Chapter 108: First Day
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108: First Day
In the basement of Gold One’s C-Building Hotel, there were only two simple places to eat.
A kimbap shop and a chicken joint.
That was it for food, but since there was also a coin karaoke and a billiard hall, it didn't seem like life here would be boring. Plus, as I’d heard earlier, we had access to the ski resort and the water park.
“Wow, there are so many people since it’s the first day.”
“If we hadn't come early, we wouldn't have found a seat.”
“There are no small tables left, so we’ll have to take a long one. Let’s head to that ten-seater over there.”
The two guys from Seshin Kang University mostly talked amongst themselves. It wasn't that they were trying to distance themselves from us; it just felt like they were awkward.
Dae-sang Hyung, the only one significantly older than us, didn't seem like the talkative type either. He frequently let out intentional coughs, seemingly unable to bear the awkward silence.
The chicken shop was bustling.
Since everyone was starting work tomorrow, I could hear people at other tables talking about where they might be stationed. It seemed like every room had come out for a welcome dinner to break the ice.
“Hey, if you guys are okay with it, how about Hyung speaks casually to us, and those of us the same age just drop the formalities? We’re going to be living together for two months, after all.”
When I made the suggestion after we ordered the chicken, everyone reacted positively. It felt like they had been waiting for someone to bring it up.
“Sounds good.”
“I’m down too.”
“Ahem. Sure, if you guys are okay with it.”
Dae-sang Hyung accepted while clearing his throat again. It seemed he had felt a bit awkward using formal speech with kids six years younger than him.
“Lately, if an older person suggests dropping formalities first, people call them a ‘boomer’ and complain,” he added, scratching his cheek. He was strangely cute in his own way.
Once the formalities were dropped, the atmosphere lightened up. Jegal Jae-min smiled and struck up a conversation with us.
“Our placements get decided tomorrow. Do you think everyone’s going into the casino?”
“Wow, I’ve never even been to a casino before.”
“Probably, right?”
Chan-woo added a word awkwardly at the end. It was sweet to see him trying his best to be social.
“It’s not just the casino. There are so many amenities inside, so we’ll probably be scattered around those,” Dae-sang Hyung chimed in, mumbling while munching on the complimentary snacks.
“For example, helping out at a chicken place like this. There are tons of restaurants operated internally.”
“Oh, as expected of a Food & Culinary Arts major. You’ve got it all figured out.”
When Jegal Jae-min made a fuss, Dae-sang Hyung just gave a shy grin without saying much.
As we sat there, half-excited and half-worried about tomorrow, the Seshin Kang duo cautiously leaned toward Chan-woo.
“Uh, hey, Chan-woo. Could you maybe sit at the very end?”
“Huh? I mean, I can... but why?”
Since it was a ten-person table, the seats next to us were empty. They were intentionally pushing Chan-woo to the edge so someone could sit next to him.
“We saw you at the banquet hall earlier. Girls were flocking to you.”
“Are you an aspiring actor? Or do you already have an agency? Are you not allowed to date?”
“...It’s nothing like that.”
Finally realizing his role, Chan-woo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Even so, he didn't refuse their request. It meant he was just as interested in the opposite sex as they were.
If things went well, Chan-woo might actually find love here at Gold One.
‘Oh, right.’
A bit of time had passed, and now that I had a moment of peace, I tried calling Choi I-seo.
‘Hmm?’
The ringtone just kept going, but she didn't pick up. I was about to send a text, wondering if she was already asleep, when—
Thwack!
“Gah!”
“Yo!”
A stinging pain bloomed on my back. I let out an involuntary gasp, and when I turned around, Ju-hee Sunbae was standing there in casual clothes, grinning.
“You out for drinks with your roommates too? Mind if we take the seats next to you?”
The chicken shop was packed anyway, so they wouldn't find seats anywhere else. I was about to say of course, but then I wondered if the Seshin Kang duo would be okay with it.
