Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Atelier
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That little mishap that had happened in the blink of an eye? I decided to wipe it from my mind.
More pressing issues loomed large. It wasn't the time to worry about stuff like that yet.
Problems that time would sort out? Leave them to time.
Now it was time to face the ones I had to handle myself.
I set the part-time job app on my phone to short-term gigs and started searching.
Simple packaging and shipping jobs... most of them were basically warehouse work, so pass.
Trade fair staffing... stage teardown... security and guarding... tax accounting...
There were plenty of listings, but realistically, nothing I could do.
But I wasn't in a position to be picky, so with a "apply first, ask questions later" mindset, I scrolled a bit more.
📋 Job Posting Fitting Model for Women's Clothing – Seriously, Please Apply ASAP. Hourly wage: 82,828 won. Posted: 24-01-02. Deadline: Ongoing recruitment. A fresh posting from today caught my eye.
'Fitting model?'
The only time I'd ever struck a pose in my life was for a profile picture.
For someone like me to get paid to model? Wouldn't that just be a nuisance?
But then again... in my current state, just standing there like a mannequin might be a godsend.
Above all, that "Seriously, Please Apply ASAP" title hooked me.
📱 Job Ad Message "Wanna join us?" "Big sis here will take real good care of you. Back in my teens, I delivered milk in my early years, worked at a coffee shop mid-teens, and convenience store late-teens – the part-time fairy herself. Some call me the part-time machine." "And I'm an MZ-gen boss who totally gets your struggles... nah, big sis. You trust big sis, right?" "Application docs? What kind of nonsense is that for a gig? Between us, what docs do we need? Resumes and all that – running to a PC bang to print 'em, and they gouge you a grand even for black-and-white... anyway, just show up." "Big sis isn't weird." "Everyone who works with me loves big sis." "No forced drinks after shoots or anything – don't worry." "Pay's better than industry average – don't worry." "You trust big sis, right?" "Got questions? Call anytime – whether you're in the bathroom, showering, eating, or sleeping, big sis is always ready for your call." It was a lengthy ad.
I read it with a smile tugging at my lips – entertaining stuff, but no real details.
Preferred height? Body type? What clothes they sell? The vibe of model they want?
Zero keywords – just a raw plea.
And that's what made me like it, oddly enough.
The "women's clothing" part nagged a bit, though...
But hey, I'm a "woman" now.
Close my eyes, slip on some stockings a few times, wear a skirt a few times – I'll adapt, I believe.
[010-xxxx-xxxx]
I nearly dialed the number right then, but belatedly realized it was just past 2 a.m.
She said she'd pick up anytime – bathroom, shower, eating, sleeping – but that was just hype, right?
Calling at this hour would be straight-up rude.
And texting was impolite too, but between the two, text was better.
-Saw your ad and reaching out. Jeong Gyeowol, born '05, about 168cm tall, weight... not sure, but anyone can see I'm slim. Photo attached.
Still in my going-out clothes, snapping and sending a pic was no issue.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2:30 a.m.
When most people were asleep, the lights blazed in Atelier's office.
Half-eaten chicken and empty beer cans littered the table, and the boss was glued to her phone.
"Seulgi sis... put the phone down already. You're gonna burn a hole through it."
"No way! I'm staying up! Ready to answer before the first ring, anytime. The prepared boss. The boss for part-timers. The boss just for you. Gotta plant that image."
"It's just a fitting model gig. Pure business. Driven by cash. No blood, no tears... nasty bitches. All rot in hell. Rip your clothes on an outdoor shoot and leak your undies pics online!"
The employee teared up, choking back sobs as she shook an empty beer can dry.
Bad fitting model memories, no doubt.
"...Arang, you drunk? You're going full dark side."
"We downed how many beers and bowls of rice, and you ditched me fresh-faced for another mall... can you blame me for going dark? Huh? Can you?!"
"...Ugh, fine. Dark side's not a crime! The world's fault for driving you there!"
The two clinked empty cans, oblivious, shaking them dry.
Atelier was a middling shopping mall – not thriving, not dying.
Running a mall takes passion from staff and boss alike; without it, they crumble to cosmic dust in months.
Luckily, Atelier had a boss and staff holding it together.
Even snagged an exclusive model contract from a famous Insta-fluencer out of old ties with the boss.
No jackpot, but no total bust either.
Though the pricey model fees left the boss with scraps.
In an industry birthing 100 malls a day and closing 99, it was a solid win.
But coasting like this meant slow doom.
Boss barely took a cut, just worked.
Big capital and conglomerates birthed mega-malls, squeezing out small fries.
They'd survived on model power so far, but new traffic was dipping.
Boss Kim Seulgi, unwilling to fade away, prepared a desperate play.
Hired a designer she'd eyed, to make their own clothes.
Both boss and staff wanted upscale lines anyway.
Models noted clothes lacked personality – users echoed it on the boards.
Gathering all feedback, staff even deferred pay for months.
Thus, their ace in the hole.
Time passed, and launch day for new clothes arrived.
Model ghosted.
Word was, a rival mall poached her – despite her exclusive contract, paying the penalty.
Contracts pack power, but cash reigns supreme.
"We hugged and cried, vowing to build it together..."
"Whoa! Whoa! It's here! Came... but..."
The boss, soothing her glancing employee, shot up.
Her reaction was... off.
The employee approached, patting her shoulder like she'd expected it.
"Contact at this hour? Not normal. Already got that 'I'm a model' superiority complex. All models are like that..."
Seeing the text on the boss's phone, she trailed off.
The two froze, staring at the screen.
Bodies still, fingers flew.
Zoom face, then body – back to face.
"...Insane."
"Huh... what?"
"Insane, I said."
"...This message really for me?"
"It says so! Read it quick!"
Full-body glance – zoom face.
Read text – tap pic, zoom face.
"Damn it! Stop being dumb and gimme!"
Employee snatched the boss's phone.
Normally, boss would've yelled, "I'm the boss, I'm the sis, you punk!" – but she gaped silently.
Employee tapped the pic, zooming the face.
"Holy... human?"
Boss's turn.
She yanked for the phone – judo-reflex quick.
"Reply late, and it looks like my ad's fake! Gimme! But who is this girl... why'd she apply?"
"No! Contact her! Reply first!"
Boss, about to dial, tapped pic – zoom face.
Snatch, snag back. Admire, gasp.
This looped for over 20 minutes, easy.
Meanwhile, Jeong Gyeowol.
"...No reply? Read receipt's there... rejected?"
Fitting model's all about the face, huh.
Or body changed, but fate didn't.
Another rejection chalice.
Staring at my phone, civilization's progress soured.
Whose idea were read receipts?
I sighed, flopping onto the bed.