Round Three (KBTBB FF)

23 - Fall Down

Content Warning:
Self Depreciation, Strong Language, Predatory Behavior, Sexual Harassment, Substance Abuse

Unfortunately it is too good to be true, because when I arrive and try to check in for my flight, I'm denied.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Huang, but we've overbooked the flight. Enough passengers to fill the plane have checked in before you, so I'm afraid we're going to have to bump you to the next available flight." The Japan Airlines employee bows apologetically.

Overbooked? In 2021?? Haaa, whatever. My streak of luck was bound to end.

"The flight doesn't leave for an hour and it's full?" I ask to confirm.

"The flight is expected to leave at nine p.m. and since this is an international flight, we recommend our passengers check in at least three hours before. I know it's hard to believe, but the plane is full. This happens quite rarely, that it fills up so early." She explains.

"Okay, when can I change my flight to?"

"The next available seat is for tomorrow at three in the afternoon."

"Isn't there one leaving at midnight?" I check the roster behind her.

"All seats for the next consecutive flights have been sold."

Yup. Makes sense this would happen to me. At least I can pick up a new cleanser here.

I book the flight and am given a complementary room here for the delay. I set my bag down at the door and take the the bandages I requested to the bathroom. The cracks in my knuckles are fresh, so I'm not surprised to see how disgusting and colorful my hands are. I manage to change the bandages and lean on the counter, not really sure what to do until tomorrow afternoon.

I'm too excited to sleep, and its the weekend so there's plenty to do in Seoul.

I'll stop by a beauty shop first to pick up some new products to try. I want to bring something back for Baba, too.

I shop around at the Lotte Mall by the airport and pick up a box of sweet tteok that I think Baba would like to try. I ask the hotel to ship it to my club, so I don't have to deal with more baggage at the airport. Then I'm back in my silent room, laying on the bed unsure of what to do.

"I'll text him." I take my phone out onto the balcony, shoot a selfie with the view, and send it.

> Check out the view I text.

Instantly, my phone rings with his caller ID. I pick up, but the line is noisy.

"Baba?"

"...ful, and..... view-" He's cut off, so I can't make anything out.

"I can't understand you. Maybe you should call later." I pout.

More nonsense comes out, so I have no choice but to hang up and text him the connection is bad. I expect a text as quickly as he called, but my phone never goes off.

Weird. I should probably leave him alone to focus. He's literally in another country, searching for information on a dangerous coin that might not even be there. He's doing all this for me, and I'm here in a cushy hotel room, complaining about being bored. I should be helping.

The only place I can think of for a proper lead is the Seoul lounge. Being Shi Rei is going to kill this great energy I have going, too....

No one said it'd be easy.

I unzip my bag to get Canter coins for entry when I cut myself on something. It feels like rigid paper, so I pull it out and drop it immediately. The polaroid flutters to the floor, showing a blood stained image of James and me. My blood is smeared on the corner, where James wrote our names with the date. I pick it up, inspecting it closely.