It's time for you to spend your time with Juhyeon, but fate seems to have other plans.
Juhyeon sat in front of you, sitting with her hanbok neatly. She looked at you warmly as you carefully prepared the tray of tea you were to share with her. She took a cup slowly and sipped carefully. “Mmm!,” she remarked. “This is very good tea. Where did you purchase this?”
“My cousin Nayeon,” you smiled. “She came from Jeonju and dropped them by before heading for the capital again. I save this for special guests,” you winked.
“You’re so cheesy,” Jennie rolled her eyes. “Keep going.”
The plan was simple: coach you, since Juhyeon couldn’t see her anyway. Jennie sat behind her, far away enough that she wouldn’t accidentally blow some spirit force or anything in her direction, but aligned perfectly that, if you looked at her, it appeared you still looked at and around Juhyeon. Perhaps this was how shamans with personal spirits really did things in the first place, you thought.
Of course, last night still stuck in your mind. Every time Jennie’s face popped up behind Juhyeon’s shoulder, you could only think of her face, twisted in pleasure. But you focused on Juhyeon, and trying to get her to like you. And if that meant playing to Jennie’s whims, so be it. This was the task.
In the few hours of banter and emptied teacups, you realized Jennie was right: you knew very little about Juhyeon and her interests. Lucky for you, that you bothered to ask made her take your cluelessness as a sign of humility.
“You must tell me, Taehyung,” Juhyeon laughed, “how it is you make a living.”
“You’d be surprised how many couples still come here for divination,” you responded, with Jennie giving you a thumbs up.
“Divination? Really?,” Juhyeon pushed.
“Yes, that’s basically the only thing I can do, as a male shaman.”
“What do you mean?,” she asked.
“Well, you know how female shaman can do that whole spirit summoning ritual?”
“Yeah? Is that not something men can do?”
“I mean, men can do it, but they’re not supposed to.”
“Which is stupid,” Jennie said, “because you can do it just fine.”
“That’s silly,” Juhyeon commented, “though perhaps one way we women have something over you men.”
“Amen, sister,” Jennie cheered. “I’d high five you if you could see me.”
“Well, if you really think about it,” you offered, “it’s because being a shaman is already so feminine, the less of it we do, the more of our masculinity we keep.”
“Humans,” Jennie shook her head.
“That… makes sense, actually,” Juhyeon nodded.
“Cancelled,” Jennie rolled her eyes.
“Well, if you can tell the future, then you must tell me something about mine,” she urged. “Please?”
“Of course, Juhyeon,” you said. “but you’ll have to help me so that I may call on a spirit to guide us.”
“Ooh, I get to watch a performance!,” Juhyeon clapped her hands. “Please, go on!”
You donned your coat and hat, and handed her a drum. “I’m gonna teach you how to play the janggu now. Make sure to follow these instructions, or I’ll be,” you gasped playfully, “possessed!”
“Tease. Oh! Wrap your arms around her,” Jennie whispered.
“Here, let me show you,” you gestured, wrapping your arm around her to guide her in playing the instrument. Her hair was fragrant, her skin almost gleaming porcelain, only interrupted by patches of pink and black that made up her face.
You taught her a basic tempo, one that wouldn’t actually call on a spirit. Since Jennie was there, you were going to have her move the rice grains you used to read out her fortune. It all worked out in the end.
“Start the drums,” you asked, and Juhyeon began. You started your dancing and chanting. You’d occasionally look at Juhyeon, marvelling at her in her element, though sometimes she’d catch your eye and giggle.
When the chanting was completed, you sat back down and emptied the bowl of rice grains. “Now, Juhyeon, there is currently a spirit here who can tell us a bit about the future. Some things she cannot say for sure—”
“Oh, a she!,” Juhyeon exclaimed. “Sorry, please continue.”
“Some things she cannot say for sure, but what she can, I will tell you.”
“And you’re telling me she can tell you this through the rice grains?,” she asked.
“I’ll be whispering into his ear, but basically, yeah,” Jennie said, holding on to her shoulders, making Juhyeon shiver.
“Are you okay? Let me get you a coat,” you said, looking back at Jennie giving you another thumbs up.
Returning with a shawl, she smiled at you. “You’re very tender, Taehyung.”
“Comes with the task,” you dismissed. “Now, on to the divination. Ask me about a general area of your life.”
Juhyeon gave it some thought. “Let’s try something simple, like… will I win next year’s pansori competition?”
“Nope, can’t do that, but she can pray for it,” Jennie shrugged.
“Sorry, I can’t foretell that. But maybe you can come by to pray for luck another time?”
“Gladly,” she laughed. “Okay, how about… oh, my father’s business! He’s due to travel to Hanseong soon for a few months. How will he be?”
“Hmm… nothing bad actually, though nothing good either. He’ll be safe though,” Jennie replied.
“He unfortunately won’t be bringing much home, and perhaps he should prepare for that. But he will be safe.”
“Oh no, alright. Thank you for your honesty,” Juhyeon nodded. “Hmm, let’s try something more lighthearted. Is my brother going to get married soon?”
“I’m… seeing something,” Jennie struggled. “Not soon, but he is seeing someone. Oh! There’s a child. Maybe don’t tell her that?”
“Not soon, but he is seeing someone,” you cautioned. “Maybe remind him to be careful with his… urges.”
Juhyeon giggled. “I knew it.” She rubbed her chin as she thought of her last question. “Okay, how about… will Injeong ask me for my hand in marriage soon?”
Silence. Not so much awkward, but dead. Which made sense, only if Jennie wasn’t there. But she was, and she was silent.
You looked over Juhyeon’s shoulder. Jennie’s face looked concerned.
“Fuuuuuck,” Jennie hissed. “Oooh, shiiit, okay. Breathe.”