CoffeePrince's Xanga

Chapter 05 Edited

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:26:41 GMT

Coffee Prince Original Novel
Chapter 05
Translated and Edited by Eva S.L.
Available for downloading at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1PP0XDDS

Chapter Five

It Won't Do to Disappoint the Witch

< Part 1>

A Valentine's Day party for singles.

More like a desperate attempt by single people to participate in the national holiday for couples. Well, whatever it was, Choi Han Kyul couldn't miss this chance to raise his notoriety. He knew most of the faces at the party. There were some guys who weren't even single. If married men insisted they were single, it was the special law of the day not to try too hard to find out the truth.

“Obba, don't you know her?”

Damn it. It was Pak Do Hun's younger sister.

“You know, Sang Won Construction Company's youngest daughter. Weren't you two supposed to go on an arranged date?”

Do Hun must be taking his younger sister around everywhere he went. That half-wit.

“Hi. My name's Jang Mi Suk.”

Han Kyul looked at the seemly girl who had just greeted him and was momentarily moved. If she hadn't been the girl his mom was planning to set him up with this weekend, he might've made a move. But she was a train carrying the label, “for arranged marriage use only,” and he wasn't about to take the risk of throwing himself onto the tracks. Not to mention she was close to Pak Do Hun's leech of a sister, so no, thank you very much. He could easily imagine what those two girls had gossiped about. So he figured he'd kill two birds with one stone and smiled, pleased with himself.

“I fell for your little act, didn't I? I wasn't in the right frame of mind to figure it out at the time. It makes me sad that you'd go so far to keep me away from you, but I understand. I've heard time and time again that you're a free soul. It seems like you misunderstood me. I don't want to cage you up. So how about using me instead? It's better than having strange rumors floating around the arranged marriage circles. If the adults find out, it's going to be bad for you.”

The leech kept rubbing up against him, and he flinched in disgust. No, this wasn't a leech. This was an anaconda. The lawless animal of the Amazon that swallowed anything and everything up whole.

“Don't worry about Mi Suk. I'll figure something out.”

Putting on the gay act had to be better than being stuck with this anaconda. Han Kyul began to plan his “One show, two kills” operation. He was going to get rid of two women in just one act.

Han Kyul tsked at En Chan, who was gasping for breath from running. If he himself had walked blindfolded into a closet and pulled random clothes from its hangers, he couldn't have come up with an outfit like that. A seriously washed out pair of jeans, a mud colored corduroy shirt, an indigo jumper obviously a size too big. It wasn't as if the kid was still going through puberty, why couldn't he wear clothes that fit him? And what in the world was that hat all about?

“Ahjussi! I was going to let it slide, but...” En Chan hissed as soon as he arrived. Han Kyul ignored him and whipped off the neighborhood watch cap. Using the gap as En Chan started, Han Kyul grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the wall. In that split second, En Chan's arm whipped between them and pressed into Han Kyul's ribs. Han Kyul was surprised at the unexpectedly quick reflexive block, but he didn't let it show. His ribs hurt from the arm digging into it. He put on a fiercer expression to mask the pain and shoved his face into En Chan's.

“You listen, and you listen good. If you don't act well this time, it's over. You got it?”

“Let go.”

“Answer me first.”

“I'll give you your money back. Just give me some time and I'll give you your money back so count me out of this fucked up show.”

“This fucked up show ends today. If we make it definite today...” Han Kyul's eyes suddenly flashed as he heard the words he himself had carelessly thrown out.

Yes! That was it! He'd make it definite today. He would come out in front of all these people. There was no way these blabbermouths were going to keep quiet, and rumors would spread everything. If those rumors somehow found their way into the old man's hear, there'd be hell to pay, but they wouldn't be able to find a woman to marry him off to for years! All right! Lucky chance!

“Do you promise? After today you're going to rip up that contract?”

“So do it right, kid, got it?”

Han Kyul let go of En Chan's collar and pushed him inside. But he soon let out a sigh of despair. Judging from En Chan's actions, he just couldn't be sure of tonight's success. According to Han Kyul's aesthetics, En Chan's fashion sense was no better than that of Future Boy Conan. If he said that he was going out with this kid, all they were going to do was snort. There had to be some kind of standards, goddamn it!

“No choice but to trust his pretty face will take care of it....”

Han Kyul decided to bet his pot on the kid's pretty boy aura and went up onto the stage. His heart raced and an excitement he couldn't figure out took over his entire body. He was torn between the excitement that something very interesting was going to happen and a strange nervousness.

“I've gotta have a drink.”

All eyes went to the bar where Han Kyul and En Chan were sitting. Of those, a pair belonged to Pak Do Hun's anaconda sister.

“Hey, drink up.” Han Kyul handed him a tequila. En Chan, who was also wrapped up in atmosphere, dumbly took the shot. Han Kyul clinked glasses with En Chan and poured the shot into his mouth. He needed to borrow the strength of alcohol to overcome his nervousness. The kid was probably nervous as well. Han Kyul recalled the incident in Seattle when his next door neighbor, Dick, had suddenly attacked him with a kiss. The sensation itself could be said to have been nice. The only thing was, the kisser had been a six-foot-three muscle head. If Han Kyul hadn't knocked him down and become friends with him, he probably couldn't have understood homosexuality at all. But understanding it and experiencing it are two very different things.

En Chan, who had downed the tequila in one shot, was clasping his throat. His usually white face had gone purple. Han Kyul put a lemon in the kid's mouth.

“Kegkh!”

“You can't dress. You can't drink. Is there anything you're good at?” He was tsking away when an image floated up in his head. Hmm. Yea. A 540-degree roundhouse kick. That, you're pretty good at.

Just then, someone tapped Han Kyul on his arm. When he turned around, Pak Do Hun was standing there with an look of curiosity on his face.

“Who is this?” asked Do Hun, indicating En Chan with his chin. Han Kyul simply replied,

“My slave.”

“Huh?”

Do Hun was just about to ask more when a voice rang through the speakers through the microphone.

“All right, everyone. Now that we've all greeted each other, let's liven it up a little with the main event. And the main event is: Kings! Why don't we have the host and hostess of tonight's party, will Pak Do Hun and Pak Ye Rang, the incorrigible sibling pair, come up on stage? They will be tonight's Tyrant and the Witch.”

Red-faced youths went wild with whistles and cheers. The sibling pair who had reached the stage called out a man and a woman from the crowd. To Han Kyul's knowledge, the man had a fiancée and the woman, he had never seen before. The Tyrant's demand was a lap dance.

The woman ran away shrieking but the man pulled her back. He said he would do the dancing instead. It was different from what the crowd had expected, but the atmosphere grew hot. The man gyrated his hips in front of the woman in the chair and went closer to her. He undid his shirt buttons one by one and requested the woman's hand on his bare chest. He flicked his tongue as if to lick her lips, and then rubbed his narrow buttocks against the woman's lap. Lewd shouts came from here and there, and the air grew hotter and hotter. People could be heard swallowing. When Han Kyul looked over, En Chan said,

“W-water. Is there any water?”

Ha, looks like this kid's getting excited at a thing like that. Ah, youth.

“They only sell alcohol here.”

The man and woman hugged lightly as they came down the stage. They tried hard to keep their manners, but they were exchanging looks that held the promises of the coming night.

Right then, a naughty voice flowed from the microphone.

“The man I want is... Choi Han Kyul.”

Loud applause and a swarm of eyes. Han Kyul didn't move but smiled coldly at Pak Ye Rang.

“Oh, I'll mention a rule here. The Witch may not participate in the game.”

“What? What kind of rule is that?”

“The Witch has to be wicked through and through. It's no good if she falls for a guy and becomes all sappy.”

“Yea, that's true, it's no fun if the Witch acts nice.”

“Keke that's too bad.”

“All right, the man is Choi Han Kyul. Now choose the woman, Miss Witch.”

Ye Rang, who had been looking around with a sulky pout, suddenly rested her gaze somewhere. All the eyes in the room flew to where she was looking at. Han Kyul saw that at the end of that gaze was Jang Mi Suk. No way... Just then Ye Rang smiled suggestively and said,

“The second participant doesn't necessarily have to be a female, right?”

There was dead silence for about a second. Then loud cheers and a mischievous atmosphere took over.

“Now that's a real Witch!”

“It's Choi Han Kyul's welcome back home show! Hey! How 'bout a strip show?”

“That man over there.” Ye Rang pointed at En Chan. And she declared, evilly, “Kiss!”

In response to Ye Rang's look of “Go ahead, let's see if you can,” Han Kyul threw a look of “thank you.” Weren't things working out better than he'd planned? This was a hundred times better than introducing a shabbily dressed idol-star-like pretty boy and saying, “I'm gay.” Since it was a game, it wouldn't seem forced. But he had to leave an impression. He wanted people to wonder, “Hey, is that guy really gay?” and then not provide them with a direct answer. That was the best way for rumors to get spread.

A rigid-faced Han Kyul said in a low voice to En Chan,

"Show time."

As Han Kyul took the stage, the crowd went wild with clapping and shouting. Han Kyul looked toward En Chan. He hadn't moved. He was looking at him with an expression that all but shouted, "Are you completely insane?!" Han Kyul took the mike and delivered a critical blow.

"Come here."

"Oho, that's hot, Han Kyul!"
"What, are they really doing it?"

The reaction from the female crowd was explosive.

"Oh my God, look at him, he's absolutely adorable. I just want to bite him!"
"Look at those soft cheeks! I feel like I've seen him somewhere before. Hey, do you think he could be from Dong Bang Shin Gi?"

"Who's that kid? I've never seen him before?"
"I dunno. Looks like he's Han Kyul's squeeze."
"Squeeze? What, is it a girl or a guy? Damn, he's too freakin' pretty."

Somebody gave En Chan a push. Suddenly, hands from all around began pushing at him. Watching En Chan approach, Han Kyul felt a wave of apprehension himself. The only experience he had kissing men was that one time when Dick surprise attacked him. He wasn't sure he'd be able to pull it off.

His heart began to beat faster. Goddamn it, he couldn't take his eyes off of those lips. Shit. What if I throw up?

“I'd rather give your lips to that boy than give it to Mi Suk. But are you really going to do it? You're going to lose your appetite.”

If it wasn't for Ye Rang's snide comment, he was planning to settle for a kiss on the cheek. But that look on her face, that look that said, “I know it's all just an act” made him realize something. If he didn't do it right, he'd never get rid of this anaconda. It made him determined. I'm going to get rid of you. I'm going to do it right in front of you. Open your eyes wide and watch carefully, you anaconda.

En Chan got on the stage. He looked as if he'd just shat his pants. For some reason, Han Kyul wanted to burst out laughing. This situation was just too unbelievable and too ridiculous. He felt like he was going to go crazy. "Are you serious?" said the look on En Chan's face. In reply, he said aloud,

"Close your eyes."

All right, I'm just going to do it. He grabbed En Chan's head. He pressed his lips against En Chan's, who had gone completely rigid.

"What the!"
"Oh my God, they're doing it!"
"Crazy motherf-"
"What, are you serious? They're really doing it?"

Even as the wolf whistles pierced his ears, Han Kyul found himself thinking,

Huh. This kid's unexpectedly soft and smooth.

Han Kyul didn't know it, but his hand was naturally wrapping around En Chan's waist and pulling his body toward him. The hand holding his head was strengthening its grip. En Chan's body began to bend as he pulled his body forward and dipped his head back. Han Kyul didn't even realize he was beginning to turn his head and that their lips were meeting perfectly like well tuned wheels. He increased the soft movements of his lips.

The room couldn't have been more silent if someone had dropped an unpinned grenade. Everyone was frozen in shock from the unexpected passion and length of the kiss.

Han Kyul was completely immersed in what he was doing, oblivious to the situation. Suddenly, En Chan eyes were wide open and bulging. It was only then, as their eyes met, did Han Kyul realize that he had put his tongue in En Chan's mouth.

Chapter 04 Edited

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:40:52 GMT

Coffee Prince Original Novel
Chapter 04
Translated and Edited by Eva S.L.
Available for download at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FAWX4710

Chapter Four

What happened in Room S11?

< Part 1 >

En Chan, who had never been in the hotel before, couldn't have known that there was a row of separate villas in the back. If an employee hadn't shown her the way, she would've undoubtedly gotten lost. Room S11, which the employee had called a VIP villa, was in a forest. When the employee pressed the bell, it rang clearly. There was no answer, so she pressed it again. Even after that, it was a while before the door opened. En Chan was startled by the appearance of a bare chest, but the female employee, who seemed used to these kinds of things, simply said,

“I've brought your guest to you, sir.”

En Chan didn't know where to put her eyes.

“You've got a killer sense of fashion.”

Really? En Chan dumbly looked down at her clothes.

“Where'd you buy it? Mop shop? Rag shop?”

What the hell!

“Come in.”

The man walked back inside, drying his hair with a towel. The employee motioned for her to enter, but En Chan felt trapped. She was already fed up with the guy after one sentence, and wanted to go back. If he found out that she kind of knew the mugger and had kind of let him go on purpose, he wouldn't be nice about it. From what she'd already seen, this was a guy who didn't have even the slightest amount of tolerance. He might even report her to the police. She was nervous. She had unintentionally tricked him, and now she was here to pick up her reward? Her conscience throbbed. Not to mention, she was incredibly embarrassed. She'd seen her fair share of bare chests at the dojo, so why was she suddenly so sheepish?

“Please enter.”

“Ah, yes, thank you.” She began to shuffle inside when the man shouted from inside the room,

“Hey! Get me some coffee.”

“Yes, sir,” answered the employee before closing the door. For some reason, En Chan felt that it wasn't right with the door closed all the way, so she furtively left the door open about 10cm and then felt better about it. Even if he was tall, she thought she could take him on if she had to, but something in her told her to be cautious.

Her attic house in its entirety could probably have fit in the living room. Damn, look how big this place is. Where is this guy, anyway? The carpet, the curtains, the sofa, the table, the dressers, the lighting fixtures were all so magnificent that she felt dizzy.

“How'd you get here?”

What do you mean how did I get here?

“I took the subway.”

The man smirked. How in the world did this man manage to be such a jackass?

“I don't know if kids these days have bigger guts than they used to or if they just don't have any fear. You should've just gone on with your delivery, what'd you interfere for? What, you think you're Tae Kwon V? You wanted to get some kind of Good Citizen award? Or is it that you just can't pass up the opportunity to meddle in everybody's business? Since you've come all the way here to get paid, you probably didn't do it out of unadulterated sense of justice, right? Sit down, kiddo.”

I probably shouldn't have come here. I should've known when I got that feeling like I'd rather kill myself than come here. Damn it to hell.

How can someone who looks like a gigolo talk like such a jackass? His slanty eyes look just like Mashimaro, and his upturned nose looks like a pyramid, and his lips are so pouty he looks like Angelina Jolie. He must've gone suntanning or something 'cause his skin looks just like well cooked salmon... Ah... salmon... I want to eat some salmon.... Whatever, anyway, he just looks sleazy all around and his face pisses me off. How tall is he, about 5'9''?

“Stop pouting and sit down.”

En Chan glared at the man and then flopped onto the sofa. After discovering that the man wore nothing underneath save a towel, she got angrier and angrier. She kept telling herself that she had to get out of there quick, and kept scowling at the violet flowers that were on top of the table. She heard the man's voice coming from somewhere.

“You're a high schooler, aren't you?”

What? She whipped her head around in disbelief but couldn't see the man.

“What grade are you in? You skipping class right now? Or have you been suspended? Expelled?”

She turned her head towards the sound and saw the man's silhouette through the glass. A vague outline of his buttocks could be discerned through the opaque glass. The silhouette was skin colored! He's changing his underwear in front of somebody? What the hell is this man thinking? En Chan snapped her reddened face back and almost yelling, replied,

“NO!”

“What do you mean no? Which part is no?”

“I'm not a high schooler!”

“C'mon. A middle schooler, then?”

“No! I'm twenty-four!”

“Hey, kid, is someone deaf in here? What're you yelling about?”

Why was he still bare-chested? If he was going to put on clothes, he should've put on all his clothes. All he was wearing was a pair of jeans that rode dangerously low. What kind of fashion sense is that?!

The man crossed the living room, entered the room, and came back out before saying,

“It's a good age to be. I know, I know, you want to be treated like an adult so badly you'd even lie about your age.”

The man was putting his watch on in front of his room door. Pants and then watch? A unique way to put on clothes, that's for sure.

“If you were delivering midnight snacks, what do you do in the daytime?”

“That's none of your business.”

“Look at this kid, being all tight-assed.”

“Hey, ahjussi (translator's note: in Korea, males and females alike call older men “ahjuhssi.” This is not familiar, but it is not formal, either.), why do you keep talking to me like that? Why do you keep dissing me?”

“What? Ahjussi?”

“I know you're older than I am, but it's not cool to diss me like that, you know? You should ask me if I'm all right with you treating me so familiarly. Isn't that basic etiquette?”

“You're one to talk. Hey, breadwinner boy, may I treat you familiarly? You happy?”

“As if you haven't already been treating me like that.”

“How old is the kid who got away?”

“Twenty.”

En Chan gasped. Shit! What did I just say?

“I-I don't know. H-h-how would I know that?”

She knew by the look on his face that it was too late to recover. The sneer on his face reminded her of a Japanese inquisitioner torturing a Korean freedom fighter. Even if you should put a sword to my neck, I won't surrender! My first wish is Korean independence, my second, also, my third, also... should've been how it went, and this wasn't even something as noble as national liberation, but she'd gone ahead and.... Goddamn it! Nothing ever works out!

Still, she tried to cover up by forcing and laugh and saying,

“W-what I meant was that... he looked... about twenty... He might not be, but I'm a pretty good judge of character....”

“You'd have better luck fooling a ghost. If you were going to do it, you should've done a better job at it. Clumsy twit. You look just like a little girl, and you can't do anything right.”

Suddenly something flared up inside of her. She'd heard that phrase, “you look like a little girl” enough to make her ears bleed, but for some reason, it still really pissed her off. Why? Because... because....

...because I am a girl. I don't consciously think about it usually, and sometimes even I get confused, but I'm still a girl. But, judging by the look on his face, this mess of a human being doesn't even consider the possibility that I could be a girl. Not even a clue. Psh. Not that anything would change if he did see me as a girl. Sometimes I do wish people would see me like that.... Yea. Fine. Whatever. You think whatever you want to think, ahjussi. I'd love to see the look on your face if I up and told you right now that I'm a girl, but I don't want to. If you don't see me as a girl at all, there's no point in my telling you, “I'm actually a girl,” especially since you haven't even asked me. It's pathetic to turn myself in. Damn pathetic.

“Is the policeman in on it too, by any chance? Are you guys a scam group? Or a kid flunky for a mob? Not that I'd believe you if you said no.”

En Chan abruptly stood up.

This sad excuse of a human being was really pushing it! She felt like scrubbing his tongue with sandpaper.

She was so angry she couldn't remain sitting. Compensation reward or no, it seemed best to just run away. That's when it happened. She'd tried to whip past him, but her shoulder had collided with the cup of water the man was drinking out of.

“Ack!”

The water that should've gone into the man's mouth spilled onto his chest.

“Oh shoot!” En Chan's hand unconsciously reached out. Her exact intention was to try and wipe away the water that was flowing down the man's torso, so her hand ended up on the man's chest. But as soon as her palms felt skin, she realized that this was a very, very strange position to be in. The man looked at her, surprised, and En Chan froze. Right then, there was something like a scream.

“Oh my GOD!”

En Chan turned her head with her hand still on the man's chest. There, a woman stood with both hands covering her mouth looking scandalized.

“Wh-what the hell are you two men doing together?!?”

< Part 2 >

When he'd showed up wearing baggy jeans, a hoodie jumper and a baseball cap, Han Kyul had thought that the kid was nothing but a punk. But now that he was in a suit and tie, Han Kyul thought he didn't look half bad. Ko En Chan. He insisted he was twenty-four, but it was pushing it to say he was more than twenty-two or so. The social security number he'd written on the employment contract was probably phony as well. That's just how kids like him were. Their lives revolved around lies and deception.

He couldn't be more than 5' 7'', and had a slim frame. His skin was white, his eyes were big and round, and his lips were uncommonly red. He looked just like the lead singer of some idol group. These days, boys who looked pretty enough to be mistaken for girls were all the rage. Ko En Chan was no exception. With his mouth closed, his atmosphere was completely different. Han Kyul thought to himself, man, what a waste of a good face. Dick would be drooling if he was here.

Han Kyul kept his eye on En Chan, who was entering the restaurant. He stared at him as hard as he could so that the woman who sat across from him could feel it. Finally the woman turned her head and looked at En Chan, who had sat down at the adjacent table.

“Is it someone you know?”

“Seems that way.”

“Oh, then you should go and say hello. It's all right with me.”

Where the hell did he find such a tacky suit? Twit, if you're going to wear a suit, you should've found one that actually fit you.

“I'm considering it. I don't know if I should, though.”

“Why not?”

Because it's hella embarrassing. What is this, a 7080 concert? What's with that wide tie?

“We have an... awkward past.”

If that dumb broad hadn't gone into hysterics about being gay or whatnot, Ko En Chan would've gone straight to the police station. The stupid girl, even after having been scolded by his mother, still dropped by the hotel and harassed him, but she had been horrified by the sight of him and Ko En Chan together. When Han Kyul saw her run away with that disgusted look on her face, a light bulb had gone on in his head.

Get married? All right. Go ahead. Good luck marrying me off.

He presented Ko En Chan with a proposition. What did he think about a part-time job? Unbelievably, even after having his scam with the mugger exposed, this kid had asked for the money up front. Not only that, but he had even asked for several times the original compensation reward amount. Han Kyul even now couldn't understand what made him say he would. If he wanted to, he could've just threatened to toss him in the clinker to make him do whatever he wanted.

“What do you think about his type? I heard pretty boys are all the rage these days.”

“Well, I personally don't really...”

The woman he had a date with today was being overly quiet in order to appear mature and pure. He was so bored he wanted to yawn. Right then, he saw the waiter approaching the table En Chan was sitting at. He could read his lips: The B course, please.

“Could you excuse me a moment?”

“Oh, of course.”

Han Kyul hurried over, but the waiter had already taken the order and walked away.

