The two of us stood in a narrow alley wedged between buildings and lit our cigarettes. There was no conversation, but it wasn’t awkward. With Yohan, I could stick together all day without saying a word and still feel comfortable.
“......Sorry.”
After a long stretch of silence, Yohan’s quiet apology drifted out with the smoke. I just kept the cigarette in my mouth and flicked off the ash. My chest felt unsettled.
“What are you sorry for. You were trying to help.”
“No. I said some fucked-up shit. Forget you heard it.”
“Ah, come on. It’s fine. Stop apologizing. It’s not like that’s something we can’t say to each other.”
“.......”
“Man, wouldn’t it be nice if money just fell from the sky? Or if not, maybe I could snag some blind sponsor or something. My dick works fine now!”
I laughed it off, grinning like a morning glory to lighten the mood. Right then, the phone I’d stuffed into my pocket vibrated.
I figured it was just another collection text or loan ad, but on the off chance, I pulled it out anyway. Taking a deep drag, I checked the sender—and promptly went phut- and started coughing hard. The harsh smoke stabbed my throat, and it was like I’d just gone through chemical warfare training, tears and snot pouring out.
Was this the blind sponsor? Speak of the tiger and he shows up—there was a text from Lee Kangjoo.
“What’s wrong?”
Yohan thumped my back hard. I twisted away, waving him off.
“No. Nothing.”
“What the fuck. More collection shit? Seriously, all those bastards need to be thrown behind bars.”
Grumbling, Yohan flicked his butt into an empty can serving as an ashtray. I stared silently at my phone screen. Some hotel, some room number. Be there by a certain time. It was that same hotel—the one where we’d spent the night together.
“I’m gonna swing by the bar.”
“Now? Why? Didn’t you say today was your day off?”
“They said it’s busy and told me to come in.”
“Good. Go make a lot of money.”
Yohan patted my ass in encouragement. Lying to my friend didn’t sit right with me. I promised myself I’d tell him the truth soon, and hurried off. My steps felt strangely buoyant.
* * *
Not wanting to keep Lee Kangjoo waiting, I headed straight for the hotel. Since I’d been there before, the exterior and the counter looked familiar. I took the elevator up and stopped in front of the room where we’d spent that night—one I wanted to erase from memory but couldn’t.
I rang the bell, and the door opened immediately. Like déjà vu, Lee Kangjoo stood there. Unlike that day when he’d worn only a robe, his upper body was bare now, with comfortable pants on below. Trying to ease the tension stiffening the back of my neck, I put on the smile I always showed customers.
“You got here fast.”
“I ran my ass off. I wanted to see you, sir.”
My tongue ran wild. The patter I used on customers slipped out by habit right in front of Lee Kangjoo.
Huh— I clamped a hand over my mouth and glanced up to gauge his reaction. The corner of Lee Kangjoo’s lips twitched.
It was too faint to call a smile. Even so, to my eyes it looked like a rainbow exploding behind him in a riot of color. When I rubbed my eyes and looked again, it was gone.
Is my body broken or something. I’m seeing some weird-ass hallucinations.
Since he didn’t seem displeased, I relaxed and went into the room. A laptop sat on the sofa, bourbon whiskey on the side table.
“You’re not having any snacks? Drinking on an empty stomach can mess you up.”
“Did you eat dinner?”
“Yes, I ate before I came.”
“If you want anything else, order it.”
I shook my head. I’d already polished off a bowl of gukbap with Yohan before coming. You had to fill your stomach before work. I’d seen too many people ruin their guts and puke blood from pouring alcohol into an empty stomach.
When I stood there blankly, Lee Kangjoo gestured to the sofa. I sat down right away. The golden liquor was placed in front of me.
I was sick of alcohol from dealing with it constantly at work—normally, just seeing the color made my stomach churn—but for some reason, this looked sweet. Straight, no ice. The instant it touched my tongue, it would burn going down. Even so, my eyes kept drifting back to it.
I could practically taste the mellow oak aroma and gentle sweetness spreading through my mouth. Knowing the taste made it even harder to resist. My mouth watered on its own.
The gulp was loud. I looked away from the drink like nothing happened, but the tips of my ears turned red.
“Just drink it.”
“Ah, sir, how could I without your permission.”
