The End of the Date... You Know What It Is, Right? (1)
Man, Jisoo, you're way too excited for this. I had no idea how much booze I knocked back last night—I didn't sleep a wink. But luckily, since I'd popped those hangover pills like a pro, the hangover wasn't too brutal.
"No serious hangover here. How much did you drink?"
"Pig soup right in front of your place—eat up and it'll cure you right."
I'd promised to meet Yoonah, but there were still hours until our date time. Too pumped to sit still, I fired off a text.
She hit me with that cute line, so I shot back a little white lie. Pork soup and booze? Perfect match.
I threw on whatever clothes Mom had laid out haphazardly and headed straight for the pig soup joint in front of our house. The auntie there recognized my face now and smacked my back playfully.
"Hungover? Order up some spicy pig soup!"
"Ah, yeah, Auntie. Hungover bad."
She put in the order and bustled off to the kitchen. Gotta love how friendly these aunties are. I was meeting up with our family regular spot anyway.
"Eat up good and shake it off."
The massive bowl, piled higher than usual, warmed my heart. Local aunties like this make the neighborhood feel right. "No need for extras!"
"Hehe! Who said no? Thanks! Dig in!"
I snatched the bowl before she could add more sides and dove in with my spoon.
"Kuh~! Auntie's cooking is next level for hangovers!"
"Less chatter, more eating."
Her words were gruff, but her lips twitched in a smile. She seemed pretty pleased. Heh, I've always had a knack for charming the elders. They say kids who butter up adults get far—works every time, adults only though.
"Kuh, feels like all the gunk's melting away." The extra chili powder she tossed in made my foggy gut clear right up. Pork soup is the real hangover cure.
"Haa, all done."
I scraped the kimchi, sides, and slurped every drop of broth. My belly was stuffed to bursting now.
"Drink in moderation, you rascal!"
"Yesterday was a work thing, Auntie."
I bantered with her a bit more while paying, then stepped out with light steps.
"She even knocked off a thousand won? Auntie must really like me."
I chuckled and strolled slowly back home.
"Ah, full now—getting sleepy."
Date at 1 PM, spot's 20 minutes away. It was 10 AM now. Perfect hour to crash. Shower and primp would take time anyway. It'll work out.
"Mmm... uh..."
I passed out the second my eyes shut. The alarm jolted me awake at 11:30.
"Shit, overslept 30 minutes?!"
I bolted up and rushed to the bathroom. Skip the bath—quick rinse, face wash, clean shave.
Clothes... "Wore 'em yesterday, but no smell, right?"
I'd dressed tidy enough, but same outfit two days? Summer would've been a sweat-fest. My other stuff was all wrinkled.
"Should've shopped instead of pounding drinks..."
Sigh-worthy, but done was done. No rewinding. Time to make do. I grabbed the Febreze and spritzed generously—but not overboard.
"And..."
Hang it by the sunny window for 10 minutes. It'll be fresh and fragrant. Nothing else to do meanwhile. "Ah, crap—hair needs mousse, but gotta dress first."
Suddenly, yesterday's drunken flop replayed. Heading to see Yoonah—can't look like a slob.
"Wait till it dries a bit... then style..."
No time though. Nothing to do but kill time blankly till the clothes aired. Checked—dry enough. Slipped 'em on quick. No questions from Mom, good. Finished hair.
"What time...?"
Phone: 12:20. Twenty minutes to spot, but better safe—special circumstances and all. Heart raced a tad.