chapter 3
wow. Whoops.
Lee Ji-ah nervously bit her nails and looked at her phone. After breaking up with Kim Hyun-woo, she did not leave even a single step in front of Café Bastard.
I couldn’t possibly leave.
The lightness I felt the night before. I couldn’t forget the thoughts that didn’t come to mind. If you didn’t know, it would have passed without you knowing, but one experience changed everything.
Just like a person who had been disabled all his life gained limbs.
Like a blind man who opened his eyes for a moment.
The instant ‘normal’ came to Lee Ji-ah as an incomparable drug.
Lee Ji-ah thought carefully. What was special about the moment when the ups and downs of emotions were turned off? There was only one thing.
Cafe Bastard.
I don’t know what it is, but something special about this cafe calmed my mind and body. From dawn until morning, Lee Ji-ah squatted by the door and waited for the store to open.
“Let’s start a boring business today too~”
Man’s hum. It was getting close to the cafe. Lee Ji-ah’s head flashed up. The man who was opening the store was startled when he found Lee Ji-ah.
“Hey! All, what are you!?”
“Are you the boss?”
Lee Ji-ah asked abruptly. The man nodded his head. He was wary of Lee Ji-ah and answered.
“Yes. I am the owner of the cafe.”
“No, please open the door.”
“Yes? Customer, we still have 30 minutes left… … .”
“Hurry up!”
“Ugh!”
The boss opened the door without realizing it to Lee Ji-ah’s intimidation. Lee Ji-ah roughly pushed the boss and entered. She wandered through the cafe, nervously chewing her nails.
The condition did not improve at all. Lee Ji-ah ordered from the president.
“cappuccino. The size is grand. Cake for dessert. I’ll eat in the store and I don’t need a discount.”
The boss, who was feverish at Lee Ji-ah’s rudeness, shouted.
“Hey show! No matter how reckless you are, you have the right to treat me like this… … .”
The end of the boss’s words faded little by little. Through the sunglasses, Lee Ji-ah’s gaze became ferocious. The momentum of an S-class hunter. I couldn’t see Lee Ji-ah’s eyes in the eyes of the boss, but I could read the atmosphere enough.
gulp.
The boss swallowed. The neck pole moved greatly.
“… … Maybe there is. Please wait a little. I’ll pick it up right away. Hehehe.”
Coffee and dessert came out quickly. Lee Ji-ah drank coffee. My hands trembled. The president looked at Lee Ji-ah with a nervous feeling.
‘Why are you dropping your hands like that? Are you a drug addict? It doesn’t look like a normal person doing what he’s doing.’
Lee Ji-ah, who was drinking coffee, suddenly burst into tears. The boss was bewildered. It was a bountiful harvest after asking and getting angry and crying.
“no… … . this is not… … . What’s different?”
*
After the conversation with the trainer, I rolled around at home for a while and fell asleep without realizing it. He looked very tired. I woke up and looked at my phone and saw dozens of text messages.
[Changsik hyung: Hey, a strange customer came to the store.]
[Changsik hyung: Can you go to work today?]
[Changsik hyung: yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay
[Changsik hyung: Hyunwoo, please listen to me just once]
[Changsik hyung: I’ll take the shift off again.]
[Changsik hyung: Do you just want to hyung? I’ll make you Hyunwoo hyung, help me just once. please.]
“what?”
I guess there is some truth. I ignored it and threw my smartphone on the bed, but I got a text message. This time, it was Park Ji-young, not the president.
[Jiyoung: Oppa, where are you now?]
[Jiyoung: I have a strange customer and I haven’t left the store for 8 hours.]
[Jiyoung: Can’t you go to work today??]
[Jiyoung: Later, I will shift instead.]
[Jiyoung: Please!]
[Jiyoung: Oppa Waㅃ Oppa Oppa Oppa Wapa]
[Jiyoung: Please help me!!!]
Today’s true guest seems to be in trouble. But I wasn’t in the mood to work today either.
[Me: Not today. Two people solve it. The truth is, are you going to call me every time you come?]
As soon as I sent the text, I got a call from the boss. I turned off my cell phone.
*
-The phone you are calling now is turned off, so it is… … .
The boss clicked his tongue.
“I think he turned off his phone?”
“Yes?”
Park Ji-young leaned her forehead and sat down. The last hope is gone.
close. Whoops.
A creepy sound from a corner of the cafe. The president and Park Ji-young poked their heads out of the counter seats. Their eyes turned to the woman. It was Lee Ji-ah. she muttered a little.
“what is the problem? Wasn’t the location important? So is it time?”
Feeling the gaze, Lee Ji-ah’s head turned quickly. The president and Park Ji-young screamed and hid under the counter seats.
“Sir, boss. Aren’t you supposed to call the police?”
“Hey, don’t talk. It will end with a simple warning, but what if I hold a grudge against the store?”
A news article flashed through Park Ji-young’s mind.
[There has been an incident where an unidentified woman with a vengeance towards an unfriendly cafe employee swings a knife and one employee is killed.]
