Part-time Job (3)
Lee Hyun's earliest memories she could actively recall began when she was six years old. Back then, fragments stuck out like snapshots in a photo album: her always clutching her older sister Lee Yeon's hand, swinging on the swing set with the mischievous boy from next door. Even as time passed and more scenes filled her mind with richer recollections, Lee Yeon's motherly warmth and that rascal neighbor's playful grin remained unchanged.
Naturally, Hyun had assumed that unchanging presence from her sister and the boy next door would last forever. She believed they'd always indulge her whims and laugh them off. That illusion first cracked when Hyun entered her first year of middle school.
With Lee Yeon deep into her high school senior year and exam prep, Seonghwan—the one who used to fill those gaps—suddenly started ignoring her, hanging out exclusively with his school friends. Feeling sulky, Hyun threw a tantrum and trailed after him to the PC bang anyway. There, for the first time in ages, they'd had a blast together. It wasn't just the games; even though she was cramping his style, Seonghwan taught her patiently, chatted with her nonstop, and grinned the whole time. His thoughtfulness made her heart swell, turning the fun into something deeper. That's why she waited for him after school every day—once staking out the PC bang early, another time lurking by his school gate.
But that joy shattered because of no one else but herself. The daughter who wheedled extra allowance money relentlessly. The one who ditched her bag the second she got home and vanished every afternoon. Suspicious, her mom took half a day off work and tailed her.
Just like that, the fragile peace Hyun had created crumbled to dust. Seonghwan's father beat him right in front of her eyes... and berated him mercilessly. Even as Hyun wailed that it was her fault, he blamed only his son. Seonghwan offered no excuses, just repeated "I'm sorry" over and over. Watching him, Hyun felt an unbearable injustice, tears streaming endlessly.
Overwhelmed by guilt that it was all her doing, she sobbed herself to sleep. Waking parched in the night, she headed to the living room but froze at her door—overhearing her mom and Lee Yeon talking.
"Seonghwan didn't do anything wrong. He's always been so kind-hearted, playing with Hyun since she was little... He just couldn't bring himself to push her away."
"You think I don't know? I tried to just laugh it off too. As long as Hyun was happy, I didn't mind Seonghwan hanging out with her. Hell, I was grateful—he looked after her when we were both too busy working. But Minhwan..."
"Minhwan? Your older brother Minhwan? What happened?"
"It was Minhwan who tipped me off first—said I should check where Hyun disappears to after school. That's how I ended up following her. Then he kept prying about where she'd gone, so I just said she was with Seonghwan. Meant it as 'don't worry,' but I never imagined it'd get back to Seonghwan's dad..."
"Haa... That Minhwan oppa again..."
Lee Yeon's sigh trailed off unheard as Hyun bolted from the house, dragged Seonghwan out, and unleashed her fury in a tearful rant.
"It was all that brother's fault! He snitched to your dad!!"
But Seonghwan just shrugged off her tattling, nonchalant as ever.
"Why drag me out here to bitch about that? I'm already walking on eggshells at home—go back inside already."
"Aren't you pissed? You didn't do shit wrong! If they'd just ignored it or quietly pulled you aside, none of this would've happened. You got hit for no reason!"
"'No reason' my ass. What'd I do right? I deserved it."
"Why? Why? What was so deserving?! I'll go confront your dad. Minhwan oppa's the asshole. He's always been like that—throwing tantrums if you and unnie played without him, picking on you for no reason. That guy's had a shitty personality forever."
"Lee Hyun!!"
Seonghwan's face darkened, his usual apathy hardening into a glare. For the first time, Hyun saw it—no playful glint in his eyes despite the anger, no peeking at her reaction amid the irritation. The guy who always laughed off her moods, who grumbled but tagged along anyway, was genuinely pissed at her.
"You think I'd badmouth Lee Yeon unnie to your face? Huh?"
Hyun paled, stumbling back.
"I've got plenty wrong. Luring a naive kid to a PC bang—is that smart? Dragging a good student around, making her slack off? That's a win?"
"B-but I wanted to go... And I still go to school fine..."
"Enough!"
Seonghwan cut her off, staring for a beat.
"I'm barely scraping by in studies anyway—parents don't bother with me much. Dad chewed me out 'cause he doesn't want you turning out like me. Got it?"
