Gender Reversed Geum Taeyang - Chapter 69

Chapter 69 – Flume Ride

I didn’t expect Ari to like this so much.

I’m… still a bit embarrassed, but I guess these will all become fun memories later.

If there’s one disappointing thing, it’s that these headbands are quite expensive too.

Do amusement parks usually make money from things like this? I wouldn’t know since I’ve never been to one.

It feels like the world is openly scamming me.

Still… since Ari likes it this much. Well, I’ll just go with it. I owe Ari a lot anyway.

Besides, now that my wallet is a bit thicker, I think it’s right to spend on things like this for memories.

While Ari went to the bathroom, I paid for both headbands.

The price… never mind. A real man shouldn’t dwell on such things.

Hmm.

If there’s a problem.

It would be how Ari returned from the bathroom and looked devastated upon seeing the already paid headbands?

This kid. Really underestimating the power of my wallet. I’m a streamer with over 1,000 viewers, you know.

I put Ari in a light headlock as she kept chattering away beside me. Very lightly.

It’s my way of showing affection. Usually, I only do this to Sehee.

If Ari had been a woman in the original world, I definitely wouldn’t do this no matter what.

Well, being able to treat an opposite-sex friend like a same-sex friend is one of the good things about this reversed world, isn’t it?

… Or maybe not.

“You really underestimate my wealth too much. I’m in the top 0.1% income bracket in South Korea.”

Well, I just threw out whatever came to mind.

Seeing how she suddenly went quiet, it seems to have had some effect at least.

The light headlock must have made her uncomfortable as her face turned red, so I put the headband on her. Looking at her like this makes her appearance feel new again.

With the dyed hair and piercings added to her sharp and serious impression… her face looks a bit wilder now, different from before.

Did I recommend something strange? No, it seems better than before though.

… I’m not sure.

Anyway, it’s time to ride some rides now.

Since it would be a shame to just rush to the rides in such a special place, we were slowly walking around the amusement park, but not riding anything at all would be crazy.

Our first choice was the Flume Ride*¹.

The official name is Plume Ride. It’s an attraction where you ride a boat along a water track.

Now that it’s really summer, this refreshing ride seems like a very appropriate choice.

Hmm. No. I mean. The plan was appropriate.

I didn’t expect the line to be this long… It looked like it would take at least two hours minimum.

Is this what an amusement park is?

Damn, I saw advertisements calling it a dreamlike space while searching for amusement park information, but forget dreams – for first-timers, it’s a merciless place.

But then Ari kept fiddling with her phone and started heading towards a line with almost no people.

“Was this a line too? Is it okay to use this?”

“Huh? Ahaha! Well, if you just apply for one thing you can ride quickly… Anyway, there’s something like that. It’s fine, just follow me.”

“What is it? Doesn’t this cost money?”

“U-um! Just… th-that… benefits! Something like that!”

She’s quite good at acting while streaming, but in reality, she can’t pull it off at all.

“…How much is it? Be honest.”

“…It’s not much. And you bought my headband without asking too…”

“No, that’s…”

“Think of it as revenge.”

Oh my goodness. Ari raises her lips in a smile while presenting an irrefutable logic.

Seeing how that one smile dissipates all my complaints, her face really is something else.

With a light sigh, I held Ari’s hand and walked forward.

“Ari… let’s definitely split the bill next time.”

“Hehe. I’ll think about it.”

###

We enter a cave, exit it, go up, and then another cave appears.

And then…

“Wow! Holy shit!”

A curse escaped my mouth. Until now, I’ve been holding back the curses I learned at construction sites, but…

You could count on one hand the number of men who wouldn’t curse in such an exciting situation.

Out of the four seats total – two in front and two in back – we sat side by side in the back two seats. We followed Ari’s advice that this would result in less water splashing.

As soon as we exited the second cave, the boat dropped down along with the water.

Of course, apart from just enough refreshing water droplets, no water splashed on us.

Pure pleasure without the discomfort and without responsibility. As expected, following Ari’s words brings good fortune even in your sleep.

Despite it being summer, we laughed and chatted while feeling the coolness.

The boat moves along winding paths as if traveling through the Amazon.

“Ari, this is insane?!”

“Is it that fun?”

“Hehe… You’re asking the obvious.”

This might be one of the best experiences of my life.

This ride showed no signs of ending yet. Since we haven’t been on it for long, there must be more track remaining.

