Chapter 9: Convenience Store Red (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 9: Convenience Store Red (8)
“The rain starting early tomorrow morning is expected to continue through the afternoon. Please take extra care on the wet roads during your morning commute. That is all for the—”
“So it’s going to rain at dawn.”
I was checking the weather on the news while taking photos of the clothes I’d pulled out of the closet.
Why? About an hour before Yubin’s shift ended, I suddenly got a text from her.
[Oppa. Take pictures of the clothes you have.]
[Why the clothes?]
[Just do it. Hurry.]
Following her orders, I laid out my clothes, took a photo, and sent it.
It took a little while for a reply. I was blankly watching the news when the message finally arrived.
It was the photo I had sent, but with a few changes. She had circled a pair of black jogger pants, an oversized black T-shirt, and a denim jacket. Below the photo was a message.
[Wear this.]
Since she’d told me just yesterday that my look at the bookstore was terrible, I did as I was told and put on the circled clothes.
As I waited, it finally became time to head out. I was about to step out the front door after putting on my shoes when I stopped.
“Wait a second.”
Even if we were technically enemies, I didn’t want to go out exactly as she ordered only to be told my shoes ruined the look. Deciding not to trust my own judgment, I stepped out of my worn-out brown sneakers—the ones where my toes practically poked through—and opened the closet.
I didn't have many pairs, but I searched for something usable. From the few options, I pulled out a pair of high-top sneakers with white soles and black tops.
I usually avoided wearing them because they felt like walking directly on the ground, but I figured the answer I was trying hardest to avoid might actually be the right one. I laced them up and headed out.
As I walked toward the convenience store, I saw Yubin coming out after her shift change. Seeing that she’d spotted me too, I waved.
“Right on time, I see.”
“It’s right in front of my house. I can’t exactly be late.”
As I gave the obvious answer, Yubin scanned me from head to toe.
“You wore exactly what I told you. Good.”
As she looked at my clothes, my eyes naturally drifted to her outfit as well.
She was wearing a tight mock turtleneck that accentuated her chest, with see-through sleeves that offered a translucent glimpse of her pale arms. Below her short skirt, she wore black stockings and heels with a bit of height.
Perhaps feeling my gaze while we were talking about my clothes, she looked down at herself and took a step back to show off her full outfit.
“How do I look?”
“You look pretty.”
“If you’d had better clothes, I would’ve made you look a bit more decent.”
I was reminded once again that my outfit that day really must have been a disaster. She didn't seem entirely satisfied with my current look either, but since I’d worn exactly what she picked, she didn't nag any further.
“I just suddenly thought of it an hour before work ended and texted you. What were you originally planning to wear?”
I hadn't really thought about it. I was just going to open the wardrobe and grab whatever looked wearable. If she hadn't texted, I probably would have walked out in those dingy brown sneakers.
“Just whatever? I didn't have much of a plan.”
“…It’s a good thing I texted you, then.”
I sheepishly avoided Yubin’s sharp, glaring gaze. She stared at me for a moment, then suddenly smiled and linked her arm with mine. The soft pressure against my arm made me feel instantly, vividly alert.
“Let’s go. The department store closes soon.”
The department store? I’d planned on just going to a nearby shopping center to buy some clothes, but the route had suddenly changed. I couldn't bring myself to say I hadn't intended to go to a department store. It’s hard to explain, but I felt like saying that would lead to something terrible.
Buying clothes at a department store or a shopping center was probably much the same anyway, so I decided to just go along with it. It was a bit uncomfortable being held by the arm like this, but I let her lead the way.
Once we reached the main street, I saw families and couples out enjoying the weekend night. The bars were packed, and the restaurants were bustling with customers.
“What about dinner?”
“Let’s buy the clothes first and then go eat. The restaurants stay open long after the stores close.”
Yubin didn't let go of my arm on the way to the department store. Walking beside her, I couldn't help but be conscious of it. I pushed back the thought that had briefly crossed my mind yesterday and kept walking. Once we arrived, I wondered where we should go first.
Yubin looked up at me as I stood silently staring at the directory.