Park Ji-young shook her head vigorously. It seemed like an extreme imagination, but considering the atmosphere it exudes, it seemed that he could do more than that.
“Well, then I can’t report it.”
“I think it would have been better if Hyeonu had only come here.”
exactly.
Park Ji-young also had a vague belief that if Kim Hyun-woo had been there, even that strange woman would calm down easily.
As soon as Kim Hyun-woo stepped forward, all the facts turned into a gentle sheep. It was magical.
“Then what can we do without Hyeonu oppa?”
“We are of no use. Go and get your coffee, Jiyoung-ah.”
“Yes?”
The boss pointed to Lee Ji-ah with his finger. Lee Ji-ah was coming to the counter seat. When Park Ji-young looked to the side, the president had already run away.
“Oh, please… .”
Park Ji-young responded with an awkward smile.
“Wow, what can I help you with?”
*
When I opened my eyes, I felt something refreshing. The sun shining through the curtains was warm and the chirping of the sparrows outside the window was pleasant.
the feeling came I was convinced of what this feeling was through the past 26 years of my life.
It was late.
I got up quickly and looked at the clock. 9:15 a.m. at least it was too late Damn, why didn’t the alarm go off?
That’s right, I turned off my phone.
“Woah ah ah ah ah!!”
After getting ready to go out quickly, I took a taxi. I turned on the cell phone.
woo woo. woo woo. woo woo.
Vibration rang violently. It was the boss’s phone call. got a call right away
“Brother, I’m sorry. Yesterday I fell asleep with my phone off and woke up late. I’m taking a taxi right now, so I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
He quickly explained the current situation. Turning off your cell phone and being late. I had nothing to say.
I thought that no matter how good-natured the boss might be, he would say something out loud, but I got an unexpected answer.
– No, it’s Hyeonu… … . I wish I was alive… … . Yeah, it’ll come in 20 minutes, right? … ?
“Yes? yes.”
It was a depressing voice. How come a yangban whose bright personality is one of his strengths is so lacking in steam?
-Brother, please come quickly… … .
Park Ji-young’s voice was heard slightly. It was also a hoarse voice.
“What’s going on?”
– It’s complicated to explain, so I’ll tell you when you come.
“Yes, I will be there soon.”
The taxi arrived earlier than expected because the rush hour had already passed. You can see the cafe from afar. ran fast
“Hyunwoo! Hey man!”
“brother!”
The president and Park Ji-young warmly welcomed them by waving their hands in front of the store door. I’m late, but why do you like me so much?
“what? Why are you so scared? Is there something going on?”
Park Ji-young’s shoulders trembled. The boss scratched his wavy beard.
“Yesterday, a strange guest came.”
“Is it true?”
“No, it’s not true… … . Anyway, it’s kind of weird.”
“Why that guest?”
The boss tapped his watch with his index finger.
“You came at the opening time yesterday and you haven’t been out until today.”
“yes?”
exclaimed in surprise. You were in a cafe for 24 hours? Come to think of it, both of them had dark circles down to their chin. I couldn’t even go to work and I was with you.
“Isn’t it again? Why didn’t you report it to the police?”
“Hey, you look a little weird… … .”
The boss said cautiously. Park Ji-young, who had been looking at her from the side as if frustrated, intervened.
“You will know when you see my brother. Acting like a crazy bitch. The boss told us not to report it because we were afraid of what to do if we stabbed to death.”
“hey!”
The red-faced boss shouted loudly.
“I didn’t say that, I!!”
“You did!”
I couldn’t sleep and my nerves were sharp. The growling pushed the two away and grabbed the doorknob.
“So, are you still in the strange guest you mentioned?”
The boss nodded. That’s why you greeted me so fiercely. I’m a little sorry that I turned off the phone yesterday.
To be honest, I never imagined it would be like this. There is some degree of truth.
The boss seems to have mistakenly named Café Bastard because he was confused with Baghdad, and I think he saw it as Bingdari Hot Pants.
“Come, both of you.”
I opened the door and confidently entered the cafe. I looked inside the cafe. There was only one guest.
close. hard.
I saw a customer biting their nails. As I walked proudly, my footsteps stopped in front of the table.
“Sir, please talk to me for a moment.”
Some said with high pressure. The customer’s head twitched. I was speechless as I was about to say a word. Because the customer’s face is familiar. It was Lee Ji-ah.
“Huh? Mr. Jia? Why are you here?”
Didn’t you say you’re going to clean it all up? Why are you in the cafe again?
Lee Ji-ah looked at me blankly. Tears flowed down my cheeks and down my chin. The sound of the president and Park Ji-young gasping for breath and inhaling was heard from behind.
The boss whispered on my back.
“Hyunwoo, do you know someone?”
It was awkward to say. As she was contemplating what to answer, Lee Ji-ah’s mouth, which had been fluttering several times, opened.
“It was all you… … .”
“Yes?”
Lee Ji-ah took off her sunglasses and put it back on. Park Ji-young, startled, screamed.
“Hey, Lee Ji-ah!!”
