Tap.
“Huh?”
A small knocking sound broke my thoughts as I finished eating.
A cold touch grazed my hair, making me look up at the sky.
“Oh? It’s raining?”
It seemed Da-eun had felt the drops too, as she followed my gaze upward.
Then, she tilted her head.
“They didn’t say it’d rain today, so it’ll probably stop soon.”
Drip-drip-drip!
“Ahh!”“Wow. Impressive.”
No sooner had Da-eun spoken than the sparse drops turned into a steady rain, soaking the ground.
Changing the weather with a single word—isn’t that real magic?
Of course, it wasn’t actually raining because of what Da-eun said, but the timing was uncanny.
We quickly retreated into the tent to avoid the downpour.
Pitter-patter.
The raindrops relentlessly pounded on the tent roof, as if bitter about missing us.
“This is weird. The weather wasn’t supposed to be like this….”
“Yeah, it’s strange.”
Rain poured down on what had been a clear night, with stars dotting the sky.
Sure, the weather can be fickle, but it was still disappointing.
Looking up at a starlit sky has a certain charm, something I hadn’t done properly since coming back to Earth.
“Kana, did you know? Actually, the ‘stars’ you’re seeing might just be satellites. Satellites are artificial structures that orbit—”
“…Did you really have to bring that up right now?”
“Pfft… just kidding. There used to be rumors about it, but when it was proven false, they mostly faded. So, you’re really looking at stars.”
“Wow. Truly fascinating. Thanks so much for telling me.”
“Anytime!”
“…”
Never mind.
Instead of engaging in her silly banter, I turned my gaze outside the tent.
I watched as raindrops fell outside the extended canopy, hitting the ground in thick streams.
The rain was so heavy that a shallow depression was already filling and overflowing.
I considered waiting for the rain to stop before going out again, but it didn’t look like it would be stopping anytime soon.
Thud.
“You going to sleep?”
“Yeah. It’s late, and there’s nothing else to do.”
“Ah. Right… it is pretty late. I guess it’s about time we turned in.”
Following my words, Da-eun bustled around, changing into her pajamas.
While she was doing that, I lay down in the sleeping spot I had already prepared.
It wasn’t as soft and cozy as home, but compared to the days when I slept on the bare ground, it was practically like a royal bed.
As I nestled into the sleeping bag, listening to the rain…
“…It’s me.”
“Mmm.”
“Kana, wake up.”
“Whaa…”
A gentle touch shook me awake, accompanied by a soft voice.
…Had the rain stopped already?
I listened carefully, but the sound of raindrops hitting the tent roof was gone.
It had been a decent lullaby.
“Time for breakfast. I was thinking of making something quick with the leftover meat from last night. You’re not interested?”
“…Why are we calling this breakfast at this hour?”
“It’s barely been any time since dinner, and I just laid down to sleep. Why are you already talking about breakfast?”
Da-eun’s words were obviously nonsense.
I dismissed her talk as her usual nonsense, grumbling irritably as I buried myself back into the sleeping bag. Then, Da-eun’s voice dropped in tone.
“‘Why breakfast at this hour?’ It’s precisely because it’s morning! The sun’s already high up.”
“…What?”
“It’s actually later than usual.”
Springing up!
I shot up out of the sleeping bag.
The outside, which had been dark earlier, was now brightly lit.
“…??”
I blinked in confusion, trying to make sense of the situation.
…How come?
“Pff, you fell asleep the moment you lay down, didn’t you even notice morning had come?”
“You’re saying I fell asleep?”
I was certain I had just closed my eyes for a second.
“Yup. You probably didn’t dream of how tense I was all night, Kana.”
“…?”
“You were so deeply asleep that I was actually worried someone might just carry you off. So, really, if you got a good night’s rest, it’s all thanks to me!”
“…Sigh.”
Ignoring Da-eun’s smug expression, I started moving to head outside the tent, following the sound of the birds.
“Hey! Kana! Are you really going outside in your pajamas? You need to change first!”
“It doesn’t really matter, does it?”
“Tsk! You should listen to your older sister. A girl shouldn’t act so carelessly. You shouldn’t reveal too much skin, you know.”
“…Really? You think I’m showing skin?”
I looked down at what I was wearing.
The sleeves covered half of my hands, and the pants went down to my ankles.
Plus, I’d buttoned everything snugly.
“It doesn’t seem like it. Besides, there’s no one else around, anyway.”
“But you never know! What if we suddenly run into someone hiking?”
“Fine, fine.”
I wasn’t going far, just a few steps out, but she was making a fuss about it.
Covering my ears with my hands in resignation, I grabbed a jacket and put it on.
“Happy now?”
“Tsk…”
Ignoring Da-eun’s disapproving glance, I went outside.
Squelch.
The ground squished with a soft, wet sound as I stepped on it.
Looking at the puddles everywhere, it seemed the rain had continued after I fell asleep.
Maybe that’s why the air felt so much fresher with each breath.
As I took in the nature around me, Da-eun, who had followed me out, began moving busily.
In no time, she whipped up a hearty meal by frying the leftover meat and rice into a stir-fry, and even added some broth from a packet she’d brought.
She moved so swiftly that a decent breakfast was soon ready.
To my surprise, there was more leftover food than I remembered. Quite a bit, actually.
Each spoonful of rice brought up a piece of meat, which was pretty satisfying.
“Heh, you’re really enjoying it. Is it good?”
“Yeah.”
“Then, want to try some veggies?”
“No thanks.”
