episode_0026

It seemed like the obsession with calculations was a harbinger of trials, as the challenges persisted thereafter.

Startled by the sight of the kitchen knife, almost falling flat on the ground.

While washing dishes, a call for help due to a hole in the rubber gloves, adding to the already busy day.

Above all, the most grueling task was undoubtedly taking orders from customers who had just come over from the pork belly restaurant near the cocktail bar.

No matter how much garlic I consumed, the dizziness from the overpowering garlic odor every time I opened my mouth was unbearable.

“One Martini for one, and a Jack and Coke for the other… *cough*…”

“…Are you okay?”

“I-I’m f-fine… *cough* *cough*, *cough*…”

“…”

It’s only natural to feel nauseous looking at someone else’s face, but it was quite impolite.

Even though it wasn’t unusual for service industry workers to feel sick towards customers, it didn’t make it any less awkward.

Was it the pitiful sight of struggling and tearful agony that made others sympathize?

After explaining that I was a vampire and vulnerable to garlic, seeking forgiveness.

“I-It’s alright. You’re okay, right? You seemed to be struggling a lot.”

Looking at me with a pitiful gaze, they just let it slide.

It was truly appreciative that the guests understood my weakness, but my mind wasn’t at ease.

The guilt weighed heavily, making even simple tasks like taking orders feel burdensome, leading to self-reproach.

“Should I really leave Korea?”

Unless I give up living in Korea, my quality of life might significantly improve.

Nevertheless, after enduring various trials, it was suddenly time to clock out.

Drinking cool water to refresh my tired body and mind, the boss approached me with a weary expression.

Seemingly exhausted due to more customers than usual.

Handing me a beautifully crafted cocktail blending white and black, the boss cautiously posed a question.

“Jiwoo, how was your first day at work? Was it different from what you expected?”

“Haha, I came in with some expectations, so it’s been fine. After all, even in a barbecue joint, you don’t start grilling meat right away.”

“Oh, that’s a good point! Your attitude is excellent! We need more people like you working here…”

“You flatter me. Oh, and feel free to speak casually. It feels awkward when you’re the only one using formal language with me.”

“Well, there’s a bit of an aura that makes it hard to speak casually… Alright, got it. I’ll try to speak more comfortably from now on.”

Sipping on an unknown light brown cocktail, the boss sighed before continuing the conversation.

“Phew, we had so many customers today. It’s been this busy since we opened.”

“…Really? I thought it wasn’t that crowded back then.”

“A cocktail bar in a remote location isn’t expected to do well. Hmm, if it continues like this, it might pose some difficulties.”

“Isn’t it good for the business to thrive?”

“Not at all. I do this as a hobby, and I prefer a quieter atmosphere over the hustle and bustle.”

“…”

A statement that I couldn’t quite comprehend.

Thinking the boss must be eccentric, I sipped the cocktail handed to me, as Jaehyuk, who had already prepared to leave, briskly walked over to my table.

“Why are you having such a lively conversation? Include me too, boss.”

“Just wanted to ask about Jiwoo’s first day at work. Jaehyuk, honestly, you seem much better than when you first started?”

“Well, you should compare apples to apples. What if you compare an experienced newbie to a complete novice?”

“It seems like your personality is even better than his. Is it time for a change? Well, you’ve been here for quite a while.”

“…Don’t joke about things like that, please.”

Jae-hyuk wore a sullen expression, but the boss continued teasing with a chuckle.

He’s such a witty guy that poking fun at him like that seems quite entertaining.

Lost in watching the subtly well-matched chemistry between the two, I suddenly realized my glass was empty. Seeing this, the boss stopped teasing and promptly ordered a round of drinks.

“Oh, I didn’t realize I was holding you up for so long. Can’t be doing this on your first day at work. Alright, you both did well… See you in the evening. Have a good morning, okay?”

“Have a good morning to you too, sir.”

And so, as I wrapped up my first day at work and headed back to my studio apartment.

Relieving my pent-up OCD tendencies, I meticulously counted the fox tail hairs in my pocket one by one. Amidst this silence, the guy who had been quiet for a while struck up a conversation with me.

“Was the job manageable? Seemed quite tough.”

“One… two… oh, huh? What was that?”

“Wasn’t the job hard?”

