Shopping with the Demon
Seha and Dahong stopped by the academy's administrative office. The paperwork was simpler than expected. Summoned beast registration form. The summoner's personal details, and so on. Species: Demon. Name: Contract date: ....
"A name, huh...." Seha pondered for a moment before writing this: Yoo Dahong. He'd attached his own surname. For some reason, just writing "Dahong" felt like labeling her a pet.
Everything else was basic physical info—height, weight, that sort of thing. Finally, the proof photo.
Dahong stepped in front of the camera. The photographer peered through the viewfinder, then froze. White hair. Red eyes. Black horns. A blank expression laced with boredom. She was just standing there, yet the sheer presence was overwhelming.
"Hmm...." He stroked his beard and said, "It's a bit stiff. Could you smile a little?"
Dahong turned to the photographer. He shrank back instinctively.
"No, I just thought it'd be a shame not to smile for such a nice shot...."
Dahong stared at him steadily, then lowered her eyes slightly. Soon, the corners of her mouth curved up.
"......"
The administrative office fell silent. The photographer pulled away from the viewfinder. Two staff members looked up from their monitors. Thud. A student writing on forms dropped his pen. Seha stopped moving too.
Her expression was like sunlight gently filtering through clouds.
"......"
Ah. Seha stared blankly at her face. He kept staring until a middle-aged staff lady called out beside him.
"Student. You're about to drool."
"S-Suck—! N-No...! That's not it!"
Seha and Dahong walked down the corridor. It was the short break between the evaluation semester's end and the start of the first semester. Most students had gone home or were resting in the dorms.
Dahong asked playfully, "Did you drool earlier?"
"I didn't drool."
"The staff lady said you did."
"She was mistaken!"
"Why'd you drool, then?"
"I said it was a mistake!?"
That was when it happened.
"Ah, Seha!"
Isol was walking toward them from the end of the hall, a bag with her wooden sword slung over one shoulder and a stack of documents in her other hand.
"Hey, Isol."
"Hey? It's a day off—why are you at the academy?"
"Uh, yeah. Had to register Dahong as my summoned beast."
"Ah, so her name's Dahong? Nice to meet you, sis."
"Hey. We meet again."
"I heard about it. You took down that Salamander in one shot? I wish I'd seen it myself...."
"Wasn't a big deal."
Isol sighed at Dahong's words.
"Sangjun's a jerk, but his skills are the real deal. He bullies kids with that summon nonstop. Ugh, I hope this makes him reflect a bit."
She sounded relieved, like a weight had been lifted. Dahong thought she seemed bright and responsible, with plenty bottled up inside.
Seha mumbled awkwardly, "So, what brings you out here, Isol? It's a break day."
"Student council stuff. Work piles up even during breaks." Isol flapped the document stack. "But this finishes it for today!"
"W-Well, good for you."
Seha smiled awkwardly. Isol grinned back, then turned to Dahong.
"So, sis, where do you stay normally? I heard spirits live in the spirit realm, angels in heaven, stuff like that."
"Hmm."
"Demons stay in the demon realm, right?"
Dahong looked at Isol. The girl's innocent expression reflected in her red eyes.
"Normally, you say."
"Yeah."
"I stay at Seha's place."
"......Huh?"
"At Seha's. Just the two of us."
"???"
Isol glanced at Seha. Her face said explanations were needed.
Seha scratched the back of his neck. "Well, the thing is.... I still can't unsummon her."
"Huh?"
"......No idea why. So she's staying with me temporarily...."
Isol stood blankly, then looked at Dahong. Then back at Seha.
"So."
"Yeah."
"Right now, you two."
"Yeah."
"Live together."
"......Yeah."
Isol covered her mouth with her hand. A guy and a girl living together. And Dahong had looks that even she, a girl, had to admire.
Isol glared at Seha. "You... you're not making Dahong sis do anything weird, are you?"
"W-What are you talking about!?"
Seha jumped back.
"Come on? A guy and girl in their prime living together. And you're the summoner, she's the beast. It's natural to worry."
"What...! If anything, I'm the one who—!"
