Seollal Pt. 2
Subong had spent the rest of the drive trying to teach Minsu to rap with varying levels of success that made Semi have to hold back laughter more than a few times. It was cute that Minsu tried, and it filled the time, making the drive out to Subong’s uncle’s house feel short, and lifting the mood. And by the time they arrived, everyone was laughing—and Semi and Subong were drunk. It had been an irresponsible decision, but it was fine. Sure, it was 10 am—but that was like 12 am somewhere in the world.
The car rolled to a stop and Minsu wriggled out of Subong’s arms. “We’re here.” He looked at Semi and Subong who were laughing at Minsu’s wiggling. “Uh, are you two going to be okay?”
Subong gave him a thumbs up. “We’re doing fantastic, man.”
Semi nodded, she just felt a little fuzzy and spaced out. “I’m good at pretending to be sober.” She gestured her head at Subong. “And his uncle’s expectations of him are already low.”
Subong pouted. ”I mean, it’s not like I’m high right now, señorita.” He slung his arm over Minsu’s shoulder. “No problems, don’t worry, my boy.”
Minsu rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a tin. “Uh, I have some mints if you want.”
”Good idea.” Semi took the tin and ate a mint before tossing it to Subong.
Subong stared at the tin. “I don’t like mints.”
Semi climbed over Minsu and shoved a mint into Subong’s mouth. “Your breath smells like alcohol, dumbass.”
Subong nodded and chewed the mint. “See, everything’s perfect now.” He pushed the car door open and hopped out, dragging Minsu along.
Semi opened her door and slid out of the car, stretching her limbs. The driver handed them their bags before bowing and driving off. Semi started walking towards the front door, behind her Subong was aggressively cuddling Minsu. Once they reached the stairs, Semi turned around. “Subong, let go of Minsu.”
Subong reluctantly let go of Minsu.
Semi nodded. “Good boy.”
Subong crossed his arms. “I’m not a dog, señorita.”
Minsu looked up at Semi. “Oh, it’s okay, I don’t mind it.”
Semi shook her head. ”It’s not that, there’s a camera at the front door, and Subong and I are supposed to be together.” She replied while grabbing Subong’s arm and tugging him closer. She looked at him. “Since we’re together, that means you should carry my bag. Gentleman crap or something.” She placed her bag over Subong’s shoulder.
”Yes ma’am, señorita.” Subong readjusted Semi’s bag.
”C’mon.” She dragged Subong over to the door with her, and Minsu trailed behind. She knocked on one of the doors.
Subong stood as close to Semi as he could with their bags in the way. “Which door do you think’ll open?”
Semi stared at the rows of doors. “Maybe the center one? That’d make the most sense.”
Subong nodded.
A door to their right opened and the woman from last time appeared. She smiled. “Good morning, M- sir.” She looked over at Minsu. “Is this your personal assistant?”
Subong scoffed and wrapped his arm over Minsu’s shoulder to pull him closer. “No, this is my boy, Minsu.”
The woman nodded and smiled tightly. “Ah, I see. I will go and prepare an extra room, then. Mr. and Ms. Choi are in the same parlor as last time.” The woman informed them as they stepped in.”
Minsu looked around at the high ceilings and various pieces of art in awe.
The woman held her arm out. “I can take your bags to your rooms.”
Minsu handed the woman his bag and Subong hesitantly gave the woman their bags. “It’ll be good, right? No one’s gonna mess with them?” He asked.
The woman’s smile tightened as she glanced down at the grocery bags and fraying duffel bag she had been handed. “I will take the utmost care of your personal belonging.”
Subong nodded slowly. “Okay, Imma trust you, señorita.”
The woman smiled and walked off down one of the hallways. Subong looked at Semi. “What’s a parlor?”
Semi shrugged. “She said the same room so probably that.”
”A parlor is basically a living room but for guests.” Minsu answered.
Subong ruffled Minsu’s hair. “My boy’s smart.”
