Chapter 112
Before we went to Disney Land, Han Yu-na and I had talked about going to Gyeongju World together.
At the time, we'd simply said we'd go someday...
"Do you have time?"
-Yes. The things I took care of during our last trip to the United States created an opportunity for me to take some time off this time.
The last time I went to the United States, she said she was working on something with her affiliated hotels, too...
"That's great. When can we go?"
-I can take time off this Wednesday.
Wednesday, and Thursday.
She suggested we enjoy Gyeongju World on an overnight, two-day trip.
-It takes about two hours by SRT, though. Still, wouldn't staying overnight be better if we want to enjoy it properly?
"Well, that's true."
Even if the SRT ride itself took two hours, we would also have to get to the station and wait for the train.
And considering that it took about thirty minutes to get from Gyeongju Station to Gyeongju World, the one-way travel time would be three hours.
If we counted the round trip, that made six hours.
At that point, it would be better to spend a night there.
"Then let's do that... Should I book the accommodation?"
-No. I'll book that, too. Don't worry about anything, Noah. Just come.
"All right. I'll leave it to you, then."
After ending the call with her, I immediately checked the Internet.
Han Yu-na was taking care of the transportation and accommodation, but it felt a little wrong to simply sit around and do nothing.
I should prepare something.
Somewhere else to have fun besides Gyeongju World.
"Ah."
I looked in the mirror.
The future had changed.
So I smiled and picked up my phone.
Three numbers saved in my contacts caught my eye.
The National Intelligence Service.
The Russian SVR.
The CIA.
It was a little extreme, but another safe event was going to take place.
.
.
.
Wednesday morning.
When I arrived at Seoul Station and checked the time, it was seven in the morning.
"Are you really going to be all right?"
"Yes. Han Yu-na has bodyguards, too..."
"Even so, I should come along..."
"Haha. Really, don't worry."
I'd always traveled with Cheolhon whenever I went somewhere, so it felt a little awkward going alone this time.
"Besides, it's not like you have no protection, right?"
I glanced to one side.
A middle-aged man was seriously reading a newspaper.
He was an agent from the National Intelligence Service.
There was one more agent at the convenience store, and another at Lotteria.
Including the agents waiting in Gyeongju, six of them would secretly be guarding me.
And if we counted those who had been added to them...
"So take good care of your girlfriend. I heard it was her birthday when we went to the island?"
It had been Cheolhon's girlfriend's birthday when we'd gone to the island for filming last time.
Since he hadn't been able to celebrate it properly then, the two of them had decided to enjoy a hotel vacation this time, but I'd ended up going to Gyeongju.
If I were a heartless person, I might have said, 'Is that my problem?' But how could I do that?
So I gave him a bonus and some time off so he could enjoy himself while I was away in Gyeongju.
"I'm still worried."
"I'm not a five-year-old being left alone by the water. Don't worry. Ah, she's here."
At that moment, a woman and two bodyguards appeared near the entrance to Seoul Station.
Han Yu-na.
And the bodyguards of hers I'd seen several times before.
"Hello."
"Yes. It's been a while. Have you been well?"
We exchanged a brief greeting, but even though I hadn't met them in person, I'd seen them often on Densa.
We'd only run a dungeon together the day before yesterday.
I was almost happier to see the bodyguards beside her than I was to see her.
Hmm...
Should I tell her about the surprise event?
No.
Just look at that bright smile, like a child who was tired but excited about going on a picnic.
If I told her, Han Yu-na would cancel the trip to Gyeongju.
I knew how much she was looking forward to it, so it would be pointless to cancel over a small, dynamic but harmless event.
"I'll do my best to escort you all the way to Gyeongju."
"Thank you. Then, Cheolhon, I'll see you the day after tomorrow."
"Yes. Have a safe trip."
With Cheolhon seeing us off, we headed for the train.
We arrived at the SRT platform at Seoul Station and went to the first-class car.
"Here we are."
"Oh... You'll sit by the window, right?"
"I don't mind where I sit."
Then I should sit on the aisle side.
Han Yu-na sat beside me, and the bodyguards sat around us.
A short while later, the train began to move.
"Yaaawn... I'm sleepy. Shall we sleep for a while first?"
"Yes. Since we'll be busy once we get there, it would be better to get a good nap in."
Han Yu-na whispered that she'd come straight from working until dawn.
She'd only slept for about three hours.
I had slept about that much, too.
The game had been going well yesterday.
In any case, we leaned back comfortably in our seats.
Perhaps it was because of the train's rocking motion.
My eyes slowly closed.
And when I opened them, a pleasant scent tickled my nose.
Han Yu-na's head was resting on my shoulder.
She had naturally wrapped her left arm around mine and rested her head against my shoulder, sleeping soundly with soft nasal breaths.
-This is Gyeongju, Gyeongju Station.
It was about time to get up.
As I opened my eyes and looked around, the bodyguard in the seat ahead of us rose.
He seemed to have been about to wake us, but when he saw that I was already awake, he simply gathered his luggage instead of saying anything.
"Ms. Yu-na. Wake up."
"Mmm... yeesss..."
Slowly, the head that had been resting on my shoulder lifted.
A small smile appeared on her face as she gazed blankly at me.
"Good morninggg... Mr. Noaah..."
"Yes. Good morning."
