Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Small Goal
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There are all sorts of troublesome customers in luxury boutiques.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Do you know who I am? Huh?"
People who try to throw their weight around like that, but when you check, they're not even VIPs.
Or those who sweep up every limited-edition item to resell.
And then, ones like this.
"Can I try this on too?"
Troublemakers who keep trying on clothes without any intention of buying.
Of course, with luxury clothes, trying them on before buying is essential.
Given the price tag, you have to confirm the fit perfectly.
The head office's policy is to tailor clothes to the customer's size from the start.
Especially for custom suits, they measure multiple times—two or three at least—so it's only natural.
But this kind of service only matters for customers who actually intend to purchase.
Just trying on clothes endlessly with no plan to buy definitely qualifies as troublesome.
'How many outfits is this now?'
The customer who'd just walked in had already tried on five pieces in total.
That's nearly 11 million won, judging purely by price tags.
The manager standing nearby started giving subtle glances to the staff member waiting by the fitting room.
The employee caught the manager's discreet hand signals. The message: [Wrap it up and send her on her way.]
As soon as she saw it, the female staffer nodded and positioned herself firmly in front of the fitting room.
A short while later, the troublesome customer emerged from the fitting room.
'She really looks stunning in it.'
I hadn't paid much attention when she came in wearing tracksuit pants, but seeing her like this, she could pass for a model.
Clothes make the man? Absolutely. What you wear can completely transform how you look.
But for clothes to give you wings, certain conditions are required.
Especially your figure.
Your face matters too, but clothes emphasize the body first.
Tall stature, around the late 160s in height.
A lean build overall, but not overly skinny—curves in all the right places.
And a bust size you don't see every day, to top it off.
The staffer took a moment to admire her beauty.
While she was lost in thought, the manager signaled again from behind.
[What are you doing?]
She nodded to acknowledge and snapped back.
"It suits you perfectly. Let me just check the size for you."
Approaching with those words, she started measuring, preparing to politely usher her out.
"The size fits great. That said, I'm sorry, but..."
"Then I'll wear this out. Pants are these ones... and for the top, the jacket from the very first one I tried. Oh, and pull all the others that fit too."
"Uh... Pardon?"
An utterly unexpected response popped out.
All of it would come to 10.8 million won.
'Everything?'
The staffer froze for a second, speechless in surprise.
She cleared her throat softly.
And with a familiar, professional smile.
"Yes, right this way."
She guided her to the register.
And, just in case she was some VIP they didn't recognize, checked the list.
But no matter how she searched, there was no matching customer.
"Total comes to 10.8 million won. Do you have a membership registered?"
"Uh... no."
A regular customer, not even registered for department store membership.
The staffer tilted her head slightly and began explaining.
"If you sign up for membership, you'll get various benefits on future purchases. With what you're buying today, you qualify for Emerald tier. I recommend signing up."
The customer blinked, pondering for a moment at the explanation.
Then nodded and agreed.
"Please fill in your name, birthdate, and contact here for registration. And if you could show your ID, that would be great."
Hearing that, the customer casually pulled out a worn wallet from her pocket and handed over her ID.
The staffer checked the ID.
Her face froze solid.
'...What?'
Choi Yeon-bi.
21 years old.
21.
[What's wrong? Issue with the ID?]
She saw the manager's hand signal from behind and shook her head firmly.
Regaining her composure somewhat, she hurriedly finished the membership registration.
Practically the youngest Emerald member ever.
Emerald tier requires over 10 million won in annual spending, and she'd just hit it at age 21.
No—maybe even higher than Emerald.
'What kind of person is she...?'
She'd seen plenty of customers, but this was a rare moment of fluster.
Sure, occasionally girls who looked super young would drop tens of millions, but they were usually heirs with pre-existing memberships from chaebol families.
But this customer standing impassively before her, Choi Yeon-bi—not only no personal membership, no family one either.
A bit disoriented, she somehow wrapped up the registration.
"Registration complete. You can apply for the membership card online or pick it up right away at the customer center on the first floor."
"Ah... okay."
"Now, let's handle the payment."
Forcing her calm back.
'Well, rich people are everywhere.'
She glanced enviously at Yeon-bi as she continued assisting.
"Card, please."
"Got the card."
This time, receiving the card gave her another pause.
Not a credit card—a debit card.
'This is wild.'
Her head started to ache from the unpredictability. Payment processed without issue.
"Payment complete."
Choi Yeon-bi took back her card with extreme nonchalance, along with the paper bags of merchandise.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A bit awkward.
Tracksuits are baggy and don't show lines, so I didn't feel this self-conscious.
These clothes fit my size perfectly.
Not exactly tailored, a tad oversized.
They offered alterations, but that meant picking them up later, so I just took them as is.
Can't keep wandering around in tracksuits forever.
'Third outfit, maybe? That's when the stares got a little off. Better walk around like this.'
I'm not oblivious to social cues.
By the third try-on, I could feel a hint of pressure in the staff's glances.
