Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 17

“It never stops raining on this mountain.” 

 

“Tell me about it.”

 

The director, sitting in the passenger seat, looked out the window.

 

“Even for a rainy season, this is extreme.” 

 

The two hadn’t forgotten their purpose for coming here: securing a filming location.

 

But today, they wrapped things up a bit early. The roads were already rough, making the travel time long. To make it back by the 7 PM they had mentioned, it was best to head back early.

 

“Still, getting there exactly by seven will be tough, right?” 

 

“The GPS says we’ll arrive at 7:20.” 

 

“That should be close enough.” 

 

The worried faces of their two staff members came to mind.

 

“What a hassle for the kids, having to follow us around.” 

 

“It feels like a long time since I’ve heard you say that.” 

 

“Oh, right? When we quit documentaries, I thought we’d never have to deal with this kind of thing again.”

 

Even so, they eventually got to the main point.

 

“The 7th floor… what do you think it was?” 

 

“I’m sorry, but I’m already exhausted just thinking about it.”

 

Searching for hidden villas all over the mountain wasn’t an easy task. And to have to stay on edge even at their lodging. What with the actors too, this summer was definitely cursed.

 

“…First of all, it’s clear that there’s a dangerous guest on the 7th floor.” 

 

“Right, we came to the conclusion that the ‘guest who likes rain’ must be staying on the 7th floor.” 

 

“Since he said it’s a trial run, there shouldn’t be many guests in the first place, but I don’t know if it was exactly that guest who called for him. I’m sure he said back then, ‘Perhaps because of the rain, there are many guests on the 7th floor.'” 

 

“Now that I think about it, I don’t think he ever actually said not to go to the 7th floor because it’s dangerous.” 

 

“And yet, it’s funny how this situation was set up to make us think that way. I think he might have said that on purpose so we wouldn’t go to the 7th floor.” 

 

“You mean the part about there being a lot of people on the 7th floor? That’s possible.”

 

The General Manager, Lee Yeonwoo, was someone skilled at handling people. Even when the situation wasn’t right for it, conversing with him felt comfortable. It must be his social skills.

 

“7th floor… The 7th floor, huh…”

 

And the call.

 

“What could that call mean?” 

 

“It’s also a bit strange that the General Manager went instead of a regular staff member. In other words, it means it’s a situation that’s hard to handle unless it’s the General Manager.” 

 

“Maybe an incident of that magnitude happened, or maybe they specifically asked for the General Manager.” 

 

“Aren’t both situations strange?” 

 

It was weird for an incident to occur that absolutely required the General Manager, and it was also weird for a mere guest to summon the General Manager. Not to mention, he was also the owner.

 

“I keep thinking this, but for the owner of a hotel, he doesn’t seem to receive the treatment he deserves. He seems to have plenty of authority, but somehow….” 

 

“You mean Lee Yeonwoo-ssi?” 

 

“Yeah. Usually, you don’t summon an owner that way.” 

 

“I’m also curious how someone treated like that can be the owner of the hotel in the first place. He’d be busy enough just doing that, but he’s doubling as the General Manager too.” 

 

“With a hotel of that scale, they usually only do one.” 

 

“Wait, maybe he isn’t the owner?” 

 

“Do I need to relearn the dictionary definition of ‘owner’?” 

 

“That’s not what I mean.”

 

The director waved her finger.

 

“Just because there’s an owner doesn’t mean there’s only one.” 

 

“…Co-owners?” 

 

“Exactly. From the start, he said himself that he was merely asked to manage the hotel.” 

 

“In that case, it would be a situation where the capital provider and the management rights holder are separate. The actual owner of the building and assets is someone else, and Lee Yeon-woo might only hold the operating rights.” 

 

“That sort of case is common. In those situations, the asset owner usually holds more power.” 

 

The director, who had been pondering, nodded.

 

“Then it somewhat paints a picture.” 

 

“Aren’t there also cases where the building owner and the operator are on equal footing?” 

 

“Does it seem like that kind of situation to you right now?” 

 

“Ah…”

 

The writer showed a look of dismay.

 

“Can’t we just throw Lee Yeonwoo-ssi over our shoulders and run away?” 

 

“What about the other staff? Are you going to kidnap all of them too? I’m telling you, that could make things even more complicated.” 

