Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual

An afternoon beneath Seoul's autumn sky settled in gray, cold autumn rain falling with a pattering sound. Somewhere around an alley where factories and repair shops had once clustered.

An acrid smell of oil and a fishy reek like rusted iron pooled thick in the damp air.

"Aigo, this is grueling…."

"I heard this is Baeksan capital—is that for real?"

"Seeing as they went and built a whole set, it's plausible enough."

The asphalt, slick with rainwater, rippled like waves, reflecting the headlights of cars passing along the distant boulevard. A cool, desolate mood.

"This used to be a factory, you know."

Beneath the eaves of the steel front gate of a studio remodeled from a factory building, the studio crew who'd stepped out for a smoke stood blankly, watching the falling rain.

"Too scared to go back in, honestly."

"Realism's fine in moderation—I can't work up the nerve to go back inside."

"It's fake blood made from syrup, but somehow I could swear it smells like real blood~"

Inside the set they were busy preparing a bloody shoot, but outside was quiet to the point of desolation. Seizing the brief break, the two crew members chattered on, snickering.

"Ah, still, the national actor really is a cut above."

"Without skill like that, would a name like 'national actor' even fit a personality like his?"

"Cha the actor's pretty average for this business—why drag his character into it."

"He's just off-putting, is all."

The crew member trying to dissuade his colleague lowered his voice.

"Well… going around with a bunch of goons is a little strange too."

The crew member who'd first raised the Cha Do-hyeon character controversy flicked off his cigarette ash and said,

"You don't think that guy's actually got something shady going on?"

"Shh, you shouldn't say things like that carelessly—you'll get a lawsuit."

"Come on, he's a national actor, no less—he wouldn't have the nerve to…."

Right about then, a black luxury sedan rounded the corner and pulled in.

"Huh…?"

"Uh-oh."

The vehicle that slid smoothly through the rain and stopped right in front of the studio gate was so quiet you could barely even hear the engine. Just as the crew were staring blankly at the car,

the driver's door opened first.

"……."

"Uh, hey…."

A man dressed neatly in a crisp suit without a single wrinkle stood before the rear door with an unbroken stride even as the rain fell on him. His manner made it seem the crew weren't in his sight at all.

"Excuse me. This is a shooting location, so you can't just come in like—"

"We've arrived. Please step out."

When the man opened an umbrella and courteously bowed at the waist as he opened the rear door, someone slowly stepped out from within.

"……."

The crew member nearly dropped the cigarette from his mouth to the floor. He had the momentary illusion that even the pelting rain filling the surroundings faded far away.

'What is that….'

A jet-black matte coat of indeterminate material that seemed to devour all light. Neatly swept-back black hair, and black shoes that kept a cool sheen even as they trod the murky rainwater pooled on the ground.

He slowly moved a black-gloved hand and drew the collar of the coat closed.

"Thank you, Teacher."

The eyes glimpsed through the clear glasses were spotlessly clear, yet at the same time so dry and detached that not a trace of vitality could be found. Those eyes curved like a fox's as they conveyed thanks.

'What is that.'

The crew member blinked.

"Take care not to get wet in the rain."

"I'm glad for the consideration, but I'll hold the umbrella myself."

"But…."

"Give it to me."

The other party's appearance looked twenty or so at most, yet no thought of 'young' or 'like a student' came to mind. So excessively neat and still was the very air surrounding the man.

It was just about when the crew's breathing grew a touch labored.

"—Mr. Yeon-woo!"

"…!!"

At the director's appearance, the crew flinched and stepped back. Director Lee Seon-hae, who should have been inside the set, had come out to greet him. Probably for the man in the jet-black coat.

At the sight of the director, the man in the suit said, as if with a sigh,

"Are you sure you have the time, Director Lee Seon-hae? I haven't come while you're in the thick of work, have I?"

"Why does this fellow seem to only ever scold me whenever I see him? Of course I do—it's not like I'm the only one here, so would I have called you in the thick of work? It's meal time, which is why I said it was fine."

Having said that, the director turned to the two crew members.

"Oh my, what are you two doing out here?"

"Ah, just a quick smoke…."

"Ah, I see."

The director nodded.

"Things are about wrapped up inside, so go have your meals. This one here's my guest, so no need to mind him."

"Ah, then…."

Just then, two more people came out from inside the set.

"Director, I said let's go together. Without even an umbrella, honestly…."

"Yeah, Director Lee~ It's hurtful, being cast aside like this."

