Gaslighting
"Eat your meal before we head out!"
"But it's such a hassle…."
Just as I was about to leave, thinking Chaeyu had finally cooled off, Mom’s stern command forced me to sit back down and finish my meal. Once we were finally on our way, Chaeyu seemed to be in a much better mood. Perhaps it was because we’d made up; she hummed a tune and naturally linked her arm through mine. We were going to be in the car anyway, so why…?
"Where should we go?"
"It’s getting a bit late, so let’s head to Yeouido."
Chaeyu entered the destination into the navigation system, and we set off toward the Han River. On the surface, at least, the plan was to go to a department store so I could buy some clothes.
"Wow… why are there so many people out in this weather?"
"Isn't it because the rainy season is coming soon?"
"I hate the rainy season…."
It took thirty minutes just to park, and by the time we stepped out of the car, it was already 3:00 PM. The sudden, stifling humidity and the heat from the massive crowd began to wear me down immediately.
"Can I just go home…?"
"Don't start with that energy-draining talk right from the beginning."
"Sorry."
We took the escalator up to the second basement level. That floor was mostly occupied by select shops, cafes, and pop-up stores.
"Do you want to look around here?"
"Sure."
There was no reason to insist solely on famous, luxury brands. I could find perfectly good clothes in these select shops. Of course, since I have no eye for fashion, I needed someone with experience like Chaeyu or Mom.
"Oh, this is pretty. Try it on."
"This…?"
"Ah, and this one, too."
Chaeyu picked out a set consisting of a denim jacket, pants, and a t-shirt. There was a fitting room inside, so I changed and stepped out.
"How is it?"
"You're supposed to tuck that part in."
"Aha."
"Yeah, it looks good."
"Isn't it a bit too hot to wear this in the summer?"
"But it suits you."
"Still, it's hot…."
We spent an hour just trying on clothes on the second basement level. It wasn't like we tried on that many, but the constant cycle of putting things on and taking them off was exhausting.
"Can we take a break—"
"No way. We have so much more to try on."
"I'm kind of tired…."
"Ah… my limited edition statue broke, so I’m already in a bad mood. I guess I should just go home~"
"……."
It seemed I had fallen straight into Chaeyu’s trap.
"Wow… fresh air…."
After being imprisoned underground for a while longer, we finally made it back up to the surface. The floor space was the same, but being above ground felt infinitely more pleasant. Above all, the air conditioning was blasting, making it bearable.
"It’s nice because it’s bright."
"It was bright underground, too."
"It’s much easier to breathe here."
"Is that so…?"
Unlike the basement, the area was filled with luxury brands I wouldn't even dare to enter. The thought that simply touching something would cost at least several million won was intimidating.
"Want to go in?"
"…They don't even have cardigans here."
"They do!"
"They do?"
"Yeah. Though the price is suuuper expensive."
"I’ll come back when I win the lottery."
"Then we can go look at my gift instead."
"I wanted the gift to be a surprise."
"Honestly. You’re so good at dodging the subject."
It was a brand that started with a luggage business and was now known by everyone. They sold clothes, but at a glance, I didn't see anything that matched my taste. Even if they did, those places were for rich people who didn't care about the price; I’d probably put the item down the moment I saw the tag.
"How about that place?"
"Oh. They might have something."
It was a brand whose image had suffered because of people committing crimes while wearing their trench coats. I only knew it by that derogatory nickname and thought it was nothing special, but looking at it now, it was a massive brand. The signature check pattern was common enough to be seen everywhere due to knockoffs, but personally, I liked it. And I was curious what it would feel like to wear the real thing. That question piqued my interest.
"Welcome, customer~"
As expected, unlike other places, the staff dressed in sharp suits greeted us the moment we walked in.
"We're here to look at clothes~"
"What are you looking for?"
"A cardigan!"
"I’ll guide you this way~"
I hadn't realized it from the outside, but the space inside was much larger than it looked. Other couples seemed to be browsing as well.
"May I try this on?"
"Yes, please do~"
I started by trying on a cardigan in a familiar color. As expected, the material and the way it fit were definitely different from any cardigan I’d worn before. Of course, the signature check pattern was so loud that it felt a bit burdensome to wear to the office. Did that mean it was still too much for me…?
"If the color is too much, how about this one?"
"Oh… I didn't know they had this color."
It was a blue-toned cardigan rather than the typical ochre. It was less conspicuous than the ochre, but it was still a bit much for me.
"It’s definitely high quality…."
"Right?"
However, the fit was the best of any cardigan I’d ever worn. I’m sure everyone feels this way, but if I weren’t just an office worker and actually owned a company, I would have bought one in every color immediately.
"How is this?"
"When did you put that on?"
"Just now. So, how is it?"
"…It suits you."
While I was trying on the cardigan, Chaeyu had picked up a handbag. Compared to the cardigan, the check pattern was more subtle, and it suited her well. Yeah. I wanted to show off like that, subtly and slyly. But if I wore it on the outside, that was impossible. On the other hand, a plain design felt like I was missing the point.
"Thank you."
I almost fell for the staff’s smooth talk and bought it. They weren't even flattering me; they just explained the product and a bit of history, but the brand image made me want to buy it. Is this the terror of luxury goods?
