In the morning, I showed a room to a newlywed couple looking for their first home, and I also finalized the contract with the person who’d be living with a cat—the one from yesterday.
Before I knew it, lunchtime had long passed, and it was already 2 p.m. Since my forum ID had been blocked yesterday, there was no way to post a Relax sales listing there anymore. I debated just putting it up in my personal shop but ended up asking Han-woo for advice.
[If you can’t post on the official homepage, just upload it to a game item trading site. Sell it like you’d sell game currency.]
“Han-woo, you’re a genius. Thanks.”
[If you’re thankful, give me that adult product.]
“Yeah, sure. You can have it. Come get it.”
After hanging up, I signed up on the site Han-woo mentioned and posted the sale. Unlike the official homepage, I kept it short and simple—just “Cash transaction, 3,000,000 won.” Anything excessive only caused trouble. If I’d written it this plainly yesterday, maybe nothing would’ve happened….
“Excuse me.”
I was working on the PC when someone called out, so I leaned my head past the monitor. A client had already come in and was sitting there.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t notice you come in while I was working.”
“It’s okay. Do you have any studio apartments? Fully furnished.”
For some reason, this neighborhood was full of handsome men. I vaguely remembered hearing there was some kind of web agency or production company nearby—maybe that’s why people from all over the country ended up here.
There was actually a room that fit every condition he’d mentioned. Without hesitation, I called Jun.
But he only answered after a long while. He didn’t sound like he’d just woken up—just his usual bored tone. Part of me felt relieved that even after signing that servant-contract-or-whatever, he was acting the same as always.
“I’m talking about that officetel. Tell me which units are vacant.”
[I’ll come to the office.]
After some time, Jun walked into the office carrying documents. He glanced briefly at the man sitting on the sofa, and the corner of his lips lifted. Passing him, Jun came straight to the desk and placed a stack of lease contracts for that studio building on top. There were so many it looked thick enough to be a whole book.
“You manage it now, Hyung. Just send me the deposits.”
After confirming which units were empty, I took the client to Jun’s building. Even though he didn’t need to come, Jun matched our pace and followed along.
It was my first time entering his studio building, and seeing it in person, the facilities were modern—and there was even a tower parking structure up on the 13th floor.
“As you can see, the elevator goes up to the 12th floor, and you have to take one more flight of stairs to reach the 13th. But the rent is 100,000 won cheaper.”
“The utilities are all separate… Do I also have to pay the 100,000 won maintenance fee?”
“You don’t have a car, right? Then maybe we can ask to lower it a bit….”
As I said that and glanced at Jun, who had been following like a shadow, he clicked his tongue and complained about how dirty the hallway was.
“Juni, he doesn’t have a car—could we maybe lower the maintenance fee a little?”
“Just take it off.”
There were perks to him coming along. I could just ask things on the spot. There were lower floors available, but because the monthly rent was cheaper, the client wanted the 13th floor.
The client asked me more detailed questions about the studio. I walked closer, answering each one kindly with a smile, but I could feel Jun staring from a short distance away with a bored expression.
What’s his problem? Why is he glaring at someone just doing their job?
The client looked around more, searching for something.
“Isn’t there an air conditioner here too?”
He started glancing around the room. Jun, who had been quietly watching, suddenly stepped right behind him and reached up. What looked like a simple ceiling cabinet was lifted and fixed open, revealing the air conditioner hidden inside.
The client, shorter than Jun, stiffened slightly when Jun moved so close behind him. For a brief moment, they locked eyes midair like that. And I saw them exchange a faint smile.
For some reason, seeing that made me feel… just a little disappointed. It reminded me of when I’d mediated an office deal with Namgung Bin before, when I’d felt like I was being treated as invisible. I guess a guy who only cared about faces would be the same wherever he went.
He should go play his little contract games with someone like that. Why drag a perfectly normal person into this mess?
Watching the two of them, I walked over to the bathroom to check the water pressure. Thankfully, nothing was clogged, and no tiles were cracked. Even though the place had been vacant for a while, there wasn’t much dust. I went through the facility checklist, inspecting the optional appliances one by one.
“Then, about the move-in cleaning….”
As I approached them while taking notes, I noticed the two whispering to each other. And as if it were completely natural, they were already exchanging phone numbers on their phones. Well, Jun’s private life wasn’t something I had any right to interfere with, so I pretended not to notice and looked elsewhere. Still, in such a tiny studio, it was impossible not to see when all I had to do was turn my head.
