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On the weekend, after celebrating her father’s birthday and spending a week resting at home, Ra-on returned to school. Sitting in the studio, she flicked her brush absently.
An unfinished canvas lay before her, densely packed with black lines but conspicuously empty in one section—a blank space that made her dizzy just looking at it.
“Still not done? Didn’t you start this ages ago?”
A passing classmate’s comment hung in the air, but Ra-on merely sighed deeply and set the brush down without responding.
Right. She hadn’t intended to spend this much time on it, yet here she was—already nearing the end of July, smack in the middle of summer break.
If she had stuck to her original plan, the piece would have been completed long ago. Staring silently at the work-in-progress, Ra-on massaged the back of her neck.
If she pushed herself now, maybe she could finish before the month ended. But...
Gazing blankly at the brush she’d already given up on, Ra-on finally rose to her feet. Despite the air conditioning, her body felt heavy and sluggish.
‘Maybe I should take a walk to the café.’
________________________________________
The café was quiet during the vacation. With only a few customers scattered around, Ra-on settled into a corner seat and exhaled wearily.
Then her phone buzzed—not a ringtone but a vibration alert.
It was Ji-an, who had returned to Canada a few days earlier.
Ji-an:
I’ll send you plane tickets as a birthday gift, so come visit me in Canada with Hye-sung.
2:13 PM
“Ahh.”
Ra-on let out a soft sigh. Only then did she remember that her own birthday was just two weeks away. Her expression remained calm despite the realization.
She replied:
I can’t go.
2:15 PM
I still haven’t finished a painting.
It wasn’t a lie—it was true. This year, her birthday would likely be spent in the studio. Even if she stole a short break, there simply wasn’t enough time for an overseas trip.
Thinking about the painting she’d abandoned moments ago, Ra-on stared at the chat window where Ji-an’s message appeared again—this time, just a single “ㅉ.” Letting out a breathy laugh, she put her phone down.
But not for long. Picking it up again, she pulled out the stylus and tapped its tip onto the blank virtual notebook app that automatically filled the screen. A sharp black dot appeared against the white backdrop.
Her face grew serious as she swallowed nervously and began to move her hand slowly.
‘Why am I so tense over something like this?’
With a wry smile, Ra-on quickly sketched a tree. Then came a bench, followed by someone sitting on it—but her hand faltered mid-stroke.
The pen froze in place as though paralyzed. Gently lifting it away, Ra-on lowered her gaze heavily.
“…”
Apparently, her heart still wasn’t ready to draw another person.
________________________________________
“What?”
Having polished off even the last plum meant for palate cleansing, Ra-on stared at the seat across from her, unsure if she’d heard correctly.
Do-kyung, who had watched her eat with satisfaction, leaned back against his chair and repeated himself.
“Let’s go to Gangwon-do.”
“So suddenly, why Gangwon-do?”
Her skeptical reaction prompted Do-kyung to feign a wounded expression.
“I mentioned having a villa near Yangyang, didn’t I? Don’t you remember?”
“…Oh.”
[Do you like the ocean?]
[Painting with such an expansive view as your backdrop wouldn’t be bad, right?]
Recalling their past conversation, Ra-on blinked.
And inevitably, another voice echoed naturally in her mind:
[I want to see you even during vacation.]
Embarrassment flushed her cheeks as Ra-on hastily looked down. For some reason, warmth spread to her ears.
Back then, when she harbored discomfort toward him, his words had left her more baffled than flustered. But now…
Clutching her chest tightly, Ra-on licked her lips absentmindedly. Why did hearing “I want to see you” make her feel so awkward and tingly?
As Do-kyung’s voice rang in her ears once more, Ra-on distractedly rubbed the empty glass in her hands while raising her head.
“You seemed to enjoy Jinhae’s cherry blossoms.”
At that, Ra-on recalled the vibrant streets of Jinhae bathed in springtime blooms.
Alongside the memory surfaced the fluttering excitement amidst crowds and fragrant spring breezes—and how his scent had pierced through everything, making her nervous despite the throngs of people.
‘Ah.’
Ra-on bit her tongue lightly, marveling inwardly. Inhaling his pheromones enveloping her gently, she thought:
Perhaps she had already begun to fall for Do-kyung back then.
Meanwhile, Do-kyung enthusiastically listed the perks of his villa—surfing, swimming, and more—before flashing a bright, toothy grin.
“So, come play with me, Ra-on-ah.”
Without missing a beat, he added mischievously:
“Alone, of course.”
Startled, Ra-on widened her eyes momentarily before bursting into laughter.
“If you want, Hye-sung can join too.”
