A Date That’s Not a Date (4)

Choosing a swimsuit took longer than I thought.

Even after sitting and waiting, watching three Y-Tube videos and looking up, she was still choosing.

‘Seriously, how many did you pick? It looks like you’ve got at least five on your arm…’

Just looking at the swimsuits on her arm, there are roughly five.

I can’t see the clothes properly, but I can see the hangers on her arm a little bit… it must be right.

I can feel her choosing carefully; she’s not flipping through the hangers with the swimsuits, but looking at each one individually.

I was half-joking and half-serious, but if she chooses like that, I have no excuse to run away on the weekend.

‘Oh my god. I really have to go on the weekend, I was going to play games all weekend at home.’

After choosing carefully, she took all those swimsuits into the fitting room.

I think trying them on would be more of an ordeal, but I can’t tell her not to since I told her to.

Still, if I’m going to see it, it’s good if it’s pretty and to my taste…

‘Even if it’s an indoor pool, isn’t it possible to run into someone I know? But she still wants to go?’

A question suddenly occurred to me.

It wouldn’t be a problem if we went to see the winter sea instead.

Why? There are quite a few people who go to see the winter sea this season, so the probability of meeting someone is relatively low.

First of all, it’s cold and difficult to go see the winter sea, and the fact that I can’t swim also plays a part.

More than anything, what’s the chance of meeting someone I know in that vast winter sea tourist spot?

‘If I meet them there, it’s fate no matter what I do…’

If it’s that much, I’ll meet them no matter where I go.

At least it’s a bit on the outskirts of the city, and the probability of meeting someone I know is much lower than at an indoor pool.

However, the indoor pool also has hot springs and a pension nearby, so it’s convenient.

I don’t have to go far, I can go by taxi.

‘Indoor where I can see swimsuits, or the safe sea where I can’t see swimsuits.’

Taking the risk and seeing swimsuits vs. minimizing the risk but not seeing swimsuits at the sea.

Isn’t the choice too difficult? Truthfully, the best thing would be to do neither and stay home…

‘If I hadn’t said my preference, would that be a reason not to go on the weekend.’

I can feel that we’re close yet far apart.

It wouldn’t be a problem if I were just going out with my younger sister, but we’ve already mixed bodies.

I don’t know Ji-hye’s heart, but seeing her gradually becoming aware of her surroundings, I can roughly guess that she recognizes that we’re not ordinary siblings.

My head hurts. Not a splitting headache, just a complicated, tangled feeling.

I took a light stroll around the nearby stores to change my mood.

[Photo]

[How about this?]

[Please call before you send it! How surprised do you think I’ll be if you suddenly send it, you fuck!]

As soon as KakaoTalk rang, I checked my phone while looking around.

She’s just sticking her tongue out slightly and making a V sign, you’d think she’s shooting a pictorial.

Unlike that, the swimsuit is a rash guard with a white base and black mixed in, it’s ordinary.

It’s so ordinary that it’s not fun. I wasn’t expecting something super pretty, but this is a bit too much…

Still, I can give it a 7 out of 10 because it’s short-sleeved.

[You should look at it appropriately. So, how is it?]

[I don’t like anything but bikinis.]

[No, seriously! Please look at it seriously]

Seriously? Her pose might be cute, but the rash guard is a bit meh.

No, why is a girl with a good body wearing a rash guard instead of a bikini?

But why isn’t she showing the bottoms? What is it? Is she saying she won’t show the bottoms?

[Why aren’t you showing the bottom.]

[The bottom too? It’s hard to show it…]

[Then are you just wearing the top and not the bottom?]

[…Wait a moment]

My head overheats again from the swimsuit picture that suddenly came up while I was walking lightly.

Ugh… my head hurts. I should go back.

I hesitated for a moment when I saw the escalator as I was about to go back.

‘No, should I buy a coffee from the first floor? I think I need to drink something.’

Even though the heating isn’t strong, my throat gradually gets dry from the continuous hot air.

It seems like it would be no problem if I bought one for Ji-hye too… then I’ll go for a bit.

[I’m thirsty so I’m going to buy some coffee. Is there anything you want to drink?]

[What? Uh… wait a minute, just get me a vanilla latte.]

[Trying to get fat?]

[Do you really want to die?]

[I’ll buy it, so change your clothes]

I took the escalator to the first floor.

–

“One vanilla latte and one iced Americano, please.”

I sat at a corner table until I paid and came out.

There weren’t many people in the cafe because it was a weekday.

Looking at the laptops and notebooks spread out, it seems like college students are doing homework.