“Hm. If you want to look around more, feel free. I’ll head back first—I can’t leave the office unattended too long.”
I put on my shoes and moved to leave, but Jun strode over to the door first. I looked at him, wondering if he had something to say, but he simply opened the door wide for me to go out.
“I’ll come by later to write up the contract.”
“R-Right, okay then.”
The moment I stepped outside, the door slammed shut behind me, followed by the click of the door lock.
Huh? I turned back to stare at the firmly closed entrance.
Something about it felt deeply unpleasant—like I’d been dismissed somehow. But I couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly bothered me. His behavior was the same as always.
Ding—.
After coming down to the 12th floor and pressing the elevator button, I thought it over carefully. Just because we’d eaten baeksuk together, or because he’d licked my hand, didn’t mean Jun and I had become anything special. The only thing that had changed was that my role had shifted slightly from errand boy to something else.
What mattered was how I felt. When it came to Namgung Bin, I’d mostly felt relieved—but now, my mood felt strangely complicated.
“What is this? Why do I feel so uneasy?”
Back at the office, I kept working and glanced at the clock. The two who said they’d come to write the contract still hadn’t shown up. As it neared 7 p.m., I figured they’d probably do it tomorrow and stood up to close the office.
As I stepped outside to lock the door, I felt like someone was watching me. But when I looked around, there wasn’t a soul in sight. The hardware store next door had closed early—the lights were off. Since my office sat a little away from the streetlights, it was easy for this area to sink into darkness once nearby shops shut down.
Meanwhile, the tteokbokki place across the street was brightly lit, making that side look lively. After locking up, I glanced up at the 7th floor across the street—it was still dark.
“Where the hell is he running around? Just come sign the contract already.”
Muttering to myself, I boarded the bus home. As I held onto the strap, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. When I checked it, a message I’d been waiting for had arrived.
[I’ll buy Relax for 3,000,000.]
I’d been feeling good enough today to log into the game anyway, and now that I had an item trade lined up, I had more than enough reason. As soon as I got off the bus, I sent a reply. Posting it on an item trading site really did make it sell quickly. I guess that’s why they charge commission fees.
Almost immediately, a response came back.
[The payment will be made under the name Kang Chung-man. Let’s trade today at 8:30 p.m. in front of the central fountain in Velvet Town.]
[Yes, understood.]
After replying, I hurried home. It wasn’t even 8 p.m. yet—if I logged in as soon as I arrived, the timing would be perfect. On the way, I stopped by a convenience store to grab a simple dinner.
“Oh? Unit 412. Just getting back?”
Near the apartment entrance, Roban stood there holding cat food, waving at me. Some passerby avoided me at his enthusiastic greeting, and even the security guard who usually exchanged pleasantries pretended not to see me and turned his head away.
There was a very clear reason why people suddenly switched their attitude like that. Right next to me stood this guy in a blue tracksuit. This went beyond being uncomfortable—it felt like social isolation. I walked past Roban and pressed the elevator button.
“You’re getting off work late?”
“My workplace is far. Anyway, I’ll be going—… Why are you following me?”
“Just thought I’d have dinner with a friend.”
Absurdly enough, Roban pointed at the convenience store lunchbox I was holding. It was clearly only one portion—not enough to share. More than anything, I really didn’t want to let someone like him into my place again.
“Sorry, but I’ve got stuff to do.”
“Do it. I’ll just stay next to you.”
When the elevator doors opened on the 4th floor, I blocked him from getting off with me. As he tried to move my arm aside, I shoved the plastic bag from the convenience store into his hands.
“Eat this and please leave me alone. I seriously have something urgent today.”
Roban looked slightly disappointed, but when he peeked inside the bag, he nodded in satisfaction.
“Alright, friend. Good luck.”
Before the elevator doors even closed, Roban had already stuffed a sausage into his mouth and wasn’t even looking my way anymore. His behavior was a perfect example of shallow relationships. ShutUp and Moment were the same—no different from their real-life selves. ShutUp, who’d been rude, was just as unpleasant in reality, and Moment, who’d once gotten naked and let monsters fondle him, was now selling adult products in real life.
When I got home, I didn’t even shower—I just changed into comfortable clothes.
Right then, a message arrived.
[(Web message) (itembyebye) S191117 Amount 3,000,000 won Buyer contact 010-42**-2*** Payment completed]
[(Web message) (itembyebye) S191117 Payment completed Purchase password (2565) Sale password (2020) Character name Kang Chung-man]
