I Quit My Job and Open a Café

“You’re finally here!”

“Huh?”

“Hurry and come in. Everything is ready, but we couldn’t open the door without the chief mourner.”

A rough hand grabbed mine and pulled me inside the house.

When I entered, I saw a traditional Korean house. The old structure had been well preserved but remodeled in a modern style.

There was a wooden floor, and from there, I could clearly see the yard. The house was designed so you could see everything happening outside from inside.

But inside, the house was empty. Outside, many people were gathered. It seemed like they were all greeting each other, as if this was a meeting spot.

‘What is this?’

I had been deeply sad on my way here. But now, my emotions have stopped, as if frozen.

Many questions filled my mind, but…

“Let’s talk about it later. First, we need to see your grandfather.”

“Oh…”

Yes, that was the most important thing right now.

I pulled myself together.

I changed into my mourning clothes and headed toward the room where my grandfather was.

I thought I was fine, but…

I wasn’t.

As I got closer, my hands began to shake. My heart beat loudly.

With every step, my feet felt heavier.

I didn’t want to accept it.

That my grandfather was gone.

That I was alone now.

Then, an old man, who had been guarding the room, saw me and stood up.

“You’re finally here. Chief, bring the mourner here.”

“Yes, sir. Come on, let’s go.”

The old man nodded at the person who brought me and opened the door.

And then…

I saw a familiar face.

My grandfather.

He was lying there, smiling as if he was just sleeping.

As soon as I saw him,I dropped to my knees.

“Grandfather… sob!”

I hugged him and cried loudly.

I didn’t expect to cry like this, but once I started, I couldn’t stop.

For a moment, I wished it was just a joke.

Maybe my playful grandfather was playing a trick on me because he was angry at me.

It didn’t make sense, and I would be mad if it were true, but still… I wished it was.

But no.

This was real.

“Okay, okay.”

Someone patted my back, just like my grandfather used to.

And for the first time since my parents passed away, I cried out loud.

* * *

It took me a while to compose myself, but eventually, I was able to say goodbye to my grandfather.

Just as he wanted, the funeral was held at home, but for the burial, he was temporarily taken to a nearby funeral hall.

While going through the funeral procedures and calming down, I started to remember the person who had led me here.

He was someone I had known since I was little, the man from the blue gate house. But he had grown so much stronger over the years that I didn’t recognize him right away.

He had built even more muscles as he got older… something I never imagined for myself.

And now, he was the village chief…

“Haha! That kid with the runny nose grew up this big! It’s been such a long time!”

“Yes, it’s been a while. By the way, were you the one who called me?”

“Ah, yes.”

I asked if he was the one who had called, and he confirmed it.

I felt it wasn’t the right time for small talk, so I bowed to express my gratitude for his help in watching over my grandfather.

“Thank you so much.”

“Haha! It’s nothing. We all help each other, so it’s natural. I just did what needed to be done.”

After exchanging greetings, I learned about what had happened that morning.

“Every morning, he would go to the café, but today, the door didn’t open, and he didn’t come out.”

“A café?”

“Yes, it was the place he went to every day without fail.”

‘He went to a café every morning? I can’t believe it…’

I remembered a day when my grandfather came to the city.

He suddenly wanted to go to a café, so we went to a trendy place nearby.

The food was expensive and not great, and I complained about it. But deep down, I think he actually enjoyed it.

He went to that café every morning.

‘Of course, it wasn’t about the drinks; it was probably the people he met there he liked.’

I remembered that my grandfather always loved people.

“Ah, I see.”

“Anyway, the old man who came every morning was missing, so we looked inside. There was no response, no sound, so when we opened the door, he was peacefully resting with his eyes closed.”

“Ah…”

He passed away peacefully, without struggling.

It wasn’t a bad way to go, and I thought maybe that was a bit of relief.

“By the way, it might be a bit messy. The person who passed away always said, if you leave, don’t be sad, just laugh, talk, and have fun. That’s why everyone’s here, so don’t think it’s strange.”

“That sounds just like him.”

I smiled faintly at that. It was something my grandfather would say.

Even in his old age, he still loved to joke around and make playful faces.

I felt thankful to those who respect his wishes and helped make this less sad.

If I had been alone, I would have felt even worse.

“Ah, I’ve been talking too long! Everyone’s waiting, let’s welcome them.”

“Ah.”

As the village chief said, I looked around and saw people waiting. They were all here for my grandfather.

I started to greet the guests.

The once empty house quickly filled with laughter and voices.

People were eating and drinking, laughing together.

It didn’t feel like a funeral at all. It felt more like a party.

People helped set everything up, so all I had to do was greet them.

Guests came in a steady stream for almost three days, without rest.

They all seemed happy.

They greeted, ate, chatted, and then left.

‘Well, that’s normal for a funeral… but…’

The visitors were all very different.

I even saw some students in uniforms and some children.

There were also foreigners.

My grandfather’s connections were surprising and impressive.

‘This is really overwhelming.’

Even though I was already exhausted, meeting so many different people made it more overwhelming. But time passed quickly.

And then…

The last day arrived.

It was time to clean up and leave.

Just then…

I saw the old man who had been guarding my grandfather’s room on the first day.

Had he been here all along?

I quickly went over to greet him.

“Sorry for the late greeting. My name is Chun Yujin.”

“Ah, it’s fine. So, you must be the grandchild of Chun Younggam?”

