Midterms (4): Boozy Banter at the Cocktail Bar
Rhythmic jazz music, the clink of the bartender mixing drinks, and soft yellow lighting. The atmosphere was pretty decent. A cocktail bar—a place I hadn't even visited a few times in my previous life. A single drink cost anywhere from a few thousand won on the cheap end to tens of thousands on the high end. With that money, I could've bought a few bottles of soju, I remembered thinking, shivering as I forced it down.
We sat at a table on the opposite side from the bar counter where the bartender was. If I'd come alone, I'd have naturally taken a seat at the counter, but this time, we'd come to talk just the two of us.
"What can I get you?"
"Ah, I'll have a Midori Sour, please. You?"
"Long Island Iced Tea for me."
"Got your orders."
The bartender nodded and disappeared.
"What, going for cola?"
Long Island Iced Tea—Long Tea for short—was a cocktail with cola in it. Despite appearances, it packed a high alcohol content, or so I knew. In my previous life, it was my go-to for decent value. I only knew a couple other cocktails besides that. I wanted to try more, but admitting upfront that I didn't know much about them felt a bit embarrassing.
"It's just tasty, that's all. No limit on cocktails, right?"
"...Order in moderation. Cocktails aren't for getting wasted."
"Read the room."
Kim Ye-eun shot me a half-lidded glare. A gaze loaded with emotion. She acted like it mattered, but I figured it really didn't. She wasn't worried about her influencer gig. I'd already gauged roughly how much she was pulling in monthly from revenue shares.
"This is good."
The heart-shaped pretzels that came as basic bar snacks. The nutty flavor of densely packed flour suited my taste perfectly.
"Yeah? I prefer this one."
Dark cheese and thin crackers—the classic combo. Seemed more to her liking.
"These basic snacks are solid."
"Right? If the cocktails are good too, we should come back next time I'm in Seongsu."
"Alone?"
"...What, worried I won't be?"
This time, I glared at her, trying to pack in as much annoyance as possible.
"Tch."
It landed; she clicked her tongue and grabbed a snack.
Did she eat too fast?
The snacks were already running low. Our drinks hadn't even arrived yet. Made me think of movie popcorn devoured before the previews ended. Guess I'd have to ask for more.
I turned to call the bartender—and right on cue—
"Your cocktails."
Perfect timing. The bartender brought them over on thin coasters, condensation beading on the chilled glasses.
"Can't wait."
"Hold on, let me see that."
She snatched my Long Tea like she was about to snap a photo. Meanwhile, I caught the bartender heading back and remembered to request more snacks.
"Hmm... not coming out right."
She wasn't happy with the shots.
"Here, let me. Definitely..."
The lighting was tricky. The colors weren't popping as prettily as expected.
"Try other spots."
I moved the cocktails around the table, checking each angle. Finally, I found the sweet spot in the corner. A shot so drool-worthy just looking at it made my mouth water. I handed her camera back.
"Here."
"Thanks. This one's perfect. Pro level."
"Who do you think made me one?"
"This could make a killer tutorial video."
"Hey, I'm no pro—just a hack."
I brushed off her nonsense and took a light sip of my Long Tea. The initial burst of cola fizz and sweetness, followed by a subtle black tea note. Tasty. Some places just dumped vodka in cola and called it Long Tea, but this felt legit. Not that I'd had it more than a couple times to know for sure.
"These cocktails are good too."
Kim Ye-eun's eyes widened in genuine delight. She didn't react big to most things, so this level of enthusiasm meant she was really into it.
"So you'll come back?"
"Obviously. Alone."
She emphasized alone with a sly grin.
"Fine. Come alone then."
"You got it. Can't ignore Jun-woo's concern. All by myself."
The more we talked, the more I felt like I was just egging her on.
...What was there to say? Let's just drink.
They say good food lifts your mood. Wanting to wash away this nagging unease, I grabbed my Long Tea and chugged.
"Hey, who drinks cocktails like that?"
"Ugh..."
Instant regret. The alcohol hit hard all at once. Just made my mood worse.
Fine, whatever—time for something else. I downed the remaining quarter in one go.
"Boss, any cocktail recs?"
"Of course. What vibe you going for?"
Feeling kinda down. Needed something zesty to perk me up. High proof too. My inner value-seeker deep down wouldn't settle for weak stuff.
