Triple Date - 2

After the store clerk who touched Lara's reverse scale got thoroughly shaken down, we head back to the shop, keeping an eye on her mood. Lara has a refreshed face like her anger's all vented, while her sister below her is trembling like a leaf. What the hell could have made her like that? What reason would make her so terrified even against Lara, who's quite a bit younger? Their conversation piques my curiosity, but I'm a guy who values his life—Life the Seonggwang. No point buying unnecessary wrath, so I decide to shut my trap and stay quiet.

"Phew… Anyway, Yoko, try on some clothes first. Put on what I picked for you."

"Y-yesss…."

"…Why are you so stiff and rigid?"

"N-no, it's nothing…."

Yoko, taking a few outfits from Lara, fumbles around in the fitting room before drawing the curtain to reveal herself. She tugs awkwardly at her pant legs, like the clothes don't quite fit right, and the clerk and Lara finally look satisfied, beaming with pride. And me….

"It's okay, but it's a bit too hip. Kinda gives off delinquent vibes. Yoko looks cuter with a bit of that total nerd charm."

"Iljin? What's that?"

Now I'm the one who wants to ask. I know what a jjindda is, but why doesn't she know iljin? They're a pair. A set menu. I ponder how to explain iljin to her, then decide to use a local Japanese analogy for quick understanding.

"Like gyaru, or the same thing."

"Eh, do I look like a bitch? Seriously? But I'm a virgin!"

Since when did gyaru become a synonym for slut or whore? I thought it just meant girls who party in Japan, but maybe the meaning's different locally? Whatever, cultural differences—let it slide. That's not the point.

"Hey, Yoko. Say that, and what does that make Lara? You look just like her right now."

"Eeeeeh? Do I look like Lara-sunbae right now? For realz? My image is totally ruined~?"

"Totally Lara. Minami Lara."

"No wayyy… I'm turning into Lara…."

At the words that she resembles Lara, Yoko wilts, and Lara, who'd been shooting uncomfortable glances from the side, chimes in.

"Yoko."

"Y-yes."

"You hate looking like me? Huh? You're making such ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a disgusted face."

"Eh."

Lara's expression darkens. That smile's widening gap, the tilt of her eyes—Lara Pout Detector Seonggwang reads it as Level 2 Danger. One wrong word, and she'll simmer you for ages, grumbling forever. In the heavy atmosphere, I signal Yoko desperately, and she catches the vibe and my SOS, scrambling to fix it.

"Eh. N-no, that's not it."

"Not it? So you like it?"

"Y-yes! I like it! Super like it! Love it! Totally love it! I'll buy this outfit! I wanna be Lara-sunbae!!"

"Really? Then buy this one? You like it?"

"Yes! Yoko… has always admired gangsters!"

"Gangster what… Seriously okay to buy this? Don't feel obligated on my account. Pick whatever you want."

"It's fine. This one's seriously my style. And since my friend picked it. I wanna wear what she chose. Treasure it."

At Yoko's beaming smile, Lara's pout melts away, her dewy eyes sparkling under the lights like she's touched.

"Yoko…!"

Moved by Yoko's attitude, Lara pulls out her card from her wallet, glancing back at me slyly.

"Not buying for you."

"Never asked, Lara."

"Never buying for you ever."

Pouting, Lara huffs and heads to the counter with her sister. Honestly, yeah, it was my bad, but I didn't expect her to sulk this hard. If I'd known it'd hurt that much, I'd have skipped a meal instead of mouthing off. Seeing Yoko's desperate ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flattery, Lara smiles, checks the price tag, and pulls out her card.

"So, Yoko. Size okay? I gave you a bigger top than mine, same pants size just in case."

"Uh, that… it's a bit loose."

"Yeah? You're taller than me, so get a bigger size. Sis!"

Lara calls the clerk, but Yoko tugs her sleeve, shrinking back. Wondering what's up, I notice Yoko's hand keeps going to her pant waist.

