Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 23

“Anyway, that’s how it turned out!” 

 

Lee Seonhae spoke brightly.

 

“Now that I’ve finished my self-reflection, I’m thinking of heading out of the hotel soon!” 

 

“Aha, I see.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo nodded.

 

“I am glad it was a meaningful time for you.”

 

He didn’t exactly know what had happened, nor what kind of self-reflection it was.

 

‘Did they have trouble sleeping?’

 

Whether they were troubled with thoughts or had nightmares. Regardless, Lee Yeonwoo was only grateful for their voluntary departure.

 

“Whenever you are ready, I will assist you with the check-out.” 

 

“We truly have no words, feeling like we’re causing trouble for you until the very end.” 

 

With that, Lee Seonhae poked Hong Gyeongyeon in the side.

 

The writer, who flinched and trembled, raised his head. Hesitating, as if he couldn’t figure out how to broach the subject, he opened his mouth.

 

“…I am truly sorry.” 

 

“You do not need to worry about it.” 

 

“No. I shouldn’t have done something so, so reckless….” 

 

“It merely shows how deeply considerate the two of you are.” 

 

“No, my careless behavior only seems to have caused you more injuries, Lee Yeonwoo-ssi. I wanted to apologize for causing a disturbance in this hotel when you must already be so busy.” 

 

His tone was calm, but his deeply apologetic demeanor was evident. He was probably viewing me as a greenhorn barely in his twenties. He seemed to be reproaching himself, thinking he had been a nuisance to a child.

 

“This whole affair happened because we entirely underestimated the situation. You warned us, and we sensed something was off, yet we still did what we shouldn’t have. Wanting to know more, thinking we might be able to do something… we let ourselves get carried away by foolhardy courage.” 

 

“….” 

 

“I am sorry for making you pay the price for that instead, Lee Yeonwoo-ssi. Because of our useless stubbornness, it was a situation where someone really could have died. Even though I’ve written scenes like that countless times, it seems I lost my edge the moment I found myself inside one.” 

 

Was it because he was a writer? It felt like he had spent quite a long time refining and agonizing over his sentences to deliver this apology. It was an apology full of emotion yet neatly structured.

 

“If I hadn’t done that, you wouldn’t have been hurt that badly. We know we were a great burden to you. I was truly sorry.” 

 

“We absolutely do not mean to apologize with words alone.”

 

Lee Seonhae smiled and handed over a business card. It was a black business card with a number engraved in gold foil.

 

“It’s my personal business card. I’m currently working as a director, but my connections are quite broad in various ways, and there are many things I can do. If you ever need anything later, I will help you with all my heart.” 

 

“A personal business card, what a precious gift.” 

 

“Mmm, ah, well. I’m not sure if it’s alright to offer just this as compensation, but… I’m sorry, this is all we can offer you right now.” 

 

“It is more than enough compensation. Thank you.”

 

He examined the business card. A firm yet smooth matte material. The numbers delicately embossed in gold foil on its surface. It was a business card that was clearly on a different level from those mass-produced and commonly handed out.

 

“…Indeed, a wonderful business card.”

 

…It felt strange. To think that in his lifetime, he would receive Director Lee Seonhae’s personal business card. 

 

‘I thought they were people I had no connection with.’

 

Staying in an isolated place for a long time makes a person strange. Many things of ‘everyday life’ get cut away. Not only life, but myself as well.

 

This single piece of paper, no larger than a palm, made his sense of reality even blurrier.

 

‘Was Team Leader Kang next door a passionate fan of Director Lee Seonhae?’

 

She was a director who was even talked about as a Nobel Prize candidate. Having broad connections wasn’t empty talk. There was even a joke that she had connections in the White House. She was famous and competent in various fields.

 

‘It’s more than I deserve.’

 

And it felt uncomfortable. 

 

‘It makes it look like I committed insurance fraud through self-harm.’

 

Of course, he knows too. From his perspective, it was akin to a game, but for them, it was an unfathomable reality.

 

‘They probably think an innocent young man suffered because of them. My tarnished reputation can no longer be repaired, but setting aside such personal feelings… it’s perfectly reasonable to receive this much compensation.’

