Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: A Scene I've Seen Somewhere
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It was me who first suggested meeting up with Si-woo, my heart heavy with pointless pride getting the better of me.
The meeting spot was decided to be his house.
No matter how much I tried to chalk it up to being on my period and extra sensitive, looking back, it was hard to find a friend who cared about me that much.
And yet, I'd gone and done something stupid to a friend like that.
Once that day was over, my mind cleared up like a lie.
'Why did I act like that back then?'
It had hurt so much that it kept nagging at me, filling me with nothing but irritation, but now things were different.
Back in a state where I could think rationally, the words I'd said started coming back to me one by one.
The things I'd said to Si-woo, the outburst at the hospital.
Were hormones really that scary?
I rang the doorbell at his front door and waited a moment before it opened.
I gave an awkward wave.
"Oh, long time no—"
It felt like déjà vu. It seemed like this had happened last time too.
Si-woo stood at the door, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.
His face looked a bit intimidating right now, making me tense up a little.
It was just a blank expression, so why did it feel this way?
"...Come in."
His voice was low, like he hadn't fully woken up.
The atmosphere felt a bit awkward.
Of course, maybe it was just me feeling that way.
Even with a friend, after not seeing each other for a few days, facing him like this felt kinda embarrassing.
Especially since the last thing I'd said was that sharp "I'm fine."
We entered the room without a word to each other.
I plopped down on the floor cross-legged, using the bed as a backrest.
Si-woo glanced at me, then sat on the edge of the bed, perching on the corner.
And then, without anyone going first, we both spoke at the same time.
"Si-woo..."
"Eun-hae..."
Our words overlapped. I widened my eyes in surprise, and Si-woo flinched a little too, looking startled.
"Ah, you, you go first..."
"You go first."
Our words overlapped again.
The absurdity of the situation hit us, and we both burst out laughing at the same time—no need to decide who went first—with a soft pfft.
The awkward vibe from before vanished easily.
"What are we even doing right now? The mood's all weird."
"Yeah..."
I chuckled in response, and Si-woo raised his index finger toward the ceiling with a suggestion.
"How about we say it at the same time then?"
"Huh? Say wha—"
Without waiting for my reply, Si-woo suddenly started counting.
"One, two—"
Without thinking, on the count of three, I blurted out what I'd wanted to say.
"Three—!"
"Sorry..."
"Sorry."
Si-woo and I spoke at the same time again. It was so cringey that I pulled my hood over my head.
"Ah, damn. What kinda cheesy crap is this..."
Si-woo replied with a sly grin.
"Why? Isn't this kinda romantic and nice?"
Yeah. Honestly, it felt like a scene I'd seen somewhere, so it was a little fun.
I answered with a laugh.
"Hehe..."
A bit embarrassed, I wiggled my toes. There was a nice smell in the room.
Looking him in the eye and talking was still a little hard. Normally, I'd meet his gaze easily.
Fidgeting with the metal clasp on the hoodie's drawstrings, I continued.
"Sorry for not texting back and making the police call you. Oh, and... for snapping at you."
Ah, what's this feeling? My heart was ticklish.
"I appreciated you worrying, but somehow, it felt embarrassing. Ah, how do I even put this... Ugh..."
I could feel my face heating up. It was burning.
I'd already sorted out exactly what to say in my head, but now I couldn't remember any of it.
I just let whatever came out of my mouth go straight to Si-woo.
"S-so, like, I couldn't help saying it. You were suddenly being so nice to me."
Si-woo scratched the back of his head as he replied.
"W-was I? Wasn't I always like this?"
Saying it outright was so cringey that my voice got louder without me realizing.
"Ah—! Seriously—!"
After yelling once, I felt a bit shy, so my voice dropped again.
"Sorry for being a hassle... You were worried, and I just got irritated. Next time... yeah. I won't do it again."
"I wanted to apologize too for saying something insensitive."
"Insensitive?"
I looked up at Si-woo's face. He was avoiding my eyes, hesitating a little.
"...Your period. I know about it 'cause of my little sister—you're not supposed to poke at someone on those days. But I guess I said it too casually without thinking."
Si-woo's face was serious. When he finally met my eyes, I was the one who looked away this time.
"I can't fully know how you feel right now, and it'd be weird to say I do—can't even imagine it—but I think I judged on my own. Sorry."
Why was Si-woo the one apologizing?
"Ah... Yeah..."
He'd said a lot, but the latter part didn't really sink in.
...Now I'm gonna have to bleed every month.
I mumbled softly in response, and Si-woo, seeing that, asked with a worried look.
