Preparation
After a study session at the cafe with Sia, we continued our studies at her house.
I had expected her to mention going to the cafe once, but after that day, she never brought it up again.
Curious, I asked her why.
“I think studying just the two of us at home is better,” she answered.
From then on, we studied at her place almost every day.
With exams starting in a week, we had been studying together lately, but…
“Siwoo, do you have plans during vacation?”
“Plans?”
“Yeah, like family trips or taking classes at the academy…”
“Hmm…”
I fell silent after hearing Sia’s words, lost in thought.
Family trips were unlikely because my parents were busy right now, and I doubted we’d actually go.
As for the academy… I had no intention of attending anymore.
Online lectures were more than enough for studying, so I didn’t need to bother with the academy during break.
“No specific plans, honestly.”
“Ah…! So I’ll always have time, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Then! Want to go to the swimming pool this summer?”
“Swimming pool?”
It was the last time I had been there, back in second year of middle school, so it surprised me.
But the thought of going after so long was tempting.
“Sure, I’m in.”
I accepted Sia’s suggestion.
For a moment, I imagined swimming again after a long time.
“The pool is nice, but let’s study first. We have exams soon, after all.”
“Ah… but there’s still a whole week left…”
“Time flies by fast. Let’s study right now.”
“Yeah…”
We went back to studying under my words, but…
“Huum~♪”
Sia started humming as she focused on her studies again.
Watching her like that made me realize I should visit the pool more often during vacation.
A week after the exams, on Thursday.
The long-awaited final exams had finally ended, and the dreaded report card scores were being announced.
I had done my best on the midterms and was satisfied with my score.
“I’m switching to Oh Cheolmin as a jogger for the college entrance exam.”
“Yeah, thanks for helping with my mock exam.”
“I’m canceling my switch to Oh Cheolmin as a jogger.”
“Who the heck even thought about switching!”
“Um, what’s the temperature of the Han River today?”
“Yeah, just hold your breath and dive.”
Everyone was savoring chaos.
According to my standards, the final exams had seemed easy, but then I realized…
“Were they hard for you, Siwoo?”
Sia asked how I had done.
“Me? I think I did fine…”
“Really? I felt the same too… it was thanks to you, Siwoo.”
“I scored well because of you too, Sia.”
“Hehe.”
She always said it wasn’t because of me, but I had given up and started saying it was because of her to return the favor.
Of course, the atmosphere around us grew tense whenever I said that… but now I was used to it.
As I watched the other kids chatting while checking their report cards, the teacher clapped at the podium.
“Everyone, did you get your scores?”
“Yes!”
“Great. You might be disappointed that your score isn’t what you wanted. But don’t think it’s over yet.”
“…”
“You’re still first-years, and this is the end of the first semester. College looks at first-year grades less, and it values your second and third year more. Do you get it?”
“…There’s still hope…?”
“Exactly. It ends when your college entrance results come out. So don’t despair too much. Work hard in the second semester. Understood?!”
“Yes!!”
“And don’t think ‘Oh, I can still fail and it’s okay!’ or you’ll really fail. Keep your head straight, got it?!”
“Yes!!”
“Good! Very energetic! So, class president!”
“Yes!”
“Organize the kids and send them off!”
“Yes!”
Our class finished the ceremony quickly and rushed out of the classroom, eager to escape.
The others had their own schedules, so only Sia and I were heading home together.
As we walked side by side, Sia spoke up.
“Siwoo, wanna go downtown tomorrow?”
“Downtown? For what?”
“We’re going to the pool, right? We need swimsuits.”
“I already have a swimsuit.”
“The last one you bought was back in middle school, wasn’t it?”
“…That’s true, but won’t it still fit?”
“We need to buy new ones properly!”
“Okay, then let’s go together tomorrow.”
“…Yes!”
We promised to go shopping for swimsuits together tomorrow, but right now I had no idea what was waiting for me.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
The next day.
When I told my mom we were going to buy swimsuits with Sia, she gave me a card and said I’d eat with Sia afterward.
Since I became a high schooler, my allowance had increased, and I had saved up quite a bit, but when Mom offered a card, I didn’t need to refuse.
I happily headed to Sia’s house.
When we arrived at her place…
“Siwoo! You’re here!”
“Ah… yeah…”
Sia was dressed way more elaborately than usual.
She even wore makeup, something she rarely did.
Of course, I was aware that we were going together, so I had dressed up a bit, but Sia had gone all out.
“Let’s go fast!”
“Ah… yeah.”
But Sia didn’t care about my outfit and walked beside me.
Normally we shopped at a store downtown, but today was special.
“Let’s go to the department store!”
“Department store?”
“Yeah! I’ll buy it, so don’t worry!”
“No, I have Mom’s card, so it’s fine.”
“No! I’ll buy it! I got a lot of allowance!”
“…I’ll accept it with my heart.”
“Yay!”
While we bickered about who would buy what, we walked into the department store.
“Hmm… men’s clothing is on the sixth floor. Let’s go up.”
