-Searching for the flowing water in the valley where the echo of the sound can be heard-
“Let’s go on a trip~.”
A playlist titled “A Collection of Music to Listen to While Traveling” was playing, and Ryu-a was excitedly singing along.
“I’m so excited!”
“It’s a trip, a trip!”
Ji-yeon, sitting in the back seat, responded to Ryu-a’s high energy in the driver’s seat. She’s not usually this lively. Is it because of the atmosphere?
We’re in a moving car. The destination is Incheon Airport.
With the upbeat music playing and the vehicle heading toward the airport, there was only one thing it meant.
It’s a trip. We are on our way to Japan. There are a total of three people.
Ryu-a and Ji-yeon, who came out to enjoy a Japanese ryokan and hot springs, were heading to the airport.
Suddenly, what’s this trip about? Let’s rewind three days back.
“Trip?”
“Yeah! I saw a video on YouTube about traveling to a ryokan, and I really want to go. I’ve never been, and I’m curious and want to go to a hot spring after so long. Ji-eun, have you been?”
“No, I haven’t really been either…”
Unfortunately, that’s true. In nearly 30 years, I’ve only heard about it. I never thought about actually going.
Living in poverty didn’t allow for such luxuries… And after gaining some freedom, I just stayed cooped up in my room, not thinking about going anywhere. It’s all just excuses.
“Huh? Let’s go, let’s go. We’ll soak in the hot springs and sleep in a tatami room and explore the surroundings. Oh, let’s also go to a maid café! A maid café is—.”
Ryu-a’s suggestion wasn’t bad at all; it was rather welcomed.
I’ve been feeling quite fatigued since doing commentary and events for the Ed Cup. I thought I should really take a long break and rest, but I hadn’t had any concrete plans to execute it.
Yeah, it would be great to soak in the hot springs and eat sushi.
Having never experienced a hot spring, I thought it might not be that different from the hot outdoor baths of public bathhouses, and it might not be anything special, but…
Every time I hear what others say about hot springs or descriptions of them in videos, I start to wonder if it’s really that good.
Before I knew it, a subtle longing for hot springs had developed within me.
If possible, I would prefer an outdoor setting. It would be even better if it snows. On a chilly day with falling snow, one side would feel cool while the other side, submerged, would feel warm.
I’d like to place a square towel on my head. Ah, but my head might be too small for that? That might be a bit disappointing.
“Let’s go, it sounds fun. When would be good?”
“If you tell me a day that works for you, I’ll make the reservation!”
“Let me know before you make the payment. Don’t swipe your card alone like last time.”
“Hehe, you caught me…”
I imagine Ryu-a, excited, looking at her phone. Just the thought of going out together makes her this happy.
She’s just like a large dog. Always cuddling up to me every time we meet. She’s taller than me, so it’s actually me who gets hugged.
Just then, Ryu-a’s humming reached me through her phone.
And I thought, why not have everyone go together?
There’s a saying that good things should be shared. Coincidentally, the members are Ryu-a and me.
It would be nice to add Ji-yeon and Si-young and have as much fun as we did last Christmas— that was my thought.
“Should we all go together like last time?”
“…Huh?”
“I mean Ji-yeon and Si-young. Wouldn’t it be fun if we could travel together too?”
Ryu-a was silent for a moment. Oh no, did I make a mistake? Perhaps Ryu-a wanted to travel with just me.
The thought that it’s more fun to have everyone together is just my feeling; Ryu-a might have different thoughts.
“Is that too much? Then should we just go together this time and think about the next?”
“No, let’s ask them. If they can make it, let’s go together. We had fun last time too.”
I noticed a subtle change in Ryu-a’s tone. It wasn’t an obvious sign, but it felt distant from the excited voice she had earlier.
“Should we just go alone? You might feel uncomfortable; I shouldn’t have brought it up. I’m sorry.”
It seems like there’s still not enough time for everyone to get close to one another. Or perhaps there’s a reason like not hitting it off.
I had heard that in women’s circles, even if everyone is smiling at each other, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are close friends.
No, it’s the same in social life. Everyone wears a mask to some extent when interacting with others. Only when that mask comes off and true selves are revealed can genuine relationships be formed.
I realized that my awareness of those around me was certainly lacking. I should have paid more attention to their relationships.
As I thought about this, Ryu-a murmured in a calm voice.
