Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual Chapter 8

The hotel was bizarre in some way.

 

In the center stood a single front desk. Beside it, staff members with mechanical smiles stood quietly in formation. 

 

‘This is not a structure built for profit and efficiency.’ 

 

Then, what was it for?

 

The classical yet luxurious interior seemed detached from reality, and the man in the black suit standing in the center of it was even more alien.

 

It was difficult to read the gaze from behind the transparent lenses of his glasses.

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Presently, the man in the black suit asked.

 

“How did you come to visit us?”

 

“Oh, that’s….”

 

Only then did the director come to her senses.

 

‘This is truly a professional hazard.’ 

 

She couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh to herself.

 

If she were to tell the story of exactly “how they came to visit,” an hour wouldn’t be enough. Director Lee Seonhae thought this as she offered an awkward smile. 

 

“Is this a hotel?”

 

“Yes, thank you for visiting our hotel.”

 

“Ah, I see. Actually, I didn’t know there would be a hotel in a place like this… so I wanted to confirm if this really was a hotel. My apologies if this was rude.”

 

“It is my responsibility and joy to welcome the guests who visit. Please let me know anytime if you have any questions.”

 

Ding—!! 

 

Immediately after, three more people entered the hotel.

 

“Director, we need to talk…!!”

 

“….”

 

“…Hello.”

 

“Yes, thank you for visiting our hotel.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The writer merely bowed his head slightly. It might have looked like he was in a bad mood, but the director knew better. He was just feeling embarrassed and awkward.

 

‘He’s just as shy as he looks.’

 

Lee Seonhae laughed awkwardly as if to smooth over the atmosphere. 

 

“Actually, we got lost while trying to head to the accommodation we had reserved.”

 

“I see that happened to you.” 

 

“Yes, I suppose there are many mountains around here, and with so much rain, there must be a problem with the signal. The navigation and the cell phones are all completely dead. Is it alright here at the hotel?”

 

“As this is an environment where signal reception is not smooth, there may be some difficulty in providing a definitive answer. I ask for your understanding.”  

 

“Ah, the signal…?”

 

“….”

 

The man’s smile deepened. It was elegant and refined, but his inner thoughts were hard to discern. 

 

“As there are many guests who prefer to refrain from communication with the outside world.” 

 

“…Oh, is that so?”

 

Lee Seonhae felt the writer’s hand poking her back repeatedly. It seemed to mean that it was suspicious, so they should just act appropriately and leave.

 

She swept her gaze across the vast lobby. She could see a couple of guests sitting on the lobby sofa.

 

“…There aren’t many people, are there?”

 

“That is generally the case.” 

 

“I’m sorry, it’s rude to ask such things, but I’m just very curious.”

 

“It is quite alright. Responding to such curiosity is also one of my roles as the person responsible for this hotel.” 

 

“Do you manage this place?”

 

“That is correct. However….”

 

The man’s gaze lingered on the drenched group.

 

It was an indifferent and polite gaze, but they couldn’t hide their embarrassed expressions. They had umbrellas, yet they looked like drowned rats. They had gotten soaked just from running over for a moment.

 

The man pretended not to see their embarrassment.

 

“If you are comfortable with it, I will prepare towels and warm tea for you.”

 

“Ah, there’s no need to go that far….”

 

“The rain outside is quite heavy. It would be best for you to warm your bodies up.”

 

“Th-that is true.”

 

The staff members were the first to be swayed by the offer, whispering to the director and the writer. 

 

“Can’t we rest for just a moment before we go? Honestly, everyone must be tired from coming all the way here without resting once… and Director, you’ve been behind the wheel the whole time.”

 

“Writer Hong also had motion sickness on the way. Honestly, I’m just more scared. It’s a mountain, it’s raining heavily, and the sun set long ago… what if we get into an accident like this?”

 

Writer Hong had a look that said, ‘Then isn’t it scary here, too?’ but Director Lee Seonhae agreed. It was because the desire to examine this hotel further as a creator, due to the indescribable sense of dissonance, outweighed her caution.

 

“Oh my, shall we? Do you guys want to rest for a bit before we go?”

