The festival was quickly approaching. Park Seong-jae, who I thought would bother me throughout the preparations, surprisingly didn’t ask for anything once he got a definite answer that I would help. He did ask once if I had a driver’s license (he said he was going to a nearby supermarket to buy groceries), but that was also resolved thanks to a club member who had a car.
Because of that, Choi Tae-gyeom and I didn’t even know the name of our stall until the day of the festival. We didn’t know how we would promote it, what the snacks would be, or how the break-even point would be. All we contributed was 50,000 won that was collected because the subsidy was insufficient.
Park Seong-jae: [Come by 2 o’clock!!!! Don’t forget!!!!] 05:21am
And on the day the stall opened, Park Seong-jae left a message from 5 a.m., telling me not to forget to come. I didn’t know if he woke up early or stayed up all night. My pointless curiosity was cleared up as soon as I arrived at school. Because the footprint-shaped stickers that hadn’t been there until yesterday were now attached all the way from the main gate to the parking lot. He must have squatted down and put them on by hand.
Following the footprints, I saw a blue tent with a carefully crafted sign.
[Romantic Street Stall]
Other places had just written on something like a chalkboard, but this was made of wood board like a real sign. I thought it would have caught my eye if the place wasn’t just a desolate parking lot.
“Space the tables out more!”
“What kind of music should we play?”
“Hey, who bought this much fruit soju?”
“Where’s the sausage?”
“Hyung! You’re here early!”
Park Seong-jae waved his hand wildly as soon as he saw me. The hat on his head had ‘Boss’ written on it in a formal script. Some had ‘Senior’ on their hats, and others had ‘Sold Out’. The club members who were moving busily also had the same hats as Park Seong-jae.
“What’s with the hats?”
“This is our stall uniform. Hyung and Tae-gyeom sunbae have them too.”
Park Seong-jae, with sparkling eyes, rummaged through a box next to him. I chuckled as I took the hat he handed me.
“The idea is good, but…”
God of Beauty. The clearly written words were funny. I knew who the hat was for without having to ask.
“Choi Tae-gyeom will never wear this.”
It was a word that described Choi Tae-gyeom very well, but he would definitely be shocked if he saw it. I bet he would frown or pretend he didn’t see it and leave the tent.
“This is yours, hyung.”
Park Seong-jae ignored my words and handed me another hat. This time, it said ‘Handsome Man’. It was better than God of Beauty, but it was still burdensome. Or was it not better?
“…Couldn’t you have made the phrases more ordinary?”
“Why, it’s ordinary.”
“Where is it ordinary?”
I chuckled and accepted ‘God of Beauty’ and ‘Handsome Man’. It didn’t seem like I could get away with refusing since there were no hats left. And I was a little curious about Choi Tae-gyeom’s reaction.
“Hyung, if you haven’t had lunch, what should I make for you? Look at the menu and pick what you want to eat.”
“It’s okay, I ate something.”
The menu that Park Seong-jae was pointing to was also written on a wood board. Green onion pancake, rolled omelet, fish cake soup, tteokbokki, stir-fried pork, and rice balls. Among the menus commonly seen in bars, the most eye-catching was definitely mala soup.
“How are you going to make mala soup?”
“There’s a way.”
Park Seong-jae smiled ominously and dragged me inside. Inside the tent, there was a makeshift kitchen covered with translucent vinyl. With two portable gas stoves and various kitchen utensils, it seemed to be reasonably well-equipped.
“Oppa, you’re here?”
Min-jeong, who was checking the ingredients, looked at me. She was also wearing a black hat, but unlike the others, there were no words written on it.
“Why doesn’t your hat have any words?”
“Ah, this?”
Min-jeong smiled stylishly and pointed to her hat. Her raised mouth revealed her even teeth.
“I placed the order.”
That was a very valid reason. Kim Min-jeong is smart as always. As I nodded in agreement, she shrugged and added.
“I’m not going to be serving anyway, so it’s okay.”
“Hey, hyung is curious about how you make mala soup.”
“Ah, then I have to show him.”
Min-jeong said playfully and put down the bowl and squatted down. Various food ingredients seemed to be in the iceboxes that were lined up. When she opened the smallest icebox, I could see the ingredients to make mala soup.
“I asked the bar we often go to to sell us some ingredients. When I told them we were going to sell mala soup at the festival, they gladly gave it to us.”
“All we have to do is put everything in and boil it!”
I felt good because of her proud expression. They’ve been running a stall every year, so they must have developed some know-how. I felt proud as she opened the other iceboxes one by one.
“Nuna, I brought the T-shirts…”
Someone lifted the vinyl, and Kim Do-hyun came in with a large box. He inadvertently turned his gaze and stopped as soon as he made eye contact with me. The hat on his head said ‘Youngest’.
“…Everyone’s here?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I had heard Park Seong-jae call him the Youngest a few times, but it felt different when I saw it with my own eyes. At the sound of a ‘Pfft’, Kim Do-hyun glared at me with narrowed eyes.
“Sunbae, you’re laughing at me right now, aren’t you?”
“No.”
Anyway, they’re playing cute. I’m glad I joined the club. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to see this sight.
“Oh! The Youngest is here!”
“Who told the Youngest to glare like that.”
“Ah, why are you doing this too, nuna.”
Kim Do-hyun grumbled and frowned. Min-jeong, raising her head as if to say, “Oh, really?” gestured to the box he was holding.
“Are the number of T-shirts correct?”
“Yes, I checked and it’s exactly right.”
Hats and T-shirts. It was very serious since it was the last one.
“Give the biggest one to Park Seong-jae and tell the others to pick their sizes. I’ll wear the last one that’s left.”
“Isn’t it better to take out nuna’s first?”
“I specified the size, but just in case, give it to the bigger ones first. You can just wear a big one, but you can’t wear a small one.”
Kim Do-hyun nodded without complaint. The way he was supporting the box with one hand and rummaging through the inside with the other was quite stable. The contents were T-shirts, so it seemed to be big but light.
“Ah, oppa, take care of Tae-gyeom sunbae’s first. Oppa wears M and that sunbae wears L. I bought them without asking for the size because I was busy, so just wear it even if it doesn’t fit.”
“Okay, good job.”
Kim Do-hyun quickly took out two T-shirts. The black T-shirts in plastic packaging had the phrase ‘Romantic Street Stall’ printed on them. I touched Kim Do-hyun’s shoulder with the hat I was holding and said playfully.
“Thanks, Youngest.”
“…Handsome Man sunbae, good luck.”
Min-jeong, who had been listening quietly, stifled a laugh. She seemed to like the work she had created. She looked at Park Seong-jae with a pleasant smile and winked.
“Now, Boss, go out and work.”
Choi Tae-gyeom arrived about five minutes before 2 o’clock. He was wearing comfortable jeans and a T-shirt, but he seemed to shine brighter than usual today. Park Seong-jae seemed to feel the same way as me, and muttered as he watched the figure approaching from afar.
“Our stall will be a hit today.”
“Why are you both out here?”
Choi Tae-gyeom, who had come closer, glanced around the stall. His gaze passed the tent and the sign and reached Park Seong-jae’s hat. I definitely saw his eyes shaking for a moment.
“…What’s with the hat?”
It was exactly the same as what I had asked. Even Park Seong-jae’s proud smile was perfect.
“There’s one for you and me too. Here.”
I handed Choi Tae-gyeom the hats so that the phrases were clearly visible. Choi Tae-gyeom, looking back and forth at the hats in both hands, instantly made a face as if he had eaten a bug.
“Of course, you’re God of Beauty.”
He chuckled and took the hats. His face was full of denial, but he didn’t seem to have the confidence to insist that he wouldn’t wear it.
“Lee Yoon-woo is Handsome Man… I’m God of Beauty and you’re Boss?”
“Yes! Isn’t it a perfect fit?”
Those sparkling eyes were directed at Choi Tae-gyeom. It was hard for even the most cold-hearted person to refuse the expectant expression. Choi Tae-gyeom looked at me as if asking for help, but when I turned my head as if I didn’t know, he sighed. Then, Choi Tae-gyeom called Park Seong-jae gently.
“Seong-jae.”
Park Seong-jae, with wide eyes, nodded to tell him to speak. Choi Tae-gyeom awkwardly winked and reached out to Park Seong-jae’s head.
“…Ah!”
Before I knew it, Park Seong-jae’s hat was snatched away. Choi Tae-gyeom, who had easily taken the hat, put the ‘God of Beauty’ hat on Park Seong-jae. The hat that was pulled down covered his pretty eyes.
“Sunbae, this is…”
Park Seong-jae belatedly raised his head, but the ‘Boss’ hat was already on Choi Tae-gyeom. Choi Tae-gyeom smiled brightly as he straightened his hat. Park Seong-jae gaped at the smile that was so radiant it was like he was melting.
