Chapter 61: Let's Go on a Trip (2)

Let's go to the sea!

I had to prepare various items to go to the sea.

'It's been so long since I've gone, my memory is a bit hazy.'

What should I buy?

I walked around the mart alone, checking the memo on my smartphone screen.

"Tubes... life jackets... children's swimwear... This should be enough."

After buying the necessary items on the list, I left the mart and started preparing for the trip to the sea.

"First, we need transportation..."

The sea is currently designated as a restricted area, so we can't use public transportation. Therefore, I have to drive there myself.

I opened my smartphone and clicked on the banking app.

[Balance. 4,164,098]

Of course, I can't buy a car.

I had no choice but to borrow a car from someone else. There were some guys around who might know about rental cars.

'I'll probably find them if I look around a bit.'

I wandered around some slightly dangerous areas to find them. Soon enough, I found the guys who were always together.

"Found them. Fatty and Weakling."

I approached them, waving my hand.

"Hey, Fatty and Weakling. Come here for a sec."

Fatty and Weakling saw my face and quickly ran over.

"Oh, big bro! You found us, what's up?"

"Do you guys know about rental cars?"

"That's our specialty."

Rub rub—

Fatty and Weakling rubbed their hands like mosquitoes. I followed them as they guided me, saying lightly.

"If you try to scam me, you're dead."

"W-We may look like this, but we don't scam! That's unfair!"

"We do business based on trust, big bro!"

Fatty and Weakling looked back at me with genuinely wronged expressions. They didn't look like people who do business based on trust.

"Alright, just guide me quickly."

"Yes, big bro. But please remember one thing. We're doing our best and working hard."

"What are you trying to say?"

"If there's ever a job opening..."

"Shut up and just guide me."

"Yes, big bro..."

These opportunistic guys. They try to squeeze in at any chance they see. Still, that kind of attitude was necessary to survive in this neighborhood.

"Here we are, big bro. We don't have expensive cars, but this is where old cars that still run are gathered. Let's go in."

I followed Weakling into a lot filled with various cars.

There were many cars too ambiguous to scrap but not good enough to sell. There, Weakling politely introduced me to one car.

"This place is run by an acquaintance of mine, and he said this car is in the best condition. I think you can trust me and choose this one."

"Alright, I'll take this one."

I don't know much about cars anyway, so I decided to rent an angular car called Pride. I was satisfied with the fairly cheap price Weakling offered.

'Preparations are all done.'

Good.

Now we just need to set off for the sea.

***

On the day of departure for the sea, I got permission from the Hero Association for a vacation and to enter the restricted area.

"Shall we get ready to leave now? Kids, how are you doing?"

I wonder if they're all ready.

I picked up the heavy bag and checked on the children's status. Hwaryeon was wearing a tube around her waist for no reason. Out of pure curiosity, I asked.

"Hwaryeon, we're not at the sea yet, what are you doing?"

"It's a tube! I like it, so I'm wearing it!"

"How can you inflate it already? Quickly deflate it and put it in the bag."

"Hmph, how annoying!"

Hwaryeon pouted and deflated the tube. She was wearing a cool tank top suitable for the beach.

I patted Hwaryeon's head and pointed to the front door.

"If you're ready, wait in the hallway. I'll bring the others out soon."

"Okay!"

Pitter-patter—

Hwaryeon ran out to the hallway. I approached Suryeon, who was next in line.

Suryeon was sitting in the corner with her hood pulled over her head.

"Suryeon."

"What, Dad."

"We're going to see the sea. Let's get up quickly."

"..."

Suryeon turned her head away, seeming reluctant. She still seemed worried about going out. I reached out my hand to Suryeon, who looked a bit scared.

"Come on. Let's go outside holding Dad's hand."

"..."

Suryeon silently looked at my outstretched hand. Then, she gathered her courage and carefully took my hand.

"...Alright. We're just going out, right?"

Suryeon answered a bit grumpily. She turned her head away from me, seeming embarrassed.

As I was about to leave for the hallway holding Suryeon's hand,

Tap!

Choryeon, wearing a straw hat, took my other hand and asked carefully.

"Father, please hold my hand too."

Choryeon took my hand as if saying not to leave her out. I gently held Choryeon's hand and said.

"Alright, let's go. You'll follow Dad well while holding his hand, right?"

"Yes!"

Choryeon smiled brightly at my words.

So, holding Suryeon and Choryeon's hands, I headed to the hallway. There, Hwaryeon was waiting for me with her arms crossed.

