Chapter 26
Chapter 26
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Tailor Measurements
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Alright, come over here for a sec? Let's take your measurements."
"Ah, sure."
I followed her gesture. When it comes to this stuff, it's best to just listen to the expert.
Especially since this was clothing made by a world-renowned artisan. A little effort was only to be expected.
I wasn't all that interested in wearing pretty clothes, but if they guaranteed real functionality, that changed things.
I couldn't keep ripping apart outfits every time I needed my wings, after all.
"Your figure is stunning. Such nice lines."
"Ahaha..."
So why did she keep groping me like that?
"But do you really need to touch quite so much...?"
"Oh, this is to make the work more precise. It's not just about rough sizes—it's for custom tailoring that fits you perfectly without any discomfort."
I see.
"I-is that so?"
"Yes. Since you're a mutant, we need to pinpoint exactly where you differ from humans and measure accordingly. For example..."
"Eek!"
"Like getting the exact circumference of this tail. That way, the clothes won't bother you at all."
"Ah..."
But Jin-ha was smiling in a peculiar way.
* * *
'She's even more fun to tease than I expected.'
At her level as a tailor, she didn't actually need to grope like this.
She could gauge the measurements just by eyeing them.
But... wasn't this amusing? She'd seen Seo-hyun's interview.
Seo-hyun was even more upright than she'd imagined.
'Not all mutants in the world are bad ones... Yeah, that's right.'
And Seo-hyun's mindset aligned with Jin-ha's own.
Aside from doctors who treated mutants directly or National Intelligence Service agents, she probably interacted with more mutants than anyone.
That let her meet mutants desperately trying to blend into everyday life.
She could see how they yearned to return to normalcy and what drove them to keep going.
Making clothes for people like that wasn't so bad. It even gave her life a sense of fulfillment she'd never felt before.
Anyway, Jin-ha now knew what kind of person Seo-hyun was.
Upright, sincere in everything. In other words, perfect for teasing.
She wasn't about to pass up this kind of fun, fulfillment aside.
'Heard she used to be a guy? That explains the extra shy reactions.'
It felt like this was her first time in a situation like this.
And each flustered response only egged Jin-ha's mischief on further.
Today might end up even more enjoyable than planned.
* * *
"Measurements are done, so want to look at some preliminary designs for what styles you'd like?"
"Sure."
Jin-ha showed me all sorts of sketches. Suits, casual wear, sleepwear, even underwear, just like she'd mentioned.
"You're going to make all of these?"
"Of course. They're quick to whip up. What do you think of the designs?"
"Not bad, but... the tail area is a bit..."
"Oh, when you don't need the tail out, the opening seals itself automatically."
"Pardon?"
"Like those nano suits in movies—it self-repairs."
"How's that even possible?"
"If I will it to be that way, it just happens. Same for wings. The tears from manifesting them will mend on their own."
"That's way too unrealistic..."
"Ahaha! Who cares about realism? We've already mutated, which is plenty unrealistic. Magic happening wouldn't be weird at all. Take that breath you unleashed—science can't explain it either."
"W-well, true."
"Exactly. My spider silk takes on whatever properties I want the moment I decide: heat-resistant, waterproof, self-repairing... Scientifically impossible, but we're beyond science ourselves, so no need to overthink it. Just accept it as is."
"Got it."
"That said, fully repairing major rips takes time. Just like I can fully turn into a spider, you could probably fully become a dragon... but self-repair would lag then."
"Even if it's torn that badly?"
"It's the clothes tearing, not the silk burning away. The threads will gather and knit back together."
"Amazing."
"Hehe, I get that a lot. Anyway... do the designs work for you?"
"Yeah. Doesn't seem like anything needs changing."
"Worth the effort. Alright, measurements and designs are set, so we're done for today. Swing by when they're ready. We'll take the photoshoot pics for the magazine then."
"Sure."
"You'll probably be swamped next time. The director's a real taskmaster."
"...That's a little scary."
"No need to worry too much. Oh, and after the next shoot, we're probably doing dinner with the director and crew. Want to join? My treat."
"I'll come. Oh, mind if I bring my little sister?"
"Your sister? Sure."
Free food was hard to turn down.
* * *
"...So, the lady making my clothes invited us to dinner. Wanna come?"
"Why would I go there?"
"It's free, and she said it's fine."
"Sis. Aren't you liking freebies a bit too much? You'll go bald."
"You're picking a fight with every balding person worldwide right now. So, you in or not?"
"Hmm... Nothing that day. No tutoring."
"Come then. Weren't you saying we need to save on food?"
"Fine, I will. Still, first time meeting another mutant besides you... Kinda exciting. What kind is she?"
"Didn't I tell you? Arachne-type. Spider."
"Spider...? Not creepy?"
"Not really? She's gorgeous. If I were a guy, I'd fall head over heels. Doesn't look much different from a human outwardly. She has spider legs on her back, but... probably hides them outside."
"Wild..."
"Her clothes are straight-up magic. Spider silk that's waterproof, heatproof, self-repairing."
"The world's turned fantasy, so stuff defying science isn't surprising anymore."
"Right."
"Kinda looking forward to it..."
"Don't be rude."
"I won't."
"I know. You're a pro at handling people."
"But why drag me along? Free meal doesn't explain the scale."
"You've always been into fashion. Business major or not, I see you flipping through those magazines."
"Oh...? Didn't know you paid that much attention to my hobbies. Mutating change you or something?"
"Nah... Just popped into my head since she's in fashion. Good connection to have. When you graduate, it'll widen your options."
"Aw, kinda touched."
"Right? Praise me?"
"You're great and all, sis, but tone down the mood-killers."
"Then it wouldn't be me."
"...Fair."
* * *
The day came quicker than expected. Between classes and such, it was suddenly time to meet Jin-ha.
My sister seemed pretty nervous. Probably since this was her first time meeting another mutant besides me.
"Why are you shaking?"
"Just... nervous."
"What's to be nervous about?"
"Argh, quit the mind games if you're gonna keep talking."
"Mind games my ass. We're here."
"...Whoa."
Seo-ah gawked at Jin-ha's shop. But something felt off. Wasn't she glued to fashion mags last year? If she'd kept it up, she'd know Jin-ha.
Agent Jeong-ho said she was the most talked-about name in global fashion right now.
"But if you were that into mags, how don't you know her? Isn't she the biggest name out there?"
"I might not. You started mutating around then, and I had no time for fashion."
"Oh, yeah... Makes sense."
"After your mutation settled, I was swamped catching up on business classes—no time for mags."
"Business that intense?"
"Skip studying, and you're sunk. Classes, networking, all that—fashion falls off the radar. Not my major anyway. Gotta prioritize business. But yeah, planning to peek again when I have breathing room."
"Gotcha. Alright, let's head in. She's waiting."
"Yeah."
The moment we entered, Jin-ha spotted us and her eyes went wide.
"Hey, Seo-hyun. And this is... your sister?"
"I'm Yoon Seo-ah. Seo-hyun's little sis."
"Nice to meet you. Seo Jin-ha. But Seo-ah?"
"Yes?"
"Wanna do the shoot with Seo-hyun today by any chance?"
"...Pardon?"
Jin-ha's sudden words left me and my sister utterly baffled.
A shoot? Her?