episode_0087

“…First of all, to make a cocktail, you need to know the basics, right? Let me start by explaining the equipment you’ll be using.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Starting from the right. That there is a measuring cup, and next to it is a mixing glass. As you can tell from the names, when you mix alcohol…”

“Wait a moment…! I-I need to take notes!”

Bartender training forced upon me by the boss.

Although I had already done it twice and was somewhat familiar, the thought of doing it again felt incredibly tiresome.

The new trainee who had just joined seemed quite awkward as well.

With others around, why pick on me?

It was annoying, but faced with her enthusiasm, I couldn’t complain.

Taking a deep breath, I began explaining the basics to her once more.

“…Lastly, the shaker. Most cocktails that are difficult to make using the build-and-stir method are made using this. Any questions up to this point?”

“Well, I’ve noted everything down, but… honestly, I don’t know much, so I can’t ask questions. If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask whenever I have a question?”

“Well, as long as I’m not busy.”

“T-Thank you…”

After quietly expressing her gratitude, the new employee began examining the laid-out equipment one by one.

Seeming to review the information just heard, I quietly stepped back so as not to disturb her.

Later, I turned my head towards the direction where I had been feeling warm gazes since earlier.

Whoosh!

Avoiding eye contact as if to say, “When were you looking?” the silly vampire busied herself with the equipment.

…Does she think I wouldn’t notice?

Suppressing a laugh about to burst out, I quietly averted my gaze from Jieun.

“Cute.”

“…Yes?”

“No, nothing. If you’ve reviewed everything, can we move on now?”

“Oh, yes!”

With a confident reply, the training resumed.

After briefly going over only the basics, I concluded the training.

As there wasn’t much time left until the end of the shift, I wanted to give her some leeway on her first day at work.

After the training ended, nearing the time to leave for the day, I asked once more if she had any questions before heading to the changing room.

Dragon hesitated for a moment, then gazed at the ground and finally threw a question at me.

“It’s a question somewhat unrelated to work, but if it’s okay, may I ask one?”

“If I can answer, sure. What do you want to know?”

As I tilted my head inquisitively, she slowly opened her mouth, her tail swaying.

“Am… am I not scary to you?”

“…?”

“W-Well…! Other people usually get scared and try to avoid me, but… it’s so surprising that the people working here don’t do that.”

“I see.”

It seemed quite strange to her to be treated as an ordinary person.

Contemplating her question for a moment, I began to speak calmly.

“Maybe you’ve just gotten used to it?”

“Huh?”

“Well… perhaps ‘numb’ would be a better word? Everyone here has been through a lot, so they might have become desensitized to being afraid of you, Yejin.”

Unlike now, initially, everyone was wary of dealing with shape-shifters.

Well, it was only natural.

How could one relax and chat knowing that at any moment, these beings could tear humans apart in the blink of an eye?

So, for a month after the shape-shifter incident broke out, everyone handled them with extreme caution.

One in ten thousand… No, now it’s been revealed that the mutant species appears at a rate of two to three thousand.

As the cocktail bar was located in such a remote place with few visitors, it was rare for this species to come by.

Whether there was something enticing mutant beings here, we were able to experience quite a few of them over the past month.

One could criticize us for being overly accommodating, but objectively speaking, it was the truth.

Just thinking about the species that came to visit now, the number easily surpassed tens.

Anyway.

Perhaps due to the large number of visiting species, and mostly because they were normal.

The wariness towards mutant beings quickly diminished despite the short time.

Of course, there were still incidents.

It was inevitable. People turn into monsters when they drink, so why would it be any different for mutants?

But that was really only a tiny fraction.

Occasionally, a case similar to when a troublesome customer comes by.

Even if there was a commotion, other nearby mutant customers quickly subdued the situation, preventing it from escalating into a major incident.

Since Jiyu started working at the bar, you probably already know without me saying.

Days passed without major incidents, and at some point.

So, when we were able to have comfortable conversations with mutant guests.

We, the staff including myself, realized.

They were just customers with unique characteristics.

If you try to cause trouble, you’re a ‘monster,’ otherwise, a ‘special guest.’

