Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Soju-Fueled Revelry
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Hmm. Huh?
How many bottles have we drunk? There are two empty soju bottles on the table right now, but I'm pretty sure the staff cleared some away midway.
No, wait—am I drunk right now?
'Nah, I'm not drunk.'
I'm thinking straight as an arrow here, so calling myself drunk doesn't make sense. Maybe I'm stronger with booze than I thought? Anyway.
'This stuff is going down so smooth.'
When I drink with my buddies, I can barely handle one bottle—that's my absolute max. But here I am, tilting glasses with Oh Hana, and it legit feels like soju's turned to water. No exaggeration.
If it had tasted this good back in college, I'd have been that sunbae dragging underclassmen to a pork soup joint for "hair of the dog," cracking open soju bottles like it was nothing.
"Hee hee hee, cheers! Chaaang!"
One thing's for sure. I'm not drunk! Unlike me and Han Aebom, whose faces are a bit flushed, Oh Hana's complexion hasn't changed since we started. She's got a strong tolerance. And her pace—she's not even chugging half glasses or anything.
Just sipping away solo like it's no big deal. She's definitely done this more than once or twice.
"……."
Watching her sometimes stirs up complicated feelings for no reason. But thanks to her being here, Han Aebom—who claimed this was her first time drinking soju—is knocking it back without a care.
"Heh heh hew, I wonder what Aebom's hidden talent is?"
Her face hasn't changed, but is she drunk?
"Me? I'm good at everything. Sneakily dropping the formal speech... Ah, seriously. You're all the same."
"Aren't you kinda dropping formalities too, Aebom?"
"I dunno. You and your blonde hair."
Yep. Han Aebom's a little tipsy. That's clear.
"No, you're picking on my hair for nothing. I'm gonna dye it again soon anyway. Nice and clean. But someone who claims to be good at everything can't even land a part-time gig?"
"I did land a part-time job..."
"Oppa got it for me instead. Jeez. So shameless."
"True. Pretty shameless, me."
Saying that, Han Aebom seemed at a loss for words for some reason. For the first time, she raised her glass first.
"You gotta yell 'cheers!' at times like this."
"Got it. Cheers!"
"Chaaang!"
Clink!
...The glasses clashed with a satisfying smack, spilling a few drops of soju. Seeing that, all three of us burst out laughing like we'd planned it, then downed our shots with refreshing gulps.
What a weird feeling. I never knew vibes like this existed. I've always been the guy who didn't get why people drink.
Maybe because most of the loud drunks screaming in the convenience store or causing scenes were wasted.
But.
"So what are you good at, Oh Hana?"
"Me? Heh heh, naughty stuff?"
It's fun. Pure, unadulterated fun with zero worries. The booze is lightening the mood just a bit, loosening Han Aebom's tongue too.
"S-seriously! You... you're unbelievable!"
"Heh heh, teasing this ajumma's too fun!"
Han Aebom with her flushed face. Oh Hana licking her lips with a sultry smile. Both fully immersed in the moment, past and future be damned.
"Ah. Oppa. Wanna step out for a smoke?"
I shook my head at Oh Hana's casual offer as she pulled a cigarette from her pocket.
"Nah, I'm good. I'll stay here."
"Eh? Why... Oh. Okay. Okay. I'll go smoke then."
Oh Hana shot Han Aebom a quick glance with a puzzled look, then grinned, stuck a cig in her mouth, waved breezily, and headed for the front door. Soon, her silhouette appeared outside the glass, chatting and cackling with some other smoker.
"Ah! Is it because of me?"
Han Aebom wasn't clueless. She was sharp and capable. Her naivety about the world just meant limited experience—not that she was dumb.
"Honestly, if two smokers bail, the one left alone in the shop feels the most awkward. I'm not that much of a third wheel, so it's fine. Plus, Hana's having a blast out there by herself."
Ca-ca-cackle.
...Oh Hana's laughter carried all the way in here now.
"I should say... no, really. Thank you."
This girl. What was she about to say just now?
Anyway, even sitting there, her polite bow radiated ingrained elegance and grace. For real. Never thought I'd sense something like that in life. If you walked into a high-end department store as a VVIP, wouldn't the staff greet you just like this?
Though getting this kind of thanks for just not going out to smoke is kinda funny.
"Nah, no need for that."
"It's not just about the smoke. It's the part-time job you got me."
She was clearly dwelling on Oh Hana's offhand "shameless" comment from earlier. Oh Hana had probably forgotten it already, but.
"You've already thanked me for that."
"Still. I really mean it. I've thought about it a hundred, a thousand times—if it was just me, I never could've snagged such a great job. Especially in this economy. So Hyunwoo's help means the world. I'll repay this favor. Absolutely."
Han Aebom's heartfelt thanks, cheeks slightly pink, hit me with a thrilling wave of gratitude that made my heart pound—for entirely different reasons. What the hell.
Is this because of that absolute affinity thing?
Ah. Yeah. Now's the time.
