Part-Time Job (1)
"And so, I won't be able to join the trip this time."
The first week of the new semester, on the last weekday. During lunch, while Seonghwan was peacefully eating with Yesul and Yunsu at the restaurant, he dropped a bombshell.
"What? Hey! What the hell is that? I planned the whole trip thinking you were coming!"
"Trip plan, my ass. It's just a quick peek at the West Sea, back to the lodging for some binge eating, drinking, and fun until the next day. That's it. What plan?"
"Hey, with trips, it's not what you do, but who you do it with that matters. And when do you think we'll get another chance like this? We're all getting older—one by one, we'll be buried in studies, then jobs. Soon enough, even if 'the three of us' want to do something, it won't be easy."
Yunsu was pretty desperate. Yesul had been putting up even more walls lately, which felt oddly off. He couldn't deny planning the trip with some naughty intentions at first, but now it felt like they'd hit a rut—like any couple in a slump, their relationship was settling into a predictable, everyday pattern.
Just look at Yesul right now.
"Then we can go during break. Seonghwan's desperate enough to pick up a part-time gig and work his ass off. It'd be shitty of us to make him skip out. Right after summer break in July—we dodge the working stiffs' vacation rush and skirt peak season. Weather's hot anyway, and it could be a celebration for Seonghwan grinding at his job."
Yunsu cried out in horror.
"I already booked everything. Paid the deposit too. And I splurged on ocean-view rooms. No guarantee those'll be available later."
"Since when do we care about views? And there's a week left—should be refundable. If we don't get the full deposit back, I'll cover it with food tabs."
"No, it's not about the money..."
Seonghwan watched the two frogs fight over the pebble he'd tossed so carelessly, utterly dumbfounded inside.
Hasn't this got the roles reversed? The girl doesn't care about views, and the guy's whining to go on a trip with her. Is this right?
Seonghwan figured it was time to step in and mediate.
"Hey, Yunsu went through the hassle of booking. You can't just shoot it down like that. And yeah, hanging with you lovebirds is fun, but I can't wedge myself in forever. Just go as a couple this time. Plus, you know why my allowance got cut? Stayed out overnight, got halved. Another one, and my tuition support might get slashed too."
"Urgh."
Yunsu groaned, clutching his messed-up head over his ruined plans, while Yesul set down her chopsticks, mulling over Seonghwan's words.
Seonghwan shot them a pitiful look.
"Hey, what if I get a girlfriend? You two are history. I'd be too busy with her to hang with you idiots. Use this for couple time. I won't have time for you guys anymore. Half my free time's going to the job now. Rest goes to studying. We're already on different starting lines—won't be much group time ahead. So from now on..."
"Haa..."
Yesul's sigh cut him off.
"Enough. We get it, Seonghwan. No need to overdo it. We didn't hang every day before, you're overblowing this."
Her firm tone made Seonghwan shrink back and shut up. She could be sharp like that sometimes, leaving him and Yunsu like putty in her hands.
"Fine, since you're so insistent, Yunsu and I'll go alone. Next time, all three of us. You're just trying it this semester, right? Don't talk like we're ditching for alone time. Makes me sad."
Why's she phrasing it like she needs my permission to go as a couple?
Despite Yesul blatantly showing concern for him, Yunsu just grinned vacantly, thrilled he could still go with her as planned.
Guy's ecstatic thinking he'll make progress with Yesul.
Seonghwan shook his head at Yunsu's goofy smile.
After a few romps with Yumi, Seonghwan had been gaining quiet confidence with women. It made Yunsu's antics feel a bit stifling.
Be bold. Pin her down, show some manly side now and then. That's why he's getting dragged around—can't even squeak at Yesul. Assert yourself like a man. Tch tch.
As talk wrapped up and they resumed eating, Yesul eyed Seonghwan and Yunsu.
"Your job's that alley by the main gate, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Don Doni Ne, pork belly place. Owner runs a pig intestine spot next door too. Sometimes folks order takeout and share."
"Tough? Boss okay?"
"Tough, sure, but gotta adapt. Nothing easy. Boss is chill, treats us well. Ladies working there are fun too."
"Yeah? Your dark circles have been brutal lately—thought you were suffering."
"Dark... circles? Haha... really?"
Fuck, how do I say it's 'cause some Korea U kid's posting nekkid gym pics on the fitness gallery, and I've been sleepless scrolling them?
He'd been hooked on Min Yuri's sneaky pics via messages, refreshing nonstop last night. No new ones since the panty shot, but Seonghwan was sure—this vixen who toyed with men wouldn't stop here.
"If you're cool, mind if we swing by today?"
"Huh? Today? Sudden?"
"Been meaning to check your spot. Right, Yunsu?"
"Uh... yeah, but this came outta nowhere?"
"What's it matter? March is chill—better now. We'll hit it again later, but pre-midterms at least once."
Students had leeway in March. April was adjustment hell, May midterms. The gap to finals was short—fall behind quick. March was prime personal time.
But not for him.
You guys are free, I'm dying here?
Shop was popular, packed—especially now, with seniors and juniors swarming. Seonghwan, still green, fumbled often. He knew he'd run into acquaintences eventually, but not ready. No way he'd let friends or loose seniors see him flail.
Too soon. Gotta firmly say next time.
"Hey, Yesul, I'm still..."
"Not telling us to come later, right? Skipping the trip, now building walls? Or we make you awkward?"
"N-no... not that."
"Or ashamed to show us to the boss?"
