The bus rolled along the winding mountain roads, the Swiss scenery unfolding like a dream. Pine trees swayed gently, and the distant peaks sparkled under the sun. Everyone else on the tour seemed lost in awe — except for Choi Eun-Seo, who was still silently fuming over Park Ji-Hoon.
She sat stiffly in her seat, arms crossed, staring out the window as if the view alone could erase the memory of the annoying stranger who had ruined her train schedule.
Ji-Hoon, on the other hand, looked perfectly at ease. Leaning back, he tapped his fingers to the rhythm of an imaginary drum. Occasionally, he stole glances at her, smirking to himself.
Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and teasing:
"Still mad at me?"
Eun-Seo didn't turn around. "No."
"You're lying."
"I said no."
He tilted his head, grinning like a cat who had cornered a mouse. "Hmm… if I'm the villain, I guess that makes this bus our battlefield, right?"
She sighed. Why did he have to be everywhere?
The bus driver took a sharp turn, and Eun-Seo's bag slid slightly off the seat. Instinctively, Ji-Hoon reached over and caught it before it fell to the floor.
"See?" he said, holding it out with a flourish. "I'm helpful too. That makes me a complicated villain."
Eun-Seo snatched the bag from him, glaring. "I can manage on my own."
"Sure," he said innocently, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. "But it's fun helping someone who's impossible to handle."
She muttered under her breath, glaring out the window again. "I don't need help from a flirt who can't respect boundaries."
"Flirt who can't respect boundaries?" His voice rose in mock offense. "And here I thought I was being charming."
"Charming is different from annoying."
Ji-Hoon leaned closer, lowering his voice to an exaggerated whisper. "Annoying is subjective. And… you might secretly like it."
Eun-Seo froze for half a second — then quickly turned her face away. She did not secretly like it. Not even a little.
The tour guide finally spoke, breaking their tense exchange. "Next stop: Lake Brienz! Everyone ready?"
Eun-Seo breathed a quiet sigh of relief, hoping distance from Ji-Hoon would let her enjoy the lake.
But fate had other plans.
When they reached the lakeside, the guide split the group for a short boat ride. Naturally, the only available seats in a rowboat were two-person seats. And, of course… Ji-Hoon sat beside her with a grin that made her chest tighten despite herself.
She stared at him. "You do realize I'm not obligated to sit next to you, right?"
"Relax. I insist. You'll thank me later," he said, already adjusting the oars.
Eun-Seo muttered something unintelligible but reluctantly took her seat. The boat wobbled slightly under her weight, and Ji-Hoon quickly steadied it with one hand.
"You're heavy-handed," she remarked, narrowing her eyes.
"I'm careful. Unlike some people who nearly fell off the train today," he replied smoothly.
Her heart skipped. Focus. Do not let him see it.
They rowed in silence for a few minutes, the rhythmic splash of the oars blending with the soft waves. Eun-Seo started to relax, letting the lake's calm wash over her. But she didn't dare relax too much — because Ji-Hoon was still sitting there, grinning, clearly enjoying her struggle to maintain composure.
"So…" he began, breaking the quiet. "You travel alone often?"
"Yes. I prefer it," she replied curtly.
"And you like to argue with strangers?" he added with a playful glint in his eyes.
She scowled. "That's not… true."
"Hmm. Maybe I'm just lucky to meet someone so feisty on the very first day."
She wanted to protest but couldn't find words that wouldn't sound childish. Instead, she stared at the lake. The reflection of the sun on the water glimmered like scattered diamonds, and for a brief moment, her anger melted.
Ji-Hoon noticed. Of course he did. He leaned closer, resting one arm on the edge of the boat, trying to seem casual.
"You know," he said softly, "you don't have to pretend with me. I won't bite."
Eun-Seo's eyes snapped to his. "I'm not pretending."
He chuckled. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that."
Despite herself, she laughed — a soft, surprised sound that made Ji-Hoon grin like he had won the lottery.
The moment was interrupted by a sudden splash. Ji-Hoon had accidentally hit the oar against a rock. Water splashed onto her shoes.
"Ah! My shoes!" she yelped, jumping slightly.
He laughed, utterly unbothered. "It's just water. Makes you feel alive."
"I do not feel alive. I feel wet!" she snapped, glaring at him.
"And yet, you're still smiling," he said, tilting his head. "Admit it. You're enjoying this."
She looked away, cheeks burning. Maybe she was… just a little. But no, it was because of the absurdity of the situation, not him. Definitely not him.
The boat ride ended too soon, and they returned to the lakeshore. Eun-Seo quickly stepped out, brushing water off her shoes. She tried to ignore the faint flutter in her chest as Ji-Hoon helped her up… again.
"Thanks," she muttered, avoiding his gaze.
"You're welcome," he said, voice light. "You know, I think we make a good team."
"Team?" she repeated, frowning.
"Yeah. The stubborn one and the flirty one. The world isn't ready for our awesomeness."
Eun-Seo rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips.
As they walked back to the group, Ji-Hoon fell into step beside her. For the first time, she realized something surprising: maybe having him around wasn't entirely unbearable.
And maybe — just maybe — the universe wasn't completely cruel.
But she refused to admit it out loud.
Not yet.