Saturday afternoons always felt tiring to Jungtae. Working after school during weekdays is enough to make him exhausted.
And now weekdays make him even more tired. He should be resting like some other students but he couldn't.
"Phew."
With his Grandpa's condition, Jungtae had no time to rest. Time stretches thin, like it's waiting for something to happen.
Brand new three tables. Six chairs. Clean. Simple was set outside the convenience store.
Jungtae steps outside with a cloth in his hand, wiping the tables and the chairs. The chair squeaks when he moves it. He adjusts it anyway.
"Our store has really upgraded now." Jungtae muttered to himself.
A car slows down.
The sound is different from the others. Smooth. Controlled.
Jungtae looks behind.
Black car. Tinted windows.
His hand stopped wiping the last chair.
'Looks like I know who it is.'
The engine cuts off. The door opens.
Owen steps out. Of course it is him again.
He shuts the door with a soft click and leans against the car for a moment, checking his phone.
His hair is slightly messy, sunglasses hooked onto the collar of his shirt. He looks like someone with nowhere important to be…and no reason to hurry.
Jungtae exhales without noticing.
Owen spots the tables and raises a brow. A small smile pulls at his lips.
He walks over and drops into a chair, spreading his legs, resting his arm over the back like he owns the place.
"Wow."
Jungtae narrows his eyes. "What's up?"
Owen tilts his head. "That's your greeting?"
"Why are you here today?" Jungtae asks instead.
Owen shrugs. "I'm so bored. I wanted to see you."
"You're funny."
"I like Saturdays," Owen says, glancing around. "No students around."
Jungtae wipes the last chair. "You're wrong, they're always around." After finishing, he looked back at Owen.
Owen taps the table lightly. "These are new."
"Yeah."
"Your idea?"
Jungtae shakes his head. "Boss's idea."
Owen hums, eyes scanning the space. "Good thing you added tables and chairs to hang around."
Jungtae pauses. "So you are planning to keep showing your face here. Huh?"
Owen smiles but doesn't answer.
The bell rings.
Jungtae turns just as Hanna rushes inside the convenience store, hair slightly messy, bag slung over her shoulder.
"Oh hey, noona," Jungtae calls. "You're eleven minutes late."
She groans and steps outside. "Why are you counting?"
Her gaze shifts at the person sitting behind Jungtae.
She freezes.
"…Is that your new friend?"
Jungtae opens his mouth. Then close it.
Before he can think of an answer, Owen stands.
"Yes, I'm his friend," Owen says smoothly with a grin. "Nice to meet you."
Jungtae shoots him a sharp look.
Owen notices and chuckles under his breath.
Hanna steps closer, curious. "I'm Hanna."
"Owen."
"Kwon?" she asks casually.
Owen doesn't deny it.
Her eyes widened. "Wait. That Kwon?"
"Yes. But don't be bothered by that. Talk to me casually."
"Oh…" She laughs, suddenly nervous. "Wow. Uh, welcome."
Jungtae rubs his forehead. "Noona…"
"I'll go start my shift," she says quickly, retreating inside but glancing back once more.
Later, Jungtae sits across from Owen outside. Two drinks sit between them. Snacks in the middle.
"You didn't have to buy all this," Jungtae mutters.
Owen cracks open a can. "I wanted to."
"You always do whatever you want."
"And you don't? I have my freedom to do what I want." Owen said lightly.
Jungtae doesn't answer.
Owen chuckled. "What about accepting my deal? I can pay you double…" He paused. "Triple."
"I don't even know what kind of deal that is." Jungtae looked at him with a sharp gaze.
"Relax. If you will finally accept it, I'll tell you." Owen replied, smiling.
Jungtae raised an eyebrow then took a sip of his drink.
They sit in silence for a few minutes. People pass by. Children were happily laughing passing by.
"..."
Owen watches Jungtae trace the rim of his can absentmindedly.
Then a sudden voice interrupted them from a distance.
"Looks like you two are having fun."
Jungtae stiffens.
He looks up.
Woojin stands a few steps away.
Hands in his pockets. Back straight. Expression calm. Too calm, but Jungtae could tell from his expression and tone of his voice that he's mad.
"W-Woojin?" Jungtae says, heart jumping. "What brings you here?"
Woojin steps closer. "Can't I visit you anymore? Why are you asking your friend like that?"
Jungtae shakes his head quickly. "No, I didn't mean…"
"Sit," Owen says casually, pulling out a chair.
