The Host Interview
The nightlife district was ablaze with light, as befitting the underworld.
"I don't think I've ever walked these streets before."
I scanned the neon-drenched thoroughfare, searching for Lumen.
"Lux, Golf, Cube, Girlfriend... where the hell is Lumen?"
I muttered to myself, shaking my head, when a massive sign caught my eye in the distance.
[Lumen]
"Is this it? They own the whole building? Must be loaded."
I pulled out my phone and dialed the number I’d been given earlier.
Ring... Ring...
The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
"What the hell?"
I tried again.
The number you are trying to reach is currently────
"Ha, guess I'll just wait here."
I decided to light a cigarette at the entrance. If someone showed up or spotted me, they’d surely say something.
*Inhale... Exhale...*
"I used to drive through this road like a madman, but looking at it now, the view isn't bad."
Someone was approaching. They gave me a quick scan, then walked straight into the building without a word.
"What are you looking at? Asshole."
I was on my third cigarette, and still, no one had spoken to me.
"If I just go inside, something's bound to happen."
As I stepped into the building, a security guard blocked my path.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
"Yes?"
"Who are you? This is a women-only establishment."
"Ah, I'm here for the host interview."
"I need to report this. Wait a moment."
The guard pulled out his phone and made a call.
"There's someone here for the host interview."
"Oh, he's already here? Tell him to come inside."
"Got it!"
*Click.*
"What did they say?"
"They said to let you in. Take the elevator to the second floor."
I headed straight for the second floor.
As the elevator doors opened, I was blinded by a display of extravagant lighting. Gleaming white marble floors and tiled walls greeted me.
A person at the counter spoke up.
"Welcome! You're here for the interview, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Our sales manager is conducting the interviews, but she's in a room for a moment. Please wait in room 207 over there."
I headed straight to 207. Even though I was inside a room, it was so spacious it didn't feel like one at all. Having spent my life as a bo-do manager, it had been a while since I'd been in a place like this.
"Damn, this place is flashy."
I sat on the sofa and cracked open a drink.
"The drinks aren't any different here. Well, obviously."
I spread my arms and crossed my legs, acting as if I were a customer. Then, I thought of Line, who would be sleeping right now.
"When will she come────"
*Knock, knock.*
"Yes!"
The door opened slowly. Who would be coming in? If it was a sales manager, I could only imagine a bald middle-aged man...
"Hello~"
Contrary to my expectations, a sexy female voice reached my ears. I immediately straightened my posture and focused my gaze on the door.
"You're here for the interview, right? Sorry to keep you waiting."
She apologized, possessing looks that could easily pass for a top-tier hostess. It had taken a while, but I decided to lie.
"No, it was so comfortable I lost track of time."
"Haha! Really~? You seem a bit nervous, though?"
She spoke with ease as she sat down across from me.
"Your appearance is clean and good. Have you worked in this business before?"
"I haven't worked as a host, but I was a bo-do manager."
"Hmm~ Then you must know a lot about the nightlife, right? Bo-do manager... which box were you with?"
Someone working in a high-end place like this probably wouldn't know even if I told them... but I decided to say it anyway.
"I was a manager at Melon."
"Melon? I think I've heard of it..."
"It's the number one call office in this neighborhood!"
My subconscious pride slipped out before I could stop it. She looked slightly taken aback, but continued.
"Ah, Melon? Isn't that place quite famous? I heard the owner has a lot of connections in this area."
"Haha. I suppose so."
"So, why did you quit?"
"That is..."
If I said I was fired, it would definitely be a negative. This place wouldn't be as free as the bo-do life.
"Hmm?"
"Actually, I wanted to be a host! So when I saw the flyer, I felt like this was my chance, and I came for an interview!"
"Hahahaha!!"
She burst into laughter. It was surely a genuine laugh, but to me, it sounded like mockery.
"You're funny. I feel like you'll be good at the job~"
"Thank you..."
"By any chance, today... can you start working right now?"
"Yes!?"
"We have quite a lot of customers coming in today, so it should be easy to get chosen."
I was tempted by her words. It looked like a lie at a glance, but I decided to play along for now. But first, I had to confirm the details.