“Hey! Ko En Chan, imagine seeing you here.” He made his voice bright, but his expression remained angry as he sat next to En Chan. The woman could see En Chan's front and Han Kyul's profile from where she was sitting.

“Out of all days, you had to have a date on a busy Friday afternoon? I'm busy all afternoon. What are you, a loafer?”

“Oh, shut up, kid. You, who told you you could order food?” growled Han Kyul lowering his voice as quiet as it could go.

“What, do you expect me to sit here in a place like this and just drink water? It'll seem strange, don't you think?”

“You pay for it then.”

“I only have enough for the bus.”

“That's not my problem. I've already cleared my account with you in cash. Did you bring your ID?”

“I-I told you I lost it. I applied for a replacement, but i-it hasn't arrived yet.”

“I have your picture in my cell phone, so if you're thinking of pulling anything funny, don't. If you do, I'll wallpaper the police station with your mug shot.”

“Mug shot? What the hell did I do? You should learn to trust people and think more positively. Why're you so twisted?”

“What! You little!”

“Why are you treating me like a criminal?”

“That's why I'm telling you to do it well. Anyway, what's with this suit? Is it your father's?”

“You told me to wear a suit.”

“You don't even own a suit? Oh, forget it. Let's go to Phase 1.”

“Already? I haven't even eaten yet...”

“I haven't either, kid.”

“Yea, so let's just eat first and then...” En Chan, who had stopped talking, looked over toward the woman. Han Kyul didn't turn around and kept looking at En Chan, whose eyes were blinking continually.

“What?”

“That's the woman, isn't it? The picture?”

“Picture?”

“You know, the paper you wrote your number on last time. Oh! Didn't I give that back to you?”

“Put your hand on the table.”

“Do we really have to do this?”

“What, do you think I want to?”

En Chan made a face like he'd just chewed through a unripe persimmon and lifted his hand onto the table. Han Kyul put his hand on his arm, as lovers would.

“Smile, kid.”

“Ahjussi, I am smiling.”

Han Kyul grinned. As he moved his upper body to close the space between them, En Chan's distorted smile shriveled even more.

“You're a pervert, aren't you, ahjussi?”

“You gonna mess around?”

“Do you really think this is going to work?”

“You saw as well as I did. The woman from before.”

“She was pretty...”

“Why? You interested?”

“I couldn't see any reason why Mr. Cranky should dump her. It'd probably make more sense for you to have been dumped.”

“Do you want me to hit you? Do I look like a dumbass to you?”

“No. You look like a cranky twisted pervert.”

“You little son of a...”

“Shh!”

“You'll get it later. All right. It's time. Twenty minutes from now we go onto Phase 2.”

Before getting up, Han Kyul reached out and tousled En Chan's hair. Suddenly, he flinched. This wasn't part of the plan...

Han Kyul turned away awkwardly.

“I'm very sorry. We have a lot to talk about.”

The woman already had a sour look on her face. She was at the top of the list that his mother had brought to him. That meant she came from a good household and was smart and pretty. And so he wanted to pour milk all over her. The same way he wanted to break that perfect order of black keys and white keys...

“Why don't we eat?”

Han Kyul stretched out his hand toward his water glass and felt something strange. The sensation from before revived in his fingertips and made them tingle. The sensation of the kid's black hair. It had been smooth and thin and silky. It was probably because he was still so young. Even pigs have soft hair when they're babies. But why did he ruffle his hair in the first place? Oh, it was just part of the act. Right. To make it more convincing.

Wow. Look at that kid go. He was cleaning off the plates as soon as they arrived. The appetite of a pig indeed. Moreover, a euphoric smile filled his face. Han Kyul had never seen anyone smile like that while eating alone. He gave the waiter who brought him ice cream and a tart a smile as if he'd give him his liver if he'd asked for it. He gobbled down the unbearably sweet desserts in the blink of an eye and then went on to lick his fingers. Thanks to him, the meal on this end seemed even more unbearably boring. The woman was cutting the steak that was smaller than her fist one minuscule piece at a time. She'd probably have been better off if she'd asked them to grind it for her beforehand.

“So you graduated from the business school at Washington University?”

What was this girl's name? Anyway, it seemed her female intuition was kicking into gear. He could tell by the way she began to bring up his educational background.

“I remember going in there, but I don't remember coming out.”

“Excuse me?”

“The place is too beautiful to just sit around and study.”

“I have heard that Seattle is the best place to live in the United States.”

“It's a good place to be a hermit or go into hiding. Also a good place to kill yourself. When you open your eyes in the morning, it's most probably raining, or it's so foggy that it makes you want to walk into a telephone pole and get electrocuted. Oh, but there's no need to worry. It's all good if you fill up with 16 ounces at a go, 40 times a week.”

“Fill up with what?”

“Coffee,” Han Kyul answered and raised his hand to call the waiter over to order coffee. The woman hadn't even finished a third of her meal.

“Oh, don't worry about me and take all the time you want. You don't like wasting food, right? I knew it. It's such an admirable habit.”

The face of the woman who had just been about to clear her plate grew rigid and picked her knife back up to stab at her meat. 20 minutes had already passed and the kid hadn't moved. Han Kyul glowered at En Chan who was shoveling in ice cream, but only after he'd licked the plate clean did he commence action. He knocked the glass of water over.

“Oh!!” The water spilled onto his lap and the glass shattered on the floor. As En Chan stood up, Han Kyul dashed to his side. He whipped the towel from the approaching waiter and started wiping at En Chan's thighs.

“Are you all right?” he asked with a surprised and concerned look on his face. En Chan's face that looked down at Han Kyul was a riot. It said, “What a freakin' psycho!” Han Kyul knit his eyebrows and demanded wordlessly that he begin to get his act together.

“G-get away from me! You don't have to concern yourself with me anymore. W-we're over! Bastard!” En Chan shoved Han Kyul's shoulder. This wasn't an act. It was a full-force hit. Ugh! Han Kyul stopped the groan that rose automatically to his throat. That son of a—! Anger boiled inside of him, but he focused his energy into the last part of the act. It was to shout after the damn brat, who was walking away with a satisfied face, calling agitatedly,

“Ch-Chan-ah!”

Expelling a deep sigh, Han Kyul was met with the women's cold and shocked look that was filled to the brim with suspicion. Now all that was left was the dramatic ending. Han Kyul spoke calmly as one would in a confessional.

“I'm curious as to what you think. About gays, I mean.”

< Part 3 >

Spring break had ended, so there weren't anymore morning sessions, but this was not necessarily good news. This was because the number of students signing up for Tae Kwon Do lessons was lessening by the day.

“How about curry for lunch?”

Even if she said it was for lunch, it'd probably be dinnertime by the time it was done.

En Chan glanced at her mother who was taking out vegetables from the refrigerator before rolling her pencil. The pencil, which had tiny letters pasted on the side, rolled and rolled before it stopped and read: Pork boned rib.

“Mom! It says pork boned rib!” She ran after her mother holding the pencil.

“Oh, you!” Down came the ladle.

“Ow!”

“Go and buy some potatoes.”

It'd been eight days since she'd last eaten meat. She wanted to become a cow so she could regurgitate. The steak she had eaten at that fancy restaurant appeared before her eyes. She'd run the act two more times after that, but the jerkface cheapskate had shouted at her to drink only juice, so she hadn't been able to even taste meat. When, oh when was this bizarre job going to end? Thanks to the job, she'd been able to pay for Dong Ok ahjumma's ring, but she was still sitting on a pile of debt because she'd had to borrow money from butcher Mr. Koo to pay for living expenses.

“Hey, Ko En Chan.”

Speaking of the debt, it was Mr. Koo.

“Is your mother home?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Oh, I was just going to give her this.”

“What is that?” En Chan had run into Mr. Koo in the small doorway of the staircase she'd just come down from.

“This? Walnut oil. The folks back on the farm sent it up. It's good for colds. I hear your mother's caught a cold?”

“She's all better now, though.”

“S-still, it's good to take it.”

“Really? Ok. Thank you.”

“N-no, I'll take it up. Weren't you on your way out?”

“Oh, it's ok, I'll just...”

“I said I'll take it up! G-go on, off you go.”

The man grasped the bottle as if afraid she'd take it away from him and ran up the stairs like a escapee. En Chan stood there dumbfounded. Right then, her phone rang.

“Hello?”

[Yes, this is En Se's school. I'm her homeroom teacher.]

“Huh? Oh, y-yes! Hello!”

Startled, En Chan bent to a 90 degree angle and bowed. She hadn't done anything wrong, yet her heart beat like a drum. It wasn't as if the school was the police station or anything, but still...

[This is En Se's older brother, yes?]

“Excuse me? Older brother?”

[That's what it says here in the file.]

What! Fooling around with official documents now, were we?

[I tried calling home, but it was disconnected. Did your phone number change?]

“No, it hasn't. What number did you call?”

The random call from the homeroom teacher was to ask for their mother to come to school. When asked why, the teacher's answer was exactly what she predicted: En Se had gone and made trouble again. She had created some kind of brand name club or something. If it was just that, there would be no way for the teacher to know, but there had also been reports that she had embezzled the club's membership fees. Embezzled?

“Just you wait until I get you, you stupid girl! Goddamn it! Shit! Why does my own sister have to give me trouble all my life? I'm gonna go freakin' berserk! Ko En Se, how am I going to fix you up good this time, huh? You better watch out. I'm going to smash your face in with raw eggs!”

En Chan sent messages to all of En Se's friends and ran around combing the PC bangs and parks, but she could not find Ko En Se. Eventually, she had no choice but to return to the dojo sweating buckets and boiling over with anger. On top of the desk in the dojo, there was a mountain of gifts wrapped in sparkling paper.

“What's this?”

“Some girls came and left it here. I told them they couldn't just barge in like that, but they wouldn't listen. Hmph.”

En Chan opened the gifts while Seung Kyung complained. Letters and chocolate, letters and chocolate, letters and chocolate, just chocolate...

“Who left this here?”

“Some unnis. They were wearing Dong Moon Girls' High School uniforms. They said they were your juniors.”

“When were they here? Wasn't it during class time?”

“I don't know. They were fat and ugly and looked like they were stupid, too.”

“What's the occasion? Is today my birthday?”

“It's Valentine's Day. You don't even know a thing like that, master?”

“Oh, I see. Well, whatever. Hey kids! It's lesson time. Gather 'round. Hup hup!”

“Yayyyyyyyyy!!!”

“Ten hut! Salute the flag!”

After several consecutive lessons on an empty stomach, she was exhausted. Her tongue ached from all the chocolate she had eaten from time to time. When she finished the last lesson, the sky looked yellow. Her mouth tasted sweet but her stomach ached, and her head hurt from worrying about En Se. She drank a glass of milk and had to change out of her dojo suit without a chance to take a shower. En Se's phone was still turned off. Damn stupid girl! Where was she?!

****

Having received the dojo master's permission, she stepped out of the dojo when a group of high school girls rumbled towards her.

“Sunbehnim! (translator's note: in Korea, both males and females call familiar older males and females “sunbeh” if they've gone or are going to the same school, company, or job. These younger males and females are in turn called “hubeh”s.)”

“Master! (translator's note: Here, the term “master” refers to En Chan's position as a dojo master. For those of you with dirty minds, shame on you. ;p) We're here!”

There were girls who had learned Tae Kwon Do from her before and there were girls who had been her juniors in school. En Chan, who hadn't been able to muster the energy to fend off the girls suddenly remembered and asked,

“Hey, have you seen En Se?”

“En Se? Who's En Se?”

“You know, sunbehnim's younger sister. She's a senior at our school.”

“Yea, that's her. Have you seen her?”

“No.”

“Today's Valentine's Day, so she probably went to meet her boyfriend or something.”

Boyfriend? Not that crow-faced punk?

“Sunbehnim, let's eat dinner together.”

“We'll buy you your favorite! Pork boned rib!”

“Huh? B-boned rib? N-no, no. Sorry, I can't, I'm a little busy right now.”

Goddamn it. My boned ribs. This is all your fault, Ko En Se!

“Aw, come on, master, today's Valentine's Day. Let's go to karaoke together!”

She was refusing, swallowing bitter tears, when her phone rang. She picked it up immediately thinking it could be En Se.

“Hello?”

There was no reply on the other end. Desperate, En Chan pressed her mouth against the phone and said,

“Hello? This is En Se, right? YA! Ko En Se!”

[Damn, did you swallow a steam engine or something?]

It wasn't En Se.

[My eardrums nearly burst, you brat!]

“Oh.... What is it?”

[What do you mean, what is it? What else would I be calling you for? Get here quick. You know Joshua? In front of Kang Nam University?]

“Can I go next time? I'm really busy right now. There's a bit of an emergency.”

[What? Look at the guts on this kid. Do I look like a philanthropist to you? If you've been paid, you have to work. I thought you were working out pretty well the first few times, and now you're showing your true face, huh, punk? Come here right now and give me my money back or get a job on the streets.]

Her face grew hot with rage. Many pairs of bright, curious eyes were watching En Chan's face, which had grown red from anger.

“I'm really very sorry, but I'll go next time. Today's not a good day,” said En Chan between clenched teeth.

[Why, did you break your legs goofing around?]

“No, it's not that....”

[If it's not that, come here immediately. If you don't, you're dead.]

“What? Dead? Hey, listen, mister!”

[The thumbprint on the slave contract hasn't even dried yet. You already jumping ship?]

“Are you freakin' serious? I'm in a real situation here.”

[What kind of situation could someone like you possibly be in?]

“What, someone like me can't have an honest problem....”

[Time's running out. Get here in ten minutes.]

“Shit! Just kill me, why don't you, you bastard! AAARGH!”

But he had already hung up the phone. En Chan slammed the cover down. She was so angry she couldn't stand it anymore.

“That son of a bitch! Fine! I'll go! I'll go, goddamn it!” She kicked at the wall in anger. “Just you wait, you jackass! I'm going to punch your jaw off your face!”

A chorus of adoration followed the back of En Chan who was storming off in a rage.

“You saw that? Did you see that? Oh my God, how cool!”

“Seriously, that was just too hot. So tough! So charismatic!”

“Oh, only En Chan for me! My Love Chan!”

Chapter 03 Edited

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:57:46 GMT

Coffee Prince Original Novel
Chapter 03
Translated and Edited by Eva S.L.
Available for download at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EHULCBE0

Chapter Three

What is this, a rigged poker game?

< Part 1 >

Mom had come home from the reunion wearing Dong Ok ahjumma's (translator's note: in Korea, males as well as females call older women “ahjumma.” This is not familiar, but not formal either) ring. That is, she should've come back home with it. But at an unknown place at an unknown time somewhere along the way, she had lost the ring. The ring itself had been a little too large for her mother. She had been trying it on, and then had simply gotten up and left for home with it still on her hand. En Chan could understand how Ms. Dong Ok, who had to leave urgently at her mother-in-law's call, could forget, but couldn't understand why Mom couldn't have stopped her and said, “Hey, you should take your ring.”

Could her mother, who could still remember the exact details of this $4000, 2.12 carat diamond ring which had been placed on the highest shelf of the third case to the right in the B brand display area of the Shin Woo Joo Department Store where Ms. Dong Ok, together with her husband, had gone on their 22nd anniversary to buy, truly forget the fact that she was still wearing the ring? Not to mention not feel that she was no longer wearing it?!?!? Oh, my poor blood pressure. Oh, my poor weakening legs.

“Tell ahjumma.... tell her the truth... she's rich.... so......”

“No! I can't! I can't tell her!”

“What else can you do in this situation? You have to tell her that you lost it and tell her that we're going to reimburse her, and that even though we don't have the money right now, that we're going to pay her back soon. She's your friend of 30 years, she's not going to demand that you pay her back immediately.”

“No! I won't! I'd rather die! I'd rather bite down on my tongue right here and die!”

“Mom, you silly, why would you die because of something like this?”

Her mother, who had wrapped up her aching head and laid down, began to cry aloud in earnest.

“Mom, are you crying? For Pete's sakes, Mommy, don't cry.”

“If it was you, do you think you could tell someone something like that so easily, obba? Even I couldn't do it. I'd rather die before I would,” said En Se, who had been eating dinner.

“Why couldn't you? Is there another way to get out of this mess without telling?”

“There's no choice but to take out a loan from a local shark.”

“Oh God, just be quiet and eat your food.”

“Don't you remember, Mom? When Dong Ok ahjumma's family went bankrupt way back when, you were kind of mean to her. Back then, when Dong Ok ahjumma called you or came to see you you'd tell us to say you were out or you'd hide. When Dad died, I heard the other ahjummas talk among themselves saying that a person should do right when she has the chance in order to be helped later.”

Christ! Could this girl really be her sister? She'd heard the phrase “fear the ones you know” before, but how could a daughter pinpoint and attack every wound on her mother and be so mean about it?

“Serves you right for acting so stuck up when Dong Ok ahjumma was going through a hard time.”

“Ya!' En Chan rapidly crawled on her knees and put her hand over En Se's mouth. Right then, her mother, who had been lying down, abruptly stood up and flung open the closet doors. A mink coat the size of a bear slid down.

“Mom!”

“I've got to sell this.”

En Chan let go of En Se and flew to hold down her mother.

“Mom, Mom, calm down and sit down.”

“I... I can sell this at least... Your father... (sob).. your father bought it for me before he died.... It's the only thing left after selling all my... all my pearls... my ruby ring... all my jewels, it's the on-only thing left, but at least... at least I can sell this... (sobs) Oh my dear, I'm.. I'm so sorry!”

“Mommy.... d-don't cry... don't cry Mommy...” En Se began to wail, adding to the noise that her mother, who was sprawled on the floor like street market ahjumma, was making. “What do you mean you're going to sell that? You can't sell that. D-daddy b-bought it for you for your birthday. H-he was so happy when he saw you in it... He s-said it made him happy because (sob) it made him believe he'd kept his promise to let you live luxuriously.”

En Chan, who had momentarily begun wondering how much the coat would've fetched, was embarrassed. Her chest tightened painfully as En Se talked about their father while sobbing so miserably. Her father's last words came to her. Lying in a hospital bed, his body torn and bloodied from the car crash, her father had lifted a bloodied hand to hold her own, and he had said to her,

“Chan-ah, now you're the head of the family. Your mother... En Se... take care of them. I can trust you, right, Channy? I can go in peace, trusting you, right?”

It had been impossible to say no. There was nothing to be done but to promise him that she would. And she had worked and run all this way since then to keep that promise.

En Chan picked up the bear-like mink coat and hung it back up in the closet. The dry cleaning bill would be ridiculous if it somehow got dirtied.

“I'll figure something out.”

“Wh-what could you possibly do?”

“Unni, do you have money stashed away somewhere?” How could I, you little brat! Do you know how much money you took from me to buy bags and shoes and clothes?

“Well... kind of...”

“What! Really? Well, why are you telling us that now? What, you didn't want to give it away? You cheapskate. I thought as much. Shoot, I feel all stupid for crying. Mom, don't worry, obba's going to take care of it.”

“Huh? Really?”

She didn't tell them that there was only $420 dollars in the bank. She also didn't tell them that she was planning to meet Ms. Dong Ok, who had said she'd come around to pick up the ring in five days, by herself and plead with her. She simply told them, both hands clenching into fists,

“I didn't tell you because I wanted Mom to learn to be careful. Who do you think I am? Of course I have money. Just trust me. I'll handle it.”

< Part 2 >

Han Kyul doesn't dance or smile much, but somehow he always stands out in a crowd. There's always an atmosphere of stylishness and mysteriousness around him. It could be said that by simply entering a room, he draws attention to himself. It was as if he carried around his own colored spotlight. On rainy Seattle winter nights, you can find Han Kyul at Highway, his favorite bar, surrounded on all sides by beautiful women. All he's doing is watching the cellist play looking depressed and drinking his beer, but the beauties refuse to leave his side for several hours. When the night grows deep and he gets up from his seat, some woman will unfailingly try to take his arm. Without even a smile, he will push her away. Blonds and redheads alike.

Yu Ju saw Han Kyul fighting his way out of a swarm of women. She handed him the bottle of Miller Light she had only taken one sip from. Han Kyul, who was breathing slightly harder than usual, gulped down the beer, his Adam's apple moving up and down.

“I don't understand why you come to these kinds of clubs so often.”

“Why? Do you disapprove?” The fragrance of sweat and heat emanated from Han Kyul, who sat back down after ordering more beer. The scent was not displeasing to Yuju.

“It's not like you like to drink, and it's not like you came here with a mind to chase women.”

“Why not? I like drinking and I've a mind to chase all the women I want.”

“Really? So why...”

“So why aren't I passed out smashed, and why aren't there any women in hysterics trying to rip me off for money?”

“Well, that's not exactly what I meant. Fine. Tell me. Why aren't there?”

“Because that's the end. If I stumbled around drunk on the streets like a dog or turned my family upside down because of women problems, what would I be left with? Lock and chains, is what I'd be left with. All that stuff, I gotta do at the very end. I'm not done enjoying myself yet. I don't want to waste my youth, you know?”

“If you can control yourself like that, it might mean that youth is already over for you.”

“God, don't say such horrible things. If my youth is over, what does that make me? Middle-aged?”

“Why, are you scared?”

“Who likes getting old? Aren't you scared of getting old, Ms. Vixen?”

“Me? Sometimes... There are days when I'm afraid of tomorrow. It might be that I'm afraid that tomorrow may never come. I think that's the reason why I work so hard—so that I can forget that.”

A slim beauty walked by, leaving a fragrant trail behind her. Her long black hair came down to her waist, but her miniskirt was barely long enough to cover her buttocks. Yu Ju felt Han Kyul look at the woman. Han Kyul spoke, still looking at the woman,

“You're still all right. Even in ten, twenty years, you'll still be pretty.”

At his unexpected words, Yu Ju suddenly felt shy. It was because she knew he wasn't a man to say such things easily, and because it had been a long time since she'd heard them.

“Hmm. It feels pretty good to hear a compliment from a good looking man. I'll consider it a welcome-back gift.”

Just then, Han Kyul's friend Pak Do Hun approached them.

“Ya, what're you doing here? What do you think you're doing, hanging around out here while we're all waiting for you inside? They're all saying you blew them off.”

“What's there to do in a dark room? Makes you feel like you're trapped or something. Tell them to come outside.”

“You honestly think fifteen people are going to move just for one of you? Man, you and your ego.”

