Chapter 284: Each Person's Sense of Crisis
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 284: Each Person's Sense of Crisis
"Ah, my legs still hurt."
The car was stationary.
Halfway through the ride, Choi I-seo had managed to pull the other girls off me, so the rest of the trip was comfortable, but the aftereffects lingered.
As I sat there massaging my knees, Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin pouted from the back seat, their voices dripping with sarcasm.
"Go work out more."
"If you can't even handle that, what are you going to do?"
"You guys are so damn shameless."
Just look at them. They were the ones who put me in this state, and now they were blaming me.
I knew they’d talked to Yun-ji yesterday and had been anxious ever since, but I wondered what on earth was said to make them act like this.
Well, surely they won't be like this while shopping.
As Han-gang and Chan-woo told me before, shopping usually fixes a bad mood. Once people start spending money or consuming things, they tend to feel satisfied.
"Let's go. We're here."
I opened the door to step out, but the two in the back grabbed Choi I-seo’s shoulders as she sat next to me.
"W-what is it?"
A flustered Choi I-seo asked what was wrong. The two in the back, who had already donned sunglasses and hats, began to pour out their complaints.
"Why aren't you dressed like us?"
"Choi I-seo, your dress code is way off from what we agreed on."
"Sigh, what dress code? I'm telling you, you guys are overdoing it."
Honestly, I agreed with Choi I-seo.
It wasn't like everyone in the country knew who I was just because I’d been on a broadcast. In fact, my name and face hadn't even been revealed. I was just known as the youngest son of Uju Group.
Besides, it was late, and we’d be the only ones in the VIP Lounge, so I didn't think it mattered.
"No! I-seo has to transform just like us!"
"Who do you think you are, trying to look pretty all by yourself?"
"You guys are being weir—!"
Hands reached out from the back and swarmed Choi I-seo in an instant. A scream, like a final death rattle, erupted as she was dragged into the back seat.
"Kyaak! W-what are you doing?! Why are you stripping me?!"
"Come here! I knew this would happen, so I brought an extra set in my bag!"
"Is this what Kim Woo-jin feels like when he undresses Choi I-seo? This is surprisingly exciting!"
As Choi I-seo’s clothes started flying out from the back seat, I quietly closed the door.
The driver had already stepped out of the vehicle the moment we arrived and was busy reporting over the phone.
Some time passed.
Slide.
The door opened, and out stepped a trio of petty thieves wearing sunglasses, hats, and even masks in the middle of the night.
"Phew, that felt like punishing a bitch."
Seo Ye-rin looked proud and satisfied.
"I felt like Kim Woo-jin."
Yoo Ah-rin claimed she felt like me while undressing her.
"Ugh..."
Choi I-seo stood there with a tearful face and slumped shoulders. Her outfit was the worst of the bunch; she looked like she was wearing an old man's hiking gear.
"You guys look like you're here to rob the place."
They looked exactly like a crew that had come to hit the department store after hours.
Well, regardless, now that everyone was ready, I headed into the department store with the trio of thieves.
Since it wasn't closing time yet, there were quite a few people around, and we naturally drew some stares.
"See? People aren't really noticing us."
Seo Ye-rin chirped from behind her mask.
Well, usually, Seo Ye-rin draws way more attention than this.
Her looks were so outstanding that she tended to monopolize everyone's gaze wherever she went. Sunglasses, masks, and hats might be conspicuous, but people just shrugged it off, so it was probably less intense than usual for her.
Under the curious gazes of the public, we arrived at the VIP Lounge.
Though smaller than the other stores, the interior design, furniture, and decor exuded an aura of extreme luxury. You could tell a massive amount of money had been poured into the place, making the customers feel like royalty.
How did they even book a place like this?
A place like this is usually hard to rent even if you offer a fortune. Even for my big brother or father, it wouldn't be easy.
Do they have a connection?
A slight doubt flickered in my mind, but my attention was quickly stolen by the staff who came out to greet us.
"Welcome."
The employees bowed deeply and greeted us politely. Perhaps because they were dedicated VIP Lounge staff, they were all good-looking, and their movements were filled with grace.
"If you require assistance, a staff member can accompany each of you to provide product guidance—"
"No, no. It's fine. We'll just look around ourselves."
"Understood. We wish you a pleasant shopping experience. Refreshments and drinks are prepared, so please let us know if you feel fatigued. Furthermore, if there is anything else you need, please inform us, and we will prepare it immediately."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
As we awkwardly passed the staff, Yoo Ah-rin sidled up to me and whispered.