"...How many customers are coming?"
"Hmm... just the reservations for today alone are enough to run out of rooms."
Running out of rooms for the entire building?
"I'll do it right away! I'll work hard!"
"You've got spirit~ Enthusiasm is good, but we need to write up a contract."
She handed me a piece of paper.
Working Hours & Dress Code: 6 days a week. One day off (excluding Fri/Sat). Hours: 18:00–04:00. Tardiness penalty: 30,000 Gold. Dress code: Semi-formal.
Compensation: Hourly T/C 70,000 Gold. 15-minute increments for partial hours. 10,000 Gold per bottle.
Benefits: 300,000 Gold/month for grooming. 100,000 Gold/month for taxi fare. Nearby housing provided (500,000 Gold rent). Dinner provided. Bonus equal to monthly salary every 6 months.
Other: 1-month notice for resignation. Early termination penalty: 100,000 Gold per scheduled workday missed.
I checked the contents of the contract carefully. It wasn't much different from what was on the flyer.
"I've checked everything."
"Any questions?"
"Not really. But there's no space for a signature here?"
"Ah, about that..."
She trailed off and pulled something out of her bag.
"Just take this pill. That will complete the contract."
It looked a bit suspicious, but now wasn't the time to hesitate.
"Ugh... my stomach feels weird..."
"Now, head to the waiting room after the counter guides you, and you can start working~"
She packed her bag and stood up.
"Oh, right!"
"Yes?"
"I didn't mention it, but the pill is infused with magic, so you might feel dizzy sometimes!"
Why are you telling me that now────
"And one absolute taboo! Dating a girlfriend is strictly forbidden!"
"Girlfriend? Ah, yes, yes."
As the conversation ended, she vanished right before my eyes. I headed to the counter as instructed.
"Did the interview go well~?"
"Yes... I've decided to start working from today."
"Ah, then... for today, just work in what you're wearing, and from tomorrow, please wear semi-formal attire. The waiting room is 201. Right over there."
"Yes, have a good one~"
I entered room 201, which he had pointed out. Inside, dozens of hosts were glaring at me.
"Hello! I've decided to start working from today!"
"..."
None of the many people there answered; they just went back to what they were doing. Feeling awkward, I went to sit on the sofa. Then, the voice of the person from the counter earlier drifted in from the door.
"Customers are here~ Let's go for a choice~"
To hunt for customers, the males began to swarm out. I mixed into the crowd and headed to the same place.
"Alright, alright! Line up in a row~ We'll make groups of 10~"
He shouted as he opened the room door.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! We've brought only our aces! Let us show you our choices~!"
"Alright, let's go in! One~ two~"
"That's it."
The line stopped in front. He entered the room and closed the door. Murmuring started from behind me.
"Did you hear? They're in their 20s!"
"Oh, fuck. Is this a sex party today?"
"I'm definitely getting chosen here. Just watch."
The vulgar tone tickled my ears. Ha, fuck. I wasn't the type of person to work in a place like this. Looking at the floor, I swallowed my disgust.
The door opened, and his voice was heard.
"That was Group 1, Group 1! Please wait for a moment~"
"Alright, Group 2, let's go in~ One~ two~"
Calculating the position, I was at the very front of Group 4. As I was fidgeting, someone spoke to me.
"First time today? Do you know how to work?"
"No, I'm completely new to being a host..."
"Once you go in, the choice will proceed, and you just have to say your number when they call it."
"Yes, thank you."
Group 2's choice ended, and Group 3 went in. My turn was coming up soon. Number 1... I'm number 1...
"That was Group 3~ Now, Group 4, let's go in~"
Tense, I kept my eyes on the floor and entered the room.
*Click.*
I heard the sound of the door closing. It was a sound all too familiar to me, but not like this. In this place where everything was unfamiliar, it was hard to lift my head.
"Alright, let's do numbers~ Numbers~!"
I lifted my head with difficulty and spoke.
"Number 1..."
In my field of vision, there was a large room and three women. And for some reason, a familiar silhouette caught my eye. I made eye contact with the person who possessed that silhouette. That person was...
"Yuna!?"