This was a story that applied even to colleagues at work.

“Do you perhaps harbor ill intentions towards us?”

“Wha-what! You’re all so kind, how could I…!”

“So, are we not colleagues? Should we fear our coworkers?”

“Ah, I see…”

“So, have you got your answer?”

“Yes!”

After hearing the response, the dragon, who seemed to have shed much of her anxiety, smiled brightly and nodded repeatedly.

As it seemed to be time to start preparing to leave, she glanced at the clock, then turned to me and offered an apology.

“Sorry for taking up so much of your time before leaving.”

“It’s almost time to leave anyway. You’ve worked hard today, Yejin.”

“P-please feel free to call me casually. Oh, since we’ll be seeing each other often…”

“It still feels awkward. When I get more comfortable, I’ll do that.”

Politely declining, Yejin expressed regret and headed straight for the women’s changing room.

…I guess I should start getting ready to leave too.

After stretching out my stiff body and changing into fresh clothes in the changing room, I stepped out.

A slightly different scene than usual caught my eye, prompting me to approach the boss and ask.

“Boss? Have you seen Jiyu?”

“Jiyu? She said she had something to do and went ahead to check on it. Why?”

“Oh, no reason. I’ll also head home. Have a good evening, boss.”

“Alright, take care.”

Why did that guy leave without saying anything?

A creeping sense of unease.

Leaving the cocktail bar, I quickly started walking to catch the guy I couldn’t let go unnoticed.

—–

Walking back to my studio apartment without Jaehyuk.

Feeling somewhat empty yet lonely, I sighed as I gazed up at the dark night sky.

“Sigh…”

It had been a strange day overall.

There was nothing to put me in a bad mood, yet I felt uncomfortable and uneasy.

I should have been focusing on the customers, but my gaze kept drifting towards where Jaehyuk would be.

Little things bothered me, leading me to make mistakes I wouldn’t usually make.

From one to ten, a feeling of complete distortion.

I paused for a moment and began to recall what had happened at the bar.

“Why are you being kind when you shouldn’t be?”

The first thing that came to mind was the sight of Jaehyuk, who was unexpectedly gentle with the new employee, contrary to what I had anticipated.

Surely… he hadn’t taught me in such a dry manner, right?

I remember him not being kind at all; he was the epitome of rudeness.

“Why are you standing so close again!”

Just telling her the title, did he really have to stick so closely to teach her?

If someone saw us, they might think we’ve been lovers for a long time.

“I really don’t like it… huh?”

As I continued my thoughts, a question arose in my mind.

Me.

Why am I getting annoyed?

If Jaehyuk and that woman continue, wouldn’t it be good for me instead?

It easily solves one of the headaches.

Even knowing that it’s the best solution for both me and Jaehyuk.

For some reason… I keep feeling lingering regret.

“…Do I like her?”

Spouting nonsense, I burst into laughter and slowly shook my head.

I don’t think that’s it, honestly.

There’s absolutely no corner where I could like her, right?

“When I was in trouble, he helped… yeah. His face is… objectively speaking, handsome? And his personality… well, it’s become quite toxic recently…”

Huh?

Wait, when laid out like that, are there only advantages?

A momentarily halted thought process.

Amidst the gradually rising heat, was I staring blankly, lips trembling?

Soon, accompanied by rough breathing from behind, Jaehyuk’s voice reached me.

“Huff… huff… Hey, Han Jiwon… What if you leave without saying anything first?”

A word filled with anger and worry.

Regaining my composure, I began to mention the disappointing aspects I had recalled earlier, confronting him.

“I felt bad, that’s why. Why.”

“What…?”

“You didn’t act like this when teaching me, but suddenly turned into an angel for the new employee? Did it annoy you that much that I acted that way, huh?”

Was I choked up too? Harsher words escaped my mouth than I had anticipated.

…What should I do? It would be really awkward if we fought and went back like this, right?

While maintaining a grimace due to pride, my heart was restless.

Should I apologize now for being sorry?

No, this time he clearly did something wrong, so why should I apologize?

Conflicted feelings.

As I pondered whether to apologize or not, Jaehyuk’s tightly closed mouth slowly began to open.