Back in high school, I was always in the bookstore after school hours to work a full-time shift and make money. I met him, Tsuyachi Tobi, in the bookstore back then; unlike me, he worked part-time for 1-2 hours. I figured he just moved to Korea and only knew a few words at the time. We were also both on the quiet side and didn't talk much, but things have changed from then.
"Did you come here with others, Tobi?"
"Mhm. They got into the red bus..."
We chatted until the door opened again and staff members walked in holding bags of food.
They looked heavy, so my first thought as an experienced service worker was to get up and help out—which is exactly what I did.
I already know what the script is for the bonus episode and handed each bag to the five tables. I peeked inside and saw that it was rice cakes in each plastic bowl, which made me glare at Kim Dojun for a second there.
So this part is, obviously, not just for eating and chatting with each other. The twist about dinner is something Kim Dojun was supposed to only know about; the spice roulette.
It's simply a variety of flavours of the food chosen by whoever won that sheep counting game. In this case, it's the rice cakes Kim Dojun ordered—there must at least be one table where they got a super spicy level. For this part, even Kim Dojun wouldn't know which he got. It's the same for the other busses, too.
Which is why I'm bringing this bag, where the rice cakes look blood red in each bowl, to my table—for screen time!
Admin-nim can thank me later.
Even so, there's definitely not enough rice cakes for everyone. $50 is quite the challenge to buy food for twenty people.
At least, that's what I thought.
Kim Dojun, Mahesha, and even Tobi suddenly stood up with the bags they brought, that was soon after I sat down. I wanted to ask, but Han Daniel looked as confused as I was.
The two went around each table and placed...food(?) on them. Everyone else treated it normally, and the guys from other tables also did the same thing.
I turned my head straight at Kim Dojun and exclaimed, "Kim Dojun, what is this? What's everyone doing, all of a sudden?"
"Why the full name..." Kim Dojun first responded with that. "Anyway—remember how I said ₩70.000 can't possibly feed 20 mouths for breakfast? That's why we're having potluck!"
"Oh, I see!" I clasped my hands together and continued, speaking like a mock-detective, "So you told everyone on the bus to share their food if they brought some!"
"Indeed, I have!"
Kim Dojun must've felt like a genius. I praised him and patted his head.
"But, Mahesha, I thought you didn't have any food?"
"Oh no, I don't. I just shared your kimbap!"
Kim Dojun, "You made kimbap? I want to try! You should have shared it with me first!"
"You should have not been late, then."
"Ah, I'm so annoyed now!"
I laughed as Kim Dojun searched for kimbap on our round table until Mahesha handed it over to him. I made sure to share with Tsuyachi Tobi and ask how it tasted.
By the way, it's almost awkward to call him by his first name, considering I called him by Tsuyachi throughout high school. But then again, we're here together for a different occasion. I should stick to the friendly act.
I should address everyone casually.
I was the first to taste the rice cakes and told everyone to try it. That was when chaos exploded.
"It's burning my throat!"
"Water...please.. Will anyone.."
"And I thought I handled spice well..."
Even Daniel stopped acting so calm.
I pretended to not get it and spoke, "Guys, I know I said it wasn't as good as the rice cake restaurant I knew, but this is an over reaction," I said, making that disappointed mom look.
"Chan!! How are you okay? This is so spicy!"
I patted Dojun on the back and handed him my own bottle of water.
"My tolerance is good, I guess? I didn't realize it was this bad, but weren't you the one who chose the spice level?"
Dojun was hit by reality. At least this assures your screen time, dude.
The other tables were starting to realize they all had different flavored rice cakes.
"So, we're the only ones who got rosè flavor?"
"Ours are cheese rice cakes, wanna trade?"
"I'll give you the original flavor, but let me try the spicy one!"
In a way, we had a nice ending.
I had to wait for Dojun who needed to head to the bathroom, but it was still nice. I'm waiting with Mahesha and Daniel, after all.
We're currently outside of the boy's bathroom stall, leaning on the wall. The hall was narrow but I spotted the cameras meant to record and not just for CCTV.
I casually whispered it to the others in case they wanted to swear.
"Tobi went to the stage room, right?"
"Yeah, he went to find his friends. They must be practicing their performance again."
Mahesha shivered at my answer.
"I can't believe we're going to perform in half an hour. What if I forgot the choreo mid-dance?"
Daniel assured him, "Mash, you're better than me."
It was a little effective
"Speaking of, you guys are performing together, right? I said it this morning, but now I really can't wait!"
"We're the same. Your outfit is so simple, so I can't guess what you'll be doing..."
I thought about it before telling Mahesha to lean down. Daniel looked curious too, but I felt like making him wait. Just because.
"You see, I'm actually performing..."
Mahesha looked surprised after I whispered the song to him. He ignored Daniel's curious gaze and seemed to ponder to himself for a bit.
He soon finished thinking, "And this is what you're wearing?"
"Well, yes?"
"As I thought... No, you know what? I'm lending my stuff to you. I have just the perfect thing!"
Mahesha dragged me and Daniel into the bathroom where Dojun was washing his hands.
I spoke while Mahesha searched for something in his suitcase, "You're done? Are you alright now, can you perform?"
"Yep. Thanks for the medicine, Dan."
Daniel nodded as he leaned next to the bathroom door. Dojun grabbed a tissue to dry his hands and stood next to him.
"By the way, what is he doing?" Dojun referred to Mahesha.
"Dressing up Haechan. He's a fashionista."
That was explanative enough for both me and Dojun.
After a while, Mahesha took something out and raised it.
"I found it. Chan, you should wear it, quick!"
I reluctantly took the item and examined it.
Then looked at Mahesha weirdly.
"Sastry Mahesha. What are you thinking?"