“Hello? Can't you see me?” At Yu Ju's interjection, Do Hun made a surprised face.

“Wow! It was you, nuna (translator's note: in Korea, males address familiar older females “nuna.”)? I thought this guy snagged a catch or something. But never mind that, when did you get so beautiful, nuna? Seriously! I thought there was a fairy was sitting at the bar.”

“I see you still overact. It's nice to see you, anyway. You've been well?”

“Of course. I don't even have to ask you. Your face is glowing. Did something good happen?”

“I'm just glad to be home. Hey, Han Kyul, since everyone is inside, it'd probably be better for us to go inside, too.”

“It's all right. Just you come, nuna. We didn't come here to see this jerk. We actually really don't care if he's come back to Korea or has left the Earth. But we wondered and wondered and wondered when you were coming back and...” Han Kyul abruptly cut off the banter before it got any longer by asking,

“Did hyung come?”

“Hyung? Who?” Han Kyul indicated Yu Ju with a quick glance. With that, Do Hun immediately understood and said,

“Oh..... No. Did he say he was going to come?”

“I left him a note because he was in a conference, but I guess his secretary didn't give it to him.”

Han Kyul skillfully circumvented the topic, but it looked like Yu Ju didn't believe him. When he had called, Han Sung hadn't said that he'd come, or that he wouldn't come. But Han Kyul had believed that he would. Han Sung wasn't the kind of person to waste time on lost causes, but Han Kyul had thought maybe he'd come on account of his pride. Han Kyul had wanted Han Sung to show up looking nonchalant and to sneer at the uncomfortable look on Yu Ju's face. Han Kyul wanted it to happen so that Yu Ju would be able to deal with the guilt and regret in that way, at least.

Han Kyul took the miniskirt woman into the room where Yu Ju and his friends were. Even the friends who at first looked outraged at the newcomer went wild when they saw her dance. They even called in her friends, and the party began to rage until it was about to explode. Around midnight, Yu Ju picked up her purse. Han Kyul, who had seen her sneak out, followed her.

“You're leaving already?”

“Yea. I'm kind of tired.” Han Kyul thought to himself that it had been Han Sung who Yu Ju had waited for.

“Let's go, I'll drop you off.”

“It's ok. I'll just take a cab.”

Han Kyul wordlessly took her by the wrist. It concerned him that her wrist was so thin. It reminded him of the first time he met Yu Ju. He was eight. Even then, her fingers and her wrists were very thin. At the time, if someone had asked Han Kyul what he hated most in the world, he would have said milk, the piano, and his father. He had been force-fed milk, even though he'd said it was fine if he didn't grow any more; so he hated milk. He had been forced to play the piano, even though he'd said he didn't want to become a pianist or anything; so he hated the piano. And for forcing him to do all these things against his will, he hated his father most of all.

That day, he had poured milk all over the piano, which he had played for two years. He had been beaten and humiliated in front of guests who had happened to be visiting, and banished to his room. He was so angry that he couldn't stop his tears. It was then that long-haired Yu Ju, who was taller than Han Kyul was and could play the piano better than he could, came into the room.

“Hey, do you want to be my younger brother?”

Han Kyul thought to himself that she was a very strange girl.

“If you say you will, I'll put medicine on your wounds for you.” She showed him the ointment she held in her hand. Her mouth was closed tightly as if she'd begin crying if he didn't quickly say that he would.

“Wait here. I'll bring the car around.”

“You've been drinking. We should call a substitute driver (translator's note: in Korea, if someone is too drunk to drive, a substitute driver can be hired to take the person and the person's car home.).”

“It's actually pretty entertaining to drive when you're slightly off your rocker. Don't worry, if things turn for the worse, I won't put anyone else in danger. I'll just shove my car into the river. What's the worst that could happen, other than dying? Don't you think it'd be all right to die with a cool guy like me? As a woman, I mean.”

“You're just drunk, right? You haven't gone crazy or anything?”

“What're you getting all nervous for? It's ok, I've only had a bottle of beer.”

“Still... Listen, I'll go buy some coffee from over there.”

“You don't trust me?”

“As if I could tell the almighty Choi Han Kyul that I couldn't trust him.”

“Psh.”

“I want to have some coffee too.”

“Fine, then.”

Han Kyul went to the parking lot and Yu Ju went to the convenience store on the other side of the street. He'd parked the car and was walking toward the store when Yu Ju came out holding coffee cups in both hands. Right then, a motorcycle whizzed by her. Without slowing down, the person on the motorcycle snatched the purse hanging from her wrist and sped off.

“Aaaah!” At her scream, Han Kyul sped like a bullet to Yu Ju. The cups were on the ground, and Yu Ju was standing still, dumbfounded.

“Nuna! Are you all right?”

“Ah... I....”

“Are you hurt anywhere?” Han Kyul clutched a pale and trembling Yu Ju against his chest. Right then, a scooter appeared out of nowhere and clattered its way past them.

“Ya! You son of a bitch! Stop right there!” An incredibly loud voice rang through the night street. Han Kyul read the shining letters on the back of the scooter:

“Midnight Snack Delivery”

“Let's get in the car. Can you walk?”

“I-I'm ok. I was just so startled...” As Han Kyul helped her along, Yu Ju forced a laugh and said, “Shoot, my bag... I bought that in Paris.... What a shame.”

“Women! The bag is not the problem. I'll buy you another one.”

“You promise? You can't take back your word later.”

“Did you hit your head or something? What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

Yu Ju, who was about to get into the car, suddenly stopped. Her face went rigid and there was shock in her eyes. Han Kyul followed her line of sight and his prediction was proven right when he saw the man standing there. It was Han Sung.

“So you're coming just now, are you?”

“You're leaving?”

“We were going to, but there was a slight incident...”

Suddenly a siren blared. A patrol car was chasing the scooter chasing the motorcycle that was heading back toward them. With a cry of “Shit!” the person on the motorcycle threw Yu Ju's handbag. Han Sung found himself catching the bag, and Han Kyul reflexively began to chase after the motorcycle.

“Han Kyul!”

“Oi! Stop right there!” The thought that he had to catch the jerk had just fired Han Kyul up to sprint for the first time in a long time when the scooter clattered past him.

“Ya! Shit! There's no choice! Ya! You son of a bitch!” Han Kyul whipped the helmet off the scooter's driver and chucked it at the motorcycle. It flew in a parabola and hit the mugger square in the back. The motorcycle buckled and crashed, and the thief crumpled to the ground, but apparently he wasn't seriously injured because he stood right up and tried to pick up his motorcycle. The midnight snack delivery boy flew onto the escaping mugger. Woah. Not bad. Han Kyul walked slowly toward them, regretting that he had not been the one to catch him. He was breathing hard.

“Hah.... hah.....”

I guess I should quit smoking.

The delivery boy grabbed the thief and pulled him up by his collar. It looked like the two of them were bickering with each other. But by the time Han Kyul and the policeman arrived, the only one left was the delivery boy. The mugger had left his motorcycle and escaped in that short time. Han Sung and Yu Ju caught up with the group.

“You aren't hurt anywhere?”

At the policeman's question, the delivery boy nodded his head even though a cut on the cheekbone was bleeding. The policeman turned to Yu Ju.

“Is anything missing?”

“No.”

“Any other damage?”

“None at all. Just a little startled.”

“It'll be easy to catch him since we have his motorcycle, right? We can look it up?”

At Han Kyul's question, the policeman replied noncommittally,

“Who knows? There are so many fakes these days. It could be a stolen motorcycle. Also, there are a lot of motorcycles these days smuggled in from China, so there are lots of motorcycles that are unregistered roaming about.”

Then shouldn't the policeman chase after him? He was just here to take the victim's statement? You call that a policeman? Unbelievable!

“So you're saying you're not going to catch him?”

“Well, no, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that it'll be hard to. These kids are usually minors who don't have licenses.”

“For Christ's sakes! What, is that supposed to impress me?”

“Stop it.” Han Sung came over and pulled at him. Even as the policeman's face began to fall, the midnight snack delivery boy was desperately trying to put on a broken helmet.

“Hey, student over there.”

“Yes?” The policeman called the delivery boy over.

“Did you see his face?”

“It was too dark; I didn't get a good look.”

“Tsk. Ok. If you go home and find that you're injured somewhere, call up the station. We'll give you a reward or something.”

“Oh! Right.” Yu Ju came forth with her bag in her hand. “Thank you so much. It's thanks to you that I got my bag back. This isn't much, but...”

“N-no, no, it's ok. I just wanted to...”

“Hold it.” Han Kyul was glaring at the boy. Something smelled fishy. It was fishy that the mugger could escape so easily, and it was fishy that this kid would, after having interfered in other peoples' business and getting hurt, refuse to accept compensation. It was fishy that the bag was given back so easily, and it was fishy that the mugger and this kid looked about the same age. What is this, a rigged poker game?

The policeman's radio began to shriek loudly. He left to return to his DUI crackdown, and Han Sung took Yu Ju back to the car. Han Kyul grabbed the delivery boy who was trying to get back on the scooter.

“Call this number tomorrow.” He dug around in his pockets until he found a piece of paper and wrote down his number on it. “I'll take care of your reward.”

“No, really, it's fine.” The delivery boy blew the bangs out of his eyes and raised his eyebrows. He looked insulted.

“How much do you make in a month?”

“Excuse me?” Sparks appeared in his round eyes. “What are you asking me that for?”

Look at this kid. Who do you think you're dogging? Han Kyul put his desire to smack him into a snide remark.

“I'll give you a month's wage, so call me. There's no reason to let pride get in the way. It's only natural that you receive compensation.” He snorted at the 50cc scooter and asked, “Which toy store did you pick this up from?”

“What?”

“Do they even repair things like this? If they do, I'll pay for it. Call me tomorrow.” Han Kyul held out the piece of paper. In spite of a face that looked like it would rather die than accept it, a hand came out to take it. Han Kyul looked at the hand and gripped the paper tightly. The boy glared and snatched it away. Han Kyul watched the scooter clunking away and smiled mockingly.

Yea, that's right you little punk. What the hell can someone like you do? You'll get it, for sure. Little punk. I'll get the both of you!

< Part 3 >

En Chan looked in the mirror as she put a band-aid on her face.

“Man! What a jerk!”

She had finally landed a part-time job, and lost it on the same day. The delivery was late so the customer got angry, the helmet was cracked, and the scooter that had been fine on the way to the store clattered and broke down right when the owner began to scream at her. This was all because of that that idiot, the crow of a punk that followed En Se around. She thought he'd only rip snot-smeared money from children, but he'd gone and mugged a person in the street. The moment she saw some jackass snatch a woman's purse, she had flared up and knocked him down, but when she saw his face, who else could it be but En Se's punk. Right then, she'd not only felt surprise at a familiar face, but she'd also felt pity. He'd been dumped by En Se and then had had to pay for the jja jang myun. If he had to be dragged away to a police station, his life would become too pathetic. Plus, he'd said that he was a senior in high school, and if he was really repeating a grade, it probably meant he was determined to graduate high school, at least...

“I've still got to catch that punk and teach him a lesson. What the hell is he thinking? That blockhead. Can't believe he got so nervous that he gave the bag back.”

She gave up trying to cover up the hole in her head with her hair and pushed her hat down. She was glaring from underneath the cap when another jerk's face came rising up in her mind.

“What're you looking at, jackass? Looking down on people with that prissy face. What? Toy store? What a complete jerk. I've never met a bigger bastard in my entire life. Seriously.”

How nice it would be if she could just blow it off. But she couldn't leave without taking the number of the man who didn't even know how to say thank you. She didn't know whether she should be thankful or angry that her mother's mink coat floated up in her mind. She'd soon find out.

En Chan took out the paper from her pocket. She realized only after getting home that it was actually a picture. On one side was the phone number the man had scrawled, and on the other was some smiling woman. She looked pure and pretty.

Is she his girlfriend? How could he go around giving out pictures of his girlfriend to strangers? What an unbelievable guy. Seriously, if he hadn't gone on talking about a month's wages or something, I really wouldn't have taken it. Damn it. Stupid money. Hmm... how much did he think a month's wages was?

En Chan took a deep breath and picked up her phone. A familiar piano song played over the line (translator's note: in Korea, the dial tone can be exchanged for music, much like Muzak when you're put on hold.) She was unconsciously humming along to the tune when the song was abruptly cut off and was replaced by a strange voice.

“H-hello?”

[What!]

Heavy breathing.

“Hello?”

[WHO IS THIS!]

A gruff, gravelly monstrous voice.

“Ah... I-I'm...”

[Wrong number.]

“Excuse me?”

The jerk hung up. En Chan stared at the phone in disbelief.

“What the hell! What is the deal with this jackass? Damn!”

She was angrier at herself. She hadn't known how to answer him when he asked who it was, and so she'd acted like a loser. What made her angrier, though, was the fact that she had to call back.

En Chan calmed her mind and pressed the button. The voice that cut the music off seemed to scrape at her ears as it said,

[If it's you again, I'm going to kill you.]

What kind of phone etiquette was this? En Chan scowled and said,

“I'm the person who needs to receive the compensation reward.”

[Receive what?]

“The compensation reward.” She had to be stubborn and brazen. There was no other choice. She had to put on her game face and forget the fact that doing this made her feel dirty and stupid, and she had to be stubborn.

[Oh....]

So he finally remembers.

[Scooter.]

“That's right.”

[You're going to take it?]

This jerk! I knew he was going to come out like this! Damn it!

“Well... That's not really... Well, the photo... the paper you wrote your number on is a photo... I feel like I should return that to you, too....”

God! I wish I could just blow this off. What a dirty and cheap trick!

“I-I got fired.... and the helmet cracked... Oh, and the scooter's totally trashed.”

[Ugh... my head.]

“Excuse me?”

[No, never mind, go on. So how much do you want?]

“About $4000. And something seems a bit off right now. I never asked you for it, you said you were going to give it to me. I mean, if you don't, that's the end of it, but I did get fired from my part-time job. And since you said you'd give me a month's wages or something, you should probably take responsibility....”

[Responsibility?]

“Well, not responsibility, per se, but... you told me to call, didn't you?”

There was nothing to be ashamed of, she was just receiving what she should—or so she wanted to think. Damn. If it wasn't for Dong Ok ahjumma's ring, she would've just yelled, “Listen, you total jackass, you think I did it to get money? You freakin' jerk. Jerk off!” and hung up on him.

[I didn't think you'd actually call.]

“What?”

[Fine. Come here.]

“Where's 'here'?”

There was no guarantee that he'd really give her the money if she went, but there was nothing else she could do. En Chan waited for the man's reply, torn between expectation and despair.

[Dong Yi Hotel, room S11.]

Chapter 02 Edited

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:40:58 GMT

Coffee Prince Original Novel
Chapter 02
Translated and Edited by Eva S.L.
Available for download at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SO6JFZIY

Chapter Two

One Month Earlier: Han Kyul's 25^th Hour

< Part 1 > 9:50 AM: Dong Yi Group Headquarters

Beyond the revolving door is the gleaming lobby. It is a dazzling and extravagant space that is even more magnificent once you step inside. It is spacious, warm, and clean.

“Welcome, sir. May I help you with anything?”

An amiable voice with a decorous smile. He fancied for a moment that he was still on board the airplane.

“Which floor is the president's office?”

“Are you here to see the president?”

“Haven't you heard that she had a young gigolo? That's me.”

The employee's well-trained charm broke down momentarily, but she gave a quick scan of Han Kyul's appearance. A green suede jacket, a long scarf in lieu of a tie, a pair of grey pants and a hunting cap to match. Han Kyul scrutinized the woman as well. Especially the area around her painted red lips.

“Do you... have an appointment?”

“Appointment? Did I? Hmm... I can't recall...”

“Ah, well, in that case, who should I say has come to call?”

“Her exclusive masseuse.”

“Oh... yes... of course. One moment, please. I'll confirm it immediately.” The female employee picked up the receiver and turned her body slightly.

“Tell her if it's not just the two of us, I won't meet,” said Han Kyul to the employee before he turned and leaned against the information desk to survey his surroundings. Right then, he heard footsteps. A succession of men were crossing the lobby and heading towards the elevators. He could see recognizable faces in his peripheral view.

“Y-yes...... exclusive masseuse...... Ah, yes. I understand.”

Han Kyul asked the female employee who had just hastily replaced the receiver,

“What's today?”

“Excuse me?”

“Old geezers are arriving in flocks.”

“Oh... There's a global management strategy conference today.”

“Here?”

“Yes, in the 11^th floor conference room...”

“At 10 o'clock?”

“Yes.”

“Ha!”

It seems I've been played.

“The president's office is on the 23^rd floor. If you take a right just after getting off of the elevator, it should be immediately...”

“Miss...” Han Kyul read her name tag and continued. “Miss Yuh Sun Ae. About 10 minutes from now, there'll be a phone call from the president's office. When it comes, please relay this message. The exclusive masseuse very suddenly developed severe finger cramps, so he had to return immediately. Also, there's absolutely no reason for you to call up ahead. Now, if you'll excuse me.”

“Ah, excuse me....” Han Kyul swiftly turned his body and escaped out of the lobby.

“You idiot. Can't you recognize bait when you see it? This is what you get for being greedy.”

He was muttering to himself as he headed toward the basement parking lot when he heard voices in the stairwell. Great. It had to be faces he knew. He had no choice but to hide behind the door.

“Should be a sight to see today, huh? A real fireworks show.”

“What's there to explode? One's fire, one's ice. They're too sly to even rub against each other. They'll probably just growl at each other for a while and it'll be over.”

“There's also one other. Han Sung hyung's mother.”

“In that case, a bigger player'll probably step up from this side. Uncle's fire, too. Fire against fire, I suppose.”

“If the representative comes, wouldn't Grandmother come as well? What do you think, hyung? Which side do you think she'd be on?”

“How should I know what she's thinking.”

“There's talk that she's called out Han Kyul. That Grandmother herself did.”

“This isn't some children's' fistfight. There's no point in increasing the headcount. The dead man's dead, and there's no law saying the oldest son has to become the representative. I don't know what the hell everyone thinks they're doing. If we keep bickering over this we're going to muck up our family's reputation. It's all so terribly vulgar.”

“If you think about it from Han Sung hyung's point of view, it's pretty unfair that he's had his rightful throne taken away from underneath him. Han Gyu hyung's not going to want to let go of this golden opportunity as long as he's got his hands on it. Look how he's even called in Han Kyul. Hey, don't you think if we wait around long enough our turn'll come too? Don't you think so, hyung?”

“I don't even want it. As long as some crazy unpredictable frog doesn't come in and hop around breaking everything, I'll be thankful for that.”

His cousins' laughter were growing fainter. Even after the laughter had gone, Han Kyul didn't move. He was standing stiffly and ridiculing himself for hiding. He finally turned his body. The stairwell was silent. He took a step down and clenched his fist. Then he cracked a smile.

Crazy unpredictable frog, huh?

When Han Kyul entered the parking lot, a white sedan pulled up and parked, incidentally, right next to Han Kyul's car. Han Kyul, who was taking out his keys, found himself meeting the eyes of the driver of the white car.

Goddamn it, what is up today?

“Well, well. If it isn't Han Kyul.”

Han Kyul lightly shook the hand Han Sung offered and said,

“Long time no see. Time hasn't been too kind to you, has it?”

“I'm not even thirty yet.”

“Let me know when you do turn thirty. I'll set up reservations for you at Silver Town retirement homes. It's the least I could do for you, hyung.”

“You never change, do you?”

Of all of Han Kyul's cousins, Han Sung was the one he was most comfortable with. When Han Sung's father died, it should've changed to be the opposite, but Han Kyul didn't act uncomfortably around Han Sung. Han Sung, for his part, treated Han Kyul the same way he had three years ago. The reason they could treat each other this way as because both were sure of what they liked and disliked, and never tried too hard to hide their opinions. In other words, they were the type of personalities that could argue and fight and still be friends.

“When did you get here?”

“I don't know. A few days ago? A few hours ago? It kind of even feels like I'm still in the plane.”

“Did you come to see Grandmother?”

“What am I, crazy? We live in the same house. Why should I come all the way here just to see her?”

“But you are crazy.”

Han Kyul snorted at Han Sung's sharp joke. Turning his car keys in his hands, he drawled,

“I got hooked.”

“You're telling me there's actually a fishing tackle capable of hooking Choi Han Kyul?”

“Is Grandma on some kind of program? Her poker face is getting better and better. A brand new car in exchange for ten minutes teatime with her.”

“Not a bad deal.”

“Well, I fell for it, hook, line, sinker. Walked right into the tiger's cave, and discovered that today's the day when all the tigers congregate to sharpen their claws together. Man oh man, I got so scared that I'm running away.”

“Is company work really that uninteresting to you?”

“Well, if it started being interesting, you and the other hyungs' lives will probably get a lot less interesting, isn't that right?”

“How would someone who does nothing but observe know?”

“I don't want to get in the middle of an old geezers' ball game.”

“You could be a cheerleader at least.”

“What for? There's so much fun to be had in the world. If you're getting tired, why don't you take a breather on the bench for a change?”

“I sense thorns in your words.”

“You can pick 'em out and listen or just let it slide out of one ear.”

“Is there no vaccine for your poison? It's getting harsher and harsher.”

“Let it be. There's nothing wrong with passing on after living life this way.”

Han Sung looked at his watch and then picked up his briefcase.

“I've got to go in now.”

“Don't use me as an excuse for being late. Nobody, not Father or Han Gyu hyung, knows I came to the company today.”

“Why don't you see them before you leave?”

“Whatever. Hey, let's get together soon, you, me and the vixen. You do know that we came back together, right?”

Han Kyul glanced expectantly at his cousin's expression but there was no change to be found. Grandma's poker face was probably a genetic trait.

“Did you know or didn't you?”

“I don't really care.”

“Ooh, so cold. So they were right when they called you ice.”

“Run along. Once you get over jet lag, give a ring.”

“To who, the vixen?”

“Senseless, silly boy.”

“All right. Get on with your work.” Han Kyul, who was getting in the car, waved at Han Sung, who was waiting for the elevator. He muttered to himself as he drove out of the parking lot,

“What the hell is wrong with the ties on every bloke I see? What, is the company giving them out or something?”

< Part 2 > Slept until 5 PM

Slept all day on an empty stomach, but no major problems.

