Park Haeun was still rambling about her loss to Minho.
It was nearly 6pm, and she was done with classes for the day.
Hyunbin rolled his eyes so much, he thought he would go blind. Or that they would get stuck.
"Noona. I think it is enough," he groaned, slipping out his phone to play call of duty. They were on the way home, or more specifically, Hyunbin was on his way home, while Haeun was going to the restaurant.
"Don't noona me, Park Hyunbin!" Haeun crossed her arms over her chest with a huff, increasing her walking steps. She lost count of the number of times she pinched herself, trying to convince her brain that it was just a bad dream.
That she hadn't actually lost to a spoilt brat.
Now, she had a red spot on her cheeks.
Daehan University was only a thirty–minute walk from their neighborhood, and the evening air carried the sound of traffic mixed with the smell of street food frying somewhere ahead.
Students in uniforms and casual clothes drifted past in groups, laughing and chattering, some rushing to catch buses while others lingered around food stalls.
"Seo Minho! I will have my revenge!" Haeun suddenly shouted into the open air. Her voice startled a passing couple, who exchanged confused glances before hurrying along.
Hyunbin slapped his forehead. "Noona, stop acting like you're in a drama. You're embarrassing me!"
Haeun scowled at Hyunbin, about to snatch his phone when suddenly, a chime rung out. It was her ringtone, and she dug her hand into her trouser pocket.
"Aunt Nayoung" flashed across the screen, and Haeun froze, staring. She wasn't sure whether to accept the call.
Aunt Nayoung was their mother's younger and only sister, and she was the closest thing to family Haeun and Hyunbin had. Their father was an only child, and all their grandparents were dead.
Aunt Nayoung had helped them out for some months after their parent's diseapperance, but slowly Haeun withdrew.
Because she had come to a conclusion in her mind.
The more you accepted help, the more it hurt when it was taken away.
Her thumb hovered over the green button longer than she cared to admit. For a heartbeat, she wanted to hear that familiar voice again. To let someone help her.
But she knew better now.
With a click, the screen went black.
"Who was that?" Hyunbin queried, still busy with his game. Haeun hurriedly switched off her phone and placed it back in her pocket.
"No one important." Haeun brought out her baseball hat, and a fresh mask from her bag, before handing it to Hyunbin.
"Don't wait up for me. I'll be spending almost all night at Goyung garden. See you later."
The trace of a frown deepened as concern seized Hyunbin's expression. "Noona, you work too hard. You'll break down at this rate."
Haeun let out a small chuckle, waving him off. "Don't worry. I'm a strong woman."
"Sure, and I'm superman. Bye, noona."
"Later."
~
"Unni! Welcome!" One of the other workers, Eunchae, greeted Haeun as she walked into the restaurant, her eyes popping. The restaurant smelled of sizzling garlic and soy, and the shrill sound of her words startled some of the customers.
"Eunchae, shhh." Haeun hissed, putting a finger to Eunchae's lips. The 19 year old giggled, pushing Haeun off. Haeun went to the store, slipping on her apron, her brother's words echoing in her mind.
You'll break down at this rate.
Truthfully, she had been pushing herself hard as of recent.
But she had to work. She had to do this.
She pushed her thoughts to the back of her head as she emerged at the counter, where Eunchae was already responding to a customer.
"We're starving over here!"
The call came from a corner table, where a group of middle–aged men were already knocking back bottles of soju, their ties loosened, laughter too loud for the cozy restaurant.
Haeun's stomach tightened. She knew them, or at least, she knew their type. Office workers from the nearby company, the kind who thought their paychecks bought them the right to treat waitresses like toys. She forced a polite smile and walked over with her notepad.
"What can I get for you? Bulgogi?" she asked. Her voice was clipped, and she was keeping her mask tugged high and cap pulled low.
"More soju!" one of them barked. His breath reeked of alcohol as he leaned closer to her. "And maybe… we can have you on the side, huh?" He reached out, fingers brushing at her sleeve. "Why hide that face with a mask and hat? Take them off for us, let us see—"
Haeun jerked back, swatting his hand away. "Please don't touch me, sir."
Her pulse spiked, but before she could turn, a new voice cut through the drunken laughter of the men.
"Hyung, that's enough."
It came from the only man at the table who hadn't been guzzling soju. He was younger than the rest, maybe twenty-four or twenty-five, his blazer draped neatly over the chair, white shirt crisp even at this hour.
He was handsome in a way that stole Haeun's breath for a second, sharply cut jaw, dark eyes that seemed both tired and gentle, black hair falling loosely over his forehead.
If Yuna was with her, she would have mumbled something about having her 'k-drama moment'.
He leaned forward. "We came here to eat, not to bother the staff. Let's order properly."
The older man grumbled but pulled his hand back.
Haeun batted her eyes, a little caught off guard. Her eyes flickered to him for a moment, just long enough to nod in silent thanks.
"Then bring us two bottles of soju, three samgyeopsal sets, and some kimchi jjigae," the young man added smoothly.
One of the men clicked his tongue, muttering under his breath, but no one reached for her again
"Coming right up."
She escaped back to the counter, her heart still thumping, trying to shake off the disgusting feeling of that hand reaching for her.
She kept busy with trays and dishes, almost not noticing Eunchae stepping into the kitchen. "Those men are so disgusting. Are you alright, unni?"
Haeun hesitated. Was she alright? No, not really.
"Yes, Eunchae." She said regardless of her true feelings. "You must get back to work." Eunchae stared at her knowingly for some seconds, before she squinted her eyes suspiciously.
"I've had my suspicions for a while, but I did not know you would confirm it so soon." She blurted, and Haeun's eyebrow shot up. What was she talking about?
"You're a witch! It explains how you're always fine no matter what." Haeun's expression revealed just how flabbergasted she was at Eunchae's revelation, and a chuckle slipped from her lips.
"Yes, you have exposed me. Now, go serve the other customers, Eunchae."
The teenager huffed, before turning around and leaving the kitchen.
Haeun chuckled some more, ruminating on Eunchae's words. How funny, and adorable.
After about 15 minutes, Haeun placed their order on a tray, walking straight to their table.
Eunchae had already handed them more bottles of soju, and they were happily clinking away.
The younger man man from earlier bowed his head slightly at Haeun, and before she could react, there was a chime.
The bell above the door rang, and Haeun turned automatically, ready to greet the next customer.
But she stopped dead in her tracks.
Because standing there, was none other than Seo Minho.