Chapter 3
The ordered sundae guk and a plate of assorted sundae were placed on the small table, filling every bit of available space.
Jun-young took the glass of alcohol from Jin-yi and instead placed a spoon in her hand.
“Drinking on an empty stomach like that will send you to the emergency room—or worse, the funeral home. Eat something first, then drink,” he said.
Sang-wook and Yu-min exchanged bewildered glances, then looked back and forth between their glasses and Jun-young.
“What, so you’re saying it doesn’t matter if we end up at the funeral home first? Why aren’t you stopping us?” Yu-min said, sounding offended.
“Because you two already started, and stopping you now would be pointless.”
Though Jun-young’s words were true, they still felt irritating.
Sang-wook and Yu-min set down their glasses and picked up their spoons, starting to eat the warm sundae guk.
“Ugh, this place really is something you have to eat at least once a week. It feels like everything stuck inside just melts away,” Yu-min said, speaking in a rough, casual tone that contrasted with her delicate appearance as she continued eating.
The sundae guk restaurant near the back gate of Korea University had remained a regular haunt even after graduation. Known as a local favorite, it often had lines during lunch and dinner.
Only during early mornings or long after mealtimes could they enjoy a leisurely meal with drinks.
Jun-young, now in his second year as an intern and constantly busy, had arranged for Jin-yi, Yu-min, and Sang-wook to clear their mornings—or even take days off—just so the four of them could meet.
Having gone to the same high school and university, they had grown so close that they could guess each other’s moods just by looking at their expressions.
“So, why do you look like you’re attending a funeral, Sang-wook?” Jin-yi finally spoke, curious.
“I got a foreign assignment,” Sang-wook replied.
At his words, Jun-young and Jin-yi both turned to look at him.
“Did you screw up something?” Jun-young asked casually.
Jin-yi and Yu-min mirrored the sentiment.
“Do I really look like the kind of guy who always causes trouble?” Sang-wook retorted, sounding hurt as he glanced at each of them in turn.
“Where overseas?” Jun-young asked.
“Tokyo branch.”
“I thought you were going somewhere far.”
Jun-young’s blunt comment made Jin-yi and Yu-min exchange amused glances.
“Tokyo isn’t far?” Sang-wook asked, frowning.
“It’s faster to get there than it is to take the KTX from Seoul to Busan.”
That was true, but it still rubbed him the wrong way.
“You really have a talent for saying things that tick people off, you jerk. Don’t even think about visiting me in Tokyo.”
“I don’t even have time to sleep, let alone visit Tokyo.”
“Jin-yi and Yu-min, you two can come anytime. I’ll provide lodging and a full tour package. But that guy? Never bring him along.”
Uninterested, Jun-young finished his bowl in one go and opened a can of juice instead of soju, taking a loud gulp.
Whenever the four of them met, at least one person remained sober. Excluding Sang-wook and Yu-min, who had already started drinking, that left Jin-yi and Jun-young. Since working at Korea University Hospital, Jun-young rarely drank unless there was a special occasion.
As a result, he often became the designated driver, taking Sang-wook, Yu-min, and Jin-yi home one by one.
“I heard there was a big traffic accident near the hospital yesterday. I thought you wouldn’t be able to come today,” Jin-yi said.
“I stayed up almost the entire night. Even without accidents, the hospital is always busy.”
“So that’s what you call staying up all night? Your stamina is insane.”
Sang-wook examined Jun-young, sitting upright, from head to toe and shook his head in disapproval.
After entering the passcode, the door lock beeped and unlocked.
Sang-wook entered first, followed by Jin-yi and Yu-min, with Jun-young bringing up the rear before closing the door.
When the light switch was flipped, the interior illuminated softly with indirect lighting.
It was a wine bar, so the atmosphere remained dim.
Owned by Sang-wook’s maternal uncle, it was a place they frequently used before opening hours after getting permission.
There weren’t many bars open during the day, and this place was as private as it got.
Familiar with the interior, the four of them moved efficiently, setting out glass cups and dry snacks before sitting down at the table.
“You must be doing well. You even changed the tables and chairs,” Jin-yi noted, her sharp eyes catching the difference.
As if on cue, they all checked the furniture.
“This place is pretty hot among wine enthusiasts. They even have live jazz performances on Friday nights,” Yu-min added.
They all let out short exclamations of “oh” in unison.
Yu-min, who ran an online clothing store and was also an influencer, was a well-known figure often invited to various events. Even in school, her keen sense of style always drew attention.
People often wondered how she became friends with someone as rigid as Jin-yi.
Yu-min, who constantly attracted attention, actually didn’t care much about others’ gazes. Jin-yi, however, was different—she always worried about how others perceived her.
At school, she was the model student; at home, the obedient daughter; and at work, a diligent employee who handled not only her own duties but others’ as well.
She always walked the safe, predetermined path.
Neat and principled—perhaps too safe a choice.