Hyun stared at the ground, fighting tears. Seonghwan turned away.
"Study hard. I'm scared they'll say you're picking up bad habits from me. Forget today happened."
Unable to watch him go, Hyun kept her head down long after.
Studies? That shit's easy...
Seonghwan seemed like such an idiot—never blaming her even after getting punished for her. She resented the adults who'd used her slacking as an excuse to scold him. And that face, the first time he'd truly snapped at her... it haunted her.
"I'm asking—what the hell are you doing here?"
Seonghwan stared at Hyun with that same unforgettable face. Just like back then, she paled and backed away instinctively.
"I... I just..."
Sensing her distress, Hyoseok wedged between them.
"Sorry about that. Do you know Hyun?"
"........."
Seonghwan ignored him, eyes locked on Hyun. Frustrated and annoyed, Hyoseok blocked him again.
"Hey? My question..."
Thud. Seonghwan set his bag on the table wordlessly and headed to the owner, bowing deeply.
"Boss, sorry. That girl's my neighbor's little sister—I know her a bit. Looked like she was messing up with you... I'll handle it."
"Huh? She didn't screw up anything. What's to handle? Haha! Did we grab collars or call the cops over no payment? You must've misunderstood, Seonghwan."
Relief washed over Seonghwan at the owner's hearty laugh. He'd walked in seeing Hyun's group raising voices at him— that had irked him. He knew she wasn't the type to disrespect elders. But the others just watching? Disappointing. The place was packed with college kids anyway, some still eyeing her table. Any prolonged shouting could spread rumors fast.
'Told you not to live like me in college. She's begging to be a walking disaster. And I said make more friends—she picks these? Tsk tsk.'
Glancing at head-down Hyun, he clicked his tongue and approached her group.
"Customers? Sit anywhere? Or a specific spot...?"
The guy who'd been glaring at Hyun switched to polite staff mode, flustering Hyoseok.
"Uh... We said window seat to the boss, so..."
"Got it. Sit down—I'll bring side dishes right away."
"Wha...?"
Hyoseok blinked in confusion, then caught Hyun's glance and schooled his face, heading to the window. But Hyun grabbed his wrist, yanking him back.
"...?"
Hyun dragged him to the center table instead.
"Over here. That's not our spot."
"Huh? But the staff said window? Hey, Hyun?"
Ignoring him, she plopped down center-stage. Seonghwan shook his head with a sigh.
That stubborn streak...
As he turned to change into uniform, bells jingled.
"Oh? Seonghwan's here?"
"Dude, we said 6:30—you came early?"
Yesul and Yun-su waved cheerfully entering. Perfect timing! Seonghwan grinned wide, relieved from the awkwardness.
"Welcome. Party of how many?"
"Two pork belly, Yesul—you like intestine, right? One of that too."
"Yes, thank you."
Seonghwan was all pro. Clumsy still, prone to slips, but his words and smile screamed friendly server.
"Whoa, never thought I'd see Seonghwan like this."
"Haha, who am I? Just a humble part-timer."
"Hehe, then part-timer oppa—bring a bottle of soju?"
"Right away. Anything else?"
"Nah, scram. Gonna hang with Yesul."
Yun-su playfully shoved his gut, teasing. Seonghwan knew it was exaggerated consideration—easing his burden, signaling they were "just customers" now. A silent bro code.
Heh, knew I could count on you. This table's good—next.'
Scanning the room, his face soured.
'Fuckin' hell.'
Hyun's table was filling with her classmates ordering up. She'd already cracked a cheap soju, chugging amid their worried stares, popping another without a care.
Hmm... Stay pro...
Approaching with a smile, he scanned the group.
"Ready to order?"
"Yeah! Pork belly and neck half-half, ten servings. Two beers... soju's covered. Hehe."
The round-faced girl beside Hyun batted cute eyes. Seonghwan smiled back.
"Coming right up. Sides from the self-serve bar. Call for extras."
He ignored Hyun's stare while noting the order. A clunky clink of her glass hit behind him—he pretended not to hear.
Until she shot up and marched to the owner. He figured special order. Until she bellowed for the whole room.
Bowed 90 degrees.
"I'm so sorry, boss! We were stubborn and put you in a tough spot. Forgive us!!"
What the actual fuck?!
Seonghwan's pro facade shattered.