episode_0153

“Sigh…”

The evening after the holiday, at the cocktail bar where the preparations were complete.

Waiting for the sign outside to change, I leaned on the table lost in thought.

“Congratulations! You’re in your 7th week of pregnancy! If you look at the screen… do you see it? That’s the fetus!”

Staring blankly at the bottle of alcohol, the ultrasound image from the obstetrician just the day before flashed before my eyes.

…Me, a father of a child? How could that even be possible?

A strange mix of joy and anxiety washed over me.

As I let out a deep sigh, feeling the suffocating sensation in my chest, the youngest one approached me with his characteristic boisterous laughter.

“Ham, why are you sighing so much today? Did something happen between you and Jiwoo during the holiday?”

“Don’t worry about it… or wait, youngest one? Sorry, but is it okay if I ask you something?”

“Oh, it’s rare for Ham to ask me something, isn’t it? So, what’s on your mind?”

Will this ignorant guy actually be of any help?

Even though I’m in a situation where I might need to borrow trouble even as a cat’s paw, reaching out to the youngest one seems a bit too much.

Seeing the look of interest on his face made me reluctant to continue, but once I started speaking, the die was cast.

I quickly organized my thoughts and explained my concerns to the youngest one.

“You, youngest one, did you have a girlfriend?”

“Well, I did? Is that what you’re curious about?”

“No, I’m not interested in your girlfriend. So, youngest one, if, hypothetically… if your girlfriend suddenly got pregnant, what would you do?”

“Pregnant… you mean? Wait, could it be that Jiwoo is pregnant?”

…He’s too good at picking up on things in all the wrong places. It would be nice if he paid attention at other times, not just now.

Trying to hide my embarrassment by scrunching up my face, I lightly scolded the youngest one.

“I just said ‘if’, didn’t I?”

“Right, the chances of a hybrid offspring between a vampire and a human are low… Let’s see. If our Yoo-in is pregnant…”

Seemingly convinced, the youngest one soon abandoned his doubts and plunged into deep thought.

After struggling in the quagmire of contemplation for a while, he finally came to a decision and opened his mouth with a hearty laugh.

“The details are honestly too complicated for me to understand! But one thing’s for sure, we should get married first, right? It’s partly my fault, so I should take responsibility.”

“Right.”

“Hahaha! Mother always says that! If you want to live, you’ll find a way! You won’t know until you face it yourself, but as she says, we’ll make it work somehow!”

I don’t know what the future holds, but he’s definitely taking responsibility and getting married…

A simple and clear answer, typical of the youngest one who lives in the moment.

While I didn’t fully agree with the mindset of dealing with things as they come, it certainly helped me in deciding which direction to take.

I expressed brief gratitude to the youngest one and began welcoming the guests entering the bar as I opened the door.

“Welcome… it’s been a while since you sat in front of me, guest. Why are you here today instead of seeing Jiwoo… Oh, you must be busy.”

“Haha, the vampire is quite popular, isn’t he? The other bartenders are busy, so I came here today. I hope that’s not too much for you?”

“Haha, that’s not going to happen. So, what would you like to drink today? Shall I make your usual?”

“Yes, my usual. After enduring the past six days, I just want something simple to drink today.”

As always, I was looking for Jiu, but today, due to the crowd gathering around Jiu, a rare fox mermaid guest sat in front of me.

I wonder how she spent the Chuseok golden holiday to look so unwell like this?

Every time she comes, I subtly ask questions while preparing the usual cocktail, Orgasm.

“You look more tired than usual. Did something happen during the holiday?”

“Well, you know, this and that. It’s hard to put into words. By the way, Bartender, you seem to be in a similar situation as me, don’t you?”

“…I did have a bit of trouble. I need to quickly control my emotions and focus on work, but it’s not easy.”

“Oh, what happened that made you feel that way? If it’s not too much to ask, can you give me a hint?”

With a bitter smile, I asked, and the fox mermaid guest’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Foxes are known to be curious, and it seems that the fox mermaid also inherited that trait.

If it was just a normal relationship conflict, I might have just turned a blind eye and let it go, but this time, it was a concern that was difficult to share with others.

So, I politely declined the fox mermaid guest’s request with a cool smile.

