Chapter 26

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 26

Chapter Title: A Lucky Recommendation

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I've been scouring part-time job sites for a solid two hours now, my eyes practically bulging out of their sockets, but there's not a single decent opening in sight. The only ones that show up are convenience store gigs or scrubbing down greasy meat grills.

Or those shady high-paying ones marked with suspicious asterisks. Truth be told, I have no idea what they really entail, but they just give off that vibe—you're better off steering clear.

'Meat grills?'

The image of Han Aebom lifting one of those heavy plates and toppling forward from the weight? Maybe. But her scrubbing away at oil-slicked grills with any enthusiasm? No way that picture forms in my head.

If I stuck her with that job, she might come after my head with one later.

'Convenience store?'

Even the convenience store option isn't as straightforward as it seems. Sure, it's doable, but with Han Aebom's personality, if she ran into a rude customer, she wouldn't just let it slide.

"Ugh."

I rub my tired eyes and keep searching, but it's still no dice.

"With the semester starting soon, slipping into spots where college kids are quitting would be ideal."

The problem is, the really good part-time jobs? Those college students usually hand them straight off to their friends or connections before they leave.

"Tough times, tough times."

Even though everyone's griping about the recession, I've never really felt it while just working my part-time shifts. But hopping back on these job sites after ages, the difficulty hits me like a truck.

Well, minimum wage has shot up so much these days, it's no wonder.

'I'm not exactly getting full night shift premiums myself.'

Life doesn't always let you play strictly by the rules. Things slide along with a bit of flexibility here and there, knowingly or not. The real issue is the scumbags who exploit it.

"Besides, I don't have to find one in a single day..."

Hunting for a good gig takes time, but I fell for Oh Hana's totally unexpected provocation, leading to this ridiculous bet. For her part, she probably had total confidence.

Oh Hana could quit her current job and land something great anywhere in a day—she's gorgeous, sweet, and great at what she does all around.

That's why she provoked so boldly, and Han Aebom took the bait.

I wasn't specifically thinking about this quest or anything. Just wondering when Han Aebom and Oh Hana might finally warm up to each other, and suddenly my head throbs.

What is this unease?

Usually, people bickering under the same roof end up getting along fast, but these two give off a vibe like they won't. A vague chill runs down my spine.

"Nah, it's Han Aebom's own fault anyway. If I can't find one, what can you do?"

If I strike out, at least I'd get to enjoy showering together with her. Wouldn't it actually be better for me if she lost the bet? My first chance to see her naked, all embarrassed and shy—a golden opportunity.

"Phew, no, that's not right."

I shake my head. Cut that out. That's just scummy. Even looking at my dusty old workbooks fills me with regret and makes me turn away. The more shameful things I do to myself, the more exhausting life gets—for me.

*Ding!*

A customer walked in.

3 a.m. Right around when night owls suddenly get hungry or need drinks. But today's visitor looked familiar. Not the type who usually came for that, though.

'Seen her around for about a year?'

She'd drop by occasionally, grabbing a bunch of snacks and drinks each time. Not a regular, but always polite with her greetings.

Something about her felt kindred. Like an anxiety about the world? A precarious vibe.

But today, her face was beaming. Radiantly open.

*Clink*

Instead of her usual snacks and drinks, she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grabbed beer, soju. Deliberated seriously and added highballs too.

For munchies, she paced back and forth for a good five minutes before adding an insanely pricey but mouthwatering cake. Oh, and canned fruit.

"Ch-checkout... please."

"Got it. Need a bag?"

"Ah! Yes, a big one, please."

"Sure thing."

*Beep, beep-beep.*

Each scan jacks up the total massively. Easily over 50,000 won at a convenience store. Still, her face stayed all smiles.

"Looks like something good happened?"

"Ah! Y-yeah...!"

If she were a total stranger, I wouldn't have said a word. More precisely, if she didn't seem so desperate to share, I wouldn't have bothered.

But this girl was itching to show off her excitement to anyone. Fidgeting fingers and all.

"...Well, haha, it's an additional admission, but after one year of retaking exams, I finally got into the school I wanted."

"Ooh, which university?"

"Seoul National University!"

See? The second I ask, she lights up and spills it all. Watching her, I felt genuine congrats mixed with a bitter pang.

