— Let's end it here for today, I don't think the other hyungs can keep it — I said towards Jiyong-hyung. He was gasping for breath, as well as the other hyungs, I was a little bit better but still visibly tired. Anyway, it was getting late, and we still had to clean the studio before going.
Jiyong-hyung knew it was time for us to go, so he nodded and started packing. Meanwhile, I started cleaning the place, while the other hyungs were still recovering. Later, Youngbae-hyung helped me, but Tempo-hyung was really exhausted this time, Youngbae-hyung had to help him stand up. After cleaning, which took some time, I finally said.
— Jiyong, I won't go directly to the dorm, I'll pass by some other place first, I'll be late today — as always he simply rolled his eyes at me.
After that, they went towards the dorm. As for me, I had an.... appointment. With that in mind, before I knew it, I was already in front of a little store, ready to enter.
Just before I entered, I could hear a hurried voice from behind.
— Wait for me! — Cho Ah was pulling my sleeve while gasping for breath — I've been running after you for a few blocks.
— Sorry — I quickly apologized — I was too deep in my thoughts.
The thing is, when I am riding my bicycle is the only moment for me to think. Furthermore, I really appreciate the wind hitting my face while riding, increasing my sense of peace.
Afterwards, I tried to flash my best apologetic smile, which I've been practicing lately, earning the teasing of all the hyungs.
— Is something wrong? — It seems I completely failed, as she flinched after I flashed the smile.
— Anyway, let's enter — I said, trying to ignore her flinch — why did you follow me, though — I finally asked, after all, we would meet at the store anyway.
— Oh! — realization appeared on her face — It's best if I introduce you to the boss, after all, I was the one who convinced him.
I simply nodded at her, while quickly pushing the door of the store open. Cho Ah was just behind me, and after we entered, she quickly said.
— Boss! — a lanky guy was sitting behind the counter while reading a newspaper that completely covered his face. After hearing Cho Ah's voice, he quickly put the newspaper down, revealing his face.
He was quite.... common if I must say so. His whole appearance basically screamed "Korean man". A little tanned, black hair, a little bit disheveled but with traces of the usual korean perm. His face has really strong features, and the moustache he had worked in his favor. Then I realized it, he really looked like Choi Min Sik. A really cringey version of Choi Min Sik, but still really similar.
— Hi Boss! — Cho Ah interrupted my thoughts while she neared the man in question — sorry for being late — she apologetically said while clasping her palms and slightly bowing.
— Don't worry about it Cho Ah-yah — the man kindly smiled at her, but quickly turned to look at me, and with a teasing smile, he continued — Is this the boyfriend you mentioned?
— W-W-What? — Cho Ah was really red, while quickly shaking her head. She's getting better at calming herself it would seem, because after a heavy breath, she continued with a poker face — he is the one I told you about. There's no problem, right?
The man turned to me and deeply stared at me. He analyzed me from top to bottom, even coming near and ...sniffing me?
Just as I was really getting unnerved, he finally moved away and said, while gesturing and okay with his hand.
— No problem at all, he looks really mature for his age, and he doesn't look as bad as you said — he said as he winked at her, at the same time I glared at her.
"How bad did she talk about me" I thought, making me slightly raise my right eyebrow. Then, once again my thoughts were interrupted.
— Everything will be okay, as long as you explain to him our ...conditions — I have to admit, that sounded really suspicious. But still, the man put on a jacket hanging by the chair he was sitting in earlier, the newspaper in his armpit, and left the store while saying.
— I leave the rest to you, Cho Ah-yah — that was the last thing he said before he left, not without flirtingly winking at me, leaving me awkwardly blinking.
— Sorry for that, he likes to tease the new employees — Cho Ah said as she threw me a blue overall at me — also, put that on, we have some work to do.
I don't know when, but she was already wearing the overall and was sitting on the only seat behind the counter. I quickly put it on and went to her side, standing up.
— So... Boyfriend? — I said with my teasing smile.
— Shut up — she tiredly rolled her eyes at me — that was the only way for you to get this job, you know?
— Let me guess, the boss is your uncle? — she simply nodded, but I continued — is he the same one that helped you with your other job?
This time she shook her head.
— You're really well connected, huh? — she rolled her eyes once again, but this time, she said.
— I already told you our conditions; no telling anyone about the boss, nor about me, understood? — I gestured an okay with my hand, while she continued — I already told you everything about the job, so, welcome aboard.
It was true, she already told me everything in the letter she sent me. It wasn't anything complex, but neither was it quite legal. Not only am I below the legal age of working for a minor, but also, even if I was a bit older, working a night shift was a really no-no in Korea.
And that's precisely what I was going to do, together with Cho Ah, I'll take the night shift at this store.
With that being said, the night shift was really boring. I had to move some things here and there, take the trash out, take note of the inventory at the store. That was until Cho Ah interrupted me.
— Oi, come here — she gestured at me with her hands. After I approached her, she continued — let me show you a trick. After that, she grabbed my hand and took me to the counter once again. I was quite busy all this time, so I didn't realize when did she got all of the things that were now on the counter. I asked, puzzled.
— What does this mean? — I was quite surprised, there were a bunch of lunch boxes, as well as some other snacks. She smiled at me, while saying.
— Some bonus for you, I didn't expect you to be so hardworking. The thing is, every night, we have to take out all of the expired products — just as I was going to say something, she continued — don't worry about it, the boss knows this, I have his permission. It's actually better this way, if a client ever buys an expired product, there can be a really serious problem.
After that explanation, we actually started eating, that's when I noticed she was starving, but more importantly, I WAS STARVING! I wolfed down all of the food, even making it a competition with Cho Ah, to get more food than the other.
— Thanks — I was deeply bowing at her — for everything, for the job, for the food... I'm really grateful for that.
As I looked at her expression, I noticed how surprised she was, judging by her wide eyes. But just after that, a smile appeared on her face and said.
— You know, you weren't as bad as I expected — I could only chuckle at her.
— Really, how bad you thought I am? — that earned me a giggle from her — I don't know, you must admit you look like a thug, with the dyed hair and contact lenses.
— It's actually natural — I said while grasping some strands of my hair.
It seems she was really surprised, because she quickly approached while looking at me.
— Really? Even the eyes? — she asked. I simply nodded at her with an amused smile — Woah! Incredible!
She was really amusing me with all of her expressions. But after that little conversation, silence invaded us once again. The whole situation was making me reminisce about the old times, with Eimi.
More precisely, I remembered a song that Eimi taught me, and before I noticed, I was already singing it.
「If I could cross that rainbow bridge
I would definitely like to cross that rainbow
I would go to a far and unknown town
and a happy song I would love to learn」
By now, Cho Ah was wide eyed once again, but I didn't really care right now, I just wanted to ... keep singing.
「After the rain, the raindrops sing just outside the window
going through forests, and even valleys, where would that rainbow go?
I always dream of that unknown town,
and of people that wait there for me.」
The original song was in japanese, and it seems Eimi loved it. I really regret not singing it to her more before she left. That's when I remembered I wasn't alone, so I turned to look at my amusing companion, waiting for her reaction.
I guess, star-struck was the correct expression for her right now.
— I didn't know you could sing like that — I sincerely expected her to stutter, but anyway, I was a little bit embarrassed right now, so I didn't reply.
Not that it changed her admiring expression that I could see from the corner of my eye. Finally, she asked once again.
— I don't really know the meaning, but it sounded so ...beautiful, can eh... you translate it for me? — looking at her smile, I guessed I had no other option, so I finally did. The rest of our shift passed as I translated it for her, and later taught the whole song to her.
The night was... amusing, I guess.