TATMFL - 12

“How’s your friend doing?” 

At Chang-woo’s question, Ra-on, who had been washing a pile of dishes, nodded. 

“Yes. He says he’s feeling even better than yesterday.” 

“Is that so? That’s good to hear. But seriously, what’s with this situation? Manifesting at that age…” 

Instead of replying, Ra-on merely gave a faint smile, the corners of her lips twitching slightly upward. 

Sensing her silence, Chang-woo tactfully dropped the subject and began attending to a newly arrived customer. 

‘Ah…’ 

Ra-on pressed her eyelids shut and let out a shallow sigh. As expected, she was exhausted from not getting a wink of sleep the night before. How could she possibly sleep after hearing something like that? 

And yet, she still had to work her pub shift tonight… 

The café owner had asked her to help out twice a week until she found a new part-time job, despite her having quit. She had agreed, saying she understood. 

Now she regretted it. Maybe she should’ve just refused. 

As Ra-on placed the washed glasses on top of the coffee machine, her face tinged with regret, Chang-woo asked, “Didn’t you say you’re off this Thursday?” 

“Oh!” Ra-on’s mouth opened slightly, as if suddenly remembering. 

Chang-woo clicked his tongue while watching her blink blankly. 

“I swear, I feel like I know your schedule better than you do.” 

“…I’ve just been scatterbrained lately,” Ra-on replied, brushing the back of her neck in frustration. 

“That’s right. I have a practical exam this Thursday.” 

Thursday was the day of the practical exam for art school admissions. 

Technically, as a fourth-year student, she didn’t need to go out of her way to help, but due to the department head’s earnest plea about being short-handed, she ended up agreeing to assist for about three hours. 

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have volunteered…’ 

Thinking about the mountain of tasks ahead, Ra-on sighed deeply in regret. 

* * * 

The man appeared at the pub just as the loud music was making everyone’s eardrums numb. 

“…?” 

Ra-on, who had just finished preparing a cocktail, blinked when she noticed the man waving his hand gently in front of her. 

Her slightly widened pupils betrayed her surprise, but she quickly regained her composure and watched him casually take a seat at the bar counter. 

“Hi.” 

“…Hello.” 

He grinned at her greeting and rested his chin on his hands, gazing at her admiringly. 

If any other man had done that, it might’ve come off as awkward or uncomfortable, but with his striking features, it was oddly entertaining. His bright, cheerful smile made it quite the sight to behold. 

While Ra-on silently marveled at the man’s undeniably handsome appearance, he asked, 

“What’s popular here?” 

“…What kind are you looking for? Cocktails? Beer? We also have highballs.” 

Once again, her casual tone bordered on familiarity, but Ra-on didn’t seem to mind as she responded naturally. 

There were plenty of customers who spoke informally to her, so this wasn’t anything new. Besides, it seemed she had already grown accustomed to dealing with him. Even with him sitting right in front of her, her demeanor remained unchanged, just as calm and composed as ever.

Ra-on thought to herself how her calm and collected personality was coming in handy as she gestured toward the cocktail that still hadn’t been claimed by its owner. 

The man hummed thoughtfully. 

“Are cocktails made on the spot?” 

“Yes.” 

“Then give me the most popular one. Or, if you prefer, the one you’re most confident in making.” 

As Ra-on nodded and turned her attention away from him, he suddenly asked, 

“What’s your name?” 

Caught off guard, Ra-on paused mid-reach for a large bottle from the cabinet and looked back at him. 

“Huh?” 

“I can’t just keep calling you ‘employee’ or something, right?” 

“It doesn’t bother me if you do.” 

With an indifferent shrug, Ra-on began preparing his drink. As she laid out the ingredients and started mixing them in order, the man spoke up again. 

He was quite persistent. 

“What kind of cocktail are you making now?” 

“Faust.” 

The man burst into laughter. 

“Are you trying to get me drunk and send me off quickly?” 

His tone suggested he was well aware that Faust was a high-alcohol cocktail. 

In response, Ra-on simply handed him the deep crimson drink. When she lit it on fire, bright blue flames flickered to life. 

The man exclaimed, “Whoa!” and then asked, 

“Care to explain?” 

Customers often asked about the types of cocktails and their meanings, so Ra-on extinguished the flame and replied matter-of-factly, 

“The red color represents blood, and the fire symbolizes the devil.” 

“And?” 

“Though sweet, the Faust has a very high alcohol content, which is why some people call it a ‘poison.’ It signifies the sweet temptation of selling your soul to the devil.” 

The man nodded, accepting the glass she offered. 

“You know your stuff. Do you memorize the meaning behind every cocktail?” 

“It’s something you naturally pick up while working here.” 

“So, if I finish this drink, will you tell me your name?” 

“…I don’t see how those two things are connected.” 

At Ra-on’s bewildered expression, the man chuckled, clearly amused. She had noticed before, but he seemed to laugh easily and often. 

“We’ve met four times now, so I think it’s about time we exchanged names, don’t you?” 

“Do we really have to…?” 

Before her words even finished, he let out a dry laugh. 

“Wow, that’s harsh.” 

Ra-on awkwardly lowered her gaze, looking flustered as her inner thoughts slipped out unintentionally. The man wiped the bemused look off his face and rested his chin on his hand. 

“So, tell me your name.” 

She didn’t understand why the conversation kept veering off like this, but one thing was certain: his way of speaking was utterly chaotic.

“Oh, wait—is this one of those things where I have to introduce myself first if I want to know your name?” 

Though she hadn’t said a word, the man seemed to have solved the puzzle himself and spoke with a bright, satisfied grin. 