 

“I know, I know. I just said it because it’s so creepy.” 

 

At best, he looked like a college student.

 

“I don’t know what they’re doing with a kid who barely just grew up. That ‘call’… you don’t think he suffered something strange, do you? If there’s an actual owner out there, he’s ultimately just another kind of employee…” 

 

“That’s why we packed up early to head back today.”

 

It was because they were anxious, so anxious.

 

“The word ‘call’ sounded too unsavory.”

 

The blood-stained cotton glove was still vivid in her eyes.

 

Director Lee Seonhae had completely abandoned any expectations for the hotel since that moment. It was because of what she had seen so far. Everywhere in the world operated with an absurd level of cruelty.

 

It was an indifferent structure—so much so that one could safely say that if there was any cruelty someone could imagine, it was definitely being realized somewhere.

 

“I hope it was just a trivial call, but if it were that kind of call, a regular employee would have gone, not General Manager Lee Yeonwoo. You know, like the staff who came during our breakfast.”

 

“Exactly. Regular staff handles room service, so what other reason would there be for the General Manager to go personally? No matter how I look at it, the guests in this hotel don’t seem normal, which makes me more anxious.” 

 

Even though it was a trial run, there had been opportunities to see other guests. But someone had been staring into the void, and someone else had been crying. Another person had even been glaring at them.

 

“Those people were really not in their right minds….” 

 

Hearing his fed-up tone, the director looked at him.

 

“Doesn’t it really seem like a psychiatric hospital?” 

 

“A hospital would at least try to treat them. This is just shoving crazy people in.” 

 

“I really knew a facility like this would pop up someday.” 

 

“Wait, why?” 

 

“Among those with money, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t care about their public image, and dangerous people are bound to emerge even in those families. I mean cases where it’s not just a slight mental deficiency, but someone truly dangerous.” 

 

There are people who are born lacking something. It could be reason, or it could be emotion. If it were merely a case of clouded intellect, simple care wouldn’t be a problem.

 

But people with intact intelligence but unique sensitivities, or those with clouded reason and high aggression—they were among the members of society who could exist anywhere in the world. 

 

“Ah, this kind of thing is a really sensitive issue.”

 

They couldn’t be criticized for that alone. And they shouldn’t be.

 

However, the hotel guests were becoming increasingly unsettling. It didn’t seem like they were staying there for typical reasons. 

 

“Right. That’s why it’s a hotel, isn’t it?” 

 

“What is?” 

 

“You can care for a guest, but you don’t need cumbersome procedures to enter or leave.” 

 

“…Besides, it’s in a deserted, remote area. It really is the perfect place to keep up appearances in many ways.”

 

In any case, they were sick of it.

 

* * * 

 

They had many thoughts while traveling. What could that call have been? Was there a big problem? If there was, how should they respond? Should they just pretend not to know and let it slide again this time?

 

“Ah, you’re here today too. Yeonwoo-ssi!” 

 

“Please don’t raise your voice so much in the lobby.”

 

“Was I too loud? Sorry about th—” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Huh.”

 

So they were flustered.

 

“…Lee Yeonwoo-ssi!”

 

The lobby of the hotel on its trial run.

 

There were almost no guests, and the spacious lobby was quiet. In a place where even the staff held their breath, raising one’s voice would naturally catch anyone’s ears.

 

“General Manager?” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Uh…”

 

The writer expressed his bewilderment through silence, and the director shared the sentiment.

 

It was bewildering. Very much so.

 

“…Didn’t he definitely just see us?” 

 

“…Rather than seeing us, we are within his field of vision.” 

 

“But why is there no reaction?” 

 

“It seems like he can’t hear our voices, either.” 

 

“Strange.”

 

The General Manager was standing at the counter again today. He would look at the lobby clock, then look at the monitor on the counter. He wasn’t spacing out. He was clearly working.

 

Yet, he couldn’t perceive them.

 

“….” 

 

“Yeonwoo-ssi.”

 

The director approached him at a steady pace.

 

“Yeonwoo-ssi, can you hear me?”

 

She passed the main entrance.

 

“We just got back.”

 

She passed the lobby pillars.

 

“Outside… it’s raining a bit.”

