Runner-up's Revenge

“Don’t they teach you people how to greet a customer?”

Dowon had been stacking green crates, tetris-style, when the man’s unpleasant voice came from behind him. An overwhelming odor rolled off the man as he dragged out each nitpicking syllable, his overconfident stance solidifying Dowon’s opinion of him.

“Oh, yes,” Dowon drawled sarcastically. “Welcome.”

“Too late,” the man sneered.

“Sorry.”

“I said too late.”

Do you want me to help you find a shortcut to hell? Dowon resisted the urge to grab him by the collar and shake him until the stench of alcohol fell off, but instead, he stepped out from behind the counter.

The alcohol smell was even stronger up close. Dowon thought briefly of the air freshener his coworker had left after her shift that morning. Would this guy report me if I sprayed him?

“Cigarettes,” the man grunted,

“What kind of cigarettes would you like?” Each polite word that left Dowon’s lips cost him dearly.

“That one.”

The fact that this guy was a smoker did not surprise Dowon one bit. The unmistakable smell of cigarettes mixed with the alcohol could be smelled a mile away. Dowon mentally selected a few of the strongest, most disgusting packs, closed his eyes, and chose one at random.

“This one?” he asked, turning to the man.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s the one.”

He seemed happy that Dowon got it right on the first try, but for Dowon, there was nothing worse than dealing with a happy drunk at a convenience store.

“Kid, where do you go to school?” the man slurred. “Around here? You should be working a real job, where you get a real paycheck.”

And that was exactly why Dowon despised a happy drunk. They always seemed to ramble on and on when they were in a good mood.

Dowon knew he had to answer. Last time he had an encounter with one of these guys, he wouldn’t leave until Dowon answered his questions. Dowon then had to spend 30 minutes trying to convince the guy to leave. Eventually, a worker from the next shift helped get rid of him.

Dowon was not about to try for round two.

“I’m a high school graduate,” he answered shortly.

“Of course.” The man clicked his tongue. “My son’s starting high school this year, too. But he’s so good at studying that it’s actually costing me a fortune.”

“How unlucky for you.” Dowon didn’t bother to modify his flat tone. The drunk wouldn’t notice either way.

“You wouldn’t believe the cost of tutoring fees these days…”

Roughly 20 minutes of boasting about his son later, the proud father made a sudden beeline to the fridge and bought the cheapest 1,000 won drink.

“This one’s buy one, get one, right? Here, have a drink on me.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Do your best, kid. Even if you’re just a high school graduate, there are plenty of ways to make a living. They say every cloud has a silver lining.”

Leaving the cheap, sour drink behind, he winked, and the door swung shut behind him, its bell jingling cheerfully.

If you’re going to buy me something, at least pick something more expensive than this…

That drunk probably thought sending his son to a good university was all that mattered. As long as he spent money on tutors and made the poor kid solve stacks of workbooks, that would be enough.

But there was one thing he’d never know.

The part-time convenience store worker he’d bought a cheap drink for, had actually graduated from Seoyeon University, the school he dreamed of sending his son to.

Dowon wasn’t in a position to accept a cheap pity-gift. If he had honestly said he’d graduated from Seoyeon University instead of saying he was a high school graduate, would anything have changed? The guy would have probably asked why he was working here instead of tutoring.

“Why, you ask? Damn it…”

Dowon’s relationships had all fallen apart. He’d ended up avoiding everyone, throwing all his classes and clubs into the trash, and graduated just to escape. From there, he began studying for the civil service exam. With a degree from Seoyeon University, he thought the exam would be a breeze.

It was then that he realized that he had been relying solely on his intellect, without any actual drive to study for the civil service exam. Or anything else for that matter. And so, Dowon found himself, at 27 years old, working part-time at a convenience store. He didn’t feel the need to go into detail when people asked. If he simply said he was a high school graduate, they would just give him a pitying glance and leave.

It was easier that way, but something about it gave Dowon the overwhelming urge to rip things apart.

“Hey, I told you not to get that one, you pervert.”

A couple had come in while Dowon was buried in his green crate, letting the self-loathing overtake him. They didn’t seem to notice the part-timer moving boxes right next to them as they stood, arms around each other, giggling in the toiletries section.

“What about this one?”

“That’s the same kind as the other one, you idiot.”

Yeah, you’re both idiots and perverts. I’m right next to you, you think I can’t tell you’re trying to pocket the condoms?

The whole “pick it up, pretend to put it back, and slide it in your pocket” tactic wasn’t as original as people seemed to think it was.

