A/N: I love this man so much and he is criminally underrated (but sadly I get it - he wasn't in the show that much). For the purposes of this fic, we just need to completely ignore the fact he is or ever was married in the show. Also like always thank you to @bronzewasp for the top border (which I'm using on all squid game posts) as well as @bernardsbendystraws for the little coffee borders :)
You boredly tapped your fingers on the counter of your booth. The sign above you read "Fresh Coffee", though the peeling paint and splintered wood suggested anything but fresh.
You’d think you'd get a lot of customers, since the booth was located directly in the station, but ever since that new cafe opened across the road, no one seemed interested in the dingy coffee booth.
You grumbled as you watched a barista across the street wave to a happy customer.
“I hope a meteor comes and crashes into your store,” You mumbled, glaring as if you had the power to cause that event.
Instead, the barista sent you a friendly wave, which you grumpily returned.
It wasn't your fault; the owners of the booth hadn't repainted since the 90s, leaving you stuck in the dingiest-looking spot in all of Seoul.
Still, you wish you hadn't spent so much money on a quality barista course. You couldn't remember the last person who didn't just stop by for a pack of gum.
“Excuse me, ma'am?”
“No, the station doesn't have any bathrooms, but the cafe across the street is very welcoming.” You sighed, spitting out the automated response you had gotten used to.
“No, I…I actually wanted to talk to you.”
You instantly perked up, turning to face the mysterious figure excitedly. “Do you want a coffee? I know this place may not look the best, but I make really good coffee. I’ll even give it to you for half off.” You beamed expectedly at the man, who just blinked back at you.
Woo Seok couldn't help but freeze up, looking at the pretty girl with the toothy smile.
When he had come over to ask you about whether you had seen any suspicious men wearing suits and playing ddakji, he had expected the same annoyed response he had received from the others.
Now, his mind couldn't even think of what he had come here to do as he slowly nodded at your question.
You squealed, excitedly moving to the coffee machine to begin your first order in weeks. As you began to brew, you noticed the man's eyes still locked on you.
Suddenly becoming aware of how you had just behaved, you blushed ever so slightly. “Sorry if I have too much energy.” You apologized, somewhat snapping Woo-seok out of his trance. “It's just that not a lot of people stop by here anymore. I’ve been itching to make a drink that wasn't for myself."
Woo-Seok shook his head quickly. “No need to apologize at all. It’s…very sweet.” He refrained from using the word cute, not wanting to scare you off. Quickly noticing that the conversation was dying down, Woo-seok desperately tried to keep it going. “So, do you work here a lot?”
You sighed, clearly not satisfied with your answer. “Yeah. Pretty much every day. It gets pretty boring."
“Surely you must get some interesting people walking by,” He smiled, and you glanced over at him. Titling your head at the clearly nervous man, you smiled fondly. “Yeah, I guess we do.”
Placing the lid on his coffee cup, you walked over to the counter, about to hand him the drink. Before he could reach it, you paused. “I never got the name for this order,” You teased, and he smiled bashfully. “It’s Choi Woo-seok. But you…you can just call me Woo-seok.”
“Does that mean I’ll be seeing you again, Woo-seok?” You teased, and he quickly nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be here a lot for… business things.”
He wasn't exactly lying to you.
“Well then, I should introduce myself. I’m y/n.”
He smiled, already thinking about how beautiful your name was and how well it fit…every other part of you. “It’s very nice to meet you,” He managed to blurt out, giving you a small bow.
You couldn't help but bite your lip, trying to keep in the giggle you had while watching the funny man.
“So is there anything else I can get you?” You asked, noticing he was yet to leave with his drink.
Woo-seok’s mind raced with the possibilities.
He could use a smooth line and ask for your number, or tip you extra, something else that could impress you. “Well, I-”
“Woo-seok!”
Woo-seok instantly froze up, as a familiar voice called out from behind him. “What’s taking you so long?” Mr Kim’s scolding voice rang in his ears as his boss came storming over to join you.
You raised an eyebrow as Mr Kim darted between you and Woo-seok, before giving him a once-over. “You haven’t even shown her the game. This is no time to be wasting.”
Before Woo-Seok could stop him, Mr Kim turned to you. “We’re looking for a man. He wears a suit-”
“Ahh, stop it.”
“-and he comes to the subway and plays children's games with people.” Mr Kim turned to Woo-seok, whose face was now glowing red as he tried to get Mr Kim to stop giving you the same rundown he gave everyone.
“Come on, take out the ddakji,” Mr Kim ordered, clearly upset with Woo-seok's lack of movement.
Woo-seok glanced at you before leaning in and hissing at Mr Kim, “No, let’s just go.”
Mr Kim gave him a stern look. “What are you talking about, moron?” He gave Woo-seok a whack on the back of the head. “She works at the station. She's got prime potential to be a witness.”