Didn't bother me. I get it.
So I ended up buying even the ones I hadn't planned to.
Showing off?
Hmm... if anything, it's close to that.
But since I have the means to buy like this, it's not pure bluff.
Let's call it kindness instead of showing off.
'Staff love big sales too.'
A small kindness in return for their courtesy.
Thinking that brought Na Da-yeon to mind.
If I see her again, maybe give her a little gift.
Normal service to them, but it meant something to me.
Nothing big—just a mug from that cafe earlier. Shouldn't be too much.
'Wow, crowds really picked up.'
Just stepped out after shopping, and now it's packed.
Glanced at my phone: just past lunchtime.
'Grab something simple to eat.'
Paper bags in hand feeling cumbersome, I headed back to the first-floor food court.
On the way down.
"Wasn't that a celebrity just now?"
"Celebrity? Never seen that face before..."
Overheard two friends chatting.
"Hey, what're you staring at? Oh~ That your type?"
"No, it's not... The clothes looked pretty, so I was wondering if they'd suit you."
"Really? Then let's go try some on!"
"Uh... Isn't that a luxury brand?"
"Yeah."
"...Maybe just window-shop?"
"For real? Let's go!"
And a couple's banter too.
'Gonna be pricey.'
I shot the guy a pitying look.
Anyway, arrived back at the bustling first-floor food area.
'It's insanely crowded now.'
Hard to believe it's the same quiet department store from earlier.
Even on a weekday.
Are there this many rich folks in the country?
Most are probably families out for fun or folks on vacation.
'End of summer break season.'
Forced vacations scraped together.
In the military, I'd take leave around now; at the office, use annual leave for family trips.
Back then, naively replied "Yes!" to "No daily pay if you take leave that day."
What company docks pay for leave? I hadn't even used up all my days.
'And I was dumb enough to say yes.'
Bittersweet smile as I eyed the salarymen-looking guys.
Some with girlfriends, some with family.
Friends groups, or couples still awkwardly not holding hands.
Everyone making the most of their break.
Though none as much as me.
Small chuckle as I scanned for a restaurant.
'Hmm... what sounds good?'
Sniffing delicious aromas, looking around.
Something simple, filling but not heavy.
Not starving—just want to fuel up for more walking.
Skip now, and hunger hits mid-shopping when timing's off.
Meals have set times for a reason.
'Most efficient that way.'
Not obsessed with efficiency, but no need to force otherwise.
Anyway, kept browsing eateries.
'Rice bowls too heavy. Noodles? Decent, but nothing jumping out.'
Sniffing away, spotted a promising shop.
'Right, sandwiches.'
Famous sandwich chain.
Terrifying—you gotta memorize toppings, sauces, bread types just to order.
They have kiosks now, apparently easier.
I've only had delivery before; first time in-store.
Picked my faves on the kiosk, ordered a 15cm set, and grabbed a seat.
Sitting down, noticed stares coming my way.
Quick glances sliding past.
Suddenly self-conscious, adjusted my clothes, pulled out my phone.
Nothing to do, so browsed news articles.
'Worst part: no one to contact.'
Times like this, group chats with friends kill time with dumb talk.
My messenger: one friend.
That steakhouse guy who gave me his number.
'Loneliness inevitable?'
Relationships don't build overnight.
Especially friends to share hobbies with.
I lost my few friends in an instant.
Suddenly alone in the world—starting to sink in.
Not sad.
Just bored.
'Maybe join a club or meetup.'
Stuff I like.
Board games, PC games.
Don't hate reading or movies.
Once house sorting's done, try something.
Hate living alone forever. Hate buying friends with money.
— Ding-dong ding-dong
Bell from the counter; looked up at the big monitor.
"Ah, ready."
Muttered to myself, fetched the sandwich.
Back at my seat, light bite.
Used to love it; now feels lacking.
'Taste buds gotten expensive already?'
Chuckled softly, polished off the rest.
Hard to call a sandwich bad, anyway.
'Should've gone single 15cm.'
Munching the wedge fries on the side, slight regret.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Headed straight to the customer center on the first floor.
To get my VIP card issued ASAP.
"Welcome. Uh...?"
Staffer with a 'I recognize you' look.
Makes sense—outfit's totally different now.
"Here for my membership card."
"Yes, happy to help. Name and phone number, please?"
"Choi Yeon-bi. Number's 010..."
She searched diligently.
Paused briefly, then smiled and handed over the card.
"All set. Enjoy your shopping."
Her face a mix of complicated emotions.
Seeing that, I felt amused—shoulders squared a bit.
Appearance really matters.
They say it's what's inside that counts, but if the outside's lacking, no one bothers checking inside.
Now my looks match my insides (bank account), so I can roam freely.
With that in mind, set a shopping goal for today.
"Sorry to ask, but what's the highest VIP tier, and how much spending does it take?"
"Pardon? There's Arcana tier—for annual purchases over 100 million won."
Goal.
Achieve Arcana.