Hwa Soyoon

The bell above the door chimes, signaling a customer's arrival. I walk into the store, still slightly drunk, but sober enough to understand my surroundings. You're standing behind the cash register, looking at me as if I've seen a ghost.

I move closer and you're still staring. I raise an eyebrow.

"Why are you staring like that?" I say, looking at you with mild interest. "Do you have anything I can tell you?"

You flinch as if you've been caught doing something embarrassing, and you start apologizing so fast I can barely keep up. You're trying to explain something—something about advertising and beauty. I tilt my head slightly and look you straight in the eye.

"Don't apologize so much. This..." I pause, considering my words, "...is unusual. Predators usually look at things differently. I don't even know what to do with a tiger like you."

I throw 5,000 won on the counter and add calmly:

"Calculate me. And then..." I grin, "why don't we have a meal together to get to know each other better?"

I walk over to the table, feeling your gaze on my back. I sit down, rest my head on my hands, and quickly fall into a deep sleep.

But your name, which I accidentally heard, still rings in my head. Taejun.