Traveling isn’t over until it’s over. dun dun
Ah, maybe this isn’t the right context for that saying? sweat drop
Well, as long as the meaning is right, it’s all good!
I arrived back at Incheon Airport from Jeju Island and took a direct train back to Seoul.
However, the timing was a bit awkward.
The broadcasts had stopped until today, but it was still a bit awkward to go home at 2 PM.
Of course, Claire, full of energy as always, and Alice and Charlotte, still full of energy, even Mia, who seemed to have regained some strength during the flight, were all buzzing about.
And I, who had been feeling a bit wistful, seemed to be on the same wavelength as them.
“So, how about we just hang out a bit since we’re out?”
When I said that, everyone nodded vigorously. nod nod
After pondering where to go, we decided to head to Gwanghwamun first.
We stashed our bags in a nearby coin locker and dashed outside, starting with a meal.
Without much thought, we headed to a fast food place.
After munching on burgers, my hunger was satisfied. nom nom
“By the way, have Mia and Charlotte ever worn hanbok?”
As I was chatting while devouring fries that came with the set, Claire popped the question.
“Hanbok?”
Charlotte asked back.
I’m sure she knew that hanbok was a traditional outfit of this country. After all, she often looked things up on her smartphone or the internet.
“Yeah! There’s a palace nearby where the old dynasty used to rule, and if you’re in hanbok, you can enter for free!”
Technically, it sounds better to say it’s free to enter if you’re wearing hanbok, but either way, it’s not wrong.
After all, the admission fee for Gyeongbokgung Palace isn’t more than the rental fee for hanbok.
“Have you all tried it on?”
In response to Charlotte’s question, Claire grinned and promptly pulled out her smartphone.
And what she found was our photo in hanbok.
We were all decked out in hanbok, grinning for the camera.
Not only were we wearing the clothes, but our hair was also styled beautifully to match. The rental place offered that service too.
“So that means you two have been having fun like this without us before we showed up?”
Charlotte said with a little pout, to which Alice replied,
“We only entertained ourselves for about five minutes before you all got here, so what’s the fuss?”
A small chuckle erupted in the group.
“Well, I think it’s fine. Since we’re here, I want to make a lot of memories. If we go back… well, it won’t be this easy.”
Mia’s words had us all lost in thought for a moment.
All five of us here were aware that we had to return soon.
No matter how much the Goddess might want to push us out of this place, our thoughts won’t change.
These people, even if I say I’ll stay here, will definitely go back. They have that much sense of responsibility. There’s no point in fighting the Goddess if we don’t.
As for me, not going back would mean my existence was meaningless.
So, everyone will go back.
Just because we go back doesn’t mean we won’t meet again.
But that doesn’t mean the carefree times we had will come back either. There’s a risk that, a few years down the line, we might find it hard to meet properly ever again.
Knowing that, this place feels so sweet. A world with no responsibilities.
“Really, even as a last resort,”
I said, opening my mouth.
“If you all decide to stay, then I’ll stay too.”
“……”
Everyone was silent for a moment at my words.
But—
“If I’m here, who will take care of Leo?”
Claire shrugged and said.
“Eh? So, does that mean Sylvia isn’t needed?”
“Who said that?”
As Alice teased, Claire fired back.
“Of course, I’m kidnapping my sister and bringing her back!”
That bold declaration left me momentarily speechless.
“I don’t care if my sister ends up disliking me for that. But my sister is my family. If she starts to dislike me, I’ll make sure she likes me somehow.”
I don’t know how I would do that.
“Anyway, you don’t need to worry. If I say let’s go back together, we’ll go back together. I didn’t plan to stay here forever. I just asked as a last resort.”
“Honestly, it feels like returning to the academy after a break.”
Charlotte sighed deeply and said.
“Well, considering I felt more anxious during the break, going back to the academy might actually be better. After all, even if we go back now, we still have two more years to create memories, right?”
Mia eagerly nodded at Charlotte’s words.
“That’s right. I think so too. Let’s make unforgettable memories that we’ll never forget!”
Such pretty words.
It feels like just yesterday when she said she’d kill me.
…Well, actually, it hasn’t been a year yet, so I guess it makes sense that it feels like just yesterday.
Clearing those dark memories from my mind, I nodded.
*
It’s the end of November.
While we were in Jeju, it seemed the first snow had fallen in Seoul.
Although it wasn’t enough to fully accumulate, there were traces of snow slightly piled up in the corners.
Quite some time has passed since the time when I, Alice, and Claire were here.
Even compared to the time Claire and I reunited, it’s not a short duration. To put it another way, it was the same for Claire and Mia.
The rental shop also has winter hanbok, so wandering around outside wasn’t a big issue.
Tourist spots don’t close just because it’s winter. Unless it’s a seaside area, Seoul is just Seoul, all year round.
When I returned alone at first, I only had bad feelings about the Goddess, but thinking about it now, it was another opportunity.
No matter how good a person’s memory is, it’s not easy to recall the details of one’s hometown without seeing it clearly.
I was the same.
Seeing the hometown I hadn’t been able to visit for years, revisiting the places I once somewhat liked, was a pleasant experience.
I took a bunch of pictures. Photos that I wouldn’t have cared about when I lived here, but now I was scared of forgetting them, so I snapped away.
Fearing that I might forget that we had such good times together and end up unhappy.
And—
“……”
Having enjoyed all the tourist attractions in Jongno, we changed our clothes again.
When it started to get a little dark, we took a detour into a neighborhood.
I didn’t say what place it was, but all the others followed me quietly. It must have been my serious expression.
A common apartment complex that you can find anywhere in Seoul.
We had been waiting quite a while in a café near the complex.
On the table were plates of cakes we had already devoured and empty cups.
As I gazed silently out the window, the others started to follow suit.
After waiting for a few minutes like that.
“Ah.”
A woman walked by in the distance.
She looked to be in her late fifties. A younger-looking man, perhaps a bit below my original age, walked alongside her.
The surroundings weren’t too crowded, so my friends sitting with me quickly realized who I was looking at.
Those two walked happily, chatting away. Then, a man who looked a bit older than the woman followed behind them, and the three of them entered the apartment complex side by side, chatting.
“……”
They all seem to be doing well.
“It’s ready now.”
“Really?”
When I said that and got up from my seat, Claire looked shocked and asked.
I didn’t specifically mention who they were, but it seemed she thought those three were my original family.
“Yes, it’s someone I’ve never met before. If I approach them and pretend they’re family, it would just be a shock.”
“But…still…”
“Claire.”
Alice called out to Claire.
“It’s really okay.”
I placed my hand on Claire’s head and spoke.
“Right now, my family is here.”
That’s right. My family now consists of Claire, Alice, and my friends here.
That’s enough.
“I see.”
Charlotte, who had been listening to the conversation, smiled and stood up with me.
Seeing her with that expression, it looked like she thought those folks were doing well too.
“……I hope that someday we can meet again and share stories.”
Mia said in a slightly subdued voice.
To cry tears for someone who was once an enemy, Mia must be a much better person than I am.
I absentmindedly picked up the tray on the table.
“Well then, shall we head back?”
“Yes.”
Alice got up from her seat too.
Claire stole one last glance out the window before gently sighing and standing up.
“If my sister says so.”
I nodded at Claire.
Thus, the day came to an end.
It was fun, truly.
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