Christmas Eve Date
Semi sat down on the couch next to Minsu and Junhee; they were chatting about something, as the drama they were watching played forgotten in the background. Junhee looked over at Semi. “Have you ever gone on a Christmas Eve date?”
Semi’s face felt warm. “No.”
Junhee grabbed Semi’s hands. “Oh, I was just wondering if you had any stories; I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
Junhee was now rubbing Semi’s hands, a comforting gesture that was currently making Semi forget how to speak. “Yeah, it’s fine.” She murmured.
“We should go to the night market tomorrow, as a group, I mean, so, you can kind of have that experience.” Minsu fumbled.
Semi nodded. “Okay, the night market’d be fun. I have work tomorrow until 8pm, though. So it’d have to be some other time.”
Junhee patted Semi’s hand. “After eight is okay.”
“But you need to sleep.” Semi protested.
“But it’s Christmas Eve. Every-” Junhee started.
“Wait, what?” Semi interrupted.
Junhee tilted her head. “Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve.”
Semi pulled out her phone and toggled the holidays button on her calendar. Semi looked back up and Minsu and Junhee. “Huh, time flies when you’re busy. We’ll go tomorrow, I guess.”
☺
Somehow (it was Minsu) Subong had found out they were going to the night market and had invited himself along. Namgyu had called them gay and gone back to his room.
The train was crowded as they hopped on, and Semi had to fight a kid so Junhee could sit down. After that incident, everything was relatively quiet, until they had to get off again and Semi had to grab Junhee’s hand so she didn’t fall. Semi kept holding Junhee’s hand even as they walked towards the market. As they got closer, they could see people roaming around stalls that had been decorated with colorful lights and a few handmade paper and cardboard designs. The air smelled warm and faintly sweet as the slight breeze mingled the scents coming from each stall.
Junhee grabbed Semi’s hand, to keep track of her in the crowd, probably (they had already been separated from Minsu and Subong), and led her towards a stall with sweet potatoes for sale. “I remember that my Grandma would always bake these on charcoal in the winter, and they had such a unique flavor.” She asked the vendor for two.
Semi pulled out her wallet to pay half, but Junhee stopped her.
“You’ve been working hard and doing so much for me lately; let me buy you this.” Junhee handed the halmoni at the stall a few bills.
The halmoni smiled at them as she handed them the sweet potatoes. “You’re such a sweet couple; a hard-working young man and such a kind wife.”
Junhee looked like she was about to say something, but Semi just bowed and dragged Junhee away to sit at a nearby table.
“She thought that we were a married couple. Does that not bother you?” Junhee asked.
Semi started to eat her sweet potato, it had a distinct warm flavor that was different from the ones they had tried to cook at home. It was sweet and earthy with a creamy texture. “These were a good idea. Thanks.”
Junhee nodded. “You’re welcome.” She opened her mouth but seemed to decide against it, and they ate their sweet potatoes in silence, watching as the crowds of couples walked around, holding hands and giggling with each other.
Does that not bother you? Played over in Semi’s mind as she chewed; she knew she was overthinking it, but hearing the halmoni think they were a couple had felt exhilarating. She was supposed to be experiencing a “Christmas Eve date,” even if it was fiction, she still wanted to enjoy it while it lasted. Semi took Junhee’s trash and stuck it in her pocket before helping Junhee up. “Do you wanna look at the lights over there?” Semi gestured her head towards a mural made from lights that danced around.
Junhee nodded. “Whatever you want; we’ll do.”
Semi snorted. “Isn’t it supposed to be fun for both of the couple?”
Junhee walked closely beside Semi. “Usually the boyfriend puts up with his girlfriend and takes photos while the girlfriend decides where they’ll go.”
“Well, I guess it’ll be more fun because we’re both the girlfriend.” What was Semi even saying? Junhee had to think she was weird. “Y’know, not in a couple way, just friends.”
Junhee hummed. “Friends.”
☺
They had walked around and looked at all the cute lights; Junhee had taken pictures and texted them to Semi. She looked down at her phone as the photos that Junhee sent were delivered. Semi clicked on the first one and set it as Junhee’s contact photo.
Junhee peeked over at Semi’s phone. “Ah, now you have such a cute picture for my contact photo.”
Semi chuckled. “I can barely see it anyway.” She looked down. “Your features look pretty in that lighting, though.” Semi murmured.
Junhee rubbed Semi’s back. “Your features look super pretty in that lighting, too. You have such a strong visual presence; you look good in every lighting.”
Semi smiled. “Thanks.”
Junhee smiled back. “You’re welcome.”
There was a pause of silence as they sat.
“Where do you think Minsu and Subong went?” Junhee asked.
Semi shrugged. “I don’t hear any hysterical screaming, so I think they’re good.”
Junhee giggled. “That’s true.”
“Have you been to a lotta markets?” Semi asked.
Junhee nodded. “A few.” She pulled out her phone and showed Semi pictures, some dating back to middle school of a younger Junhee and presumably friends at other markets, some with themes. “I miss going out with my friends in high school.” She laughed; her eyes watering. “So fun and carefree. I miss it.”
Semi pulled Junhee closer and rubbed her back. “We can do stuff like this more often; I didn’t realize there were places like this so close.”
Junhee sniffed and wiped her eyes. “I don’t mean to cry. This sucks.” She looked up at Semi and smiled. “I’m so glad that I called you that night.” She gave Semi a side hug. “It hasn’t been long, but you—you’ve been family to me. Thank you, unnie.”
Semi hugged her back. “Of course.” Junhee's hair smelled nice, like marshmallows.
They pulled apart and Junhee yawned.
Semi checked the time. It was almost 11pm; she helped Junhee up. “Let’s go find Subong and Minsu. It’s getting late.”
Junhee nodded. Semi smiled as they walked through the crowds; she had gotten a Christmas Eve date.