"If that's the case, just hang out with Oh Hana a bit more. You can see it yourself—she's a free spirit, but not a bad person."
"I get that, but... how do I put it? Like same-pole magnets repelling each other."
Spot-on analogy.
"But if Hyunwoo says so, I'll give it a shot."
Yes! Quest cleared, and Erogenous Zone Scan skill unlocked.
I clenched my fist subtly, and that's when Oh Hana came back.
"Rain stopped outside."
"Nice."
"But it's freezing out there. Heh heh. My fingers are already numb."
Me and Han Aebom chuckled at Oh Hana's goofy grin. Then the owner approached cautiously, sliding a pot of doenjang jjigae our way.
"Uh? We didn't order..."
I started in surprise, but the owner cut me off quick.
"Oh, on the house. You guys ate so well."
Service. Sweet.
"No way we can let this slide without reciprocating! Boss, one more soju bottle here!"
"……."
Is she a business genius or what? Or does she just read people like Oh Hana perfectly?
"Thanks for the meal!"
"Thank you."
How much did we eat? Unlimited refills are only 18,900 won per person, but the card charge on my phone... yeah, better not look.
Considering meat's a fixed price, the sheer volume of soju three of us downed was more shocking. Well, Oh Hana matched both me and Han Aebom solo, so.
'Man, I'm having such a blast. Kinda sad to call it a night.'
Right as that thought crossed my mind.
Oh Hana thrust her fist skyward and yelled.
"Alright! Round two—karaoke!"
"Huh? Round two?"
"Duh! We've got the momentum going. Going home to crash now would be a crime for anyone in their twenties."
Good thing I'm still in my twenties.
"We ate a ton though. Not sure about stuffing ourselves more."
"No eating needed. You just sip booze there anyway. And round two's on..."
Oh Hana checked something on her phone with a swipe, then looked at me and hollered.
"...our big-spending Hyunwoo oppa!"
You've got no money in your account, huh.
Guess she blew it all on idol gacha. Serious issue, but whatever.
"Fine. My treat. Gotta go big when I go big."
"……."
Han Aebom flinched and started reaching for her wallet before stopping. She felt bad freeloading and wanted to cover round two, but what can you do with zero won to your name?
"Let's go! Let's go! Hope they allow smoking?"
"That sounds like some movie room salon."
"Eh. Japan still has bars where you can smoke and drink."
"That's Japan. This is Korea."
"Hmph. Hmph!"
We were hyped to hit karaoke when Han Aebom called out.
"Hyunwoo! Grab an umbrella."
"Ah! Almost forgot. Thanks."
"No problem."
Rain had stopped, so yeah, slipped my mind. Han Aebom was tipsy too, but sharp as ever about this stuff. As I took the umbrella with thanks, she bowed slightly with a smile.
She looked oddly proud.
"What're you two doing?! Secret rendezvous over there?! Hurry up!!"
How'd she get that far already? Teleporting or what?
"Hurry! Hurryyy! It's cooold!"
"Got it! Coming, so chill. It's embarrassing."
"Nooo! What's embarrassing abooout this!"
Honestly. Kinda embarrassing. Is she drunk? Her drunk side a screamer?
I shook my head.
She's always like that sober.
[Lemon Karaoke Town / Soju & Draft]
[Before 8PM: 3,000cc draft or 2 soju FREE!]
[11+ basic snacks]
[Open till 10AM.]
Wow. Karaoke bars these days open till 10AM? Back in my latte uni days, it was one soju or 1,700cc draft free. Service has leveled up.
Desperation to survive everywhere.
"...We're really going in here?"
"What do you mean 'here'? Karaoke town's plenty wholesome—college kids flock to these. Or you wanna hit some shady spot and pop champagne?"
Han Aebom hesitated, and Oh Hana tilted her head. An impenetrable wall of common sense between them.
"Aren't all places the same?"
Oh Hana asked, but Han Aebom ignored her completely and asked me straight.
"Yeah. They're all similar. And like Hana said, this is one of the cleaner ones. It's barely 10PM anyway."
"Then. Let's go in."
Hearing my answer, Han Aebom bolted straight for the elevator. Oh Hana's eyes narrowed jealously.
"What. This annoyance."
"Let it slide. Booze has us in a good mood. One more shot."
"Hee hee, yeah? Cheers!"
[5F/6F Lemon Karaoke Town]
Han Aebom cocked her head in the elevator.
"Fifth floor or sixth?"
"Fifth. Probably pay on five, head to six if no rooms."
"Must get crowded."
"Yeah."
She's drunk. Totally.
Her eyes sparkled with more curiosity than ever, wide and bright. Seems the buzz hit hard after standing up from the table.
Better keep her intake low here. Or push water. Otherwise, trouble later.
"Welcome... in!"
"Welcome!!"
No sooner had we entered than the four male staff at the door gawked slack-jawed at Oh Hana and Han Aebom.
Keep your eyes to yourselves.