After a little incident, time flew by like an arrow.
“Ugh, Kana can walk already… This sister has no regrets even if she dies now…”
“Do you really want to die?”
My body, which had been groaning like a beaten person, had recovered enough to not only walk but also do intense exercise without a hitch.
“Hmph. I liked carrying you around.”
I lightly ignored Da-eun’s sulking pout. It was so frustrating not being able to move my body as I pleased. But those days are now behind me.
At first, I thought, ‘I’ll probably die old before I get better,’ but at some point, I gained momentum and started to improve rapidly.
For the record, Da-eun said this about my recovery.
“Isn’t it because I took care of you so diligently?”
Well… I can’t say she’s completely wrong. The essence of recovery, different from typical injuries, is still about eating well and resting rather than running around.
She was always quick to get me something delicious, even bringing food I had never seen before without me asking. So, it’s true that Da-eun took good care of me.
…Listing it all, it’s just a bunch of food-related stuff, but Da-eun has helped me in many ways. For instance, she supported me so I wouldn’t fall.
It must have been pretty hard for her since there’s a big size difference and it’s quite a hassle, yet she didn’t complain at all.
If she had a conscience, she’d naturally feel grateful.
So, I was planning to acknowledge Da-eun’s contributions.
“So, as a show of gratitude, how about a kiss on the cheek!”
With her expectant look, my gratitude vanished into thin air. A kiss on the cheek? That’s out of the question unless I’m hit with a spell!
“Da-eun, are you crazy?”
“…What’s wrong with a cheek kiss!”
“Seriously? It’s not like we’re kids. What’s with the kisses?”
“Kisses aren’t just for kids! It’s natural for friends to express affection like this.”
“Oh, right. I don’t understand that, so Da-eun can do it alone.”
“Really? Then… Kana has given permission? Hehehe, Kana’s squishy cheeks… Let me go for it!”
“…Ugh. You can’t be serious…!”
…Anyway.
After all the ups and downs, I have regained quite a bit of health, so my frustrating days are finally saying goodbye.
– Or so I thought for a moment.
I tilted my head.
“…So what now?”
I had boldly declared goodbye, but I didn’t have anything particular to do or wanted to do.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m breathing.”
“…?”
I found myself sprawled in the corner like before I got better. Yeah. If I think about it, this is the ‘other life’ I wanted, right? Plus, I have someone to support me…
When I didn’t feel well, it felt constraining, but now it seems like it’s not too bad—probably because my mindset has changed?
Indeed, everything in the world is different based on how you perceive it.
“Kana, have you achieved enlightenment…?!”
Watching me roll around, Da-eun suddenly hugged me tightly.
“Waaah! Don’t leave me behind!”
“…Cough. Why are you making a fuss again?”
“Weren’t you achieving enlightenment?”
Enlightenment? Pffft.
I wriggled out of Da-eun’s embrace. She seemed to be putting in more effort to hold me than I expected, but against my recovered strength, she was no match.
I shot her a playful glare, my face blank.
“Ha! Pathetic.”
“Uhhhhh…! You little brat!”
“Beee—”
If you’re mad, come at me then.
Sticking my tongue out at her, Da-eun shivered in frustration.
“My pure Kana is being corrupted…”
“It wasn’t pure to begin with, and I wasn’t innocent either.”
“It’s all the internet’s fault!”
You’re not someone who benefited from the wonders of the internet to say that.
Da-eun shouted and disappeared somewhere.
“…What?”
After causing a ruckus, she exited as noisily as she came, leaving me staring at her empty spot while burying my face in the pillow.
Well, Da-eun acting like that isn’t new, right? It now feels weirder when she doesn’t.
A calm and quiet Da-eun would be like a complete urban legend.
“Phew…”
Suddenly.
“…”
“Hello!”
When I was blankly staring at the ceiling, Da-eun popped her head in.
Her frequency of popping in today feels unusually short.
Normally, she’d bother me with words that go nowhere, but if she got shut down, she’d stay quiet for a while—why is she back so soon this time?
“Why are you back so soon?”
“Hehe. I’m not the Da-eun you know. I’m the future Da-eun who sneakily came while the current Da-eun is away!”
“…”
How am I supposed to react to this? Stunned, I watched her as she plopped down next to me with a mischievous grin.
“Kana, do you prefer mountains or the sea?”
“…? What’s this all of a sudden—”
“Oops, can’t you answer seriously! This question is as profound as those of mom and dad, Jajangmyeon or Jjamppong, Bibim Naengmyeon or Mul Naengmyeon!”
By the way, I prefer mom more.
Da-eun casually dropped that bomb, and I could only imagine how upset her dad would be if he heard it.
With her prodding for an answer, I put my thoughts aside and stopped rolling around.
Mountains and the sea, huh.
Hmm…
“Neither particularly stand out.”
“…Eh?”
“But if I have to pick… I like mountains more.”
It’s not like I had a tough time in the mountains, but I certainly have more memorable experiences there, including my dad’s grave.
