Forced Shopping
“Uh… that’s…”
I dangled limply in midair, staring blankly like an idiot, unable to string words together.
Out of nowhere, she tells me to become hers?
What am I, some pocket monster?
Cha Eunwol rolled her eyes, watching me desperately trying to figure out an escape, and couldn’t hold back her laughter.
It was like I could hear that tiny head of hers whirring away at full speed.
Reactions this pure were a rare treat these days.
After dealing nonstop with people who only calculated costs and benefits, Baek Arang’s bubbly innocence felt refreshingly adorable to Cha Eunwol.
‘God, she’s so easy to tease. And cute as hell too.’
A sly smile spread across Cha Eunwol’s lips.
She gave my head an affectionate ruffle, then gently set me down on the floor.
The instant my toes touched the ground, I yelped and leaped back like I’d been burned.
“Just kidding. Half-kidding, anyway.”
She flashed a toothy grin, and chills shot down my spine.
Half serious, then? That’s what that meant, right?
I shot her a glare loaded with injustice and a jumble of emotions, and she lightly clapped her hands.
“Alright, you got your bread fix, so time to pay up. Let’s go.”
“Go where…?”
“Where else? Shopping, quick-like.”
Sudden shopping trip? What the hell?
“Shopping? Why do I have to go shopping with you, Guild Leader? Plus, I haven’t finished baking yet!”
Stick around this woman any longer, and who knows what fresh humiliation awaits.
At my subtle refusal, Cha Eunwol snorted a laugh and jabbed a long finger toward my chest.
“How long you gonna run around without a bra, huh?”
“Eek…!”
I frantically crossed my arms over my chest.
“Growth spurt or not, it’s not normal for a girl to strut around in just a hoodie with nothing underneath. Big sis here’ll hook you up with comfy, cute stuff. No arguments—follow me.”
Her words made my head droop.
She had a point. No matter how much I dragged my feet or denied it, I’d have to wear underwear eventually.
Couldn’t keep hoodies pulled low and bras skipped forever while roaming the streets.
Still, something deep down… my inner resistance had been quietly letting me forget about underwear altogether.
With a resigned nod, I hung my head and gave in.
Better to rip the band-aid off and get used to it fast.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
“Good girl. Come on.”
Cha Eunwol strode ahead.
I carefully placed the baguette on the cutting board, covered it with the oven tray, and trailed after her.
Down in the underground parking garage of Baekya Guild headquarters, I stuck close to Cha Eunwol’s side.
She pressed her key fob, and a sleek foreign sports car in the corner flashed and beeped.
“Hop in.”
The passenger door slid open upward like unfolding wings.
“Whoa…”
This was that car.
Apartment-priced wheels. Only ten in the whole world, they said—and here it was.
Even I, who knew zilch about cars, recognized this luxury beast on sight. I gulped dryly and gingerly eased my butt onto the passenger seat.
Shrinking into a ball so I wouldn’t scratch the pricey leather.
Click.
I even pulled the seatbelt with both hands, super careful.
Cha Eunwol, settling into the driver’s seat, burst out laughing at my super-tense state.
“What’s with the freakout? Car won’t break. Lean back and relax.”
“B-but this thing’s crazy expensive…”
“Yeah, it is… but cars are consumables anyway. Just chill.”
With that, she floored the accelerator.
Vroooom—!
The engine roared, and we peeled out of the garage.
We blasted down the road to a towering luxury department store smack in the heart of Gangnam.
Entering the underground lot, a suit-clad valet rushed over in a panic.
His name tag gleamed with a high-ranking title.
“Guild Leader! Welcome!”
He bowed ninety degrees and took her keys reverently with both hands.
Cha Eunwol acted like it was routine. I got out and gawked at the scene.
Chaebol life straight out of a drama… Gotta make bank like that someday.
“Our little kid’s smitten with big sis, huh?”
“…Would’ve been kinda cool if you skipped that line.”
“Picky eater.”
