D-2: This... This Is the Real Deal?
Now, she preferred the dark room over the light. The door to that room creaked open cautiously. It was the class president. She peered inside without a word. There wasn't a speck of light to be found. Just pure darkness. It might have been her imagination, but even the air felt heavy.
"Younghee."
She called out into the gloom. The space she'd assumed was empty stirred. A rustling sound followed, and the blanket heaved. Soon, a girl lifted her head quietly.
"Ah, Class Prez. Hehe..."
Hollow eyes. A dried-up smile. She looked so fragile, like she'd snap if touched. And yet, Younghee was smiling there, head barely raised.
"...Have you eaten anything? You haven't touched a thing since we got back, have you?"
"No appetite."
The class president let out a deep sigh. This had been going on since the exam ended—more precisely, since the fight with Cheolsu. It was impossible to call this normal. She was completely broken. At least the academy had granted a week of rest after the grueling survival test; that was a small mercy.
"You'll really collapse at this rate."
"Yeah... Maybe that'd be for the best."
"Younghee, seriously..."
How long did she plan to keep this up? Sure, the emotional wound was deep, but there were limits. No need to torment herself to the point of keeling over.
"Want me to get Cheolsu?"
Younghee shook her head firmly side to side.
"I couldn't face him."
Ever since that day, she'd been drowning in guilt toward Cheolsu. If that was all, it couldn't be helped. She didn't know why, but she'd crossed a line too. Still, Cheolsu was the only one who could fix this mess. They'd both scarred each other deeply. Cheolsu had to be hurting just as bad, if not worse.
The class president sighed again and tugged at Younghee's arm.
"...This won't do. Come on. I have to force some food into you."
"N-no, I don't wanna."
"Quiet. I'm not listening."
Younghee followed without much resistance—or rather, she couldn't resist. Her body and spirit were too drained for any fight left. She was teetering on the edge.
Cheolsu or Younghee, they'll make up eventually...
The bond between Cheolsu and Younghee ran deep. The class president believed a few words couldn't shatter that. The real worry was Younghee collapsing first.
Cheolsu's tough as nails, so he'll be fine. Gotta get something in Younghee first.
Once her body recovered and she sorted her thoughts, reconciliation would come easy. At least, that's what the class president thought—for now.
...
"Hmng~ So why'd you bring us here?"
"To hang out with you."
"Hmng~"
Originally, Yujin had booked a restaurant for a post-exam celebration with his friends. To toast good scores if they nailed it, or just the end of the ordeal if not. But Cheolsu and Younghee's blowup ruined that. With the reservation canceled, Yujin decided to spend the time with Lime instead.
"...What, using me as a sub for your girl pals? Pisses me off."
"Aw, c'mon, don't be like that."
She said it, but Lime didn't seem upset. If anything, she looked a bit excited. Truth be told, those survival test days had grated on her. Other people clinging to Yujin all day. Watching annoying humans up close was bad enough, but no alone time with him to chat! Sneaking chit-chat during night watch was the extent of it. And that vixen Younghee... Fine, pissed at her boyfriend, got it. But why stick to Yujin like glue? Snuggling up, acting all cute! When she licked his cheek claiming something was on it, Lime had nearly exploded. If she weren't Yujin's friend, Lime might've killed her right there.
Hmm, so he knows that and is making it up to me like this?
Still hated being a stand-in for his friends. But this was that oblivious Yujin. Realizing this much deserved praise. More than anything, this was their first real date. No way she'd ruin it over something petty.
"Ahem! Ahem! Fine, I get that part."
"Yeah! It'll be super fun, right? First time coming to a place like this with a friend!"
"Yeah, that makes me thrilled too, and I like it."
Lime narrowed her eyes there.
"So why the hell are we in the bathroom?"
Lime posed the fundamental question. They were in a department store bathroom. Specifically, crammed in a stall in the men's room. A tall guy and a petite girl side by side—what a sight. If a cop saw, they'd charge in, then salute upon realizing he was Heukcheon's young master.
"...Well, if it's your kink, I don't mind."
"What? No way."
