"Ahh, that was fun."
"Yeeeck…"
Are they insane?
Came back in the evening, but we went till dawn.
Nothing to do but wait, and now I'm drained…
"Wasn't it fun?"
Umm…
Was it?
Kinda fun, kinda not.
Was cool at first, but staying too long just made me tired…
*Sniff.* "Hah!"
Dawn air.
Running till dawn, the air outside feels crisp.
Everyone's inside—nobody out here.
"Let's hit a bar.
Gotta spend some winnings."
"Yes, hyung."
A real bar, not far from the hold'em pub.
Through the big windows, you can see the hotels and beach.
Finally, a proper bar.
"Let's just have one drink each. Won some, right?"
"Yes, hyung."
Pooling half of everyone's winnings got us over a million won.
They're pretty good.
Usually, you'd lose everything, but… maybe they let newbies win a bit?
"Here."
Hyungs pass around drinks.
Scotch Blue or something… not that shitty Walker or Daniel's taste, right?
*Sip sip…*
This is… okay.
Not all whiskey tastes like shit!
"Tastes good."
"Yeah… this is nice."
Everyone, looking worn out, stares outside.
Faces of souls burned out…
Not even an all-night PC bang leaves you like this.
We smile faintly, shutting our lips.
"Ugh, tired. Can I even drive?"
"Driving's okay, hyung?"
Sipping, I glance around the quiet bar.
Then back to the beach through the window.
Zoning out, a friend leans his head on my shoulder. Why, dude?
"Hah…"
Was tired, but drinking's waking me up.
Is this adult life?
Grown-up life…?
"This is the life…"
A friend mumbles, zoning out.
What life, you crazy fuck…
"Let's come back, guys."
Hyung grins, clinking glasses.
Come back? No way!
Sure, won some and actually cashed out, which was cool, but…
"Ahh, feels good."
Everyone slumps, leaning into their drinks.
Was a weird experience… worth trying once, I guess.
Feels like I've had every experience this year…
Wish I could just have good ones forever.
No bad stuff, just good…
Not sure if the hyungs brought us for our sake, but…
Today left good vibes, so it's fine.
---
Must've dreamed.
Incheon's aftereffects linger… two days later.
"Yaaawn."
It's the weekend.
Weekends during break feel different.
Quiet outside, calm air—already so peaceful…
*Whoosh whoosh.*
If only In-ha wasn't losing it…
What's she doing, making wind-cutting sounds?
"Fuck! This shit—"
What's up?
In-ha's glaring at nothing, swinging her fists.
Doing dumb shit again…
"This fucking mosquito, fuck!"
Use a tool, dumbass…
Wrestling a mosquito like it's WWE since morning. So much energy…
"What're you doing?"
"Fucking mosquito bit me all night, fuck!"
None in my room.
In-ha sucked them all! Heh.
"Uh…"
Where's the envelope I left on the table?
As I pat the table, In-ha glances over.
This chick?
"Give it back. Now."
"Eesh…"
Look at that sticky-fingered thief.
Cat burglar much?
In-ha shuffles to her room, returning with the envelope.
Money from Incheon, cashed out. A million won…
Felt weird keeping it in my account, so I withdrew it. Fifty-thousand notes, pretty thick.
"Kept it safe so no one takes it."
Who'd take it but you!
Or maybe Juha'd grab it like, "Oh, free cash."
"What's this money?"
In-ha leans in, twisting her foot.
Goes crazy for money…
"Travel funds."
"Travel funds?"
No real use for it…
Feels weird since it's gambling money.
Though OnlyFans money's not much different…
"Got a bonus, so I took some out."
Don't wanna say it's from gambling.
I pull out 100,000 won and hand her the envelope. She blinks.
For real?
"R-Really?"
"Don't spend it on weird stuff…"
"No way I'd spend it on weird shit, dumbass!"
In-ha snatches the envelope, smacking my back hard.
Ow! Why hit me, fucker!
"What's up, Joonhyung!"
All smiles now.
Like a wife stealing my earnings.
Is this why they say don't marry…
"Can I spend just 20,000?"
"Spend some… not too much."
Yes! Gonna order soufflé!
In-ha bounces, clutching the envelope, and darts to her room.
