Super Duper Super Secret Mission Pt. 1
Semi clicked on one of Subong’s voice messages from the prior night as she sat in the alley behind the convenience store for a smoke break.
“Hey señorita, you free tomorrow night—wait, today night? I don’t know whatever night, yeah—” The message clicked off.
Semi rolled her eyes, it sounded like he had accidentally messaged her, and clicked the next message.
“Mr. Jeongsa needs some help-” A whoop interrupted the voice that sounded suspiciously like Namgyu. “Shut-up. It’s your turn-” A crash and then the voice message ended.
Semi took a drag of her cigarette and exhaled as she clicked the next message. She didn’t like the direction the messages were heading.
“Sorry, the idiot took my phone. Big man said he’d cut some of your debt-” It sounded like the phone was dropped and then the message ended.
Semi finished her cigarette and smashed the butt under her foot. Then she clicked on the final message.
“Anyways, make some guy pay up eight million and he’ll cut two million. We can talk later. GOOD NIGHT WOOOOO!” Subong screamed at the end of the message.
Semi shook her head and shoved her phone back into her pocket. Two million seemed like a large amount to just ask a guy to pay his loan, but it was such a trivial amount compared to the massive debt her father had left when he died. Money didn’t even make sense anymore after she had seen all the zeros. She guessed that was how her father ended up justifying all the gambling.
Semi stood up and picked up the milk crate she had been sitting on and walked back inside. “Anything happen while I was gone?” Semi asked Junhee.
Junhee shook her head. “Just a few kids buying snacks.”
Semi nodded. “Cool.” She glanced at the clock, six more hours until she could ask what the voice messages meant, if Subong even remembered, if he was even home.
☺
Finally, the evening shift person arrived and Semi could walk home. She waved good-bye to Junhee before shoving her earbuds in and walking away. It was a short walk to the apartment, only two songs, three if they were short, but it was still peaceful. Semi smiled as she nodded along to the music.
Behind the door to the apartment, Semi could hear loud music and Subong rapping. She pushed open the door. Inside was a group of girls watching Subong perform in the middle of the living room. Semi chuckled as she slid her shoes off.
Subong finished his performance with a flourish. “How’d you ladies like that?” He asked, which was met by a series of cheers and clapping.
One of the girls looked back at Semi. “Is that your girlfriend?”
Subong looked at Semi and smirked. “No, but my wonderful lady is single.”
Semi raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. The girls were looking at each other awkwardly.
One of the girls looked back at Subong. “So, are you like, into that stuff? Do you want me to kiss her?” She asked.
Semi laughed. “Sorry, you’re not my type.” She looked over at Subong. “And I’m probably not yours. I’m not a washed-up rapper.”
Subong pouted. “I’m not washed-up, so just shut up, I’m tired of this stuff.”
“Yeah, Thanos is legendary.” The girl defended.
Subong put his arm over the girl’s shoulder. “That’s right, I’m a legend, never hedging, pushing things past the edge, hmmm.” He struck a pose.
Semi burst out laughing. “Have fun.” She said as she walked away to her bedroom and closed the door. The girls would leave eventually, why they would willingly come to their shitty apartment in the first place was beyond Semi. She guessed that was probably just how much star power Subong held, too bad popularity didn’t equal money. Well, it did, Subong was just terrible at spending it.
She sat down on the bed and turned her music back on, staring up at the ceiling in thought. On the one hand she felt bad for Subong and Namgyu, that guy’s stock investment scheme had wiped out all of their money, but also part of their debt was their own fault. And the fact that neither ever learned frustrated her. She reached beside the bed and pulled up her bag. She opened it and grabbed her sketchbook and pencils.
It was nice to have a place she could draw in silence, where no one would bug her and say she should try to sell stuff to an art gallery. She didn’t have the time or money to do that, plus she was just having fun; it wasn’t serious. She started to sketch the outline of the strange sculpture their previous roommate had left. It had been stressful for the rent aspect, but Semi was glad the dude was gone; he had been a major asshole and super messy, not just messy—dirty.
Semi put down her pencil and pulled out her phone. She wondered how Minsu was doing; she had given him a key the previous night but she hadn’t heard anything from him since that morning. She tapped her phone, fingers catching on the cracks. Maybe she should text him? She wondered.
What time were u coming back tn? Do u need help moving stuff? She texted him, before setting her phone down and returning to her drawing.
Her phone chimed and she looked over at Minsu’s text. Thank you for the offer
Another text. But I’m okay there isn’t much and the guy whose couch I was sleeping on already put my things in a box ha ha ha
K Semi texted back before setting her phone down and resuming her drawing.
☺
It was around eight when Minsu arrived. Semi only heard his arrival due to Subong and his crowd making noise. She stuck her head out the door. There was a box by the door and Subong was hugging Minsu and guiding him over to the group, although it was only one girl now, so, not a group. Minsu waved at Semi and she waved back.
“Minsu, this is my girl, Mina.” Subong introduced the girl sitting with him.