While enjoying and chatting with Ari like that.

…

No.

Isn’t this going up a bit too high?

The steep incline just doesn’t end. Is this right?

Ari kept observing my behavior while grinning, finding something amusing.

Is this her way of showing she’s experienced? Damn, I’ll get revenge someday.

Finally, we reached the peak. While not incredibly high, it’s definitely high enough. High enough to get a good view of the amusement park.

Well actually, despite what I said, I wasn’t really afraid.

Seong Yuhan, a real man. The kind of man who can enjoy this sort of thing.

This height means nothing to someone who has experience working on an 18-story apartment construction site.

After waiting a moment, our boat began rapidly descending along the steep slope.

Whether it was an issue of center of gravity or just bad luck, I’m not sure.

The water that shot up high began to cover our view.

Damn. They said the back seats don’t get much water.

I watch the falling water as if in slow motion. This body’s superior reflexes that I haven’t felt in a while.

While there wasn’t any particularly complex thought process.

My inner sweet han-nam*² self.

Chose the option of protecting the startled Ari.

Hmm. Well. The coolness feels nice.

###

Gazes fly from here and there.

Not at me, but at Yuhan.

While I’m burning up inside, Yuhan is smiling pleasantly while brushing back his hair with one hand, wearing his wet clothes.

As if it wasn’t enough that he’s wearing a white t-shirt under his dress shirt, the wet parts are becoming increasingly transparent, threatening to reveal his body.

“Ahaha! This is so fun! Oh, Ari, are you okay? You didn’t get too wet, right?”

“I’m fine but…!”

“That’s good then. This feels nice and cool. It was pretty hot today.”

What does he mean ‘that’s good’? Why does he only worry about me without thinking about his own wet clothes?

Listening to what he says is really something else. His way of thinking is completely different from other men.

Even now, seeing my worried expression, he laughs heartily and says something about how it’s fine for a man to get a little wet…

Damn. What is he going to do if he meets some weird person.

While I’m like this, I can hear voices murmuring bit by bit. Though I can’t hear exactly what they’re saying, I can tell they’re directed at Yuhan.

I need to get it together. He called me his ‘only friend,’ so shouldn’t I at least try to protect this careless man as much as I can?

I quickly took off my school uniform vest.

Since my shirt was tucked into my skirt, there was no risk of it riding up.

“Hey! Why are you suddenly taking that off!”

“I’m a girl, so what’s the problem! Hurry up and put this on at least. Even if you’re a guy…!”

“Eh? A guy… oh… ah! That’s… true.”

“This material stretches well so you should be able to wear it.”

“No, that… would it be okay to wear something you’ve been wearing…?”

Yuhan looks at the clothes with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Honestly, I can’t understand what he’s thinking, but one thing is clear.

This is a moment that requires force.

When I just stared at him without saying anything, he started putting on the vest hesitantly.

In contrast to that appearance, I almost let my expression soften seeing his figure showing through the vest…

Anyway, Yuhan put on the vest, and the surrounding gazes quickly disappeared.

I opened my phone and went into the Everworld app. What shows up is the Magic Pass.

A pass that lets you ride attractions quickly through reservations if you pay 85,000 won.

And a pass that absolutely must not be discovered by Yuhan, as I can roughly predict what would happen if he found out.

I checked the reservation time for the Gyro Drop that Yuhan said he wanted to ride earlier.

If we start walking slowly now, the timing should work out just right.

Honestly… I’m not someone who particularly enjoys thrills, so these kinds of rides are burdensome, but.

That doesn’t mean I want to show weakness in front of Yuhan. I was born a woman after all.

As I steeled my heart and was about to say let’s go…

“Oh. Ari, your necktie is a bit loose.”

“Huh?”

“Hold on.”

And like that. Coming close.

Looking down at me slightly from above.

Yuhan fixing my school necktie.

Then even straightening my headband.

“There we go. Let’s hurry. We’re going to the Gyro Drop, right?”

“Y-yeah…”

When I stood still, unable to move my feet, Yuhan looked at me strangely before smiling and starting to lead me by the hand.

I thought I was really firm when I told him to wear the vest, and I thought I didn’t get swept away by Yuhan’s fox-like behavior this time.

But I still couldn’t keep my composure whenever Yuhan did anything.

(End of Chapter)

T.N. 1. Log flume maybe.

2. Korean-man. The mighty Confucian believers.