Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: My First Friend
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"...Is it that bad?"
The promised time was in the evening, and as I pulled the problematic outfits from the closet to show him, Haon Park's expression turned subtly strange.
I'm not completely hopeless at reading people's faces, and that look was definitely one of disappointment.
It deflated my spirits completely.
That's why I'd asked, but maybe I'd come off too sulky. Haon startled like I'd shocked him and denied it vehemently.
"No, no way!"
"......"
"R-Really. I wasn't thinking that at all."
For someone waving their hands in denial, the beads of sweat on his forehead didn't quite match.
"...You meant pick an outfit for you, huh."
"Huh?"
"I didn't say anything."
He muttered softly to himself while sitting there, and when I asked what, Haon deflected like that. He'd clearly said something, but since he played it off, I didn't press.
Still, his obvious disappointment stood out, so to change the mood, I held up one outfit against my body.
It was the black hoodie I usually wore out.
"H-How about this one?"
"Phew... Hmm......"
At my question, Haon let out a deep, inscrutable sigh and started scanning me up and down.
Under that blatant gaze, I fidgeted with my toes in embarrassment, and finally, Haon spoke.
"...Hard to tell just holding it up like that."
"......"
If that's what he was gonna say, why drag it out so much?
To erase the tension from waiting for his answer, I slipped the hoodie on over my clothes.
It was a bit big for my current frame, coming down to mid-thigh.
"H-How's this?"
"Hmm......"
Haon started hemming and hawing again. I thought he only did that on stream, but nope—real personality.
"Honestly speaking......"
"Speaking...?"
"It's good, but......"
I changed into another while he nodded.
"What about this?"
"That's good too, but......"
"Then this?"
"...That too."
Every time I switched, Haon dragged it out forever before saying it was fine, one after another.
Actual compliments after so long did make my face heat up, but with everything getting a pass, I didn't know how to react.
This was tanking my teacher's infinite trust score.
"Um, Haon. These and that one aren't that different, but you're really looking, right...?"
All dark colors. The only differences were subtle sizes, embroidery, or finishing details.
In other words, mostly stuff you couldn't tell apart without close inspection.
When I asked pointedly, Haon just scratched his head awkwardly.
"But they really all look good. The oversized fit works on you. Something about your face makes it plausible......"
"Huh?"
"Nothing. I had confidence in my taste, but seeing it for real, they all look great. You're pretty."
"......"
Haon protested like he was wronged, then dropped that embarrassing line.
No matter what, dropping that out of nowhere...!
That unfamiliar word made my body heat up fast, and I ducked my head.
My face was probably beet red. Not a sight I wanted to show.
"Y-You didn't dress well when you were a girl either, ri-right?"
The words tumbled out in my embarrassment, but did I hit a nerve? Haon let out a small chuckle.
"Hah, when I was a girl, I was no joke. Guys hit on me all the time outside."
"......"
"Whoa, what's that face? You don't believe me? Want proof?"
"No cam though......"
"What, we've seen each other's faces already. Nothing to hide? And it's my old face anyway."
A no-cam streamer offering past pics? My interest piqued.
"Wanna see?"
His sly approach as he asked, and I nodded eagerly.
No words, but my exaggerated gestures screamed yes, show me!
"Ha... shouldn't show you this. Won't Noeul fall for me?"
Seemed he liked my reaction; Haon grinned slyly and pulled out his smartphone.
"You'll totally fall for it~"
He wiggled his fingers teasingly before handing it over.
"...Wow......"
"See? Super pretty, right?"
The screen showed a really pretty girl smiling in a selfie.
His cocky attitude had backing; I had to nod at his question.
If I'd seen her outside, I'd probably turn back for a second look, just like he said.
"You two look alike."
"Ah, like now?"
"Yeah. Like siblings."
"Mom said the same."
First time seeing her, but that vague familiarity made sense now.
As he answered, Haon smirked faintly.
"But saying that means I'm handsome now, right?"
"......"
How does he say that so casually?
Watching him squint playfully, it wasn't entirely wrong.
But his smug face irked me with the needless embarrassment, so I didn't answer.
I avoided his gaze, flipping through pics with my finger, when one popped up showing off her figure like a brag.
Bikini shot in front of a full-length mirror. Bigger than I'd guessed.
In heart, anyway.
"Well? Killer body, huh? I was obsessed with doing a body profile then."
"......"
This guy has no shame.
I handed the phone back as he gazed nostalgically.
Not a bad experience, though it left me wondering why no cam all this time.
"But Noeul, never heard you were handsome as a guy?"
The intense bikini pic left me oddly deflated and moody, then came that sudden question.
"Never."
"What? No way. No pics?"
"Not into photos, and no friends around to say that anyway."
"......"
The mood quieted abruptly. Wasn't aiming for that by being honest.
I forced a pivot to lighten things.
"But asking that means you think I'm pretty?"
"...Said it earlier. You are."
"......"
Silly to expect this unflappable guy to feel the same embarrassment I did, but the mood eased a bit—that was progress enough.
Why is the blushing always my job? I shoved the unfairness aside.
"Still, you're meeting friends this time, right?"
"...Raid party members."
"Still friends. You wouldn't fuss over outfits for total strangers."
"......"
Embarrassing, but convincing.
People I'd always seen in-game—could call them friends?
After mulling, I nodded.
"...Maybe friends."
"Right? And there's me."
"Huh?"
I looked up at the abrupt words. His now-familiar face met mine.
"We know each other's faces, and you even came over."
"......"
"Not just landlord stuff, right?"
He added he was a fan.
Thinking about it, family aside—brother excepted—had outsiders been in my room this much?
And I'd reached out first today.
Yeah, kinda like that.
"...Maybe friends."
"Thought you'd say 'viewer and streamer' flat-out. Not hearing that feels nice."
Haon grinned cheekily. What does he take me for?
"Always saying no friends, but you got a bunch?"
"......"
I didn't reply, but his words hit so good.
My chest tickled faintly. Not a bad feeling.
Noeul Lee's 22 years: first friend acquired.
"That expression looks good on you."
"...Huh?"
I didn't know my face, but Haon said it while resting a hand on my shoulder. His vibe brimmed with energy.
"Friends now, so want me to hook you up with my old clothes?"
"......"
"Noeul, wanna try a skirt?"
...Wanna?
I shook my head firmly. Clear refusal.
"Hm. Tried makeup then?"
"......"
...Like I'd have?
Shook harder this time.
"Ha. So much to teach about being a girl. No clue where to start."
"......"
His earnest face made me think he got it wrong, so I shook vigorously again.
"Makeup's fine. Not interested."
"I thought that once too. Around fourth grade?"
"...Early bloomer."
"Heard that a lot. Girls mature faster young anyway, right?"
"......"
"What time's the meetup? Hang on."
With that, Haon headed out to grab clothes or whatever.
I yelled after him that makeup was really fine, never even considered it—but who knows if he heard.