Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Everything is a First Experience.
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I woke up in the morning to find a delivery package waiting for me.
I carefully opened the front door and sneaked just the box inside.
This time, I didn't run into anyone.
It was the season when people were coming and going while signing leases for new homes, but the apartment next to mine was already vacant.
The other floors were probably in a similar state.
Of course, new people would move in eventually, but right now, wasn't I the only one using this whole building?
I carried the box into my room. It was lighter than I'd expected.
Unboxing a delivery is always a happy moment, but today it felt a little strange.
The contents were, naturally, the cosmetics I'd ordered yesterday.
What were they called again? Toner... cream.
The only familiar one was the lip balm.
This wasn't my first time using beauty products, strictly speaking.
I'd bought an all-in-one product once and used it a few times, but I quit pretty quickly because it was a hassle.
But this time, it wasn't an all-in-one. I had to apply each one separately.
Already feeling like a chore.
Like Matryoshka dolls, I pulled smaller boxes out of the big one.
Even the packaging design felt awkward.
Next to a shiny gold logo that reflected the light was the face of some celebrity I didn't recognize, proudly showing off her white skin and beaming smile.
I took them out one by one and arranged them where my old all-in-one used to sit.
From now on, I'd have to put these on my face every day.
I had no idea how long that resolve would last.
Conveniently, I'd done a light room cleanup and thrown out everything I could.
If someone saw my room now, would they even think it belonged to a guy?
Looking around, the only proof I'd ever been a man was the merch from games aimed at male audiences.
Well, actually, they were "male-oriented" games, but that didn't mean there were no female players.
Honestly, there was nothing in the room now that could prove it.
'Is this right...?'
I stared at the neatly arranged cosmetics.
I had no plans to go out today, so did I really need to use them...?
No, I should just ask Sia right now.
I immediately texted Sia.
[The cosmetics arrived, but do I not have to apply them when I'm not going out?]
[What are you talking about? Of course you have to. Were you planning not to just because you're staying in? Apply them after waking up and wash off cleanly before bed.]
[I was just asking.]
After that, she bombarded me with a ton more messages, scolding me.
What a hassle.
I washed my face and, following Sia's instructions, applied the toner.
As soon as I opened the cap, a new scent I'd never smelled before wafted out.
'I think they said to pour it like this...'
Racking my brain, I poured some onto the back of my hand.
A slightly viscous, translucent white liquid hit my skin and beaded up round due to surface tension.
The white liquid pooling on the back of my hand looked just like something I knew all too well, and I unwittingly clamped my mouth shut.
Gulp.
"......"
The appearance was just...
So peculiar.
Was it always like this, or was I thinking of it weirdly?
Why did it have to be white and this viscous?
I stared at the white liquid on the back of my hand for a long time.
'Why do these thoughts keep popping into my head...?'
Anyway, I dabbed the toner from the back of my hand onto my face with my fingertip, dotting it on.
On my forehead, cheeks, and chin.
Then I spread it gently with my palm.
The cool liquid spread thin, and I felt a moist energy absorbing into my skin.
That's when I remembered why I'd never even used the all-in-one properly.
My skin felt moist, but sticky.
I'd always liked the clean feeling after just washing my face.
Did I really have to apply more after washing?
...Still, I should do what needs doing.
Following Sia's guidance, I finished a simple skincare routine.
Thanks to that, I sat down at my computer desk with moisturized skin.
'What part-time job should I go for...?'
First, I looked up sites for part-time jobs I knew about.
There were tons of listings.
But not many seemed doable for me.
Delivery job?
Impossible with this body.
Pass.
Convenience store?
The creepy internet ghost stories scared me off. Plus, dealing with customers alone every time felt off-putting.
Pass.
Cafe?
Aren't cafes for extroverts? I don't think I could handle it.
PC bang?
...Honestly, wouldn't that be the most manageable? It's a familiar environment, surrounded by computers. If I have downtime, maybe I could game too?
I roughly ranked the part-time jobs in my head, then recalled every tip I'd overheard.
Everyone said the best was one close to home.
So I filtered by location to see what was nearby.
But there were fewer options than expected.
No, it made my earlier worries pointless. There was basically nothing.
Only one hiring: a cafe.
A large franchise I'd visited once or twice as a customer.
The kind everyone knew just from the name.
A three-story building dedicated to the cafe, always packed with people.
I'd never gone alone; I'd tagged along when someone dragged me there.
I didn't love big cafes, but if not this, everything else required public transit.
I hesitated a bit but hit the apply button anyway.
