Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: First Event
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"Ugh..."
A slightly later wake-up than usual.
I stretched long and hard under the covers.
Then I picked up my phone from the nightstand.
It was my daily routine—waking up fully and checking how the world was spinning.
Browsing internet news tailored to my interests had become a habit.
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I turned on my phone. The top headline was [Lillatoon PD Abuse Scandal].
'Whoa...'
Checking related articles, there were more.
[Lillatoon Raises Per-Episode Purchase Price—Fallout from Recent Events?]
[We Will Protect Creators' Rights: Webtoon Association Strikes Back]
[Can Blog Serialization of Remake Works Infringe Copyright? - Where Society Stands Now]
Lillatoon was getting hammered from all sides.
'This is blowing up bigger than I thought.'
The site might vanish soon.
I should burn through those rental tickets I bought before it does.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ —Starting cleaning.
As I sat up, the robot vacuum whirred to life right on cue.
Following its hum, I trudged out to the living room.
Normally, I'd be rushing to make yoga time, but not today.
'I have some personal business, so it might be hard to do yoga together that day. Is it okay to skip just once?'
Ji-su had mentioned ahead of time that she had something going on.
She'd insisted I still do it alone if needed, but I had no intention of skipping.
'Gotta stay consistent.'
Nodding to myself, I whipped up a simple lunch and ate.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I unrolled my yoga mat in the empty room I'd planned for a home theater.
I went through the routine just as diligently as I did with Ji-su.
Feeling my poses and flexibility improving, I wrapped up.
No commute, no chit-chat with Ji-su—plenty of time left over.
'Shower, then maybe some gaming.'
Standing under the warm shower spray, I stared blankly at the floor.
This body was starting to feel natural now.
The soreness between my shoulders and neck from my chest.
My view getting blocked every time I looked down.
It all felt as natural as if I'd been born a woman.
'...Though my mindset hasn't changed at all.'
Does a new body change your mind and thoughts?
Doesn't seem like it.
Even so, I'm still me.
Choi Yeon-bi, Choi Min-hoo—both.
I always got a bit sentimental in the shower, but lately, it felt like things were sorting themselves out. Nice feeling.
Still, a touch of embarrassment when drying off afterward was unavoidable.
'Whew...'
Feeling refreshed, I changed clothes, grabbed my phone again, and plopped down in the living room.
Another email had arrived.
Emails always meant something was up, so I opened it with a hint of anxiety.
[New Era Department Store 60th Anniversary. Prepared for Our VIPs.]
"...Not that kind of thing."
Nothing weird like I'd feared.
A department store VIP event, huh.
Didn't know they did stuff like this.
'Everyone who got the email can join... And there's some cool stuff.'
[60 Years of New Era Department Store. This path wouldn't have been possible without our cherished VIPs.]
Skimming the flowery thanks, I read on.
📧 VIP Invitation On our regular holiday, the event will take place at the main branch and all New Era Department Store locations. 1. Private Day - A day just for VIPs. Enjoy a leisurely time in an empty department store. (Staff will accompany you; please contact us in advance if interpretation is needed.) 2. Personal Shopping Service - Receive curation from expertly selected personal shoppers in a private lounge. 3. Product Launch Event - Be the first to see luxury brand new products exclusive to our store and purchase them at the highest discount rates. 4. Private Gala Dinner - Savor a lavish dinner by New Era Hotel's top chefs at our signature VIP restaurant. 5. Toward New Era, Reflecting on New Era - Enjoy diverse artworks and an orchestra themed around our 60th anniversary. Plus various discounts and events. We hope you'll visit comfortably and celebrate our 60th with us. (Up to 1 companion allowed.) It was long and grandiose, but straightforward.
60th anniversary bash—come shop and sightsee.
Something like that?
'Hmm... Should I go...?'
Looked a bit overwhelming. Maybe skip it.
'If Yeon-ah unnie wants to go, I will... Otherwise, nah.'
Simple decision. I messaged Yeon-ah right away.
