Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Fashion Street
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Fashion Street.
This place lived up to its name.
People dressed in all sorts of styles strutted down the road, proudly showing off their unique personalities.
And there I was, like I'd just been dropped into the middle of it all.
Ji-su sat quietly in front of me, perfectly at ease as if this were routine.
Right now, the two of us were chilling at a cafe, waiting for the last person we'd planned to meet today.
Couldn't waste the waiting time, so SNS it was.
Of course, fiddling with my phone by myself while someone sat right across from me would be rude.
"Sister, this photo turned out nice, right?"
"Looks good."
So we took pictures together, chatted with Ji-su, scrolled through SNS, laughed, and waited.
Thanks to yoga, we'd been hanging out a lot lately, and our conversations had gotten way more casual.
The word "sister" was starting to roll off my tongue naturally.
Sister was one thing... but "oppa"? No way in hell.
Just thinking about "oppa" gave me goosebumps all over.
I shook my head and uploaded the photo I'd just taken to SNS.
As soon as I posted it, a message popped up from Yeon-a.
— Having so much fun... — I wanna go too and pick out a ton of clothes for Yeon-bi! — (Emoji of a rabbit doll flailing in a sea of tears) 'She really looks bummed out.'
Not genuinely sad or anything, but she seemed seriously disappointed.
I shot back a quick reply and glanced at Ji-su across from me.
Seeing her reminded me of what Yeon-a had said yesterday.
'Ji-su's got a decent chest too, so she'll give you good advice from your perspective. You're doing yoga together... you get the idea, right?'
I got it.
All too well.
That's why during every yoga session, I busted my ass averting my eyes while working out.
My own body was fine to look at, but Ji-su's wasn't mine.
'Thank God she's a woman, no matter how you slice it.'
If she'd been a guy, I'd have just hit the gym instead.
Either way, shopping for clothes with a model who had a similar build would definitely help.
As we were hanging out with Ji-su, the bell on the cafe door jingled.
I turned toward the sound, and there was a familiar face—a guy.
"...Hm."
Kim Min-hyeok, the model and reckless driver.
He looked a bit winded, like he'd rushed over.
He wasn't late, but he'd probably hurried when he saw Ji-su and me already there early.
"Whew..."
"Did you run here?"
"Ah... no. It's just a bit hot outside. I got here ten minutes early anyway, so no need to run..."
He rambled on with excuses.
Nothing wrong, but his flustered look was hilarious, so I let him squirm.
Still, would this guy actually be helpful tagging along?
Honestly, no clue.
I was half-tempted to just have him carry the bags.
"Alright, shall we get going? Let's head out, Yeon-bi."
"Yeah. Sister."
At her words, I stretched lightly and stood up.
Min-hyeok, standing nearby, shot Ji-su an envious look before waddling after us.
"Have a good one."
We stepped outside to the staff's standard farewell.
'Nice and cool.'
Autumn was already in full swing.
The leaves had turned all sorts of vibrant colors, and the ground was littered with ginkgo nuts and fallen foliage.
Sky was clear, breeze was crisp.
Perfect weather for a day out.
With weather this nice, I'd have to shop extra hard to make up for Yeon-a's share too.
"So, what's the plan for today?"
Min-hyeok asked from beside me as we breathed in the fresh outdoor air.
"Hm... buy some clothes, grab food... then buy more clothes. That's about it."
Ji-su nodded in agreement with me.
Min-hyeok watched us and winced like he had a headache.
"Typical... Here, check this out. I've mapped all the nearby edit shops, their styles, even the convenient vintage spots. Let's plot an efficient route."
"Ooh..."
"You can be organized sometimes."
He replied to Ji-su in a slightly pouty tone.
"Normally, when we go shopping or on group outings, the boss handles everything, so I never have to."
"True, she always insists on doing it all herself."
Listening to them, I was reminded yet again just how insanely busy Yeon-a must be.
'Business isn't for just anyone.'
