Dia yawned and Hee-jin wasn’t looking very awake either. “Why am I here again?” Nick asked as he looked at the two sleepy-looking girls in front of him. “We told you what happened yesterday, right?” Dia rolled her eyes as she spoke. “You did, but why does that mean I have to sit here with two people falling half asleep?” “Just because! What would you do if anything happened to us?” Nick smirked. “Nothing would happen. You’re not cute enough.” “Eey!” both girls exclaimed. “Something did happen yesterday though,” Hee-jin started. “So you are trying to tell me you looked cute yesterday?” He emphasised the yesterday, once again implying they weren’t cute right now.

“Oh shut it,” Dia looked annoyed. “You’re still here,” Hee-jin pointed out. “Yeah, well, okay, I guess. But I’m not going to hang out with you two for long, you look like you’re going to fall asleep and I have class tomorrow.” “Like you would go to bed early because you have class tomorrow,” Dia sounded sceptical. Although she didn’t know Nick that well, because they were in the same sports team, she had a pretty good idea of what he was like as a person. He liked to mess with people and was at times pretty vulgar. Not someone she or Hee-jin would normally hang out with, but they didn’t exactly have a choice.

“Okay, okay, you got me there,” Nick smiled as he admitted he wasn’t planning on sleeping early. “Then, how about I show you some of the pretty night-time tourist spots. That’s why you invited me right?” “Well, yeah, I guess,” Dia said. She didn’t want to admit they had been too scared to go out alone at night after what had happened yesterday. No more getting lost and then attacked by creepy people. “Yes! Night time scenery is always so pretty!” Hee-jin tried her hardest to sound excited, feeling her friends apprehension to telling the actual reason they asked Nick to be here.

“Then let’s go! I know a few nice spots.” Nick started walking and was closely followed by Dia and Hee-jin. They tried to keep track of where they were going, so they wouldn’t get lost. “How did you even get lost?” Nick asked them. “It’s pretty easy when you have never been somewhere, don’t speak the language and can’t read the signs.” Dia said dryly. “Well, yeah, that’s true. Next time just call me or something. At least you have someone here you can contact.” “Yes, that’s true, thanks for showing us around tonight,” Dia smiled and Hee-jin also thanked Nick. “Don’t worry about it. And what was up with that masked dude you brought last time you went to see me? Got a booty-call right away?” Dia turned slightly red, but instantly the annoyance showed on her face. “Seriously?” She rolled her eyes. “Someone was kind enough to show me where I needed to go. It’s not like I will sleep with someone just because he shows me around.” “That’right! There’s no way Dia would sleep with someone she had just met!” Hee-jin agreed. It where these kind of remarks that made the girls a bit uncomfortable. Nick shrugged smiling. “Okay, okay, I guess you haven’t changed after all.”

“There we are, Dongdaemun,” Nick said as they got of the underground. “The stores are open, but I don’t feel like going shopping with the girls, especially not if I’m not dating either of them. But the Cheonggyecheon river is very pretty at night.” “It’s so busy here!” Hee-jin exclaimed. The streets were heavily lighted and there were many people around. The shops were open, like Nick had said and the streets were filled with chatting girls. The three of them walked towards the river. The night breeze was refreshingly cool and the river was lighted at several parts, making it a spectacular view. “So pretty!” Hee-jin said and Dia nodded agreeingly. “I’m glad you like it,” Nick sounded relieved. “It felt like you needed some cheering up or something.”

They walked around the river, looking at the pretty lights and laser exhibitions. Both girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves and Nick was glad they seemed to be getting less on edge every second. “Let’s get some snacks before I bring you back to your hotel,” Nick suggested. “Ooh, yes, I saw quite a few food stalls back at the underground station,” Hee-jin replied enthusiastically. “Yes, there were so many different things,” Dia was also very excited and so, they walked back toward the underground station.

“Any recommendations?” Hee-jin asked Nick as they arrived at the food stalls. “Especially anything not spicy?” Dia added. “How about sundae gopchang? It’s really good, and I’m sure even you can eat it, Dia,” Nick suggested. “Then let’s get that!” Hee-jin replied. They followed Nick to the right stall and let him order for them. “Here you go,” he handed them their food with a slightly mischievous smile. After Dia took a single bite, her face turned bright red and tears started streaming down her face. Hee-jin had also taken a bite and commented: “This is really good! But it’s super spicy. Are you okay Dia?” Nick had smiled widely at Dia’s reaction at first, but as tears kept falling down her face it faded. “I didn’t think you would have that bad of a reaction!” he exclaimed. “I really, really hate you, you know,” Dia said, barely managing to make her voice audible.  

After the spiciness had left Dia held up her food. “Who wants this? I can’t eat this.” She hadn’t noticed because she her eyes had been partly shut, but Hee-jin had walked to a nearby stall and somehow managed to get an ice-cream. “Here, eat this. It will cool your throat down,” she said as she handed Dia the ice cream. “I’ll eat your food,” Nick then spoke as he took her meal out of her hands. “What?” he said as Hee-jin looked at him questioningly. “She has her ice and can’t eat this. I might as well eat it.”