“Just a moment, let me finish counting these. Eighty-six, eighty-seven…”

After tallying them all, a total of 189, I finally could respond to his question after breaking free from my counting compulsion.

“It was manageable. There were challenging aspects, but those are to be expected.”

Could there be anything else that’s not difficult?

Honestly, this level of difficulty is quite manageable.

Apart from meticulously counting the fox tail hairs left by the fox-like customer and dealing with the awkward situation of a hole in the rubber gloves, what other hardships are there apart from facing people smelling of garlic?

Even the two weaknesses mentioned earlier are unavoidable regardless of the profession in Korea.

Considering that things would only worsen if I tried another job, and there wouldn’t be any improvement, being a bartender seemed reasonable.

“Still, it was a bit tiring. Why are there so many people throwing shade? Ugh.”

If you’re going to ask for a number, at least get rid of the garlic smell. Who would give their number when emitting such a repulsive odor?

As I lamented my fatigue, the guy who had been sending sympathetic glances quietly spoke up.

“Are you very tired?”

“Yeah, maybe it’s because I had some drinks… feeling a bit drowsy.”

“…Then try transforming into a bat; I’ll carry you on my head.”

“Seriously?”

Did I eat something wrong for dinner?

The guy who was usually freaking out over scratching his scalp was now offering to carry me first?

As I stared wide-eyed, he walked ahead, saying if I didn’t want to, I should speak up. I transformed into bat form and stuck closely behind him, bantering along the way.

“I thought you were just being polite! Honestly, I had a rough first experience; how can I take it seriously?”

“Don’t misunderstand, kid. People are watching.”

“You’re right, but still. And there’s no one here except us, you know?”

“Sigh…”

Was he greatly embarrassed by the lack of people around? Jae-hyuk sighed and then silently pulled out a hat from his bag, putting it on.

As if indicating to wear it on his head, he lightly tapped the hat with his finger.

Flap, flap.

Thud!

The hat landed perfectly on his head.

Adjusting my posture and crouching down, I felt an unexpected level of comfort.

“…This is surprisingly cozy and nice, isn’t it?”

Whether it was the softness of the hair or not, the riding sensation was entirely comfortable.

I could now understand why pets in novels fixated on the protagonist’s head.

“There was a reason for everything!”

My friend, it’s truly fortunate that you’re not bald.

I’m not a fan of stone beds, you see.

Expressing my satisfaction, I energetically howled towards the front.

“Click!”

Next time, I should ask them to burn it.

Once is difficult.

From the second time, it’s easy.

—–

It took longer than expected to graduate from bartending school and start working as a bartender.

Short practice sessions before and after work.

A clumsy body that gets tipsy from just drinking 1000cc of beer.

And the reason was the hopeless lack of skill that seemed like a curse from the gods.

“You’ll never be able to carve ice properly. It seems like there won’t be any ice left if you keep shaving it round.”

“You can’t even hold a knife properly, you imbecile. You’re just a trash species who froths at anything sharp.”

“Oh, right.”

But didn’t they say perseverance pays off?

With determination and endless repetition, the number of cocktails he could make increased one by one.

And so, a little over a week after his first day at work, the boss finally gave him permission to work as a bartender.

“This level… well, it seems good enough to sell. Phew, that was really tough.”

“Thank you for your hard work, boss.”

“…It wasn’t that much. If you create a signature menu, let Jaehyuk taste it first before bringing it to me. If you feed me first, consider that your last day here.”

“What did I do wrong, boss?”

“We’re friends, aren’t we? Can’t you do that for a friend?”

“Friends are friends, but this is business! Is there a three-way crossing in the middle of a meal?”

It seems like both of them have been through a lot.

Leaving the bickering pair behind, I approached the door and changed the shop sign to Open.

“I’m looking forward to today.”

Who will be my first customer?

And what story will they tell me?

The image of a bartender I saw while working at the bar was someone who listens to others’ stories.

If I’m lucky, I might hear an interesting tale.

I waited for my first customer with anticipation, and the first customer I met was…

“Oh, you’re someone new. But why does it feel like I’ve seen you before?”

“…Why do you seem so familiar to me too?”

For some reason, he gave off a very familiar vibe.

He was a tiny pixie.