 

“Yes, yes, yes, at least if we could borrow towels….”

 

“Since he’s offering tea too, let’s just warm up before we head out.”

 

Writer Hong poked the director’s side vigorously with an anxious expression, but she remained steadfast.

 

“Could we ask for that?”

 

“Of course. Please, this way.”

 

The man guided them to a table in the lobby.

 

“….”

 

And the director’s expression turned subtle as she looked at that seat.

 

“…Director?”

 

“No, it’s nothing. The table is pretty.” 

 

“Ah, it’s luxurious. The sofa, too.” 

 

“Right?”

 

“It looks very expensive.”

 

“Yes….”

 

The director looked at the man before sitting on the sofa.

 

“The sofa is going to get wet, what should we do? I’m so sorry.”

 

“This is a seat prepared to host our guests. If you would please not decline and rest comfortably, we would actually be the ones who are grateful.”

 

“Ummm….”

 

“Excuse me.”

 

Cling—.

 

The man shook a small bell.

 

‘A bell?’

 

Lee Seonhae blinked.

 

The handbell lightly gripped in the man’s hand was smooth without a single noticeable pattern. If there was something slightly unusual, it was that unlike other bells, it was made of a matte material without any gleaming polish, and…

 

“….”

 

…Isn’t that real gold?

 

“If it would be uncomfortable, may I lay out some towels for you beforehand?” 

 

“…Ah, if you could, we would be grateful.”

 

“I will prepare them immediately.”

 

‘It’s quite antique.’

 

Perhaps the bell sound was the signal. The staff who approached immediately laid towels on the sofa, and soon after, another staff member appeared holding a refined tea set.

 

Every process was swift, yet there was no haste. On the contrary, it was silent, and not even the sound of the teacups touching the tray could be heard. As if they wouldn’t allow a single friction sound.

 

It was an ideally excellent service.

 

“Wow….”

 

“If you sit down, I will prepare the tea for you.”

 

“Ah, yes, y-yes.” 

 

Once they sat down, tea with a pale golden hue was poured into the cups. Writer Hong, who enjoyed tea, recognized at once that it was high-quality chamomile tea.

 

The sweet scent of apples, honey-like softness, and fresh grass notes spread through the dry air of the lobby.

 

“…Ah….”

 

Writer Hong Gyeongyeon’s face, which had been stiff, loosened slightly.

 

“…The scent is really good.”

 

“You flatter me.”

 

“The skill in brewing is also remarkable. Did you learn this somewhere specific…?” 

 

“I learned it through self-study.”

 

“Ah, I see.” 

 

Director Lee Seonhae, who had been watching the writer’s expression, cut in with a playful remark. 

 

“Is it really alright for us to be treated this well?”

 

“As you can see, there are not many people to serve in this hotel. That also means we have the leisure to focus on each and every person.”

 

“You don’t seem to be just a staff member.”

 

“….”

 

The man drew a thin, smiling arc with his eyes.

 

“That is correct.”

 

“Ah, is it a secret, perhaps?”

 

“My, should I create that kind of secret for a guest? I am just cautious that it might be perceived as unpleasant bragging.”

 

“When you say it like that, I get even more curious.”

 

“Haha….”

 

The man let out a slow laugh and replied.

 

“I am the operator of this place.”

 

“Oh my.”

 

The director asked again.

 

“A general manager… is that what you call it? Or the owner?”

 

“I hold both positions.”

 

“Good heavens.”

 

“I suppose I don’t look the part, after all.”

 

“No, I’m sorry. It’s just….”

 

She looked at the man’s face once more.

 

“You looked so young, so I didn’t recognize you.”

 

“I hear that quite often.”

 

“….”

 

“For your reference, it has been quite a long time since I became an adult.”

 

“…I haven’t even said anything yet.”

 

“My apologies, you looked like you were worried about the management system of this hotel.”

 

“Was it that obvious? How embarrassing.” 

 

The writer and two staff members who were listening also could not erase their suspicious glares.

 

‘It’s been a long time since he became an adult?’

 

‘No matter how well I look at him, isn’t he just a college student…?’

 

‘So exactly how old is he?’