"For tangy and strong, I'd go Gimlet or Margarita. Both lime-based. Margarita's unique—you rim the glass with salt and tequila."
"...Gimlet, please."
Salt-rimmed booze? Saw it in videos and was curious, but not tonight.
"Sip it slow this time. Don't slam it."
"Your wallet?"
"No... I was actually worried."
She sighed, rubbing her temple like I was hopeless.
"......"
The vibe had gone flat. Kim Ye-eun just sipped silently. Awkward silence stretched between us.
No way was I letting it drag. I tossed out a random topic.
"Anyway, anything fun at school lately?"
"...Fun stuff? Plenty. Curious?"
"Spill some tea. I always do the talking."
We went to different schools, so our usual small talk revolved around vague campus stories. Kang Min-jun's love life came up sometimes too—nothing more gripping than romance gossip. Watching from the sidelines since middle school was entertaining, especially his hopeless vibe around girls. Perfect for chiming in together.
Usually I spilled, she hyped. I skipped anything too personal or speculative, of course.
"Hmm..."
True to form, Kim Ye-eun—who hated sharing her own stories—mulled it over, glass to her lips, chewing her cheek.
"Fine, why not. Special for you."
She decided to spill.
"Lately, one of my close underclassmen flipped out about spotting her ideal type at the library."
Sounded juicy. Her friend's crush saga.
Apparently, during exams, she crushed on this guy who always sat nearby. Ye-eun egged her on, and she finally got his number. They'd met up a few times but weren't official yet.
One thing I was curious about:
"Was he hot?"
"Eh... pretty hot?"
Kim Ye-eun, influencer rubbing elbows with celebs, had sky-high standards. "Pretty hot" from her meant top-tier for a regular college guy.
"Compared to Min-jun objectively?"
"Not as hot."
Made sense—Min-jun had admirers since middle school. The best trees show promise early. High school letter shuttle duty? Total mood-killer. Now that I saw him daily, it didn't faze me, but handsome guys were something else.
Never felt that vibe myself, past or present. Curious, though. Didn't ask how I stacked up objectively. Childhood friend bias would ruin it, plus she'd roast me endlessly.
"Oh, you into exhibitions?"
"What kind?"
"Y'know, those Insta ones. Weird art pieces everywhere."
Seen a few. Bizarre paintings and sculptures, influencers posing for pics. Mostly from mutual follows.
"Wanna go? I could snap your pics too."
"Heh, you know me too well, Jun-woo."
"Not next week or anything, right?"
Money gig or not, next week was major exam crunch. Quick break? Maybe. Full outing? Too stressful.
"Nah, week after next? Still time. Your exams end next week, yeah?"
"Yep."
"So you'll come?"
"...Yeah, sure. Pay well, though."
"Duh. Cheers~!"
She clinked like it was a huge win, downing her drink faster. Glass emptied quick. Ordered a Black Russian next, slammed half in one go.
"Hey, you. At that pace—"
"Ehehe..."
Doomed. She'd crossed the point of no return. Unlike Min-jun or me, she was a lightweight. Two strong cocktails fast? No chance she'd stay sober.
Party over. I'd planned to ask about video editing, but that'd wait.
"Check, please."
"120,000 won total."
"...Here."
I ended up paying.
"Hoo— she's heavy."
Originally planned to taxi her home, but couldn't just ditch her. Now I regretted it bone-deep.
A steep hill that could double as a sled run in winter snow. Supporting Kim Ye-eun up it was pure hell. Crisp autumn air, yet sweat poured. Any buzz I'd had? Gone.
"This the place?"
A villa in the alley atop the hill. From her housewarming ages ago, yeah—this was it. Fuzzy memory said 204. Luckily second floor.
"Hehe. Home."
I set her down at the door to catch my breath. She staggered up, unlocked it, and stumbled in.
Thud.
"Ack!"
"Jeez..."
Tripped over the threshold, probably. Had to get her to bed. I went in, hauled her up, and dragged her.
Which room...?
Three-room setup with a living room. Which one? As I pondered—
"Huh? Ye-eun, you're back— KYAAAHHH!!"
A piercing scream stabbed my ears.
Kim Ye-eun Sipping a Cocktail (Image)