“What are you thinking about?”
I suppose she couldn't tell what was on my mind since I was just staring at the sign.
“I’m wondering if it’s better to look at your clothes first or take care of mine.”
“We came here to buy your clothes today, Oppa. Why are you worrying about mine?”
Now that she mentioned it, she was right. Why was I even considering looking at her clothes?
The thought was brief, and the conclusion was simple.
“Since we’re here anyway, it’d be nice to look at both.”
“You were going to look at my clothes too?”
Her expression brightened even more, and her face, already close, leaned in even further.
She was close enough that I could feel her breath, so I instinctively pulled my head back. Realizing she’d leaned in too far, Yubin cleared her throat and turned her gaze back to the directory.
“Let’s look at yours first. It’s an emergency.”
Are the clothes I own really that problematic?
Following her lead, we took the escalator up to the men’s clothing floor.
There were quite a few people up here as well. It wasn't so crowded that we were bumping into people, but a significant number were couples. For some reason, Yubin’s grip on my arm tightened. For a split second, I worried that if she actually used her strength, she might crush it.
“Do you have anything specific in mind?”
“T-shirts and pants.”
She shot me another sharp look. I’d just said exactly what I was thinking, but I felt self-conscious, wondering if my answer had been too half-hearted. I wondered if I really needed to put that much effort into a sincere answer, but that feeling I’d had earlier—the sense that a mistake would lead to disaster—wouldn't go away. I stayed on my best behavior.
“Be a little more specific.”
I thought for a moment at her request for specificity. It was true I came to buy tops and bottoms. But thinking about it, I hadn't actually considered what kind of clothes to buy.
“I’m not really sure what to pick. I just decided to buy clothes thinking that once I saw them, something would come to mind.”
I don't have the talent for clever, eloquent speech. There was no reason to be sneaky anyway, and I figured it was better to be honest than to waste time trying to come up with a plausible-sounding answer.
Hearing my words, Yubin fell into a more serious contemplation than I had. Only then did she let go of my arm and take a few steps back to examine my overall appearance. The thought of being scrutinized by Red of Team Hunter Killer was chilling.
“I don't think strong or flashy colors suit your vibe, Oppa. But I think it would be okay to wear something with a bit of color, as long as it’s not too drab.”
Since I’d never taken an interest in clothes, I didn't really understand what she was talking about, but when you don't know anything, the best answer is to just follow instructions.
“You won't be able to pick properly if I leave it to you, so I’ll pick for you.”
“Okay.”
She linked her arm with mine again, and the shopping began in earnest.
We browsed through several stores. She examined the clothes with eyes more serious than mine and told me to try on the ones she picked. When I came out of the changing room, she would inspect me, give me another outfit, and tell me to pick the one I liked best. It was a repetitive process.
At first, it was a novel and fun experience since I’d never done it before, but gradually, walking around the stores and changing clothes started to feel exhausting. I began to wonder if I really needed to go this far to pick clothes, but every time I looked at Yubin working so hard to find something for me, that thought vanished.
“Shall we go look at my clothes now? You’re going to pick them for me, right?”
Seeing her suggest looking at her own clothes the moment we finished with mine, I was amazed by her stamina. I was tired just from trying on clothes I wasn't even going to buy, but I couldn't ignore the energy Yubin had spent picking them all out. I suppose you need that kind of stamina to be Red of Team Hunter Killer.
Before we started, I thought I’d be able to help her pick clothes without any trouble.
I barely managed to hold onto my fading focus.
“But will I be able to pick anything good?”
I suddenly lost confidence. I didn't care if I looked plain in what I wore; I’d never cared much about fashion. But picking clothes for someone else was a different story.
She’d worked so hard to pick my clothes; I didn't have the confidence to endure her sharp glare if she didn't like what I chose.
“Let’s just go. We’ll figure it out when we get there.”
As I slung the shopping bags over my shoulder, Yubin took my hand.
I felt like I was being dragged along.
I was a bit surprised when we reached the women’s clothing floor.
