Part-Time Job (2)
‘Ooooh, she’s here, she’s finally here.’
Seonghwan had lost count of how many times he’d pulled out his phone to check the gallery’s DM inbox. At first, it was every hour, but before he knew it, the intervals had shrunk to thirty minutes, then ten. The photo Yuri had sent late last night was that devastating to him. And the wait had been just as sweet.
NewbieButtQueen has sent a DM to SoulfulPlumpGut.
“Heh. Were you waiting for me?”
Along with the photo.
‘That naughty girl. Can’t you just pretend you don’t know and send the pic without a word?’
Grousing to himself, Seonghwan tapped the photo without hesitation anyway.
The woman in the shot wasn’t as provocative as yesterday’s—no exposed skin or anything like that. But.
March 8, 2024. Some library bathroom.
‘Ooooh, I knew it.’
She was perched on the toilet seat, one hand artfully covering her face while holding a note with the date and location in the other, legs crossed. Shot from above downward, her black tennis skirt was neatly hiked up, baring her thighs almost completely, with black stockings climbing up to her knees for that extra naughty vibe.
And the real kicker for Seonghwan—what really got him.
‘Her neckline, shoulders, collarbone. Ugh.’
The off-shoulder tee hung loose, slipping just enough to reveal a hint of cleavage in the top-down angle.
‘Huff huff huff huff. Yeah, that’s the stuff.’
It felt like he was some creep tailing her for upskirt shots. Anyone else might mock him for panting over such a tame pic, but this was no random girl—this was Min Yuri, his classmate, the one he shared lectures and group projects with. Context changed everything.
‘Min Yuri. As shameless as you are sassy, huh.’
But soon enough, Seonghwan realized he needed to calm his rising erection.
‘Of all times, she sends this right when I’ve gotta head to work. Well, whatever—thanks for today’s daily bread, I guess.’
Working Friday night sucked, especially for someone like him who’d never had a “Friday night life” before. And it was obvious college kids would swarm the place to party.
‘I won’t be late, but no point slacking. Better get there early, double-check everything. Yesul and Yunsu said they’d come around 6:30, so I can introduce them to the boss too.’
He’d figured he couldn’t do the on-site sales the boss wanted since he had zero connections. But surprisingly, just two days in, he was bringing friends. Seonghwan felt genuinely grateful to Yesul and Yunsu for that.
‘But if they ditch me or pull some crap, they’re not leaving in one piece.’
Even one day on the job had taught him: even minor orders could be a server’s nightmare.
‘That lady from last night...’
Seonghwan recalled the complaint from that late-30s woman who didn’t seem connected to Korea University at all.
“Excuse me. This naengmyeon seems a bit overcooked? Could you swap it?”
“......Overcooked?”
He’d never heard naengmyeon called “overcooked” before—not jjajangmyeon or ramyeon. At first, he thought she meant the noodles were stuck together, misspoken.
But her follow-up left no doubt.
“While you’re swapping, make it mul naengmyeon instead. The bibim kind seems to get mushy easily.”
That’s when it clicked.
‘She’s putting on a whole show just to switch from bibim to mul naengmyeon.’
The boss had chuckled and told him to do whatever the customer wanted, later brushing it off casually.
“That’s nothing. Half the time, they order dessert naengmyeon and complain about portion sizes compared to the full set from another table, throwing curses too.”
Illogical, sure, but in the restaurant game, that crap became the norm. Sad, really.
So when Yesul and Yunsu agreed to come, Seonghwan had texted the boss jokingly: Snagged two friends for you!
The reply? A thumbs-up emoji.
‘Might as well make myself useful since I’m working here. Face like steel, act like it’s my place. Hustle hard, tout aggressively. And even if I know people, keep it pro—no slipping.’
All that resolve crumbled the second Seonghwan walked into Don Doni Ne.
“.....What the hell are you doing here?”
****
Lee Hyun couldn’t hide her annoyance at Lee Hyo-seok stubbornly waiting at the main gate to match her schedule, despite her saying it was fine.
“No, I said there’s no need for two of us to hog a table early.”
“Haha, what’re you talking about? Class just ended, I’ve got nothing else. The others won’t join till after 6:30 anyway—doesn’t feel right leaving a girl sitting alone looking bored. Might as well go together, grab seats, chat, or order sides to munch on ahead.”
“...We’re splitting everything evenly later. Feels off eating without them.”
“Huh? Oh, that. Heh. I’m covering today—first round on me, Jia’s got second. Guys should pay. Order whatever, don’t hold back.”
