Chapter Text
"That is the last time I let you talk me into anything, Hae-eon."
"Come on, Cho-cho. You have to live a little sometimes! Besides, you're not the type of person to give up at the first hurdle, are you?"
Biseol couldn't help but feel a little amused by his coworkers' conversation. They are the kind of friend duo that makes one wonder how they even get along - yet get along they somehow do.
"No, I am the type of person not to repeat a mistake twice. Especially not with how last night turned out."
The night before, Haeon convinced Choran to go on a Salangukot blind date and it went about as well as you'd expect.
"The way she kept gushing about Ryu Jeokyeon this, Ryu Jeokyeon that... you'd think she was being paid for it!"
"I can't blame her. Ryu Jeokyeon is fire personified. I'd believe you without a second thought if you told me she's The First Empress of Myolyeong reincarnate."
"Since you're such an Attendant, the app should have matched her with you. Who were you paired with tonight?"
"Probably the most boring woman in Dasimannal-Umyeong. She shot down all of my fun date ideas, and we ended up at some uptight restaurant where she kept talking about work and stuff. Even you would be bored to death."
"Well, I was bored to death either way. I'm out. You can drag Biseol into your shenanigans next time.
"Oh, yeah. Biseol, you here? I almost thought we lost you on the way."
"You're more silent than usual."
"How is that even possible? He's already silent enough to begin with."
"How could I not be? You two are taking all the words for yourselves."
"Well, you got us there, Bis. Now, what's got you down?"
"Don't push him, Hae. It might be something he's not comfortable sharing with anyone."
"No, no. It's just that my old childhood friend Inae messaged me out of the blue. She'll be back in town in a few days."
"Let me guess. She's here for the Imperial Tour?"
"YOU know about the Imperial Tour, Choran?"
"Unfortunately yes, Hae-eon, I do. Thanks to you, I've spent the last evening being told EVERYTHING about the Ryu Jeokyeon Imperial Tour. The next step is here on Saturday, and 'al-Umyeong is probably swarming with Ryu's Attendants by now."
"Biseol, do you think she's an Attendant too?"
"No, she was never much of a fangirl for celebrities. She's probably more fascinated by the historic Ryu Jeokyeon than her modern-day namesake, although-"
"Well, if she loves one, there's no reason she wouldn't love the other since Ryu's entire performance - down to the stage name itself - is based on the First Empress."
"Why use a stage name? What's wrong with her real name?"
"No one but her agents knows it, so it's anyone's guess. I think it's for easy marketing."
"You take that back right now."
"Why would I? It's an honest opinion. Surely you can handle at least a little criticism against your idol?"
"Choran, Haeon? My bus is here. Try not to kill each other while I'm gone."
"Inae is due to arrive tomorrow, and she just texted me something I just have to run by you two."
...
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What did she text you again?"
"Here, read it yourself."
"I haven't been home for over a decade, and so much must have changed since. I could use an old acquaintance to guide me."
"She is asking you out."
"She's not-"
"Yeah, she's asking you out."
"But we're just-"
"Remind me to never take you swimming. You are so dense you would sink like a rock."
"Okay, but how should I handle this?"
"It's simple. You need to bring her somewhere elegant and romantic."
"No, that's boring. You need to bring her somewhere fun and exciting."
"Don't listen to him. Make a reservation at that nice restaurant that opened last year-"
"-and then dine and dash there."
"NO."
"You're boring."
"You're insane."
"Then why am I the only one offering a compromise?"
"A compromise between a reasonable idea and an unhinged one is still unhinged."
"How about I pay for the food in advance and make it seem like we're dining and dashing?"
"..."
"...Okay, that would do."
"We are leaving at 5:00, so make sure to sleep early, Miss Ryu."
"Did you make the arrangements I requested for tomorrow, Wolah?"
"Yes, Miss. The double is ready, and the media will be none the wiser. And without your usual makeup, no one in Umyeong should be able to recognize you. But still, you should exercise caution when you're out and about."
"Thank you. That will be all."
"If I may ask, what is it that you wish to do?"
"I wish to get back in touch with someone who believed in me when no one else did."