"......"
Not long after, a text arrived.
[Thank you for applying. We can do an interview tomorrow at 3 PM at the store. Please confirm attendance.]
Part-time jobs had interviews? The last one I'd done was my university entrance interview.
I'd been shaking so bad back then.
'I haven't prepared at all... is it okay to just go like this...?'
A little regretful for clicking apply so impulsively, I still replied to the text.
[Yes, I can attend tomorrow!!]
My heart was pounding.
Interview? What even happens in a part-time interview?
What do they ask?
I hadn't prepared anything. What do I do?
Panicking, I frantically searched online.
[Cafe part-time interview questions]
Luckily, it didn't seem as heavy as I'd feared.
But what should I wear?
Just go casual in my usual clothes?
Or the outfit Sia picked?
Casual should be fine.
...After agonizing, I decided on my usual clothes.
The cafe was about a five-minute walk.
I headed out for the interview.
My heart felt like it would burst. Could I even talk properly?
What if they send me packing right away?
I was so nervous I left home too early, and it seemed like I'd arrive way before the time.
Five minutes early might look good, but twenty minutes early could seem inconsiderate.
So I deliberately slowed my steps.
I even circled the block around the cafe slowly for no reason.
"Nice weather..."
I muttered to myself to loosen up.
I might clam up and not say a word later.
I circled the cafe building once more, steeled myself, and stepped inside.
A female employee's greeting hit me right away.
"Hello."
I tried to nod lightly in response, but worried it'd look bad for a first impression, so I forced out a greeting.
She might end up working with me later.
"Hello..."
The woman, who looked like a college student, smiled brightly.
"...Um, I, uh, I'm here for the part-time interview..."
"Ah, yes. Second floor!"
"Okay..."
I clenched my fists and climbed the stairs.
Just before reaching the second floor, I squeezed my eyes shut then opened them.
'It's fine...'
The second floor was quiet. Not a single customer.
A man sat at a window table, looking around forty.
Probably the boss?
Two cups of coffee sat on the table.
He hadn't noticed me yet, his back turned.
I bowed toward his back in greeting.
"Hello...!"
The man turned, revealing a somewhat gentle-looking face.
"Ah, hello. Here for the interview? You made it. Have a seat."
As soon as I sat in the chair across from him, he picked up one of the two coffee cups.
"Coffee okay? It's Americano. No need to drink if you don't want; we can give it to a part-timer."
"Coffee. I, I'll drink it."
"Good. Then relax, have a sip, and we'll chat."
The man offered the cup with a soft smile.
Clink. Ice cubes rattled.
I quickly grabbed the cup and took a sip through the straw.
A coffee aroma with just the right acidity spread in my mouth.
A little bitter.
Unlike what I'd researched, the interview wasn't heavy at all.
Good.
"Why don't you introduce yourself?"
"Ah, yes. Um, I'm Baek Eun-hae. This, uh, is my first part-time job..."
Too short?
But I had nothing else to say. What more?
"Is, is it okay since it's my first time...?"
"No problem. You'll learn on the job. What school do you go to?"
"I, I graduated from Hyeseong University right nearby...!"
"Graduate? Where's home?"
"Right here nearby...!! Five-minute walk..."
The boss nodded.
"...When can you work?"
"Anytime...!"
"Anything else to highlight?"
"Ah, um..."
Highlight?
What should I highlight?
My strengths. Strengths...
Right. My life's greatest achievement.
"Ah, I'm army discharge...!"
The boss blinked, then laughed heartily.
"You were really nervous, huh? You're a funny one."
"Ah, yes..."
"Come in starting tomorrow."
Huh? That was easier than I thought?
"R-really okay?"
"Oh, and bring a health certificate next time."
"Health certificate...?"
"You need it to work."
...Anyway, that meant they were hiring me, right?
Unlike my worries, it was way easier than expected.
Just adjust the schedule and bring the health certificate, and I could start right away.
As I left the cafe, I searched for the health certificate on my smartphone.
'It's no big deal.'
It was something you got from a public health center after a checkup.
Issuance took a few days, but the exam itself was quick.
Since I was out, I figured I could finish it today if things went well, so I headed straight to the health center.
Being a weekday, it was nearly empty.
I took a number ticket at reception and sat; my turn came right up.
The staff indifferently handed me an application form.
I filled it out completely and approached again; they took it and gave me a swab.
"...Insert about 2.5 cm and swirl a few times."
"...Pardon? Where?"
It was the first time in my life something foreign entered my body like that.