Seha yelled in disbelief, but locked eyes with Dahong and flushed red.
Isol narrowed her eyes at the sight. "S-See? Suspicious...."
"No.... Really, no!"
"Hmm...."
Isol crossed her arms and scanned Seha up and down. "Fine, I'll believe you. For now."
"......Thanks."
"But!"
Isol turned to Dahong. "Sis, if anything's uncomfortable, tell me. I'll help."
"Thanks."
"Seha's clueless."
"Yeah, I know."
"Ahaha!"
Isol burst into laughter as Dahong nodded. Seha muttered sullenly, "Dahong, whose side are you on?"
Isol stopped laughing and asked Dahong, "But sis, is living here okay? You came from another world so suddenly."
Dahong recalled everything so far. Unlike hell, she felt alive here.
"Eh, not bad."
"Got all the essentials? Girl stuff."
"Essentials?"
Seha's reaction was like he'd never heard the term. Isol looked at him, her voice dropping a tone.
"Yoo Seha."
"Y-Yeah...?"
"Did you get her what she needs? Girl stuff."
"......Well."
Seha scratched his neck again. "I didn't know what to get...."
Isol's eyes narrowed. "Toiletries?"
"I got spares, at least...."
"Pajamas or clothes?"
"Not yet...."
"Underwear?"
"......"
Isol sighed. "Haa...."
"......"
"Zero delicacy. Seriously."
Seha remembered that morning. Dahong, without pajamas, had borrowed his shirt.
...Yeah, he'd been pretty thoughtless.
"S-Sorry.... I just didn't know what to buy...."
"Then ask her. Or someone else."
Isol sighed again and stuffed the documents into her bag. "Fine."
"Huh?"
"I'll help."
She grinned brightly. "Hee-hee!"
Under Isol's guidance, the three headed to a nearby department store. Being a weekday afternoon, it was fairly empty.
"Academy students get discounts here. Good for everyday stuff. Not luxury brands, though...."
"Hm."
Dahong looked around the store. It was vast. Shops crammed from the first floor up. But what caught her eye most was a small donut shop in one corner. The display case was lined with colorful donuts: strawberry, chocolate, cream cheese, blueberry. The vibrant treats seemed to wave at her.
"......"
"Sis, this way."
Isol tugged Dahong's sleeve.
"Okay."
Dahong let herself be pulled along, eyes still glued to the donuts.
Women's clothing section. Isol scanned the racks, eyes sparkling. "Sis, how about this? The color suits you."
"Not bad."
"This one? Too flashy?"
"Pants might be better."
"Pants, huh.... Hmm. Tops should be shirts over tees 'cause of the horns...."
Isol muttered as she rummaged through the racks, soon pulling out a few items for Dahong.
"Hope the size fits? Excuse me!"
A staff member hurried over. "Yes, looking for something?"
"Could you measure her for size?"
"Her...... Oh."
The staff eyed Dahong up and down, pausing. White hair. Red eyes. Sharp features. Even as a woman, the beauty was heart-stopping. And the figure: taller by a head, bust straining against her shirt, full hips.
There's people like this in the world...?
She swallowed and unrolled the measuring tape. "Arms up a bit?"
Underbust first. Right below the ribcage, the slimmest part. The staff gaped at the number.
God, this waist? From behind, you'd see straight through to her chest!
Next, bust. "Could you lean forward a little? For the max measurement."
Dahong leaned, her ample chest asserting its weighty presence.
"A bit more.... Perfect."
The tape wrapped around. The staff checked the number. "Oh my god...."
"Something wrong?"
"N-No.... Your figure's just so perfect, I was shocked."
"Yeah, it is."
Isol nodded in agreement. Even she had to admit it was impressive. Meanwhile, Dahong's gaze drifted back to the donut shop.
The staff checked pants size too. "Pants might be tricky. Legs too long, hips aside...."
"Got it. We'll start with skirts, then. Thanks."
"Call if you need more help."
The staff bowed and left.
"Alright, sizes confirmed. Time for serious try-ons?"
Isol placed hands on hips, pumped up. Dahong's gaze slowly shifted away from the donuts.