Kim Himchan was the self-proclaimed right-hand man of Bang Yongguk. Best friend of five years since surviving Biology with Professor Kang their sophomore year of college. You could say they shared a brotherhood that even fraternities couldn’t even form.

Himchan knew many things about Yongguk, like many friendships. For starters, Yongguk is fascinated in art but constantly makes fun of people who spent thousands of dollars in tuition to study Art History as their major.

He also knows about his unwanted engagement with Jung Goeun;

His mother’s unsettling expectations of him;

And the void that Im Mani left in his best friend’s heart.

Himchan didn’t need to study psychology to know that Yongguk has issues with the women in his life. So when his best friend told him about the recurring presence of Mani, Himchan was inevitably concerned for his friend.

“So what you’re telling me is,” Himchan gave his friend a glass of vodka on the rocks, “Ever since you’ve accidentally reunited, you’ve been harassing her?”

“No,” Yongguk took a swig of his drink, “You’re misunderstanding me.”

“No,” Himchan chuckled at his friend’s ignorance, “I’m right, you’re completely wrong.” He sat down, “What the hell is wrong with you, man? You can’t be doing that. Continue that behavior and you’ll have a lawsuit on your hands, buddy.”

“It’s just.” Yongguk leaned back in the lounge chair, “I don’t know. It’s just seeing her again brings back so much painful memories.”

“Well, that doesn’t give you the right to assault her.”

“I’m not assaulting her. I’m just,” he shrugged, “getting back at her.”

“What are you, ten?” Himchan laughed. “Look, I know her disappearance left a huge wound, but getting back at her isn’t going to solve anything. You need to be reasonable here. She may have had her reasons why she left, but you can’t harass the answer out of her.”

Yongguk was frustrated. Even he didn’t know what he was doing. He knew he was being childish, but there was this unexplainable desire to bring her great emotional distress. Himchan was always helpful with all of his issues, but his conflict with Mani would remain unheard and unacknowledged to Kim Himchan.

He stood up, “Let’s go to the bar.”
 

After a long day of being harassed by Bang Yongguk, Mani just wanted to forget about it and enjoy her Friday night with a good friend. Originally, he wanted to take her to a fancy restaurant, but she wanted to go somewhere else. Seeing Yongguk after so many years, especially with his different behavior, made her just want to relax over some drinks. She wore a white, crisscross dress that hugged her body nicely. Wearing her favorite pink velvet heels, Mani felt great. She had her long hair curled and flowing down her exposed back and a nice dark red lipstick lightly applied.

Waiting by the bar for Daehyun to get there, she ordered drinks for them. He texted her beforehand that he would be ten minutes late since he still had some business to handle.

“Can I get two shots of tequila?” she told the bartender.

“Sorry, we just ran out,” he apologized, “but I’ll go to the back and bring back an extra. Just one moment.”

She smiled and nodded, “It’s fine, take your time.”

Sitting down on the high chairs, Mani pulled out her phone and patiently waited for the bartender to be back.

“Ah!”

Someone had grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. Mani jumped and nearly screamed until she saw the culprit.

“Daehyun!” she hit him and folded her arms. “What’s wrong with you I thought you were a stranger.”

“Well aren’t you glad I’m not?” he laughed. “Okay, so my bladder is going to explode. I’m gonna hurry to the bathroom real quick and hope there’s not already a line.”

Mani laughed and his hit arm again, “Alright, well I’ll be here.” She turned back around and continued playing games on her phone.

“Two shots of tequila, please.”

She heard a man order. From the corner of her eye, she saw the bartender come back with a tequila bottle. He poured two shots of the alcohol and slid it onto the table. The same man took the shot and Mani spoke up.

“Excuse me,” she stood up before he could leave.

He turned around. “Yes?”

“I think that’s my order.” She laughed at the coincidence. “I ordered two shot