episode_0115

“…You’ve been through a lot. But it’s really fortunate that you’re doing better now.”

“Escaping from Ga-nyan should be a relief, but I don’t feel happy… Why are there so many suspicious weirdos in this world?”

“Haha… All I can say is to stay strong, guest.”

“Just that alone is enough to be grateful for. Thanks to you, I feel a bit stronger.”

How much of a difficult life must one have lived to cry so sadly as soon as they get drunk?

The werewolf guest who was lying on the table, crying softly.

At first, she seemed like a troublemaker, but as her story unfolded, she felt too pitiful.

I erased the thought of kicking her out of my mind and began to sympathize with her sadness, offering comfort.

…It’s ironic that the saviors who came at the last moment are so rich.

It would be funny if it were just a story, but with the person in front of me, I can’t bring myself to laugh.

I served her a short drink as a gesture of goodwill and offered a word of encouragement with a bright smile.

“Well, guest? This is my signature cocktail, Relax. I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but please enjoy it comfortably.”

“…It smells really good. Can you tell me what’s in it?”

“Have you heard of Catnip? I garnished it with a dogbark garnish, that’s why.”

“I haven’t even tasted it, but I feel like I’m already drunk. Wait, is this dangerous… It feels like it’s getting too intense…”

“Take it slow, and savor that feeling leisurely. There’s still plenty of time until the night ends.”

As I suggested she relax, the guest enjoyed her cocktail with a face that was completely relaxed, as if she had taken drugs.

Seeing her happy with the long-awaited rest, I couldn’t help but feel happy too, and I watched the peaceful scene with a proud expression.

“Meow… It was truly a godsend to visit here as my first luxury… It feels so good that I want to tell everyone, it seems like such a great place!”

After spending a long time alone, she seemed to think it was time to leave, stretching and making a loud noise.

I glanced discreetly in the direction of the owner and politely declined the guest’s offer to promote the store.

“…I appreciate it, but please refrain from promoting. Our owner doesn’t want many people to come here.”

“That’s a strange person. Other owners were desperate for promotion, but you’re different.”

“Even though it’s been several months since I started working here, I still can’t get used to it. Sigh…”

If the number of guests keeps increasing because of me, the owner might seriously consider firing me this time.

Imagining the owner going crazy over the increasing number of guests, the guest suddenly took something out of her pocket and handed it to me.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a horror festival ticket. I heard it’s happening near here this week, so if you have time on the weekend, go with your lover.”

“So, why… me?”

“I received it as a gift and was planning to go with my sibling, but the discharge timing doesn’t quite match. I don’t want it to go to waste, so I’m giving it to someone I’m grateful to. Please don’t refuse and just take it.”

…Giving an event ticket instead of money as a tip, this is the first time I’ve been so surprised since I started working here.

Two tickets placed on a large jelly bean.

As I looked at them with a puzzled expression, the guest handed me her card, urging me to settle the bill.

“Hurry up and calculate. I have something urgent to attend to and need to get home quickly.”

“Understood, sir. I’ll help you with the payment right away. Oh, and would you like me to give this ticket to someone else instead…?”

“Thank youuuu!!!”

“Sir? Sir!”

After a brief hesitation, she tried to refuse, but as soon as she received her card back, she ran away leaving only the ticket behind.

She disappeared so quickly that I couldn’t even think to chase after her, and all I could do was stare blankly at the ticket left behind.

“…In many ways, she’s a mysterious guest.”

Expressing gratitude and giving back, a role that cannot be easily discarded.

I put the ticket on the table into my wallet and started to tidy up the place where the guest had left.

“I should talk to Jaehyuk about it later.”

The horror festival.

Hoping to spend a happy time with Jaehyuk.

—–

At the end of an uneventful day, on the way back to my studio apartment.

As I searched for information about the horror festival while walking down the street, Jaehyuk showed interest in me and started a conversation.

“What are you looking at?”