“I’ll wear this for a bit. Is that okay?”
It was a smile that would make it okay even if it wasn’t okay. If he had acted like that from the start, I wouldn’t have been able to refuse the request to help with the stall. That’s cheating. That’s what I thought, but Park Seong-jae was already nodding blankly.
“Yes, yes! Hyung should be the Boss!”
Choi Tae-gyeom stroked Park Seong-jae’s head. If Park Seong-jae had a tail, I thought it would be spinning like a propeller. What a simple guy. If it were Min-jeong-ssi, she would have ignored him with a look that said, “Don’t you dare try anything funny.”
“Seong-jae hyung! How do I do this?”
“Uh, just a minute!”
Park Seong-jae was soon called away by another club member. He was wearing a ‘Business Administration God’ hat, but he didn’t seem to care at all. Or, to be precise, he probably didn’t even realize it.
“You’re sly.”
I said, handing Choi Tae-gyeom the T-shirt. The guy who had wrapped his arm around my shoulder and rubbed his cheek against my hair replied nonchalantly.
“It’s a polite request.”
Easy for him to say. He called it a request, but wasn’t it half a threat? A ridiculous laugh was about to come out of my throat, but suddenly a good idea popped into my head.
“Tae-gyeom-ah.”
“Yeah?”
Before he could raise his head, I snatched off his hat. Choi Tae-gyeom, who was looking at me blankly, widened his eyes in surprise. I smiled, placing the ‘Handsome Man’ hat on Choi Tae-gyeom’s head.
“I’ll wear this for a bit. Is that okay?”
“……Huh.”
He looked like he’d been robbed blind. His face, which was gradually turning to bewilderment, soon burst into laughter. Choi Tae-gyeom fiddled with the brim of the hat and repeated the words I had said a moment ago.
“You’re really sly.”
“You said it was a polite request.”
“Whatever you say.”
His large hand ruffled my hair. As I pressed the messy hair down with the hat, he shook his head, muttering, “Tsk.” He said that, but he didn’t seem to want to take it back.
“Come here.”
He adjusted the back of the hat with a gentle touch. The loose hat was now snug. His hand, still resting on the crown of my head, pressed down.
“Your head is so small.”
“Still, Handsome Man is better than Business Administration God, right?”
“I hate both.”
His grumbling voice was pitiful yet cute. It was no wonder he felt so empty after having the ‘Boss’ he’d finally obtained snatched away.
“It’s okay, it suits you well.”
I brazenly pointed to Choi Tae-gyeom’s hat. The way he shook his head showed that he had resigned himself. Choi Tae-gyeom, who muttered that he couldn’t win against me and that I had only learned bad things, fluttered the T-shirt I had given him earlier.
“A hat, a T-shirt… you’re really serious, aren’t you?”
“The menu is amazing too. They even sell mala tang.”
“They sell mala tang?”
“Yeah, they bought the ingredients from some bar.”
As we went inside, we saw club members moving busily. Choi Tae-gyeom looked at the menu with interest and then asked, as if puzzled.
“There’s no alcohol on the menu?”
“It’s illegal to sell alcohol, you know.”
The answer came from behind. Kim Do-hyun, who naturally joined the conversation, added in a leisurely tone.
“Everyone’s turning a blind eye, but we can’t sell it openly, so we just took the alcohol off the menu.”
“……A pop-up bar is illegal?”
“You didn’t know?”
Kim Do-hyun looked surprised. He turned to Choi Tae-gyeom as if to say, “Did you know?” but Choi Tae-gyeom was staring intently at Kim Do-hyun’s hat. He must have felt the same way I did when he saw the word ‘Youngest’.
“I heard it’s been changed for a while now… Senior, pay some attention to the school.”
“I don’t know. It wasn’t illegal when I was a freshman.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Four years ago…?”
“A real fossil,” he muttered clearly. I had nothing to say in response, so I shrugged, but Choi Tae-gyeom, who had been silent all along, opened his mouth with a laughing voice.
“The Youngest is right, you’re a fossil.”
“……”
Kim Do-hyun frowned in annoyance. His pheromone sharply subsided as if he didn’t want to associate with us. Judging by his reaction, I could tell how much Min-jeong-ssi and Park Seong-jae had tormented him with the word “Youngest” today.
“Seniors, stop playing around with swapping hats and go change your clothes. If you’re free, help out with the work.”
With those words, he stormed inside. Choi Tae-gyeom and I exchanged glances and laughed at his cold reaction. We shouldn’t be doing this, but even his sulky appearance was like that of the Youngest.
* * *
The pop-up bar’s opening preparations were going smoothly. The club members divided their roles into serving and cooking, and they moved as if they had been working together for a long time. It was just like them, with Min-jeong-ssi in charge of the kitchen and Park Seong-jae in charge of serving, to have been running the club for years.
Choi Tae-gyeom and I changed our clothes and helped the club members carry things. Most of the things were already prepared, and they wanted to get a few more tables and chairs, so Choi Tae-gyeom went to the student council with a confident look on his face.
And as expected, Choi Tae-gyeom won overwhelmingly. The student council members gave Choi Tae-gyeom extra tables and chairs without any restrictions. Park Seong-jae expressed his resentment, saying, “They ignored me when I went!” but he happily arranged the tables.
“You’re going to go around for a bit?”
Min-jeong-ssi drove Choi Tae-gyeom and me out of the tent before the pop-up bar opened. She wanted us to show off our good looks to promote it, and she even handed us a sign that read “Romantic Street Stall with the Business Administration God.”
“I was going to hand out flyers at first, but it’s a bit much to put Tae-gyeom Senior’s face on them. If I stick them on the floor, people will step on them.”
“That’s true.”
“So, to promote it, I want you and Tae-gyeom Senior to wear our uniforms and walk around. It would be even better if you could bring back about five groups of customers.”
Min-jeong-ssi smiled and pushed me and Choi Tae-gyeom away. Choi Tae-gyeom couldn’t bring himself to push Min-jeong-ssi away, and awkwardly held the sign.
“I’ve put footprint stickers in most places. I’m not going to tell you to actively promote it, so just hang around the places where the stickers are. Come back by 6 o’clock at the latest.”
“……Can’t I get rid of the Business Administration God?”
“What can I do? You’re handsome, Senior.”
Min-jeong-ssi replied in a very unimpressed tone. She didn’t seem to think he was handsome in the slightest, but she probably wasn’t lying. It’s just that she doesn’t show it on her face.
“I was originally going to make Park Seong-jae do it… but if he walks around wearing that hat, people won’t fall for the ‘God’.”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
Park Seong-jae crossed his arms and nodded seriously. He didn’t seem to care at all that Min-jeong-ssi was dissing him.
“Think of it as a date. Got it?”
Min-jeong-ssi, who had left us near the parking lot, said “Good luck” and went back inside without any regrets. We stood alone in the parking lot, looking at each other. It was funny that one of us was wearing a ‘Boss’ hat, the other a ‘Handsome Man’ hat, and we were both wearing T-shirts that said ‘Romantic Street Stall’. Of course, it was also amusing that the sign Choi Tae-gyeom was holding had ‘Business Administration God’ written on it, which he hated so much.
“Should I hold the sign?”
“……No, it’s okay.”
Choi Tae-gyeom chuckled and shook his head. I don’t know how many times that picky guy has bent his personality today. It would have been impossible in the past, but I guess he’s gotten a little softer as he’s gotten older.
“It’s rare for you to go along with something like this.”
I said, heading towards the main gate with Choi Tae-gyeom. Choi Tae-gyeom, who awkwardly adjusted his hat, replied as if I was asking something obvious.
“They’re your friends.”
The straight bridge of his nose under the brim of his hat was smooth. Because he was tall, his face was visible even though he was wearing the hat low. His shadowed eyes curved gently.
“And I like doing everything with you.”
“……”
Many emotions swelled up like a snowball at those simple words. Choi Tae-gyeom didn’t seem to care, but my heart was pounding so hard that pheromones were flowing out. My face was so hot that I was even embarrassed to make proper eye contact.
“Like Kim Min-jeong-ssi said, let’s take this opportunity to go on a date.”
The guy who had slung the sign over his shoulder wrapped his arm around mine. As the distance narrowed, I could feel his warm pheromones. I pressed down on my hat for no reason, and he stroked the crown of my head over the hat.
“You’re secretly embarrassed by this kind of thing.”
“……I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. Your pheromones are coming out.”
I cleared my throat. I wouldn’t have even noticed this much pheromone in the past. I wonder if my pheromones have really gotten stronger. I remembered the day I went to the hospital with Choi Tae-gyeom a few days ago.
“Your condition is much more stable now.”