”Where’d you learn that?” Semi asked as they started to walk down the hall.
Minsu rubbed the back of his neck. “I used to want to be an architect.” He awkwardly chuckled.
Subong put his arm over Minsu’s shoulder, ignoring Semi’s earlier advice. “Woah, that’s cool as shit, man.”
Minsu smiled and looked down. “Thank you.”
Subong turned to Semi. “You remember where this is, señorita?”
Semi looked around, all of the hallways looked the same to her. “I don’t. It can’t be too hard to find.” She stared at the doors they passed. “You’d think with a house this big they’d label the rooms.”
Subong hopped down the hall with Minsu in tow. “Gonna score, gotta find that door, it’s such a bore, but Imma do it some more.” He rapped.
Semi chuckled as she pulled at doorknobs and peeked into unlocked rooms. But by the time they reached the end of the hall, they still hadn’t found anything.
Subong huffed and kicked the wall. “Where’s this stupid room? This house’s too fucking big, man.”
Semi smacked Subong to get him to stop kicking the wall. “That doesn’t mean break something.”
Subong stopped kicking the wall. “Yeah, yeah.”
”Do you remember which hallway you went down to get there last time?” Minsu asked.
Subong crouched down on the floor. “No.”
Semi looked back at the way they had come. “I think we might’ve gone straight. Let’s try that one.” She pulled Subong up. “C’mon.”
Subong sighed and let himself be pulled down the hall with Semi and Minsu trailing close behind them. They headed down another hall and came across an open archway. Oh, it hadn’t been a door at all. Subong jumped out of Semi’s arms and tackled his mom into a hug. He pulled away and looked at her. “You doing good, mom?” He flopped down on the couch next to her.
Mr. Choi stared at Subong and exhaled.
Subong’s mom nodded and patted Subong’s hand. “I’m doing good, baby.”
Semi and Minsu left the hallway and sat down next to Subong with Minsu squeezed against the side of the couch. Semi slid closer to Subong to give Minsu more room. Subong’s mom looked over at Minsu. “Who’s he?”
Subong grinned. “That’s my boy, Minsu.”
His mom blinked and stared for a moment. “I didn’t know you had a child.”
Semi bit her tongue to keep from laughing.
Subong laughed. “No, I mean like he’s my homeboy. He’s old, mom.”
Subong’s mother looked closely at Minsu. “He looks young.” She smiled. “Nice to meet you Minsu.”
Minsu did an awkward seated bow. “It’s nice to meet you too, ma’am.”
Subong’s mom giggled. “I’m not that old, baby.”
Minsu nodded. “I’m sorry.”
Subong’s mom looked at Minsu and smiled. “You have a pretty glow, baby. Pure white.”
Minsu looked down. “O-oh, thank you.”
She stared at Subong and frowned. “Your’s is dirty, baby.” Then she leaned over and stared at Semi before frowning again. “And your’s is cloudy. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself, baby.”
Mr. Choi coughed. “Sunyoung.”
Subong’s mom pulled back.
Mr. Choi looked over at Minsu. “What is Mr—Minsu’s purpose for being here?”
Subong gave Mr. Choi a look and reached over Semi to grab Minsu’s hand. “He’s here cause he’s family.”
Minsu’s face reddened.
Semi bit the tip of her tongue before pulling Subong off of her and leaning her head against his shoulder. “You’re being too touchy with Minsu.” Semi whispered out of the corner of her mouth.
Subong started to nod but Semi gripped his wrist. “Just don’t react.” She whispered, then she looked at Mr. Choi. “He’s one of our roommates, he didn’t have family to spend Seollal with, so we brought him.”
Mr. Choi sighed and glanced over at Minsu who was currently staring at the floor. “Ah, well, we’re happy to have you.”
Minsu looked up. “Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Choi glanced over at Semi and Subong and raised his eyebrows before turning to Minsu and smiling politely. “You’re welcome.” He faced everyone. “Was your ride pleasant?”
Semi nodded. “Yeah.”
