RE: Player again

260

[Chapter 088] [A Night Where Fireworks Sound Seeps In]

Cultural Exploration Club Summer Training Camp.

Though it was called a summer training camp, in reality it was a 2 night 3 day trip.

Looking at the club members gathered at Seoul Station, everyone was dressed for travel.

Among them, there were two particularly noticeable individuals.

"...Can't you please take that off?"

"No, why? The summer sun is so bright it hurts my eyes."

"You say that well inside the station."

Eun-ha couldn't hide his displeasure at Min-ji who had been wearing sunglasses the whole way to Seoul Station since morning.

Kim Min-ji who came wearing clothes that revealed a lot of skin, saying she was going to fully enjoy summer.

According to her, summer is the season of exposure, so one must dress like this to keep up with trends.

"Our noona doesn't dress like you."

"...Of course Eun-a unni doesn't need to dress like this to be pretty. But you, can you stop mentioning Eun-a unni for everything? Your sister complex is really a disease at this point."

"Eun-ae doesn't dress like that either."

"...Really disgusting."

Min-ji who pushed her sunglasses up to her forehead rubbed her arms with a look of getting goosebumps.

Regardless, Eun-ha clicked his tongue and turned his eyes away from her.

A black halter neck tank top revealing her shoulders and armpits.

The halter neck tank top slightly smaller than her body type revealed her midriff when she stretched her arms.

Besides that, blue shorts that revealed her thighs, as if only covering her buttocks.

To be honest, he found it awkward where to look.

Still, it was fortunate Min-ji was only 14 years old.

Although I can't imagine that Min-ji becoming an adult...

I'll have to be careful from now on.

His childhood friend who occasionally showed glimpses of femininity these days.

And himself whose body was approaching adulthood.

32 years and 14 years of time did not make him someone with a mental age of 46 years.

The two time periods were just gradually mixing as they bridged the gap.

Still continuing now.

However, just as time flows without stopping, the 14-year-old body was growing.

After a few more years, this body would match the mind mixed with two time periods.

Then would he still be able to see them as just friends even then?

Or─

─There's too much to do.

Eun-ha inwardly denied it.

There was a lot to do.

He had a long way to go.

Even when his body and mind eventually aligned, he would steadfastly move forward for the purpose he decided to achieve in this second life.

Without stopping.

"You could have just dressed comfortably like Ha-yang or Seo-na."

"Like Ha-yang and Seo-na? Noh Eun-ha, you really don't know anything?" "What?"

Eun-ha who turned his head from Min-ji pointed at Ha-yang and Seo-na talking with Eun-hyeok.

Seo-na was wearing a pure white off-shoulder dress with a long skirt.

Her eye-catching blonde hair and pure white off-shoulder dress created an exotic atmosphere.

On the other hand, Jung Ha-yang's pure white dress and straw hat were impressive.

She who had temporarily taken off her straw hat inside the station and tucked it under her arm was happily chatting with friends.

In any case, the two were dressed appropriately for the situation.

Unlike someone.

"Those two are the final boss."

"...Final boss? What does that mean?"

"You don't know what swimsuits those two brought for today's trip?"

"...What is it?"

"Hmph, why don't you see for yourself later?"

He ended up getting curious.

But Min-ji only sparked his curiosity before walking off to the other club members.

...What on earth did they bring?

Eun-ha who was left behind tilted his head.

They were just kids after all.

Even if the two prepared something, it wouldn't be much.

"...They're all still children."

Eun-ha who momentarily glanced at the two's chests hurriedly shook his head.

He decided to shake off distracting thoughts.

Just then, Parang happened to be nearby.

This hyung is really a problem too.

Even though I warned him not to bring it, he still stubbornly brought it...

Eun-ha sighed involuntarily.

Looking at Jin Parang wearing an inner tube.

He didn't know where he got them, but he really wanted to tear up the aloha shirt and floral print shorts.

"What? Envious of my tube? I told you you'd regret it later if I didn't bring it, right?"

"...I'll let you see the ocean you've been wanting to see to your heart's content today."

Eun-ha had tried to stop Parang from putting flippers and a snorkeling set in his bag this morning, but couldn't take away the tube.

He thought he would die of embarrassment coming to Seoul Station with his sunglasses-wearing childhood friend on one side and his stupid hyung wearing a tube on the other.

I definitely shouldn't sit next to them on the train later.

The journey from Seoul to Busan was quite long and difficult.

Since monsters could appear on the tracks at any time, they had to stop at each station.

The travel time took even longer because they had to re-inspect the tracks and train if monsters appeared.

That's why Eun-ha had brought a sleep mask.

He decided to sit down and get some sleep as soon as he boarded the train.

Just then, other students were also arriving one after another.

Cha Eun-woo coming side by side with Mok Min-ho could be seen in the distance.

"Hey guys, hello. Did you have a good vacation?"

"...Hello."

