Birthday Party (2)
'It's been forever since I last went to an amusement park...'
It had been since middle school field trip that I'd even set foot in one.
"Let's start with that one!"
Ye-rim and Ayoung, the most energetic of the bunch, took the lead right away, with Se-rin following close behind. Chaeyeon and I were pretty much dragged along.
"Ugh... I'm getting motion sick."
After being hauled from one roller coaster to the next, I started feeling dizzy. I pulled out the mana recovery potion I'd brought just in case and took a swig.
"What's that?"
Se-rin came over and asked.
"This? ...Medicine?"
"Medicine?? What kind of medicine looks like that? Anyway, what's wrong with you?"
"Haha, well... my body's not exactly normal, you know."
"..."
Se-rin gave me a worried look. The mana potion perked me right up.
"Uh... it's like a tonic. Want a sip?"
"...No thanks. I'm good."
We headed into a restaurant inside the park. It served mostly Korean food, and surprisingly for an amusement park, the prices weren't bad.
"They say the yukhoe bibimbap here is amazing."
I ordered the yukhoe bibimbap on Se-rin's recommendation. She and Ye-rim got the same, while Ayoung and Chaeyeon went for noodles.
"How long are we staying here?"
"Hmm... We were gonna go till night, but maybe head out around dinner and drink at my place?"
I lit up inside at that. Honestly, I was getting tired of the rides.
The yukhoe bibimbap was delicious. Just regular bibimbap with raw beef added, but the flavors harmonized so much better.
Even while eating, I could feel my mana slowly draining to maintain the shape transformation. It was seriously annoying.
Damn... maybe I should just drop it...
I chugged a bit more mana potion and vowed not to use the shape transformation skill next time. I'd learned once that low melanin makes your eye color change—could always blame it on some condition like that.
......
After eating, we hit more rides, but I got dizzy again and sat alone on a bench. I watched Ye-rim, Se-rin, and Ayoung screaming and laughing on the attractions when a guy in a school uniform approached me.
High schooler?
Looked like a school trip. A bit away, a mixed group of boys and girls watched him.
Like those number-daring games from when we were kids?
It was kinda cute, so I stared right into his eyes.
"Something you need?"
"Uh, I... um... could I maybe get your number...?"
His boyish voice cracked a little. A fun idea popped into my head.
"Guess my age right, and I'll give it to you."
"W-wait a sec..."
He whipped out his phone and started tapping away furiously. Looked like he was consulting his friends behind him. How old would they guess?
That's when Chaeyeon, who'd been taking photos of us on the rides, came over.
"Whatcha doing? Who's this guy?"
Chaeyeon still used formal speech with me. Maybe 'cause we both leaned introverted. But our chats flowed easy enough.
"Oh, just playing a guessing game. Hehe."
"Ooh, sounds fun! Mind if I join, kid?"
"Uh... um..."
Chaeyeon flashed a sly, foxlike smile at him. The boy's face started turning red.
"Th-the silver-haired sis is 21, and the brown-haired sis is 22...?"
"Hahaha! See? I look younger!"
Chaeyeon pouted and hung her head. I patted her back while wiping tears of laughter from my eyes.
"Tough luck, buddy. We're both 24."
Just then, the rest of the group came down from the ride. I grabbed the sulking Chaeyeon and patted the boy's shoulder.
We left the fidgety kid behind and rejoined the others.
......
One thing I noticed wandering the park: girls take a ton of photos. Instant photo booth? Snap. Mirror nearby? Mirror selfie. Food? Pic before eating.
I'd barely taken any photos as a guy just months ago, so I couldn't relate. We'd probably taken more today than I had in the last year.
Snacking and playing around, the sky started darkening.
"Oh, the lights are coming on! One last photo before we go!"
At the viewpoint with the castle, the dark park lit up as the castle's lights flickered on. It was a famous photo spot—people lined up.
Finally our turn. We asked the next group to snap a group pic.
"Scoot closer on the sides!"
Ye-rim wriggled up against my left. On my right, Se-rin beamed happily.
Yeah. Today's your day.
I leaned into Se-rin more and put my hand on her right shoulder.
"Smile!"
Click—another unforgettable memory made.
......
We left the park around 8. Returned the rented uniforms and headed to Se-rin's for the birthday party.