The next day they were feeling very refreshed. This time, they hadn’t stayed up all night watching kpop video’s and had actually slept. “That Nick is weird,” Hee-jin commented. “I’m glad he showed us around and that we didn’t have to walk alone at night again, but I’m not sure if I like him.” Dia nodded. “I know right? He is just so, I don’t know, annoying or something. It always feels like he tries to bully everyone. But then again, he agreed to take us places every night this week and the whole of Saturday so we won’t get in trouble again, so I guess he’s a good guy at heart.” “Yes, that’s true. That must be, then.”

They had been sight-seeing for only an hour when Dia’s phone rang. “Hello?” “Hi, It’s me. How about we meet up in the afternoon, get some dinner and then go to the karaoke or something? Sounds good, right? Okay, I’ll be at your hotel at 4.” Before she knew it, the call had ended. “What was that?” she looked at her phone in disbelieve. “What happened? Who was it? Was it L?” “We’re going to get dinner and do karaoke. We’re getting picked up at four, I think.” She still sounded a bit confused. “L? Ah, Myungsoo oppa? No, it wasn’t him. It was just Nick.” “So that’s why you’re looking confused instead of happy. After all his complaining yesterday he now wants to meet up earlier and go to karaoke? He didn’t even let you reply! So rude!”

No matter how much they disliked Nick’s way of handling things, they were waiting for him in front of the hotel a little before four. “He better be here on time,” Dia complained. “He’s the one who said four, so he must be on time,” Hee-jin said kindly. And just as she had said, Nick appeared at exactly four o’clock. “You’re early!” he said accusingly. “Or you’re just late,” Dia shrugged. “Whatever. Let’s just go, I found a place with food so good, it will make you cry,” he laughed by himself, and then continued: “It’s outside of the city, which is why I wanted to meet up early. And even better, they also have food that isn’t spicy, so you don’t have to worry.” He looked at Dia as he said this. Having her cry one night was enough for him.

A little outside of the city they entered a Korean barbeque restaurant. “It’s such a cute shop!” Hee-jin said as they entered the cosy shop. Why did we have to go two hours by bus for a Korean barbeque shop though? Dia didn’t speak her mind, and instead smiled. The restaurant smelled of grilled meat and pepper. “It feels a bit if this is another place for spicy food,” Hee-jin started hesitantly. “It is, but all its sauces are delivered separately. So everyone can decide how spicy they want it for themselves. Only the meat is a bit seasoned, but never very spicy.” Nick’s explanation made the girls relax. Dia wouldn’t get pranked twice in two days.

Both girls had to agree the food had been very delicious and definitely worth the trip. When they arrived at the karaoke place it had gotten pretty late. “Two hours?” Nick asked them before he arranged a room for them. Both girl nodded, they weren’t tired yet and both really liked karaoke. “Do they have Japanese songs?” Dia asked Nick. “I guess. I don’t usually sing anything other than English songs, actually. And usually it’s just girls singing all the time.” “Even though you can read Korean? Korean songs are so much fun!” Hee-jin said. “Then sing some kpop for me tonight?” Nick asked Hee-jin, making her blush.

It hadn’t taken them long to get into singing, and just ten minutes later the girls were singing their hearts out: “Doki doki de kowaresou sen pasento rabu!” Nick was looking at their excited faces with an amused look on his face. He had no idea what they were singing, but they seemed to have fun. They sang in turns, but more often Dia and Hee-jin sang together. Nick himself didn’t seem to want to sing, but after a while he had drunk enough soju to start singing some songs as well.

As Dia was sitting and looking at Nick singing a really bad version of a Madonna song, she suddenly got surprised by her cell phone. A message. All it said was: “You okay?” In no way did the message suggest the person texting her desperately wanted to know if she was. “What is it?” Hee-jin asked her friend. “Myungsoo oppa. He wants to know if we’re okay.” “You haven’t messaged him? Why not?” “What would I say, ‘I’m okay’, just randomly out of nowhere? That’s too weird.” Dia defended herself. “It’s no wonder he is worried.” They hadn’t noticed the music had gotten quiet. Nick had paused it once his song was done, as neither of the girls seemed ready to sing. “So this guy wants to you keep him updated on you? Sounds creepy.” It was Nicks comments that made them realise he was listening. “He’s not creepy! He just wants to know she’s okay after what happened.” “Then send him a picture, showing him you are having fun. Then he won’t worry anymore right?” Nick swiftly took Dia’s phone from her hand, pulled her close to him and snapped a picture. Then he proceeded to send it to Myungsoo, keeping the phone out of reach while keeping Dia away from it with his other hand.

I’m fine. Just singing karaoke with my oppa.

“What did you send? Why did you do that? Give! Me! My! Phone!” Finally Dia managed to get her phone back. “Why would you do that?” “You were wondering what to send, so I send something for you. No big deal.” “You can’t just send messages for someone else!” Hee-jin exclaimed.

That wasn’t me. Me and Hee-jin are at karaoke with Nick, you met him right? He’s making sure we are okay and don’t have to walk around by ourselves at night.

“What do you think?” she showed her message to Hee-jin. “It sounds like a weak excuse right? Especially after that picture.” She sighed. “It’s the truth. He has to believe it. Don’t worry, I’m sure he will.” Hee-jin comforted Dia and pressed the send button before her friend could chicken out.