 

She passed under the chandelier.

 

“We agreed to talk at 7, right? I’m sorry we’re a little late.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Ah, was it not quite a promise? This is embarrassing. You must be tired, but do you have time?” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Yeonwoo-ssi.”

 

She passed, and passed, and passed.

 

Only when they were at a distance where, slightly exaggerating, they could reach out and touch him.

 

“Um, Yeonwoo-ssi?” 

 

“….”

 

Only then did his gaze meet theirs.

 

“…Ah, you’re here.”

 

A fleeting dry expression, followed by a smile forming.

 

“We’ve been calling you since the main entrance.” 

 

“….” 

 

“…Are you feeling unwell?” 

 

“No.”

 

An artificial denial that came out immediately, as if he had been waiting for the question.

 

But the silence that followed immediately after.  

 

“….” 

 

“….”

 

His mouth was pressed shut as if he didn’t know what to say, or perhaps as if he knew but couldn’t bring himself to speak. His gaze wavered with slight confusion and heavy self-reproach. 

 

Soon, words came out as if forcibly squeezed out.

 

“I’m really, fine.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Truly.”

 

Unfortunately for the person who had made the effort, it didn’t sound fine at all.

 

“….”

 

…What a crazy hotel.

 

* * *

 

The writer racked his brain.

 

‘Inattentional Blindness, Selective Inattention…’

 

Perceptual failure based on attention. 

 

To put it more simply, it’s a state of being so intensely focused on something that one fails to perceive other things. Naturally, there are various causes. 

 

Recalling related materials, Writer Hong Gyeongyeon followed behind the General Manager.

 

“Please, this way…”

 

The place he guided them to was the 1st-floor lounge.

 

“I apologize for not being able to provide a more elegant setting. As I mentioned before, our hotel is currently undergoing a trial run, so our available facilities are extremely limited. Unintentionally, I have committed a discourtesy.”

 

When he rang the bell, the staff brought tea.

 

“Since you seem to usually enjoy delicate flower teas, Writer, I have specially prepared peony tea for this occasion.” 

 

“…It’s been a long time since I’ve had peony tea.” 

 

“Unlike its floral meaning of ‘shyness,’ the scent is quite bold and deep. I hope my humble discernment has met your taste.” 

 

Thin white porcelain. It was a ceramic cup with a sense of transparency. The golden liquid inside emitted a modest glow. A scent less sweet and more calming than roses relaxed the mind and body.

 

‘Is this also one of his social skills?’

 

This time as well, a staff member placed a chair for the General Manager and disappeared.

 

He sat in the chair.

 

“Since the hotel is located in the mountains and it coincides with the rainy season, the air is quite cold even though it’s the middle of summer. I prepared a warm tea like last time, so I hope it suits both of your preferences.” 

 

“Oh my, it’s wonderful.”

 

The director chatted playfully with her usual flair.

 

“This is my first time trying peony tea.” 

 

“Is that so? Peony is a medicinal herb with charms as diverse as its brilliant appearance. Especially in weather like this, it is quite helpful for looking after one’s health.” 

 

“Oh my, really?” 

 

“It is known to have excellent effects on improving blood circulation, alleviating muscle spasms, and providing anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits. It might sound like a common promotional phrase, but they say it also has efficacy for skin care.”

 

The manager laughed as he added.

 

“Though it’s an efficacy that you hardly need, Director.”

 

At that, the director looked at the writer.

 

“Drink up, Writer. Your skin’s been rough lately.” 

 

“Why are you saying that when we’re rusting away together?” 

 

“Our writer’s skin is very… hmm? Lately, hmm? Is it a bit bad?” 

 

“Ah, seriously.”

 

A faint herbal scent wafted through the air.

 

“This kind of has an oriental medicine scent too, doesn’t it?” 

 

“Yes, that’s because the root was used as well. Originally, peony root sometimes requires caution depending on one’s constitution, underlying medical conditions, or interactions with medications currently being taken…”

 

The manager, gazing quietly at the teacup placed before him, showed a faint smile.

 

“This tea has been blended with adjusted concentration and balance so that you both may enjoy it comfortably. It is not a medicinal tea strong enough to expect full-scale treatment, but it is safe enough for lightly soothing a body weary from a rough schedule.”