You nodded your head in agreement with Mr Kim, though you had no idea what was going on. You were just enjoying watching how they acted with each other.
Mr Kim grabbed the bag with the ddakji, which Woo-seok desperately tried to grab back from him. Ignoring the silent pleas to stop from Woo-seok, he began doing the demonstration. “He gets you to play, and then when you win, he gives you money.”
“And what if you lose?” You asked, tilting your head, and Mr Kim nodded, somewhat happy to have someone engaging.
“Yes, well, when you lose, he hits you. Like this,” He turned to Woo-seok, who stared at him with the most enthusiastic look he had seen all day.
Mr Kim did his usual bit: pretending to hit Woo-seok. Instead of acting out a reaction, Woo-seok just stood there, blank-faced. His mind was screaming for someone to end his misery.
“Get into character,” Mr Kim hissed, as if his acting was going to affect your ability to remember.
“I don't want to,” Woo-seok hissed back, and the two began fighting, their arms flaying around as they whacked each other.
Their fighting stopped when the sound of your quiet giggles caught their attention.
They both turned to you, though they held varying reactions.
“You guys are so weird. I love it.” You laughed, and Woo-seok didn't know if he should be flattered or highly embarrassed by the comment.
“Ma'am, please, this is serious. We need to know if you have ever seen this man,” Mr Kim scolded, and Woo-seok groaned.
“Of course, my apologies,” You bowed, though you clearly still had a smile on your face. “I haven’t seen a man of that description, but I will make sure to keep an eye out for him.”
Mr Kim nodded gratefully. “Thank you,”
Woo-seok couldn't bring himself to say anything, just allowing Mr Kim to drag him away from the "Fresh Coffee" booth.
As he got told off for being distracted, Woo-seok glanced back over his shoulder, being met with your cheeky grin and an enthusiastic wave goodbye.
---
“We’re not crazy.”
You raised an eyebrow, turning to Woo-seok, who was red in the face. You nodded slowly as you continued to prepare his coffee.
“I didn't think you were.” You simply spoke, and he nodded, clearly relieved. “Ok…good… I just didn't want you to think that I was crazy. Those questions we asked were for work.”
Despite the embarrassing first encounter, Woo-seok arrived again at your coffee booth the next morning, ordering the same thing. You weren’t sure if he genuinely liked your coffee, or if he just hadn't noticed the cafe across the street, but you didn't want to ask any questions that might lose you your only customer.
“So what are you two? Detectives?" You questioned, with clear curiosity in your eyes as you looked at him.
Woo-seok went silent: not wanting to lie to you, but also not wanting to reveal that he was a loan shark hired by some weird old guy to find this man because he was a part of a scheme that kidnapped people and forced them to play children's games.
Your expectant stare softened as you noticed the clear stress on his face from the question.,
Ahhh, I get it." You spoke up. "You can’t exactly say, it's against the rules.” You winked at him, causing him to blush.
“Well, just so you know, I’ve been keeping an eye out for him,” You revealed, a proud look on your face. It's true that you had spent most of your shift the day before, checking to see if any of the thousands of men in suits had ddakji with them.
Woo-seok perked up at this information. “Really?”
“Yeah, I don't have anything better to do, and you two fascinated me.”
Woo-seok nodded in awe as you finished his drink, moving back to the counter to hand it to him. He couldn't believe someone like you would be interested in helping out someone like him. “Well, thank you…really, that’s very helpful.”
You gave him one of your famous smiles. “Yeah, of course, it's no problem. I’m like your man on the inside.”
Woo-seok laughed, probably way too hard for the quality joke. You couldn't help but giggle at his reaction, shaking your head fondly. “You’re a very funny man, Woo-seok.”
Woo-seok couldn't help but feel slightly insecure about the sudden comment. “Is funny… good?” He asked, and you grinned widely, leaning over the counter so your faces were close
“Funny is the best.”
“Woo-seok!”
You both turned to see Mr Kim waving Woo-seok down, an angry look on his face. Woo-seok returned the angry look, this being the second time Mr Kim had tuned a moment with you.
“Do you think he wants a morning coffee?” You joked, and Woo-seok sighed, “I think he needs one. Maybe then he won't be so grumpy.”
As much as Woo-seok loved and appreciated his boss, he wasn't doing much for his attempt to woo the barista. Sighing, Woo-seok looked back at you, who had already settled further back behind the counter. “I’ll see you around.”
“Wait,” You called out, which Woo-seok instantly listened to, despite Mr Kim still calling him over. “You should come back here tomorrow morning. I’ll give you a free coffee… and something else.”
Woo-seok swallowed thickly, a million possibilities (both good and bad) running through his head.
“Ok?” You asked, noticing his lack of response.
He just silently nodded, knowing that if he opened his mouth, every secret he ever had would spill out. You seemed to have that effect on him.
