Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: [Reality] Shopping for Clothes? (2)
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"Let's go in here."
Lee A-rin took the lead and entered a brand store.
It wasn't as flashy and overwhelming as Zara from yesterday, nor as shabby as a street market.
Just the right amount of clean and modern vibe.
Exactly that kind of feel.
"Follow me."
The moment we stepped into the store, Lee A-rin made a beeline for the men's section and started browsing the racks.
"Welcome~"
"We'll just look around by ourselves."
"Ah, yes. Please feel free to browse."
When a friendly staff member approached, she lightly raised her hand to cut them off.
Worlds apart from how that scammy salesperson yesterday dragged me around.
She seemed incredibly reliable.
I trailed obediently behind Lee A-rin like a puppy, just waiting.
Tap, tap.
From the side, it looked like she was casually glancing over things.
But she'd pause midway and pull out one or two items.
"This one, this one. Go try them on and come out."
"All of them?"
"Yeah. You have to try them on to see the fit. No backtalk—go inside."
She was like a queen issuing commands.
I meekly followed orders and entered the fitting room.
The first outfit was a sky-blue striped shirt with black slacks.
Oh, this looks good?
Seems pretty safe?
"Hmm..."
After changing and stepping out of the fitting room, Lee A-rin, who had been waiting, scanned me up and down and furrowed her brow.
"Not great."
"Why? I think it looks fine."
"Your shoulders are broad, so the stripes make you look like a thug. Your face already looks tough enough—this just makes it fiercer. Fail."
"...Yeah."
Looking back at the mirror after hearing that, I did kind of resemble a loan shark collector.
"Next, try these two."
"Got it."
The second was a dark green short-sleeved T-shirt with beige bermuda shorts.
Looking in the mirror, this seemed decent too.
"This is a bit better... but the T-shirt neckline's too narrow. Your neck's thick, so it looks stuffy. Your traps are bulging out too—you need a V-neck or something open to look refreshed. No good. Fail."
"R-Really?"
Contrary to my thoughts, Lee A-rin's evaluation was ruthless.
"The pant legs are too wide. Makes your legs look short. Fail."
And the ones after that too.
"The color doesn't suit you. That dull khaki makes your face look like shit."
Every time I came out feeling okay about it, Lee A-rin shot it down.
My confidence was gradually fading.
"That's too flashy. It's gross."
"Gross? Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"I'm just saying what I see. Now take it off and change into this one."
Still, if there's one good thing about Lee A-rin...
Unlike the dizzying explanations from that store clerk that made my head spin, she pinpointed the pros and cons of my build exactly.
And she explained simply why it didn't suit me and how I should wear it instead.
Even I, who knew nothing, could understand perfectly.
After going in and out of the fitting room several times like that.
I grabbed another new set of clothes and headed back in.
"Whew, I'm getting tired..."
Honestly, buying just a few clothes felt like such a hassle.
But I could feel her effort in finding something that suited me, so I followed along obediently.
This time, it was a white linen shirt with navy tapered-fit slacks.
Trying it on, the fabric felt cool and breathable, roomy and comfortable, and it looked good too.
No bullshit—this one was a real hit.
This time for sure, really.
I buttoned it up, checked the mirror once, pulled back the curtain, and stepped out.
"Hey, Lee A-rin. How's this o... Huh?"
Lee A-rin was gone.
Wondering where she'd gone, I looked around and spotted her chatting with someone near the counter over there.
She was talking to a female staff member.
Maybe asking about sizes? But the vibe felt off.
"Ahaha, really? Wow, you're so pretty."
"Thank you. Unnie, your hair color is gorgeous too."
The staff and Lee A-rin were facing each other, smiling and laughing.
Whatever it was, Lee A-rin's face was blooming with a bright smile.
Her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes crinkling so much I worried she'd break something.
Then she burst into giggles and lightly tapped the staff's arm.
'What's that about?'
For just dealing with a staff member, they seemed overly chummy.
Do they know each other?
More than that, it had been ages since I'd seen her smile so innocently.
She always showed me rotten expressions, sneers, or looks of disgust.
'She's fucking gorgeous.'
Even from afar, I felt like there was a halo shining around her.
The staff was pretty cute herself, but next to Lee A-rin, she looked like a squid... well, not quite, but plain at least.
Squid's too harsh—let's call it even.
I was curious what they were talking about, but it felt awkward to butt in.
So I just stood there blankly, and then Lee A-rin spotted me.
She waved lightly at the staff in farewell and walked over.
"All dressed?"
"Yeah. But who was that just now? Someone you know?"
"Nah? Just a staff here."
"Then why were you grinning like that? Something good happen?"
"Nothing much. Just... she said I have good taste."
"Makes sense. You do pick clothes well."
"Not that conversation, but yeah, true. Who am I?"
Her face had lost all that radiant smile from before.
It looked somewhat condescending and annoyed.
At least she didn't seem in a bad mood—good.
"How is it? This one's really good, right?"
At my question, Lee A-rin glanced over my outfit.
And nodded.
"Oh, yeah. This one's decent."
"For real?"
This time, our opinions matched.
Guess I'm not totally clueless?
"Yeah. Linen makes it look cool and breathable, the fit's just right. Navy and white is a safe combo. Roll up the sleeves twice—show off those thick forearms."
Following her instructions, rolling up the sleeves made it look even better.
"The back width is good too, so the drape's okay. But..."
"But...?"
"The hanger's a bit... specifically, your face is the problem."
"...Hey."
"What? It's the truth."
"Come on, I'm not that bad... I think I've gotten handsomer lately."
"Keep bullshitting and see what happens? Grab your old clothes and come out. Time to check out."
