gangnam

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *hums in concession, putting a hand pensively on my stomach*
yeah, okay, i could eat
*nods a few times before sparing the last wall of art a glance*
just let me know when you're ready

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *lingers in place for a few extra moments, chuckling with a light shake of my head*
You can't get rid of me that easily, Ha
*follows after you, hands finding a leisurely home in my pockets*
What are we doin after this, hm? Birthday girl's choice

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *blinks slowly, the words taking time to catch up in my head before my expression slowly turns to a small smile*
Ey, it's no biggie
*reaches over, affectionately patting your head before making a temple-tapping thinking gesture toward mine*
I'm your friend, Ha Mirinae. I notice these things

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *looks at you, brows raised in mild confusion and interest*
Thanks? I- you're welcome?
*laughs softly, more in confusion, before letting out an airy sigh*
What are you thanking me for, Miri?

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *laughs, nodding after a while*
Yeah. yeah, I guess we are
*nods in the direction of the next set after a few more moments*
Moving on?

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *hums, thinking for a moment before slowly nodding*
Yes, I think so
...why?

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *follows you to the next piece after a quiet hum of agreement - definitely not as scary.
squints at the shiny, technicolor painting to take in all the details as we sit in the comfortable silence, even startling a little as you speak up again*
Ah really?
*looks at the Lee piece before nodding*
Makes sense...They fit you
*after glancing between it and the Jung painting next to it, I move along; the next piece that isn't being crowded by the throng of other museum goers in sight*
I might be more of a Jung guy, I like the darker tones and bigger lines. Feels like there's more for me to glean from them

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *chuckles, hand carding through my hair for a moment*
It's ironic if I say "Poems like a diary" would make a really good album title...or, like, poetry collection title, right?
'Cause it would.
But, no, I get it
*exhales idly, hands finding their way into my jacket pockets*
Some things are just for catharsis, just for ourselves

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *listens intently, finding my looking more at you than the paintings*
Really?
*turns to the installation once you mention the cross-painting, almost squinting to try and discern any telltale signs but ultimately coming up with none*
Wow, that's cool but...mm, I don't think I could do that. It gets too personal sometimes.
*shakes my head, ultimately landing back on you*
Could you?

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *nods along dumbly*
No, yeah, all of that.
*chuckles, looking back at the art with a tilted head*
Actually...I think I get you, I get it, yeah. What else do you know about these guys, Miri?
*gestures to the next piece before walking over*
Be my tour guide

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *hums, genuinely thinking about the comparison as we walk into the exhibit space*
Probably Jin
*nods*
Yeah, Jin. "Friendship ended with Miri, now Jin is my best friend"
*recites the meme, hand poised in a one-sided hand shake*

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ Oh, no yeah.
*nods, unlocking my phone to let the staff scan the first code, swiping to the next as I speak*
Yeah, it'd be friendship with Mudasir, 100%
*squints disapprovingly, the slight registering later than it should have*
And I do not make a stupid face when I'm mad

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ It's /your/ birthday /today/, though. It should be all about you
*sighs airily, shaking my head while opening one of the venue doors and stepping aside for you*
Ha Mirinae, you are a far better person than I ever plan to be, 'cause January 6th? Haneul day, and Haneul day only

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ Wahh, such a caring leader to give gifts on her own birthday
*teases, naturally falling into step on the defensive side against any potential traffic and nudging you with an elbow. soon passing on the joke, I hum in agreement*
But alright - no promises - but I'll try to remember

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *stands also, picking up our trash to ferry it over to the bins quickly*
the codes...?
*repeats in false confusion, hands patting around for my phone among my pockets*
what codes-? i don't-- of course i have the codes. in browser, saved to gallery, sent to myself in email AND kakao. all of that
*flashes the phone, picking up your gift bag on the way towards the door*
gimme a little credit, mir, i grew up with tech paranoid grandparents

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *laughs along, a light chuckle more than anything*
you're annoying
*comments, echoing your own sentiments from before*
buuut i'll drink to that, here here
*holds up my fork in place of a glass, grabbing my last piece of the cake*
should we get going soon? just so the exhibit doesn't get too crowded

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ Really? Send me the address, I'm there
*leans back, holding onto the front of the bench for support*
And it's still early, huh? You'll probably be picking through wishes from everywhere for a while
Now, you're legally obligated to tell me: how's 26 feel so far?

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ Mhm, let's eat well
*chimes along with you, taking a significantly smaller corner since sweets aren't my things. amused as i watch your reactions, i nod and flash an 'ok'*
Miri-yah, have you heard from anyone else today?
*asks, generally to restart conversation*

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *takes the phone, getting in a good spot to take the picture*
Alright, 1...2..say Miri
*takes a handful of photos, giving you the change to pose as you wish and handing it back - gallery open for you to critique*
Good?

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *watches you make the wish, really pleased at how well everything was received. at the question, i curse lightly and stand up*
Be right back-
*half-jogs up to the counter, asking the staff for a couple and returning with much more in the form of a costume crown. after popping the latter onto your head, i have a seat. i gesture to the staff before handing over a fork*
they said happy birthday too
*looks around for the best place to dig in before stopping short*
Actually- should we get pictures first? For your sns

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *rolls my eyes at the joke*
Oh ha-ha
*sits in anticipation of your reaction, tensing again and melting into laughter*
Yah, you're gonna make me go deaf in this ear
*says through laughter, before handing over the cake to free my hands*
Come on, look at him. Bora Dori says happy birthday
*feels around in the bag for the lighter the cafe gave me. lighting the candle, i clear my throat and start singing happy birthday*

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *tenses, surprised by the noise, but ends up smiling as you happily take in the gift*
You're welcome. I'm hoping nobody else got you that haha
*adds on the last part as an aside while opening the cake box. carefully sliding the thing out and presenting it to you*
Ta-da~

(it is the teletubbies cake because it HAS to be)

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ Gift incoming~
*mimics your tone, pulling the box from its bag and placing it in your hands*
I know you, uh, collect these. So, when I saw them, I couldn't..not get them, y'know?
*explains, albeit a little awkwardly; clears my throat after*
So, here. Happy birthday

(https://i.imgur.com/luGtN4i.jpg)

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *looks up at the sound of my name, searching for a bit before landing on you. i stand as you approach, sliding my phone into my pocket*
Ah, no..I just figured the museum wouldn't let us have this inside the exhibit
*grabs the box and bag, holding the former up for a moment before gesturing for us to get comfortable and sit*
What do you want first? Gift or cake?

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *replies with a quick %, smiling and bowing when i look up and accidentally lock eyes with a random grandma. needing to kill a few minutes, i open up insta and start looking through the Lucky tags*

@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *sits outside of a cafe across from Willing N Dealing, one hand keeping a protective palm on the cake box and gift bag next to me on the bench. sends a text with the other hand*

(text to - ha miri)
- you're close, right?
- let's meet at Beup first