Chapter 37

Chapter 37Christmas Chemistry(6)

A van stopped near the road leading to Cafe Once. The manager turned to Yoon Yi-seol, who was preparing to get off.

You go in and take a rest first, Yi-seol.

Where are you going?

Oh, Cheon PD asked for a meeting.

The manager sensed that he should leave at this timing, instinctively feeling that he should give some space to Yi-seol and Hang Jeong-woo.

Upon hearing their conversation, he seemed to have a decent personality, and he seemed to have a reliable identity as he was appointed as the representative of TS Mall. Most of all, this was the first time since taking care of her that Yoon Yi-seol had shown such interest in a man.

Lets go, Mr. Jeong-woo. See you later, Manager.

Be safe.

The two got off the road.

Yi-seol, who used to recommend freedom in dating for her affiliated singers while not pursuing any private meetings, had changed.

The manager chuckled at the thought that they might have to prepare a dating article.

The streets of Hongdae were full of Christmas atmosphere. Beautifully decorated trees and star-like bulbs hanging between streetlights throughout the shops, creating a romatic atmosphere for everyone passing by.

I never thought Id be walking on this street with this person.

Jeong-woo looked at Yoon Yi-seol, who was walking beside him with a mask and a hat pulled down. Even though only her ears and eyes were visible buried in her padded jacket, she still felt attractive because of the fairy tale-like atmosphere of Christmas.

Yoon Yi-seol, who had been following behind him, looked at Jeong-woo.

Can you recognize me?

Thats not it, but I feel like Ive seen you somewhere before. Around this morning, maybe.

Yoon Yi-seols eyes widened.

That wasnt me. Look, that persons hat was black, and this one is red Oh, I shouldnt have mentioned the hat.

Yoon Yi-seol looked like she was going to hold on to the topic until the end. Jeong-woo chuckled.

I must have been mistaken.

Yeah, its a mistake.

Ive been making a lot of mistakes today.

Yoon Yi-seol chuckled awkwardly, perhaps feeling a little embarrassed.

As they walked, they arrived in front of a building with a sign that read Once.

Its in the basement.

Yoon Yi-seol led the way. Jeong-woo looked around at the old-fashioned interior under the staircase.

Is this considered antique?

The place was also decorated with Christmas themes, but while the streets outside exuded this years Christmas atmosphere, this place felt like it was from 20 years ago.

As they walked up the stairs, they arrived at the entrance of the store, which was a glass door.

Its not here. There is a separate entrance for performers.

Yoon Yi-seol walked to the other side of the hallway and approached a door with the words Staff Only on it. She put her hand on the doorknob and pushed down.

Creak.

The doorknob didnt budge at all.

Hmm? Its always open here.

Yoon Yi-seol whispered as she lightly tapped on the door.

Is Manager Seung-chan here?

As two guests came out of the entrance, Yi-seol lowered her head.

They didnt pay any attention to Jeong-woo and Yoon Yi-seol and went up the stairs.

Thats strange. Why isnt anyone answering?

Is it locked?

Jeong-woo approached and examined the door closely, noticing some tiny scratches on the gap between the door and the frame.

Despite being coated with aluminum, the door appeared to have corroded significantly.

It seems like it hasnt been touched for at least three months.

As Jeong-woo turned his gaze away, he noticed the periodic table groups displayed on the corner of the hallway wall.

The square frame formed by the symbols [Fe] on the smooth wall was made of fine iron powder.

Yi-seol, is the door over there? It seems like no one has entered or left this place for about three months.

Where?

Yoon Yi-seol looked at the wall that Jeong-woo was pointing at, with an expression of disbelief.

Theres nothing there. Just wait, the doorknob was difficult to turn before because it was old.

Really? Oh, look, theres a latch here.

Jeong-woo unconsciously reached out and grabbed the latch, pushing it to the side, and the door opened with a creak. Yoon Yi-seol, who had been struggling to turn the locked doorknob, froze when she saw what happened.

H-how did you do that?

Dont be surprised. Ive never been here before. I just touched it, and it opened.

Just like that? Youre lucky.

Embarrassed by her pretending, Yoon Yi-seol lowered her head and hurriedly went inside the room.

Inside, there were several rooms that looked like practice rooms filled with instruments. After passing through the corridor, Yoon Yi-seol stood in front of a door that led to a hallway.

Wheres your younger brother?

Just a moment.

Through a small window, Jeong-woo looked inside the hallway. Inside, there was a space with about ten tables, a cocktail bar, and a large square table around the perimeter, where an indie singer was performing.

And in the middle of it, he saw the face of his younger brother, Jeong-chan, who was sitting round and plump.

And you, Jeong-woo?

Ill have juice too, thank you.