"Don't you have to change back first?"
"You can just wear it out and pay."
Oh, you can do that?
I grabbed my tracksuit and headed to the counter, where the female staff who'd been chatting with Lee A-rin earlier asked politely.
"Just the one you're wearing now?"
"Yes. Just that one, please."
Lee A-rin handled the interaction, and naturally, I paid with my card.
But after trying on so many, we're only buying this one?
I asked as we left the store.
"Hey, that's it? Just one outfit? I need more clothes. Nothing fits me right now."
"Who said we're done? We have to check other stores. This place is mostly casual—no other styles."
"Then where to next?"
"Before that, I'm hungry. Let's grab food first. That's why I only bought one to wear now. You don't haul bags around while eating, right?"
Fair point.
But I thought she'd just help with clothes and head home right after.
No way she'd want to hang out with me long.
I figured she'd ditch me ASAP.
"Food? I thought you were just picking clothes and leaving."
At my words, Lee A-rin, walking ahead, whipped around with a super pissed-off glare that could kill.
"Hey. Don't tell me... you're not skimping on a meal even after I helped you shop, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, of course. Obviously I'll buy. Can't have an oppa who doesn't treat his little sis."
No, when did I say money was tight?
I was just surprised she wanted to eat together at all.
She's making me sound like a jerk.
"Oh? I thought you were trying to get rid of me quick to save cash. Guess you have some conscience after all."
"Hey, I'm all conscience—or a corpse otherwise. Didn't you know?"
"What the fuck? Keep talking shit?"
She snorted derisively.
Then suddenly burst out laughing for some reason.
She's in a great mood today.
"So, what do you wanna eat?"
I asked as we walked together.
Better to let A-rin decide than me.
"Dunno. Nothing specific."
"You said you wanted food. Anything you crave?"
"Hmm... well... anything?"
"Anything?"
"Yeah, anything. Whatever you want."
"..."
There it is.
Anything.
Seriously.
We should make it illegal to say "anything" when asked what you want to eat.
That word is loaded with traps.
It means: I don't have anything in mind, so pick something thoughtful I'd like.
But if it doesn't match my mood, prepare to get chewed out.
Take it at face value and drag her to a cheap kimbap place or pork soup joint, and the vibe shatters instantly.
We're not a couple, just siblings, so maybe it doesn't matter? Nah, guys do this shit even with bros.
'Anything, huh...'
If it were up to me, spicy pork stir-fry or pork cutlet.
Soul food for men.
Mixing rice into soupy pork stir-fry is better than sex.
A place with both? Double the sex.
Just say fuck it and go for pork stir-fry?
Daily quest wants a healthy meal anyway.
A ssam place with lots of veggie wraps would check out.
But.
Seeing her dressed up today, picturing her with gochujang sauce on her mouth while wrapping ssam? Nah.
Something healthy, good vibe, and she'd like.
One thing came to mind.
Time to play oppa for once.
"Let's go get some meat sliced."
"Meat?"
"Yeah. Steak?"
"Steak? Suddenly?"
"Yeah. There's a decent restaurant in that block over there. Let's go."
"...Hey, you really loaded?"
"Why?"
"Dropping 700k on clothes outta nowhere, now fancy food. You win the lottery or what?"
Suspicion filled Lee A-rin's eyes.
Fair. Me, who'd been surviving on convenience store scraps and takeout lately, suddenly suggesting steak? Sketchy.
Can't say I'm about to get rich soon.
"Yesterday was payday."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. And thanks to you, I saved the money from getting scammed. Treating you as thanks."
Decent cover—not total bullshit.
I got paid what that con store owner owed me.
With the 725k refund from yesterday, I could buy a whole cow, let alone steak.
Wait, could I?
No idea how much a cow costs.
Anyway, I'm not broke, and for my one and only sister, this is fine.
Even if she treats me like a bug and hates me...
I like Lee A-rin.
Not just sexual or whatever.
Sure, partly 'cause I'm a shitty brother.
But beyond that, I genuinely care for her as blood kin.
No brother in the world doesn't cherish his sister.
If there is.
That thing shouldn't exist.
Lee A-rin pondered my words, then asked.
"So, you wanna eat steak?"
"Huh? Yeah? Steak's delicious."
Only then.
"Alright. Let's do steak."
She nodded with a faint smile.
Sounded like she was just going along 'cause I wanted it—kinda rude.
But her pretty face made even that smile cute.
We walked side by side to the restaurant.
After arriving, Lee A-rin ordered a T-bone steak, and I got ribeye.
The meal was satisfying enough.
Meat cooked perfectly, tasty. Lee A-rin ate well too—less nagging than usual.
And.
Taking a bite of the side salad cleared the daily quest too.
Man, this daily quest is way too easy.
Alright.
Belly full.
Back to shopping.
"Now back to clothes? Where to next?"
"What? After eating, you need coffee."
"Coffee?"
"Yeah. Can't shop without caffeine. Let's grab coffee."
"Wait, aren't we doing clothes after food?"
"We can after coffee. Post-meal coffee's the rule, right?"
"Fine, fine. I'll buy coffee too."
"Duh."
I followed Lee A-rin, chuckling softly.
Walking side by side, bickering—it wasn't bad.
If Lee A-rin heard, she'd freak, but it felt kinda like a date?
Of course, just in my head.
Say it out loud, and it wouldn't end lightly.
She might try to kill me for thinking that about my sister.
Like that, we bullshitted over coffee, bantering with Lee A-rin.
When an unfamiliar woman approached me.
"Oh? Lee Jun?"
A fairly pretty woman.
Who is she?
No woman ever talks to me.
Creation myth?
While pondering that, I tilted my head.