Gutter Chapter 15.1

Yeonjo woke up to the distant sound of a rooster crowing. The container’s heating system wasn’t the best, but thanks to the electric blanket, he had slept warmly throughout the night.

Looking at the walls, which weren’t even wallpapered, Yeonjo was overcome with a strange feeling. It hardly felt real that he had actually escaped from him. A chill would occasionally run down his spine due to the ominous feeling that he would break down this door at any moment, with his usual expressionless face, and forcibly drag him away.

Even though the possibility of that happening messed with his head, for some reason, his mind felt incredibly calm.

Moreover, he hadn’t had any dreams today. Even though he had barely managed to squeeze his body into this cramped container room, he hadn’t experienced any shortness of breath or fallen into a state of panic. When he was in that house, no matter what he did, he felt like his blood was drying up.

Other than his back aching from sleeping on the hard floor for the first time in a while, both his body and mind felt much clearer. His stiff feet also felt lighter than yesterday.

Not only that, but Yeonjo felt a terrible hunger for the first time in a while. He was so hungry he felt like going out and grazing on grass.

He quickly got up, tidied his bedding, and rummaged through the kitchen, finding a few cup noodles. Without hesitation, Yeonjo boiled water and made do with the noodles for his meal. He also remembered to take the medication prescribed to him right before he escaped the hospital, which happened to be in his pocket.

After cleaning up the trash and washing himself, Yeonjo put on the same clothes he had worn yesterday and headed off to work at the tea room.

His legs were still sore from the previous day’s ordeal, but he couldn’t be late on his first day, so he walked diligently. Before he knew it, he arrived at Happy Tea Room. Yeonjo went up to the second floor of the building and opened the glass door.

“Hello.”

The owner, who had been cleaning the shop, widened her eyes at the sight of Yeonjo and let out a dazed, “Oh, uh, yeah,” in an awkward manner.

Her expression showed that she still seemed to have reservations about hiring someone she had just met, even for a short-term position. Afraid she might change her mind, Yeonjo took the broom and dustpan from the owner and started sweeping the floor.

He wasn’t strong enough to lift heavy objects, but he was confident in these small tasks.

“How… did you sleep?”

“Yes, I slept well.”

“You must be a heavy sleeper. I thought you’d be uncomfortable in a new place.”

“Even so, it had everything I needed, so it was fine.”

“That’s good then.”

“I’ve finished sweeping the floor. Should I mop it as well?”

Yeonjo discreetly peeled off the “Help Wanted (Short-Term)” paper still stuck to the wall, crumpled it up, and threw it in the trash can.

Meanwhile, the owner, having seemingly accepted Yeonjo as her part-timer, explained the tasks he would be doing at the tea room.

Mornings were usually slow, but she said they got quite busy on market days in town, days when fieldwork ended early, and weekends. They mainly sold tea, juice, and snacks, while meals were offered based on the ingredients available each day.

The owner explained everything from how to prepare the ingredients to the location of the teacups and the simple recipes. Yeonjo diligently wrote it all down, while thinking that it wasn’t that different from the bar he had worked at before. Thanks to the experience he gained by observing others back then, he knew how to prepare a few simple restaurant dishes.

As he familiarized himself with the work and cleaned the kitchen, time flew by, and it soon became afternoon. Except for an old woman who came in for ginseng juice in the morning, there hadn’t been any other customers, leaving the tea room empty.

Concerned about the lack of business, Yeonjo glanced at the owner who was watching TV, but she seemed unconcerned, as if it were a common occurrence.

“Mom, I’m home!”

Clink. Lee Yeonsu’s voice rang out along with the sound of the bell. Yeonjo, who was straightening a crooked calendar on the wall, turned his head. Besides Lee Yeonsu, several other female students in school uniforms rushed into the Happy Tea Room.

“Hello, Auntie.”

“Wow, it’s been ages since we’ve been here.”

“What brings you all here? It’s been a while.”

The owner greeted the students’ greetings nonchalantly. Lee Yeonsu’s friends giggled and occupied the largest table in the center of the tea room.

With Lee Yeonsu included, there were a total of five people, so Yeonjo grabbed the menus and brought them over to the table. Immediately, ten eyes were fixated on him.

“Holy crap, jackpot.”

“I thought Lee Yeonsu was lying…”

“The bruises on his face look like movie makeup.”

“See? I told you! I said there was a super handsome guy working here.”

“I couldn’t believe you because you always exaggerate!”

The students immediately started fussing over Yeonjo as soon as they saw his face. Unsure how to deal with them, Yeonjo smiled awkwardly. This triggered a simultaneous burst of high-pitched giggles.

“Let me know when you’ve decided on your order.”

“Okay!”

“He’s totally from Seoul, right?”

“Duh. Can’t you tell by his pale face?”

“Ahem, excuse me. I’ll have an iced Americano.”

“What’s with her voice? Stop it, I’m gonna puke.”

“Han Juhee, I told you not to be so extra.”

“What did I do?”

“Hey, you guys! If you’re going to drink something, hurry up and drink it, then get back to studying!”

Unable to bear it any longer, the owner scolded them, and the boisterous students became noticeably quieter.

As soon as he took their orders, Yeonjo went into the kitchen and prepared the drinks, just as he had been taught. Thanks to the detailed notes he had taken from the owner’s instructions that morning, the process was smooth.

The owner, who had been watching him from behind to make sure he was doing it correctly, decided there was nothing to nitpick and went back out to watch TV.

The students continued to show great interest in Yeonjo even as they drank their beverages. If the owner hadn’t urged them again, they would have probably stayed there until evening.

Fortunately, the students, just like when they had arrived, rushed out in a group, driven by the owner’s insistence they do their overdue homework. As soon as the table was cleared, Yeonjo took the teacups and glasses to the kitchen and immediately washed them.

He thought the peace and quiet had returned, but this time, workers who had finished their fieldwork came pouring in. There was a mix of people he had seen yesterday and some new faces.

“Seven iced coffees here.”

The workers placed their unified order before they had even fully settled into their seats. They briefly glanced at Yeonjo, but their interest wasn’t as excessive as the students’.

As soon as the iced coffees came out, the customers downed them in one gulp and then ordered food. On top of that, some elderly residents of the neighborhood came in for a game of Janggi and ordered tea, suddenly creating a rush of work.

