A Familiar Scent
The second day of being gym mates with Ajeong.
Once I learned she was a physical education major, her advice carried even more weight. She was more than just a plate-loading partner—I was basically getting free personal training.
Aside from the disgruntled looks from the male staff at the gym, it was a thoroughly satisfying partnership.
"Woohyun, I don't think I can work out with you tomorrow."
"Oh, yeah?"
We had already dropped the formal speech after chatting post-workout the day before. Unlike me, she showed no trace of awkwardness about it.
"Yeah. I only work weekdays, so I was planning to come in a bit later tomorrow. You should..."
"Then I'll see you Monday. Sunday's a rest day anyway."
"..."
I had assumed she worked every day, but she only came in on weekdays. Skipping the weekend and meeting Monday felt like the natural conclusion, so that was how I answered—yet her expression said something about it didn't sit right.
"Is that not okay?"
"Ah... no! Actually, about that—want to grab lunch together on Sunday? I found this great salad place recently!"
"Huh? There's such a thing as a good salad restaurant?"
A pile of greens being delicious or not—it was a concept that made no sense to someone who solved all his vegetable needs with kimchi alone.
"Of course there is!! You'll come with me, right?"
"Sure... if nothing comes up, let's meet."
"Thanks!"
She seemed a little too happy about it, but I figured that just meant she really loved salad. Missing out on my plate-loading partner on Saturday left me a bit disappointed, but having plans for an otherwise lonely weekend more than made up for it.
Given the menu, it felt less like a meal date with a girl and more like a diet session with a gym mate—but it still counted as a kind of date, didn't it?
Saturday's workout, alone again.
Of all days, Saturday was the only one of the week dedicated to lower body, which only made the loneliness hit harder.
"Ugh..."
My legs trembled as I climbed the stairs to my apartment. I still had a part-time shift in about three hours—I wasn't sure I'd make it. Of course the elevator was under maintenance today, so the stairs were the only option.
I gripped the railing and hauled myself up with my arms, desperate to rest even a little sooner.
Thud, thud—
Footsteps came from higher up in the building. Wondering who it was, I looked up and saw a complete stranger.
Cap, glasses, mask—her face was completely covered. She wore an oversized hoodie and carried a backpack that looked extremely heavy. Aside from the yellowish hair peeking out from under her cap, she looked like any ordinary student.
She paused when she saw me, then stepped aside to let me pass first.
"Thanks..."
"Yeah..."
It was the first time I'd spoken to anyone all day, and my voice came out hoarse and cracked—embarrassing, though she seemed just as awkward.
"Ugh..."
It would have been better if she'd just slipped past me, but climbing the stairs took long enough that the awkward atmosphere stretched on.
"Hss... haah..."
Huh?
The moment I finished the flight, the girl student hurried past me as if she'd been waiting for the chance. In the space she left behind lingered a strangely familiar scent.
What is that smell?
"Sniff..."
I started to lean in for another whiff to jog my memory—then realized how that would look to anyone watching and stopped myself.
A guy desperately inhaling the air where a girl had just walked. If she saw that, she might actually call the cops.
I still had three floors to go before home, so I forced myself to focus on climbing again.
...
"Haa..."
I barely remember anything after collapsing onto my bed once I finally made it home. I'd only meant to rest a little before my shift, but I must have fallen straight asleep.
What time is it...
I rubbed my eyes and groped around the bed, but couldn't find my phone.
"Ugh..."
I forced my still-half-asleep body upright and dug through the outer clothes I'd tossed aside. Luckily, the phone was in a pocket. I turned on the screen right away.
17:45
Only fifteen minutes left until my six o'clock start.
Shaaa—
I bolted into the bathroom and ran my hands through my hair at the sink.
"Shit..."
It was even worse than I thought. I tried to fix it with wet hands, but it was hopeless, so I just washed it entirely.
Whiiir—
Thankfully—if you could call it that—I still had my short end-of-service military cut, so it dried fast. Changing into outdoor clothes took all of one minute. I was out the front door in about five.
Okay. Ten minutes left...
Ten minutes remaining. Considering how much earlier I'd arrived last time, it felt manageable. The mental calculation that I wouldn't be late settled my nerves, and I casually pressed the elevator button.
...
"Ah."
Still under maintenance. I had to walk down to the first floor.