“Oh, the horror festival. Did you see me dealing with that weird guest earlier? She gave me a ticket.”

“…I only heard the name, but somehow, the scent of boredom is wafting in.”

“I thought the same, but it seems better than I expected. Want to go see it?”

Handing over my phone, Jaehyuk received it with a puzzled expression and calmly read the detailed information.

Does he think it’s quite good? After a while, he made an interesting expression and nodded repeatedly.

“As you said, the organization is not bad. Especially the ghost makeup, that looks fun, doesn’t it?”

“Hey, you… You look a bit mischievous?”

“My girlfriend is so pretty, isn’t it weirder if I’m not mischievous?”

“Why are you being so shy?!”

“I’m just stating the facts.”

…Where did he learn to say such embarrassing things?

A warm affectionate gesture that is subtly different from holding hands or linking arms.

Slightly flustered, I trembled as Jaehyuk slowly wrapped his arm around my waist.

“Huh…?”

A touch that feels subtly provocative, different from holding hands or linking arms.

Slightly flustered, I trembled as Jaehyuk slowly wrapped his arm around my waist.

“Huh…?”

I thought he would ask if I really didn’t like it, but unexpectedly, Jaehyuk just backed off without a word.

Is he teasing me?

Feeling bewildered, I glanced at him, only to see his face filled with guilt.

Huh? This isn’t right, is it?

Why isn’t he pushing back?

As I realized I had made the wrong choice, regret quickly washed over me.

I stomped my foot in frustration, silently screaming inside.

Ugh…! If I knew this would happen, I would have just been honest and said I liked it!

Why try to play hard to get when it’s not working!!!!!

“It’s okay to keep doing that, even if you say it was good.

I want to say that I want you to do it first because I might look too easy.

Suppressing the boiling desire, I asked Jaehyuk with a firm voice.

“So, are you going or not? If you’re not going, give the ticket to Hyeun.”

“Of course, I have to go. When else can I have this kind of experience?”

“Alright, then let’s finish the rest of the story at my place…”

Pausing for a moment, I turned my head and glanced at him silently.

Then, slowly recalling what happened at the cocktail bar, I began to continue speaking.

“…right, Jaehyuk?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve really thought about it a lot before saying this… but it seems like you need to be a bit harsh with other people.”

“Why?”

Was it because I said the opposite of what I always kept in my mouth?

Jaehyuk looked very confused and questioned the words he just heard.

“If I didn’t mishear, it seemed like you were telling me to be harsh with others.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“…can you tell me why?”

“Why don’t you think about it yourself? What happened today?”

Disappointed, I spoke in a voice that seemed to convey that, and Jaehyuk, with a stern face, fell into thought for a moment.

But soon, he seemed to understand the reason and quietly embraced me.

“…I really don’t like how you’re kind to other girls.”

“Sorry, it became a habit without me realizing it…”

“I know it’s a mistake. So, if you’re sorry, listen to me properly while patting my head.”

“Okay.”

Brush – brush –

A gentle touch that started to sweep through my hair.

I forced myself to hold back a lazy smile that was forming and pointed out the things that needed to be fixed to Jaehyuk.

“One, be harsh with other girls, hmp?! Two, be kind to me, ah…? Always.”

“Again?”

“…I don’t know, I forgot because you’re too good at patting. Anyway, let’s stop here for today.”

Originally, I was planning to nag about this and that, but after being patted a few times, I felt relieved and couldn’t continue.

I felt pathetic for letting my anger dissipate after just a few pats, but what could I do?

I had already fallen so deeply into the swamp called love.

“Sorry, and I love you.”

I hate myself for easily swaying with just that one guilty word.

I shouldn’t just let it go, I should scold a few more words.

But as soon as I heard the sweet whisper, anger and desire melted away.

“…I love you too.”

Filling the void left by the disappearance of anger and desire was intense affection.

I lifted my chin slightly.

Peck –

I kissed his lips.