Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: The Outsider Shooting the Contest Video
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yoo So-mi's Dream
The part-time job at the sandwich shop had become completely routine now.
Not only manning the counter, but even making sandwiches—something I'd messed up a lot when I first started—was no longer a problem.
Back in the day, whenever I made a bulgogi sandwich, I'd heap on so much of the expensive meat that it turned the owner's face pale.
But ever since he bought that 'bulgogi portion ladle' after the incident, those mistakes were a thing of the past.
Since it was summer break, Si-a, who used to come around evening time, now showed up at lunchtime.
Today, too, she'd timed it for the quiet period before the academy district's lunch rush. She stood outside the shop, peeking through the glass window into the interior.
Probably checking if the place was crowded or not...
Part of me wanted to dash out, scoop her up in a big hug, and drag her inside.
But the last time I'd tried that, Yi-an had scolded me with a 'Don't harass people eating alone,' so I figured I'd just wait patiently.
...
A moment later, when Si-a finally entered the shop, there were what looked like animal ears sprouting from her head.
As I stared at her, wondering what animal's ears are those?, she twitched the tips and spoke.
"One basic sandwich and a coffee, please. Woof."
"Woof?"
"Card here. Woof."
I took her order and processed the prepaid payment, and Si-a headed to a corner seat.
Si-a's a dog-girl, huh...
It felt a bit off from her usual impression, making the whole combo surprisingly fresh.
Then I got curious—did Si-a still have human ears too?
If an animal-ear girl also had human ears, that'd make four ears total. If not, what did that spot look like?
It's the kind of thing any character artist ponders at least once.
But the more I thought about it, the more my head started to ache, like a fog settling in my mind, scattering my focus.
...
Eh, whatever. She's cute, so who cares?
I passed Si-a's order slip to the kitchen and kept working the counter.
Then a group of male customers came in.
Hm... but they don't have animal ears?
These guys looked about my parents' age, definitely not academy students.
Animal ears on older characters are rare, so I'd been kinda looking forward to seeing what they'd look like.
I felt a twinge of disappointment but greeted them with a smile anyway.
"Welcome~ Please order at the counter once you've decided."
Like most male customers, their eyes went from my chest to my hips to my face, in that order.
Then, depending on their tastes, they'd fixate on one or the other.
Student customers at least glance and look away properly, but among older folks, there are always a few who ogle so blatantly...
In bad cases, they even ask for my number, which honestly creeps me out.
I had a bad feeling watching them, but I kept my expression neutral while waiting for their order. Then one spoke up.
"Hey, miss. Got a boyfriend? Wanna hang with your uncle?"
"Guys your age are so immature. Wouldn't it be more fun chatting with someone like me?"
Hm... Being hit on so directly by older guys like this is pretty rare.
Maybe three or four times a year?
Looks like today was one of them.
I was frozen, unsure how to respond, when Yi-an emerged from the kitchen with an irritated look on his face.
Hm... Huh?
Somehow, animal ears were sprouting from Yi-an's head too.
Judging by the shape... fox ears?
Fox-eared beastmen guys are exactly my type lately—one of my hottest animal-ear character obsessions.
In fiction, they're usually cynical types, mysterious powerhouses hiding immense strength.
Often with backstories like looking young but actually being older, or cold to everyone but warm to their girl.
Yi-an with animal ears looks so cool... And that slightly pissed-off expression? My heart's skipping a bit.
Did he come out to deal with these creeps?
His appearance put me at ease inside.
...
But then... fox-eared Yi-an suddenly grabbed my butt with one hand, squeezing it hard like he was kneading dough, right in front of the customers.
"Eek... Eeee?!"
"Hey, you punks. She's mine, so quit hitting on her and get lost. Or I'll kill you."
Oh my, oh my. Even a bit chuunibyou Yi-an is kinda okay?
The guys slunk out with dejected faces, and Yi-an, still grumpy, dragged me back to the kitchen.
He shoved me roughly against the prep table and growled at me with a fierce expression.
"Yoo So-mi, you dare seduce other guys right in front of me? Ignoring your best friend?"
"No, Yi-an! I didn't seduce anyone..!"
"Don't lie! Shaking this slutty butt in front of other men to tempt them! You need to be punished!"
He raised his big palm over my butt and barked in an angry voice.
"Every time it gets spanked, say 'Sorry for having such a slutty butt'!"
-Smack!
"Ngh..!! Ugh..! Sorry for having such a slutty butt!"
-Smack!
