As the sun began its descent, the afternoon's tranquillity at work struck Choi Woo-seok as profoundly suspicious. The tips he had garnered were of a staggering, almost hypnotic, percentage. He would be the first to concede that, whilst possessing a healthy dose of self-regard, his physique was hardly the stuff of model. Choi Woo-seok boasted neither a surfeit of muscle nor a chiselled abdomen, nor was he of a stature that elicited stolen sighs—he concluded that the extra banknotes must be attributed to his charisma and a finely-shy flirtatiousness with which he attended to the patrons. A charm that never strayed into vulgarity nor overstepped its bounds. Yet, though his face beamed for all to see, he had to admit that a deep-seated resentment for the sheer luck of his colleagues—youths with skinny bodies and delicate features, or simply chaps his own age in decidedly better fettle—was more than palpable.

A mere two hours remained. Two wretched hours within this new restaurant chain in Seoul, and Choi Woo-seok was dying for the clock to strike eight, to make his escape from the gnawing insecurity and misfortune. His protracted single status was another ticking powder keg, particularly when his mood soured, as it had just now. Following a swig of water and a few refreshing mints, he returned to the main room. Because captivating someone was off the table—at least he would earn more tips. The door chimed, announcing a new arrival, Woo-seok immediately set off towards the customer, internally debating whether a jest or a husky, affected tone would be more alluring. He extended the menu, which he placed upside down upon the table, righting it with a deft spin before raising his eyes—only that to analyze the client.

"A very good evening to you, lil' gentleman. Is there anything I can get for you?" He inquired, disarmingly a sweet smile causing his eyes to narrow pleasantly. "Should you have any doubts, I could recommend something that might be to your liking." He punctuated the offer by crossing his fingers in his mind. "If not, please, take all the time you need to decide what it is you'd like."