A Ring and a Dress
As they stepped out of The Mart, a wave of humid air greeted them. The richness of the pork cutlet they had just eaten and the lingering taste of the thick sauce coated their mouths.
"Ah, that was a great meal."
Ihyeon tapped both her cheeks and smiled with satisfaction.
"It was really delicious. We should come here again next time."
"Sure. It’s quite decent."
"Right? The way the cheese stretched was no joke. Yours looked delicious too..."
"You should have said something then. I would have given you a bite."
"H-how could I say that!"
Taegon’s sudden, forward approach made Ihyeon’s face flush instantly. She shook her head to erase her own bold imagination.
Taegon watched her quietly before speaking.
"Since we’ve filled our stomachs, shall we look around a bit more before heading back?"
"Look around?"
"Yes. Since we’re already out in the city, it’d be a shame to just go home like this."
At those words, a giant neon sign that read 'DATE EXTENDED!' flashed in Ihyeon’s mind.
Her heart was thumping uncontrollably, but she tried to act as calm as possible on the outside.
"That sounds great! I was actually hoping to do that too!"
Ihyeon replied in a voice more excited than usual, clenching her fists behind her back.
Once they left the mart building, a shopping street unfolded before them. Accessory shops sparkling through glass windows, colorful clothing boutiques, flower shops wafting subtle scents, and nostalgic stationery stores lined the street.
The two walked without a specific destination. They wanted to enjoy this time together just a little longer.
Accessories reflecting the streetlights caught Ihyeon’s attention. Her pace slowed, drawn like a magnet to their brilliant, sparkling presence.
Sensing Ihyeon’s presence drifting away, Taegon, who had been walking ahead, turned and approached her.
Ihyeon was peering at a ring in a shop window. It was a simple design with a single small cubic zirconia set on a thin silver band. Among the flashy jewels, that particular ring stood out to her.
Ihyeon muttered to herself without realizing it.
"It’s pretty..."
Taegon walked up with long strides and stood beside her. His gaze shifted from her profile to the shop window, and then back to her.
Her eyes sparkled like marbles, capturing the light reflected from the ring. Watching that look, Taegon impulsively opened his mouth.
"In that case, I—"
His words cut off abruptly. He couldn't finish the sentence and clamped his mouth shut.
Ihyeon looked up at him.
"Yes? What was that?"
"..."
Taegon scanned the ring in the window, then shook his head with an indifferent expression.
"No. It’s nothing."
"You sounded like you were about to say something...?"
"It’s really nothing. Let’s go."
Taegon mumbled and started walking again. Ihyeon followed him, tilting her head.
'Hmm? He definitely said something... am I imagining things?'
Still feeling a bit regretful, she glanced back at the shop window one more time.
'It really is so pretty...'
As Taegon walked ahead, he subconsciously shoved his hands into his pockets.
'Buying a ring as a gift is way too much... even in dramas, they only give those when proposing.'
Taegon scolded himself for being rash. But why was it? The look in Ihyeon’s eyes as she gazed at the ring kept flickering in his mind. The more he tried to erase it, the deeper the afterimage became.
'Forget it. Just forget it.'
Taegon clenched and unclenched his fists inside his pockets as if to suppress his feelings.
By the time they passed two more stores, Ihyeon’s pace slowed again. This time, it was because of the outfit on a mannequin standing at the entrance of a clothing store.
It was a pure lavender-colored knit dress, but the design was anything but innocent. The fit clung tightly to the mannequin’s curves. Buttons lined up neatly below a daringly deep V-neck. There was even a tiny slit hidden at the hem of the short skirt.
Ihyeon’s eyes wavered violently at the provocative design that seemed to be openly seducing someone.
'I-if I wear something like that, I could s-seduce Taegon...!'
Ihyeon stopped her thoughts abruptly, embarrassed by the bold delusion that had flashed through her mind. But the redness on her face lasted only a moment before her expression turned gloomy.
'But something like that... it wouldn't suit me at all.'
With a dejected look, she fiddled with the buttons of her own blouse. All she ever wore were sweatshirts, hoodies, and jeans. She didn't have a single dress in her closet.
'When was the last time I even wore one?'
She tried to recall, but she couldn't remember.
Just as she was about to turn away, Taegon’s voice sounded close by.
"Do you like that one?"
He had approached without her noticing and was looking at the same mannequin right beside her. Ihyeon was startled and waved her hands frantically.
"N-no! I was just looking as I walked by! It’s pretty, but it’s a style that would never suit me..."
"Why not?"
"I don't usually wear such bold clothes. Especially not dresses..."
She trailed off in a tiny voice and lowered her gaze. Under her fidgeting fingertips, her own plain attire came into view. A white blouse that was nothing special and a pair of jeans that were as ordinary as could be.
Just this. She had built a wall around herself, believing that this was what suited her best and that anything more was just greed.
Taegon scanned the mannequin and said calmly.
"Why don't you try it on?"
