Buses, Trains, And Automobiles
Once everything was planned, Semi was promptly kicked out of the room by Namgyu. She rolled her eyes as she walked back to the couch.
Junhee looked over at Semi. “What was that about? A quest? Sorry for eavesdropping.”
Semi sat back down on the couch and glanced over at the drama that was playing. “It’s okay. What show is this?”
“It’s called Marry My Husband. My coworker recommended it to me.” Minsu replied, a small smile on his face.
Junhee looked at Minsu in mock offense. “Wait, you made a new friend, and didn’t tell me?”
Minsu put his hands up. “Well, we’re not really friends; we just work together a lot, he’s a really cool guy.”
Semi raised her eyebrows. “I met Junhee at work. Technically, you too.”
Minsu nodded. “That is true.” He paused. “He said that we should meet up sometime; I don’t know where we would go though. M-”
Namgyu and Subong popped out of the room and flopped onto the couch, with Subong basically sitting in Minsu’s lap. “So you got a date? You get a girlfriend or something?” Subong wrapped his arm around Minsu’s shoulder.
Semi gave them a look. “He made a friend at work.” She moved over a bit so Minsu could have breathing room. “Why’re you coming out to ask about other people’s business?”
“Oh, it’s okay. I don’t mind, maybe they know some places we could go.” Minsu replied, seemingly resigned to his fate of being squished, and staying in place.
“Easy, the club.” Subong answered.
“Bro, the guy could be a loser like Minsu and hate clubbing.” Namgyu replied, earning him a look from both Semi and Junhee.
Subong nodded. “True, true.” He looked down at Minsu. “I dunno then.”
Minsu smiled. “Thank you for trying, though.”
Semi looked at Minsu. “Namgyu just called you and your friend losers.”
Namgyu stared back. “What the fuck, bitch.”
Subong untangled himself from Minsu and put his hands out. “Señoritas aren’t bitches, and no fighting. We’re trying to help my boy Minsu.”
Junhee looked over at Minsu, moving closer until she was against Semi, probably to talk to Minsu. “Maybe he could just come over here? It’s too cold for a park and everything else is expensive.”
Semi remembered that she could breathe and had a brain. “You could go to the library.” She suggested.
Minsu looked at them and nodded. “Oh, those are both good ideas, but I don’t want to bother everyone else by inviting him over. So, we’ll go to the library.”
Subong patted Minsu’s back. “Nah, it’s good, everyone is welcome to the Thanos World.”
Semi snorted and rolled her eyes at Subong, before looking back at Minsu. “I don’t care either; anyone you have as a friend is probably super nice and respectful.”
Junhee nodded. “You wouldn’t be bothering me, so don’t worry.” She smiled.
“What if I didn’t want him to come over?” Namgyu asked. They all stared at him. He huffed. “Just a joke, guys.”
Minsu smiled. “Thank you for that. We were planning on meeting up tomorrow night after work. Is that a good time for everyone?”
☺
Semi stared at the time on her cracked lock-screen: 2:30. She sighed and sat up in bed, carefully getting out from under the blanket without disturbing Junhee. She was unsuccessful, and Junhee sat up as Semi was rummaging through the dresser for a sweater.
Junhee rubbed her eyes. “Are you okay?” She asked.
Semi fiddled with her lip piercing. “I’m fine, there’s just this little thing we have to do.”
Junhee nodded. “Okay.”
“Go back to sleep. You need rest for the baby.” Semi walked towards the door.
“Stay safe.” Junhee said from the bed as she readjusted herself.
Semi turned around before closing the door. “I will.”
She met up with Namgyu and Subong by the door, who were taking the whole thing as seriously as they usually did.
Subong put his hands on Semi’s shoulders and looked at her. “You ready, señorita?”
Semi patted Subong on the back. “Yeah.” She turned to look at Namgyu. “If anything goes wrong, I’m hacking off your balls with a plastic fork.”
“What the fuck. It’s not my fault if something goes wrong.” Namgyu hissed back.
Semi chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Okay.”
Subong dragged them through the front door. “Everyone’s keeping their balls. Let’s go!”
Riding the train at 3 am should have been a rare relaxing treat with there being only a few other passengers. Namgyu and Subong were chatting with each other the whole time, breaking out into giggles every few moments. An uncle with glasses was staring at them. Semi met the guy’s gaze and stared back. The uncle looked away, and Semi smiled. They got off at the stop near the club, the area no longer crowded and only a few people remained, either passed out or staggering around.