You giggled, waving him goodbye as he returned to Mr Kim. This time, he didn't even mind Mr Kim yelling at him; his mind just running with thoughts of you.
---
Woo-seok was nervous the next morning.
He knew it should be because they were trying to end the games that risked people's lives, but he couldn't help but be more nervous about a certain someone behind the coffee counter.
Glancing at Mr kim, he let out an exaggerated yawn. “Ahh, I barely got any sleep last night. I think I need something to wake me up. Like I won’t be able to function if I don’t get-”
"Just go talk to the cute barista,” Mr Kim sighed as he rolled his eyes, and Woo-seok’s face lit up. Not wanting to give Mr Kim time to change his mind, Woo-seok instantly began running towards the counter.
“But be quick,” Mr Kim yelled at the retreating figure, shaking his head. As much as he wanted to solely focus on the plan, he was a sucker for romance.
And he knew he wouldn't let Woo-seok have more than 5 minutes with you.
As Woo-seok pushed through the crowd, he caught sight of you. You looked nervous: your eyes darting around like you were looking for someone.
Woo-seok wondered if you being nervous was a good sign. Maybe you felt the same butterflies he did when you were near each other.
“Hello, I-” Woo-seok stopped when he noticed your cheek. It wasn't bruised, but there was a clear red marking on it.
“What happened?” He quickly asked in concern as you seemed to light up seeing him. “Oh, Woo-seok!" You rapidly hit the desk with your hands. "I met your guy,” You exclaimed, and he dropped his jaw.
“What?”
“The man in the suit,” You explained, with a nervous and excited energy. "He came up to me and offered to play ddakji for money. I was trying to keep him here until you arrived, but after a few rounds, he decided to stop.”
Woo-seok ran his hands through his hair as he took in the information. “Did he mention what station he was going to?” He asked hopefully.
“He wasn't getting on a train. He began walking in that direction. I think he mumbled something about a bakery. You pointed towards one of the station's exits. “He only left about 10 minutes ago. If you hurry, you could probably still catch him.”
Woo-seok let out an excited yell. “Thank you! Thank you!” Reaching over the counter, he hugged you, before turning around and running to Mr kim.
You couldn't hear the conversation between the two, but their exaggerated expressions and the instant running in the direction you had pointed to, you could piece together what was going on.
You couldn't help but smile as you watched the two stumbling men run away, despite your burning cheek.
You had no idea how serious the situation actually was.
Reaching into your pocket, you pulled out two pieces of paper.
One of them was a small piece that you had scribbled your phone number on, as well as a drawing of a coffee, that you were planning on giving to Woo-seok.
The other was a much thicker card.
Printed on it in dark ink was a circle, a triangle, and a square.
I looked for that Au post where Gi-hun, in a panic, starts to enter the sub space, so much so that In-ho captures him in that moment of weakness, but I couldn't find it!
Now imagine, Mr. Kim, trying hard to bring Gi-hun back to his old self, offering him a trip to the racetrack, how about that? And then he watches Gi-hun look at him with wide eyes, soon teary, start to shake, shrink into himself, breathing unevenly....
And when Kim, concerned, tries to calm him down, Gi-hun indicates that he wants to be held, he doesn't speak, he just grunts and wants to snuggle up, like a small child.
It's confusing, it's kind of weird. But despite that, it's similar to the Gi-hun he knew.
Yes!!!!
I always felt that Mr. Kim did in some way come to care for Gihun. I mean, even when he was hounding Gihun for money, Gihun was always upbeat and happy and not…what he was now.
When Gihun came and paid his loans off in full, he looked horrible. He looks as if he’s gone to war. He’s thinner, barely talks and he keeps shaking and looking around in fear.
When Gihun hires him and his men to look for a man who he calls the “recruiter” Mr. Kim is even more concerned. Gihun looks even skinnier, and all he seems to do is smoke and drive around the city, frantically looking for this man.
Mr. Kim missed the old Gihun—the one he knew before whatever happened to him so he started to bring him food or Sony or cigarettes and try to talk to him and one day, Gihun was just having a really bad day, so Mr. Kim suggest, hey, why don’t we go to the horse track? Watch a couple of races?
Suddenly, Gihun starts crying and shaking, rocking back and forth. Me. Kim tries to clam him down, patting his back and saying everything will be ok but Gihun just looks up at him, teary eyes, lips trembling, stretches his hands out in an obvious hold me motion.
And Mr. Kim carefully embraces Gihun and holds him tight while Gihun holds him back and cries cries and cries, calling for Sangwoo and someone called Saebyeok.
Mr. Kim doesn’t know what’s going on, he doesn’t know who those people are or what Gihun has been through but he does, as best as he can, soothe Gihun and even carries Gihun to his room.c laying down in bed and tucking him in, and even staying the night to make sure he’ll be ok.