 

The man, who was leisurely enjoying their gazes, called for the staff again. The hands that took away the wet towels and handed out dry, warm ones again were extremely precise.

 

As the dry, warm air touched their skin, the group’s tension melted away little by little.

 

‘This hotel is still suspicious, though.’

 

The director looked at the man who had called himself the operator.

 

“…Actually, this friend here is a writer….”

 

“I see. I felt like I had seen you somewhere before.”

 

“Oh? Do you know?”

 

“If my memory is correct, you are Writer Hong Gyeongyeon, aren’t you?”

 

“Oh my.”

 

Pfft—

 

The writer spat out his tea.

 

“Cough, hack….”

 

“Pardon me. I worry that I may have been too forward in pretending to know you.” 

 

“Ah, no. No. It’s just, I was surprised….”

 

“I apologize if I was rude.”

 

“…No….”

 

Hong Gyeongyeon was famous as a horror movie writer. However, unlike Director Lee Seonhae, his face wasn’t very well known. It was because he disliked his identity being revealed.

 

Of course, to those in the know, he had a recognizable face…. 

 

“I am sorry, as there are not many people who know my face unless they are people in the industry.”

 

“I have a habit of remembering names and faces together. You appeared briefly at a premiere once, did you not?”

 

“Ah, that’s right. But I almost never went out….”

 

“The fact that you do not appear in public often, I remember that quite impressively.”

 

“…Is, is that so.”

 

The man, who answered the writer’s words with a smile, looked at the director.

 

“I am well aware of the writer, but it seemed you were about to ask something just now, Director.”

 

“Ah, that.”

 

The director laughed in an intentionally embarrassed manner.

 

“We’re people with vivid imaginations, so I was going to ask if you could satisfy some of our curiosity. Between the location of this hotel and all sorts of other things, we have a lot of questions….” 

 

“I understand completely. Please, feel free to tell me anything.”

 

“Say, since we are always stuck together as a set with Writer Hong, I thought you would naturally know, so do you know me, too?”

 

“Of course, Director Lee Seonhae. The works you have co-produced are well-established for their high level of perfection. The sensual direction and excellent mise-en-scène were especially impressive.”

 

“I feel quite embarrassed to hear you say that.”

 

“Personally, I enjoyed watching 「Ocean」 deeply. It is rare for a work to contain the strengths of both commercial and art cinema simultaneously. It was an extremely excellent work that did not miss even the minute details.”

 

“Oh my.”

 

A genuinely embarrassed laugh burst out.

 

“Ah, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to hide it, but I was worried it would sound like I was asking for special treatment if I brought it up. You know how I feel, right?”

 

“You don’t need to worry. We are actually the ones grateful for such words.”

 

The man continued.

 

“The director’s interest is an honor for me as well. If you would like a Q&A format, I will gladly give you some of my time.” 

 

“Right, so to speak, an interview?”

 

“However, one thing I ask for your understanding on… it will only be possible under the premise that the content is not disclosed externally.”

 

“…Why can’t it be known?”

 

“Because the less known this hotel is, the more valuable a space it is.”

 

“You know that the more you say that, the more suspicious it sounds, right?”

 

“I must have been clumsy with my words to have given such an impression. My apologies.”

 

The man, who apologized with a light, smiling gaze, rang the bell once again.

 

A staff member who appeared from somewhere placed a chair, and the man sat on it. At that clear gesture to faithfully respond to the director’s questions, Lee Seonhae burst into laughter as if she felt sheepish.

 

“I don’t know if this is taking up too much of your time.”

 

“Please, do not mind it. Conversations shared with guests are also a very welcome thing for me.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Since our guests here generally have a reticent disposition, opportunities to talk directly like this are rare.”

 

“Ah… certainly….”

 

Seonhae instinctively scanned the lobby. 

 

She saw about three guests in the lobby, but not one of them opened their mouths. People sitting blankly dressed in white, or reading a newspaper in a suit, or someone constantly writing something down. 

 

“….”

 

…Not only was there no vitality, but they didn’t look very pleasant either.

 

‘They don’t look normal, either.’

 

The director threw the first question.

 

“Here, it is a hotel, right?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“It doesn’t seem like there are many people.”

