Romantic Gangster

#04

The next day, Hyun-joon’s seat was conspicuously empty again. Ji-woo stood at the back of the classroom, quietly observing the empty desk and chair before letting out a small sigh and walking past Hyun-joon’s seat.

“Ah, I’m hungry.”

“Didn’t you eat breakfast?”

“I did. Mom made braised ribs in the morning, so I ate two bowls of rice, but when I realized I might be late, I ran like crazy and now it’s all gone. Oh, I’ll bring you some braised ribs later. Mom said to give you some too.”

“She always thinks of me too… How can I thank her enough? Is your mother home in the evening? I feel like I should stop by and at least say hello.”

“My mom? Yeah, she’ll be there. Then come over to our house later.”

Ji-woo nodded and smiled, then took out his phone as it vibrated in his pocket. The small screen displayed a message from the convenience store owner asking him to call when he was available.

After checking the time, Ji-woo quickly called the owner. There were still about 3-4 minutes left before the first period would start.

“Hello, it’s Ji-woo.”

– Yes, Ji-woo…

In a voice that sounded like he had been crying, the owner said he had received news that his mother had passed away and he was on his way to his hometown. He added that he would need to close the convenience store for at least a week to handle the funeral and aftermath.

Although it was startling to suddenly be unable to work for quite a while, it was unavoidable. Ji-woo could only console the owner and simply agree when he said he would contact him again.

“Who was that?”

“The owner. He said his mother passed away, so the convenience store will be closed for about a week.”

“Wow. Don’t you need to go?”

“I asked, but he said it’s more than a six-hour drive from Seoul, so they’re keeping it to just family.”

“Well, it’s sad for the owner, but you suddenly got a vacation, huh? What are you going to do?”

“I’ll have to hand out flyers for a few days or something.”

“Hey, just take a few days off.”

While part of Ji-woo wanted to just rest at home without thinking about anything for a few days as Young-jae suggested, he knew that if he handed out flyers instead, he could earn at least 150,000 won in a week. He couldn’t afford to rest this time. It’s not like anything would drastically change without that 150,000 won right away, but he wasn’t in a position to choose leisure over earning that money.

Ji-woo opened his textbook, thinking he should look for short-term part-time work he could start from this evening during lunchtime.

* * *

Writer: Lucky Pool Hall

Title: Hiring for Pool Hall Coupon/Flyer Distribution (Cheongmun Station Exit 7)

We are a new pool hall in front of Cheongmun Station Exit 7.

Hiring for coupon/flyer distribution. Experience preferred.

Flexible hours. Can work only desired days.

Text welcome at 010-9566-XXXX.

Information

Hourly wage: 12,000 won

Location: KW Building, Cheongmun Station Exit 7

Days: Mon-Sun

Hours: Negotiable

Ji-woo’s eyes fell on a post while browsing a local information app that often had listings for small daily part-time jobs. Cheongmun Station was close to school, and working just two or three hours was quite a good condition. Ji-woo immediately texted the number in the post, pausing his meal.

“What, are you really going to hand out flyers?”

“Yeah. What else would I do if I’m not working?”

“You’re really something, you know that?”

As Ji-woo smiled at Young-jae, who was shaking his head saying he was impressive, he received a positive response from the pool hall. Forgetting about the side dishes, Ji-woo quickly swallowed a mouthful of plain rice and replied that he would go to the pool hall by 8 o’clock, as they said he could start work right away.

“Ah, what a relief…”

“What is? That you found work?”

“Yeah. I was a bit anxious about possibly wasting a whole week.”

“What is it, really? Is it different genes? Or is your brain just completely different? How can you be anxious about not being able to work?”

“Hmm… I think it’s just different circumstances.”

“…I’ll shut up and eat my food, teacher.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ji-woo hadn’t particularly meant to lecture, but it seemed to have come across that way to Young-jae. As Ji-woo playfully went along with Young-jae, who was suddenly looking apologetic and fumbling for words, he turned his head towards a sudden commotion.

“…Huh?”

Three or four large people entered the cafeteria. Ji-woo let out a short breath as he saw Hyun-joon standing at the back of the group. It seemed he came to school to eat, even if he didn’t come to class.

“He really stands out.”

“Yeah. Is it because he’s tall?”

“It’s not just about being tall. The proportions are important, and how are his proportions like that? His face is also… damn. The world is so unfair.”

