CH 6.5

Paradiso’s waiting room was structured to separate the boys and employees so that they would never run into each other. In the singers’ waiting room in the corner of the hallway, the young people were preparing to welcome guests. Inside, they tidied up their masks and enthusiastically talked about how they were going to spend the holidays.

In the middle of the bustling waiting room, Yaba sat down in his ‘aloof seat’, immersed in contemplation. The so-called act of spacing out played a decisive role in shaping Yaba’s philosophy. The antidepressant he took 30 minutes ago circulated in his bloodstream, making his brain numb. He stopped meditating and laid down on the sofa. Soon after, Cocaine entered the waiting room, took off his mask and wiped his sweaty face. The young men gathered around Cocaine and quickly became noisy.

“Is it Director Cha now? That person’s stamping his attendance.”

Heroin intervened in Methadone’s question.

“I think that person is okay. Although he is a druggie, he is handsome, has good style, and good manners.”

“Wake up from your dream. Even though we’re all eunuchs, he won’t even look at you, who falls so quickly.”

“Aahh! If you don’t want me to ransack your place, let go of me!”

Heroin, centred on Methadone, grunted and kicked him. Cocaine drank the water and laughed. Hashish put a new mask on behind the Cocaine and tied the ribbon. Even the beautiful golden mask looked modest compared to Cocaine. Treating his vocal cords with great care, he did not sing to just anyone. Only a very small number of carefully selected gold members from the upper classes can receive the grace of Cocaine.

What kind of expression does Cha Yiseok make when he makes a reservation for Cocaine every day? Shall we call him in person? Shall we make a reservation in a businesslike voice? Or should I ask for permission from my lover’s parents?? Curious, Yaba closed his eyes. He thought to himself that he needed to increase the amount of poison in Cocaine’s water.

The young men finished their preparations and headed to the Hydro Room. It was a room with a pool, which Cha Yiseok usually used. Yaba put on a mask and went out. Even though he had taken his medicine earlier, he felt heartbroken at the thought of the person who would be in the Hydro Room.

Among the youth, Morphine walked with a depressed face. No one could criticise him for snitching on his roommate. If he knew that the other person had escaped and pretended not to know, he would be held responsible. Methadone tapped Cocaine.

“By the way, Marijuana that bastard hasn’t contacted, I wonder what happened?”

“Who knows.”

“No, I had a dream yesterday, Marijuana was bleeding and yelling save me! Help me! I don’t know what to do. I think… Omg! Fuck, you scared me!”

Methadone found Yaba walking next to him and caught his breath.

“Why are you eavesdropping on what other people are saying?”

“I was walking and you were talking.”

Yaba went ahead, ignoring the curses that hit the back of his head. At the end of the hallway he ran into someone at the T-junction. It was Cha Yiseok and Giha.

“How are you today?”

The young men talked in whispers. It was also the first time Yaba had seen Cha Yiseok walk with such a gait like that. The young men froze due to fear of Giha, and Yaba’s heart pounded for other reasons as well.

“Hello!”

While the eunuch singers bowed their backs all at once, only Yaba stood stiffly. Cha Yiseok, who was looking around the young men, gently raised his eyebrows. His eyes found Cocaine. Cocaine was silent. Yaba looked at Cha Yiseok through the mask. He seemed like he still had no memory of that day.

“Only Cocaine go in and the rest go to the waiting room. Executive Director Cha wants some quiet.”

Giha spoke. It was as if cold water was poured on Yaba’s chest. Methadone spoke to Cocaine in a muffled voice.

“Seems like he just wants some small time with you. Why are we all here today? At this rate, business is going to be dead?”

“Just wait a little bit, there are a lot of reservations for next time.”

Cocaine calmed them down with a puzzled look. The guys returned to the waiting room one by one. Yaba was lost on the spot, and then moved along with his crushed emotions. At that time, Giha blocked the way. He tried to avoid him, but he blocked his way again. Yaba wrinkled his brows.

“Move.”

Giha turned his head to Cha Yiseok without saying a word.

“Executive Director. You said earlier that you need a brazen and irresponsible guy, right?”

Cha Yiseok replied.

“Right. Someone who hates to believe in something like a healer, and shudders just thinking about it.”

“Right. Obviously you said that.”

The two chatted in low voices without even looking at Yaba. Giha said while touching his chin.

“There is a guy with a natural talent for that.”

At the same time, Cha Yiseok and Giha’s eyes focused on Yaba.