Chapter 28: The Calm Lake

I had ascended to the eighth floor, just above us, hearing there was an enormous sculpture there. Indeed, it was only enormous in size.

Personally, I found it neither moving nor entertaining.

‘There’s nowhere suitable to sit, even if I wanted to.’

This was likely a testament to my lack of exercise. After several hours of standing and moving, my legs belatedly began to ache.

My energy completely depleted, my steps naturally lagged behind. Noticing this, Kang Hae-il suddenly stopped beside Lee Dohwa and spoke.

“Shall we move to the next location now?”

“…May I ask where we’re going?”

“A restaurant.”

Fortunately, the next destination wasn’t an active one, and I felt a wave of relief internally.

I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I desperately wanted to sit down. I nodded and turned towards the elevator we had taken earlier.

Suddenly, as we descended, the exhibition on the seventh floor came to mind, and I realized its lingering impression hadn’t quite faded.

My clasped hands, tucked beneath my cardigan, tightened briefly before I spoke.

“It was so enjoyable, I’d like to come back again sometime.”

“We’ll go somewhere different next time. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

I had intended to express a small measure of gratitude, but seeing Kang Hae-il respond with such a refreshing smile, I couldn’t help but falter for a moment.

However, I quickly composed myself and got into the parked car.

‘Don’t read too much into it.’

Saying ‘let’s go together again’ was merely a polite formality. I let the thought pass.

Finally, as I settled into the seat, a wave of exhaustion washed over my entire body, relieved to be able to rest.

I was blankly watching the car exit the parking lot when.

“This time, it’s quite close.”

“Is that so?”

Kang Hae-il casually tossed the words my way.

‘I absolutely must not fall asleep this time.’

My mind, unlike my body, was clearer than ever. I didn’t know if it was because I’d slept earlier, but I was determined not to doze off again.

His words about it being close proved true; we arrived almost immediately after setting out.

But then.

“There’s nowhere to park?”

I craned my neck, looking around diligently, but the parking lot was completely full.

After circling inside, we ventured out, yet still found no suitable spot to park the car.

“Done.”

I glanced over. Kang Hae-il, his face expressionless, had been steadily turning the wheel. He quickly finished parking by reversing into an unexpected spot.

It happened so fast that I got out in a daze. Upon confirming the car was perfectly parked, I quietly gave him a thumbs-up.

Kang Hae-il let out a small chuckle at that. I had seen that expression so often throughout the day that I had grown somewhat accustomed to it.

Even though I had recharged slightly during the short break, the instinct to sit remained strong, so I swiftly entered the restaurant.

‘No one here either.’

“Welcome!”

“Hello.”

“Hello.”

I briefly surveyed the restaurant and thought I spotted a hidden camera, but I pretended not to notice and took a seat.

The interior exuded a distinct old-fashioned charm.

The menu items were individually listed in what looked like brush-written calligraphy.

Unlike the luxurious course meal restaurant we visited earlier in the day—befitting the Geumgang Group—the prices on this menu were quite ordinary.

‘It must be a specialized skewer place.’

While I had eaten skewers at pubs and other places, this was my first time at such a dedicated establishment.

“Do you have any preferred dishes?”

“Hmm, perhaps we should start with an assorted platter?”

“Then let’s get the assorted platter, and anything not included in it, we’ll order separately.”

As the waiting attendant approached, Kang Hae-il, without a moment’s hesitation, rattled off not only the assorted platter Lee Dohwa mentioned but also every single menu item not included in it.

It was virtually an order for the entire menu. I stared at the attendant and then at him, bewildered.

However, the attendant had already quickly marked the order sheet and confirmed the order once more.

“Are you not ordering any alcohol separately?”

At the same time, both their gazes fixed on Lee Dohwa.

I fumbled to pick up the menu and checked it. I had been drinking alcohol for two days straight, and nothing particularly appealed to me.

“Ah… Is there anything you would recommend?”

“We have sake, but our owner loves alcohol, so we have a special high-proof baijiu sold only at our restaurant! If you look here…”

I had opened my mouth at the wrong time.

The attendant recited the explanation for the baijiu—which clearly looked like the strongest alcohol—as if by rote. I let their words go in one ear and out the other, sending a pleading look to Kang Hae-il.

“One bottle of that would be good, too.”

My mouth automatically fell open as Kang Hae-il boldly ordered a bottle.

The attendant had already finished marking the order sheet, and I lacked the courage to ask them to cancel what was already ordered.

“Anything else you’d like to order?”

“…Just one cola, please.”

I ordered a cola to drink instead of alcohol.

‘If it’s high-proof, it’ll be incredibly bitter.’