Mr. Choi nodded. “How have things been since we last saw you?”
“Boring.” Semi answered.
Subong looked over at Mr. Choi. “Ask more interesting questions, uncle.”
Semi smiled and squeezed Subong’s wrist. “Just let it be boring so we can get out of here quicker.” Semi whispered.
Mr. Choi raised his eyebrows. “Fine, I’ll oblige. What’s the story behind Minsu?”
Subong furrowed his brow. “Whaddya mean?”
Mr. Choi looked at them. “You seem very close.”
Subong huffed. “Well, yeah, he’s my boy.”
Mr. Choi exhaled. “You do realize that I want you to marry someone you actually love.”
Subong tilted his head. “Huh?”
Mr. Choi looked at him. “I’m doing this because I want you to be happy and successful; preferably married, but I still want you to be happy.”
Semi ran her tongue across the back of her lip piercing. “We do love each other, what’re you trying to say?”
Mr. Choi raised his eyebrows. “Subong?”
Subong stared at him. “Huh?” He put his arm around Semi. “Course I love Semi, we’ve known each other for forever.”
Mr. Choi sighed. “That’s right; you said the two of you were childhood friends.”
Subong looked at Mr. Choi. “Yeah.”
Mr. Choi scanned Semi. “You look quite youthful for a woman in her 30s.”
Semi smiled tightly; Mr. Choi thought she was just some random girl. “Is it the piercings? One of my co-workers said something similar.”
Mr. Choi nodded. “Ah, that must be it.”
Subong’s mom smiled and patted Semi’s hand. “She’s a very sweet girl.” She paused. “Thank you for taking care of my baby all these years.” Her eyes met Semi’s as she gave Semi another another dull-eyed smile.
Semi’s stomach turned and she could feel Subong shifting next to her. His mom deserved better, so what if she was talking about people’s auras. Because it wasn’t just the medicine; it was also the control that Mr. Choi exerted over her. Semi reached over and patted Subong’s mom’s hand. “Yeah, no problem.”
”I think that Semi said her and T- Subong have lived together for almost 10 years.” Minsu spoke up.
”Yeah, Semi and me’re like this.” Subong intertwined his fingers.
Mr. Choi chuckled. “Yes, it seems like the two of you have a special connection.” He looked at the clock. “Ah, it’s nearing lunch. I am sure you want to wash up after your trip.”
Semi stood up and smiled. “Yeah, that’s a good idea, thanks.” She headed towards the hallway. Behind her, she could hear Subong talking to his mom.
Minsu walked over to Semi. “Are you sure that it’s okay for me to be here? I feel like I’m intruding.”
Semi sighed. “Don’t worry about it, he’s just a prick.” She patted Minsu on the back. “Like Subong said, you’re family.”
Minsu blushed. “Thank you.”
Subong rushed up behind them and slapped both of their shoulders. “Let’s dip.”
Semi chuckled. “You don’t have to tell me twice.” They started walking down the hallway.
”Wait, do you know where we’re going?” Minsu asked when they were halfway down the hall.
Subong paused. “No.”
Semi sighed. “Maybe we can find the lady from earlier.”
Seemingly summoned by Semi’s statement, the woman appeared in the hallway, walking towards them. “I’m here to show you to your rooms.” She smiled again, tight and unnerving.
Minsu bowed. “Thank you.”
They followed the woman down the hallway where she gestured to two doors. “Right here.” Then she walked away.
Minsu rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess we’ll meet back up in a little while.” He paused. “Wait, Semi, did you want to change in my room?”
Semi pushed the door open. “It’s fine, I’m not changing.”
Minsu nodded. “Okay.”
Semi followed Subong into the room. Even in the bedroom, the ceilings were high, there were two doors on one side and one huge bed that Subong immediately flopped onto before popping up to rummage through the duffel bag. Semi walked over to see what he was doing. Inside the bag were two bottles of alcohol that had been tucked into the clothes.
Subong sighed. “They didn’t take it.”
