## Chapter 253 – Side Story 11 – Resort Date With in-Yeong (2)
***
“Hoo… The water temperature is just right, not too cold.”
Si-yoon, soaking in the lukewarm water filling the pool, leans back in a relaxed posture and expression.
“Ahem… Ahem…!”
At In-yeong’s clearing of her throat, who had just rummaged something and entered the bathroom, Si-yoon turns his head and opens his eyes, which had been briefly closed.
“H-How is it…?”
A sexy black bikini that clings to her skin without any ring-like decorations.
In-yeong, seemingly embarrassed to show herself in a bikini, shrinks slightly, but slowly walks down the stairs and sits next to him.
“The cool and sexy vibe blends well… It really suits you.”
“Y-You don’t have to explain it in such detail…”
Receiving such high praise, she lowers her head shyly, but a broad smile spreads across her face beneath.
‘Did… did the weight management help after all…?’
Thanks to her naturally blessed constitution, she usually didn’t bother with weight management, but she had cut off snacks and coffee for over a week, worried that she might look a little chubby.
Since Si-yoon praised her appearance with such detailed explanations, it can be said that the results of her efforts to cut off her favorite snacks were definitely showing.
“Wearing a bikini and showing off your sexy figure is great, of course… but the thought of trying to show me such a pretty side of yourself is even more beautiful.”
“Such romantic words… don’t suit a wicked villain CEO…♥”
Being praised for the thoughtful preparation she made for him, she continues to grumble, but the smile never leaves her face.
“Hey! I’m not a villain CEO anymore, okay?
I’m officially an honorary director of the association, appointed by Soo-ah.”
Si-yoon playfully splashes water on her shoulders, easing In-yeong’s embarrassment from the continuous compliments.
“Anyway… I like this indoor pool.
It has a different charm from enjoying a hot spring while getting snowed on when it’s cold.”
Si-yoon hugs In-yeong tightly in his firm, broad arms, feeling the warmth of the water, and enjoys it with his whole body, gently letting it flow over her hair and face.
In-yeong also sits snugly in his arms, shyly splashing water on her body.
“I think they said there’s more than just a private pool in the resort.
Is there anywhere you want to go together or anything you want to do?”
“This… they say they do it every hour on the hour at the shopping center on the second floor.”
In-yeong, who was searching for something on her smartphone, shows Si-yoon a video.
On the second floor of the resort building where they are staying, there is a large shopping center, and from the afternoon, a beautiful digital show is projected on the walls and ceiling of the shopping center every hour on the hour.
To see this beautiful show, which changes its theme every quarter, citizens living in the suburbs often visit the resort for shopping or dining.
“Then let’s soak for a bit and then… go take a look while we do some shopping.”
***
The two of them leisurely enjoyed a light swim in the pool and then went to the shopping center.
“I’m a little hungry… Should we grab a bite to eat, even if it’s just a snack?”
Chae-ri points to the food court across the shopping center, seemingly starting to feel hungry.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t really eaten anything today, have we?”
The small bread they ate on the train was all they had eaten today.
Si-yoon firmly grasps In-yeong’s hand, which she had been holding only by the fingertips, still shy, and heads towards the area filled with all sorts of fancy restaurants.
“How about that? It looks delicious…”
What caught In-yeong’s eye as she was looking for something delicious was pasta.
Rose pasta made with tomato and cream sauce, or a simple oil pasta topped with sliced, well-grilled steak seemed to be the signature menu items of this pasta restaurant.
“Pasta sounds pretty good too, right? Let’s go in.”
Si-yoon readily accepts In-yeong’s suggestion and enters the pasta restaurant to find a seat.
“What would be good… Tomato would be less greasy than cream, right?”
The two of them use the kiosk on the table to carefully select their menu.
After looking at the menu photos for a few minutes and pondering, they finally make a decision.
“I’ll have Bolognese with steak… and In-yeong, you’ll have rosé with steak.”
Si-yoon neatly finishes ordering and paying for the two pasta dishes.
“Are you… sure about the pasta?”
“Why? Do I seem like I don’t like pasta but I’m forcing myself to eat it?”
In-yeong seems to have something to say about the pasta.
She hesitates for a moment, then speaks.
“I saw it on the internet… that guys like spicy pork or pork cutlets,
and they don’t really like Western food like steak or pasta.”
