Four Days, Three Nights (Ghost Hunt Fanfiction)

1,200 Miles

Author's Note: This story is a heartfelt birthday gift to my friend RaisedOnRadio. I asked for her dream fic formula and she delivered: Ayako/Bou-san centric, fake dating, "there was only one bed", hand holding, facing holding, & meet-the-parents. This has been such a fun project to work on! It was supposed to be a one-shot, and halfway through outlining, I realized it would have to be a multi-chapter. I am a kdrama/kpop addict, so keep an eye out for pop culture references. I'm also a serious research junkie- so I did lots of fact checking and prep for this project. Jeju-Do is truly a beautiful place and the Haenyeo are amazing!!

ps: extra credit to anyone who can identify the pension's cute dive instructor :)

"Good afternoon, I'm checking in."

"Hello, name please?"

"Matsuzaki, or— Takigawa."

"Ah, Matsuzaki-san. Welcome to Sweet Salt Pension. I hope your flight was comfortable."

"Oh, you speak Japanese. Thank you, the flight was— "

An arm slipped around Ayako's waist from behind. Ayako didn't turn her head, the smell of sandalwood a dead give away. Her lack of reaction was a testament to how many times Bou-san had clung to her since leaving the airport.

"— very comfortable, hm darling?"

Ayako resisted rolling her eyes, recalling that the monk had slept on her shoulder the entire time.

Comfortable for you.

The pension receptionist smiled to herself as she confirmed something on her computer.

"Okay, I have your reservation pulled up here. It's for four days, and three nights in our saranghae villa. That's villa number seven. You each will get your own key to make things simpler. I see here that your stay was prepaid, so there will be no need to collect payment. All meals are provided by the pension, breakfast and lunch are self-serve in the banquet room just to the left of the lobby, and dinner is at 5:00pm every evening. Tonight is Korean barbeque cooked on the beach, be sure to try it— it's delicious. The pension is partnered with the local tourism office. If you're interested, a bus is scheduled to pick up our guests tomorrow morning and take them to see our Jeju mermaids."

Ayako picked up her villa key, an old fashioned golden one with the villa number attached to it.

"Jeju mermaids?" she repeated.

The young receptionist smiled wider,

"We call them that. They are our amazing divers, diving without air tanks. Some of them are over eighty years old."

Bou-san let out a whistle, taking his own key.

"Sounds like something we can't miss, don't you think babe?"

Ayako rubbed at her ear, babe ringing there, and addressed the woman.

"Is it a popular attraction?"

"Oh, certainly. The bus is almost full."

Ayako summoned a saccharine smile and threw it back at the monk,

"Honey, we should go then."

"Of course babe, whatever you want."

"Put us on that bus too. What time in the morning?"

"Perfect! Departure will be at 9:00am sharp."

The check in process was completed with the handing off of a folder packed with the pension's services and a complimentary coupon for their gift shop. Ayako and Bou-san were then ushered aside, the front desk busy with people ready to check in behind them.