Eun-woo smiling brightly and Min-ho greeting gruffly.

However, Eun-ha and his friends couldn't welcome the two happily.

Because one of Eun-woo's cheeks was bright red and swollen.

"Eun-woo, what happened to your face?" "How did this happen? It looks like it must hurt a lot..."

Seo-na and Ha-yang didn't show much surprise.

Instead, they approached her asking in worried voices.

"Yeah, that... I fell yesterday..."

Eun-woo mumbled while smiling awkwardly as if she had expected this.

Her face that looked sad even when still increased the pitiful atmosphere when she closed her eyes so her pupils weren't visible.

You're saying that face is from falling?

No one here believed her words.

Even if she fell while walking, her face might get scratched, but it wouldn't swell up like that.

As if she had been punched.

The space between her cheekbone and jawbone was greatly swollen.

Judging by the state, there was a high possibility of bruising inside her mouth.

"...What's with this hand? Did you burn it somewhere?"

Just then, Min-ji grabbed Eun-woo's hand that she had been hiding behind her back.

There was a large bandage on the back of her pure white hand.

"...Ah, this? I'm so clumsy that I accidentally poured coffee on my hand while pouring it. Ahaha..."

Eun-woo spoke rapidly.

Her friends just stayed silent, and only the sound of her awkward laughter scattered emptily.

Everyone read the atmosphere.

Conflicted on how to get past this atmosphere, whether to press for details on the circumstances.

If Mok Min-ho hadn't stepped up then, they wouldn't have been able to shake off the awkward atmosphere.

"That's why I told you not to get distracted while holding the pot..." "Ehehe... I'm reflecting on it too."

"It's just a light burn. She's always clumsy and exaggerates."

"...Tch, do you have to say it like that?" "Then be more careful next time."

Fortunately, Eun-woo faced Min-ho and regained her usual demeanor.

She who had been forcing a smile relaxed her face and boarded the designated train as Min-ho pushed her along.

"You all get on too! Everyone knows their seats, right!?"

The club president who had checked the participants for the training camp shouted loudly in front of car 10.

After the girls said they would ride with Eun-woo and went inside the train.

As a result, the boys naturally ended up sitting in the same seats.

"Mok Min-ho."

"What?"

Eun-ha called Min-ho who was about to board the train.

He who was climbing the stairs turned his head while holding the handrail.

"Eun-woo's face... why is it like that?"

"..."

"You must know."

There's no way Mok Min-ho wouldn't know.

Eun-ha was certain of that.

Otherwise, the face Min-ho showed while defending Eun-woo earlier wouldn't make sense.

It was the face of someone harboring self-loathing.

Eun-ha had seen that face many times.

And made it many times.

So he could see through the true feelings that were only momentary.

"...It's not your business to interfere."

"..."

"Just stay quiet. That's how you can help Eun-woo."

"...Alright then."

His relationship with Mok Min-ho wasn't anything special.

They were simply in the same club.

Eun-ha once again recognized the distance between himself and Min-ho from his answer.

Eun-ha still couldn't delve deeply into him and Cha Eun-woo.

But he decided to ask one more thing.

"Wouldn't it have been better to postpone the summer training camp to next time and rest at home?"

At that question, Mok Min-ho glared at Eun-ha while clenching his fist.

"...Whose fault do you think that is."

Then he boarded the train without any explanation.

☆

Before the Fairy government was established, there was an incident called the 'Train to Busan' incident.

Distortions usually occurred and monsters were born in places where many people moved.

So there were places where Players were stationed at certain points on highways, and in the case of railways, Players were stationed at each station.

So that Players waiting at nearby points could rush over anytime in case monsters appeared on highways or railways.

But the problem was that monsters appeared not on the tracks, but inside the train.

Moreover, the monsters had the power to infect people they touched.

Naturally, chaos broke out inside the train where Players weren't stationed.

The incident that turned many people into monsters was called the 'Train to Busan' incident because it occurred on a train heading to Busan.

"There will be a brief inspection. Please remain still."

Since that incident, people had to undergo internal mana inspections by Navigators at certain stations to check if they were infected by monsters.

Eun-ha who had been sleeping leaning on his seat took off his sleep mask with a groggy face.

"Yes, confirmed. Have a pleasant trip."

"...How many times is this now, geez..."

The Navigator's inspection was simple.

If the mana floating around people didn't show an unstable form, they could pass smoothly.

Since they couldn't closely inspect each passenger, it was a rough inspection.

To be honest, it was pointless.

The Navigators conducting the inspections would obviously be thinking the same thing.

It had no purpose other than reassuring ordinary people.

"Captain, you really sleep well. Don't you have trouble falling asleep after waking up in the middle?"

"No, not at all. I fall asleep easily."

Perhaps because he had been sleeping leaning on the seat, his head felt pressed.

Eun-ha who yawned while tossing and turning stole one of the boiled eggs Eun-hyeok was eating.

