1 July 2021

Bucheon

As soon as the dates were announced, I had booked a ticket for BIFAN. I wanted a pleasant surprise for her debut at the film festival and my manager accepted my excuse for wanting some leisure time at the Phoenix Spa, quite a distance from Seoul. When Junghyunnie told me the destination, I encouraged her to visit the numerous parks here.

Scientists said that spending at least half an hour in nature was conducive to good mental health. I had gleaned this nugget of information while searching the internet for ways how to help my girlfriend. "Thoughts and prayers" were three meaningless words that made it easy to avoid doing anything meaningful, like consoling a child with the Tooth Fairy instead of visiting the dentist.

Caishen sniggered at the thought, as He had admonished his followers to back up their words with deeds. Thus, I was sent back here to put my plans into action, which was working out so far. I kept my ears pricked, wanting to avoid someone identifying and approaching me. Although my hair was a neutral colour and my face bare, my body was far too seductive.

Spending a millennium in the celestial palace had given me superb control of my libido. If the actress wanted to wait a year, I could go for two, until she overcame her hesitancy. Having been in a similar situation, I vowed that the incidents in the basement of that Laundromat in the USA would not repeat themselves. My stay in her hotel room tonight would be as wholesome as jeon.

I sat down in my assigned seat, among the front rows, and to the side. Not wanting to obstruct the views of the people behind me, I sank a little lower, making myself as smol as possible. Refreshments were offered during the intermissions and I snacked on those while taking a short walk, needing the exercise and fresh air.

At the end of the viewings, I wrote down some lyrics in relation to the thoughts I had had earlier as well as placing an order for Sillim Man and Woman on Amazon. (Author's Note: help a lady out and send a link to the video. I've searched numerous websites and haven't found a free copy to download. Being broke is tough).

I had overheard her manager talking on the phone with staff from that hotel, asking to confirm that the curling iron hadn't been left on. Sighing at the fact that whatever she was going through had reduced her to a nervous wreck, I made my way to the empty smoking zone and waited for twilight to pass.

The sun continued setting later these summer days, I mused as complete darkness descended, transforming into a small bat. While I was waiting, I called the reception desk and asked if the neighbouring room was on the ground floor. Asking forthright would have gotten the call cut and sometimes, deception was desirable.

It wasn't so I landed on the balcony. Her scent was unique, a pine tree among the oaks. There was a little table and two chairs. I perched myself on one and viewed the night sky as the hours passed. Unlike the too well-lit city of Seoul, I didn't need a telescope to differentiate satellites from stars. One of the movies earlier was a fantasy, setting off a chain of thoughts.

Bats weren't totally blind, they could see shapes, for instance. So, why hadn't we seen vampires on TV fumbling around without their spectacles, and causing their intended to think the bloodsucker was gazing romantically when in fact they were trying to see? If I could go back in time, I would approach Taika Waititi with this idea.

My money-making schemes were interrupted by my leading lady bidding the rest of the movie cast goodbye. It was an unusually balmy night this early on in the summer so I hoped she'd come out in search of a cool breeze. The machination of my mind worked and I felt the vibrations the screen door made.

"My hair isn't as long as Rapunzel's to have gotten you up here," Junghyunnie's face burst into a smile.

"Well, I thought you'd be my Juliet, standing on this balcony so I could admire your beauty in the moonlight," her grin was infectious, causing my cheeks to dimple.

"Kiss me quick, oh my sweet Romeo," she did a mock curtsey, the skirts of her black dress were too short to perform the gesture.

"Not the actual words," I creased the skin of my forehead, "but I'll accept it. Invite me in, I just want to lie down on a couch after that long flight." Truth be told, I hadn't flown outside Seoul before as the metropolis was already large enough. However, Pledis' shoddy transport arrangements were just as bad now as it was around our debut.

"Come in, Wen Junhui of Seventeen," there was a hint of caution in her voice, lowering the timbre into something seductive. I located the couch, which was in front of the mirror, and sat down, showing her that I would be true to my word. Hearing her heartbeat slow down again, I made my face as cute as possible.

"Is it mandatory for cast members to watch all the screenings?" I skirted around the topic of us being together in the same room.

"No," the actress shook her head and finally sat down on her bed. "Why did you have any plans for tomorrow?"

"Something to alleviate your anxiety about my leaving in the next couple of months or so," her prediction that I would prepare to leave for China next year had come true. I missed my family but I would miss her too. The ability to read tarot wasn't necessary for me to know that Xiyeon would have to commit to roles next year.

"I'm definitely intrigued," she gushed before taking her nightdress into the bathroom and changing. I was prepared to die on the mainland if it meant that she would be safe so I hoped that the American deity would follow me there. These suicidal thoughts got me humming the pertinent Amazarasshi song under my breath.

My hostess returned and requested that I sing the song to help her fall asleep. I complied, inquisitive but deciding that she had enough problems without my interrogating her. In her own time and when she was comfortable, she would explain why she was experiencing insomnia. Whatever it took, I would help my girlfriend find peace.