Like an immature daughter…
"I'm heading out."
"Huh? Was gonna order for you too. Where you going?"
In-ha peeks out, blinking.
Money's got her all flirty…
"Getting new glasses."
"Glasses?"
Wore these too long, lenses don't clean well…
In-ha narrows her eyes.
"Bet you're getting horn-rimmed again."
W-What else is there?
She bites her lip, closing her eyes. "Ugh, dumb hipsters."
"I'll send you pics, pick from those. Get horn-rimmed, and I'll smash them."
"What's wrong with these…"
They're comfy.
In-ha groans, glaring again.
"Wanna get locked up?"
"…No."
"Get a haircut too while you're out. The place I told you about."
Oh… that place… scary to go alone.
Just wanna hit Blue Hair nearby. Salons with staring female staff scare me…
"If I have time…"
"I'll book it for you—"
Eesh…
---
"You have a reservation?"
"Y-Yeah… Joonhyung…"
"For the director? One sec."
Got glasses, now at the salon.
A cut's 20,000 won? Too pricey.
I sit, looking around nervously.
Heart's racing. Salons are toxic for losers… Local barbers are comfier…!
"This way."
"Y-Yeah…"
Can't breathe.
So many stylists.
Tons of women getting perms.
"Sit here for a bit."
"Y-Yes."
Umm… came for a cut, and they give yogurt? First time for that.
Can I eat the snacks?
*Hah…*
Salon mirror.
Just looking at it makes my heart pound. Why am I nervous for a haircut…
"Sorry for the wait."
Fiddling with the yogurt, the director comes over.
Looks like she's got a temper… so intimidating…
"In-ha's friend?"
"Y-Yeah…"
Not sure if "friend" fits, but…
Can't say "close shuttle," so…
"Your hair's long."
"Yeah…"
*Pop pop.* The chair rises, hitting my butt.
Already nervous.
"How should I cut it? In-ha sent some pics."
"Oh, do it like that…"
The director smirks at my answer.
Same vibe as delinquent friends…
"Haven't cut it short much, huh?"
What's that mean?
I nod vaguely.
"Ever cut it yourself at home? Gotta try to know your style."
"N-No…"
Don't people go to barbers?
She lifts my hair, humming.
Ugh… I'm paying for this, why am I nervous…
"I'll teach you, try it yourself next time. Each centimeter changes the vibe."
Oh… okay…
Cutting yourself is ideal…
No hassle, no worrying about a bad cut…
"In-ha's high school friend?"
"Y-Yeah…"
"She never brought friends here."
Must be a regular.
Really close with In-ha…
"Let's start with your eyebrows."
---
Where am I? Who am I?
Why's a haircut taking so long?
Director keeps checking other clients, slowing it down.
Still, good she's overseeing it.
[In-ha: Yo, you cutting?]
Yeah… cutting now…
[In-ha: Send a pic lol]
What pic?
One side's pinned up—I look ridiculous…
I ignore the message, pocketing my phone.
Ugh… feeling pathetic.
*Bzzz.*
What! Leave me alone! Eat your soufflé!
"Sorry, busy day. One sec."
"Y-Yes."
Just cut it right, I'm fine…
She was explaining earlier, but I forgot.
Back of the head, cut layers based on the crown's curve.
Extend to the sides.
Front bangs to the eyebrows, flowing naturally to the sides.
Sounds easy…
"Lots of people do down perms here. You can lighten it without one, just cut like this."
O-Okay…
No clue what she means, but learned thinning shears ruin hair.
Always wondered why my hair's so poofy—thinning shears did it…
"Hmm… almost done."
Try your glasses.
I put on the glasses she hands me, looking in the mirror.
Hmm… uh…
Kinda same as before. No big difference…
"Much better. Just wash and style it."
Is it… better?
Can't say "looks like shit" to my face, so…
"Time to wash."
A staff with a blank face leads me to the shampoo room.
Ugh… lying down for a wash feels weirder.
Washing it myself's easier…
"Water temp okay?"
"Y-Yes."
Washing my hair in front of someone feels odd…
I fidget, letting her shampoo.
"Towel over your face?"
"Huh? Uh… sure…"
A towel slaps over my face.
What's this uneasy feeling…