I tried to get myself under control for the remainder of the movie that I was now ignoring. After he woke up to annoy me, Kinn kept his eyes open to watch the movie for five minutes at most before going back to sleep. I’m never going to see another movie with you, you shithead!
When we got out of the theater, Kinn went back to putting on his aloof façade. When we were away from prying eyes—like when we were stuck in the forest—he’d show his playful side, but when people were around, he was a total dick. Hah! I know all your tricks now, Kinn.
“Are you hungry? You want some ice cream?” I asked, even though I didn’t really like desserts that much. I only ever ate those damned chocolates at Kinn’s house because I was hungry. I didn’t know why I brought it up; maybe it was because I was thinking of Madam Yok’s words: “add sweetness to your life together.” Eating something sweet should do it.
“Sure.” Kinn looked confused, but he followed my lead.
I took us into an ice cream parlor. The storefront was decorated with ponies, rainbows, and a giant teddy bear. It was so saccharine that it made me a little nervous—we didn’t fit in at all. I looked like a crook, and Kinn looked like a politician on the campaign trail with his perfect posture. What a headache.
“Order whatever you want,” Kinn said, crossing his legs and sliding the menu over to me like a wealthy benefactor treating his sugar baby out on the town.
“I don’t know how to order something like this,” I said, flicking through the menu and passing it back to Kinn.
“I’m not familiar with it either.” Kinn passed the menu back to me. I went still, considering my options. Does Kinn not like sweet stuff? What do I do now?!
“What should we get?” I asked, opening the menu again. I randomly pointed to a sundae. “Let’s order this one.” It looked quite colorful, with horse-shaped cookies and sprinkles. Fuck it, this should be sweet enough!
“What would you like to drink?” our server asked with a smile.
“Kinn, what do you want?”
“Water.”
“Just water, please,” I said, handing the menu back. I sighed. Fuck! Why did I believe every word Madam Yok said to me?
“You like stuff like this?” Kinn asked, glancing around. I shook my head.
“No.”
“What?! Then why did you invite me here?” Kinn squinted at me.
“I dunno. I saw the big teddy bear.” I randomly pointed to the teddy bear outside. Our water showed up, so Kinn took a drink and smiled. What is it, asshole? Is there something on my face?!
Not long after, our ice cream was served. It came in a giant, gaudy-looking bowl. Why were there so many sparkly decorations? It was so fancy, I was afraid to eat it!
“Go on,” Kinn said, looking just as shocked as me. The large sundae was decorated like a carousel, with horse-shaped animal crackers and cotton candy around the edges. Glittery sugar in a variety of colors sparkled in the light. The ice cream making up the base came in so many different hues that I had no idea what I was looking at.
“You have to eat with me,” I said, hesitantly taking a spoonful of ice cream.
“I don’t even know where to start.” Kinn used his spoon to contemplatively tap at the chocolate carousel top before taking a tiny piece.
“How is it?” I asked, spoon still in my hand.
“I don’t think this is my style.” Kinn put down his spoon, so I tried some, too… Ugh, it wasn’t my style either, because it was way too fucking sweet. It was so cloying I could barely swallow it. Shit! This place was a bust ever since we came in. I didn’t know what spirit tricked me into picking out this joint! If anyone from the Major Clan saw us with this damned bowl, they probably wouldn’t believe their eyes.
I didn’t want it to go to waste, though. I forced myself to eat four or five more bites. And it was so fucking expensive, too. Should I bring some back to Chay? It didn’t taste good, but at least it looked nice.
While I sucked on my spoon, deciding where else I should take a bite from, my gaze wandered outside and landed on a sign that read “Game Center.” I saw several couples playing with claw machines, and I wondered if Kinn would think that was new and exciting. Has someone like him ever played a claw game?
“I’m done,” I announced, putting down my spoon. Kinn looked up from his phone and nodded, calling someone over to get the bill.
“So, what’s next on the program?” Kinn asked with a smile.
“What program?” I said, not understanding what he meant. “I want a stuffed animal.” I pointed to the arcade machines, which made Kinn laugh, but he led the way there.
I walked down the line of machines, looking for one that I wanted to play. To be honest, I really liked these things. I’d always wanted to go to Japan someday and play crane games all over Tokyo. People said it was easier to win prizes there than in Thailand.
Kinn went to exchange his money and came back with his hands full of coins. “Which one do you want?”
“Do you know how to play?” I asked him condescendingly. He didn’t look like he played these types of games. Although we were close in age, he always acted like an old man.
“I’m a master at this, didn’t you know?” Kinn said. Without further preamble, he inserted a coin and prepared to show off his godly skills. When the machine started up, I couldn’t help but get excited, too.
…Not only did Kinn fail to grab anything, he didn’t even aim it right! This fucker!
“It’s the first round! You never win the first round,” Kinn said, still relaxed. He inserted another coin for a second try, but…
“What are you doing?! You have to aim right before you press the button!” I crossed my arms and circled the machine, analyzing it.
“I have to focus!” Kinn fidgeted, pushing up his sleeves and trying again.
“You can take your time before you press the button… Oh, what are you doing?!” I groused.
Kinn started to huff and puff, no longer upholding his stoic image. The game got more and more serious until ten rounds went by. Kinn scratched his head in frustration.
“Fucking hell! This machine is rigged! I was aiming perfectly!”
“Aiming perfectly, my ass! I told you to wait before pressing the button! Can’t you see the claw can spin?!” I snapped.
Kinn’s anger was apparent now, and he stomped off to start another claw game. I lost count of how many games we played, but Kinn took out a thousand baht note and went to get more coins. Both of us circled the machine like it was a matter of life or death.
“Move left, left. I said left!” I shouted at him, looking up and down from the other side of the machine.
“I’m moving left! If I go any further, I’ll miss it!”
“Then move back! Back! You’re going forward, Kinn!” I put my hands on my hips, glaring at him in exasperation.
“I’m trying to focus! If you’re so good, why don’t you do it yourself?!” Kinn shouted, just as heated as me.