Semi crouched down next to him. “You aren’t seriously spending the whole time drunk.”
Subong stared at a painting on the wall then he rubbed his hands down his face. “I hate this place, I hate my uncle, I hate all this shit. I wanna be high.”
Semi rubbed his back. “You made it through last time. It’ll be okay. And we will figure something out with your mom.” She walked towards the doors. “You think one of these is a bathroom, like in dramas?”
☺
Lunch brought more tedious small talk that Semi completely checked-out on. At least the food had been good—but not as good as Junhee’s cooking. Semi paused; she should call Junhee before her and Namgyu left. She looked up at Minsu and Subong who were walking towards the room. “Imma go outside and call Junhee real quick.” She looked at Minsu and gestured with her head towards Subong. “Watch him.”
Subong gestured with his arms. “I can be responsible.”
Semi gave him a look. “You passed out in a park a week ago.”
Subong put his hands on Minsu’s shoulders and steered him towards the room. “C’mon, my boy, señorita’s being mean.”
Semi waved back as she walked down the hall. “See you later.” She walked to the front of the house and slipped through the door. The cold winter wind blew in her face, she pulled her jacket tight and pulled out her phone to scroll to Junhee’s contact, it was the picture from Christmas Eve that always made Semi smile, she clicked the call button, and while the line rang she pulled out a cigarette and her lighter. She lit it and took a drag.
”Hi!” Junhee said as the line finally connected.
Semi exhaled and crouched. “How’s everything at the apartment?” She asked.
Junhee giggled. “It’s good. Namgyu’s being high-maintenance—but what’s new?”
Semi chuckled. “How’ll you survive with him for what, two days?”
”Well, you did it for two years, so I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Junhee replied.
Semi flicked the ash off her cigarette. “Yeah, but Subong was also there so he behaved somewhat.”
”Oh, Subong went too?” Junhee asked.
”Yeah, I mean, our plans before were get wasted and watch the funny programs on TV.” Semi replied.
Junhee was quiet on the other side of the line for a moment. “That still sounds fun.”
Semi shifted her position. “I mean, it wasn’t much different than every other weekend. Just plus the holiday programs. So it was nice to have something different—and homemade food that wasn’t from a convenience store.”
Junhee giggled. “Sometimes I forget about your instant noodle diet before I moved in.”
Semi chuckled. “We ate fruit too.”
”Only after you got scurvy.” Junhee paused. “How’d Subong never get it before you moved in?”
Semi snorted. “Fruit juice cocktails. After I moved in I called them gay and he stopped, I guess it was my fault we got scurvy.”
Junhee burst out laughing. “No way. That’s crazy, how is he still alive?”
Semi chuckled. “No idea, maybe everything cancels each other out.”
”Tell me more stories about your life.” Junhee asked.
Semi finished her cigarette and put it out. “I mean, it’s just me making a lotta stupid decisions.”
Junhee hummed. “How exactly did you end up leaving home?”
Semi fiddled with her lip ring. “It’s complicated...”
”Oh, I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to.” Junhee apologized.
Semi leaned forward. “No, you’re good. Things were just really shitty at home, my mom died giving birth to me…”
”Oh.” Junhee’s voice faltered. “I’m sorry.”
Semi hummed. “I never knew her, I don’t know if you can miss something you never had.” She paused. “My dad wasn’t the greatest person, but mostly, he just didn’t care—about me, about what I did, about who I spent time with—until it inconvenienced him.” Semi chuckled. “Look at me spilling my guts to you, I never talk about this shit with anyone.”
”I’m glad you feel comfortable talking to me.” Junhee replied.
Semi could feel tears pricking her eyes, and she blinked; she never cried. “It’s weird to talk about, I don’t ever think about it, life’s always happening.”
”It’s good to talk about it though, you shouldn’t suppress your feelings.” Junhee comforted.
Semi shrugged. “It’s not really suppressing, it’s almost like it happened to another person.”
Junhee was silent.