"It's… a bit big. Slipping down."

"…Slipping down?"

At Lara's echo, Yoko glances at me shyly and nods. Lara frowns, checks if maybe the size is off, but finds nothing wrong and tilts her head. After thinking hard…

"Ah."

She utters that one word, freezing in place, expression and body rigid. Yoko, back in her nerd outfit for checkout, looks puzzled at Lara.

"Eh, Lara-sunbae okay?"

"What's 'jawarudo,' Yoko? Some game…?"

Hearing that, Yoko's face sours, and she clicks her tongue at me briefly.

"Sheesh. You don't know this either? Not on the same level!"

"…?"

I have no clue what level mismatch she's on about, but damn, it felt unfair. Manga or anime reference? Should've paid attention when Moon Juhee rambled on. Brushing off my knowledge gap with regret, I glance at Yoko's return outfit and toss out a line.

"Yeah, Yoko. That suits you best!"

"Whaaat… But is the plaid that outdated?"

As Yoko doubts her fashion sense, Lara stares blankly at Yoko's pants alone. Puzzled by the size mismatch? I'm curious too. Doesn't make sense.

"Weird. You're taller than Lara, but pants too small? Not even long. Why just the waist slipping?"

At my words, Lara's body jerks. About to ask what's wrong, Yoko pokes my back and whispers.

"…Sunbae. Not the legs—Lara-sunbae's… kinda big, so it doesn't fit."

"Legs? Didn't seem to have extra length."

"Not that……that……dekashiri."

"What? Speak clearly, Yoko. What's with Lara."

"Big ass."

"Aha."

Fully getting it, I sympathize a bit with Lara's expression but still can't quite grasp it. Big butt's a good thing, right? People pay to get one. Proportions are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠perfect, wide hips—total model build. Shouldn't she be proud? That's what I think, but Yoko suddenly giggles, covering her mouth.

"Sunbae. So cute. What a babe."

At her gesture, I lean in, and she glances at Lara's backside, whispering with laughter, even slipping in familiar lyrics and melody.

"She whose ass is too big~"

"…."

A few seconds after that striking line, retribution from behind Lara flies at Yoko's back. Watching Yoko get her ear yanked, I realize two things: Lara has sharper ears than expected. And she can deliver a flying kick even in jeans. Gotta watch my mutterings from now on—new lesson etched. To the self-sacrificing Yoko, I offer peace and blessings. Precepts are written in blood; to the survivors, send condolences to the fallen.

"Got it."

"It hurts! Really hurts!! So what if her ass is big! It's great!"

"It's my complex! Thighs and ass don't slim down at all!"

Oh, one more: Lara's athletic secret's her solid lower body.

The chaotic shopping ends, Lara pays cash for all Yoko's clothes. Yoko's grinning ear-to-ear with bags in hand. And just Seonggwang. One shopping trip, and I'm wiped out.

"Time's getting on… Let's eat. Hey, Lara-jinni, recommend a spot."

"Whatcha wanna eat? There's good dakgalbi nearby."

"Dakgalbi… Can Yoko handle spicy?"

"I eat spicy fine. Chigeum udon no water needed."

"Lara, find something else. Western stuff."

At my words, Lara suggests a handmade burger joint nearby, and with no better option, we head there to fill up. Inside, we order via kiosk. Lara: shrimp burger. Yoko: original. And me….

"…Why aren't you ordering?"

"On a diet."

"You?"

"No, my wallet. Helping it stick to the diet. Says it wants a bikini this summer."

"…Jeez."

Looking at me pitifully, Lara orders an extra burger single. She flicks the order ticket at me, rests her chin, waiting expectantly.

"C'mon, gratitude?"

"When the burger comes."

"Why wait? Do it now. Scared I'll steal it?"

"Prayer to the Lord is pre-meal tradition. Thanks for today's daily bread. Oh my Christ Jesus the Lara…!!"

