Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Fitting Model - 2
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When I heard "Okay, cut!" and embarrassingly thought, Huh, is it over already?, the shoot continued on frantically without pause.
Sometimes boyishly, sometimes cutely.
Just like that old dress-up game that was all the rage back in the day, Yerim would slip away for a moment, only to reappear transformed in a rainbow of outfits, each paired with the perfect makeup.
Not only did she nail every fashion style perfectly, but she exuded a whole new charm different from her usual self, making it pure joy to watch. I could've stared all day and never gotten bored.
Even better, after the ball I'd been sitting next to like a totem during the first shoot earned some approval, I got the special privilege of watching Yerim up close from the nearest spot every time filming started.
—Hiss, being a fitting model once in a while isn't half bad, huh?
That smug, belly-full thought was starting to creep in when, sure enough, it was time for the one and only guy on set—me—to lend a hand.
Mostly with the heavy lifting.
...Had I been lounging too obviously?
A big guy like me planted right in plain sight, gawking with my mouth hanging open—they had no choice but to put me to work.
Of course, when Aunt offered to pay me a full day's wage in return, I jumped at it happily. Heavy lifting was right up my alley.
But then filming would start up again, and like a baby crying for its mom, Yerim would call for me, so I'd plop back down in my spot for more eye candy.
We repeated this cycle a few times, and while it wasn't physically exhausting, it started wearing me out mentally.
"You're Woojin, right? How long have you been working out?"
"Uh, about a year and a bit...?"
"Whoa, that's decent! Don't they say working out during growth spurts stunts your height?"
"Girl. Didn't you notice he isn't wearing contacts? You saying that after looking at his height?"
"True, yeah. You and Yerim both don't look your age at all."
"Ahaha, thanks. Well, I'll get back to it then... "
—Ugh, kill me now.
As they chattered nonstop, poking my arm like it was some curiosity, I casually blocked the fingers and slipped away. Then voices drifted from behind.
"Whoa, did that kid just block my finger?"
"Cut it out, I told you. Why keep messing with a guy who has a girlfriend?"
"What can I do? Those biceps are seducing me! Oh, sorry~ I was just curious, won't do it again~"
"Haha, yeah, yeah..."
Talking while working had been a mistake.
As we chatted a few times going back and forth and got more comfortable, the staff started hanging around for conversations that escalated into playful jabs, and I felt my soul leaving my body.
Conversation was fine. It was more fun than silently hauling stuff around like some mute ox.
But them coming up while I was moving things, poking my arms or back like fascinated kids, or even giving light rubs—that was torture on every level.
...Especially since far off, Yerim was getting her makeup done, lips pursed tight, glaring at me with crimson eyes.
...This is so unfair. All I did was slave away like a good little worker.
But snapping at the other staff with a "Hey, back off" felt wrong too—their reactions were genuinely awed by a guy my age having this much muscle, so what could I even say?
All I could do was clasp my hands toward Yerim in apology, mouthing "Sorry."
In response, maybe thanks to the lip balm, her sparkling light-pink lips moved back at me.
'Du...mb...ass...?'
A chuckle escaped me.
Way too much. She'd heard every word the staff said about how I handled it.
Still, that was that, and this was this, I guess.
I had no choice but to accept it. If the roles were reversed, I'd have charged over already.
All I could do was work hard later to turn those 10:10 brows into 8:20 ones.
"Everyone, great work~"
"Great work, everyone—!"
After about seven grueling hours of shooting, exhausted groans echoed from every corner as people slumped over.
Yerim looked drained too, more than usual, so I grabbed the bottle of water I'd prepared ahead and went over.
"Great work, Yerim."
*Pop—*
I twisted off the cap and handed it over. She gave a weary smile.
"Ah, thanks... Oppa worked hard too..."
"Nah, this was nothing. Got paid for working out—win-win."
"Pfft, you're like an exercise addict, Oppa..."
"Guilty."
It started as a way to impress Yerim, but now even a day without it left my whole body itching, so yeah, addicted.
Yerim giggled and took a sip.
...She must've been beat.
A droplet slipped from her lips, trickling down her pale jawline, and without thinking, I reached out and wiped it away.