"They're pros."
"Why?"
"They didn't laugh when they saw how we're dressed."
"...That's true."
If people dressed like this walked into a VIP Lounge, it wouldn't have been strange to be kicked out immediately. Even if they had been briefed beforehand, the fact that they didn't let their expressions slip once proved they were professionals.
"Hey, but don't you have to spend a certain amount every month to get into a place like this?"
"Probably? Honestly, I'm not sure how we booked it either."
"Does the Chairman adore us that much?"
Yoo Ah-rin smiled, resting her chin on her hands like a flower.
Normally, I would have called her pretty.
"Since you're wearing sunglasses and a mask, I don't really feel anything."
"Hmph."
"But can we actually shop separately in the lounge?"
My question was quickly answered.
There was a separate boutique within the lounge, and it was fully stocked with travel-related items as if they had been prepared specifically for us.
From the obvious swimsuits to suitcases, handbags, clothes, cosmetics, perfumes, and accessories like necklaces, rings, and sunglasses.
The setup was so perfect it was almost exasperating, as if everyone here knew exactly where we were going.
"They certainly are prepared."
As I scratched my cheek in disbelief, Yoo Ah-rin stared blankly at me before suddenly snapping her gaze toward me.
"I love you, Woo-jin."
"Why does that feel so dirty?"
Is this what love tainted by capitalism tastes like?
"Kyah! I'm living the high life thanks to my boyfriend!"
Yoo Ah-rin dashed off.
Seo Ye-rin followed right behind her.
Finally, Choi I-seo glanced at me tentatively before slowly approaching.
"Is this really okay?"
"Why? Is it a burden?"
"Of course it's a burden."
"Forget it, just go buy some clothes. You look a mess right now."
"T-this is—!"
Choi I-seo tried to make an excuse but let out a deep sigh and took off her mask.
"Haa, fine. Since it's been provided for us."
Muttering as if to convince herself, Choi I-seo followed the other two.
* * *
"Hey, look at this. How's this one?"
"..."
The lounge was larger than expected, and the boutique inside was surprisingly big. Thanks to that, we naturally split up while shopping.
Right now, I was caught by Yoo Ah-rin and was being forced to try on various things.
"Hmm, this suits you. You should dress like this more often."
"Why are you picking out my stuff instead of yours?"
I thought she was picking out her own clothes when we started. But Yoo Ah-rin wasn't even looking at her own things; she was solely focused on mine.
"I have plenty to wear, but you don't."
"No, I got a lot of clothes recently too."
I told her she didn't need to go this far, but Yoo Ah-rin didn't stop.
"Oh, come on. I want to do this too. Dressing up my boyfriend and all that."
"..."
When she put it like that, I didn't have much to say.
But there was something I’d been wanting to ask.
"So, are you admitting I'm your boyfriend now?"
At some point, she had started acknowledging me as her boyfriend. This was the same Yoo Ah-rin who had insisted that dating three people was absolutely impossible.
"...?!"
Startled by my question, Yoo Ah-rin slapped my shoulder in annoyance.
"Shut up! I didn't admit anything!"
"What? Why are you being so hot and cold?"
"I don't know! Go away! Ugh, why did I even bother picking stuff for you?"
I ended up being pushed away by a blushing Yoo Ah-rin and wandered elsewhere.
As I looked around, Seo Ye-rin sidled up to me with a smirk.
"Woo-jin, which one do you think is better?"
She showed me two swimsuits. They were different styles: the first was a white X-shaped bikini, and the second was a red off-the-shoulder bikini.
Both would definitely look great on her.
"Buy both."
Why bother choosing? Just buy both and be done with it.
However, Seo Ye-rin didn't seem satisfied with that answer.
"I'm asking which one you like more, Woo-jin."
"Well, we'll be swimming a lot anyway, so just buy both and rotate them—"
"..."
Right, she really didn't like that answer.
After thinking for a moment, I decided to give the answer she was probably looking for.
"I think the white one is better. You can just pull it to the side and do it right away."
"Right? I thought so to—"
Seo Ye-rin’s face, which was about to break into a bright smile, turned subtle.
Wait, I thought I gave her the answer she wanted, but she looked strangely uncomfortable.
"Hmmmm."
I thought she was going to argue, but she just tilted her head and walked away.