He was dressed casually, but his presence was strong.

His gaze was different from ordinary people’s, but luckily, he smiled kindly at me when he saw me.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Haha. I’ve never met you before. I’m Bae Hongseok. I was a close friend of your grandfather.”

“Ah, really…”

Bae Hongseok stretched out his hand for a handshake.

When I took his hand, I felt a strange warmth and coldness at the same time.

What was that?

I looked at him, unsure. But his hand was tapping mine, and I suddenly remembered my grandfather.

It felt like the same hand that used to pat my back when I cried in front of him.

“Ah, you look just like Chun Younggam. Haha.”

Just then, the strange feeling faded, and all I felt was warmth from his hand.

“Thank you.”

“Haha! No need for thanks. By the way, have you eaten?”

“I’m fine. Please, go ahead.”

“Oh, you should eat, even during a funeral. Now that it’s over, let’s eat comfortably.”

Bae Hongseok insisted, and despite my protests, he made me sit down and eat.

Even at his age, he was strong, just like my grandfather.

In the end, I ate what was given to me—spicy soup and boiled pork.

But Bae Hongseok only drank soju.

Even when I offered, he just said he was full.

“By the way, how did you know my grandfather?”

While pouring soju into his glass, I asked, genuinely curious.

Not just him, but even the village chief and other villagers… I had been too busy to ask everyone until now.

“He was a regular at the café. Chun Younggam was my supporter.”

“Really?”

I tilted my head, surprised.

My grandfather? A supporter? He seemed like a playful, carefree person, so it was hard to believe.

And the café?

“Didn’t you know? Your grandfather used to run a café.”

“My grandfather ran a café?”

“Yeah, he was the owner. Didn’t he ever tell you?”

This was the second time someone mentioned the café.

The village chief had said he went there every day, but he didn’t mention that my grandfather ran it.

“Haha! He never told you? Your grandfather liked to keep secrets from you, huh?”

Bae Hongseok laughed, pleased by my surprise.

I couldn’t believe it. My grandfather ran a café? How come he never told me?

Suddenly, I could almost hear his playful voice in my head.

— Didn’t know, huh? That’s why I told you to come more often!

A picture of my grandfather smiling in the funeral hall seemed to say the same thing.

He kept this secret from me?

“Haha! Your grandfather always called you a troublemaker, and now look! He got you all fooled!”

“Did he really call me that?”

“That’s right. He called you a fool when he missed you. Oh, and sometimes he said you looked lazy and couldn’t even take care of yourself. I bet that’s when you complained to him, right?”

“Uh.”

If he had been there, I would have asked what exactly he was saying about me. Of course, he would have said it proudly.

Seeing me frown, Mr. Baek Hong-seok seemed to change the subject and asked another question.

“By the way, I heard you work in the city.”

This was a bit awkward for me, but after thinking for a moment, I decided to tell the truth.

“Well… I quit on the way here.”

Mr. Baek’s eyes suddenly sparkled as he looked at me with a mischievous smile.

“Hmm? You quit on the way here? Haha! That’s why that old man was laughing!”

“Yeah, I guess so?”

“Of course! He would’ve loved it!”

I expected him to react like this, considering he seemed so much like my grandfather.

My grandfather always used to say that working at a company for life wasn’t everything.

He would tell me to laugh at him the day he quit his job. Looking back, I think that was his way of encouraging me. He was telling me that it’s okay to quit when things get too tough.

I realized now that those words were comforting, and Mr. Baek’s reaction didn’t make me feel bad or uncomfortable at all.

“Haha! I shouldn’t have laughed like that. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I think you laughed in place of my grandfather, so I’m actually happy about it.”

“That’s good to hear. You seem like a great person. That company made a mistake. Oh well.”

After my response, Mr. Baek seemed to realize his mistake and apologized, then took out a small business card from his pocket.

He handed it to me and said, “It’s true that your grandfather saved my life. If you ever need help, contact me here. Especially if it’s about that cafe, feel free to reach out.”

Without thinking, I took the card.

[Phoenix Mart Baek Hong-seok]

It had a black background with a red bird design and just a simple title. It looked high-end, and I could tell he wasn’t an ordinary person.

“Has time really passed so quickly? I kept you too long. Go on, rest now.”

With that, Mr. Baek left.

I stayed behind, thinking over our conversation, and something kept sticking in my mind.

‘A cafe…’

For some reason, that thought kept swirling in my head.

* * *

After the funeral, I went back to my grandfather’s empty house and collapsed onto the bed.

The village chief, the villagers, Mr. Baek Hong-seok, and all the people who came to pay their respects. Thanks to all these good people, it felt like we had sent my grandfather off well.

‘I guess that means my grandfather was a good person.’

Suddenly, I imagined my grandfather’s face, as if he were scolding me for just realizing that now.

I still missed him, but this time, I didn’t feel as emotional as before.

I just felt empty.

It seemed like I was tired. I had stayed up for three nights, and even though I was used to working late at the company, it felt like I had reached my limit.

My eyelids started to feel heavy.

Then, at that moment!

A strange sensation started at my fingertips and spread throughout my body.

It was cold, warm, refreshing, and soft—all at once.

‘Wait… where have I felt this before?’

As I tried to remember, a scene appeared before my eyes. It wasn’t my house, but a beautiful landscape, almost like a painting.

And then…

Khuu-hung!!

A huge white tiger, as big as a house, was running toward me.