Part-time Job (4)
It was the same that day too. What if she'd admitted her mistake first and apologized to our parents and the uncle? What if she hadn't trembled under those stern adult glares, hesitating like that?
It was late, but she wanted to show them. She wanted to act before it was too late. Being honest wasn't easy, but with alcohol's help, she mustered the courage.
"Hyun-a, you okay? Why are you chugging like that? Let's eat the meat when it comes out."
Jia worried beside Lee Hyun, who was knocking back drinks. But...
"Hey, Hyoseok. Did something happen with you guys? Why's Hyun suddenly in that mood?"
"You didn't confess while we weren't around, did you? That'd break our little pact... Mmph!"
"Shut up, you idiot! Know when to speak and when to shut it."
The guys from her class were spouting nonsense, but Lee Hyun decided not to hesitate anymore. She was going forward.
She shot up from her seat.
"I'm sorry, boss! We were stubborn and put you in a tough spot. Please forgive us!!"
'This reckless girl! The brightest idiot of the bunch.'
I rushed to the boss's side, his face flustered in surprise. The whole restaurant was buzzing, all eyes on us—including Yun-su and Yesul's shocked faces.
Veins bulging on my forehead, I grabbed Lee Hyun's shoulder hard.
"Haha, miss, you can't do this here."
I sounded like some casino bouncer as I yanked her arm, whispering fiercely.
"What the hell are you doing? You out of your mind?"
But she stayed bowed, unmoving. The boss looked baffled at us both, then grinned and patted her shoulder.
"Aigoo, what did the students do wrong to keep bowing like this? Did the guy here say something? I told you, it's nothing. Get up now. If you keep this up, I'll look bad—no, our shop will."
Only then did she straighten up, bowing lightly once more.
"Thank you."
"Hahat, well... feels kinda nice, actually? It's been ages since a customer apologized so sincerely. Alright, on the house. Seonghwan, add kimchi jjigae to that student's table. Tell the wife to load it with pork. Hahaha!"
The boss's hearty laugh eased the room; everyone turned back to their tables. Lee Hyun smiled faintly too, then brushed past me, whispering,
"I apologized, fair and square. Don't whine about it later."
"What?"
"Aaaah, so embarrassing........ but refreshing."
I stood there, mouth agape like a fish, watching her saunter back to her table.
'Our precious little Hyun-i did that???'
Yun-su and Yesul paused mid-bite at the loud apology, turning around.
"Huh? Isn't that the girl next door to Seonghwan? Where'd she pop up from?"
".......She was at the center table earlier."
"Huh? You saw her, Yesul? How come I didn't?"
"'Cause you're a guy."
"What?"
"Guys don't notice. Girls... we know other girls."
"??"
Yun-su racked his brain over that cryptic line, then glanced at Yesul. Her endless smile was gone; now she poured drinks with haughty poise. Sometimes, even Yun-su couldn't pin her down.
Back at their first mixer intro, he'd fallen for her fresh innocence at first sight. He'd charged in boldly, and she'd shyly accepted—until the after-party invite got shot down.
'Fun hanging with everyone, but alone? Awkward.'
That lame excuse? Yun-su couldn't accept it. Everyone praised his looks, himself included—it fueled his confidence. He stood out among friends, never seeing them as rivals. He felt special, self-assured. Student council president? Naturally. Group leader? Obvious.
So he didn't give up.
'Then let's all meet again? Once we're closer, solo dates won't be weird, right?'
Her shy nod had him pumping fists internally, already plotting wingmen.
'No way, asshole. Why me?'
'Seonghwan, you game with Yesul too. And you hype the vibe best. What're friends for? You're retaking exams anyway—I'll tutor you.'
'Dude, I'm signing up for pricey hagwon. And if you date Yesul, you'll totally help me study.'
'Just get to dating first. Got it? Jonggak Station, noon tomorrow. Don't forget.'
'Aaaah, fuck my life. Bloom as wingman, die as wingman!!'
Yun-su was glad for me. I was fun, kind-hearted, if a bit clueless sometimes... and crucially, way less hot than him. Safe to bring around Yesul.
Months passed. As I dodged them for hagwon grind, Yesul suddenly accepted his long-standing confession.
'Can't figure her out. Iron walls one minute, melting in group hangs. She rides the vibe too much.'
Yun-su eyed Yesul sipping wine, then glanced at me chatting and laughing with the boss.
'Yeah, Seonghwan's got that knack for loosening people up. Fuck, feels like only he can get her to unwind. Sigh... solo progress tonight?'