 

The writer took a sip of the tea.

 

“….”

 

A subtle sweetness and a slight earthy smell. It possessed a different charm from a rose. As he mentioned its medicinal properties, a faint bitterness and the astringency of herbal medicine could be felt. But it was clean.

 

‘…The peony I had before wasn’t that cheap either.’

 

It wasn’t a commercial product. It was at least handmade. Seeing things like this made her vividly feel that this was a space for the upper class. It wasn’t a tea to be served to just anyone. 

 

‘But why is the owner of such a place…’

 

Hong Gyeongyeon looked at the General Manager.

 

“Did the tea suit your taste?” 

 

“…Ah, it’s wonderful.” 

 

“I am relieved that my choice has not inconvenienced such esteemed guests.”

 

“Not at all…”

 

He recalled what happened earlier.

 

‘Unfortunately, that wasn’t simple carelessness.’

 

An abnormality in attention isn’t something extraordinary. It happens when focusing intently on something, when a stimulus is outside the range of expectation, or when a situation is so familiar that an exception goes unnoticed.

 

But Lee Yeonwoo was working at the time. He was scanning his surroundings, and his mind seemed clear. Yet, he couldn’t capture Hong Gyeongyeon and Lee Seonhae in his vision. He captured them, but failed to perceive them.

 

‘Visual agnosia…’

 

The main cause is. Damage to a specific area of the brain.

 

“I caused a discourtesy in the lobby just now.” 

 

“…Ah, pardon?” 

 

“Because the two of you still seem worried, I braved the discourtesy and brought it up first.” 

 

“…I’m sorry, it must have been obvious.” 

 

“Not at all. Receiving someone’s pure concern after a long time made me happy as a person, before being a manager. However, should you have to feel uneasy in a hotel, a space for rest?” 

 

“Well, um.”

 

The General Manager gave his characteristic smile. A smile that made people feel at ease.

 

“It is fine, you don’t need to worry too much. At the time, I had urgent work that required my immersion, so I failed to perceive your calls.”

 

He adjusted his glasses and added.

 

“Thinking about it again, it was clearly my carelessness. I apologize once again.” 

 

“No, that’s…”

 

When Hong Gyeongyeon stammered, the director spoke up as if taking his place.

 

“People can be like that when they’re busy, why are you calling it a discourtesy?” 

 

“Thank you for your generous understanding. As looking after the guests is my duty, I will take special care to ensure such carelessness does not cause concern again in the future.” 

 

At Lee Yeonwoo’s words, Hong Gyeongyeon thought inwardly.

 

‘That’s not something that can be fixed just by keeping it in mind.’

 

No, actually, he didn’t know for sure.

 

‘There are too many causes.’

 

Stroke. Traumatic brain injury. Encephalitis or other infections. Hypoxic encephalopathy. Brain tumor or surgical aftereffects. Which of these was it? Or was it another symptom altogether?

 

‘He looks fine on the outside, but there are so many parts covered by his clothes.’

 

Fortunately, his head seemed fine. It didn’t look like he had been hit on the head by something. No, even this wasn’t certain. He wasn’t a doctor, nor could he closely examine Lee Yeonwoo’s condition.

 

The director looked at the writer like that, then pinched the bridge of her nose.

 

“…Excuse me, we originally intended to talk about something else today.”

 

The director smiled with a slightly tired face. It also seemed like a faint sigh could be heard.

 

“I’ll be a bit honest.” 

 

“….” 

 

“It seems you don’t really know how loud we were at the main entrance earlier. Just like with your hand last time, it looks like you have no intention of telling us… but at this point, don’t you think even we, who are complete strangers, have reason to worry?” 

 

“…I have shown you an embarrassing side.” 

 

“You can’t see even when looking, and you can’t hear even when listening.” 

 

“Is that so?” 

 

“You must have had something happen in those few hours that worsened your condition.”

 

It was an absolute straight shot. The writer was shocked, but the director ignored him.

 

‘He isn’t a normal victim.’

 

He was far too sturdy to be called an average victim. Not his body, but his mind. Or his judgment and behavioral capabilities. Coaxing and soothing are useless on someone this solid.

 

‘To get desired information out of a person like this, what you need is not evasion, but an attack.’

