episode_0045

Smoking area at the back of the store.

I had to do some groundwork before the opening, but I was dragged out by Jonghyun hyung.

I asked the manager if it was okay to go, thinking that I might get scratched if I followed him, but he said it was okay and that I should just go.

The boss, whose face turned bright red and he was embarrassed, was different, but he did not like this situation.

I brought this up for no reason and ended up causing trouble.

I’ve come a long way from making this mistake.

Jonghyun lit a cigarette and just inhaled and exhaled the smoke for a while.

I guess my mind is in a state of confusion. It seems like he’s trying to figure out what to say, but I’m not really interested.

I don’t really care if it’s not related to my work or love, so I don’t know why you’re overreacting so much.

“Um…what should I say?”

What if you ask me, bro?

Since you’ve already figured it out, you could’ve just said with confidence and air that you’re dating the boss.

Seeing him hesitate like this, I decided that he was also a loner like me.

I think he’s almost on the same level as me.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t really tied up my relationship with Yeonseo yet.

Without saying anything, it was highly likely that we were on the same level.

“Haa… That… .”

I was frustrated because I kept stuttering and making no progress, so I decided to take action.

“Are you dating the boss?”

“Huh? Oh, no?”

“Yes?”

Jonghyun hyung and I are both flustered.

We’re not dating, so why is Jonghyun wearing the exact same clothes as yesterday?

The boss was already extremely annoyed by the incident involving Yoon Kang and Se Yeon last time.

This is completely selfish.

“Uh…um…then…”

So how should we define the relationship between the two?

From my meager vocabulary, I tried hard to select words that were less embarrassing and less provocative.

“That… Ah, what is it… Dude, playing with fire?”

“Hey, what are you talking about?”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t think of a word… It was so inappropriate.”

This was a big mistake on my part.

Jonghyun immediately became serious and opened his eyes, and I immediately apologized as well.

“No, you must be really flustered. This is the first time I’ve seen you do this.”

But it must have been quite bitter because he took a deep drag on his cigarette.

The cigarette butt burned orange and Jonghyun blew smoke out through his nose instead of his mouth.

This guy looks so innocent and sweet, and he smokes really deliciously.

“You can define it like this.”

Jonghyun sighed as he threw away the cigarette butt and lit another one.

“I’m actively appealing.”

If you’re appealing, then you’re appealing. Does it make sense to spend a night with a man who’s appealing?

Of course, it makes sense since the adult world is a jungle itself.

But the parties involved are the president and Jonghyun hyung.

I couldn’t understand the fact that Jonghyun, who is a typical example of a person who is clumsy but shows growth through hard work, and the cynical CEO who is only focused on his own work, had such an ambiguous and instinctive relationship.

Maybe this is just my prejudice.

Because I only looked at your public appearance and made assumptions about your private life.

“Excuse me, bro, but I have to ask you something a little deeper. Is that okay?”

“As long as it’s not too rude.”

“Of course you are serious, right?”

“…I started this part-time job because I fell in love with the boss. It’s been two years now.”

Wow, your persistence is no joke.

I was also amazed at how much I had been in unrequited love for two years.

Normally, it would just fold up on its own because it’s tired.

“Then… is the boss also serious?”

Actually, I shouldn’t be asking you this.

Because you’re not the boss yourself.

It’s obvious that it’s difficult to answer, and only the boss can explain this strange situation where they sleep together but don’t date.

If Jonghyun knew the reason, he would have either ended it a long time ago or kept dating.

Still, I ask because if I feel like the other person is treating me like a plaything, I think it would be good to stop them.

Yeah, the useless rambling was happening again.

“ Rather than saying that the boss is serious… I think it would be more accurate to say that he doesn’t treat me lightly.”

He takes another deep drag on his cigarette. He must be feeling quite frustrated and sad.

Although this is my first time meeting Jonghyun hyung as a person, there is a part of me that secretly has a connection with him.

“It’s been about a year since we started this way, but at first I was the one who made the first move, but after that, the boss started making the first move….”

“No no no, bro, that’s too TMI. It’s your private life. What if you try to tell everything?”

“Oh, right.”

The sight of him nodding absently was not very appealing.

