Min Ho

“Hyunwoo, wake up” I tried to wake him but he was in such a deep sleep “We have classes wake up, also I need to leave for my shift” he was not even moving I couldn’t waste any more time hence I poured water on him just to wake him up, and he was furious. “Bloody hell, what are you doing? Is this the way to wake someone up?” he shouted.

“Whatever. I have to leave now. Finish your breakfast and wash the dishes, okay?” I said, rushing out for my morning shift.

When I returned, he wasn’t home. The dishes were done, but the sink was a mess — water everywhere. This was a bad idea, I thought, getting ready for school.

At school, he was already there, sitting beside me. He had shifted from his usual seat in the front to the last row, right next to mine. I ignored him, pulling out my books.

“Why are you ignoring me? Won’t you ask why I’m sitting here?” he smiled.

“Why are you sitting here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You never know when you’ll need my help. That’s why,” he laughed.

“As far as I remember, till yesterday you were my servant. Servants don’t help — they follow orders, if I’m not wrong,” I said just as the teacher entered.

“Okay, master,” he replied, grinning, and the class began.

When it came to studies, he was as serious as me — at least that was a relief. His circle of friends was huge, mostly rich boys, and an even bigger circle of girls flocked around him, though he ignored them all.

“Minho, Minho!” Hana shouted from behind me. “I heard Hyunwoo is staying with you. Why?”

“Because of your stupid bet idea. Now he’s playing this servant-master game and bothering me like hell. I’ll never forgive you for this,” I snapped, angry.

“But that wasn’t the point, right? You were supposed to ask him to go out with me. Did you do that?”

“Didn’t I tell him to date you that day, in front of you? He refused right away. You were there too,” I answered, irritated.

“That’s fine, that was the first day. You can persuade him better now since he’s staying with you,” she said hopefully.

“Why would he do what I say? This is all a game for him. When he loses interest in a week, it’ll all end. He won’t even look at me or you. Don’t be so delusional.” I was sure of myself when I said this — but he always seemed to prove me wrong, as if his goal was to do the exact opposite of whatever I predicted.

Three weeks passed. Still, he stayed. He didn’t do many chores — he was lazy — but he endured everything: sleepless nights on the sofa, mosquito bites, my cat scratching him, washing sheets and toilets, crowded buses, chaotic supermarkets. He wasn’t leaving. Now I wasn’t sure anymore. What if he really doesn’t leave for two years? Oh god, I’m ruined, I muttered to myself.

“Did you say something?” he asked absentmindedly, eyes glued to the football match on my small TV, stuffing his mouth with popcorn.

“Nothing. Just finish your dinner. Stop eating so much popcorn — it’s falling everywhere. Do the dishes and switch off the television once your match is over,” I said, annoyed.

“This match will go on till morning. And tomorrow’s Saturday. Why are you so… funless?”

“I’m not funless. First of all, that’s not even a word. Second, the electricity bill — who’s going to pay?” I said, heading into the bedroom.

He followed me. “See, that’s why you’re funless. I’ll pay the electricity bill. I’ll even pay half the rent.”

“How? You’ll ask your dad, is it?”

The moment I said that, his face changed. I had never seen such anger before — his eyes were bloodshot.

“What did you say?” He took a deep breath. “I won’t ask anyone. I’ll earn. I’ll do a part-time job and pay you.”

Before he could finish, I pulled the blanket over myself and pretended to sleep. He stomped off, and soon I heard the match again. A goal must have been scored by his favourite team, because he was cheering loudly. Was this the same guy who, moments ago, looked like he could murder me?

A month had passed, and it was time to pay rent and utilities. As usual, I sat on a Sunday morning calculating expenses when he suddenly barged in.

“Did you return late yesterday night?” I asked.

“Yes, it was my friend’s birthday party,” he said, smiling like a drunkard.

“What’s with that big smile? Have you lost your marbles?”

“What’s with that big smile? Have you lost your marbles? Hehe,” he mocked, copying me. “What are you doing studying on a Sunday morning? Boring as hell. Show me.” He snatched my notebook.

“Hey!” I shouted.

