Juri's place was a modern Korean bistro bathed in muted warm lighting and adorned with sleek wooden décor.
It had a clean layout, perfect for casual parties and get together.
At this hour, the place buzzed softly with chatter and clinking glasses.
Behind the semi-open bar, Jiho was focused and meticulously pouring sparkling water into a fancy glass.
The syrup at the bottom swirled as the bubbles rose, turning the liquid into a cool shade of pink.
A faint and sweet scent rose with the fizz.
With deft fingers, Jiho reached for the garnish. A slice of lime and a spring of rosemary.
Just as he was placing it gently on the rim, he felt a very intense gaze drilling into him.
He paused imperceptibly.
Hmm?
Jiho turned slightly and then he caught Siwoo watching him like a hawk from the side.
Uh.
I almost forgot him.
Jiho took a small step back, eyebrow twitching slightly.
"Do you want to try it?"
"Ah! Can I? I'd love that," Siwoo said, eyes lighting up with surprise.
Jiho nodded without much emotion and stepped aside.
He took his teaching role seriously.
Since he already accepted it, he would do it properly.
He stood off to the side with his arms crossed. Jiho gave simple instructions here and there.
Siwoo nodded earnestly, following everything like an obedient student. He nodded but he was clearly overwhelmed.
It had looked so easy when he was watching…
Actually doing it was another story.
The final product looked decent, at least.
Taste, however...
Jiho picked up the drink silently and took a sip.
Umm...
He was going to be blunt.
"…Tastes like someone dropped a flower into soda water and prayed for the best."
"Ah...? Is it that bad...?"
"Too much syrup," Jiho said flatly. "And you muddled the rosemary too hard. That's why it's bitter."
"Oh..."
"But—" Jiho looked at the disheartened guy and tilted his head, as if reconsidering.
Give him something.
"For a newbie, it's not bad. I've seen worse on opening day. People who don't know better will still think it's fancy."
"Really?" Siwoo immediately straightened up, eyes brightening.
"It's drinkable." Jiho said, already reaching for another clean glass to prep the next drink.
.
.
.
At that moment, the entrance burst open with a chaotic wave of discordant voices as a group of tall guys stepped into the restaurant.
They were loud and attracted attention as soon as they enter like they own the place.
Well, technically, maybe they did.
Jiho didn't even need to look up.
Lee Sangmin and Gunwoo were the first through the door, still mid-argument.
"Ah, this is not it," Sangmin whined. "Gunwoo, I told you I wanted choco. Are you deliberately against me?"
"But Minjae-hyung likes vanilla more."
"You're talking back to your sunbae now? You've grown guts."
Gunwoo let out a sigh and kept a straight face.
More of them trailed in, lugging a large box. Kyungho turned slightly toward the others.
"Excuse me, if anyone has a free hand… This cake's heavier than it looks."
The rest of the group jumped in to help while Sangmin looked around, his eyes quickly landing on Jiho.
"Oh! Isn't this Jiho?" He lit up. "You look a little different…"
Jiho exhaled internally as Sangmin made his way over.
He could feel the man's stare scanning him from head to toe.
Sangmin put his fingers on his chin, squinting his eyes as he observed Jiho from head to toe as he came in closer.
Jiho's hair was slicked back today, unlike his usual laid-down style that casually hid his eyes.
And instead of wearing those thick-framed glasses, he wore contacts for convenience behind the bar.
His full face was on display.
Unfortunately.
The others joined in, Gunwoo and Kim Hyunsuk trailing behind.
"Hey," Hyunsuk exclaimed. "You're looking handsome today. Classy."
Gunwoo nodded thoughtfully.
"This is why they say working men are hot. Should I try that too?"
Jiho's brow twitched.
He paused mid-shake, cocktail in hand, and stared at the gathering crowd.
He was not conducting a fancy show.
"I still have the same face I did yesterday."
Jiho scanned them and guessed they came earlier to prepare for the party. He didn't see the main attraction of the group with them.
Then his gaze finally landed on another senior.
With a belated bow to Sangmin, he pointed toward the side hall.
"Sangmin-sunbae, Juri noona reserved the left section. You guys can sit over there."
Sangmin nodded, catching the hint, and the guys finally started moving, though not quietly.
They shuffled toward the reserved space like migrating geese, trailing noise and random complaints.
"Wait—did anyone bring the candles?"
"Don't tell me we forgot the lighter again—"
"You literally had one job!"
As lively as ever.
***
Jiho calmly slipped back into work mode, unfazed by the noise that had just swept through the place.
But there was one person who clearly hadn't adjusted to the chaos.
Siwoo stood frozen in place, holding a clean cloth meant for drying glasses.
He looked like someone who'd accidentally wandered onto the wrong stage mid-performance.
People were coming and going, joking and tossing comments like they owned the place.
Siwoo shuffled beside Jiho, a bit hesitant.
"Hyung… your friends?"
He glanced at Jiho, still a little dazed.
I didn't think he was the type to be so… friendly. Maybe I shouldn't judge people too quickly.
Jiho paused, fingers hovering over the shaker. Were they friends?
He considered it for a beat, then gave a small hum.
"I guess."
Siwoo nodded instinctively, then stole another glance at Jiho with subtle admiration.
Ohh...
Sorry, he thought to himself, he might look like the extrovert type, but I'm really not good at interacting with people.
He genuinely admired people with lots of friends. Must be nice...
When can I have that? Maybe after joining the military?
A bleak image of himself floated into his mind—buzz cut, rigid posture, and still… just one friend.
He sighed quietly.
Wow. That's depressing.