Vol 1 Ch 12

After a hectic morning, I was looking at newly listed properties past lunchtime. Recently, many buildings in this area have been converted into officetels and offices, so I need to get a grasp of them to guide customers promptly when they arrive.

 

The previous full-option studio deal fell through. He said he wouldn’t rent to women, so there was no choice. It wasn’t pleasant to keep begging either.

 

“Ah, I’m almost done.”

 

After organizing my documents, I turned on some music for a change of pace, hummed along while vacuuming, and the office door opened, revealing a rather neat-looking man.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

“Ah, yes. Welcome.”

 

I quickly put the vacuum cleaner aside and approached him. I noticed a perfume scent when the man entered, but up close, it was as if he had bathed in it. A human diffuser had literally walked in. My office diffuser felt useless.

 

“Please sit.”

 

As I was about to make coffee, he lightly raised his hand to stop me. He just asked for water, so I poured him a glass. Judging by his appearance, he looked refined enough to only drink Jeju Island mineral water.

 

“I’m looking for an office. I’d like it to be spacious enough to use an entire floor, and with good sunlight.”

 

“What’s your budget?”

 

“I don’t care about the deposit, but I’d prefer the monthly rent not to exceed 7 million won.”

 

The amount of 7 million won didn’t feel unfamiliar today. However, the large sum was in a good way, so I had a good feeling.

 

Still, I had to ask about the intended use, as there might be landlords like Seo Munjun. Sometimes, after renting to pyramid scheme companies, outsiders would frequent the place, causing problems with parking and neighboring offices.

 

“May I ask what kind of work you intend to do…?”

 

“A studio.”

 

“Ah.”

 

It was trendy these days to have dedicated studios for wedding photos or personal profile pictures, so they had to be decorated according to a concept. Therefore, they needed to be somewhat large, and some even placed model airplanes on the rooftop or in the parking lot. Also, the landlord had to allow some interior modifications. Looking at the available buildings, the only space that matched the square footage the man wanted was in the basement.

 

“Do you dislike basements?”

 

“Yes.”

 

There was no choice. I looked at Jun’s building across the street with a thoughtful expression. Then, I picked up my phone.

 

“One moment.”

 

I left the office and called the person I had been bickering with just a moment ago. I didn’t expect him to answer kindly, of course. The display showed [Jun], but it eventually went to voicemail before he picked up.

 

[What.]

 

“Is, by any chance, the 6th floor vacant? A client just came by wanting to use the entire floor.”

 

[I left that empty on purpose. It’s too noisy.]

 

“They said it’s for a studio. It’ll be quiet.”

 

[They’ll be banging and clanging around while renovating. No.]

 

Jun seemed about to hang up, and I heard rustling sounds. I had to stop the phone from moving away from his ear.

 

“He’s handsome! The person who came is handsome!”

 

[…Really?]

 

I didn’t expect his tone to change at the mention of handsomeness. Wow, what a dirty world where looks-based discrimination reigns. He immediately told me to come over if I wanted to see him.

 

“Sigh, it’s hard to make a living…”

 

Looking at the disconnected phone, I sighed and felt embarrassed that I had briefly mistaken him for someone who might have genuinely considered me in the game.

 

‘Someone like this…’

 

On the other hand, I also let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he didn’t seem like he would obsess over me like the Panty Stalker. After entering the office, I told the man that the building was across the street and took him there. We took the elevator and pressed 6.

 

“The building seems quite new. Is the landlord a good person?”

 

“Yes. He’ll probably treat the client well.”

 

“By the way, haven’t we met somewhere before?”

 

“Me? Hmm. Well…”

 

As I briefly recalled the past, the man was smiling.

 

Ding.

 

Meanwhile, we arrived at the 6th floor. Originally, it seemed to have been divided into two offices, with separate doors. Both were locked, so I was about to contact Jun when he came down the emergency stairs.

 

“This is the person looking for a studio.”

 

“Yes. This way.”

 

There was a strange atmosphere, but I could tell. The man I brought wasn’t looking at Jun with ordinary eyes either.

 

The two were meeting for the first time today as client and landlord, and the conversation was so friendly that my presence was almost unnecessary. Jun offered to let them remove the partition between the rooms and extend the lease period as desired, generously bestowing favors.

 

I wanted to mediate, but whenever I tried to say something, the client would ask first, or Jun would handle it himself. So, it was too bothersome to hover around and explain things, and I just stood by the entrance.

