"Cross-check, please—"
"Cross-check complete."
Before boarding, we ran through safety and security checks, thoroughly inspecting every seat and piece of equipment.
Then we held a final joint briefing with the captain and First Officer.
"All right, let's begin. This is flight CQ117, Doseong to Osaka. Weather is clear. Osaka is also clear at 20 degrees—"
Unlike the First Officer, who came across as playful yet seasoned, the captain spoke in a gentle voice that oozed experience.
The briefing ended in a flash. The First Officer waved brightly at me, then leaned over and whispered something to Kang Naju.
Kang Naju listened quietly, then nodded in agreement.
The crew dispersed to their positions.
Kang Naju picked up the interphone.
"Cabin secured. Ready for boarding."
The boarding gate opened, and passengers began filing in.
Standing at the gate entrance, I recited the greetings I'd practiced all night—trying to look as friendly as possible—while checking boarding passes.
"Let me help you with your boarding pass."
"Here you go, thank you."
"Let me check that for you."
"ありがとうございます。"
Thank you.
From young children to couples, students traveling with friends, middle-aged to elderly passengers.
People with an excitement different from my own boarded the cabin with smiles blooming on their faces.
'How thrilling this must be for them.'
'My first overseas trip was Japan too.'
"Cheongho, let's do the safety check."
"Yes, ma'am."
I walked through the cabin, carefully inspecting seatbacks, tray tables, window shades, and seat belts.
"Please fasten your seat belt."
"Please open your window shade."
"We'll be departing shortly—please fold up your tray table."
[Ladies and gentlemen, we will now demonstrate the safety procedures for this flight. Please pause what you are doing and give your attention to the cabin crew.]
Positioned at even intervals along the aisle with the other crew, I raised my hands so everyone could see and began the safety demonstration.
[To fasten your seat belt, insert the buckle and adjust to fit snugly. To release, simply lift the cover—]
Nerves nearly made me drop the demonstration seat belt during the demo.
Thankfully, I kept my smile intact and it didn't show too badly.
After completing the oxygen mask and life vest demonstrations, I took my seat for takeoff.
[Ladies and gentlemen, we will be departing shortly.]
RUMMMMMMBLE—
The engines spooled up, and a tremendous vibration resonated through the entire aircraft.
The plane slowly pushed back from the gate, easing away for the taxi to the runway.
"Wow! Mommy, there's a person in a mask over there!"
"Oh, you're right? Must be some kind of event."
Passengers in the front rows pressed their faces to the windows, marveling at something.
'Hm?'
Curious, I looked out the window—and there was a very familiar smiling mask.
That smiling face had one arm raised high, waving vigorously in our direction.
"Hahaha, what a weird-looking guy."
"Isn't he hot in that?"
"Ooh, cool."
Along with wishing the passengers a wonderful trip, it felt like a warm send-off cheering on my first flight.
The aircraft tore down the long, straight runway at tremendous speed.
WHIIIIINE—
A sensation of being pressed back into the seat, then—for just a moment—the weightless feeling of floating in midair.
My ears popped as the massive aircraft, carrying its passengers, lifted off the ground.
WHOOOOOOSH—
Tall buildings shrank to the size of toys, and the plane kept climbing, threading through white clouds and open sky.
As passengers held up their phones to snap photos of the view outside, I got to work.
"We have orange juice, tomato juice, cola, and water available."
"I'll have a cola, please."
"Same for me."
After a long stretch of rolling the beverage cart and serving passengers, I was just returning to the galley when Kang Naju beckoned me over with a small gesture.
"Cheongho, the First Officer says he's stepping out to use the lavatory. Please go sit in the cockpit for him."
"Me...?"
During flight, there was a 'two-person cockpit rule.'
Whenever the captain or First Officer briefly left their seat, a cabin crew member would enter to fill the spot.
"Sorry~ Mind holding down the fort for a sec? Thanks~"
The First Officer came out with his signature cheeky tone and a grin.
"Shouldn't the Manager be the one going in—"
"When else would you get this chance?"
"Understood."
This was probably what the First Officer had whispered to Kang Naju earlier.
I opened the door and stepped into the cockpit.
Past the control columns, through the sweeping expanse of glass on all sides—
'Wow.'
Warm sunlight poured in, sparkling. The blue sky, woven together with clouds, was crystal clear.
It felt as refreshing as strolling through a clean meadow—even though I was indoors.
"Haha, nice view, right?"
The captain, wearing round sunglasses, said in his gentle way.
"It really... it's wonderful."
"Lucky you—the weather's perfect."
Down below lay the blue ocean, waves gently rolling.
As if embracing all the hardship of the past, the cobalt sea was breathtakingly vast and radiant.