As the guy had claimed that my pheromones had gotten stronger, I revisited the hospital I had gone to when I had my heat cycle. After telling them about my symptoms and undergoing some tests, I had another conversation with the doctor who had told me that I would die young.
“Instead, your pheromone levels have increased a bit. It seems to be due to the influence of the Dominant Alpha who is around you, and the more you are directly exposed to pheromones, the more your recessive traits will gradually change.”
The doctor explained the test results in a businesslike voice. The graph showing the pheromone levels mentioned the overall increase, and the table showing the response to Alpha pheromones said that there was no significant change.
“Well, all that will happen is that your pheromone levels will increase and your heat cycle will be more severe. If you ever get away from Alpha pheromones, your pheromone levels will decrease again. It won’t be very noticeable in your daily life.”
As a result, my pheromones had become stronger purely because of Choi Tae-gyeom. He wasn’t just any Alpha, but a Dominant Alpha, one in a hundred. I had been receiving those pheromones morning and night, so even if I was recessive, a reaction was bound to occur.
Choi Tae-gyeom had a serious expression on his face as soon as he heard this, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to dislike my pheromones. And as long as he didn’t feel any aversion, I didn’t care much about the amount of pheromones.
“Sometimes I wonder how I didn’t know about these pheromones until now.”
The guy openly sniffed me. People passing by glanced at us. No, to be precise, it was probably because of our clothes and the sign, not because we were close together.
“Come and drink cocktails made by the Chemistry Department!”
“It’s a Japanese Language and Literature Cosplay Pop-up bar!”
“Come and have shaved ice!”
There was a huge crowd in front of the main gate. There were people who had come to promote their department’s pop-up bar, as well as people from clubs and people who had come to watch. About half of them were students from our school, and the other half seemed to be outsiders.
“Should we shout something too?”
I asked, looking around awkwardly. This was the first time I had seen such an enthusiastic atmosphere in my three years at school. In my first year, I had been dragged to the pop-up bar by Park Seong-jae, and after that, I had gone straight home from festivals and everything else. In the first place, I rarely came to school on Fridays, when the pop-up bar was open, during the three days of the festival.
“I don’t have the confidence to shout ‘Romantic Street Stall with the Business Administration God’.”
Choi Tae-gyeom frowned, showing the sign. He needed something to shout to attract people, but when he looked at the sign, the words he was about to say disappeared. Of course, neither of us was outgoing enough to promote the pop-up bar in this crowd.
“Park Seong-jae would be good at this…”
Fortunately, Choi Tae-gyeom was the kind of guy who attracted attention even if he did nothing. We were just standing there doing nothing, but the eyes of the onlookers were slowly gathering. There were especially many young students, and they were all busy whispering, reading the words on the sign.
“This is really embarrassing.”
It was the moment when Choi Tae-gyeom, who had been looking around for a while, adjusted his hat and whispered. Someone touched his shoulder with pheromones so strong that I could feel them too.
“Excuse me…”
Choi Tae-gyeom’s face hardened in an instant. I clicked my tongue lightly and looked behind Choi Tae-gyeom. There, a group of people who were clearly Omegas were standing with excited expressions.
“Where do we go to get to the Romantic Street Stall?”
I hadn’t even thought of this possibility. Choi Tae-gyeom was an Alpha, and he would inevitably attract the attention of Omegas, but I hadn’t considered the possibility of him meeting Omegas. Especially meeting three Omegas at once.
“Are you promoting the pop-up bar?”
“Yes, we are.”
I reflexively blocked the space between Choi Tae-gyeom and them. The gazes that had been focused on him naturally turned to me. The faces, which still had a student-like air, sparkled with shyness.
“If you follow the footprints on the floor towards the parking lot, you’ll find our pop-up bar. But it opens at six o’clock, so it’s probably not open right now.”
That was the line that Min-jeong-ssi had kindly told us for our sake. She said that we would probably just stand there blankly without saying anything, so she told us to just say that if anyone spoke to us. I didn’t think anyone would actually talk to us, but I’m glad I had memorized it anyway.
“So, look around somewhere else and come back after six o’clock.”
“Ah, I see…”
The other person, who muttered softly, trailed off as if disappointed. The way they whispered and exchanged opinions was clearly different from Choi Tae-gyeom’s friends. They were talking in small voices about where they should spend their time and what they should do now, and then they hesitated and raised their heads.
“What time do you two start working?”
Our eyes met. A small blush appeared on her youthful face. For some reason, it felt like Choi Tae-gyeom was releasing even more unpleasant pheromones.
“We start working at six o’clock too.”
I wanted to get out of this situation as quickly as possible. His pheromones were getting stronger and stronger, and I wanted him to feel less Omega pheromones, even if it was just a little. If we kept doing this, Choi Tae-gyeom’s mood would plummet endlessly.
So I turned my body and snatched the sign that Choi Tae-gyeom was holding. When I grabbed his arm with my other hand, his hardened expression softened. I looked at the Omegas who were still standing in place and smiled as kindly as possible.
“See you at the pop-up bar.”
“……”
I turned my back and ran away, but the Omegas didn’t seem upset. They even waved their hands and said that they would definitely come, so I also waved the sign awkwardly. Even then, Choi Tae-gyeom didn’t say a word and obediently followed me.
How long had we walked? We had reached a promenade far from the main gate. The booths selling various knick-knacks under the cherry trees planted along the road were full. The hand that had been holding his arm was now intertwined with his.
“Are you okay?”
I asked, sitting Choi Tae-gyeom on a nearby bench. I had neatly placed the sign I was holding next to him. Choi Tae-gyeom, who had been silent with an unreadable expression, pulled my hand after a slight pause.
“……I don’t think I’m okay.”
His listless voice reminded me of him when he was a child. Even the feeling of him rubbing his face like a cat made me feel sorry for him. Choi Tae-gyeom, who had been holding his face on the back of my hand for a while, said as if complaining.
“Hug me.”
I let go of his hand and took off his hat with my other hand. As I pulled his small head towards me, Choi Tae-gyeom buried his face near my sternum. I didn’t want to say things like “People are watching.” I carefully stroked the back of his head and lowered my voice gently.
“Do you want to just go if it’s too hard?”
If I explained the general situation, Min-jeong-ssi and Park Seong-jae would understand. I could do the promotion alone, and I could just avoid assigning him to Omega tables for serving. If I had known he would have such a hard time, I would have refused from the start.
“No… I’m okay.”
Choi Tae-gyeom shook his head and exhaled evenly. His pheromones permeated my skin faintly. Unlike before, there was no unpleasant feeling left.
“I just want to stay like this.”
In fact, I thought he would be fine now. He had been smelling my pheromones every day, and he had never shown his trauma even once. He had said in passing that my pheromones were different, but after all, they were still Omega pheromones, weren’t they?
“I’ll tell the others, so tell me later if you don’t think you can do it.”
Was I being greedy? I didn’t ask for it, but strictly speaking, it was because of me. I felt like I had only created a situation where this fragile guy would be unnecessarily hurt.
“……Okay.”
Choi Tae-gyeom, who answered almost inaudibly, rubbed his face affectionately. While I gently stroked his head, he repeatedly inhaled my pheromones. It was as if he was trying to wash away the Omega pheromones from earlier. He seemed to feel better, but it would take a little more time to recover completely.
After that, Choi Tae-gyeom stayed in my arms for a long time. Many people’s eyes were on us because of our unique hats and T-shirts, but it didn’t affect him at all because his face was covered. Only I, who had revealed my face, swallowed my embarrassment and soothed Choi Tae-gyeom.
And before long, he pulled away from me with a refreshed look. He picked up his sign and stood up, looking so nonchalant that I briefly wondered, ‘Was he just acting spoiled?’
But that thought vanished without a trace the moment Choi Tae-gyeom looked at me and smiled.
“Hold my hand.”
“Hand?”
“Yeah, then I think I’ll be okay.”
Even if it was just him being spoiled, I couldn’t help but indulge him, especially since it was Choi Tae-gyeom. If it made him feel better, that was enough for me. So, without a word, I took Choi Tae-gyeom’s hand and started walking.
“Let’s go.”
* * *
The festival had more to offer than I expected. As we explored the booths along the walking path, it soon felt more like a date than a promotional event. Thankfully, people occasionally asked us where the Romantic Street Stall was, so we didn’t completely lose sight of our original purpose.
Choi Tae-gyeom held my hand tightly the entire time. Especially when someone approached us, he would squeeze my hand tighter, but thankfully, he didn’t react more strongly just because the person was an Omega. At this point, I even wondered if he just didn’t want our time alone to be interrupted.
“Welcome! Come and try our Spicy Mala Soup!”
“It’s the Romantic Street Stall with the Business Administration God!”
