134 - Upki Girl

< In the Palm of My Hand > “Oh? What’s this, Director? Amazing!” Yona truly seemed surprised to see me here, as if she had no idea. So the mastermind behind this scenario must be Aliyah. "Mwun-Mwun! Aliyah was so shocked; she nearly fell backward. How could this be a coincidence? Korea is truly small, isn’t it?" What a shamelessly obvious lie coming from someone with such an impish look. However, her eyes were radiating confidence. ‘Fine, let’s say it’s a lie. What are you going to do about it?’ was the underlying message reflecting in her gaze. As I looked at her with a disdainful expression without saying a word, she finally started to avert her gaze. “Hey, come out a little slower. I just want to have a quick word with them.” After apologizing to the confused friends of mine, I took the two troublemakers outside to the steps by the entrance. Sensing my not-so-pleasant mood, Aliyah mimicked pinching her nose and launched the first strike. "Ugh, Mwun-Mwun, you reek of alcohol. Don’t say anything. The smell is giving Aliyah a headache." “Why are you guys here? Aliyah, didn’t you say you have a party?” “Yes, party canceled.” “Yona, why aren’t you at home?” “I had a fight with Dad, stayed at my sister’s place, and then came out because Aliyah suggested we meet.” “What kind of meetup! I gave you guys a break to spend time with your families!” “Mwun-Mwun, you’re mean. Aliyah doesn’t have family, and you persistently attack that sensitive part?” Aliyah protested fervently in her British-accented English. It was her habit when she was flustered or at a disadvantage. “No, that’s not what I meant. Didn’t I invite you to come with us to Jeju Island? And yet you said you had plans, didn’t you?” “Well... it was because I didn’t want to ruin your vacation by having you worry about Aliyah, even to the point of coldly pushing me away to detach your affection.” “The act of consideration you just mentioned is worthless now. If you were going to do this, you could’ve just come along in the first place.” "Fine, I’ll accept your offer now. Let's go greet Sisindol and Father Kim Gyudon." “Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! You’re disqualified already! No wonder I thought it was weird when Cassie called. You put her up to it, didn’t you?” “No! I told her it was okay, but Cassie said she was bored and insisted!” “Then why didn’t the supposedly bored Cassie come along?” Aliyah’s brows narrowed at the pinpointed question. Yona finally realized it was Aliyah’s scheme and nodded in understanding. “Are you going to nitpick every word like this, Mwun-Mwun? Would you feel great winning an argument with an eighteen-year-old?” “You only pull the eighteen card during times like these. And what’s with the pigtails?” “Why, what? Is there some rule that Aliyah can’t do pigtails? Is it reserved for Hanul only or something?” There was a time when a stylist suggested pigtails for Aliyah, but she declined, saying it looked too childish. What does Hanul have to do with this? Come to think of it, she’s dressed like a plaid uniform reminiscent of Pramishu12’s stage outfits. Is she conscious about it? “No, you just didn’t like pigtails because they made you look young.” “A woman’s style is like a reed, ever-changing. Just to be clear, I'm not copying Hanul, so don’t misunderstand. Why would I follow Hanul?” “Until you mentioned it, I wasn’t even thinking about Hanul.” No, no. That’s not the point right now. I pinpointed the essence of the conversation that was getting sidetracked by Aliyah’s deflection. “That’s not the point. Aliyah, are you old enough to be coming to a bar? How do you walk in here with such confidence? Don’t you know getting caught in a scandal with alcohol or cigarettes will wreck your career?” “I came here after drinking wine with Cassie at the dorm.” “What?” “One glass, one glass.” Yona and I instinctively checked up and down the stairs. Thankfully, no one was listening. “And I’m not going to drink here, so what’s the big deal? Yona wanted a beer, and I just came for the snacks.” “Liyaa, let’s keep the story straight. You were the one who wanted to eat snacks from a pub first…” “Oh, sis, so unfair. If the younger sibling’s in trouble, isn’t it the sister’s role to help out? Now thanks to you, Aliyah’s the only one getting scolded by Mwun-Mwun.” “Oh, so that’s how it is? Sorry.” Yonnie coolly raised her hand to apologize, as if brushing it off. Covering her eyes with her hand in a knowingly naive gesture. “Director, it’s because I wanted a beer that we came. And yes, I picked the place too. So don’t be too hard on Aliyah.” “You little...” It was so absurd that I felt my throat constrict, locking any words that might come out. Just then, the ‘ding’ of the entrance bell rang, and Sung-hwan came out. In his usual laid-back and brazen acting tone, he asked, “Yun-ho, are you still not done?” “Uh, one