Woojin pauses.
Then he sits, right beside Jungtae.
The space between them shrinks.
Jungtae's shoulders tense.
Conversation starts slow.
Owen talks teasing as usual. Woojin responds calmly but beneath is irritation. Jungtae's heart beat faster.
He remembered what Woojin told him yesterday at his house.
Owen leans back. "You came. Are you worried your friend will be snatched away from you?"
Jungtae glared at him. "What?"
Owen chuckled.
"Hah. Why are you visiting Jungtae so often? I told you to stay away from him. Remember?" Woojin responded.
Owen smiles. "Sorry, I don't remember anything."
Woojin meets his gaze. His hand clenched at his sides.
"Hey, stop it. You two." Jungtae said.
Before anyone speaks up. Hanna comes out with three cups of ice cream.
"You boys look tense," she says lightly. "Eat these. To cool off."
"Thanks, noona," Jungtae says, relieved.
"Thank you, pretty lady," Owen adds.
"Thank you," Woojin says quietly.
They eat.
Silence stretches.
The ice cream melts faster than anyone eats.
Eventually, Owen stands. "I'll be going first. Suddenly, I'm not in the mood anymore."
He glanced at Jungtae and winked. "See you."
Then he leaves.
Jungtae and Woojin walk together.
No one speaks. They're silent for too long.
"Jungtae," Woojin finally says. Breaking the silence.
Jungtae's chest tightens.
"I-I'll see you," he blurts, then runs.
Behind him, Woojin stops.
His fingers curl into his palm.
ৎ────
At home, Jungtae splashes water on his face. He grips the sink, breathing hard.
While looking at his reflection in the mirror. Owen's smile flashes in his mind.
He shakes his head. "What am I doing… I told Woojin that I would not be involved with that guy."
He lies down.
Lost in his thoughts and mixed emotions. Then he hears it.
Heavy breathing. A loud clang.
He sits up.
"Grandpa?"
He runs towards his grandfather's room.
His mother follows.
"Grandpa!!" Jungtae's body is shaking. His grandfather was unconscious.
They rush to the hospital.
Bright lights. White walls. Beeping machines.
Jungtae stands frozen as doctors move quickly.
His hands tremble. His mother was at his side crying.
ৎ────
The nurse's voice was gentle, but it felt like a punch to Jungtae's gut. "Your grandfather had a severe stroke, Mr. Kim. The doctor found significant bleeding in his brain. We need to operate as soon as possible to relieve the pressure."
"How long do we have?" Jungtae asked, his voice shaking. "Can he wait a bit? I need time to… get money for the surgery."
The nurse's expression turned sympathetic. "The doctor will explain everything. But please, hurry. Every hour counts."
The doctor entered the room, his face serious. "We can do the surgery, but we'll need a 12.6 million Won deposit upfront to prep the OR. Can you manage?"
Jungtae's eyes widened. "12.6 million Won? .. I... I don't have that kind of money." He felt a lump form in his throat.
His mother tried to plead with the doctor.
"Please, please do the surgery! We'll find a way to get the money, I promise! Just save my father…"
Jungtae bursted in tears beside her. Tears rolled down his cheeks. "Please save my grandpa."
The doctor's expression softened.
"I'm sorry, but hospital policy is clear. We need the deposit upfront. However... Let me talk to the financial office. Maybe we can set up a payment plan or something. But we need to move fast. Your grandfather's condition isn't getting better."
Jungtae's eyes welled up. "Please... I'll do anything. I'll pay sooner, I'll work off the debt, just save him...Please…"
The doctor's expression was serious then softened. He knows that the boy in front of him is just a high schooler.
Out of sympathy, the doctor agreed. "Alright... we'll do the surgery. You focus on getting the money sorted. We'll worry about the rest later." He nodded to the nurse, "Prep the OR."
ৎ────
Jungtae went home to get some clothes for his grandfather and other things they will need in the hospital. His mother was left there.
A few minutes later Jungtae finished packing, his eyes were swollen from crying as he carried the bag outside.
He waited at the side of the road for a cab. While waiting for nearly 15 minutes. Jungtae remembered something.
Jungtae's hand dove into his jacket pocket, fingers closing around a crumpled piece of paper. He pulled out the phone number, scribbled in messy ink. Owen's contact. Suddenly, Owen's voice echoed in his mind.
"I will pay you double. Triple."
Jungtae shook his head thinking about the deal Owen offered.