LM 13

The rain had completely stopped while they were talking. Siyul stood up abruptly. Bowing his head slightly to bid farewell, he was interrupted by Woo Hyunse in the middle.

“I’ll give you a ride.”

“I’ll just walk.”

“The streets are dangerous at night.”

If anything was dangerous, wasn’t the man before him the most dangerous of all? Even if things had become more comfortable, their intense first encounter wasn’t easily forgotten. Despite this, Woo Hyunse wore a gentle smile and kindly offered.

“But you’ve been drinking, Director. Drunk driving is not okay. What if there’s an accident?”

Siyul firmly declined. Woo Hyunse lowered his head and scratched his nose bridge. He hadn’t thought of that. He wasn’t drunk to begin with, but getting caught would be troublesome.

“Then we’ll call a designated driver.”

Siyul clamped his mouth shut at the irrefutable reply. He wanted to go home quietly alone, but couldn’t think of any other excuse. Reluctantly, he drooped his shoulders and accepted with a deflated “Yes…”

“I parked the car over there. It’s still raining, so come closer.”

Woo Hyunse opened his umbrella and gestured. Siyul walked over slowly. Despite being twice the size of a normal umbrella, it was still cramped for two men. Woo Hyunse stretched out his arm and firmly gripped Siyul’s shoulder. He tilted the umbrella more towards Siyul.

This much rain wouldn’t hurt to walk in. It was a bit stifling, but Siyul didn’t want to push Woo Hyunse away. The chill in the air was warded off by the man beside him.

Siyul sniffled and snuggled a bit closer to Woo Hyunse’s side. A faint scent brushed past the tip of his nose. Even the fragrance seemed characteristic of Woo Hyunse—a cold, biting aroma reminiscent of a winter sea.

* * *

Kwon Yuwon had finally come out of  his cave.

That alone was cause for celebration, but now he was diligently looking for work without fixating on delivery jobs. Recently he called Siyul excitedly, saying he had found a part-time job. It was at some restaurant, he’d said.

Similar to where Siyul worked, it had a bar, but the hourly wage was higher than other places. Though the income would be much less than when doing deliveries, it was reassuring that there was no risk of getting involved in dangerous situations.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, Siyul had been working at the bar for a month. In other words, it was payday. Even looking at the amount deposited in his account, Siyul couldn’t fully rejoice.

What good was receiving it when a creditor was waiting with jaws open?

Though it was right to repay what he owed, human nature being what it is, there was great reluctance to hand over the paycheck that had just entered his possession. Still, there was no better option. Even if he couldn’t do a 24-month installment plan, he had to be grateful they allowed a 12-month one.

[24 months seems like a thief’s mentality]

[Isn’t that taking too much advantage?]

Remembering those texts, Siyul bowed his head and held back a laugh. Woo Hyunse consistently honored Siyul’s preference for texting over calls. They met in person occasionally too. Saying he was afraid Manager Kang would drain him dry if he went to the bar, they met at a nearby convenience store.

It wasn’t too frequent. Once a week, sometimes twice as if by chance, or thrice when he said he had business nearby.

‘You come here often.’

‘Do I?’

‘Yes. You came the day before yesterday, and today too.’

‘Really? I have work in the area.’

‘You’re not coming to see me?’

Siyul asked jokingly with a playful smile. Woo Hyunse laughed casually and responded:

‘Maybe I am.’

They didn’t discuss anything special. Sipping drinks and chatting about various things like friends, an hour or two would fly by. Though the intimidating impression hadn’t completely disappeared, the distance between them had lessened considerably from before. Occasionally, Siyul would smile brightly, just as he did in front of Kwon Yuwon.

“What’s so funny?”

“Pardon?”

“You’ve been smiling constantly.”

The bartender looked at Siyul while hanging a clean glass on the wine glass rack. Siyul quickly wiped his lips with the back of his hand. He must have been grinning without realizing it. It’s funny, considering he won’t have a penny left after sending money to Woo Hyunse. He cleared his throat unnecessarily.

“You’re leaving early today?”

“Yes. I have an appointment.”

Whether Manager Kang mentioned it or he found out another way, Woo Hyunse contacted Siyul the night before payday. His message wasn’t a question but a statement: Tomorrow’s payday.