moment…” “Hello, I’m Seong-hwan, a friend of Yun-ho’s. Yun-ho’s always trusted and relied on me.” Yona and Aliyah bowed their heads, instinctively spouting polite words. “I’m Yona, the leader of Up Girls!” “I’m Jin-lee-ya, the main dancer and youngest member. Nice to meet you.” “Oh, yes. Nice to meet you.” Sunghwan, beam full of middle-aged warmth, smiled widely. Behind him, Jun-oh, who had once confessed enthusiastically, showed his face. It wasn’t like him to initiate first, but for once, he flashed a Heath Ledger-like grin and addressed Yona. "Hello, loved your Girl Crush show. I guess Hong doesn’t come today?" “Oh, Hong is back in her hometown.” “Ah, I see. I’m Kim Jun-oh, Yun-ho’s high school friend. He’s relied on me since childhood, haha.” “Why do you crazy guys all say the same things? When have I ever relied on either of you?” “We were just about to move to another place. If you’re free, why don’t you join us?” “Yeah, come along. Let’s go together.” These guys. It's like they're treating me like I'm invisible, taking orders from those inside the bar. When Yona received the offer to join the table, she paused, looking at me for guidance. “No, you can’t. The youngest is a minor,” I responded firmly. Aliyah cut in abruptly, “Director Moon, I just really want to try beef intestines. Cassie said they’re delicious.” Why the formal speech? Is she trying to be polite in front of my friends? It wasn’t just her words; her expression was an innocent ‘I don’t know anything’ look, fitting for the youngest member of a girl group. Seong-hwan eagerly grabbed onto Aliyah’s excuse. “You’ve never had beef intestines before?” Startled, Aliyah took a step back, hiding behind Yona from Seong-hwan’s intimidating size and presence. Juno and I both stepped in to criticize him. “Hey, you’re scaring her. Move that hulking body of yours away.” “Miss Maknae, let me apologize on behalf of this jerk. He may look like that, but he’s even more of a jerk on the inside.” Unperturbed, Seong-hwan asked again, “Let’s go eat beef intestines together. There’s a famous place right nearby. It’s not a bar, so it should be fine, right?” No way would Aliyah go with a bunch of guys she just met to a place crawling with them. “Sure...” She accepted. Even I was shocked and had to intervene. “No, no way. Yona, you take Aliyah to eat. Oh, right. Eunbit said she’d be coming over to our place anyway, so you three can eat together and then head over. I have to hang out with these guys until morning.” “Kim Yunho, you said you’d leave after the second round...” “No. I’m going to hang out with you until sunrise.” “Why are you flip-flopping like this?” Nothing must get messed up today. I have to go on a date with Jaehee no matter what. We’ve already planned to meet. So please, help me out here. If I miss this chance during the break, who knows when I’ll see her again, damn it! “Yes, Bibi unnie said she’d come here too.” “What? You contacted Eunbit too?” “Yeah. Uncle Hong, um, Uncle Hong from the taxi service is picking her up from the airport.” Why is Aliyah so persistent today? Is she trying to ruin my party because hers was cancelled? Is she jealous I’m spending time with my friends? “Great. You three entertain yourselves.” “Yeah, Aliyah, we’ll just eat among ourselves when Eunbit gets here.” Fortunately, Yona seemed to catch on to my discomfort. When I stood firm, even my friends couldn’t persuade me further. But the main schemer wasn’t ready to give up. Clearly upset, Aliyah let her true colors show, shrieking indignantly. “Why! Are you trying to go somewhere weird without us, Moon-Moon? Are you sneaking off to have fun with dubious women? Don’t think I’m naive about how grown men have their fun!” “What nonsense are you spouting!” “Aliyah, stop. You’re going to make the director angry.” “Yona unnie, aren’t you interested in having fun with Moon-Moon too?” “Director said it’s not allowed.” “If Moon-Moon keeps this up, I’ll have no choice but to call Seo-won unnie.” “What...?” “I even know where Seo-won unnie is right now.” What... is this...? I responded without letting my surprise show. “Seo-won? She’s probably at home with Mom.” “Ha.” What’s with that smirk and glint in her eyes? It's as if she’s saying she’s got me in the palm of her hand, and I’d be foolish to think I could escape. Gulp. Sigh. The moment our eyes met, instinctively, I understood. Oh, she knows... Aliyah knows that Seo-won is with Jaehee, and that I’m supposed to meet Jaehee! How... how does she know? Come to think of it, she even knows I voted for Hanul without missing a single time. What is going on? How could she? Did she station someone to watch me? Or did she go through my phone records...? You stalker, that’s a crime! “Director Moon.” “What?” “Give up. It’ll be easier for you if you do.” Flinch! Why does it sound like she’s saying, “Give up on meeting Jaehee”? “Hahaha, give up on what?” I