Maybe this was the highlight of the festival because it sure caught everyone's attention. Fireworks weren't even all that special but what made it even better was the intensity of the fireworks; one after another, brightening up the entire sky.
"There's more to it." Yeom Tae excitedly said, as if expecting something more.
Haneul briefly looked at Yeom Tae before turning her head around to look back at the fireworks. They were in all different, vibrant colors. Suddenly, the fireworks stopped and the anticipation grew. Sky lanterns started to emerge from the ground above, flying all over the sky. The dark night sky was suddenly lit.
"Wait." Haneul quickly muttered. "Are these legal?" She looked at Yeom Tae as she asked.
For a second, Yeom Tae wasn't sure how to react. He ended up chuckling lightly as he looked at her. He knew exactly what incident she had in mind when she asked such a question. She was probably thinking about the Goyang oil storage fire that was blamed upon a small sky lantern. Although it was ages ago, for someone like Haneul who hadn't stepped out of her comfort zone, it might as well be as fresh as yesterday.
"That was ages ago, Haneul." Yeom Tae laughed. "Besides, sky lanterns were never made illegal."
"Oh?" Haneul murmured, turning her head back at the sky lanterns, covering the entire sky. "I just wanted to make sure another hazard doesn't occur."
"Don't worry, doctor." Yeom Tae smiled, "Only professionals handle it now."
How sweet! Though Haneul was the type to get concerned over everything, Yeom Tae knew exactly how to make her feel heard. Her concerns were valued and that was all she could ever ask for. At least Yeom Tae wasn't arrogantly pushing her way and calling her ambitious, like most of her previous blind dates had done.
Yeom Tae was different. More than the sky lanterns brightening up the sky, Haneul's day was brightened because of the man standing next to her. Not only had he followed her around the entire day during her newly discovered enjoyment but he was also valuing, listening, and answering each and every word out of her mouth.
"Yeom Tae-"
"Haneul."
Even their timings would collide. Not only their words but their eyes also met. This could perfectly be called destiny. The two quickly looked away from each other before they would end up getting captivated by each other; the only difference now was that it was out of instinct.
Since it was not out of will, their heads turned around slightly again, hoping to get that eye contact again.
Though she wanted to look into Yeom Tae's eyes, Haneul's eyes ran behind him.
"Oh!" She exclaimed.
"Oh?" Yeom Tae asked in a questioning tone before he turned around to look behind.
There was a convenience store at the corner of the road they stood at. The railing that they were beside was a part of that convenience store's outdoor sitting. But the benches had been taken away so it didn't look like an outdoor sitting.
"Is there something left for your palate to experience?" Yeom Tae chuckled as he asked.
"Somaek!" Haneul exclaimed, full of joy.
(Note: Somaek is the combination of Soju and Beer.)
"Somaek?" Yeom Tae asked. "You want Somaek?" He added before reaching out for her hand. "Let's go get it."
Haneul cheerfully followed the man to satisfy her drinking needs for tonight. What was a festival without alcohol? She couldn't wait to have Somaek. It reminded her of those nights where she and her friends would have a day off but have no idea where to hang out. They would all go to convenience stores and build their own Somaek bar.
Yeom Tae and Haneul walked inside the convenience store where Haneul quickly searched for her favorite Soju brand and got two beer cans alongside. The convenience store offered a small glass for the soju shot and a larger disposable cup for the making of the cocktail.
"Outside?" Yeom Tae asked, as more of a suggestion.
Haneul nodded and the two walked back outside to the railing that they had been standing against earlier. The railing was thick so Yeom Tae put the bottles and cans on top of the railing. With the shots being held by Haneul, Yeom Tae poured the Soju in. He then set the larger cups on the railing, popped open the beer cans and poured just enough inside the cups.
"Do the honors, please." Yeom Tae said cheerfully.
The railing was thick enough to hold the two cups but Haneul wasn't sure if an impact would cause the cups to flip over and fall down. She was slightly nervous but she brought the two shots above the two cups.
"Ready?" Haneul asked, hoping to create anticipation.
And it was created, with Yeom Tae being fully immersed into the act, sky lanterns hovering over their heads, changing the hue of the beer. There it went! Haneul dropped the shots inside the cups and quickly exclaimed her excitement upon the success.
Yeom Tae grabbed a cup and handed it over to Haneul, then grabbed one for himself. Their cups clinked together before they went for a one shot, all down the throat in one gulp.
Their cheeks flushed and their eyes met. It was a true moment with their glowing faces staring at one another.
"I love this." Haneul said with a constant smile.
This was it! Yeom Tae was finally put above the rice cakes!
"I love somaek so much!" Haneul added joyfully.
Oh.
Flustered, Yeom Tae smiled and looked down, chuckled slightly and placed his empty cup back on the railing.
"I love you." Yeom Tae said, making sure he looked directly into her eyes.
He saw her pupils dilating as her eyelids also widened. Excuse me? What? Did she hear that correctly? It was a moment to keep on going. Yeom Tae slid his hand in his hanbok inspired coat, searching for something from the inner pocket. He quickly pulled out the small box from last time and looked straight into her eyes.
Here he went, as he bent down to kneel on one of his knees while he opened the box and offered his hand to the woman in front of him.
"Will you marry me? Haneul."
His voice was her death. It was her name that he spoke and shook her spine every time. Mesmerized deeply, Haneul didn't even realize it when she let her hand fall into his.