Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Clothes Shopping with In-ha
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"Heh heung~."
On the way to go clothes shopping with Yu In-ha.
She seemed to be in a particularly good mood today. No idea why.
University Street in the college district.
Not far from school, it was packed with everything from stationery stores to restaurants and bars.
Here and there, you could spot a few trendy clothing shops.
Cheap short-sleeve sale, 5900 won... Pretty affordable.
"Let's go in here."
Just your average, unassuming clothing store.
But I'd always felt too awkward to go in alone.
It wasn't some fancy, expensive place or anything. It was just that the part-timers staring made it intimidating.
"Welcome. I'm 77. Let me know if you need anything."
A part-timer sorting clothes glanced over and greeted us.
Yu In-ha gave a half-hearted reply and strode inside.
A riot of colorful clothes everywhere. So many it was almost suffocating.
Yellow lighting and some loud foreign hip-hop track assaulted my ears.
The outfits on the mannequins... They looked nice. As I stared at one, Yu In-ha smirked and said,
"When you're clueless, it's usually best to try on whatever's on the mannequins, right?
But it'd look totally wrong on you."
Yu In-ha started rummaging through clothes, humming thoughtfully now and then.
She occasionally veered into the women's section but always came back.
"Let's start with something casual you could wear daily."
She seemed thrilled just by shopping, digging through racks eagerly.
I hovered awkwardly beside her, but there were so many clothes it was overwhelming.
I couldn't tell what looked good and what didn't at all.
"In my opinion, the more of a loser you are, the more you need to cover up.
Just throw on any old inner shirt and drape a decent jacket over it."
Yu In-ha pulled out a windbreaker and held it up against me.
"Hmm~."
Not great. She muttered to herself and shoved it back, grabbing another windbreaker.
"Ughhhmm-."
This one wasn't either?
She tilted her head, puzzled, and started digging again.
"The clothes seem fine... Is it the face that's the problem?"
...She was dissing me nonstop, practically breathing it.
Getting constantly roasted was starting to piss me off... I know that already, damn it!
"No flashy styles for you, absolutely not."
I agreed.
Colorful windbreakers, patterned ones, stuff with too many details...
They just didn't suit me. I didn't like them either.
"Just a plain, basic windbreaker with nothing on it!"
Yu In-ha yanked one out, calling it some weird name.
This one looked okay?
A plain black windbreaker, the epitome of average. Seemed decent.
"Ha... But it's too..."
She smacked her lips.
It didn't seem much different from my usual windbreaker though...
Sensing it too, she put it back and bent over.
Digging hard made her shirt ride up, exposing her lower back muscles.
"Hmm..."
Something plain like that but just a bit different?
Like the stuff I'd seen on YouTube or on cool guys passing by...
I stood next to her and started flipping through clothes stealthily.
"Ugh... Hmm..."
Still no clue, damn it!
Worse, I kept unconsciously checking price tags. Not cheap, which worried me.
"Oh, this one's good."
Yu In-ha had pulled out another and held it against me.
Hmm... Felt familiar, like I'd seen it somewhere.
On YouTube maybe, or similar on guys walking by.
"Looks good? Try it on."
Easy to slip on.
The rustling was annoying, but not bad.
Checking myself in the full-length mirror... It actually looked pretty good. Less bland than before?
"Why's your posture so awkward, you idiot."
Yu In-ha stood next to me in the mirror and forcibly straightened my shoulders.
"Hmmm..."
Not bad overall.
Definitely better than my usual windbreaker.
"Aaaalright~ This one for now."
Lipping her lips again, she dove back into windbreakers.
We tried a couple more, but nothing dramatically better, so we settled on the first one.
A few others seemed okay, but they were pricier or not versatile enough.
"Now for nighttime stuff, blazers..."
Honestly, other jackets mostly didn't suit me.
Maybe because I never dressed up; everything felt off no matter what.
Clothes look good on people who know how to wear them. Obvious, but true.
"Pfft! This is hilarious."
Occasionally she'd hold up coats or flashy leather jackets on purpose.
Every time, she'd burst out laughing and punch my shoulder.
Like, "Why does your ugly mug make this so funny!?" Lucky you, laughing your ass off...
"Guess we'll stick with the windbreaker as the basic."
I agreed. We also picked simple tops and pants.
Hadn't tried on many, but my eyes were already baggy from fatigue.
"Hey, change into this first."
Black jeans and a white short-sleeve.
I changed as she said.
Oof... Pants are tight. Feels like my boxers are digging into my thighs.
"Still, for the group date, you can't look like a total loser..."
Now for the real important stuff: blind date clothes.
Yu In-ha switched to a serious face, picking clothes differently now.
Trench coats, blazers, denim jackets...
Trying on unfamiliar jackets, constantly comparing.
"Hmm..."
Honestly, even I couldn't tell. Damn it...
Always dressed comfy; these didn't match my vibe?
Shoulders not broad was an issue, but my overall aura clashed with fancy or neat clothes.
"Ahh- This is pissing me off."
We'd tried like 20, worn 10.
Yu In-ha was getting frustrated too, face scrunching up.
Should've just gotten gift cards!!!
"Should I just rip off this damn face? What do we do with this mug?"
She scrunched her nose and grabbed my face hard.
