Warm and spacious. Quiet and cozy.
No need to worry about leaving my spot, no need to worry about theft.
I could drink warm coffee from the pot whenever I wanted, and if I was hungry, I could take out sandwiches and cheesecake from that famous bakery where you have to wait in line.
I expected it would be better than the donut shop, but I never thought it would be this much better.
The house I saw back then was optimal for hanging out, so I honestly couldn’t think of it as a space where I could study, so I was a bit worried before coming. But making those worries meaningless, Kang Sehyun’s house that I visited again was truly the perfect place for studying.
As soon as we arrived, Kang Sehyun guided me to one room. It was a space I hadn’t seen back then. Unlike other places, the lighting brightness was much higher, and instead of yellow lights, white fluorescent light illuminated the room.
“What’s this place?”
“Study.”
No, it’s not.
To simply call it a study, the table in the center was excessively large. Rather than a desk, it was a conference table that could easily seat six people.
Reading my doubtful expression, he burst out laughing.
“Let’s call it a study room.”
Yeah, that makes more sense.
I settled into a spot on one side of the large table. Kang Sehyun, who had disappeared, returned a moment later with coffee and simple snacks.
How thoughtful. A study room with perfect service too—I was thinking that when the study room owner provided an even more amazing service.
“If you get sleepy while studying, sleep in the room next door.”
No proposal could be sweeter than this. How many times have you and I met, I should say it’s okay, but my mouth wouldn’t open. I nodded without realizing it.
“You’re not saying no today.”
“It’s not that I’m not saying it, I can’t say it.”
When I first came to Kang Sehyun’s house last time, I went straight home after the hyungs got drunk and fell asleep first. I did receive an offer to sleep over since there was extra bedding anyway, but I wasn’t shameless enough to impose on someone I’d just met.
Thinking about it now, it was pointless stubbornness. Even if not someone I’d just met, sleeping at someone’s house when we weren’t close enough to impose was also quite shameless in a way.
You’re doing shameless things several times today, Kwon Sungha.
“I’ll repay you later.”
“For what.”
“For imposing on you today.”
“How are you going to repay me?”
The eyes looking at me questioningly were quite serious.
“Well. I’ll buy you a meal or something.”
When I insisted I couldn’t buy anything expensive though, he laughed.
“It’s fine.”
“No. I need to repay you to feel comfortable.”
“It’s nothing worth saying you’re imposing. If you’re saying that about sleeping over, don’t the hyungs impose on me all the time?”
“You bought coffee and croissants, gave me a study room and even a room to sleep in—this is imposing too much for one night. I received help and even caused trouble.”
“Then buy me hot dogs later.”
“…That’s a bit.”
“Why.”
No matter how cheap the coffee was, combined with the bread, it naturally exceeded that amount. Just the coffee beans I was drinking now probably cost several times more, so even if Kang Sehyun ate ten hot dogs, it wouldn’t cover it all.
“Then buy me drinks.”
It was an unexpected answer.
“You don’t drink.”
Neither do you, and neither do I. Besides, since we’re not of age, buying alcohol or going to bars was impossible.
“When I do drink, buy them then.”
“When is ‘then.’ Don’t you still have 2 years left?”
“Yeah.”
I let out a hollow laugh in disbelief. But after laughing to myself, I realized that statement was made under the premise that we’d continue our relationship even two years from now, and suddenly the curiosity I’d forgotten resurfaced.
What on earth is he thinking? Why is Kang Sehyun, who’s picky with others, so nice to me?
What’s the reason?
Not knowing what was going on in my mind at all, Kang Sehyun showed that smug smile once more and opened his book. I followed him and pretended to concentrate, but even after several minutes passed, the same thoughts floated around in my head.
It seemed I’d greatly overestimated myself. Forget two or three hours—after just over an hour, drowsiness poured over me like crazy.
I tried smoking, tried drinking coffee, tried washing my face, but it was useless. The clock on the wall had just barely passed 3 o’clock, but it seemed like time to surrender.
“Ah, I’m going crazy.”
“Just go sleep.”
Looking at Kang Sehyun, who seemed too fine, I felt an inexplicable sense of defeat. I feel like I’m going crazy, but why are you okay? An unjustified feeling of unfairness washed over me.
“Don’t you have work tomorrow—no, today?”
“Right.”
And not just today. When I answered that I had to go Friday and Saturday too, Kang Sehyun frowned.
“When are you going to study and when are you going to sleep?”
“I know, right. Starting tomorrow, pulling all-nighters while working is too much, so I don’t think I can do it until Saturday. After that passes, on Sunday I’ll sleep a bit in the morning and start in the afternoon and go late.”
