The two women left the cafe about an hour later. They'd had a surprisingly good time together. The interview had been quickly shoved to the side as they realized that they did enjoy each other company. It ended up looking more like two longtime friends enjoying a coffee together than a job interview.
After bidding their goodbyes, they went on their separate route, with Haneul promising Jiwoo she'd hear from her soon.
Jiwoo felt optimistic from her meeting with Haneul, both at the possibility of getting the job, but also because the woman was so sweet and spoke highly of her friend, the one this whole secretary thing was for, that Jiwoo could only imagine her to be an amazing person. But she couldn't dwell on it too long. She still had another job interview lined up that day.
The afternoon was already well underway when Jiwoo finally returned to the restaurant. She announced her presence as she entered the place, greeting the manager, Mrs. Seo, before plopping down on one of the empty bar stools at the counter. A deep sigh escaped her lips. "Tough day?" The elder asked, taking a seat next to her.
"Why is it so complicated to find work? I'm exhausted." Jiwoo groaned and bonked her head on the counter.
"I take it your day went as good as mine." They were joined by Woojin, who'd been previously cleaning tables. He sat beside Jiwoo.
The redhead raised her head from the hard surface to look at her friend. "Why, I thought you were excited about this weekend. Did something happen?"
"It was Woojin's turn to sigh. "Our vocalist lost his voice. Something about a football game and chants. He won't be able to sing."
Jiwoo gave him a sympathetic pat on the back. She knew how much he'd been looking forward to their first time playing at a bigger stage outside of just bars. It would have been their first concert at a big event.
Woojin turned pensive. Jiwoo saw in real time a scheme forming in Woojin's mind and could already guess what it would be. "No, no. I'm not doing it."
"Oh, come on, Jiwoo. Pretty please?" He held his hands together in a prayer motion and kept begging her. "It's just for one day. You already know the lyrics anyway. Help a friend in need, pretty please?"
They both knew she was going to cave in. And cave in, she did. "Okay, fine, but you'll owe me."
An impressive man approached the trio, and without saying anything, he placed a well-stocked dish in front of her. Jiwoo thanked him before starting to pick on the food. At this hour, there wasn't much folk at the restaurant, meaning she could enjoy her food.
헌의집 (Heon-uijib) was a traditional Korean barbecue restaurant run by Seo Janghoon, a man in his fifties, and his wife. Chef, what most people called him, was not very talkative. He mostly expressed himself through his cooking. Ex-star player of the national basketball team during the 80s and 90s, he was a giant of a man.
He decided together with his wife, to take over his family restaurant following a serious injury. That way, he was still able to do something he liked. As for his wife, Seo Eun-Ji loved the restaurant and treated everyone in it as an extension of their family, especially their small team.
The couple couldn't have children of their own, which is perhaps why they treated their staff of overactive young adults as theirs. The team included, among others, Mun Seojun. An architect major who joined the restaurant because he liked the chef's cooking and was the only one of them allowed in the kitchen. Seojun always looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. Oldest of the bunch, he sometimes had to shoulder the role of mama bear.
Hwang Woojin was next. A music major with a band and occasionally the restaurant's primary comedian. He was the second oldest, and together with Seojun, they formed a comedic duo.
Then came Gahyeon, the youngest among them and a trainee of a small company. She knew every gossip, whether it pertained to celebrities or the restaurant patrons' love life.
And lastly, Jiwoo herself. They all together formed a very eclectic bunch. Who, despite the often recurring quarrels, formed, in their own weird way, a little family. (If these four had to debut as a K-pop group, their group's name probably be 'The Dumbass')
Jiwoo's days weren't always easy, but when she came to the restaurant, it felt like she could breathe easier. The redhead was grateful to the Seo. Not only because if it hadn't been for them, she'd have struggled far more but also because they took her under their wings. 'heon-uijib' was her second family. One day, Jiwoo hoped to introduce her two families to each other.
The restaurant got busier around six in the afternoon. Mainly with regulars, some students, and passers-by. Woojin was busy putting on a little show. The restaurant had a peculiarity: a small podium in a corner where the bravest customers could try their luck in Stand Up or present their musical prowess. Woojin was the one who used it the most, utilizing it as an opportunity to practice his skits, or on the off chance he managed to convince Woojin, they would all perform together some of his newer songs. Laughter echoed around the room as Woojin told one of his many stories.
Jiwoo leaned on the counter and let out a sigh of boredom. Today was on the calmer side. So there wasn't much for her to do. The redhead shifted her gaze to Gahyeon, who sat next to her. The girl was full on her phone and didn't even spare the redhead a glance, despite Jiwoo incessant prodding.
Fortunately for her, her boredom didn't last as a certain someone made her appearance. Jiwoo's heart skipped a bit as she saw the one who occupied a good portion of her daily thoughts enter the restaurant. As her eyes met Jiwoo's, a smile crept on the woman's lips, and the redhead couldn't help but mimic her smile. She walked to where Jiwoo stood. "Hey, Jiwoo."