Triple Date: One Day in June
Youth and young souls sweating with passion and academic fervor spilled out onto the streets. Instead of a fitting name for the area, they borrowed the name of the university nearby. Youth shines with color. It seems full of personality, yet those unique lights gather into a pure, colorless white. Flaunting individuality while being utterly generic. Still, it's a nameless hotspot in Seoul that draws crowds. The entrance to Hongdae on a weekend.
Standing on that familiar street, I'm waiting for someone. I'm not the patient type, but I think waiting for someone is truly wonderful. Even without seeing it, believing they'll come to meet me. Isn't it cool that they'll honor that trust? It might be grueling and tough for the one waiting, but if you see it as the buildup to the highlight of meeting, doesn't even the standing time feel joyful? At least, that's how I see it.
"Big trouble! Emergency!!"
And I hoped Lara and Yoko felt the same. Dodging through the crowds, squeezing through narrow gaps toward the meeting spot. We had over three hours including getting there. Now we're ten minutes late. Shouldn't have played one more rank match. Tried to recover lost points with a few more games.
My phone in my pocket buzzes nonstop with messages and calls. I pick up amid the rush.
"Hello—"
"…."
Damn. Thought it was Yoko, but it was Lara. Wouldn't have picked up if I knew it was you.
"Almost there. Right in front!"
I spit out the classic latecomer excuse and sprint off. If I'd just started out saying that, I'd need bodyguards instead of taking the subway right now—but luckily, it's not a total lie, which is a small comfort.
"Ah! There she is! Lara~!!"
I wave, and far off, the blonde ponytail sways. She's pouting, mumbling something, but frowns even harder when she spots the running boy.
"You little shit…"
"Sorry I'm late. Bus was delayed."
Before Lara can snap, I apologize and hand over the bubble tea I grabbed on the way. Of course, no bus delay for one I didn't take. Might not have been late if I hadn't chugged one because I was thirsty. But whatever. I'm here now, and I've brought tribute as atonement.
"…."
Lara glares like she wants to kill me, but softens at the sight of the drink and quietly takes it. Probably got thirsty waiting. She squints her eyes upward a bit and slurps it noisily. See? Sincerity is key. What's forgiveness without it? Show real heart and effort, and nothing's unforgivable. People love visible gestures.
"Phew…."
I sigh in relief at dodging Lara's wrath, then Yoko pokes my back from behind.
"Candy?"
"…."
I rummage in my pocket at Yoko's words and find one leftover caramel. I hand it over, and Yoko cradles it in both hands, looking up.
"What about me?"
"…We'll buy some later. No time now."
"Hmph, cheapskate~."
Yoko seemed thrilled at first, so I figured she'd complain less without it—but she got pretty pissed at the wait, matching her expectations. In the end, she squeezes a bubble tea out of me too, then crosses her arms and scans around.
Lara, who hangs out here often, and even I for work or gigs—we know this street's vibe. It changes every time yet stays the same. Yoko, lost in that nostalgic scent, lights up.
"Hongdae... I've always wanted to come here~!"
"Party people central! Most popular spot in Korea, right?"
"Probably? I come play here a lot."
"I see~... So how far is it from here! What should we do first?"
"Uh…."
At Yoko's high energy, I hesitate, looking troubled. Because I've never actually hung out here either. Especially not with peers. Hell, I had no peers or friends back then. When I did go out, it wasn't Hongdae. Why would fancy folks slum it in Hongdae bars for drinks? Lee Jeongyeon dragged me a few times, but even she didn't come here just to hang with a kid. Usually grabbed pocket money from Lee Junwoo and hit a nearby PC bang.
In the end, Hongdae was a first for me too, just like Yoko. So we had to leave it to Lara.
"Leave it to popular Lara here. She comes often, so she'll guide us nicely."
"Lara-senpai... popular girl! Real deal~."
Lara averts her eyes from our expectant stares, crunches ice loudly, and exhales shortly.
"I come with friends sometimes, but... not sure there's much to do…."
"What do you usually do with them?"
"Eat, browse clothes... walk around. What else is there?"
"Sounds like you don't need Hongdae for that. Jongno has clothing stores and department store HQs right there."
Prices are steep, but Hongdae's inflated too—no big difference. Plus, quality crushes it at the department store.
"No real need to come all the way to Hongdae…?"
At my valid point, Lara says nothing, dumps more ice in her mouth, and chews the straw. Yoko, watching quietly, chimes in with a complaining glare.
"Senpai, you total loser?"
"…."
"We're just here to have fun—quit overthinking, please~."
Her eyes mix pity and scorn; it hurts. Extra 'cause it's true. People can lack folks to eat with, damn it. Keep it up, and I'll add you to my "closest friends" list at school with Lee Junwoo and Moon Juhee.
I shut my mouth, sulking alone. With the troublemaker quiet, Yoko turns to Lara to enjoy the holiday.
"So... wanna check out some clothes?"
Yoko nods at Lara's suggestion, and by majority rule, our first stop is a clothing store. "Heading there" sounds funny—clothes shops litter the street. A short walk, and flashy outfits hang in lines instead of spotlights and decor.
I couldn't care less, but Yoko seems intrigued. Her eyes sparkle at the shops—not just clothes, but the whole Hongdae vibe. Whatever, as long as she's happy.