“We have plenty of seats inside!”
When we returned to the stall, it was before 6 PM, but there was already a considerable crowd. About half of them seemed to be Park Seong-jae’s acquaintances, but the other half seemed to be people who genuinely came to enjoy the festival. Some of them were even chatting with Kim Do-hyun, who was standing outside, which made me realize, ‘That guy really is handsome.’
“Is that Spicy Mala Soup, two soju, and one beer?”
“Do you have flavored soju too?”
“Yes, we have green grape and…”
Choi Tae-gyeom, who was good at everything, was also great at serving. The club members kept messing up the orders even after writing them down, but he took the orders accurately without any notes. He also delivered the food efficiently while others were fumbling around.
“What kind of beer do you have?”
The problem was that it took twice as long when he went to take orders. For some reason, every table Choi Tae-gyeom went to had a lot of questions, regardless of whether they were men or women. They asked about the types of soju, whether the Spicy Mala Soup was spicy, how much the rolled omelet was, why there were no alcoholic beverages on the menu, and even how much the prices were (which were written on the menu).
“Then, would you like grapefruit?”
“Ah, I’m having trouble deciding…”
“Please call me when you’ve decided on your order.”
Of course, he ignored some of the questions and left the table. Sometimes, when they persistently clung to him, he would deliberately grab another club member and slip away. When that didn’t work, Park Seong-jae would stride over to change the atmosphere, and I had to suppress the irritation that was about to burst out.
“Hyung, which flavored soju is the best?”
I kept finding every situation displeasing. Somehow, I ended up clearing tables more often than taking orders, and when I did, I could hear Choi Tae-gyeom’s voice amidst the noise.
“Please recommend an appetizer.”
We’re so busy, why do they keep asking pointless questions? What’s the point of asking Choi Tae-gyeom which flavored soju is the best? Even if they ask him to recommend an appetizer, he’ll just say anything.
“Oppa, what do you like?”
Thud, the stacked paper cups fell over. It was because I lost my grip on them when I heard the question. Huff, I sighed and set the paper cups up again, and the person at the next table peeked over.
“Excuse me, we’d like to order.”
“Ah, yes.”
I quickly snapped out of it and turned to the next table. This is not the time, I keep spacing out. I thought I made eye contact with Choi Tae-gyeom, who was far away, but it must have been my imagination.
“What can I get for you?”
“We’ll have one green grape and…”
“Lee Yoon-woo.”
But before I could take the order, Choi Tae-gyeom approached us. Both I and the customer reflexively turned our heads, and he placed his hand on my shoulder.
“I’ll take the order. You go clear the tables.”
“Huh? Oh…”
His warm hand lightly gripped and released my shoulder. I stepped aside in a daze, and he skillfully blocked my path. The customer stared blankly at Choi Tae-gyeom’s face.
“What can I get for you?”
“…Ah, what kind of alcohol do you have?”
It was an obvious question. Didn’t they just specify flavored soju a moment ago? Along with the absurdity, the displeasure I had forgotten surged up again.
“We have soju and beer, and we also have flavored soju.”
Why is he so insistent on taking orders? I pretended not to hear and continued to clear the tables. As I stacked the disposable plates and gathered the chopsticks, the familiar question popped up again from the next table.
“Which flavored soju is the best?”
How can that pattern never change? I’ve heard that question countless times since we opened the stall. Choi Tae-gyeom, as if used to it, naturally mentioned the soju that was left the most.
“Many people are looking for apple.”
Many people are looking for apple, my ass. It’s the least popular, and there’s still a whole box left. Even that’s because Choi Tae-gyeom sells it like that. This time, the customer didn’t believe Choi Tae-gyeom’s words.
“Hey, apple is the worst. You’re recommending it because it doesn’t sell, right?”
I heard giggling. The customer, who seemed to be in a good mood, playfully touched Choi Tae-gyeom’s hand. Not only that, but she even smiled sweetly and grabbed his arm.
“Don’t do that, recommend something delicious.”
Wow, what is this feeling?
Something surged up from within. As far as I knew, Choi Tae-gyeom hated people touching him more than anything. Especially such obvious flirting. So, it wouldn’t be strange if an angry reaction came back soon.
“…Grapefruit is the most popular.”
But unlike my expectations, he pulled his arm away without getting upset. His neat eyebrows twitched, but he didn’t get angry. Encouraged by that, the customer smirked.
“Then one bottle of that and…”
My stomach was boiling as if I had swallowed a fireball. I tried to ignore it, but my attention was already focused on Choi Tae-gyeom. The arm the customer grabbed, the way they looked at Choi Tae-gyeom, everything was irritating like a thorn in my finger.
“One soju, rolled omelet, and Spicy Mala Soup, right?”
“Yes, and…”
I wish Choi Tae-gyeom would just get angry. Honestly, bothering him like that is no different from obstructing business. Who is she to show interest and even grab his arm, having just met Choi Tae-gyeom?
“By the way.”
The hand clearing the table kept fumbling. I felt so irritated that my head was throbbing. Choi Tae-gyeom was formally answering, “Yes, yes,” but the customer was persistently talking to him.
“Could you take off your hat for a moment?”
“……”
Thump, I put down the bottle of alcohol I was holding. It made a loud noise, but it wasn’t noticeable because the surroundings were so noisy. I suppressed my rising anger and turned my head. I can’t just watch Choi Tae-gyeom listen to such selfish requests.
“Excuse me, but right now,”
But before I could stop them, something unbelievable happened. Choi Tae-gyeom, who was looking at the customers with a blank expression, grabbed the brim of his hat with one hand. He slowly took off his hat and ruffled his disheveled hair with the other hand.
“Is that all you’re ordering?”
His pretty lips curved into a smile. His eyes weren’t smiling at all, but the customer nodded as if hypnotized. I didn’t want to hear compliments like, ‘He’s even more handsome without his hat.’ I felt a sharp pain in the back of my head, and the blood that had rushed to my head cooled down.
“……”
I neatly stacked the plates and bottles and removed the plastic cover from the table. I put on my hat, pulling it down low with the hand holding the bottle. Choi Tae-gyeom’s gaze followed me, but I ignored him and hurried away. I couldn’t manage my expression, and I couldn’t bear to watch that scene any longer.
“……Yoon-woo oppa?”
Min-jeong and Kim Do-hyun were in the makeshift kitchen. They tilted their heads in confusion as they looked at me, who had suddenly rushed in. Min-jeong-ssi, who was busy making the Spicy Mala Soup, blinked awkwardly.
“Why are you coming in so suddenly?”
“……Just busy.”
I answered in the calmest voice I could manage and threw the paper cups and plastic into the trash can. I handed the empty bottles I had brought to Kim Do-hyun, who was organizing the bottles. I had finished organizing everything I had brought, so I had to go back outside, but I couldn’t bring myself to move.
“Haa……”
The corners of my lips trembled. The displeasure that had risen from my stomach was unpleasantly touching my heart. I was angry, I couldn’t understand this situation, and my head hurt. It wasn’t like it was the first time someone had shown interest in Choi Tae-gyeom, but for some reason, I felt even dirtier.
I knew why he took off his hat. He probably thought that it would be better to grant their wish and end the conversation rather than being constantly bothered. Showing his face wasn’t a big deal, and this stall was being run by using his looks as collateral. But why, why am I getting so annoyed?
“Sunbae, what’s wrong?”
Kim Do-hyun, who had come closer, waved his hand in front of my face. Judging by his worried expression, my face must have looked very serious. I swallowed a sigh and adjusted the hat I had pulled down.
“No… It’s nothing.”
I knew that I was being overly sensitive. It was a petty thought, and a very stingy feeling. It wasn’t even something to be so upset about, but I couldn’t control my emotions and was showing an ugly side. If others heard, they would definitely show their absurdity with a dumbfounded expression.
“I’ll go back out.”
Instead of stopping me, the two of them exchanged glances. They didn’t seem sure whether to ask for the reason or just let me go. If they chose the former, I wouldn’t have an answer to give, so I put my hand on the plastic curtain leading outside, leaving them behind.
And the moment I pulled back the plastic curtain, a familiar face appeared before my eyes. Choi Tae-gyeom, with a serious expression, was waiting for me with his arms crossed. He looked at me intently and opened his mouth in a subdued voice.
“Lee Yoon-woo.”
His face was filled with confusion for some reason. He must have felt something ominous when he saw me leaving in a hurry. His lips, as red as if they were stained with flower petals, moved very slowly.
“Let’s talk.”
I had a lot to say too. There were many things I wanted to ask, and many stories I needed to hear. But the moment our eyes met, all I felt was a sense of rebellion towards Choi Tae-gyeom.
“……Later.”
