1 September 2021

An airport, Seoul

The press statement announcing the departure of Minghao and I would be released later today, the two of us boarding our flights now so that we could avoid sasaengs. Or at least, that was what we were told an hour ago. Junghyunnie told me to text her if I had been here for more than an hour so I looked at my team mate and nodded.

The dragon was dating a member of Hinapia (he didn't tell me which one, but it was obvious). He texted Kyungwon and I knew that the two of them would probably co-ordinate sharing a lift. The sight of two young ladies, wearing something more suited for snowy slopes than a date at the café, met us.

A double date was a new experience for all of us, I realised, when silence piled on after the waiter left with our order. "Does anyone want a tarot reading?" my girlfriend broke the ice, and all of us joined on the opportunity. "Hmmm, seniors first," she decided. I wasn't sure if the formerly-named Yuha knew of my true blood but my best friend did.

"Page of Wands: exploration, excitement, and freedom await you. Two of Swords, reversed: you will be confused in choosing the lesser of two evils. Queen of Pentacles, reversed, shows self-centredness, jealousy, and smothering. Eight of Cups, reversed: you fear change and loss. The Magician: your willpower and desire manifests something into being."

"I think I'm not the only one afraid of the HYBE acquisition," I phrased it delicately, remembering that the negotiations from years before had resulted in Pristin disbanding. "Everything else probably has to do with my return to acting." The Rabbit Overwhelmed at the Edge of the Nest was an interesting novel and I hoped I would do well in the audition.

"Ace of Cups," Ms Park looked at The 8, "you'll be experiencing new feelings relating to spirituality and intuition. Three of Swords, reversed: forgiveness will lead you to recover and move on. Four of Pentacles: you will exercise frugality and conserve. Hong bao? Eight of Wands reversed: slow down and wait. The Fool reversed: recklessness and inconsideration."

He blushed so much, that I wished someone would snap a photo and upload it with the caption, "The most beautiful tomato is about to take flight." A tea tray stacked high with sweet and savoury pastries was placed in the centre of the table, dead in the centre of the pentagonal formation. Our participation in an occult activity was not remarked upon by the employee so we continued.

"The Wheel of Fortune shows an inevitable fate," Xiyeon's face was grave. "Seven of Wands reversed: you're overwhelmed and your confidence is destroyed. The Page of Cups reveals a happy surprise and dreaminess. Ace of Pentacles: there will be new ventures and prosperity. The Knight of Swords shows you taking action while defending beliefs."

"The Page of Swords," she started reading herself, "I'll be restless and curious. Nine of Wands reversed: afterward, I'll be fatigued and questioning my motives. Knight of Cups: this will be followed by romanticism and idealism. Six of Pentacles: I will be generous and sharing. The Star shows hope, faith, and rejuvenation."

I hadn't realised we were collectively holding our breaths the entire time until I felt a weight being lifted off my chest. There were four of each baked good so I got my girlfriend hers first, knowing that her first group reading must have been exhausting. Her smile of gratitude more than compensated and I saw a similar development at the other end of the table.

Once our afternoon tea was done, we took a look at the flight schedule on the screen and figured out that our plane would only be boarded much later so we took a walk around the shops and purchased things for each other as we wouldn't spend Christmas together. Minghao and I had been here since lunch; it looked like we'd be spending the night here.

"One would think that the new regime meant Pledis would be responsible," the future Ice Queen remarked. "Ddi-ddi and I are lucky to have escaped but we can't help but worry about you two." He and I shrugged, having just renewed our contract at the behest of Mingyu, the first member of Seventeen who was revealed.

"It's nothing new," I turned away as I ate raw pieces of steak, not wanting to ruin the appetite of my fellow diners. Wandering around aimlessly and sitting around for hours on end had depleted my chi and I had to supplement it with animal blood. While I chewed, my team member sipped at his tea listlessly. Kyungwon wrapped in lettuce the meat which Xiyeon had grilled.

We had just finished dessert when the staff texted us, saying that the flight would begin boarding in an hour. The 8 and I would usually use choice words to express our disdain at the wilful incompetence of the staff but we were in the presence of ladies. Ladies who were showing half of our exhaustion at this point.

"It's late so please be careful," I whispered in the tarot reader's ears as I hugged her. The clock read 21:30 and I felt guilty at having her kept away from home for so long.

"My car is parked outside," she whispered so only I would hear. "It's not too late to run away from this dreadful company."

"Can't disappoint carats and huihui," I buried my face in her neck, like a spoiled puppy that didn't want to be placed on the floor.

"At least, we know that you'll be safe on the mainland. Caishen's protection is too strong to overcome," Junghyunnie let go.

Our last kiss for the next few months was deep and lingering. I would probably have to replicate this scene, and act out racier ones, perhaps; but I would never give them the same devotion or let myself be swept away in longing just like this. Her eyes conveyed a similar promise that was not to be spoken aloud but was nevertheless binding.

My hands squeezed hers and I walked away, no longer able to touch the actress. Our hands waved goodbye slowly and I continued looking back until I could no longer see her. I handed my pass at the counter, the baggage having been added long ago. Catching up with the other Seventeen member, we crossed the silent boarding gate at 10 PM.