< Part 3 > Started drinking at about 7 PM

Met up with some buddies who're comfortable than most because they're not close and got smashed.

< Part 4 > The next morning, 10:50 AM: Women Trouble

Han Kyul, who had been tossing and turning, sat up so abruptly in bed that his head spun. It felt like there were 20 squirrels runnings on wheels inside his head. He grabbed his head and flopped back down.

“Ugh....”

Even his own groaning made his insides rumble. There was a voice coming from somewhere. It was probably the squirrels, having a conversation.

“My goodness, what's this?”

“Salmon salad.” The female squirrel was asking the questions, the male squirrel was answering.

“Oh, salmon! It looks delicious.”

“Please enjoy yourselves.”

When did squirrels start eating fish? Something smelled good. It wasn't the fish.

“Obba, get up. I ordered room service. Come on, get up and have breakfast.”

Something get shaking his shoulder. He wrenched an eye open and squinted even harder when an intense pink light flooded in. As he raised his gaze, he saw brown hair.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Oh, come on, obba. You want to wash up first? Are you thirsty? I'll bring you some water.”

Han Kyul, careful not to repeat the same painful mistake, sat up slowly. His insides burned and his eyelids were heavy. His head was spinning, so he pressed down hard on his temples. Now there were only 10 squirrels. He carefully turned his aching neck and looked around. A gold-embossed vanity. An antique style table and sofa, another bed. So it was his hotel room.

“Obba, here's your water.”

He saw her face smile amiably as she gave him the glass of water. Yup, he didn't know her. In any case, he took the water and drank it all off and then thought hard. Who is this?

“Oh!”

“Do you remember now?”

“You! You ended up—!”

“Good morning~”

What the hell was with this woman? He pushed away the woman who had tried to hug him and got out of bed. He stumbled a little because he was dizzy, but he soon regained his stance.

“What kind of girl can't understand after I say 'no' so many times, huh?!” Han Kyul turned around and quickly put on his pants. “Did your eardrums rot out or did your brain?”

“No matter how much you struggle, we can't change our destiny.”

“What? Desti-what?”

“I knew the moment I saw you, 'This is the one! This person is my destiny!'”

“Huh!”

“I'll be honest with you. I fell in love with you at first sight. I think I'm going to start liking you.”

As soon as he heard these words, he woke up. The blood in his heart began to freeze. Even the cute first impression he had had of her was destroyed. In fact, he now detested her like she was a sworn enemy.

Be honest with me? What's being honest? The only thing he could honestly say was that pouring alcohol into an empty stomach made his insides hurt very much. But emotions were not part of chemistry. There is no equation for them. You could never tell if they were going to change because of any little thing or whether they weren't going to change for anything. You couldn't even know what those “things” were.

“So? So what?”

“Why don't we eat first? Aren't you hungry? I'm hungry.”

Han Kyul coldly brushed off the woman who had come to put her arm through his.

“Ow!”

“I'm pretty sure I've told you about a dozen times not to touch me.”

The woman glared at him while rubbing her arm.

“What is it you want from me? Why did you ignore me when I said I didn't want you and harass me all night? What's the reason, huh? Did what I said mean nothing to you?!”

“Do you really not like me touching you?”

“Do I look like a girl? Saying I don't like it when I really do?”

“Why? Why don't you like it? I've never met a guy who doesn't like women.”

“Well, there's a first time for everything. Now hurry up and get out of my sight before things get ugly.”

Han Kyul, who was on his way to the bathroom, saw that the woman hadn't moved and said,

“Do you want me to break your body in half? Is that what you want? Just because I'm your brother's friend, you think that makes me your jackpot? Or is it money that you need? I don't have any cash, but you can take my credit card. Here. Do you want it?”

He took out his wallet from his pants pocket.

“Obba, your words are so ugly and mean.”

“You want me to call Do Hun for you? If you weren't his sister, I would've tossed you out by your hair a long time ago. I'm tempted to try it and see if you'll talk about destiny even after that, but I'm gonna pass for Do Hun's sake. Now, hurry up and get out before I call your brother.”

“Call him.”

Shockingly, the girl still stood her ground. Man, this little kid was coming out strong. What the hell gave this little brat so much confidence? Why can't you just leave when I tell you nicely?

“What are you going to say to my brother if you call? How are you going to explain me being here?”

Even as Han Kyul's eyes grew colder and colder with hatred, the woman still flounced about like a girl on a spring day picnic.

“Actually, why don't you call my mother instead? She probably won't be too angry about the fact that I slept with you. Mother-in-laws are usually pretty forgiving of their son-in-laws.”

“Did you get high yesterday?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“It's just that I think you're still hallucinating.”

“You're one to talk. You got so smashed you can't even remember anything.”

“Shut your trap.”

Han Kyul was really pissed. The fact that he was bickering with this brat of a girl this early in the morning itself was enough to make him really really pissed.

“Even if you did the limbo naked in front of me, I wouldn't give a shit.”

“I'm sorry, but yesterday was different.”

“What are you, a con artist? Talking about destiny, love at first sight; it's that easy to lie?”

As if the last shred of her conscience was pricking her, the woman shrank back a little. She bit her lip and her eyes grew moist. He could tell what strategy she was aiming for. Heaving a sigh, he said in an even colder voice,

“I'm going to tell you one more time, so listen up. If I died and they sent me to the autopsy room, if the doctor cutting me open is a woman, I'd probably sit right up. That's just how I am. Do you understand? The only time I'd ever even touch a woman is if I'm wide awake, and I mean so wide awake I could thread a noodle through a needle. If I touched you at all during the night, I will commit suicide right here and right now. Now, if you've gotten my drift, quietly get out. If you show yourself to me ever again, I'm going to call your father at his hospital office. Got it?”

A tear dropped from her reddened eye. Han Kyul ignored this and went into the bathroom. He didn't feel anything when he saw women's tears. The only thing he might feel would be a curiosity as to whether the tear was meant to be a part of a plan or because she was truly afraid.

“Ugh... my head....”

Goddamn it! He couldn't remember anything. What if he really hadd touch her? What the hell was wrong with Do Hun? That bastard couldn't even take care of his own sister. Damn.

The more he tried to remember, the more his head throbbed, but he had to try. What he did remember was that he had left the party early and had gotten on the elevator. At first, it had been a party with only a few of his friends. But sometime during the night, the party had grown, and more and more unfamiliar faces had arrived. Do Hun's sister and her friend included. As the party ripened, total chaos broke out, and he kept hearing phrases like, “Hey, leave him. He's going to chew you up and spit you out like gum,” and “Oi, seriously, don't mess with him. You're gonna get yourself slapped.” That's when everything became irritating and annoying. All he could think of was how much he wanted to sleep when someone came and put her arm through his....

“Man, if that's not a leech, I don't know what is. How the hell did she follow me in here? There's no way I would've let her in without a fuss....”

After he finished his shower, he put on some cologne and a robe. When he entered the room drying his hair with a towel, it was empty. He thought to himself that she had finally left and began to feel relieved when he heard voices from the living room.

“Where's Choi Han Kyul?”

“May I ask who you are?”

What the hell! Where'd the whiny, crying voice go, and where did this bright and perky voice come from? Damn it!

“Oi! I can't believe you still can't understand...” Han Kyul stopped in a middle of a bellow. His mother stood in the living room. He gave a great big sigh.

“You can leave now, miss.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, you must be hard of hearing. Listen, miss. I'm his mother, so I come first. So get out. Do you understand me now?”

“Oh, he-hello, how are you?”

“No use greeting me now.”

“Then... I'll just... be on my way...”

The woman began to back away, face full of defiance. Han Kyul smiled bitterly.

This just kept getting better and better. What rotten luck. Women. The troubles he had with women.

He detected the fragrance of coffee and headed toward the table. Breakfast was quickly growing cold. He picked up the coffee cup and looked down at the bagel before turning his body around.

“O-obba, I'll see you later, then.”

“Wait just a minute there, young lady.”

“Yes?”

“Dear, won't you check to see if you have all the teaspoons and forks? Make sure there's nothing missing. Check thoroughly. You don't want to be the victim of a misunderstanding later, do you?”

“Wh-what? Are you talking to me?”

“No, I'm talking to my son. My goodness, are you already losing your hearing? Oh! How dare you glare at an elder like that! Looking like a hussy.”

Han Kyul ignored both the red-faced girl who stood in the doorway and his mother who sat haughtily in her chair and walked to the sofa.

“What the hell! I can't believe this!”

“You've got such awful manners. Speaking of which, let's look inside that purse of yours. Open it up and turn it upside down.”

“Why are you doing this? Are you implying that I've stolen something?”

“You say such strange things. Did I say you stole something? Is that your guilty conscience speaking? Hmm?”

“My God, I can't even believe this shit is happening.”

“You really shouldn't speak like that in front of elders. Where'd you learn your manners? (sigh) I shouldn't even bother. Darling, don't hang around such low class, inferior girls like that again, all right?”

After the door slammed shut, his mother's evil laugh pervaded the air.

“My goodness, what kind of a idiot is she? Oh, my, what fun.” His mother's childlike laughter grew louder. Han Kyul winced and when he could no longer stand the shrillness, he thrust in a question.

“How did you know about me staying here?”

“Why would I not know? I know all about the bars, the salons, the hotels, the saunas that you like to go to.”

“Do you have to make me into a mama's boy like that? If you left me alone, I would've gone home by myself. Why do you have to come all the way here to get me?”

“Do you know how many words we've spoken to each other since you've come home after three years abroad? This is the first conversation we've had since the first evening when we all had dinner together as a family. Hey, is that coffee? It smells good. Give me a cup.”

Han Kyul put a bagel and a cup of coffee in front of his mother. On a finger of the hand that brought the coffee cup to her mouth was an emerald the size of a fist. There were jewels sparkling on her ears and neck, too. Han Kyul had never seen any woman with whom such extravagance was fit so well. When she didn't make herself up, his mother looked like any other poor woman. Because she understood her own appearance and aura, she tried her best to make herself up as much as possible. She dressed herself up like a South American parrot and pasted on fake eyelashes and wore lots of jewels. And she obviously believed she sparkled.

“Who was that?”

“Nobody.”

“I trust you because your love life is usually so clean. And even if you had a problem, you wouldn't hide it right?”

“Just state the reason why you're here.”

“Sleep at home. It's frightening for me, your grandmother and your sister-in-law to sleep alone. We have two sons, but the company took one away. If I knew this was going to happen, I would've had at least two more.”

“Why don't you count Father?”

“Oh, right. That man's family too, isn't he? It's just been so long since I've last seen him.”

“I can see that it's abut time for you to go on a shopping spree. You sound like you lack energy. Why don't you take a trip to Hong Kong or something?”

“Tsk tsk, you rude boy.”

Han Kyul put down the empty cup and stood up. He tied and tightened his robe sash as he said irritably,

“I'll go home today, so you can leave now. Even a scarecrow CEO should keep her place occupied in the company.”

“I'm only there until you come to fill it, you know that right? What do I know that I would stay in that position? When are you going to join the company?”

“I told you that I wouldn't.”

Han Kyul went back into the room. This was why he had avoided meeting family members after coming back to Korea. As soon as they saw him they would all ask when he was coning into the company. This was also why he had been forcefully brought back. Two years ago, his eldest uncle had passed away, and his father had taken over the company. Suddenly, Han Kyul had become a vital person for the company. His father had tried to get him to settle down somehow, but it hadn't worked. Han Kyul didn't listen to him. He was afraid and abhorrent of the idea of jumping into that battlefield where that long and lonely war was being fought.

He had put on his pants and was putting his shirt on when his mother walked into the dressing room.

“Why?”

“I just don't want to.”

“Don't you have any ambition?”

“No.”

“Then think of it as filial duty. He's your father. Even if everyone else points his fingers at him, you, at least, should understand and help him.”

“What makes you think I'm qualified to do something like that?”

“What do you mean?”

Han Kyul closed the clasp on his belt and took out his leather jacket. He walked toward his mother.

“The entire world knows that Grandfather held Eldest Uncle's hand. Then Father and hyung took over that playing field. Imagine I joined the fray. What are people going to say? Don't you think they're going to say that we're being too greedy and that we're trying to take over everything?”

“Don't you think you're at least as qualified as your brother-in-law?”

“When did you guys drag him into this? My, aren't we quick on the uptake. This is a fine mess. Why don't we all fight over the same bowl of rice?”

“You're overreacting, dear.”

Han Kyul, who had walked past his mother into the living, put on his jacket and looked for his hat. But he could not find it anywhere. When he went back into the dressing room, his mother was standing over the vanity holding the hat.

“I heard you blew off your appointment with Grandmother.”

“She wanted to see me at the same time the CEOs were having their meetings. I'm not an idiot.”

“Tsk tsk. Seems like Grandma's bait laying wasn't skilled enough to catch a cunning raccoon.”

“You should leave now.”

“Take this.” What his mother held out was a brand new cellphone of the newest model.

“It's got a tracking device so be sure to keep it on you at all times.”

“Of course I will. Just don't tap it.” After watching Han Kyul stick the phone in his back pocket, his mother said,

“Father says he's going to marry you off.”

“What?”

“He says it's an ultimatum. You either come into the company or you get married.”

“Mother, are you hallucinating?” Han Kyul thought the idea was so ridiculous that he played it off as a joke, but for some reason there a cold chill raced down his spine.

“But it's true. I came here on your father's special commands. He says to make your decision by the end of today and report to him.”

“What the hell is this? And you didn't say anything to him while he was saying this?”

“What would I say to your father? I'm supposed to be the model wife. I have to follow my husband's commands.”

“Does Grandma know?”

“She says it's her wish to see a great-grandson who looks just like her youngest grandson, so she welcomed the idea with open arms.”

“No way! This doesn't make sense!”

“What, didn't you know that there are things in life that don't make sense?”

Seeing Han Kyul at a loss for words made his mother fall into her childlike laughter again. Han Kyul was so stunned that he felt like he couldn't breathe and that his blood wasn't flowing.

Now they were using all kinds of tricks to try and get him to come into the company. This was bullshit. He couldn't see a way out of this. So Grandma wasn't about to give him a car, she was trying to come up with ways to chase him out empty-handed. Join the company or get married? I'd rather die! Goddamn it!

Prologue and Chapter 01 Edited

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:31:54 GMT

Coffee Prince Original Novel
Prologue and Chapter 01
Translated and Edited by Eva S.L.
Available for download at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZC2CVAQO

Prologue

    An indigo car of foreign make pulled up in front of the store. Mr. Hong, who had just opened the cafe, stopped his mopping and watched as a man in a beige leather jacket stepped out of the car.

    "Wouldja take a look at his fashion? And damn, that's a nice car."

    He had just thought to himself that the man couldn't possibly have any business around here when the man looked toward the store. No, more like glared at the store. The man looked at the shoddy sign and the plastic rose-patterned curtains covering the windows and made a face as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

   "What, too tacky for you?" Mr. Hong's efforts at scowling failed to give the effect of a mean eye. Time and age had pulled his eyelids down to the effect of a southern Mongoloid. Like a hush puppy.

    "Stop gawking, will ya? Giving me the creeps. Shoo, shoo. I won't sell you no coffee, see if I do."

    As Mr. Hong muttered to himself, the man made a condescending face and shook his head. His expression near shouted, 'I'd rather drink cheap vending machine coffee at a bus station than drink the coffee they sell here.' Even so, the man walked toward the store. He stopped to read the 'Help Wanted' sign posted on the front glass door before stepping in.

    You want to work here? You? No way. Not at your age.

    "We're not open yet," —was what Mr. Hong was about to say, but before he had the chance, he had to squint his eyes. Maybe it was because the man had his back turned to the sunlight, but it seemed that there was a bright halo behind the man's head. It was so dazzling that Mr. Hong couldn't look at him properly. He missed his chance to speak, and before he knew it, the man had already taken a seat at a table by the window.

    "Coffee, please."

    "Oh, of course."

    It was reflex. 'Damn it, that's not what I meant to say...' thought Mr. Hong as he walked into the kitchen. The cuckoo clock hanging on the wall started chiming. 11 o'clock. Now he couldn't even say that the store wasn't open yet. After all, the sign on the door did say, "Opening time: 11 o'clock."

    The man was a sophisticated dandy boy rarely seen in that neighborhood. He was very clean cut and handsome. Twenty-seven? Twenty-eight? He was looking out the window with his long legs crossed. His facial features were rather sharp and cold, but he carried a rather swaggering air about him. The fabric of his pants looked like they were better fit to make women's scarves than men's pants, and his leather jacket clung to his body as if it were his skin. Not only that, but the width of the pants at the thighs looked like they were less than six inches wide. How the hell do his legs fit through that? What is he, a freak? I don't know what's with the world these days. You call that a man's leg? Damn pansy.

    Mr. Hong moved his chubby roly-poly of a body to serve coffee. He set the cup in front of the dandy boy.

    "Enjoy."

    Dandy Boy didn't even look up. From up close, he smelled like perfume.

    "What kind of a man..." thought Mr. Hong as he wrinkled his nose. Just then he felt the man's gaze and flinched. He quickly put on a smile, but Dandy Boy was looking past him toward the back. He was looking at the kitchen, the wall, the floor. He made the same expression as when he was outside the store.

    What is this, a pigpen? A stable? was what his eyes said. So what? What's it to you? Stop gawking, boy. If you're a customer, just act like one and drink your coffee and get out of here. What do you think you're doing, gaping around here like that? Hey! Who do you think you are, to give me a once-over? I'm the owner! What do you keep staring for? What, you like my style, do ya?

    Mr. Hong was brought out of his silent and petulant reverie by something that sparkled. Around one of Dandy Boy's hands, the one stretched out to lift the cup, was a shining watch. Mr. Hong, who had planned to go back to the kitchen, approached the man as if pulled toward him by some force.

    "Uh... It doesn't... seem... like you're from around... here... ..."

    The watch, which emanated a white gold light, was of famous Swiss make. Mr. Hong recognized the brand, even though he'd only ever heard about. Mr. Hong couldn't help but be a bit humbled.

    "Did you come here to meet someone?"

    "Yes. Aren't there any other employees?" asked Dandy Boy, turning the cup with the edge of his fingers.

    "Oh, yea, there was, but he quit some time ago. That's why the sign's up over there. Looking for a part-timer."

    By "some time ago," Mr. Hong meant eight months ago. There was a part-timer who ended up quitting because business was so bad. In fact, business was so bad that Mr. Hong could work all by himself and still have time left to kill, and it was difficult anyhow just to pay the rent. So he put the store on the market, but there had only been dead silence for two months. Finally, a few days ago, someone had claimed the store and signed the contract, but Mr. Hong hadn't yet told this to his family.

    Roadside snack wagon, my ass. In all 39 years of my life, I've never done anything else but sell coffee.

    "So, you clean the store, make the coffee, serve the coffee, and receive the money? All by yourself?"

    "I've got to. What else could I do? Do you know how hard it is to find a hard-working, honest part-timer these days?"

    "You're quite the multi-tasker."

    "Ha ha, I do have quite a variety of talents," laughed Mr. Hong awkwardly.

    "So, did you study coffee-making somewhere?"

    What, you need a certificate to make coffee?

    "I didn't study it anywhere, but I do have a lot of experience. I worked part-time at a coffee shop all through college. It's more familiar to me than my major was. Ha ha."

    "How long have you had this store?"

    "Third year this year. Location's not too good."

    "So you knew that. Location's not the only thing at fault, though, is it? What was that idiom about the carpenter blaming his chisel..."

    The hell are you saying, boy?

    "I passed some pretty big buildings on my way here."

    "Yea, last year some banks and stock companies set up shop around here. But what good did that do? That Bucks and Seattle there killed the field. Not only that, but that huge supermarket just totally shat on the small businesses nearby. See, this is what's wrong with our country. Shouldn't the people support small businesses first? Only then can the commoners' economy thrive, and only when the commoners' economy thrives can our national soccer team make it to the Sweet Sixteen, don't you think so? After all, the most important body part, be it man or country, is the lower back, don't you think? Ha ha ha!"

Dandy Boy did not laugh. Mr. Hong was embarrassed.

Dandy turned the cup another revolution with his fingertips, then inspected the saucer, the coaster, the teaspoon, and the cubed sugar by turn. Then, he lifted his cup as if sampling wine. Mr. Hong killed his breath, nervous for some reason. He didn't know why his chest felt like it was shrinking into itself. He found himself staring at Dandy Boy's lips. He knew it was strange to stare, but he couldn't tear his gaze away. Dandy Boy was barely wetting his lips with the coffee.

Mr. Hong wanted to ask, "How do you like it?" but the words crawled back down his throat. Dandy was wincing. He took it away from his lips and then tried another small gulp, and then slammed the cup down on the table as if he never wanted to see it again.

    What the hell's the matter with you?

    Mr. Hong started to get pissed. If nothing else, he prided himself on brewing a decent cup of coffee.

    "Does the flavor not agree with your?" Mr. Hong forced a smile.

    "Tastes like boiled maple leaves."

    "Huh?"

    "I suppose if you boil them long enough, it'd turn this color, right?" said Dandy Boy with no expression. That pissed Mr. Hong off even more. Just then the door was flung open.

    "Ahjussi! Have you seen En Se?" The kid who had run in gasping and sweating was En Chan.

    "Haven't seen her. Why?"

    "Ah, damn it! I'm gonna go crazy! Where the hell is this damn girl hiding? You sure she didn't come here?"

    "Why are you lookin' for En Se here? What, you think this is some kind of youth protection center or somethin'?" snapped Mr. Hong, who was still pissed off. But En Chan was too excited to notice his ill mood.

    "Aaargh! Stupid kid. Where the hell am I going to find her?"

    "What is it this time?"

    "She skipped class to go to some kind of audition. Goddamn it! Just you get caught! I'll introduce her face to the toilet!" The kid's voice rang like a construction site overseer's after one too many drinks. "That reckless kid even ran off with a teacher's shoes! She's saying she only borrowed it, but who'll believe that? If you run off with something without telling, that's stealing. She's gonna learn a lesson this time!"

    "Yea, well, the whole world knows if Ko En Se's got anything, she's got guts."

    "Damn, where does she come from anyway! I mean, I know it's pretty strange that I myself came out of my mother's womb, but it's a damn world wonder that she did. If she wants something, she just loses her mind. Even so, sneaking into the teacher's lounge to take a teacher's shoes.... Damn!"

