Others' Gazes (10)
“Aigoo, what a shame. Tsk. So you're only sticking around till the end of the month?”
“Haa, I'm really sorry, boss. I was planning to tough it out for the whole semester, but I just can't make the time anymore. And with midterms coming up soon, I'm seriously short on study hours. I'll work my ass off for the time I have left. Sorry again.”
“Haha. I've been running this place for over fifteen years. I've seen it all, dealt with every type of worker. You've done pretty well, Seonghwan—worked hard and stuck it out longer than most. Hell, plenty of folks take their pay and ghost after a month. And if a student's gotta study, holding 'em back ain't being an adult.”
Seonghwan had braced himself for a scolding when he told the boss he was quitting. He figured he'd get an earful at least. But the boss's response was so touching that Seonghwan didn't know where to put himself.
“I'll really bust my hump for the rest of the time—bring in customers, work like a dog till my bones ache, boss. Sniff.”
He even hammed it up with fake sobs, their rapport that solid now. But the joke didn't lessen the impact for a young guy like Seonghwan. It was genuine encouragement that warmed his heart.
“Haha. I'm the one who's grateful you gave notice ahead of time. For real. Like I said, tons of people just vanish without a word, leaving me to cover solo till my back breaks and my legs swell up. One month left? Plenty of time to find a replacement. No need to feel that bad.”
“Got it. I'll focus on today's shift then.”
“Hahaha. You're getting bolder by the day, Seonghwan. At first, you seemed so hesitant and spineless, but maybe this is the real you.”
“Hahaha. Yeah, once I get comfy with people, I let loose.”
With the weight off his chest, Seonghwan headed to the changing room feeling light as air.
I was worried the last month would be awkward, but it turned out way better than expected. Now just gotta convince Dad... Should I run it by Mom first? She always takes my side, but she's not one to outright defy him.
No matter how much he begged, Dad's stubbornness wouldn't budge easily. He'd need backup.
Maybe use Hyun? Dad dotes on her. If I play it right... But how do I sweet-talk her into it?
He still had time, so no rush. Picturing the steps ahead, Seonghwan opened the changing room door and stepped into the dining hall. What he saw left him speechless.
“What... the hell are you guys doing here?”
****
“Whoa, this the place Jia was talking about? Pretty famous spot. I've been a couple times.”
As they walked to the restaurant Jia recommended, Eunhyeok chatted easily with her and the group, close enough now to drop formalities. Especially Jia—her outgoing vibe made it feel natural after just minutes.
“Yeah, I've been twice. Meat's great, place is clean.”
“Perfect then. Sure, it's about bonding, but good food keeps the mood up, right? Haha.”
Eunhyeok was buzzing with excitement he hadn't felt in ages.
Last time was before the army, crushing on Yumi? Came back a returnee, stuck in mechanical engineering—no girls in sight. Hoped the club room would deliver, and boom.
His juniors Yujae and Chanwoo were circling the freshmen like sharks, but whatever.
If I lose to those punks, my love life's doomed. Hyeonseok's got a girlfriend anyway—he'll be busy cooing with her.
With his main rival taken, and confirming en route they were all single? Jackpot.
Seonghwan's in deep shit. Heh.
Jia eyed his smug grin. “You don't know where Seonghwan oppa works, do you, sunbae?”
“Huh? Seonghwan? Nah, didn't even know he had a job till the day before yesterday. Guy's been MIA from the club room forever—I had no clue what he was up to. Bumped into him yesterday, heard about the part-time gig.”
“Hehe, figured.”
“Why's that? Wait, does it matter where? It's the broke-ass situation that counts. Was gonna mooch a meal off him after so long, but work gets in the way.”
“No biggie. Boost today's sales—that'll make him happy.”
“Sales? What? Anyway, you call him oppa?”
“Yeah, past few weeks. I go casual with honorifics once we're tight.”
“Ho... You all do?”
He meant Hyun specifically, obviously. No secret—the group's star was Lee Hyun, drawing stares that made her the street's centerpiece. A rose made prettier with makeup, buzzing with bees. But Hyun ignored them all.
Jia, who'd spent an hour near her, thought: Maybe she's a sunflower, not a rose. All the more tragic. What history made a fresh-out-of-high-school girl pine like that? And why did Seonghwan pretend not to notice?
Jia could only cheer her friend quietly. “That's my personality. ESFJ—people say it's sociable. Hyoseok's similar, so easy with him. Hyun's shyer, might take time?”
“Haha, yeah, she seems it. Hope we bond today. Oh, all of you, I mean.”
Eunhyeok backpedaled, but Jia just smiled brighter.
“Atmosphere won't be awkward. The server knows Hyun.”
“Server?”
Curious, but the sign ahead killed questions. They entered to a kindly middle-aged man.
