Invite To Play

게임 시작!

Saturday shifts were always way better than during the week. Normally it would sound awful to work eight hours on a Saturday night. But in my job it was the most lively. The tips were good. The rush of the bar was stressful but exhilirating. Bartending became my primary source of income.

I put my things into my locker, making sure my winter coat had enough space to hang comfortably. Busan winter had been mild so far. In the arly hours of the morning it was chilly enough to warrant a coat.

I made my way to the bar to check who would be working tonight.

"Can you believe its so dark?" Yeoreum greeted me from behind the bar, where she was tying her apron around her waist. I raised my head from the staff schedule. "Not even 6 yet and the sun has gone to sleep."

Yeoreum laughed, nodding along. "If I could sleep already I would. But student loans wait for no one." Yeoreum was working her way through university and had been hired around the time I was.

"Six on the dot get over here!" Yeoreum handed me an apron. I stood and wrapped it around my waist, going behind the bar to start the night.

🥃  🥃  🥃  🥃
It was two hours later and still slow. The people that trickled in were carrying their coats. It was too cold now to brave the weather without them.

Over the hum of the refrigerator and the clickss from the arcade machines, I heard her voice before I saw her. A soft rasp that had me looking up immediately. "Where do we get the game tokens?"

A girl stood before me, fingernails tapping lightly on the wood of the bar. Oh, fuck she's hot.

It took approximately five seconds for my brain to reboot.
"Uhhhh...You can buy them here.."

"Are you sure? Because you don't sound certain." She smiled, showing off the top row of her teeth.

Working as a bartender, I saw my fair share of people. Attractive women, stunning men. But it was a first to see a women who was so handsome.

"Sorry?" The girl asked. I blinked. Had I said it outloud!? I tried to recover my dignity.
"Ah, you're really handsome. Thought you should know."

I was surprised she had not walked away already. She laughed, looking off to the side, maybe in  embarrassment. Her turned face showed off her jawline. Emboldened, I introduced myself.

She graced me with hers, "I go by Moonbyul."

"Well then, Moonbyul. Cash or card? I can get your tokens and a drink." Her hair was long and a beautiful shade of purple. She looked comfortable in her denim look, not even bothered by the cold.

"Two grapefruit flavor soju shots." She handed over her card, I instructed Yeoreum to pour the shots.

While running it I noticed the name. That does not say Moonbyul. It wasn't my business and if she wanted to give me a fake name then it was fine. I hid the hurt, which was ridiculous I barely spoke with her, with a smile and handed the cup of tokens to her.

Another girl had joined her, blonde and smiling so widely at Moonbyul. I squashed down my crush. It was pointless anyways, there was no use in attempting to pursue a girl while working.

"You brought us here Solar, so here." Moonbyul handed her the shot. Hrr friend grimaced and downed it. Frowning the whole time, I wiped the counter where it had spilled.
"Ahhhh! How can you drink grapefruit? Let's go spend our coins!" Solar snatched the token cup from Moonbyul and tugged on her arm to go. Moonbyul shrugged her shoulder at me, waving goodbye.