    Mr. Hong was getting swept away by En Chan's excitement.

    "Why don't you try going to the place where the auditions are? Wouldn't she be there?"

    "I just came from there! Grrr!!!" En Chan stomped inside the store wearing a jumper over a Taekwondo practice suit. Even though it was almost March, it was still snowing in the early hours of the morning, and the wind was chilly. Even so, En Chan's forehead was shining with sweat. En Chan bent down to the faucet and drank the water straight from the tap. After gulping it down and burping, En Chan hand went up to wipe the mouth.

    "Her audition number was 1 so she went first. Apparenly, it was a total shit-show. I have no idea why that kid who sings perfectly fine at home always messes up at auditions. It sounds like she's chanting Buddhist mantras or something. They said she gave up halfway through and ran out in despair. Her friend ran to get her, but couldn't find her."

    "She's a real handful, that one."

    "Anyway, if you see her, hit me up right away. Even if you have to break her legs, keep her here, ok?"

    "Well, I don't know if I'll be able to restrain her, but I'll try."

    "Ok, thanks." En Chan ran out before Mr. Hong could even respond. Even after En Chan's departure, the store vibrated with the energy and excitement En Chan had brought in.

    "That kid...." Mr. Hong knew that behind those tough words, En Chan cared about En Se, and that that was the reason behind the frantic search. Wanting to be of some help, Mr. Hong considered calling up the PC Cafe En Se frequented. But then again, En Chan had probably checked there, too.... Suddenly the door flung open again.

    "Hey, mister, you were looking for a part-timer?" Mr. Hong looked at En Chan, who he thought had already left."

    "Huh? Oh... yea...."

    "You should've told me earlier! Didn't you know I was looking for a part-time job?"

    Suddenly, color began to circulate in En Chan's face. Black eyes twinkled in a white face. En Chan's attitude was tough and reckless, sure, but En Chan's face, at least, was that of a total pretty boy. There wasn't a single girl in the neighborhood schools who didn't know about Ko En Chan. They would crowd around the Taekwondo dojo door, even taking numbers just to get a glimpse. The kid's popularity bordered on ridiculousness.

    "What's this? What's up with these qualifications? ' 5'9'' minimum height '? hmm... close 'nuff. Still growing, you see. I haven't checked recently, but I'm probably somewhere around 5'8''. It's ok if I round up, right?"

    "Uh, yea. Listen—"

    " 'Hot bods, hot faces, welcome.' " En Chan's face rotated under Mr. Hong's eyes as if they were cameras. "You have heard, I presume, that I was voted Hottest Face nine weeks straight on some website, right?"

    "I have heard that, yes."

    "You've heard it because it's true. Even if it was three years ago." En Chan kept reading the advertisement posted on the glass door line by line.

    " 'Killer smiles, angelic smiles, welcome.' That's easy. Next. ' Popular with older women, welcome welcome welcome' Check. Ha ha, what is this? 'Must have special talent,' 'Must not have girlfriend,'? What's the point in being so picky? Hey mister, you setting up a talent agency? You trying to raise yourself some celebrities?"

    "N-no... It's not like that..."

    Actually, the content of the ad had been sent to Mr. Hong via e-mail from the new owner of the store. En Chan incredulously read off the list of qualifications. When he had first received it, Mr. Hong had been just as flabbergasted as En Chan was right now. He had also thought the same thing.

    What is this, a talent agency?

    "Five dollars an hour. Wh-what? Really? Lunch, dinner, AND five bucks an hour? Woah! That's, like, twice what I get now! Mister, hire me, will you? I'll start tomorrow, even! Please? Please?"

    "Hey hey hey, take a closer look there. Only hiring me- "

    "In other words, I've gotta be a total stud. Hmm... This job was made for me."

    Mr. Hong was at a loss for words. It said on the ad in black and white that the new owner was only looking for men. Did En Chan never look in the mirror after taking a bath? It was almost sad how a twenty-four year-old girl could still be so confused about her own identity. It might even be that she really thought she was a man.

    "Business must sure be pretty bad, huh? You're starting to use some strange methods."

    "That's not my ad."

    "Huh? Then whose it is? A different store?" En Chan suddenly gave Mr. Hong a piercing stare as she sidled up to him. She squinted her eyes and whispered, "A host bar, perhaps?"

    "Hey, don't go spouting nonsense. Do they give out five an hour at a host bar?"

    "Well, I meant, you know, five an hour as a cover, you know? As in, not including tips..."

    "Why, would you rather work at a host bar?" a snide voice chimed in. Startled, Mr. Hong and En Chan's heads snapped up and turned toward the Dandy Boy. He was arrogantly lounging in the chair. He uncrossed his legs and stood up. He straightened his body as if to reinforce his height and walked toward them.

    "Aa....aaaarrggh!!!" En Chan suddenly roared like King Kong, and Mr. Hong, whose ear had unfortunately been directly under her mouth, fell backwards onto his rear. His heart pounded and his ears rang. A pallid En Chan was staring at the Dandy Boy. Then she said incredulously,

    "P-pervert c-cabbage slug man?" Dandy Boy's eyes suddenly grew violent. Then, with an expression that could not be distinguished between a sneer and a glare, he came toward her.

    "What's with the practice suit? Are you demonstrating your 'superior physical strength' in street shows these days?"

    "What? You son of a--"

    "Or is that a flunky uniform?"

    En Chan's two clenched fist came up. Twin fires burned in her eyes, and it seemed she would kick out with her foot at any second. Even Mr. Hong could understand why.

    How dare he call the dignified suit of a Taekwondo master a flunky uniform? That man sure has a way with words.

    "Ha, pretty cute, aren't you? Your form's not bad, either."

    "Whatever are you doing here, young master, sir? Don't your holy feet hurt if they walk on such crude and un-carpeted floors?" sneered En Chan. The man didn't blink an eye at this un-En Chan-like behavior.

    "It's all right, I'm wearing particularly excellent shoes. Shoes so expensive you probably couldn't own them if you died and came back to life. But shoes aside, you've been glaring at me for some time now. Hey, kid, relax those eyes, why don't you?"

    "You got a problem? You want to go?"

    "Go? Go where? The market? The playground? Don't fool yourself, kid. If you want to get a part-time job, you'd better fix those eyes, you little leech."

    "What!"

    Dandy Boy sneered and turned to Mr. Hong.

    "I'm Choi Han Kyul. I signed the contract a few days ago."

    "Oh... yes...." Mr. Hong found himself shaking hands with the man. Then it finally hit him as he watched Dandy Boy walk toward the kitchen. The name that the man who had come to sign the contract in the owner's stead had written was Choi Han Kyul.

    "What? What's up with this, mister? What's that pervert cabbage slug saying?"

    "Huh? Oh, yea... I think he's saying he's the owner of this store..."

    "Whaaat? Ha! What a riot. That idiot's probably still experiencing jet lag or something."

    "Well, I did sell the store."

    "M-mister!! You're kidding... right?!??"

Chapter 1
One Month Earlier: En Chan's 25th Hour

< Part 1 > 7:50 PM – En Chan Buys Meat

Flowers are flowers and trees are trees, but this is pretty confusing. Are you a flower or a tree?

En Chan was gazing intently through the glass window at a painting. Sunflowers were standing in two neat rows, and a mother and child were walking between them holding hands.

You know, I've already counted all of you seven years ago. There's seventy-two of you guys. But is that seventy-two flowers or seventy-two trees? That's what so confusing.

There was a loud clanking sound. The meat shop had finally opened its doors.

“Heyyyy, Mister Ku, you were there?” wheedled En Chan as she dragged her flip-flops into the store. The distinct fragrance of a meat shop wafted into her nose. Drool began to form in her mouth.

En Chan's eyes darted around as she approached the counter. She kept her gaze, flashing with greedy lust, glued on the glass cover of the display counter. The eyes that had rationally appraised the sunflowers were now emanating a visceral, wild look. As soon as she saw the deep red of the raw meat, adrenaline began to pump through her veins.

“Did everything go well? You said you had to take care of something.” The butcher replied with a sullen look as he continued to sharpen his knives.

“What was the thing you had to do anyway?”

“....”

“It seems like the bacon meat's not selling well these days, huh mister?”

En Chan is, as some would say, a pork maniac. Just by looking at raw meat, she could see images of their respective dishes in her head. Pork cutlet, salty boiled pork, sweet and sour pork in orange sauce... Whenever she looked at pork ribs, she found herself grinding her teeth. Not only was her appetite strong, but she could also conjure up images of food in less than a second.

“You want bacon?”

“Naw, just give me some meat off the front legs. I'm going to make kimchee stew.”

The kimchee stew was, in fact, already boiling in En Chan's head. The proportionally cut kimchee, the pork meat with just the right amount of fat attached, all of this went into a thick broth and merrily bubbled and simmered. En Chan, who was swallowing the saliva that had been building up in her mouth, noticed that something was off-kilter and raised her head. Mr. Ku was being too quiet. He was sitting on the edge of the room's threshold staring blankly at the meat in the glass display case. She studied his round meatball face. He looked deflated and shriveled. A bruised meatball, then.

“Hey, mister, what's the matter? Did something happen?”

Mr. Ku, who had been staring vacantly at the meat replied in a tired voice.

“Hey, En Chan, when you look at all this meat, what do you think about?”

“Meat, you say?”

“Yea.”

“What kind of meat? This? The shanks?”

“No, just in general.”

“Beef as well as pork?”

“Stop kidding around and answer the question.”

“Even pig's feet and cow tails?”

“No! Just, just, meat! Meat in general!” shouted Mr. Ku suddenly. En Chan, who had been joking around until then threw a startled look at the butcher. But she soon recovered and jovially said as she smiled,

“Hey, what're you yelling for? Calm down, relax. It's not good for your blood pressure. Look, your face is already turning red.”

“Forget it. Forget it! You haven't got a sincere bone in your body. That's why you're still living like that!”

“Hey, don't get all sulky now. What's the matter? Did swine cholera break out somewhere again?”

“I said drop it. What could I possibly talk to you about? Just drop it.”

“Tsk tsk, let's not get all shy and sulky. Just tell me what's the matter.”

“You're not understanding what I'm saying is the matter! Just meat! Meat in general! MEAT!”

“Yea, meat! That's why I asked earlier. What kind of meat? Sirloin or ribs? I've gotta know if I'm gonna answer.”

“Arrrgh!” An incensed Mr. Ku started pulling out the meat platters from the display case and slamming them onto the counter top. The perky meat danced and jiggled on top of the trays. En Chan was dumbstruck. As she watched, she began to get heated as well. What the hell is this guy doing?

“If I say meat in general, you should understand that I'm saying meat in general! Hind legs are meat too, aren't they? Who says only sirloin and ribs are meat!” Mr. Ku began to stab the sirloin and ribs with his fingers. And every time he did, En Chan's eyes grew wider and wider and her breath grew more and more ragged.

This guy is going too far! Why's he ruining perfectly good meat?! Who's gonna eat that?! Those dirty fingernails went in nearly all the way! How was he going to sell THAT?

Then a thought came to her that brought her peace immediately.

He can't sell it. If he does, he's got no conscience. But, it'd be a shame to throw it out, so if he asks me to, I could bring myself to take it. It'd probably be all right if I grill it. But still! What's the big idea, abusing meat that so reverently offered itself up to be eaten?

“No matter how expensive, Hanwoo brand beef is still the same meat, and so's Kobe beef! Do you get it, kid? Now, I'm asking you, what do you think about when you see this meat?!”

“Meat is meat. What is there to think about?”

“Of course there there's something to think about, you idiot!”

“I-idiot?” En Chan was momentarily incensed. “Hey! Who you calling idiot? When I look at meat, all I can think about it how much I want to eat it. What else is there to think about, huh?”

“Wow, for a girl, you've got no emotions, have you?”

“What does this have to do with being a girl? You dried up old geezer bachelor!”

“You little pig! You got a problem with that? You got a problem with me being an old geezer bachelor?”

“Right back at you! You got a problem with me being born a girl?”

“You're a girl who can't even stand up for herself when people call you a guy, you moron.”

“It gets tiring after a while, all right? It's not like it happens just once or twice, it's every day! Having to explain every single time.... Damn it! You know what I mean! What's wrong with you?”

“You secretly enjoy it, don't you.”

“What? Secretly enjoy what?”

“You secretly enjoy people mistaking you for a guy. When screaming middle and high-school girls surround you and snap away with their cameras, it makes you feel good, doesn't it?”

“Hey, listen, mister, I'm no pervert! You old fart, what do you think you're doing, pouring salt on the wound?”

“Old fart? Fine, you want it to go that way, do you, huh?!”

“I don't know where you got screwed or who you got screwed by, but why are you taking your anger out on me, huh? What am I, your punching bag? You always take it out on me.”

“And what, I can't get angry? I can't get mad just because I'm a good-for-nothing who failed the Shinchon Literary Exam fourteen times?”

“What, are you proud of having failed fourteen....” En Chan trailed off. Fourteen? Oh... just yesterday the number had been thirteen! Ah. So that's why Mr. Ku's face looked like it was about to explode.

“They... announced the results, ey?” Tsk tsk, guess he failed it again.

“The dream I had was spot on. A few nights ago I dreamed that I was trapped and suffocating beneath a milk cow. The cow was suffocating me with her udders and she kept saying, 'Cut me, why don't you. Just try and cut me.' I kept struggling because I felt like I was going to pass out and die, but the next moment, I realized I was trying to cut the cow from underneath it.” Mr. Ku set the pork front leg on the chopping board and began to cut it into large pieces. “But this stupid knife wouldn't listen. It just kept kneading at the cow's skin as if it was sawing away at it or something. And the cow laughed. It laughed and kept saying, 'Cut me. Try and cut me.'”

“Must've been pretty nice, though.”

“What must've been pretty nice?”

“You like udders, don't you? Nice, big 'udders'.”

“Why you little—!”

“I know you have pictures of 'udders' posted on your bedroom wall. I mean, I can understand your liking them, but that calendar's from 1999, mister. How can you still have it up?”

“What, do you think I leave it up because of the picture? I left it up because that's the month my parents died. That's your problem. Even though you're a girl, your mind's a gutter. I don't know how you think you're qualified to teach children. If I ever have a kid, I'd never leave him under your care.”

“Ha, get married first, then talk.”

“You can have kids without getting married, you brat.”

“How? Adoption?”

“That's not what I... Whatever, talking to you makes me dizzy. Where was I?”

“The stupid dream.”

“Damn bastards. What do they know, huh? All judges are the same, you know that? The literary world is rotten to the core. It's just a playground for inbred idiots.”

“Yea. Rotten to the core. Totally,” En Chan agreed emptily, but her gaze was fixed on the chopping board. The number of meat pieces was growing. What was he trying to do, make meat hash?

“What's in a poem? Emotion. Impression. You should calmly relish each verse, and take into account even each blank space. And you've got to read it all the way so that you can enjoy the exquisite thrill of the twist at the end. These bastards only read the title and the first one or two lines and then throw it out. They don't take the duty of judging seriously enough. What does it matter if you're a famous poet or novelist if you don't know how to appreciate real art?”

“What was the title this time?”

“ 'The Infinite Hexahedron of Raw Meat'. The dripping blood, the glutinous meat, the white fat, the thick sap hidden in the hard bones. The life of the butcher who cuts this piece of raw meat into a hexahedron, his joys and sorrows, his solitude. My poem was soaked in these things.

“Is that why you kept asking me what I thought when I looked at meat?”

“Yea. When I look at all this meat....” Mr. Ku let out a deep sigh and picked up the knife that he had put down in his excitement. En Chan couldn't help wishing he'd notice how thin the pieces had already become.

“Meat, to me, if life itself. A love-hate relationship I couldn't let go of even if I wanted to. How could they not understand that profoundness?”

“Guess they must be vegetarians or something.”

“What?”

“You know, the judges might be vegetarians or something. Eating healthy's the new fad, you know?” Nonplussed, Mr. Ku stood stock still with his knife in midair. En Chan took this chance to rescue the meat.

“Eating... healthy?”

“Yea. That's why these days vegetables are more expensive than meat. Didn't you know?” She held out a fiver to pay for the meat that was now too absurdly thin to use for stew.

“Forget it.”

“What? Why?”

Mr. Ku went back into his room with a blank stare.

What is he getting all shocked for just because I suggested that the judges might be vegetarians? I was just saying it was possible.

< Part 2 > 8:50 PM: Go, Tae Kwon V, Go!

The building En Chan works in is four stories high. She works on the second floor, at the DongMoon Taekwondo dojo. The entrance is a small door on the left side of the building. The stairs are so small and cramped that an adult standing up straight would take up the whole of its space, and the floor is dusty. There's graffiti on a picture frame that is hanging on a cracking wall. Half of the frame's glass has been broken and hastily taped. In the frame is a picture of the dojo's students who had won medals in some competition. The students are smiling widely, floral wreaths around their necks. The dojo master is standing with a reserved look on his face. In every other picture, the student with the medal is a different boy or girl, but the look on the dojo master's face is changeless. Even now, after so many years, it has not changed.

En Chan picked up a gum wrapper that had fallen on the floor and then fixed the crooked picture frame. She flew over the last three steps and stepped into the dojo.

“Master!”

“Yea?” As soon as she stepped in, a kid came to tell on someone.

“Seung Kyung brought Simba with her.”

En Chan left the plastic bag of pork on top of the desk and looked around. Seung Kyung was standing with a small poodle in her arms. The other children surrounded her like an courtroom audience waiting to hear En Chan's verdict.

“Why are you guys still here? If you're done with practice you should go home.”

“We were gonna eat pizza. Why, is that illegal or something?” challenged Bong Tae Won.

Dear God, when is that little brat gonna get past puberty?

“Seung Kyung ordered pizza. She ordered yours, too, Master. Your mother's not home today, right? Seung Kyung's mother went somewhere today, too.” The speaker of this breathless explanation was the little girl named Yun Jung who had come to tell on Seung Kyung about Simba.

“Hey, I already told you, she didn't just go 'somewhere,' she went to go see a 'musical'.”

“Oh yea, musical.” Seung Kyung rolled her eyes at Yun Jung but the latter didn't seem to care.

“I felt bad for Simba because he was going to be home alone. I can play with him here until Mom comes to pick me up, right?” Even if she spoke more nicely than Bong Tae Won, there was definitely an arrogant air in her tone. What in the world is with kids today. Why should I feel intimidated by a twelve year-old girl? And En Chan couldn't even say, “How could you even think of bringing a dog into this sacred dojo?” to these kids because they were the ones who were bringing in the money.

“You'll only have 30 minutes. It's almost time for the next group's practice.”

“30 minutes is enough. The pizzas will be here soon. I ordered your favorite— bulgogi pizza.”

En Chan's eyes suddenly flashed. Ohhhh, yes! Bulgogi! But she tried her best to act aloof. She started rummaging around the desk drawers.

“Y-you guys eat...”

“Hey Seung Kyung, can Simba eat this?”

“Yea, whatever.”

The children were tempting Simba with a sausage. En Chan didn't yell at the children even though they were running around the wooden dojo floor with the dog. Usually, she would've screamed, “Hey! Knock it off!” but right now she was looking at the children with hazy eyes and saliva filling up in her mouth. Seung Kyung was looking up at En Chan with rapture in her eyes, and Tae Won was furiously glaring at En Chan. The two were rising sixth graders this year, and they fought and played like Tom and Jerry. Since Tae Won enrolled after Seung Kyung did, did that make him Tom? And En Chan is the cheese, the center of the trouble.

En Chan couldn't think of anything but dinner. She would leave the next group's practice to the dojo Master and go upstairs to her house on the roof to eat. Excellent plan.

And she'd eat pizza beforehand. Then the main course, the kimchee stew with rice, and then Mom's Pretty Pretty Salad for desert. Heh heh heh.

“Master, you're drooling,” said Seung Kyung.

“Huh? Oh...” En Chan gave a sheepish grin and wiped the saliva with her sleeve. Tae Won made a face as if to say, 'that's disgusting,' but Seung Kyung watched even this action with admiration.

“Master, did you read the e-mail I sent you?”

“You sent me an e-mail? I haven't read it yet...” En Chan wasn't too friendly with the computer. Come to think of it, she couldn't exactly remember her own e-mail address. It looked like it would be an awkward situation, but En Chan reached for the computer on the desk anyway with a forced smile.

“Sh-shall I take a look? What kind of e-mail could Seung Kyung have sent me?”

“No! No!” Seung Kyung flew to the computer and turned it off. She blocked the monitor with a face that was blushing furiously and glanced nervously at Tae Won.

“R-read it later. Oh, hey! Look! Pizza's here!” Seung Kyung skitted off and opened her pink wallet. En Chan couldn't bring herself to watch a disciple pay, so she pretended to be busy doing other things. In the middle of this act, she made eye contact with Tae Won who had been watching her.

“What?”

Tae Won gave her a look of exasperation and took off.

“That brat...”

“Master, come quickly and eat!”

“Oh, y-yea, yea, let me just.. finish this. Go ahead, eat.”

I can't just dive right in. I've got my pride as a master. She kept rummaging through the desk. But her charade didn't last longer than a few seconds. The fragrance of the pizza had come wafting into her nose. Not only that, but the children were eating so avidly and with such delightfully slurpy gusto that En Chan felt her ears would soon start drooling as well.

“M-maybe I'll try a piece,” she muttered to herself as she headed toward the children.

“Here, master,” said Seung Kyung, handing En Chan a piece she had saved especially for her. This kid was too cute.

It was right then when Tae Won said,

“Master, phone.”

“Huh?” Tae Won was pointing at the desk. Not even with his fingers, but with his chin.

En Chan, whose five sense had been totally enraptured in the pizza, only just then heard her cell phone ring. Damn it! Who the hell was it? En Chan was not just a little pissed, but there was nothing to do but pick up the phone she had left on the desk.

“Hello?”

“Obba, it's me.” (translator's note: Korean females use the familiar title “obba” to refer to older males.) Sparks flew from En Chan's eyes. Who was this prank-calling wench?! The “obba” gave it away. All throughout middle school and high school, En Chan had been chased incessantly by hormone-driven juniors with confused sexual identities, and they had all called her “obba.” Even some girls in the same grade used to pant after her calling, 'obba, obba'.

