Chapter 20: restaurant
The moment Se-hee heard the news, she didn't just congratulate him; she practically tackled him. Her screams of joy echoed through the small apartment as she jumped around, insisting they go out for an expensive celebratory feast. Haru, still feeling the whirlwind of the meeting with Mae-rin, gently declined, suggesting they just order in instead.
They spent the evening surrounded by takeout containers and a steady flow of soju. The air was thick with laughter and electric energy. Se-hee eventually forced him into a makeshift karaoke session, making him dance until his legs felt like lead. As he watched her belt out a pop song, Haru felt his heart swell. Amidst the confusion of his new life, he had found someone as genuinely amazing as Se-hee.
The celebration lasted long into the night, resulting in a morning where he woke up significantly later than intended.
He reported to work the next day with a persistent, dull throb behind his eyes,the classic tax of a soju hangover. Still, it didn't dampen his mood. When he told the Kwons about landing the role, their support was immediate and overwhelming. They promised to work around his filming
schedule, leaving him feeling deeply grateful for the small community he was building.
Just as he finished his shift and stepped out onto the street, his phone rang.
"Hey," Raiven's low voice vibrated through the line.
"Hey," Haru replied, starting his walk down the sidewalk.
"Are you done with your shift?"
"Just this second. Why?"
"I'm heading somewhere and I wanted to invite a plus-one."
Haru winced at the bright lamp light as he stopped walking. "If it's a club, I'm already battling a hangover. I don't think I have another night in me."
"It's not a club," Raiven retorted, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Oh. Okay then, I guess I can. Should I call a taxi?"
"I'm almost at the restaurant."
Haru stopped by a lamp post. "What if I had said no?"
Raiven said simply. "I'll be there in a few minutes."
True to his word, Raiven's sleek car pulled up shortly after. As Haru climbed in and clicked his seatbelt, he noticed Raiven's eyes linger on the hoodie he was wearing,Raiven's hoodie. A small, satisfied smile played on the idol's lips.
"Don't you have other friends?" Haru asked as they pulled away, trying to break the sudden tension.
"Not that many," Raiven admitted.
Haru felt a pang of guilt for the blunt question. "Oh. Well... where are we going?"
"A restaurant. My best friend's girlfriend owns it."
"That's good. I won't turn down a plate of free food," Haru said, finally leaning back and relaxing into the leather seat. He reached over and turned on the radio, finding a station playing older, soulful vibes. Raiven watched him out of the corner of his eye, clearly amused by how quickly Haru had made himself at home in the passenger seat.
They drove until they reached a quiet, upscale neighborhood. Raiven pulled on a black mask and a bucket hat before they stepped out. The restaurant was surprisingly still, the windows dark.
"Where is everyone?" Haru asked, glancing at the 'Closed' sign.
"I closed early," a voice called out.
A young woman stood near the serving counter, her face lit up with an excitement that looked ready to boil over. She rushed toward them, seizing Raiven's hand in an eager handshake, her lips pulled back in a wide, nervous grin. This was Mina, the chef and owner.
Before Haru could process the greeting, another presence startled him.
"Nice to meet you!" a second girl cried out, catching Haru in an impulsive, exuberant hug.
"He... hello..." Haru stuttered, his 90s sensibilities slightly rattled by the sudden physical contact.
"It's so nice to finally meet you," she said, pulling back with a beaming smile. "I'm Hae-rin."
Haru looked at her, nodding uncertainly. He realized then that Raiven's best friend was Hae-rin, and Mina was her girlfriend. He felt a brief flash of self-reproach for having assumed the "best friend" would be a guy; the world was certainly more diverse than the one he'd left behind.
The girls led them to a beautifully set table. Hae-rin immediately took charge, placing plates of steaming, fragrant food in front of them.
"Mina made this specifically for you," Hae-rin said, settling into her seat. Her eyes immediately darted to Haru. "So, you're the one who picked him up at the club?"
Raiven let out a long, weary sigh. "Hae-rin..."
"What? As his best friend, it's my duty to investigate," she huffed. She turned back to Haru. "How long have you guys been friends?"
"Not long. A month or so," Haru said, taking a cautious bite of the food. It was incredible.
"Do you have a girlfriend? Or a boyfriend?"
Haru nearly choked on a piece of chicken.
"Hae-rin!" This time it was Mina who called her out, reaching over to pat her girlfriend's arm.
"What? Maybe I want to set him up," Hae-rin defended herself, though her eyes flickered mischievously toward Raiven.
"No, I'm single," Haru managed to say after a sip of water.
"Good... good," Hae-rin murmured, her gaze lingering on Raiven, who simply rolled his eyes and focused on his wine. "You know, Jae-wook is also single. He says he likes being single, but..."
"I actually have someone I like," Ha-ru interjected, his voice cool as he took a sip of his wine.
The statement hung in the air. Haru was struck by how effortlessly Hae-rin bypassed boundaries; it was likely the only reason she had managed to break through Raiven's icy exterior. Mina skillfully steered the conversation toward the menu, and the rest of the dinner smoothed out into easy laughter and comfortable stories.
As the night wound down, Raiven offered to drive Haru home. Since it was getting late and Raiven's place was significantly closer, he suggested Haru just crash there for the night.
"I'm sorry about Hae-rin," Raiven said as they pulled into his estate. "She doesn't have a filter."
"I didn't mind," Haru replied. "Are you okay with that wine, though? I thought you were driving."
"It was just a sip. Are you okay? You said you had a hangover."
"I'm fine now," Haru laughed. Then, the excitement he'd been holding back all day finally bubbled over. "I forgot to tell you—I landed a role."
Raiven slowed the car. "A role?"
"Yeah. I went to the audition and I passed. It's just a supporting character, but still..."
"What show?"
"Gyeongseong High."
Raiven's head snapped toward him, eyes wide. "That's huge, Haru."
"It's just supporting," Haru repeated, trying to stay humble.
"It doesn't matter." Raiven reached over, patting Haru's lap firmly in a gesture of genuine encouragement. "That's a big deal. Congratulations."