“Then should we get this one, too?”

The couple were wearing matching university jackets. A campus couple, huh? That was one of the best ways to screw up life. University was a jungle where rumors spread like pollen through the air.

Did campus couples last forever? They usually ended where they began: on campus. Their lifespans didn’t typically extend beyond that.

If a university romance somehow survived the grueling obstacle course of campus life, it was a blessing from their ancestors. Because the moment a college relationship ended, both parties would find themselves drowning in gossip, pointing fingers, and playing the victim. And before they knew what hit them, all their relationships were in shambles.

You think it’s hard to drop out of university, ditch short-term room rentals, and spend the rest of your twenties running away? Anyone can do that.

You’re going to screw up for sure. You’ll pour too much time into your relationship, miss classes, rely on your wits to scrape by, throw everything away, get bored of each other, watch the relationship fall apart, lose your last resort, see the gossip mill turn, and end up thinking you might as well wear condoms on your head because you’re so screwed.

“Excuse me.”

Dowon jumped a little at the sudden voice. “Oh! Yes, sorry.”

How did I end up like this?

He rang up the young couple on autopilot.

“Thank you!” they said loudly, before muttering, “He kinda smells like alcohol. Let’s get out of here.”

It’s not me, damn it. As soon as the couple disappeared, Dowon slumped into the plastic chair behind the counter and rubbed his face. If the boss had caught him sitting here on CCTV, his hourly wage would have been cut by 10%, but Dowon had no energy to stand right now.

What is wrong with me?

I might be messed up, but I didn’t want to become some kind of lunatic, trying to ruin everyone else’s life. When did I get so whiny, cursing others, hoping they’d fail just like me?

Will I end up stuck in a short-term room rental, grabbing random people, swearing at them, and threatening to make them buy me a drink if they don’t listen? Are those people the ultimate evolution of students preparing for exams?

He didn’t want to end up like this. He wasn’t one to blame others, but he wasn’t sure if it was entirely his fault either. If things had gone just a bit better for him, he wouldn’t be working here, having his wage cut for sitting.

“Hello.”

Dowon didn’t really feel like acknowledging the greeting, but he stood up from the plastic chair and raised his head. When he realized what he was looking at, he found himself speechless.

Her fingers, tucking her long, shiny, black hair behind her ear, were white and slender. How could someone’s skin be so bright? Dowon hadn’t even finished admiring her hands and hair when his gaze shifted to her eyes.

Maybe it was the convenience store lighting, but her big, gleaming eyes sparkled as she glanced over the selection of gum under the counter. Her eyelashes were so long they cast a shadow on her cheekbones.

Her features were small and delicate, and her elegant fingers searched through the gum with a grace that matched her slender build. When she finally chose a pack and straightened up, the look on her face was gentle and angelic. It was the kind of face that could ask you to buy her a yacht and you’d agree without a second thought.

Oh I’m so screwed.

Having such a beautiful woman come into the store should have been a good thing, but Dowon’s fingers trembled with an all-consuming anxiety. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants.

Dowon needed to stay calm. If he showed even the slightest sign, she’d notice in an instant. He tried to keep his head down as he grabbed the gum and searched for the barcode to scan.

“…Are you Dowon Lee?”

She smiled brightly as she said his name. He smiled awkwardly back and placed the gum on the counter.

“It’s been a while… Dahye.”

Dahye Yoon. Back when Dowon held the top spot in school for three straight years, Dahye was the eternal second, like a needle and its thread.

“You work here…?”

Damn it, seriously?

***

Dahye always seemed to have a glowing smile on her face. There was even a rumor that she studied so hard, she took a vocabulary book to the bathroom. Yet he also remembered how she selflessly helped struggling students with their studies, smiling as she did.

She was a model student, the one their teachers loved the most. Even when he would give her a half-hearted wave, she would always return it with that shining smile. That same Dahye Yoon now stood before him.

“How have you been?” she asked.

“Uh…” Dowon didn’t want to answer that. “You seem to be doing well.”

She wasn’t just doing well. Dahye had become incredibly beautiful since high school. He remembered she had been popular, even back then, but now she looked like someone who was often mistaken for a celebrity.

As she reached for the gum, he could smell a mix of shampoo and a light perfume. Her shirt and skirt fit her figure perfectly, and she looked so neat and polished that anyone could tell she was a refined professional.

“Oh, you already have one,” she said.

“Huh? One what?”

“A drink. This tea is buy one, get one, so I was going to share with you.”