And they still haven't recovered from their delusion?!

“You've got the wrong number.” She was just about to hang up when a panicked voice said,

“Obba, it's me! En Se.”

“I can't talk right now.”

“Why?”

Why? I'll tell you why, I was just about to....

Seung Kyung was holding out a huge slice of pizza and motioning to En Chan to come and eat it. En Chan beamed at her and nodded her head.

“I'm busy right now so call me later. I'm gonna hang up now.”

“Obba, I'm in trouble! Some punk keeps bothering me.”

“What?” The pizza left En Chan's head. “What punk?!”

“I keep telling him to go away but he keeps following me. He's in front of me right now. Won't you come and help me, obba?”

“Which son of a— where are you!”

“Coffee Prince.”

The only people who could drag En Chan away from food were Mom and En Se. En Se blew her bangs out of her eyes and snatched up her jumper. She headed toward the exit with the phone against her ear.

“Why the hell are you hanging out with that kind of bastard?! And what have you been doing wandering around and not going home?!”

“I kept trying to go home, but this guy....”

“Shut up! I don't want to hear it! You're really gonna get it. Hey, Mr. Hong's there, right?”

“Mr. Hong? Yea. He's watching us from the counter.”

“Then don't move and—”

Suddenly En Chan's two legs flew through the air (“AARRGH!”) and then she promptly fell on her ass. The children all stopped eating their pizzas and turned to look at En Chan. One hand was in her jumper sleeve, the other, holding the cell phone. One knee was trying to hold her body up and the other leg was held up high in the air. From the foot of this leg dropped Simba's brown dung.

F....fu..... aaaack !! I'm going to strangle this dog!

“Obba, what's the matter? Obba?” En Se's shrill voice spilled out of the phone. The trophy cabinet began to sway. All eyes went toward the cabinet as the trophies began to fall. En Chan reflexively put out her hands.

“Umph!” She'd barely caught the trophy when, just as she was about to take a sigh of relief, the TaeKwon boy's head fell off from the top of the trophy and rolled away across the floor. En Chan gasped. En Chan could hear the children breathing. En Chan could feel their gazes filled with both anxiety and pity alike.

“When the dojo Master finds out about this...”

“Damn it...” She had to put the boy's head back on the trophy and then go wash her feet, but Seung Kyung kept wrapping gauze around her hand.

“Master, you're bleeding.” It was only a small scratch between the thumb and index fingers that came from the encounter with the trophy's sharp edge, but nobody could stop Seung Kyung. “We have to treat it quick. If we don't, it'll keep bleeding.” Seung Kyung was even on the verge of tears. A band-aid would've been sufficient. But Seung Kyung kept wrapping the gauze around and around En Chan's hand. Eventually the gauze came all the way up to her wrist and it was stiff like a cast. Even so, En Chan couldn't blame Seung Kyung. She knew the girl hated the sight of blood. En Chan was very much aware of the fact that Seung Kyung had lost her little brother in a car accident. And also of the fact that Seung Kyung had been there to witness it.

< Part 3 > 8:55 PM: En Chan Meets the Punk From the Land of the Crows

En Chan arrived with dried saliva on her sleeve and dried dog poo on her pants leg.

“Obba, what's wrong with your hand? Did you get hurt?”

“Ko En Se, you...” En Chan sometimes has trouble recognizing her little sister En Se. This is because En Se looks like a totally different person in the morning on her way to school. There was no doubt in En Chan's mind that En Se's school uniform was in its usual place: the subway station lockers.

“Obba, I thought I told you to stop fighting. You keep getting hurt because you always go around beating up every punk you see. Give your fist a rest every now and then.” En Se was being disgustingly sweet. En Chan knew well what the fox of a girl was up to.

In any case, did anyone have anything to eat?

“What the hell is this? This is your boyfriend? Ha, that's funny,” said an insolent voice. En Chan gave a cursory glance at the youth sitting in front of him. What the! Who is he, a punk from the land of crows (translator's note: in Korea, they liken people with dark skin to crows. The punk in this story is a dark-skinned youth; thus, punk from the land of crows.)? His skin was strikingly dark, and... dear Lord, to make things worse, his hair was frizzy to the max. That was the kiss of death.

En Chan couldn't tell whether the youth was shaking his leg because he was nervous or because he was trying to give off a tough-guy aura.

“Oh, God...” En Chan couldn't stop herself from groaning. She was leaning against the chair, but still her entire body ached. Her head felt like it was splitting apart. A part of the reason was because of the after effects of the fall, but En Chan was tired mentally as well. About 3 cm behind her right ear was a hole the size of a quarter. As she fell on the wooden floor, a piece of gum that someone had spit out had stuck to her head. Boy, if she ever caught the brainless halfwit that spit out that gum... but that wasn't the point. She should've known something bad was going to happen when Tae Won, who was usually so taciturn, made a fuss waving around a pair of scissors saying he'd cut her hair for her. As Seung Kyung wrapped her hand in gauze, Tae Won stood by and cut her hair with a strange look on his face. Goosebumps had run up and down her entire body as she heard the snip-snip of the scissors. It was almost like being in a horror movie. In the end, she had no choice but to borrow the dojo Master's neighborhood security watch hat that was hanging on the wall.

“Yo, En Se, you've got to be kidding me. You're dumping me for this wimpy jerk?” In response to the punk's snide comment, En Se stuck onto En Chan's side and put her own arm through hers. The boy's eyes grew fierce. Man, that dark face looks really terrible all twisted like that.

En Chan blew out a short breath with her mouth as she looked at the glaring youth. It was her habit to blow her hair out of her eyes like that. But the hat started to move around, so she pressed down on it.

“Obba, get rid of him for me. Seriously, I'm about to go crazy because this kid keeps bothering me. I keep telling him that I'm dating someone, but he won't believe me.”

So, this time, En Se wasn't asking En Chan to pretend to be her big brother. She was asking En Chan to pretend to be her boyfriend. The punk was right. You've got to be kidding me.

When are you going to grow up, Ko En Se. I'm your freakin' sister!

En Chan couldn't do anything but give out big sighs. Mr. Hong brought her some water.

“What's wrong with your hand? Beaking wooden boards again?”

“Don't worry about it. Hey, mister, is there anything to eat?”

“To eat? Only biscuits. You want that, at least?”

En Chan sighed. If En Se hadn't made such a fuss about this punk, she probably would've changed clothes before coming. And eaten the pizza, of course. Actually, now that she thought about it, the plastic bag full of pork she'd left on the desk was starting to worry her as well.

“Yea, I'll take that, at least.”

“What do you want to drink?”

“Oh, come on, you know...” En Chan, who had just been about to skip over drinks to save money, suddenly remembered the fact that a very strange, very dark youth was sitting in front of her. Eh. He'd probably pay for it.

“Fresh fruit juice, then. A lot of it.”

“Seems like something a fruit like you would order. Yo, En Se, are you sure you're going out with this... thing? What's wrong with you? Didn't this obba tell you? You shouldn't mess around with poor little kids like him.”

En Se snorted in reply.

“Ha, don't make me laugh. Ya, Hwang Min Dal, who says you're some kind of obba? You're nothing but a lowlife punk.”

“It's not Min Dal, it's Min Yup! Man, how can you say such bitchlike things and still be so freakin' cute?”

Ugh... I'm gonna toss my cookies.

En Se poked En Chan's side. It was a signal to hurry up and get rid of the punk. En Chan looked the youth up and down from underneath a hat too big for its wearer. As soon as Seung Kyung finished wrapping the bandages she had hastily rubbed her foot on a mop and ran out the door. She'd come here with only the thought that she had to save En Se, but now, seeing the so-called “opponent” who now sat across from her, there was nothing she could do but sigh. He couldn't even be called a punk. This was the kind of guy who would rip snot-smeared dollar bills off of elementary school kids on playgrounds. He might talk tough, but En Chan couldn't see a mean look in his eyes. Of course, he didn't seem to possess any fighting abilities either.

“Yo, is this thing a middle schooler?” sneered the youth.

“Ya! You're really starting to piss me off!” En Se had a mean streak herself. “Who the hell are you to keep referring to him as “this thing”, huh?”

En Chan didn't really enjoy watching En Se's mean side, but she was touched by the fact that her sister was standing up for family. Little brat...

“He's four years older than you! Show some respect!”

“What? This thing is four is older than me. What do you take me for, huh? You think I'm blind? This wimp couldn't be any older than, fine, a high schooler. What, did he tell you he was twenty? You fell for it, stupid! Hey! You! Listen, you bastard, tell the truth. What's your freakin' age?”

“This is why I don't like you. Why do you have to look at everything so negatively? What, you think everyone's just like you? Just because every time you open your mouth a dirty lie comes out, you think everyone else does that too? You dirty liar.”

As soon as En Se finished her snide comment, the youth lost it.

“What? You little!”

“What, what're you going to do if you keep mad dogging me like that? You gonna hit me? Fine, go head, hit me. Then let's end this once and for all.”

“This is seriously fucked up...”

Is this how high schoolers talked to each other? What, in the name of heaven, did she call me out for. It looks like it's something they could've figured out themselves...

En Chan sunk lower in her chair, leaning her head against the back of it, waiting for the fresh fruit juice to come. En Se noticed this and poked her side again.

“Obba, say something!” En Chan glared furiously at the hat. She caught En Chan's eyes and sent a message telling her to hurry up.

“Uh.. yea...”

Her throat was cracking. En Chan put her hands on her empty belly and straightened her back.

If she was going to force me to pretend to be her boyfriend, she could've at least gotten me something to eat. I can't muster up the energy to go on. At this rate...

En Chan low voice went even deeper.

“You............ what's your name?”

“What do you need to know his name for?” En Se said petulantly. En Chan looked at the youth through the brim of the hat and spoke in an even deeper voice.

“You like our En Se or something?”

“Obba, why the hell are you asking him that?”

“Your En Se? Does she belong to you or something?”

En Chan knew that he looked down on her. The first thing was height. En Chan may have been popular among middle and high school girls, but her actual physical build couldn't compete with the average guy. At 5'8'', she was only slightly thicker boned than most girls.

“Listen, kid, you're not understanding what I'm saying. That's not the point. What I'm asking is, do you or do you not...”

Right then, the fruit juice arrived. En Chan abruptly stopped her sentence and held out her arm, but it didn't move very well. The bandages were wound so tightly she couldn't get a good grip. Damn it. With no other alternative, she held out her other arm. Mr. Hong clucked his tongue. En Chan immediately gulped it down in one shot. It took less than five seconds for her to finish an entire glass of fruit juice.

“Aaaahhh.”

“Obba.”

(Burp)

“Ew, that is too gross.”

“Hey, forget all this crap. Let's just go at it,” said the impatient youth. En Se's eyes rediscovered their twinkle as she turned to En Chan. Her eyes pleaded for her sister to “go at it.” There was no doubt that that's why En Chan had been called out. Sometimes, En Chan wondered if she such a girl really was her sister. She would put her sister in the fighting ring and then parade around like the round girl, huh?

En Chan smacked her lips and wiped her mouth. She briefly considered asking for a refill.

“Hey, you deaf? I said, come outside.” The youth threw out this challenge and went outside, but En Chan didn't move.

“What don't you like about him? He's pretty manly, isn't it?”

“Ahjussi!” En Se glared at the owner. But still Mr. Hong continued with an unctuous look on his face,

“Just a few days ago you two walked right by here holding hands. You get sick of him already?”

“I've only just found out his real character.”

“What's his real character like?”

“He's a total punk. He spits in front of girls, he's got no manners, his temper's dirty as hell, and he told me he was re-taking a year of high school after graduating, but it turns out he flunked back down.”

“Ah. So that's the critical blow.”

“Seriously! He told me he went to an engineering college, but it turns out he's nothing but a punk at an engineering high school who flunked down. Total liar!”

“I don't think you're in any position to be talking about this kid going to an engineering college or an engineering high school. As if you ever do any studying!” En Se returned to pleading mode as even En Chan joined in.

“Aw man, can't you talk about stuff like that at home later? I'm really in a bad fix right now!”

“Oh, really? It's tough work, dating, isn't it? I feel sooo bad for you.”

“Studying isn't the issue here! Your little sister is about to be abducted!”

“Abducted shmabducted. He probably couldn't even hurt a fly.”

“You're saying that because you don't know. He tried to take me to his room earlier by force!”

“You know what's funny? You only consider En Chan your unni (translator's note: females call familiar older females “unni” in Korea) when you're in a fix.” Mr. Hong's retort was met with the daggers from En Se's eyes. “Brr, I'm so scared,” exaggerated Mr. Hong as he hid himself behind the counter, still smiling.

“Unni, seriously, this is the last time. I'll never ask you to do something like this again.”

En Chan gave a sigh and looked at En Se. She had asked her to do something like this around last Christmas. She considered bringing that up. But then she decided it wouldn't make a difference anyway, and so she asked a question instead.

“You've got another boy, don't you?”

“No. Seriously, no.”

“Then why do you want to get rid of that guy?”

“So I can start studying. I'm a senior in high school now. I've really got to study, you know? If I go to an arts school and study music seriously, it'll be easier for me to become a singer.”

“Really?”

“I've got to grow up now. I can't always ask you for money. When I get into college, I'm going to find work on my own and earn my own spending money. So, sis, sissy, please, just one more time?”

En Chan hadn't expected her sister to say such things. Her nose began to tingle. She'd never dreamed she'd hear such wonderful words from her sister. En Chan wanted, like a father would, nothing but for En Se to grow up healthy and not cause too much trouble. And now she was all grown up, talking about earning her own spending money... En Chan was totally touched.

“Hey, what are you saying? You're no trouble to me...”

Right then the youth stuck his head back in and shouted,

“Yo! What are you doing? Come outside! What, you scared, you little wimp?”

“No, I'm just hungry, kid.”

“What?”

“Come inside.”

“Who do you think you are to order me around? Come outside!”

“Sit. Down.”

The youth surprisingly came back inside and flopped back in his seat, seething, but without much fuss. It was because he had only just then noticed En Chan's Taekwondo practice suit. Even though she was wearing a jumper on top, on the bottom, she was still wearing her suit. The black belt probably dispelled the idea that she was simply wearing white pants.

“Listen, kid. This hyung's (translator's note: Korean males use the familiar title “hyung” to refer to older males) not in a position to beat anyone up.”

“What the hell is this shithead saying?”

At the curse word, En Chan got angry.

“Watch your mouth! Or I'm gonna rub it down with sandpaper, got it?”

“What? You little bastard!”

“I said, SHUT UP!” En Chan tried to calm down and speak in a persuasive tone. “Listen. If I beat you up, I gotta go to the police station, and if I go to the police station, I won't be able to work, do you get it? So. Let's solve this a different way.”

“Don't be spouting horse shit. Let's just fight!”

“We can do something you're actually good at.”

“Ha! Trying to be cool, huh? Do you really think I'd lose to you at anything?”

“Oh yea? Ok.” En Chan raised her head and looked for Mr. Hong. The store was still empty of customers. Man, business is really bad at this place. “Mister! Call up Sea King Palace, would you?”

“Hey, just leave it. You're gonna stink up the place.”

“C'mon, it'll be over quick.”

“I don't know. Fine. It's been a while since the last time, so I'll let it go this time, all right?”

“Yes, sir!”

Watching Mr. Hong call the Sea King Palace, En Se muttered discontentedly,

“Why can't you just eat dinner at home?” En Chan ignored her and got in the youth's face.

“Hey... you got money?”

“What, are you going to mug me? You're full of all kinds of crap, huh?”

“We're going to bet on a jja jang myun eating race. Don't you think it's only fair the loser pays for the food?”

“What? Jja jang myun? What the hell... You little wimphead want to compete against me in an eating race? Freakin... Fine. I'll give you a break. I wanted to work up that mug of yours, but I guess you don't want to get hit, huh? But! Ko En Se, you better not change your tune afterwards. You promised to be mine if I beat this guy right here right now, remember?”

“Promise? What promise?”

“Ya!”

“Fine, fine, you lying punk.” She then turned to En Chan and smiled sweetly as she said,

“Wrap it up quickly, obba, ok?”

The youth looked slightly put off when the ten bowls of jja jang myun arrived. If he had been able to see En Chan's eyes, which were hidden under the hat, shine as if they were emitting fluorescent light, he would probably have been even more disconcerted. After finishing the first bowl in 13 seconds, En Chan's face was as sunny as an angel's. She ate with her face nearly shoved into the bowl, but the area around her mouth was surprisingly clean. To En Chan, jja jang sauce around her mouth would've been a waste.

Meanwhile, the youth was going through hell shoving the noodles into his stomach, which had been significantly shrunken by nervousness and a bit of intimidation. The game seemed fair until about the third bowl. But by the fourth bowl, the gap was evident and growing wider by the minute.

“Dog food. Octopus stew. Pizza. Pork porridge.”

The first one to give up or throw up would be proclaimed the loser.

“Margarine. Cooking oil. Fried pig skin. Ox tail soup,” murmured En Se, who was sitting with her chin in her hand. The words she threw out so nonchalantly were truly disgusting.

“Oily chop suey. Smelly cheese. Hard-boiled eggs. Thick, clotted cream.”

En Se glanced at the two players who were eating like dogs. When En Chan raised her head after emptying five bowls, the youth was reaching toward the fifth bowl. His face looked like hell, but it looked like his insides felt more like hell.

“Mushy Bananas. Sharp strawberry yogurt....”

“Upghrgh!”

It may have been that En Se had gone too far. The poor youth dashed to the bathroom with his hand over his mouth. Mr. Hong called after him,

“Hey, be careful not to spill any on the floor.”

< Part 4 > 9:55 PM : The Epic of the Ring

En Se ran off, leaving the vomiting youth behind.

“Hey, Hae Wook, where are you? Are you done with cram school? Uh huh, I'm nearby right now... Really? Ok, I'll be right there!” After hanging up, she pranced away with a smile on her face.

“Obba, I'm probably coming home pretty late tonight.”

“Ya! Ko En Se!”

The punk, spread out on the chair like a wet mop, kept making vomiting motions like a broken water pump. Still, it couldn't be helped.

After all, En Chan only had a buck fifty in her pocket to call her own.

“Sorry, kid, but a game's a game, right?”

En Chan drank cup after cup of water while the youth, who had become rather pale and haggard, paid for the jja jang myun.

“You want some water, too?” En Chan offered, but the youth only glared at her and left in a huff.

Huh. Guess that did some damage to his pride.

“It doesn't seem like he's a bad kid through and through, though, huh? At least he paid before he left.”

“Yea, that's true. Oh man, am I full,” En Chan patted her stomach as she thanked the owner and left the store. It was evening and the temperature had dropped, and the air was chilly.

Ko En Se, you little hussy. You told me you didn't have a different boy, and see how you run off!

“As the saying goes, you break your teeth on the tofu you trust. Little brat,” En Chan muttered to herself as she walked the night streets alone. “Who's Hae Wook, huh? How many guys is she dating at the same time, for cryin' out loud?” She entered the market still grumbling. She was stepping into the building where her roof apartment was when she heard a thunderous shout.

“Ko En Chan, you little rascal! How dare you leave without even a word!”

“M-m-master....” The eyebrows of the master who stood in the doorway of the dojo waggled. Suddenly, the decapitated Tae Kwon boy, the chaotic image of the children running around eating pizza all came rushing back to her.

“W-well, you see, master, um... I, uh...”

“Hey! Is that my hat? Why are you going around wearing somebody else's neighborhood watch hat?!”

“Ack!” He whipped the hat off of her head.

“You're a really strange one. It doesn't even fit you. Why would you want to wear it around?”

Who said I wanted to wear it around? It's because of the stupid hole in my hair...

It was too dark for the dojo master to tell, but En Chan still self-consciously rubbed at the side of her head.

I can't believe my head is actually cold because of that little hole. I wonder what happened to the Tae Kwon boy's head. I sure hope Seung Kyung put it back on correctly.

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

The dojo master shook the black plastic bag he held in his hand. Oh! My meat! En Chan quickly ran to receive the meat.

“I thought I told you not to go around wearing your practice suit!! You troublemaker!”

“Ow!!” If it came from the dojo master, even a single knuckle sandwich hurt like hell and make her head ring.

“Aiish, Master! What are you trying to do, put a hole in my head?”

“Don't 'aiish' me, you brat! Hurry up and go upstairs. It seemed like your mother was up there alone.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And be sure to lock up tight.”

“Yes, sir. Have a good night!”

“Yea,” said the dojo master as he ruffled En Chan's hair. The place where he had given her a knuckle sandwich still tingled.

“Agh, f....” she climbed the stairs towards her roof apartment. She passed the PC bang and the pool hall and finally reached the roof. The dojo master was the one who had arranged a room for them to live in in this old and decrepit building. It was also the dojo master who had convinced the building owner to let her family pay only the electricity and water bills. He had been marine comrades with En Chan's late father. That was the reason why En Chan's family was always in debt to the master, for the house, for the job, basically for their livelihood itself.

“I'm home.”

“Is that my little prince?”

“Did you have fun at the reunion?” En Chan, who had entered the room, saw her mother who was lying down with a facial mask on. She was, as usual, dressed elegantly in a deep plum home dress.

“A face pack as soon as you come home?”

“If I don't relax my face immediately, it'll get all rough. The wind was so cold and harsh today, it felt like all of my soft skin was going to peel off.”

“Oh, come on, aren't you exaggerating a little?”

“I'm serious! Feel it. Here.” She put En Chan's finger under the paper mask so that she could feel the skin underneath.

“Oh wow, it really is pretty rough. Kind of like sandpaper.”

“Oh my God, really?”

“Kidding, kidding!”

“That's mean! I'm upset about it anyway, don't make me feel worse.”

“What kind of mask is it?”

“Moisture replenishing. Since I can't use better make up, I have to use these more often. The only reason why my skin is this nice is because I take good care of it. Whoever heard of a woman who uses cheap forty, fifty dollar skin lotions like I do having skin this nice? At this age, I mean.”

“You're absolutely right. Madame Na has million-dollar skin, if nothing.”

“Mm it feels so nice and moist. Did you eat dinner? The salad was still in the fridge.”

“I ate before coming home.”

“What did you eat?”

“Jja jang myun.”

“Darling, I thought Mommy told you not to eat that kind of food made out of flour. It's bad for your skin.”

