The morning sun hit Seongjii's face just as his phone started buzzing violently. It was Satoshi.
"Hello..." Seongjii groaned, half-asleep.
"Wake up, you lazy dog! You've slept enough!" Satoshi's voice blasted through the speaker.
"Stop barking, Satoshi. Why are you calling this early?"
"The whole squad is going to the mall today. Shopping trip! You and Araya better be there. It's gonna be epic!"
Seongjii paused. Shopping... right. I need gear for the world tour. "Fine, fine. Araya and I will join you guys. See you this evening."
Seongjii got ready and headed to the kitchen. He stopped in his tracks. Araya was there, standing next to his mom, carefully learning how to flip a pancake. The morning light caught her hair, and for a second, Seongjii just stood there, staring. He felt a weird heat creep up his neck. Am I... blushing?
Suddenly, a heavy hand dropped on his shoulder. It was his Dad. "What are you staring at, huh?" he whispered with a playful smirk.
"Nothing! Just... Araya cooking," Seongjii stammered.
His Dad's expression turned serious but kind. "Araya is a wonderful girl, Seongjii. Take care of her. As long as she's with us, no one can find out she's a Genie. If they do, she'll be in grave danger."
Seongjii looked his father in the eye, his voice firm. "Don't worry, Dad. I won't let anything happen to her. I'll protect her with everything I've got."
"I trust you, son," his Dad replied, nodding.
"Breakfast is ready!" his Mom called out. As they sat down, she asked, "So, how's the 'World Tour' planning going?"
"Great, Mom. Actually, we're going shopping for it today," Seongjii said.
"Shopping!" Araya chirped. "I love shopping with your mom, it's so much fun!"
After finishing his delivery rounds for the family business, Seongjii returned home, picked up Araya, and headed to the mall.
The mall was buzzing. The squad—Seongjii, Araya, Zoe, Rika, Satoshi, Minho, and Hyunwoo—were laughing and heading toward the stores.
Suddenly, a woman in a sharp suit—a Mall Executive—approached them. "Excuse me! Today is our mall's 30th Anniversary. We are choosing 'Lucky Sevens' to fill out our grand prize forms. We only have 7 forms left, and you happen to be a group of 7. Would you like to try your luck?"
Rika rolled her eyes. "Sounds like a marketing scam. We're here to shop."
"Oh, come on, Rika!" Satoshi pleaded. "What if we win something cool? Let's just do it!"
While the group argued, Araya leaned into Seongjii's ear. "Mortal... I don't have an identity. No ID, no papers. How am I supposed to fill this out?"
Seongjii's heart skipped a beat. Shit. I forgot about the legal stuff. "Araya, can't you just magic yourself an identity?"
"Not until I'm fully free from the lamp, Seongjii. I can't alter reality for myself like that yet."
Seongjii smirked. "Then I guess it's time for Wish Number 9. I still have 44 left."
"Are you sure, Mortal? Think carefully," Araya warned.
"I've thought about it. We need you to be 'real' in the eyes of the law for this tour. I wish for Araya to have a complete, legal identity. Passport, National ID (Resident Registration Card), and all mandatory travel documents recognized by the Seoul government."
Araya's eyes flashed. "Hold out your hands."
Thump. A heavy folder materialized in Seongjii's grip. He quickly stuffed it into his backpack just as Satoshi yelled, "Hey! You two done yet? Fill the forms!"
With the forms submitted, the group exploded into the stores. It was pure chaos:
• Satoshi and Minho were busy trying on ridiculous neon sunglasses and leather jackets that made them look like budget action heroes.
• Rika and Zoe were in a high-end boutique, Rika picking out sharp, stylish outfits while Zoe was distracted by every sparkly accessory she saw.
• Hyunwoo was mostly hovering near the tech store, eyeing the latest noise-canceling headphones.
• Seongjii and Araya wandered through a travel gear shop. Araya was fascinated by everything—from thermal flasks to neck pillows. Seongjii watched her, realizing that for her, this wasn't just a trip; it was her first time seeing the actual world.
As they were walking toward the exit, bags in hand, a mall employee came running toward them, breathless. "Wait! Stop!"
"Whoa, chill bro," Hyunwoo said. "What's the rush?"
"The results... the Anniversary draw!" the employee gasped. "You guys won the Top Prize! All seven of you!"
"No way!" Satoshi yelled, jumping up. "Is it a gift card? A new TV?"
Seongjii stepped forward. "What is the prize, sir?"
The employee smiled. "A 30-day, 29-night World Tour Package. Fully sponsored by the mall. Flights, 5-star hotels, local tours—everything is covered!"
The squad went silent for a heartbeat before erupting into cheers.
"We're actually going!" Zoe cried.
"I'm not dreaming, am I?" Satoshi asked as Minho pinched his arm.
But the employee's smile flickered. "There is... one catch."
"What catch?" Rika asked, her eyes narrowing.
"The departure is tomorrow evening. You have less than 24 hours to pack."
The cheers died down instantly. Silence took over as the weight of the situation hit them. The tour wasn't coming. It was already here.
To be continued....