Hunting Downtown
Somi's friends were plenty surprised by her transformation, but no one was more shocked than Somi herself. For the first time, she realized she was capable of changing like this. It felt newer and more wondrous than even transforming into a magical girl.
"Wow! Somi, what makeup are you using?"
"That tint looks so pretty. I want to start wearing makeup too."
"Wanna hit karaoke after school?"
"Where'd you get that gorgeous tan?"
After baking her skin to a beautiful copper glow at a tanning salon, Somi had become a full-fledged gyaru. Her popularity among her friends shot straight up. The fashion-obsessed girls in particular were eager to get close to her, and Somi was happy to hang out with them.
Taeyang was satisfied with the change. A demure, pure, beautiful girl was nice, sure—but a free-spirited, sparkling girl like this wasn't bad either. Surprisingly, gyaru fashion suited Somi extremely well. Her original personality had always been the aggressive, charge-ahead type. The look wasn't a bad match at all.
Having made plans to hang out downtown with her friends, Somi waited for them at the little clock tower in front of the department store. She still had about ten minutes until they were supposed to meet. Today's outfit was a black skirt and a sky-blue blouse. She'd also brought a more grown-up beige handbag than usual—bought with the money left over from her tanning session.
While she was waiting, two men approached. Somi checked their faces. Strangers.
One was a tall, handsome guy. The other was plump and well-fed looking, with the kind of face that was more likable than classically good-looking. The slender one wore jeans and a blue-toned shirt, an expensive-looking watch on his wrist. His waxed, swept-back hair suited him well. Overall impression: he had the look of a gigolo.
"She doesn't even look like she's in high school yet."
The chubby one said it in a worried tone. The handsome one snickered.
"Even better, then."
He walked right up to Somi without a shred of hesitation.
"Hey. Waiting for someone?"
Was this that "pickup" thing she'd only ever heard about? Somi's heart started pounding—not because of the handsome guy in front of her. The situation itself, the fact that she was being hit on, was what made her chest flutter.
"Yes. I'm waiting for my friends."
"Friends? You mean a boyfriend?"
"No. Girl friends."
At her answer, the guy pointed at himself with his thumb.
"Forget those girls. Wanna hang out with oppa? I'll buy you something tasty."
The line was terrible, but coming from a good-looking guy, it somehow sounded almost plausible. The chubby one behind him chimed in.
"Issho ni sake nomu ka?"
Somi smiled faintly and shook her head.
"I'm okay, thanks."
"Come on, don't be like that. We'll show you a good time."
The guy casually tried to drape an arm over her shoulder. Somi took a step to the side. Being picked up was fine. A clingy guy like this was not.
If it were someone manly like the PE teacher, maybe. This guy's just greasy.
Somi finished her evaluation of him in a matter of seconds. A slimy man she doubted could even perform as one. Even after her blatant rejection, he stuck to her like glue.
"Aww, playing hard to get. Come on, karaoke with us."
Somi didn't even answer. She just turned her head away. The guy's voice tightened with anger. He looked as lightweight as his fuse was short.
"I was going easy on you 'cause you're a kid, and now you think I'm a joke? You looking down on me?"
"Who the hell are you?"
A familiar voice reached Somi's ears. It was the PE teacher. Her eyes went round as a rabbit's.
"Teacher?"
The PE teacher lumbered toward Somi and the two men. The guy swallowed hard at the appearance of a man a full head taller than himself. Strong in front of the weak, infinitely weak in front of the strong.
"T-teacher?"
Taeyang, who'd been tailing Somi and watching from a distance, looked the two men up and down. Utterly worthless extras. The slender one's good looks, in particular, rubbed him the wrong way.
Hitting on Somi, huh. I should just kill them.
"Ah, you're her school teacher? Sorry about that."
The two of them started slinking away the moment they saw Taeyang. His delinquent appearance—which looked nothing like a school teacher no matter how you squinted—had given off an intimidating aura.
Somi stuck her tongue out at the backs of the two retreating men. Then she wrapped both arms tightly around Taeyang's arm.
"Thank you! Those two were being so annoying. But what are you doing here, sir?"
Taeyang had come here after getting word from Tambourine that Somi was heading downtown. But he lied without so much as wetting his lips.
"It's the weekend, so I came downtown to hang out."
"Wow! I came to hang out with my friends too. Want to join us?"
A school teacher hanging out with a student. No matter what they did, it wouldn't look right. If anything, it'd just reek of something criminal. But Taeyang didn't refuse. Every student at Jinglebell Middle School was a beauty who made you feel good just looking at them.