“So, why are you asking this all of a sudden?”
“I told you it’s a profound question. It’s one of the best ways to break the ice with slightly awkward people. It’s light, making it easy to respond, and it connects to other conversations smoothly.”
“Other conversations?”
“Yeah. For example, ‘Oh, you like Jajangmyeon? Have you been to that Chinese restaurant run by chef so-and-so? Their food is fantastic!’… something like that.”
“Ooh.”
Clap clap.
Words flowed like water. I clapped, enchanted, as Da-eun exaggeratedly bowed in gratitude.
“Of course, I wouldn’t need to ask these questions since we’re super close!”
“Actually, I think it’s fine to ask.”
“…How cruel.”
Boo hoo.
At my firm statement, Da-eun pretended to cry.
“Anyway, I’ve made up my mind!”
But that was just momentary.
As Da-eun stood up confidently, I stared at her with slight confusion.
“Let’s go out and play! To the mountains!”
“…Huh?”
“If we stay home every day, it gets boring, right?”
…Boring?
Sometimes it felt tedious, but not to the extent I’d struggle.
“Come on!”
Noticing my lack of enthusiasm, Da-eun slipped her arm under my armpit and pulled me up forcefully.
But, just bringing me up wouldn’t spark any interest, so I remained drooping like a ragdoll.
“Oh my, what if someone thinks you’re not the Kana-cat? Acting like a cat…! Ugh!”
Eek…
I thought she was just flipping me up, but my limp body was being lifted, and by the time I realized, I was already cradled in Da-eun’s arms.
Da-eun sat on the sofa, holding me, and began to gently stroke my head.
“Ever since that shopping trip, you’ve only stayed home. It makes me sad seeing you like this now that you’re here on Earth.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary to feel sad. Thanks to you, I’m able to live comfortably.”
“R-Really? Hehe… Then I’m glad.”
When I spoke sincerely, her hand paused for a moment.
Then, it began moving again, feeling even softer than before.
‘Hmm…’
With my eyes half-closed, I indulged in her gentle touch while mulling it over.
Though I said that, it wasn’t a bad suggestion.
As I mentioned earlier, there are times when it does get a bit dull.
Going to the mountains might not lead to anything special, but it could be a nice change of pace.
Should I go or not?
The deliberation didn’t last long.
“I’m not forcing you, so it’s okay to refuse if you dislike it. What’s important is Kana’s feelings.”
“Fine. Let’s go.”
“Okay. If you don’t want to, that’s that… Wait, what did you just say?”
Da-eun, who seemed to think I would turn her down, raised her voice dramatically.
“Should we not go?”
“No! Should we go right now?”
“…Without preparing?”
“Using the sky as a friend and clouds as a blanket—Isn’t that what traveling is about?”
I tried to stop Da-eun, who was eager to rush out.
“Ugh!”
While I did apply a bit of physical force in the process…
As long as the outcome is good, isn’t that what matters?
*
After accepting Da-eun’s invitation to go out, things progressed smoothly.
“Leave all the preparations to me!”
With such a confident declaration, Da-eun, who skillfully planned everything and gathered supplies, was living up to her words.
“Ugh… Ugh! Ka-Kana… I’m sorry, but could you help me lift this?”
Ah, so she wasn’t completely alone.
Da-eun, with her trunk full of items, wiped the sweat beading on her forehead.
“Now, everyone! Are we ready?”
“You told everyone to leave it to you.”
“Of course, I meant being mentally prepared! Or are you leaving your feelings to me? That wouldn’t be a bad idea!”
“Of course not.”
I climbed into the car, leaving Da-eun behind as she babbled with excitement.
There was barely enough space in the trunk; the back seat was packed too, so I had no choice but to sit up front.
Though to be fair, I would’ve sat up front anyway.
“Kana, it’s polite to sit in the front seat when someone else is driving.”
“Why’s that?”
“The back seat is for the esteemed.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
It felt like an etiquette I might’ve heard of, and there was no need to insist on sitting in the back after she mentioned it.
As Da-eun joined me in the driver’s seat and buckled her seatbelt, she stated.
“Today, we’re heading to a campsite halfway up a mountain. I confirmed there are no other reservations besides us, so we don’t have to worry about being spotted.”
“Okay.”
I nodded without any objections since I had already heard it once.
Suddenly, Da-eun burst into laughter while holding the steering wheel.
“Doing this really reminds me of our first trip together. Back then, we were coming down the mountain. Now going up is pretty fun, isn’t it?”
Thinking of that first travel trip…
Ah, it was that time.
When I decided I had to go to Sedethros.
As Da-eun mentioned, many things have changed that time compared to now.
The duration, the means of transportation, the purpose, and even my relationship with Da-eun were all different.
“Yes.”
But some things remained unchanged.
“I’m excited.”
Even though time has passed and the world has changed, what hasn’t changed also warms my heart.
I smiled softly at Da-eun.
I had a good feeling that this trip would turn out well.
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