"Homeward! I'm starving."
"Let's hit a mart on the way. Need booze too."
A great idea hit me.
"Want me to cook dinner?"
"Ooh, Juwon can cook?"
"Me? A bit. Tell me what you want while we're shopping."
The others eyed me eagerly, but Ye-rim looked skeptical.
"Unnie, you don't trust me?"
"No, I do... I trust you..."
Not liking her vibe, I pinched her soft-looking cheek and stretched it.
Her cheek elongated.
"Eek... it huuurts~"
"Sigh, just trust me once, okay?"
"O-okay... let gooo...)
I released her cheek. Felt so good I wanted to keep going, but nah.
......
"No allergies, right? How about steak—safe choice?"
"Love it!"
"Sounds good."
Sirloin steak chunks, butter, garlic, potatoes, lemon. Other stuff was at Se-rin's.
"I gotta watch my weight... just a little for me..!"
Right—Ayoung was prepping for idol debut. Needed something special for her.
Loaded up a basket with veggies and such. Paid for my picks, of course. The others grabbed wine and snacks.
Bags full in both hands, off to Se-rin's apartment.
......
Se-rin's place was an apartment. She lived with parents, but they were on family trip till tomorrow. Dinner was late, so I jumped right in.
Tied on an apron to avoid oil splatters and prepped ingredients.
"Open that window a bit~"
"Got it!"
Ventilation on, I started peeling the potatoes. Ten years' worth of skill flowed through my hands.
Whoa... I've never even touched a knife before.
Peeled smooth, chunked 'em big, and boiled. First dish: potato puree.
Mashed boiled potatoes seasoned simply with salt, butter, sugar, etc. Great side for steak or solo.
Mashed the steaming potatoes with a big spoon, mixed in milk and butter till creamy. Added mayo, salt, sugar, pepper to taste.
Tasted it.
"Mmm, perfect."
Shaped into rounds.
"Whoa, puree?"
Ye-rim sidled up, swallowing hard.
"Want a bite? You must be hungry."
"Yeah, thanks."
She scooped some and ate. Her eyes widened.
"Wow! So creamy... Juwon, you really know how to cook?"
I shrugged with a grin. Heh, game character perks.
Shooed her out before she stole more, then onto the main: steak.
Salted and peppered the sirloin ahead. Oiled the pan, preheated medium-high.
Melted butter, seared. 4-5 mins per side. Flipped, basted with butter and minced garlic. Another 5 mins, rested 8.
Delicious smells filled the kitchen; everyone gathered at the table.
"Whoa... looking pro."
"That face, that figure, and she cooks? Total cheat."
"And she's killer at games..."
All five steaks done, plated with veggie garnishes.
"Dig in~"
They sliced and bit right away.
"Heek... so good?"
"Wow... seriously delicious.."
The steak was perfection. With puree, flavors exploded.
Ye-rim poured wine for all.
"Steak needs wine. Cheers! Clink!"
Ting-ting!
We savored the feast in warm vibes.
Halfway through steak, I got up for Ayoung's dish.
"Huh? Where to?"
"Making a salad for our Ayoungie."
"Heek... unnie, you're too sweet?"
She kept munching steak, which just made her cuter.
Healthy, low-cal fruit salad from Se-rin's fridge—good dessert too.
"Apple, pear, green grapes, kiwi, lemon? That'll do."
Washed, prepped: diced apple/pear, sliced kiwi, halved grapes.
Mixed honey, lemon juice, low-sugar yogurt dressing. Tossed with gloved hands. Plated pretty, served to the finished eaters.
"Ooh, fruit salad?"
Felt invigorated; we devoured dessert.
As I cleared plates, lights went out.
"Huh?"
Se-rin and I blinked, but then Ayoung and Chaeyeon returned with a lit cake.
"Happy birthday~"
Oh right. Se-rin's birthday—that's why we were here. Forgot for a sec.
"To our beloved Se-rin~"
I snapped to, singing and clapping along.
"Happy birthday~"
"Whoa... thanks, guys..."
Two big candles, four small. "Happy 24th."
"Thanks... Juwon..."
Se-rin beamed, touched. Then Chaeyeon brought a box, smiling.
"Here's my birthday gift..."
Oh.
Shit. I forgot the gift.