Dahye had pulled two citron teas out from the warmer next to the counter, covering her mouth with her palm as she chuckled softly. Dowon quickly pushed the cheap vitamin drink aside.

“Oh, that’s just… A customer left it. It’s not mine.”

“Oh okay, then take this. Two is too much for me.”

Dahye pushed the citron tea across the counter with a smile. She hadn’t changed since high school. He remembered being pretty harsh towards her back then, caught up with studying, but she had always been kind to him regardless.

She really was like an angel. She handed him the citron tea without a hint of mockery, despite seeing him working a minimum wage job. Maybe it was a pity-gift, though, concealed by a sunny smile.

Dowon wasn’t sure what to say. He couldn’t tell if she was just being polite, or if there was some other motive.

Dahye, still smiling, said, “I recognized you right away when I came in. I just wasn’t sure because you’re not wearing a name tag. I thought you might just be someone who looked like you.”

Dowon didn’t wear a name tag deliberately, to avoid running into people he knew. The boss would definitely have something to say if he found out, but as long as Dowon did the job well, it didn’t matter. Feeling strangely guilty, he nodded without meeting her gaze.

“Well, you know,” he muttered. “No one cares about a part-timer’s name anyway.”

“I cared,” Dahye said kindly. “I wanted to see if it was really you.”

Why? Because you heard I went to a good university and couldn’t believe I was working here? He swallowed the shame rising in his throat.

“You look good,” Dahye went on. “In high school, you always seemed so tired.”

He chanced a look at Dahye’s again. Her shining face was the picture of honesty. She tried to open the lid of the citron tea but then sighed in frustration, pushing the bottle towards Dowon.

“Since I paid for both of us, can you open it for me?”

He took the tea and easily twisted the cap off. Dahye giggled and took the bottle with both hands. Her cheeks had taken on a pinkish tinge.

“Listen, I’m not weak. I loosened it up already, to make it easier for you.”

Was Dahye always this playful? Or maybe she was joking around to lighten the mood. Whatever the reason, she looked completely at ease.

“It’s really nice to see you,” she said. “Do you still keep in touch with anyone from high school?”

“Well, not really.”

“It’s hard isn’t it?” She nodded with understanding. “When you actually try to catch up, it feels so awkward to randomly ask them to hang out.”

She was still clutching the bottle of tea in both hands.

“Do you remember the Korean teacher with the red glasses? You have to know who I’m talking about.”

“Oh yeah, I remember. That guy was…”

Dowon was about to say “crazy,” but instead, he just nodded, feigning politeness.

“He finally got married. Remember how he used to say he’d never get married, and he’d get all worked up about it?”

“Really? Wow, he actually found someone.”

“Right? I even went to the wedding. I knew him pretty well.”

That made sense. Dahye was the sort of kind-hearted girl who took on all the teachers’ errands, even though she was busy studying. It was no wonder she had such a good reputation.

He remembered how that Korean teacher used to praise Dahye every day.

“Dowon may always be number one, but look at how hard Dahye works. It’s not all about grades—you should strive to be like her,” he used to lecture.

Was that really true?

“Dowon, when does your shift end?”

He blinked. “About an hour… Why?”

“Then, do you want to grab something to eat together after? We can catch up a bit.”

Instinctively, he studied Dahye’s face, looking for any sign of ridicule. She looked a little shy, but there was genuine excitement there too. Maybe she really had struggled to find time to meet up with old classmates.

“Sorry, I know it’s out of nowhere,” she said quickly. “You can say no! I’m just feeling all nostalgic about high school now.”

“Uh…” Dowon hesitated.

Dahye drummed her fingers on the citron tea bottle, watching his expression for any hint of an answer.

Normally, he would have said no without a second thought, but instead he said, “I guess… I’ll see you in an hour.”

“Really?”

“Why, were you just joking?”

“Joking?” she laughed. “Why would I bother plucking up the courage to ask if I was joking? I was actually really worried you wouldn’t remember me.”

If it were any other classmate, he wouldn’t have agreed to meet up with them, even if he was paid. It would be too painful.

How would they react when they found out that the former top student, Dowon Lee, had ruined everything and was now working part-time at a convenience store? Just thinking about it made his chest tighten, filling his lungs with needles.

But Dahye had a talent for putting people at ease. Her relaxed voice made him feel like she was only capable of happy conversations.

“Why don’t you give me your phone number, then?”

He stared at Dahye’s face as she handed him her phone. Somehow, he felt okay around her.

