She somehow manages to fall into the water when the boat takes a sharp turn.
“Koeun!” Mark calls out.
“I’m ok!” is the reply he hears and he inwardly lets out a sigh of relief. He edges to the other side of the banana boat, reaching out his hand ready to rescue help her out of the water.
The rotors of the speedboat churn and cold water is suddenly showering upon them, soaking them even more (if that was even possible). He suppresses a shiver as the ice-cold water slides down his back. Immediately he checks to see if Koeun is all right, she swims the short distance and grabs his hand.
He pulls her up onto the banana boat and she sends him a grateful smile mouthing thank you over the loud churning of the rotors. And, as cheesy as it sounds, he’s suddenly not as cold anymore.
Mark is done changing and sitting on the campgrounds when Koeun exits the tent as well. She situates herself next to him; their hands close, but not touching.
“Thanks for that just now. I was pretty scared for a moment there. And I’m sorry I accused you of being a spy.” Koeun smiles sheepishly.
“No problem, for both I mean. About the spy and the rescue.”
Koeun’s smile brightens, “Cool, I knew you’d understand. That’s what friends are for, right?”
“Yeah, friends.” Mark echoes her words bitterly. Luckily, it seems Koeun doesn’t pick up on it.
“I’m really glad to be friends with you, Mark.”
He doesn’t know how to respond to that, so he keeps quiet, willing the blush on his cheeks to recede. For a moment, neither of them makes a move. The comforting silence between them is broken when Lami exits the tent. “Come on unnie! We gotta get back to the dorms!”
“Coming!” She turns towards him. “Hey Mark?” for some reason she’s holding his hand in hers and his mind conveniently blanks out. “Good luck for the SMRookies show in August, I know you’ll do great. Fighting!” Koeun gives his hand a little squeeze before running off to join the girls.
What just happened? Mark involuntarily feels his lips stretching into a wide grin. Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees Donghyuk (who obviously saw the whole thing) doing some weird celebratory dance.
Maybe he’ll let Donghyuk off, just for today.