After grinding through retakes and scraping by on additional admission, she deserves pure cheers. But it feels like society's gained another fierce competitor. Petty inferiority, jealousy, that sort of thing.

"That's impressive. Huge congrats. Wow, Seoul National? Must've been brutal."

"Ahaha, *cough*. Thanks. Haha, I really didn't think it'd happen. Now that it has, I'm over the moon. Figured I'd have a drink before heading to some freshman welcome event."

She didn't think it'd happen, but she'd hoped hard. Hope brings disappointment too. If she'd failed, she wouldn't be here beaming like this.

Stop... no, that's ugly. I should be shaking off this inferiority, not feeding it.

"First time drinking? Soju might be rough then. Experience matters, though. If you want something light to start, see that blue bottle? Tastes just like a soda."

"Really? Okay, I'll grab one. Be right back!"

"Thanks."

Store manager, we just sold some pricey booze for once.

*Rustle.* I carefully tuck the bottle in the corner of the bag and speak up. She keeps telegraphing how much she wants to chat more. No other customers at this hour, and hey, company isn't bad for me either.

"Additional admission must've been nerve-wracking."

"Oh, totally! I was terrified. Honestly, my mom said even two years of retakes was fine. I was working part-time too, so she wouldn't have minded. But still, you know? Two years behind, and you're two years older than the other freshmen. Every extra year feels scary."

"I get it. Better than anyone."

Yeah. Even with a closer convenience store ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠down the road, she comes here. Probably because I feel more comfortable.

That comfort might stem from what she just said. In this era, even a year's delay breeds massive anxiety. Kids who graduated a year ahead are already eyeing overseas postings or bonus vacations.

Me? Can't even order a whole chicken without thinking twice. I tell myself not to care, but easier said than done.

"Did you scream?"

"Scream? Oh yeah! Man, first time in my life I yelled like that. In my stuffy goshiwon, when I shouted... then this *thud* on the wall yelling 'shut up!' But I was so thrilled, I just covered my mouth with both hands..."

I smile warmly. Someone's success—no, university entrance isn't life's pinnacle, but hearing about someone who fought desperately to clear a hurdle? Not a bad feeling.

More than that, you can tell from her chatter how much she's bottled up. Loves talking, but probably isolated herself studying, no friends.

"...Ah, s-sorry. I got carried away while you're working."

"No worries."

"Ah! Um... add a Vita584 too, please."

"Got it."

"And this... for you, oppa."

"Me? Thanks. Nights are tiring; appreciate it. And seriously, you earned it. Must've been hell."

She beams at my words.

"It was that tough, so the joy hits harder now. I'm so, so happy. Really."

"...Night air's chilly; get home safe. Oh, I'll enjoy the Vita drink. Thanks."

She bows politely and turns to leave, but suddenly asks:

"Ah! Hey, you looking for a part-time job by any chance?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I am."

Sudden? What's up? Wait...

There it is—my phone on the counter, job site still open by the scanner. She must've spotted it.

"I-I know the perfect sweet gig. I'm quitting 'cause I'm starting university. Hourly pay's kinda low, but tons of free time to study or work on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stuff."

Come to think of it, she mentioned part-time while retaking. What job lets you study enough for Seoul National unless it's cushy?

"You know the road a bit down from here?"

"Yeah."

"Part-time at the study cafe there. Two weeks days, two weeks nights. Minimum wage, obviously, but waiting around doesn't pay. In exchange, you can use the study cafe freely while working."

She glances at the TOEIC books and workbooks in the corner and says:

"So, if you wanna study while working, I can recommend you. I did it for a year, tight with the owner. He's running it as a hobby, so no crazy demands."

"Really? That'd be amazing. Seriously, thank you. Sounds perfect for a friend of mine who's job hunting right now."

She pauses.

"Friend?"

"Yeah. Kinda passive personality, but solid specs otherwise. Detail-oriented, loves books—seems ideal."

"Oh... but thinking about it, the owner prefers hiring girls."

"She's a girl. Perfect, right?"

"Ahaha... yeah. Okay, I'll recommend her. Name and number...?"

"I'll text 'em right now. Really, thank you."

This was luck I never saw coming.

But... what? Her eyes, sparkling like a freshman's just moments ago, now look colder than ever.