episode_0103

“Boss”

“Jiwoo”

“I’m really sorry for changing my mind”

“Can you come back starting today?”

“I thought some people might leave while you were resting”

“But instead, the number of customers has been increasing as time goes by;;”

“I’ll give you a good bottle of liquor as a bonus”

“I hope you can come back from today if possible”

“Or”

“Please come back…”_4:27 PM

The vacation that was originally scheduled for a week ended in just four days due to the boss’s earnest request.

It seemed that things were not going in the direction the boss had hoped for.

In reality, there was no way the number of people looking for us would decrease.

Except for the fact that we were located in a remote place, we were only made up of elements that could attract fame.

Would the number of customers decrease just because we raised the prices a bit?

Fortunately, I didn’t change my daily routine during my vacation.

So, I was able to prepare for work without any difficulty despite the sudden request.

And just like always, Jaehyuk and I stepped foot on the familiar path we always walked on.

“…I feel a bit disappointed.”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“I mean, you used to see me off every time I went to work. It felt like we were a real couple.”

Even though it had only been a short five days, it felt like returning to work after a long time.

Was Jaehyuk quietly reminiscing about what happened during the vacation as we walked?

Seemingly bored of just walking silently, Jaehyuk expressed his regret with a melancholic expression.

…A couple, huh.

Well, it didn’t feel completely wrong, did it?

We did play quite a few strange pranks that even most couples wouldn’t do…

As I recalled the pranks we played, his face blushed in an instant.

I quickly turned my head away and denied his words in a low voice.

“C-Couple… What, we just played a few pranks.”

“Are you sure it was just a prank?”

“I-I mean, yeah!? Friends can play that kind of prank, right?”

“What friend puts a knee pillow… No, well, let’s just leave it at that.”

“Ugh…!”

He glanced at me with a puzzled expression, but Jaehyuk laughed as if he found me pitiful.

He really has no idea why he’s acting like that with such confidence.

Why does he act so cocky in areas where he can’t do anything if he’s determined to?

You just wait and see, Yoon Jaehyuk.

I’ll quietly endure it for now, but I’ll definitely pay back this humiliation someday.

With a vengeful look in my eyes, Jaehyuk coughed awkwardly and averted his gaze.

Soon after the atmosphere became awkward, we arrived at the cocktail bar.

I looked at the scene in front of me and couldn’t help but stick out my tongue with a disgusted face.

“Jaehyuk.”

“What?”

“Did we come to the wrong place?”

“No, we’re in the right place. Just a moment! Excuse me! We’re not cutting in line! No, ma’am! These are our staff!”

Following Jaehyuk as he pushed through the crowd, I shook my head in confusion.

I just couldn’t understand.

This isn’t a Michelin three-star restaurant, it’s just a bar that sells drinks.

Why are people lining up to wait?

As I walked with questions in my mind, we suddenly arrived inside the store.

I greeted everyone warmly as I waved my hand in a familiar feeling after a long time, and they all greeted me back with smiles.

…What on earth happened in those four days for this to happen?

After changing into my clothes in the dressing room and coming out, I cautiously approached the main character lying on the table.

“Jooyeon?”

“…Yes, unnie. What’s wrong?”

“What happened in the past four days?”

“Hyeok, did you not hear from your brother? No, isn’t he always busy with his own stuff? Ugh…”

Even though the business hadn’t started yet, the tired look was already evident.

Trying to comfort her, I gently stroked her head, and Juyeon let out a deep sigh, starting to tell me about what had been happening.

“On Monday, ugh… so many customers came that the boss decided to triple the cocktail prices as a special measure. Did you hear about that at least?”

“Yeah, I heard about that much.”

“With the prices tripled, the customers who came started cursing and leaving. Using fame for a short-term profit, right? They probably used up all the curses they had for a lifetime on Tuesday.”

“…You must have had a hard time. But shouldn’t the number of customers decrease then? There were so many outside.”

“We expected that too, endured the curses. But… there was an unexpected variable.”

“What was it?”

Even with the usual variables, it couldn’t have turned the situation around, right?

Shrugging my shoulders, Juyeon let out another sigh and continued.

“When a store becomes famous, all sorts of people come, right? Among the people who came to the store, there were famous influencers and creators.”