“It couldn't be helped today. What did you eat, Mom?”

“Italian.”

“Oh, you went to the bistro? Must've been delicious.”

En Chan's mouth forgot about the five bowls of jja jang myun and started excreting saliva again.

“It was just so-so today though. All my friends said the food tasted great and ate it all up, but I could tell. I'm pretty sure they changed the chef. The sauce just didn't taste the same.”

“Yea, you're pretty sensitive to that kind of stuff. So you were pretty disappointed, huh?”

“I just accepted it and ate without complaining. But what's this smell? Something stinks.”

“Something stinks?”

En Chan, who had been in the process of taking her jumper off, discovered the brownish yellow stain on the end of her suit top. Oh shit!

“R-really? I-I don't smell anything. What, what kind of sauce was it?”

“Sauce?”

“The, the sauce. Didn't you say it was good the last time you went there?”

“Oh, saffron foam sauce? I didn't have that today. That's with salmon.....” And so began the explanation of En Chan's mother, who had attended professional Italian cooking classes for about five weeks about ten years ago. En Chan gave a sigh of relief as she changed out of her Taekwondo clothes. If her neat-freak mother found out, she probably would've made her change outside.

Simba or Shitba, she wasn't about to let that dog it in the dojo again.

En Chan was furtively rolling up her dojo suit when her mother asked,

“What about about En Se?”

“Sh-she said she's going to be a little late...”

“Again? What's wrong with that kid? Has she got thorns on her bottom or something? Why can't she just sit down for a single hour to study? What's a high school senior doing running around outside and not studying? For crying out loud. Hand me that phone.”

En Chan gave her mother the phone and quickly ran to the bathroom. She put the dojo suit into the washing machine and stepped into the shower. The boiler was running out of hot water, and she shivered as she washed. All throughout her shower, she could hear her mother's voice on the phone. It was apparent by the way her mother's voice grew in volume and roughness that En Se was not about to listen to her mother.

“Ugh, it's like jumping into a frozen lake.”

The thin trickle of water became colder and colder. She hurried to finish and put her clothes on.

“Ah, damn it. How am I supposed to cover this up?” said En Chan worriedly as she dried her hair. She tried to cover the hole with hair, but the empty space couldn't be hidden.

“Bong Tae Won, you've got some skill with scissors. Stupid kid managed to cut so close to the surface.”

She had to do something. If she kept it like this... En Chan pulled out the medicine box from the bathroom counter. She cut a piece of gauze to about the size of the hole and taped it onto her head. She had no choice but to go around like this for a while.

En Chan came out of the bathroom when the phone rang.

“Hello? Oh, Dong Ok? Hi~”

En Chan thought to herself how bright and clear her mother's voice was as she opened the refrigerator door. Occupying the middle spot of honor was a fancy bowl covered with plastic wrap. Inside that bowl was a vegetable assortment the size of a fist, also known as, Pretty Pretty Salad.

People said that En Chan's mother's cooking skills could probably get her a job at an elegant restaurant as a chef. So there was no complaint about the flavor or taste of her cooking. En Chan didn't have any particular complaints either. The only problem was the portion. To En Chan, who wrestled and rolled around with children all day, the portion was pitifully lacking. Her mother couldn't know this and would often say,

“Oh my, En Chan, if you finish all of that, you're going to get fat. People have to eat vegetables to be healthy. Did you know? There's nothing as disgusting as a glutton. Even though I can't make soybean soup or kimchee stew, I'm excellent at making things like spaghetti and salads. Not only that, I can bake cakes and cookies, and what else? Oh yes, seafood risotto, potato soup...”

Mom's cooking was delicious. The flavor was worth all the time and money and effort put into making the food. It was just that En Chan liked traditional Korean chicken broth, bulgogi and grilled bone ribs.

“What? Ring? What ring?”

Suddenly her mother's voice rose sharply. En Chan covered up the band-aid with her hair and went into the room.

“Oh.......... who did, I did? Who said that? Oh, Jin Hyang......... oh...... oh, no no no........” Suddenly her mother got up and started pacing the room restlessly.

“Huh? O-of course. It's, it's safe with me. Uh huh. Of course.” Her mother, who had just crawled a lap around the room, started patting and sweeping the floor with her hand. En Chan looked at her mother, who was wearing an expression as if she'd burst out crying.

“What's wrong, Mom?”

“O-ok... I-I'll keep it safe. Huh? Wh-when? F-five days? My, that must be tough. Anyway, have a good time. Uh huh. Ok. Bye.” As soon as she hung up, she grabbed En Chan.

“Have you seen a ring?”

“What ring?”

“Did you see one or not? Oh my God, what am I going to do? That ring... that ring...”

“What? What about the ring?”

“I was wearing it, wearing it right here. It's a diamond ring.... It-It's gotta be around here somewhere, right? Right?”

Epilogue

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:17:00 GMT

“And Sun Ki's too busy these days. I think we're going to have to hire some new people.”

[Are you sure it's for real? Can the guy really sing?]

En Chan was talking on the phone on her way to barista training.

“Enough to make you fall in love. Even I would want to give him a recording deal.”

[How could I trust your ear? All guys who live in karaoke bars know how to sing.]

“He made the audition, so what else is there to say? You think the judges were all scarecrows? Why do you think they just gave him the contract fee on the spot like that? You always pick on only me. Psh.”

[Hey, I gotta go. Conference.]

“I gotta go too, I'm at the lecture hall. See ya.”

[Wait. Where were we going to eat lunch again tomorrow? I'll come pick you up.]

“You don't have to do that. It's just a few stops if I take the subway. I'll see you at the entrance.”

[I'm just afraid you're going to be late like last time.]

“Oh, don't complain about ten minutes.”

[12.]

En Chan had already arrived at the lecture hall and Han Kyul had to go into his meeting, but they couldn't hang up. They hid the passionate words they wanted to say to each other and acted mischeivously.

[Ya, I don't want people thinking we're two men on a date, so dress accordingly.]

“In that case you should come wearing a dress, ahjussi.”

[Are you gonna keep on talking back to me? Girls are supposed to be soft-spoken and refined.]

“Maybe I'll gather together all the un-soft-spoken and un-refined girls around and make an anti-cafe against you, ahjussi. Ha, you scared?”

[Turning it into a fan cafe would probably be a piece of cake. I could probably make them turn to my side with a single picture. Hey, I really got to go now. Kissy kissy, Snookums.]

“Hey, I'm still a part of that anti-cafe, all right, Mr. Kinky? I'm hanging up now.”

The two of them giggled to themselves as they hung up and returned to their respective tasks. Han Kyul had risen to the position of head director, and had moved to the accounting department. To a next-generation proprietor, these promotions were actually meaningless; nevertheless, Han Kyul was learning the ropes step by step in preparation to take over the company. As long as he had made up his mind to compete with Han Sung for the top, he had no intention of losing. That there was a worthy adversary was beneficial for the company as well.

The next day, En Chan rummaged around in her closet for some time before asking for En Se's help. All that En Chan had in her closet were t-shirts and jeans and oversized jumpers. Other than that, there was only the dress suit that she'd worn for her mother's wedding, but that was appropriate for an amusement park. En Se, having laid out her own clothes in front of her sister, continued to hassle her into choosing quickly. In the end, En Chan put on a flowered blouse and skirt and a feminine jacket. She'd decided to pull out all the stops because she wanted to look pretty for him and also because of what he'd said about two men on a date.

On her one off day every two weeks, En Chan planned to eat dinner with her family. En Chan had been busy with the franchise project, barista training and working in the cafe, and having passed the audition, En Se was also practicing singing and dancing day and night, and wasn't often seen around. And so, they had set apart this day to come together to eat out.

Mom and ahjussi were beginning to look more and more like a real wedded couple. What them care and provide for each other sometimes made her feel that all her work had been for nothing. It made her feel kind of lonely, but when she thought back to the way she felt when she was with Han Kyul, she could more that understand their feelings. For the first time since her father died, her family sat around at the dinner table, happy and cheerful. They were coming out of the restaurant when En Se said,

“I'm gonna take off. I have an appointment.”

“You're going to go meet Sun Ki? The two of your practice together everyday, and you still have to see him on your off day? You give birth to a daughter and you raise her with your own hand, and all this, for what?”

En Se had provided an opening for En Chan to say,

“M-me too....”

If Mr. Ku hadn't been there, Mom would've had to walk the lonely way back to the house all by herself. She suddenly felt thankful for Mr. Ku.

En Chan ran to the subway station so as not to be late, but she just missed the train. It was all because of this damned flapping skirt. She got on the next train and had three stops to go when it became their designated meeting time. It was obvious that he was going to give her hell for being late again. She took out her cell phone and tried to call him, but it acted up and wouldn't work. She pounded on it and shook it, holding it out in all different directions, but she couldn't get through. To make things even worse, the playground was a sea of people. She sweated up a storm trying to find him in the pulsing crowds.

“Ya!”

En Chan, exhausted, looked at the sneakers that came into view and lifted her head.

“Oh! Finally!”

En Chan took in deep breaths and smiled apologetically, but Han Kyul's angry face didn't loosen up.

“Do you know what time it is?!”

“I'm sorry. Really, I'm really sorry. I was on my way and I missed the train and.... I freakin' ran. Look at me, I'm sweating. My physical strength's not what it used to be. I haven't worked out in a while....”

“Then you should've turned your phone on at least! How long were you going to make me wait in this crowd? You promised and promised that you wouldn't be late! Do you know how much I worried about you?”

“Y-you worried about me? Why would you worry about me? You worried I was going to get into a subway accident or something? I'm fine. I'm fine and I'm here, so please don't be mad.”

“Why'd you turn off your phone.”

“Oh, this stupid phone. It hasn't been working since I was in the subway. This stupid piece of junk...”

En Chan took out her phone from her pocket and was hitting it with the palm of her hand when Han Kyul snatched it away. He then chucked it on the floor.

“What's the point of carrying around a phone that doesn't even work!”

Still dissatisfied, he stomped on the broken phone and ground his heel into it. People walking by gathered 'round to watch him, amused. En Chan, surprised, gave up trying to stop him and simply watched on. She folded her arms across her chest and watched a seething Han Kyul for a while before saying,

“Feel better?”

Han Kyul breathed deeply and said,

“Yea.”

“Then look at me.”

After all the trouble she'd gone through to dress up, running had mussed her up all over. En Chan quickly rearranged her clothes and hair and posed for him.

“Mmmm. The lady has put on a skirt.”

“You finally see me?”

“Isn't it a bit small, though? We need to buy you some clothes.”

En Chan glared at him and he smiled and said,

“You're pretty. Very pretty.”

“Prettier than Miss World?”

“Miss World? Ohhh... Ya, that's been bothering you until now, huh? It's been on your mind for a while.”

Han Kyul chuckled to himself as he poked En Chan's cheek with his finger.

“Hey, I didn't have any fun that time. I don't even remember them.”

“Psh. What do you take me for, an idiot? You were smiling like your lips were going to rip apart and you threw me out into the streets and sped off.”

“I told you, I was already beginning to find you cute back then. Do you know how head-splitting it is to find a boy cute? If you're going to make up for how much you made me suffer, you have to do cute things for me at least 200 more times.”

“Who made who suffer? It's news to me.”

“I'm a master at the poker face. Never showing on our faces what's going on in our insides is our family specialty.”

“Whatever you say, sir. Let's go eat.”

En Chan turned around and headed toward the entrance. Han Kyul, who'd followed behind her, put his arm around her shoulder and pointed with his hand.

“Let's ride that first. I've always wanted to ride it.”

As if nothing had happened, the two of them went inside the amusement park. They mixed into the crowd and got on rides and ate ice cream and walked down flower paths. Sometimes they'd clasp hands, other times he'd have his arm around her, and other times they would simply look at each other....

After exiting the amusement park, they ate dinner at a high observatory restaurant. They sat down side by side on yellow banana shaped leather sofas in the small balcony-like area that jutted out from the rest of the space. They ate dinner and drank wine, looking out at the magnificent scenery from the window.

“Are you going to keep growing your hair out?” asked Han Kyul as he brought his lips to her hair and gave it a kiss. En Chan was resting her head on his shoulder.

“Yea. Why? You don't want me to?”

“It's not that I don't want you to. It's just that it doesn't fit with the Coffee Prince concept. That's a place where princes work.”

“Then you want me to continue to look like a boy?” asked En Chan. Han Kyul nodded without a single moment's hesitation.

“I want you to look like a boy to other men. So they don't move in on you.”

“You worry about the strangest things. There's nothing but women all around me.”

“Don't hang around too much with women either. By the way, you looked really out of shape back there. Let's start working out together starting tomorrow.”

“And how am I supposed to find the time? These days, I wish here were ten of me to go around. You know Chief Bong from Dong Yi Foods? He's a total tightass. He wants to have conferences every single day. He's already changed the marketing plan several times....”

“You meet Chief Bong every day? Hmm that geezer's got to go. I'll have to change him. Even I can't see you every day, it makes me jealous.”

“Ahjussi, don't overreact.”

“Cut down on the time you work at Coffee Prince. I've been thinking about this for a while now, but I think you should pick new employees and become the manager yourself. That way, you can pay closer attention to the franchise project.”

“Hm..... I'll talk it over with Mr. Hong.”

The two of them leaned against each other, looking at the night scenery. From time to time, Han Kyul would give En Chan's shoulders a tight squeeze. And from time to time, he would lay kisses on her head, her temples, and her cheeks, displaying his affection.

“There's something I'm curious about. Before you found out at the hospital, you really never once suspected? You never wondered to yourself if I was a girl?”

“What do you think?”

“Hmm. Answer 1,” said En Chan, lifting up a finger. “Never. Not even once. Answer 2, maybe just once. Answer 3, maybe in your subconscious, but never thought about it consciously. Why? Because you're a coward. Answer 4, you would've liked for me to have been a girl. Now, which one is it?”

“Hmm... the answer bank is pretty scanty. I especially don't like Answer 3. The answer is, Answer 5.”

“Answer 5?”

“I liked you, even if you were a boy.”

“What? What is that? What the?! Then when you kissed me on Valentine's Day, that wasn't just a prank?”

“I told you. There are some things men never want to let women to see.”

“Oh, right, I've been meaning to ask you. What is that? You didn't want to let me see you kiss me? I didn't have my eyes open when you did.”

“No, it's not that... it's just.... well, it's a type of...... the.....”

“The what?”

“Do you really have to hear the answer?”

“I can't stand being curious.”

“It's.... like sexual arousal.”

En Chan whipped her head around to look at Han Kyul in shock. Han Kyul looked at her as if daring her to say anything and then reached out and put her head back on his shoulder.

“You mean, you thought I was a boy and you felt that? That's why the tongue.....”

“Yea.”

“No way...... pervert cabbage slug!!”

“Yea, I don't know what else to say. But you know, when I think about it, Answer 3 might be right as well. If you were a girl, I would have to kick you out of the store, and I would've had to doubt whether you'd come to like me or my money.”

“You narcissist.”

“Not a narcissist... maybe a coward, like you said?”

“It's late. It's almost midnight.”

“I'll give you an answer bank.”

“Huh? You didn't ask a question, though.”

Han Kyul lifted up a finger in front of En Chan's face and said,

“Answer 1. You sleep with me tonight. Answer 2. You go to Dong Yi Hotel room S11 with me right now. Answer 3. We talk in my bed until the morning. Answer 4. You live with me for the rest of your life.”

After the last sentence, En Chan couldn't say anything for the pounding in her chest. Her heart was racing like a frenzied maniac. She hadn't talked to him about it, but it wasn't as if she hadn't give their future some thought before. The conclusion was always a deep sigh. She'd comforted herself by telling herself to be thankful and satisfied with her present happiness with him. To treat each moment preciously and to love him to her fullest.

“Now, what's your answer?”

With that, Han Kyul held out his cheek.

“What're you doing?”

“Answer me with kisses.”

“People are watching.”

“Hurry up. Or I'm going to feel up your chest.”

En Chan smacked his head with a cushion.

“God, you kinky pervert!”

Han Kyul shook his head and rearranged his mussed up hair before holding out his cheek again. En Chan scowled at him for a while before deciding there was nothing else that could be done. She leaned over slowly and smacked kisses on his cheek. When she stopped at the third kiss, he turned around.

“Answer 3? What was Answer 3 again?” He asked her, looking disappointed.

“Man, I don't know if I should really answer this lame proposal, but....”

En Chan stretched out her arms and held Han Kyul's head in her hands.

“I'm afraid if I'm not with you, you're going to die of boredom, so I'll do you the favor.”

En Chan smiled as she kissed Han Kyul on his lips. When she pulled away, he abruptly tackled her and En Chan fell backwards onto the sofa. Han Kyul was smiling above the fallen En Chan. He stroked her cheek and said playfully,

“You're awfully snuggly, snookums.”

“Come on, get off! The waitress is watching.”

Han Kyul pressed down on En Chan's shoulder as she tried to get up and lowered his lips.

“Get used to it. I don't care what other people think.”

Should she stop his kiss? But when she closed her eyes, she couldn't see anyone else either. There was nothing that could be done. She had to get used to it. He had said, after all, that it was for the rest of her life.....

Chapter Twenty Loving You Part III

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:20:45 GMT

< Part 3 >

Leaves scattered in the chilly wind. The streets had been emptied by the abrupt cold. The air inside the crowded bus was stuffy. En Chan opened the window slightly and the cold wind that rushed in blew through her hair. A gold earring twinkled on the end of her right ear.

The atmosphere of the jazz cafe Da Soop, where she hadn't been back since she'd worked there part-time, was still as good as ever. There were not a few customers who sat enjoying the slow jazz flowing through the air. When she arrived, Han Sung was already sitting down.

“You're here pretty early. I'm not late am I?”

“There wasn't as much traffic as I thought there would be. Did you eat dinner?”

“With my coworkers. You haven't eaten yet?”

Saying he hadn't had time, Han Sung ordered a steak and En Chan ordered beer.

“You seemed quite surprised to receive my call.”

“Oh... yes. I didn't know you would.”

“About two weeks ago, I met Han Kyul at company headquarters. He entered the company as a regular employee and he's already been promoted to proxy director. He's in the financial department. Did you know that?”

En Chan shook her head and took in a mouthful of beer.

“Actually, this franchise idea was first brought up by him, too. He'd thought it out pretty carefully. He even submitted a marketing plan, and I have to say, it was quite convincing. It might be that he was just smart about it, but it made even me feel that it would be a waste not to consider it.”

The moment Han Kyul's name had come out from Han Sung's mouth, En Chan's heart had begun racing. To tell the truth, she had anticipated hearing news about Han Kyul from Han Sung. But now that he was telling her what she'd wanted to hear, she began to feel more and more depressed. She felt angry and sad that he was doing so well and hadn't once contacted her in all that time.

“Your hair's much longer now,” said Han Sung, looking at the hair that covered En Chan's ears.

“You think so? I'm getting bored because it's not growing fast enough.”

Han Sung leaned back and looked steadily at En Chan. En Chan avoided the uncomfortable gaze and drank her beer.

“Is Han Kyul still acting the same way? Have you tried calling him?”

“No.”

En Chan raised her hand and ordered more beer.

“Take it easy.”

“I'm not going to make a fool of myself like you did, so don't worry.”

“You haven't changed a bit, have you?” Han Sung smiled before returning to his meal. While he finished, En Chan found herself buzzed after her first drink in a while. Han Sung had already learned all about the details of Coffee Prince from the marketing plan that Han Kyul had submitted, so the information En Chan offered was basically supplementary. Han Sung had the deciding authority, but he would have to discuss the details of the plan with his own subordinates.

“And Mr. Hong is in favor of this plan, right?”

“Well, Coffee Prince was Han Kyul's project, wasn't it? Coffee Prince was born through that person. The concepts for interior design, order forms, all of it. If he wants to do it, how can any of us say no? All of us employees owe him so much and we've all fallen for him.”

“Fallen for him?”

“He was like a guardian angel. He appeared just when we were all struggling and helped us all and then vanished into thin air. Of course we've all fallen for him.”

“That's not what Han Kyul says.”

“What does he say? Did he say anything? I mean, he still remembers us?”

“He said that his workers never ceased to stimulate and spur him on.”

“Stimulate? Yea, we did that. Nak Kyun went AWOL in the beginning and then Ha Rim left home, and Sun Ki.... Do you know anything, by the way? How he dealt with Sun Ki's case?”

“No.”

“I suspected as much.”

En Chan let out a sigh and took another sip of her beer.

“He's a mysterious one, that man. I can never tell what he's thinking.”

“Both of you have gotten much thinner. And sharper.”

“He rebelled like crazy, so why did he end up going into the company anyway? Does he like work that much? He probably lives buried in work, huh?”

En Chan, who'd begun to drink more quickly, began to slur her words. She slouched and her eyes clouded over while she began to talk wildly.

“Man, I feel like shit. These days, I remind myself of a bum. I eat and eat and eat and I'm still hungry, and I put clothes on but I feel cold like I'm naked. Man, I'm pathetic. Freakin' pathetic. Like a freakin' idiot. My insides hurts like I drank vodka on an empty stomach. My insides hurts so much....”

En Chan, who'd been grumbling, stopped speaking. It was because she'd seen Han Kyul and Yu Ju walking in the entrance together. Han Sung turned his head and looked at the two of them. Han Kyul's face went rigid as well. En Chan gripped the bottle she was holding tightly as if to break it.

Han Sung stood up.

“So we end up meeting here.”

En Chan put her elbows on the table and put her head on her palm. She glared at Han Kyul who was walking toward them with a scowl on his face.

“I forgot that the two of you are regulars here. It looks like you were in the middle of talking business, so please, continue.”

Han Kyul turned Yu Ju around and began to walk away when En Chan, who'd been watching him, yelled,

“YA! Choi Han Kyul!”

She stabbed the air with her finger and sprung up from her chair. She teetered but did not fall.

“You, boy am I glad to see YOU! YOU! Who the hell are you! What kind of stingy-ass jerk of a man are you!”

Han Kyul, completely ignoring En Chan, turned to Han Sung and said,

“Looks like she's drunk. You should probably take her outside.”

“Are you drunk, En Chan?”

At Han Sung's question, En Chan shook her head vigorously.

“NO!”

The shaking made her dizzy and she reeled, but she soon found her balance and continued to glare at Han Kyul.