”What about you, anything interesting before me?” Semi asked.
“Nothing that I haven’t already told you about.”
”You have something, I just know it.” Semi prodded.
Junhee hummed. “I was the secretary for the student council in high school.”
Semi chuckled. “See, that’s interesting.”
”I wonder if we would’ve been friends if we went to high school together.” Junhee mused.
Semi laughed. “Definitely not. I mean, I was barely at school, and I thought all the kids in clubs or student council were losers.”
Junhee chuckled. “That would definitely be barrier.” The was a voice in the background and Junhee answered it before returning to the call. “I’m sorry, Semi. We’re leaving now, but I’ll call you later.”
Semi stood up and stretched. “Okay, talk to you later. Good luck.”
Junhee chuckled and the line ended. Semi looked up at the overcast sky before slipping back inside. As she walked back in, Mr. Choi stopped her before she could head down the hallway. “Semi.”
Semi turned to look at him. “What’s up?”
Mr. Choi exhaled. “Come with me to my office.
Semi hesitated. “Why?”
Mr. Choi exhaled and smiled tightly. “Please—just come with me.”
Semi shrugged and followed Mr. Choi to a big office with western-style wood trimming, a big desk, and a few paintings. Mr. Choi gestured to a chair as he sat down behind the desk and Semi felt like she was back in school.
Mr. Choi looked at Semi. “My sister keeps insisting that you’ve known Subong for a while, and your friend echoed the same sentiment.” He pulled a file out of his desk. “However, I found your SNS through Subong’s accounts, and a few things don’t add up.”
Semi’s breath hitched. “Like what?” She really needed to private her accounts.
Mr. Choi exhaled. ”Your accounts were either created in 2022, or that was the earliest that your posts started, all in the same month; I found it unusual for someone your age to hold off on making an account for so long.”
Semi leaned back in the chair. “I made new accounts, and if you have my SNS then you can see that Subong is in my posts in 2022. I’m not some random girl he picked up for a publicity stunt.”
Mr. Choi raised his eyebrows. ”He’s only in three of your posts.”
Semi chuckled. “You went through all of them?”
Mr. Choi looked at her. “Yes, this is serious, and I hope you will take it as such.”
Semi straightened her posture.
“Of course, you may have your reasons for the sparse posts.” Mr. Choi exhaled. “I am aware of my nephew’s issues.”
Semi ran her tongue against the back of her lip ring. “I don’t take a ton of pictures, most of the ones on there my friends sent me. I have birthday posts for him every year.” Subong had told her to post them, but who cared?
Mr. Choi looked her over.
Semi met his eyes before sighing and pulling out her phone and scrolling through her photos, back to 2014, to find a video of Subong trying to talk to a squirrel. She showed it to Mr. Choi and pointed to the date. “September, 2014.”
Mr. Choi squinted and leaned forward to look closely at the video. “What is he doing?”
”There’s a squirrel.” Semi replied as she slid her phone back into her pocket.
Mr. Choi sat back. “Your phone needs a new screen.” He commented.
”So, are you convinced now?” Semi asked.
Mr. Choi sighed. “I suppose I’m just surprised that someone would stay with him for so long—especially someone—without issues.” He paused. “I can get Subong a job at my company and help alleviate some of the financial burden. However, I need you to be truthful. I simply want to help him move forward.” He paused. “Admittedly, I have regrets about leaving him and his mother, but I cannot help if we do not work together.”
Semi nodded. “Why’re you telling me this? Talk to Subong.”
Mr. Choi hesitated. “He holds a lot of resentment towards me; you are a more neutral party.” He slipped the folder back into his desk. “You may go now.”
Semi nodded and left, heading back to the room, which she was able to find with only a bit of difficulty. She pushed the door to Minsu’s room open, Subong had squished himself against Minsu and they were watching something on Minsu’s phone. Minsu looked up at Semi and pulled his arm away from Subong to wave. “How was Junhee doing?”