Was it necessary to even take off his hat? The question I had barely been ignoring blocked my throat. Since when was he so dedicated to customer service that he could endure all that rudeness and still smile? I was as angry at Choi Tae-gyeom as I was at the customer.
“What are you talking about? I’m busy right now.”
He shouldn’t have accepted the questions. He should have gotten angry when they touched his hand, or at least when they grabbed his arm. No, he shouldn’t have stepped in when I was about to take the order in the first place. The thoughts that followed one after another slowly turned into resentment towards Choi Tae-gyeom.
“Let me out, I need to get out.”
I shouldn’t be emotional, but rational judgment was impossible. I had never hated him before, but I felt hateful now. My stomach was twisting, and my eyes were burning, so I didn’t want to say a single word to Choi Tae-gyeom.
“……”
He looked down at me with his eyebrows raised. When I avoided his gaze, he let out a dumbfounded sigh. He closed his mouth for a moment and grabbed my hand with a sigh.
“I can’t work like this.”
It was a force too strong to resist. Our fingers intertwined tightly, as if he wouldn’t let go. Choi Tae-gyeom led me inside and looked at Min-jeong in front of the exit behind the kitchen.
“We’ll take a 10-minute break.”
“……I don’t mind that.”
Min-jeong-ssi, with a scrunched-up face, trailed off. She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked back and forth between me and Choi Tae-gyeom calmly. Then, as if entrusting us with an important mission, she spoke in a solemn voice.
“Make up and come back.”
* * *
Choi Tae-gyeom headed to a secluded area behind the stall. The front of the tent was bustling, but there was no sign of people in the back, which was overgrown with trees. It was already dusk, so the only thing illuminating the view was the light coming from the stall in the distance.
“Yoon-woo-ya.”
Choi Tae-gyeom called my name in a soft voice. The voice that wrapped around my ear gently soothed my sharp heart. I subtly let go of Choi Tae-gyeom’s hand and looked away.
“……Talk.”
Just hearing my name called melted away the lump in my heart. If I had known it was such a cheap emotion, I wouldn’t have shown it from the beginning. I lowered my head in embarrassment, but it was useless because he tilted my hat back.
“Look at me.”
As if hypnotized, I looked at Choi Tae-gyeom. Even in the darkness, his face shone brightly. Especially his eyes, which were so beautiful as if they were drawn, made my heart beat with a pleasant feeling, unlike before.
“Did I do something wrong?”
That’s why people go crazy and stare at him. There’s a reason why they talk to him, touch him, and try to see him even a little more. It’s a face you’ll never get tired of looking at, but the shock of seeing it for the first time must be quite something.
“……What could you have done wrong?”
But then the scene I had seen earlier came to mind again. The customer who was saying obvious things and Choi Tae-gyeom who was accepting those words without any reaction. The hearts that had melted away gathered together with their own presence. So, without realizing it, a baseless accusation popped out.
“Why do you work so hard?”
The tone was sharp and prickly. Choi Tae-gyeom blinked blankly and asked what that meant.
“Then should I do a bad job?”
“That’s not what I mean……”
I bit my lower lip and narrowed my brows. I was as perplexed as when I confessed that I was an Omega, not knowing where to start or how to say it. I couldn’t just express my displeasure without thinking because the arrow shouldn’t be aimed at Choi Tae-gyeom.
“Just do it moderately…… according to your personality.”
“According to my personality.”
He muttered in an absurd voice. He took off his hat and put it back on as if he was frustrated, and then lazily lowered his eyes.
“Then we can’t run our stall.”
It was just a playful tone, but it was more serious than any other words. Both I and Choi Tae-gyeom knew that we couldn’t handle it if he got angry. Choi Tae-gyeom was the type of person who could just quit serving and go home.
“It’s something your club members are doing, so I can’t ruin it.”
It was a line that would make Park Seong-jae cry tears of joy. Although it wasn’t ‘our’ but ‘your’, it would be enough to satisfy him. On the other hand, I looked up at Choi Tae-gyeom askew and muttered sullenly.
“So, you accepted even the flirting?”
He crossed his arms as if telling me to keep talking. The emotions I had been suppressing burst out like a flood at the gaze that was leaning towards me.
“Answering questions like what kind of alcohol you like, or recommending something delicious, okay, I’ll say that’s unavoidable.”
Pheromones flowed out with my nervous voice. The pheromones that came out emotionally poured towards Choi Tae-gyeom in front of me. He was waiting for the next words with eyes that I couldn’t understand.
“But you should at least get angry and make a face when they grab your arm.”
“……”
“You can clearly see that they’re interested in you, so why would you even think about taking off your hat there?”
The more I spoke, the more wronged I felt. My panting breath heaved my chest and amplified the pheromones. I didn’t know why I felt so bad, why I was so nervous. It was just that the fragmented frustrations were sharpening their blades towards Choi Tae-gyeom.
“……You.”
Choi Tae-gyeom opened his mouth with a slightly troubled expression. He didn’t seem angry, but rather a little refreshed. Soon, he frowned as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Are you jealous?”
“Jeal……!”
My words caught in my throat at once. It was because of the strange feeling the word ‘jealousy’ gave. The surging anger, the resentment towards Choi Tae-gyeom, even the unfairness of the situation, were all contained within those two letters.
This was an emotion that could only be described as jealousy. I just hadn’t been able to name it, but the fundamental starting point was definitely jealousy. The people who showed interest in Choi Tae-gyeom, Choi Tae-gyeom responding to that interest, all of it fostered a selfish, childish ego.
My face flushed as soon as I realized it. As I hesitated and stepped back, Choi Tae-gyeom took a big step closer. He reached out without hesitation and grabbed my arm firmly. And his flickering gaze came closer.
“……!”
Thud, the hat fell to the floor. Hot, excited pheromone was transmitted from our overlapping lips. He cupped my face, twisted my head, and teased the seam of my lips with the tip of his tongue. My lips parted obediently, like someone who didn’t know how to resist.
It was a kiss that tormented me more than ever. Every time his soft tongue wrapped around mine, I became so impatient that my throat went dry. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around him, instinctively lowered my eyelids, and became anxious at the thought of wanting to touch him more.
Choi Tae-gyeom released pleasant pheromone and sucked on my tongue. After a few times having sex, he became less likely to read my mood with pheromone. His more relaxed demeanor gave me an unspeakable sense of satisfaction. Especially when our breaths mingled like this, I could feel affection washing over me like a wave.
I moaned, intoxicated by his gentle touch. His long fingers caressed my eyes. As if trying to remember my features, he rubbed my eyelids and traced my cheeks and ears in turn. He pressed firmly on the throbbing part of my neck, then rummaged through my hair and twisted my head in the opposite direction.
The fact that we were outside, or that someone might see us, didn’t occur to me. The stability he gave me made my mind melt. Eventually, Choi Tae-gyeom, who caught me as my legs gave way and I staggered, took his lips away, leaving a lingering feeling of regret.
“…….”
“…….”
Heavy breathing filled the quiet surroundings. Even the distant murmurs served as a medium to fuel the tension. The densely intertwined pheromone meant we were both soaked in each other.
“I love you.”
Choi Tae-gyeom confessed in a soft voice. It was a phrase I had heard every day since we started dating. And my heart still fluttered at the gentle words.
“……I know.”
Despite my blunt reply, he smiled happily. Maybe it was because I couldn’t bear my shyness and hugged him. He patted my back and buried his nose in my hair.
“Are you feeling better?”
I had felt better since we first held hands and came out. Even the grumbling I had poured out on him was just a remnant of the slight unpleasantness. I felt better as soon as we had some time alone without anyone bothering us, but now was somehow a time when I wanted to be spoiled.
“Did you kiss me to make me feel better?”
“No.”
Choi Tae-gyeom wore a bright smile and showered me with kisses. His lips, which had been pressing down on my head, forehead, and eyes, soon curved into a sweet arc.
“Because I’m happy.”
Happy about what? I didn’t ask. It was because I had a hunch that he would explain the reason even if I didn’t ask. Sure enough, he tilted his hat back, bumped his forehead against mine, and made a dreamy expression.
“You…….”
“…….”
“I didn’t think you were the type to get jealous.”
I was at a loss for words. As he said, I was usually distant from the emotion of jealousy. Even when I heard that a student from the Japanese language department had confessed to him, I only thought, ‘He’s still popular.’ If I had reacted to every little thing, all my hair would have fallen out a long time ago.
“Feels good.”
I felt wronged. Someone’s mood was riding a roller coaster in an unsightly manner, but this guy was smiling without even knowing it. The funny thing was, I was also feeling relieved at the same time.
“……Don’t go take orders from that table.”
“Okay.”
“And don’t take your hat off for them.”
“Alright.”
“If someone hits on you, just tell Park Seong-jae instead.”
