"Next destination: Haeundae! Everyone, check your seatbelts!"
Inside the noisy bus,
The laughter of friends who have thrown off the shackles of boring class time
It blended in with the scenery rushing by outside the window.
I leaned against the window and gave myself over to the music flowing out of my earphones,
In fact, my gaze was carefully following your back.
Taesan, what are you thinking about right now?
The low voice of you sitting next to me last time and teaching me math problems lingered in my ears.
And a sweet sandwich that was just sitting on my desk.
These little moments add up and change my whole day, and you don't care?
Although I felt a little wronged, I quickly turned my head away, worried that even this might be discovered.
"Hey, Chae Ji-ah! If you don't wake up soon, I'll take all the delicious food away from you!"
Unhak's booming voice brought me back to my senses. Before I knew it, the bus had arrived in Haeundae, where the vast ocean stretched out before me.
As soon as the bus door opens, a cool sea breeze and a salty, refreshing scent hit you!
My heart pounded without me realizing it as I stood among the children who were all shouting and pouring out.
School trip. First love. The ocean. What a perfect combination! My heart raced with excitement, and I clenched my fists without even realizing it.
As I stepped onto the pure white sandy beach, the soft grains of sand tickled between my toes.
Dazzling crashing waves and blue sky,
And friends running freely below. And friends laughing brightly with each other in the distance.
I saw you too. You were different from the neat and slightly quiet you I always saw in the classroom.
Why does the sight of your back, soaking in a sense of liberation, feel so unfamiliar yet so heartbreaking?
In the hope that I might discover another side of you that I don't know about,
I tried to calm my pounding chest.
"Hey Chae Ji-ah, you want to bet on ice cream?"
Unhak said.
But it was always Unhak who lost.
"Okay, okay, I understand."
As he spoke, Unhak ran to the convenience store.
After playing for a while, I looked back and saw Taesan standing far away, looking out at the sea.
Under the bright sunlight, his black hair swayed gently in the breeze. His quiet profile remained picturesque.
It was like a scene from a movie. Suddenly, I felt a strong urge to stand next to that figure and gaze out at the sea together.
"Taesan, what are you doing alone?"
I was even more surprised by the words that came out of my mouth without me knowing.
Before I could quickly cover my mouth in surprise, Taesan slowly turned his head.
Then he smiled faintly and beckoned me. 'Come here.' He waved me with his signature smile.
I turned to him as if possessed. The sunset over the sea was rustling.
Somehow, I had the illusion that it overlapped with that smile.
"It's nice because the wind is cool."
He spoke softly. Standing next to him,
His body scent wafted faintly, along with the salty smell of the sea.
It was a scent that felt like a warm breeze and sunlight, different from the refreshing soap scent I had smelled in the classroom.
The cold waves brushing against my feet tickled. An awkward silence seemed to flow, but strangely enough, it didn't feel uncomfortable.
Rather, every moment felt so perfectly beautiful. I wished time could just stop.
"Did you have fun?"
He turned his gaze to me. The crimson sunset seemed to sparkle in his eyes.
His gaze made me nod in embarrassment.
"huh…"
The moment his fingers brushed my hand,
I found myself staring into his eyes. The blue sea and the crimson sunset were all captured in his eyes.
And, perhaps, I too... am I included? Trying to hide my pounding heart, I cautiously met his gaze.
The sound of the crashing waves filled our silent moments. On this special night by the sea, I was with you.