Yeonjo busily went back and forth between the kitchen and tables, losing track of time. After a while, as people gradually left, and he finished cleaning up and washing dishes, the sun was already beginning to set.

“Good work today.”

The owner, who was collecting tablecloths and wiping down the sofas, spoke casually as Yeonjo emerged after neatly disposing of the kitchen trash. With all the lights turned off except for the fluorescent lights in the center of the tea room and the kitchen, the inside was dim.

Relieved that his first day of work had ended smoothly, Yeonjo gave a faint smile.

“It’s nothing. But there are more customers than I expected.”

“Right? This tea room is the only place around here where people can gather and have a drink.”

“Is it always this crowded?”

“Not really. It comes and goes depending on the season. Minwoo, was it? Despite your frivolous-looking face, you work well.”

Yeonjo, who was helping the owner move the scattered sofas back into place, paused.

“Is that a compliment? Thank you.”

“Of course it’s a compliment! It’s past closing time, so you can go now.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t be late tomorrow. Oh, and take this.”

As if she’d just remembered something, the owner retrieved a square container with rice and side dishes from the refrigerator, along with a small pharmacy-marked bag of medicine.

Yeonjo blinked, taken aback by the unexpected gesture.

“What’s this?”

“Oh, come on, can’t you tell? It’s side dishes and medicine for your bruises. Apply it before you go to bed. Your bruises will disappear quickly.”

“Oh… You didn’t have to.”

“Just say thank you when an adult gives you something. You couldn’t even eat lunch today because it was so busy, so heat up the side dishes in the microwave when you get back to your room.”

I don’t know if I should just accept this. Yeonjo stared down at the items in his hands.

He already felt it was more than he deserved to have coincidentally found a job and a place to stay at the tea room, so he hesitated, unsure how to react.

“…Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Go on now.”

The owner replied curtly and went back into the kitchen without looking back at Yeonjo, but he still bowed his head and said goodbye.

“Good night.”

Leaving the tea room and heading back to the container, Yeonjo reflected on the day that had passed so quickly.

He hadn’t expected to have such a peaceful day. Whenever he imagined life after escaping, it was always pitch black, as if painted over with ink.

Slowly walking back to the container, Yeonjo immediately heated up the rice and side dishes. It was a simple meal, but it was the most delicious he’d had recently. Surprised at himself for finishing the entire bowl of rice, Yeonjo ate all the remaining side dishes as well.

As he took his medicine and washed the dishes, he thought about the time he worked at the old riding stable. He seemed to remember living in a similarly cramped room back then. Although he had been troubled by his grandmother’s hospital bills, if he only considered his living conditions, they weren’t that bad. His days had been regular, and he had a fixed salary.

Thinking of the riding stable, he felt a pang of guilt about Manager Im, whom he had emailed. He knew he should contact him sometime. But he was hesitant to turn on his phone and make a call right now.

I’ll think about it later. Yeonjo pushed the thoughts aside and spread out his bedding on the floor to sleep.

🚬

The next day. Yeonjo opened his eyes to a pre-dawn sky that was still dark blue. It was too early to get ready for work. He closed his eyes again, hoping to fall back asleep, but sleep had already abandoned him, leaving his mind clear.

Perhaps because he felt safe here, he had fallen asleep earlier than the previous night after eating dinner. He seemed to have had a brief nightmare during the night, but strangely, he had calmed down quickly.

Now that he was far from that house, the burning house, Joowon’s corpse, and the grim reaper-like figure of Gu Mooncheon that appeared in his dreams didn’t feel as terrifying as before. After easily regaining his composure, he fell back asleep and woke up at this hour.

Since he was up early, Yeonjo folded his blanket, washed up, and then rummaged through the few pieces of furniture, looking for clothes. He hadn’t packed any personal belongings when he escaped, so all he had were the clothes he had been wearing.

Fortunately, he found a few clean long-sleeved shirts and put them in the washing machine. He made a mental note to buy clothes first when he went to the market.

While the old washing machine was running, Yeonjo put on the same clothes he had worn yesterday and stepped out of the container. He planned to walk around, explore the village, and take a stroll.

He knew it was the countryside, but even so, the streetlights were so sparsely placed that it was dark outside. It was only because dawn was gradually breaking that he could see ahead. If it were night, the surroundings would be so desolate that he wouldn’t be able to see anything.

Even when he went out to the road, there were no cars passing by. There were potholes everywhere, and stray dogs roamed in packs. The dogs, which had been wagging their tails at Yeonjo, ran off in another direction.

In the distance, workers were already busy from the early hours of the morning. He occasionally spotted dark-skinned foreigners. Yeonjo turned back as he saw workers in work clothes gathered at the entrance to the path he was going to take, smoking cigarettes. They seemed too busy chatting and laughing amongst themselves to notice him.

Walking back the way he had come, after a few minutes, he saw a large truck parked in the middle of the road with its engine running. In front of it was a small supermarket.

The sign was unlit and the paint was almost completely peeled off, making it difficult to read, but as he got closer, he could make out the faded imprint of the words “Neighborhood Supermarket”.

It seemed to be delivery day as boxes filled with alcohol, drinks, and snacks were piled up in front of the supermarket. The driver, having unloaded everything, hurriedly climbed into the truck and drove off. By the time Yeonjo reached the supermarket, the truck had already disappeared onto the two-lane road.

He was thirsty from walking since early morning. Yeonjo estimated how long it would take him to walk back to the container from here. 10 minutes? 15 minutes? He could probably get there faster if he walked a little quicker, but he decided to go into the supermarket and buy drinks and snacks.

“Hello. Are you open?”

Yeonjo cautiously approached an elderly woman sitting near a heater by the entrance, wrapped in a blanket.

“Of course. The door’s open, ain’t it?”

It was an ordinary rural convenience store. Cigarettes, snacks, ramen, drinks, and a few instant food items were all there was. There had been a similar store in the slum where he had lived with his grandmother.

After quickly looking around the inside, Yeonjo went over to the refrigerator and picked up an ionic drink. As he headed toward the snack aisle to buy something to keep at the container, the boxes piled up at the entrance caught his eye.

Yeonjo glanced at the elderly woman sitting by the heater. Her back was hunched, and she looked well over eighty years old. He doubted she could carry those in by herself.

“Grandma. Why haven’t you brought the boxes inside?”

Knowing it was nosy, Yeonjo couldn’t hold back and spoke up.

“Huh? The old man will do it when he gets back. My back hurts too much.”

