Have You Heard of Glasses Syndrome?
Have you heard of Glasses Syndrome? There's a rare disease out there that hardly anyone knows about. Glasses Syndrome. The odds of getting it are a staggering one in a billion. The main symptom? Your face changes dramatically when you put on glasses.
And I don't mean just a little gap-moe difference. I mean you look like a completely different person. Take me, for example.
The silky strands of hair swaying with every turn of my head. Skin so fair it's almost transparent. Delicate, perfectly balanced features packed into a petite face. I hate to brag, but without my glasses, my looks were straight out of heaven. No exaggeration—twice as stunning as any TV celebrity. Probably thanks to the TS Buff, as usual.
But add glasses to the equation?
"...Plain."
The goddess from moments ago had vanished, replaced by some average girl staring back from the mirror. My striking features, my perfect proportions—all gone. It felt like the glasses had sucked away my very presence. That's Glasses Syndrome for you. Put on glasses, and you become someone else entirely.
I got it three years ago, right along with my gender transformation—my TS. No cure or anything. People with this syndrome have just two choices: figure out how to live without glasses, or accept reality and roll with it. I picked the latter.
I could ditch the glasses if I wanted, but why bother? Being too beautiful comes with its own headaches. ...Okay, truth be told, there's another reason, but whatever.
"It's already this late?"
Time to head out. Linger any longer, and I'd be late for school. I threw on my uniform in a rush and stepped out the front door, glasses firmly in place as always.
Home to school is about a 25-minute walk. A bit far for walking, but I always do it on foot. Simple reason: I love popping in my earbuds, cranking some music, and just strolling.
"Mm♪"
I hummed along as I walked. Fun fact: I used to hate singing. But post-TS, music hooked me hard—listening and performing.
"Hup!"
"Ah..."
Too lost in the song, I hadn't noticed the person behind me. I'd been humming away solo, oblivious. Mortifying. Heat rushed to my face as I quickened my pace.
Then—bam—I collided shoulder-first with a guy rounding the corner and went tumbling. My glasses flew off too.
"Damn, what a shitty way to start the morning. Huh?"
"Sorry!"
"H-Hey, wait a sec..."
I apologized quick and bolted. No way was I drawing attention over something like this. Plus, arguing would've made me late for school. ...One more tardy, and it's toilet duty.
I'm living my second high school life right now. Thanks to the TS sending me back in time.
This second round was worlds apart from my first.
"Phew."
I made it just in time, no tardy. Slipping into the classroom, I saw clusters of classmates chatting away. I quietly took my seat.
"Let's see, first period is..."
I was digging out my textbook when a familiar melody drifted from nearby. ~♪ A-Star.
The rookie girl group just starting to blow up. The song? So What? Their latest hit—the one I'd been listening to on my walk.
Its girl-crush vibe nailed my tastes perfectly.
"A-Star's new song is a total banger, right?"
"I became a fan the second I heard it."
"You too? Same here."
The girls huddled around, chatting animatedly. An A-Star MV played on a phone on the desk. Fans, huh? My eyes lingered.
Then my gaze locked with the one at the center of the group. Not close, so the mood turned awkward fast.
"...Got something to say to us?"
"N-No, nothing."
I played it cool and looked away. My face burned. The girls shrugged it off and resumed talking.
As you can see, my school life is super low-key. No big reason—just want to keep it quiet. That's why I've never taken off my glasses at school. With them on, I'm practically invisible. Unless we lock eyes like just now, no one even notices I'm there.
Perk: zero friends, zero chit-chat. Not lonely or anything. This is exactly what I wanted. Graduate high school quietly—that's the goal. So today, like always, I sat there like a mouse.
...Or so I thought.
"Kim Siyeon."
Someone actually called my name. I turned to see a bold-looking girl. Moon Ga-young, right? Class president of our 1-7 homeroom. Smart, friendly—everyone loves her.
And she's talking to me? After school, no less.
I tilted my head. "What's up?"
"You didn't check the group chat?"
"Huh...?"
Curious, I pulled up the class chat. A pinned notice: "Unity Party," with meetup spot and time.
"Midterms are over—group unity party! Everyone else is in. You?"
Not my scene. Schedule doesn't fit anyway. "Sorry, got work today."
Politely declined. Ga-young frowned, displeased. "That excuse again? You skipped the last ones too."
"Work that day too."
"What kind of work? Where?"
"Well..."
I hesitated, and she sighed like she knew everything. "Work on your social skills. How long you gonna go solo?"
"..."
"Whatever, don't come then. I'll cover for you with the others. But next time, show up."
"Yeah..."
She grumbled a bit more and left. Others followed. Alone now, I puffed my cheeks.
"It's not a lie..."
I do have work. Just... hard to explain.
Off to the job right away. At the school gate, a black car waited. I hopped in naturally.
"Hey there, Siyeon-ah."
A young woman in the car greeted me warmly. Lee Su-ah, one of my partners in crime.
"Lemme see that face. Hmm, dark circles? Up late?"
"A bit tired."
"Got it. Go a tone brighter than usual? Extra eye makeup too."
She smoothly removed my glasses and started dabbing blush on my cheeks. I sat still, face in her hands. Routine by now.
After school, I hand my body over to a team. One fixes my clothes, another my makeup, someone else restyles my hair. They remake me.
Once dolled up, I'm whisked away like a prisoner. The destination changes daily, but always the same vibe: vast space swallowing the eye, dazzling lights, packed seats roaring with cheers.
The stage.
Every time I stand there, one thought hits: How'd I end up here?
It started with money. They offered to cover tuition and living costs—hook, line, sinker. Fit me like a glove, debuted quick.
That's A-Star, my girl group.
Flops when I joined. No big expectations. Figured I'd grab some cash and bail. Sorry, members.
Then boom—they exploded. So What? hit big. From nobodies to second-tier group overnight.
...Second-tier. What started as a side gig blew up.
Lucky break: my Glasses Syndrome. Plain-girl Kim Siyeon and A-Star maknae Ruti? Only a handful know they're the same. Privacy locked down.
Celeb life with privacy? Jackpot.
Plan: ride the wave till popularity dips, then retire no hesitation. Reset as glasses-girl Kim Siyeon—cash and cover secured.
Key: nail both lives. For now, focus on the show. Wrap it quick—early school tomorrow.