 

It was just that Lee Yeonwoo himself didn’t feel entirely comfortable about it.

 

“…I will gratefully accept your gift.” 

 

“Oh my, I was worried about what to do if you refused.” 

 

“I cannot refuse a gift given with such sincerity.” 

 

Lee Yeonwoo smiled with soft eyes and tucked the business card into his inner pocket.

 

He wasn’t a fan of the two, but he personally supported them. Being confined in the hotel, he doubted he could ever receive ‘help’ like that, but he felt as though he had collected a celebrity’s autograph.

 

Right, which was why he felt like saying something unnecessary.

 

“May I speak of a personal matter?” 

 

“A personal matter?”

 

“There is something I wish to say, but it is too personal to say to guests I must serve.” 

 

“Oh, that’s… you can say whatever you like.” 

 

“I wonder how it will sound coming from me, but,”

 

It was a simple review.

 

“The circumstances were unfavorable this time.” 

 

“Pardon?” 

 

“Haha, which is why I am even more apologetic.”

 

It’s not as if the human world only runs when there is meaning and achievement.

 

“The situation, the timing, the place—everything was bad. However, you were good and right, and it simply became a poison here. Whatever reflections and worries you had, there is no reason beyond that. So, to add one more thing with my personal feelings…”

 

As is often the case after watching a movie, just a simple impression.

 

“Thank you.” 

 

“….”

 

Lee Yeonwoo liked this kind of drama.

 

“…I don’t think we did anything to be thanked for.” 

 

“Were you a person who evaluates solely based on results, Director Lee Seonhae? Assuming such harshness makes me laugh, but well, I did not see it that way.” 

 

“I didn’t know this, but you speak very well, Lee Yeonwoo-ssi. But if good intentions cause a nuisance, there would naturally be a lot for us to say to each other about those ‘results’. That’s only natural.” 

 

“I agree with that opinion.”

 

Why wouldn’t he know?

 

“Just as there are people who step forward with good intentions only to ruin things, there are also not a few people who join hands to collaborate but fail to even do their own share.” 

 

“Right.” 

 

“Therefore, I will not deny the existence of the actual harm the world has seen through those ‘good intentions’. Whether it be big or small, how could I deny the clear fact that a loss occurred?” 

 

“You really have a way with words…” 

 

“However, to add to that, it is surprising. That out of all the many words available, Director Lee Seonhae chose… ‘nuisance’ of all things.” 

 

A laugh escaped him.

 

“Is there any word sharper than this to corner oneself with.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Who said that? The General Manager standing before you? Those silent staff members? This troublemaking hotel? Or was it the people in those countless locations you personally dove into with a camera in hand?” 

 

“…Uh…” 

 

“Saying, ‘Don’t cause a nuisance when you’re just a documentary director.’” 

 

Presently, Director Lee Seonhae muttered.

 

“…Why on earth are you so good at talking…?” 

 

“Ah, what excessive praise. I will take that to mean you have been left with nothing to say.” 

 

“It’s more like I’m just speechless… I think you’re better at talking than I am.” 

 

“It is an honor for my family.”

 

His way of speaking, really. Despite being older than her, he was someone who lived like a young man anyway.

 

“If good intentions became a nuisance as you say, Director Lee Seonhae, it must be because the level of the situation was low. To not be able to handle a single unseen good intention is truly foolish and unsightly.” 

 

“Ha.” 

 

“It would be troublesome if you mistakenly believe that the entire makeup of the result belongs solely to you, Director. As God said, everyone before Him is a sinner, and the ancient sages said that being and non-being give birth to each other.” 

 

Whether positive or negative, more than two processes coexist in every result. Thus, there are neither true heroes nor true villains in the world, but at the very least, love existed.

 

If so, what a lovely talent this is?

 

“Judgment can be developed, but I believe the desire to be good and the will to walk the right path is a talent. I guarantee it. Had it not been here, your good intentions could have shone far more valuably.”

 

How often would a horror hotel management simulation game become reality?

 

“There must be more people out there than me who are desperately waiting for the careful attention and the single touch you showed here. So please, do not change. The one that is strange is this hotel, not you.” 

