Transformation (1)
“Fuck….”
Profanity spilled out the moment I woke up. No matter how hard I try to forget, that sperm donation center from yesterday keeps popping into my head. It was mentally terrifying in a whole different way from Gragas Auntie.
Still half-asleep, I checked the guide again. Right there at the top: One sperm donation required per month.
“Holy shit….”
I was trying to cut back on the swearing, but nothing else fit the situation. I'd barely survived doing it once yesterday like a goddamn beggar, and now I had to do it again next month? Even though suicide was tempting as hell, I had no choice.
“That Male Support Fund better be worth a ton.”
If I could get the stipend, I'd do it even if I hated it. In the end, I'd caved to the massive amount of money.
Riiiing— Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. My phone rang from an unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Ah, yes, hello. Is this Oh Seong-hoon?”
“Yeah, that's me. Who's this?”
“We're calling regarding the Male Support Fund.”
They were from the District Office. They explained I could pick up the stipend in cash if I came by soon.
“Got it… I'll head over right now.”
I hung up after that. All that suffering had paid off… I'd even asked about the amount, and it was huge—worth all this bullshit.
“Haa… Finally free from the chains of being broke.”
No more begging. No more groveling on my knees to survive.
“Gotta wash up.”
My boiling head from yesterday had cooled off. Once I thought it through, showering seemed like priority one. I hadn't bathed in nearly three days.
I grabbed soap and shampoo from the bed. Good enough for a scrub. I stepped into the shower, turned on the hot water, and stared at the mirror.
“Whoa… still looking like a bandit.”
What the hell was with this mirror? Some thug-looking bastard with long hair was rubbing his eyes. Time for a shave… but where do I even get a razor? A cheap thousand-won one? Nah, with this bushy beard, I'd need something better.
Now that I had money and food/shelter sorted, it was time to… act human. Evolve from chimpanzee to man.
With that in mind, I finished up a quick shower and headed back to my room. Fired up my smartphone using the goshiwon's Wi-Fi and searched for places.
Men's Hair Salon.
To deal with this beard, I'd need a pro shop, right? I wasn't the type to fuss over looks anyway—zero clue about clothes or hair. No dude around to consult. Best I could do was Google the highest-rated spot and go.
Might as well grab some clothes while I'm out? These rags were getting embarrassing…. If I skimped on food with the stipend, I could splurge a bit on that.
I searched for hair places and clothing stores at the same time. Just as I was about to head out…
“Oh. Jung-ah….”
Almost forgot—I'd nearly stepped out alone like always. I'd told her it was dangerous for me to go solo, so I texted asking if she could come along.
I'd asked just in case, but…
Tch… What can you do? Work's work. No way I'd drag a hardworking girl away for something non-urgent.
Are all guys in this world such pussies? “No! Don't!” Fuck… I wanted to unload a string of curses, but whatever. Broad daylight—how bad could it get? Plus, I had my smartphone. If some chick lunged at me, I'd have the cops on her ass in seconds. No biggie. And I needed to navigate this world solo eventually. Couldn't rely on Jung-ah forever.
Steel myself, I slowly opened the door and stepped out.
* * *
Out of the Noryangjin Goshiwon and onto the street.
“Whoa… a guy walking alone.”
“Is that really a dude? Hair's too long.”
“Hey, let's go talk to him.”
Haa… Their stares hurt. Everyone's sneaking glances, and the whispers are blatant. This kind of attention sucks when you're not begging. Back when I was, it meant cash. But now, just strolling around? Uncomfortable as hell. No wonder guys here turn into total hikikomori with all this suffocating scrutiny.
I ignored the eyes as best I could and bee-lined for the District Office. Grab the money, haircut, clothes, home—quick as possible.
“Whoa, that guy's running—look!”
“Damn, check out those forearm veins.”
“He's fast. No way I could catch him.”
Fuck, embarrassing… Even running draws a crowd. Felt like a zoo monkey again. I bolted into the office.
“Haa… haa.”
Out of practice—I'm winded and sweaty. Hope I don't stink, but money first.
“Ah, Seong-hoon! You're h—whoa….”
“Yeah?”
“N-nothing! All good.”
The clerk from yesterday at the welfare counter drooled the second she saw me. Shit… This reaction's why it's scary. Just panting a bit, and she's grinning ear-to-ear?
“Can I grab the stipend now?”
“Y-yes! Right here!”
Luckily, it was ready. Snagged the cash and bolted.
“Hey, if you're free today—”
“Busy as fuck. Gotta go.”
Even office ladies hitting on me now. Brushed her off and sprinted to the nearby clothing store I'd scoped out.
* * *
I dashed straight to the store without looking back. Picked it 'cause my phone search showed:
Men's Clothing Sold.
Rare for a guy like me—one of the few spots stocking dude rags. Should work.
“Oppa?!”
“Huh? J… Nah, not her?”
Thought “oppa” meant Jung-ah, but turning around… it was that girl from the café.
“Uh… Han Seo-ah, right?”
“OMG, you remember my name? I'm touched!”
Touched over just a name? Must be starved for it.
“I'm Han Seo-ah, but just call me Seo-ah, oppa.”
“Uh… sure. Oh Seong-hoon here.”
“Seong-hoon oppa?! We met once before, but you left so fast.”
Yeah, stipend stuff and Jung-ah's hints to bail. But… Seo-ah seemed decent enough. Jung-ah's friend—gotta treat her right.
“What brings you here, oppa?”
“Clothes shopping. Check this shit out.”
I showed her my torn-up rags. Even smiling Seo-ah gaped in shock.
“That's why I'm buying new ones. Just got my Male Support Fund payout.”
“Oh… cool. Where's Jung-ah?”
“Work, so I'm solo.”
“Mind if I tag along?”
Why the hell would you? Bit my tongue. Jung-ah's friend—can't be rude to my savior's buddy.
“Fine, tag along if you want.”
“Yay~!”
She glued herself to my side. Just grabbing basics anyway. In the store, I snatched a black hoodie and jeans—men's soulmates from my old world—and bought 'em quick.
More? Nah, don't wanna lug bags, and salon next. Minimize baggage: buy one outfit, change here, ditch the rest.
“Oppa, you tossing that old shirt?”
“Huh? Yeah…?”
Seo-ah eyed it, asking if I was dumping it. Torn and stained—what use was it? About to ask staff to trash it…
“Then give it to me!”
“What?”
“I want that shirt!”
“Why the hell?”
Beats me how to respond to that.