Just as Taeyang was about to say yes, another voice came from behind.
"Somi?"
The voice belonged to Shin Wooju. Somi waved at him. Wooju was in casual clothes.
"Oh? Wooju, hi! You came to hang out too?"
"No, I was just running an errand for my mom. Had something to buy."
Wooju showed her the shopping basket he was carrying, then walked over. Almost at the same time, Somi's friends arrived.
"Somi. You're here early."
"Nuh-uh. I just got here."
"Huh? The PE teacher's here too."
"We ran into each other."
Somi had made plans with two friends today. The moment they met, they started chattering away like larks. Taeyang and Wooju were left standing there like spare furniture. Wooju smiled awkwardly and bowed his head to Taeyang.
"Hello, sir. This is the first time I've seen you outside of school."
"So it is. Your name was… Shin Wooju, right?"
Shin Wooju. A supporting character from Magical Girl Carol Muse who harbored a crush on Han Somi—and a notorious frustration-inducing side character. It wasn't that Wooju's personality was particularly bad, but his actions had driven countless viewers up the wall. Getting kidnapped by Shadow World monsters out of idle curiosity. Digging into the magical girls' secrets for no good reason and landing Somi's group in hot water. He was that one character every anime had—the one sitting on the biggest pile of haters.
Taeyang observed him. The boy kept sneaking glances at Somi as she talked with her friends. He seemed to think he was being stealthy about it, but from the side, that sly expression was on full display. He hadn't been this obvious in the original. Apparently Somi's image change had really done it for him.
Taeyang walked over to the girls chattering away.
"Hey, girls. Mind if us guys tag along?"
"Huh? You and Wooju, sir?"
One of Somi's friends pointed at Taeyang and Wooju. Taeyang nodded. Somi, looking not at all opposed, nodded with a faint blush.
"I'm fine with it."
"Ehh? Today's supposed to be a girls-only day~!"
"So what? More people, more fun!"
The girls' consensus wasn't bad. Wooju, who'd been running an errand for his parents, found himself suddenly absorbed into a group of girls. Of course, he didn't refuse. If anything, he saw this as an opportunity.
Hanging out with Somi!? Maybe she'll confess to me today…?
In Wooju's mind, Somi already liked him. The image change had been for his sake, too. He joined the group with a slack, goofy expression.
"Where should we go?"
"First I wanna eat something. Teacher~! Buy us hamburgers!"
A shameless girl pestered Taeyang. Instead of hamburgers, he took the kids to a nearby steakhouse.
"Wow~! I've never been to a place like this!"
"No way! Me neither. Teacher! Can we order anything?"
"Order only as much as you can eat."
Taeyang said it with a smile. With five people, they split into groups of two and three at the table. Somi naturally took the seat next to him.
"Oh! Somi. Already hitting on the teacher? Isn't this, like, an inappropriate relationship?"
"Nuh-uh~ He bought us something tasty today, so I gotta give him some service. Right, teacher?"
"Haha. Is that so?"
The kids and Taeyang laughed as they talked. Wooju, however, found the scene a little uncomfortable. He'd expected the boys and girls to sit separately—or, failing that, that he and Somi would sit together. The way the seats had been divided wasn't particularly pleasant for him. But he didn't let it show.
"Your food is ready."
The kids had boldly ordered the restaurant's most expensive sirloin steak. The table filled with steaks giving off a rich, savory aroma, tropical sodas in pretty colors, and various side dishes like french fries. With delicious food in front of him, Wooju's mood eased a little. The girls squealed and took pictures.
"This is insane~! I gotta post this on Insta!"
"Take one with my face in it~!"
The steak was delicious. Wooju snuck a look at the price tag. It was so expensive his allowance couldn't possibly cover it.
After finishing the meal, the group left the restaurant patting their full bellies. Bellies filled, it was time for a light browse through the department store. Window shopping after a meal was the classic girls' course.
What caught the kids' eyes was the accessory corner. All sorts of carefully crafted pieces were prettily displayed—adult jewelry, but also plenty of cute little things that would suit kids. Though, being department store merchandise, the prices were a bit steep for them.
"See anything you want?"
Taeyang asked the browsing kids. One of them clapped her hands and shot back.
"You'll buy it for us!?"
"Pick one each."
"Teacher's the best~!"
The girl hopped in place, laughing with joy, then hugged Taeyang tight.
"I-I'll study really hard!"
"Don't say things you don't mean."
The kids each picked out an accessory they wanted. Somi chose a teardrop-shaped necklace.