Not Squid Game
It had been a few days since Junhee had visited and they hadn’t worked together since. Semi was tempted to text her but she didn’t want to be weird or bothersome. She stared at the cracked screen of her phone as she thought about texting Junhee. What would she even say? Semi sighed and shoved her phone in her pocket. She had the day off tomorrow, maybe she could ask Junhee to hang out. What would they do though? Neither of them had money to do typical friend stuff like coffee or movies.
There was a knock on the door. “Señorita, open the door. Don’t act like it’s a chore, I promise I’ll never bore.”
Semi stared at the door. Subong continued to knock. She stood up and opened it. “You could’ve just walked in.”
Subong pointed at the hole in the door. “There’s no doorknob.”
Semi crossed her arms. “How do you think I opened it?”
Subong shrugged. “I dunno.”
Semi sighed. “Whaddya want?”
Subong grinned and pulled out his phone. He showed her the screen.
Semi squinted at the phone. “What? How do you even see anything on here? Parts of your screen are just black.”
Subong pouted and shoved his phone back into his pocket. “It’s for a new game show. We have to be there at 7am. They need me and a chick. That’s why I chose you, señorita.” Subong smiled and wiggled his eyebrows.
Semi stared at him. “Is it a couple show?”
Subong shrugged. “I dunno, I can’t read that part.”
Semi rolled her eyes. “No shit. What’s it called? I can look it up on my phone.”
“No, my agent sent it to me.”
Semi raised an eyebrow. “You have one of those?”
Subong stared at her. “Yeah?”
Semi hummed. “Is there a cash prize?”
Subong shrugged. “I dunno, but they gotta have some kinda prize.”
Semi played with her lip ring. “Why are you asking me and not someone else?”
Subong slung his arm over Semi’s shoulder. “Because you’re gonna be on my next album and this is good exposure.”
Semi side-eyed him. “Is this another rapping competition?”
Subong shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He patted Semi’s back. “Whatever it is, you’ll be fantastic. GOODNIGHT, SEÑORITA!” He waved as he left her room.”
Semi stared at the door and groaned. “I never said yes, asshole.”
☺
Semi rubbed her eyes and yawned as she sipped on the free coffee. It was 7am and they were standing backstage on the set for, oh, wait, a couple show.
Subong patted her on the back. “I’m sorry, señorita. I didn’t know it was a couple show, for real.”
Semi shrugged. “We get money for being here. And more if we win.”
A staff member waved at them. “Can you please come over here for make-up?”
Semi finished her coffee and walked over to the table. She sat down, and the make-up artist came over and started to paint her face. “Can I have smokey, black eyeliner?” Semi asked.
“Yes, that would look good with your visuals.” The make-up artist replied.
“Perfect.”
“So how long have you known your boyfriend? I’ve seen him before; he’s the guy who forgot his lines in that rap competition, right?” The make-up artist chatted.
Semi held back a laugh. “We’ve known each other since high school.”
“Awww, high school sweethearts.” The make-up artist cooed.
“Ah, no, he’s five years older than me.” Semi smiled, holding back her laughter.
“Oh.” The make-up artist paused. “That’s cute that you’ve known each other a while. Stay still, sweetie.” She said as she painted Semi’s lips.
Semi looked at herself in the mirror. She looked cute with make-up on and trolling the poor make-up artist was entertaining. The show was going to be fun.
Subong sat down next to her. “Woah, señorita. Looking fine.”
Semi snorted. “Thanks, baby.”
Subong giggled and the make-up artist glanced over at him, a confused look on her face. She finished Semi’s make-up. “You’re good to go.”
Semi stood up and bowed. “Thank you.”
“Everyone up on stage.” One of the producers called.
Subong linked his arm with Semi’s. “We got this.”
Semi held back more laughter and linked her arm with his as they walked over to the stage. Hot lights washed over them as they settled into the spot they were directed to.
“ACTION.” Someone shouted, and the host started to explain the rules. Semi glanced around; some of the people looked familiar. One girl she swore she had seen on some drama. Subong had some crazy connections. The host finished explaining the rules—something about trying to get the same answer as your partner. Well, they were fucked.
“We can’t peek at each other’s answers, right?” Subong whispered.
“Probably not.” Semi whispered back as she pointed at the divider between their tables.
“Who has the worst handwriting?” The host asked.
Semi stared at the board in front of her. Both of them had terrible handwriting, maybe their handwriting was so bad collectively that it would look like the same answer. Semi wrote down her own name, Subong would probably choose her. The answers were revealed.
Semi kicked Subong under the table. “Seriously, I have worse handwriting?” She whispered out of the corner of her mouth while smiling and clapping.
Subong made a heart hand at her under the table. Semi held back a chuckle as she watched their points go up.
The host looked at the scoreboard and let out a dramatic gasp. “Wow, what a surprising first round. I guess kids these days text instead of writing letters to each other.”
There was a round of polite laughter.
The host smiled. “Our next question is for the ladies. What is your boyfriend’s favorite food?”
Subong scribbled something down.
Semi twirled the pen in her hand. Did Subong consume anything other than drugs, alcohol, and nicotine? The huge timer in the center of the stage clicked down, urging Semi to put an answer. Semi tried to remember what they usually ordered. But she didn’t typically eat with them because of their schedules. Semi scribbled something down right as the timer hit zero. She watched as the host checked the other teams’ answers, all right, of course.