Choi Tae-gyeom laughed like an idiot as I continued to speak. His face was annoying, but I couldn’t help but think he was cute for showing how much he liked it.
“You’re just too…… popular.”
“Look who’s talking.”
Choi Tae-gyeom chuckled and hugged me as if he would crush me. I could feel his thick Alpha pheromone from his warm nape.
“Do you know what the table you took the order from earlier said after you left?”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and shook my head. Choi Tae-gyeom shrugged his shoulders as if tickled by my hair. Then, he brought his lips close to my ear.
“Does the person wearing the Boss hat have a lover?”
His breath was warm. As I grabbed the t-shirt at my fingertips, he asked in a slightly lower voice.
“How many times do you think I heard this question today?”
The atmosphere of his pheromone changed. From something as bright as cherry blossoms to something a little more persistent. My lower back twitched at the sensation of him gently biting my earlobe and the outer edge of my ear.
“I’m going crazy, Yoon-woo.”
His pleading voice gave me a thrilling sense of satisfaction. I felt like I knew why he was so happy. Choi Tae-gyeom, who was telling me with his whole body that he wanted me, was nothing short of great pleasure.
“So, what did you say?”
“…….”
“What did you say to the question of whether you had a lover?”
I pulled away from Choi Tae-gyeom slightly. I could see his handsome face smiling from about two spans away. He winked with a very confident expression.
“I’m the lover.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that story. He kissed me several times as I laughed, shaking my shoulders, and put me in his arms as if he wouldn’t let me go. And when the laughter stopped, our lips were deeply intertwined again.
* * *
“……Ugh.”
Kim Do-hyun sighed deeply as he looked at us returning to the pub. Choi Tae-gyeom ignored him and went to work, but I remained awkwardly in the makeshift kitchen. Min-jeong-ssi, who was skillfully making rolled omelet, glanced at me.
“Looks like you made up.”
“……We didn’t even fight.”
“Everyone says that.”
I felt embarrassed belatedly. These guys must have thought that Choi Tae-gyeom and I had fought, judging by the atmosphere. We really didn’t fight or anything. I felt like it would be pathetic to add excuses. In the meantime, Kim Do-hyun looked at me up and down cynically.
“Sometimes, I don’t know if you’re an Alpha or an Omega, sunbae.”
The meaning of those words was obvious. It must have been the same meaning as what he said to me at the freshman orientation.
‘Anyone would think you’re an Alpha, sunbae. You’re covered in Alpha pheromone.’
That was why I stayed in the kitchen. Choi Tae-gyeom’s pheromone was so strong that I thought I would be embarrassed if I went to serve. He had my pheromone on him too, but Choi Tae-gyeom and I had different amounts of pheromone to begin with.
“……But why are you always in the kitchen?”
I asked Kim Do-hyun with the purpose of changing the subject. I couldn’t understand why he, who had been assigned the task of serving, was staying in the kitchen. The space was already cramped, so the other club members had kicked Min-jeong-ssi out a long time ago.
Kim Do-hyun snorted and turned his head. He seemed to have realized my intention to change the subject awkwardly. Fortunately, he wasn’t so rude as to point that out.
“The other sunbaes didn’t sort out the trash, so this place is a mess. It’s easier to throw it away while sorting it out, but they’re all messing it up, so I couldn’t go out because I was cleaning this up.”
As he said, the place where the recyclables were sorted was a mess. There was plastic in the paper, paper cups in the plastic, and even leftover alcohol in the bottles. At this rate, it would take a long time to clean up later. The only reason it wasn’t too serious was probably because Kim Do-hyun had cleaned it up.
“Just leave it, Do-hyun. I’m going to catch the bastards who threw it away and make them clean it up.”
Min-jeong-ssi said as she transferred the rolled omelet to a plate. I also nodded in agreement. The guys who threw it away carelessly because they were busy should clean it up. If someone else did it for them, it would be repeated endlessly.
“Oppa, this is for table 3.”
“Ah, uh. Just bring the rolled omelet?”
“Everything else is out.”
I held the plate in one hand and approached the plastic bag. Kim Do-hyun was roughly sorting out the trash and washing his hands. There was still pheromone left, but I had to go out because something had come up. When I lifted the plastic bag and came out, I saw Choi Tae-gyeom attracting even more attention than before.
“…….”
I’m jealous, what am I supposed to do if you walk around smiling like that? Even the table 3 that ordered the rolled omelet was glancing at Choi Tae-gyeom.
“Here’s your rolled omelet.”
“Ah, thank you!”
The young-looking customers greeted me cheerfully. Then they exchanged glances and looked at each other. They seemed to have something they wanted to say, but I had something more important to do first.
“Excuse me.”
I approached the club member wearing the ‘Sold Out’ hat and spoke carefully. The club member, who had been giggling with Park Seong-jae, looked at me with surprised eyes. He seemed quite embarrassed, pointing to his face with his finger.
“……Me?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing big.”
“What’s wrong, hyung?”
I awkwardly smoothed my hair. I didn’t think I would do this again. Park Seong-jae was sending me curious eyes, wondering if it was strange for me to talk first. I endured my embarrassment and first asked the part I needed to confirm.
“Do you have a lover?”
“Yes?”
The club member’s eyes widened. His shaking gaze looked back and forth between me and Park Seong-jae. Park Seong-jae quickly answered instead, for some reason.
“No, no. He just wrote that he’s sold out because he’s acting expensive.”
“……Hey.”
Fortunately, it wasn’t the case I was worried about. If there was no one dating, the phrase on the hat didn’t necessarily have to be ‘Sold Out’.
“That.”
I pointed to the club member’s hat with my finger. It was embarrassing to even do this, but I wanted to create a defense mechanism somehow. I was willing to let it go even if someone ridiculed me for being childish.
“Lend it to me.”
I thought about it carefully. What was the reason why I hadn’t felt jealous so far? Choi Tae-gyeom had always been popular, had occasionally received confessions, and had mostly been the object of attention, so why was everything suddenly unpleasant now?
It wasn’t just a matter of mindset. Even now that I liked him and our hearts were connected, I wasn’t upset that someone liked Choi Tae-gyeom. I was okay because I knew that he would refuse firmly even if the other person confessed.
Yes, in the end, the important part is this. The certainty that Choi Tae-gyeom would not give them any room. The arrogance that the kindness he showed would only be directed at me. The judgment that the other person would naturally not have even a slight hope.
I can tolerate people showing interest in Choi Tae-gyeom. Feelings aren’t always mutual, and I can just let it go if someone has one-sided feelings. But I was angry at the fact that they saw even a glimmer of possibility in Choi Tae-gyeom.
“……The hat?”
“Yeah, please.”
“What are you going to use it for?”
The club member asked back with a bewildered face, but handed over the hat. Park Seong-jae’s eyes widened and he was shocked at the sight.
“You’re going to steal the hat again!”
Again, when did I steal his hat? That wasn’t me, it was Choi Tae-gyeom. Of course, it wouldn’t be very persuasive to say that while wearing the ‘Boss’ hat.
“Steal? I’m borrowing it.”
“Hyung, that’s what people who steal money say. You’ll get caught these days if you do that.”
“You’re not even the owner of the hat, why are you doing this?”
Park Seong-jae drooped his shoulders and closed his mouth. Maybe it was because he was big, but he looked especially sad. The guy who folded his big body in half lowered his eyes sadly.
“It’s because it doesn’t feel like someone else’s business…….”
His shiny eyes were moist. Well, I could roughly guess what he had gone through since he was promoting himself as the ‘Business Administration God’ and wearing the God hat. I didn’t know for sure, but he must have had some trouble.
“……Just enjoy it.”
I softened my voice and wrapped my arm around Park Seong-jae’s shoulder. The guy who pretended to cry lowered his head towards me. Yes, yes. As I patted him, Choi Tae-gyeom came back after taking an order.
“Aren’t you working?”
His blunt voice separated Park Seong-jae and me. Choi Tae-gyeom took chopsticks and disposable plates and hesitated in front of me for a moment. His gaze was directed at my hand wrapped around Park Seong-jae.
“……Seong-jae, just bring two beers to the table near the entrance.”
His clear gaze was sharp. As I subtly took my hand away, Park Seong-jae quickly straightened his body.
“The table with the three guys?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Park Seong-jae quickly went into the kitchen where the icebox was. The club member next to him was about to go into the kitchen, but Choi Tae-gyeom was faster. He stared intently at the hat I was holding, then smiled slowly and asked the club member.
“Do you want to be the Boss or the Handsome Man?”
As a result, I was the one who ended up wearing the ‘Sold Out’ hat. I protested with a dissatisfied expression, but Choi Tae-gyeom didn’t even listen to me. He just adjusted the back of the hat gently again and rubbed my cheek as if I was cute. The club member who chose ‘Boss’ had already run away, so I had no choice but to go serve without blaming anyone.