They entered the club through the back door and headed up to one of the private rooms. Waiting for them inside was a tall man with a neat haircut and dressed in a sharp gray suit. On his face was an unnerving smile that clashed with the seriousness of the occasion.
The man handed the keys to Semi. “The van is in the side alley of the building next to this one. Payment will be received upon delivery.”
Semi took the keys and walked Namgyu and Subong out of the room; the whole time the man kept smiling.
“That guy’s so fucking freaky, man.” Subong said as soon as they were in the hall.
Namgyu looked behind them. “For real, bro.” He looked back at Semi and Subong. “I thought you had to be tough to be scary until I met those psychos.”
“Yeah, they’re scary because they do nothing. They know they have you even without violence.” Semi replied as they stepped out of the club. The alley beside the next building was a few meters away. “Let’s get this over with, it’s almost 3:30.”
“Yes ma’am, señorita.” Subong nodded and followed Semi with Namgyu trailing him.
The van was a generic delivery van, almost identical to the one they had seen on their walk to the club. Semi hopped into the driver’s seat and waited as Subong and Namgyu played rock, paper, scissors for the other seat. Namgyu cheered and hopped into the seat with Subong crawling over him to squat in the space between the chairs. Subong patted Semi’s back as she started the van. “Show us your skills, señorita!”
Semi sighed as she pulled out of the side street; she was readjusting to driving and ignored Subong and Namgyu. It felt weird and awkward to drive after not driving for months. They made it to the other road without any issues, and Semi continued along a familiar route, it was the way to the dock that had the least CCTV. She fiddled with her lip ring; in the background Namgyu and Subong started laughing at something. She glanced over at a camera; she wasn’t religious, but every time they passed one she prayed the pictures would be too blurry for evidence.
Subong was looking at Semi. “Relax, señorita.”
“I’m super relaxed.” Semi replied.
Namgyu snorted. “So, that’s why you’re gripping the steering wheel like it’s running away?”
Semi huffed. “Shut-up.”
Subong patted her back. “It’ll be good. Nothing’s gonna happen.”
“Did you use the time stone to find that out?” Semi chuckled.
“Yup.” Subong replied.
Namgyu leaned back in his seat. “Just stop being such a pussy and drive.”
Semi flipped him off. “Turn on some music.” She paused. “The song with the moaning is banned though. I never want to hear it again in my life.”
Subong laughed. “But it’s funny, señorita.”
“It’s panting, by the way, not moaning.” Namgyu added as he started to play said song on his phone.
Semi tried to grab Namgyu’s phone without taking her eyes off the road which was causing him to cackle like the witch he was. Semi stopped trying to grab the phone and went for a different approach. “I’ll crash this van. Turn it off.”
The whole time Subong was laughing at them like they had just invented comedy.
“No.” Namgyu replied, turning the volume to the max.
Semi gritted her teeth. “This is why I’m hacking your balls off.”
“Oh, I’m so scared.” Namgyu mocked as the song reached the part with the moaning, panting, whatever.
Semi switched the accelerator to her left foot and kicked Namgyu. “You really want scary?”
Namgyu laughed. “Try me.”
Semi chuckled. “I can replace all of your stuff with sugar pills, unless you know another guy; I won’t tell you the rest because there’s too many, and I don’t wanna to ruin the surprise.” She stopped the van in front of a loading dock, pressing the break slightly harder than necessary to jolt Namgyu forward. “Who’s gonna get out to help me back it up?” She asked.
Subong and Namgyu looked at each other and played another round of rock, paper, scissors, with Subong winning. He cheered and started towards the door.
Namgyu stopped Subong and chuckled. “No, winning means you don’t have to, man.”
Semi raised her eyebrows and looked at Namgyu. “Trying to fix your universal karma?”
Namgyu glared at her as he hopped out. “Imma make you hit the dock.”
Semi didn’t hit the dock and by the end, the van’s back doors were roughly aligned with the dock. She hopped out of the car with Subong following her. He put his hands on her shoulders and patted them. “Good job, señorita.”
Namgyu walked over to them and snickered. “She woulda hit the dock without me.”
Semi crossed her arms and gave Namgyu a look. “You’re lucky I didn’t run you over.”
Namgyu huffed. “Like you could hit me.”