The host looked at them. “And for Team Thanmi we have-” He looked at Subong’s answer. “Peanut and Pretzel Golden Crunchy Pepero.”
The host looked over at the camera. “A long answer, let’s see if his girlfriend gets it.” The host looked at Semi’s answer. “Golden Crunchy Peanut and Pretzel Pepero.”
The host turned back to face the camera. “Incredibly close, should we give them the point?” He chuckled. “I think they deserve it.” They got another point.
“Why did you choose such a difficult answer?” Semi whispered as she smiled and clapped.
“If I hadn’t then you woulda guessed wrong.” Subong whispered back as he clapped.
“All the girls know their boyfriends. Now let’s see if they’ve been paying attention. Color analysis is very popular these days, what is your girlfriend’s?” The host asked.
Her what? Semi glanced over at Subong who was now staring at her intently. They were 100% about to get this one wrong, she didn’t even know her color analysis. Semi could vaguely recall one of Subong’s exes talking about it. She had said she was a—true spring? Semi wrote it down.
Semi watched as the host checked the other teams’ answers. Surprisingly, none of them had gotten it right. At least they wouldn’t fall behind because of the question.
“Incredible.”
Semi looked up to see the host staring at them. “You truly have an attentive boyfriend.”
Semi looked over at the display to see Subong’s answer. He must have been thinking about the same ex.
One of the girls on the other team raised her hand. “I’m sorry, but she is not a True Spring.”
Semi smiled at her. “We can both be wrong and have the same wrong answer.”
The host clapped. “The two of you must truly be soulmates.”
The girl gave Semi an awkward smile back as she clapped.
The host smiled at the camera. “Let’s give the men a chance at redemption. What is your girlfriend’s favorite television show this season?”
Finally, an easy one, they watched the same shows together all the time and talked about their favorites. Semi wrote down her answer. Unsurprisingly, everyone got the answer right.
“Oh, it looks like the dream team have lost their streak.”
What. Semi looked up, Subong had put—Bloodhounds. Okay, he wasn’t wrong, that had been one of Semi’s favorites. Semi fake-smiled at the camera as she patted Subong’s shoulder. “I did like that one, sorry.” She whispered.
The host smiled at the camera. “Now, for the final question. Girls, what was the most romantic thing your boyfriend has done for you?”
Oh, they were fucked. Semi stared at Subong, would he put something he did for one of his girlfriends? What was something he had done for her that could possibly be 'romantic'? Was it something they saw in a drama? Subong was laser-focused on his board, writing something long. Was he trying to make them lose? She really wanted the money, especially after the loan collection thing. Semi sighed and started writing.
The host went around checking everyone’s answers. Semi stared at the board and played with her lip ring. All they had to do was get this one right and they would win. The host looked at them and read Subong’s answer. “When I proposed to her on a game show that I tricked her into going on.”
Subong turned to face Semi. “Señorita, will you marry me?”
Semi stared at Subong, that was not what she wrote down. Were they doing a bit? Subong had never expressed interest in her before, he even actively tried to set her up with girls. What was going on?
“Well, that is certainly romantic. You may not have won the game but you’ve captured everyone’s hearts.” The host looked at Semi. “So, señorita, what’s your answer?”
Semi stared at Subong again. He was still looking at her. She put her hands over her mouth to pretend to be pleasantly surprised. “What are you doing?” She hissed.
Subong made a heart with his hands.
They would be talking later. “Yes.” Semi replied and went over to hug Subong.
“What the fuck are you doing? We lost the game.” She whispered into his ear.
Subong hugged her back. “My mom wants me to get married and my uncle will help pay some of my debt if I do.” He whispered.
“What about the money?” Semi hissed.
“We get paid to be here.” Subong whispered back.
They pulled apart and Semi fake-smiled and clapped as another couple was announced as the winner.
“And what charity are you donating your winnings to?” The host asked the couple.
Semi didn’t listen to their answer. “I guess it didn’t matter if we won or not.” Semi whispered.
“Yeah.” Subong whispered back.
☺
As soon as they were off of the train, Semi dug into Subong as they walked to the apartment. “If that was what you planned to do, fucking tell me!” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Also neither of us can date anyone anymore. Why not pick a girl you’re actually in love with? They throw themselves at you anyway.”
Subong fiddled with his rings and made a face. “I don’t like any girls.”
Semi stared at him. “Huh.”
“You don’t like guys.” Subong muttered.
“Yeah.” Semi replied. “Bu-” Her phone started ringing. She looked at the caller id, it was Junhee. Was something wrong? “Hello? Are you okay?”
Junhee sniffled on the other end of the line. “My-my sister and I—we-we had a fight.” Junhee stammered.
Semi tensed up. “Are you hurt? I can come over if you need-”
Junhee sobbed. “No, it’s okay. Can I come over?”
Semi nodded. “That’s okay.”
Junhee sniffled. “Thank you, unnie.”
“No problem, I’ll see you soon.” Semi replied and the call clicked off.
“Who was that?” Subong asked.
Semi looked over at him. “My co-worker. She’s coming over. Behave. We can talk later.”
Subong nodded. “Yes ma’am, señorita.”