Trying to sneak them in, huh? Not a chance.
After finishing our modest but satisfying breakfast, we began packing up the campsite where we had spent the night.
“Camping is great and all, but the cleanup is such a pain… Oh, Kana! You’re not supposed to take that out like that!”
After packing up the tent and gathering the trash, we found that time had flown by.
“…Should we just have lunch here before heading back?”
“If you’re up for doing the dishes one more time, I won’t stop you.”
“Grr…”
Clearly not thrilled with the idea of washing dishes again, Da-eun climbed into the car.
The ride back home felt a bit calmer compared to the trip there.
‘…Home, huh?’
The word popped into my mind, and a quiet chuckle escaped my lips.
“…Pfft.”
“Hm? What did you say?”
I shook my head.
“Nothing, really.”
“Hm? …Well, if you say so, Kana! Anyway, should we stop at a rest area on the way back? We can fill up on gas and grab some tasty snacks!”
“Stopping is fine with me.”
Not that she needed my permission.
Still, something about it felt off. It was like she was assuming I wouldn’t say no.
“You don’t seriously think I’d say yes to anything just because you mention food, right?”
“….”
“…Why aren’t you answering?”
“Of-of-of course not… No way would I think that! Haha.”
“Look me in the eye and say it straight.”
“Keeping your eyes off the road is dangerous, you know.”
“Coming from someone who danced while driving, that’s rich.”
“I wasn’t dancing! I was just… caught up in the mood.”
Ah, so that’s why she’d been baiting me with food every time she suggested something. Now it all made sense.
As I glared at Da-eun, who was pretending not to notice, she kept driving smoothly down the road.
“It’s sweet.”
“But it’s good, right? I could never finish it alone, but it’s perfect sharing with you, Kana.”
We stopped at a rest area along the way and picked up a snack called deli manju to share. I think I might have vaguely had it ages ago.
Whatever, it’s pointless to dwell on something I barely remember.
After munching through a skewer of rice cakes and sausages, I felt comfortably full.
“Hold still for a moment.”
Swoosh.
“Got it. Hehe, with sauce smeared on your mouth like that, you really are like a kid, aren’t you?”
“Then doesn’t that make you a kid too, Da-eun?”
“…Ah! When did that happen?!”
Mocking me without realizing she had bright red sauce on her lips—how fitting.
Watching her, flustered and wiping her mouth, brought a crooked smile to my face.
“When did this happen…?”
“Dummy.”
“…Gasp!”
Suddenly, Da-eun took a deep breath and, with a completely serious tone, asked,
“…Could you say that one more time?”
“What?”
“That word, the one you just said. Just once more, please?”
“…Dummy?”
I mean, if she’s asking, sure, but why would she want me to say that again?
While I tilted my head in confusion, Da-eun suddenly burst out.
“This isn’t the same!”
“…! You scared me.”
“One more time! Just one more time, please!”
“I already did it once. But why do you even want me to do it?”
“I want to record it because it was so cute. What you just did was cute, but the first one was absolutely adorable. Can you do it like that just once more?”
“…No. I won’t do it. Never.”
“Ugh….”
So that’s what this was all about? I thought it was something serious.
Shaking my head, I saw Da-eun pouting with her lips stuck out.
“Guess I’ll just have to dismantle the black box….”
“….”
I don’t know what a black box is, but I can tell that Da-eun is planning something foolish.
If only she wasn’t driving.
I smacked my lips, consoling myself over the missed opportunity. Even while we were playing around, the car continued to move, and before we knew it, we entered familiar streets.
I haven’t been here many times, yet it feels comfortable. Is it because I subconsciously find this place to be home?
After a quick procedure, the car stopped in the underground parking lot.
“Do we need to take this?”
“Oh, no. It’s too big to keep at home, so let’s just leave it here.”
“Okay.”
Even after only grabbing the essentials, both hands were full.
After all, it seemed wrong to leave Da-eun to carry all the luggage by herself, especially after all her effort from planning to the entire trip.
Helping her carry the bags, I stepped into the elevator with her.
“Did you enjoy it?”
While watching the numbers on the display change rapidly, Da-eun suddenly leaned in and asked.
It was a sudden question, but I understood right away what she was asking about.
So, I nodded.
“Yeah. It was fun.”
“…Hehe. I’m glad you had fun.”
Da-eun’s wide eyes softened into a gentle smile.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened as we reached our floor.
“Alright!”
We picked up the luggage we had set down for a moment and carried it out. With home right in front of her, Da-eun’s previously weary steps became light once again.
Humming a little tune, Da-eun opened the door.
“Whew…. We’re back!”
As always, Da-eun left the customary greeting when returning home.
Normally, I’d be the one to respond to her greeting, but since I had gone out with her, there was no one left to answer.
“Yes, you’re back now?”
“…!”
…That’s how it should have been.
But then, a strange voice echoed from inside the supposedly empty home.
Caught off guard, Da-eun froze on the spot.
“….”
I tightened my grip on the luggage, heightening my alertness.
Footsteps sounded, and soon the owner of the voice revealed herself.
“Oh my!”
The middle-aged woman who appeared opened her eyes wide upon seeing me.
…There was something familiar about her face.
While I was staring at her face, wondering why she seemed familiar, the answer suddenly came to me from an unexpected place.
“Uh, Mom…?!”
“Ah.”
That’s why.
No wonder she seemed so familiar.
Seeing her face, which made me think, ‘This is probably what Da-eun will look like when she’s older,’ I nodded in understanding.
—
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