Chapter 74: To Korea
"Ah, that girl is incredibly cute, what should I do!"
Ignoring the laughter of the stewardesses, I climbed the stairs and saw Yuki sitting in a corner, burying her head in her hands.
"Hey, Yuki..."
"Don't say anything. I'm so embarrassed right now!"
"No, it's not that..."
"Well, I'm asking you not to talk right now."
"No, I mean, that's not your seat, is it? You can't just sit anywhere."
"Oh..."
Yuki reluctantly lifted her head and moved to the seat I was pointing at. Once she settled into her new seat, she buried her head again.
"Are you mad?"
"No... I'm just so embarrassed."
"Sorry, I was just joking back in Kyoto when I asked you seriously. I didn't know you'd take it to heart."
"I can't even look at the stewardesses' faces."
"Don't worry. Nowadays, at least a couple of people on every flight are like that. It's no big deal."
"Really?"
I nodded towards Yuki, who was now sneakily glancing at me, and only then did she start to survey the cabin.
"Wow... but there aren't as many people on the plane as I thought. There will be around 12 people here, right?"
"Well, if you're curious, would you like to go downstairs and check?"
"Downstairs?"
Yuki, looking puzzled, gazed at the bottom of the stairs. After a while, she ran back to me with a surprised expression.
"There are so many people downstairs! The seats are packed, but why is it so spacious up here?"
"Have you ever taken a long-distance bus?"
"Yes."
"If you think of it as a deluxe bus seat, it should make sense. It's a bit pricey, though."
"How much is it?"
"About 1.5 to 2 times the price of the seats downstairs when you compare."
"Really!? And it only takes an hour."
"Well, it's just a more comfortable way to go. The economy class seats are cramped."
"I've never booked a deluxe bus seat before."
"I'm covering the round-trip plane tickets, so don't worry and sit comfortably. We'll be taking off soon."
Just as I said that, the announcement came over the speakers, startling us.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to inform you that this flight will soon take off for its destination, Gimpo International Airport in Seoul. Please take your seats and fasten your seatbelts."
Nervously, Yuki sat down in the seat next to me and fastened her seatbelt. As the plane slowly gained speed on the runway for takeoff, she asked me while swallowing her dry saliva.
"How does it feel to fly into the sky?"
"Well... it's kind of like riding a roller coaster. It's fun in its own way."
"I'm really weak when it comes to riding roller coasters."
As the plane finally reached the runway for takeoff, Yuki grabbed my hand and said, "Hey... can you hold my hand?"
Smiling at her cute gesture, I firmly held her hand.
As the plane took off into the sky, her grip on my hand tightened.
"We're up... what should I do..."
In an instant, the plane that carried us was in the sky, and we could see the Japanese archipelago at a glance through the small window.
"Wow..."
Yuki marveled at the breathtaking view that only those flying for the first time can experience. And shortly after, as the plane soared above the clouds, a sea of pure white clouds stretched out before us.
"My colleagues showed me pictures of overseas trips, but it looks even more beautiful in real life."
Without realizing it, Yuki had relaxed, smiling and not taking her eyes off the window.
I remembered feeling the same way when I took my first plane ride during a middle school field trip to Jeju Island, and I couldn't help but smile at the memories.
For an hour, Yuki continued to gaze out the window, occasionally lifting her camera to take pictures.
I had noticed it before, but Yuki was exceptionally skilled at operating her film camera. Despite not being able to check her photos instantly like a digital camera, she deftly adjusted the aperture settings and captured one shot after another.
Soon, an announcement came in, signaling the plane's landing.
...
Upon safely landing at Gimpo International Airport, Yuki's first impression was...
"Oh... it's really cold here. Is Korea always this chilly?"
Unlike Narita Airport, Gimpo Airport had a system where passengers disembarked using stairs rather than the movable walkways. It was the end of February, transitioning into March, and the weather was quite chilly. Yuki was shivering, clutching her thin coat.
Well, Korea is a bit colder than Japan. I reached into my bag and took out a scarf, wrapping it around her.
"I forgot to mention that Korea can be quite cold. This should help a bit. Hang in there for a bit, and soon, the shuttle bus to the terminal will arrive."
"Thank you."
After enduring the long and somewhat tedious immigration process, we made it through the arrivals area. Gimpo Airport was bustling with many foreigners.
The World Comes to Seoul! Seoul Connects to the World! -
The familiar slogan of the '88 Olympics was plastered all over the place. It was beginning to sink in that I was truly in Korea.
"Wow, Hodori! So cute!"
As Yuki roamed around the airport, she pointed her camera at Hodori, the mascot of the '88 Olympics.
Ah, I remember that little guy...
Back when I was a kid, there were ice creams shaped like Hodori, and I had a few of them. At the time, I didn't know, but looking back, I remember that the design was a bit psycho - you had to remove Hodori's head and use a spoon to scoop the ice cream inside, which was somewhat inconvenient. It came with a piggy bank feature, but it was not easy to eat and all the neighborhood kids would run around with Hodori's heads in their hands...
Thinking about it now, I wonder who came up with that design. I'd like to meet the person who thought of it and see their face.
"First, let's drop off our luggage at the hotel and then head out."
"Sure."
Perhaps because it was her first overseas trip, Yuki hurriedly followed me, perhaps fearing that she might lose me.
As we got into a taxi waiting at the airport, the middle-aged driver kindly loaded Yuki's luggage into the trunk.
"Is it okay if we go to Myeongdong where the hotel is?"
"Yes."
Yuki, bundled up in a thick gray coat to brave the cold Seoul weather, held her camera tightly as she left the hotel.
I actually wanted to show her around Myeongdong first, but visiting my old neighborhood took precedence.
"I'm sorry for this, but I'd like to finish early and show you around Seoul in the evening."
Yuki responded with a smile and a nod.
"Yeah, I'm fine with that. Don't worry about me. In fact, I'm more curious about the neighborhood where you used to live."
"Thanks for understanding."
I patted her head once and then got into the taxi.
"Please take us to Myongsin University area."
"Myongsin University?"
"Yes, why?"
"Well, it's just that it's Friday, and it might be hard to get to the university in this traffic, but I'll take you as close as I can."
Huh? What does Friday have to do with the university's location?
After a while, the taxi left Myeongdong, passed by Sinchon, and began heading toward Sungkyunkwan University.
"Sir, you can get off at the intersection at the end of the downhill road to Myongsin University. It looks like it would be difficult for the car to go any further from here."
"Oh... thank you."
I paid the fare, and Yuki and I got out of the taxi. It dawned on me why the taxi driver had mentioned the university being unreachable. Today was Friday, and there was a student protest taking place...
"Kang Junhyuk... Why are there so many police here?"
Despite the fierce wind and the intense police presence,
Despite the strong oppression that comes our way,
We have gathered, no matter what.
We faced it...
A night where flesh is pierced. A night of agony.
In the chilly dawn dew, we stood firm.
Love, eternal love, an unwavering comrade
Love, eternal love, you are my comrade
Even while living in this world,
Even if we die before us,
Our goal will surely be achieved.
We will win...
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