Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 14 : Floating market

S"Ladies and gentlemen, we arrived at the floating market. Have fun shopping ~~" Mr. Kongbop said as he parked the tuk-tuk on the side of the road. Hyuna hopped off the tuk-tuk with the help of Mr. Kongbop. The same goes for Hyunsuk and Jihoon. This time, Hyunsuk didn't accept Jihoon's hand when he offer his help. He just hops off and moves next to Mr. Kongbop. After paying for the old man's ride, they head off to the famous floating market, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Hyuna is in awe of her surrounding. The view she only sees on social media. She finally gets to see it right in front of her eyes. "Oppa!" her excitement stops as she sees her brother's face. It's not the face she expects him to make. She then slowly approaches him.

"Oppa? Are you fine?" she asks. Not just Hyuna, Jihoon even look concerned.

"I am fine. Just, I didn't expect it to be this crowded." Hyunsuk said. As Hyuna heard him, she hit her head gently. How can she forget her brother never want to be in a crowded place?

"Hyung, if you're fine with it, we can move to another place." Jihoon finally open his mouth. Hyunsuk just looks at him and shakes his head. He clenched his fist to his chest and inhale deeply. He looks around again to get used to the new surroundings but there is no space between them from the other customers.

"Ahh!" Hyunsuk gasped when his back collided with someone. Unfortunately, he was too slow to react, his body almost lost its stability. As he almost falls, he could feel his body hanging in the air with a huge arm holding him. When he was about to raise his head, he could hear Jihoon's voice.

"Please look where you're walking next time," he said. Jihoon pulls Hyunsuk's body into his arm out of reflex. Hyunsuk who's yet to calm down can't even react to it. He just silently crumpled inside Jihoon's embrace. He is so close to Jihoon that he can hear his heartbeat. It doesn't sound fast. In this crowded place, how can someone be this calm? Hyunsuk's thought. As he heard it, his heartbeat started to follow the sound of Jihoon's heartbeat pace. Strange, he found comfort in the sound of the heartbeat. Without his own conscious, he started to lean onto Jihoon's chest. Their height gap allowed Hyunsuk to lean comfortably on Jihoon.

Jihoon felt his whole being turn stiff like steel. His eyes became wide open and his breathing stopped. It seems like he didn't know what he should do. Before he can say anything, Hyunsuk quickly pulled away.

He didn't look directly at Jihoon.
"S..sorry..." Hyunsuk mumbled. As his words left his mouth, his entire face turned red. Jihoon feels like his heartbeat almost stops as he sees Hyunsuk stuttering his words.

"It's fine," Jihoon said. He then looks around. There's no hint of crowded gonna get any less now. Everyone is talking or taking pictures and having fun. He then looks at Hyunsuk. There's no hint of the latter wanting to leave the place despite hating the crowd. 'He's something else.' Jihoon then took a deep breath and grasped Hyunsuk's hand.

Feeling a strong grip on his hand, Hyunsuk gasped. His eyes widen when he sees Jihoon's large hand wrapped around his. "W-what?!" before he could finish his words, Jihoon tug him away, entering the huge crowd, and going to the center of the floating market.

Jihoon turns his head at Hyunsuk. He knows the latter already prepared 1000 words to scold him, but this is the best resolution he ever thinks of.

"Sorry, hyung but we've got to move. Miss Hyuna already moves ahead of us." Jihoon said in a loud voice afraid Hyunsuk can't hear him amongst the loud crowd.

"What?! Hyuna moves ahead? Why didn't you stop her?! Quickly! Go after her!" Hyunsuk in rage. He even forget that right now, he was tugged by Jihoon.

"Oppa! Jihoon! Took you guys so long! Here! Here!" Hyuna shouted as she wave her hand to get Jihoon's and Hyunsuk's attention. She smiles brightly as she sees those two trudging towards her.  They took a few steps before finally joining Hyuna.

