorrow!"