LM 97

It was an exceptionally cold day with heavy snowfall, as if late winter was jealous of the approaching spring. The roads had been packed with cars until late at night, but by the time the bar started closing the shutters, it had become much quieter. Occasionally, cars that couldn’t handle the conditions were pitifully huddled along the sidewalks.

Would taxis still be running? If not, they might have to spend the night at the bar. Such incidents happened often enough that they had set up a small bedroom behind the changing room. That had been Woo Hyunse’s idea too. He said the employees shouldn’t struggle to go home in bad weather and should rest comfortably at the establishment instead. It was hard to tell if this was the act of a wicked employer or kind consideration on his part.

The other staff members had been hurriedly sent home before the snow piled up to knee height. In case any customers might arrive, Kang Jiwon was alone keeping watch over the bar.

As she was stretching and getting up with a groan, she heard the tinkling of the bell. They hadn’t flipped the ‘Closed’ sign yet. Whoever was braving this heavy snow to come here must be quite the drinker. Hoping to sell even one more drink, Kang Jiwon put on her business smile.

“Welcome…Oh my.”

She couldn’t quite finish her greeting and covered her mouth with her hand. A man with a build similar to a door in both size and height entered, looking around the empty bar. Kang Jiwon could tell who it was just from the shadow. Such a physique wasn’t common. Even among the people Kang Jiwon knew, those with that height and build could be counted on one hand.

But his appearance was unlike Woo Hyunse’s usual self. The man who always maintained a perfect outfit with a suit jacket and vest was now looking disheveled.

He wore just a shirt without a tie, and the cuff buttons connecting the sleeves were nowhere to be seen, as if they had been sold off somewhere. His collar was wide open, almost revealing his collarbone, and his hair looked completely unkempt, falling messily over his forehead.

Nevertheless, Woo Hyunse was still Woo Hyunse. Surprised by this unexpected appearance, Kang Jiwon’s voice rose at the end.

“Mr. CEO?”

“Is business over?”

“Well…I was about to close. Would you like a drink?”

He just nodded his head without saying a word. Kang Jiwon offered a seat to Woo Hyunse, who was standing like a rock, and went behind the bar. Although not a bartender, she could make most cocktails. Besides, Woo Hyunse preferred straight drinks over elaborate ones, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

“We only have basic snacks. The kitchen’s closed.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“The usual?”

“Yes.”

His voice sounded languid. Was he experiencing a rut? Glancing at his complexion, there was no noticeable heat. Kang Jiwon pretended not to notice and took out a bottle of liquor while eyeing Woo Hyunse the whole time.

After sending Kwon Siyul away, Woo Hyunse had been lurking around every other day like he had left something behind, but at some point, his visits had become less and less frequent. Kang Jiwon had thought they were meeting elsewhere, but this sudden appearance was unexpected. 

Something significant must have happened.

“By the way, what brings you here? Did you really just come here for a drink?”

She asked slyly. Woo Hyunse moistened his lips with his drink and set it down. Under the light, it was clear his face had deteriorated significantly compared to before. He looked like he hadn’t slept for days. His once smooth skin was rough, and fatigue was deeply etched under his eyes.

His eyes, filled with worry, looked pitiful. If Woo Hyunse were to approach anyone seeking comfort, even if they had urgent matters, they would postpone their work, sit beside him, and offer a clumsy word of consolation to help him feel better

“What other reason is there to come to a bar?”

She, too, had been a victim fooled by that glossy exterior. To say ‘victim’ might be a bit off since she didn’t lose anything. Excellent manners, a kind attitude—Woo Hyunse was a textbook perfect boyfriend. She never wanted for anything materially.

Materially.

“I asked because it didn’t seem like you just dropped by. It’s been hard to see you lately. You used to come more often.”

He was even brazen enough to contact her after they broke up, suggesting she run the bar. At the time, that had angered Kang Jiwon. If Woo Hyunse had even a speck of feeling left for her, he wouldn’t have contacted her so casually like an old classmate.

But Kang Jiwon was someone who valued reality and reason over emotions. The anger passed quickly, and since she was already looking into starting her own business after leaving the company, she readily accepted his offer.

“Me?”

“When Siyul was here.”

Slowly swirling the glass in his hand, Woo Hyunse looked up. A light returned to his previously dull eyes.

“Was that so?”