Mina made a face. “I’m not your girl.” She complained.
“Relax, baby. It just means that you’re cool, yeah.” Subong replied as he sat down on the couch, dragging Minsu with him.
Mina smiled, apparently calmed by that statement.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mina.” Minsu smiled at Mina.
Subong ruffled Minsu’s hair. “Isn’t my bro so cute?”
Minsu chuckled weakly as Mina stared at him.
“He seems more pathetic than cute, how old are you?” Mina asked.
“Uh, I was born in 1997.” Minsu replied.
Mina laughed. “And you still let him treat you like that?”
“Well- I- I mean he is my hyung.” Minsu stammered.
Subong tightened his grip on Minsu. “Hey, don’t disrespect my boy like that.”
Mina twirled her hair. “Sorry.”
Semi needed Mina to leave. Semi turned to Subong. “Wasn’t there something we needed to do tonight?”
Subong stared at her. “Huh, whatcha talking about, señorita?”
Semi sighed; he didn’t remember. “Last night, you told me I needed to be free tonight.”
Subong looked around. “Oh, oh, right, right.” He looked at Mina. “Farewell, señorita.”
Mina stood up and grabbed her things, leaving without a word and a pissed off expression on her face.
After she left, Subong turned to face Semi. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were trying to do a bit to get her to leave.”
Semi snorted. “Well, that. But you actually sent me voice messages last night about doing something tonight.”
Subong stared at her. “Wait, for real, man?” Subong pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. “Why the fuck can’t I replay messages on this piece of shit.” He tossed his phone on the floor. Perhaps the 55k phone case had actually been a wise investment.
Minsu looked at Semi. “Uh, is this a private thing? I can leave.” He sat up and slid away from Subong.
“Is it?” Subong asked.
“Yes, let’s just go to my room to talk and let Minsu unpack.” Semi said as she walked towards her room.
Subong hopped up from the couch. “Okay, hang tight Minsu, my boy. It’s gonna be alright. This ain’t a fight, yuh.”
Semi sighed before letting Subong through the door and closing it behind him.
Subong hopped onto her bed. “So, what is it?”
Semi pinched her brow. “Last night, you and Namgyu, sent voice messages about Mr. Jeongsa needing help getting some money from someone.”
“Wait, lemme text Namsu.” Subong reached for his phone. “Where’s my phone?”
Semi shook her head. “You left it in the living room.” She pulled out her phone and dialed in Namgyu’s number. “I’ll call him.”
The line rang for a while before Namgyu picked up. “The fuck you want, bitch? I’m at work. Wait, is Thanos okay?”
“I’m good, bro!” Subong shouted from Semi’s bed.
“Did you lose your phone, man?” Namgyu asked.
“Nah, it’s just in the living room. Yo, Semi said Big man needed something tonight.”
Namgyu paused. “Lemme go somewhere quiet.”
Semi looked over at Subong as they waited. “Were you seriously trying to set me up with one of your fangirls earlier?”
“Of course, always gotta support a baddie. Legendary Thanos is the BEST wing-man.” Subong declared.
Semi chuckled and shook her head. “Thank you, though.”
“You’re welcome.” Subong stood up and bowed.
“Right, so, Semi’s supposed to get money from some old guy for Mr. Jeongsa.” Namgyu’s voice interrupted.
“Why me?” Semi asked.
“Welllllll, he asked us, but we thought we’d be gracious enough to offer the opportunity to you.” Namgyu responded.
Semi rolled her eyes. “Why can’t he send one of his usual people, though? Is the guy dangerous?”
“I don’t know, just carry a taser or something.” Namgyu replied.
“Hey, Semi’s not gonna be hurt, right? I want her to feature on my next album, man.” Subong interjected.
“Go and back her up then. You can split the two million.” Namgyu answered.
Subong fidgeted with his rings. “Two million’s like nothing, man.”
Semi fiddled with her lip ring. “But it’s a lot for a simple loan repayment job. There’s gotta be a catch.”
“You ask too many questions. The guy’s name is Seong Gihun, I’ll text the address and you can go. If it goes south just run away.” Namgyu said before hanging up. A few seconds later a text pinged with a location.
Semi sighed. “I guess we should get going. Let’s just get this over with.”
Subong nodded and jumped up from the bed. “Thanos and Semi, tag-team mission, whooo!” Subong looped his arm around hers and dragged her out of the room and to the door.
Minsu looked up from his box. “Are the two of you going somewhere?”
“Yeah, we’ll be back soon.” Semi replied.
“Let’s go!” And Subong pulled her out of the door.
Semi let herself get dragged down the street by an exuberant Subong. He had taken something when they were in her room. He always did that whenever there was a situation.
“Oh, Semi, yo, Semi, you got that taser, shooting laser? Nothing's gonna phase her, yuh.” Subong rapped.
Semi tapped her pocket. She always carried one. “Yeah. We’re about to get on the train so you need to calm down.”
“No problem.” Subong slapped his cheeks and stared forward.
Semi patted his back. “Good.”