However, as soon as they saw Seo Ye-rin, Yoo Ah-rin, and their friends following behind her, they immediately nodded at me, signaling me to accept.
‘Good grief.’
I wondered if there was anyone here those two could actually hit on.
For starters, I’d heard the girls from the Design and Film departments already had boyfriends.
Ju-hee Sunbae was basically a final boss.
And as for Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin... no comment.
Still, since we all knew each other, I figured this was for the best. I moved to the end seat, ending up face-to-face with Chan-woo.
Ju-hee Sunbae sat next to me.
Seo Ye-rin stared at Ju-hee Sunbae for a moment but didn't say anything as she took the seat next to her.
Yoo Ah-rin sat next to Chan-woo, which meant our eyes met every time I looked up.
“How’s your room? Is it the same as ours?”
Ju-hee Sunbae nodded while crunching loudly on the snack crackers.
“Probably. We’re on the 4th floor. What about you guys?”
“We’re on the 8th.”
“Lucky punks. I heard they’re doing fireworks for New Year’s. Can I come over to watch then?”
“Do you like fireworks?”
“They’re pretty. I once beat the crap out of some guys with a fire extinguisher because they tried to start a literal fire just to ‘show me fireworks.’”
“...That’s a dangerous story, but it sounds hilarious.”
“Want me to tell you more?”
After that, the idle chatter continued. Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin seemed to have relaxed, talking like they usually did.
Moreover, just like at the last drinking session, it was clear that Yoo Ah-rin and Jeong Chan-woo had become genuine friends.
Eventually, the chicken arrived.
Since we had ordered first, ours came out first, and the eyes of every girl at the other table fixed on the drumstick in my hand.
“...I’m not giving you any.”
“We ordered our own.”
“Then why are you staring?”
When I playfully moved the chicken to the side, their eyes followed it like they were possessed. It was kind of cute, but when I took a big bite, they all looked genuinely disappointed.
They really were something else.
“Let’s eat together! Hey, since we’re all here, why don’t we mix up the seating?”
Jegal Jae-min immediately threw out his gambit. Looking at the girls, he must have decided that hitting it off with any of them would be a jackpot.
Ju-hee Sunbae took a sip of her beer and replied in a low tone.
“No.”
“Yes, ma’am. Sorry.”
Sorry, buddy, but this woman is a Lu Bu.
Having crushed Jegal Jae-min’s scheme instantly, Ju-hee Sunbae let out a slightly tipsy sigh and explained.
“Everyone on this side is taken. Those two have boyfriends, Ye-rin is a precious soul, and Ah-rin is...”
Ju-hee Sunbae trailed off, staring blankly at Yoo Ah-rin across the table before taking another sip of beer.
“What about me?! You don’t have anyone either, Sunbae!”
When Yoo Ah-rin slammed the table in protest, Ju-hee Sunbae laughed as if amused.
“Hey, I’m the exception.”
I didn't know what made her an exception, but strangely, it was convincing. Even Jegal Jae-min was nodding his head vigorously in agreement.
Anyway, the girls’ chicken arrived, and the atmosphere grew warmer as the conversation flowed.
“Personally, I want to work at the Japanese restaurant. What was it? Cheonghae? I heard there’s a separate Japanese place here.”
“Did you apply for a culinary position, Sunbae?”
“Yeah, since it’s a part-time gig, I could choose. I went with culinary.”
“Captain Ju holding a sashimi knife... that actually fits too well.”
As the alcohol kicked in, everyone became more talkative. When the topic shifted to tomorrow’s work, voices started rising one by one. Everyone began shouting out where they wanted to be stationed.
“I want to work at the cocktail bar inside the casino.”
“There’s a place like that?”
“I heard there’s a shop only VIPs can enter. Do they have openings there?”
“They probably don't use part-timers for that, right?”
Feeling the walls between us crumbling as we chatted, I took a peek at my phone.
“...!”
There was a missed call from Choi I-seo. She must have called back after seeing my earlier attempt.
I immediately stood up and headed out of the chicken shop. Since we were in the basement, I had to go up to the first floor to get some fresh air, but I didn't mind.
