"Did you make a reservation?"
This was already the third time today.
Even if I generously excused the car and house viewings as needing prior contact...
Why a restaurant, though?
'Is it trendy these days to always call ahead?'
Well, there are cafes that require DM reservations, so whatever.
I sorted through my tangled thoughts and faced the employee staring at me, trying to act as confident as possible.
"Uh... no, I didn't."
I tried to answer.
I wanted to respond boldly, but with the other staff and customers all staring at me, the words caught in my throat.
Any trace of confidence vanished completely.
The confidence that had blown away like the wind showed no sign of returning.
"Um... we do prioritize reservation guests, but... ah, Manager."
The female employee pondered for a moment.
When a staff member with a gleaming gold name tag emerged from the back, she urgently called him over.
Since he was called the manager, he must be fairly high up.
'That gold name tag looks pretty cool.'
Suddenly, I recalled the name plates from the company.
Mine was just a plastic holder with a printed Hangeul Office doc of my rank and name slipped inside.
What was it they said?
'It's your name plate, so look at the others and make your own.'
Well, I wasn't the only one— the assistants and deputies used the same kind, so no real complaints.
It just made me think, that place really was a shithole.
They couldn't even bother with a template. White background with [Employee/Choi Min-hoo]—what the hell was that?
Lost in those thoughts, my eyes met the manager's.
A decent-looking guy with his hair slicked back with pomade.
Not sure if he was handsome, but he had an energetic vibe.
Normally, you'd look away awkwardly if eyes met, right?
But he kept staring at me intently.
"Manager?"
"Huh... yes? Did you call me?"
The female employee tilted her head at him.
After watching him for a bit, she seemed to realize something and started scanning me up and down.
It felt like she was sizing me up.
The vibe was a little off.
'I'm not even interested in your manager.'
Couldn't say it outright, so I just slowly looked away.
"This guest came without a reservation. Can they eat now?"
Her tone carried an undertone of 'They didn't reserve, so send them away, right?'—or was that just me?
The manager pondered her question briefly.
By the rules, it seemed like no.
If it was a no, I'd have no choice but to hit the donburi place next door.
As I planned my next move, he suddenly rolled up his sleeve awkwardly and checked the time.
The warm orange lighting softly illuminating the steakhouse.
His wristwatch gleamed even more elegantly under it.
'That's deliberate.'
I'd bet on it—this wasn't my imagination.
My friends pulled that trick sometimes, so I knew it well.
Good technique, but it wouldn't work on me.
First reason.
I know nothing about watches.
The only one I recognized was that G-something from the military.
Oh, and Rolex—one more.
Anyway, it didn't faze me.
Second reason.
I'm a guy on the inside.
End of story.
He tried the ineffective ploy while gauging my reaction.
When I stared back with zero interest, he cleared his throat awkwardly and spoke up slowly.
"Ahem, did you ask how many in the party?"
"No. How many, sir?"
She immediately turned to me after hearing him.
Not a Jeonse-gu or anything—why phrase it like that?
Her tone cooler than before, I felt a bit cowed and mumbled softly without thinking.
Should've just gone for donburi.
"Just me..."
"Please seat them."
At "alone," he gestured toward the dining area.
The employee nodded with a forced smile that looked uncomfortable somehow.
'This is insane.'
"Right this way~"
Under her uneasy guidance, I walked to the most tucked-away corner table and sat.
I didn't mind, but wasn't the intent a bit obvious?
"Please order via this tablet. Thank you."
Short explanation, then she vanished.
Only then did my heart settle a bit.
Never experienced jealousy like this before—it was giving me a headache.
If I were used to it, I could've brushed it off with a "no worries" vibe.
Gurgle—
My stomach grumbled, telling me to quit overthinking and eat.
'Yeah, let's eat.'
I sighed briefly and turned on the tablet in the table corner.
I'd only been to places where you yell "Auntie!" or ring a bell for staff—this was a first.
I awkwardly scanned the steaks on the tablet.
Flower sirloin this, strip that, ribeye whatever.
No clue.
Just pick the most expensive one—should be fine.
They all looked delicious anyway.
'It's beef, after all.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
My belly was stuffed.
One steak wasn't enough, so I ordered another.
Suddenly, I was a woman who'd devoured two steaks in one sitting.
And the price—insanely high.
First time indulging like this.
"Check, please."
Clutching my full stomach, I headed to pay.
The employee who'd eyed me earlier took the bill and quoted the total with slightly widened eyes.
"1... 152,000 won."
Was she thinking burning 152k on one meal? or two steaks in one go?
No idea, probably both.
"Bank transfer, please."
Anyway, time to shop for essentials downstairs.
"Um... sorry, but as a directly operated store, we can't do bank transfers."
Huh?
"No bank transfer?"
She nodded at my question.
A faint smile played on her face.
What now?
Guess I'd have to withdraw cash—annoying.
Bank apps are good these days; request withdrawal and grab it from an ATM.
So I was about to say I'd be right back when the manager approached from behind.
"What's going on?"
Hearing him, she waved her hands in sudden panic.
"Oh... it's nothing..."
"She said no bank transfers. Mind if I hit the ATM?"
The manager tilted his head at my words.
Meanwhile, a shadow crossed her face.
"...Pardon? Who said that?"
Hmm.
Guess I really rubbed her the wrong way.
I'd overlook some jealousy, but blatant lies to inconvenience people? No way.
I pondered, then thought of one surefire method.
A bit childish, but effective.
"Uh... that staff member up front."
"...Jeong I-ju. Is that true?"
"Must've mixed up with another part-timer. Sorry..."
"That's your excuse...?"
She started getting scolded.
Ah, not quite what I had in mind. My plan was simpler.
"Excuse me, sorry, but... could I get your number?"
"...Pardon?"
"Since bank transfer isn't allowed... I thought maybe sending it directly to you, Manager?"
Leaving an opening on purpose.
Sure enough, the manager froze—one way—while she froze another.
The flustered manager hurriedly took my phone and inputted his number.
Jeong I-ju watched blankly.
So don't take it personally—be nice.
"Here's my number... But you don't need to transfer to me personally..."
"No, you're the manager, so it's safer."
"Yes...?"
His ears started turning red.
No, that wasn't what I meant.
Anyway, manager added to my contacts.
Profile pic: soccer player. Looked the athletic type.
I immediately sent 152,000 won.
He heard the ding, pulled out his phone.
"Ah... yes. Payment confirmed."
He nodded with a goofy grin.
Jeong I-ju still looked conflicted.
No plans to date, so relax.
Never intended to contact or meet—just an exchange for show.
I paid via transfer—happy. Manager got my number—happy.
Win-win.
"Thanks, I'm off. Great meal."
With that, I left the dazed pair and strolled out of the steakhouse.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Did I buy too much?"
I sighed softly at the overflowing cart.
Loading this into the car, driving home, unloading, sorting—when would I ever finish?
"...What about the studio stuff?"
Suddenly, Choi Min-hoo's crammed studio apartment came to mind.
All disposable junk, but me having to toss it was the problem.
"This is driving me nuts."
Endless tasks.
For now, start by moving this to the car.
"Ugh... this is ridiculously heavy..."
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