Chapter 323 – #71_Gehenna’S Host Club (6)
#321
1.
1 PM.
The day of the grand opening had arrived.
Siwoo, who had been studying customer service etiquette all night and into the morning, suddenly looked out the window and experienced heartburn for the first time in a while.
“Takasho, what is that? It’s a bit scary.”
“That’s what I should be saying… What kind of life have you been living?”
Through the curtains, the alley of the Malcuth Gallery was filled with people.
More accurately, witches were lined up in a row.
Even Takasho, who had been through thick and thin in Gehenna, and Siwoo, who had lived as a slave together, had never seen such a long line of witches in their lives.
And the store hadn’t even opened yet.
It wasn’t hard to realize that Periwinkle had leaked the news appropriately.
“Hoo… This is an opportunity. I need to leave a deep impression on our future customers… I can do it…”
“We should start getting ready.”
Takasho, who had been muttering beside him, suddenly hugged Siwoo.
Customers waiting in line like Vienna sausages to enter the store was a sight he had never even dreamed of.
He was overwhelmed by the thought of how to handle them all, but he couldn’t help but feel grateful to Siwoo.
“Thank you so much, my friend. I will never let this opportunity you’ve given me go to waste.”
“We all help each other out. I’ve benefited a lot from you too, so don’t be so awkward.”
Siwoo had predicted the situation more accurately than Takasho, but seeing it in person was a different feeling.
Of course, he hadn’t decided to help Takasho with the intention of selling his body.
Siwoo’s role was merely as a lure.
He would spend about 15 minutes at each table, making the rounds.
Only witches who purchased the most expensive alcohol would be allowed to designate him for an hour as a service, and of course, no after-parties were allowed.
He planned to draw enough attention to attract customers even without the presence of male witches and help out for about two weeks.
“Takasho, but… can I really do this?”
But putting that aside, he honestly wasn’t very confident.
If it was just about having a conversation, there wouldn’t be any problem, but what Siwoo had to do was ‘customer service.’
Moreover, he had to deal with that many picky witches…
“What are you talking about? You’ll do great. I’m sure of it.”
Takasho looked at him as if he was saying something strange.
He didn’t know where he got such blind faith.
He checked his appearance in the mirror one last time.
He didn’t understand what was so pretty about his slicked-back hair and the long, dangling clothes that looked like a swallow’s tail.
Takasho had even recommended a monocle with a chain, but he had adamantly refused.
Sometimes, the aesthetic standards of witches were beyond his understanding.
“Then, shall we write a legend?”
“Sounds good, my friend.”
The two men in their perfectly tailored suits strode towards the main entrance.
It was a monumental afternoon, marking the official opening of Rose Glass, Gehenna’s first host club.
2.
“It is an honor to serve you, esteemed witches.
Due to the large number of guests compared to the size of our establishment, we are issuing waiting tickets to provide the best possible service.
If you provide us with your contact information on your remote communication device, we will contact you in order.
For those who find it inconvenient to come and go, you can relax in the salons on the second and third floors, so please feel free to use them as you wish.”
Just because many customers had come didn’t mean they should accept them recklessly.
The maximum number of people the host club could accommodate was around 30.
If a high-end host club that was supposed to maintain a quiet and luxurious atmosphere turned into a chaotic marketplace, it would be a disaster.
Therefore, Takasho divided the day into four parts and issued waiting tickets, limiting the maximum number of customers they could accommodate in a day to 120.
Also, as a token of apology and gratitude to the waiting witches, they provided mid-tier alcohol for free, so the customer service began without any major issues.
“Table 12 is out of appetizers. Refill it. They seem to like cheese, so focus on Stilton cheese.”
“Yes!”
“Table 2 ordered wine, so prepare the decanter. Did the caviar arrive?”
“It arrived this morning.”
“Try it and if it’s good, serve it with the wine.”
“Yes, Manager.”
Takasho bustled around to provide service and guidance, receiving complaints and checking if the staff were providing good customer service.
Today, he wasn’t directly serving as a host but was in charge of managing and communicating with the kitchen.
This host club had even hired a former hotel chef and sommelier, so the service would probably be impeccable.
“Hello, esteemed witch. It is an honor to serve you. My name is Liam.”
“My name is Paul.”
Witches escorted to their seats and the hosts entering.
Each seat had a stand-type partition for privacy and comfort.
As Periwinkle had advised, Dom Perignon that had been chilled in advance and appetizers were provided as a basic service.
Of course, they maintained dim lighting to create a mood and played music on a phonograph.
If things got better later, they were also considering hiring an orchestra.
“I can’t just rely on Siwoo.”
The witches didn’t yet have a clear concept of what a ‘host club’ was.
To put it simply, it was like a mala tang restaurant that had just landed in Korea for the first time.
How much of the true taste of mala tang could they show the witches while selling the limited-time special, Shin Siwoo, the sweet and sour pork?
This business, and Takasho’s life, depended on it.
But even in such a precarious situation, he felt joy and excitement.
“Ah… I’m alive.”
A business full of customers and the sound of champagne popping everywhere.
The small giggles of the small, scary young ladies who could change at any moment.
It reminded him of his time working in Kabukicho, and his blood boiled.
He had started as a low-ranking employee, huddled in a dormitory with six colleagues.
He had cleaned the bathroom that thirty people shared and drank champagne by the bucket to get even one more gift of alcohol.
He had defeated all sorts of rivals and renewed his ranking, burning his youth.