I wondered what was up with her, but then Choi I-seo called me, so I headed over to her.
"What is it? Buying something?"
Unlike the others, Choi I-seo was looking at cosmetics. It was a bit funny to see her face visibly stiffen as she checked the prices one by one.
"It's too expensive, Woo-jin."
"Yeah, I know. But isn't our trip expensive too?"
"That's true, but..."
"My father set this up. It would actually be rude to him if we didn't buy anything."
"Phew, fine. I know."
Because she knew that, she couldn't easily say she wouldn't buy anything. Eventually, she held out a bottle of sunscreen and asked me.
"You don't have sunscreen, do you? I noticed you didn't have any last time. Make sure you use it."
"Ah, right. I should."
I used to wear it back in the day. You know... when I was dating Yun-ji.
"Still, your skin is good because you eat well."
Choi I-seo playfully pinched and pulled my cheek. Seeing her smirk like that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. A fluttering feeling, so to speak.
"Do I need anything else besides sunscreen? Now that I think about it, I'm out of cleansing foam."
"Really? But wouldn't buying that here be too expensive? Honestly, the effect isn't that different from the stuff you buy outside."
"Hey, I told you to stop worrying about the price. My father set this up, so it's right to just buy it."
"Sigh, fine. I guess I should."
"While we're at it, should we get some expensive couple rings? What do you think?"
I thought it was a great idea, and Choi I-seo’s eyes sparkled at first, but then...
"...Are all four of us wearing the same one?"
"Ahem."
I had no choice but to look away when she asked if all four of us would be wearing the same couple ring.
"Or are you going to wear three rings? One for me, one for Ye-rin, and one for Ah-rin?"
"No, that's a bit much."
I wasn't some hip-hop artist; why would I wear three rings?
"How about this? You get a ring, Ye-rin gets a necklace, and Ah-rin gets a bracelet."
"I think that's a truly trashy idea, Woo-jin."
"..."
"Sigh, forget it. Do you have shorts? I didn't see any when I was packing your bags last time. Let's go buy some."
Wait.
"I-seo."
"What? I said no to the couple rings."
To Choi I-seo, who replied nonchalantly, I spoke my honest feelings.
"I've been feeling this for a while, but... it feels like I'm shopping with my mom, not my girlfriend."
At those words...
Thud.
Choi I-seo dropped the sunscreen she was holding and stared at me with bewildered eyes.
* * *
"Hey."
"Ouch! Why?!"
Yoo Ah-rin poked Seo Ye-rin in the ribs as she was seriously contemplating the two swimsuits. Startled, Seo Ye-rin looked at her to see what was wrong, but Yoo Ah-rin’s gaze was fixed elsewhere.
"What are you—"
As Seo Ye-rin followed Yoo Ah-rin’s gaze, she was struck speechless.
What she saw was Choi I-seo pinching Kim Woo-jin’s cheek.
Knowing they had already done everything there was to do, she knew it was silly to be jealous over something like that.
And yet.
"What's with that... fresh, K-drama vibe?"
At Yoo Ah-rin’s murmur, Seo Ye-rin snapped her head toward her.
"That's it! That's it! I finally realized what was missing!"
When she had shown him the swimsuits earlier.
Kim Woo-jin’s response had been purely R-rated, and in truth, that was what Seo Ye-rin had wanted.
And yet.
It felt somewhat empty.
She had heard that relationships eventually hit a plateau if they lasted a long time. Seo Ye-rin felt exactly that just now.
Yoo Ah-rin bit her nails and muttered anxiously.
"Why... why doesn't that kind of atmosphere happen when he's with me?"
That fresh yet cozy feeling. Even without pressing their bodies together, that sense of mutual fulfillment through a short, simple touch.
Seo Ye-rin nodded in agreement.
Yoo Ah-rin imagined it. If she had been the one standing there, what would Kim Woo-jin have said?
'What? Why are you acting up? You want to die?'
He probably would have joked around like he was talking to some childhood buddy!
Seo Ye-rin also imagined it. If she had been in that position.
'Haa, why? Do you want to do it here in the fitting room? I told you it's dangerous.'
He probably would have tried to restrain her like he was stopping a horny Crayon Shin-chan!
The two felt a chill run down their spines as a sense of crisis regarding their current relationships began to take hold.
Even though...
Choi I-seo, whom the two were so envious of...
M-m-mom?!
...was feeling a sense of crisis of a completely different kind.