episode_0128

Originally, I was a bit worried that the Satyr who courageously stood up to me in the early morning, might hold a grudge and report me. But did he have any sense of conscience or morals left? I sighed, woke up late in the afternoon, and found no messages on my phone.

Instead, an odd post had appeared on the community board that I often visited.

[“Sharing My Experience with the Midnight Black Rose Mode ㅋㅋㅋ”]

…What kind of frozen-to-death black rose is this black rose?

Just from the title, I already felt a sense of aversion towards the post. Suppressing the slight curiosity that arose, I immediately started getting ready for work.

“Why are you getting ready so early today? You look a bit unfamiliar like this.”

“Oh, I have something personal to take care of. I’ll leave first today. Take your time getting ready and follow me.”

“…Something personal? What is it?”

Perhaps my departure from the usual routine and my brisk movements seemed strange to Jaehyuk, who was already up, as he immediately expressed his doubts.

When lying, it’s customary to mix in about half of the truth. So, I blurted out the result of my contemplation from last night, avoiding Jaehyuk’s suspicion.

“There’s a new workshop near the bar, and I wanted to pick up the nail clippers I had ordered in advance.”

“Oh, was it because of the nail clippers you were talking about with that Dwarf customer last time?”

“Uh, yeah! As you know, my nails are quite hard, right? I noticed that the communal nail clippers had become dull last time! So, I decided to order a new one!”

Presenting the plausible excuse I had prepared in advance, Jaehyuk nodded in understanding.

Seemingly satisfied and no longer prying, he began to get ready for work again, relieved.

But my oblivious boyfriend, who always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, once again tried to thwart my plans.

“I was curious about the place, so this works out well. Let’s go together. I also want to see it.”

“It’s just to pick up an item, so I’ll be out soon. There’s no need to go together…”

“If it won’t take much time, we can just go together, right? Why do you want to go separately?”

“W-Well, it’s just in case of any unexpected situations… Haha…”

An unexpected excuse that I hadn’t prepared for. Feeling awkward about it, I fidgeted with my hair, wondering if he could see through my lie.

Jaehyuk, with a mischievous smile, broke the short silence and started teasing me.

“Seeing you want to go alone, it seems like it wasn’t just about the nail clippers, right?”

“T-That’s…”

“If it’s a lady’s secret or something… I’ll respect that. We haven’t really invaded each other’s privacy much anyway. I’ll head to work first, and follow you slowly.”

“Okay…”

Although I managed to move past the situation, the lingering feeling of not being able to hide it perfectly made me feel uneasy.

…Before dragging it out and getting grilled unnecessarily, I should strike while the iron is hot as soon as possible.

Originally, I had planned to wait for a day before proceeding, but with Jaehyuk’s suspicions arising, the plan needed a complete overhaul.

As I finished getting ready for work and stepped out of the front door, I began contemplating how to smoothly arrange a drinking session with my boyfriend after work.

“…I hope there are a lot of difficult customers today.”

There’s no better excuse than healing the wounds of the heart while working.

Honestly, there’s no need for too many difficult customers. If they just come in as usual and hurl insulting words while causing a commotion, that’s enough.

I prayed for today to pass by just like any other day, as I continued to walk towards the workshop.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

After about ten minutes of walking in contemplation, I gradually approached the workshop, where the loud noise reached my ears.

I could hear the sound of a hammer. Could it be that the handcuffs weren’t fully made yet?

Worrying, I entered the workshop, and thankfully, the first thing that caught my eye was the displayed handcuffs and nail clippers.

I stood there in awe of the incredibly satisfying quality, when suddenly, the dwarf craftsman who had just finished hammering greeted me warmly.

“Hmm? You came earlier than expected? So, do you like the items you ordered?”

“For now, the appearance is satisfactory. These handcuffs and nail clippers look so sophisticated, it’s my first time seeing something like this.”

“The performance will also please you as much as the appearance. Since you’ve requested specific options, why don’t you give it a try?”

“Alright… where should I start?”

With the help of the dwarf craftsman, I tried on the handcuffs.

I raised my strength as if I were going to break them, gradually increasing the force.

Creak – Creak –

As the powerful force was applied, the handcuffs let out a painful scream.

