How Much Tax Does Harang Noona's Kiss Carry?
Harang noona's kiss felt like it came with a tax—she seemed ready to decide based on my opinion. I did my best to stay calm as I answered.
"Looks good? It'll suit you."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Her face lit up at that. But the questions didn't end there. Next, she brought over an off-shoulder black swimsuit—not a bikini this time—and held it up against her body.
"What about this one?"
"…Pretty."
"Your reaction's weaker than before."
"They're all pretty! Seriously!"
"Got it."
I'd toned down my response to keep the rising heat inside me in check, but she must've thought I didn't like it, because she hung it back up. She was asking my opinion because I was her boyfriend, but I was confident I'd be thrilled if she just surprised me with something this provocative. Or like my sister next to us.
"Harang, check this out."
"Rash guard on top only? Pretty."
"Right? But since we're going with bikinis anyway, it feels a bit of a waste… Guess I should look at others."
I wished they'd just consult each other like that. Yeoreum noona wasn't paying me any attention, wandering around picking out her own swimsuit. But Harang noona, even when moving to check other suits…
"Let's check over there."
…grabbed my hand and dragged me along.
And without fail.
"The chest is pretty plunging, but… this one?"
"……."
"Yeah. I'll take this one."
"I-I didn't say anything."
"I know."
She showed me one by one, deciding based on my opinion… no, my reaction. Wondering if my emotions were showing that much on my face, I absentmindedly wiped it with my hand. Honestly, the awkwardness and embarrassment of my tastes being laid bare like this—not to mention standing in this place—outweighed the joy of seeing the swimsuits she'd wear in real time.
Of course, my mind was racing furiously the whole time. Every time noona picked up a swimsuit, simulations ran in my head against my will. Especially that bikini she'd shown me just now… Imagining her wearing it and linking arms with me like earlier made blood rush all over my body.
Wait, is it even okay for swimwear to be that sexy? Her chest would practically be spilling out.
"Gyeol."
"Huh?"
"What about yours?"
"I'll just wear the one from two years ago… Oh, it might not fit anymore. I've grown a bit since then. Better buy a new one."
"How about this?"
"This? It has a similar pattern to the one you just showed me."
"Couple set, I guess."
The bikini she'd shown was black with beige line accents, and this men's one was a similar vibe: black square-cut trunks with beige patterns. The women's looked pretty sexy, but the men's was plain. I didn't mind the safeness.
If I was being totally honest inside, picking this would probably make her go for that sexy one from before, so I didn't hesitate long.
"This is good. I'll get this."
"…Then I'll get this one too."
As expected, even without looking much more, noona picked her swimsuit right away. Not as revealing as a string bikini, but the beige accents on the chest line gave it a subtly sexy feel.
"What, you already picked?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Picked one, but no bikinis caught my eye."
Yeoreum noona, who'd circled back, showed Harang noona her choice. Similar to her first pick: bikini bottoms with a short-sleeved rash guard top that left her midriff bare. It had waist ties for accent, not overly sexy but perfect for her vibe.
"Phew, but you two…"
"What?"
"…Never mind. Let's go. We gotta try them on."
Yeoreum noona eyed our couple swimsuits with a frown, then grabbed Harang noona's arm and dragged her off. I quietly headed to the corner of the store with the men's suit she'd picked, planning to stand like a corpse until they came out.
---
The suffocating swimsuit tour ended quicker than expected, and we finally made it outside. They tried them on, liked them, and checked out right away.
After that, we did the clothes shopping I'd been looking forward to. Grabbed fast food for a quick meal, then hit our usual spots one by one.
First up: similar-look outfits for the three of us to wear as a set. We'd been around a bit, third store already, nothing quite clicking yet.
"Trying to match as three after so long is tricky. No good colors either."
"What about sky blue? It suits Gyeol in light colors."
"Not too bright? Or go for a softer shade?"
"Yeah."
"…Hold up. You're talking about that linen shirt, right? Put that on him, and you're eyeing the sleeveless dress next to it? Then what about me?"
"……."
"You trying to kill me?"
"Kidding. There was a pinafore dress in a similar color back there."
"Pinafore? Hmm… Undershirt?"
"White. Gyeol in white shorts, me with white sandals and bag."
