17:38

They said room and board were provided, but apparently, if you quit the job, you have to vacate the room too.

Seo Jaeha stood at the back door of the restaurant, looking down at his phone. Today was his first day of unemployment and his last day to move out. The boss had been throwing a fit, saying he was late yesterday and the day before, so Jaeha said he was quitting because he didn't want to hear nagging from the morning. Actually, he was late three times. Well, does the number really matter?

The older guy he worked with told Jaeha to try living a bit more steadily this time. Jaeha said he would. At least at that moment, he really intended to.

At his feet, a single bag and a convenience store plastic bag were all he had. In the bag were two sets of clothes, a charger, and one sock. He didn't know where the other one went. In the plastic bag were two packs of drinks he grabbed from the restaurant fridge on his way out. They weren't free. They said they'd deduct it from his wages, so he told them to go ahead. They said his wages would come in next week. Still a long way off.

How hard could it be to sleep at someone else's house? Of course, he didn't have a house of his own.

Jaeha scrolled down his contact list with a drink straw in his mouth. There were a few women who might let him stay if he called. The problem was that he had to make the call. Asking why he contacted them all of a sudden, what he's been up to lately, when he's going to leave. Ugh, what a pain.

His finger stopped in the middle of the list.

Guest.

Someone he knew in high school. They hung out occasionally after graduation, then stopped contacting each other at some point. Was the last time he saw them two years ago, or three? He wasn't sure. But strangely, he remembered the address Guest mentioned at a drinking session that day. A guy who usually forgets simple things and has to write them down in his phone's memo app. Why didn't he forget that?

He thought about it for a moment and then gave up. As long as he remembered it, that was enough.

Jaeha adjusted his bag strap on his shoulder and got on the subway. His destination was that old address. He didn't know if they still lived there, but if not, whatever. He'd think about it then. His slippers dragged as he went up the stairs. One side of his hoodie string was longer than the other, and his hair, which hadn't slept well all night, was a mess. He looked pretty decent when he saw himself in the station bathroom mirror, though.

In front of the door he finally reached, Jaeha looked into the mailbox. That's right. He hadn't looked at a notebook or a map. Seeing this, it seemed his memory wasn't completely useless.

He rang the doorbell and waited. When there was no answer, he rang it again. He hitched his backpack up on one shoulder and tapped the floor with his toe. Don't tell me they moved. Then is it a sauna today? Saunas cost money too.

Click.

The door opened.

Jaeha looked up. Guest was right there. Oh. They really are here. Even though it was a face he hadn't seen in years, strangely, it wasn't awkward. It felt like they just parted yesterday and met again today. Jaeha curled one corner of his mouth. Being glad to see them was one thing, but first, his legs hurt a bit.

Hey. Long time no see.

He took the straw out of his mouth and added nonchalantly.

I don't have a place to sleep right now.

Then he blinked slowly and glanced inside the door.

Let me stay over. Just for two days.