THUD! THUD!

The shocks kept coming as the boat spun round and round. Strangely enough, all the water only splashed down on Joo Seunghyuk.

When the short but exhausting ride finally ended and we got off the boat, out of the eight people who’d boarded, the only one completely soaked was Seunghyuk.

That was when I finally understood how this "Super Extreme Boat" ride worked.

It wasn’t a ride where everyone got wet—just one unlucky person out of eight got drenched from head to toe. That explained why I stayed dry the last time I rode it.

“Good thing ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) I didn’t sit there.”

“No kidding.”

“Oh man... Seunghyuk’s totally soaked.”

“Wow. Unreal.”

The other riders whispered and chuckled while looking at Seunghyuk.

So they had recognized him. They just hadn’t shown it. Either way, Seunghyuk's state was so dramatic that it shocked everyone.

“S-Seunghyuk, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He said that, but he looked anything but fine.

A little further down the path, we spotted heaters set up for soaked riders.

Damn it. If I’d seen those first, I wouldn’t have dragged him on the ride.

But it was too late for regrets.

“Seunghyuk, want to dry off over there?”

“It’s fine.”

Well, it was summer. Standing in front of a heater might be a little much.

We left the ride and stepped outside. But since Seunghyuk was soaked from head to toe, water dripped from him with every step. At this rate, we couldn’t keep going like this.

“Seunghyuk, want to buy some clothes? I think there was a clothing store next to the toy shop.”

“Yeah, that might be a good idea.”

We retraced our steps. Near the entrance were several brand-name clothing shops.

When I first saw them, I remember thinking, Who comes to an amusement park to buy clothes? Never thought I’d become that guy.

Of course. There’s no way a big corporation like this would set up a shop here without a plan.

Seunghyuk chose a simple black short-sleeved tee and a pair of jeans.

“How do I look?”

“Hot.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You look good in anything.”

Small face, tall frame, long legs, chiseled muscles, and a face like a sculpture—Joo Seunghyuk would look good even wrapped in a potato sack.

When I complimented him, Seunghyuk gave a small chuckle. Maybe he thought I was joking.

He reached out and gently fixed a strand of my damp hair.

“Do you want to change too?”

“Nah. Just the ends of my hair got wet. Ah, I’m starving. Want to grab dinner?”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

“What do you feel like eating? Anything you want?”

“What about you? Is there anywhere you want to go?”

Usually, when we were together, Seunghyuk led the way. But it seemed like today, he wanted to leave the decision to me.

“Want spaghetti? There’s a place here called Fantasia Garden.”

Fantasia Garden was the largest, most extravagant restaurant in the park. It was also the most expensive.

When I was a kid, I really wanted to eat there, but I’d seen the prices at the entrance and backed away in shock.

“Yeah, I’d love to.”

Seunghyuk agreed easily.

We walked into Fantasia Garden together. It had seemed enormous and majestic when I was a kid, but seeing it now, it didn’t feel that big. Still, the effort they’d put into making it the park’s centerpiece was obvious.

There were quite a few people dining since it was dinner time. We sat at a table in the very back.

“Want to get the Fantasia Set?”

“Sure, sounds good.”

“This time, I’m paying. You got soaked because of me.”

“It’s really okay. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Still. I’m the one who wanted to come.”

This would probably be my last meal with Seunghyuk. He’d treated me so many times—I wanted to be the one to pay, just this once.

“All right. If that’s what you want.”

Seunghyuk looked at me for a moment, then nodded.

The Fantasia Set lived up to the name. It looked stunning.

“Wow. It looks amazing. I always wanted to try this when I was little.”

“We should’ve come earlier. If you want it again, just tell me. We can come back anytime.”

“...Haha. Let’s eat.”

I grabbed my fork and knife. Sometimes food that looks fancy ends up tasting terrible. I was a little worried this might be the same, but thankfully, it was actually pretty good.

By the time we left the restaurant, it was almost 9 p.m.

We hadn’t done much, yet time had flown.

After today, I’d say goodbye to Seunghyuk. It was the ending I’d been longing for—and yet, I couldn’t shake how unfair it felt that time seemed to be slipping through my fingers faster than ever.

As closing time approached, most of the stores had shuttered, and the rides were gradually shutting down.

I checked the remaining rides on my phone app. The rollercoaster and Viking were still running, but I had zero interest in them.