forced a laugh, trying to appear unshaken, but the sensation crawling up my spine was chilling. At that moment, Aliyah’s phone rang. “Oh, Cassie. Yeah? Okay, good job. No, I’m going right now. I’m with Moon-Moon.” After finishing her call, Aliyah’s gaze moved to Seong-Hwan and Juno. “Is that famous beef intestines place called ‘Ugadonga Gopchang’?” “Yeah, that’s it.” “It’s reserved, so we can go now. Tell everyone to come out.” Is this what Sun Wukong felt like when shackled by the gold hoop? I was left speechless. Before Aliyah's foresight and planning, I felt utterly powerless. *** At the same time, in the VIP room of BAR Amazones, Cheongdamdong. “Unnie, if I follow your advice, I can definitely get closer to Director Moon, right? With aloof chicness!” “Well...” “Jaehee unnie, you’re really cool. To be honest, before I got here, I kind of disliked you? But after talking, I think you’re genuinely nice. You share good info and give great advice...” “Um...” “To Unnie!” “Seowon, let’s stop drinking now. You’ve had enough.” “Why? I can finish all the drinks here today! I'm tipsy, but I can drink more! I’m going to get a Somaek license just like Unnie. I’m going to do everything you do, Unnie.” “You’ve said that three times already.” “Really? Heeheehee... My members and I promised Director that we’d never drink again, heeheehee.” Seowon leaned her head back on the couch and laughed like someone out of their mind. Then, realizing her own drunkenness, she slapped her cheeks to regain some composure. "Get a grip, Han Seowon. You're not this weak!" Meanwhile, Jaehee texted Yunho. Me: [Seowon's really drunk. What should I do? LOL] Yunho Oppa: [Really drunk?] Me: [Yes, even more than during the Girl Crush afterparty. She keeps repeating herself. Haha] Yunho Oppa: [Ah...] Me: [I could call a driver to take Seowon home and then join you.] Yunho Oppa: [I've run into an unexpected situation too.] Me: [??] Yunho Oppa: [I ran into Yona and Aliyah...] Me: [By coincidence?] Yunho Oppa: [They just showed up at the bar I'm at with my friends.] Me: [Wow, are you sitting together?] Yunho Oppa: [We’re together for now, but I'm planning to send them home after dinner.] Me: [Isn't Eunbit coming too?] Yunho Oppa: [Yeah, she's on her way from the airport.] Me: [This is so touching, seriously. Why does no one take a proper vacation when given one!] Yunho Oppa: [I know, right?] "Unnie!" "Oh, oh, Seowon." "Unnie, if I follow your advice, I can really get closer to Director Moon, right? With aloof chicness?" "Uh..." "Unnie, I'm going to drink all the alcohol here today. And I'm going to get a Somaek certificate just like you!" "That's the fourth time you've said that..." "Unnie, can I video call with the director? Is that not allowed?" Jaehee gritted her teeth before replying. "Seowon, I've told you over five times not to contact him first. Can we remember that now?" "Hehehe, you’re really nice, Unnie. Honestly, before coming here, I kind of disliked you? But after talking, you're just so kind." "Seowon, let’s get you up. I’ll take you home." "Can't I go see the director? I really want to see him... Oh, Unnie can come too! Since we’re now on the same team... Hiiing..." "Why are you crying suddenly!" "I miss the other members too... Unnie, am I too mean to them sometimes? But I don’t really mean it like that...” “Sigh...” Jaehee downed the whiskey in her glass in one go. *** Jaehee read my message but hasn't responded yet. Could she be upset? Sigh... If we hadn't made plans from the start, it wouldn't be so frustrating, but now that everything's gone awry, it feels terrible. “By the way, why is Yunho called ‘Mwun-Mwun’?” “It means ‘so-so’ in Aliyah-speak.” “Ahh.” “Yona, isn’t it okay for you to drink? Does Yunho stop you?” “No, it’s fine. I’ll have a glass, please.” “And for the maknae, Fanta?” “Yes, Aliyah loves pineapple flavor!” “You know your stuff. Pineapple Fanta is the best! One pineapple Fanta, please!” The current time is 10:30 PM. My friends are enjoying themselves, endlessly fascinated by Yona and Aliyah. Of course they're having a good time. I remember feeling like I was dreaming when I first drank with Jaehee and Suhyeon. Being married men, this situation feels even more extraordinary for them. While there are a few playful guys here, they aren't disrespectful, so I’m not worried about that. The critical point lies elsewhere. Will I actually manage to spend some alone time with Jaehee tonight? With Eunbit joining us soon, the atmosphere will only get brighter, complicating how to slip away. Maybe I could pretend to go to the bathroom and make a break for it... “Mwun-Mwun.” “Oh, Aliyah, what’s up? Want something?” “Have you given up yet? I can hear your brain turning from here.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “C’mon, just tell them to come over. Let’s all hang out together.” < In the Palm of My Hand > The End