Chapter 1 — The Woman I Met on the Journey. 1 (1)

Is this what it feels like to hit rock bottom? Like I've been cast out from the world, utterly alone.

After losing everything in the stock market, all I wanted was to clear my head—anywhere, far away. Without thinking, I boarded the train to Gangneung, drawn by the idea of riding through the night.

Car 6, seat 35. Mine was on the aisle side. I'd hoped for a window seat, but too late now.

With a jolt, the train slid forward, gliding into motion. Luckily, the seat beside me remained empty.

I flagged down the passing steward.

“Beer and dried beef, please.”

“How many cans?”

“Just three.”

Maybe it was the ease of travel, but I found myself ordering three beers and cracking one open right away. Glug, glug, glug.

“Excuse me.”

I froze mid-sip and turned.

“My seat is by the window.”

She was about 165 cm tall, hair fluttering as if freshly blow-dried. A blue T-shirt, gray shorts, and a stylish cardigan draped over her shoulders.

“Oh, yes. Sorry.”

I'd already sprawled by the window, beer and snacks laid out. Flustered, I quickly gathered everything and stood to let her pass.

“Thank you.”

As she slipped past, her knee brushed against my leg. No stockings—just sneakers. She looked sharp, almost athletic.

Feeling awkward, I tried to smooth things over.

“Want a beer?”

“No thanks. I'm fine.”

Her smile seemed forced. Despite her neat clothes, she carried a quiet sadness, like someone hiding a story.

I lowered my beer, embarrassed. Then, determined not to look weak, I chugged the rest in one go.

Crunch!

I crushed the can with one hand—just like in the movies. Was I showing off? Heh heh.

The heaviness in my chest had begun to fade, replaced by the light buzz of travel, when—

Sniffle… sniffle…

I glanced sideways. The window reflected her face—delicate shoulders trembling.

Ugh. What now? Can't even drink in peace.

I bolted up, pretending I just needed a smoke. I stepped out toward the door, beer bag in hand.

Clack, clack, clack.

Stumbling through the swaying car, I reached the doorway and lit a cigarette.

“Haaah…”

Smoke vanished into the night wind. The cool air rushed into my lungs, clearing my head. Another sip of beer. This—this was why people traveled.

“Hey.”

Huh? I moved for her, and now she's following me?

“Yeah?”

I answered like a startled rabbit, nearly choking on my beer.

Cough, cough. “What is it?”

“Hoo hoo… sorry.”

She giggled at my panic. Cute. Perfect white teeth.

“You left because of me?”

“No, no. Just wanted to smoke. Hahaha.”

“Well… can I have that last can? You did offer earlier.”

Whoa. Bold. Like some cheap vendor, I fished another beer from the bag and handed it over.

“No snack?”

Huh? Not your average girl. Heh heh.

I tore open the dried beef and gave her a piece. In the swaying doorway, it was just the two of us.

We squatted against the wall, gulping down beer.

A glance. Between her short shorts, a flash of skin-colored panties.

Glug.

I swallowed more spit than beer.

“So, what do you do?”

“Me? A guy chasing instant wealth who ended up broke. Heh heh.”

“Hoo hoo… bought the whole lottery with your life savings? Heh heh.”

“Haha… So where are you headed?”

“Hmm. Not sure. I just… wanted to see the sea.”

“What?”

I stared, surprised. She began to open up, as if unloading a burden.

“With the economy bad, my husband's company's struggling. And we just moved—farther away. He's been so irritable lately. I try to understand, but…”

She trailed off.

Silence settled between us.

“But where are you going?”

“I don't know either. Heh heh.”

“So we're both heading nowhere?” She laughed. “Hoo hoo.”

Her gloomy expression brightened instantly. She, too, had fled aimlessly to escape suffocation.

“Huh? Already finished?”

“Here.”

Still squatting, she called the steward.

“Five more beers, please.”

“Huh? Five?!”

I waved my hands, but what does a vendor care?

“Here you go.”

Five cold cans landed before us.

“It's getting chilly. Let's go back inside.”

Probably cold in those shorts, she suggested we return.

I snatched the bag and hurried ahead to claim our seats.

Clunk. The train lurched. She stumbled behind me—and fell against my back.

Soft. Her breasts pressed into me. An awkward silence hung in the air.

“Whoa. Train hit the brakes?”

“Hoo hoo… guess I got a free piggyback from a stranger. Hoo hoo.”

We laughed it off and sat.

She took the window, I took the aisle. We looked like old friends.

I quickly pulled out a can, popped it open for her, then cracked mine.

“Cheers!!!”

Excited, slightly drunk, I shouted. Too loud.

Everyone turned to stare.

We shrank our shoulders, clinked cans quietly, and stifled giggles.

“You're pretty lively, huh? Haha.”

I spoke first. My laugh drew eyes again.

“Keep it down!!!”

“Ah, sorry!”

Half-standing, I bowed awkwardly. Then winked at her, raised my can, and chugged—glug, glug, glug.

While drinking, I gestured with my hand: One shot!

She covered her mouth, laughing silently, but nodded.

When I finished, she started gulping hers down.

Glug, glug. Her throat bobbed. So damn beautiful.

Then—