 

‘If you’re going to laugh and chat like that, let’s hurry up and sign the contract.’

 

I just wanted to sign the contract and get my commission. I didn’t want to stand there feeling like an invisible person between the two of them. So, I pretended to look at the advertisements posted by the door and thought about what to eat for lunch.

 

“Let’s go with this one.”

 

Yes, you’re quick.

 

“Really? Then let’s go downstairs and sign the contract.”

 

“Let’s go.”

 

By now, the client was lightly touching Jun’s arm, looking like they were the best of friends. We all got into the elevator together, but I was squeezed into the back corner, while the two of them talked by the door, laughing and looking at each other.

 

They were similar in height and both had good builds. Like attracts like, and they seemed like they were in their own world. They got off, and I got off a beat later, but the elevator door closed, trapping my body.

 

Even as I was teetering on the brink of life and death, those two strode far ahead with their long legs. I hurried to catch up with them and opened the locked office.

 

“Hmm. The diffuser definitely makes it smell good.”

 

Jun said, sitting on the sofa and looking around. Then, seeing the large-capacity diffuser, he chuckled, “As expected.”

 

But no matter how much I smelled it, it wasn’t the scent of the diffuser I bought then. I wanted to correct him, saying it wasn’t the diffuser’s scent but the client’s perfume next to him. It felt unfair to think such a large capacity would have such a strong scent.

 

“Here, please check the contract.”

 

I hurriedly gathered the contract and placed it in front of the table where they were sitting. Well, these days, contracts are all done with signatures. Then, they took out their IDs, and the new tenant was 28 years old, the same age as me.

 

“You look young. Can I just call you by your name?”

 

“I’m a bit old for ‘hyung’. Call me comfortably. Jun.”

 

I don’t know when they started speaking so casually, but they looked like close friends rather than landlord and tenant. No, they were lovers. They were subtly touching each other’s bodies… it was a bit much.

 

‘Well, as long as I get my commission, my job is done.’

 

Still, I had made a deal today, so I was excited about ordering a Chinese food set menu and eating it with the hardware store owner next door.

 

“Let’s go get lunch.”

 

“Okay. You too, owner-nim.”

 

“Me too?”

 

I shook my head, thinking it was enough if the two of them got along, and I’d be stuck between them. But the man linked his arm through mine. While I liked free food, I disliked being stuck between these two. It was a bit early for lunch, but since I hadn’t eaten breakfast, I was drawn to it.

 

“Yoodo-ssi. Where’s a good brunch place around here?”

 

“…Seo Munjun-ssi would know better than I would. I’ve only had this office for three months.”

 

“You’re a real estate agent, and you don’t know?”

 

No, do I have to know all the local restaurants just because I’m in real estate? He’s asking me to find someone by their phone number, expecting more than a local.

 

“Jun, you too.”

 

The client was trying to hold back laughter as he asked. And I had seen this client’s name on the contract earlier.

 

‘Namgung Bin.’

 

Like Seo Munjun, he had a two-character surname. They really found their match. I took out a business card and handed it to Bin.

 

“Jun, why do you call the owner-nim’s name ‘Yoodo’?”

 

Next to me, Bin asked, and Jun leaned in close to my ear and whispered. I could roughly understand what he was saying; it was something about sex.

 

At his words, Bin chuckled, suppressing his laughter at the mischievousness. Jun glanced at me, who was looking flustered, and then grinned even more slyly.

 

‘Seriously, why not? Just call me nipples outright.’ [T/n: Yoodo[유두] means nipples]

 

Back in school, my friends used to tease me so much. I really wanted to change my name, but my late grandfather had gone to a naming center to give me this name, so I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It felt like I would be disregarding my grandfather’s effort. Besides, I had already endured such teasing during my school days, so it didn’t bother me anymore.

 

‘Right. They’re just immature kids, after all.’

 

“Anyway, I’m good, so you two should eat. I need to step out for a bit.”

 

“Then, shall we order food at my place?”

 

“Your place? Seriously?”

 

Bin and Jun stared at each other with intense affection. It’s not that I look at gay people with prejudice, but… when they openly flirt like that, even straight couples look tacky. I wanted to kick them out.

 

“Then, you two enjoy your meal.”

 

As I pretended to quickly pack something and tried to leave, the two of them also whispered to each other and stood up. And, as expected, they disappeared into the building across the street.