"Hyuna," Hyunsuk said as he get close to his sister. His worries faded away as he sees Hyuna already sitting comfortably on a boat. "Tada~ Mr. Kongbob said, we should ride a boat. We get to add a new experience!" Hyuna shouted excitedly.

"Woah, Miss Hyuna! Good job! Hyung, let's go!" Jihoon said in the same excited tone as Hyuna.

"Let go of my hand," Hyunsuk said in a low tone, making sure Hyuna didn't hear him. Maybe, Jihoon didn't hear it, he completely ignored Hyunsuk and moves forward. After his feet stepped onto the boat, he then gives hint for Hyunsuk to step onto the boat too. Of course with his help.

As Hyunsuk stepped on one of his feet on the boat, the boat started to shake making the boat rider offer his hand to help Hyunsuk. Before Hyunsuk could grab his hand, Jihoon already takes his hand and slowly tugged him into his body. Before Hyunsuk could react, both of his feet already stepped onto the boat.

Hyuna who just silently watching the scene seems like enjoyed what she witnesses. At the same time, the boat rider feels like someone cursed him behind his back.

"Yeay! Finally, we got to discover this place. I will stuff my stomach. Oppa, anything you wanna eat?" Hyuna said. Right after Hyunsuk is seated, he just stays silent. He fascinates by how creative these people are. Knowing they live near the river, they utilize the usage of the river. Makes a floating market to increase their income by targeting tourists. Despite the called floating market, the goodies are not just limited to seafood. There are various local food stalls could be found. Exactly a good decision for a breakfast.

"Are we gonna eat here? On the boat?" Hyunsuk asking. Well, he did see many people eating on the boat but still he have to get an answer to it.

"Yeah, we're gonna have our breakfast here. After all the market will be closed at 11. We still have 3 hours left." Jihoon said as he look at his watch.

"Huh?! 3 hours? Let's go then! Quick!!" Hyuna said. Hyunsuk could just let go a heavy sigh.

"Let's try this," Jihoon said as they're approaching a stall selling sticky rice with mango.

"Woah, mango! It's oppa's favorite!" That's what Hyuna said but its looks otherwise. It seems like she's drooling while Hyunsuk just stays composed.

"Really? It's a good catch!" Jihoon said. He smiled widely.

"Woah!! So yummy!!" Hyuna said as soon as she try a bite of the food. "How do you think, Oppa?"

Now, it's Hyunsuk turn to try. The moment the sweetness of mango touches his tongue, he feels like he's floating in the sky. His eyes widen. He then tries to eat the mango and sticky rice together. It's the combination he never thought of. On the other side, Jihoon did his job as a photographer. He's smiling when he gets a good shot on his camera.

"It's yummy but it makes me crave something hot," Hyunsuk said. Out of habit, he gives the food to the person next to him when it was not to his liking after taking a bite. Gladly, Jihoon takes it. "Jihoon, is it yummy?" Hyuna asks when she sees Jihoon taking a bite. Couldn't reply to her, Jihoon just nodded his head and put a big smile on his face.

"What a mess," Hyunsuk mutters. At this moment, Jihoon gets used to Hyunsuk's harsh comment. At least, he knows the latter takes attention to him.

"Hyung, here's your pad Thai," Jihoon said as he handed the plate to the older man. Hyunsuk silently takes the plate full of stir-fried noodles. Based on the smell alone, it is enough to make one's stomach growl.

Hyunsuk then took a bite, second, third until half of the plate. He's satisfied with his food this time. As for Hyuna, she had kuay teow as her breakfast. Unlike Hyunsuk, she is more expressive when she eats her food.

"Here, have your portion too. I don't think those sticky rice make you full." Hyuna said with a smile as she give Jihoon a plate of Thai fried rice. "Thanks," Jihoon said. He then put his camera inside his bag and takes the plate from Hyuna'a hand before digging in.

"Oppa, buy me a drink too!"