AP CH 14 (Mighty Town)

After loading the gear and luggage into Dong-jin’s car, they set off toward the resort. As they drove closer to the entrance, Seon-woo asked cautiously, suspicion creeping into his voice.

“Hyung, did you book a place inside the resort?”

“Of course. What do you think? Pretty nice, right?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me……… Who reserves an instructor’s lodging inside the resort?”

Typically, accommodations within the resort were reserved for guests, not for those working there. It made sense—these places cost at least twice as much as those outside the resort, sometimes as much as five times more. Given the extended stay required for instructors, the financial burden of such an arrangement was obvious.

That said, there wasn’t a better location for someone like Seon-woo, who would essentially be commuting to work on the slopes.

“Nam Seon-woo, huh? You turned down Schuphur and chose our Apres instead. As the owner, don’t you think I should at least offer you this level of comfort? Work without worrying about a thing, our Seon-woo.”

“This is a bit much,” Seon-woo muttered, clearly uneasy.

Dong-jin glanced over at him and burst into laughter.

“I was going to brag about it a bit more before telling you, but at this rate, you’re going to say you don’t want to stay here at all.”

“What is it?”

“You know In-yeong.”

“Kim In-yeong noona? Your ex-girlfriend?”

“Hey….! Are you out of your mind, bringing that up? That was over 10 years ago! Anyway, it’s her place. She’s spending this winter in Australia, so I got it for cheap.”

Seon-woo smirked, the situation becoming clearer. There was no way it was a simple monetary deal for a property like that. His tone was teasing as he asked, “What did you promise in return?”

“I said I’d treat her to dinner. Three times. Once the season’s over.”

As expected, it was a deal with strings attached. Leaning back comfortably into his seat, Seon-woo replied playfully, “Wow, such a bargain. I’ll make myself at home, then.”

“Ugh, this is exactly why I shouldn’t have told you so soon. The room’s not huge, but it’s perfect for one person.”

“What does size matter when I’m using it alone? I know how popular Mighty is—it’s nearly impossible to get a unit here, even if you’re willing to pay. Thanks, hyung.”

When they arrived at the condo shortly after, Seon-woo unloaded his gear and luggage and went inside. The unit was about 20 pyeong, similar in size to his previous accommodation, but the open window offered a breathtaking view of the slopes, making the scenery far superior.

Dong-jin, who was poking around by opening the fridge and drawers, asked casually, “Do you want me to stock it like before? More water and Pocari?”

“Yes, please. I’ll handle the rest myself.”

Dong-jin, clearly busy with the phone that had been buzzing since earlier, spoke hurriedly.

“Got it. Here’s your season pass. I’ll send over the schedule once it’s finalized. For now, you’ve got the twins tomorrow.”

“Send some hand warmers too. The kids get cold easily.”

“Okay. Call me if you need anything.”

After Dong-jin left, leaving Seon-woo alone, he opened the terrace door and stepped outside. The chilly wind made him shiver slightly as he stood there, gazing down at the sparsely populated slope. The season had just begun, so it was still quiet and pristine.

As he looked at the white expanse of snow, the worries and tangled thoughts that had consumed him began to fade away.

He inhaled deeply. The cold, biting air filled his lungs, clearing his head and calming his mind.

As expected, he felt most at ease surrounded by snowfields.








Seon-woo stayed on the terrace until his cheeks were so cold they stung. Only then did he retreat back into the room.

Although he had planned to rest today, the sight of the untouched slopes—still clean and unmarred by heavy traffic—proved too tempting to ignore.

As he began to prepare to head out, his phone rang. Thinking it might be Hyeon-chae, he rushed over to check, but his enthusiasm quickly faded when the name “Nam Jun-woo” appeared on the screen. His expression instantly turned annoyed.

“What?”

—Hey, did you have a fight with Choi Lee-won? Where are you right now?


“What? Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

—Choi Lee-won fainted and is in the hospital right now, you bastard. I heard you quit Schuphur and ran off? The chairman called my dad and me to ask what the hell you’re doing, and now I’m stuck dealing with this mess at the office!

“Judging by how you’re talking, he must’ve woken up already.”

—Ugh……


“……. Choi Lee-won’s there with you, isn’t he? Tell him I’ll see him in the spring.”

—Spring? You’re not planning to see him until then? Why spring, of all times? Hey, Nam Seon…. Nam Seon-woo!!


Seon-woo hung up, leaving Nam Jun-woo’s bewildered question unanswered.

But the reprieve didn’t last. Both his mother and father called him in quick succession, forcing him to sit on the edge of his bed in his ski suit for the next 2 hours.

—How long are you going to act like a child? Of all things, this involves the club; it’s bound to reach the chairman. You couldn’t have held back just a little? Lee-won collapsed because of you. What if he had another episode like before? How are you going to face your elders then? Get back here and apologize to him in person immediately.


The same old exhausting lecture.

