The Mannequin (Jiyoo)

Yoohyeon Little Adventure

Yoohyeon wandered around the mall, discovering in amazement every shop and its content. Minji had told her to get some clothes to wear or other things she might need but Yoohyeon was still hesitant to spend her money like that. Nonetheless, she brought some clothes her size that were on sale, that way she didn't spend much money and it would also fulfill Minji's demand.

A little after noon, she passed in front of a hamburgers' restaurant and her stomach growled of emptiness. The smell made her salivate, she licked her lips and entered entranced by it. She tilted her head, carefully reading the menu and examining the orders that the customers got handed from the employees at the counter. Everything passing by looked so appetizing that she even decided to get some French fries. She ordered nervously her meal, she still wasn't use to communicate with people, and sat alone at a table, sharing this moment of discovery with herself.

After the luscious meal, she explored the place some more until her eyes were attracted to colorful LED lights surrounding a mosaïque of screens where replay of video games and anime played on. The grand signs above read: Pc Room and Arcade Games. She got drawn by the ambiance and decided to enter, after all, it was still early, she had time to kill until Minji was off.

The inside was even more fascinating than the outside, the sound of people typing on keyboards and clicking the mouses was prominent from the rows of computer cubicles but as she went further into the room another element intrigued her. Neon-light arrow-heads pointed at a door in the middle and Yoohyeon couldn't resist to see what was hidden behind it.

She wasn't disappointed when she got to the other side. Neon lights were lighting the large space changing colors every now and then. Arcade games filled the space, inviting the silver-haired to play them. She navigated the room, watching people play in amazement. The smell of snacks and sweets was heavy in the air, giving the place an even more surrealistic atmosphere.

Yoohyeon approached the counter where a large water-tank held a little submarine world, straight out of comic books and video games, containing fishes and jellyfishes floating and surrounded by neon lights. Yoohyeon's mouth opened agape in awe.

« It's cool, isn't it? »

Yoohyeon's eyes adverted to the woman who jumped behind the counter swiftly, putting away a bag of coins that she had collected from one of the machines. She brushed her brown mid-length hair away, revealing an eyebrow cut and, now that Yoohyeon could see her better, a lip ring. Her simple black long sleeves t-shirt also showed the lower half of a sleeve tattoo on her left arm.

Yoohyeon wanted to tell her she was the one who looked cool but didn't want to sound weird so she just nodded « It's my first time at a place like this » She tilted her head, observing the aquarium.

« Never been to an arcade? » The woman raised an eyebrow inviting her behind the counter to watch closer. Yoohyeon shook her head and almost pressed her nose against the fish tank « Well....Welcome then » She smiled at her and watched the underwater world « I dreamed of a place like this when I was a kid but everywhere I went it never fulfilled my expectations so I built that dream myself »

« You built all of this? » Yoohyeon questioned amazed.

The woman nodded proudly « I get to live my childhood dream »

« That's awesome » Yoohyeon whispered, her index finger moving across the glass catching the attention of some fishes « I really like this » She smiled goofily as one yellow fish seemed to follow her finger.

The woman arbored a friendly smile until a little boy approached the counter « Hey, bud! Your usual? » She questioned the kid who handed her a few bills. She exchanged them for coins and gave him a red plastic cup full of it, lifting her gaze farther in the room where a middle-aged woman was watching them. She sent her a smile and the woman waved at her « Enjoy, kiddo » She told the boy « And let your mom play too » The kid shook his head playfully before strutting back to his mother. Yoohyeon caught the owner's eyes when she looked back at her and they exchanged a sweet smile « I'm Lee Yubin by the way » She extended her hand, finally introducing herself to the newcomer.