Kim Yujin (2)
I never imagined Maru would be into amusement parks. She suddenly told me to get in a taxi, so I did.
I know the area around here pretty well. Oh, we're heading there!!
And my guess was spot on. I was curious why she came all this way, but I kept my mouth shut. There must be a reason.
"Wha... what's this place..."
"They said there's a parade, so hurry up and change."
"..."
The festival grounds I'd gotten so sick of from visiting way too many times. Holding hands with Mom, holding hands with Dad, coming on school trips... with Mom... with Dad... But I'd only come a ton during my teens—first time since turning twenty.
I was dazed but excited. Calming my fluttering heart, I slowly followed Maru.
"I thought it'd be empty on a weekday, but I lost the crowd-dodging game. Tsk. Whew."
"Uh... where are we going?"
"Where? Obviously you gotta wear a school uniform, Sena. We're already here. Somewhere around."
My pupils dilated to maximum. Why me?
"Wh... why me? You wear one too, Maru-nim!"
"I'm turning thirty soon. Why would I wear a school uniform? You in one is plenty."
Such logic!
"No way!"
My voice shot up in surprise. Huh? I was the one more startled. First time I'd ever refused her.
"No, I mean. Uh. Just me not wearing one..."
"I'm too old for it."
"No you're not! You look super young! Like my friend!"
"Huh? For real? Heheheh. How friend-like? How much?"
"Huh? Uh. Total besties!"
Coming to an amusement park together means we're total friends. That's what kids at school used to say. That's why I'd never been with actual friends.
I had two real ones in high school, but they only hung out with me in class—never for PE or trips.
Even on school outings, I stuck with the teacher. Never rode rides with friends.
The teacher would ask, wanna try that one? But I'd refuse. What's the point alone? No fun... And I'd been tons as a kid, so I knew... it'd be the same anyway.
But seeing Maru so happy, I figured I'd stick close and keep up.
"Ha. Guess no choice? Should we both wear 'em? It's been over ten years since graduation. What to do..."
"Yes! Awesome!"
"Sigh... no backing out now. Heheheh. You say it like that. Shall we head in?"
It was awkward and embarrassing. First time in ten years. No, first time ever. A skirt, of all things. I wanted pants.
But pushing for pants might mean I'd have to pay rental myself, so I went along obediently. Didn't wanna spend on clothes I hated, so I sided with Maru.
"This one's better maybe? Hmm. Yeah. This one? No, uh. Hold on."
Maru kept pulling out skirts, holding them up to me one by one.
"They suit you—whichever, just pick."
"Nah. Gotta match for this. Oh, this one's cute too. Tsk. Hmm. This one. Best fit."
"Okay."
White dress shirt, gray ribbon tie, and skirt. The skirt felt like it invalidated my whole life, and the mirror image was hard to adjust to.
Maru hooked her arm in mine and snapped photo after photo—I was dying of awkwardness.
But... why pants for her? She didn't seem the type, but... super... While I stared in the mirror trying to adapt, Maru gave no time.
"Let's go."
Sena had somehow ended up with bunny ears headband on, her hair now in a braided ponytail.
Churros in her left hand, mango drink in her right.
Freebies? No reason to refuse. Sena thought she was a light eater, but nope. She could pack it away if she tried—laziness kept her from it. Big eater potential anytime.
In that state, they watched the parade.
"You know daytime and nighttime are different, right? Summer season makes it special too—stay till night."
"Y... yeah..."
"Oh, that looks fun—let's check it out?"
"Uh... that's... scary."
"It's fine. Fun once you ride."
Sena trembled from the line at first. Inside the Viking, she clutched the safety bar, head down.
Scared of the wind. Started sniffling at first.
But then she dragged Yujin for seconds, thirds... Yujin gave up from exhaustion, slumping on a bench, eyes squeezed shut.
Sena popped out pointing at another ride.
"That one. That."
"Huh? Already? Just a bit..."
"Saw no line from there."
"Hohoho."
They rode hard till before 8. Yujin couldn't keep up with Sena's energy and stamina, collapsing with grunts.
"Whew... that was rough..."
"Wasn't tired for me—super fun though."
"Same... hehe..."
Yujin forcing a smile.
"Here we go."
The night parade had a different vibe from daytime. Daytime focused on the tall white ladies; now, the huge floats stole the show. Purple, blue... color-shifting parade cars drew the eyes.
Only after the floats passed fully did Sena realize it was night.
Nothing much done, time flown by. Time to head home. As she started getting up...
Yujin looked at Sena.
"Come here for a pic. Gotta from there. Hurry."
"Where?"
