Frills, Photos, and Grandpa's BBQ Invite
That's why being quick on the uptake is a curse... I clutched the doorknob that just kept clicking uselessly and sat there frozen for ages. Was there really only one way out of this room?
Yeah, time to pay off that karma... I hate my past self who dangled steaks on video calls.
I steeled myself and slipped my arms into the pink shirt with its floaty frilly sleeves. Carefully buttoning it up, I hiked up the short skirt.
"...Isn't this way too short?"
In my mind, a skirt meant something knee-length, like a long skirt. But this black one in front of me? It was tennis-skirt short. One wrong move, and my underwear would be on full display.
Ugh... Even if it's just for wearing around the house, isn't this a bit much? How was I supposed to pull this off without dying of embarrassment?
Glancing back, I spotted the still-locked door. Haa... Fine. Eyes shut, just wear it.
I wrapped the short skirt around me and started adding the accessories one by one. Black choker and belt. White stockings and black block-heel boots.
"...Her tastes are unique."
If she loves it so much, she should wear it herself! Why dump this trial on me?!
Dressing up in something that looked like it could sprout a flower garden just by looking at it made something inside me ignite. Fine, if I'm doing this, might as well do it right.
I smoothed down the sleeves neatly, tied the ribbon at my neck. This should be okay. The biggest issue was not knowing what I looked like right now.
With all the clothes on, I called out toward the door.
"O-Okay... I'm dressed..."
"For real?!"
The reply came back so fast it felt simultaneous. Click! The lock disengaged, and the sturdy door swung open with a creak.
Im Nana's face popped through the narrow gap. She froze, eyes wide, staring at me standing there.
What? Did I glitch out? Why isn't she moving?
"Um... this is embarrassing..."
"Whoaaa..."
A sound escaped Im Nana—part shock, part awe. Then she strode right up, circling me like I was a sculpture, gushing nonstop.
"Whoa... insane! This is straight-up amazing!"
She scanned me top to bottom like appraising art, then burst into applause.
"Areum, it suits you perfectly! You look like a total doll! So freaking cute!"
"I-Is this really okay...?"
First time in a skirt, and my thighs felt all exposed and chilly. How do girls wear this stuff out in public? My legs twisted together naturally.
"Gahhh...! Even that pose is adorable! From the moment I saw your hairstyle, I knew it'd look killer on you!"
"R-Really? Can I see a mirror?"
"Mirror? Oh, hold on! What if we tweak the hair too? Your current style's great, but something else might fit this outfit even better!"
Having already surrendered everything, I just nodded. No point refusing—she'd hit me with those sad-puppy eyes otherwise.
Im Nana bounced off excitedly, grabbing a comb, black ribbon, and even manicure. The weird sensation of polish on my nails felt alien, but... whatever, we're this far in.
She grabbed my hand, blew on it whoosh whoosh, then stood behind me, stroking my hair and huffing with excitement.
"Haa... haa... This is perfect!"
"Uh, your breath..."
"Here! Just put this on!"
Im Nana handed me a black mask. Hmm, a mask? Makes sense—girls look half-hidden and pretty in them. Mask goblins or whatever they're called?
Slipping it on made her huffing even more intense.
"Grrrrr...! Love it! I can't stop saying how much I love it!"
"Th-Then... the mirror?"
"Yup! To the big mirror by the vanity!"
She dragged me back to the vanity mirror. Finally standing before it, I swallowed hard at my reflection.
Whoa... Just a makeup and outfit change, and...
My hairstyle was different too. Twin tails? Don't girls hate childish styles like that? The makeup was smokier and darker than the initial clean look. Frilly outfit loaded with ribbons. The combo somehow synergized into something unexpectedly lovable.
"See? Told you—total bombshell! Super pretty, right?"
Im Nana whipped out her smartphone, and the mad photo session kicked off again. Click, click, click! This time, she demanded poses.
I struck the awkward poses she called for with a soulless expression. Awkward V-signs, hands cupped by my face. Some comedian said it best: If you're gonna crash, crash hard.
This might be that moment. But why does she even have clothes like this at home? The size is a tad small—not bought for me, then.
"Nana... If you like this style so much, why not wear it yourself...?"
"Huh? Of course I tried! I bought it to wear myself originally?"
"Th-Then why make me..."
"It didn't suit me at all. Guess some people are just born to rock it! Like you, Areum!"
That hit with a pang of pity. Not "won't wear," but "can't wear"... So this is vicarious satisfaction. I'm just a mannequin.
If you wanna wear it but it doesn't suit, just wear it anyway. No compromises there, huh.
Once the photoshoot wrapped, Im Nana scrolled through the pics and asked cautiously.