“I thought our bar’s threshold would wear out back then. You kept crossing it so much. Were you trying to get us to remodel?”

Woo Hyunse’s lips curved into a faint smile at Kang Jiwon’s joke. But it quickly faded. Woo Hyunse was someone who always went around with a smiling on his face. For a person whose smile was his neutral expression, today he didn’t even lift the corners of his mouth.

“I don’t think I ever really came inside the bar though.”

“But you guys met nearby, didn’t you? At that convenience store over there. The two of you were so close, chatting away about something so interesting.”

That convenience store, quite far from here, was the meeting place for Woo Hyunse and Kwon Siyul. Since it was in the opposite direction of her way home, others might not have known, but she often walked there to buy cigarettes as a way to get her daily exercise out of the way. 

Kang Jiwon had seen them there. It wasn’t strange for acquaintances to meet and chat after work. Besides, wasn’t Kwon Siyul someone Woo Hyunse had brought in?

It could have been that, but the density of the air between them was subtly different. Woo Hyunse’s upper body was consistently tilted toward Kwon Siyul. Even his toes. His gaze on Kwon Siyul was relaxed and never left him. A person who wouldn’t touch anything others had put their mouths on would unhesitatingly drink from Kwon Siyul’s beverage.

She had never seen Woo Hyunse like that before. Even though they had dated once. Did she know he could look at someone with such eyes, that he was capable of resting his chin on his hand and focusing so intently on one person? Wasn’t he the type whose eyes remained dry, looking at people as if they were objects even when face to face?

It wasn’t a type of situation where Kang Jiwon could approach them, so she quietly turned back. She had witnessed it a few more times after that, so she had guessed what kind of relationship they had even before Kwon Siyul left the bar.

“You saw that?”

“How could I not?”

Woo Hyunse was kind but simultaneously indifferent. He would give everything else but kept his affection tightly bound, not even letting a crumb fall from his being. Any emotion beyond fondness was a non-existent word for Woo Hyunse. At first, she had thought it was just toward her, but after observing his passing relationships from the side, she realized it was just his nature. He was like freshly spun cotton candy on the outside, but utterly cold inside.

“Did you fight with Siyul?”

“…”

There was no answer. He just kept downing drinks. He wouldn’t be drinking this much just over a simple fight.

“Did you break up?”

As soon as Kang Jiwon hit the nail on the head, Woo Hyunse roughly put down his glass. The loud thud resonated through the empty store. The veins and tendons on the hand gripping the glass bulged as if it’s owner was enraged.

Despite the threatening attitude, Kang Jiwon scoffed with a “Ha.” Woo Hyunse’s state was amusing. Hadn’t he experienced countless breakups before, yet still slept soundly and carried on with his work just fine?

“Don’t tell me you were dumped?”

“Stop it.”

“You were dumped.”

Kang Jiwon smiled, creasing his eyes as if finding it delightful. In contrast, Woo Hyunse’s brows were deeply furrowed. Fearing he might break the glass from gripping it too hard, Kang Jiwon quickly snatched it away. She poured more alcohol into it and handed it back.

“Just what kind of huge mistake did you make?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Think carefully. Siyul is a good kid. He’s not the type to leave without reason.”

“…”

Even when reasoned with, he kept his mouth shut, exercising his right to remain silent. Then he tilted his head back and let out a long sigh. He rummaged through his clothes and took out a cigarette. Although smoking in the bar was prohibited, given that business hours were over and considering how troubled he must be, Kang Jiwon let the matter slide. The way he sucked in the smoke, hollowing his cheeks, looked anxious and restless rather than relaxed like before, tugged on her heartstrings.

“…Is marriage such a big problem?”

“Marriage? Are you getting married, sir?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re crazy.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them. Though she covered her lips saying it was a mistake, her thoughts hadn’t changed. Of course, Kwon Siyul had reason enough to leave.

“How many people would stay by the side of someone they like who’s getting married? Even if offered a fortune.”

“Why? She has a lover too, and she even bought that lover an officetel. He’s just going to live as a showpiece. Where are there people who marry for pure love these days?”

“You can’t think everyone’s like you, sir. And neither is Siyul.”

Woo Hyunse laughed dryly. There was conviction in his belief that it couldn’t be so.

“Manager Kang, you don’t know how much Siyul loves money. What Siyul used to do…”

Woo Hyunse took that moment to pause in his words and wet his lips with alcohol.