“Going together… isn’t bad either. Yeah. Since Ji-eun’s sister will eventually get close to me, and they say to keep your enemies closer, having Si-young with us isn’t a bad idea either.”
Keeping enemies closer. Does that mean Si-young is an enemy?
Fortunately, it seems that both Ji-yeon and Si-young don’t have bad relations with each other. However, it’s clear that things aren’t that great with Si-young. I decided to keep that in mind.
“Are you sure it’s okay? We can go separately with Ji-yeon or Si-young later. Should we just go together this time?”
“No! Let’s all go this time. Why would we go separately several times? We should have fun this time.”
With her saying that, I felt it would be awkward to decline. There’s a subtle sincerity in her words, that there’s no need to go through the hassle of going separately multiple times.
“Then I’ll ask the two of them and get back to you. Don’t make a reservation, and look for places you want to visit.”
“Okay.”
Leaving behind Ryu-a, whose tension had dropped, I contacted the other two.
I wonder if this is a good thing. What if we end up arguing if we go together?
There’s no worse trip than one with fights at the travel destination. The thought of bringing that possibility to life made me hesitate to reach out.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can go. Something came up at home.”
“Oh, really?”
“Please have fun on my behalf. Take lots of photos.”
However, contrary to my worries, Si-young declined, while Ji-yeon expressed her willingness to join.
Thus, the three of us, excluding Si-young, headed to Japan.
‘This isn’t so bad.’
Ryu-a thought, leaning back in her airplane seat. Although it differed greatly from the original plan of traveling just with Ji-eun, the current situation wasn’t so bad.
‘The expected rival also didn’t join…’
The rival refers to Si-young, Ji-eun’s editor. From the first meeting until now, even when I went to Ji-eun’s house with her last time, that tall woman felt somewhat unsettling.
I can say it felt like someone whom I could never get close to. Ryu-a’s instincts were constantly sending warnings every time she saw her.
Beware of this person. This person will take away what is precious to you. How many times did the sirens ring in her brain?
The precious thing here is Ji-eun, who is sitting next to her.
Ryu-a took a moment to look at Ji-eun’s profile, wondering what she was thinking. A feeling that cannot be defined surged within her.
It was a sentiment that even Ryu-a didn’t realize she was having. How many people know their true feelings accurately? These days, she felt exceptionally confused.
However, one thing was certain. The more time she spent with Ji-eun, the happier Ji-eun seemed to be.
The thought was to at least do something together during this trip. Then, Ryu-a had a hunch that something would be determined within her. That feeling had been there since the reason for planning this trip.
She told Ji-eun that she wanted to go after seeing a video about Japanese ryokans on YouTube, which is true, but the biggest reason was the confusion in her own heart.
‘We can take our time and enjoy ourselves.’
What’s there to think hard about? Although it isn’t just the two of us, considering Ji-eun’s nature of looking after her sister closely, it would be beneficial to get close to Ji-yeon as well.
Thus, Ryu-a organized her thoughts internally. However, she was unaware that just as Ji-eun took great care of her sister, Ji-yeon was also incredibly attentive to her sister too.
Ryu-a, watching them, suddenly realized that in another sense, that could be dangerous.
“Sister, ah-. Hurry and eat. My arm is going to fall off.”
“Give me your arm as a pillow. Why? You did that back home.”
“Your hands are so soft. Did you put on that hand cream I bought you?”
Every little gesture Ji-yeon displayed towards Ji-eun felt… something, it felt like something to her.
‘Do sisters usually do that?’
Even Ryu-a, who has a sister, doesn’t act like that with her. Of course, the comparison might be flawed. Ryu-a isn’t particularly close with her sister, it’s more like they just check on each other.
On the other hand, these sisters seemed to get along so well, feeding each other plane food, resting heads on arms, and even linking fingers—
Of course, it mostly felt like Ji-yeon, the younger sister, was taking the lead, while Ji-eun, the older sister, was reluctantly following.
Perhaps it was just Ryu-a projecting meaning onto it, but it felt like there was something beyond just a friendly sisterly bond.
‘No, what am I thinking?’
Aren’t they just an ordinary, close sister pair? I must really be having some delusions lately, thinking about weird things.
Ryu-a shook her head. Perhaps she’s tired. It certainly feels like she has been lacking sleep recently.
Should I just try to sleep until we arrive, she thought, closing her eyes.
Ignoring the siren sounds within calling out each time she looked at Ji-yeon.
