Transformation (3)
I'm losing my mind... There's actually a man standing right in front of me.
While heading home after a shoot, I ran into that guy who'd been with Jung-ah before. I never imagined I'd bump into him here—what the hell do I even say? I've never been alone with a guy like this, so what conversation topic do I pick?
"I just bought some new clothes. Hang on a sec."
"Ah... sure, okay."
Unlike the torn-up rags from before, he was wearing a perfectly normal hoodie and jeans this time. Nothing weird about the outfit, but seeing him dressed like this... it was just shocking. No other word for it.
This guy... he's huge. His shoulders are nothing like the guys I've seen out and about. Broad shoulders, towering way over my height... and that face peeking through the beard...
I've sized up plenty of faces doing modeling gigs, even if mine are small-scale. Even with the beard, this oppa's got that masculine charm straight out of a drama. But what if he shaved it off? Bet he'd look handsome as hell to anyone. A little haircut, and he'd be set.
Lost in those thoughts, staring at Seong-hoon oppa for a good while...
"I'm starving."
"Huh? You hungry?"
He mentioned being hungry, so I racked my brain for nearby spots. Only thing around here is that donkatsu place. Do guys even like pork cutlet? I once suggested it to a male model I worked with, and he said he didn't know much about guy tastes. Apparently, men prefer fancy restaurants or pricey buffets.
That made sense for a well-paid male model. Not so much for an unknown scraping by on SNS gigs like me. Still... nothing else open, so I asked just in case.
"For real? Let's go—quick."
"Huh?"
"Can't resist donkatsu."
Far from turning it down, Seong-hoon oppa seemed thrilled. Well... tastes differ, I guess. No way I'm letting a guy go hungry on my watch, so we hustled to the restaurant.
"Didn't you say you like donkatsu?"
"But... I'm not good with knives like this."
He was gripping the knife weirdly, clearly no good at cutting. Frustrated, he even picked up chopsticks to X-slice it—I snatched the plate.
"Ah... ahhh."
"It's fine. I'm not stealing it to eat."
His pouty face like a squirrel robbed of its acorn... I know I shouldn't think that, but he's cute... insanely cute.
Handed the plate back, and he lit up, chowing down again.
The reliable oppa from before now way too cute.
I kinda wanted to tease him nonstop, but would that be okay? Better hold back for now... Not that close yet, and messing with a guy? Scary stuff.
In the end, we chatted till the meal was over.
I'd only learned his name today, but eating together revealed more. Where he first met Jung-ah—it was unbelievable he lived in a goshiwon; he'd even been a homeless beggar.
A guy roughing it as a homeless beggar in this world? What on earth did he do to end up like that?
So those initial rags weren't some concept either?
With that build, I'd figured he was a model like me.
Chat wrapped up, time to pay and head out.
Normally, the woman foots the bill in a place like this.
"I'll cover this—you go on ahead."
"Huh?"
Seong-hoon oppa stood up first to settle it.
Paying in cash, the staffer freaked out.
That reaction wasn't special—a guy paying instead of the woman here.
Really okay letting him treat like this? I was trembling with unease, but there was also the image of oppa paying for me.
"Thankful? Buy coffee downstairs, that evens it."
"Ah... y-yeah...."
He must've seen how burdened I was, trying to square it with one coffee.
Got a cheap Americano at a franchise cafe—not fancy.
What I'd eaten was pricier... Guys mooch way more than they treat anyway.
Just as I wondered if this was really fine,
"Gotta hit the salon now—can you wait here?"
"Huh?"
"Hair and beard trim. Wait, or head home if it drags."
"Ah... um, over there."
Before I could finish, oppa bolted out of the cafe.
Wanted to say thanks... chase now?
Vrrr— My smartphone buzzed with a message.
I left Seo-ah waiting at the cafe and headed into the salon. It's men-only, so there should be other guys around. No need to drag her in there, and it's just one floor down from the cafe—no danger getting there.
Stepping inside... I couldn't help but gawk.
"Whoa... f—"
I barely swallowed the curse. This wasn't the men's hair salon I had in mind. Well, they do cut hair, but...
"Hyung, check this out~ I just bought this new bag..."
"Hey, kid, my fourth girlfriend just gave me one too..."
"Your fourth?"
I kept doubting my ears. Am I hearing this right? Fourth? Wait, is this even a salon? Did I stumble into some f*cking gay host bar by mistake? Nah, it looked legit.
"Um... do you have a reservation?"
"Ah... yeah, Oh Seong-hoon."
Before I could bolt screaming, a staffer grabbed my shoulder. No escape now—might as well get it over with quick. Sitting down, I pondered my cut while scrolling my phone.
"Any style in mind, sir?"
"Uh... one sec."
I showed him the pic I'd picked out ahead of time.
"......You really want this cut, sir?"
"Yeah? Can't do it?"
"No, no... it's doable. Let's get started."
"Oh, and can you do shaves here too?"
"Pardon?"
Figured a men-only spot would handle beards. This scruffy mess had to go eventually—why not today?
"We've... never tackled a beard this thick. Not sure we can."
"Gotcha. Just hand over the shaving stuff, then—I'll do it myself."
Asked and answered. DIY it is. The stylist approached cautiously and started on my hair. As he worked, drowsiness hit hard. Do salons always make you sleepy like this? Glancing around, even the dye and perm guys were dozing. Safe space for dudes, I guess. A quick nap won't hurt.
"Oh? Need a neck pillow if you're sleepy?"
"Huh?"
Neck pillows too? Solid service. Haven't hit up a salon in ages, but damn. Time to crash hard.
"All done, sir."
"Ah... thanks."
I jolted awake to the staffer's voice, still half-dazed. Grabbed the razor and cream, stumbled to the bathroom.
"Hoo... let's make this quick."
Splashed water on my face to wake up, lathered cream, and carefully shaved the jawline beard. Once it thinned out, I finally looked human. Evolved from monkey to man, huh.
Quick cleanup, paid up, and headed out. Sun's setting soon—I was about to text Jung-ah my location when...
Checked the location from Seo-ah and fired back that I'd head over. Park wasn't far—walking distance, like a minute tops. Should be quick...
"Whoa—!! He's insanely hot!"
"Huh?"
"No way?! Hey, hi! You free today?"
"Gimme your number...!"
"I like you so much—wanna catch a movie today?"
"Y-Yes?!"
Something tells me... I ain't arriving on schedule.