"No! Of course not!"
"Then settled. Pork belly tonight!!"
Seonghwan gawked at her unilateral decree, mouth flapping.
Time to man up and shut this down...
"Hey... Yesul. Shouldn't ask Yunsu's take? Friday night—don't waste it on me..."
Yesul's eyes flashed icy at Yunsu.
"What? Hate eating at Seonghwan's?"
"Huh? No... just sudden..."
Stammering under her gaze, Yunsu steeled up.
"If you're good with it, I'll go anywhere."
Dude... no pride at all?
As Seonghwan despaired, Yesul tapped her spoon.
"Great! Dinner at the pork belly joint. My treat. Ding ding ding!!!"
"Eek?"
No arguing now. Yesul beamed, thrilled for a rare trio dinner.
****
"Wow! Hyun."
Jia couldn't hold back a gasp at her pretty classmate. Ponytailed Hyun was stunning—even Jia felt a twinge of envy, but no one compared. Hyun initiating lunch was new; usually Jia dragged her.
Thanks to Hyun showing up, Jia drew stares outside class. She knew they were for Hyun, though.
"What's up? Honored you came to invite me."
Hyun felt a pang—she'd been oblivious to Jia.
"Just... we're eating together anyway. This building's near the cafeteria. Passed by."
"Waaah, so touched. Sniff sniff."
Hyun sighed at Jia's fake tears, heading to the cafeteria first.
"Wait up! Hyun!"
****
"Huh? Who?"
At the table, setting trays, Jia blinked at Hyun's random question.
"You mentioned that rep beauty senior from PE Ed in our faculty."
"Oh... Yumi sunbae?"
"Yeah. Jo something?"
"Jeong or Jo, fuzzy, but one. Why her?"
"No... nothing."
Hyun poked her food, trailing off at Jia's probe.
"You seen her?"
"In person? Nah, just hearsay."
"Hmm... okay?"
Jia eyed her suspiciously, digging.
"Curious about her? I can ask. Inho sunbae knows her—not same dept, but group project buds. He hyped her looks."
"Huh? Sure... if you wanna, I won't stop."
Hyun buried her face in her tray, coy. Jia giggled. Her haughty beauty was classic tsundere—shy for favors, aloof but not rejecting. Adorable. Problem: never showed it to guys.
Like now.
"Uh... mind if we join?"
Same-year Hyoseok—the group chat king who made the faculty one—approached with guy classmates, trays in hand.
Hyun ignored; Jia smiled warmly, pulling a chair.
"If seats, sit. No hesitation. Everyone, chow down together."
Jia knew Hyun wasn't guy-friendly, but not rude. She'd bridge.
"Waa. You two always glued."
Hyoseok started chat; friends chimed.
"Yeah, skipped OT but tightest now."
"Same lectures?"
"Yeah, three overlaps. I got six subjects, Hyun seven—three match. Wild, right?"
"Ooh. All gen ed? Musts and elects jumbled—crazy coincidence."
Hyoseok admired, glancing between. Time for his pitch.
He'd spotted Hyun by chance, but had plans.
"Freshman welcome next week? Post-orientation, big move."
Jia nodded.
"Yeah, heard. Too many, splitting groups."
"Right. Faculty's huge. Understandable, but hopping kills friend-making. Kinda meh."
Jia gaped.
"Skipping orientation?"
Hyoseok waved it off.
"Nah, Inho hyung insisted. Just bummed. So... hey."
He eyed Hyun slyly.
"Us grab drinks tonight? Friday, low pressure. Bond more, sync schedules next sem. Ever thought clubs? Go together, less awkward."
Hyun saw logic. Broad shallow ties faded fast. Tight small crew sounded chill, fun.
But one word hooked her.
Club...
Clubs? Zero interest pre-enrollment. But that guy—club senior overnight? Ignored dept stuff, but lit up bragging club tales. Lame stories, though.
"Hmm... club.."
She muttered; Hyoseok perked.
"Why? Got one? Or swap intel, scout together? Solo, they snag you. Haha."
Jia lit up too.
"Ooh, clubs interest me... You, Hyun? Dream club? Hobby? Wait—tonight post-class, dinner and plan?"
Hyoseok cheered.
"Exactly! Five of us, dinner, uni life talk, bonding. You in, Hyun?"
"......Sure, whatever."
Hyun recalled morning chat.
From now on, head home after class. Got work.
Job already? Quick. Where?
Shops by school gate. Don Doni Ne pork belly—popular. Next door intestines, girls go too.
Fancy. Picky chooser.
What? Snob about jobs? Know my pay? Beyond your dreams...
Shut up!
'Don Doni Ne' stuck. Popular spot, heard from classmates too.
As Jia and Hyoseok hashed details, Hyun cut in.
"How 'bout Don Doni Ne downstairs? Heard it's good."
Hyoseok buzzed at her sudden lead.
"Oh! Big place, good value—seniors love it. Beer spots nearby too. Time? Meet here, head over? Or early birds hold seats?"
Hyun's head throbbed at his speed.
"I end 4:30. Kill time library, hold from 6. You guys come after class. Meet gate or solo, whatever. Second round... see time and vibes."
"Ooo!!! Hyun's got leader vibes!"
"My last's 6, but near gate—I'll hustle. Haha!"
Her logistics flipped the guys; Jia's eyes widened.
Craving meat? Or likes this? Make more chances for her.
Unexpectedly, classmates swarmed Hyun.