💬 Messenger — Me Unnie —
> Just got the New Era Department Store 60th anniversary email —
> Did you get it? —
— Yeon-ah What? —
> 60th anniversary email? —
> I didn't get one —
> (Rabbit doll tilting its head emoji)
— Me Huh? —
> (Screenshot of department store email) —
> This didn't come? —
— Yeon-ah Yeon-bi —
> This is what they call deception —
> I can't go!! —
> (Rabbit doll glaring up close emoji)
— Me You're a VIP too, unnie — — Yeon-ah Department store VIP events are usually —
> Only for Arcana grade like you —
> Or the top tier above Arcana —
> So of course I can't go. —
> (Rabbit doll hanging its head emoji)
— Me Oh... — — Yeon-ah So, you going? — — Me No. Was gonna go if you did —
> Kinda scary alone. —
— Yeon-ah Hmm —
> Could be scary —
> Yeah —
> You're only 21, first time for this kinda event —
> Still, you should go. —
> Heard people say it's fun... —
> And even if not just fun —
> You'll learn a lot. —
— Me True... —
> Then, unnie —
> Up to one companion —
> Come with me? —
— Yeon-ah This a date invite? —
> Can't say no, Yeon-bi —
> (Rabbit doll sending heart emoji)
— Me (Default messenger character playing coy emoji) —
> Anyway, you're in —
Solid backup secured.
Way better than standing around awkwardly alone.
'But there's a tier above Arcana...?'
The staff had said Arcana was the highest.
Retracing my memory, I searched New Era Department Store VIP tiers.
'For real...'
Arcana was high, but there was one above it.
'Arcadium...'
Top 1,000 annual spenders.
Changes yearly, apparently.
Smart move, adding competition to VIP tiers.
'Well, can't hit that right away, so staff wasn't wrong.'
Anyway, this event was for Arcana and Arcadium VIPs only.
Probably packed with real rich folks.
Hmm.
Suddenly didn't want to go.
But a promise is a promise.
Can't back out now after bringing it up.
Sighing shortly, I fired up my computer to cool off.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Weather turning cold enough for a puffer jacket.
But I couldn't give up my coat, so I layered up max and threw it on.
Yeon-ah, sitting beside me, had the same idea.
Different designs, but both in coats.
"Coats are the way in winter, right?"
"Totally."
Chatting idly, we neared the department store.
Luxury cars started catching my eye.
Yeon-ah, car enthusiast, perked up too.
"Whoa..."
Rare sports cars and high-end sedans everywhere—not your everyday road sights.
"Yeon-bi, that 1.2 billion won car just passed!"
"1... 1.2 billion?!"
My current ride was 200 million, and I could afford those too, but still mind-blowing.
Cars like that have years-long waitlists on order.
My car's rare too, so no real defeat, but...
Seeing those sedans roll by did make me shrink a bit.
"Looks like a sports car club next to us? All same model, different colors."
This time, bright red sports cars—at least 800 million each.
Red, white, colorful bunch zipped past.
'So many rich people out there.'
Gawking at the novel scene, we followed slowly.
Eventually, store staff waved signals, directing traffic.
Following them, we pulled up to the entrance.
A group of staff rushed out, lining up in front of the car.
"Let's get out."
"Okay."
Stepping out at Yeon-ah's cue, staff bowed 90 degrees.
"Welcome, Customer Choi Yeon-bi. May we ask your companion's relationship?"
"Ah, friend."
"Understood. We hope you enjoy your time at our store."
Formal greetings, bowing again.
Some took my keys and headed to park.
VIP treatment I still wasn't used to, even after several times. We entered.
Inside looked normal, but everything prepared was anything but.
"...Thanks to you, Yeon-bi, I get to see something like this."
Long red carpet down the center.
Luxury brand pop-ups replacing the usual first-floor eateries.
VIPs of all races and styles browsing with staff, chatting.
And just like them, beside us...
"Hello, Customer Choi Yeon-bi. I'm Han Su-bin, assigned to assist you today."
A neat bob-cut staffer approaching shoulder-length hair swaying.
Professional smile, but her eyes on me seemed... excited?
'Who is she...'
"The first floor currently features new product launches from our brands. May I guide you?"
Before I could place her, Han Su-bin smoothly led us and Yeon-ah.
"Yes, please do."
She nodded at my reply, striding confidently ahead.
Yeon-ah and I followed cautiously the oddly hyped staffer.