Chapter 30
“…Hey. Thanks. I didn’t know it would be this good.”
“I told you. It’s like a save point.”
At Kim Minyeol’s answer, Lee Dongchan’s lips curled up slightly.
Save points in games are usually equipped with recovery facilities.
Like a well, or an inn.
The names and settings of the facilities vary from game to game, but they all have one thing in common: when you go there, your health and mana are greatly restored or even filled to the maximum.
This place felt just like that to Lee Dongchan.
Even though he couldn’t get proper rest and was being pushed around, and he could feel his body getting worn out from frequent overtime work, after visiting this place, he could regain his strength as if he had pressed the ‘load’ button.
Of course, he couldn’t turn back time like in a game…
But at least as far as his physical condition was concerned, he could refresh himself like a game character who had slept at an inn.
“I wondered why you were making such a big deal out of it.”
“What, you punk? I generously gave it up for you.”
“You’re right. I probably wouldn’t have been able to give it up.”
Lee Dongchan’s serious gaze when he suggested going to the sauna.
He wondered why he was acting like that at the time, but now he could understand.
For an office worker suffering from chronic fatigue, this massage had an immense presence that was hard to give up.
“So, how do you feel?”
“…I feel a lot better thanks to you. Thank you.”
“Forget it, buy me a drink if you’re grateful.”
Lee Dongchan patted his friend’s shoulder with a hearty laugh as he awkwardly expressed his gratitude.
At least it seemed like giving up the save point was worth it.
“…Of course, something expensive and delicious.”
But it was also true that he still felt a little regretful, so Lee Dongchan added an afterthought.
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“Huuuh…”
After the drinking session, Kim Minyeol was walking alone on the night street, feeling good.
The cool night air felt like it was cooling down his slight intoxication, making him feel good.
‘…It’s been a really long time since I had such a good night.’
He got a fantastic massage, slept soundly as if he had passed out, took another bath, and then had a nice drink with his friend.
How could it get any better than this?
Compared to recently, when he was stuck at the company all night, or even when he went home, he just looked at his smartphone for a while and fell asleep. It was a perfect ending to the day.
He would have believed it even if it was all a dream.
But it was too clear and refreshing in his head to be a dream.
Even though he had a few drinks, his thoughts were clear.
And that wasn’t all.
His body, which had been creaking here and there due to frequent overtime work, was now smooth as if it had been oiled.
Somehow, the effects of the massage were becoming more apparent as time passed.
It felt like his loose muscles were slowly being put back together.
Thanks to this, his back, which had always been bent, was now standing upright on its own, and his drooping shoulders were proudly spread out to the sides.
“It’s been so long since I felt this refreshed.”
It felt like he was back in his school days.
Back to the time when he was full of vitality, and overflowing with enthusiasm and passion for work.
Of course, he couldn’t be really young again…
But thanks to his improved physical condition, at least his enthusiasm and passion seemed to have been revived.
Lately, whenever he thought about work, only powerless and pessimistic thoughts came to mind, but now his range of thoughts had broadened.
He even felt a little frustrated with his past passive self.
‘I guess the effect is good.’
Despite drinking, his mind was more active than it had been in recent times.
He thought he could only have this much passion when he was a rookie, but it seemed like it was just his own delusion.
‘…Should I try harder again?’
Eventually, his thoughts naturally led in that direction.
Thanks to the newfound motivation and courage he had gained.
Quitting and looking for another job as originally planned was also an option…
But there were still things he hadn’t tried, and he felt like he would be left with regrets if he did that.
“It’s not too late to quit after things go wrong.”
Giving up and quitting now versus taking a stand and trying something.
The latter would be the one without regrets.
In that case, let’s push for what he wants to do as much as possible.
What’s the worst that could happen? He could get fired from the company.
His planned resignation would just be delayed a little.
‘I’ll just give myself a little push.’
He suddenly remembered what the massage therapist had said.
He felt like he had received quite a bit of strength, though.
Not only from the therapist, but also from his friend, Lee Dongchan, who gave up the opportunity and kept him company for drinks.
If he had quit the company like this, there would have been other paths, but he would have been spending time in a powerless state, filled with regret.
Instead of giving up like that, let’s try a little harder.
He felt like he could do it now.
He smiled to himself in the silent night air.
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Human relationships are basically give and take.
If you receive something, you give something back.
This is the first step to building a desirable human relationship.
But what if you receive something so big that it’s hard to return it all at once?
Then it would be natural to repay it in two or three installments.
So.
‘It’s only natural to meet a few more times like this.’
Yoo Se-ah nodded her head as if agreeing with her own thoughts.
She had already treated him to a meal once, but it was hard to say that she had repaid her debt to Kang Taehan with that.
Since he saved her from almost getting into an accident, she had to do something for him at least ten… no, twenty times to even things out.
That was Yoo Se-ah’s thought.
Then wouldn’t it be better to send him a gift of equal value instead of continuing to meet him?
Someone might raise that question…
‘That’s heartless,’ would be Yoo Se-ah’s answer, and.
‘That would reduce the number of times I meet Kang Taehan, so it’s actually less efficient,’ would be Yoo Se-ah’s true feelings, which she was unaware of herself.
“Miss Se-ah, you know a lot of good places.”
Meanwhile, Kang Taehan, sitting across from her, said while stroking his teacup.
The shape, color, and even the light weight of the cup in his hand clearly showed that it was a high-quality item.