“When is your husband coming back?”

“He went up to Seoul to the hospital by bus today… so he’ll be back in the afternoon.”

Should they be left out there until the afternoon? Yeonjo fidgeted, repeatedly squeezing and releasing the ionic drink in his hand. Even though it was a sparsely populated area, there were still some outsiders around. Things like bread and milk shouldn’t be left out for too long….

“Should I help you?”

“Hmm?”

“I thought it would be good to at least bring the boxes inside.”

“Sure, why not!”

The elderly woman responded enthusiastically without even a perfunctory refusal. It seemed she had been worried about leaving the goods outside.

“Just bring in the milk and some of those vegetables over there.”

Stepping outside and looking at the stacks of boxes, Yeonjo slightly regretted offering his help. He didn’t want to exhaust himself here and then feel weak at the tea room later.

But he had already offered, and the sight of her hunched back reminded him of his deceased grandmother, making it impossible for him to just walk away.

Yeonjo started by carrying the dairy products first. Being a small country store with few customers, the items were light. It seemed like he could bring all the boxes inside within a few minutes.

“Whose grandson are you?”

“Huh?”

“Are you visiting your relatives?”

The elderly woman approached Yeonjo as he was carrying the boxes. She must have thought he was a relative or grandchild of someone living in the area.

“Oh, I’m here to work for a bit.”

“Is that so? These days, the only ones coming here for work are foreigners, so I thought you were a grandchild of someone from the village.”

As Yeonjo finished moving the boxes and dusted off his hands, the elderly woman handed him a banana-flavored milk and a thin straw.

“You’ve worked hard. Have this.”

“Thank you.”

“Did you come from Seoul?”

“Yes.”

“You have such fair skin. But how did you get those bruises on your face? Did you get into a fight with someone?”

The elderly woman clicked her tongue, pointing at his face. Yeonjo flinched as he sipped the milk through the straw. The face of the man who had beaten him without a shred of pity flashed before his eyes.

“I was beaten by a bad guy.”

“Oh dear. There’s nowhere on such a fine young man to hit. Did he try to steal your eggs or something? Just rub it gently, and the bruises will disappear quickly.”

“It’s okay. Oh, I have to go now…. I’ll visit again.”

“Alright, you’ve worked hard. Thank you, young man.”

The elderly woman walked him out to the front of the store. As Yeonjo said goodbye and headed towards the container, he belatedly realized that he had come to the supermarket to buy drinks and snacks. He had forgotten all about it, and all he had in his hand was a banana milk.

Am I stupid? Yeonjo muttered in disbelief. He finished off the remaining half of the milk and continued walking, when he saw a payphone inexplicably placed in the middle of the road. It was an old-fashioned phone, rarely seen in Seoul these days.

Manager Im’s business card, which Joowon had given him, suddenly came to mind, and Yeonjo rummaged through his pockets. Fortunately, he hadn’t brought much with him, so most things were crumpled up in his pockets. The business card was one of them.

He had been thinking about making the call, but he hesitated because it was too early.

The time on the payphone display read 7:39 AM.

Holding the heavy receiver and contemplating, Yeonjo pulled some coins out of his pocket. He then dialed Manager Im’s new cell phone number printed on the business card.

As the phone rang, ominous thoughts filled his mind. What if Manager Im had changed his mind in the meantime? He might have decided not to hire him. Or he could have found someone more suitable.

In the worst-case scenario, Boss Gu might have already investigated his connection with Manager Im. Since he had worked at the riding stable under his real name, it would be easy to trace his history. He had met Joowon there as well.

However, from an outsider’s perspective, Manager Im was just the owner of a place where he used to work. There were countless others he had crossed paths with professionally, like the manager at the riding stable who disliked him and all the other employees there. Their relationships weren’t much different from his relationship with Manager Im.

Even Boss Gu couldn’t possibly have investigated all those people, could he? Moreover, the resort where Manager Im had offered him a job wasn’t even under his name, so there was no clear connection between them on paper. So, as more time passed, the idea of getting a job and settling down there didn’t seem entirely impossible.

…Perhaps this was just wishful thinking stemming from a lazy, optimistic perspective.

—Hello?

“…….”

The familiar voice from the other end of the line abruptly cut off his train of thoughts.

—Hello, I’ve answered.

Yeonjo cleared his throat and spoke.

“Manager Im, it’s Cha Yeonjo.”

—Who? Cha Yeonjo?

“Yes. …How have you been?”

—Yeonjo! My goodness, it’s been so long!

Fortunately, Manager Im greeted him warmly. Even without seeing his face, Yeonjo could clearly sense how pleased he was.

Yeonjo was also immensely happy to hear his voice after so long.

“Yes. I sent you an email, but things have been hectic, so I’m only contacting you now.”

—That can happen when you’re busy. Where are you staying now? Seoul? Oh, and is your grandmother doing well? I have so many questions after all this time.

“Ah….”

Those were all difficult questions to answer. Perhaps interpreting Yeonjo’s silence in his own way, Manager Im let out a long sigh.

—To be honest, I regretted letting you go like that back then. I knew your circumstances, but I felt like I was being too harsh, saying I didn’t have the time. With your family being ill, you must have been so worried.

“No, it’s okay. You helped me a lot, but I was such a burden. I would have been troubled too if I were in your shoes. Really….”

—Burden, my foot! Anyway, I’m so sorry I couldn’t take better care of you. I kept thinking about you and tried to contact you, but you didn’t answer my calls or emails…. But I’m so glad we’ve finally connected. Thank you for calling.

“I tried to call earlier, but things happened, and it got delayed.”

—How’s your grandmother these days? You said the surgery went well back then. Has she regained her strength?

Yeonjo’s mouth went dry, and he moistened his lips.

“My grandmother passed away a while ago.”

A few seconds of awkward silence followed, as if the other person was taken aback.

—…What? Oh, dear…. My condolences. I shouldn’t have…

“No, not at all. It’s not a needless question.”

—Still…. Oh, dear… truly. The funeral… did it go well?

“Yes. I don’t remember much, as things were hectic.”

—Oh, this is awful. I don’t know what to say to comfort you. My heart is heavy. It must have been so difficult for you alone. I’m sorry, Yeonjo.

“Why are you apologizing? I’m really okay now. It’s all in the past….”

Yeonjo’s voice trembled as he said “in the past.” As if he understood everything, Manager Im sighed. After a moment of silence, he spoke first.