Whether I looked up or down, wherever I rested my gaze—
Nothing but crisp, clear colors filled every inch.
"You look deeply moved."
The captain glanced at me and remarked.
"It's routine for me, so I barely notice anymore."
He chuckled, sticking a sun visor to the side window.
"This is my first time... but I feel like I'd never get tired of it, no matter how many times I saw it."
"A rare sentimental soul. The ghost story work's no joke, is it?"
"...It's certainly not easy."
"Hahaha! Everyone feels that way at first. Once you're used to it, it's a breeze. Though I never actually go in myself."
'Um, are you sure that's accurate, Captain?'
Just then, the First Officer returned, playfully saying 'Come visit again~' as he settled into the right seat.
Since he was back, I stepped out of the cockpit.
It was brief, but it had been an incredibly precious and priceless experience.
"Did you enjoy the First Officer's special request?"
Kang Naju asked with a slight smile.
"Haha, I'll have to thank him properly later."
KSSHK—
[Ladies and gentlemen, we will shortly be arriving at our destination, Osaka Kansai International Airport— Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived at Osaka Kansai International Airport...]
Snapping out of that vivid dream and back to reality, it was time to do my job again.
I straightened my shirt and tie, then walked through the cabin with the other crew for final announcements.
Passengers gathering their belongings, excited children, people stretching wide—everything signaled the end of the journey.
"Please return your seats and tray tables to the upright position."
"Please fasten your seat belts."
With crisp, measured diction and a friendly smile maintained to the very last moment—
"Thank you, and have a wonderful trip."
[大阪へようこそ！]
Welcome to Osaka!
A lively sign with playful characters and a giant welcome message greeted us.
It had been ages since I'd been overseas—not since childhood—but we headed straight back to Korea without so much as stopping at a convenience store.
It was work, after all. Nothing to feel sorry about.
"Let's take a quick break and turn right around."
"Yes, ma'am."
Kang Naju said we'd done well.
And with that, my first flight was complete.
***
"Cheongho! It's been almost two weeks!"
"I heard you went to Osaka yesterday. Please tell me you at least brought snacks."
"Didn't even have time to shop before heading back. How've you both been?"
Since crew members rotated with every flight, it had been a long time since the three of us—So Hyena, Jeong Siun, and I—had gathered.
[Cheonsu Airlines Class 32 New Cabin Crew Welcome Party]
The reason we'd assembled was the welcome party for the new hires.
"All right, glasses up. To our Class 32—welcome to Cheonsu Airlines!"
"Cheers—!"
"Cheeeers!"
The captain who'd flown to Osaka with us gave the welcome speech, and the party began.
In the lively restaurant, thick with the aroma of grilling pork belly, the eight Class 32 new cabin crew members were—
Huh?
'One, two, three... six.'
I scanned the room all the way to the senior crew table, but two seats were clearly empty.
"Weren't there eight of us who passed for Class 32?"
"Oh, Jangwon and Mihyeon resigned. I only heard bits and pieces, but apparently after going into ghost stories twice, they said they couldn't do it anymore...."
So Hyena's words dampened the mood slightly.
"Unbelievable. Getting spooked and running off—a pair of weaklings if I ever saw one."
Gam Doyeong, seated diagonally across, scoffed at So Hyena's remark.
"Resignation was described as voluntary—that's not a fault."
Jeong Siun, seated opposite Gam Doyeong, pushed back.
"Watch your mouth, you disrespectful punk. Those two had all the spine of a wet noodle—how they even got hired is beyond me. Not an ounce of determination in them."
In contrast to the cheerful toasts moments ago, our corner of the table had frozen into an Antarctic wasteland.
Gam Doyeong launched into a relentless string of obscenities aimed at the two who'd resigned, and the other crew nearby either averted their eyes or shook their heads.
The pork belly was grilling to a perfect golden brown, but it might as well have been behind glass.
Eating in this atmosphere would guarantee indigestion.
"Ugh, you're a real pro at killing the mood. Shut that nasty mouth and eat some meat."
"Wait, I'm not—mmph—"
The First Officer had just walked in. He stuffed a fist-sized lettuce wrap straight into Gam Doyeong's mouth.
He was dressed casually in a plain shirt, but true to form, still wore his sunglasses indoors.
The rest of the crew finally started eating in peace.
Senior Gam Doyeong—at work, absolutely an ace. And he didn't seem like a truly bad person.
'So why is his personality like that...?'
"You were just badmouthing me in your head, weren't you."
Gam Doyeong caught on with supernatural precision and glared.
"No, why would I? Haha."
"Bullshit. It's written all over your face—'your personality is absolute garbage'—"
"Shh, shh, shh. Just eat, Doyeong."