“You were the one who thought I was a guy in the first place. You never asked me if I was really a guy or not. And now you're not even giving me a chance to explai myself? You bastard! Just who the hell do you think you are, huh? HUH? Say something, you twisted, miserable human being!”

Han Kyul looked at her, incredulous, before turning around, as if to say she wasn't worth dealing with, and began to walk away.

Until En Chan said this.

“You tell Ha Rim to come out, but you go in? What a traitor.”

Han Kyul whipped around and walked toward her with a terrifying expression on his face. En Chan flinched inside, but she placed her bets on the excuse that she was drunk, and stood her ground, glaring at him.

“What? Am I wrong?”

En Chan lifted her chin up and began to shoot her words at the cold gaze that looked down at her from so close.

“You pervert cabbage slug! If you're a man, act like one and act your age! How can you be so un-understanding? If your employee's been laid up in a hospital bed with an injury, shouldn't you come by to visit at least once? Even if I'd committed a mortal sin, you should've asked what my reason was for it. Am I wrong, you flea-minded old geezer!”

The customers in the store were looking on with amusement. But now Han Kyul himself was too angry to back away.

“All right. Fine. Try explaining yourself, why don't you? Try explaining the reason why you laughed at me and played around with my mind for months and months. It's probably a damn good one, right? It's not something as stupid as a few hundred bucks, right?!”

“Damn it! Yea! It was as stupid as a few hundred bucks! What are you going to do about it! Must be nice to have so much money, ahjussi. Must be nice to be able to earn money without having to lie to anyone! Was I so wrong? And when the hell did I ever laugh at you or play around with your mind?! I never did that!”

“Never did that? Never pretended to be an honest, flawlessly innocent kid so you could steal my heart away?!”

“When! When! I never did that! I tried to tell you honestly! But I got scared, all right?! I got scared that if I told you, I might lose it all! Why couldn't you help me and figure it out first? You dense moron! How can you know me for three months and not even know? Do you know what that did to my self-respect? Goddamn it! Am I.... am I really not it? You really don't feel anything towards me?”

Suddenly En Chan's face flushed bright red. She felt like she was going to die from humiliation. But she stood her ground. She stood her ground because she thought to herself that if she walked out from here, it would be the end. If she was never going to be able to see him again, she wanted him to tell her straight out right here, right now. She wanted him to tell her if she wasn't, so she could at least wake up....

“What am I, a gay? Why would I feel anything towards a man?”

He'd said it straight out. En Chan felt like someone had struck her with a chair. Wanting him to tell her straight out... apparently that had been a lie. Maybe it was because she was drunk, but the thought that she couldn't let him go rose up from inside of her. She wanted to grab onto him as a friend, at least, or even blood brothers. To think that she'd never see him again made her heart ache so badly she felt like she was going to die. She couldn't live like this anymore. This was too pathetic and heartbreaking and cruel....

“It was better when you were a boy. I wanted to make you my little brother because you were cute. You remember me saying that, right? But what? You're a woman? What would I do with a girl like you? You stop at nothing to get at some money and you stab people in the back. You bitch.”

At Han Kyul's ruthless words En Chan flinched, wounded. But her desperation rose higher than her anger. En Chan bit down on her lip as she lifted her hair to show her ear.

“Th-then let me be your little brother. I still have your mark. C-can't I be that, at least?”

The tears in her eyes shined and twinkled like the gold earring on her ear. Everyone who'd been watching them froze in silence. Only Han Kyul, who was breathing hard, looked like a living creature. Han Kyul shouted, his eyes more furious than they had been before,

“You think you're the only one who's lost self-respect? You stepped all over my pride! You ripped it to shreds!”

Han Kyul clenched his jaw and growled. When he saw a teardrop fall from En Chan's eyes, he finally exploded.

“How could a male not recognize a female? Do you know how humiliating that is to a man? There are some things men never want to let women see! Goddamn it!”

Han Kyul left. En Chan, who'd gone pale, rubbed her tears away with the back of her hand. She repeated the words he'd just said. Things men never want to let women see? What things? What did I see?

En Chan's self-control crumbled. She was angry and hurting and sad and in despair so she screamed desperately,

“I didn't see anything! I don't even know what you're talking about, so how could I have seen it?!”

And then he reappeared. He quickly walked over to her in big strides.

En Chan flinched in surprise at his roughness and caught her breath. He had come at her so recklessly that she thought that maybe he was going to hit her.

“It's this, stupid,” he said, almost at her nose.

The moment she thought, 'This? What's this?' her head was grabbed and pulled. En Chan realized that she was being kissed. When his tongue came into her mouth, she finally realized what 'this' was as well. En Chan, who'd been frozen, began to melt. Emotions and excitement suffused her as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on. A tingle of pleasure ran down her entire body. As if asking for a deeper kiss, En Chan's body began to bend backwards, and Han Kyul pulled her toward him with all his might. When their deep and passionate kiss ended, her lips, still lost in ecstasy, were straining toward his. Even when she belatedly realized that he'd pulled away and opened her eyes, En Chan was still in a daze. Han Kyul was smiling at her. Everyone who'd been watching their deep kiss came out of their trance and burst into applause and cheers.

After Han Kyul had run out pulling En Chan along by her hand, Han Sung and Yu Ju sat in front of each other awkwardly.

“Feels like I've just finished watching a movie.”

“It's a happy ending.”

“Men don't care about stuff like that.”

“What do they care about then?”

“Sex scenes and action.”

“You know, I think that's the most romantic thing I've ever heard you say.”

“Was I really that dry?”

Han Sung gave Yu Ju a rare smile.

“Thank you for helping.”

“Say nothing of it. It's also the owner's obligation to make pay attention to his business partner's emotional health. The lady got drunk quite easily on her own.”

“And Han Kyul got excited quite easily on his own as well. They must be made for each other.”

Han Sun and Yu Ju looked at each other with friendly eyes for the first time in a long time, just like they used to back before they'd been lovers, back when they'd been like brother and sister....

Chapter Twenty Loving You Part II

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 01:58:21 GMT

< Part 2 >

It was time for Coffee Prince's employee meeting.

“So what? We're going to raise Coffee Prince to become like Star?”

“Well, it's hard to say it'll grow as big as a worldwide chain, but it looks like he's willing to try out a franchise. He'll be investing, and we'll be providing the Princes' coffee and management know-how.”

“In other words, Coffee Prince Branches 2, 3, and 4? Our sajangnim's doing this, right?”

Han Kyul was still “sajangnim” to them all. En Chan shook her head.

“It's Dong Yi Foods. I'm going to meet the president of that company tonight and hear more about it. You have to come with me, Mr.Hong.”

“All right. But do you really think we can pull it off?”

“I think as long as we don't overdo it, we can. What do you think about opening up the second branch first and see how it goes and decide then whether we should keep expanding or not? The biggest asset our store has is that most of the customers are regulars, so we know them pretty well. Ha Rim always gives customers comments on their tie colors, new hairstyles, things like that, and En Chan hyung's memorized who wants their cup filled up and who wants only half a cup, who wants their coffee extra hot and who wants their coffee just as quickly as possible. There are a lot of people who come here because they find stuff like that comfortable. If there are too many branches, we'll lose our edge. Personally, I'd like to see branches set up in the countrysides. Not in the busy parts of town but in the outskirts, like us here, and small, so that they'll give off the feel of a friendly neighbor.”

“Ya, take Nak Kyun in my stead. Looks like he'd do a better job.”

“I can't, tonight.”

“Today's his girlfriend's birthday.”

“Oh, it's Soo Ae's birthday today, huh?”

En Chan found herself looking at him proudly. After returning to school, Nak Kyun had found a girlfriend. It was unbelievable that he hadn't had one before, but seeing that Nak Kyun had become far softer and more carefree made En Chan realize just how strong the influence of love was.

“Then you meet him by yourself tonight, Chan. When the talks start getting a little more detailed, let's all meet him together and discuss it in earnest.”

“All right. I should be going now. It's Friday and there's probably going to be a lot of traffic.”

“Oh, by the way, En Chan, starting tomorrow, I want you to go and get trained to become a barista.”

“Huh? Me?”

“You're not going to go back to the dojo, right? When we start building the second and third branches we're going to get busy, so you should take advantage of the time you have now to ge trained. I've already signed you up, so start tomorrow. What's the matter?”

“I don't know if I'll be able to do a good job....”

“You'll be fine. You work better under pressure. He said the longer the line of customers were, the faster and more accurately you seemed to work.”

“Who said that?”

“Oh-h... the c-customers did......”

Chapter Twenty Loving You Part I

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:42:46 GMT

< Part 1 >

Five months later.

En Chan didn't wholeheartedly approve of her mother's remarriage. She simply couldn't imagine that Mr. Ku would be her father. Her late father had been strong and kind and dependable, like a father should. But Mr. Ku seemed more like a friend than a father. Not knowing what to do, she asked Mr. Ku,

“If you had to choose between my mom and being awarded the amateur literature award, which would you choose?”

“How could you even ask something like that? Of course I'd choose your mother.”

“Then you're giving up the award?”

“Poems, I can write and show your mother. I can be satisfied with that.”

“So you're saying you'd choose my mother over the award, right?”

“Right.”

“Wasn't winning that contest the goal of your life for the past twenty years?”

“Man, you really don't approve of me, do ya, kid?”

“When did I say I didn't like you?”

“Are you saying you like me then?”

“Tsk. Shoo....”

The progress of En Chan's operation was good. The hemorrhaging had been external, so she was able to recover much more quickly than first expected. Even so, staying in the hospital had been torture. It had been more so because her mind had been ill at ease.

Her mom and Mr. Ku were married in a small ceremony held at a nearby wedding hall. It was her mother's second wedding, but it was Mr. Ku's first. Her mother, wearing a wedding gown, looked quite beautiful for someone reaching the age of fifty. A nervous Mr. Ku sweated all throughout the ceremony. Only a few close relatives, the Coffee Prince crew, and the market vendors came to the wedding.

“My heart would tremble at your sweet sweet voice—“

En Chan sang the wedding song with En Se. It was her mother's good fortune to be able to wed a bachelor as a widow with two daughters of marriageable age. Not to mention it was her mother who had needed convincing. It'd been five months since their family had moved into Mr. Ku's house after nearly being thrown out into the streets. While En Chan was undergoing post-op rehabilitation, Mr. Ku had been earnestly seeking her mother's love.

The two of them flew off to Jeju Island for their honeymoon. En Chan had already been on the verge of tears in thoughts of her father when her mother burst out crying first, and so she hadn't had a choice but to comfort her. En Chan reassured herself that although in some ways her mother's remarriage was upsetting, there would also be more good things waiting in the future. It would help them financially, and it would lighten the burden on her to act as the head of the family, and they would now be able to discuss En Se and her mom's futures. She didn't know if she would ever be able to bring herself to call Mr. Ku “Father,” but she got a feeling that she would come to rely on him. That was the way it had to be, and that was the way she hoped it would be.

A few days later, En Chan returned to the coffee house after having greeted her mother and her new stepfather, who'd returned for their honeymoon.

“I'm sure there's a lot you have to take care of, I told you to take the day off.”

“There's nothing to take care of.”

After the magazine article, the cafe saw even more customers. There were even people who'd stopped by deliberately just to taste the coffee, so there were days when none of them got a moment's rest. After the damages had been repaired, Coffee Prince had reopened under Mr. Hong's management. Nak Kyun had gone back to school and was only working evenings part-time, and Ha Rim was now living in a basement single and was studying quite diligently to get back into college. Sun Ki, who'd gone missing for months, began coming out to Coffee Prince last month. While En Chan was in the hospital, Han Kyul had said his farewells to the Coffee Prince crew and had gone into Dong Yi Group headquarters.

“Ahjussi, you gonna eat that?”

“Oh, yea, here. Take it.”

En Chan polished off all the leftovers, as she did everyday. These days, she never felt satisfied, no matter how much she ate. When she wasn't eating, she didn't feel hungry, but once she began, she couldn't stop. She may have to get an x-ray taken, to make sure her stomach wasn't harboring a beggar's ghost.

“Nuna.”

“Hmm?”

“En Se asked me to go with her to the audition tomorrow....” Sun Ki trailed off. Nobody knew how Sun Ki had been able to come back to Coffee Prince. All they knew was that Han Kyul was somehow connected to it because all Sun Ki would say was that the sajang had been helped him.

“You're off tomorrow, aren't you?”

En Chan knew why Sun Ki was hesitating. As a man with a past, he was asking her permission to hang out with En Se. She'd been dense to the feelings between her mother and Mr. Ku, but she'd had at least an inkling of the attraction between En Se and Sun Ki. She didn't know it when En Se was simply loitering around the cafe, but once Sun Ki returned to the store, she'd drop in constantly and hang around Sun Ki.

“If you go with her, I'd feel better about it. She pretends to be strong on the outside, but she's actually a pretty fragile kid. You have no idea how nervous she gets before an audition. Take care of her for me, yea?”

“Nuna.....”

“Don't shrink like that every time you see me. I'm ok now. And it's not even like you did it to me or anything. You know, for a guy, you really don't get over things, huh? Forget about it, kid.”

En Chan pat Sun Ki and on the back and went into the lounge to get ready to take off for the night.

“H-hey!”

Nak Kyun and Ha Rim, who'd been changing, jumped in surprise.

“Nuna! What's the matter with you! Try knocking first, yea?”

“Ya, I've seen all there is to see. What's with the sudden shyness, huh?”

En Chan slapped the bare backs of both boys and took out her clothes from the cabinet.

“It isn't the same anymore. You look like a girl now. Your hair's longer and you've lost weight.”

“Yea, you've really lost a lot of weight these days, nuna. But you eat so freakin' much! Where does that all go? Or do you secretly....” Nak Kyun made a retching sound.

“Ya, what am I, crazy? Why in the world would I throw up something as precious as food?”

“Or do you go jogging marathon-style at night under the moon?”

“You're the one who looks like he needs to exercise. There's nothing to see.”

En Chan tapped Ha Rim's side and came out of the lounge. When she came out from changing in the bathroom, the punk from the land of the crows was waiting for her.

“Nuna, ma'am, I'm here to pick you up.”

“Man, you're one annoying kid.”

Even so, En Chan took the helmet the punk held out.

“Ahjussi, I'm heading out.”

“All right. Good work. See you tomorrow.”

En Chan had recently found out that the name of the punk from the land of crows was Hwang Min Yeop. Min Yeop was planning on entering the army once he graduated high school. He said until the day he enlisted, he would take responsibility for her when she came to and went from work. At first she tried to dissuade him, but the kid had a stubborn streak, and there was nothing she could do. It looked like he was unnecessarily burdened by some kind of guilt, but she figured, he'd had it coming, so she'd let it be.

En Chan got onto the back of Min Yeop's motorcycle.

If I can accept Min Yeop's apologetic mind, couldn't he forgive me as well....

Everyone else believed that En Chan was doing fine. To others' views, she did, indeed, look fine. She ate well, she smiled often, and was energetic, like she'd been before. But actually, En Chan had been suffering from insomnia for the past five months. Until the day she left the hospital, En Chan waited for him. He'd been cold and cruel on the phone and wouldn't even pick up her calls anymore, and she'd heard that he was furious in feelings of betrayal, but she'd believed that he would eventually come to see her. But he did not. He couldn't be seen in the coffee house or room S11. He couldn't be found anywhere, as if he'd never existed in this world.

Chapter Nineteen That Day

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:50:02 GMT

< Part 1 >

That day, having heard that he was a third-generation plutocrat, En Chan had cried until her eyes were swollen stiff. In that moment, she had realized that she had really liked him. She'd gradually come to know him while working in the coffee house with him. She'd come to know how he spoke, how he laughed, how he walked, and also how open he was, how fun he was, what an amazing man he was. She'd found out his past and his family and his thoughts, and she'd come to understand him and follow him. She'd unconsciously begun to resemble him and help him, and lean on him. As the sunset dyes the evening sky, her love for him had diffused and spread itself into her heart.

That day, she'd discovered that the dyeing of the heavens by the rays of the sunset were irrevocable. She couldn't know if it was love or co-worker camaraderie or friendship or just plain affection, or all of the above, but all she knew was that she liked him. When she found out that he was a tree she couldn't even dream of climbing, the loss she felt made her heart hurt badly. And so she learned that liking someone didn't necessarily constitute happiness, but that it included also pain and sorrow and suffering.

That day, after he had left, Nak Kyun and Mr. Hong had finished eating lunch, and it was Sun Ki and Ha Rim's lunch shift. En Chan was in the hall alone, greeting the customers as they came. Right then, the punk from the land of crows came in.

“Ya! Let's go at it. I definitely won't just leave today. Let's fight it out for real this time, you asshole!”

“Ya! You punk, where do you think you are....”

The punk from the land of crows stumbled in drunk, spewing ridiculous nonsense and making a scene.

“I went easy on you, and you little mouse of an asshole, are you looking down on me? You think being a Tae Kwon Do master makes you the shit, huh? Let's go at it for real today! If you beat me, I'll call you hyung!”

His incredibly stupid words added flame to En Chan's anger. That's when the dark men had suddenly rushed in. They blocked the entrance, squeezing in by the dozen, and cast a shadow over En Chan and asked in a snake-like voice,

“Hey, squirt. Where's Marine Boy?”

What was WITH all of these useless schmucks today? She was thinking to herself that her luck for the day was as rotten as hell when the crow punk squeezed himself into the fray.

“What the hell are these jackasses? If you've got business around here, wait outside. I was here first, asshole.”

And that was when things began to get out of hand. At the time, she didn't even know that No Sun Ki was Marine Boy or why they would be looking for him. The situation began with the customers fleeing in fear and the crow punk and one of the flunkies grabbing each other's collars. At first, she denied knowing any such person, but she figured they'd come here already knowing what they needed to know, so she began to ask what the reason was. Then they told her that No Sun Ki had run off with their sajang's money. Only later did she find out that he had done so to pay for his mother's hospital bills. Well, whatever the situation, it didn't look like the situation would come to an end without her giving Sun Ki over to them, so En Chan tried to appeal to them to talk calmly when the punk from the land of crows went and ruined everything.

“You fuckers! Do you know whose turf this is? You assholes are all dead!!”

He'd gotten carried away. Nothing could be done to prevent the resulting chaos.

“Ya! No Sun Ki! Come out! You better come out quick, you fucker! Do you want to die?!”

That was when En Chan finally lost her cool. Who the hell were these assholes to come and tear apart their store and ruin their business? No matter what No Sun Ki had done wrong, she couldn't put up with anymore. She could no longer suppress her fury and had flown into a double sidekick. She couldn't put the blame completely on Sun Ki or the crow punk. If she had only acted more rationally then, she wouldn't have gotten so seriously injured. And misfortune wouldn't have come so abruptly to her. He wouldn't even let her explain.

En Chan underwent surgery, and fortunately, the surgery as successful. About the time when her body began to recover, her mind grew tired of waiting for the person who never came to visit. Unable to wait any longer, she called him.

[Who is this?]

“I-It's me. The Tae Kwon V that had brain surgery.”

How could you not come to visit even once? These aching thoughts rose up to her throat, but, having committed a crime herself, she approached him meekly.

“H-have you been well? I heard you went into the company. You must be pretty busy, huh?”

[What do you want?]

His icy voice froze En Chan all over. Gripping the receiver tightly, En Chan didn't know what to do. She'd expected him to be angry, but she hadn't expected to be treated with this degree of coldness. If he was this angry, no wonder he hadn't come to visit, she thought.

“Y-you're pretty angry, huh? Aw man, I really was planning to tell you....”

[Tell me what?]

“Hey, don't be cranky. You see, um, last time, when we drank at the hotel, I tried to tell you, but you stopped me from asking....”

[If you're talking about you lying to me about being a boy, forget it. I'm not the owner of that coffee house anymore anyway. That's between you and Mr. Hong, who'll decide to use you or not, so it has nothing to do with me. If you're going to beg for your job, call him. Take care.]

With that, he hung up. No matter how many times she called back, he didn't answer. What else could that mean? He didn't even want to speak to her. He had said in such a business-like, stiff and dry manner that it had nothing to do with him. To En Chan, it had been the same as a death sentence. A death sentence that stated, 'This is the end of you!'

En Chan's predictions were validated by Han Sung, who'd come to visit her that evening.

“I had a drink with him yesterday, and he got absolutely trashed. He said while he was drunk that he'd been played. That for the first time since he'd been born, he'd been honest with a woman, and that that woman had played with him.”

“That I played with him? Man, this is driving me crazy. When?”

“He said he'd been betrayed. That since it was the first time he'd ever trusted anybody, it was the first time he'd ever been betrayed, too.”

Tears immediately sprung up in En Chan's eyes. She herself didn't know they were there, but they streamed down her cheek nonetheless.

“Damn it... I... I really didn't... b-betray him..... damn it.... this is unfair....”

En Chan wiped her tears away with her fist and plead her case to Han Sung.

“I-I really was going to tell him. I was going to wait for the right moment... It's my fault that I didn't tell him, but I was afraid he was going to kick me out of the store. I knew he was going to be this angry. That's why I couldn't tell him..... because I was afraid I'd n-never be able to see him again.......”

“That's just how he is. He's a contradiction. He's got a side of him that's as aloof as a Taoist monk, and another side of him that's full of vulgarity, and another side of him that's like a child. Right now, he's a child. He's angry, so he won't listen to anything anyone says to him.

“I knew it would be like that, but still.....”

When she'd found out that he was a plutocrat, she'd cried because of the feelings that had been gathering inside of her. It had been a shock that he was someone that was so far away. The fear that he was someday going to leave her, that the day would come when she'd never see him again, that anxiety had made her cry. But now, those fears had become reality. So this is what it feels like when the sky crumbles down...

CoffeePrince's Xanga

Chapter 05 Edited

Chapter 04 Edited

Chapter 03 Edited

Chapter 02 Edited

Prologue and Chapter 01 Edited

*Epilogue*

*Chapter Twenty* Loving You Part III

*Chapter Twenty* Loving You Part II

*Chapter Twenty* Loving You Part I

*Chapter Nineteen* That Day

Epilogue

Chapter Twenty Loving You Part III

Chapter Twenty Loving You Part II

Chapter Twenty Loving You Part I

Chapter Nineteen That Day