—As you might have seen in the email, the resort is opening next month at the earliest. If your current job is difficult, how about working at the stable there again? The pay won’t be disappointing.

As soon as he finished speaking, a beeping sound emanated from the payphone. It meant that he was almost out of time. Yeonjo hurriedly searched his pockets, but there were no more coins.

“I’ll think about it. Manager Im, I have to go now. I’ll contact you again later.”

—Oh, okay. Sure. Feel free to contact me anytime. Take care.

The words “take care” momentarily buoyed his deflated spirits. Even though the other person couldn’t see him, Yeonjo nodded slightly.

As he hung up the receiver and stepped out of the phone booth, the sun had fully risen, painting the sky blue.

Even though it might have been just polite words, Manager Im’s offer to contact him anytime was comforting. Having somewhere to return to, even if it was just a vague possibility, made a world of difference.

Looking at the clear sky, Yeonjo thought he had done the right thing by calling.

🚬

A week had passed since he started working at the tea room. It felt like a month, yet it had only been a week.

Counting the days, Yeonjo was surprised by how slowly time seemed to pass here. While each day felt long, it certainly provided a sense of stability, which was a plus.

Waking up, eating, and getting ready for work had become his new routine. The time he spent excessively on edge due to an unknown anxiety had also significantly decreased.

Yeonjo walked along the now-familiar path toward Happy Tea Room. At first, he would be out of breath and panting by the time he reached the tea room from his container, but now it was no big deal. Sometimes he felt a twinge in his chest, but thanks to the new medication, it wasn’t a severe, blood-inducing pain.

“Good morning, owner.”

“Oh, Minwoo, you’re here.”

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

As soon as he opened the glass door and stepped inside, Yeonjo saw the owner busily moving around the hall.

“I just noticed we’re completely out of ingredients in the refrigerator. Can you go to the supermarket and buy the things we need for today?”

“What do you need?”

Perhaps because it was a weekend, the list of necessary ingredients was longer than usual. The owner handed him money and a note, urging him to hurry back as they needed to start business soon.

The supermarket wasn’t too far from the tea room, but the thought of carrying the heavy groceries back was a little daunting. It might not be a burden for an average adult male, but Yeonjo’s situation was different.

Without complaint, Yeonjo left the tea room and checked the memo the owner had written.

Green onions, garlic, cooking oil, eggs, dried tangerine peel, jujubes, rehmannia, pancake mix… the list went on. Even if he bought them in small quantities, he wondered if he could carry it all back by himself.

As he walked towards the only large supermarket in town, his face grim as he read the memo, someone behind him relentlessly honked their car horn, Beeeeeep!

Yeonjo instinctively flinched and his eyes widened. Turning his head, he saw a large bus stopped right behind him.

As Yeonjo looked up at the bus, clutching his fluttering chest, a middle-aged man leaned out from the driver’s side window.

“Hey, young man! You live around here?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Don’t you remember me? I told you that was the last stop at the bus stop the other day. Have you forgotten already?”

Recognition dawned on Yeonjo’s face, and a smile spread across his lips. His wariness instantly crumbled, replaced by a surge of pleasant surprise.

“Ah! It’s you, the bus driver. Of course, I remember.”

How could he forget? He got this job thanks to him. Seeing a somewhat familiar face after a week was very welcome.

“I didn’t think you lived around here, judging by what I saw last time.”

“I ended up getting a temporary job here. Not for long, though.”

“Aha. So you’re the new employee they hired at the tea room.”

“That’s right.”

“You’re wearing the same clothes as that day, so I recognized you right away from afar. Are you going to the city?”

“Yes.”

“Hop on. I’ll give you a ride.”

Yeonjo was momentarily speechless as the driver unexpectedly gestured for him to get on the bus. This bus route didn’t go that way.

“I’m going near the city, but… this isn’t the right route. Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Why not? It’s the driver’s prerogative. No one’s going to report me in this tiny town.”

“It’s okay. But thank you for the offer.”

“Alright then, can’t be helped. I’ll stop by sometime. Take care.”

“…Okay.”

Before Yeonjo could even bow his head in thanks, the bus abruptly pulled away. The driver waved his hand through the window.

As he walked back towards the supermarket, Yeonjo pondered the driver’s words, “I’ll stop by sometime.” He figured it meant the tea room, but they weren’t close enough for him to visit his workplace, so he was quite perplexed.

However, such occurrences were frequent in this town. Even strangers, after exchanging a few words, would readily share their food as if they were old acquaintances. And the next time they met, they would greet each other warmly without a hint of awkwardness.

It was a level of friendliness that Yeonjo found difficult to adapt to.

“Minwoo Oppa!”

As he walked briskly back towards the supermarket, a familiar voice rang out behind him. Lee Yeonsu, wearing sweatpants instead of his school uniform because it was the weekend, quickly caught up to Yeonjo.

“What are you doing here?”

“Mom thought it was too much for you to carry all that by yourself, so she told me to come along.”

“You’re going to help?”

“Yeah, I’ll help you carry some of it.”

Yeonjo felt a pang of guilt, as if he, a mere part-timer, was making a student who should be studying run errands for him.

“It’s not that much…”

“I thought so too, but Mom didn’t. She’s been worried about you being a weakling. She said you sometimes gasp and sweat a lot when she gives you too much work….”

“I… see.”

“Yeah. I have some shopping to do anyway, so I came along.”

Lee Yeonsu grinned as he rambled on, saying things he didn’t really need to say. It was hard to tell whether he was being sincere or sarcastic.

In any case, it was true that he was frail, and he was grateful for the offer of help. So Yeonjo belatedly confessed his true feelings.

“I suddenly feel reassured. Honestly, I was a little worried about carrying it all by myself.”

“I’m strong. Just trust me. I’ll carry all the heavy stuff.”

Lee Yeonsu confidently rolled up his sleeves.

“So, how about it? Don’t I look dependable?”

“…Hmm. You look weak.”

“Huh? I’m shocked to hear that from you.”

“I’ll try to be stronger.”

“What if you collapse tomorrow? I’ll just carry most of it.”

Lee Yeonsu’s expression was so resolute that Yeonjo chuckled.

“By the way, why haven’t your friends been coming to the tea room lately?”

“They’re busy with cram school homework. And Mom told them not to hang out in a group because they’re too loud…. She said they look like delinquents.”

