Chapter 43: Restaurant Hopping

The staff member checked his neatly parted hair, looking at his reflection in the wine showcase glass.

He had some muscle soreness because he had lifted heavier weights than usual this morning.

He frequently rotated his shoulders lightly to loosen the stimulated muscles.

He was diligently rotating his shoulders even while watching the fresh young couple, who had just paid, leave.

The couple, who had been getting along so well throughout their meal, had a small dispute when it was time to pay.

Even that sight made him feel pleased, as it reminded him of his dating days with his wife.

They were such an attractive Guide and Esper couple that if they were cast in a drama, they would be a perfect fit.

It was truly a pleasant sight.

“What are you even saying?”

On the way from the restaurant to the parking lot, Bodam smacked Jo Yeon’s forearm.

Jo Yeon didn’t even feel the hit, but thinking of Bodam who had hit him with all his might, he rubbed his forearm.

“Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”

At that confident response, Bodam’s weak fists, accompanied by an incredulous laugh, came flying again.

Bodam was genuinely dumbfounded.

“Why are you even paying?

I made the reservation, added menu items, did everything.

Besides all that, how many times did I tell you I’d treat you!

I told you not to bring your wallet!

Is your Hyung’s word a joke?”

Bodam, who had been throwing jabs that cut through the air, finally burst into laughter, clutching his truly bursting stomach.

Jo Yeon blocked Bodam, who was about to swipe his debit card in one go for the eye-popping amount of ₩686,000 for the single meal.

Claiming it was a resignation gift, he overpowered the weaker Bodam and pulled out his credit card.

Bodam, raising his voice to the staff member not to accept it, squabbled while being held by Jo Yeon.

Ultimately, the staff member had no choice but to choose the Esper who politely handed over his card while effortlessly lifting the small body with one hand.

“Yoon Bodam. I’m hurt. You won’t even let me buy a friend a meal.”

Jo Yeon, taking out his motorcycle key, grumbled with genuine sincerity.

In the moment he felt relieved watching the receipt print, Bodam snatched the card from him.

With the help of the staff member, who worked well with Bodam, the payment was instantly canceled and re-processed.

Afterward, Bodam grabbed his card and quickly darted out.

“Jo Yeon-ah. That wasn’t the size of one meal. It was sixty meals.”

“I can afford that much.”

“Then you buy the second round.”

Bodam, whose mood was uplifted and heart broadened by the unfamiliar dishes he had tried for the first time, hummed a tune.

Jo Yeon watched Bodam naturally hop onto the back seat of the motorcycle and eventually laughed with him.

He repeated the greetings they had exchanged throughout the course meal.

“I ate well. I’m living like a king thanks to you.”

“That’s a bit short, isn’t it?”

“Where shall I take you, Hyungnim.”

Jo Yeon, inserting the motorcycle key and starting the engine, exchanged endless banter with Bodam as they headed to their regular spot.

Although they had only been there a few times, if supernaturals had a reason to drink outside, they invariably headed to ‘Ega’.

There weren’t many places where supernaturals could comfortably drink outside.

Civilians, while enthusiastic enough to take an interest in Espers and use them as conversation topics, were actually reluctant to be in the same space as them.

Especially in bars where alcohol was served, many openly showed their discomfort, so Espers only went to specific bars.

That place was ‘Ega’.

“Welcome-. How many?”

The owner of Ega emerged, chewing gum loudly and with her rough, dyed hair tied back tightly.

It was a good place to hang out, with dim lighting, a spacious hall, and fast-paced music playing at a moderate volume.

Even though it seemed free without rules, it was a bar with considerations for sensitive Espers, such as no perfume for all staff and keeping music sound below a certain decibel.

Therefore, all customers were supernaturals.

Some were curious ordinary people who were fans of supernaturals.

“Two people, is there a vacant room?”

Bodam, who had entered first while Jo Yeon parked the motorcycle, asked.

The owner, watching Bodam whose fair skin stood out even in the dim lighting, answered while scanning a QR code on her phone.

“Why? Why not drink in the hall? Is your partner’s wave pattern not good?”

“No. The room is just more comfortable.”

Since most people perceived a pair of Esper and Guide as a partner relationship, Bodam didn’t bother to correct her.

Her nails, adorned with flashy decals, tapped the phone screen, checking Bodam’s indirect wave pattern reading.

“Go to room number 8 inside. It’s quiet there.”

On her wrist, which pointed down the hallway, was also a supernatural watch.

Judging by the different model, it seemed to be more than 20 years old.

Whenever he saw this, Bodam wondered about the age of the owner, who maintained such a youthful appearance.

Customers only knew that she was a Guide.

She was a cool Guide, a supernatural, who ran a great bar even in a civilian area.