 

Otherwise it would be a trade, but right now they had neither information nor items useful for a trade. So, they had to eliminate any room for evasion. Even if they pushed him into a dead end, it was a toss-up whether he’d open his mouth or not.

 

“You received a call then and went up to the 7th floor. I think something must have happened there. I wonder why someone who would do just fine holding his weight in the lobby dragged those heavy steps to a mere guest?”

 

She even used provocative language.

 

“You’re worried we might cause trouble, aren’t you?” 

 

“…Yes.”

 

See, she knew it.

 

“Then please, talk to us.”

 

The opponent is evasive and defensive, but shows goodwill towards them. Although the probability of an adverse effect from attacking isn’t zero, it is on the lower side.

 

That made it all the more pitiful. Even in this state, he was worried about Lee Seonhae and Hong Gyeongyeon. That was why he meekly affirmed it. What a calculating yet good-natured person he was.

 

“We know our place too; we know how the world works. It’s true that we find this hotel interesting and want to look into this and that, but if we feel it’s dangerous, we’ll run away instantly. We have that much survival instinct, at least.” 

 

“Considering the splendid track records of you two, I am slightly doubtful of that so-called survival instinct.” 

 

“Ah, well, you have reason to think that. But you know seeing as we quit documentaries and are making creative films now. We’re people who even changed our paths because we thought we’d die living like that. Have a little faith.” 

 

“Well…”

 

Lee Yeonwoo stared at her, and then, soon.

 

“Nothing much happened.”

 

He added with a light smile on his lips.

 

“Because all I did was briefly play with a guest who likes water. Thanks to that, my shirt got a bit wet, but I just have to dry it.” 

 

“….” 

 

“I tend to cherish our guests, but watching the two of you immerse yourselves in too dangerous a pastime is a bit hard for me to bear. Don’t you think so?”

 

…A guest who likes water.

 

“You’ve admitted that this hotel is dangerous.” 

 

“It is shameful as a manager, but I thought I had to honestly admit at least that much so you would be even a little more careful. Was I mistaken?” 

 

“How embarrassing, you know us too well. You must have seen troublemakers often.” 

 

“That’s how it goes when you live.”

 

Is this as far as it goes for now?

 

‘It will be dangerous if I dig any deeper now.’

 

She had to know how to be satisfied and restrain herself when he yielded a step. If she didn’t want to incur his anger, that is.

 

‘It looks like our writer has roughly figured out the rest.’

 

Whatever he had found out, the writer’s face had turned pale white. In any case, he was a person who showed everything on his face. The director shrugged.

 

“You seem tired. If it’s too much, how about it? Shall we postpone today’s conversation?” 

 

“Is that so? I thought this time sitting face to face with you two was a sufficiently meaningful conversation…” 

 

“Is there someone who would hate it if you talked with us longer than this?” 

 

“….”

 

Once again, a short silence and denial.

 

Lee Yeonwoo’s gaze briefly shifted behind Lee Seonhae and Hong Gyeongyeon. Lee Seonhae looked behind her, but there was nothing. Then Lee Yeonwoo’s voice continued.

 

“…That can’t be.” 

 

“Your words come out late at the most exquisite timings, don’t they?” 

 

“I am also quite… perplexed.” 

 

“We feel the same.” 

 

“Haha…” 

 

“You look tired.” 

 

“That is true.”

 

An affirmation finally came out.

 

“Perhaps because the weather is a bit cold.”

 

No, only half of one?

 

“It doesn’t seem like such a cold day.” 

 

“It feels cold especially today.” 

 

“That can happen.” 

 

“It seems I was too hasty this time. I wanted to offer a complete hospitality to our precious guests, but rather committed a discourtesy due to my condition. I am just deeply sorry.” 

 

“Oh, if you go that far, what does that make me.” 

 

“Could we please postpone this precious time slightly to another occasion? The next time we meet, I wish to serve the two of you fully in a flawless state…” 

 

“….” 

 

“I ask for your generous understanding by all means.”

 

Isn’t it a difficult world?

 

“Let’s do that.”

 

And a dizzying world.

 

‘…Anyway, this meddling nature of mine.’

 

I thought I’d fixed it a bit, but people really don’t change easily.