I think I know a little bit about what the boss is thinking.

At the crucial moment, all the energy is gone.

Even when working at a store, I secretly fail to demonstrate my skills at important times.

“Anyway, it seems like you’re thinking about me a little bit, but you can’t get over the critical wall. The CEO said it himself.”

“What did you say?”

“When things get tough, I’m the person who comes to mind right away, but not usually.”

Isn’t that usually the case?

“Then is there someone else who usually comes to mind?”

“Probably not… No, maybe… I don’t know.”

Neither here nor there, why is this guy so clueless?

At least this lack of confidence is one of the reasons why the CEO can’t completely give his heart to Jonghyun.

“But if you can think of him right away when things get tough, that’s amazing. That boss.”

“I’m also surprised that I’ve come this far, but I still want to connect with the person I like. It’s already been two years.”

“Isn’t the boss a great slow starter?”

“What is that.”

“That’s right. The boss doesn’t care about anything other than his own work. Among those people, there are many who gradually move and become absorbed rather than suddenly falling in love.”

“Is that really true?”

I don’t know.

How would I know that?

I’m just saying nice things to people who seem desperate.

It’s not like he’s saying things that aren’t true, so Jonghyun hyung has been continuously narrowing the distance between us.

It’s good that you’re narrowing it down, but please put out your cigarette and come.

It smells bad.

“But why is the boss so angry about Yoon Kang and Se-yeon?”

This is a criticism of Naeronambul by turning it around.

Jonghyun noticed that and smiled bitterly.

“I’m already having a hard time thinking about it, but other part-timers are having trouble too. Ha, it’s my fault. It’s all my fault.”

It sounds right to me, but I don’t necessarily agree with it.

“It’s strange, this is the first time I’ve had a proper conversation with you, and my feelings are pouring out so easily.”

“I didn’t say anything?”

Even I was secretly criticizing Jonghyun hyung.

“That’s why it’s so strange. When you’re not smiling, you have a really intimate feeling. You feel so warm somehow.”

I don’t want to hear that kind of thing from a man.

This time I’m serious.

Jonghyun flinched at the eerie expressionless look, then threw away the cigarette butt and took out another one.

How many do you smoke at a time, dude?

“Still, I feel a little better because I’m telling you the story that’s been lingering for two years. Haa. Jinhyeon, when you have time, listen to my story. I’ll buy you a drink. No, listen to me, please.”

“Okay, okay. Just tell me in advance.”

“How was your week?”

“You know that the reservation is for Saturday, right?”

“Huh… I’ll tell you after I see it. Listen and tell me what’s wrong with me.”

I could tell you now, but I’ll keep my mouth shut because I need to hear more details to get a more accurate diagnosis.

I’m excited.

I have something to say to Yeonseo.

That’s a really fun story too.

I wanted to call you right now and tell you.

It’s weird, I just went to a cafe with Yeonseo, but I felt like I became a neighborhood auntie.

“A.”

When the lighter kept spinning and wouldn’t light, Jonghyun got annoyed and asked me.

“Jinhyun, is there anyone around here who would like to come and work at the store? Check the kids’ fatigue this week and suggest it to the manager.”

“Around me? Me?”

I answered reflexively, but someone immediately came to mind.

Yeonseo, my saint.

It was a dazzling sight.

Yeah. Rather than having Yeonseo work part-time in a place I don’t know much about, it’s much better for her to just work next to me, in a place I can see.

“Right? Well, you’re such a nerd.”

“No, there is one.”

“Really? Are you a guy?”

“I’m a woman.”

“Woman…?”

It’s a look that says, “You?” I completely understand because I’m good at being objective about myself.

“Who the hell are you? You have a girlfriend? Wait, isn’t that your girlfriend, not your girlfriend?”

Chichi, the lighter still wasn’t lit.

I calmly agreed with Jonghyun, whose thumb was turning black.

“She’s my girlfriend”.

The movement of lighting the lighter stopped.

“Please keep this a secret from the boss and the store staff.”

Especially Seyun to that guy.

But it seems my earnest request did not reach you.

Jonghyun’s mouth fell open and the cigarette he was holding fell to the ground.