‘Did they come thinking it would be quiet because it’s a weekday? I guess they could…’

It’s about time for people to come shopping, so I wonder if it makes sense to study now.

It’ll be hard to do it if one or two people gather and it gets noisy.

I leaned back in my chair and stretched. The warmth brought on a slight drowsiness and the fatigue of being outside.

And the lingering feeling of not finishing properly in the bathroom.

[Photo]

[Is something like this okay?]

A photo taken with her sitting seductively in the corner of the fitting room, showing the entire swimsuit.

Ah, a rash guard with hot pants? It’s really not hot.

There’s no skin. Skin! Isn’t the best part of swimsuits seeing skin?

I was about to tell her outright to wear something else, but she did what I asked, so I couldn’t say anything.

[The pose is good, but the clothes are meh. Don’t you have anything else.]

[You’re so demanding! Seriously… wait. It’s a swimsuit, so I have to take everything off and put it all on.]

[How about taking a picture with everything off?]

[…]

[Photo]

I was slightly expecting it when the photo was loading… but as expected, the answer is stop, a middle finger.

A middle finger while sticking her tongue out is cute too, but shouldn’t she be able to give me that kind of picture?

Am I weird? No, why not? It’s okay to take one picture with everything off when getting dressed.

It’s not like I’m trying to spread it anywhere, I just want to see it.

Of course, I understand that it’s embarrassing and difficult to take. But I still want to see it… I can’t take it myself because I think she’d be very resistant.

[Photo]

[Is this one okay?]

This time, a photo came that was taken normally, reflected in the mirror.

The swimsuit is… this time too, it’s a normal one-piece, with a few frills, so it’s much better than the rash guard.

But this one also has almost no exposure, so it wasn’t a very good outfit.

Ah, of course, it’s not good based on my standards, it would look somewhat pretty to ordinary people.

Since bikinis occupy an overwhelming share for me. It’s not to the point of saying get rid of everything else!, but bikinis account for a significant portion.

So I want to see bikinis, it’s not like I’m saying don’t wear anything else, so don’t misunderstand.

[Do you know why I’m looking at swimsuits?]

[Suddenly? What is it?]

[I’m trying to see skin. But if you cover everything, what am I supposed to see!]

[You said the one-piece was pretty earlier, you son of a bitch!!]

[That’s right! But, if I’m going to see it, I want to see skin in a bikini!]

[You son of a bitch!]

“Your Americano and vanilla latte are ready.”

[Oh, my coffee’s here. I’m going up]

I grabbed the coffee at the clerk’s voice and headed back to the escalator.

I thought for a moment on the slowly rising escalator.

‘A swimming pool… I think I need to talk about which swimming pool we’re going to first.’

I realize it anew. I’m not trying to buy clothes to go to the neighborhood swimming pool.

What kind of person goes to the neighborhood swimming pool to show off their clothes, buying new clothes and going?

Unless they have a potential boyfriend or girlfriend there, that person must be crazy.

If I’m going to the neighborhood swimming pool, I should be looking at a cap too, but I’m not buying a cap.

Then that means I’m going to an amusement park called an indoor swimming pool.

That amusement park is close enough to take a taxi to.

‘It would be perfect if it weren’t for the problem of being able to meet someone I know…’

It’s not just a problem of an older brother and younger sister going to the swimming pool…

Am I just thinking about it uncomfortably, or am I proving that we’re in an unhealthy relationship?

But going to play with my younger sister is okay, but honestly, bikinis are weird, right?

Ah, what the hell, it’s getting twisted from the beginning. Ah, my head’s going to explode! Seriously…

‘Should I just make the excuse that I’m going to play with my younger sister?’

As soon as I stepped into the M.CAT store on the 3rd floor, an employee rushed over to me and called me.

“Excuse me, sir, are you with the woman who’s trying on swimsuits inside?”

“Huh? Uh… yes, I think so… why?”

“That, that, that person with the sharp eyes, is that her?”

“Yes, that’s probably her… but why?”

“Ah, then, could you come with me for a moment? There’s something I want to tell you inside…”

Suddenly? There’s nothing ringing on KakaoTalk, so it doesn’t seem like there’s a problem… but they should at least explain what’s going on.

“You should at least explain what’s going on?”

“Um… it’s not a problematic or rude story. It’s a bit of a serious story, so I want to tell you inside… would that be okay?”

“Then is Ji-hye talking inside?”

“Yes, the woman you’re with is already inside. It won’t be a story that will make you lose out. You can just listen to the story and leave if you don’t like it! I’ll give you a discount coupon as a reward for listening.”