"...Pardon?"
"It’s not like anyone is going to say anything if you just try it on."
"W-well, that’s true, but..."
"I think the color would suit you well. Go on, try it."
Ihyeon looked up blankly at the man who was shaking her heart so helplessly. Taegon met her gaze naturally, as if there were no ulterior motives involved.
In the end, unable to resist his kindness, she decided to try it on.
"...Just try it on, okay?"
"Yes. If you don't think it suits you, you don't have to buy it."
Ihyeon stepped into the store, hesitating. It was the moment the wall she had built for herself crumbled away.
She checked the size with the staff and entered the fitting room. While she pulled the curtain and changed, her heart pounded as if it were going to burst.
'Me, in a dress... and one with this much exposure?'
She fastened the buttons with trembling hands and finally looked in the mirror.
"Oh..."
She stood there, mouth agape, staring at her reflection. The soft lavender color blended surprisingly well with her skin tone. The silhouette that fell fitly along her slim waistline created an unfamiliar, dizzying atmosphere that was different from her usual self.
'Is this... me?'
It was so different from her usual self that it felt like she was looking at someone else. Feeling a mix of embarrassment and strangeness, she bit her lower lip.
'I have to show Taegon, too... what do I do? I’m too embarrassed to go out.'
Her hand gripped the fitting room curtain tightly. After hesitating for a long time, Ihyeon finally steeled herself and pulled the curtain back.
"H-how is it...?"
She walked out of the fitting room with her head bowed low. Both hands were tightly clutching the hem of the dress. Her knuckles were white from how nervous she was.
Taegon, who had been sitting on the sofa, looked up at the sound of the curtain opening. And he froze in that exact position.
"..."
The dizzying cleavage from the deep V-neck. The smooth, glowing white thighs. The way she twisted her body in shyness.
Taegon couldn't say a word.
'This is... I have nowhere to look. But I can't look away either. Wow...'
The thread of reason he had been holding onto so tightly was stretched to its limit, ready to snap at any moment.
When there was no reaction, Ihyeon’s face quickly turned gloomy.
"I-it’s weird, isn't it? It doesn't suit me—"
"It suits you well."
Taegon replied in a strained voice. At the unexpected compliment, Ihyeon’s eyes widened.
"...Pardon?"
"I said it suits you well. The color, the overall vibe—it’s good."
Taegon stood up from the sofa and examined Ihyeon carefully. His gaze moved from her shoulders to her waistline, from her sleeves to her knees. To Ihyeon, it looked like Taegon was observing her coolly, but in reality, he was at a loss because of her changed atmosphere.
"Y-you seem to look good in bright colors, Ihyeon."
"Really? I’ve always only worn dark colors..."
"T-that’s why it’s even more refreshing and nice. Your whole vibe has changed."
Ihyeon couldn't lift her head at his praise. Her face felt so hot it was about to explode. She could feel that she was bright red from her nose to her ears.
And it was the same for Taegon.
"A-are you exaggerating?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"...I suppose not."
"So believe me. It really suits you."
Taegon scratched the back of his neck, feeling shy. Ihyeon bit her lip and turned away. She made eye contact with herself in the mirror. Her face was flushed red to her ears, but her eyes were filled with a joy she couldn't hide.
'When Taegon compliments me... I feel so good that I start having strange thoughts.'
Her heart was racing like crazy.
'It feels like I’m not myself anymore.'
The reason she had impulsively tried on a dress she wouldn't normally wear, just because she wanted to look pretty, was all because of him.
'Whenever I stand in front of this person, I keep getting greedy.'
Ihyeon stood shyly, clutching the sleeves of the dress. Seeing that, Taegon immediately called the store clerk.
"Please ring this up."
Ihyeon’s head whipped around.
"What?! W-wait a minute! I’ll pay for it!"
"It’s a gift for keeping me company while grocery shopping today."
Taegon said as he handed his card to the clerk. Ihyeon scrambled to dig through her bag, but the payment sound rang out before she could even get her card in her hand.
— *Beep!*
"Ah..."
The clerk carefully wrapped the dress and handed it to Taegon.
"Thanks for shopping with me today."
Taegon gave a refreshing smile and handed the shopping bag to Ihyeon. At that moment, Ihyeon’s eyes grew moist, and her lips trembled.
"Taegon... you didn't have to do this..."
"Please accept it. It’s to commemorate today."
"..."
Ihyeon accepted Taegon’s gift with both hands. The shopping bag, which was light, felt as heavy as her heart.
Ihyeon bowed her head.
"Thank you, I’ll wear it well... really, thank you so much."
Ihyeon’s voice was thick with emotion and cracked slightly. Taegon nodded as if it were nothing and walked out of the store. Ihyeon looked down at the shopping bag in her arms.
'The person who bought me a gift... is the first since my parents.'
She followed behind him, clutching the shopping bag to her chest. Like a warm spring breeze blowing, her heart felt ticklish.