Semi sat down on the foot of the bed. “She’s good.” She groaned. “I wanna leave already.”
Subong looked over and chuckled. “You miss Junhee, señorita?”
Semi chuckled. “I’ll see her again in a few days. I can put up with you for a little bit.”
Subong smirked. “Obviously, I’m the best.”
Semi snorted. “Sure.” She turned to Minsu. “How’re you doing?”
Minsu nodded. “I’m good.”
☺
Dinner had been more tedious small talk but with the added discomfort of Mr. Choi casting glances at Semi every so often. At least Subong seemed happy telling his mom about his songs, even if she only seemed to be able to half-follow what he was saying.
Now they were sitting on Minsu’s bed again together, taking shots like the responsible adults that they were.
Minsu rested his head in Subong’s lap and groaned. “This was a bad idea.”
Subong ruffled Minsu’s hair before pulling him upright. “It was a great idea, man! Semi, Minsu, Thanos, always the very most, greatest every post, immune to any roast.” He rapped.
Semi snorted. “That’s such a shit line.”
Subong pouted. “C’mon, señorita.” He posed. “I got style.”
Minsu smiled. “It’s better than anything I could do.”
Subong tugged Minsu into a tight side-hug. “That’s right, my boy!” He flopped back, dragging Minsu with him. “Mmm, I’m tired.”
Semi tugged Subong back up. “Let’s go to bed, then.”
Subong patted Minsu on the shoulder. ”Night, Minsu my boy!” Then he hopped up and leaned against Semi as they walked through the bathroom to their room. Subong flopped face first into the pillows. Semi shoved him over and yanked the covers from under him before getting into bed. She turned to Subong. “Your uncle talked to me.”
Subong narrowed his eyes. “What’d the fucker want this time?”
”He said he would get you a job at his company.” Semi chuckled.
Subong scoffed. ”I don’t wanna work for his shitty company. My music makes more than some salaryman.”
Semi hummed. “It might be good to get a kinda stable job.”
Subong huffed. “Why’re you defending him, señorita?”
Semi sighed. “I’m not, I’m just making a point.” She fiddled with her lip ring. “I’ve been thinking about the future—with all this shit going on—is this gonna be forever?”
”Yeah, of course. Imma never stop making music.” Subong defended.
Semi turned over and stared at the ceiling. “Yeah.” She closed her eyes. “Go to sleep.”
☺
The rest of their trip passed without too many incidents, they made an awkward trip to the grave of Subong’s aunt and cousin, followed by eating tteokguk and other normal Seollal foods that tasted pretty good. They went through the same boring cycle of questions and discussion about current events that Semi never paid attention to. They played some games, with Subong getting way too competitive. In the end Mr. Choi didn’t bring anything else up in regard to Semi and Subong’s relationship. He did call Subong back to his office to discuss something that made Subong come back in foul mood, where he even snapped at Minsu before quickly apologizing. But even with prodding, Subong wouldn’t say anything other than cuss out Mr. Choi for whatever he had said.
In the end they ended up back at the apartment with 1 million won, but no further plans about the whole wedding situation, other than a long winded email that Semi had received that she marked to read later. As soon as they got back, Subong disappeared into his bedroom.
Semi dropped her bag beside the couch and sat down next to Junhee. “That was terrible.” Semi groaned.
Minsu sat down next to them, glancing over at Subong and Namgyu’s door. “Will he be okay?” He asked.
Semi sighed. “Yeah. Pretty sure Namgyu’s in there.”
Junhee nodded. “Yeah, he’s in there.”
Minsu nodded hesitantly. “Okay.”
Junhee looked at Semi. “What happened?” She paused. “Only if you want to share.”
Semi leaned into the couch cushions. “Subong’s uncle is just a prick.” She sighed. “But we got a million won, so that’s something.”
Junhee stared at her. “The money is good. I’m sorry to hear about that though.”
Semi stared off. “Yeah.” She didn’t know what to do, but it was a new year, so who knew what could happen.