“When will we break even?”
Kim Do-hyun, who was working hard, asked Park Seong-jae. The response came from Min-jeong-ssi, who had just come out of the kitchen.
“Break even?”
Min-jeong-ssi asked back and pulled up the corners of her mouth. With a stylish smile, she raised her thumb and made a clicking sound with her tongue.
“We already did.”
Cheers erupted from all directions. They were the club members who had been doing their jobs and pricking up their ears. The customers who filled the pub were clapping along without even knowing what was going on.
“They’re really happy.”
Min-jeong-ssi shrugged at my murmur. Then she added in a very natural tone.
“They have no choice but to be happy. All the remaining alcohol and food are ours now.”
I thought of the various kinds of alcohol left in the kitchen. It looked like quite a lot at first glance, and if it was left over, the club members would drink it. Well, they’re the guys who are in the club almost for the alcohol, so there’s no way they would throw it away.
“Ah, right. Youngest.”
Min-jeong-ssi, who had spoken briefly, turned to look at Kim Do-hyun. Kim Do-hyun glared at the nickname ‘Youngest’.
“……What?”
“Relax your eyes, you little punk. Go in. You have to go to your part-time job.”
As if he had never frowned, Kim Do-hyun quickly took off his hat. No wonder, I thought he hadn’t been able to concentrate on the pub since earlier, he must have had a part-time job.
“What kind of part-time job do you have?”
“I’m tutoring. A middle schooler in their third year, trying to send them to a foreign language high school.”
When I asked casually, he answered nonchalantly. His hand movements to take out his phone and send a message were very urgent.
“That must be hard, middle schoolers don’t listen.”
“They listen well, but a little…….”
His gaze moved back and forth. He trailed off, as if trying to find the right words, then opened his mouth with a sigh.
“I’m worried in many ways.”
It was a word that contained many meanings. It was ambiguous whether he was worried about his studies or about the tutoring student himself. It seemed to be the latter of the two, as Kim Do-hyun added quietly.
“They’re very rich, but they don’t pay attention to the kid at home.”
“……Is that so?”
“Yes, and they don’t seem to get along at school either.”
He has a temper, but he’s apparently very timid. Kim Do-hyun, who added that it seemed to be caused by bullying, sighed again. This time it was a feeling of relief.
“I thought I wouldn’t be able to go to tutoring today, but I’m glad. They said they were home alone.”
“How long have you been tutoring?”
“Let’s see…….”
He stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes. ‘About 2 weeks?’ I couldn’t help but admire his answer.
“You’re kind.”
Kim Do-hyun stopped moving abruptly. Kim Do-hyun, who raised his head and looked at me, blinked slowly.
“……What’s kind?”
“It’s kind that you’re worrying about that even though it’s only been 2 weeks. You’d be a good teacher.”
It was the time when middle school third-graders were most sensitive about their privacy. The fact that Kim Do-hyun knew that much information meant that even his tutoring student relied on him.
“Go on, hurry up. The kid must be waiting.”
He didn’t say anything for a while, then put his phone away. The sight of his back as he went into the kitchen made me think he was embarrassed.
“Yoon-woo! Long time no see!”
After Kim Do-hyun left and the number of customers had decreased to some extent, three familiar guys entered the bar. The shortest one raised his hand and greeted me, followed by a prickly voice.
“What’s with the ‘sold out’? Choi Tae-gyeom’s doing, isn’t it?”
It was Jeon Rae-hyun, Kang Min-seo, and Lee Ji-hoon. They walked in noisily, looking around the bar. They seemed to be looking for Choi Tae-gyeom at first glance, but unfortunately, Choi Tae-gyeom had gone into the kitchen for a moment.
“Tae-gyeom’s in the kitchen.”
As I approached, my hands free, the three of them made dispirited expressions. They were always so honest with their expressions.
“Aww, what a bummer.”
“Yoon-woo, where should we sit?”
“But you guys are doing good business.”
I became friends with these guys last time when we drank at Lee Ji-hoon’s place. Although most of my memories are hazy because I got drunk so quickly, I remember getting along without feeling awkward.
“Sit over there, inside. The entrance is too crowded with people coming and going.”
I sat them down near the kitchen and pointed to the table. There was a small menu that Min-jeong-ssi had printed out on the table. Of course, the types of alcohol were not written here either.
“We have all kinds of alcohol. Mala soup is the most popular dish.”
“Wow, you sell mala soup?”
Jeon Rae-hyun, who had exclaimed, carefully read the menu. Lee Ji-hoon was pointing at my hat with curious eyes.
“What does it say on Tae-gyeom’s?”
I reflexively touched the brim of my hat. This hat was supposed to be on Choi Tae-gyeom, but I still felt a little sad.
“…Handsome Man?”
“Not Business Administration God?”
“It was originally Business Administration God, but there’s a story behind it.”
Just in time, Park Seong-jae came to take orders at the next table with a smile. The three of them nodded as if they understood, looking at Park Seong-jae. Perhaps because they had known Choi Tae-gyeom for a long time, they seemed to have figured out the situation in an instant.
“So, what can I get you?”
When I asked lightly, Lee Ji-hoon gave me a friendly smile. He pushed up his glasses and gestured towards the kitchen.
“We’ll order when Choi Tae-gyeom comes out.”
“That’s right, we’re here to cause trouble, so you shouldn’t take our order.”
“Don’t worry about us and do your work.”
Kang Min-seo and Jeon Rae-hyun chimed in one after another. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the part about coming to cause trouble. I could clearly picture the ruckus they would cause and Choi Tae-gyeom’s reaction.
“Don’t harass him too much.”
I chuckled and turned around. I saw Choi Tae-gyeom coming out of the kitchen, pulling back the plastic curtain. As soon as he made eye contact with me, he smiled sweetly, but frowned when he saw them waving their hands.
“…Why are you guys here?”
I passed Choi Tae-gyeom and went to clean another table. It was getting late, so it was a little less busy than before. Just an hour ago, there were no empty tables, but now about half of them were empty.
“Why else would we be here? We came to support you since you’re working.”
“They must be here to cause trouble. You guys have to pay 10,000 won per bottle. We don’t give this price to just anyone.”
“You’re such a thug. We’re going to the Business Administration bar.”
“Go ahead.”
I could hear Choi Tae-gyeom and his friends talking as I cleaned the table. Choi Tae-gyeom treated them in a completely different tone than he treated me. It felt like he was being particularly prickly, but he wouldn’t act like that if he wasn’t really close to them.
“Hey, aren’t you embarrassed to be called ‘Handsome Man’ when you were ‘Business Administration God’?”
“Can’t you guys really just leave?”
“We’ll leave if you give us like three freebies.”
Choi Tae-gyeom, who was openly showing that he was annoyed, went back to the kitchen, saying, “Just eat what I give you.” His friends looked dumbfounded, as if they didn’t expect him to really not take their order.
“Hyung, are those hyung’s friends at that table?”
Park Seong-jae came waddling towards me with empty bottles. He had big hands, so he was holding six bottles in each hand, twelve in total.
“Yeah, they’re from the same department.”
“Really?”
Park Seong-jae’s eyes twinkled slightly. He had a mysterious smile on his face, wondering what he was thinking. I hoped he wouldn’t make any plans. As soon as I thought that, he wiggled his cheeks excitedly.
“Then we should give them a lot of freebies.”
I didn’t tell him that they said they would go to the Business Administration department bar if they got three freebies. That was because his big, bear-like figure was already heading towards the kitchen, swaying. Had I finally gone crazy? That big figure even looked cute to me.
Park Seong-jae didn’t come out of the kitchen for a long time. Choi Tae-gyeom, who had gone in earlier, was the same, so I had to go into the kitchen to see what they were doing, filled with curiosity. As soon as I lifted the translucent plastic curtain, I saw the three of them huddled together.
“What are you doing, not coming out?”
The three of them were putting down a box of alcohol, their faces full of schemes. Min-jeong-ssi and Park Seong-jae were one thing, but I didn’t expect Choi Tae-gyeom to be like this too. Park Seong-jae, who had been looking at me with sparkling eyes, gestured secretly.
“Hyung, come in.”
I slowly approached them. The way they were huddled together was more serious than ever. Min-jeong-ssi, who had the most serious face, pointed outside with her thumb.
“How many tables are left outside?”
“Well, about five tables?”
While they were in the kitchen, customers had left like a receding tide. The tables that were left now were almost all at the end, except for Choi Tae-gyeom’s friends. Most of them would finish paying and leave within 30 minutes at the latest.
