Ch.194194. Let’s Start by Taking Off Your Pants

Contrary to the director’s promise to finish quickly, the photoshoot lasted much longer than we expected. He clearly said it would take about two or three hours including setup time before we started, but when we checked after finishing, it had taken a full four hours.

Even considering that wedding photoshoots require a lot of effort, it took an unusually long time. When I asked afterward why it took so long, an employee tipped me off that the director really liked the atmosphere Hwa Nabi and I created together.

In simple terms, the director wanted to shoot more, so he kept us there. Even though the shots for Hwa Nabi and my wedding album had been completed long ago.

Well, that explains why it felt strange. I heard these usually finish in as little as an hour. I was wondering what went wrong since our shoot specifically took so long. I had been feeling anxious inside, so it’s a relief that wasn’t the case.

Yes, it’s a relief, but…

“Phew…”

Still, wasn’t that too long? For someone like me who normally just applies sunscreen as my entire makeup routine, keeping my face covered in products for five hours straight was torture.

And on top of that, taking photos in a subtly suggestive atmosphere on a bed while being bombarded with flashes… my body is exhausted. I’m not exaggerating, really.

“Ah, I’m tired.”

As I rotated my stiff neck, I wondered: if a one-time wedding photoshoot is this exhausting, how do models and actors who perform in front of cameras daily manage their shoots?

I’ve always been the one taking photos, so I never understood how the subjects felt, but after experiencing it once, I think I understand their hardships. This looks easy but it’s not easy at all. I strained my eyes so much that my eyelids are trembling.

“First, let me turn off the light…”

Since Hwa Nabi was in a dress, it would take her a while to change, right? I’ll finish quickly, so I should rest a bit before changing.

With that thought, I sat down on a chair in the corner of the changing room. Then I leaned back against the backrest and slowly closed my eyes.

I shouldn’t rest too long—just one minute, then I’ll finish changing.

“……”

—Yes. Thank you for your hard work on the shoot, Director. That person? He went to change clothes earlier, so he should be out soon if you wait a little.

“……”

—I know. It is taking longer than expected. Maybe he’s on an urgent call?

“…Mmm.”

—Ah, it’s okay. You don’t need to go in. If he’s not out in a minute, I’ll check on him.

“……”

-Creeeeak.

“Oh my, why are the lights off? …Siwoo, are you in here?”

A familiar voice reached my ears as I hovered between consciousness and unconsciousness. What little reason I had left told me I should open my eyes and answer, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it because opening my eyes felt too difficult.

-Flash!

Suddenly, a dazzling light appeared before my eyelids. I instantly returned to my senses and slowly opened my eyes.

“…Ugh.”

My head feels dizzy, like I’ve been hit by something. What time is it now? As I instinctively looked around after just waking up, I made eye contact with someone standing at the changing room door.

With beautiful pink hair and lovely eyes, she is my girlfriend, Hwa Nabi.

…Or is she my wife now? Did I marry Hwa Nabi or not? Just as I was seriously trying to think about it, she approached me carefully with a surprised look.

“Siwoo, what happened to your hair? And why are the lights off? Don’t tell me you were sleeping here?”

It would be nice if you asked one question at a time. I had somehow slid down with my head against the backrest, so I straightened my posture.

“Yeah, I closed my eyes to rest for a bit and fell asleep.”

“My goodness, how tired were you to fall asleep sitting in a changing room chair?”

That’s what I’m saying. I never imagined I would doze off either. Feeling awkward, I rubbed the back of my neck.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to… Did you wait long?”

“No, I just finished changing clothes myself, so I haven’t been waiting long. But you went into the changing room twenty minutes ago and didn’t come out—I thought something had happened!”

Not stopping at words, she lightly tapped my shoulder. This is completely my fault. Did I make her worry unnecessarily?

Left with nothing to say, I wiped my mouth with my sleeve and quietly stood up.

“I should change quickly. Could you wait outside? I’ll be out soon.”

“How are you going to change when you’re staggering from sleepiness? I’ll help you, so take it off slowly.”

As if she really intended to help, Hwa Nabi came close and held out her hand as if asking for my clothes.

“No, I’m fine…”

“Come on, take it off quickly when I tell you to. The director is waiting outside, you know.”

“Oh, the director? Why is he still here?”