— Hello?
Choi I-seo answered cautiously. Her voice was thick with sleep, as if she’d been dozing off because of the late hour.
“Were you sleeping? Sorry.”
— No, I just drifted off for a second. Did you get there okay?
“Yeah, I arrived safely. I’m out having drinks with my roommates right now.”
— Drinking again? That’s bad for your health.
Her worried tone felt strangely warm.
“Hey, listen...”
I took a small breath, thinking I should say something to her. But the words got stuck in my throat and wouldn't come out properly.
— Come back.
To the struggling me, she spoke.
— Come back, and tell me to my face.
Choi I-seo spoke with a light, airy laugh.
— We’re still... only freshmen, after all.
She brought up her own rule about not dating until sophomore year, giving me some breathing room. Even though I had slept with her, she knew exactly who I had been hurting over that day.
“I’m sorry.”
— Call me often. Okay?
“Yeah, I will.”
— You have to be the one to call first.
“I said I will.”
— And... Min-ji says a lot of ‘accidents’ happen at places like that.
“Accidents?”
I wondered what she meant, then I heard her hesitant breathing.
— Y-you know, people falling for each other. Dating, breaking up, that kind of thing.
“Ah.”
So that’s what she meant.
“I’m only going to see these people for two months. Who would I fall for here?”
— ...I’m not worried about the people you’re meeting for the first time.
“Hmm?”
I was about to ask what she meant, but she glossed over it and changed the subject.
— Anyway, be careful. If the work is too hard, just come back.
“Got it.”
— Okay, goodnight.
“You too.”
— D-dream of me.
My head felt like it was ringing for a moment, and a pleasant smile spread across my face.
“That line is so old-fashioned.”
— S-shut up!
Then, she hung up out of embarrassment. Dreaming of Choi I-seo... having a wet dream on the first night of dorm life would be a bit much.
“You seem to be having a grand old time.”
“Gah!”
A sharp voice came from behind me. Startled, I spun around to find Yoo Ah-rin glaring at me with her arms crossed.
“W-what? You scared me.”
I wondered if she had followed me all the way here. She didn't stop glaring and pouted her lips.
“Was it good doing it with I-seo?”
“...It was good.”
“Why, you little piece of—!”
Yoo Ah-rin immediately delivered a kick to my thigh. It hurt like hell, and as I rubbed my leg, her nagging exploded.
“You jerk. What about Ye-rin?”
“...Woo-jini is clueless.”
“I’m gonna kill you!”
Yoo Ah-rin raised her fist. Even I had to admit that was a bit much.
“Sigh, seriously, what do they even see in a guy like you...”
She slapped her forehead and shook her head in disbelief. Last time, Chan-woo had told me he thought Yoo Ah-rin liked me.
‘How on earth could he think she likes me after seeing this?’
She was literally hitting me and swearing at me.
Pointing a finger at me, Yoo Ah-rin made a firm declaration.
“If you’re dating Choi I-seo, tell Ye-rin clearly. She’s acting a bit strange lately.”
Dating.
I had already told both Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo that I would never be part of a Campus Couple.
But it was true that the thought of it being okay if it were Choi I-seo had begun to bloom in my heart.
I needed to tell Seo Ye-rin how I truly felt.
“Okay, I get it.”
“Ugh, why do I have to be your relationship counselor?”
Letting out a deep sigh, Yoo Ah-rin punched me in the chest as if annoyed, but this time it didn't hurt much.
“Thank you, Noona! I saw a convenience store in the basement. Let’s go! I shall present you with a Chocomong!”
When I leaned into her to say thanks, she froze for a moment before answering sharply.
“Forget it.”
“Why? You’re not going to drink it?”
I was surprised she was turning down a free drink. Especially since Chocomong was her favorite.
At my question, Yoo Ah-rin glanced at me, let out a breath with complicated eyes, and said—
“I’m not drinking it anymore.”
She left me with those meaningful words.