 

“It is still in the trial operation stage. We are allowing entry in an extremely limited manner.”

 

“Ah, that’s why.”

 

Lee Senhae nodded, satisfied.

 

“Honestly, I was surprised. I didn’t know there would be a massive hotel like this in the mountains. I couldn’t see it well due to the weather, but it looked well over 20 stories?”

 

“Our hotel is 25 stories above ground.”

 

“There are that many guest rooms?”

 

“No. The upper floors and a portion of the lower floors are allocated as dedicated service spaces for our guests.”

 

He explained that the 25th floor was the rooftop with a walking garden. The 23rd floor was the Aqua Park. The 22nd floor was the Sky Lounge. The 3rd, 5th, and 6th floors were Lifestyle Zones. The 2nd floor was the Grand Ballroom and buffet. The guest rooms were from the 7th to the 21st floor. 

 

The writer, who heard the explanation, felt a sense of dissonance and asked.

 

“…There is no 4th floor?”

 

“That is correct, there is no space containing the number ‘4’ in our hotel.”

 

“Is there a special reason?”

 

“Yes, some of our guests are extremely sensitive to specific numbers. Therefore, all floors containing ‘4’ have been intentionally excluded. I didn’t design it myself, but that is how it is in the records.”

 

“There are hotels like that from time to time, but… you said you were the owner, but it seems you weren’t involved in the design of the hotel.”

 

“I have merely been entrusted with the operation of this hotel.”

 

The director asked again.

 

“There don’t seem to be many guests, but the facility and location are strange.”

 

“This place does not originally have a large number of guests who can stay here.”

 

“Ah, then how many people…?”

 

“A total of 135 guest rooms are prepared.”

 

“…135….”

 

The director looked back at the staff member sitting next to her. 

 

“Usually, how many rooms does a hotel of this size have?”

 

“I, I don’t really know either. In the first place, I’ve never even been to a hotel of this scale….”

 

It was the writer who answered instead.

 

“On average, there are about 500. Even if the scale is a bit small, there are 200, and large hotels sometimes well exceed 700.”

 

“Writer Hong is truly my own personal Na-Wiki. If you prod him, answers come out.”

 

“I just remember it because I saw it when I was researching materials.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

The director looked at the man.

 

“The number of guest rooms is small, right? And this is such a huge hotel.”

 

“Instead, we have secured the space of each guest room comfortably.”

 

“From a guest’s perspective, that’s great, but for management…?”  

 

“It was designed with a structure that focuses on ‘completion’ for a few specific guests rather than profit.”

 

“…Ah, I see.”

 

She thought she understood what he meant.

 

“You can’t even book this place on the internet, right?”

 

“Within the system I know, I understand it to be impossible.”

 

“Mmm….”

 

The director’s expression became even more subtle.

 

“Is it really alright for us to be here?”

 

“Since I officially hosted you here, there will be nothing that becomes a problem.”

 

“That is true, too.”

 

The director, who agonized for a moment, asked as if she had made a decision.

 

“By any chance, can we also stay overnight right now?”

 

“Director?”

 

“No, wait a second. Listen, Writer Hong.”

 

“I am listening.”

 

“When in our lives would we ever come to a hotel like this?”

 

“No….”

 

“Besides, I don’t know if there’s even a room.”

 

The director looked at the man.

 

“Would it be difficult, Boss?”

 

“…It is not that difficult.”

 

The man lightly stroked the bridge of his nose with his fingertips. It seemed like a habitual gesture.

 

“However, as I mentioned before, it is still in the trial operation stage, so it might be somewhat uncomfortable. Due to intermittent inspections, the lights may turn off without notice, or unpleasant noises may occur due to facility problems.”

 

“I’m okay because I actually want to have that kind of experience.”

 

“To be honest, I would not like to recommend it.”

 

“Is there a reason?”

 

“Leaving the operator’s position aside, and adding a purely personal opinion, the guests here are….”

 

His lips drew a crooked arc. His eyes narrowed calmly, but the gaze beyond them was still so deep that his true intentions could not be read.

 

The man said in a calm voice.

 

“They have a bit of a cranky side.”