“He said we did really well in this shoot and wanted to chat briefly before we leave. So hurry up.”

Ah, so that’s it. It wouldn’t be right to keep an elder waiting outside, so I should change quickly. I quickly unbuttoned my suit jacket, took it off, and handed it to Hwa Nabi.

“I’ll take care of the cleanup, so you change into the shirt you wore here first.”

“Okay, thanks.”

I took off the rented shirt and handed it to her, then hastily put on my own dress shirt that I’d worn to the studio. Then, as I was about to lower my pants, I suddenly stopped and glanced at Hwa Nabi.

Even if we’re a soon-to-be-married couple, is it really okay to show this much without hesitation?

“…I need to change my pants.”

I looked at Hwa Nabi, implying that she should avert her eyes, but instead of looking away, she stared at me boldly.

“We’ve seen everything there is to see of each other, so why are you being shy now? You had no problem taking things off in bed without being asked.”

“No, this and that are different…”

There’s a difference between both of us undressing and just me undressing. As I hesitated to take them off, Hwa Nabi, seemingly frustrated, took a step forward and grabbed my waist.

“Siwoo, you’re a man, aren’t you? If you’re a man, take off your pants like one. We don’t have time.”

“Hey, that’s a gender-discriminatory remark that doesn’t fit with today’s times…”

“Ugh, why is this man talking so much! Take them off quickly—do you know what time it is? It’ll be evening by the time we get home, and it’s our precious weekend!”

“W-wait. Okay, I’ll take them off myself!”

Despite my timid resistance, Hwa Nabi pressed the snap button and pulled the buckle, causing my pants to slide down.

“…Wow, as expected.”

Hwa Nabi stared at my exposed thighs for a moment, then muttered an evaluation.

“Siwoo really does have sturdy legs.”

“You’re not a judge, so stop evaluating and bring me my pants…”

Is she here to help or to interfere? When I waved my hand while speaking, she made a deflating sound and went to get my pants.

I covered my lower body until Hwa Nabi brought the clothes, then changed into them lightning-fast after receiving them.

“Aw, you should have changed slowly so I could enjoy the view.”

“You can look all you want when we get home. Now that I’m dressed, could you go out first?”

“Why? We might as well go out together since you’re fully dressed.”

“If a man and woman come out of the men’s changing room together, people might misunderstand.”

People who know the situation might not think much of it, but what if someone passing by sees us? Wouldn’t strange rumors spread? Hwa Nabi seemed to understand what I meant and nodded.

“Ah, I see. Okay, I’ll go out first, so come out a little later.”

“Yeah, sure…”

As I finally caught my breath, Hwa Nabi left the changing room first. I counted to about sixty in my head, then exited the changing room with a time gap between us.

“The groom is out. Was it an urgent call?”

Wondering what this meant, I looked carefully and saw Hwa Nabi winking at me. She had made up an excuse for me. Catching on, I played along.

“Yes, it was work-related. By the way, do you think the photos will turn out well?”

“Of course! Thanks to the hard work of the bride and groom, they turned out amazing. Even though the editing isn’t finished yet, the aura coming from the photos is incredible—you can tell they’re going to be spectacular even at a glance.”

The way he explained while gesturing here and there made me think that even if it was just flattery, it was convincing enough with this much sincerity.

The director smiled and extended his hand. His fingers were visibly thick, like a turtle’s shell. I shook his hand.

“Thank you. Please take good care of the finishing touches.”

“Yes, don’t worry. We’re both design students, aren’t we? I’ll make sure to beautifully edit the photos of my fellow student and his bride, so just wait and check them when they’re ready.”

The director laughed heartily and shook my hand up and down. He seemed almost old enough to be my father, so being called a fellow student by him felt strange.

Still, since he promised to edit them well, there was no need to make a fuss. I smiled back and gently shook his hand.

“Yes, that’s reassuring to hear. I’m counting on you, Director—I mean, fellow student.”

“Haha, fellow student? My, hearing that from someone so young makes me feel like I’m back in college. Yes, don’t worry. The album will turn out so well you’ll be surprised when you see it.”

Hwa Nabi had been staring at the director and me as we buttered each other up, and as soon as we let go of each other’s hands, she slipped to my side and whispered in my ear.

“Siwoo, what does he mean by ‘design students’? Did you study design without telling me?”

“…I’ll explain later.”