Soohyun and Ari came back and sat down in front of the table with Travis. They came back and saw him having a fun time with Mijoo, which surprised them, especially Soohyun, who didn't expect them to become so close in such a short time. But he understands that she's very kind, so she might be putting on an act for him, is what he thought.
"So, Travis, when did you come to Korea?" Soohyun asked.
"I was born here. Raised here, basically lived here all my life," he said.
"Oh, I thought you moved. So you were speaking the truth when you said you live here?"
"Yeah, I was."
"Have you enrolled in the army?" Soohyun asked.
"I just got discharged, honestly. About a month ago. Then I came here before I return back to the city and enroll in a college, maybe."
"You're 20, right? Man, I guess you have your life set up. I'm still kinda planning what I want to do with my life. For now though, I'm just gonna wing it."
"That's not bad. Especially since you live in this nice calm town. Man, I wish I could stay here forever."
He then turns to Ari, who had her eyes glued to her phone. "Yo!" He greeted.
She raised her head and gave him a look that could kill an army, then went back to using her phone.
"Well, that's rude. Guess it's time to use the easiest yet more effective skill in the world," he thought.
After that, they ate some dinner, which was nice. He enjoyed the interactions he had with everyone, especially Mijoo, who was the only person eating up his jokes. Normally he'd be suspicious, thinking she was faking it, but he checked her bar and saw that it rose higher.
He didn't even bother checking Ari's since it was obvious.
[Love: 3%, Interest: 6%]
"If it weren't for this, I would've been very insecure my whole life here," he thought.
After they finished eating, he helped with the dishes, then left with Soohyun, who offered to show him around town, which he happily agreed to.
"Y'all don't really wear masks in this place, do y'all?" He asked.
"No, the only people who do are people who work at the vaccination center on the other side of town," he replied.
"I guess that pornhwa is here," he thought.
"So tell me, what's up with Ari? Why is she so moody? I mean, I didn't even do anything to her. I think," he asked.
"Oh, she's been like this ever since I came back, bro. I don't know why. She used to be so cheerful, you know," he said.
"You sure you didn't do anything wrong? Maybe I don't know, forget a promise you gave her. You know, things a childhood friend would do?"
"Nah, not anything that I remember. Man, I need a drink. We should buy some drinks. There's a shop by the main road."
They strolled down the familiar road, the soft chatter of the town blending with the rhythmic sound of their footsteps. Eventually, they reached the bustling main street, where they paused to grab some refreshing drinks before finding a quiet spot by the pavement overlooking the serene expanse of the sea.
Taking a sip of his drink, Soohyun broke the comfortable silence, his voice tinged with vulnerability.
"My parents died in a ship accident a couple of years ago. Since then, I kinda lost my passion," he confessed, his gaze momentarily fixed on the distant horizon.
"I had a dream of becoming a professional swimmer, you know. But since then, I've never felt encouraged to do so. Ironically, I work as a lifeguard. Hahaa."
Travis listened attentively, offering a supportive nod as he processed Soohyun's words. "I'm sorry to hear that, man," he said softly, placing a comforting hand on Soohyun's shoulder.
"So who are Mijoo and Ari?" Travis asked, shifting the conversation to a lighter topic, hoping to provide a brief respite from the weight of Soohyun's confession.
Soohyun's expression softened as he spoke fondly of his chosen family.
"They're like family friends. But now, I'd say they're my one and only family. Which is why I want to help them financially," he explained, his determination shining through despite the lingering sadness in his eyes.
"That's nice," Travis remarked, impressed by Soohyun's resilience.
"Maybe you could find another job around town. Have you thought about that?" he suggested, hoping to offer a glimmer of hope amidst the somber conversation.
Soohyun considered Travis's suggestion, his mind momentarily distracted by the idea.
"No, but honestly, I think that's a good idea," he admitted with a grateful smile.
"Man, we're out of drinks. I wanted to get drunk today," he remarked with a chuckle, shifting the mood to one of lightheartedness despite the weight of their conversation.
"I'll go buy some. Wait here."
He went and bought the drinks.
"You got anyone you like? I mean, you got two hot women in your life. Who are your childhood friends. Man, I wish I were you."
"It's not like that, bro. I see them as siblings at this point, but hey, you never know. It's not like I don't get hard at the thought of them. So it's still an open discussion."
"Lucky mf."
They continued drinking for the rest of the night, till Soohyun was too drunk to walk. Somehow Travis didn't get drunk, which he found convenient.
He picked Soohyun up and brought him back to the Lodge. As he was about to knock, he heard a loud moan coming from inside.
'Huh?'
He slowly opened the door. What he saw made his blood rush to his dragon.
TO BE CONTINUED