Chapter 147
Big-ticket item and all...
"So, you're buying it?"
"...Yeah, I'm buying it. Feels right somehow."
Yoo Seol-ah, barely composed once more, nodded vigorously, emphasizing how perfectly the racket fit her hand. If she'd brushed it off smoothly, we might've lost our teasing momentum. Is she just a born punching bag or what? Still, with our fun quota met, Lee Seo-yeon let out a soft chuckle and shifted her gaze elsewhere.
"Speaking of which, aren't these actual tennis skirts they're selling here?"
Tennis outfits hung on the wall—tops and bottoms made from breathable, airy fabric, no doubt. I'm no fashion expert, but even I could tell the designs looked pretty decent. They seemed casual enough to pair with a T-shirt for everyday outings without looking out of place. These days, Yoo Seol-ah picks most of my clothes anyway, so I just go with whatever she hands me.
"Ooh, some cute ones here."
Tennis dresses like the instructor's were lined up on hangers too. Guess that's what you get from a clothing major. Yoo Seol-ah's eyes suddenly sharpened with expert scrutiny as she started inspecting piece after piece. Knowing she already had a few tennis skirts in her closet, I figured she must like the style. Sure enough, she lingered in front of the tennis skirts section for a good while.
We'd been casually browsing but drifted over to join her. Lee Seo-yeon flashed a mischievous grin and poked Yoo Seol-ah's side.
"Huh? What?"
"Nothing, you just love tennis skirts, huh? I've seen you in them a bunch."
"...Well, coordinating them isn't easy, but they look great when done right... Kinda gives off a clean vibe?"
Her simple reply oozed fashion-pro vibes, probably thanks to her major. One of my absolute favorite Yoo Seol-ah looks is a black tennis skirt with a slightly oversized white dress shirt. It amps up her fresh, innocent charm, but the shirt sleeves covering half her palms add that perfect cute touch. And among her preferred styles, it's one of the few that hugs her curves enough to feel sexy too. Though, if I had to pick, Yoo Seol-ah herself makes it work best.
"Ugh, jealous, Seol-ah."
"...Jealous of what?"
Yoo Seol-ah tilted her head innocently, but Lee Seo-yeon answered with genuine envy.
"Tennis skirts look best the slimmer your waist is... I have some, but I hardly wear them."
"Why? Your waist is super slim too."
And just like that, girl talk kicked off. Tough spot for me to chime in. I quietly stepped back to watch.
"Mine's just a tad slimmer than average. Yours is on another level..."
No denying Yoo Seol-ah's waist was insanely slim. Exaggerate a bit, and it matched the span of my fingers splayed wide—pretty long fingers, sure, but still ridiculous.
"Seol-ah, you're just blessed with killer curves. I've known you forever, and... damn, they keep getting better."
"...Stop hyping me up... What's with you?"
Yoo Seol-ah, growing flustered, lifted a hand to cover her mouth. But her eyes stayed glued to the skirts—she must've spotted something she wanted.
"Try 'em on and buy what you like. Don't they have a fitting room?"
Perfect assist from Lee Seo-yeon. I'd seen Yoo Seol-ah's fashion show once before, and I knew I wouldn't tire of it anytime soon.
"...Should I?"
Yoo Seol-ah's eyes sparkled like she'd planned to buy anyway. Lee Seo-yeon clapped lightly, as if struck by inspiration.
"Ooh, I wanna dress you up too... Sion, you in?"
What is this, some kids' dress-up game? But it sounded fun, so I nodded casually.
"Sure."
"...Why're you all deciding without me?"
Yoo Seol-ah snorted in disbelief from the sidelines, but I ignored it. Park Harin was joining the game too, naturally. She dressed sharp like any friend of Yoo Seol-ah's, but her style leaned sporty with a unique edge.
"I've already picked mine."
"Harin, why're you so hyped?"
Probably 'cause she loves playing model, but teasing Yoo Seol-ah factored in too.
"Alright, four of us, four outfits. Winner gets a prize."
Lee Seo-yeon was loving this. Yoo Seol-ah, listening quietly, cocked her head in confusion.
"...I'm participating too?"
"Duh, it's outfits for you."
"Who's judging?"
"All of us."