She grabbed my nape like a kitten and dragged me into the elevator.
Ding.
The doors opened to the top-floor VVIP lounge.
“Whoaaa…”
My jaw dropped at the sight.
Nothing like a regular department store.
Marble floors, massive crystal chandeliers sparkling overhead.
Hardly any people milling about.
Each boutique had its own massive private suite.
Drama can’t touch reality… this was next-level.
As I gaped like a fish, Cha Eunwol nudged my shoulder.
“What’s the big deal? You’ll be here with me all the time now—get used to it early. Shoulders back, strut proud.”
“All the time? Why would I come here with you so often…?”
“‘Cause you’re gonna be my cute little baker from now on.”
“What about my opinion?”
Ignoring me flat-out, she hauled me straight to the flashiest lingerie boutique in the corner.
“Hmm… this’ll do.”
Dizzying designs dazzled from the entrance.
My face burned hot.
To me—guy just days ago—a women’s underwear shop was still awkwardly unfamiliar turf.
As we stepped in, three elegant-uniformed staff bowed deeply in unison.
“Guild Leader Cha Eunwol! Thank you for gracing us!”
Cha Eunwol brushed off the greetings and shoved me forward.
“Measure her up perfect, top to bottom. Set her up with the softest, comfiest stuff in every size.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Their sly gazes pinned my body.
Why do their eyes look so shady…?
“Oh, one sec.”
Cha Eunwol raised a finger as something clicked, adding firmly:
“When measuring, let her undress alone.”
Her thoughtful consideration for my tiger ears and secret.
“Understood! We’ll proceed as instructed.”
“Right this way, cute customer! Straight to the fitting room.”
Before I could protest, the staff latched onto my arms with pro grips.
“W-wait… I’m not mentally ready yet…!”
My squirms were futile.
Dragged away, I was swept into a whirlwind of measurements, selections, and forced fittings—my mind going blank.
How much time passed?
Finally, the fitting room curtain swished open.
“All set perfectly.”
With the staff’s proud announcement, I stumbled out.
My ratty hoodie was gone, replaced by a comfy yet ultra-luxurious one.
They’d stepped out only for the changing part.
The unfamiliar hug of soft undies cradling my chest and butt left my body stiff and awkward.
“…I’m never coming back here. Ever.”
I glared at Cha Eunwol, slumped and resentful.
“Ooh, not bad. Money well spent shines through.”
She rose from the sofa and approached.
Ignoring my death stare, she smirked.
God, she’s infuriating.
“Good job. Fits okay? Ring up everything in every color.”
She tossed her black card; checkout was a breeze.
Underwear and clothes tallied over ten million won, but I wasn’t shocked anymore.
“Now that you’re properly dressed, let’s eat.”
She scooped up my wilted form.
Too drained to fight, I meekly nestled in her arms.
We ended up at an insanely pricey sushi spot inside the department store.
Guided to a quiet private room, we sank into plush seats.
“Eat up. You suffered for me—I’m covering it all, big time.”
Cha Eunwol ordered the chef’s premium omakase without glancing at the menu.
“Hmph… you dragged me here by force, so yeah, you better buy the expensive stuff.”
I crossed my arms and shot her a look.
Grateful for the clothes, sure—but the forced undressing grudge lingered.
But despite my stern face, the fresh seafood and vinegar scents tickled my nose, and my tiny tummy growled loud.
Bet it’s delicious… first time at a top sushi joint…
I prayed my pea-sized stomach would hold strong just this once.
Cha Eunwol propped her chin, watching me.
Flick. Twitch.
Her magic sight caught my hoodie ears perking up, tail swishing in pants with sushi anticipation.
Pursed lips in a pout. Eyes straining to glare.
But that tail dancing wildly, unable to hide instinct.
‘What a vixen. How is she this cute?’
Cha Eunwol clapped a hand over her mouth.
The urge to crush me in a hug and rub cheeks hit hard right then.