Chapter Text
Not going to lie, that claw machine we had backstage is really intriguing. Full of Pokémon plushies.
My eyes are twinkling as I am just thinking about it. I can't handle myself well around things that I categorized as "cute things that make my room full without a clear purpose."
I am going to grab Yangyang with me to play with it while we wait for our turn for makeup.
Yangyang said that in Taiwan, the claw machine arcade business is everywhere. He said something about there's a threshold amount where the prize will be guaranteed, it depends on how big the prize is, yadda yadda, and the train of business hustle mind of this little brother of mine is out like that. And it is just, on another level. Maybe, if I were raised like that, I would probably have an eye for every profit opportunity in front of me, identify and analyze it, rather than just know how to keep my money.
One part of this train of thought piqued my interest, really. In Taiwan, apparently, giving this prize to someone special is—to put it in simple terms—a love confession. If we are going deeper than just fun and games, some people might think this gesture is showing your determination, sacrifices, and perseverance.
But, sacrifice? What the hell is this about? I am so confused? Because this claw machine thingy shouldn't be that deep?!
However, this size of a plushie actually costs a lot, apparently, if you win it from the claw machine (and turns out it also depends on the cartoon? Wow.) Much more than you can get from the store, according to the trusted source that I have on my left.
I just let out a small 'Ooh...'
Ugh. Really. I hate to admit that I don't think to that level of depth, actually. On the bright side, now it gives me a fresh lens about it! In my defense, I NEVER lived a life in Taiwan. This is new to me.
But to think about it, it makes a lot of sense, though. And now I will be more appreciative of these silly claw machine gifts. That's cute.
Well, well. 60 seconds passed, and Yangyang's turn is over.
I am really going to get anything from there. I will get that Pikachu plushie.
I am not skilled in any way, but this machine is confirmed rigged! What the heck? It has been 4 rounds of games between Yangyang and me!
Oh. Oh? Why does it feel like the claw strengthened? Does this mean that I'm so close? To win it?
Oh? The plushie steady in that claw?
Oh? It dropped. To the prize out box.
Oh. I won. I feel my jaw start to drop.
Yangyang cheered so hard that it pulled my consciousness back into my body. I still can't believe it.
That was the most intense one minute of my life. So thrilling. I feel a rush of dopamine injected directly into my veins.
But why is this Pikachu having black ears? So cute. Like Kuromi.
I am not me if I am not going to brag about this.
"See, I am the king of the claw machine, Yangyang!" I bragged as I blew a raspberry. Yangyang seemed a little bit unpleasant about it (playfully). He looked so cute acting all sulky that way.
I took the plushie with me, took a mirror selfie, and it's time for my makeup!
I just shove the poor doll into my bag and don't think too much about it.
𓊝
We finished today's schedule beautifully. We were out on the yacht for a little cruise of our own, having fun, filling our tummies, and talking about everything and anything.
We are back in our own hotel room. And here's the thing.
I just want a simple, plain, quiet night with the hope that I can doze off naturally tonight.
As time passed, I came to the realization that I might not just be sleeping tonight at this point. I saw the clock on my phone, and it's already 2 am.
Okay, I just need to admit one thing, after that, I will feel free, and I will make my way to the dream lounge. Or so I thought.
I will admit that I just kept thinking about it and could not shoo it out of my head. It's so frustrating that I start to cuss that stupid plushie that I (with a conscious choice) put on the table in front of me.
Yangyang's wisdom kept replaying in my head over and over again. And I caught myself making a confession scenario. Oof.
Well, to be fair, he must know about it, right?
There's no way he wouldn't know. He lived in Taiwan. No way he wouldn't acknowledge this cultural thing.
Probably when he was catching up with his friends in Taiwan, and maybe got told about it, since he doesn't spend too much of his lifetime there either.
Who knows? I wonder.
It is not a secret anymore that I probably been in denial for as long as everyone can remember. It is annoying to have a crush.
And I hope that he is oblivious enough not notice that. We bicker too much, banter too much, and tease too much. In most of it, I was the ragebaiter and proud.
With one purpose, only to hide this feeling that I can only describe as popping candy that popped inside your mouth. To make it more special, my crush on him would be strawberry-flavoured popping candy.
I can't do this anymore. I am just going to shove that doll inside my suitcase, and I will go for the rest of the schedule here with a calm mind and heart, or I will go insane.
I will just make a mental note here; when I petulantly threw that stupid doll in front of his face and ran away like a kid. That's when I knew I had already lost my mind over this stupid crush. Let's just believe that he knows that I get that from the claw machine, too.
And does that mean he will catch it as a confession?
That Kuromi-shaped Pikachu keeps staring at me. The longer this eye contact battle lasts, the more I want to confess my love. Right here and then.
Who knows? I might take out my phone and call him, then act drunk and giggly and shit, just to say: I am so fucking in love with you, it is frustrating.
Or I might run out of my door and knock on his door. Then, when the time comes, he peeks his head over the door. I might just kiss him and run straight back to my room.
Oh. My. God.
I am screaming my heart out on my pillow. I can't keep thinking about this.
That is it. I am banning myself from entering The Mental Archive of Important Emotion™ until at least we get back to Korea.
Guess who was drowning in their own thoughts?
Hell it's me! Because what do you mean, it is already 3 am? I spent an hour on this. And I will definitely get fucked if I don't get enough sleep. I need to sleep. The scream was a need, definitely.
Oh God, I wish this crush was going to manage on its own.
Oh God, I am not your strongest soldier. Why are you giving me a textbook-perfect person in front of me, and just to have a white wall between us? Not fair. Not. Fair.