The First Officer, apparently on permanent babysitting duty now, crammed another wrap—this one loaded with a fistful of garlic—into Gam Doyeong's mouth.
"Don't mind him. To put it charitably, he has his reasons for being like that. But taking personal feelings out on other people's attitudes is still wrong."
"Naviq, you're here too."
"Am I not welcome?"
"No, absolutely welcome."
Naviq beamed, dragged a chair over, and sat down next to me.
His hidden face behind the white mask was still smiling, as always.
"So what's the 'reason' that's got him acting like this?"
I whispered to Naviq, quietly enough that Gam Doyeong wouldn't hear.
"A senior he was close with got caught up in some incident. His personality was already rigid and high-strung, but it got way worse after that."
Naviq clicked his tongue.
Come to think of it, back during the luxury hall ghost story...
'If they keep attempting... does that mean there are ghost stories that still haven't been cleared?'
'One cold case.'
'A cold case?'
'Yeah. A disappearance involving Cheonsu Airlines and a partner company.'
He'd mentioned a cold case—a disappearance. And his expression hadn't been good then either.
A disappearance, after all...
'...Could it possibly be connected to my uncle?'
It was ridiculous—not a shred of a connection—but the thought flashed through my mind unbidden.
The phrase 'partner company cold case' had struck deep.
Near the end of high school, when my father was finally leaving the hospital and we were starting to rebuild—
My uncle, who'd worked in an aviation-related field, had gone missing.
He'd been the one looking after me in place of my parents, who both worked. After I was discharged, I'd searched with my father for any trace of him, but not a single lead turned up.
My uncle's disappearance was also a completely unsolved case.
"What exactly is this partner company—"
"That case isn't ours to handle anymore."
"But I thought failed ghost stories get re-attempted until they're cleared?"
"True, but there are exceptions. There's a dedicated 'special task force' for that—so you don't need to worry about it."
Naviq slung a friendly arm over my shoulder.
"So let's just enjoy the welcome party today, Yuja-cheong. Eat, drink, and have fun!"
GLUG-GLUG-GLUG—
The First Officer, having overheard our conversation, agreed that I shouldn't worry about it and filled my glass to the brim with beer, launching into his usual banter.
I had a mountain of questions, but the mood around us was distinctly 'let's not go there.'
"Yeah, newbie—drop it. Same goes for the rest of you."
Gam Doyeong said with a fierce glare. Then he kicked off a full-blown lecture-slash-rant.
Kids these days are hopeless, no grit, no nothing—an endless stream of unasked-for sermons.
"A couple drinks in him and he's insufferable...."
"Siun, if Senior Gam Doyeong overhears you, he'll triple the abuse."
"Hahaha, I'm barely holding back from posting 'ABSOLUTE PSYCHO BOOMER SENIOR' on social media. My patience is legendary, you know?"
Jeong Siun said through what looked like a ventriloquist act—his expression perfectly neutral.
By now, even the First Officer—who'd been running interference this whole time—looked drained, barely maintaining his smile. I could've sworn I saw a clear S.O.S. signal in his eyes.
"Don't you think so too, First Officer? Once you commit, you see it through to the end!"
"Me? Uh, sure. Whatever."
Gam Doyeong had flipped his target and was now cornering the First Officer, demanding validation.
The First Officer, half his soul already departed, just mumbled "Yeah, yeah, you're totally right" on autopilot.
'This is a welcome party in name only—it's actually a lecture marathon.'
The captains at the other tables just chuckled and looked away.
If Senior Kang Naju were here, she'd probably handle it somehow, but unfortunately she couldn't make it due to a flight schedule.
'Well, nothing for it.'
I ought to repay the favor for the cockpit experience, at least.
Seeing the First Officer about to completely zone out, I picked up the bottle.
"You're absolutely right, Senior. Persistence and the spirit of challenge are what matter."
I shifted my expression, grinning boldly at Gam Doyeong.
"Huh, putting on the work face? Fair point, though."
"In that spirit—let me pour you one."
Face of steel firmly in place, I mixed soju and beer in a glass at just the right ratio and handed it over.
I may have slipped in a bit more soju than was visible.
"Uh, Cheongho, you really don't have to. He'll burn out on his own soon."
"It's fine. I can hold my liquor."
Naviq said to leave it, but I stood my ground.
"Confident, are you?"
"Three and a half bottles, easy."
"Oh, really?"
Gam Doyeong curled his lip in that insufferable way of his, then filled an empty glass to the brim with the same soju-beer mix and slid it over.
"A gracious gift from your senior. Drink up."
"Gladly."
I answered with a smile.