“You wanna find out?” Semi asked.
“F-”
A rough voice interrupted Namgyu. “So you’re the kids we’re getting the van from?” In front of them was an unfamiliar uncle, flanked by two broad shouldered men, the details hard to make out with the dim lighting.
“Who are you?” Semi asked.
The uncle crossed his arms. “I ask, you answer, bitch.”
Beside her, Semi could feel Subong move, she tugged his wrist. “No.” She whispered before looking back at the man. “I’m supposed to make a delivery to someone specific, so I’m gonna need a name.”
The uncle gritted his teeth and stepped closer. “Listen, bitch. I just want this done. Now stop being difficult.”
Semi sighed. “The guys above might care, but I don’t, just give me half of the 10 mil first. I have the key that accesses all of your product, and you won’t find it without me.”
The uncle grunted before pulling an envelope out of his coat and handing it to Semi. “The key?” He held his hand out.
Semi peeked into the envelope, and flipped her finger through the bills. It felt like 8 million. She shoved the money in her pocket, pulled the key out of her boot and tossed it to the uncle. “The other half?”
The uncle snatched the key and inspected it before pulling some loose bills out of his coat and tossing them to the ground. He whispered something to the two guys he was with and they started to unload the van.
Semi clenched her jaw and stared at the uncle until he blinked before bending over to put the remaining money in her pocket, squinting to see. She counted the bills, it was 2 million.
Subong leaned over to watch her count. “We get all the money, señorita?”
“The keys to the van too.” The uncle requested.
Subong looked at the uncle. “Hey, how’re we supposed to get back, uncle?”
“Bus, train, taxi. You can figure it out.” The uncle replied.
Semi leaned against the van. “Last time we took the van back.”
“Well, it’s not last time, so give me the keys.” The uncle demanded.
Semi looked at Namgyu. “Did Mr. Jeongsa say anything about leaving the van?”
Namgyu checked his phone and scrolled for a bit. “Leave it with them to get the gas filled.” He read.
Semi exhaled and handed the uncle the keys, then she started to drag Subong and Namgyu to the main road before they could do something dumb. Stupid Namgyu only reading the highlights. She pulled out her phone and scrolled around to find the street on the map. She gestured up the road. “If we head that way, there’s a bus station that’ll take us to a hub and then we get on the bus back to the city.”
There was some grumbling but no active protests, so they headed down the road.
☺
The walk was uneventful as Semi tuned out all of Subong and Namgyu’s complaining. They had gotten on the bus with no problems, only having to wait for a few minutes. The best part was, they had been able to nap on the bus, and Semi had only had to dodge one punch when she woke them up.
Now they were at the hub trying to find the bus schedule that would get them where they needed. Semi stared at the schedule and then back at the map on her phone. Beside her Namgyu and Subong were complaining some more and hitting Subong’s vape.
Semi gently kicked Namgyu and gestured with her head towards one of the stops. “It’s that one.”
Namgyu yelped. “Ow, why’d you kick me, bitch? That actually fucking hurts.”
Semi looked at him. “Who’s the pussy now?”
Subong dragged Namgyu towards the stop. “I just wanna get back, man. Come on.”
Semi followed them and they sat down to wait for the bus to arrive. Subong and Namgyu leaning on top of each other. Semi pulled out her phone and started to scroll on Instagram. More people funneled in as the time of day approached hours that normal people were awake in. Semi looked up from her phone; she hadn’t heard the bus arrive yet but it was past the time it was scheduled to come. Semi listened in on the conversation of the couple next to them. Apparently there had been an accident and they had to get another bus to run the circuit. Semi groaned.
Subong sat up to look at her. “What’s up, señorita?”
Semi sighed and looked over at him. “The bus’ll be late.”
Namgyu peeped over. “Late? I fucking hate everyone.” He grumbled.
Subong frowned. “People have places they gotta be. The fuck do they think they’re doing?”
Semi raised her eyebrows. “Do you have somewhere you gotta be?”
Subong leaned against Semi’s shoulder. “Yeah, señorita, asleep. I should be in bed.” He gestured around. “Not this fuckass place.”
Namgyu nodded. “We can’t even have sleep, these fucking assholes.”
Semi sighed. “I wish we had something that could take us home right now, like that fucking van we had to leave.”
“They better watch while they sleep.” Subong grumbled.