 

“….” 

 

“Because I am not one to resent those who tried to be good, and those who tried to be right.”

 

He had seen their documentaries. He had heard the stories behind those documentaries. They moistened the throat of a young man swept up in selfishness, and willingly captured lowered voices on film.

 

Some call them foolish and selfish. They evaluate them as self-righteous. A documentary director is one who captures reality on film, not one who changes it. That is how they are criticized.

 

‘But what does it matter?’ 

 

In the end, someone was saved by them, and someone must have been grateful. 

 

It is a matter of an individual bestowing goodwill with their own convictions and will. Lee Yeonwoo was not great enough to dictate how others should live. Most people would be the same.

 

As long as it didn’t block his path, Lee Yeonwoo respected the survival methods of everyone in the world. Much less when it was a path that contributed to the prosperity of humanity—why would he criticize it?

 

“Why wouldn’t I have been comforted by you?”

 

The goodwill of others was precious, and conversing with people was enjoyable.

 

“I will not tell you not to feel too uncomfortable. Because you will become more careful in the process. However, I wanted to tell you that at the very least, I did not view your actions that poorly.” 

 

“…Even though you were hurt.” 

 

“It is not a major injury.”

 

He knew they wouldn’t believe him even if he said this.

 

‘It would be hard for them to think the person in front of them is a game character.’

 

So Lee Yeonwoo didn’t emphasize it further and changed the subject.

 

“That was a presumptuous remark, my apologies. I have laid out too personal an impression to a guest.” 

 

“…I don’t really know where to start or what to say…”

 

Lee Seonhae’s gaze blurred. It wasn’t that she avoided Lee Yeonwoo’s eyes, but she simply looked exceedingly tired. Her face looked as if she was struggling to bear the weight of the words she had just heard.

 

And then, she slowly continued.

 

“Someone… told me that. That it’s a miracle we are still perfectly alive here right now. That the owner of this hotel showed us a great deal of consideration, and that such cases are rare.” 

 

“…?”

 

…Who?

 

“I still don’t really know how this hotel was made, or why and how it’s maintained, but I know this one thing. You, Lee Yeonwoo-ssi, seem like a truly… special person.” 

 

“….”

 

No, wait a minute, who? 

 

“While I find myself thinking it might have been better if you were a bit less special, had you not been, we wouldn’t be as perfectly fine as we are now. I am truly sorry, and so grateful.” 

 

“…Excuse me…” 

 

“I won’t trouble you any further.” 

 

“….”

 

Excuse me, what did you just say?

 

‘Who knows about this hotel?’

 

Who? How?

 

‘Why does that person know what even I don’t know?’

 

It could simply be that ‘someone’ was misunderstanding. Perhaps there was another facility similar to this. Or maybe they just guessed it would be that dangerous. Even so, it was enough to make him curious about the other party’s opinion.

 

But Director Lee Seonhae leisurely concluded the conversation.

 

“We plan to check out at dawn tomorrow. You must have been very tired because of what happened yesterday and this conversation now, so I’m sorry for holding you up. I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

 

“….”

 

Whether a professional habit had already formed, the response came out automatically. 

 

“…Have a good night.”

 

Lee Yeonwoo was, truly, bewildered.

 

So who, why, and how do they know about this hotel…?

 

Don’t tell me they know it… better than I do?

 

* * *

 

“…Hmm…”

 

A sturdy old man stroked his chin.

 

“…It seems Seonhae dropped by a labyrinth.”

 

He could not guess the existence that child had met.

 

‘The master of the labyrinth showed consideration.’ 

 

Could it be a human? Or a goblin.

 

Either way, it was a rare occurrence.

 

“….”

 

I should express my gratitude.

 

* * *

 

And the hotel.

 

Did not like.

 

All of this.

 

“…….”

 

Did not like it. Did not like it!

 

Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it?

 

Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it¿

 

Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it¡

 

Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Did not like it. Didnotlikeitdidnotlikedidnotlike didnot didnot like didnot didnot didnot! didnot! didnot! ! ! ! ! ! !

 

“….” 

 

“….” 

 

“…No…”