Kang Hae-il, sitting opposite, gazed intently at Lee Dohwa, whose face was etched with worry.

“Please choose the glass you prefer.”

Various colorful glasses were arranged on the wide tray the attendant brought.

While Lee Dohwa deliberated, Kang Hae-il had already made his choice almost instantly and was waiting. I briefly looked at the glass he picked before pointing to one that had a similar feel and appealed to me.

Before the food arrived, the cleaned glasses, baijiu, and cola were brought out.

“Hae-il, what’s your alcohol tolerance like?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Not knowing your tolerance is really dangerous. We don’t all have to drink, so take it easy.”

As we poured baijiu into each other’s glasses, I laid the groundwork early.

A potent scent of alcohol seemed to rise.

In my mind, I concluded that if Kang Hae-il were to become incapacitated, I wouldn’t be able to handle it, and I would have to summon the production crew.

Conversely, Lee Dohwa didn’t want to show an unseemly side on a first date.

Suddenly, thinking of this meal as part of a date, I felt a flush of heat, even without having drunk any alcohol.

However, Kang Hae-il spoke, quickly pulling me out of my reverie.

“Dohwa, do you have any pets?”

“No… I don’t raise them, but I do like them.”

I shook my head as I answered.

For instance, I enjoyed watching videos of them or meeting them in other places.

However, knowing I lacked the leisure and ability to take responsibility for a life, I had never dared to raise one.

“What about you, Hae-il?”

“When I was young, I think we raised quite a few at home, but now I’m busy in various ways, so I don’t personally raise any.”

‘He seems like he’d be really good at raising pets.’

As we were deep in conversation, the attendant approached, pushing a cart.

“Your ordered dishes have arrived.”

Plates endlessly piled up, filling the table as if playing Tetris. I paused for a moment to scan the menu items.

Skewers, when judged for cost-effectiveness, were generally not generous in portion size.

Right now, that was actually a good thing. The small quantity eased Lee Dohwa’s burden, and perhaps due to the energy expended, my appetite seemed to be returning.

I wrapped the end of a skewer with a tissue and ate it, holding it in one hand.

Kang Hae-il, seated opposite, looked somewhat clumsy as he placed the skewers on his plate, unlike earlier in the day.

“You haven’t been here before, have you?”

Lee Dohwa said with a slight smile, and he nodded.

Then, just as Lee Dohwa had done, he wrapped the end of a skewer with a tissue and began to eat. My impression of watching him was:

‘There’s someone who eats skewers so meticulously.’

I thought it would be amusing in a different way if he were a mukbang YouTuber.

Lee Dohwa drank cola whenever she was thirsty. In contrast, Kang Hae-il, who had been slowly sipping his drink, had already refilled his second empty glass.

This time, as I refilled his glass, I carefully picked up my untouched glass and took a sip.

“Ugh…”

I frantically reached for the cola.

Frowning, I searched for the broth of the untouched side dishes, desperate to erase the taste. Watching this scene, Kang Hae-il took out the menu and handed it to Lee Dohwa.

“You don’t have to force yourself to drink it. Order something else.”

“…I’ll have yuzu sake.”

Lee Dohwa, quickly scanning with her eyes to find a sweet alcohol, said this without even looking at the glass of baijiu that still had some left.

She absolutely did not want to drink that again.

As the sunset faded and the dark night arrived,

I picked up the mostly empty side dishes and the nearly finished bottle of baijiu, pouring the last glass.

Lee Dohwa, claiming the yuzu sake was delicious, ordered another bottle. I had already more than gauged her alcohol tolerance over the past two days.

I didn’t stop her.

It’s often easier for intoxicated people to speak the truth.

Perhaps feeling flushed, Lee Dohwa even took off the cardigan she had been wearing all day and placed it beside her.

“Was today enjoyable?”

“I told you earlier… it was fun. It was my first time visiting that exhibition, and I definitely, definitely want to go again, even if it’s alone.”

“There’s no need to go alone.”

This was simply a process of confirming information I already knew visually.

Being someone whose emotions were easily discernible, I could distinguish her likes and dislikes from her expressions and actions. Even without asking, I could predict how her day had been.

“I don’t know about Hae-il, but for me, today was really good. It was nice getting to know what kind of person Hae-il is, and it feels like I’ve gained someone I can be close with…”

These things, one had to say directly to know.

‘More than Ma Won-ho, with whom I spent the night?’

Kang Hae-il chuckled, listening to Lee Dohwa’s words, before opening his mouth.

“That’s a relief. What kind of person do you see me as, Dohwa?”

He forced out a tenderness that didn’t quite suit him.

“…Like a calm lake.”

Kang Hae-il was quite pleased with those dark eyes gazing fully at him.