“Isn’t it supposed to be you buying your clothes first?”
“Today it’s Siwoo’s turn!”
“Whoa…”
Sia led me straight to the sixth floor.
It was summer, so they had swimsuits on sale near the escalator.
“This one is perfect.”
I looked around and spotted black shorts-style swimsuits.
Those were my usual choice, but Sia picked something up and showed me.
“Siwoo! Let’s try this!”
She held up a black rash guard with blue patterns.
“Rash guard?”
“Yeah!”
“…Sure.”
The design was similar to what I had been thinking of, so I agreed right away.
It was more expensive than I expected, so I bought a shopping bag while thinking I’d have to visit often.
“Sia, then your swimsuit…”
“Come here!”
“Eh… wait!”
Sia grabbed my hand and pulled me toward another men’s clothing store.
“Why here…?”
“Why not! I’m buying your clothes!”
“All of a sudden…?”
“Siwoo, you always wear clothes that don’t fit your body well! So come here!”
“Eek…!”
Sia said she’d coordinate everything for me and dragged me inside the store.
“Welcome! Is there something you’re looking for…?”
“It’s fine.”
“Ah… feel free to look around.”
I gave the staff a desperate look, but she completely ignored it.
I kept being led by Sia as we tried on clothes and changed them repeatedly.
“Huuuuum……”
“I… maybe I should just try them all…”
“Wait… I’m thinking which one looks cutest…”
“Just buy them all.”
“No… that’s too much…”
“Why? Don’t you like them?”
“No… I think seeing you in all these clothes would give me a heart attack.”
“…What are you saying.”
Of course, Sia’s words made me happy, but with other people around, I tried on as many as possible, staying calm, and changed in the fitting room.
Each time,
“Kyaaa!”
“Oh! Nice!”
“Buy this right now!”
Sia’s reactions made me feel good and embarrassed at the same time.
In the end, I chose beige shorts, a sky-blue shirt, and wide-leg jeans.
“Now… it’s over, right?”
I thought it was really finished when…
“Not yet!”
Sia pulled me up to the eighth floor and headed to the beauty salon there.
“Sia, if you don’t make a reservation here…”
“It’s booked under Park Siwoo.”
“Yes, confirmed.”
“So you already did…”
I sat in the salon chair without moving, and Sia told the stylist.
“We’re going to the pool in a week, so cut it well!”
“Hmm… for this style, a dandy cut would look good. What do you think?”
“…Yes… do as Sia says.”
“Understood.”
The stylist cut my hair with a squishy sound and washed it, then I looked in the mirror.
“Oh! You look much cooler now!”
“…Really?”
“Huum~ Your face looks much more refined. I’d believe you’re even a trainee.”
“No… that’s not true…”
“Sister is right!”
“Yep…”
After paying at the salon, I touched my shorter hair.
The sudden change suited me, but as I checked my reflection…
“Siwoo! Change into the clothes I bought earlier!”
“Earlier? Which clothes?”
“The jeans!”
“Okay, got it.”
I went to the bathroom, changed as she said, and came out.
“Oh! You look much cooler now!”
She said it with satisfaction and took my photo.
“You’re uploading that, aren’t you?”
“Um? No, I’m uploading the photo I took earlier. There are still people who doubt our relationship.”
“Wow… that’s intense…”
“Exactly… so you have to come like this more often!”
“Don’t we go downtown often enough already?”
“You have to come during vacation too!”
“…Okay, okay.”
It turned out I had bought all my clothes, so now we headed downstairs to choose Sia’s swimsuit.
But the moment we reached the store, I thought…
‘Is this really okay for me to choose?’
I had followed her so naturally that I hadn’t resisted.
I stepped back and said, “You choose. I’ll wait here.”
I told her I wouldn’t go in, but…
“Huum… hehe!”
“Whoa!”
Sia grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.
Of course, I couldn’t resist her strength and was dragged in.
Inside was surprisingly revealing clothing, especially since it was swimsuits.
I was confused about where to look when…
“Siwoo, which one is prettier?”
Sia held up two swimsuits, black and white, and showed me… but both had very small fabric areas.
“…What if I buy a bikini at the pool?”
“Ehehe, I just wanted to see what you think!”
She had picked up a rash guard just to tease me.
Of course, the waist was slightly visible, but… that was probably within the acceptable range…
I leaned against the wall relieved when Sia approached me again.
“So, between those two you showed me earlier, which did you like more?”
She asked stubbornly.
Honestly, both looked good on me, but the one that suited me best was…
“Black…”
It matched Sia’s hair color perfectly.
Sia’s expression turned mischievous, and I said to her, “Rash guards like that are forbidden in front of others. They’re too revealing.”
“Of course.”
I had said it casually, but Sia leaned in close to my ear.
“Only in front of Siwoo should you wear revealing clothes.”
“…!?!?”
“Hehehe!”
Sia smiled brightly and walked away.
Because of that, I stayed frozen for a while.