“Ega draft beer 1700 and one soju, please. Can we order snacks later?”

“Is this your first time here? Our food isn’t good. If you brought something, eat that.”

The owner winked, pointing to the paper bag with a restaurant logo that Bodam was holding.

Bodam, who had settled into a cozy room seat, boosted the place by saying its french fries were famous for being crispy.

The owner, laughing heartily, went out to the counter without even giving them a menu.

At the owner’s rough voice, shouting towards the kitchen, “Room 8, fries service—!”, Bodam swayed his shoulders in a little dance.

“Did you order?”

Jo Yeon, who entered the room late, looking for Bodam’s light brown hair, asked.

For Espers, who were unaffected by alcohol, soju and beer mixed was merely like a beverage.

As long as their wave pattern readings weren’t too high, driving was permitted even after drinking.

“The owner said I was handsome and gave us free fries.”

“Wow. If she sees me, she’ll probably give us free chicken.”

Bodam, lightly ignoring Jo Yeon’s remark, opened the paper bag containing the sandwich.

Surprisingly, after moving his body a bit on the way, his appetite returned.

The happier Bodam was, the much better he ate than usual.

Conversely, when he was depressed, he would sometimes only drink water all day.

“Is this that, um, Jjanbang?

Looks delicious.”

Jo Yeon, an Esper with a hearty appetite, also had room to taste the sandwich.

Holding the sandwich cut into two easy-to-eat halves, they happily shared it, talking nonsense like ‘Jjanbang’ and ‘Jambang’ to each other.

As Bodam said, the taste was good.

Even though the taste wasn’t particularly special, Bodam admired it throughout the meal.

Perhaps because it was the first banquet menu he had enjoyed since receiving his lottery winnings, it tasted even better.

Jo Yeon also followed his lead, exclaiming happily.

“Alright, shall we have our catch-up talk now?”

Jo Yeon, who had mixed soju and beer in a clear 1:1 ratio, said this, raising his glass.

Bodam, who had fallen in love with the unusually crispy french fries, also quickly raised his glass.

At the restaurant, they had been too busy eating to properly converse.

Bodam opened his mouth wide, then closed it, grinning and pausing.

It was the first thing he wanted to tell Jo Yeon, more than anyone else.

Like drinking buddies, the two had spilled all their life stories and knew each other’s family histories.

“First, debts cleared.”

“Wow.”

He had settled all the monthly loan interests from various banks and the money he was paying back to acquaintances, all at once.

That night, he cried a lot while sitting on a bench, taking a walk with his mother without Bomi knowing.

Strangely, Bodam had cried more often since leaving the Center.

The tears he had struggled to hold back since he was a rookie, when he was tormented by all sorts of Espers, now burst out freely with a slight touch.

He decided not to hold back tears of joy.

“Bodam, are you crying?”

“Pour me a drink.”

Bodam, wiping his nose, stylishly put down his empty glass with a clink!

Jo Yeon, who immediately mixed another soju and beer, raised his glass and toasted with him.

It was what he most wanted to say to Bodam.

“You worked hard, Yoon Bodam.”

At Jo Yeon’s words, Bodam sniffled, burst into tears, clinked his glass, and downed it in one shot.

The alcohol was very sweet.

It was sweet enough that even as he shed large, chicken-dropping-like tears, he immediately reached for the next glass.

Jo Yeon, sensing the mood, smoothly mixed the next soju and beer.

He didn’t bother to comfort Bodam for the tears of happiness he was shedding.

“You really worked hard.”

He simply repeated his sincere sentiments.

He was so grateful for the miracle that had come to Bodam.

“Cough, cough.”

Bodam, who had choked while eating french fries, coughed.

Once started, the cough continued with quite a harsh sound.

“Are you okay?”

“Ugh! Hmph, cough, gasp.”

He waved his hand to signal he was fine, but his sounds suggested he was not okay at all.

Jo Yeon immediately got up, went to Bodam’s side, and rubbed his back.

Bodam, who had coughed while thumping his chest, pulled out a tissue and covered his mouth.

Only then did the cough subside a little.

“Are you still not feeling well?

Has your cold not gotten better?”

Bodam, who was catching his breath with his head bowed deeply, waved his hand.

Then he even shook his head, muttering that he was fine.

“Are you…

drunk?”

“Who.

Me?

Bodam?”

Seeing him poke his own chest and ask again, he seemed properly drunk.

Jo Yeon wore a very flustered expression.

He looked worriedly at Bodam, who was drunk after only one and a half bottles of soju.

Strange.

He clearly looked like he was in good condition.

“Jo Yeon-ah.”

Bodam pulled Jo Yeon’s shoulder, who was looking puzzled, and whispered.

He lowered his voice as if telling an important secret.

“I’ll only show you.”