"Ah, than—"
"Eek, did you see that? Didja see?!"
"So sweet~ You two really not dating?"
"No way~! What, secretly dating 'cause she's an idol trainee or something?"
"Oh, could be! Spill to us sisters. Pinky promise, it'll stay secret! Right?"
"You psycho, what sisters?!"
"...Haha, we're not dating or anything. Just close oppa-little sis vibes."
Wasn't that enough?
Once would've been fine, but these staff ladies—no, hens—cackling like we were zoo monkeys right in front of us made me want to snap.
Shut your traps, we got this—please!
For Yerim's sake, and her aunt's, I swallowed it down, over and over.
Forcing my twitching lips into a casual tone, I played it cool.
"Kids, you don't get it 'cause you're young!"
"Yeah, wipe another girl's mouth like that later and you're in trouble, mister!"
"Enough alrea—"
"Just—!!!!!!!!!!"
A shout so loud it startled everyone made all eyes snap behind me.
...Where only Yerim stood?
With a sinking feeling, I turned. Yerim was hunched over, fists clenched tight, trembling.
"Just... how many times do I have to say we're close oppa-little sis...?!?!?!?!?!?"
Her voice swelled, mirroring her emotions, turning into a near-scream of desperation by the end.
With that, she whipped around and bolted from the studio.
"Fuck..."
It sucked. Everything did.
It had been such a fun day. A dazzling one, stuffed to the brim with new sides of Yerim I'd never seen.
Thinking those women behind us ruined it made my blood boil beyond endurance.
Enough to make me want to kill them all.
Or was it really them? Self-loathing hit too—why hadn't I confessed sooner?
"Um, sorry, heh..."
"Happy now?"
"...Huh?"
"Ganging up on kids way younger than you, finally prying out a straight answer—feel good? Relieved?"
"That's..."
"Save the sorry. The one who needs to hear it isn't here."
Heat poured off me like I was burning up, guts churning like boiling tar.
I couldn't trust myself facing them, so I stared at some random empty corner, self-control slipping.
"Woojin."
As I grabbed my stuff and Yerim's forgotten bag to chase her, Aunt's voice came from behind.
"...Yes."
"...I got nothing to say, even with ten mouths. Should've managed the staff myself, but I got curious too. Ugh... that idiot woman. So sorry to you and Yerim for acting immature. I'll apologize to her separately. I'll handle the rest—go after her quick."
"...I'm fine. Just properly apologize to Yerim. And everyone else too."
"Okay..."
Even seeing Aunt genuinely flustered and sorry did nothing for my frustration.
I just rushed out of the studio, hoping never to see any of them again.
To find the only one who could ease this ache.
I caught up to Yerim shortly after leaving the studio.
The joy of spotting her lasted a second.
Under the darkened night sky, lit only by moonlight, her frail shoulders shook as she walked listlessly. My mouth opened to call out—but snapped shut. I followed quietly instead.
Two steps for her, one for me.
Two steps, one step.
How long had we gone like that?
When her stifled sobs reached my ears as the distance closed...
"...Oppa."
"...How'd you know? I was sneaky."
"I just do... when it comes to you..."
Turning, her purple eyes...
Evoked summer azaleas damp from rain, glistening with teardrops.
"Why are you crying, dummy..."
Hearing my voice, she scrunched her brows and lips.
As if straining with all her might. Like she'd collapse without it.
"Just..."
She forced her mouth open.
"Just... I'm so mad at myself I can't hold it in. And knowing you had to hear that crap because of me... it hurts so much..."
"Why's it your fault? Don't say nonsense—"
"No."
Teardrops trailed down her pale cheeks.
"It's all because of me. All of it..."
"What're you..."
I couldn't grasp why she was blaming herself so hard—my mind reeled.
Was there something I didn't know?
As I finally opened my mouth to ask, she beat me by a beat.
"Sorry, Oppa. Today... I'm heading home first..."
Repeating apologies without waiting for my reply, she fled like.
Left alone on the empty street, staring up at the night sky, it mocked me.
The moonlight blazed.
So bright, too bright.
"Why's the moon gotta be so beautiful tonight of all nights..."
Gazing at it alone hurt my heart.