—Seon-woo, I know you wouldn’t have done it without a reason—I do. But….. Lee-won is different. He’s sensitive; he can’t help it. We need to be more considerate of him.…..Get some rest today, okay? Come back up tomorrow?


Seon-woo knew he should respond passively, let them say their piece, and move on, but he couldn’t resist adding a few more words, which only made the call drag on longer. By the time it ended, the calm he’d fought to regain earlier had completely unraveled, leaving his thoughts in disarray.

Drained, he fell backward onto the bed, sprawled out in defeat. The lengthy call had also eaten up the time he’d planned to spend on the skiing, as the grooming machines were already out preparing the snow.

Covering his eyes with one arm, Seon-woo took a few deep breaths to steady himself. But then he abruptly sat up and left the room.

Fortunately, he had a secret haven within Mighty.


****

“5 packs of ramen, please. And add some eggs as a free service, too.”

“Sorry? Free service? What……? Hey, Nam Seon-woo!!”

Deciding to surprise her, he hadn’t given any notice before showing up. Startled by his abrupt demand, Seo-rin peeked her head out, only to lock eyes with a grinning Seon-woo as he waved at her. She immediately stormed out, looking indignant.

“You idiot! You scared me! How could you come without letting me know?”

“Hahaha, it’s been a while, Seo-rin.”

A sharp slap landed on Seon-woo’s back before Seo-rin pulled him into a quick hug. She fanned her face dramatically as if recovering from a near heart attack and asked,

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t be able to come this year? Are you here to ski?”

“No, I’m here to teach lessons again.”

“Really? Seriously? That’s amazing! I mean it—just stay here at Mighty, okay? Don’t even think about going anywhere else. Come on, get inside.”

Seon-woo followed Seo-rin into the snack bar. Seeing her again after 9 months made him smile without even realizing it.

“Want me to make you ramen? 5 packs, was it?”

“Do you even have any for me?”

He peeked around curiously, and Seo-rin grinned as she pulled out a bundle from the upper cabinet.

“Of course I do. Just in case, I even got a whole box of mild-flavored ones. How many?”

“5 packs.”

Seo-rin worked at the snack bar at the base of the slopes for just 3 months every winter. She and Seon-woo had met 5 years ago when he was 19 years old, and she was 17. Since then, they’d stayed close friends.

“I’m glad to see you, don’t get me wrong. But the thought of having to make you 5 packs of ramen every time you come around is already giving me a headache.”

“I usually only eat 2.”

“Then why do you scarf down 5 here of all places?”

“Maybe because you make them so well.”

“Then at least work to earn your meal,” Seo-rin retorted, handing him 3 packs of ramen first.

Seon-woo took the bowl and stepped out to one of the outdoor tables. Seo-rin, watching him, shivered as if the mere sight of the cold was enough to make her freeze.

“I really don’t get it. What’s so great about eating out there?”

“It just doesn’t taste the same if I eat it inside.”

The icy wind stung his cheeks, but the noodles, slightly cooled by the cold air as he lifted them to his mouth, gained a perfect texture. The hot broth melted his frozen body, enhancing the flavor even more. No ramen could replicate this taste. It was the kind of pleasure that justified braving the cold when visiting a ski resort.

After finishing all 5 packs of ramen, Seon-woo paid for his meal by helping Seo-rin move supplies from the basement, replace the gas canisters, and clear the snow off the outdoor seating. Seo-rin protested that he’d done enough, but Seon-woo, eager to occupy himself and forget his troubles, happily took on the menial tasks.


****

Arriving at the hotel a bit earlier than scheduled, Seon-woo stood waiting when the sound of hurried footsteps reached his ears.

“Teacher Seon-woo!!”

“Teacher!”

Hearing the excited cries, Seon-woo turned around to see two children racing toward him. He opened his arms wide, bracing himself. As Hanna and Ina crashed into him, he scooped them both up in one motion, his eyes widening as he realized how much heavier they’d become since he last saw them.

“Wow! When did you two grow this much? I don’t think I can lift you both at once anymore.”

“Of course, we’ve grown! We’re 10 now!”

“Hahaha! And we’ve grown 7 centimeters taller!”

Children truly grow quickly. Seon-woo had learned this firsthand with these two. Having spent every winter with Hanna and Ina since they were 5, he held a special fondness for the twins. They giggled as they playfully tugged at Seon-woo’s hair, their affection clear in their teasing.

Startled by the sight, Jin-young rushed over.

“Kids! Get down! You’re going to tire him out!”

“Together, we only weigh 70 kilos!”

“Teacher is an Alpha, so even if a hundred of us came running, he could lift us all. You’re so clueless, Dad.”

In the end, Jin-young had to lift the twins down, his face a mix of embarrassment as he pressed down on their heads in mock scolding.

“I’m sorry. They’re already 10, but they still act like little kids.”

“They’re nothing but adorable. It’s good to see you again, sir.”