“What is all this? Rent 4000, groceries 1000, electricity 1000…” he read aloud.

“Give it back. Don’t waste my time.” As usual, he ignored me.

“Your income is 9000 and expenses are 8700 this month. Oh boy,” he looked shocked.

I laughed — his concerned face was too cute.

“Why are you laughing? We have only 300 left now, is it? Shit,” he ran his fingers through his hair, genuinely tense.

“Why are you worried? 300 is more than enough for miscellaneous expenses,” I tried to calm him.

“Really? But yesterday at the party, they said my friend spent 30,000. How can 300 be enough? Things must be expensive,” he sighed.

“30,000 for a birthday party? What, was she born again yesterday? Did that include hospital expenses too?” I sneered.

“Very funny. Hey, on a serious note, I wanted to ask you something,” he said, eyes down — his usual look when unsure or guilty.

Fetching a water bottle from the fridge, I asked, “What have you done now? Tell me straight, don’t beat around the bush.”

“Why do you think I’ve done something wrong? I wanted to ask about a part-time job. I promised I’d help with rent and expenses,” he said sincerely.

I sighed. He wasn’t capable, but how could I tell him that? “You don’t need to do a part-time job. I’ll manage somehow. But Hyunwoo, it’s been a month. Don’t you think it’s time you return home? This was fine for a while, thanks for helping, but please be serious. Focus on your studies. We can always be friends, but this can’t go on. I can see you’re struggling here. This lifestyle isn’t for you.”

“Why are you talking about this?” He suddenly grabbed the bottle from my hand and slammed it on the dining table. The loud thud made me thankful it wasn’t glass. “I was just asking about a part-time job. If you can’t help, better stay quiet. I’ll manage myself.” He turned away, breathing heavily.

“Fine, my bad. I’ll help you find a part-time job, alright? But if you behave like this again, I won’t be easy on you.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, turning back with a smile.

“Part-time jobs aren’t easy, let me warn you.”

“I can handle it. You always think you’re some hotshot and I’m a loser. Don’t I manage all the chores now, which you thought I couldn’t?” he boasted.

“You forgot to water the plants yesterday. You used too much soap while washing dishes. The day before, you left the TV on while sleeping…” I began listing.

“Okay, okay, stop. Will you help me or not?”

“Come with me tomorrow morning to the supermarket. Let’s check if something’s available. God, I must be really unlucky — I’m already putting up with you at home and school, now even at work,” I sighed.

“You know, I don’t like insecure people like you. You’re always afraid of better performers. Are you afraid I’ll even take your job?” he said, turning on the TV.

“Sure, yeah, that’s what I’m worried about,” I muttered. Arguing with him was a chore in itself.

The next day at the supermarket, he got hired instantly. The bastard was really charming — he knew his strengths. With his looks and smooth talk, he floored the lady owner and secured the job.

I was placed in the shelves section, stacking goods, while he was assigned to the least-performing zone: the plants section. Customers rarely visited there, which was probably why he was positioned there. But within two days, everything changed. The section was suddenly flocked with girls and middle-aged ladies, clearly drawn by his looks and chatter. Sales shot up.

“Am I not good?” he wiggled his eyebrows at me during the break.

“Do they know you can’t even water plants properly?” I teased.

“What does that have to do with my job? I only need to serve my looks and impeccable humour,” he said proudly.

I couldn’t contain my laughter. Why did I feel like I’d been laughing more than usual these days?

“See, I can even make you laugh,” he said, looking me straight in the eyes, proud of himself.

“Hyunwoo!” The boss called. She looked mesmerized by him.

“Here’s your bonus,” she said, handing him an envelope. Then she turned to me. “And Minho, this is for you, for bringing him here.” Was she blushing?

“Not needed, Ma’am,” I said, about to return the envelope, but he stepped in and took it.

“Thank you, Ma’am. We’ll do our best going forward too,” he said smoothly. She smiled and walked away.

“You’re a smooth talker,” I muttered, while he laughed.

“That’s me — I can convince anyone to do anything. Except you. You’re a tough one, master,” he said, locking eyes with me. Uneasy, I turned back to my work.