Not into fashion, I eye nearby cafes and eateries as we walk.
"Pretty sure it was around here... Ah, this one, Yoko."
We arrive at Lara's pick. Modern white-and-black with soft lighting tempering the chill. For Hongdae, it's subdued. Lara scans for someone inside.
"Off today, huh…."
"Who?"
"Friend works here... Ah, there. Sis!"
Lara spots a sharp-featured clerk and calls. She hustles over, eyes widening.
"Lara~! Here for your sis~?"
The clerk hugs Lara lightly, rubs her back, then steps back to chat.
"Been a while. You skip when I'm working—too distracting? Here for clothes?"
"Nah. Just passed by, thought of you. Might browse new stuff while here."
"Yeah? Hmm…."
She squints at the group behind Lara. Glance at Yoko. At me. Back to Yoko, then me again.
"Hmmmm…."
Did she figure me out? I reflexively cover my face with my sleeve; Yoko does too.
"…Why're you hiding? You're Yoko, right?"
"Thought she might recognize me too... I'm hiding my face~! Famous VOCALOID P, Syobare—shocking identity reveal!"
"Pfft, you're so full of it, Yoko. Who'd know you? You pulled aggro early as Syobare, but the stream flopped—views and inflows tanked."
"What? Wanna go? Senpai's ignoring my 1.5 mil subs."
"Hasn't grown in two weeks, and your new channel's at 200k. Barely half the views."
"Guh... Spouting harsh facts…!"
Yoko trembles at the undeniable truth. I glance at her, then back to Lara. Sis probably guessed who I am but stays quiet out of consideration for Lara bringing me along.
"Mm-hmm."
Nodding to herself, she ushers us in and shows new arrivals.
"Ooh!"
Not into fashion, I skim prices and gape. Yoko eyes a rainbow sweater, checks her wallet, and sets it down. Lara chats with sis, glances at Yoko, and asks.
"Sis, mind picking outfits if you're free?"
"Outfits? Yours?"
"No, not me. That kid in the plaid shirt. Pick for her. Can't stand what she's wearing."
Lara frowns; clueless Yoko checks her clothes and asks me quizzically.
"My outfit weird?"
At Yoko's question, I recall her fashion sense and give honest feedback.
"Froggy as hell."
"Whaaat…."
"Original's pretty so it softens the blow, but yeah, dresses like trash…."
"Ah, tomodachi—wait, no, it's you!"
"Me what?"
"Always uniform or hoodie! Even now, tracksuit and hoodie!"
Yoko bristles at the fashion jab, pointing at my clothes—but her complaint has a fatal flaw.
"Yoko, I don't dress like this 'cause I lack fashion sense."
"Then why~?"
"No clothes."
"…No kidding? Buy some then!"
"No money."
"Oh nooo!"
Yoko gasps, hands over mouth, pitying the poor teen recycling outfits. Lara shakes her head at my butt-hurt look and tugs Yoko's hem.
"C'mere, Yoko. I'll buy you one—let's pick."
"N-not me, Senpai…."
"No need for him."
"Why?"
"Bought him one so he wouldn't dress like a bum—sold it used."
"…."
Yoko's scornful gaze hits me.
"For real?"
"…No, wait."
"Trash. Die."
With Lara's add-on and Yoko's contempt, I slink back meekly. I'm wronged, okay? Sold it 'cause no dinner money. Gotta eat to live. But no excuses—don't wanna relive hours of character assassination after Lara barely let it slide. I follow quietly.
Yoko steps forward; clerk and Lara scan her. Clerk frowns after eyeing her up and down like a perv.
"Hmm... base material's good… What to try? Anything'd suit, probably."
"Sleeveless with thick jacket on top? Boxy tee too. Thoughts, sis?"
"Dunno. Try on first. Unlike you, she's got size—form-fitting could work."
"…."
"Yoko, right? Size?"
At the question, Yoko glances shyly at me, then whispers to Lara. Lara relays it verbatim.
"Two sizes bigger than me."
"Lara!!"
The whisper's pointless now. Yoko whines at Lara; Lara glances at me and sighs. Not sure what it means, but probably not positive.
Lara apologizes to Yoko; clerk recites her size.
"Okay, C-cup…."
"Sis. I'm B."
"What?"
"I'm B. Yoko's D."
Lara corrects; clerk bursts laughing.
"No way, you bitch. How're you B? I know what you look like naked… Flunked A in electives, but you hit A twice—AA straight-A student. Scholarship hunt?"
"…."
"Nah, not straight—curves inward, so Triple A. B? Pfft, like a Duracell AA bitch yapping."
Sis cackles at Lara. Lara laughs along, but I spot her clenched fist and step back two paces without a word. Yoko senses it and retreats behind me; I nod, waiting for Lara's signal.
"Seonggwang."
"Yeah."
"Take Yoko out—let me talk to sis."
"Roger."
We bolt outside; Lara corners the clerk for a quiet word. They say a woman's grudge brings frost in May. No snow, but in a June clothing store, we saw a shivering woman like winter alone. Face pale from the cold. I hate cold, so I vow not to look below her eyes today and wait with Yoko for it to end.
It was winter in June.