Ughblublub... Things were going okay... What can I do about how I was born..
"Hey, drop your jaw. Stick it out."
Yu In-ha took off my glasses and started messing with my hair.
Yeah, face was the issue; everything looked weird.
But it was overgrown since the last cut.
"Ah, fuck, where's some scissors? I wanna hack it all off."
Her temper was showing.
Still, she'd mellowed a lot compared to before. Old her would've screamed "Fuck this!" and stormed out.
Fussing with my bangs, she suddenly flicked my forehead hard.
"Pfft!"
Spit flew everywhere.
...That funny? Damn it.
Yu In-ha put her hand on my shoulder and doubled over laughing.
"Fuck, your forehead makes it even funnier. Can't expose that."
Damn bitch...
She was consulting for me, so I couldn't snap back. Wouldn't anyway...
I shed invisible tears inside, enduring the mannequin abuse.
"First, ditch the fucking glasses. You've worn them all day; even without, it looks like you have. Fuck."
My glasses!
She grabbed them, spun them around, and grinned.
"Glasses banned. Wear 'em again, and I'll lock 'em up?"
"Can't see without them..."
"Tough shit. Get contacts or whatever. Seriously, wear 'em to the date and you're dead."
She nearly crushed them but handed them back.
Lucky not confiscated... Damn.
"Tch. Guess this is it for now."
Frowning, she gathered the clothes.
One windbreaker, one blazer, two short-sleeves, one black jean, one slacks.
Casuals seemed decent, but blazer still iffy.
Didn't suit me... But she said try at home, maybe different...
"You gotta wear new clothes a lot to get the feel.
Spend some cash upfront.
Instead of PC bangs on free periods, come here more. Got it, punk?"
Ah... Yeah.
Couldn't argue. She was way more expert than me.
"Anyway, the head's the real issue.
Don't get hacked at some sketchy barber. Grow it out. We'll hit a salon next time."
Salon too?
Yeah, always cheap quick cuts. Not bad, but...
Today's spend: about 220,000 won. Big hit, but unavoidable.
"While we're here, let's look at mine too~."
Excited for her own shopping, Yu In-ha bolted to women's.
...Do I need to watch women's clothes?
"I'll check out?"
"What the fuck?"
"K-kidding."
"One more time and you're dead."
Felt like it'd take another hour or two.
No veto power. I stood like a servant, brain off, watching her shop.
"Hmm~."
Blouses to camisoles, shirts, short-sleeves.
Unlike me, everything suited her instantly.
She knew it, super hyped.
"How's this?"
"Looks good?"
"This one?"
"Pretty?"
"Fuck, no opinions at all."
Why ask me? I don't know women's clothes!
Serious answer and she'd go "What does a loser know!"
"Hmm. Let's see."
Stuck with her another hour.
Short skirts got a gasp or two, but got old quick...
Ended up slumped in a chair, exhausted.
"Checkout~."
"Total 220,000 won. Need a bag?"
No.
Worried she'd add something and make me pay, but no.
My stuff alone was 220k. Huge daily spend. Remembered the recent 300k... Should've asked for 150k... Sniff.
"Thank you. Come again."
"Yeah."
Already dark.
Nearly two hours in that store.
Already tired, now heavy bags made it worse.
"Euuung."
Yu In-ha stretched, shaking out her legs.
Lit-up college street sparkled brighter.
"Dinner before you go? Oh right.
Did you ask your friends about the group date?"
"Ah, yeah."
Right, forgot to mention.
Good I asked before coming. "No?" and her face... "When you gonna ask, loser?!"
"For real? Who'd you ask?"
She eyed me suspiciously.
Not lying about this. Not confirmed, but positive reply.
I pulled out my phone, scanning class group chat for Kim Myeong-jun. Friends on Kakao?
"Friend named Kim Myeong-jun, hold on..."
"Pic? Show pic."
"Wait..."
Profile pic? Can't remember.
Scrolled down, found him. Face pic, yes.
"Ooooh."
Instant approval.
Handed her the phone; she grinned ear-to-ear, swiping.
"Ooooh."
Expression I'd never seen in high school.
Total dopey grin.
"You seriously scored this guy? For real?"
"Yeah. Said he'd come."
"Whoa, jackpot. I gotta snag one too!"
...Told me to score one. Haven't even yet?
Ignoring my glare, she bombarded questions, smile huge.
"He's really that hot? You've seen him IRL?"
"Pic might be bad..."
"Seriously? Wow, amazing. Bring him no matter what. Hook him and I'll treat you right. Got it?"
"Yeah... He said yes, so he'll come."
"Really?"
Her voice suddenly dripped aegyo.
Handsome guy turns even Yu In-ha cutesy...
"Ah, mood's great now. Hey, dinner's on me."
"For real?"
She nodded.
Yu In-ha paying for food... Miracle.
"Still need one more, right?"
"Yeah. But should find quick."
Kim Myeong-jun said he'd try too...
Seems it'll work out fast.
"Ooh, Yi Jun-hyeong. You look different? Huh?"
She laughed, arm around my shoulder.
Superficial jerk...
"Let's go! My special treat."
I got dragged along, arm locked.
Handsome friend turns Yu In-ha angelic. Note to self..
"Where to eat?"
"Mala tang!"
Damn. Sounded good then not.