“There’s a cram school in this town? I haven’t seen one.”

“You have to take a bus and go a bit further out. Like 30 minutes?”

“That’s pretty far.”

“It’s far, but the teachers at our cram school are super fun.”

As they chatted about various things, they arrived at the supermarket before they knew it. As if he was used to running errands for the tea room, Lee Yeonsu grabbed a cart and quickly started loading it with items.

They decided to split up and bring the items listed on the memo, and Lee Yeonsu pushed the cart away.

After grabbing two cartons of eggs and two bags of pancake mix, his arms already felt heavy. If Lee Yeonsu hadn’t come, he would have been in trouble. The owner’s judgment had been accurate.

Thanks to Lee Yeonsu, who moved much more quickly than Yeonjo, the shopping was finished early. They worked together seamlessly, as if they were a team.

They placed the items they had each gathered on the checkout counter and lined up. The elderly man who had come to the tea room to play Janggi a few days ago approached them and handed Yeonjo and Lee Yeonsu a handful of spinach.

“Minwoo, take this and make some spinach side dishes and soup. Yeonsu, you give this to your mother.”

“Thank you!”

“I don’t think I can eat this much by myself….”

“My wife just picked it yesterday from our garden out front. I brought some to share with everyone.”

No matter what Yeonjo said, the elderly man just thrust the plastic bag of spinach into his arms. It seemed like it had just been pulled from the garden, as there was dirt clinging to the roots.

“Then just give me half. I think it’ll be too much. And it’s heavy, I already have…”

“What heavy? Your place is right over there. It’ll take no time at all.”

Yeonjo’s eyes widened as the elderly man casually mentioned where he lived.

“You know where I live?”

“How big do you think this town is? You have a big refrigerator in your room, so just wash and trim it and put it in there.”

“Oh….”

“Just take it, Oppa.”

Lee Yeonsu efficiently packed their purchases as if he were used to this. As he placed the checked-out items into a large bag, Yeonjo was taken aback by the fact that the elderly man who had just given him spinach knew what kind of refrigerator he had in his container.

He couldn’t decide whether he should appreciate this excessive interest or be wary of it.

“See? It’s a good thing I came along, right?”

“Yeah. I don’t think I could have carried all this by myself.”

“But if it’s too heavy, you can ask the guy on the motorcycle for a ride. Or flag down a cultivator if you see one passing by. Wow, I remember when I was little, the cultivators were so slow, I used to beg the village head to give me a ride in his truck. But it happened to have cow dung in it, so my clothes got all dirty. Ugh!”

Lee Yeonsu chattered non-stop. As Yeonjo listened and responded, they soon arrived back at the tea room.

The owner scolded them for being late, but she didn’t seem genuinely angry. She pushed Lee Yeonsu towards his room, telling him to finish his studying.

Yeonjo prepared for the day’s business by trimming and organizing the ingredients he had bought. Perhaps because he had exerted himself from the morning, he felt drained of energy. He worried about what he would do if it was busy again until evening.

The tea room wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded, but with limited tableware, it was important to wash the dishes immediately after use. The inability to do dishes in bulk made things less efficient, and lunchtime was the most troublesome.

However, contrary to his worries, the tea room was unusually quiet that day. Even during the peak lunch hour, only two tables were occupied. In the late afternoon, the number of customers dwindled to an embarrassingly low level.

The owner, saying there was nothing more to do, let Yeonjo off work earlier than the usual closing time. Unlike Yeonjo, who was anxious, she remained unfazed, regardless of whether sales were high or low.

“Oh, and take this with you when you go. It’s some side dishes and fruit from the shop.”

It was as if she had x-ray vision into his container; whenever he ran out of side dishes, the owner would hand him a new container.

“You really don’t have to keep doing this.”

“I’m giving it to you so you can gain some weight. That way, I can make you work more.”

“I’m not that weak.”

“Oh really? Lee Yeonsu said you were struggling at the supermarket today.”

“What? Absolutely not!”

Yeonjo vehemently denied it. He couldn’t believe Lee Yeonsu had spread such rumors to the owner after they had gone to the supermarket together. A sense of betrayal welled up inside him.

“Don’t be shy. Everyone knows you have terrible stamina. Lee Yeonsu carried everything for you and is now sprawled out, saying he’s too tired to study.”

“Wow, that Lee Yeonsu, I can’t believe him.”

A hollow laugh escaped him in disbelief. He seriously considered explaining, despite his wounded pride, how much heavier his share of the load had been, when he noticed the corners of the owner’s mouth twitching.

It was then that Yeonjo realized she had been teasing him.

“Owner….”

“What? Just take the side dishes and go. I’m closing up.”

Before Yeonjo could retort, the owner disappeared into the kitchen.

And so, carrying the heavy containers of side dishes, fruit, and spinach, Yeonjo headed back to his container.

Because he had returned unusually early, the sky was still quite bright. Even after eating and taking his medicine, it was still too early to go to bed.

Not wanting to go outside but unable to sleep, Yeonjo turned on the TV and started cleaning his room. Thanks to the villagers who constantly shared their homegrown produce and food with him, his refrigerator was full. There was also a lot to organize in the cupboards.

As he busily tidied the small space, his eyes fell on the bag he had brought with him when he escaped. As soon as he spotted it tucked away in a corner, Yeonjo stopped what he was doing and carefully picked it up.

Inside were his grandmother’s belongings and photos he had taken from that house. A strange feeling washed over him as he stared at the family photo with its burnt edges. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t seen it in a while, but his heart stirred as if he had just rediscovered an old treasure.

The reality that he had escaped from Boss Gu finally sank in. All the time he had spent confined in Boss Gu’s house now felt distantly unreal, like a lie.

Yeonjo looked around the room he was sitting in with a sense of emptiness. Although it was small and humble compared to the house he had shared with Boss Gu, he barely had nightmares anymore, and above all, he could spend time alone in a place where he couldn’t hear any sounds.

He wasn’t afraid or anxious about being isolated. Since he started working at the tea room, he felt like a completely new person. His own calmness felt unfamiliar.

Even when night fell upon this place without even streetlights, and a lightless darkness enveloped everything, he didn’t tremble, succumbing to the formless fear he used to feel.

Meow.

Lost in thought, Yeonjo looked up at the sound of a cat mewing outside.

He had occasionally seen cats roaming the streets, but this was the first time he had heard one so close. He slightly opened the door, and there, sitting calmly in front of the container, was a brown cat.

