On Borrowed Time

A Healing Trip

"Where are we going? We've been driving for a while now."

"Let's go back to that place we went to before."

"Isn't that too far away?"

"I felt bad that you got indigestion when we went there because of me. You can eat anything you want this time. We won't need to hurry."

Hwal drove them all the way to Gangneung the next morning. At first, Sang-un thought it was too long a drive to just get breakfast. But then she realized that she had never been on a road trip for a very long time. The last time she remembered she was in a happy one was when her mom took her, Si-ho and Sang-yeon on the road for a summer vacation after she was promoted at her job. After that, all of her travels had been because they needed to flee from danger.

So this road trip was something that she was able to do again because of Hwal. It was a welcome change. She was at last able to enjoy the god-given panoramic view of nature in front of her eyes. The vast sea landscape on the winding coastal cliffs along the rocky shoreline, with bright blue skies was more than cinematic. The sea was so close that the waves were often breaking onto the road. It was healing.

They went back to Harbor Wagon near Geumjin Port when they were investigating Kim Hwa-yeon's case. Sang-un really liked this seaside diner because their food reminded her of what her mom used to make.

The same ahjumma who served them the last time, also served them the food they ordered today.

"Weren't you two just here two weeks ago? You lovebirds must be on a romantic trip again. Goodness, the honeymoon phase is sweet. That's it Mr. Boyfriend, you should eat, not like the last time. You have to be virile to keep this woman happy."

Hwal almost choked on his kalguksu and flounder sashimi, at the ahjumma's remark. Sang-un blushed, and smiled shyly. They sat on the same spot like the last time. Outdoors, under the big colorful umbrella, with the fresh sea breeze and the morning sun.

Hwal ate with her this time even though he could still not taste the food. He just wanted to have more moments to share together with her. He wanted to replace the unpleasant memories she may have of him with just beautiful ones. Sang-un appreciated his efforts and was able to eat with ease.

"Thank you for bringing me back here. It's been a long time since I was able to go out on a healing trip."

"This is the first time I've gone on one too, for six hundred years. All of the trips I've taken were always to find monsters. I'm glad my first one is with you."

After breakfast, they strolled around the beach talking and enjoying each other's company. He asked her if she liked flowers and jewelry like most women, she said no. He asked if she liked chocolates, she told him she likes sweet red bean paste and fish shaped bread instead. He says he would buy boxes of them for her later on. She declines because she was still offended that he once said that she was too heavy for a girl. To which he counters that he was just too weak back then because he hadn't had blood yet, but that she's actually as light as a feather having carried her many times now.

He asked whatever it is she wanted, he would buy it for her. To which she said she doesn't need anything else as of the moment but thanks him anyway.

They playfully quiz each other on how many holes there are in a straw, one or two, and if humans have one butt or two butts. They figured they have similar sense of humor and laugh at the same silly things despite their age gap. The beautiful view of the horizon and the rock formations at a distance served as a witness to them rediscovering each other through random conversations.