“Is that a problem? It might even help reduce the number of customers…”

“…There were influencers and creators who knew a lot about alcohol. You know, sis, what kind of products we use.”

“Not top-notch, but still expensive… Ah.”

They even advertised that the raised prices weren’t expensive at all, damn bastards.

Some things are better kept to oneself, why tell others and cause trouble.

Understanding the situation completely, I hit my forehead and saw Juyeon collapsing on the table again.

Turning my head to confirm the boss’s self-destructive appearance, I quietly approached and asked for forgiveness.

Strictly speaking, all of this was practically my fault.

“…I’m sorry, boss.”

“Heh, at least you have some shame, huh?”

Smiling bitterly, the boss said it was okay and started barking orders again.

With tired eyes, he looked like he had a lot on his mind.

—–

“But Mamang <— Does he have a boyfriend?"

Writer: ㅇㅇ(121.149)

Honestly, considering his personality and looks, it's hard to believe he doesn't have one.

I'm just curious, that's why I'm asking ㅇㅇ

Recommend 0 Not Recommend 0

– Even if he doesn’t have one, I probably won’t date you anyway ㅋㅋ

ㄴ ㅗ_(Writer)

– Isn’t it weird that he doesn’t have one with that personality and looks?

ㄴ Still, you never know, right?_(Writer)

– He’s taken for sure ㅇㅇ I heard last time, there’s a really handsome bartender among them, right? Could he be Mamang’s boyfriend?

ㄴ Giving up would be more comfortable…_(Writer)

.

.

.

“Welcome! This is Midnight! How many of you are here?”

“Do you only have hardtack as a snack? Yes, customer. We specialize in alcohol here, so we don’t have any other snacks besides hardtack.”

“I’m sorry, customer. I don’t think I can give you my number. I already have an owner.”

“Do I need to know who you are, customer? Leave before I call the police. Oh, you’ll ruin this place? The boss will really like that, why don’t you try it once.”

“Ugh…..”

I hadn’t expected that the day would be so difficult.

The massive crowd I passed by on my way to work, just seeing that gave me a rough idea of how challenging today would be.

But even though I thought I was mentally prepared, this was too much.

Endless tasks that never decreased.

Peak times that never seemed to end.

And even the customers who appeared out of nowhere to cause trouble.

If I wasn’t a vampire, wouldn’t I have chosen to run away long ago?

It was so tough that I even had thoughts like that.

“Phew…”

3 AM.

Most people spend their time dreaming in bed.

I absentmindedly looked around the quiet cocktail bar, muttering a curse under my breath.

“Damn it…”

How many times does a day like this need to repeat before the cocktail bar calms down?

Hmm… unless the owner takes action, I might have to endure days like today for at least a month.

The feeling of suffocation is already setting in.

Feeling dizzy, I closed my eyes for a moment of rest, only to be disturbed by the noises coming from various corners of the cocktail bar.

The youngest kicking out unruly customers.

The owner, exhausted from bartending, throwing a knife.

Ju-yeon chatting happily with customers.

Ye-jin humming a tune while washing the stacked cups.

And then.

…Jae-hyuk conversing with a woman with a familiar voice.

After enjoying the noise for a while, I discreetly opened my eyes and focused my gaze on where Jae-hyuk was.

There, I saw Jae-hyuk, expressionless, engaging with a woman who was smiling brightly and teasing him.

That woman… I remember her from somewhere, but where?

As I pondered, the familiar woman, clearly drunk, gave me a clue with her slurred voice.

“I should have accepted your confession back then. Huh, I regret it so much now.”

“What are you trying to say?”

I immediately realized the woman’s identity.

Ah, it’s her?

Jae-hyuk’s first love!

No wonder she looked familiar!

Well, it’s nice to see an old classmate, but…

“You shouldn’t touch other people’s men.”

From what I overheard, she was indeed after Jae-hyuk.

Without hiding my discomfort, I confidently approached the two of them.

And then.

“What are you two talking about so happily?”

I casually linked arms with Jae-hyuk and joined their conversation.

Soon, irritated glances were directed at me.

But I just chuckled and met the gaze of my old classmate.

Ha! Why are you looking at me like that?

Can’t you see that I’ve already marked my territory?

Jae-hyuk is mine.

You sneaky little thief.