The moment the thought hit, the muscle pain in my legs flared up.
"Argh. Ugh. Guuh..."
"Uwaaugh..."
There was no choice but to descend on exhausted legs. I used them only for the barest contact with each step, relying on the railing and my arms as I hurried down.
Made it...
"Hoo..."
I reached the first floor, but there was no time to catch my breath before heading to the café. Outside the building I panted hard and picked up the pace.
As if bad luck came in pairs, the delinquent girl was out there again, billowing smoke everywhere. I vowed to say something next time we crossed paths—not because I was scared, of course. I was just in a hurry right now.
At least she was using an e-cigarette, so the scent itself was decent. That faintly sensual strawberry fragrance became fuel for my legs.
"Hoo... hoo... ha..."
I arrived in front of the café and sucked in air. Thankfully, it was two minutes before six.
If I can make it this fast, maybe I can start getting ready just ten minutes early on normal days?
I'd flirted with being late, yet somehow discovered I could get here this quickly.
Ding-a-ling—
"Why aren't you coming in?"
"Ah... hello!"
While I was still catching my breath, the owner opened the café door and stepped out.
"You weren't thinking of running off, were you? Heh... hurry up."
Apparently she thought I'd made it all the way to the door only to consider bolting. She grabbed my collar and hauled me inside.
Her back as she led me in—those massive curves bouncing up and down, barely contained by the apron—made me look away.
She pulled me behind the counter, then further in, revealing a space like a break room.
Oh... there's room behind the pillar.
Come to think of it, I'd agreed to work here without ever properly looking around the café.
"Here, put this on and come out. The size should fit."
What she handed me was an apron. Same design as hers, but hers was brown while mine was a deep green closer to khaki.
Oh.
Comfortable and a perfect fit. I never knew an apron could suit me. The only ones I'd worn before were the non-waterproof "waterproof" aprons for dishwashing in the military.
Feeling oddly satisfied, I stepped out to the counter and stood beside the owner.
...
Only now did I look around the café properly—and sure enough, there was no one.
Why hire a part-timer at all...?
"Um..."
"Evenings are usually quiet. Oh, and you can speak casually if you want."
"Yes, please feel free."
Her somehow warm, cozy way of speaking made it impossible to refuse.
Time passed, and the café stayed just as empty.
"Uh... you're open for orders right now, right??"
"Yes~ How can I help you?"
"An iced americano and..."
...
In the end, we only served a single customer the entire day. I spent the time simply learning the job from the owner.
I'd had no confidence making drinks, but once you knew the recipes it wasn't hard at all.
At ten we closed the shop and did the closing clean. So my actual working hours were six to ten-thirty—once a week, and only four and a half hours at that. Barely any customers, and working alongside the owner, so the pressure was low.
Having her right next to me wasn't exactly comfortable, but when I still didn't know how to do anything properly, having someone watch and teach every step was reassuring.
The hourly wage was a full 15,000 won. She said she'd raise it as much as she wanted if the shop did better, though that seemed unlikely.
"Owner, with conditions this good, aren't there a lot of people who want the job?"
Listing the perks out loud made me wonder all over again why she was keeping me on for just one day a week.
"Hmm... there are quite a few, but..."
"See?"
These days people lined up for minimum wage alone. Work this light looked easy enough for a second job, which made me both grateful and bewildered that I was the one working here.
"Woohyun was the best of them."
"Ah, haha... thank you."
A genuine question answered with praise. Coming in person to turn the job down must have somehow appealed more than a regular interview.
Lucky break.
Closing clean didn't take long either. We finished at just 10:15. Even chatting leisurely with the owner, we wrapped up fifteen minutes early.
"Good work~"
"Thank you for your hard work."
We left the café together.
"Huh?"
I turned to flip the hanging sign to closed, only to find it already changed.
"What's wrong? Ah~ I flipped it earlier~"
"Ahh~ Next time I'll take care of it first."
"Heh. Such a good kid. Do that for me."
She really was free with the compliments. As a complete social newbie, I couldn't keep the corners of my mouth from lifting.
"Want a ride home?"
"Ah, no thank you. It's only about a five-minute walk. See you next week!"
I declined politely and bowed right away, so she didn't press further.
"Alright~ See you next week~"
Vroooom—
Should've taken the ride.
The owner's car was a red sports car with a black prancing horse on it.