The moment our taxi stopped in front of the airport, excitement filled the air.
Before I could reach for my bag, Sihoon had already taken it out of the trunk.
"I can carry it," I said.
"I know."
He adjusted the strap on his shoulder.
"But it's heavy."
Before I could protest again, he had already started walking toward the entrance.
I couldn't help but smile.
Sometimes...
Sihoon helped people so naturally that it was impossible to argue with him.
One by one, everyone gathered at the entrance.
Yian looked around excitedly.
"I still can't believe we're actually going to Jeju Island!"
"This is going to be amazing!"
Even Minhu couldn't hide his smile.
For the first time in weeks...
Everyone looked genuinely happy.
Yoonji suddenly looked at me.
"Hey, Jia."
"Hm?"
"You look way too simple."
Before I could ask what she meant, she took a lipstick out of her bag.
"Hold still."
"W-What?"
She gently applied a little lipstick to my lips before stepping back to admire her work.
"There."
"Much better."
I blinked in surprise.
"Really?"
Yoonji nodded proudly.
"It looks good on you."
Before I could thank her, Yian suddenly spoke.
"Teacher."
Yoonji turned to him.
"What?"
"You don't need makeup to prove someone's beautiful."
He pointed toward me.
"Jia is beautiful even without it."
For a second, everyone became quiet.
My cheeks instantly grew warm.
Yoonji rolled her eyes.
"I'm not saying she isn't."
"I just wanted to make her look even prettier for the trip."
"That's different," Yian replied with a grin.
Minhu laughed quietly.
"Can you two stop arguing for five minutes?"
The three of them burst into laughter.
I couldn't help smiling too.
Somehow...
The trip hadn't even started yet.
But it already felt like it was going to be unforgettable.
Just then, a familiar voice called from behind us.
"Sorry! Did I keep everyone waiting?"
We all turned around.
It was Sonje.
A backpack hung over one shoulder, and he was slightly out of breath.
Yian immediately crossed his arms.
"There he is."
"You're late."
Sonje smiled apologetically.
"Sorry."
"I had a lot of packing to finish."
Yian let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Our Film Club leader is supposed to set an example."
"I know."
Sonje laughed.
"I'll do better next time."
Minhu smiled.
"At least you made it before check-in."
"Exactly," Sonje replied.
"So... are we all here now?"
Everyone looked around.
Then Sihoon nodded.
"Yeah."
"We're all here."
A smile slowly spread across Sonje's face.
"Then..."
He looked at each of us before saying,
"Let's make this trip unforgettable."
No one said it out loud.
But judging by the smiles on everyone's faces—
We were all thinking the same thing.
After checking in, we finally boarded the plane.
Everything felt new.
The flight attendants welcomed us with warm smiles as we searched for our seats.
By coincidence...
My seat was beside Sihoon's.
Yian and Minhu sat a few rows behind us, while Yoonji and Sonje were across the aisle.
I fastened my seatbelt and quietly looked out the window.
It was my first time on an airplane.
To be honest...
I was scared.
As the cabin crew began explaining the safety instructions, my heart started beating faster.
Without realizing it, I tightened my grip on the armrest.
My hands had become cold.
"Jia."
I turned my head.
Sihoon was looking at me.
"Are you afraid?"
I hesitated for a second.
Then nodded.
"...A little."
He glanced at my hands.
"They're cold."
I quickly hid them in my lap.
"I'm okay."
"You don't have to pretend."
His voice was as calm as ever.
Outside the window, the engines slowly came to life.
The plane began moving toward the runway.
My heart pounded even faster.
Just as I lowered my head...
I felt a gentle warmth around my hand.
I froze.
Slowly, I looked down.
Sihoon had quietly taken my hand in his.
"It's okay."
He didn't look at me.
His eyes remained fixed ahead.
"We'll be in the sky before you know it."
For some reason...
His hand felt warmer than mine.
And little by little...
The fear that had been filling my heart began to fade.
As the plane slowly accelerated along the runway, I instinctively closed my eyes.
My grip tightened around Sihoon's hand.
The roar of the engines grew louder.
I didn't dare look outside.
Then...
I heard his calm voice beside me.
"Jia."
I slowly turned toward him.
"Look outside."
"It's beautiful."
For a moment, I hesitated.
Then, little by little...
I opened my eyes.
I looked through the window.
The city below was growing smaller and smaller.
Golden sunlight poured over the soft white clouds, painting the sky in shades of orange and blue.
It looked as though we were flying above a sea of clouds.
"...Wow."
The word escaped my lips without me realizing it.
"It really is..."
"So beautiful."
Without noticing...
The fear that had filled my heart only moments ago had quietly disappeared.
I couldn't take my eyes off the view.
Beside me, Sihoon finally let go of my hand.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I told you."
For the rest of the flight...
My eyes stayed on the endless sky.
Time passed more quickly than I expected.
The excitement from takeoff had slowly faded.
The cabin had become quiet.
I looked around.
Yian was asleep with his mouth slightly open.
Across the aisle, Yoonji had her headphones on, her head resting against the window.
Minhu had also fallen asleep, while Sonje was reading for a few more minutes before eventually closing his eyes as well.
Maybe...
Everyone had been too excited to sleep properly last night.
After all, we had all woken up early to finish packing.
A small smile appeared on my face.
Just then—
I felt something gently brush against my shoulder.
I looked beside me.
Sihoon's head had slowly leaned against my shoulder.
He was asleep.
His breathing was calm and steady.
For a moment, I simply stared at him.
He must have been tired too.
After all...
He had carried my bag, looked after me, and barely rested before today's trip.
I didn't move.
I was afraid that if I did, I would wake him.
I looked at him quietly.
It was the first time I had seen him from so close.
His eyes were gently closed.
A few strands of hair had fallen across his forehead.
Without realizing it...
I slowly raised my hand.
My fingertips stopped just above his face.
For a brief moment, I almost brushed the loose strand of hair away.
Then I suddenly froze.
I slowly looked away.
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
"...What am I doing?"
I quickly pulled my hand back before he could wake up.
Thankfully...
Sihoon was still asleep.
I let out a quiet breath and turned my head toward the window.
Beyond the glass, the endless clouds stretched across the sky.
For the first time...
The sky didn't feel frightening anymore.
Maybe...
It was because I wasn't facing it alone.
I leaned back against my seat and gently closed my eyes.
A small smile appeared on my lips.
The journey to Jeju Island had only just begun.
And somehow...
I already knew it would become one of the most unforgettable chapters of my life.