"Hic.. Ha..! Sorry for having such a slutty buuuutt!"
.
.
.
"Heehee... slutty butt... Eh?"
I woke up in my bed.
In front of me was my little sister, Yoo So-ha, sleeping soundly. She'd snuck into my bed again while I was out cold.
Even after waking, though, I still felt a warm sensation on my butt.
I lifted my head to check, and there was So-ha's hand touching it.
...
So that's what sparked this dream...
Part of me wanted to drift back to sleep right there, to see what happened next in that dream.
But today was the day to shoot the contest UCC video.
The first day of a four-day shoot schedule, so better to get up early, freshen up, and review the choreography again.
Regretfully pushing the urge aside, I got out of bed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We'd planned the contest video shoot over four days.
The reason? Considering the video's style, changing outfits and hairstyles with each location would look better.
Sure, cramming all the locations into one day was possible if we only thought about shooting time...
But then outfits wouldn't change between scenes, and summer sweat from dancing would build up.
Performers' conditions would tank by the end for sure.
Plus, without broadcast lighting, sunset would ruin later shots as sunlight shifts.
So, I scheduled max two locations per day, wrapping up quickly.
Factoring in prep time, two hours per spot felt generous.
One morning shoot, one after lunch—solves the lighting issue.
Loose schedule and breaks make condition management easy.
And with four outfit changes over four days, editing can mix them up seamlessly.
.
.
.
As the one handling most shooting duties, I got up early and checked my travel suitcase.
Smartphone tripod mount, measuring tape for performer-camera distance, reflector for backlighting, mini speaker for music, poster for choreography cues, whiteboard for notifying/asking permission from passersby, etc.
Just for a contest UCC, and we needed all this? Explains why pro shoots have hordes of staff and gear.
Dragging the packed suitcase via public transport took 40 minutes.
I arrived at our meetup spot and first location: Bukchon Hanok Village.
"As expected, Bukchon Hanok Village's iconic downhill path is the prime photo spot! Shoot quick before crowds hit?"
"Never practiced on a slope this steep... Hope it's okay...?"
Han Si-a and Yoo So-mi had gone all-out on their looks for the shoot.
Since it's a famous couple's date spot, I'd requested date outfits.
Do girls have some unwritten rule for 'date wear'?
Both showed up in modest, demure outfits with skirts.
...
They're stunning. Intimidatingly so—hard to even talk to them.
Too pretty for words; my mind blanked the moment I saw them.
Usually in casual clothes, they rocked slightly hip, vibrant styles fit for a photoshoot.
That always gave a strong 'young' vibe, separate from prettiness.
Adult women don't dress like that much.
But seeing them in such refined, elegant attire? Almost first time.
If I didn't constantly remind myself I'm a 35-year-old uncle and they're high schoolers, I might've fallen for them flat-out.
...Just confess and get rejected?
As if. That'd shatter our fragile friend group, leaving me solo again.
No way they'd want a guy like me as a boyfriend anyway.
Even if they accepted—like I'd hit the lottery—I doubt I could sustain it.
Body's young, but brain's 35.
The stench of a soul that's lost all drive and passion with age? Can't hide it under youthful skin.
One linked issue: If I dated a woman...
She'd be one after my Bitcoin millions, faking love. I'd fake being a young hotshot instead of a 40s geezer.
That setup? No guilt holding back.
Her chasing money sans love, me chasing body sans love. Perfect match.
They say love's shelf life is three years anyway—might work.
Even if it ends in divorce court with half my assets gone, post-Bitcoin windfall? Still set for life.
Though solo forever looks better.
...
No need to be that pessimistic about the future?
This is big data analysis from 35 years pre-regression. Not pessimism.
Lots end up worse.
So, abandon what I must, ignore the unattainable.
Call me a coward? Fine. Aging into one is normal.
Dating fresh kids like Si-a or So-mi as a jaded uncle? Guilt would eat me alive.
.
.
.
Good. Mood's suitably down, any crush feelings evaporated cleanly.
Harboring impossible wishes is self-abuse.
For a guy like me, this is how I show self-care—or I'd burn out again someday.
Anyway, first time post-regression my heart wavered this much. Guess demure styles are my taste.
Learned something I never knew pre-death. Thanks to Si-a and So-mi?
...
Whatever my personal take, calm outfits with upbeat dance will surprise viewers, hit different.
Not intro or highlight—somewhere in between?
I briefed them on precautions—this is a residential area, not just a set—while they reviewed moves.
Then hustled to finalize shoot prep.