Keys to Happiness

10. Key

When we arrived at the festival, I was excited to walk around with Aliah, but I was also worried. I'd never been on such a public date before that wasn't scripted by a television show and this was a very mixed gathering of people. Unlike the fashion district and coffee shop we had visited before, there could be Shinee fans here.
Although I was nervous, I didn't want Aliah to think anything was wrong. It was very important for her to know that I could and did live normally. I had downplayed my popularity, but it would be even more helpful if no ssasaeng fans turned up. As I went to the other side of the car door to help Aliah out, her hair lifted in the slight breeze and I could smell the coconut scent she'd used.

I was tempted to bring her close to me and inhale the sweet the fragrance, but I held back and instead led her to the opening of the grounds. The whole area was alive with music and hundreds of people milled around the main area. Colored streamers and balloons were loose and floating around the area, many of them shaped like different flowers and lotus blossoms.

"So, what would you like to do first? There's food to the left and to the right is the palace and gardens. That's where the play will be held too," I showed her, pointing out the different areas.

Let's go over there," she said while directing me to the games area. A large tent was in the area and a huge sign hung above it in Korean. "What are they making?"

"That's where they're making the lotus soap, it's a traditional practice."

"From scratch? Cool, let's do that!"

I laughed at her enthusiasm as she started walking purposefully towards the large tent; I was more than willing to enjoy the back view. When we reached the table, we were given smocks to wear over our clothes and we both helped each other put them on. For once, I understood how people might get embarrassed while helping each other put on aprons. There was something slightly intimate about the action since we had to be closer than we'd ever been before. I tried to brush the feeling off but it lingered long after we both were ready to start.

As the director told the people gathered around what to do, I translated the instructions to Aliah. Her face screwed up in concentration as we mixed the soap colors together and then added them into the molds. I went through my own soap process pretty quickly since I was used to making homemade candles and other do-it-yourself projects. As I added in swirling designs to my soap, Aliah tried to copy and failed, mixing her colors all together. Our soap took only minutes to dry under some provided cooling fans and soon we were leaving the table.

"Crap, why does yours look so good and mine look so weird," she pouted as we walked away from the table with our completed soap. In all honesty, hers did look a little strange and I had to hold back my laugh at her indignation.

"It was your first time doing it, and I've been going to this festival to make soap since I was a kid. I was bound to do a little better than you," I replied calmly.

"Yeah right, just a little better maybe," she pointed an accusing finger at my soap. "But you sculpted a flower on yours!"

At that I laughed uncontrollably; she looked so cute when she was frustrated.

"Well, my nickname isn't Almighty Key for nothing, I'm naturally good at everything," I told her while giving her side a little push.

"Shut up," she giggled, pushing me a little harder in retaliation. I helped her put her soap back in the bag and handed her mine.

"I like yours since its pink. Let me have it and you can have mine."

"You don't have to KiBum, yours is so pretty," she protested.

"But I like yours since you made it." I took the bag from her hands and our fingers touched. We both jumped a little and looked away, but I quickly turned back to her and smiled.