Inside the table that looked like a waiting area for singers, a young man and woman were sitting. As they walked in, Yoon Yi-seol whispered to Jeong-woo, Theyre all fun and friendly people, so dont worry too much. The two surprised people stood up as Yoon Yi-seol entered.

Hey, Yoon Yi-seol! You should have called if you were coming!

A woman in her late twenties grabbed Yoon Yi-seols hand and was very happy to see her. The man, who looked about the same age as Jeong-woo and was dressed in a suit, glanced at Jeong-woo for a moment, then smiled happily at Yoon Yi-seol.

Unni Hye-na. Oppa Jin Q. Long time no see.

As they exchanged greetings with Yoon Yi-seol, their gaze naturally turned towards Jeong-woo. Jeong-woo, feeling like he might as well go along with Yoon Yi-seol, said, Im Jeong-woo, the manager who is accompanying Yoon Yi-seol for a while.

Oh, really? Nice to meet you. Im Shin Hye-na. Did you come instead of Manager Ji?

Yes, thats right

Yoon Yi-seol whispered quietly to Jeong-woo, Shes the wife of the manager we saw earlier.

The man in the suit extended his hand to Jeong-woo.

Im the original smart rapper, Jin Q.

Yoon Yi-seol let out a small laugh at his words.

What do you mean by the original?

Something tells me I should say that. I mean, this guy doesnt have an ordinary face for a manager. I can recognize the smart type like a ghost.

Jin Q oppa always says strange things. Sit down, lets chat.

And so the chaotic gathering began. Having achieved their goal of coming to the cafe, Jeong-woo became more relaxed. He kept coughing nervously as Jin Q, the well-dressed man, kept staring at him.

How old is your manager, Yi-seol?

Im twenty-seven.

Wow, were the same age. Lets talk more and hang out in the future. Cool, cool, cool?

.

Jeong-woo was at a loss for words at the fast-paced conversation. A rapper doing hip-hop music.

Since it was someone from a field that Jung-woo would never meet again, he simply nodded his head and said, Yeah, okay.

Here are the drinks.

Han Seung-chan came in with a tray holding four glasses. Shin Hye-na took the tray and asked, Do you want me to help?

Since Yi-seol came all the way here, why dont you guys talk?

The glasses were placed on the table one by one.

Jung-woo, taking a sip of his juice, thought that Yoon Yi-seol was really lively when she was talking so much with Shin Hye-na.

Jung-woo, are you not drinking because you are taking care of Yi-seol?

The rapper Jin Q seemed to have a friendly nature. Jung-woo felt like he was interacting with Park Soo-chan.

Its similar.

Ah, I need someone to drink with me to really enjoy it. Seung-chans still far from done.

Jin Q was holding a wine glass that emitted a red light. It seemed like a luxurious brand that Jung-woo had never really tasted before.

Ive been into wine these days. You know, sommelier? Theres a qualification test where you taste wine and analyze it. You can tell what kind of scent it has and what kind of grapes its made from.

Jin Q turned the glass around and sniffed the aroma.

Its made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. You can smell hints of strawberries and a faint lavender scent.

Shin Hye-na giggled at this sound.

Dont say that, youll scare off all the girls.

Really? What do you think, Yi-seol?

Well, it doesnt seem that impressive to me.

Yoon Yi-seol replied like this and looked at Jeong-woo while smiling. Jin Q frowned heavily as he was teased by the two women.

What about you, Jeong-woo? Do you agree?

I dont know much, but maybe a little bit of showing off.

Shin Hye-na laughed and said he saw him properly. Jin Q looked at Jeong-woo with his eyebrows raised.

You cant talk about wine with people who dont know anything about it. Forget it. Hyung will understand my feelings.

Jin Q put his glass on the table and crossed his arms. Jeong-woo looked at Yoon Yi-seol and smiled wryly, then turned his head as he saw something strange.

The wine glass suddenly enlarged, and things floating inside the liquid could be seen.

Um, Jin Q.

Yeah?

Its not lavender, its more like rose, isnt it?

What are you talking about? Smell it. Isnt this lavender?

As Jin Q brought the wine glass to his nose, countless fragrance molecules floated in front of Jeong-woos eyes.

Oh, Im getting dizzy.

Meanwhile, Jin Q asked:

Right, its lavender, isnt it?

Jeong-woo started to describe what he saw.

Its not strawberries, but a slightly darker red fruit. Ah, its raspberry. And the scent of the flower petals mixed with the herb stem might have led you to mistake it for lavender. Its a calcium-rich soil molecule with a hint of a strong acidic rose scent Actually, I can even smell the fragrance.

What?

Theres also a slightly cloudy appearance. Is it tannin? The limestone soil smell is something you can see in front yards of farms. I think flower petals grown in the pungent soil might have mixed in.

When Jeong-woo finished speaking, Jin Qs expression froze.

You, youre a sommelier?