Nude Wet Shirt Gopchang House (1)
“Here, this is my secret spot.”
“The vibe really screams authentic eatery.”
The gopchang restaurant Yoo Yeonhui had brought me to looked exactly like the kind of hidden gem you'd picture. You know the cliché: a little rundown, unassuming sign, tucked away in some alley.
“It's not just the vibe, though?”
“Hope not.”
“Let's head in.”
As soon as we pushed open the door, it was packed—totally at odds with the shabby exterior. Definitely had that popular-spot energy.
“Welcome!”
A female server greeted us warmly as we stepped inside. And without thinking, I let out an exclamation at the sight of her.
“What the hell is this?”
“What do you mean 'this'? Don't be rude to the staff.”
The woman welcoming us was stark naked under an oversized, sopping wet shirt. The sleeves flapped cutely as she moved. How'd I know she was naked? Come on—the shirt was drenched in what had to be sweat or water, clinging transparently to her full, perky breasts and the nipples crowning them.
“They've got a concept like this going on, huh.”
“Quit saying weird stuff.”
“Weird? You remember what happened at the office, right?”
“Duh, of course.”
But that wasn't obvious at all. I'd subtly tested her on the walk over, and she had zero recollection of the naughty stuff from the company. Yet she remembered once we entered another building? Does the memory link between buildings somehow?
“...Ihyeon, you're not on something, are you?”
“Something?”
“You know... like...”
Yoo Yeonhui glanced around the noisy restaurant before whispering,
“...drugs...”
“Are you nuts?”
“You're the one talking crazy.”
“I'm telling you, no. Don't worry.”
Drugs? What drugs make you see a world like this? If anything, getting in a car wreck and your brain being stuck in VR made more sense.
...Could that actually be it?
“What'd you say?”
“Nothing.”
“You're acting weird.”
“Can I help you with your order? Would you like to change into one of these first?”
Just as Yoo Yeonhui was eyeing me suspiciously, our server arrived—like a savior. Another woman in nothing but a wet shirt, here to take our order. And she handed us shirts too. Guess I had to change as well.
Before slipping mine on, I asked her,
“Doesn't it get cold wearing that?”
“Huh?”
“We always dress like this. No way it'd be cold.”
Yoo Yeonhui answered for her. But that sparked another question.
“Even outside?”
“Of course not.”
Then calling it their “usual” outfit was kinda off, right? Plus, there was no hose or anything to soak the shirts, so the wet-shirt thing must be exclusive to the staff. A quick scan confirmed it—only the employees were dressed that way.
“Ready to order?”
“Yeah, straight-off-the-grill combo and two bottles of soju, please.”
“Got it, straight-off-the-grill combo and two bottles of soju. What kind?”
“Chamisul, thanks.”
“Right away.”
She checked the menu and vanished. No special prompts popped up like at the convenience store or office. Maybe when the food arrived? Everywhere so far—from the company to the store to the subway—had some sex-related twist. No reason this place would be different.
“Ihyeon, you hold your liquor okay?”
Yoo Yeonhui asked as she changed into the shirt the server had given her. With the common sense shifted, her shame was gone too—she stripped off her clothes and underwear right in front of me without a second thought.
Teasing me again.
I took in her flawless body while changing into my shirt and replied,
“Never been drunk.”
“For real? I can look forward to it, then?”
“You seem like a pro yourself.”
“Average at best? We're outside now—call me comfy.”
“Cool. Yeonhui it is, then? You call me by name too.”
The second I dropped the formalities like I'd been dying to, she grinned.
“Been waiting long?”
“Nearly died.”
“No way. Had no idea.”
“Honestly, it wasn't that bad. In the army, even juniors got formal speech from me.”
She tilted her head at the army mention.
“Went late?”
“Nah, normal time. But this one guy went early.”
“Must've sucked.”
“Yeah, total asshole too.”
The face of that senior I'd spent way too much time with in the army floated up. Years later, and just thinking about him still pissed me off.
As I scowled at the memory, Yeonhui clicked her tongue in solidarity and brought up her own colleague.
“One of my cohort's a real jerk too.”
“Girl?”
“Does it matter?”
“Hell yeah.”
If she's a pretty girl, it matters plenty.
A guy? None of my business. But a woman—a hot one? Suddenly relevant. With the company's common sense, I might even score.
“Dunno about you, but guys seem to like her.”
“Ooh.”
“What?”
Classic top compliment when a woman hypes her friend. Yeonhui was cute, and her cohort sounded cute too.
Our office does have a lot of hotties.
“Gonna hit on her? Dream on.”
“Why not?”
She scooted her chair closer, whispering like it was top secret.
“...There's this guy in planning, Assistant Manager Kim Jeonghun. Word is, he's the chairman's son.”