"Areum, mind if I post these on SNS?"
"SNS?"
"Yeah! They're too pretty to keep to myself. With the mask, no one'll recognize you!"
Hmm, tempting to mull it over. Publicly sharing this look? Kinda daunting. But YouTubers thrive on recognition and buzz. Half-face covered or not, it's still my pic out there.
Call it practice—might help shake the camper-gramps image. The kind smiling healing-camp pro is toast, but ditching the old-man vibe? Still want that.
This face deserves better than "gramps," right?
"Sure... Post what you want. Oh, get the president's okay first?"
"Duh, obviously!"
All the karma paid off, I changed back into comfy clothes. Washing off makeup twice was a chore, but I felt worlds better. I slumped on the living room sofa, body drained.
Hours of torment left me boneless.
"Hiiing... Just lemme stay like this..."
"Didn't think it'd be that uncomfortable."
"It looked so good though..."
Im Nana clung to the end. Let me rest easy sometimes...
"Oh, Nana. All the busy schedule stuff done now?"
"Yup! No big shoots for a bit—super free. Why?"
"Well..."
Say it? Don't? If Grandpa just mentioned it in passing, might be awkward. But he's not one for empty words—maybe he really wants her along?
"Next weekend... camping? Wanna come hang out?"
"For real?! Yes, yes!"
Im Nana shoved her face right up to mine, yelling. Whoa, too close—intense!
"No big reason—just Grandpa said he wants to see you... Y'know, bring your friend..."
"Grandpa's place? The Mokpo spot from the live? I'm in!"
"Hey, think it over, get the president's okay first."
"Got it!"
She fiddled with her smartphone. Checking her schedule? Even off-schedule, she's gotta have stuff lined up.
"Hello? President?"
Whoa. Not checking—straight-up calling? Her action speed is unreal.
"Yes, next weekend. Yeah. Going to Areum's grandpa's with her."
President won't say no, personality-wise. Guess it's a yes.
I'll prep when I get home too.
"Yes, yes! Thanks~!"
"Got permission?"
"Yup! Said have fun. Even giving a gift for Grandpa before we go?"
Classic. Savvy businessman—thoughtful gesture that feels good without burdening.
If it'd been for me, newbie fresh off contract heading home? Creepy. He knows, so passes it via Nana.
"Cool, you're in then. Oh, probably meat for dinner—any you can't eat?"
"Hmm... Lamb's iffy. Bad experience once..."
"No lamb then... Got it."
"Can't wait~"
...Meat? Oh right, Grandpa mentioned roasting a whole pig or something. For real?
Neighbor Hwang Grandpa's big hog farm, yeah. If it's too much for Grandpa, I can bring stuff.
'I've never been short on cash in my life, y'know?'
...Nah, ask Grandpa. Whole pig BBQ? Never tried it.
"Areum! Look—likes already exploding!"
"Huh? Posted already?"
"Duh! Had to brag about something this cute!"
Ugh. Black history for me... But I braced for it, so not too scarred. Silver lining.
"How many?"
"9,000!"
"...?"
"Nine thousand. Hitting 10k soon."
"A-Already...? How many followers you got...?"
"Huh? 600k?"
Hmm. 60k... Kinda low for a 1.5M beauty YouTuber? Wait, no—YouTube and Insta are separate.
"60k, but likes that high? Loyal fans, huh?"
"What? I said 600k. 600k."
"...Not 60k?"
"I'm a 1.5M YouTuber—think I'd have just 60k? Especially beauty, where SNS hits hard?"
...So her Insta followers outnumber my subscribers. Talent, huh.
"Told you when we met—blew up on Insta early."
"Whoa... Yeah, I remember."
"Still hot too. YouTube's at 1.6M now?"
"Whooooa."
I saw 1.5M with my own eyes first meet. My channel's new, starting from zero—decent early growth, but...
She's a vet with a year-plus fanbase. Growing this fast? Few more years, mega-YouTuber territory.
Sitting next to me, Im Nana suddenly looked different.
"...Areum? Why the intense stare?"
"Huh? Intense how?"
"Well... Just now, it was like... Nah, thought that was your default."
"What?"
"Normally... exaggerated, like looking at a pitiful loser..."
"No way. You're like my benefactor. Thanks to you, my channel's growing."
"...For real? Just my imagination?"
"......"
Hmm... Sharper than I thought. No, I never thought "pitiful loser." Just... pure, clear-headed type.
Of course I respect her skills!
"Areum? Why so quiet? No way... right?"
"Ha.ha.ha. No.Way. You're.my.Benefactor."
"Areum! You just said it! For real no?! I misread?!"
...Sorry.