“If that’s how it works, you should’ve just said so earlier.” 

Before Ra-on could catch up with his chatter, the man introduced himself. 

“Han Do-kyung. That’s my name.” 

“……” 

“And now, what’s your name, miss employee?” 

Under his persistent gaze, which showed no sign of relenting until he got an answer, Ra-on reluctantly opened her mouth. 

“…Yoo Ra-on.” 

“Ah, I know.” 

“…?” 

At Do-kyung’s breezy response, Ra-on’s expression crumpled in confusion. 

Was he teasing her all along despite already knowing? And more importantly, how did he find out? Suspicion began to creep into her light brown eyes, swirling like mist. 

Seeing the clear suspicion on her face, Do-kyung chuckled softly. 

“You’re giving me that ‘how did you know?’ look.” 

He tilted his chin slightly, gesturing for her to follow his gaze. 

When Ra-on lowered her eyes to where he was pointing, she finally noticed the nametag hanging on her uniform. There, boldly engraved on the silver badge, were the three characters: “Yoo Ra-on.” 

Do-kyung took a sip of his cocktail and shrugged casually. 

“Right?” 

“……” 

“I’m actually quite the law-abiding person, you know.” 

Ra-on, who had been wary that he might have dug up information about her through illegal means, awkwardly rubbed the tip of her nose. 

Watching her intently, Do-kyung licked his lips and smirked, curling one corner of his mouth upward. 

“It’s delicious.” 

Was it the dim lighting? For some reason, his gaze seemed unusually dark. Ra-on gave an awkward smile. 

“I’m glad to hear that.” 

“I thought you were just trying to get rid of me quickly, but I guess not. This is the best Faust I’ve ever had.” 

“……You did ask for the most popular one. It’s the top-selling cocktail here.” 

To be precise, sales had skyrocketed since she’d taken over as the bartender, but she didn’t feel the need to mention that. 

“I’ll definitely remember this.” 

Do-kyung nodded in satisfaction and took another sip. 

“I should come here more often.” 

At his words, Ra-on was reminded that she wouldn’t be at this spot for much longer. She hesitated briefly, but only for a moment. 

‘I’ve already left the recipe behind.’ 

So, even if it wasn’t her personally making the Faust, it didn’t matter. 

With that thought, Ra-on reached out to tidy up a table slightly away from where Do-kyung was sitting. 

Just then— 

“Excuse me, noona.” 

“Aah…!”

Ra-on looked up at the man who had grabbed her wrist with considerable force. 

Unbothered by her slightly furrowed brow, the drunk patron leaned in close, his face flushed red. A nauseating mix of alcohol and snack smells wafted from him. 

Ra-on’s expression turned icy cold. 

“You know me, right? Huh? I’m a regular here.” 

With an absurdly smug look, the drunk winked at her. 

“The reason I’ve been coming here every day, like clockwork, is because of you. But you haven’t shown up for days, so I’ve just been wasting my time and money!” 

Such customers were a dime a dozen when working late at the bar—people who pushed trivial excuses to pester her. Ra-on, half-resigned to the situation, was contemplating how to shake him off as she stared blankly at her trapped hand. Meanwhile, the drunk continued, 

“So, give me your number. Huh? That way, I won’t waste my time when you’re not around.” 

His lewd gaze roamed over her body. 

“If you give me your number, I’ll make it worth your while. You see, I’m an Alpha. You know what that means, right? My dick’s huge! Even Betas I’ve slept with still text me sometimes!” 

This was exactly what Ji-an had worried about—the kind of people who, when drunk, thought with their lower halves instead of their heads. By now, Ra-on was used to dealing with such patrons, but she still sighed deeply before addressing him. 

“Excuse me, sir.” 

As Ra-on remained detached, enduring his rambling monologue, she began to apply force to free herself. 

“Gah!” 

“…?!” 

A short cry escaped as the grip on her wrist suddenly loosened. At the same time, a loud crash echoed through the room as chairs and tables toppled over. 

Ra-on’s eyes widened. 

“There’s always someone who thinks with their lower half instead of their head when they’re drunk.” 

For a moment, Ra-on wondered if she’d unconsciously spoken aloud. But then, thud, thud—the sound of heavy footsteps approached, and a man dressed entirely in black came into view. She realized the words had come from Do-kyung. 

Hands stuffed into his pockets, Do-kyung stood lopsidedly, glaring down at the drunk with a deeply furrowed brow. 

“When you’re drunk, why don’t you just go home, wash your feet, and sleep it off? Why are you stinking up this tiny place and acting like an idiot?” 

With an irritated scowl, Do-kyung muttered a curse under his breath and lifted his foot, stomping hard between the drunk’s legs. 

He then glanced down at his clothes with visible disgust. 

“Damn, now my clothes smell like him.” 

An ear-piercing scream erupted from the drunk as unbearable pain shot through his prized area. 

“Aaargh!” 

Cradling Do-kyung’s polished shoe, the drunk writhed on the floor, his face beet red. Do-kyung tilted his head quizzically, still pressing down on the man’s groin with his heel while tapping his thighs lightly with the tip of his shoe. 

“Hmm, strange. I don’t see anything there.” 

Ra-on, who had been watching the scene unfold in stunned silence, snapped back to her senses at Do-kyung’s puzzling remark. Knowing just how cruel his temperament could be, she hurried out from behind the bar. If this kept up, the drunk’s third leg might end up permanently disabled. 

Just as Ra-on reached out to stop him, Do-kyung smirked, realization dawning on his face. 

“I heard it was supposed to be huge, but there’s nothing on the left or the right.” 

Grinning mischievously, he added, 

“It’s all talk.”