“Sir? Are you alright? Jihoon sir?”February 17th, 2026.Lunar New Year would’ve been a great day for Jihoon if it didn’t nd on a Tuesday.Every weekday always meant more work. But what other choices did he have? Paying for college had been a struggle, and his retionship with his parents wasn’t good enough to the point where he was ready to ask them to take on crippling debt for his future. They already had their burdens dealing with loan sharks – his dad’s ex spent over ten-million won gambling, owing all of it to loan sharks – although his dad paid off all his mother’s debt to them. Jihoon stared bnkly at the flow of customers, his vision blurred as the time passed ever so slowly.“Excuse me, sir! Are you listening?” Ah, I must’ve zoned out! When did she get here anyway? “Sorry, ma’am, could you repeat what you said one more time?”“I ordered a rge fry, and received two mediums!”“Ah, ma’am, we ran out of rge containers, but I assure you, you are receiving more fries at the same cost as a rge.” Man, people are all kinds of wack nowadays. Nonetheless, my college tuition won’t pay itself, nor will I win the lotto with my luck.The thought of another hour of pouring customers from the dinner rush dulled Jihoon’s senses, his eyelids feeling heavy with boredom.“Jihoon!”Called a cashier, expectantly. Her eyes darted from him to her customer with a look that screamed, “Help me!” Eunji? Can’t you please handle this yourself? He thought to himself, grimacing at the thought of more customer service.“Is there a problem, sir?”“This girl is telling me your ice cream machine is broken. I’ve heard this lie a thousand times, just tell the people in the back to stand up off their zy asses and work!”God, can’t people be normal?“I’m so sorry, sir! However, it is currently broken, so would you mind coming back another day? I’ll give you this coupon for a free ice cream on the day you come back!”“I’ll take it, but I won’t be coming back here too often.” The old man muttered back.Jihoon respected his elders, but everyone had their breaking point. Even a dignified man like Jihoon’s blood would boil at some people’s audacity. Jihoon’s shift went by in a fsh, as he prayed for customers who would go in and out without a problem.“Jihoon!” Jihoon heard his name called across the parking lot as he left the building.Damn! Another angry customer? But as he turned around, his worries were foundationless, seeing only Eunji.“Oppa! Jeez, that dinner rush was something, huh? Way more drunk dudes than usual!”“Lunar New Year, of course they were drinking.”“Well, I’m tired, treat me to some food, oppa!” Eunji’s face made an obvious pout.“Most pces are closed today, though, and don’t you wanna go celebrate with your family?”“They’re probably done celebrating by now, and by the time I get to them, it’d be tomorrow!”“Hm, well, I’ve got some leftovers at home, but you’re not staying past midnight.”Eunji squealed, “I won’t! Promise!” She agreed, already dragging Jihoon back to his own apartment.Eunji was unable to keep much alcohol, already drunk after only a few shots.Eunji remarked a bit drunkenly, “So, are we almost done with that project? What else do you want me to do for it?”Oh, the philosophy paper? I've nearly finished the entire thing for our group already, though.“Just a final revision, maybe? Don’t worry too much about it, I got it down.”“That’s it? I feel like you did the entire thing yourself… what if our teacher gets mad?”“No, I evenly distributed the work to the entire group. Trust me, it was fair.”“Alright, but do you have your ptop? I’ll do it now…”“Do it at home! Tomorrow, when you’re sober. It’s nearing midnight anyway, remember what we said?”Eunji pouted as Jihoon helped her up.“I’ll at least walk you out, I’m not a barbarian,” Jihoon remarked, as Eunji held onto him for support while putting her shoes on. Jihoon helped her walk out, finally saying his goodbyes at the entrance of the building.“Ah, you don’t wanna walk me home? A beautiful girl like me walking back all alone? That’s so dangerous!” Beautiful was a bit of a stretch. More cute? She barely looked like a college student with her height and the way she presented herself, thought Jihoon.“So? What is it?” Eunji asked impatiently, her question snapping Jihoon back to reality.“Ah, nah, you can walk back by yourself.”“Oh, please? It’s so dark! The moon isn’t even out today!”Eunji’s relentless compints forced Jihoon to reluctantly call a cab.“So, are you sure the project’s all done?” Eunji asked as they sat on the ground outside the apartment building.“I need to add a tiny bit more, but it’s just a bit of extra information, please don’t worry, alright?” He assured Eunji as a taxi pulled next to the curb.Eunji got in the taxi, leaving one st message for Jihoon. “Just let me know if it's too much, it’s alright to share your burden, yeah? And don’t overexert yourself, please?” She pleaded, shutting the door to the cab. She rolled down the window before the cab took off,“I saw the caffeine pills and Blue Bulls you’ve got. Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been up to.”Jihoon gestured for the taxi driver to quickly leave, not wanting to listen to Eunji’s scolding.Sharing my burden? I’ve got it easy anyway. This is nothing, nothing at all. He pondered Eunji’s final statement, feeling a sudden pang of dizziness as he walked back to his apartment. Did I drink too much? What’s happening? He struggled against his consciousness, his vision fading to bck as he felt his body fall against the cold, hard concrete. He tried to get up but it felt like a full ton of weight was on top of him.Is this the overexertion Eunji talked about? No, I’m not tired, though. I’m fine. Always been fine.