< Chapter 47 >
I don’t know much about Earth’s travel culture. When looking at the universe as a whole, the level of diversity in cultures is unimaginable without having to say so.
However, just because someone has traveled all over the universe does not mean they will understand the culture of a planet they have long settled on.
It has been 20 years since I came to Earth, and among the countries on Earth, I have only lived in Korea, which is the only country I have stayed in, and it has been more than 10 years, but I still do not fully understand Korean culture.
I think this is perfectly normal. Even people living in this country may not be able to fully understand their changing culture and tendencies.
There are many types of people, many countries, and the universe is vast.
The reason I am saying this is one: I am currently planning a trip. There is a high probability of rain, so most of the time we will play indoors, but it is important to plan for that. And the person helping me with this…
“I don’t really know kids, so I can’t get a good sense.”
It was Yura.
I came out to work on the weekend as usual, and while working, I mentioned that I was going on a trip, and she persistently asked where, when, and with whom.
I couldn’t say I was going with HunterKiller Blue, so I said I wanted to go with my niece, and I said we would go with her friends and a guardian, and Yura nodded.
Actually, talking to Yura today was a bit uncomfortable.
The reason is that there was a confrontation two days ago, and Green did not appear. Yu-bin, who usually talked about administrative work part-time, did not mention HunterKiller at all the day before the confrontation.
I suspect that on that day, the HunterKiller members found out about Green’s situation. Neither Yura nor Yu-bin did anything wrong, but from the position of knowing her situation first, I couldn’t pretend not to know and ask how HunterKiller felt.
Originally, HunterKiller-related conversations were started by them rather than me bringing it up. But now that they know about Green’s situation, perhaps they are concerned? Unconsciously, I found myself paying attention to whether they would bring up HunterKiller.
“What about board games?”
“Board games?”
I haven’t played board games before. With so few people I could call friends, I don’t have experience playing games that many people can enjoy.
“Yeah. Something easy that kids can play. Like card games.”
“It doesn’t seem bad.”
Still, I wasn’t completely clueless. If it’s a simple card game, I know the types of games and the rules, even if I haven’t played them before.
Although I finished work, I didn’t leave. While sitting at a cafe table discussing the trip, I noticed the eyes of the evening shift workers turning toward us.
“How nice. I want to go on a trip too.”
I’m perceptive enough to know that this is clearly a signal from her to invite me to travel together.
“If you’re going on a trip, you need to adjust your schedule first.”
Yura works every day except for mandatory Monday meetings. There aren’t many people suitable for traveling with, and among them, Yura is the hardest to coordinate schedules with.
It might seem like just adjusting work schedules, but it’s not an easy task.
For Yura, who needs to work hard every month to maintain a somewhat comfortable lifestyle, travel is a significant expense, making it a risky endeavor.
She might have the time, but there’s a problem with the cost.
Someone might say that those who want to travel will go anyway. But that’s only something people with the means to do so can afford. For Yura, who struggles to make ends meet, it requires a lot of preparation.
“We’ll go when we have the chance. Someday.”
I couldn’t tell her not to go, so I postponed it indefinitely.
“Okay.”
Yura, who understands her own situation, nodded in agreement.
If we actually go on a trip, I wouldn’t mind spending a bit more money. I could even cover the full amount. Although I receive a steady salary, I’ve lived on Earth for 20 years without unnecessary expenses.
Money in my savings account accumulates daily, and the money I saved in Space can be refunded in Earth currency if I apply through Spacystro headquarters.
In any case, Yura wouldn’t allow me to use this money.
She is strong-willed and insists on handling things herself that she must bear responsibility for.
“Instead, let’s have some drinks together after the trip.”
“Really?!”
Her expression brightened significantly, despite treating the postponed trip lightly. I knew she would like drinking, but I didn’t expect such a dramatic reaction.
“Yeah. It’s been a while since we last had drinks.”
Since the day we had our first drink together and carried out the operation, I haven’t had drinks with Yura. After that, I was busy with data investigations, and then Green’s issues overlapped, leaving no room for other thoughts.
Honestly, I still feel pressured somewhere.
But I decided to try to lighten my heart rather than suffer alone.
I got travel information from Kirk. He booked a pension in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. It’s a shame it’s near the beach, but if it rains, there won’t be much to do. Apparently, Eunji made the decision.
I remember going to Gangneung on a family trip before, and I have memories of that time.
“Awesome! We have a promise? To drink?”
Yura seemed to want to keep playing with me continuously, but she probably saw me as busy. She might have wanted to ask why, but she probably found explaining my busy schedule exhausting.
While I could explain, it wasn’t possible. As a Spacystro, investigating data on hyper-humans and conversing with Green isn’t something I can tell her.
Thanks to Yura’s consideration, I avoided several dangerous situations.
Yu-bin thought I was busy with programming-related tasks, so there was no need for further explanation.
“Okay. Let’s calm down first.”