“I’m sorry, but I have to decline, guest. It’s not something I want to share with others.”

“You’re really a bad person. Do you happen to know how to make Koreans angry?”

“As a gesture of apology, I’ll fill the cookie jar with plenty of cookies for you.”

“…Tsk, how boring.”

As I handed the cookie jar filled with cookies, the fox mermaid guest started chewing on them with a sullen expression.

Oh, don’t look at me like that, madam. Some things are just not meant to be.

Ignoring the warm gaze, I shook the shaker, and a sudden thought came to mind.

After finishing the cocktail, I handed the prepared Orgasm to the fox mermaid guest and casually struck up a conversation.

“Here’s your Orgasm order. Enjoy it slowly and leisurely.”

“Hehe, thank you. But… do you have something you want to ask me? You have that kind of face right now.”

“Yes, if it doesn’t bother you while you enjoy your cocktail, could you spare a moment for me?”

“What makes you so curious that you’re so positive… Alright, what do you want to know?”

After taking a sip of the Orgasm, she asked with a slightly relaxed expression.

I confirmed that Jiu was busy moving around with a side glance and asked the guest what I was curious about.

“You mentioned that you were married before, is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. As you can see from my ring finger… Yes, but why do you ask?”

“Well… I was just curious about how your husband proposed to you. It may seem out of the blue, but I also feel a bit lost thinking that I have to do it someday.”

“Haha, is that what this is about?”

“…Ahem, it just came to mind when I saw you. I hope you don’t misunderstand.”

Feeling awkward, I coughed and tidied up, but the mischievously smiling fox mermaid guest opened her mouth.

“A proposal… well, honestly, it wasn’t a very pleasant memory. You see, my sense of romance was almost non-existent at that time.”

“…”

“In a crowded park, on a visible field, did you make a flower path and propose…? It was so overwhelming and embarrassing, I thought I was going to die, seriously.”

“Rather than big events, are you saying it’s better to prepare simply?”

“It may vary case by case… but I think it’s better to avoid things that are burdensome. I’ve seen more women who dislike such events than those who like them.”

Perhaps it was a truly unpleasant memory, the fox-like guest sighed with a disappointed smile, then poured the remaining contents of the glass into their mouth.

After letting out a deep sigh, they looked at me with a mischievous glint in their eyes and asked for a free drink.

“Recalling unwanted memories makes my mouth feel bitter. Oh, suddenly craving something sweet ~ You gave me quite meaningful information, are you trying to take advantage of me?”

“…What can I get you?”

“Something sweet and refreshing, please? Oh, except for mojitos. I’ve had too many of those.”

“Alright, please wait a moment, guest. Oh, do you happen to like mint chocolate?”

“I don’t want to taste toothpaste-flavored chocolate, even if it’s a free cocktail.”

“Understood.”

Sweet and refreshing is the best, but it seems you don’t know how to eat properly.

By the way, since you mentioned not liking mojitos, I wonder if a Tequila Sunrise, slightly sour and slightly sweet, would be the best choice?

After a moment of contemplation, I took out the ingredients from the fridge and shelf to quickly prepare the cocktail.

A cocktail reminiscent of a sunrise .

Not only are the ingredients easy to find, but the method of making this cocktail is also quite simple.

Pour 45ml of tequila and 90ml of orange juice into a highball glass with ice.

Then slowly pour 15ml of grenadine syrup to sink to the bottom, and it’s done.

“Here’s your Tequila Sunrise… Wait, where did they go?”

I tried to hand over the beautifully made cocktail, but the fox-like guest was briefly absent, perhaps in the restroom.

Unable to do anything, I left it on the table and started cleaning up.

Was there a shortage of ingredients?

As I was dealing with the guest for a while, Jiu suddenly approached me, took the grenadine syrup bottle, and whispered softly in my ear.

“Jae-hyuk.”

“Yes?”

“Even if it’s uncomfortable, it’s okay, do it your way.”

“…?”

Before I could ask what she meant, Jiu had already returned to her place and was chatting with the guests again.

…I thought she wouldn’t hear me because she was working, but she did.

Under the heavy burden weighing on my shoulders.

I slumped down weakly.