Chapter 288: Comfort
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 288: Comfort
“This tuna was personally sourced by me and aged for—”
The chef was saying something in front of us, but honestly, not a single word registered.
Even though delicious sushi was being served, I couldn't fully enjoy it because of the tension. It only made me want to pay for the meal even less.
The other guys felt the same way.
We were all walking on eggshells, glancing at one another while forcing the sushi down. The emotions swirling in their eyes were a mix of anxiety, rage, and bewilderment.
One was wondering if he should just stop eating and bolt.
Another was debating whether he should just come clean and tell the truth.
And then there was the one who just decided to empty his mind and eat whatever was put in front of him.
“Woo-jin.”
That’s when Bong-geun, sitting next to me, nudged me and whispered.
“You said this was for networking.”
“Ah.”
Right. This guy still thought this gathering was for business.
“It is networking. In life, you need to know how to just turn off your brain and spend time like this once in a while.”
“Phew, are you serious? I thought this was some kind of young CEO meetup.”
“Them? Two are just ordinary college students, and the other two are about to enlist in the military.”
“……”
“Hey, don’t look at everything through the lens of business. Your brain will actually stop working if you do that.”
You have to know how to rest when it’s time to rest.
When I added that, Bong-geun looked at me with a skeptical gaze and asked, “Then you don’t necessarily have to hang out with these guys, do you? They seem… a bit off.”
“They are off. But do you think guys who aren't like that could act like normal friends around you?”
“……”
“Surprisingly, there aren't many people who can act like total idiots in front of you while knowing exactly who you are.”
I said this while looking over at the morons. It was true that they were weird.
But that was exactly why we could maintain an equal relationship.
Look at them. I told them I was the youngest son of Uju Group, and the best thing they could think of to leech off me was an Omakase meal.
I couldn't tell if they were being naive, stupid, or just plain cute.
“Do you have anyone from your high school reunions that you contact privately?”
“……A golf club?”
“Tsk.”
I’m sure that’s a gathering with its own ulterior motives.
Out of everyone he met at reunions, who could Bong-geun actually call a friend?
The fact that he came the moment I called says it all.
He tried to act like he wasn't, but it was obvious he was lonely.
Well, that wasn't the pressing issue right now.
“Woo-jin, what’s that there? Is that a wallet?”
Jeong Chan-woo was stealthily trying to put his hand on my thigh. He seemed certain that the thick bulge there was a wallet.
I slapped his hand away and retorted immediately.
“I’m reporting you for sexual harassment.”
“But that’s a wallet.”
“It’s my dick, you gay.”
“I’m not gay!”
“Then why are you so interested in my dick?”
“……And you want me to be friends with people like this?”
Ignoring Bong-geun, who was muttering about how absurd this was, I ate the next dish that came out.
“This is lobster with cheese, herbs, and truffles—”
The chef was explaining something, but that wasn't important right now.
There was only one thing I needed to verify.
Is it possible that really none of these bastards brought a wallet?
They all claimed they hadn't, but could I really trust that?
No, it’s a hundred percent lie. At least two of them have wallets on them.
Because I had mine, too.
As more food came out and time passed, we all began to suspect one another.
“Ahem, I need to hit the restroom for a second.”
As the course was nearing its end, Pyo Jin-ho stealthily stood up.
“Ah, the restroom is inside, not outside.”
The chef kindly guided Pyo Jin-ho, who was naturally walking toward the entrance.
“Ahaha! Is that so? My mistake!”
Pyo Jin-ho laughed awkwardly and headed toward the inner restroom.
Look at him trying to use his head.
He was probably trying to make a run for it.
“Hey, why don’t we just ask him to stop the course now and head out?”
Classic Kang Han-gang. This guy was a genius when it came to being a scumbag.
“Sounds good.”
“Let’s go right now.”
“Hurry, let’s get out of here.”
Just as we were about to sneak out of our seats, the chef shot us a sharp look.
“There are still a few courses left.”
“Huh? We’re actually done—”
“Then would you like to settle the bill first?”
Everyone froze.
The chef’s intuition was no joke. He must have overheard us talking about wallets earlier and decided to get payment in advance just in case.
“Phew, we should finish the course, right?”
“I-I mean, we’re paying for it.”
“We shouldn't leave food behind at such an expensive place.”