Is it hungry? Having nothing to do so early, Yeonjo brought out some water and a can of tuna and placed them in front of the cat.

“It’s not eating.”

However, the cat seemed uninterested in the food and only sniffed Yeonjo’s hand. It was plump, likely due to being fed regularly by the villagers.

Meeeow! The cat cried out, as if complaining that Yeonjo wasn’t petting it. Yeonjo cautiously reached out and stroked its round head and back. The fur felt stiff under his touch.

‘You seem to like small things.’

He felt a sudden, strange sensation, as if Boss Gu was watching him from behind and speaking those words. Yeonjo sighed at the unexpected memory of him and quickly pushed the thought aside.

The cat, enjoying Yeonjo’s touch, moved closer. Since it wasn’t hungry, its affectionate behavior suggested it simply enjoyed human contact.

“Shall we play?”

Yeonjo plucked a piece of dry grass nearby and dangled it. The cat’s eyes, which had been calm, suddenly lit up, and it pounced on the grass like a predator.

Nya! Kyaa!

Its cries were quite fierce. He found it amusing how seriously the cat chased after the grass, which wasn’t even real prey, and he started to laugh.

Hahaha. Yeonjo laughed out loud for the first time in a while. The sound of his own laughter felt so foreign that he quickly closed his lips.

“…….”

As he mechanically dangled the grass, Yeonjo felt faintly shocked by his own laughter. He hadn’t expected to be doing so well, considering his rash escape plan.

Although his lungs occasionally ached, his condition was much better than when he was in that house. He would have to go to the hospital once he ran out of medicine. He wondered if he would be able to.

He could feel the inside of his throat swelling up, perhaps because the night air was quite chilly. It was probably best to go back inside.

Still, Yeonjo was very satisfied with his recent health. He felt much lighter and recovered from fatigue more quickly. He assumed it was largely due to his regular lifestyle and less stressful environment.

The doctor had always emphasized diaphragmatic breathing and consistent, light exercise for lung rehabilitation. He was unintentionally getting regular, moderate exercise every day, so it must have helped his recovery somewhat. The new medication prescribed before he escaped was also effective.

However, he would have to visit the hospital again once he ran out of medicine. He still had some left, but he was afraid of being caught if he had to leave the village for a checkup.

Lost in thought, Yeonjo realized he now felt safe in this town.

He hadn’t expected to settle anywhere. Perhaps, if he continued to find and do whatever work he could, day by day, he might eventually be able to settle down with a stable job. Just like now, without any grand ambitions. A quiet sense of anticipation filled Yeonjo’s heart.

But behind this hopeful anticipation lingered the buried anxiety. What was Boss Gu doing now? How far had he chased him? Would it really be possible to live his whole life without being found by him…? Complex thoughts tangled like a spiderweb.

Yeonjo gazed at the moon shining brightly in the dark sky. Even when he tried not to, thoughts of him constantly intruded upon his consciousness, tormenting him.

“I should go in.”

Yeonjo muttered, dropping the grass he was holding.

Meow. The cat, seemingly satisfied with their play, didn’t linger and quickly disappeared behind a tree.

🚬

A mere two days after contemplating settling down in this town, Yeonjo faced the imminent threat of being fired from the tea room.

Monday, after his day off on Sunday, was even slower than the weekend. Even during the usually busy lunch hour, the tables remained empty, and only the sound of the TV filled the hall. If it weren’t for Lee Yeonsu’s friends who had come to visit the tea room, they wouldn’t have even served five tables all day.

Tuesday was equally slow. Past 1 PM, with no customers in sight, the owner suggested Yeonjo, who was restlessly looking for chores, to sit and rest.

“Minwoo, relax. Why are you fidgeting so much?”

“But customers might come….”

“They’ll come when they come. Sit, sit.”

Reluctantly, Yeonjo sat down across from the owner. She seemed to be working on the accounts, with piles of receipts and a thick notebook in which she constantly scribbled numbers.

Sitting idle felt incredibly uncomfortable, like sitting on pins and needles. Yeonjo fidgeted and forced himself to watch TV. Needless to say, none of the program registered in his mind.

“The weather’s been crazy, so the harvest ended early.”

“Is that so?”

“Usually, they grow and harvest until early spring, but this winter was so warm that it ended early.”

So that’s why there haven’t been any customers. Yeonjo nodded grimly. No wonder he hadn’t seen the workers who usually came for lunch. Since there was no more fieldwork, the number of people naturally decreased.

“Anyway, there won’t be any customers, so just take it easy.”

“Okay….”

Yeonjo replied while observing the owner’s expression. Her last comment sounded like an indirect way of telling him to leave.

Come to think of it, she had said she was looking for someone to work short-term. Once the harvest was over, the workers who came as customers would leave, so she wouldn’t need anyone long-term.

The reason Yeonjo decided to work here was also because of the “short-term” condition. At the time, he hadn’t intended to stay here long. His plan was to work for a bit while adjusting to life outside and then move on to another place.

So how long did the owner intend to keep him working at the tea room?

“Well, then….”

“Yeonsu’s Mom! We’re here!”

Just as Yeonjo was about to speak, customers suddenly arrived. His hesitant voice was drowned out by the boisterous greetings. Yeonjo immediately stood up.

“Hello. How many are you?”

Three middle-aged women with permed hair, just like the owner of Happy Tea Room, sat at the large table in the center of the hall. They had black plastic bags filled with groceries in their hands.

“My, you sound just like a Seoul cafe worker.”

“Yeonsu’s Mom, is this the new employee?”

“Yes. It’s been a while. Did you go to the market?”

“I bought some ingredients for soup. My husband said he wanted something hearty for dinner tonight.”

“What would you like to drink?”

“The usual for us. Instant coffee.”

“Minwoo, three instant coffees here.”

“Why three? Yeonsu’s Mom, join us. The place is empty anyway.”

“Minwoo, make that four.”

Yeonjo quickly nodded at the owner’s words.

“Do you need a menu?”

“No, it’s okay. We know everything on the menu.”

“So, they said a young man moved into town. You’re quite handsome.”

“You’re from Seoul, right? Why aren’t you working in Seoul? Do you have family here?”

“How old are you? You look young.”

The customers bombarded Yeonjo with questions as he tried to head into the kitchen. He had experienced this several times while working at the tea room, but he still felt uncomfortable with the excessive attention.