Namgyu looked out at the people. “I hate being that asshole’s bitch. Look at these fuckers with their normal lives and no debt.”
Subong scowled and kicked the ground. “Fucking MG Coin.”
Namgyu glared at the floor before looking up again. “He’s the cause of all our problems. He better get us that money he owes.”
Semi watched the people; she would never be one of them. “I know Junhee wouldn’t like it, but I think he needs a little more motivation.”
Subong shrugged. “We don’t kill him, and it’s all cool.” Subong grabbed Semi’s hand and started playing with it.
She stared at him. “What’re you doing?”
Subong let go of her hands. “I’m bored out of my mind, señorita.”
“Take a nap like Namgyu.” Semi looked over at Namgyu who had fallen asleep on Subong or died. It was the same result, quiet.
“You ever wonder what your life was like if it was, y’know, normal?” Subong asked.
Semi hummed. “I gave up on that a long time ago.” She paused. “What even is normal? Life happens the way it happens.”
Subong sighed. “You’re right.”
Semi chuckled. “Of course I am.” She patted him on the back. “Normal’s lame, too tame, rather make it through life on my own name, never give up on the game.”
“Your rhythm’s getting better, betting on my girl, go-getter, super awesome to the letter.” Subong rapped back.
Semi chuckled.
Subong looked at her.
Semi snorted. “That was my one for this month, you’re not getting more.”
Subong nudged her. “C’mon, señorita. How’re you gonna feature on my album with only one a month?”
Semi chuckled. “I’m saving up for it, it used to be two.”
Subong made a face. “No way, you’ve been saying it was lame.”
Semi raised her eyebrows. “I used to go to every concert, and there was a solid month where you only rapped, everything, literally everything.”
Subong furrowed his brow for a moment before snapping his fingers. “That was for the competition, right?”
Semi looked back at the people, someone was staring at them. “Yeah.” She replied.
“You think I could do another competition,señorita? Subong asked.
Semi hummed. “I don’t think the prize money’d be worth it. A new album would make more.”
Subong looked down before looking out at the crowd. “We should take advantage of the wedding thing.”
Semi looked away. “Yeah, your popularity spiked after that show aired a few weeks ago. It’s a complete flip of your shit reputation, and the people who like that shit go to your concerts, so they know you’re still a trashy dumpster fire.” She chuckled.
Subong frowned. “Do you secretly hate me, señorita?”
Semi stared at him and furrowed her brow. “What? No.” She looked up and snorted. “I wouldn’t still be here if I hated you.”
“There's the apartment.” Subong replied.
Semi fiddled with her lip ring. “Junhee actually asked if I wanted to be roommates with her.”
Subong stared at her. “Wait, the girl you’re always making heart-eyes at asked you to be her roommate and you said no to stay with us.” He smiled. “You’re fucking crazy, señorita. Fucking crazy.”
Semi chuckled. “When she asked, I just assumed she meant all five of us.” Semi looked away. “I guess you all are my normal.”
Subong paused to process what she said before he squeezed Semi into a hug, dislodging and waking Namgyu. “You’re the bestseñorita.” She could feel him crying on her shirt.
Semi wriggled free. “Eww, go back to normal. I don’t need a drama moment.”
Subong wiped his face and patted Semi on the back. “Yes ma’am, señorita.”
Namgyu looked at him in disgust. “Faggot.”
Semi snorted and looked at Namgyu. “So are you gonna hug me and cry and tell me how amazing I am too?”
Namgyu gave her a look. “Fuck you.”
Semi chuckled. “Fuck you too.”
Her phone started ringing and she furrowed her brow. She pulled it out of her pocket; it was Junhee. She looked over at Subong and Namgyu. “Behave, I have to take a call.” Ahead of her was a call area the she stepped into and answered the call.
“Are you okay? You weren’t back when I woke up and it was already 7:30.” Semi could hear sniffling on the other side of the line.
Semi leaned against the wall. “I’m sorry, we’re stuck at a bus station, there was an accident.”
“Oh no, I hope everyone’s okay.” Junhee paused. “So, what’s the story behind getting stranded at the bus station?” She asked.
Semi sighed. “Subong and Namgyu.”
“Oh, you don’t have to say anything else.” Junhee chuckled. “But, I’m also actually curious about what happened.”
Semi fiddled with her lip ring. “We went on a trip to the coast, it’s a little thing we have.”