The actor Cha Do-hyeon, who'd come out with Writer Hong Gyeong-yeon, glanced at the two crew members, grinned, and tipped his head. Then, striding on long legs, he sauntered up beside the rain-soaked car, threw an arm over the sedan's roof, and cracked wise.

"Our friend, your face looks even brighter seen out here~ Taking natural light this well, you could go be an actor. For people who make a living off their faces, taking natural light well is a talent."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Yeah, how grateful I am you even answer me. Hm?"

"……."

Presently the 'man's' gaze reached the crew members.

At that gaze, the crew's breath caught and stiffened. The elaborate horror props inside the set, and the frenzied scenes the actors had thrown themselves into, suddenly came to mind. In other words, a bit—

they were scared.

"Whoops."

Cha Do-hyeon slyly covered the 'man's' field of view with a large hand.

"Why go scaring people."

"It wasn't intentional."

"More to the point, aren't you hungry?"

He opened the rear door, subtly took hold of the 'man's' shoulder, and gently pushed him in. Then he himself took the seat beside the 'man.'

The sound of the rear door closing rang out into the raindrops. By the time the two crew members came to their senses, the black sedan had already loaded up every insider around it and departed.

"…What was that just…."

"Fuck, was he an actor?"

"Didn't you say he wasn't an actor?"

"Then what—a model or something?"

"That's not a mug I've seen anywhere, though."

"True, but—ugh. Anyway."

Holding a cigarette that had already gone soggy with damp, the crew member muttered,

"He was ridiculously good-looking, seriously."

"Some young master, maybe?"

"That guy in the driver's seat—I feel like I've seen him somewhere, too…."

For a while they only stared blankly at the spot where the sedan had gone.

***

It was a restaurant with no sign.

In the heart of Seoul, inside a Korean restaurant whose doors only those holding wealth and power could open, not an inch of the city's noise seeped in. Soft lighting cradled the surfaces of the ceramics and brassware on the table.

"Then, do enjoy your time."

The staff, who had moved in perfect order, exited all at once.

'I've heard tales of that Labyrinth and its master until my ears wore thin, but….'

Even to him, this occasion was, from the very start, filled with a strange sense of wrongness.

"……."

With the sound of leather seats brushing softly, the man who had handled the sedan's driving—Baek Woo-hyeon—rose carefully. Holding out a stiff, thick business card with both hands courteously, he opened his mouth.

"My introduction is overdue."

He kept the poker face well-drilled for business as he gazed at the young man before him.

"I'm Baek Woo-hyeon, CEO of Baeksan BioScience. It's an honor to meet you."

"Thank you for the warm welcome."

Tracing the texture of the received card softly with a fingertip, the young man—Lee Yeon-woo—bowed his head lightly. His neatly combed hair and impeccable dress made a striking impression.

"I'm Lee Yeon-woo, co-representative of Hotel One and its General Manager."

"I ask for your kind regard, and my apologies for the many discourtesies on the way down from Gapyeong."

Having handed over the card without mishap, Baek Woo-hyeon sat back down with an abashed air. Adjusting his tie slightly, he cautiously studied Lee Yeon-woo's expression.

"For all I've picked up secondhand, my actual experience with such… phenomena is on the scarce side, so I caused offense. I offer my apologies to your partner as well, through this occasion."

"Aha."

What that euphemistic expression 'phenomenon' pointed to was clear. Lee Yeon-woo wore his particular smile and glanced toward the vicinity of his own shoulder.

"My partner will understand too."

In that moment, Baek Woo-hyeon's train of thought briefly halted. It was because he saw the hem of the jet-black 'coat' ripple like a living thing, and a round eye surface on its surface and blink.

The one that answered was not the young man, but the garment itself.

"Sorry?"

"You respected him, didn't you."

"Yes."

"A good person."

"Coco confirms."

Coco had apparently decided to be generous. It had been on guard the whole time lest its position as Lee Yeon-woo's 'coat' be usurped, but Baek Woo-hyeon's manner—minding his manners without encroaching on its territory—didn't seem bad to it.

Watching that strange communion quietly, Director Lee Seon-hae finally let out a helpless little laugh.

"Wow, this is really awkward."

From the makeup of the party to the backdrop, all of it was unreal.

"I mean, I didn't even know a restaurant like this existed in a place like this?"

"I don't come often myself, but it's handy for setting up meetings with the executives."

At Baek Woo-hyeon's flat reply, Lee Seon-hae propped her chin and looked around.

"It does look private, for sure."

No sign, and not even the shadow of a staff member in sight. Only the Korean dishes laid out neatly on the table, steam curling up from them, proved this place was a restaurant.

Gesturing at the carefully prepared food, Baek Woo-hyeon urged Lee Yeon-woo to eat.