Noticing Yeonjo’s unease, the owner intervened.

“Hey, why are you asking such personal questions? Don’t you know about privacy?”

“Oh my, what’s with the privacy talk?”

“We’re just curious.”

“Minwoo’s here for personal reasons, and when I asked, he said he hadn’t found a job yet. So I suggested he work here part-time.”

“Oh, is that so? Still…”

“Minwoo, could you refill the sugar here?”

“Yes!”

Seizing the opportunity of the interrupted conversation, Yeonjo quickly escaped to the kitchen. Thanks to the owner’s tactful intervention, the customers didn’t continue to pester him with questions.

The customers, who seemed to know each other well, stayed at the tea room for well over two hours, catching up. Then, someone suddenly checked the time and clapped her hands in surprise.

“Look at the time! I need to go home and cook dinner. The kids will be home soon.”

“Is it this late already? I should get going too.”

Just as they had entered, they all stood up together and gathered their belongings to leave.

“Young man! Is your name Minwoo?”

Before paying and leaving, the customer who had first spoken to Yeonjo beckoned him over. Perplexed, Yeonjo blinked but walked towards the exit where she was standing.

“Here, this is deodeok.”

“Deodeok?”

“I heard you have weak lungs for someone so young. Take this home and boil it in water. It’s good for you.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have…”

She handed Yeonjo a small package of deodeok. Taken aback by the unexpected gift, Yeonjo waved his hands in refusal.

He wondered how far and how the rumors about his health had spread. The town was small, so everyone he met kept telling him to take care of himself.

“My husband also always complains about his throat and phlegm, so I got some for you while I was buying it.”

“Really, you don’t have to. It’s not that serious.”

“I know, I know. Still, boil and drink it whenever you think of it. It’s hard enough being sick when you’re old, but it must be even harder for a young person in a new place. Oh, it reminds me of my son.”

She patted his back without hesitation and then forcefully placed the deodeok in Yeonjo’s hand. In the end, Yeonjo bowed his head in thanks.

“I don’t know if I should accept this. …But thank you very much.”

“You have such a sweet way of talking. Yeonsu’s Mom, I’m really going now.”

“Take care.”

The customers left in a group, and Yeonjo looked down at the deodeok in his hand with a strange expression. He felt like it was too precious to boil and eat. He resolved to savor it little by little.

After placing the deodeok in the kitchen, Yeonjo tidied the messy tables. Fortunately, there had been slightly more customers today than yesterday, but it was still slower than last week. Each time he looked at the empty tables, Yeonjo’s mind grew more complex.

The number of customers would continue to decline. Although the owner appeared decisive, she was actually quite soft-hearted. Perhaps she was hesitating to tell him he could stop coming to work.

It would be better for him to offer to leave first. It wasn’t easy to say he wanted to quit after only working for about ten days.

Having finished closing up, Yeonjo hesitantly walked out of the kitchen. The owner was sitting at a table in the hall, finishing the accounts she had been working on earlier.

“Owner.”

Yeonjo spoke heavily.

“Yes?”

“About what you said earlier…”

The owner tilted her head at his cautious tone.

“What did I say earlier?”

“About how the harvest is over, and there will be fewer customers…”

“Ah, that. Yes, it ended unusually early this year.”

“Well, then, if it’s okay with you, I’ll work until tomorrow. It was a short-term job anyway.”

“Hmm?”

“Or, even just finishing today is fine. I feel bad continuing to work when there are so few customers…”

The owner, who had been listening quietly, gestured towards the opposite sofa.

“Minwoo, come sit here. I wanted to ask you something anyway.”

“What is it?”

“So, you do need a job, right?”

“Yes.”

“I asked before, but you didn’t kill anyone and run away, did you? I didn’t think so, but just confirming. It’s good to be sure.”

“Absolutely not. I was the one who got beaten.”

The owner nodded with a satisfied expression at Yeonjo’s firm voice.

“If that’s the case, why don’t you work here a bit longer? If you’re not happy with the hourly wage, I understand, but if you’re okay with it, you can work here until spring.”

Yeonjo leaned closer to the owner.

“I’m definitely not unhappy with the wage. But with so few customers… are you sure it’s okay for me to keep coming?”

“Didn’t you see those ladies earlier? They come to see you. Lee Yeonsu’s friends are always saying they want to come, so you don’t have to worry about a lack of customers.”

“…Really?”

Yeonjo looked intently into her eyes, trying to gauge whether her words were out of pity or genuine.

“Yes, really. Keep coming for now. But not for too long…”

“Thank you, owner!”

Honestly, even if it were out of pity, he didn’t mind. At her ready agreement, Yeonjo smiled, his lips curving upwards.

“And, well, if you have to leave suddenly for some reason, at least tell me the day before. Okay?”

“Of course.”

Yeonjo replied, habitually smoothing out a wrinkled part of the tablecloth in front of him. A smile spread across the owner’s face as she watched him.

“You’re a very diligent person, Minwoo. Your parents must be proud of you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I don’t know how you ended up here, but I’m sure you’ll do well in whatever you do.”

“…….”

It had been a while since he had heard such praise, and Yeonjo’s expression softened.

“You seem like the type who studies hard too. Were you a good student?”

“No. I didn’t even finish high school. I failed the GED too…”

“Oh dear…. How did that happen? Are you not smart? You seem like a bit of a blockhead, contrary to appearances.”

Yeonjo burst out laughing at her blunt words.

“I guess so.”

“Or did you have to work from a young age?”

“How did you know?”

“Your hands are deft for your age, so I figured you must have worked a lot of part-time jobs early on. It’s usually the same for people who are dirt poor or have sick family members.”

The owner nodded knowingly.

“Ah.”

“No, I’m not criticizing you or anything. Don’t misunderstand.”

“I don’t misunderstand.”

“I know this because, actually, Yeonsu’s father passed away early too. He was in an accident and bedridden for a year before…”

The owner rested her chin on the table and spoke calmly. Surprised by this story, Yeonjo blinked slowly.

“…That must have been difficult.”

“It was. What can I say? Of course, it was hard. I went crazy, and Yeonsu suffered a lot.”

Come to think of it, he had never heard her talk about her husband while working at the tea room. Lee Yeonsu was so cheerful that he hadn’t imagined he might have gone through something difficult.

As an awkward silence fell, Yeonjo moistened his lips, searching for something to say. And without realizing it, he started talking about his grandmother.

