Chapter 12
Dec 22, 2025
Red
That was a hi
Boy 1: Oh shit.
Boy 2: Why? Is that her? Red? I thought she left.
Boy 1: Yeah. I saw her leave — she looked right at me. But that’s her. Or at least her number.
Boy 2: Oh boom. She’s back, even though you were an ass. What is it with women?
Boy 1: What do I text her back?
Boy 2: What did she say?
Boy 1: That was a hi.
Boy 2: That was a high?
Boy 1: No. Hi. Like hello.
Boy 2: Did you see her?
Boy 1: Yeah. Like I said — when she left, she walked straight past me and looked at me.
Boy 2: What did she say?
Boy 1: Nothing. Just eye contact. Then that pffft look.
Boy 2: Like pffft, who the hell are you?
Boy 1: Exactly like that.
Boy 2: Oh she’s a tricksy one. Playing games. I say fuck her.
Boy 1: I already did.
Boy 2: Wha—hey!
Boy 1: Seriously. What do I text back?
Boy 2: You know what you could send?
Boy 1: What? You’ve got that smug little face. I’m not going to like this.
Boy 2: That was a hi? This is a bye.
Boy 1: Oh that’s good. Fuck. It’s tempting.
Boy 2: Do it. She fucks you in a motel, disappears for two weeks, and now she wants to talk? She’s playing you. Give me the phone.
Boy 1: Take charge by giving you the phone?
Boy 2: I take charge for you. Same thing.
Boy 1: Give it back. I can’t text that.
Tourist: Excuse me. You Japanese?
Boy 1: What? No. Do I look Japanese?
Tourist: Your t-shirt very funny.
Boy 1: I don’t actually know what it says. I just know it’s Japanese and it might say something rude or misogynist, and yes — wearing shirts you can’t read is stupid.
Tourist: This is dumpling. Very famous.
Boy 1: I’m in the middle of a marital slash extra-marital crisis right now.
Tourist: We take photo with you. My girlfriend.
Boy 1: Sure. Yeah. Mate — take a photo. Apparently my t-shirt is hilarious.
Boy 2: Smile. Thank you. Mate, they’re loving you. That bird’s not bad either.
Boy 1: That’s her boyfriend’s camera. And they’re Japanese. Probably into some freaky shit.
Boy 2: Mate, who isn’t?
Boy 1
I know
Boy 2: You did what? What did you send?
Boy 1: I just wrote “I know.”
Boy 2: Pussy.
Red
Your friends probably think I’m manipulating u
Boy 2: She is manipulating you. Text her THIS IS A BYE. Give me the phone.
Boy 1: I can handle this.
Boy 1
You could say that
But that’s what they think. I’m sure you had a good reason.
Red
Look, I must be confusing you. I think you’re kind and sweet.
But something just isn’t right.
Boy 1
I’m less confused now. Thanks.
Red
Ha. Sarcasm.
I heard you ran a half-marathon today.
Boy 1
You heard right.
Red
Congrats.
Boy 1
Thanks.
Red
You celebrating? Or going home?
Boy 1
Celebrating. Not too hard, work tomorrow.
Red
So you going home?
Boy 1
Eventually. You still in Itaewon?
Red
Just finished dinner across the street.
Boy 1
You know Bungalow?
Red
Of course.
Boy 1
Meet you there. Cocktail. My treat.
Red
Okies. See you soon.