28 September 2017

Yongin City

"Why are we here?" I glanced around me. Everland was due to close and families were already leaving the largest amusement park in South Korea.

"This is the only way we get to see the dark magic," Eunwoo oppa led the managers and I through the gate, waving a security pass at the guard. "A friend asked if I wanted to see the spirits escape the realm of death in preparation for the spooktacular evening and I couldn't turn it down. Maybe we can do the same in December."

We watched the birth of Happy Halloween, where the children would have shivers sent down their spines, a little. The smiles carved on the jack-o-lanterns were inviting and the ghosts above were like Casper. Fairy lights hung from the trees, which were heavily-laden with blossoms of all colours. A golden glow lit up the stone buildings.

I gazed in awe at the Happy Halloween Wicked Parade: an orange float with a bat insignia at the front and smirking pumpkins towering over where the tiger mascot would benignly greet the watchers. The Infinity Garden was already sprawling with marigolds from shades of sunset and apricot, papaya and tangerine, carrot and marmalade.

"Hop aboard the Safari Tram," the announcement was made so we stepped into the carriage and gazed at the wild animals, watching us from their fenced-off habitat. Although I was of a family firmly steeped in the supernatural, lost souls weren't as scary as the feline nutcracker of a human skull. The big cats surveyed us with disinterest.

After navigating the Horror Maze, we met the "ghouls" who had terrorised us and took selfies with them at the exit. Blood City beckoned to us with decomposing fingers and we walked beneath the eerily green neon signs. The rides were festooned with spectres that one could mistake for having corporeal forms.

I sat in the front passenger seat, with Mio eonnie driving. Yunho sunbaenim said something that had my fingernails digging into my seat.

"One thing they missed out on was a Baba Yaga-like fortune teller, with the crystal ball and fog, at the entrance."

"Many people cling to their daily horoscopes despite there being no rational basis to do so," the Astro singer sounded disapproving.

"There have been instances of predictions coming true," my voice quivered like an arrow that suddenly had its velocity changed.

"Yes, because those predictions are grounded in reality. Since times past, humans have had the same concerns: family, friends, love, and work. Those charlatans in the broadcast studios, newspaper publishers, and app development incubators merely rotate the predictions among the 12 star signs," his voice rose.

The silence that ensued was the aftermath of a tsunami. It felt more like a melodrama than a return trip from an amusement park. After a few minutes, my manager switched on the radio, saying that we should familiarise ourselves with this week's releases. While she changed a gear, her fingers captured mine, giving them a reassuring squeeze.

Once we left Fantagio, she spoke again. "I read over that kid's profile and I see that he is really smart. My guess is that Cha Eunwoo adheres to the principles of science and mathematics quite strictly. You, and the other members of Pristin, aren't bound by those rigid rules. I have sensed something of the supernatural in each of you."

"You are so perceptive," I started rattling off the various powers each young lady had.

"Initially, I thought you and he would be good together but I don't think this is one chasm that can be bridged," she turned into the road leading to the dorm. "People say that lovers are like magnets, with opposites attracting but I disagree. Lovers are like chemicals, with the alkaline neutralising the acid, or vice versa."

"He seems to be quite volatile while you are earthier," the manager continued. "Do you wish to continue the experiment or do you fear an explosive reaction?"

"I have many months left before school finishes," I decided in a minute that felt like a millennium. "My plans for college shouldn't be jeopardised for that short conversation."

"I knew you would make the right decision," Mio eonnie nodded. "Many lives have been ruined over relationships that haven't even lasted three months. Take a break from dating: although your investment in this crush was short-term, you will need some time to recover. Don't let anyone dictate when you will start dating again; that's your prerogative."

I thanked her for the helpful advice and got out of the car. As always, Jun was leaning against the front gate. After a curt greeting, I voiced my suspicion: "I don't know much about your abilities but do you possess the power of suggestion?" He blanched in the beams of the exterior lights before nodding.

I sighed. "This isn't like Fruits Basket: I'm not suffering from a severe misfortune, with you playing the role of Akito in my love life."

"I didn't hypnotise Cha Eunwoo to date you because I pity you," the vampire held my gaze. "While I was on the mainland, the obsession with you started growing. I thought that, if I could get you a boyfriend, the stirrings would die down. However, it seems that Caishen has other plans for me," he turned his gaze heavenward.

"Break your hold on his mind and make him forget the confrontation of tonight," I decided on a plan for now. "And stop playing Cupid: it's not a role that suits you."

"The former command is fulfilled," he qualified his willingness to listen. "As for the latter, to keep as much distance between ourselves as possible, I will arrange blind dates with every eligible bachelor in Seoul, if I have to. The closer in proximity we are, the more I pine for your blood. A bright future awaits you and I'm just a rain cloud in the sky."

"Someday, I will tire of your constantly treating me as a juvenile," I rolled my eyes and blocked the security device as I entered the pin into the keypad.

"Humans reach maturity at age 25. I hope that we find our true loves, instead of falling for each other just because a deity preordained it," he bowed before transforming and taking flight, not waiting for my reply of affirmation. I went inside the house, needing sleep to escape from the K-drama my life was slowly becoming.