“You could have told me earlier, that’s actually really cute.” Junhee replied.
Moving product and cute were never words Semi thought she would see in the same conversation. Her chest felt tight and she fiddled with her lip ring as she tried to come up with a response.
“But I don’t want to interfere with your traditions.” Junhee continued.
Semi needed to clarify everything, to tell the truth, but what would Junhee think if she found out? An even bigger question loomed over Semi’s head: what would Junhee do?
“What time do you think you will be back? Junhee asked.
Semi shifted her position. “I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’ll text when I know.”
“Okay, do you want to talk to pass the time? I don’t have a shift until noon.”
Semi chuckled. “Noon? And you’re up at the crack of dawn?”
Junhee giggled. “The baby woke me up early today.”
“You should try to go back to sleep after this call.” Semi suggested.
Junhee paused. “I know, the baby needs rest. I’ll try.”
Semi smiled at the phone. “No name ideas have come to you in your dreams?”
Junhee sighed. “No, if they do, the first one is going to be her name.”
“Oh no, you should put more thought in it. She’ll be cursed with the wrong name by your carelessness.” Semi laughed.
Junhee laughed. “Maybe you should become a psychic; I predict that you would do very well.”
Semi smiled. “We can start a business together, you’re already predicting good fortune for us.”
Junhee chuckled. “For you, not myself.”
Semi laughed and readjusted her position against the wall. “We can figure it out later, after your baby.”
“By the way, thank you for all of your help, I mean it. You’ve shown so much care to me and my baby-” Junhee sniffled. “It’s made such a big impact on my life.”
Semi chuckled. “Must be something in the air, everyone’s sappy today.” Semi paused. “But of course Imma take care of you and the baby-” I love you. “-you’re both really special to me.” She paused again. “I can’t imagine doing anything less.”
Junhee sniffled again. “You’re such a kind and caring person.”
Semi snorted. “You’re funny.”
“No, genuinely, I mean it. Everything that you’ve done for me—I love you so much for it, unnie.”
Semi paused and stared at the floor for a moment. Her chest felt tight, almost suffocating. Junhee said that she loved her. As a friend.
“Semi? Is everything okay?” Junhee asked.
Semi took a deep breath. “Oh, yeah, I just thought I saw something weird. Anyway, thank you. And I really appreciate you cooking. I’ve never eaten so many meals in a row that weren’t instant noodles.”
“What? Even as a kid? I’m cooking every meal for you from now on.”
Semi shifted her weight. “Don’t overwork yourself, I’ll be fine. But thank you. You’re a really kind and caring person, Junhee. I seriously hope that things are able to turn around for you, you deserve it.”
Junhee sniffed. “See, you’re such a sweet person; you deserve a good life too.”
Semi fiddled with her lip ring as she stared down at the floor. She didn’t, she really didn’t. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have a work shift today, do you?” Junhee asked.
“No, I knew I would be out all night, so I took myself off the schedule.” Semi chuckled. “All I want right now is to sleep.”
“You were up all night? You must be so tired, that sounds awful.” Junhee replied.
Semi looked up and smiled. “Eh, I took a nap on the first bus, so it isn’t the worst. Don’t worry, I’ll live.”
Junhee chuckled. “Can you die from lack of sleep?”
Semi fiddled with her lip ring. “Maybe? It’s used as a torture method in some places.”
“It does feel terrible, so I guess it makes sense.” Junhee paused. “How do you know this stuff?”
Semi looked at the ground. “You’re not the only one who likes asking questions.” She answered.
Junhee chuckled. “I guess so.” She yawned. “I’m a little tired too.”
“Get some rest. It’s about time to check on Subong and Namgyu.” Semi chuckled. “Talk to you later.”
“Talk to you later.”
☺
The bus didn’t come until around dinner, and by the time it arrived, Semi wanted to fight someone, Subong did fight someone, and Namgyu almost fought someone. She really couldn't go anywhere with both of them. They walked towards the apartment; behind her, Namgyu and Subong were venting to each other about the asshole at the bus station. Semi sighed. They were the assholes at the bus station, although in their defense the man had started it. Subong just continued it until they had to hide in the bathrooms until the bus came.
Semi sighed as she unlocked the door and pushed it open. She froze. Namgyu and Subong walked up beside her to see why she stopped. Namgyu stayed next to her in silence.
Subong stepped past Semi and walked closer. “Gyeongsu?”