Ch-3

It had already been a month since Ha Eun began working her shifts at the barbecue restaurant. Aside from the occasional noisy customers, she had grown accustomed to the work, which mainly involved serving and cleaning—tasks she had done before. After her first two weeks, she met Kang Jun Woo, another new hire. He appeared to be a college student, and although Ha Eun was naturally quiet and had no particular interest in making new friends, the necessity of working together brought them into contact. What made their connection even stronger, however, was Jun Woo's warm and easygoing personality. He seemed to be in a similar situation to her, someone simply getting by and focused on work.

As the weeks passed, their acquaintance blossomed into something more like a friendship. One evening, after cleaning up before closing time, they were talking with Mrs. Jung, the restaurant owner, when the topic of family unexpectedly came up. Ha Eun flinched, her discomfort evident. She was always reluctant to talk about her own family. But before she could even say anything, Jun Woo had, without hesitation and in his usual laid-back tone, kindly asked Mrs. Jung to steer the conversation away from family matters. He casually mentioned that his relationship with his father wasn't great, which left Ha Eun both surprised and slightly relieved. She admired how naturally he spoke about something personal and vulnerable, and in that moment, it made her feel a little more open, even if only for a brief moment. It was a small but significant gesture that helped forge a bond between them.

In the weeks following, their friendship grew. They would often chat during breaks, sharing little snippets of their lives and their thoughts. Ha Eun started to look forward to their interactions.

One afternoon, Ha Eun stood at the bus stop after school, waiting for the bus that would take her to the restaurant for her evening shift. While she stood there, her eyes caught sight of Choi Ji Ho walking out of the school gates. He was with Park Chaewon, who was speaking animatedly to him, though from the distance, Ha Eun couldn't make out what she was saying. It was clear, however, that Ji Ho wasn't paying much attention to her. He waited idly by the side of the gate as Chaewon continued talking, seemingly indifferent to her words. As if sensing Ha Eun's gaze, Ji Ho suddenly looked her way, and their eyes met. Caught off guard, Ha Eun quickly turned her head, trying to seem casual.

Lately, Ji Ho's behavior had been strange. He didn't speak much to her, but he was always near her, his eyes lingering on her more often than she felt comfortable with. Ha Eun couldn't help but wonder if he was planning to ask her something, though she couldn't figure out what it might be.

Park Chaewon was still talking to Ji Ho about their family dinner, a gathering that their parents had planned. She was trying to convince him to attend, as he usually missed these events. But Ji Ho didn't respond, not even glancing at her. Chaewon, determined to persuade him, tried one last time, but as she turned to face him, she noticed something odd. Ji Ho wasn't looking at her anymore. His eyes were fixed elsewhere. Following his gaze, Chaewon saw a girl sitting on the bench at the bus stop. The girl looked vaguely familiar, but what caught Chaewon off guard was the intensity of Ji Ho's stare. He was gazing at the girl with such focus that it made Chaewon feel uneasy. There was something about it that felt off, almost possessive. The bus arrived, and the girl got on, leaving. But even after the bus had driven off, Ji Ho's gaze didn't waver. It wasn't until his driver arrived that he finally broke his stare and left, barely offering a word of farewell.

Chaewon stood there for a long moment, her feelings stirring uneasily. It was a sensation she hadn't experienced in years—a strange, unsettling feeling, like the one she had when she was in kindergarten. She remembered how fiercely protective she had been of a doll her father had brought back from a business trip. It was her prized possession, a custom-made doll that no one was allowed to touch. The first time a girl had dared to touch it, Chaewon had made sure that she wouldn't get anywhere near it again. That same feeling of territorial protectiveness stirred in her chest now, and it made her uneasy. Something about the way Ji Ho had been staring at that girl, so intently and without blinking, made Chaewon feel like she needed to find out who the girl was—and why she had caught his attention.

....

Ha Eun entered the restaurant, the familiar warmth of the barbecue joint greeting her as she walked through the door. It was another evening shift, and though she had been working here for a while, she still couldn't quite shake the constant low hum of anticipation in the air—like something was always about to happen. The sizzle of meat, the chatter of customers, and the clink of glasses and plates created the familiar backdrop that she had come to expect each evening.

As she stepped further into the restaurant, her eyes found Kang Jun Woo, who was already setting things up behind the counter. His posture was casual, his focus sharp as he worked, but his demeanor was relaxed, as though he didn't feel any pressure. He looked up when he noticed her approach and offered a small smile, one that didn't ask anything of her, but also wasn't entirely distant. It was just… normal.