***

After finishing his shift, Dowon headed to the restaurant Dahye had chosen. The moment he stepped in, he heard Dahye’s cheerful voice.

“Dowon, over here!”

The table was already full of food, as if she’d ordered everything on the menu. As he sat down across from her, she pushed a glass toward hom.

“It takes a while for them to cook, so I ordered ahead. If there’s anything else you want, feel free to order.”

“What? You’re paying?”

She looked politely puzzled. “Of course. I’m the one who asked you out to eat.”

Dahye handed him the menu. Dowon wasn’t hungry yet, so he subtly set the menu on the chair next to him.

“By the way, that Korean teacher, right?” Dahye leaned in, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “Did you know he used to date the English teacher?”

“What? Really? Why would she date him?”

“Come on, he wasn’t that bad. I saw them together once when I ran an errand to the teacher’s office.”

Talking about high school turned out to be more fun than Dowon expected. Honestly, it was really fun. Despite his bad attitude about the past, it made sense. High school had been the happiest time of his life. He was on top and had nothing to fear. Having even an echo of that feeling find him again was exhilarating.

As they talked about their high school days, Dowon drank more than he usually would. It felt like the excitement made the alcohol hit faster. Or maybe he drank faster because of the excitement—he wasn’t sure.

“But the English teacher was at the wedding, too.”

“Seriously? Wasn’t it weird? Or, I guess it didn’t matter since they dated so long ago.”

“I don’t know, I was feeling awkward just watching. And you know what else was surprising? That English teacher knows my boss. She said hi to him at the wedding.”

“Oh, really? How do they know each other?”

“I think her son is getting ready to work at a bank, and they introduced him to some connections through mutual acquaintances.”

“A bank?” Dowon asked cautiously, but Dahye waved her hand as if it was nothing.

“Oh, yeah. Hanban Bank.”

“You work at Hanban Bank?”

“Yeah, I just kind of ended up there. Anyway, so the English teacher—”

Working at Hanban Bank was definitely something to brag about. The entrance exam just to apply was so hard to pass; he wondered how many people even made it in.

But Dahye brushed it off as if it were unimportant, and started describing the expressions on the English and Korean teachers’ faces when they ran into each other.

“Hanban Bank, that’s impressive,” he said before he could stop himself.

Impressive, my ass. He shouldn’t have steered the conversation this way. Maybe it was the alcohol, but he couldn’t control himself. Bringing this up would inevitably lead to the question: If the second-place student got into Hanban Bank, what was the first-place student doing?

It was a ridiculous situation. There had been times when he couldn’t understand why Dahye worked so hard. He used to think that success in school was largely based on innate talent. He might have even mocked her for working so diligently a few times. While Dahye had succeeded, what had he been doing? Maybe she was secretly laughing at Dowon, thinking it served him right.

But Dahye blinked at him, as if she genuinely didn’t understand.

“Oh, thanks. I was just lucky. Did you hear what I said?”

“Huh?”

“I was telling you about the Korean teacher’s expression.”

Dahye tried to twist her face into a silly expression, but her pretty features somehow managed to stay flawless.

“You look the same, even when you do that.”

“The same? That doesn’t really sound like a compliment.”

“It’s not a compliment.” He grinned at her.

“Hey, Dowon Lee.”

Dahye laughed loudly. She had always been kind and pretty, but she had grown even more relaxed and confident. That easygoing personality, always considerate and caring—maybe that was why her face looked so clear and beautiful.

The more time passed, the more Dowon became immersed in his conversation with Dahye. Talking to her wasn’t uncomfortable, it wasn’t nerve-wracking, and he didn’t feel anxious. He just felt good. They kept drinking, and soon they were the last ones left in the restaurant.

“So, Dowon, you know? I always thought you were really, really amazing.”

Dahye giggled, her words slurring slightly. Even her drunken slur was cute.

“No, you’re the amazing one,” he shot back, his own mouth feeling like cotton.

“Uh-uh, no way. Back in high school, you got such good grades, you were so great at sports, always first in every project and evaluation…”

Yeah, there was a time when I was that person. Not anymore, though. He began casting around for a new subject with embarrassment flushing his cheeks, when Dahye tapped the back of his hand, grinning.

“You were like that… But you never know what happens with life, right?”

“Huh?” Dowon’s stomach dropped.

“It feels like you’ve taken quite a big fall.”

Dahye’s face remained unchanged. She still looked happy and bubbly, with that clear, bright face. Her beautiful skin seemed so perfectly pale that he wondered if she was really even drunk.