“I understand. My grandmother also passed away from cancer recently.”

“Oh dear. Were you raised by your grandmother?”

“Yes.”

“That’s why you’re so kind and diligent. That’s how it is when you’re raised by a grandmother.”

Despite the lack of any basis for her statement, the owner spoke with utmost conviction. Even if it was just empty flattery, Yeonjo found some comfort in her simple assertion.

“…I wonder if my grandmother would think so too.”

“Of course. You’re living a decent, respectable life.”

Respectable. Coincidentally, that was the kind of life Yeonjo desperately desired. However, looking back at his past, he wasn’t sure if he had truly lived up to that ideal. Thinking of his grandmother, he felt a pang of guilt for all the things he hadn’t done for her.

Noticing Yeonjo’s awkward smile and silence, the owner clicked her tongue.

“Living a respectable life isn’t anything special. It’s being able to take care of yourself through work, being good to the people you care about, and living through sadness when things are tough.”

“…….”

“Living a good life doesn’t necessarily mean being rich and luxurious. You have to learn to live within your means.”

Within your means. For some reason, those words resonated deeply with him. Perhaps he had been unhappy because he had desired too much, beyond his station in life.

“You’re right. …That’s so true.”

It had been so long since he had talked about his grandmother to someone new that his stomach churned with a mix of emotions. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, but closer to longing and affection.

Since his grandmother’s death, Yeonjo had been constantly plagued by a sense of desolation, as if a part of him had crumbled. Sadly, it was a feeling he had experienced before. He first felt it when he lost his family, and then again the day he abandoned Rags.

Now, too many parts of him felt empty. Would he be able to fill them all in his lifetime? Or did everyone live with this near-painful sense of lack?

Life was a constant stream of untamable sorrows. Before he could even collect himself, another trial would relentlessly come his way.

Yeonjo was exhausted from facing such sorrows.

“It’s already dark outside? Minwoo, you should get ready to leave.”

The owner, noticing the darkness outside, exclaimed in surprise and closed the account book she was writing in. Yeonjo nodded with a wistful expression.

“Yes, owner.”

🚬

That night, in his dream back at the container, Yeonjo saw an ordinary sea. There was a sandcastle someone had built on the beach, and the sunlight, hitting the waves rippling towards the horizon, scattered into hundreds of shades of light.

For the first time, Yeonjo felt naturally immersed in the dream’s scenery. He wasn’t aware he was dreaming, and he felt comfortable, free from any vague sadness or emptiness.

So, when he woke up in the morning, his mind was exceptionally clear. He must have slept deeply, as it was almost time for work.

Yeonjo quickly tidied his bedding, heated up the leftover food in the refrigerator, and then inhaled his medication through his inhaler.

As he finished getting ready for work as usual and headed towards Happy Tea Room, he saw a dark-skinned worker lingering in front of the building. He was staring intently at the menu written on the tea room sign.

“Are you coming in?”

Yeonjo asked tentatively, thinking he might be about to enter the tea room. The worker, with his hands in his padded jacket pockets, turned his head and glanced at Yeonjo.

“Um, no. I was just looking at what you sell…”

Trailing off vaguely, he looked back at the menu, then at Yeonjo again, before turning and walking away.

Yeonjo watched him for a moment before heading up to the second-floor tea room. He vaguely assumed he was one of the few workers who remained after the harvest season, perhaps for other tasks.

That day went by as usual. The morning was slow, and in the afternoon, a group of locals came in. They placed their orders, drank their tea, chatted for a while, and then naturally ordered a late lunch.

As always, the customers returned home before evening. After collecting their dishes and washing them, the tea room became quiet again.

Yeonjo, having finished his work in the kitchen, was about to go out to the hall to straighten the scattered sofas.

Clink. The bell chimed as two men entered.

“Welcome.”

It was rare for customers to come this late. Feeling puzzled, Yeonjo politely greeted them and turned towards the entrance.

It was the dark-skinned man he had seen in front of the tea room that morning. He sat down at a table by the window with his companion, casually glancing around as if the menu was of no interest.

Sitting across from the dark-skinned man was a man in a suit, wearing a gold necklace and chewing gum. His characteristically slouching posture and swagger seemed familiar somehow. Like a gangster….

As that thought crossed his mind, the man in the suit looked directly at Yeonjo. He had sharp, almond-shaped eyes. His gaze was piercing and blatant.

Yeonjo’s heart sank. He felt as if all the blood in his body was draining away.

“…….”

Yeonjo’s hands and feet, which had been moving naturally, froze stiff.

The two men started whispering, glancing at Yeonjo’s face. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the indistinct murmur that tickled his ears grated on his sensitive nerves.

An unexpected wave of anxiety washed over him, like a storm surging on a calm lake.

“Minwoo Oppa! What are you doing here?”

Just as Yeonjo stood frozen, unable to even think about taking their order, Lee Yeonsu, who had just finished school, approached and greeted him cheerfully.

Lee Yeonsu tilted his head, noticing Yeonjo’s unnatural expression.

“Was it busy today? Why are you so stiff? If you’re tired, I’ll take their order. Give me the menu.”

“Oh, uh… Thanks. I’ll leave it to you.”

Assuming Yeonjo wasn’t feeling well, Lee Yeonsu took the menus and headed towards the table. Yeonjo took the opportunity to escape into the kitchen. He tried to act as if nothing was wrong, but the man’s piercing gaze had unnerved him, and his body wouldn’t cooperate.

What if that man from earlier is one of Boss Gu’s men? Could I have been found out?

Yeonjo gripped the sink and took a deep breath, trying to control his increasingly rapid breathing. But instead of calming down, his symptoms worsened.

It might not be. I’m overthinking it. There are plenty of people like that, whether in Seoul or here. He was just looking. I don’t need to read too much into it.

No matter how much he tried to reassure himself, ominous thoughts flashed through his mind.

The sharp gaze of the man he had just encountered felt like a stab in the chest.

Yeonjo instinctively knew it was time to leave this place.

“That’s so rude.”

A few minutes later, Lee Yeonsu approached Yeonjo, who was still gripping the sink. Having finally caught his breath, Yeonjo asked casually,

“What is?”

“Those men from earlier. I gave them the menus, and they just left without saying anything.”

“…Really?”

“They could have at least said something. Who’s going to go after them and ask if they don’t order? So annoying.”