Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 11

He won’t eat. 

 

“…To be perfectly honest, I really don’t want to eat it.”

 

“No.”

 

“I’m not being fickle; I’m saying I thoroughly dislike it.”

 

“No.”

 

“Look at me. I’m asking this out of genuine concern: was the physiological mechanism of nutrient intake in this body designed within ‘normal parameters’ at all?”

 

Lee Yeonwoo furrowed his brows as he looked at the plate of steak and beef vegetable porridge placed on the table.

 

Although he had led them to it, it had ultimately been accepted as the same room service request. The food had appeared in the 21st-floor dumbwaiter. He had brought it directly to his quarters.

 

“It is the most basic preset dish provided at the tutorial stage, but….”

 

As one progressed into the latter half of the game, R-rated recipes that abandoned all humanity would appear, but this was still the tutorial. Visually, it looked like a perfectly ordinary—perhaps excessively neat—’meal.’ 

 

The important thing here was that it appeared edible even for a ‘normal person.’

 

“….”

 

…And Lee Yeonwoo was currently not a ‘normal person.’

 

‘Actually, shouldn’t I have been worried about myself first, rather than the human guests, when it comes to consuming this hotel’s food? Even though I volunteered for this clinical trial, now that the food is right in front of me, my confidence is waning.’

 

It wasn’t a pleasant task.

 

“Is it really alright to eat this?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“There won’t be any unfortunate incidents like experiencing reflux after consumption or damaging my innocent internal organ linings, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“The functions to masticate and swallow food are… yes, they do exist. I know that much with my head.”

 

“Yes.”

 

There clearly existed a related ‘motion’ in the system. While it was closer to the concept of a ‘potion’ to recover status ailments than filling hunger for survival, in any case, this body defined the process of swallowing food.

 

Yeonwoo eventually put a spoonful of porridge into his mouth.

 

‘…I can taste it, at least.’

 

He had considered the possibility that the function of taste might have disappeared. Given the flimsy durability of this body, it wouldn’t have been strange if some of the five senses were incomplete. 

 

But it was a groundless fear. The taste stimulated the tip of his tongue not just vividly, but sensitively. It seemed his defense mechanisms were a mess, while his sense of taste had mutated to a point of being stimulating.

 

“Why is the quality… so high?” 

 

While feeling a strange sense of doubt, he simultaneously felt a strange sense of pride.

 

‘To think that the food in Ho-One assumed this level of quality.’

 

He felt like he had come to an immersive pop-up café planned intentionally by a major conglomerate. That virtual image he had only seen as crude pixel clumps beyond the screen was actually existing in such a sophisticated form.

 

“Even a basic 1-star grade dish is at this level?” 

 

“Yes.”

 

“…Have you ever eaten it?”

 

“No.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo indifferently cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and gave it to Coco.

 

“….”

 

“There’s no reaction.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“So there was one.”

 

Coco’s expression was fixed in that smile that kept reminding him of the Cheshire Cat. It was hard to read emotions from that face which didn’t blink an eye, but well.

 

The act of opening its mouth wide every time he offered meat was a very clear indication of its will.

 

“Since your face is always the same, it’s really hard to accept feedback.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo muttered in a dry tone, as if sorting through difficult experimental data. Even while doing so, his hand was busy finishing cutting the steak.

 

“Ah.”

 

“Wait, Guest. The product is being prepared.” 

 

“Ah.”

 

“The airplane is flying away~”

 

“Ah. Ah.”

 

“Good.”

 

The bowl hit the bottom in an instant. If one were to calculate the stake, 90 percent had vanished into Coco’s stomach. It ate meat, and didn’t even discriminate against porridge; it ate well.

 

“…?”

 

He was starting to wonder if there was even a limit to this monster cat’s appetite.

 

‘…Well, it’s a good thing if the kid eats well.’ 

 

Having concluded that, Lee Yeon-woo continued.

 

“You eat well, Coco.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Can I ask for your help sometimes?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Yes!”

 

As a result of consuming it himself, no physical abnormalities were discovered. But biological safety and personal preference were separate issues. Lee Yeon-woo did not particularly enjoy the act of eating itself.

 

So the conclusion was, he was glad he had gained a reliable dining companion.

 

“Seeing that my body accepts it without any major issues, it doesn’t seem to be poison, at least.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I think it’s okay seeing that even an old body like mine can accept it, but on the other hand, I’m anxious because there are many unchecked factors. Even if it is a place like this, putting uncertain things on a guest’s table is not my preference.”

 

“Old body?”

 

“Excuse me, I had rejuvenated. But regardless of that, as you age, your worries only increase. There aren’t any food safety inspection kits here. Right, what should be done… there’s still no guarantee this isn’t toxic.” 

 

“Guarantee.”

 

Coco lifted its head and stared Lee Yeonwoo directly in the face.

 

The corners of its mouth still held that bizarre smile, but strangely, conviction was harbored in those pupils. The pronunciation that landed clearly without even moving a single muscle in its mouth was a novel experience every time he saw it.

 

Soon, Coco spat it out as if making a declaration.

 

“Guarantee!”

 

“…Ha,”

 

Yeonwoo let out a low laugh while adjusting his glasses frames.

 

“What do you mean you guarantee it?”

 

“Coco.”

 

“This normal conversation is enough to bring tears to my eyes….” 

 

There was no logical basis, nor proof in documents, but the attitude of taking responsibility by putting its own name on the line was quite commendable. Doesn’t it seem like a young nephew being stubborn to relieve his uncle’s worries?