“Just go sleep already.”
Instead of saying anything more, I stood up from my seat. Without even having time to admire the clean guest room with an attached bathroom, I collapsed straight onto the bed. I merely closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
When I woke up in the morning, I was still wearing my t-shirt and jeans. My cap and hoodie, which I must have taken off in my sleep without knowing when, were sprawled on the floor.
I didn’t wake up properly from the short sleep, so even after turning off the alarm, I sat there blankly for a while. Heavy fatigue pressed down on my entire body.
Before it got any later, I dragged my heavy body into the bathroom. After washing up, I got dressed and went out to the living room, but the house owner was nowhere to be seen. I should thank him.
Right next to the room where we watched movies, there was what looked like a bedroom, but seeing the tightly closed door, I turned back. I felt bad about leaving without saying goodbye, but I couldn’t forcibly wake someone up when I didn’t know when they’d gone to sleep.
When I went outside, even though it was only October, the morning air was cold.
* * *
“Sungha, we have reservations for twelve tables today.”
“Twelve tables?”
“Yeah. That’s a lot, right?”
It’s not just a lot, it’s too much.
Usually at most there were about ten reservation tables, but even though it was Saturday, I’d never seen as many as twelve tables before. When I hurriedly checked the reservation list, only six tables were for two people, and the rest were all for three or more. Even without walk-in customers, the tables were almost full for every time slot.
“The owner’s reservations are usually quite a lot, but today is especially bad. I guess it’s because the weather suddenly got chilly.”
“Are there more customers when it’s cold?”
“As long as it doesn’t snow too much, generally yes. Teppanyaki places have more customers in winter than summer.”
I adapted faster than the training period, so the work wasn’t too difficult, but for some reason, after a month passed, I was unconditionally assigned to the owner’s table on Saturdays. Jinho hyung, who had frequently handled the owner’s table before, was noticeably hurt that the person directly appointed by the owner wasn’t him.
If he knew there were this many reservations like today, he definitely wouldn’t be hurt.
These days, I felt self-conscious not just toward Jinho hyung but also toward other staff members, so last time I subtly asked the manager to change it back, but my opinion was ignored on the spot.
‘The owner says he likes that you’re quick and efficient.’
The owner’s word is law, so after hearing that, I had nothing more to say.
“But what I mentioned yesterday, I’ll give you next Thursday off. Do well on your exam.”
“Ah, thank you.”
My voice rose a tone without realizing it at the happier news than ever. Working the day before Friday’s last exam was really burdensome, so I was truly relieved. But after the manager left, I heard a grumbling voice from behind.
“Thursday is busy though.”
It was Jinho hyung, frowning hard.
“I’m sorry.”
Hyung didn’t particularly hate me. He still greeted me well and often spoke to me first, but only on Saturdays did he sulk a bit.
“No, it’s not something to apologize for… Well… exams are important too…”
When I apologized with a serious face, as expected, hyung awkwardly turned away. A female staff member watching that patted my back, saying I was having a hard time.
“Even if he’s in a bad mood, you understand. He’s been here the longest, but suddenly you came in and got the owner’s table, so his pride is hurt in its own way, that’s why he’s like that.”
“No. I’m not in a bad mood.”
“Then that’s good. Jinho knows you didn’t decide it either, so he can’t hate you, but he can’t like you either, so he’s going back and forth. After a little while it’ll get better. He’s a simple guy, so be a bit more friendly with him.”
“Okay.”
I answered like that, but aside from my already tired physical condition, a different kind of fatigue accumulated. But on this particularly busy day, time passed frantically, and closing time approached without time to feel exhausted.
“Sungha.”
“Yes.”
“Today’s. Good work.”
“Thank you.”
When I finished everything and arrived home, I could barely move a finger. As soon as I entered, I lay sprawled on the empty living room carpet floor.
You endured well, Kwon Sungha.
Bills that I’d forgotten to put in my wallet rustled in my pocket.
$160. It was the most tips I’d received in a single day so far. Yet somehow I wasn’t happy. Right now, I needed sweet rest more than money.
Ah. Come to think of it, it’s not the most. The day Kang Sehyun came was the most.
As I was thinking that, my phone, thrown on the floor, rang.
Buzz—.
Who would contact me late at night when I have no one to contact. I slowly picked up my phone.
Kang Sehyun: [Come tomorrow]
Suddenly telling me to come. Where.
As soon as I barely sent a reply, a message arrived again in 10 seconds.
Kang Sehyun: [Study room]
My head hurt like it would split, but in the midst of all this, I laughed.