We sat back down and calmly ate the remaining dishes.
Pyo Jin-ho came running back with a pale face, looking visibly relieved to see us still in our seats. He must have realized his mistake too.
“Ah, hello?”
This time, Ahn Hyun-ho stood up.
“Yeah, Gyu-a. Me? I’m eating something delicious with the guys.”
He tried to naturally walk outside while on the phone.
Vrrr! Vrrr! Vrrr!
Ahn Hyun-ho’s phone started vibrating.
“How can you receive another call while you’re already on the phone?”
Jeong Chan-woo smiled as he held up his phone. His screen showed that he was currently calling Ahn Hyun-ho.
“Oh, Gyu-a. No, no. Are you having a good break? Yeah, I’m with your boyfriend right now.”
And I called Gyu-a, the person Ahn Hyun-ho was supposedly talking to.
“……”
Thoroughly defeated, Ahn Hyun-ho slunk back into his seat.
So sloppy.
Eventually, the course concluded with the final dessert.
While everyone was twitching and looking around, Bong-geun, who seemed to be the only one without a care in the world, pointed at my bag.
“By the way, why did you bring a bag?”
In that instant, everyone’s eyes locked onto my bag.
“Hey! Search the bag!”
“There’s something in there!”
Watching these guys turn into full-blown looters, I let out a deep sigh.
I snatched the bag, hugged it to my chest, and backed away.
The guys surrounded me in an instant, while the chef and Bong-geun watched the scene with unexpected interest.
“Fine, there are wallets inside.”
Why is it that whenever I try to do something good, it always takes a turn for the worse?
I’d say it’s a mystery, but I suppose I have plenty of bad karma.
Anyway.
I pulled out the wrapped boxes that had been resting peacefully inside my bag.
“Hermès?”
“Be—Berluti too? Louis Vuitton and even Goyard?”
Their jaws dropped as they saw the luxury logos on the boxes.
“My father told me to just buy whatever at the department store yesterday.”
Yesterday, while looking at the luxury goods on display, I suddenly thought of these idiots.
So, I had bought a bunch of luxury wallets that men like, intending to give them as gifts.
“So, I bought a wallet for each of you as a present.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……”
The four of them stared at me simultaneously.
Their lips were twitching as if their brains couldn't figure out how to react.
“I’ll give you three seconds.”
The moment the hierarchy was established, our morons proved to be incredibly wise. Pride and excuses were non-existent.
Thud!
They dropped to their knees instantly and frantically pulled wallets out of their inner and back pockets.
“I’ll pay for today’s meal!”
“I’ll pay for everything Woo-jin-hyung ate, plus the second and third rounds! I’ll cover his share too!”
“Actually, I can pay with my phone! Hyung!”
“A luxury wallet?! It’s fine! Just being friends with a luxury person like Woo-jin-nim is enough for me!”
No matter who starts the applause, isn't it a joy as long as someone is clapping?
So everyone had a wallet after all.
It felt like I’d just played a game of Mafia where everyone was the Mafia.
It left a bit of a bitter taste, but I nodded toward the groveling idiots like a saint granting absolution.
* * *
— How much did you drink yesterday?
“Ugh, I don’t… know.”
The next day. I expected to wake up in the dorms, but I was in a hotel.
— Where are you?
“Phew… some hotel, I guess.”
I glanced around at Choi I-seo’s question.
Ah, I slept in the bathroom.
The moment I realized I’d fallen asleep crumpled in the bathtub, my body started aching all over. My sleeping posture must have been terrible.
— Sigh, you need to watch your drinking.
“I mean, the guys were buying. How could I say no? They were so happy after getting the wallets that they kept insisting on paying.”
— Omakase for dinner, and then a pub for the second round?
I nodded slightly as I retraced my stinging memories.
“Ugh, yeah. That’s right. It was a pub. And the third round was karaoke.”
— You went to a third round?
“I barely managed to talk them out of going to a club or a hostess bar for the fourth round.”
— Those guys are really…
She sounded like she wanted to pick a day to give them a piece of her mind.
— So. You just went to karaoke and then went to the hotel to sleep?
“Pretty much. But—”
Wait. Why was the latter part of my memory so fuzzy?
There were two different memories of the karaoke room.
— But?
“No, it’s nothing. I feel like we did something after that.”