The fact that they paid this much attention to the cup meant that they also paid special attention to the tea leaves.
Sure enough, when he opened the teapot and smelled it, a deep aroma wafted out.
Beyond the window, he could see a simple but well-maintained garden, and the tables were separated by partitions, making it a good space for quiet conversation.
“Huhu, well… I guess so.”
Yoo Se-ah flipped her hair slightly and put on a relaxed expression.
It was a lie, of course.
She had only found out about this place the day before after asking a senior she knew.
If they knew any decent teahouses in the area besides cafes.
She managed to find out about this place thanks to that, but there was one minor problem.
‘But what do I do…’
She had never actually been to a proper teahouse before.
She thought they would just serve a cup of tea like coffee, but there were several things on the table.
A teacup, a teapot, and a thermos.
While she was frozen, not knowing what to do, Kang Taehan smiled and lifted his thermos.
First, pour hot water from the thermos into the teacup.
This is to warm up the cold cup and to slightly cool down the water for the first brew.
When the cup warms up, pour the water into the teapot containing the tea leaves.
The steeping time varies depending on the leaves, but green tea doesn’t need to be steeped for too long.
Especially for the first cup, it’s not bad to just steep it lightly and enjoy the aroma first.
Kang Taehan went through the process leisurely, with very slow hand movements.
As if demonstrating it to someone.
Sure enough, after watching the considerate demonstration of the teaching assistant, Yoo Se-ah also succeeded in making her first cup.
“…Oh?”
A short exclamation escaped Yoo Se-ah’s lips as she carefully took her first sip.
It was a light yet deep aroma, different from the green tea she knew.
The warmth of the tea seemed to permeate her body, and the fragrant aroma washed away her fatigue… A strange yet pleasant warmth enveloped her.
“It’s good, right?”
“Ah… Yes.”
Xihu Longjing.
She didn’t even know it was green tea, but she had ordered it without thinking because Kang Taehan recommended it.
But to think it would suit her taste this well.
Yoo Se-ah emptied her first cup without a word and then glanced up.
Her eyes met Kang Taehan’s, who had been watching her.
“…Was it that obvious?”
Yoo Se-ah was the first to speak.
“What?”
“That it’s my first time at a teahouse like this.”
“Yes, it was quite obvious.”
As Kang Taehan smiled slightly, Yoo Se-ah sighed softly and leaned back against the chair.
“Actually, I don’t really know much about these things. I usually just drink iced Americano at cafes… I only ordered the Xihu, whatever it’s called, because Mr. Taehan recommended it…”
“I didn’t notice because you didn’t know.”
Kang Taehan shook his head and said.
“I knew because you seemed hesitant. You can just drink it however you like, but people who are trying it for the first time think there’s something special about it and get flustered.”
Of course, there are ways to enjoy tea more deeply.
How to adjust the water temperature, how much to steep the leaves, from what height to pour the tea from the teapot.
Each of these things makes a subtle difference.
But if you try to follow all of them, you won’t be able to enjoy the tea itself.
Tea ceremony, tea etiquette.
Even if these things are considered cultured, they are worthless if they hinder the enjoyment of tea.
‘It’s not like there’s a huge difference.’
Therefore, those who truly love tea, while strict with their own standards, do not criticize the way others drink it.
At least that’s how the people Kang Taehan had seen so far were.
“Just drink it comfortably. Steep the tea leaves, pour the steeped tea into the cup, and drink it. These are the only two things you have to follow.”
“…I see.”
After listening to him, Yoo Se-ah poured water into the teapot again and, after a while, poured herself a second cup.
Perhaps because she steeped and drank it with a more relaxed mind than before, the taste and aroma felt deeper than the first cup.
‘This might be much better than I thought…’
The taste lingered pleasantly in her mouth.
She had been told to cut down on caffeine, and Yoo Se-ah thought it wouldn’t be bad to switch to green tea.
“By the way, I should buy you a drink next time.”
Kang Taehan said while taking a sip of tea.
They had come to the teahouse after finishing their meal, and Yoo Se-ah had paid for it again, just like last time.
“Huh? Why would Mr. Taehan buy it?”
“I can’t keep letting Miss Se-ah treat me.”
Yoo Se-ah waved her hand lightly.
“It’s not treating you. I’m repaying you.”
“…What? You’re still on about that?”
Kang Taehan looked dumbfounded.
He had told her it wasn’t necessary, but she was still saying that.
“I was just meeting you because I enjoyed it.”
“Cough, cough!”
Yoo Se-ah, who was tilting her teacup to her lips, burst into a coughing fit.
However, her wide eyes were still fixed on Kang Taehan.
“Are you okay?”
“Cough, ah, yes, I’m fine. No, wait, what did you say?”
“I said I was meeting you because I enjoyed it.”
Yoo Se-ah’s cheeks flushed bright red.
She had never thought of it that way.
No, wait, why was this man suddenly throwing such a straight ball?
Yoo Se-ah’s mind became complicated.
But the next moment, Kang Taehan’s words calmed her down.
“There’s no reason to dislike it. Having meals and tea with a good person.”
“…Aha. You enjoyed meeting me.”
Yoo Se-ah’s voice was calm.
She let out a small sigh without realizing it.
‘…What was I even thinking.’
She lifted her teacup and took a sip.
Even if it was a tea that suited her body, it couldn’t calm her startled heart all at once.