“Five tables…”
Min-jeong-ssi stroked her chin and pondered. Park Seong-jae was waiting for the next words with a tense face. Min-jeong-ssi, who had been silent for a moment, raised her eyes slightly.
“Should we stop taking customers?”
“Yes!”
A thunderous answer burst out. Park Seong-jae quickly nodded his head, afraid that she would change her mind. Min-jeong-ssi didn’t lose her poker face even at the face that was pushed so close that it was burdensome. She just pushed Park Seong-jae’s face away and smiled with a refreshing face.
“Let’s close up shop.”
“To the Business Administration God!”
“Cheers!”
Paper cups clinked together without a sound. Choi Tae-gyeom sighed at the unagreed-upon toast, but that wasn’t a big problem for the club members. The guys who had each poured in alcohol added a word or two, chattering.
“Good job, everyone!”
“Hey, this bar is the best ever, really.”
“Wow, we did it again. As expected, being handsome is the best!”
There were soju bottles on the table and beer bottles under the table. Besides that, there were snacks that would easily cost 100,000 won if you went to a bar, and all kinds of drinks.
‘Let’s close up shop.’
At Min-jeong-ssi’s words, Park Seong-jae moved more quickly than ever. He went out of the kitchen to tell the story and subtly started to set up the game. Fortunately, the remaining tables left the bar in less than 30 minutes, and all that was left were Choi Tae-gyeom’s friends.
‘They’re Tae-gyeom hyung’s friends!’
As much as his eyes had sparkled mysteriously, Park Seong-jae actively lured Choi Tae-gyeom’s friends. He told them that they wouldn’t be taking any more customers, so if they were okay with it, they could drink together. The friends, whose sociability was inversely proportional to Choi Tae-gyeom’s, naturally accepted Park Seong-jae’s offer, and soon a familiar scout began.
‘These days, sensibility is an important generation in business administration.’
As soon as he connected several blue plastic tables and set out the snacks, Park Seong-jae took a seat near them. He had a bottle of soju and two bottles of beer in his hand. Park Seong-jae recited a very familiar line to those who were staring blankly at him.
‘By any chance, do you like Shakespeare?’
I don’t know how that pattern never changes. Anyway, he’s known for his audacity. Even though there are few business administration students who like Shakespeare, I could tell that he was sticking to the same line.
“Ah, hyung came out there too? I’m paying!”
Anyway, Park Seong-jae succeeded in his sales. It wasn’t because they liked Shakespeare, but thanks to Min-jeong-ssi’s words that ‘there are a lot of drinking parties.’ Park Seong-jae does more work, but Min-jeong-ssi has more results, so I thought that Min-jeong-ssi was the real power.
“Thanks to you two, we’re completely in the black.”
Min-jeong-ssi put the drinks she had made in front of me and Choi Tae-gyeom. Choi Tae-gyeom, who naturally took the paper cup in front of me, handed me a cup filled with juice instead. Min-jeong-ssi, who saw that, clicked her tongue, saying that he was overprotective.
I answered calmly and took the drink that Choi Tae-gyeom had handed me.
“Well… everyone came to see him.”
Even if you said ‘you two,’ about 80% of it was Choi Tae-gyeom’s share. Until the very end, gazes full of ulterior motives were directed at Choi Tae-gyeom. Now that I thought it was all over, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
“There must have been some people who came to see oppa too.”
Min-jeong-ssi said, sipping her alcohol. Judging from her tone, it was close to a polite remark.
“Oppa is quite popular in our department. There are no real good-looking people in English literature, but oppa and Kim Do-hyun are keeping it alive.”
Even though most of the club members were in the English Language and Literature department, it was an unreserved evaluation. Of course, the club members around her didn’t strongly object to Min-jeong-ssi’s words. Rather, they agreed, saying that it was true.
“Even if Tae-gyeom sunbae wasn’t here, we probably would have avoided a deficit. Of course, the surplus is thanks to sunbae.”
Min-jeong-ssi pointed at Choi Tae-gyeom with cleanly split wooden chopsticks. Then, with neat chopsticks, she took the rolled omelet to her plate.
“Good job. Honestly, it must have been annoying.”
Choi Tae-gyeom turned his head and looked at me. His hair was a little pressed down on top because he had been wearing a hat all day. He’s handsome even when his hair is pressed down, I thought, and he bent his eyes softly.
“It was kind of fun.”
“I’m glad then.”
Perhaps he didn’t mean that the work was fun. If I had to pick a reason, it would be that he enjoyed me being jealous and acting up. Or maybe he liked playing with the hat. Either way, Min-jeong-ssi wouldn’t know.
“But since when has running a bar been illegal?”
“It’s been a while, probably? I shouldn’t say this from the perspective of someone who runs a bar, but it’s worth it to be illegal. It’s not just one or two guys who drink and cause accidents during the festival.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than there was a crash. It was the sound of Park Seong-jae knocking over the extra chairs he had stacked next to him. Min-jeong-ssi spat out coldly, looking at the scene.
“Those are the kind of kids.”
“Why is this falling over!”
Park Seong-jae already had a drunk face. It hadn’t been long since they had toasted, but he seemed to have drunk a whole crate of alcohol by himself. Or maybe he just got drunk unusually early today.
“Hey, can you be a little quieter?”
Park Seong-jae glared at Min-jeong-ssi’s words. Then he jumped up from his seat, dragged a chair, and approached Min-jeong-ssi. He put the chair down haphazardly and plopped down on it. His smiling face was so innocent.
“Then make me a somaek.”
Min-jeong-ssi brought the bottle of alcohol, even though she had an annoyed look on her face. As he skillfully mixed the alcohol, Choi Tae-gyeom’s friends showed interest. As expected of him, who mixes alcohol in the perfect ratio in any glass, four glasses of bomb shots were quickly completed.
“Wow, there’s talent in this club!”
“I’ve never seen anyone mix alcohol better than Kang Min-seo.”
“How can you pour it into a paper cup without making it foam?”
I felt it last time too, but Choi Tae-gyeom’s friends really liked alcohol. The way they were looking at Min-jeong-ssi with sparkling eyes made it seem like it was a foregone conclusion that they would join the club. Choi Tae-gyeom must have thought so too, as he put some snacks in front of me and shook his head.
The drinking party continued for quite a while after that. Someone stole pizza cheese from another bar, and someone else brought tonic water. By the time they made a new rolled omelet with the stolen cheese and drank fruit soju mixed with tonic water, Park Seong-jae, who was drunk, was crying and clinging to Min-jeong-ssi.
“Don’t get a job, let’s go to school together forever. Huh?”
“…Curse him, curse him.”
Min-jeong-ssi dropped Park Seong-jae, who was clinging to her, with a dumbfounded face. She asked if he was still upset about that, and if I was going to die or something. She asked how hard I had worked to avoid graduating, and finally soothed Park Seong-jae with a deep sigh.
“Please act your age. You’re not a kid, what is this?”
“Hoo-oong, I’ll be a kid…”
I could hear sobbing. Judging from the sniffling, he didn’t seem to be pretending to cry. People around him giggled and teased Park Seong-jae, but the big baby bear couldn’t control his emotions and grabbed Min-jeong-ssi.
“Oh my, he’s so upset.”
It’s not like they’ll never see each other again, so why is he so upset? He’s just leaving school, but they’re still friends. Even if the number of times they meet decreases, nothing will change.
“Don’t you think you’ll be sad?”
Then suddenly, Choi Tae-gyeom asked. He put his hand on my thigh and looked at me with his head tilted.
“If I graduate before you, are you confident that you won’t be like that?”
“That’s…”
I opened my mouth confidently, but stopped speaking for a moment. It felt like a deep gaze was binding my whole body. I blinked and blinked, and the assumption that came to my mind became clearer and clearer.
It was different from enduring not seeing Choi Tae-gyeom for the past five years. Back then, Choi Tae-gyeom was in the same space as me, but later he would be in a space I didn’t know. A school without Choi Tae-gyeom. The future where he graduates from school, gets a job somewhere else, and walks a different path than me.
“…”
Unlike the past, when I thought we would naturally be together, I wasn’t sure that we would be together in the future. I wasn’t afraid of the anxiety that he would leave me, but the uncertainty of where he would go. The parts that I had forgotten because we had always been together pressed down on my heart.
“…I don’t know.”
If he hadn’t taken a leave of absence, and had left school first like Min-jeong-ssi, would I have reacted differently from Park Seong-jae? Even Park Seong-jae, who is a friend, is like that, so would I have been able to support his future like an adult and focus on our own work?
“That’s why I took a leave of absence.”
Choi Tae-gyeom gave me the answer instead. His gentle, lowered voice soothed my frightened heart. I held the hand on my thigh and answered in a small voice. Maybe I would have been upset like Park Seong-jae too.