“Yeah. We need to calm down.”
Even though I said to calm down, I already felt excited thinking about having a conversation with drinks. My clear eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“But it’s the rainy season during summer break. Your niece must love you a lot.”
Hearing Yura’s way of calling me made me jump. In fact, it’s almost like she sees us as lovers, but saying anything might just complicate matters. Moreover, our actions are already close to being lovers, and everyone at the cafe seems to know it, even if we don’t say it directly.
“That’s true. We’ve always gotten along well.”
I decided to take Yura’s way of calling me as it is. That way, my heart feels lighter.
Last week and this week, Yura has kissed me whenever I arrive at work. Knowing I can’t avoid it, I responded to her kisses. Sometimes, even during work, I would kiss her, and I’m sure at least one coworker has seen us.
If I told Yura, “I’d prefer you didn’t use terms that make us look like lovers,” one of three outcomes would happen: she might cry, become gloomy, or get angry at me.
Perhaps Yura, who has been gloomy, might cry and hit me severely.
“Do you know what you like?”
“Not specifically, but you’re active and seem to enjoy physical activities.”
“You can’t play outside when it’s raining.”
“That’s right. We should pray for no rain.”
“It’s going to rain next weekend.”
Eunji might find it difficult to create a good environment for movement due to the rain.
“We need to think about it more. I have time tomorrow too.”
“Are you planning to go?”
“I have to go.”
Seeing her wanting to talk more, I felt guilty suggesting we go home, but I had many tasks to complete, so I couldn’t spend more time here.
After tidying up my seat, I bid farewell to the people working and left the cafe.
“Take care getting home.”
Yura’s voice sounded melancholic, as if she hadn’t fully recovered yet.
Is it that great to be with me?
Although I have to go, seeing Yura’s shoulders droop like this made me feel uneasy.
“Yura.”
I called her, turned toward her house, paused, looked at me, and pulled me into a hug, kissing me.
This was the first time I initiated a kiss since that day.
“Hmm!”
Startled, I breathed heavily as our lips touched, then I gently looked down at her.
“See you tomorrow.”
I have work tomorrow, and we’ll see each other again tomorrow.
To Yura, who seemed sad about our departure today, all I could say was this.
“Yeah.”
She nodded shyly, then looked up at me, hugged me around the waist, and kissed me again.
In a quiet alleyway, under the streetlight, we briefly kissed, promising our next meeting and drinking session.
On the way home, surprisingly, I didn’t receive any calls.
For a while, I had been preoccupied with many things, making my mind cluttered. Finally, I had a moment where I didn’t have to think about anything.
Yu-bin said she would go to her part-time job at the convenience store after finishing her administrative work today.
Probably because of HunterKiller, especially something related to Green.
Although young, she takes on the role of team leader.
Today, there was no contact from Green either. It seems that after learning about Green’s situation from HunterKiller, she has been dealing with things I don’t know about.
I wonder if it’s okay for me to pretend I don’t know and go on a trip. Of course, this isn’t a trip I want for myself or to enjoy.
It’s a trip requested by a child asking me as an adult, and the main purpose is to ensure the children have fun.
The problem is that going on a trip doesn’t change the fact that I’m doing it.
For Blue, it will be a rare break from her tough routine. Although she knows about Green’s situation, knowing that Green’s situation is difficult doesn’t make Blue’s situation any easier.
Judging from Blue’s personality, she will definitely care about Green.
“What a miserable life.”
I never debated whether my life was good or bad. I live as it flows, feeling content when things go well and accepting the situation when they don’t.
But seeing the difficult circumstances of the HunterKiller members, who I’ve always defeated and expected to be in better situations, made me realize that the world isn’t as peaceful as I thought.
I wasn’t unaware. I knew that if there are people like me struggling, there must be others in difficult situations. But this new realization shocked my previously indifferent mindset.
Spacystro’s ideology is fair. Although we are invaders, we fight within the rules set by the opponent, win fairly, and obtain what we desire.
But our situations weren’t equal. Red, Pink, Green, and Blue all faced equally challenging circumstances.
Living in such harsh conditions, I, despite being in an adversarial relationship, want to alleviate their worries a little.
If someone wonders why I have such thoughts as an adversary, I would answer, “Because I am human.” Despite different origins and backgrounds, we are both human.
As humans fighting each other, we should be equal.
Surely, my strength is weak and may not greatly help them.
Still, if I can be a small catalyst, I will roll up my sleeves and help.
After sorting out my thoughts, my mind felt clearer.
Just as I reached my front door, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
A message arrived, sent by none other than Blue.
[I’m sorry. It looks like I won’t be able to go on the trip. I appreciate all the effort you put in, and I’m truly sorry.]
Right after making up my mind, I didn’t feel suffocated or overwhelmed.
With a clear goal in mind, I called her back.
She answered the phone quickly.
“Can I see you for a moment?”
