Japan Trip (1)

He leaped out of bed, showered in cold water, roughly dried his hair, and changed clothes. He was about to put on his usual thin long pants and long-sleeved shirt when Myeongjeon’s thoughts turned elsewhere.

‘Isn’t Japan even hotter than Korea?’

If he dressed the way he did back in Korea, he might roast to death. That meant short sleeves with shorts or a skirt… but Myeongjeon felt a little resistant. Until now, skirts and clothes that exposed his skin had been reserved for ‘special occasions’—promoting a song, performing onstage, or something like that.

Was he really supposed to dress that way in everyday life? But Myeongjeon soon changed his mind. It wasn’t as though men didn’t wear short sleeves and shorts. When it was hot enough to feel like he was going to die, hiding that much skin was the strange thing.

Having made up his mind, Myeongjeon rummaged through his closet and pulled out a pair of dolphin shorts. They weren’t too tight, and since they were loose, they allowed plenty of airflow. They were perfect.

* * *

“This is my first time traveling abroad.”

Incheon Airport’s departure hall.

Suyeon’s mother, Ms. Lee Hyein, who was acting as their guardian on this trip, had stepped away to visit the duty-free shops. Sitting on a chair near the departure gate and drinking coffee, Iseo spoke.

“Isn’t that usually the case?”...