South Korea x The Philippines

Here and Now

Alrighty, this was requested by Seoul Butterfly. I hope it's what you want. Let's get started.

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Maria's Point of View

I wiped grease onto my skirt as I laid under my machine. I'd been working on it for years. I decided I had enough for the day and closed up my lab/workshop. As I left the laboratory I saw my friend waving at me.
"Hey Maria! How's your machine goin'?" The blonde asked. I caught up with him and brushed off my skirt.
"It's going ok." I sighed. Nothing I did seemed to work.
We walked the dirt roads in silence after that.
"You seemed stressed, how about we go to Grannies, my treat." He suggested, his cowlick whipping in the soft breeze. (it's America, just to clear things up)

"Sure" I said to my old friend. I've known Alfred since I was a child. When Britain came to the Philippines my family returned with them. That was generations ago though. My family lived right next door to Alfred's and my family jumped at the idea of us going to the new world together.

With a grin on his face, he took my hand and led me into my favorite restaurant. He pulled out my chair like a gentleman and smiled. I didn't bother picking up the menu since I knew already what I wanted.  We came here a lot since Alfred worked here.
"May I ask what you would like the drink?" The waitress said in her cute plaid dress. Alfred wanted to control his weight so ordered water for both of us. She brought us our waters and I slowly sipped mine.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, his eyes burrowing in concern. I sighed, nothing could go past my best friend.
"I just feel like I'm missing out on something." I said with a bit of guilt. I felt a bit selfish about how I felt, I had the opportunity to live in America, the future.
"I understand." He said smiling softly. "That's why you've been working so hard on your machine right?" I nodding weakly and let out a yawn. "I think you're working too hard, take a break. You deserve it." He said taking a sip.
"Thanks Kuya Alfred." I said, even though I was raised in England. I was still Filipino at heart.

After we ate, we made the way back to our shared living quarters. We were roommates. Though he was my best friend, he was like my brother. I didn't have any feelings for him.
I sat at our dining table, resting my head in my arms.
"Go to bed." Alfred commanded in a brotherly manner. I groaned getting up realizing the filthy condition of my clothes.
"Goodnight Kuya." I said walking to my room, where I put on clean sleeping garments.

Yong Soo's Point of View
I groaned as my machine started to spark and shudder.
"Ugh, I'll never get this down perfect." I said in anguish.
"Practice makes perfect." My friend Kiku told me.
"This is my 7th time trying." I said glaring at him. He shrugged.
"8th times the charm?" He suggested.
"Fine." I said ripping wires of my prototype.
"Just think Yong Soo, once you get it down you'll be famous." He said trying to motivate me.
"How many times do I have to tell you-" I started but was interrupted.
"You're doing it to rediscover the past. I know I know." He said sipping his drink. My sanity started to drain as I heard the door slam.
"Yo dude I got you a soda, you should take a break." My best friend suggested once he walked in.
"Maybe later Li Xiao." I groaned as I tried to arrange the wires in the right combination. I seemed to have hit the right circuit because suddenly the machine roared to life. I quickly checked the control panels and made sure everything would work properly. My heart raced and a grin spread across my face.

"What do you know? I think it's working." I said wiping the sweat from my forehead. I stepped into the machine and started to think of where to go first.

"Wait, are you planning on leaving already?" Li Xiao said almost choking on his soda. 

"Well yeah, does anyone want to come with me." I said adjusting my collar sheepishly.