Sena followed. A sparkling carousel spun there.
"Photo spot heaven. One shot mandatory."
Selfie first. Then Yujin grabbed a passerby to take one. Sena stood blankly watching.
Impressive.
How do you just grab strangers? And ask favors? Amazing. Awe poured from Sena's eyes.
First pose: safe V-sign. Second: Sena right hand, Yujin left—half hearts joined.
"Thanks."
Yujin checked pics right away, nodding satisfied.
"Look. Came out great."
Sena peeked. Her forced smile embarrassed her.
"Yeah."
"Good. Now, Life Four Cuts."
"...Huh? What's that?"
"Never heard of Life Four Cuts? Photo booth thing."
"Again...?"
How many pics? One's enough. Why? Sena couldn't comprehend.
Her face slipped into a pout for the first time, staring at Yujin.
Yujin waved hands frantically.
"Life Four Cuts is different. Totally. For real."
Life Four Cuts? Ready to go home now, fatigue building. Long outing after ages—energy drained.
But without Yujin, she'd never come in her life—maybe last chance.
"Got it!"
Sena nodded reluctantly.
"Then let's go?"
"Yeeeah..."
Into the tiny booth.
"How we posing?"
"Dunno..."
She really didn't, shaking head. First time—clueless but too shy to say. Figure it'd out by copying.
"Like this then."
Puffed cheeks, half-heart on face.
"Why... this?"
Couldn't get it. Why? Pose begged questions.
"Cute, duh."
"Hmm, is it?"
"Yes. Try. Aish, just copy me."
First: innocent smile. Next: wink with V by eye. Third: fingers hooked, awooo mouth wide, brows furrowed. Last: Yujin still, then hugged frozen Sena at shutter.
Sena's startled blank face captured forever. Ears red instant; Yujin giggled.
"Came out adorable. I keep this, you take that."
"Yeah..."
Embarrassment faded; Sena grinned at pics. Fun once doing it.
"Done now. Anything else wanna do?"
"Wanna do... go home now."
Checked phone for time to head home. Then it hit her.
"Oh, today... wait. Huh? Ah!?"
Forgot to tell Mom...! Total blank. Sena fired off a hasty text now.
Yujin was flustered. First impression: Why stream? You'd thrive just breathing. No, no—everyone's background differs... Yujin approached with max flexibility. Otherwise, everything baffled.
"Here."
"C... can I really come in?"
"Yes! Of course. Mom said it's fine."
Yujin peeked cautiously through the front door. Envy brief—mostly wonder. Entering a place like this. Even the ordinary fluorescent light like her own place made eyes sparkle.
"Come in... hold on."
Sena handed over slippers. New, label intact—probably Daiso bargain.
Yujin saw label: Thrifty even rich. Labels stay on. Slipped them on, followed Sena.
Deeper in, clatter-clatter echoed loud.
"Mom, Sena's home."
"Oh... uh, yeah. Where's the guest?"
"Hello!"
Yujin bowed, thoughts swirling. Why am I here? What's my excuse? What do I say? Help!
"Aigoo~ Hello. Come in. Sena's friend?"
"Uh, well... now... colleagues..."
"Ah~ that streaming thing? Youtuber or whatever, right?"
"Y... yes, correct."
Yujin's face burned. Like when a bank teller asks your job. Similar shame. But better now—most let "Youtuber" slide. If they ask channel, trouble... muddle through.
Oblivious, Sena boasted proudly.
"No, Mom. VTuber, not Youtuber."
"Huh? What's that."
"Sena and Maru-nim are VTubers. Virtual YouTubers. Different."
"Oh, really? What's the difference?"
"They use virtual characters for streams now."
"Huh. Different? Anyway, don't leave guest hanging with chit-chat. Sit comfy. Black tea?"
"No thanks."
Yujin bit lip hard. Please, stop. Enough. No deeper. Please.
"So same Vir... Virtual Youtuber?"
"Ah... yes."
"And Mom, Maru-nim's a super famous VTuber. Don't ask like that. She's hugely popular."
Sena-nim please stop. Yujin screamed inwardly. But Sena barreled on like a runaway train.
"Mom, you subscribed to Maru-nim? No?"
"No Youtube account. Share Dad's."
"Eeng. Make one and subscribe anyway!"
"Later."
"You gotta! And mine too!"
"Sure, had dinner?"
"No, haven't eaten!"
"Yeah? Wait a sec. Rest easy."
Yujin at 90% E-for-embarrassment forced her smile. Should've refused this awkward spot. Regret. But dice rolled.
"Th... thank you." Yujin trailed Sena still.