Unlike men’s clothing, there were so many types and designs. At the same time, the thought of having to find something Yubin would like among all these clothes already made my head ache.
“Alright. Let’s go!”
Held by the hand by a woman who seemed to be in combat mode, I looked around countless shops. There were all sorts of tops, bottoms, and even dresses and coats. It was full of clothes I’d never seen in my life, and I couldn't figure out how to even begin looking.
Whenever I stopped to stare at a piece of clothing, I was conscious of Yubin following my gaze. Every time I turned my head, she turned hers, constantly tracking my eyes.
What would she like? What would look good?
Without realizing it, I began to seriously contemplate her clothes. Then, a certain outfit caught my eye.
It was a dress on a mannequin.
It was a black dress with a white collar. It was covered in embroidery, and the bottom had an extra layer of lace over the skirt, giving it a three-dimensional look. The moment I saw it, I thought it was beautiful.
“Is this your type?”
Yubin, who had been watching me closely, immediately noticed my gaze was fixed on that dress and asked.
“It’s not so much my type as… I think it would suit you. Do you want to try it on?”
“Should I? Excuse me!”
She immediately called a clerk, took the dress, and disappeared into the fitting room.
I knew the time it took to change was short, but it felt incredibly long. I waited for the door to open, feeling a bit of anticipation to see if the image in my head would match reality. Finally, the door opened.
“How is it?”
Yubin in the black dress was exactly as I’d imagined, and it suited her, but I felt like something was off.
“Yeah. It’s pretty.”
Even as I said it was fine, she noticed the slight dissatisfaction in my eyes and looked at me.
“Should I try something else?”
“Would you?”
From that moment on, I unknowingly became dead serious about finding clothes that would suit Yubin. There was no point in me, someone with no interest in fashion, looking for something she might like. I searched for something that I was certain would look perfect on her.
It couldn't just be "this will do," like when I was picking my own clothes. It had to be a conviction of "this is it." Now that I was the one choosing, my determination to find it outweighed my fatigue. I realized Yubin must have felt this way when she found those outfits for me.
As we were looking at a few more pieces, an announcement came over the speakers about the department store closing.
“Oppa. They’re closing.”
“Already?!”
It was already well past 9:00 PM, and most of the people in the store were gone. Regretful that I hadn't picked anything yet, I scanned the clothes even more frantically, but nothing immediately caught my eye.
“It’s okay. We came here to buy your clothes anyway.”
“I know, but…”
Led by Yubin, my steps headed toward the escalator going down.
“Let’s come back again. I’ll definitely pick something for you then.”
“Okay! Let’s come back.”
Seeing her smile brightly as she answered made me feel a bit relieved, but the lingering regret didn't completely vanish.
“!”
That’s when a certain outfit caught my eye.
“Wait a second.”
Still holding her hand, I marched straight toward the clothes I’d spotted. Yubin followed me, confused, until she saw what I’d found.
It was a pinafore-style dress with shoulder straps, meant to be worn over a white shirt. The upper body had a slim design, so I thought it would be tight but flattering on someone with Yubin’s curves.
The skirt was similar to the first dress, with a translucent lace layer over the main skirt, but this one had yellow patterns embroidered throughout the lace.
“Let’s just try this one on before we leave.”
I’d been searching for that "this is it" feeling and hadn't found it until now. I couldn't hide my excitement.
“Okay.”
Yubin called a clerk, was guided to the fitting room, and I had to endure another period of waiting. But this wasn't a tiring wait. The image in my head was perfect, but I felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation about how it would look in person.
Imagining the satisfaction of seeing the clothes I picked look perfect on her, I realized this was how the person choosing the clothes felt.
And the moment the fitting room door opened, before Yubin could say a word, I thrust out my fist and gave her a thumbs up.
“It’s the best.”
“Really? Then I’ll take this one.”
It bothered me a little that she decided to buy it the moment I said it was good.
“Are you sure? I mean, I think it looks great, but…”
“If you think it looks great, Oppa, then that’s enough. I’ll go change back.”
She went back into the fitting room with a satisfied smile.