The scariest are those with no talent who catch entrepreneur fever.
Glad I hadn't caught it myself. I eyed the map Min-hyeok had prepared.
"Hm... what's a vintage shop?"
I knew edit shops roughly.
But the vintage shops dotted between them? No idea.
"Simple—places that sell used clothes or bags."
"Like... hand-me-down swaps?"
"...Did you do that as a kid too, Yeon-bi?"
I clamped my mouth shut, unsure how to answer Min-hyeok's question.
"Anyway, it's different. Vintage shops carry stuff that's hard to find in Korea, limited-edition brand items, or pieces with minor defects like print flaws."
"People buy that...?"
"You could see it that way, but nowhere else has those one-of-a-kind finds."
I nodded at his explanation.
Unless you had cash overflowing and commissioned the company to remake discontinued items, you wouldn't get them anywhere else.
And even then, who knows if that'd work.
"If you're grossed out by used stuff, we can skip it."
"Nah, not grossed out. No big aversion."
I'd worn hand-me-downs from cousins as a kid, bought stuff at school swap events.
So used goods didn't faze me.
Plus, these weren't weird clothes—rare items, supposedly. No reason to balk.
"...You're something else."
"I get that a lot."
Min-hyeok smirked at my response.
He chuckled a bit, then held his phone map out to me again.
"So, any places catching your eye?"
I scanned the neatly listed stores, thinking hard.
First up: two shops in a big mall.
One was an edit shop specializing in men's outerwear, the other sold unique fashion accessories from overseas.
Ji-su and Min-hyeok tilted their heads at my picks, staring at me.
"These?"
"Yeah... Men's outerwear's just easy to throw on and go."
Unlike women's, men's stuff was generally low-key.
Safe colors, safe designs.
Didn't hug the body, lengths were forgiving.
Perfect for casual wear.
"I get it, but..."
"And we hit this one first, grab food after, then these, these..."
"Hold up—one at a time. Slow down."
With the route mapped out in seconds, we headed for the mall.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A massive mall with a subway station right there.
Subway access, apartments, bookstores, restaurants—all in one spot.
An apartment complex with everything?
Might've been better to live here.
'Dumbass me got scared and picked the outskirts.'
The term "capital area" was kinda hilarious.
People assumed it was all city, but nope—not everywhere.
A little bummed, but living smack in the capital center? Not thrilled.
Chaotic, crowded.
Air sucked.
Sure, tons of perks offset that.
'But if you've got money, those perks don't matter much.'
With cash, those advantages lost their shine.
Plus, I wasn't the type to splash like the rich central folks.
Lost in those thoughts, we reached the first stop.
I alternated stares between the store entrance and the sign.
"...Do clothes stores normally have lines this long?"
A single long queue snaked from the entrance.
Mostly guys, all decked out in bold, personality-packed outfits—like they loved showing off.
"Like luxury stores, right?"
"Never waited in one myself..."
Min-hyeok gave a somewhat hollow laugh at my words.
"No VIP system here—gotta line up. Few people enter when buyers inside leave. Get it?"
I nodded.
Not complicated. Just kept the store from getting jammed.
Still, lining up at a regular clothes shop?
'What even is fashion...'
"Some other spots are like this too, so brace yourself."
At Min-hyeok's warning, I despaired a tad and peered through the glass at the interior.
True to an outerwear specialist edit shop: jackets, coats, bomber jackets, cardigans, windbreakers—you name it.
Every outer imaginable, all stocked.
"What style are you after that brought you here?"
"Something safe. Easy to wear out casually... matches with anything well..."
He listened intently, then nodded.
Ji-su beside him started scoping the clothes inside too.
Reassuring.
Models were on another level.
"Then we'll check thin jackets and jumpers inside. Size-wise, grab the smallest—they're men's."
With that from Min-hyeok, the three of us quietly held our spot.
The line grew longer behind us.
Passersby kept flicking glances our way.