“Welcome! Oh? You young ladies back again? Haha.”
His warm grin had Jia step up. “Hi, boss. We're regulars, right?”
“Of course. How many? Looks crowded—combine tables or back room? Whatever's comfy.”
“Combine 'em. I like the middle. Cool, sunbae?”
“Yeah, whatever works.”
Eunhyeok followed, dazed, scanning—no server in sight.
The server Jia meant... the boss? But no one's acting super chummy except her?
Odd, but priority: Hyun, radiating aura, surrounded by drooling guys playing sly.
Her seat choice would spark chair wars.
“Hyun-ah, here.”
Jia claimed one side. That's mine.
Eunhyeok lunged—
“Aigoo, I'll take this then?”
“Yujae, you love window seats. View while eating, remember? Go there, punk.”
“Screw views. You've always hogged center for easy grabs. You go middle.”
“Middle's for couples. Hyeonseok and Yuyeon center, me here. Mix freshmen and seniors.”
“Sunbaes, first day—comfy with us together? I'll sit by Jia and Hyun...”
“Yeah, Jia's side.”
“Not what I—”
“Hey, brats. Eldest here, and no one's asking me? I'll assign—stay put.”
War on. Age trumped all; Eunhyeok bellowed to halt them.
But the real chaos-bringer?
“What... the hell are you guys doing here?”
“Huh?”
Familiar voice behind—Eunhyeok whipped around. Little pig face on chest, 'Don Doni Ne' on the other. Seonghwan in uniform, baffled.
“What're you doing here?”
Not even fifteen minutes since parting, total shock.
“Sunbae, I'm the server?”
“What?”
Eunhyeok glared at Jia's grin—dawned: That's the server.
“Whoa, Seonghwan hyung works here?”
“No way? Awkward.”
Yujae and Chanwoo piled on; place erupted again.
“I'm shocked too. You didn't know I work here?”
“No clue.”
“Jeez...”
Jia's mischief gave it away, but others clearly clueless, dragged by her.
“Aigoo, what a mess... I'm staff, so order up. Other customers waiting—sit already?”
“Standing's rude. Seats first? Hyeonseok-Yuyeon center, window Yujae-Chanwoo. Freshmen and me here. Done. Order—sit!”
“Sunbae, this is too dictatorial...”
“Shut it. Sit. See the customers?”
Seonghwan intervened; Eunhyeok stamped authority, sorted.
Seats filling, menus: samgyeopsal unified.
“Ten portions samgyeopsal, four soju and four beers mixed, please.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Dude's stiff as fuck.”
Seonghwan took order blank-faced, walked off—no buddy act. Eunhyeok chuckled at Jia.
“He like that with you girls? Doesn't fit.”
“Yeah. Same with us. Differs from usual?”
“Totally. First seemed dopey, then buddy-buddy. This? Jarring.”
“Ooh, what was oppa like at the club? Dopey sounds fun.”
“Seonghwan? Hm...”
Guy reminiscing another guy's past? Rare. Even for Jia's sake, memories sparse. But...
“Yumi sunbae doted on him, right?”
Chanwoo beat him. “Yeah, he hesitated joining. Told me over drinks—Yumi basically forced him. Joked he got played, but he warmed up, in-out club room. She's his benefactor.”
“Why'd he bolt mid-way? MIA for ages.”
Hyeonseok voiced the guys' shared question.
Mincheol hyung.
Eunhyeok knew from yesterday: Mincheol hated Yumi with Seonghwan; Seonghwan sensed, left.
Issue: he's back.
Yumi avoiding club post-breakup; Mincheol stirring shit. Seonghwan eyeing return with freshmen.
Rough road ahead.
But no stopping him. Beyond cute freshmen, this bold Seonghwan suited better than old timid one.
Resolved, Eunhyeok set glass down. “You know Mincheol hyung and Yumi split? That's why his freakout weeks back. Yujae, Chanwoo know; told Hyeonseok today. Freshmen here—didn't wanna drag it up, but before club implodes over one guy, watch the room. You gotta mind the newbies. No one's cared for juniors since Yumi dipped. 2023 intake—you handle Seonghwan and them.”
Chanwoo got it, but probed: “Newbies obvious. Why Seonghwan hyung? Beef with Mincheol sunbae?”
Smart kids linked it.
“Hm... Too soon. Later. Newbie party—eat, drink. My bad, shouldn't air dirty laundry.”
“Aigoo, stuck talking us seniors. Fill glasses?”
Chanwoo eyed freshmen, shifting mood—then:
“So Yumi sunbae won't come to club anymore?”
“Huh?”
Eunhyeok stiffened at the quiet freshman's voice—Lee Hyun, silent till now.
Shock one: her sudden question.
Two: her eyes, coldly challenging.