Lee Seo-yeon explained patiently, but Yoo Seol-ah still looked puzzled.
"Fine. But what's the prize?"
"The prize is..."
She hadn't thought that far, gesturing for us to hold on. Then, after a beat:
"A back hug from Seol-ah?"
Yoo Seol-ah blinked blankly at the announcement. Her baffled expressions never got old—Lee Seo-yeon probably knew and did it on purpose.
"...Why the hell is that the prize?"
"Why not? It's a huge prize. Right, Sion?"
Yoo Seol-ah's back hugs packed a punch. Soft texture for starters. Plus her unique scent wafting subtly, melting away stress. I nodded without hesitation—only for her palm to smack my forearm.
"W-Why're you nodding, you idiot!..."
She flushed bright red with a slap. But if I'd shaken my head, she'd probably pout. Sighing to compose herself, Yoo Seol-ah mounted her final protest.
"...And if I win, the prize means nothing."
Lee Seo-yeon wasn't one to back down.
"Nah, hugging yourself matters too. Great self-care. Or short for..."
"Hey, w-wait a sec!..."
Bad idea to shorten that. Yoo Seol-ah yelped and clapped a hand over Lee Seo-yeon's mouth. I'd forgotten amid her recent shyness around Doyun-hyung talk, but Lee Seo-yeon dropped sex jokes like candy.
After the chaos, we each finalized our outfit picks.
"I'll change quick."
"Take your time. We've got all day."
Morning classes done, time was plentiful. Soon the fitting room curtain parted slightly, Yoo Seol-ah peeking out.
"...Coming out?"
Beyond tennis skirts, plenty of sportswear options. I watched eagerly. First look: black leggings with a white cropped hoodie zip-up. First time seeing her in leggings—suited her perfectly.
She shyly covered her exposed midriff with an arm.
"...Ugh, Harin loves crops way too much."
First round: Park Harin's pick. Her sharp sense and long-time friendship with Yoo Seol-ah screamed high score.
"Looks great, though."
"Nah, crops only work with abs like yours."
Yoo Seol-ah owned crop tops but rarely wore them, favoring oversized fits. This felt refreshingly new.
"Scores one to five. Total decides."
No shot at winning with this crew, so I planned max scores. Four judges, max 20. Figured outfit one would hit 15+... but results surprised.
"...Seol-ah, that's too harsh, right?"
"...Crop deducts points."
My 4, Harin's 4, Seo-yeon's 5—expected. But total: 14. Yoo Seol-ah's 1 tanked it. Harin laughed dryly, but Yoo Seol-ah shamelessly ducked back in.
"How's my masterpiece?"
Round two: Lee Seo-yeon's breezy sporty set. Yoo Seol-ah raised one finger again—without even checking the mirror.
"Hold up, match-fixing much?"
Instant accusations, but she vanished into the room, diffusing it. Anyone can see that's sus. Her plan: tank others to nix the prize? Motive unclear, but the 1-point pattern was obvious.
Next up revealed her game. All-white perfection—shirt collar the only color pop, but Yoo Seol-ah owned it flawlessly. Her own pick, obviously. We three gave unhesitating 5s, but she shyly flashed one finger back.
What the—? You know it's your best and still 1-point it?
"...Seol-ah, what're you even—"
"N-Next one coming up!"
She bolted inside, emerging in my pick next. I'd chosen carefully, but it paled next to the last. Still, her face-covering bashfulness and all-five-fingers salute distracted from the outfit.
"...Wow, Seol-ah's gotten bold."
Lee Seo-yeon pounced outright. Yoo Seol-ah flushed but swallowed her shame and spoke up.
"Outfit four's at 18... highest so far."
Duh—three 1s elsewhere. "Lee Seo-yeon forced this dumb prize..." No acting chops in her tone. She bolted to me, spun me halfway, and locked in a back hug. Then, whispering just for me:
"...No, it's 'cause it's such a big prize..."
"......"
Flustered earlier but secretly thrilled? Low defense, but her attack power was top-tier. Limits hit, she fled to the fitting room face-first. Then grabbed every outfit and headed to the counter. Guess she loved them all—racket included.
"...What the hell? Total salt."
"Seol-ah's grown up..."
With her gone, heat rushed to my head instead.