"Phew."
"I thought you were going to buy it for me."
"I’m sorry. I’ll buy it for you when I make more money."
"I’m just kidding, you dummy."
The next place we visited was a four-line brand. Unlike the previous one, there were no staff, and the entrance was blocked by stanchions. Still, we could see inside from the outside.
"What is this? Is it closed?"
"I heard they were pulling out…."
"Really? Why?"
"I don't know. I guess it lost its popularity. You can buy them for half price at resale shops."
"Aha."
Not 80 or 90 percent, but half price… human psychology dictates that people would almost always use resale shops. I’d do the same if they were selling for half price. Provided it was a verified shop, of course. I personally wanted to try them on, so it was a bit of a shame.
"It doesn't look like they’re open today, so let’s go next time."
"Yeah."
This time, we went up to the second floor. I saw the brand from earlier again, and many of the brands I’d seen in Pangyo last time were visible.
'It’s definitely true that you see more of them as the price range drops….'
If the first floor was for the truly wealthy, the second floor was a mix of the wealthy and brands you could afford if you saved a bit of your salary. Even so, you still had to shell out hundreds of thousands of won here. Especially for a cardigan.
"This is the place we came to last time."
"Yeah. You wanted something like this, right?"
"Yeah."
A cardigan that wasn't flashy, with just a simple logo on the chest. It was exactly the kind of cardigan I wanted, but the price was still no joke. Of course, it was cheaper than the place we’d just visited.
"Why are cardigans so expensive?"
"From what I know, it’s because they only use expensive fabrics like wool and cashmere."
"Aha…."
I looked it up, and the cost of the fabric alone for a 100% wool cardigan was over 400,000 won. It was only natural that the price would go up if you added specific patterns or logos. That’s why they were so expensive.
"How about this bright sky blue one?"
"Does it suit me?"
"Yeah! It suits you perfectly!"
I was going to go for navy, but Chaeyu recommended the sky blue. It felt similar to the one I’d tried on earlier, and this color seemed to fit me better than the common navy.
"Should I buy this one then?"
"Yeah. Is there anything you want, too?"
"Me? I’m fine. I already have plenty of clothes."
"Is that s—"
"My limited edition statue that I spent all my money on and waited hours for is broken, but I’m fine."
"……Are you going to keep doing that?"
"Ahahaha. You’re so funny, Oppa."
Coolly. I paid in full. Of course, since it was a debit card, I had no choice but to pay in full. Unlike the first floor, the staff were dressed casually, which actually made it easier to buy. I also made sure to rack up those loyalty points.
"Thank you~ Have a nice day~"
"Yep."
The shopping was finally over, and we went to get dinner. Just having a shopping bag by my side made the corners of my mouth lift for no reason.
"Are you that happy?"
"It’s nice. Buying expensive clothes."
"Still, don't just look at things like this; the most important thing is to buy what suits you."
"You’ll pick them out for me, right?"
"You won't be doing this forever."
"……I suppose so."
For a moment, I had mistakenly thought that Chaeyu would be with me forever. Just because we lived together. Just because we were sexual partners. That one sentence brought me back to reality.
"I’m so full…."
"Let’s park somewhere else and go for a walk."
"Okay."
We went outside and parked in a public lot; it was already evening. The sun hadn't set yet, but the sunset glow was starting to appear.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve been here, too."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You came here with me before."
"I’ve been to all sorts of places with you…."
"True."
I’d had many dates with Chaeyu at the Han River, too. Though the ending was always drinking a little and heading to a motel.
"The sun’s already down?"
"Yeah, it is."
After watching some busking and walking for a while, the sun had completely set. Streetlights flickered on, and couples started appearing in suspicious numbers.
"The atmosphere is nice…."
"It would be perfect if we could just have a drink."
"I have to drive, so no."
"I know that."
Just as Chaeyu said, I really wanted to crack open a can of beer, but I had no choice but to hold back. As we walked, we arrived at a spot where there were almost no streetlights and some exercise equipment was visible. A slight silence hung in the air, and Chaeyu interlaced her fingers with mine.
"Oppa. You didn't say anything about me linking arms today?"
"Huh? Well… I’ve gotten used to it."
"Then you wouldn't say anything if I did something else, right? Since you’re used to it."
"…There are people around."
"There’s no one here right now."
"Even so…."
I looked around, and there really wasn't anyone. But I could see silhouettes passing by in the distance, and people returning from events were scattered about.
"No one knows we’re family. Even that staff member earlier called me your girlfriend."
"That’s true, but…."
"No, forget it. Let’s just go home. I’ve been holding back kisses all day, so I’ll just go home and play with the 3,000-piece limited edition statue you fixed for me—"
"Alright, fine. I’ll do it, okay?"
"Hehe. You should have just done that from the start—"
Without even being drunk. Simply caught up in the ripened atmosphere, I kissed Chaeyu.
"Ugh… haa…."
"Is that enough…?"
"I’m wet."
"What…?"
"It’s been a while, so I’m wet…."
"So…?"
"Are you really going to leave your little sister, who’s been pent up for days because of your unfair treatment, like this?"
"……."
Truly, I couldn't help but fall for Chaeyu’s top-tier gaslighting.