“Are you envious?”

“Of course I’m envious. Aren’t you?”

“…Well, not really.”

What Ji-woo envied was people who had even one family member. A family with whom you could spend time at the end of the day, talking about each other’s day. It was a feeling that arose after his beloved grandmother passed away, leaving an emptiness in his heart.

Swallowing the words he wanted to say, Ji-woo put a sausage in his mouth. Afraid he might cry if he thought more about his grandmother, he lifted his head towards where Hyun-joon was.

At that moment, his eyes met Hyun-joon’s, who was turning his head from afar. Ji-woo thought it might be his imagination, but he knew it wasn’t when he saw Hyun-joon hesitate and frown.

As expected, Hyun-joon sat far from where Ji-woo was seated. Ji-woo glanced in that direction once before focusing on his meal. He had only eaten about half, but Young-jae had already cleaned his tray and was devouring the bread he bought during second period. Although Ji-woo couldn’t match that eating speed completely, he moved his spoon diligently, not wanting to make Young-jae wait too long.

After finishing the rest of his food, Ji-woo went outside and sat on a stand, drinking chocolate milk. Young-jae had run off to the playground to play soccer when a classmate from the next class said they needed one more player. Ji-woo, not particularly fond of sports, watched Young-jae play soccer for a bit before quickly losing interest and getting up. He thought it might be better to go back to the classroom and do his English homework.

As he entered the eerily quiet main entrance, with everyone in the cafeteria, playground, or classrooms, and climbed to the second floor, he heard a commotion from above. Ji-woo looked up at the increasingly loud noise as he climbed the stairs to the third floor. As he turned the corner, he saw Hyun-joon’s group from the cafeteria coming down the stairs, horsing around.

“Ah, you crazy bastard. Still, do you want to hook up with someone Na Sung-hoon’s been with?”

“Hey, if it feels good, that’s all that matters. Why bother with that stuff?”

“Be a bit more discerning, you idiot. Don’t just sleep with anyone just because they’re an omega.”

Two guys whose faces were familiar but whose names Ji-woo didn’t know were laughing loudly as they walked. Behind them was Hyun-joon, about to add something.

“Yeah, we should be more…”

Hyun-joon’s words were cut off the moment his eyes met Ji-woo’s. Ji-woo, seeing Hyun-joon’s slightly bewildered face, passed by without saying anything. He had something he wanted to say, but he didn’t want to say it in front of Hyun-joon’s friends.

By the way, he’s showing up a lot today. Was he always moving around like this? Why haven’t I seen him even once until now… Was it because I wasn’t interested?

Ji-woo tilted his head as he entered the classroom.

The “coincidental” encounters with Hyun-joon, which he thought would end with once in the cafeteria and once on the stairs, happened again in an unexpected place – in front of the pool hall where he was supposed to start his part-time job.

When he arrived at the pool hall door after climbing the stairs, the elevator door right in front opened, and Hyun-joon stepped out.

“…Huh?”

“…Are you really following me?”

“I got here first, you know.”

“So you’re saying this is all coincidence?”

“Yeah. I’m surprised too.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You heard what I was saying in the cafeteria and came here knowing I was coming with the guys, right?”

While it was true that Ji-woo had seen Hyun-joon in the cafeteria, he hadn’t heard any conversation between Hyun-joon and his friends. He wasn’t close enough to hear, and he hadn’t particularly tried to listen either.

“It’s true that I’ve been looking for you, but meeting you on the street yesterday, twice at school today, and now here – they’re all coincidences.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“You’re very suspicious. You were like this yesterday too.”

“You’re acting in a way that makes me suspicious. Didn’t you say you were persistent?”

“I haven’t acted persistently yet…”

Ji-woo, looking up at Hyun-joon who was eyeing him suspiciously, turned around and entered the pool hall when the conversation didn’t continue. True to being newly opened, the pool hall was very large and clean.

“Hello, I contacted you earlier today about the flyer distribution part-time job.”

“Ah, the flyers. This way, this way. Oh, Hyun-joon. You can play comfortably.”

Ji-woo watched the owner who smiled and gestured at Hyun-joon, then glanced at Hyun-joon’s back as he walked towards an empty pool table. He wasn’t sure how they knew each other, but it seemed Hyun-joon was quite close with the owner here.