Heaven PC Cafe Part-time Log

The Trap of Double the Hourly Wage

It had only been three days since the start of the break, and my bank account was already empty. Just then, my phone rang. It was a friend I hadn't heard from in a while.

Hey, are you free this week?

I need someone to fill in for a part-time job urgently, and you're the only one I can think of.

What kind of job is it?

A PC bang! You know, Heaven PC, the one in front of our school?

They're paying a really high hourly wage, almost double.

Double? Why are they paying so much?

If it's dangerous, I'm not doing it.

No, no, it's just hard to find people ㅋㅋ They say it gets busy because there are a lot of customers.

The owner is supposed to be a really nice guy too! There are even rumors he's good-looking ;;

What kind of rumor is that lol

Well... my bank account is in danger. Can I go tomorrow?

Yep! Tomorrow at 2 PM! Thanks, you're a lifesaver.

The dilemma between the promise of double the hourly wage and my bank balance didn't last long. And so, without much thought, I just clicked the accept button — little did I know then that my life's direction would be completely twisted.

First Day

The next day at 2 PM. As I pushed open the glass door, a blast of cool air conditioning, the low hum of keyboard typing, and the murmur of people hit me all at once. The place was much larger than I expected. Rows of monitors, a dark curtain in the corner, and even a glass-enclosed smoking room — it was bigger than I had imagined.

"Excuse me... I'm the one who's supposed to start working today."

A movement from behind the counter, and a man stood up. He wore a loose-fitting apron, his semi-long hair tied back carelessly, and his face turned towards me indifferently.

Wow... he's handsome.

That was the only thought that crossed my mind at that moment. It was understandable, given his features were too refined to be a PC bang owner. Of course, only his face was refined; the apron knot was crooked, and his hair was messy.

"Ah, the friend who's filling in? Come here and sit down."

He grinned and gestured to a seat behind the counter. Flustered, I plopped down on the counter stool, and the entire store came into view from my eye level. The backs of the customers sitting in rows, the blinking monitor lights, and the colorful menu board on the wall.

The owner leaned down and whispered in my ear.

"Our customers can be a bit... peculiar. Try to survive. I'll give you double the hourly wage. But don't say you're quitting."

It was hard to tell if he was joking or serious. Before I could ask anything, an unfamiliar notification sound began to ring from a monitor next to the counter.

Seat 23: Excuse me

Seat 23: No, excuse me

The owner glanced at the screen, patted my shoulder, and chuckled. "Alright, your first customer. Do your best." And just like that, without any chance to turn back, my first shift at 'Heaven PC' was beginning.