Seeing the real thing match the image in my head so perfectly gave me a thrill of pleasure. It wasn't just because what I’d picked looked good to me; seeing Yubin’s happy smile gave me even greater satisfaction.
“How much is it?”
“Yes, that will be 260,000 won.”
The moment she heard the price from the clerk, Yubin froze.
I realized later that the store we’d entered was a famous brand, and every single item was quite expensive.
Yubin’s financial situation wasn't great. I didn't know how much she made working for Hunter Killer, but if she was working part-time at a convenience store, she probably didn't have much to spare.
Yubin, wanting the dress but unable to afford it, was about to give up on the outfit I’d chosen. I handed my card to the clerk.
“?! Oppa. This is expensive.”
“You shouldn't look down on a working member of society.”
I was more of an invader who came to conquer Earth than a typical member of society, but I wasn't so broke that I couldn't buy a girl a dress.
“But this is for me.”
“Think of it as a gift for picking out my clothes.”
Even as someone ignorant of fashion, I could tell the design was beautiful and the material was high quality. It cost more than all the clothes I’d bought for myself today combined, but considering the effort she’d put into picking my clothes, this much was fine.
“Um, may I process the payment?”
The clerk, unable to swipe the card in the awkward atmosphere, broke the silence.
“Yes. Please process it.”
Today, unlike usual, I felt like someone who actually had some status. I’d probably be on the receiving end of her painful fists the next time we dueled next week, but at least now, while we weren't wearing our suits, staying on equal, ordinary terms was the only way to keep my identity from being discovered.
“Thank you.”
Her head was bowed low, so I couldn't see her face, but she didn't seem unhappy, so I figured it was fine.
Since 9:00 PM was when people really started heading out to have fun, there were far more people than before we’d entered the department store. I was taken aback by the crowds on the main street, and Yubin linked her arm with mine again.
After walking with our arms linked and holding hands for so long, it already felt familiar.
“Should we get something to eat?”
“Yeah. Is there anything you want?”
Even at the Spacetro headquarters, we talked about the menu every time we ate. I knew the clearest way was to just say what you wanted. And when you’re out and nothing specific comes to mind…
“Shall we look around while we walk?”
Looking around is the best way.
“Okay.”
“But don't your legs hurt?”
She’d been walking in heels since we left the convenience store and hadn't sat down once while we were at the department store. I wondered if her legs were starting to ache.
“I’m fine. I’m actually very sturdy, you know.”
I knew all too well how sturdy she was, having been pummeled by the hands currently holding my arm.
“That’s good, then. Tell me if you get tired.”
“I will.”
We started walking toward the restaurants, but instead of finding one, we got so caught up in our conversation that by the time we snapped out of it, we realized we’d wandered a bit away from the busy district.
“There aren't any restaurants up here.”
“Let’s head back. We went too far.”
The moment we turned around to go back, I felt something hit the top of my head and looked up.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s raining.”
“Rain?”
At the word "rain," Yubin held out her palm, and a raindrop fell onto it.
“Let’s get somewhere fast.”
“Yeah. They said it would come at dawn, but it’s already starting.”
The rain began much earlier than the forecast I’d watched out of boredom had predicted. In less than a minute, it was pouring in torrents.
“Oh, man…”
We ended up stuck under the awning of a closed shop, watching the downpour.
“It’s really coming down. They said it would rain until tomorrow afternoon.”
As I was thinking about what to do while watching the rain, Yubin suddenly went quiet. Was she hungry? Things would have been better if we’d found a restaurant quickly, but we’d wandered far because we were so engrossed in talking about ‘Deep Space Technology Theory.’
If the convenience store were close, I’d run and buy an umbrella, but the nearest one was too far away.
“Oppa.”
“Yeah?”
I turned my head at the sound of Yubin’s quiet voice. She was looking up at me, her face flushed.
“My legs hurt….”
Of all the times.
“Let’s rest for a bit before we go.”
Just as I was about to look around for somewhere to sit, Yubin raised her hand and pointed to the building across the street. To a motel with its neon sign lit up.