High school: Yun-su first approached me, first traded F-bombs with me. I'd cracked his study-nerd shell wide open. Deep down, he knew he'd leaned on me more than he'd admit.
Thud.
Lost in thought, Yun-su jolted as Yesul dropped her glass and stood.
"Time to head out?"
"Huh? Meat's still left."
Her unilateral call flustered him; he pointed at the grill. She glanced, draped her coat.
"Got boring."
"Boring? We just started drinking? Half the meat's uneaten? Yesul?"
No reply. She strode to the register.
"I'll pay....... Sigh, seriously can't read her."
I gawked as coat-clad Yesul pulled her wallet.
"What? Done already? Meat's still going."
She grinned at my shock, handing over her card.
"Planned to eat light anyway. Watch you work. Mission accomplished. Didn't wanna distract you."
"You don't know me—unless you're broke and stiffing the bill, I wouldn't glance your way."
".......Yeah."
Her smile faded, eyes locking on mine briefly. Then it returned; she took her card post-payment.
"See ya. Next week."
"Cool, get home safe. Yun-su, walk her properly."
"Chill, man. Oh, and rethink the 14th if you can swing it—even late."
"Fuck off. Go."
"Alright."
Even after Yesul and Yun-su left, that table kept grating on my nerves.
"Hahaha, this dumbass sang at talent show—Chilgapsan, of all things. Then offstage, claims he knew it'd grab attention like that."
"Shut it, punk. I hid in the john to skip, got caught by seniors, ran three laps first."
"Big deal, retard. Chilgapsan? Fuck, even my dad wouldn't touch that. Puhaha!"
'...That's funny?'
I pitied the guys orbiting Lee Hyun. Fine if they bullshitted among themselves, but her table had a forest of empty soju bottles. She was hammered, head lolling ominously.
'Sigh... pace yourself. First time drinking, obviously.'
Unless her dad trained her secretly—unlikely—she was a total newbie.
'Dumb kid doesn't know her limit, just slammed 'em.'
"Seonghwan, head to the kitchen, finish dishes. You came 30 early, leave 30 early."
Boss's kind nudge; I waved it off.
"Nah, backlog's huge. I'll wrap my stuff."
"Heh, suit yourself. And..."
He jutted his chin toward her table.
"That's your neighbor girl, right? She's gonna pass out flat if she keeps going. You're worried—been side-eyeing that table. Walk her home later."
'Sigh... professional my ass. If the boss notices, it's doomed. Damn.'
No more protests. I bolted to the kitchen.
"Oh, Seonghwan? Dishes? I cleared most grills. Just help with utensils and bounce."
Auntie's warm chatter warmed me again.
'Grueling as hell, but no asshole coworkers. Smart pick.'
"Heard two groups of your friends came today?"
"Huh? Word travels? Haha, bad opener—first shift, and all my peeps show."
"Hohoho, nonsense. Bringing two tables? Impressive. Other part-timers hated friends dropping by."
"Really? Surprising."
"Could be. You don't discriminate, so maybe. But usually, walls exist. Friends chill, boozing, studying—you're busting ass. Hurts pride for some."
"Ah...."
"Yours seem tight, no barriers. And that couple? Boss raved—handsome guy, pretty girl, perfect match. Hohot."
'What about me?'
Fair—they were a solid pair, good-looking duo. But.
'Really? Do they mesh?'
Yesul always charmed with smiles, but her guard was steel against advances. We'd bonded as a Yun-su/Seonghwan package deal—buy one, get one. She skipped hardcore department life and senpai-kohai bonds like me.
'No wonder Yun-su's frustrated. Heh, I'm off the bachelor streak already.'
Scrubbing, I pictured them eating: Yesul silently munching, pouring; Yun-su grilling, plating for her. Cute couple from afar—but up close, I sensed the vibe.
'Lacking. Awkward. Yun-su, gotta man up and grab her wrist, pull her in... Wait, what am I thinking?'
I shook it off, killing the fantasy.
"Done mostly. Boss said 30 early—pack up."
"Haha, sorry for the hassle."
"Hassle? Hohoho. Go on."
"Yep."
Dishes helped, changed—out 30 early. And there...
"Hyun-a, wake up! Shit, what now?"
"Whoa, she downed fast, then conked out. Anyone know her address?"
"Check her phone? Call someone."
"Saw earlier—passcode."
I squeezed my eyes shut watching them.
'Fuck. Knew it'd come to this.'