"I heard you like Korean food, so I tried to prepare it. I hope it's to your liking."

"I can only be grateful for such an undeserved spread."

Lee Yeon-woo quietly took up his chopsticks. Watching that neat gesture, Cha Do-hyeon slyly poked the side of Lee Seon-hae, who kept glancing over anxiously, and tossed out a remark.

"It is unreal, isn't it."

"You think so too, Senior Cha?"

"In the sense that two Dokkaebi are being given modern-society business hospitality."

"So that's where the source of my sense of wrongness was."

"Well, our country's native Dokkaebi do tend to enjoy human society a great deal, so I'll grant that much…."

Cha Do-hyeon added, as if muttering,

"Korean food, though—he used his head well."

To serve food to a divine spirit in the Gaps was not mere hospitality. It was a softened form of the ancient human sacrifice, and closer to a rite begging mercy and goodwill from a Disaster that might run amok at any moment.

Had Baek Woo-hyeon clumsily pushed a Western or Japanese course on him, the mood might have turned ugly.

'Native Dokkaebi are especially fond of food into which human devotion has gone.'

Except the devotion meant here was far removed from what goes into refined modern cuisine.

"The elder gave you advice, I take it?"

"Yes, gratefully, he gave me a word before I left."

Baek Woo-hyeon readily affirmed it.

"That well-refined Korean food would better suit his palate."

"You wouldn't have thought so at first."

"You're right, Cha the actor."

Within the range of Gaps knowledge he possessed, traditional Dokkaebi—regardless of country—didn't favor food with such refined knife-work and elegant garnishes.

They fundamentally sought a more raw form—that is, the original shape.

"Before the Chairman gave me a word, I'd even thought of looking into a specialty rice-cake shop, but…."

A huge hunk of whole meat dripping with blood, or a coarse-crusted sorghum-mash cake with steam rising off it, or buckwheat jelly boiled up by the cauldron-full and dug into greedily with both hands.

Such primal devotion was what a Dokkaebi felt rapture in. Modern Korean native Dokkaebi had grown much more refined, they said, but their essence hadn't changed. At least, as far as Baek Woo-hyeon knew.

'They only keep up appearances and restrain themselves while living mixed in human society; the basic habit itself is said to be that way.'

And—

"……."

Sure enough. At the mention of a 'specialty rice-cake shop,' Lee Yeon-woo's golden gaze lodged quietly on Baek Woo-hyeon. The pupils of the young man, holding his chopsticks like a model of proper dining etiquette, held a distinct craving.

Sensing the young Dokkaebi's wish, Baek Woo-hyeon added,

"I'll take you to a famous traditional rice-cake shop another time, too."

"No, forgive me."

Lee Yeon-woo cleared his throat softly, feigning indifference, and withdrew his gaze. Perhaps embarrassed at having his Dokkaebi's gluttony caught for an instant, the Dokkaebi courteously changed the subject.

"It seems Chairman Baek Mu-jin has told you a great deal about me."

"How it might sound to you I can't say, but yes. From my standpoint too, I wanted to bring you somewhere you'd likely find pleasing, so it was fortunate."

"The meal here pleases me very much—it's delicious."

"I'm glad to hear you say so."

When the brief exchange ended, Lee Yeon-woo again, in a gesture bordering on graceful, put a piece of meat into his mouth. Watching it, Cha Do-hyeon inwardly couldn't help admiring.

What the fellow was eating now was a Korean course, standardized human craft made form.

'A Dokkaebi that, though a being beyond specification, confines and controls itself within the strict framework and etiquette of "human."'

He'd guessed it was because it was a chimera mixed with a human soul of around twenty.

'To throw raw, coarse offerings at a young divine spirit made that way, under the guise of serving a Dokkaebi, could instead be a discourtesy that provokes that being's inhuman divinity.'

Neat Korean food like this was, precisely, the finest arrangement of 'I treat you as a human.'

"……."

"Hello?"

"Yes."

Meanwhile, instead of joining their thoughts, Lee Yeon-woo put another piece of buckwheat jelly into his mouth.

'Delicious.'

For the first time in a while, a fullness through taste piled up in his brain.

The savory buckwheat aroma spreading with each chew, and the soft texture. It was a taste holding the essence of the human world, different again from the buckwheat jelly he'd poked at with chopsticks in the hotel's Operator's Quarters.

'The taste of the mundane world….'

"Hello?"

"Yes, the flavor is good."

"Coco, ah."

Coco's face, surfacing on the coat, slid down with a whoosh and touched Lee Yeon-woo's black glove.