What the hell is it? Is there something serious to talk about? Did she say she wanted to buy more because she liked this outfit! Or something touching like that?

No, that doesn’t make sense realistically, does it? What the hell did she do to make this happen? What is it?

It was hard to refuse because they were asking with a troubled expression without even telling me the reason.

Besides, if Ji-hye is already listening, I have to go forcibly… ugh.

What the hell is it, I really hate getting involved in something.

“Well, I’ll go for now. I bought coffee, can I drink it there?”

“Of course, of course! Thank you for agreeing. It’s definitely not a story that will make you lose out, so please take care of us.”

Following the employee, I opened the door behind the M.CAT store counter, and a small office was visible inside.

Ji-hye and a slender man with long hair were sitting inside, and surprisingly, Ji-hye’s face was bright.

What the hell did they talk about to make her smile like that?

‘Make sure you say you’ll do it too, okay?’

As soon as I put the coffee on the table and sat down, Ji-hye whispered to me.

Even though I frowned and looked at her, she just smiled, as if she was in a good mood.

How long has it been since I heard her whispering in a high-pitched voice because she’s in a good mood?

What the hell did you talk about to win her over, teacher…?

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m the branch manager here… well, I’ll keep it short since a long story will tire you out. I invited you here to ask if you could be a swimsuit model for a bit on Thursday.”

“Wow, I’m really sorry, but this is so sudden… is this a hidden camera? Are you trying to surprise us now~ and surprise us?”

Ji-hye pokes me in the side at my words.

No, why, this is obviously a hidden camera to anyone who sees it.

Suddenly, on a weekday, without saying anything, inviting us so suddenly and asking us to be swimsuit models?

Are you kidding me? I should be allowed to wash your face with the coffee on the table and leave.

“Kuhahahaha! That can’t be! You’re a funny person, I’m not joking. We’ll write the contract on the day, but I want to hear a definite answer first.”

“You’re telling me so suddenly, I want to just leave this coffee and go. What’s the reason?”

“The reason? Um… because you seem to have a bad relationship?”

“Are you doing this on purpose because you want me to pour coffee on you?”

“Hey!”

This person is incomprehensible.

I feel like I’m becoming strange from talking. It feels like something is missing from my words, one by one.

Why are you doing this to me… what do you want.

“Kuhahahaha! Ah, you’re funny, I’m being serious. Don’t be upset because I’m not being sarcastic.”

“You want me to be a model because we have a bad relationship? Can I really pour coffee and leave?”

“Hey, Kim Sun-ho!”

Ji-hye shouts from the side, making my ears ring.

Looking at her slightly, she’s glaring at me as expected. Hey, even if you look at me like that, I’m the type to dig if I’m suspicious.

I won’t go over until I dig and I’m sure.

That’s right, not only are you suddenly asking me to be a model, but the reason is because we seem to have a bad relationship?

Who would accept this and say, ah, is that why you want us to be models? What kind of person would?

More than 90% of people would be suspicious like me, right? Of course. Because it doesn’t make sense!

‘Is he saying this seriously? I can’t say no… he’s laughing even though I’m saying it like a piece of shit, which is usually what makes people angry.’

The branch manager laughed, holding his stomach as if he was really amused.

He already seems thin, but when he laughs, his skin is pulled and the outline of his bones is revealed, making him look even thinner.

“I didn’t mean that you two have bad feelings because you have a bad relationship, but because you have a bickering feeling. It seems like it was conveyed wrong, I’m sorry.”

He’s really a formidable opponent. He’s apologizing in reverse instead of getting angry even though I’m saying this much?

I don’t feel like this person is lying, so I bowed my head.

“I’m sorry for being rude. You’re serious. Then why are you saying you’ll make us models even though we have a bad relationship? You called me too, so I’m included, right?”

“That’s right. Because you’re a couple, you’re included. To be exact, a bickering couple, we need shots like that.”

“Is there a reason why you want a swimsuit model in winter? Why…? Summer is still far away.”

“Ah, that’s because we signed a contract with several companies this time, so we have to provide swimsuit model shots. For example, you know that large indoor swimming pool that comes out a little outside the city? That’s also included.”

“Oh… that’s where we were going?”

Ji-hye tells me in a slight whisper.

Ah, you son of a bitch… she was going to do this without even asking me about this?

This… I felt like something was going wrong and looked at Ji-hye slightly.

She’s making an expectant expression… hey, isn’t something going wrong?

Please, Ji-hye, don’t make that expression…

I couldn’t help but sigh.