"How much longer until Busan?"

"They said we have to go 3 more hours. The kids are tired too and went out to get some fresh air."

No wonder it had been quiet around since the train stopped.

Eun-ha who stuck his head out between the seats looked at where the girls had been sitting.

It was a complete mess.

Blankets provided by the train were hanging here and there on the seats.

The girls were nowhere to be seen.

Come to think of it, Jin Parang was gone too.

"What about Parang hyung and Mok Min-ho?"

"Min-ho is in the bathroom now. Parang hyung went to see what food there is at Dongdaegu Station." "...Dressed like that?"

"...Yeah."

Eun-hyeok nodding with a sour face.

Eun-ha seemed to understand why Eun-hyeok didn't follow Jin Parang.

It was obvious he would be embarrassed going around with Jin Parang wearing an aloha shirt, floral print shorts, and an inner tube.

I wouldn't follow him either.

No doubt Parang was wandering around inside the station without realizing how embarrassing he looked.

Eun-ha scratched his pressed head vigorously.

Then he spotted Bae Su-bin walking over from across.

For some reason, she handed him the sports drink she had been holding.

"What's with you? Giving me all this..."

"I'm not the one buying it. Min-ji told me to bring it to you. She said you'd be awake now so bring you something to drink..."

"I have one good childhood friend."

He had just been feeling thirsty.

Eun-ha drank the sports drink gratefully for Min-ji's consideration.

Apparently, Bae Su-bin had returned to her seat first because the other kids were taking too long shopping.

She was the type to immediately pick up her vocabulary book as soon as she returned to her seat after finishing her business.

She's a real study bug...

Eun-ha clicked his tongue.

It seemed Bae Su-bin hadn't gone home for summer vacation and was studying at the academy.

She was really intense.

Yet Bae Su-bin couldn't take first place in the school.

Of course, neither could Eun-ha.

Jung Ha-yang is really no joke.

Jung Ha-yang who took first place in the 1st year 1st semester, beating even him who got good grades in practicals and Su-bin who studied intensely.

Eun-ha shook his head watching her enter the train chattering with the other girls.

Ha-yang was someone who absolutely had to be drawn into the party no matter what.

"Eun-ha, do you want ice cream?"

"I'll have some. But why is Mok Min-ho with you guys? Weren't you going to the bathroom?"

Ha-yang took out the ice cream he liked from a white bag.

Eun-ha who put the sports drink on the table unwrapped the ice cream she handed him.

Meanwhile, he tilted his head at Mok Min-ho who was among the girls.

"They forcibly dragged me along."

"What do you mean dragged, Min-ho, you were having fun too."

"I thought I was going to die from how noisy you guys were."

It seemed Min-ho had been caught by the girls after stopping by the bathroom.

Mok Min-ho who sat down with a sigh retorted to Eun-woo's jab while fiddling with a popsicle.

Now only Parang hyung is left.

It was almost time for the train to depart.

But Parang still hadn't come.

Even the girls chatting at the boys' seats started worrying about Parang as time passed.

"Seo-na, why don't you send telepathy to the i***t oppa?"

"I just sent it... it seems he's running in a hurry after waiting in line."

"Geez, the i***t oppa always causes problems. Tell him to hurry up and come."

"Okay."

Jin Seo-na creating a spark of current between her triangular ears.

Eun-ha rested his chin on the window.

This Jin Parang was the problem.

He was just causing problems like this, all excited about going on a trip.

"...Ah! Captain, the door just closed?"

"...This hyung is really hopeless. Seo-na, did Parang hyung get on?"

"Well, I just sent telepathy but there's no reply from oppa."

Soon the train departed.

An announcement to take seats flowed.

In the end, Eun-ha and his friends had no choice but to sit

In the end, Eunha and her friends had no choice but to sit down and wait for Blue.

I hope you have a safe ride.

"...."

But the prayers were in vain.

As Eunha was looking out the window, a blue wolf flashed past her eyes.

"That i***t brother again… ."

Eunha, who had her face pressed against the window, could see Parang running towards her from behind, holding food in both arms.

In an Aloha shirt and floral shorts.

With a tube attached to her waist.

Oh, I fell.

I don't know anymore.

Eunha decided to take her gaze off of Parang, who fell over while trying to chase the running train.

It wasn't good for my mental health.

"Captain… Wouldn't it be better to tell the section chief?"

"That guy always causes trouble."

Eunhyuk and Minho also seemed to have seen the blue, although it was only for a moment.

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The two people's impressions were different.

One with a worried look on his face.

One frowned.

But what they both had in common was that they were both waiting for the galaxy's answer.

And the answer of the galaxy is─.

"─I should tell the manager that we can have a lot of barbecue tonight."

He wasn't a Jinpa-rang who would just sit there and die no matter where he was put.

I'm sure you'll find it on your own.