“Oh, I forgot to tell you where America even is.”
…Maybe I was just so distracted.
After exchanging smiles, Han Seori began to explain to me what America was like.
It’s natural to think I wouldn’t know much… but honestly, I might not actually know anything.
No, I really didn’t know.
The America I knew was… the world’s policeman, the top superpower, and the host of that map in online games where everyone fakesLAGs.
In short, I’d never actually been to America.
Honestly, I did want to go.
I had somehow formed a strange fantasy about it from hearing the phrase “American Dream” so often in the media. (Though I was aware to some extent that it wasn’t quite like that.)
Partly because it was the world’s strongest nation with vast lands, it had so many intriguing, strange places that piqued my interest.
But the barrier to getting there was too high in reality.
I hadn’t saved much money since I usually spent it wandering around, so I couldn’t afford either an airplane ticket to America or the expenses for staying there.
When you think about the time it takes to get there, it would make sense to stay for a decent while, but I couldn’t afford to take that much time off work, nor would I even have the money to do so…
Oh, I’m suddenly feeling kind of sad.
But now, it’s okay. That kind of sadness will surely fly away if I stand by the window on the top floor of the Wooden Hotel, swirling a glass of wine filled with pudding while looking down.
“Hahahaha, the people down there look like ants!”
Hem.
Anyway, Han Seori, who seemed to have experience traveling to America, told me various stories.
She was probably the type who had gone there to study, being the Doctor and all.
“The Statue of Liberty is worth a visit, even though it’s not as iconic as it used to be these days.”
Was it just me, or did she seem to be deliberately focusing on the bright side of things?
It must be my imagination.
Still, as I listened, I felt a sense of anticipation rise. I’d never even been on a plane while exploring my own country, so if I do take a flight, this will be my first time.
Should I take off my shoes before boarding?
Ah, no, since I don’t wear shoes anyway, it doesn’t matter… But I kind of want to try taking something off…
Then again, trying to build up experience by wearing shoes before departure would just be too inconvenient.
Hum, but maybe a suit with matching shoes would look stylish?
But can Yang Ha-na even make shoes? Isn’t that a bit different from tailoring clothes?
While pondering this as I listened to Han Seori, I realized my concerns were completely unnecessary.
That was because…
“Wow, they sent a private jet? Must be pretty urgent.”
What I saw was quite different from what I had imagined in my head.
I had been envisioning handing over my shoes to the stewardess while passing through the gate, but there wasn’t anything like that.
Or there were some similar people, but they seemed more like security guards, so it was hard to call them stewardesses.
I had silently imagined my passport being issued and used for customs procedures, but none of that happened either.
My modest dreams were dashed, but still, the situation turned out unexpectedly, making me feel a bit dazed.
I was just making jokes earlier about how I could see people like ants from the building, but it seems there really is a private jet?
Hmm… This might actually suit my current situation.
Even if people have become aware of my existence, they might panic if I suddenly show up at the airport?
Anyway, the fact that they invited us like this makes me wonder if their side is also treating us the same way we were treated… or rather, are they using the “Leader of Earth’s” authority to suppress it?
Ugh, Jelly, that hurts.
Forget it, I don’t care about the complications.
Doctor will figure it out.
“If anything happens, call us right away.”
“Got it.”
Thus, after leaving the Laboratory in the care of Hwang Bo-yul, Han Seori and I boarded the plane waiting for us.
Once onboard, the strange looks some people gave seemed to confirm that this was really the inside of the plane…
It reminded me of the interiors of limousines often seen in media. Of course, this was much larger in scale.
“Wow, thanks to Lime, I get to indulge in such luxury!”
Even Han Seori, who seemed inexperienced in this, hugged me as her eyes sparkled.
We were then guided to comfortable seats by a courteous woman.
Soon after, with a considerable vibration and sound, I realized at the same time that the common notion of taking off shoes to board a plane was a myth, and the scenery outside the window began to speed up.
Once we passed a certain speed, the landscape tilted into a diagonal line, and I felt a sensation as though Jelly was floating.
Even though it was my first time on a plane, the sensation felt strangely familiar.