"What a clown… It's Dad's money for you guys to eat and play anyway. But hearing that makes buying worth it."

Lara blushes, grinning wide. A holy glow shines behind her; I shield my eyes with my arms.

"Ack! How long you gonna shine, Angel the Lara! Can't open my eyes 'cause of you! Lord, please take this angel before me…."

"Getting annoying. Stop."

"Yes'm."

Honestly, overdid the flattery to score an extra. Lara likes praise but not excess—too fake? Gotta make it more natural next time.

"Oh, it's out."

Chatting idly, our burgers arrive; we each grab one. Small-mouthed Lara nibbles daintily, eating neatly. Yoko shoves a huge bite, devouring aggressively. As a feminist Seonggwang respecting gender diversity, no biases against women, but that messy is a bit much.

"Ah, so tasty."

Staring at sauce-smeared-cheeked Yoko, I pop fries Lara feeds me. Nothing beats Lara. Look at her—grabbing three or four fries without asking if I want any. Wait, Lara shares a couple 'cause we're friends without saying…

"…What. Lara, you didn't order fries as side?"

"Onion rings."

"Then what's this."

I hold up a fry she's been feeding me; instead of answering, Lara quietly shifts her gaze aside. There's Yoko, scarfing like a dog on kibble.

"……."

"Why. I bought her clothes."

With that, Lara sneaks a fry into my mouth so Yoko won't notice. I chew the fry, glance at them, recall today's total spend, and quietly munch.

"…Crispy."

Satisfied meal done, at Yoko's request, we wander Hongdae a bit more. Street busking, dazzling bar signs as night falls. Neon replacing stars. Yoko's thrilled; Lara and I enjoy the rare holiday too. Time flies; soon it's time to head back.

"…Haa, so fun."

"Glad you enjoyed."

"Yes, really fun."

Content Yoko stretches; I shift sleeping Lara to her shoulder, chiming in. Yoko's eyes still sparkle with today's streets and fun. Hongdae that great? Nah, more to her satisfaction.

"You've been to spots like this with Japanese friends, right?"

"…Yeah. True."

At her vague reply, I don't pry, change topics.

"Let's hang again, Yoko. Long as we're together, we can keep playing."

"Really? You'll come?"

"Of course."

As long as you meet quota. "Even without us, go with other friends."

High school three years. Youth means mingling widely too. Art needs interaction. Locked alone? No masterpieces. All art completes through others.

"Experience lots. You too, Lara."

"…Me too?"

"Yeah. When I heard your song…."

Nosy? Not the time—today's fun day. Don't ruin the mood. Let play days stay joyful. As I think that, Yoko's stop nears. She grabs her bag, prepping to leave.

"…Gotta go. Today was really fun. Thanks, Lara-sunbae, Sunbae."

Train stops; announcement plays.

At that, Yoko stands by the door, turning her head slightly with that smile. I return it with my own, giving our usual farewell.

"See ya tomorrow."

For some reason, she giggles mischievously.

"Tomorrow's Sunday! Say 'see ya Monday'! I know Korean, y'know?"

"Oh, you know Monday too? Studied hard."

Impressed, but I correct one thing. Not teasing; no mistake.

"Tomorrow for real, Yoko. We'll meet tomorrow."

"…Huh?"

Doors open; uncomprehending Yoko turns. Seeing her, I explain.

"We'll meet tomorrow."

"What."

"Just you and me. No Lara."

I wave, waiting for her to go.

"See ya tomorrow!"

One more goodbye to send her off. But timing off— she doesn't exit.

"……."

Face frozen, she stands still.

Door blocks path from non-exiting passenger; awkward train departs.

"Uh… Yoko? Not going?"

"………"

I stare blankly at lingering Yoko; meeting eyes, she whispers blankly.

"…Date."

After that, no words between us. Just note: Yoko's homecoming that day got delayed a tad. Just one extra stop.