His bicycle had turned into a Porsche, and his 12-pyeong (approx. 400 sq ft) accommodation had turned into a penthouse.
The host club where he had spent his life until there was no one on the streets of the night who didn’t know Takasho’s name.
The battlefield where the dreams of a man who thought he would never rise again were asleep.
Takasho had always dreamed of becoming the king of the night on those streets.
But that dream had been shattered when he was reincarnated into another world after being hit by a truck.
But now, at last.
He had a chance to dream again.
And it was a chance to run a super luxurious host club that he couldn’t even have imagined on Earth.
He had no intention of tolerating even the smallest mistake.
“I came here to meet some guy who’s supposed to be a male witch or something? You’ve been talking big since a while ago, but you’re going to make me happy? How arrogant.”
Takasho, who had been on high alert, caught the first voice of complaint.
It was something he had fully expected.
He had already prepared a response manual and staff training for it.
But first, it would be better to show a skilled demonstration.
Takasho took a breath and slipped through the stand-type blind.
There, a Slavic witch with brown hair was making a very upset face.
“Hello, Silla Kristen, esteemed witch. My name is Mimaya Takasho, the manager.”
As soon as Takasho appeared, the witch’s eyes widened.
“What, you know my name?”
Because she had never introduced herself since she sat down, yet suddenly the manager who had appeared knew her name.
“I happened to hear your friend call your name at the Malcuth Gallery last time.”
Of course, it was a lie.
For today, he had memorized all the names and faces of the prominent witches in Gehenna and the witches living around Lenormand Town.
They could become important customers.
A true host not only remembers the names of customers who have visited but also the names of customers who have not visited.
“You were so beautiful that I still remember you.”
Takasho went from using very formal language to natural formal language, kneeling on one knee and making eye contact.
But this wasn’t enough to appease the picky witch.
Silla’s face, which had seemed surprised for a moment, was still full of displeasure.
“Tsk, anyway, that’s enough. Do you think I’m a witch who has so much time that I’d wait for a guy here?”
“What can I do to earn your forgiveness?”
“Forgiveness? Do you think you can ask for my forgiveness?”
Although she seemed to be continuing to get angry, her momentum had definitely decreased compared to the beginning.
It meant that Takasho’s strategy was working quite well.
At this moment, Takasho looked straight into Silla’s eyes.
“I will do anything if my sincerity is conveyed.”
If a customer is upset, apologize.
But never show a submissive attitude.
Witches are basically high-handed and full of a sense of authority.
But even so, they are still women.
A man who cowers when they get angry will only provoke them more and will never be a positive factor.
“Is that so?”
Silla twisted her lips and took off her shoe.
She filled the opened Dom Perignon to the brim.
Then, she gave a sadistic smile, as if saying, ‘You can’t do this, can you?’
Ironically, these childish mind games happen frequently in host clubs.
“Drink this clean… huh?”
Before Silla could finish her sentence, Takasho picked up the shoe and emptied the champagne inside.
Then, he smiled and asked back.
There was no sign of displeasure in his refreshing smile.
And why would there be? Dom Perignon in a beautiful woman’s high heel was a huge reward.
“Are you feeling a little better now?”
Silla, who hadn’t expected him to accept such humiliation without any hesitation, was rather stunned.
Leaving the dazed her behind, Takasho got up and straightened his clothes.
“It’s hard to say that I’ve been completely forgiven, but I would be grateful if you could be a little more understanding.”
As he turned to leave as if his business was done, Silla urgently called out to him.
“W-wait a minute…!”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“Why would you drink that if I told you to? Don’t you have any pride?”
“If it can soothe even a little of Silla’s anger, I don’t need my petty pride.”
It didn’t even take a minute for the bewilderment to be interspersed with the annoyance that had filled Silla’s face.
When dealing with a customer’s complaint, it’s good to let them vent their anger as much as they want.
Even if they were witches, they were hothouse flowers in Gehenna.
In front of Takasho, a veteran who had dealt with all sorts of difficult customers, including Japanese bar girls and wealthy middle-aged women, they were nothing more than fresh young girls.
At this timing, an over-the-top comment with a touch of Gehenna.
“Although it may not be enough, we are doing our best to bring a smile to Silla’s face. My only wish is that you have a pleasant time, even if it’s just a little.
As an apology, I will bring you a better drink, so please wait a moment? Of course, I will pay for it.”
“……”
Silla, who had a much softer, even slightly apologetic expression.
The offer to bring a better drink was also a carefully calculated statement.
Women are most generous when their anger has subsided and when they feel a little sorry.
As expected, Silla refused Takasho’s free service.
“No, I should buy the alcohol I drink. I was being unreasonable. Give me this.”
“You don’t have to…”
“Give me this. Two bottles, one for me and one for my friend here.”
“I will bring them to you right away.”
Silla, who was crossing her arms and acting aloof, was glancing at Takasho’s retreating figure.
Takasho could feel it even from behind.
Melting away the anger of women who were furious, and making women who were picky want to come back to see him.
Wasn’t this the true taste of a host?
Takasho focused on managing his expression.
The manager couldn’t walk around with a stupid smile on his face.
He went back to checking the customer service status of the establishment.
“I wonder if Siwoo is doing well?”
Thinking back to when he was dealing with Periwinkle, and looking at all the photos of witches saved on his phone, he didn’t think there was anything to worry about.
But Takasho quietly moved towards the central seat where Siwoo was serving.
Takasho spin-off NOW!!