Hyun turned away sharply. Staring at this guy walking beside her would give away the disgust twisting her face.
‘What a tool. Not even a date, and he’s on that guy-girl crap. Who decided second round?’
“Whoa, Hyun, you walk fast! Hit the gym or something?”
She sighed inwardly at her oblivious classmate, who missed every hint she wanted distance.
By the time Hyun and Hyo-seok arrived, the place was buzzing.
“Ooh, good call coming early. This spot’s legit—packed already?”
“Yeah... guess so?”
The restaurant was decent-sized, but right around 6, folks were filing in steadily, filling seats.
“Welcome! Party of how many?”
The jolly-faced boss approached with a big grin.
“Hi. Five total, but just us two first. Others in... about twenty? Cool if we sit and wait?”
“Of course, of course! Eat now or later, sales even out. Haha, make yourselves comfy.”
The boss led them with a hearty laugh at Hyo-seok’s politeness. Hyun scanned the room while following.
‘Hmm... not here yet? Starts at 7, right? Guy never hustles for school or work.’
But Hyo-seok halted, pointing at a window table.
“Huh? This spot looks perfect, boss. Mind if we take it? Add chairs, fits five easy.”
The central window seat had great views of passersby and scenery, spaced nicely from others.
The boss checked it, face troubled.
“Sorry, this one’s kinda... reserved-ish. Tough spot.”
“Reserved-ish? Wait, samgyeopsal joints take reservations? News to me. Can’t we just sit?”
Hyo-seok had only heard Don Doni Ne was good—no details on reservations.
Normally, he’d follow the boss’s lead. But with Hyun beside him, no way.
Just five days since meeting her, but her beauty—a perfect embodiment—had hooked him instantly.
At the freshman orientation in the department auditorium, he’d half-heard about a stunner who skipped it. His eyes bugged out seeing Hyun stand tall, expression cool and aloof, staring down seniors.
He gawked at her profile the whole time, mouth agape.
He’d never been the type for “college means girlfriends, booze, trips” nonsense. Top school like Korea University? Nah, focus on crushing rivals.
But day one, Hyun shattered that.
‘She’s gorgeous... for real. Wanna date her so bad.’
So he’d glommed onto seniors and the rep to get noticed. Shy by nature, he’d swallowed pride, acting cute from jump. Paid off: got the full freshman number list, made a group chat, invited her.
Blissed out, he’d stalked her Kakao profile all day at home.
‘Ooh, sis is hot too? Family genes blessed. Mom’s a beauty, dad tall and handsome...’
He’d even fantasized, dubbing them in-laws.
‘Damn, Hyun’s figure is fire. Beach? Haha. Wait, who’s this squid-looking dude?’
Some weirdo sandwiched between her and her sister in old pics irked him briefly, but Hyun’s pouty face next to him made it funny.
He’d grinned at every photo, feelings piling up fast despite short time.
So he wanted to impress her. Hence the pushiness.
“Boss, I know tons of our department folks, seniors too. We’ll come boozing here next time, promise. Please? No specific table requested for the reservation, right? Swap it somewhere else?”
The boss, flustered but patient, cajoled him.
“Look, you’ll hear from seniors anyway—this place doesn’t really do reservations.”
“What? You said it was reserved! Lying?”
Hyo-seok’s voice rose. The boss, apologetic, floundered.
“But... sorry, one of our part-timers texted—bringing friends today. Kid’s only worked a day, but as boss, gotta hook him up somehow. Set this aside for ’em... agh, awkward.”
‘Part-timer? Friends?’
Hyun jumped in, hooked by the words.
“Boss, more than one part-timer?”
The boss blinked at the curveball.
“Nah, too fancy for evenings-only rush.”
“Korea University student?”
“Yeah, second-year public admin.”
“Ah...”
Hyun knew it was Seonghwan.
‘Friends coming? Who?’
Oblivious, Hyo-seok flinched at “same school senior” but doubled down.
“So not really reserved? Just part-timer’s buddies, you made space?”
“Heh, yeah... got nosy wanting to treat him. But hey, hall center’s nice too—near self-bar. I’ll throw in extras.”
Hyun had tried intervening mid-tantrum. Missed at first from scanning late; didn’t wanna start group hang snapping at a guy classmate.
But as it escalated, irritation boiled—especially seeing the older boss kowtow.
Seonghwan’s mention distracted her just long enough.
That was all.
If not for the voice behind her, she’d have chewed Hyo-seok out.
“.....What the hell are you doing here?”
Seonghwan glared at Hyun, face stone-cold.