"Evening," he said, his voice steady as he adjusted a stack of napkins.

Ha Eun nodded, giving a simple acknowledgment. "Evening," she replied softly. She wasn't particularly talkative at the beginning of her shifts, mostly focusing on the task ahead—changing into her work clothes and getting ready for the rush. The steady rhythm of the restaurant was something she had grown used to, and she didn't feel any particular need to engage in conversation beyond what was required.

She moved to the back of the restaurant to hang up her bag and tie her apron. The usual scent of grilled meat and oil clung to the air, but Ha Eun didn't mind it. It had become a part of her routine—like clockwork. The low conversations and the constant bustle didn't overwhelm her. She had learned to shut everything out when she needed to focus, zoning in on her tasks without distraction.

When she returned to the main area, she caught sight of Jun Woo again. He was finishing up with a customer, handing over the bill with a polite smile. She watched him for a moment before turning away, walking to the first table of the evening to check on the customers.

The restaurant wasn't too busy yet, but it would pick up soon enough. Ha Eun didn't mind the quieter moments. They allowed her time to gather her thoughts and prepare for the rush. She wiped down a nearby table, listening to the soft sounds around her—the clinking of cutlery, the sizzling of the grill, the low murmur of conversations.

As she worked, she occasionally caught glimpses of Jun Woo moving around, his movements fluid and natural. There was something about the way he navigated the restaurant—how comfortable he seemed in the role—that made things feel just a little bit easier. She couldn't quite pinpoint it, but working alongside him had become... well, not pleasant, but not uncomfortable either. It was just simple. They worked together without fuss, without any need for forced interaction. There was no expectation beyond the work itself, and Ha Eun found that kind of neutrality oddly reassuring.

Eventually, after serving a few customers, Ha Eun found herself near the counter again, gathering empty glasses to refill. She didn't expect much from this shift—no deep conversations or unexpected moments, just the usual rhythm of work. Yet, as she passed by Jun Woo, he looked up from the orders he was sorting and gave her a brief smile.

As the evening progressed and the restaurant grew busier, Ha Eun slipped into a comfortable routine, moving between tables with practiced ease. She and Jun Woo worked in sync, silently communicating through small glances and gestures—nothing more was needed. There was no effort to make conversation, no lingering moments of awkwardness. Just work.

At one point, the evening began to slow down, and Ha Eun found herself back at the counter, where Jun Woo was sorting through a new order. The restaurant was quieter now, and the noise of the grill and the hum of the kitchen became more pronounced in the silence. She hadn't realized how much she had come to rely on this silence, on the absence of unnecessary chatter, until she felt its absence.

Jun Woo glanced up at her again, catching her eye. "Want to take a break?" he asked, his voice still casual, but somehow lighter now that the night was winding down.

Ha Eun looked at him for a moment, considering the offer. She had been moving non-stop for hours, and while she wasn't the type to complain about it, a brief moment of rest wouldn't hurt.

"Sure," she said, her response coming without much thought.

They both walked toward the small break area near the back of the restaurant, and Ha Eun sat down on one of the chairs, her posture still upright, but a little less tense than it had been before. Jun Woo followed suit, sitting across from her, his legs stretched out and his arms resting loosely at his sides.

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the kitchen in the background and the quiet clicking of a fan above them. The silence felt natural, neither uncomfortable nor forced.

"You're pretty quiet tonight," Jun Woo said again, his voice low but not critical. It was a casual observation, not a question demanding an answer.

Ha Eun considered his words for a moment. "I'm always quiet," she replied simply, offering a slight shrug. She wasn't one for long conversations, especially when the shift was still ongoing.

Jun Woo chuckled lightly, as if he understood exactly what she meant. "Yeah, I guess that's true," he said, leaning back in his chair. He didn't try to push her for more, didn't seem bothered by her lack of conversation. They were simply sharing a quiet moment amidst the busyness of the night, and that was enough.

The break didn't last long before Mrs. Jung called for them to return to work. Ha Eun stood first, smoothing down her apron as she made her way back to the main floor. Jun Woo followed, nodding to her as they both fell back into their rhythm without missing a beat.

It was just another shift, another evening spent in the familiar routine of serving, cleaning, and moving through the night. Yet, for some reason, Ha Eun felt a subtle shift within herself—something she didn't quite recognize, but didn't feel the need to dwell on. It was enough for now to focus on the work ahead. And, for tonight, that was all she needed.