 

And….

 

“….”

 

Aside from that cuteness, this co-owner was, unexpectedly, quite honest.

 

“…In this opaque system, you are going to offer ‘personal credit’ as collateral? From the perspective of doing business together, it’s truly a crude method, but, well.”

 

“Coco, guarantee.”

 

“It’s not bad.”

 

It was worth teaching it how to speak.

 

“I’ll try believing in that groundless confidence of yours just once.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“If later the honorable guests complain of, say, a stomachache, you, as the co-owner, will have to handle the aftermath with me. Do you understand?”

 

“Guarantee!”

 

“How reassuring.”

 

Yeonwoo slowly reached out, grasped the cat’s squishy front paw, and shook it lightly.

 

“I’m counting on you, Coco.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Yes.”

 

* * *

 

The director said.

 

“It’s f*cking delicious.”

 

The writer scolded her. 

 

“Please speak like an adult.”

 

“It was a marvelous flavor that naturally brought out exclamations.”

 

“Director.”

 

“The moment I took a bite, a restrained depth and harmony unfolded in my mouth.”

 

“Ah, come on.”

 

“It’s been a very long time since I had such an exquisite taste. My heart was captivated by the incomparable, neat taste.”

 

“I was wrong. I’m sorry.” 

 

“I thought so too.”

 

The director grumbled.

 

“It was delicious, so I said it was delicious, what with talking about the words being vulgar or childish….”

 

“I’m going crazy, seriously. Please don’t frame me; I never said anything like that.”

 

“But this really is delicious.”

 

“That’s true, actually I just wanted to eat something comfortable for my stomach, so I didn’t expect much.”

 

“Why would you not have expectations after coming to a hotel of this size?”

 

“No, actually, I pondered about it yesterday, too. If they were at the level of bringing and eating food privately, wouldn’t they have even brought a personal chef along, the guests here?”

 

“Uh… probably?”

 

“Then I thought, maybe there’s no public chef here, well, I thought something like that. It’s fascinating that this level of quality comes out during a trial operation.”

 

“Trial operation also depends on the trial operation.”

 

While there are places that just check if it runs as intended, there are places that have everything ready and check before officially accepting guests. This place seemed closer to the second.

 

The director looked out the window.

 

“It’s still raining.”

 

“Isn’t it less than yesterday?”

 

“Let’s start moving, slowly.”

 

Didn’t they have a purpose for coming here? They had to finish the field trip within a week.

 

“We have to leave quickly before our writer gets scared and faints.”

 

“There you go teasing me again. It’s so unfair I can’t work with you.” 

 

“The money’s already been spent; there’s no turning back. You finished all the contracts with the actors, right?” 

 

“You know your personality is truly terrible, right?”

 

They quickly packed their things and headed out. Since they were just exploring, they carried very little. 

 

There were elevators lined up in the hallway. The number was large, but not a single one had the lights on. It meant the guests staying here didn’t move much.

 

The director’s group checked their keys while getting on the elevator going down.

 

“You brought the keys, right?”

 

“Yes, Director.”

 

“Then let’s go, the rain has thinned out a lot, so it should be perfect to see the atmosphere.”

 

“We should bring the atmosphere of this gloomy weather to life, though.”

 

“We’ll mostly be filming indoors, but we certainly have to film what needs to be filmed before summer passes.”

 

“I hope the rainy season lasts longer.”

 

They arrived at the lobby quickly.

 

The air was humid but desolate. They could feel the staff looking around the lobby. The director felt the same. This place had many interesting aspects. 

 

“Ah.”

 

The figure of the general manager standing near the front desk came into view. His appearance was as tidy as the day before, but his silhouette, receiving the faint morning sunlight, had a strange clarity.

 

Was it because of the sound she made without realizing it, he turned his head and made eye contact with the group.

 

“You’ve come down.”

 

A smile of appropriate warmth—not too light, yet not burdensomely heavy. 

 

He approached with a relaxed stride, keeping a distance that wasn’t too close while holding his hands behind his back. It was a stride permeated with expertise, respecting the other party’s space while naturally taking the lead in the conversation.

 

…He was a person who knew how to steal someone’s gaze.

 

“Did you have a comfortable stay?” 

 

“It was just too good. Breakfast was also incredibly delicious.”

 

“I am pleased to hear that. I was concerned due to the shortage of kitchen staff, but thanks to our guests’ generous tastes, our dignity has been preserved.” 

 

“My, look at how charmingly you speak.” 

 

Noticing Writer Hong Gyeongyeon standing stiffly beside her, Lee Seonhae continued the conversation. 

 

“We’re thinking of heading out slowly… since we have to go around here and there.”

 

“I see. The weather is rough; the fog is deep, so please have a safe drive.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

After the brief exchange, the group stepped outside the hotel. The world was thick with rain and fog. 

 

“No wonder the floor was soaking wet….”

 

One staff member said while looking at the sky with a fed-up expression.

 

“Director, I will drive today.”

 

“You won’t get lost like yesterday, will you?”

 

“The signal is working again, so what’s the problem?” 

 

“That is true. Start the car.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Two staff members went into the car. Whether they started the engine, the car made a roaring sound. The director was standing near the hotel door.

 

“….”

 

…The writer looked back at her.

 

A cautious voice came out.

 

“Did you see it?”

 

“Uh.”

 

The director recalled the conversation with the general manager.

 

“His hands were badly injured.” 

 

To the point where blood was dripping.