WTFUDLS 115

WTFUDLS

Chapter 115

“The ride takes less than five minutes, but the wait is over an hour.”

Jiwoo felt those words welling up in her throat. But she managed to swallow them down. If she said something like that, Noeul—the one who had suggested coming to the amusement park—would probably feel embarrassed.

“That part-timer’s tone is something else,” Noeul said, watching the part-timer wearing a microphone give instructions. “The story itself isn’t even that funny, but the way he says it makes everyone laugh.”

“Yeah,” Jiwoo laughed.

“That guy’s pacing is good. He says, ‘This Viking ride you’re waiting for, the angle of this Viking…’ takes a breath, and then, ‘is the steepest in the country, back—’ takes another breath, and then, ‘—sixty degrees.’ That kind of timing.”

Jiwoo giggled at Noeul’s exaggerated commentary.

During the wait, Noeul kept making jokes non-stop. It seemed like he was trying to keep Jiwoo entertained. Jiwoo appreciated it, but she also worried that maybe Noeul was exhausting himself.

Maybe he felt pressured to make her happy. Jiwoo worried about that. If being with her became tiring for Noeul, maybe he wouldn’t want to spend time with her. She didn’t want being together to feel like a job for him.

But at the same time, saying “You don’t have to go that far” felt awkward. If Noeul was really enjoying himself, telling him that might embarrass him.

“My heart’s racing too fast,” Noeul said, placing his hand over his left chest.

“Scared?”

“Yeah. But it looks fun… Should we grab a hot dog after this? I think I need to calm my pounding heart.”

“Sure, let’s do that,” Jiwoo said with a giggle.

Watching him like this, it didn’t seem like he was exhausted from keeping up with her. Yeah, Noeul must be enjoying this too. After all, it was him who wanted to come to the amusement park. Jiwoo decided not to overthink it.

Finally, it was Jiwoo and Noeul’s turn. They got on the Viking ride, the safety bar came down, and the ride started moving.

Jiwoo held tightly onto Noeul’s arm, screaming in excitement. Every time they reached the peak, she buried her face against his arm. She could feel his strong, firm muscles and smell the faint scent—a mix of fabric softener and his natural scent. It really felt like being on a date with a boyfriend at an amusement park.

The angle of the Viking ride gradually began to decrease. Soon, it came to a complete stop and the safety bar lifted. Jiwoo, still flustered, hurried to fix her hair.

“Wow, that was scarier than I thought,” she said, her voice excited.

“Uh…”

But Noeul’s expression was unusual. His face was pale and stiff. Jiwoo asked,

“Are you okay?”

“Uh… wow, that really went up high… I need to go to the bathroom for a sec.”

Without properly looking at Jiwoo, Noeul rushed off to the bathroom. Jiwoo waited for him outside. A short while later, Noeul came out, still looking unwell.

“You okay?” Jiwoo asked.

“Yeah… just been a while since I rode one… uh, my stomach… but I’m fine now.”

Though he said he was fine, his lips were bluish, which didn’t look very reassuring.

“What should we ride next?” Noeul asked.

“Are you really okay? Let’s sit for a bit and rest.”

“No, we’ll just wait in line anyway, so we can rest while standing.”

“Still, I think you should sit down.”

“No, I’m fine.”

Noeul insisted he was fine and suggested going to another ride or at least watching the parade.

Jiwoo was in a dilemma. From her perspective, he didn’t look okay, but he kept insisting he was fine. Maybe he really wanted to ride the rides, or maybe he was just trying not to inconvenience her.

That’s when Jiwoo noticed sweat running down Noeul’s forehead.

Sweating in December…?

Looking closer, she saw sweat trickling down his neck too. Jiwoo brushed the back of Noeul’s neck with her palm.

“Hey, you’re sweating,” she said, showing him her hand.

“Hey, why are you showing your hand like that… it’s gross…”

“No, I think it’s cold sweat.”

“…Really? No, it’s just because I’m wearing a padded jacket.”

“No, your neck is cold.”

Jiwoo took one hand to hold his cheek and the other to hold his hand.

“See? You’re definitely not okay right now.”

Noeul, seeing that even she could tell he wasn’t doing well, didn’t argue further.

“Let’s sit down for a bit. No one’s chasing us,” Jiwoo said, pulling Noeul toward a bench.

Noeul followed her quietly. They sat on the bench together.

“Want me to get a drink or something?” Jiwoo asked.

“No, I’m fine. Just stay here,” Noeul said, looking very pale.

Jiwoo gently rubbed Noeul’s back.

“Did you throw up in the bathroom earlier?”