"Ah. Ah."

"……."

Gazing quietly at Coco's round mouth gaping wide on the back of his hand, Lee Yeon-woo set down the chopsticks he held without a sound. Stroking the glove as if conversing by gaze, Lee Yeon-woo looked at the group.

"My apologies for startling you with the sudden action—was it a discourtesy?"

"Ah, no…. Not at all."

"The aroma of the meal you prepared seems to have greatly pleased my partner."

"That would be gladdening, then."

"Might this little one join the meal as well?"

Lee Yeon-woo added in a courteous tone,

"Apart from giving you visual novelty or a sense of wrongness,"

"Coco safe!!"

"…it will do no other harm."

"Coco guarantees!!"

"So it says."

Having secured even Coco's desperate assurance in the nick of time, Baek Woo-hyeon nodded.

"Please enjoy at ease—it was a meal for the two of you to begin with."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Lee Yeon-woo picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and placed it into Coco's open mouth. Coco, gobbling the meat right up, had its eyes sparkle with satisfaction. It seemed a newly learned expression.

"Confirmed! Tasty! Good!"

"When eating, closing your mouth and chewing and swallowing quietly befits the etiquette of human society, Coco. Shall we try it once?"

"Confirmed."

Coco's face vanished from the glove with a whoosh.

"……."

"……."

Baek Woo-hyeon looked abashed.

"There's no need to go so far as to be that quiet…."

"My partner is still short on flexibility—it's trying, believe it or not, so please understand."

"For my part I'm only grateful."

Only Hong Gyeong-yeon, the sole pure civilian at the table, blinked blankly.

"Am I the only one who can't see anything?"

"That last bit was kind of cute, so it's a shame."

At Lee Seon-hae's words, Cha Do-hyeon sipped his tea and muttered,

"That you found it cute—Director Lee, your taste is really something."

"What, and what's the standard for seeing it?"

"Someone with the ability to see?"

"So I've abruptly become someone without ability."

"No need for our writer to feel so hard done by. That, what's it—Director Lee probably didn't see it all that clearly either?"

Lee Seon-hae shrugged in assent.

"Roughly a 'so this is the vibe' kind of level?"

"See? Director Lee isn't the type with good 'eyes' or keen 'perception.'"

"And what ability does Senior Cha have, then?"

"Never heard of an actor's powers of observation?"

"You're really just tacking that on."

"This business runs on a bit of a seat-of-the-pants basis to begin with."

Hong Gyeong-yeon grumbled, aggrieved.

"The CEO can see it just fine, so why can't I."

"He's the type whose 'spirit-sight' has opened… ah."

Cha Do-hyeon laughed slyly.

"Ah, my apologies, CEO~ That was personal information."

"No, it's known to those who'd know, so it's fine."

Baek Woo-hyeon quietly set down his teacup. He deflected Cha Do-hyeon's slyness with measured ease, but his gaze still rested on Lee Yeon-woo's neat fingertips.

'Remarkable.'

The Gaps beings he'd learned of through texts and hearsay were closer to Disasters that ran thoroughly on the law of the jungle, primal desire, or bizarre obsession.

'Especially those called Dokkaebi or divine spirits—most, holding formidable power, are cunning and arrogant, and treating humans as toys or wielding them at will is a matter of course, they say.'

But Lee Yeon-woo was different. An ordinary monster wouldn't have cared whether a human took fright or not, yet Lee Yeon-woo apologized for a fellow Dokkaebi's intrusion and begged their understanding.

'And the sight of him even lecturing a Dokkaebi about the etiquette of human society, invoking it—was truly… unexpected.'

And so, today too, Lee Yeon-woo was steadily building his reputation as a Dokkaebi.

***

The next morning.

"And so~!"

Cha Do-hyeon, in sunglasses, jabbed a thumb at himself—thwok!

"Today's guide is none other than me!"

"Oh."

"What—why that reaction."

"It's just not especially welcome."

"Wow, trampling a man's good intentions like this?"

Cha Do-hyeon slid his sunglasses down slightly and grumbled.

"I've got no shoot on my schedule today, and I'm a precious commodity called out by Baeksan's special orders."

"In that case, all the more, I'd rather not be a bother."

Lee Yeon-woo smiled as if regretful.

"Might I not just stay at the lodging CEO Baek Woo-hyeon arranged?"

"You said you wanted to see the human world a bit, so I took you at just that."

"That wasn't me saying I wanted to do it with you, Mr. Cha Do-hyeon…."

"Too late."

"Oh dear."

Just send me straight to the psychiatrist.

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