 

‘Ah. Isn’t this good news?’

 

Suddenly, on one hand, I thought that since Jun had someone to capture his attention, his interest in finding me in the game would surely cease. While it was a shame I might not receive the 3 million won item, everything has its price. It was wiser to earn a modest living like this.

 

“Go well. ShutUp.”

 

Saying that, I entered the hardware store next door.

 

“Sir, you haven’t had lunch yet, right?”

 

“Ah, you’re here?”

 

Usually, the first floor had high key money, making it difficult to open a hardware store. However, this Hardware Store Owner seemed to have a personal connection with the building owner, as he had been paying the same old rent for a long time. In return, he would fix any minor issues in the building for free.

 

Today, he was fixing an air purifier. When I asked what it was, he said it was entrusted by the local senior center and he would fix it as best he could before returning it.

 

“Sir, let’s eat a sweet and sour pork set together at our office.”

 

“Did you make a deal?”

 

“Yes, something like that.”

 

The Hardware Store Owner put down his tools, seeming tired from fixing it, and followed me out. Then, I saw a female customer examining various items placed outside the hardware store.

 

“What are you looking for?”

 

“Ah, well, the sink is leaking a little. It keeps dripping even when I turn it off.”

 

The owner, who had been following me, overheard our conversation and came out with a rubber gasket from somewhere. He told her to place it between the leaking parts, but the customer tilted her head as she listened.

 

“Ah! You’re from the shop next door, right?”

 

Then, the customer’s face looked somehow familiar. I felt like I had seen her recently… Thinking hard, it suddenly came to me.

 

“Excuse me, aren’t you the owner of the clothing store next door?”

 

“Oh, yes, I am.”

 

I remembered seeing her once or twice when I went to the fast-food restaurant. As we were talking, the Hardware Store Owner, who had been listening quietly with the rubber gasket in hand, pondered, “Hmm…” and then spoke.

 

“If it’s nearby, I think it would be better if I went to take a look.”

 

“That would be wonderful. I’ll treat you to lunch.”

 

She said she had already ordered, and then asked if we would eat together at my real estate office next door.

 

So, the three of us walked over to the clothing store. The sink issue was something that could be resolved with a simple fix, but it would be frustrating for someone who didn’t know.

 

After finishing the repair faster than expected, we moved to my office to eat lunch. Just then, the Chinese food arrived, and as we unpacked it, we started chatting about various things.

 

“That’s right. Nowadays, everyone buys online, so I’m thinking of closing my first-floor shop and just running an online shopping mall.”

 

“It’s the same for the real estate business. Many people do direct transactions online, so…”

 

“Am I better off than you? I get more customers asking me to fix things than customers for the hardware store. Today, they just brought in some air purifier or something.”

 

It was convenient to know the shopkeepers and neighbors. We listened to each other’s woes over lunch. We agreed that we should have a drink together later, lamenting that we couldn’t order some sorghum liquor.

 

“But, the owner of the building across the street, isn’t he really annoying?”

 

Hyesun, the owner of the clothing store, said what I had been thinking. I always parked in front of my store, so I could tolerate it, but I didn’t understand why she said that and asked for the reason.

 

“Well, I was cleaning my shop’s display window the other day, and a sports car was parked in front of the real estate office, so I looked at it. The person getting out was quite handsome, so I just looked for a bit. But as soon as they got out, they picked a fight, asking why I was staring. I mean, I just looked for a moment, and they embarrassed me like that.”

 

“His personality is just… he’s always like that.”

 

“Tsk, tsk.”

 

Knowing him better than anyone, I aggressively bit into a fried dumpling. The Hardware Store Owner, having experienced more than both of us, just sighed.

 

It had been a while since I enjoyed gossiping about others. I wanted to close the office and order sorghum liquor. Hyesun’s elegant image was just her first impression; once we started talking, the conversation flowed even if I just nodded.

 

The Hardware Store Owner, even after finishing his meal, sat with his arms crossed, laughing heartily. Our lunch didn’t end until well past 1 p.m. In the meantime, the senior center called, nagging about whether the air purifier was fixed, and the Hardware Store Owner grumbled as he stood up.

 

“I’ll treat next time. Thanks for the meal.”

 

“I should get going too. I need to pack a delivery that’s been ordered.”

 

“Okay. See you next time.”