It started out like any other day. He woke up in the morning, opened the restaurant, sold ramen with Baek Haeju and Seo Yuhui, and prepared to close for the day when the sun set. But his routine was altered when a customer arrived. The small bell attached to the door chimed as the door opened.

“I’m sorry, but we’re closed for—”

‘…the day,’ was what Seol Jihu was about to say, but stopped when he saw the man standing in the doorway. The man in a black suit and sunglasses closed the door behind him and entered the restaurant. Seol Jihu’s face brightened with surprise at the unexpected visitor.

“Mister Hao Win…!”

“Do you mind keeping this place open for another hour or two?”

Hao Win pulled down his sunglasses just enough to show his eyes and raised the shopping bag in his hand.

“I’ll be even more glad if you offer corkage service.”

“Cor...kage?”

“It’s what restaurants call when they charge to open and serve the wines that customers bring to the restaurant."

Baek Haeju explained. A smile spread over Seol Jihu’s face when he realized what was inside the shopping bag.

“Of course. Come in, come in.”

“I can’t believe it took me this long.”

Hao Win settled down at a table, clicking his tongue.

“I was going to drop by during the day, but the line was just too long. Ah, no need for bartenders tonight.”

He said, looking at Baek Haeju and Seo Yuhui. The pair understood his intention and left with a smile.

“Let me get you some snacks. What would you like?”

“That’s okay. All I need is cinnamon, salt, and sugar. And a thin slice of lemon or orange, if you have some.”

“Cinnamon, salt, and sugar…?”

With a smile, Hao Win pulled out a bottle from the shopping bag and placed it on the table. The transparent liquid swayed gently in the clear bottle.

“It’s tequila.”

“…Sounds strong.”

“The truth is, I don’t really like drinking.”

Hao Win smirked.

“Sometimes, work requires me to drink, but I always drink to enjoy, not to get drunk. But….”

Suddenly, his voice faded. Then he licked his lips.

“Lately, I’ve begun to realize why some people are so...