The classroom was louder than a fish market. No one was studying. Even the teacher looked tired.
She tapped the table.
"Class, listen carefully."
Nobody listened.
She tapped harder.
"CLASS."
Silence.
She smiled. "Your summer vacation starts tomorrow."
Boom.
The classroom exploded.
"I'm going to the beach!"
"I'm visiting my grandma!"
"My uncle promised me ice cream every day!"
"Lucky! My mom promised me… more homework…"
Everyone started talking at the same time. Bags opened, books disappeared, and someone already tried to leave before the bell.
I, Lee, sat quietly.
Beach… trip… fun…
My only plan was… breathing.
I was still thinking when my friend dropped into the seat beside me like a falling potato.
"Hey Lee," he whispered loudly, "want to join us for camping?"
"Camping?" I asked.
"Yeah! We'll go to the hills, make a fire, tell ghost stories… and probably get scared and sleep together," he said proudly.
"That sounds… safe," I replied.
"So? You coming?"
I shook my head. "No. I can't."
"Why? Are you scared of ghosts?"
"No."
"Bears?"
"No."
"Mosquitoes?"
"…Maybe. But still no. I'm going to a village."
"Oh." He blinked.
He sighed. "Okay. If you see a cow, take a selfie for me."
"I'll try. If the cow agrees."
The bell rang, and everyone rushed out like the school was on fire. I packed my bag slowly, thinking about the village.
I didn't know it yet… but this summer was going to change my life.
Near the window, two girls were whispering.
"Did you tell her?" one asked.
"Tell who?" the other replied.
"Don't act dumb. Did you tell her how you feel about Lee?"
The second girl's face turned slightly red. "No… I didn't."
"Why not? Summer vacation starts tomorrow. You won't see him for weeks!"
"I know… I just couldn't say it."
"You're hopeless. If you don't tell him, someone else might."
The girl stayed quiet, playing nervously with her notebook.
She looked toward me.
Our eyes met.
I blinked.
She quickly looked away… then looked back again.
When our eyes met the second time, she turned to the window, pretending to look at nothing.
I tilted my head. "Did I do something?"
On my way home, I kept thinking about her.
Her name was Kami.
She was the most beautiful girl in school. Everyone knew it.
She always came first in exams.
And me?
I always came second.
"First in class… and first in beauty too," I muttered.
Kami was my crush. I liked her for a long time, but I never had the courage to talk to her properly.
"Second place again, Lee… even in courage."
---
The next morning, I left for the village.
After a train ride and a short drive, my father suddenly changed the route.
"Dad… this isn't the usual way."
"Yeah."
"Where are we going?"
"Marriage hall."
"Why?"
"We are invited."
"Whose wedding?"
"You'll see."
"I came for the food anyway."
He laughed.
---
We arrived at the wedding hall. Decorations were everywhere.
Suddenly, two bodyguards grabbed my arms.
"Hey! What's happening?!"
They pulled me inside.
"Dad?!"
He just smiled and waved.
They took me into a room and handed me wedding clothes.
"Please change."
I looked at the clothes. "These look expensive."
"They are."
I changed.
I looked in the mirror.
"Wait… why do I look like the groom?"
They opened the door. "Sir, it's time."
---
I stepped into the hall and froze.
My whole family was there. Everyone was smiling. Some people even clapped.
"Groom looks nervous," someone whispered.
Groom?
My brain stopped.
Then the music changed.
A girl walked in wearing a wedding dress.
She was beautiful.
Very beautiful.
She came closer… closer…
Wait… I think I know her…
My eyes widened.
Kami.
My crush.
She came and stood beside me.
My heart almost exploded.
Is… this… my wedding?
I came for free food… not marriage!
I looked at my father.
He gave me a thumbs-up.
THUMBS-UP?!
The priest started the ceremony. Cameras flashed. People smiled.
This is really happening…
Then the priest said, "You may kiss the bride."
WHAT?!
I turned slowly toward her. She looked nervous too.
Everyone was watching.
I leaned forward… and gave her a quick, shy kiss.
The crowd clapped loudly.
I stepped back, face burning.
Okay… I'm definitely married now.
I looked at my father again and mouthed, "I will see you at home."
He pretended not to understand.
Dad… we are going to have a long conversation at home.