I got some too, but with two models standing there looking sharp, no wonder.
Short wait later, our turn.
"How many?"
"Three."
Staff nodded at Min-hyeok's answer and ushered us in.
"Welcome~"
Greetings from the staff as we entered.
"I'll grab a few things myself while I'm here, so come ask if you've got questions."
"Got it."
Min-hyeok started browsing solo, while Ji-su and I wandered, checking out clothes together.
We headed first to the thin jackets section.
A few guys already picking nearby saw us, smiled awkwardly, and yielded space.
"Oh, thanks."
"Ah... n-no! I'd already picked mine..."
Getting used to this courtesy now, I examined the clothes one by one.
'This color's too drab. This design's too... uncle-vibes.'
Shopping for men's clothes felt oddly novel.
Long time no see, but familiar too.
Made me kinda giddy.
'Back then, even if I liked something, the price tag sent it back on the rack.'
How pricey one jacket was.
Friends dragged me to spots like this; they'd juggle several while I barely picked one to buy.
Now?
No such issue.
I scanned freely, slinging them over my arm.
Size? As long as not huge, no sweat.
A woman's biggest edge.
Clothes didn't have to fit perfectly.
Sure, too baggy looked sloppy and moved weird, so pick right-ish size.
So S sizes I liked, I'd ask Ji-su nearby, then snag 'em.
"...Yeon-bi."
"Yeah?"
"You... for someone who asked for help, you seem awfully practiced."
"...Really?"
"Maybe you've got a knack..."
I laughed awkwardly at her words and forced my eyes back to the clothes.
'Well, men's clothes—kinda hard not to be familiar.'
A woman who sucked at women's clothes but nailed men's.
Hey, diversity era and all.
No biggie.
"Picked out a ton already?"
"Hey, Min-hyeok. How's this?"
Min-hyeok strolled over from behind, casually holding a paper bag of his own clothes.
Perfect timing—I draped on a jumper I'd been eyeing and asked.
He froze for a split second, cleared his throat softly, and said it was fine.
Then...
"...Design's solid, but the color feels dated. No other shades?"
"Nah, there's that one beside..."
"If you love this color, fine—but I'd go khaki or black over ivory. This shade screams 'boss heading to golf.'"
"Eek..."
I'd thought it was cute, but harsh critique.
I pouted a bit and tried the khaki one he suggested.
"Better like this?"
"Way better."
Ji-su nodded from the side.
Min-hyeok nodded too, looking pleased.
"Yeah. Much improved."
Praise makes dolphins dance, or so they say.
Mood lifted instantly; I added the jumper to my arm.
He stared at me in mild shock.
"...You're checking price tags, right?"
I shook my head like, duh.
"Nope?"
"This edit shop mixes in a lot of luxury brands..."
He scanned me over mid-sentence, then trailed off.
"Never mind. Go wild."
Sounded defeated.
I cocked my head and resumed shopping.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Less to see at the accessory shop than expected."
"Accessories only pop once your style's set."
Unlike the last shop where I'd loaded up, barely scored here.
Min-hyeok's bags hadn't grown either.
Two or three paper bags per hand.
I'd offered to carry, but he insisted.
Fine for me, but others might judge.
The donkey fable popped into my head.
Lead the donkey? Fool walking it.
Ride it? Poor husband slaving away.
Both ride? Cruel to the donkey...
Nosy folks' tale.
Was Min-hyeok the donkey here?
Thinking that made me chuckle and feel a twinge guilty, so when he set the bags down to check his phone, I snatched them slyly.
"I got it."
"Enough. My stuff, I'll carry."
"...Stubborn."
His grumble came with a slight smile—good call taking the bags.
[Click]
Right then, a camera shutter sound rang out.
"Huh?"
"What's up?"
Ji-su and I paused, glancing around.
Min-hyeok scowled suddenly and strode off urgently somewhere.
He grabbed a woman's wrist roughly.
"Delete the photo. I saw you just take it."
He bellowed.