“Ah… so that’s why you asked?”
Si-yoon bursts out laughing at In-yeong’s cute question.
She must have seen and believed the rumor on the internet that men’s soul food is spicy pork and pork cutlets, and that they don’t like pasta or steak.
Of course, Si-yoon likes those foods too, but he doesn’t really have any strong preferences, so he eats Western food like pasta without any problem.
“You’re more innocent than I thought, believing something like that so easily.”
“N-No, that’s not it! I was just asking in case you didn’t like it…”
She was secretly worried that he might be forcing himself to eat something he didn’t like.
“If you were considerate enough to ask… then I should definitely say thank you.”
While the two of them were playfully bickering, two plates of deliciously made pasta are placed on the table.
“But I bought the pasta, so that makes up for it, okay?”
“O-Okay! I’ll let it slide, just this once.”
***
After finishing their meal, the two of them slowly walk through the shopping center to digest their food, heading to see the digital show that In-yeong wanted to see.
They went into luxury clothing stores that they would normally never be interested in and were speechless at the prices, and they stood in line where people were lined up to taste delicious crepes.
“Did I… pick a good date spot?”
After walking around the shopping center and food court for a while, In-yeong, who had been shy, is now naturally holding his hand.
“It seems like there’s quite a lot to see… and there’s a lot of food, so it’s good.
It would be nice to come here again sometime when we have time.”
Seeing that she has become accustomed to Si-yoon’s habit of stroking her hair, it is safe to say that the nervousness she felt when she first got on the train with him has completely disappeared.
“Come to think of it, it’s almost time for it to start… I wonder where’s a good place to watch it?”
It’s time for the digital show, which was the original purpose of coming to the shopping center.
“Here! I think we can see it well from here?”
After looking around for a place where the walls and ceiling where the video will be shown are easily visible, she finds a good spot near where people are gathered and stands there.
Then, along with the majestic sound of a grandfather clock announcing that it is 5 PM, the screen, which had been emitting a faint light, begins to display a colorful video.
“Ooh…!”
A whale sparkling like a constellation swims across a night sky adorned with brilliant stars, followed by glittering meteors.
The sight of the whale swimming leisurely across the screen is so captivating that it makes you forget that you are inside a shopping center.
Along with the music that adds to the mysterious atmosphere, exclamations burst out from the people watching the video.
“Pretty…”
Si-yoon and In-yeong, as if they had returned to their innocent childhood, continue to stare at the screen with very bright and cheerful expressions.
The moment they turned their heads following the direction the whale was swimming, Si-yoon and In-yeong’s faces meet.
“Kiss…♥”
In-yeong, who had been gazing at Si-yoon for a moment, lifts her feet slightly and gently presses her lips to his cheek.
“Hehe… Were you surprised?”
Looking at Si-yoon, who is smiling slightly after receiving a kiss on the cheek, In-yeong makes a playful expression as if she had scored a hit to hide her embarrassment.
“Smooch…!?♥”
Seeing that, Si-yoon hugs In-yeong tightly this time, and boldly places his lips on hers right there.
They briefly press their lips together, sharing a very faint warmth, and feel a fluttering and thrilling sensation in their hearts without any provocative gestures.
“I think the show is about to end…”
The image of the whale slowly fades away as if the light is dying out, and In-yeong’s face below turns as red as a tomato, beyond flushed.
‘This is… the first time I’ve ever felt this excited…♥’
She barely takes a deep breath to calm her pounding heart, but the heart of a girl in love is not so easily calmed.
“Your feet must be hurting from wearing heels all day…
Should we go back to the room for a bit and rest?”
The screen emits a faint light again, signaling the end of the show, and Si-yoon suggests that they go back to the room for a while to rest.
“Ah… Ugh…♥”
However, In-yeong is still unable to come to her senses with her heart still pounding.
“You’re always so grumpy, but you’re cute at times like this.”
Si-yoon, who immediately notices why she can’t answer, strokes her hair.
“Were you that excited? And you were the one who initiated it.”
“Y-Yes…! I was very excited…♥”
In-yeong, as if it was becoming difficult to hide the feelings that were shaking her because of Si-yoon, leaves a shy acknowledgment in a very faint voice.
“If you were excited… then I’m glad.”
