episode_0025

The raucous cry of a crow echoed through the early evening.

As the sun hung on the horizon, painting a beautiful sunset, I forced my groggy body to rise.

“…Ah.”

I squinted at my phone through bleary eyes and saw the date was March 17th.

Finally, the day had arrived, I thought as I slumped back onto the bed.

“I don’t want to go to work.”

Muttering softly, I gazed up at the dark ceiling stained with shadows, feeling a mix of emotions.

What kind of extravagant life was my past self seeking so fervently in finding something to do with such dedication?

Wouldn’t it have been fine to take it easy for a bit? After all, there was quite a bit of money left in my bank account.

“There are piles of novels I haven’t read yet.”

The thick blanket provided a soft, cozy sensation that made me reluctant to move. Soon enough, a visitor arrived as the door opened unexpectedly.

“Hey, get up. It’s time to head to work.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to go…”

“If you don’t get up, shall I dunk you in cold water?”

“…I’ll get up.”

Such an impatient fellow.

Making a fuss about getting ready for work, how long could it possibly take?

I scowled in protest as if rebelling against the situation, but all that returned were chopsticks and a cross.

Afraid that enlightenment might come quicker than going to work at this rate, I quietly began preparing for work.

“Hmm, this should do.”

Thanks to Jaehyuk waking me up early, I could prepare for work quite leisurely.

After taking a shower and following Hyeun’s advice to look at selfies while applying light makeup, I had about an hour left.

Since there was no harm in going early, I dressed and left my studio apartment. The guy followed me, suggesting we go together.

“Let’s go together. Won’t it be boring to go alone?”

“Yeah, I prefer going alone. If I go with you, won’t we just end up arguing?”

Though I felt a bit sorry for Jaehyuk, I found moving alone much more enjoyable than bickering with him.

Rather than bickering back and forth, I preferred enjoying communication or reading a novel. That was the reason.

Shouldn’t we try to make the unpleasant journey a bit more enjoyable if we’re going anyway?

I shrugged, but Jaehyuk stubbornly came closer and started grumbling beside me.

“If you go alone, you’ll suffer because of people, then you’ll come back home and complain again. I’m tired of hearing your complaints.”

“Just say you’re worried honestly, kid. Do you have to beat around the bush like that?”

“…Worried about what? I’m too busy worrying about my own future.”

He averted his gaze awkwardly, trying to gloss over his lack of honesty.

Seeing his inability to be straightforward, I chuckled and quietly put away my phone.

“Sigh, anyway, what will I be doing? They won’t put a vampire who doesn’t even know the key ingredients of a cocktail behind the bar, right… Probably starting with menial tasks?”

“Usually, that’s how it starts. You’ll memorize cocktail names and appearances as a bar server, and once you get used to it, you’ll work as a backup bartender.”

“Well… wouldn’t it take at least a month? Ten days seem insufficient, don’t you think?”

“If I know you well, ten days will be plenty. You’ll adapt quickly and be shaking shakers in front of customers in no time.”

…He seems to be overestimating me way too much.

As I sighed inwardly and pondered, Jaehyuk grinned and spoke up.

“By the way… it’s fascinating.”

“What is?”

“On your first day at work, you show no sign of worry despite it being something new.”

His gaze was akin to observing a rare species.

Recalling my experiences as a freshman in college, I slowly replied, “Because there’s nothing to worry about? I’ve already had similar experiences.”

After all, being a bartender is ultimately a part of the food service industry.

When delving deeply into a profession, there are undoubtedly distinct characteristics unique to that job… But am I not in a position where I still need to learn and do menial tasks?

So, there’s really nothing to worry about.

Just as he said… serving, cleaning, washing dishes, just simple tasks like that.

Of course, dealing with difficult customers is much tougher on this side, but you know.

“Just make sure the customers don’t bring any weird items. Like silver chopsticks, garlic cloves, things like that.”

Who in the world would carry such things around, honestly, it’s beyond me.

In a world going crazy, could there really not be even one insane person like that?

“Come to think of it, it does seem a bit worrying.”

“…Surely there wouldn’t be customers like that, right? Plus, with the Inter-Species Special Law in place now, they can’t act recklessly anymore, can they?”

“That’s true, isn’t it?”

As we chatted, we arrived at a new workplace.

I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.

Please.

Let nothing happen.

—–

“Jiwoo? I heard you have a lot of part-time work experience, is that right?”