But as if not wanting to break, they soon released the restraint on my hands.

Ping – !

“…The strength of a vampire is truly astonishing. To release it so easily when even a dwarf can’t, it’s quite impressive. I was worried it would be difficult to unlock, wondering if even an adult male could do it.”

“After living for so long, I’ve seen plenty of people who could do it. Anyway, please use it for something good. Can you promise me just that?”

…Just because I ordered a pair of handcuffs, why is he treating me like a troublemaker?

Using it for something strange… no, when you think about it, it does seem a bit suspicious.

Anyway.

“Haha, don’t worry. Do you really think I would use it for something bad?”

“After living for so long, I’ve seen plenty of people who could. Anyway, please promise me.”

“I promise, craftsman. Well then, I’ll see you at the cocktail bar later!”

“…How did you know I was going to the cocktail bar?”

“Well, you look like a dwarf who’s drawn to alcohol, so it’s easy to tell.”

After receiving the handcuffs and nail clippers from the dwarf craftsman’s concern, I bid farewell and left the workshop.

As I walked towards the cocktail bar to start my shift, I planned out the things I needed to do after work.

“…By the way, how can I fill the handcuffs without feeling repulsed?”

The next important concern after creating a drinking atmosphere was naturally how to naturally fill Jaehyuk’s wrists with the handcuffs.

It had to be done voluntarily rather than by force.

Most importantly, it had to be done in a way that wouldn’t hurt Jaehyuk.

To solve this complicated and difficult problem, I had to continue pondering until the end of my shift.

Well, at least there was one fortunate thing amidst the hardship.

“Hah! You want me to drink this now?”

Splash!

…At least I had one excuse to naturally have a drink after work.

Wiping the dirty martini dripping down my face with a towel,

I silently thanked the unruly customer in my heart.

—–

‘I hope there are a lot of interesting customers today.’

As if the heavens had miraculously granted that wish, today there were even more interesting customers than usual.

From constantly pestering the bartender to absurdly offering their own drinks to others.

It was truly a challenging day, and as the end of the shift approached, everyone was feeling it.

“”Sigh…””

Completely exhausted, I lay sprawled out like a melted candle.

The employees, who had been tormented all day by difficult customers.

Seeing how pitiful we looked, the boss decided to take special measures under the guise of maintenance.

“…It’s impossible to continue business in this state. Everyone, quickly clean up and go home. And after a good rest, come back tomorrow evening.”

“Is that okay, boss?”

“The store is a mess, the employees are exhausted, what good would it do to push through? You have to come to work feeling good, work like a dog, don’t you agree?”

“Haha, you’re right.”

It was a typical remark from our eccentric, wealthy boss.

Enchanted by the promise of a day off, the employees quickly finished cleaning up, mustering up the last of their strength, and hurried home to enjoy a cozy rest.

On the way back to my studio after a tough day.

Jaehyuk and I began venting our frustrations by cursing the difficult customers who had come to the store.

“Ugh, today was really tough… How did half of the customers who came turn out to be difficult?”

“It was annoying, but also fascinating. Their antics were so unique, maybe that’s why?”

“Hmph, it was a bit embarrassing to have a Dirty Martini splashed on my face after just one sip. Haah… I should have poured vodka on her head.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“She ran away while I was hesitating. Well, I might see her at the police station soon. She left without paying, saying the money was too much.”

“What an idiot.”

“If she were smart, she wouldn’t have done such things in the first place.”

After venting our frustrations through cursing, I felt a little better.

But that was all, I couldn’t completely let go of my anger.

Deciding it was time, I boldly suggested having a drink when we got back to the studio.

“Wanna have a drink? I’ll treat you to a late-night snack!”

“I’m tempted. What are we having?”

“I’ll even let you choose the menu! Just tell me what you want!”

“Oh, what’s gotten into you? Hmm, then how about grilled intestines?”

“Not a bad choice. I’ll go ahead and order it?”

I was worried about being rejected, but thankfully Jaehyuk readily agreed, perhaps because it was our day off.

I pretended to take out my phone, fiddling with the handcuffs in my bag, a happy smile on my face.

Everything was going according to plan.