Lee Ji-ah came closer to me. His cloudy eyes gleamed blue. The longing for life spread like a wave in her eyes.
Like a lost traveler who found an oasis in the desert. Like the joy felt when a person who has been longing for something endlessly achieves his or her purpose.
she said with a bright smile.
“It was you, not the cafe.”
* * *
I sat down at the table with Lee Ji-ah and talked. It was because the condition of Lee Ji-ah, which I had heard from the president, was serious.
Suk Duk Suk Duk.
The boss and Park Ji-young, who looked at us from afar and whispered, glimmered in one side of their field of vision, but ignored them.
“So, did Jia originally intend to commit suicide?”
Lee Ji-ah nodded her head. I heard from her that she wanted to drink coffee at the cafe for the last time.
Good luck or bad luck.
Thanks to him, he met me and gave up the thought of suicide, but after breaking up he said he couldn’t contain his urge any more than before.
“At first, I thought it was because of the relaxed atmosphere of the cafe. But it was still there.”
So I waited until the cafe door opened.
“Then I waited until dawn because I wondered if the time zone was an issue.”
Lee Ji-ah looked at the president and Park Ji-young with an apologetic look. Thanks to that, the two of them haven’t been able to go to work until now.
Park Ji-young, who made eye contact, trembled. Lee Ji-ah smiled softly and waved her hand.
“… … It’s an excuse, but I wasn’t in a situation where I was going to go back and forth.”
When I saw Lee Ji-ah, who was shy, I was confused as to whether what she looked like a while ago was real. It was the appearance of an intelligent person who was no different from an ordinary person.
“And it was very difficult knowing that it was neither the time nor the place. Hyeonu came when I was about to give up.”
And Lee Ji-ah noticed it too. What is the cause of suppressing suicidal thoughts? It was me.
Lee Ji-ah leaned her upper body toward me. She covered her mouth with her hand as if telling a secret story.
“Hyun-woo, are you awake?”
I replied sullenly.
“Yeah, what… … .”
It’s not a story to hide now. It was the only answer that could explain this phenomenon.
“Also!”
Lee Ji-ah clapped her hands and rejoiced like a child. she asked
“May I know what kind of ability it is?”
Lee Ji-ah’s eyes twinkled with anticipation. I’m embarrassed to say this. Lee Ji-ah was an S-class hunter. Since it’s an insignificant ability, it felt like wrinkling in front of a pupa.
“That’s the ability to have peace of mind, and it calms the minds and bodies of those around you.”
“Is it conditional? If it’s active, what’s the cooldown or duration?”
“No, there will be no cooldown or duration. The condition just needs to be around me.”
“… … !”
Something passed through Lee Ji-ah’s eyes.
It was like the eyes of a cafe owner looking at regular customers who spend 50,000 won each time they come. Lee Ji-ah pondered for a long time. She licked her lips and barely spoke.
“It’s me, Hyunwoo.”
“yes?”
“Would you like to work with me?”
Lee Ji-ah, who spoke out, was looking at me nervously. It looked like he was terrified of being rejected.
But what do you mean by work?
Curious, Donghae asked.
“What’s going on?”
At the same time, the Hunter was also nailed as impossible, so he was thinking about the future. As I paid attention, Lee Ji-ah’s complexion brightened.
“You just need to stay with me!”
Excited Lee Ji-ah exclaimed.
“Ugh!”
“Oh!”
exclamation from afar. When I glanced back, I saw Park Ji-young clapping the boss’s forearm. It must have been a strange misunderstanding.
“I have no idea what’s going on.”
“Literally. You said that Hyeonu’s ability can be activated just by being nearby, right?”
“yes.”
“You can think of it as a mental care coach hired by a sports club.”
Now I know what you’re talking about.
In other words, Lee Ji-ah wanted to stay next to her because her emotional ups and downs became so severe that her daily life would be impossible without me.
I was in trouble.
What is your career vision? If Lee Ji-ah’s depression is cured, I will be useless. What is left of me other than that I went and worked with Lee Ji-ah?
Momentary silence. Lee Ji-ah must have been uneasy about the silence. she added hastily.
“Car, tea, by the way, the monthly salary is about this!”
Lee Ji-ah entered the number on her cell phone calculator and showed it to her.
“… !”
I was speechless. what number is that salary right? Isn’t that your salary? would it be your salary? Is your salary too high? But you just said salary.
Lee Ji-ah, who looked at me, said cautiously.
“I, little… ?”
Did I just ask if that was a little bit?
what kind of bullshit
“Then this is… … .”
Lee Ji-ah corrected the number. increased more
“… … !!!”
“The salary is about this level, and we provide lodging and car support. It’s probably impossible to take a leave of absence, but the job will be comfortable–“
Is it important to not have an annual leave now?
vision? It had been flying in my mind for a long time. Whatever job you do for the rest of your life, you will earn less than this.
I grabbed Lee Ji-ah’s hand and grabbed it.
“do!”
“Yes, four?”
“I’m squeamish! When do you go to work? Thank you, boss!”