Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Third-Person Observer Perspective
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Eyes snapped open. My mind was sharp and clear.
Was it because I'd spent so long chatting with Siwoo yesterday? Or the liberating feeling of having shown someone my ugly side?
No, neither.
It was the perfectly timed text notification.
Wung—wung—
Delivery Notification
Your package has been delivered. Please check the photo at your door.
That single phrase on my phone screen sent my heart racing. Opening parcels is always pure joy.
I kicked off the blanket and headed straight for the front door.
Ding-ding—
The door lock's cheerful chime shattered the morning stillness. There on the doorstep sat the parcel I'd ordered yesterday, waiting patiently for me.
The moment I bent down to snatch it before anyone could spot me—
Chilly morning air poured unimpeded through the loose neckline, raising goosebumps all over.
'Eek, cold.'
Right then.
Ding-ding—
The door lock chimed again—
I lifted my head at the unfamiliar gaze from the end of the corridor. And locked eyes directly with the neighbor next door.
Someone I'd run into a few times even during the semester. Acquaintance level, at best.
Normally, a murmured "Hello" with a quick nod—the dry sort of tie where we'd just pass by.
But right now, to this neighbor who knew nothing, I was a total stranger.
Their eyes widened in an instant.
Fluster and shock mixed with an awkward gaze they couldn't quite turn away, pinning me in place.
Of course they'd react like that. They'd surely know if the person living here had originally been a man or a woman.
I could feel my facial muscles stiffening as I realized I was pulling a dumb expression.
"......"
An unbearable awkward silence filled the corridor.
The neighbor's gaze trailed from my face to the parcel box on the floor.
And then, satisfied or whatever, their eyes finally shifted away.
Unable to endure the tension, I spoke up first.
"Ah. H-hello...?"
"Uh. Hello...?"
The neighbor replied awkwardly, clearly flustered. Someone who'd normally just nod and go.
I scooped up the parcel box in a hug and bolted back inside.
The instant I slammed the front door shut and locked it behind me, my held-back ragged breaths exploded out.
From the corridor beyond the door, slightly hurried footsteps faded into the distance.
"Huu... Huu..."
My first exchange with a stranger who wasn't an acquaintance since the gender swap.
Honestly, it barely qualified as conversation—just some mortifying blunder...
'Ah, I should've just grabbed it and ducked inside without saying a word.'
Belated shame came crashing in.
"No. No."
I slapped both cheeks hard with my palms. Clap—clap— The stinging pain spread, clearing my head a little.
If I were that neighbor, I'd forget this brief morning run-in by tomorrow.
I scraped the box tape off with a utility knife. Squeak— The crisp scent unique to new clothes wafted up.
The clothes I'd ordered were neatly packed inside.
Very plain, safe designs. I pulled them out one by one and tried them on.
Since I'd eyeballed the sizes myself, some fits were off, but still—way better than before. Tolerable, at least.
My old clothes? The measurements were so totally different now, no way I could wear them out.
I stood before the full-length mirror. There was a woman starting to look familiar—but still utterly alien.
I stared blankly into the mirror.
"......Haa."
I'd figured a neutral style might tone it down, but clothes weren't the problem.
It was just a woman who liked comfy outfits standing there.
No matter what I put on, it'd probably end up the same.
I'd always liked cute things anyway.
Even in gacha mobile games, I'd pull characters for their looks over performance.
I quietly scanned the figure in the mirror. Something I'd never have done before.
Instead of seeing myself, treating it like observing some character beyond the screen dulled the mental block.
The woman in the mirror made faces.
She furrowed her brows, pouted her lips a touch. Then smiled.
'Hmm... maybe a little cute... no, this is straight-up cute... but.'
This was the first time I'd properly squared up to the mirror for a close look since the change.
I glanced down at my hands instead.
Curled and uncurled my fingers. White, delicate digits obeyed my will.
I tilted my head; the reflection mirrored it perfectly.
I spent a good long while just staring at my mirror self like that.
This body was still an adjustment project.
I still pulled bathroom blunders now and then, defaulting to standing out of habit.
I'd tried forcing it once, but the posture felt so tacky—like my human dignity was crumbling—so I quit.
To safeguard my dignity, I now meekly sit and handle business. No choice.
—Vrrr!
"Eek...!"
The vibration shattered the quiet; I flinched and snatched up my smartphone.
The name on the screen: Seong Siwoo.
"Ah... this damn guy."
Normally I'd have cursed him out, but the situation was different now.
He'd fronted me a big chunk of cash. No helping it.
I stood back in front of the full-length mirror and opened the camera app.
My photo gallery was filled with snaps of stray cats on the street or game event screenshots. That was it.
I had zero clue where to position the lens or direct my gaze.
'I saw something like this online...'
Digging through memories, I extended my arm at a diagonal.
Slightly bent my elbow, twisted my wrist so the lens hovered just above my head.
'This work?'
The phone screen showed a familiar angle but an awkward face.
Click—!
The shutter sound echoed through the quiet room.
I hurriedly checked the result and slapped my forehead. Only then did it hit me.
'This is a face shot, not clothes...'
In the screen's corner, one tiny hand had unknowingly thrown up a V-sign, and the forced half-smile was cringe-inducing enough to make my neck burn.
"...I wanna die."
This time, I switched tactics. No full face reveal—hide it outright.
"...This angle feels kinda risky, no?"
It gave off vibes like I needed to state my age and name. Switched again.
Kept the face-hide strategy but used the smartphone to cover it.
The phone alone hid my face completely.
A bit impressed.
Shot with legs stretched out.
Twisted the angle and shot again.
Folded my legs and shot.
Tilted my head a little and shot.
Every time I spotted my fingers shyly curling in the shots, I'd delete and reshoot.
Click—click—
The clicks stopped when my phone buzzed again.
—Vrrr!
Screw it, I thought. Picked a random faceless shot from the latest batch and hit send.
[Sent]
Instant regret and self-loathing flooded in.
'Ah, shouldn't have sent it. Just 'cause he asked...'
But the send count was already gone.
No reply for ages. Or at least, that's how it felt.
'Shouldn't have sent it. Shouldn't have. x5...!'
My heart pounded. Why the delayed reply?
Wrong clothes pick? Nah, I chose my usual style.
Bad photo quality?
Finally, the response came.
"What the..."
Not even some grand message, so why the wait? Tension melted away, strength draining from my body.
The chat went quiet.
"Phew......"
I let out a held breath and flopped onto the bed. That casual reaction comforted me more than any gushing praise.
The phone in my palm buzzed lightly again. Not a text alert—a transfer notice.
Cocoa Bank: Seong Siwoo has sent you 500,000 won.
"......Huh?"
I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. Panicked, I checked the texts again, but the chat was still stuck at "lol".
My debt jumped from 500k to 1 mil. Without a say from me.
"He won't tack on interest later... nah."
A hollow chuckle escaped my lips. Guess this was his way of looking out for me.
I replied short and casual, like always.
I've got one hell of a friend.
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