"What's wrong?"
I guess I have to say it.
"No, it's not that, but... come to think of it, I went to the hospital..."
"Yeah."
"...They said I can't go back to being a guy. I have to live as a woman forever."
There was a brief silence.
"...Oh. Really?"
I replied casually.
I glanced at Eun-hae, and her eyebrows were trembling slightly.
Maybe the silence felt uncomfortable, because she forced the corners of her mouth up and spoke in a bright voice.
"B-but I've managed okay for the past month, right? So it should be fine...?"
Even over Death Code calls, she couldn't lie just with her voice.
A lie told face-to-face was just pathetically obvious.
Eun-hae turned her head slightly, her eyes flicking to me before looking away again, repeating the motion.
"...From now on too..."
Then, suddenly, she called my name in a low, cautious voice.
"Si-woo..."
"Yeah."
"It might be really selfish, but... can I ask you one favor?"
"What is it?"
Eun-hae's small lips moved. She was biting her lower lip a little.
"I... I think I have to keep living as a woman from now on."
She took a deep breath and continued.
"Can you treat me the same as before?"
'Not sure if I can.'
But before my brain could catch up, my mouth moved first.
"No problem."
I regretted it a bit after saying it, but the words were already out.
"...Thanks."
Eun-hae gave a small smile.
Ah, that wasn't acting. The corners of her mouth rose naturally in genuine relief, her cheeks slightly flushed.
And that eye smile.
Thinking the mood had lightened, Eun-hae went back to her usual tone and explained what had happened in the meantime.
Why she'd suddenly disappeared, what she'd been up to.
"Oh, and it wasn't a big deal. Just a physical exam, drew some blood, and done."
"You think they'd really do human experiments or something?"
"Wasn't that realistic...? I thought it was possible."
Eun-hae widened her eyes and asked seriously.
I clenched my fist without realizing.
"You're saying weird stuff again."
"...And there's a ton more to do."
"Like what?"
Eun-hae counted off her tasks on her small fingers.
"Gotta get a new Resident Registration Card, call the company to change the name on all my game accounts and stuff. They said it all has to be done in person. Insane. Such a hassle. Oh, and the loan I took out..."
"You keep bringing up money every time we meet. Don't worry about it."
"But... thanks..."
"Take your time. No rush."
Seeing Eun-hae squirming as she spoke, I desperately fought back a smile.
I thought my molars might shatter.
Was she doing this on purpose?
I kept the talk with Si-woo short and simple before parting ways.
While I was out, there was one last thing to take care of.
The hair salon.
But I had no clue how to get my hair cut.
I'd always just gone to a nearby men's salon and asked for a rough crew cut, but what about women's hair?
Should I just go and ask them to tidy it up?
Not knowing any salons around, I opened a map app to check.
"No way, what are these prices..."
A simple cut for 20,000 won? Minimum 20,000 won?
Every haircut costs a whole chicken? Does that make sense?
Looking at others, there were even 40,000 won cuts.
Isn't cutting hair the same everywhere?
I picked a random 20,000 won salon and walked there.
I wasn't about to spend more than necessary just to cut some hair.
The salon was a challenge for me.
When was the last time I'd gone? After graduation, I hadn't gone out much.
...Four months ago?
And it wasn't even a regular place—it was my first time here.
Wasn't I doing something insanely bold right now?
Checking the map app for directions, my heart pounded harder as the salon got closer.
'Please don't talk to me...'
The lady at my old salon only chatted a bit on the first visit and left me alone after—that was nice.
I finally arrived at the salon. The entrance was a huge transparent glass wall, with the inside fully visible.
People getting haircuts or blow-dries were visible if you looked closely.
I wanted to mentally prepare before going in.
But my eyes met the person at the counter.
If I made eye contact and then hesitated before entering, it'd be even more awkward, so I went right in.
With trembling hands, I pressed the automatic door button and stepped inside, hit by a sophisticated scent.
The person I'd made eye contact with smiled and approached.
"Do you have a reservation?"
"Y-yes? Oh, no. No reservation..."
"Ah, sorry. We're operating on a reservation-only basis now. You'll need to book to get service."
"Pardon...?"
Reservations for a hair salon?
I quickly scanned the interior without being obvious.
There were few people sitting. Plenty of empty seats, actually—it looked leisurely.
"C-can't you do it now...?"
"Yes, you'll need to reserve first. Would you like to book through the app now?"
"...?"
Why not just do it right away? Why insist on the app?
I had no idea, but I had no choice but to go with the flow.
Guess I have to do what they say.