Lee Kangjoo came back with an empty glass. Not only that—he set it in front of me and even filled it with ice, all polite-like. He reached for the bottle, and I hurriedly grabbed the glass with both hands.
I took a sip of the lightly chilled liquor. I wasn’t a heavy drinker, but given the job, I’d tried all kinds and knew my preferences well. The sharp alcohol stinging my palate and nose, the deep aroma—it drew an involuntary sigh of admiration. It was damn good liquor.
“Thank you.”
“The reason I called you.”
Before the taste even faded, Lee Kangjoo got straight to the point. I quickly brought my knees together, straightened my back, and sat properly.
“I was thinking of continuing to see Cha Haejun on a regular basis.”
“.......”
“I’ve already paid the advance, so your opinion isn’t exactly important—but I figured I should at least tell you.”
The bar’s Mic King wasn’t truly resolved. The creditor had just changed from the boss to Lee Kangjoo. The reality hit me, and a bitter smile surfaced.
“My life’s pretty damn boring.”
The sudden comment made me stare at him. It was hard to believe a man who looked like he held the whole world in his hands could feel ennui. If I had that kind of money, every second would be bliss.
“What I want from Cha Haejun isn’t anything grand. Just give me a tiny bit of fun in my fucking boring life.”
That was easier than breathing. Comforting people worn down by daily life and serving as their amusement was my specialty. I answered briskly, “Yes,” beaming with a full smile. Watching me for a moment, Lee Kangjoo continued.
“Quit working at the bar.”
“......Pardon?”
That one I hadn’t expected. I wasn’t tied down anymore, but all I knew how to do was butter up customers and fuck. I’d survived on tips and TC—telling me to give that up?
Sure, Lee Kangjoo was a whale among big fish. Still, I needed steady income.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but I have debts besides the bar’s. If I quit right away, I won’t be able to handle the interest.”
“That’s your problem.”
“If you could reconsider—”
Lee Kangjoo reached out and grabbed my jaw. His hand was huge. With grip strong enough to crush my cheekbone in one go, my mouth jutted out stupidly.
“I don’t like other men or women touching what I’m eating.”
“I—I won’t do second rounds, and— ...ugh.”
His grip tightened. It clearly meant shut up if you’re going to spout useless bullshit.
“I know Cha Haejun is worn through and through. I know you’re a rag.”
“.......”
“Is it really that hard to understand me telling you to behave until I get tired of you?”
My pressed cheek hurt, tears pricking at my eyes. Clicking his tongue, Lee Kangjoo let go. A red handprint bloomed on my cheek.
“It’s simple. Just give it to me whenever I want. I’ll get you a place. Stay there and wait obediently. ......Your answer?”
I’d come this far intending to follow his will. He wasn’t some dying old man, and he’d paid a hefty advance without hesitation. He was even offering my fee and a place to live. The answer was obvious.
“Yes. I understand.”
I bowed deeply and answered sincerely. Quitting the bar stung, but I couldn’t refuse Lee Kangjoo.
When I straightened up, a bright, summer-flower smile rested on my face. Compared to the humiliation I’d suffered at the hands of gangsters, having my cheek squeezed was nothing.
“I’ll do exactly as you wish.”
Only then did the unpleasant look fade from Lee Kangjoo’s eyes. He lifted his own glass without ice, tapped it lightly against mine, and drained it. I turned my head and drank too, wetting my lips /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ like a bride sharing a ceremonial cup.
“Take your clothes off.”
Lee Kangjoo ordered. This time, I calmly hooked my fingers under the hem of my shirt and slowly lifted it.
* * *
I thought I’d be crashing at Yohan’s for a few days, but less than a week after moving in, I was already moving out again.
It was hard to bring it up with Yohan, but the more you hide, the more lies pile up. I screwed my eyes shut and spilled everything. I skipped some parts here and there—like trying to jump off a bridge, or witnessing Lee Kangjoo beating someone.
After hearing it all, Yohan’s mouth fell open. Frozen stiff, spoon in hand, he stared at me. For a guy who rarely reacted to anything, he must’ve been seriously shocked. Feeling awkward, I turned my head aside.
“......So that’s how it turned out.”
“......How the hell is that ‘how it turned out’?”