“…”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Geez… then why did you want to go on more rides?”

“…”

“Let’s sit here a bit and if your stomach feels better, we’ll go home.”

“…”

Noeul said nothing. Jiwoo asked again,

“Are you really feeling that bad?”

He shook his head, then said,

“Sorry. You couldn’t enjoy it because of me…”

“Hey, what are you sorry for? It’s way more important that you don’t overdo it.”

“…”

Jiwoo stopped rubbing his back.

Why was he so timid? He looked like someone called into the manager’s office for poor performance.

Suddenly, Jiwoo remembered how Noeul had been joking and playing pranks all day. She also remembered he didn’t usually go to crowded places.

Jiwoo patted him gently and said,

“You’re not good with rides, right? You don’t really like them?”

“…Not really? I just… I’m not feeling well today.”

“Then why didn’t you say so?”

“…It wasn’t bad enough to say anything.”

“But you knew you weren’t feeling well. So why keep insisting on rides?”

“…I wanted to have a fun time with you.”

“Both of us need to be having fun for it to be fun.”

“I had fun too,” Noeul said, checking her expression. “Really.”

Jiwoo wanted to believe him, but she still had doubts. She asked,

“You don’t usually like these kinds of places, right? Loud, crowded places?”

“…Not really… but with you, it’s fine.”

Even so, Jiwoo felt happy hearing that. But soon another thought came up. That meant he came here despite not liking it, just for her.

Jiwoo said,

“I like being with you too, but it’s better if both of us are enjoying it. At least, don’t do something that one of us hates.”

“I don’t hate it.”

“Still, wouldn’t a comic café or a quiet park be better?”

“…Well… but we can’t just go where I like.”

“I like comic cafés too. Quiet parks too.”

“Then it’s just you adjusting for me.”

“No….” Jiwoo felt frustrated. “It’s not adjusting. I like it too. We’re both doing what we like. How is that adjusting?”

Noeul hesitated, then said,

“…You like crowded, exciting places. You said that when you were with the kids.”

“No, that’s…”

Jiwoo opened her mouth, but words failed her. How did he know that? Only then did she realize why Noeul suddenly wanted to come to the amusement park and insisted on riding more despite feeling unwell.

She didn’t know how to explain herself. It was true, but… not like that…!

“No, that’s… sometimes I feel like that… with you, I just want to have fun together… and that’s good… with you, we’re both comfortable and it’s good,” she stammered.

…Jiwoo, what are you even saying.

She bit her lip. Noeul stared at her blankly.

Sigh…

Noeul sat in the back of the taxi, just blinking. His body and mind were spent. He couldn’t take public transport. Riding rides he couldn’t handle had thrown his stomach and mood into chaos. Was this what people meant by being completely drained?

If only I hadn’t gotten motion sickness.

If only that had been avoided, the date might have gone smoothly. Until then, Jiwoo had thought he was genuinely enjoying himself. But then the motion sickness hit… Maybe he should have taken some medication beforehand.

“Hoo…”

Noeul sighed deeply.

But what could he do? He couldn’t control his body’s reaction. There was nothing to be done, nothing to undo.

What now? Jiwoo might think he couldn’t enjoy what she liked. Getting caught pretending to be someone he wasn’t felt miserable.

Would she be disappointed in him? Think he’s unattractive and can’t even do what she likes? Would she think there’s no reason to be with him?

Noeul shook his head. No, that wouldn’t happen. Jiwoo said she wanted them both to enjoy being together. Whether true or not, that meant she still liked him. She might be disappointed now, but she wouldn’t question the relationship.

…For now… for now, at least. But if this keeps happening… if he keeps thinking like today…

Bzzz—

Jiwoo’s message came.

[Jiwoo: Let’s go to a comic café next time]
[Jiwoo: A place we both like ㅎㅎ]

Noeul stared at the message.

Jiwoo is sweet. Trying to adjust for him. She says it’s fine for her too, but… is it really? Does she enjoy sitting in a comic café reading comics with such a cheerful face? That’s something someone like Noeul, who hates crowds, would enjoy.

Noeul flopped her phone onto the seat.

Suddenly, she wondered if this is what dating should be like. If they’re going to date, one of them always has to adjust. There’s never a situation where both are happy. That means one side always sacrifices… is that really okay?

“…”

Noeul looked out the window. She saw a sign that read “Jonghwa Restaurant,” probably a Chinese restaurant. She remembered drinking sorghum liquor there with Hansol.

She picked up her phone again. The chat with Hansol appeared. She opened it and tapped his profile. She looked at the “Call” button.