"Mmm...!! Ah. S-sorry. Was I making you uncomfortable?"
"No. It was fine. But I suppose you sleep while holding something?"
She'd done this last time, too.
Han Yu-na nodded, her face turning slightly red.
"Yes... I always sleep while hugging a stuffed toy at home."
"Oh. I see."
"....Aren't you going to tease me?"
"What? Why would I tease you about that?"
Everyone had their own preferences.
Among the people whose pasts I'd seen, there had even been someone who couldn't fall asleep without hearing the military reveille.
Compared to that, sleeping while hugging a teddy bear wasn't particularly strange.
"Uh, ehehe... Thank you for understanding."
"No need to thank me."
The train came to a stop.
Gyeongju Station.
Quite a few people got off.
"We should get off, too."
We got off among the crowd.
I discreetly spotted two NIS agents among the people getting off.
After seeing them join the NIS agents who had been waiting in Gyeongju, I said to Han Yu-na,
"Instead of going straight to Gyeongju World, how about we eat something simple first?"
It was the perfect time to have breakfast.
"Breakfast? Hmm... Is there anything you'd like to eat, Noah?"
"There must be a McDonald's in Gyeongju, right?"
I had to have McMorning.
Han Yu-na stared at me.
"What?"
"I just didn't expect you to suggest going to McDonald's after coming all the way to Gyeongju. Well, there is one in Bomun. Our hotel is over there, too."
Apparently, we were staying at the Gyeongju Hilton Hotel.
When we left the station with the bodyguards, a rental car was waiting for us.
"Get in."
"Are you going to drive, Ms. Yu-na?"
"Yes. The bodyguards will follow us in another car."
"I see..."
"Hmm. Are you worried?"
"No, not particularly. But I basically have a drawer driver's license, so I won't be able to take turns driving."
"Don't worry. I'll do the driving."
In that case, I might as well just go along.
We bought coffee at Mega Coffee in front of the station and got into the car.
She naturally took the wheel while sipping an Americano.
"I'll get going."
"Yep."
And so the drive began.
Beside Han Yu-na, who showed off her skilled driving, I drank a sweet café latte.
"Is there anything you'd like to eat, Ms. Yu-na?"
"I'm fine with anything."
"Oh, anything? Then can I choose what I want to eat?"
"Of course."
"Then for dinner, pizza..."
When I said 'anything,' I meant either hamburgers or pizza.
Since we were going to have McMorning for breakfast, we would eat lunch at Gyeongju World, and then have Domino's Pizza for dinner...
"...Can we have galbi? Galbi? I heard there's a really good galbi restaurant in Gyeongju!"
"Haha. Of course."
Han Yu-na hurriedly named a menu item.
As expected, this was the best.
"How's work at the company these days?"
"Pretty much the same. Booking new events, forming partnerships, selecting sites for new hotels..."
"New hotels?"
"Yes. We're expanding overseas, too. We're planning to build additional hotels in the United States and Japan."
"Wow. I see. Good luck."
"Hehe. Could you take a look at the hotel sites later and tell me whether they're any good, Noah?"
"Of course. We're friends, aren't we?"
Anyone would want to see their friend doing well.
Han Yu-na seemed pleased with my answer and smiled warmly.
"I went to an island a while ago."
"Why did you go to an island?"
"For filming."
"Hee. Come to think of it, I heard you appeared in a movie, too. I'll definitely go see it."
"Haha. It was just a cameo."
"Even so."
As we chatted about this and that, we arrived in front of McDonald's before we knew it.
After getting McMorning and a Big Mac through the drive-through and eating them in the parking lot, we headed straight for Gyeongju World.
"Ooooooh...!!"
When we arrived in front of Gyeongju World, an overwhelming atmosphere awaited us.
Pure thrills.
Screams rang out all around us, as if the place were saying, Don't even come near if you're weak.
"This is exciting."
"Haha. It certainly is..."
Han Yu-na and I entered Gyeongju World.
That was when it happened.
"Huh? Whaaaaat?! No, Noah hyung!!"
"What?!"
"It's Noah hyung!!"
A group of male high school students who appeared to be on a field trip spotted me.
Some of them were stunned, some looked puzzled, and another was already running toward me.
"Hyung!! Noah hyung!!"
"Hyung!! Look over here!!"
"Aaaaah!! Hyung!!"
What a commotion.
I raised a finger toward the male students gathered at the entrance.
Then I brought it to my lips and said,
"Don't, don't raise your voices."
That alone was enough to quiet them down.
"Hyung!! We came here on a field trip from Maejeon Boys' High..."
"Turn this over first."
"Woooah!!"
One big-built male high school student happily turned over the card.
Three of Spades.
Looking straight at the boy whose eyes were shining, I said,
"Don't line up for the Draken."
"Huh... Why?"
"It'll break down thirty minutes from now. People will be left hanging in the middle, shivering for an hour."
There would be no casualties.
But it wasn't something anyone should have to experience at a fun amusement park.
I immediately contacted the company that managed Gyeongju World.
They initially seemed suspicious, but as soon as I revealed that I was Kang Noah, someone came out to meet me.
And a little while later.
The manager, who had been fidgeting in front of me, received a call from somewhere and repeatedly bowed to me.
"I-I checked just now, and there really was a critical problem!! Thank you!!"
Cheers rang out around us.