" The Girl They Called Devil "

Episode 19: Holiday Adventure

The final bell rang loud and clear through the hallways of St. Claire Academy, marking the start of the long school holidays. Cheers erupted from every classroom as students packed their bags, laughing and talking excitedly about their plans. The stress of studies and exams was gone, replaced by freedom and sunny days ahead.

Woo-jin and Ji-hoon leaned against the gate, waiting for Yujin. When she came walking out, lighter and happier than ever, they waved her over.

“Great news—no school for weeks!” Woo-jin said with a bright smile. “Ji-hoon and I have already made a plan. We are going on a picnic and a little trip to the coast. Fresh air, good food, and plenty of fun. Are you coming with us?”

Yujin’s eyes instantly lit up. She had never been on a proper trip or a picnic before. In her old life, days off meant only more chores or loneliness. Now, hearing she would go with her brother and best friend felt like a dream come true.

She nodded eagerly, bouncing on her heels. “Yes! I’m coming with you guys! I really want to go.”

“Perfect,” Ji-hoon said warmly. “We’ll pick you up early tomorrow morning. Wear something light and comfortable, and be ready for a long, beautiful day.”

The next morning, the sun was shining brightly and the sky was a clear, endless blue. The car drove smoothly out of the city, past green fields and small villages, until finally, the wide blue ocean came into view. The fresh salty wind blew through the open windows, and the sound of crashing waves grew louder.

They arrived at a clean, golden beach surrounded by high cliffs and tall palm trees. It was quiet and peaceful, far away from crowds and noise. They spread out a large mat near the shore, unpacked bags, and set everything up.

“Okay, I’ll take charge of the food today,” Woo-jin announced, rolling up his sleeves. He brought out fresh ingredients, fruits, meat, and cool drinks. “I’m going to prepare a special lunch for everyone. It takes a little time, though. You two go explore the beach or walk along the shore, but don’t go too far. I’ll call you when everything is ready.”

He turned his back to them and started arranging the stove and preparing the grill, fully focused on cooking.

“Let’s go then,” Ji-hoon said to Yujin. “Come on, let’s see what the shore looks like further down.”

Yujin followed him happily. She kicked off her shoes, letting her feet sink into the warm, soft sand. She had never seen the ocean before, and everything felt magical—the vast blue water stretching to the horizon, the white foam rushing onto the land, and the bright sunlight sparkling on the surface like millions of diamonds. She walked closer and closer, fascinated by the way the water moved.

“Be careful, Yujin,” Ji-hoon reminded gently, walking beside her. “The water can get deep very fast.”

“I am okay,” she replied, laughing as the cool water washed over her ankles. She stepped in a little further, wanting to feel the waves properly. She watched the water swirl around her legs, enjoying how refreshing and cool it was under the hot sun. She moved deeper, her eyes fixed on the horizon, admiring the beauty of the place.

Suddenly, a larger wave rolled in from behind. It was stronger than the rest, sweeping across the sand and pulling the ground beneath her feet away. Before Yujin could even shout, her balance broke, and she slipped completely into the water. The salty liquid splashed over her head, blinding her for a second. The pull of the sea dragged her slightly further out.

Ji-hoon’s sharp eyes caught the moment she fell. In a flash, he threw his shoes aside and sprinted forward. He didn’t hesitate for a second, rushing straight into the surf. He reached her just as she was trying to stand up but being pushed down by the current. He grabbed her firmly around the waist and pulled her up against his chest, holding her tight and safe. With strong, steady steps, he carried her back out of the deeper water onto the dry sand, away from the reach of the waves.

He set her down gently on the mat, kneeling in front of her. “Yujin! Are you alright? Did you swallow water?”

Yujin sat there, coughing softly, wiping water from her face and eyes. Her clothes were damp, sticking lightly to her skin. But more than that, her heart was racing wildly. It was beating so fast and hard against her ribs that she could feel it pounding in her ears. Her cheeks turned bright red, warmer than the hot sun above. She looked up at Ji-hoon, seeing the worry in his eyes, seeing his hair wet and sticking to his forehead from rushing in to save her.

She pressed a hand against her chest, confused. Her breath came short and quick. Why is my heart beating like this? she wondered silently. I wasn’t that scared… and the water wasn’t too deep. But why does my chest feel so full, like a bird is trapped inside trying to fly out? Why does looking at him make me feel this way?

“I… I am okay,” Yujin said softly, her voice quieter than usual. “Thank you, Ji-hoon. You were so fast.”

“Always watch where you step next time,” Ji-hoon said, sighing in relief. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of wet hair away from her face, his touch soft and caring. “I promised to protect you, remember? I won’t let anything happen to you, not even the sea.”

He didn’t notice how flustered she was. He was too busy checking if she was hurt, his attention fully on her safety.

Behind them, Woo-jin was still busy grilling food, humming a happy tune as delicious smells floated through the air. He had his back turned, focused on flipping the meat and arranging plates, completely unaware of the moment that had just happened near the shore. He thought they were just walking along the water’s edge enjoying the view.

While Ji-hoon fetched a dry towel from the bag to wrap around her shoulders, Yujin sat quietly, trying to calm herself down. She kept her hand over her heart, feeling the rhythm slowly steadying, but the strange warm feeling didn’t go away. She looked at Ji-hoon’s back and realized something new was growing inside her—something sweeter and softer than friendship, something she didn’t fully understand yet, but knew she never wanted to lose.

“Food is ready!” Woo-jin called out cheerfully from the picnic spot. He turned around and finally saw them sitting there, a little wet and messy but safe. He raised an eyebrow. “Did you guys decide to take a swim before lunch? The food is hot and fresh, come eat before it gets cold!”

Ji-hoon laughed and helped Yujin stand up. “Something like that. Come on, let’s go enjoy the feast our chef has prepared.”

Yujin smiled, walking between them back to the mat. She felt happy, safe, and excited. The beach trip had already given her memories she would never forget—and a new feeling that made her heart beat a little faster every time Ji-hoon came near.