— ……You didn't call girls to the room or anything, did you?
“Hey, would I ever—!”
Wait. Why was there a woman in my memory?
A blurry image of a woman’s figure—someone who felt familiar yet like a stranger—remained in my mind.
“……”
— Woo-jin?
Choi I-seo called my name with a chilling voice, and I responded hurriedly.
“E-I-seo, hold on a sec. Let me clear my head and I’ll call you back.”
— Where—!
I hung up and sat down on the toilet. I needed to figure out exactly what had happened.
No, they suggested calling girls, but I definitely said no.
I barely managed to stop Han-gang and Pyo Jin-ho from screaming their heads off about calling some ‘noonas.’ I definitely did that.
Then why is there a woman in my memory?
There weren't many, but I’m sure there was a woman with long hair—!
Click.
“Ugh, my stomach.”
Just then, a blonde lady walked in.
She was big, had a deep voice like a man, and a prominent Adam’s apple.
It was Bong-geun. More specifically, Bong-geun in drag.
“Ah, fuck. I remember now!”
The moment I saw that hideous sight, I slapped my forehead and let out a groan.
“What the fuck?! Why do I look like this?”
Leaving Bong-geun to be shocked by his own reflection in the mirror, I walked out of the bathroom.
In the hotel room, three men and one woman were sprawled out.
No, to be precise, three men and one cross-dresser.
It was Jeong Chan-woo, who actually looked like a real woman in drag, probably because he was handsome to begin with.
I told them not to call girls, so the losers of the bet had to dress up as women.
I have no idea whose insane idea that was.
Anyway, feeling relieved, I was about to call back when—
[ Yoo Ah-rin ]
Ah-rin called me first.
“Yeah, Ah-rin.”
— Where are you?
“……”
Is she still doing that bit? Honestly, I’m not a fan.
“Are you going to keep talking like that?”
— Yes, I’ve decided to become more modest from now on.
It really didn't suit her at all.
Maybe it was because I was still a bit buzzed, but I replied with a hint of annoyance.
“A hotel.”
— ……A ho-tel?
Her response was a bit slow, and her tone almost cracked.
Hmm.
I considered using this to mess with her regarding other girls, but then I realized that would be like waxing a sleeping lion’s nose hair. Too dangerous. I’ll pass.
Once I briefly explained the situation, Yoo Ah-rin’s voice finally sounded more relaxed.
— Ah, I see. Should I come pick you up?
“Why?”
— Isn't it hard for you to move around right now?
Fine, let’s see how long she keeps up this "concept."
“Yeah, come get me. I’ll be waiting.”
— …….
“What? You said you’d come.”
— Are you really asking me to come?
“Yeah, come.”
— You’re serious?
“I said come.”
Look at her getting flustered. She probably didn't expect me to actually say yes.
“Can’t you even do this much for me? I’m dizzy from the hangover.”
— Ha, haha…… Yes, I’ll buy some conditioner on the way.
“Yeah, and look for a good gukbap place nearby. I want to eat on the way.”
— …….
“What? You don’t want to?”
— Nooo, I’ll do it.
“Good, find a good one. A place with tasty radish kimchi. The radish kimchi has to be good for me.”
Just then, the other morons finally started tossing and turning as they woke up. Since Ah-rin said she was coming, I needed to start getting ready too.
Oh right, I should call I-seo.
I was about to call her to clear up any misunderstandings, but then I realized the call with Ah-rin hadn't ended yet.
— Ah, fuck. Do I really have to keep up this concept?
— Kim Woo-jin is being such a cocky prick. I seriously want to beat the shit out of him.
— Should I just close my eyes and smash his head with a gukbap bowl the moment I get there?
— How does Choi I-seo even deal with this!
— Fuck, fuck, fuck! Argh! It’s so frustrating not being able to act like myself!
“Ahem, Ah-rin-ssi? I can hear everything.”
— ……?!
There was a brief commotion on the other end of the line before Yoo Ah-rin cautiously spoke into the phone again.
— D-Did you hear all that?
“Yes. Should I wear a helmet? I’d rather not have my head smashed by a gukbap bowl.”
— That, ah, hmmm.
Yoo Ah-rin started to say something, then let out a long sigh.
— If you’re done drinking, crawl home on your own!
Click. She hung up.
“Phew.”
I felt at peace.