“It’s not a lot, but I’ve worked in restaurants and cafes before.”

“Well then… could you help out with other tasks until you get used to the job? Oh, right. Can you do the dishes by any chance? I heard vampires shouldn’t touch running water.”

“It’s fine if you wear rubber gloves. Just avoid direct contact.”

Upon starting work at the cocktail bar, the tasks I ended up doing were not much different from what I had expected.

Taking orders from customers.

Serving cocktails.

Cleaning up after customers and helping with the dishes.

Perhaps because it had been a while since I opened the shop, unlike when I visited as a customer, the place was bustling with activity.

Maybe because I had done this several times before, or maybe it was because vampires don’t easily tire at night, the work wasn’t too strenuous.

The fact that there were hardly any difficult customers also played a part.

If there was one challenging aspect…

“Welcome, it’s Midnight ~ How many in your party?”

“Two, two people!”

“Sure, please have a seat here. What would you like to order?”

“We’ll have a Wild Flower and a Junbug, please. But…”

“Yes?”

“Could you give me your number by any chance? I’ve never done this before…”

“I’m sorry, sir. I already have an owner.”

“Oh…”

Perhaps guests asking for numbers out of the blue like this was common?

If you were to ask why the rejection was so extreme… there’s quite a bit to say about that.

At first, I politely declined, but some guests were really persistent.

I tried saying I had a partner who wouldn’t let go, but only then did they finally give up and leave. So, from then on, I preemptively shut down such requests to avoid trouble.

“…If I were a man, this wouldn’t have happened.”

If only my gender hadn’t changed, perhaps I could have enjoyed a sense of happiness?

Instead of being pestered by common male customers, getting numbers from bright and lively women like flowers… There probably wouldn’t be anything as exciting as that.

“But reality is harsh.”

With a melancholic expression, as I cleaned up the table where the guest had disappeared, a familiar voice came from beside me.

Turning my head to look in the direction of the voice, I saw the brown-haired fox demi-human I had seen before.

“Oh, long time no see! Have you been well?”

“Thanks to you. Sir, your face looks better than last time.”

“Haha, I squeezed a lot out last night… No, no, my husband took good care of me.”

“…Seems like you’re very happy.”

It feels like this conversation might drag on a bit.

Looking at the boss with a gaze asking if it’s okay to chat, the boss nodded as if to take a break.

Rest time arrived, albeit briefly.

After finishing up what I was organizing, I immediately began conversing with the fox spirit guest.

“By the way… Unlike our last encounter as guest to guest, this time it’s guest to staff, isn’t it? Is working at the bar not challenging?”

“Well, not really, I haven’t had to deal with anything too complicated yet. The most challenging part would probably be how mischievous some male guests can be.”

“Hmm, quite positive of you. Most people lose their fantasies about bartenders while doing menial tasks.”

“I didn’t choose this job based on a fantasy. It’s not like you can pick a profession based on fantasies, you know.”

Survival keeps one busy; fantasies are irrelevant.

With a wistful smile, the fox spirit extended its alluring, fluffy tail towards me, looking pitiful.

Then, with an affectionate smile, it seduced me in a gentle voice while stroking its tail.

“You seem quite melancholic. Want me to touch it? I noticed you seemed to enjoy it last time.”

“…”

A large, fluffy tail swaying gently, stimulating desire.

Despite reaching out involuntarily due to its enticing movements, I quickly shook my head vigorously, dispelling the desire.

There’s a reason they say foxes can bewitch people, indeed.

Having barely escaped the dizzying sensation, I turned to where the owner was and spoke up.

“It’s my first day at work; I can’t slack off. Actually, chatting with customers like this is quite nerve-wracking.”

“Well, if it’s your first day, it can’t be helped. Hehe, maybe next time…”

Downing the remaining cocktail in one go, the fox spirit rose slowly from its seat.

Though grateful for the encouragement, my gratitude soon turned to resentment.

Because…

“Oh, that customer is fine, but every time they come, there’s so much fur… How many strands are there exactly?”

“Ah.”

I almost felt compelled to count the scattered brown fox hairs on the floor.

I had been stubbornly ignoring it, fearing this exact situation… I truly despise the owner.

*Sigh…*

There were likely over a hundred brown fox hairs strewn about.

Suppressing the rising OCD tendencies, I silently began collecting the fox hairs into my pocket.

Next time.

I will definitely wrap that alluring tail in a plastic bag.