As for the haunted house... the poor ghosts wouldn’t stand a chance against Joo Seunghyuk. I wasn’t about to start a massacre just because of a cheap jump scare.

There was the spinning teacups, but I’d never liked rides that made me dizzy—not even as a kid.

Still, I wanted to ride one last thing before the day ended.

My gaze drifted to the Ferris wheel nearby. With the lights on at night, it looked surprisingly romantic.

I’d enjoyed it in the past, but now... I might pass out if I tried. I didn’t want my final moment with Seunghyuk to end in unconsciousness.

The carousel... I liked it, but a possessive maniac and a carousel didn’t really go together.

“Seunghyuk, want to ride the Flying Plane?”

After some thought, I pointed to a nearby ride shaped like airplanes spinning in a wide vertical loop.

“That’s still kind of high.”

“I-I’ll be fine....”

Honestly, just looking at it made me queasy. But if I tried hard, I could probably endure it.

“Let’s ride that one.”

Seunghyuk pointed to the carousel.

“You sure?”

“Of course. I’ve never ridden a carousel before.”

He’d said this was his first time at a theme park. So I guess he really hadn’t.

A possessive maniac wouldn’t be caught dead on a carousel, but... Seunghyuk was different.

“Then let’s go.”

Even though it was late, the line was still long. We got in line again.

But it didn’t feel boring. We weren’t even saying much—just holding hands in silence. Still, every step forward made me feel a little sad.

At last, it was our turn. We boarded a gleaming white carriage.

As the carousel started turning to the sound of music, I looked at Seunghyuk, seated across from me.

“Why are you staring?”

“Because you’re handsome.”

I etched the lines of his face into my memory.

I had no idea what my future held.

If Seunghyuk married the Lexington Pharmaceuticals heiress, the original story would change drastically. Maybe it’d reach a point where the original plot no longer mattered.

If that happened, I’d have to start a new life, away from both Seunghyuk and the original novel.

Still, there was one thing I knew for certain.

No matter who I met in the future, I would never meet anyone more handsome than Joo Seunghyuk.

“Hyung, I think you only like my face.”

“Huh?”

“Why are you so shocked? Is it true?”

“N-no!”

I flinched and shook my head—and in that moment, his lips met mine.

It was a sweet kiss, too soft and tender for what was supposed to be our last moment.

***

After the carousel ride, we returned to the dorm.

“Next time, let’s come earlier.”

Joo Seunghyuk was still smiling like he hadn’t come down from the amusement park high.

If he hadn’t come from such a tragic family, he probably would’ve grown up laughing like this every day.

“Do you want to come back again?”

“Yeah.”

His smile was so innocent, almost childlike. I didn’t know he could make a face like that. It left me speechless.

“I can’t ride anything though... wouldn’t it be better to go with someone else next time?”

“I don’t care about any of that. I liked being there with you.”

He held my hand tightly, his black eyes locking onto mine.

“Don’t send me to someone else.”

“......”

“For me, there’s only Lee Yeonsu. Stay with me.”

His gaze, his voice, his touch—everything was filled with desperate sincerity.

It was as if he could read my thoughts.

Was it just me being oversensitive? It was just part of the conversation... right?

“Seunghyuk...”

“I can’t wait for tomorrow. There’s so much I want to do over break.”

He kissed the back of my hand.

“So, so much.”

“......”

I could just say me too. Just say what he wants to hear like always. That would be easy.

But I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t bring myself to lie.

Then his lips touched mine again. His hand slipped somewhere intimate.

This relationship ends tomorrow. I should stop him. I could use studying as an excuse—he wouldn’t force me if I said that.

A thousand thoughts flashed through my mind. But in the end, I couldn’t push away the desperate way he clung to me, kissing me like he’d break apart otherwise.

***

“Ugh...”

A soft groan escaped me before I even opened my eyes. I startled and quickly covered my mouth.

Turning my head, I saw Seunghyuk’s face. The single dorm bed had forced our bodies to press tightly together.

He was still asleep.

I’d told myself I needed to wake up before him today. Thankfully, my internal clock had come through.

There were so many things I needed to do without him knowing. I’d planned to get everything ready last night, but after what happened... I’d passed out.

Just shifting my body a little sent pain shooting everywhere.

This guy has no concept of moderation. Total sex maniac...

I grumbled silently and carefully sat up, holding my breath so I wouldn’t wake him.

This would be the last time I’d ever be squeezed into a single dorm bed with him...