"Dad, you're late! I've been waiting!"

"It didn't even take that long."

"The point is that I waited! More importantly! Why are you holding Suryeon and Choryeon's hands?!"

"It just happened this way."

"Hmm... Hmmm..."

Hwaryeon frowned, seeming displeased. Then, she turned abruptly and headed for the stairs.

"Hmph, let's just leave already! I want to see the sea too!"

Pitter-patter!

Hwaryeon went up the stairs first and headed outside. I followed her, saying.

"Go slowly! Don't fall like last time!"

Falling on the stairs can really hurt.

I followed, worried that Hwaryeon might fall. When we got out of the building without any accidents, an old-fashioned car was parked in front.

I put all the supplies in the trunk and opened the doors.

"Alright, everyone get in. We need to get in the car."

"Hmm...!"

"Hmm..."

"Hmm..."

What's this, why aren't they getting in?

The children just stared at the car. They didn't seem to want to get inside.

I asked the hesitating children.

"Is this the first time you've all seen a car?"

"No, it's not the first time we've seen one. We've seen them passing by. It's just the first time riding in one."

"Ah, I see."

Well, if it's their first time riding in a car, this reaction makes sense.

To encourage the scared children to follow, I sat in the driver's seat first and said.

"We can't be late, so everyone get in. And, Lee Hwaryeon."

"What?!"

"You're in the passenger seat. Sit next to me."

If she causes trouble in the back seat, I won't be able to stop her. It's better to have her sit in the front.

Hearing this, Hwaryeon got in with a bright smile.

"Yay! This is exciting!"

She seems happy to be sitting in the passenger seat. Following Hwaryeon, Suryeon and Choryeon sat in the back.

"I'll start driving once everyone has their seatbelts on. This is how you fasten a seatbelt."

Click—

After demonstrating how to fasten the seatbelt, the kids followed perfectly, like true dragons except for Hwaryeon.

"Dad! This is uncomfortable! Do I have to wear it?!"

"Yes, you do."

"Hmph, I don't like it!"

"Even if you don't like it, you have to wear the seatbelt. It's essential."

Now, it seems like everything is ready. After confirming that everyone had their seatbelts on, I started the engine.

Vroom!!

"Ooh! What's that sound! It's fun!"

Hwaryeon wasn't startled by the engine sound, but rather found it exciting. In contrast, Suryeon and Choryeon were quite tense.

"Suryeon."

"...W-What, Dad."

"You don't need to be scared. You're going to become one with the seat at this rate."

Suryeon was so scared she had almost become one with the seat. At my words, Suryeon snapped back.

"N-No...! I'm not scared...! Don't say weird things...!"

Now, she seems a bit more relaxed. I smiled at Suryeon and looked at Choryeon. Choryeon was analyzing with a serious expression.

"...This smell isn't good. Why does the car emit this smoke that's bad for the environment? Surely, it will hurt the Earth. To return the Earth to normal, it would be better to get rid of these cars."

"Choryeon, why are you being so scary…?"

Has Suryeon's chuunibyou spread? Choryeon's condition seemed to be getting stranger too.

She's such a pure child, it would be terrible if she gets weird ideas.

I felt this could be a big problem.

"It's good that Hwaryeon is too silly to have any ideology."

"What? Dad, what did you just say!?"

"Nothing, I didn't say anything?"

"You just called me silly-"

"Alright, let's go!"

Vroom!!

I immediately stepped on the pedal and set off for the sea. The dragons were startled and the atmosphere became chaotic for a moment. But as time passed and they got used to it, they naturally calmed down.

"Wow! Dad! Faster! Overtake the car in front! We're losing! What are you doing?!"

Except for Hwaryeon, who was going wild with dopamine.

'...I guess humans and dragons are all creatures of adaptation.'

I looked at the back seat through the rearview mirror. Choryeon seemed carsick and had fallen asleep with her eyes closed. Meanwhile, Suryeon had opened the window and was looking at the outside world.

"..."

Suryeon silently rested her chin on her hand and looked outside, feeling the cool breeze coming through the window.

At least now, she didn't seem scared of the outside.

'...I'm glad she's enjoying it. I was worried.'

I hope it continues to be this peaceful so that Suryeon can overcome her fear of going out.

Thinking this, I put on my sunglasses and focused on driving towards the sea.

'This is nice and cool.'

The first trip with the children was full of the cool and hot scents of summer.