It was somewhat similar to falling from somewhere.
That feeling made me feel a bit queasy, but soon after, viewing the clouds flowing like an ocean outside was fascinating.
Without realizing, I was stuck to the window, gazing outside, when Han Seori’s laughter echoed from behind.
“Huh, huh…”
I felt a bit embarrassed and detached from the Jelly, but she encouraged me to look freely. Feeling somewhat childish and embarrassed, I didn’t stick to the window.
Then, Han Seori scratched her cheeks apologetically.
Since I didn’t have to turn my head or get too close to see the scenery well, I decided to sulk and pretend not to look out the window.
At this, Han Seori, becoming restless, called a pretty flight attendant over and began speaking in English.
I was astonished at her fluency while this happened, and the attendant nodded with a matter-of-fact expression before moving away.
Actually, I don’t know if the person was really a flight attendant. I just instinctively called her that.
But seeing her move according to Han Seori’s words, I guessed she probably was.
While I was spacing out with silly thoughts, the woman, who had gone to some place, returned with a tray and approached us.
There, on the tray…
“Here, Lime, don’t you want to try this?”
Exquisite snacks that looked very luxurious were spread out.
Some high-end chocolates.
Candies that looked sweet.
A tart with generous portions of fresh fruits, and a bunch of breads I’d seen in anime.
…Do they really give out stuff like this on planes?
No, wait! Isn’t the issue bigger than that?
Are you trying to bribe me with this kind of dessert?
The sweet aroma wafting from it was very enticing though.
And anyway, I wasn’t really pouting, so…
No, I accepted it just because it felt pitiful to see Han Seori trying so hard. (Even though it’s kind of misplaced to think I was pouting).
Separate from that, the dessert was incredibly delicious. Jin’s pudding is also very tasty, but its deliciousness was on a different level.
If these jellies taste this, they might lose satisfaction with pudding.
…Oh. Is that dangerous?
Then, Kim Cheon-soo might not be able to handle it.
Alright, I don’t have a choice but to finish off this dangerous dessert myself. If there’s leftovers, Han Seori might ask for it to be packed to give to the jellies! If they eat it, they won’t be satisfied with just pudding anymore…
That sort of thing must not happen.
It’s absolutely not because it tastes so good or anything.
It’s all for the glory of the Wooden Hotel!
While I diligently pushed the dessert into my body, Han Seori observed me with a warm smile.
I, who was shoving desserts into jellies with a sense of mission, felt awkward from her smile and concentrated on eating.
But that didn’t mean my line of sight was obstructed.
I could distinctly feel the flight attendants watching me from inside.
They might think they’re watching without getting caught, but my vision isn’t limited to just the front—it’s incredibly wide, you know.
Still, I don’t really know what they’re thinking.
Are they watching me officially? Or are they hiding some kind of scheme?
I could see people with blue eyes and blonde hair, as well as black-haired ones or people with dark skin.
Not being able to read their emotions made me realize they weren’t ordinary humans.
…Han Seori seems completely unaware of this, smiling happily while looking at me.
Sigh. Our Doctor really knows nothing.
Anyway, I kept my guard up against the people watching us while I ate dessert.
That’s right.
I definitely should have…
After leaning into the seat, I heard Han Seori exhale deeply.
She had looked after me, ensuring I got dessert and seemed pleased, before settling herself with some food and dozing off.
Thinking that she was sleeping soundly, unaware of the looks, I decided I should continue watching over her.
…But the flight wasn’t ending.
I kept my jelly eyes wide open, pretending not to look, but the flight still didn’t end.
Even after the people watching me were replaced, the flight showed no sign of ending.
What is this… why is it taking so long?
The excitement from the initial takeoff was already gone.
Admiring the clouds flowing by and the wide ocean beneath grew repetitive after the first few times.
It’s impossible to stay interested for several hours.
…I’m bored.
Also, none of those who watched me made any moves that seemed suspicious.
They occasionally passed by offering snacks, but there were no clear signs of trouble.
This must be some sort of cheap trick to buy my goodwill, but since that was all there was, I was getting bored.
Oh… I’m about to die from boredom.
When will we arrive?