“So? They're dating?”
“Yeah.”
“No shit?”
Okay, that changed things. A boyfriend in the picture made a difference...
Or did it?
I wasn't really seducing anyone—just going with the altered common sense, no emotions involved. Still, I played it off like I was backing down.
“Bummer.”
“Giving up? Other guys were like, 'boyfriend's just a goalkeeper, ball still goes in.'”
“No need. World's full of pretty people.”
I shot Yeonhui a sly glance as I said it. Had to work not to let my eyes drop to her chest.
“Don't even try it.”
“Busted?”
“Banmal's just for today. Do it at the office tomorrow, and you're dead.”
“Obviously.”
Like I'd carry alleyway casual talk back to work just 'cause we dropped formalities outside.
Seen guys like that, though.
The types who go on leave or overnight trips, have one drink, call you bro, then banmal you in front of everyone else.
“Here's your straight-off-the-grill combo and soju.”
“Ooh, smells amazing.”
“Right? Told you it's the real deal.”
Sure enough, the aroma screamed hidden gem. The sear looked mouthwatering.
“Oh, hold up—pic time.”
“How'd women survive before cameras?”
“Drew pictures, duh. Clear those bowls and utensils.”
“Y-Yeah.”
Just us two? Her lines were giving ex-girlfriend vibes.
“You're blocking the light—move aside.”
“Busy night. Gonna burn.”
“So hurry up and pose right.”
“Ugh.”
I sighed but shifted to let her get good lighting. Click click. She grabbed her chopsticks.
“Done. Dig in.”
“First shot's soju, though.”
“Cocky much? Don't pass out before me.”
“Pfft.”
Me, pass out first? I'd gone years since college without even knowing what drunk felt like, and she thought I'd tap out? Her clueless jab cracked me up.
“Here.”
She offered the soju bottle; I took the glass politely with both hands.
“Thanks, Assistant Manager.”
“Quit dropping the 'Yoo' and just saying 'Manager.' Sounds weird.”
“Weird how?”
I grinned back; she laughed too.
“Don't laugh—you know. Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
Glasses clinked, and I downed it.
“Ahh, soju hits different on an empty stomach.”
“What are you, an old man?”
“How's this old-man shit?”
I shot back at her baseless accusation while snagging a perfectly grilled gopchang.
“Ohhh.”
“Good, right?”
“Damn, it's legit.”
Worth her hype, for sure.
“...The department head's too nice.”
“Yeah, seemed that way.”
“That's why he keeps dumping other departments' work on us. Makes life hell.”
A few rounds in, and we were chatting away. Mostly her venting about office gripes.
“Lee Dae-ri keeps hitting on me.”
“Ew.”
“And he's ugly on top of it.”
“Is he?”
Honestly, Lee Dae-ri looked average to me. But apparently women saw it differently.
“Doesn't even shower properly.”
“That's rough. Back in the army—”
“No army stories. Know how many times I've heard 'em?”
“Really?”
“Every damn company dinner's army tales. Not here too.”
Fair enough. Guys together? Everything loops back to service.
“Fine. So besides Lee Dae-ri?”
“Mm... Oh, you haven't met Team Lead Joo yet, right?”
“Nope.”
Heard Team Lead Joo was on a business trip when I started. France, was it?
“That auntie's always hysterical at me. Drives me nuts. Snags all the sweet gigs too.”
“At you? Why?”
“Dunno. Maybe 'cause I'm young and unmarried—threatens her or something.”
“No way that's it.”
“You don't get older women. Watch out—don't let her lead you around by the nose.”
Unnecessary worry. I was all about living it up now—no ties for me.
“She's unmarried, but she's pretty.”
“Can't trust 'pretty' from girls.”
Got burned too many times at college mixers.
“For real. Every single guy at the office has tried.”
“Then why's she still single?”
“Standards through the roof~”
Profanity slipping in—she was tipsy. Big talker for barely two bottles.
“Whoa, we killed it. Server!”
She topped off my glass, emptying the bottle, and called out.
“You good for more?”
“Plenty left in the tank!”
Lies. But her fault too. Weekend tomorrow anyway.
The server approached at her call, still in her wet shirt getup.
She's gonna catch a cold, no doubt.
Warm restaurant or not, evaporation steals heat.
“One more soju!”
“Yes, soju coming up.”
“And another straight gopchang.”
“Got it. Right out.”
She brimmed with energy, ignoring my concerns.
“I'll clear the empties—oh!”
“Ugh.”
Then the fumble. As she reached for the bowls, she knocked over the fresh soju Yeonhui had just poured—right onto my pants.
“Sorry! I'll clean it right up.”
“...Clean it?”
“Yes.”
She answered curtly and slid right between my legs.