deuteug.
I open the door and a rush of unwelcome air blows in.
The smell of grilling meat.
The smell of alcohol.
The sound of loud voices.
But it was no longer repulsive.
They say every place holds memories.
Maybe it’s because it’s overlaid with bad memories.
Kim Hyunmin swallowed a small laugh.
“Thanks to you.”
Kim Hyunmin closed the door and found a seat.
It was visible from afar.
They hadn’t changed in years, but they still looked the same.
As he approached the group.
…They expressed their position that there was no need to be afraid.
A reporter’s voice came from the TV.
I turned my head to see a video playing. A video footage reported by a citizen showed an Akshan Wolf running through a forest of buildings in Seoul.
The restaurant was abuzz with excitement.
“Lest anyone say it’s not Lee Hoyeol’s summoner. It’s just different color. Look at that. The way he moves, the way he looks, the way he’s looking for demon is not normal!”
“Didn’t you watch the Today Arcana? That thing stuck its head like a puppy in front of Lee Hoyeol? Anyway, it’s amazing.”
“Didn’t you say that the dark spirit also made an appearance there?”
Kim Hyunmin couldn’t help but laugh.
‘You have no idea how hard my fingers were working, Hoyeol.’
The breaking news was constantly being updated even during work hours.
If it weren’t for a special request from his manager, he would have watched Today’s Arcana in real time.
‘Even if it means hiding in the bathroom like that time.’
Kim Hyunmin shrugged and started walking again.
From inside, someone raised a hand.
It was a familiar face, but one that didn’t look too happy.
“Uh, Hyunmin, over here!”
As Hyunmin approaches, they each say something.
“Hey, it’s hard to see your face these days, isn’t it?”
“Surely the same slave is better than a slave in the Great Superintendent’s house? Maybe it’s because you like your job, or maybe your face looks brighter, Hyunmin-ah?”
“If you’re doing well, buy me a meal once in a while.”
Hyunmin replied modestly.
“That’s because I’m busy living. Nice to meet you, everyone.”
They offered me a drink before I even took off my top.
I didn’t want to, but I guess I learned something a while ago.
Gulp, when Kim Hyunmin accepted the soju and drank it, they exchanged unexpected glances.
“Oh, what’s up with you, Kim Hyunmin? You don’t usually do that.”
“If you didn’t want to come, you didn’t attend.”
“Oh, well, we’re good.”
The drinking session was jovial.
It had to be.
No one brought up the past.
Kim Hyunmin focused on a sudden sound.
“Also, Lee Hoyeol said. Barbatos…….”
I was convinced. The owner must be a big fan of Hoyeol’s, because every time there was news about him, he got louder and louder.
On the contrary.
…
There was an awkward silence at the table.
It’s only natural.
The people gathered here weren’t that close to each other, and they didn’t have the qualifications to have a friendly conversation about the news about Hoyeol. They wanted to break the awkward silence.
Someone speaks up.
“……By the way, don’t you see the bastard who was supposed to get together on such a nice day? Anyway, it’s the same as it was then. Has anyone heard from Choi Changwoo?”
“Not me, at least.”
“Me neither.”
They checked, just in case, but Kim Hyunmin shook his head.
“It’s been 40 minutes since the appointment.”
“By the way, have you guys been in touch with Changwoo?”
“Changwoo? Weren’t Jinsoo and he close?”
“Well, we haven’t spoken in at least three years.”
“……Really?”
It wasn’t high school, it was middle school.
They weren’t even close enough to look at each other with a smile.
Tak, someone mutters, setting down his drink.
“Then why did you ask to see that bastard?”
“Does anyone know what Changwoo is doing……?”
“I don’t know. Probably got a job somewhere.”
Kim Hyunmin didn’t say anything. He didn’t have any good feelings for Changwoo, but he also didn’t have any good feelings for the guys at the bar who were chewing him up and passing him soju.
‘Then why did I come here?’
The answer is simple.
Maybe I want to check.
A ghost from the past, perhaps.
‘Choi Changwoo.’
I wonder if I’ve completely gotten over him.
Maybe it was the soju I poured down my throat as soon as I sat down.
I don’t know, but I didn’t feel too bad.
“Hyunmin, you’ve really come a long way, haven’t you?”
“You used to be really good at studying.”
“Is it true that a well-behaved cat goes up to the stove first?”
Until a ghost from the past shows up.
“Hey, everyone, it’s been a while.””
Choi Changwoo appeared.
“I’m sorry I’m late, but I had some humans to deal with. What humans? What kind of humans? I don’t know, the boss. Not even a manager. The assistant manager is going to be so scary? I’m so annoyed. Well, that won’t happen from tomorrow onwards.”
Choi Chanwoo’s reappearance in society was just as Kim Hyunmin had imagined.
Not a trace of the intimidation he felt in the classroom remained.
But why?
“Huh? Hyunmin is here too?”
My heart sank as soon as I saw Choi Changwoo.
“There’s news about Hoyeol coming out right now, so that’s good.”
His words, to be precise.
The way he casually mentioned Hoyeol.
Kim Hyunmin tried to suppress his heart.
His efforts were futile.
Choi Changwoo raised the corner of his mouth and continued.
“Since we’re here, let’s talk about old times.”
“What old stories?”
“What can I say, this is a story about our proud Hoyeol.”
“…..!!!”
In a ‘gentle’ way, as if there was no trace of evil.