Apparently, that offer had been empty all along.
Two weeks later.
Under the blazing sun, the ocean shimmered with a brilliant blue hue.
“It’s dazzling…”
Shielding her eyes from the sunlight reflecting off the water, Ra-on rested her cheek on her arm propped against the car window. The salty sea breeze rushed into the speeding vehicle, brushing softly against her cheeks.
“How is it? Feeling glad you came?”
Without opening her eyes, Ra-on whispered back in response to his voice from the driver’s seat:
“Yes, I am.”
Though she hadn’t thought much of it before leaving, now that she stood before the vast ocean, her chest felt refreshingly unburdened.
Slowly opening her eyes to gaze at the sea, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Ra-on’s lips.
Instinctively extending her fingers out the window, she was met with an immediate warning:
“Careful, or your finger might fly off.”
Startled, Ra-on retracted her hand and turned to look behind her in disbelief.
There sat Ji-an, arms crossed and glaring sullenly after arriving from Canada mere hours ago. Beside her, Hye-sung awkwardly scratched his cheek, offering an apologetic smile. Ra-on sighed.
After sending only a curt “ㅉ,” Ji-an had abruptly sent photos of flight tickets dated August 14th, departing from Canada and arriving in Korea. Her accompanying message read: “Since you’re too busy, guess I’ll have to go to Korea instead.”
And then:
[What?! YANGYANG?! Alone?! Does this kid know nothing about danger—or alphas?! Spending a night together alone?! ONE NIGHT?!]
Thus, they ended up traveling to Yangyang together—with Hye-sung tagging along as well.
Watching Do-kyung’s face contort upon learning of their companionship, Ra-on asked casually:
“How far is it to the villa?”
“Fifteen more minutes. Before that...”
Do-kyung glanced at the rearview mirror.
“Should I drop the two of them off at the beach?”
________________________________________
Hye-sung practically shoved Ji-an out of the car despite her protests. As the car disappeared into the distance with a casual farewell for the evening, Ra-on pressed her brows together tightly.
Unable to suppress her incredulity, she chuckled hollowly.
“So basically...”
“Yeah. I kicked them out.”
Grinning cheerfully at the newfound privacy, Do-kyung hummed a tune under his breath. Watching him drive with renewed vigor, Ra-on shook her head in resignation, amused by his antics.
“Just one night, and yet you couldn’t stand having them around?”
“Do you really believe what I said earlier about holding hands and sleeping innocently?”
Adding context between those statements, Do-kyung shrugged nonchalantly.
After driving another five minutes, they arrived at the villa boasting breathtaking views. Its elegant, old-world charm took Ra-on aback momentarily, but the sight of waves crashing against the deep blue sea directly in front captivated her completely.
“Why didn’t you tell me there was a beach right outside the villa?”
Unloading luggage from the trunk, Do-kyung smirked.
“Guess I forgot. Wonder why.”
As Ra-on gathered her hair against the wind, Do-kyung approached swiftly once the luggage was unloaded. Gathering her disheveled locks gently in one hand, he leaned closer.
“Ra-on-ah.”
Startled by the sudden proximity, Ra-on instinctively lowered her gaze. His pheromones mingled perfectly with the salty sea air, stirring something deep within her chest until it tingled uncomfortably.
“You’re... too close.”
Her whisper was barely audible, prompting Do-kyung to study her crinkled nose affectionately before exhaling a soft laugh.
He tapped her cheek lightly and pulled away.
“Shall we take a walk?”
Their luggage had already been handed off to three villa caretakers.
Leaving them behind, Ra-on stepped cautiously onto the sandy shore. Despite her care, sand inevitably crept into her sneakers.
Eventually barefoot, feeling the warm grains beneath her feet, Ra-on murmured:
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen the ocean.”
“Wasn’t it since you were little?”
Nodding, Ra-on pressed her toes firmly into the sand, delighting in its soft texture. Her usually indifferent eyes softened into crescents.
Do-kyung, never taking his gaze off her face, exhaled contentedly.
“Then today marks your first real encounter.”
“Huh?”
“When you were younger, you probably don’t remember clearly. This ocean will stay etched in your memory.”
Even as an elementary student, surely she remembered something —if not vividly, then diluted over time.
Ra-on snorted softly at his absurd reasoning.
“Don’t you think you’re obsessed with the word ‘first’?”
Do-kyung shrugged.
“I didn’t realize it either, but apparently, I am.”
“...”
Anyone present would understand the implication of those words.
Blushing furiously, Ra-on stammered and quickly turned her head, walking ahead briskly.
Behind her, Do-kyung laughed heartily and caught up in a few swift strides.
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