Yujin held up a bag as he spoke. Inside was a still-wrapped outfit.
"...What's that?"
"You always prance around in such skimpy stuff. Picked out something for you to wear."
Lime's usual getup: bare-shirt look with black pantyhose. Her true form was slime, but her appearance was a total cutie. Still, no girl should go out like that. Plus, her personality screamed seduction and teasing. She exuded dangerous allure just standing there. Impossible to stroll around together like this.
"I'm used to it, but you can't wander outside dressed like that. We'd get reported as pervs."
"As the one who shaped myself to your tastes, that stings."
"Anyway! Whatever, that outfit's a no-go!"
Lime opened the bag Yujin handed her. Inside was a black skirt.
"What? Just a skirt?"
"We'll shop for the rest together. Uh... would pants have been better?"
"...Nah, this is fine."
It was something Yujin picked for her, after all. The thought made her purely happy. Her first gift from him, too.
"Then I'll try it on."
"Okay... Wait, why're you taking off the pantyhose?!"
Yujin slapped a hand over his face. Lime just tilted her head, puzzled.
"Gotta to put the skirt on. Humans wear one outfit at a time, right?"
"Don't people usually wear skirts over pantyhose?!"
"Oh, yeah? Annoying."
Lime grumbled but started dressing again. As her leg lifted, exposing the risky spot between her thighs raw, Yujin whipped his head away.
"Hm, clothes are such a hassle."
Yujin cracked his eyes open cautiously. The sight hit him; a gasp slipped out unbidden.
"Ah..."
The Lime before him was straight out of a manga—a perfect beauty. Sure, her usual look was cute too. But with the skirt? The vibe shifted entirely. Like spotting a celeb in a magazine.
Just adding a skirt changes her that much?
Not that regular Lime wasn't pretty. But maybe over-familiarity with her revealing style made this fresh, even more alluring. A pure, innocent charm unlike her everyday tease.
"...What? Staring like that."
"No, it just... really suits you."
"O-oh, r-really?"
The sudden praise flushed Lime's cheeks; she ducked her head. Damn this guy. Clueless as ever, but he had these devastating sneak attacks. His usual awkwardness made them hit harder—especially knowing it was sincere.
"..."
"..."
A pink awkwardness hung between them. They snapped out of it almost simultaneously.
"Ah! S-so, shall we go? Lots to do."
"Uh, y-yeah!"
They nodded in sync. Then Lime tilted her head.
"But how do we get out? Everyone'll freak seeing me in the men's room."
"Ah."
Yujin let out a dumb exclamation. Hadn't thought that far. Wait for a quiet moment? Fat chance in a high-end department store.
Footsteps echoed nonstop outside. Yujin pondered, then suggested:
"Can't you slip back inside me like when you came out?"
"...What about the skirt?"
"Eh? Doesn't it go in with you?"
Her usual form wore clothes too—shirt, pantyhose, even that white hat she sometimes skipped. They'd stayed on fine before. But Lime sighed deeply.
"Those aren't external; they're part of my mimicry."
"Uh... so not real clothes?"
"Strictly, extensions of my body shaped like clothes."
"Body parts?"
"Like humans using hair to hide bald spots."
"Don't make everyone sound potentially bald—that's serious for some people."
Anyway, Yujin was floored. Slimes could reshape freely, sure. But clothes too? Her mimicry was impressive.
"Wait. So normally, you're technically naked?"
"No clothes to begin with."
"It just looked clothed, but you've been naked the whole time?"
"If you wanna split hairs?"
"...Starting to feel embarrassed now."
"Too late—you should be the embarrassed one!"
The idea that the cutie by his side was basically nude all along? For a pure guy like Yujin, it hit like his first porn.
Lime shook her head.
"Anyway, not the point. How do we sneak out undetected?"
Yujin frowned. After hearing that, he really didn't want anyone seeing this Lime.
"Guess you gotta go back inside me."
"And the skirt?"
"...Take it off for now! Then I'll head to the women's room!"
She kicked his shin. In the end, they agreed on the store fitting room instead.