[Please give me your account number]

[It’s your first paycheck—you should treat me]

For someone who didn’t lack money, he seemed intent on squeezing every drop out of him. Siyul pouted as Woo Hyunse said something completely unexpected when he asked for his account number. As if Woo Hyunse had been watching him, the phone rang. Though Kwon Yuwon had gone to work and no one was around, Siyul looked around furtively before answering.

―Why aren’t you replying?

“I was about to send it… But Director, you’re so rich, why are you trying to fleece a poor person like me?”

―Fleece? That’s harsh. Didn’t I introduce you to the job?

“That’s true, but…”

―Even swallows repay kindness, Kwon Siyul-ssi should repay too.  That’s the wisdom of life.

“If I pay you back, I won’t have a single penny left.”

A soft laugh came through the receiver. Siyul lowered his head and absentmindedly picking at the faded flooring with his fingertip.

―Then how about this? Consider the meal cost as interest, and start the installments from next month.

Siyul had been feeling down, thinking he couldn’t buy anything for Kwon Yuwon with his first paycheck. Hearing the proposal, Siyul’s face lit up.

“Really? You can’t take that back.”

―In exchange, see me tomorrow evening.

“But I have to work…”

―I’ll talk to Manager Kang.

“No! I’ll tell her myself.”

Fearing further prying questions about their relationship, Siyul quickly stopped Woo Hyunse. He agreed and ended the call abruptly.

Siyul had been gripping the phone so tightly that his ear was numb. Still feeling the residual warmth, he rubbed his earlobe, which had grown red and warm.

“It’s almost time. I’ll finish up here, so Siyul-ssi should get ready to go.”

“Yes!”

Siyul energetically replied, taking off his black apron. He changed from his white shirt to a lavender hoodie and was about to leave the changing room when he paused to look in the mirror. His hair was a mess from static electricity, sticking up like a magpie’s nest. He roughly combed it with his hands and checked his appearance from different angles.

This looks okay. He stretched both corners of his mouth with his index fingers to loosen his facial muscles, then left the store with a light step, maintaining that expression.

He had worried Woo Hyunse might choose an expensive restaurant, but the actual meeting place was quite unexpected. Siyul looked back and forth between the shabby food stall and Woo Hyunse. He pointed at it, mouthing, 

“Is it really there?”

“What? Don’t you like food stalls?”

While he was used to them, Woo Hyunse didn’t seem to fit with a food stall. Woo Hyunse looked like someone who wouldn’t sit on anything but the finest leather sofa. Contrary to Siyul’s imagination, Woo Hyunse unhesitatingly pushed aside the fluttering plastic curtain and entered. Siyul stood dazed for a moment before shaking his head to clear it and scurrying in after him.

“Are you really okay with this place?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Still…”

“If you’re that concerned, order a bottle of soju too.”

He had planned to at least buy meat, even if an expensive place was out of the question. Siyul clenched and unclenched his fist as he sat across from Woo Hyunse. As Woo Hyunse turned his head to look at the menu, his already defined jawline seemed particularly striking today. For some reason, he looked even more handsome than before, causing Siyul to tilt his head in confusion and rub his eyes with both hands.

Being Friday evening, the food stall was filled with office workers in suits. In the increasingly chilly night air, the steam from hot soup dishes curled up from nearly every table, tempting Siyul’s appetite. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and ordered udon, a scallion pancake, dried snacks, and drinks.

True to the speed of street food stalls, the dishes arrived quickly. Siyul’s mouth watered at the sight of the udon filled with fish cakes and crown daisies, and the perfectly golden pajeon. Still, shouldn’t the older person eat first? He didn’t want Woo Hyunse to think he lacked manners for growing up without parents. Siyul swallowed hard and stared at his companion.

“What are you doing? Eat.”

“The elder should eat first.”

“Elder,” Woo Hyunse repeated. He also let out a laugh like a forced cough, though it wasn’t clear what he found amusing.

After Woo Hyunse took a spoonful, Siyul eagerly picked up his spoon. The warm broth melted his cold insides.

“I ate here before and it was pretty good. How is it?”

“It’s delicious.”

Siyul gave a thumbs up. But it was quite modest for a treat. Who would have thought he’d come to a place like this with Woo Hyunse, rather than Kwon Yuwon? A broad smile spread across his face.