"…Not bad."
I followed quietly, listening to the noonas chat. I'd been through their fashion lectures since I was little, so I had an eye for it and some sense, but nothing like theirs. When shopping for clothes, I had no say. And since they always picked great stuff, no reason to complain. No wonder Seobin asked last year if he could tag along next time we shopped. We even brought him once.
Anyway, they finally found something they liked and gathered to check the fabric.
"Material's good too… Kang Gyeol! Come here!"
"Yes, ma'am."
"What do you think?"
"Looks good."
"Go try it on and come out."
"Yes, ma'am."
I changed into it without a word: a light sky-blue henley half-open short-sleeve shirt. Looked super breathable. Perfect for summer outings.
When I stepped out, the noonas scanned me head to toe and nodded.
"Suits you. Good for the beach."
"Yeah. Looks nice."
-Click.
Harang noona snapped a photo while praising how pretty I looked, then they tried on theirs. Of course, they suited them perfectly. Finding clothes that didn't suit the noonas would be the challenge.
After, Yeoreum noona added a white tee to wear underneath, my shorts, sandals, and such.
"I'll browse separately then. You two handle your couple look."
"Can I buy Gyeol's?"
"No."
"No, noona."
"……."
Yeoreum noona split off, and we started circling the store alone. For our couple outfits. Harang noona pouted at our sibling rejection of her buying spree, but this was the shopping I'd been most excited for.
The moment we were alone, I took her hand and gently pulled her toward me.
"Shall we?"
"Yeah."
-Smack!
I naturally leaned in for a quick lip touch, and she flinched for a second.
"What's up?"
"…We agreed no kissing when we're all three together."
"Oh, really? Ah! That's what you meant at the cafe earlier."
Such a promise… But yeah, if we were making out nonstop while shopping as three, it'd be awkward for her. Putting myself in Yeoreum noona's shoes, I nodded understandingly, then leaned in again.
-Smack.
"But it's just us now. As long as we don't in front of noona?"
"……."
-Smack!
She answered my whisper with a silent peck. So cute.
"What about our outfits? I'll say yes to whatever you pick."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You know clothes way better than me."
"Then…"
She must've had something in mind, because she linked arms with me like before and led the way. We wandered, tossing various items in the basket: plain short-sleeve tees to match my home jeans or chinos, lightweight short-sleeve shirts to layer over. Similar looks matching the trio set's colors and patterns with tees and dresses.
We grabbed more than expected, so trying them on took forever. Good thing it was summer; fall or winter would've meant trying every knit, cardigan, and coat in sight. Though we'd probably save shopping for weekends in those seasons anyway.
Harang noona seriously checked the fits outside the fitting room, even noting some for tailoring, before we rejoined Yeoreum noona.
"Bought a ton."
"D-Did we?"
"I could've bought Gyeol's share…"
"Don't talk nonsense."
By late evening, we'd wrapped up, all three of us laden with shopping bags on both hands. If it were a weekend tomorrow, we'd grab coffee at a cafe, but with school, we headed straight out.
At the main road, we called two taxis. The first one arrived, and we loaded Harang noona's bags into the back seat. She turned for a goodbye.
"Heading out first."
"Go. Text when you get home."
"Drive safe, noona."
"Yeah. Had fun today."
We saw each other so often that it was just a quick farewell, and she turned away. My sister and I watched her go quietly.
But before getting in the back seat, Harang noona paused.
-Click-clack!
-Smack!
"Mm?!"
She spun back, rushed over in one step, grabbed my face, and kissed me. Caught off guard, I instinctively wrapped my arms around her waist. But with the taxi waiting, it was super quick. She smiled with her eyes.
"Whew… Gyeol. I'll text before bed."
"Y-Yeah."
With that, she hopped in and left. I stood dazed, staring after the departing taxi.
-Whack!
"Ow!!!"
"Are you insane?! K-Kissing right in front of me?!"
"She did it, not m—"
"Shut up!"
-Smack!!
"Gah…"
"Ha! Yoo Harang… That girl!!"
I took the full brunt of Yeoreum noona's rage. My shin throbbed like hell from her kick, but I figured it was the happiness tax. For this kind of bliss, I'd gladly pay up…!