Ch.2323. Is a Swimsuit… Clothing?

“I’m done eating. I’ll go first.”

“Okay, sure.”

Right after Han Siwoo left his seat, Lim Hansol, who had been watching his retreating figure, tilted his head in confusion.

‘He’s completely different from what I’ve heard?’

Based on the rumors going around, he expected Siwoo to snap at him for asking to eat together, but surprisingly, he agreed to join him, and they could actually have a decent conversation.

Of course, he did seem a bit irritated at one point, but that was my fault for bringing up his embarrassing past, which anyone would be sensitive about.

Also, he turned out to be surprisingly perceptive and self-aware.

On top of that, from what I overheard in the teachers’ office, his grades are among the top, and judging by how he handled the situation when Jinhee spilled water and how he treats the transfer student sitting next to him, he’s not the type to pick fights with just anyone.

“When I put it all together…”

After pondering for a moment, Lim Hansol came to a conclusion.

Han Siwoo wasn’t the delinquent that rumors made him out to be. He’s closer to a normal, reasonable person.

But then, how could such a person have been so disrespectful and unruly during middle school? Something doesn’t add up.

The teacher must have asked me to feel him out for a reason, so the rumors must have some truth to them. That makes it even more confusing.

“Did he change that much in such a short time?”

It’s generally difficult for people to change their fundamental nature without some significant catalyst, so that doesn’t seem likely.

Lim Hansol was deep in these thoughts when someone interrupted.

“What are you muttering to yourself about? Like a crazy person.”

Clunk. Someone set their tray down across from Lim Hansol and spoke to him.

That distinctive sharp tone—Lim Hansol knew who it was without even looking up.

“I just had something on my mind.”

“Keep your thoughts in your head. Talking to empty air makes you look mentally ill.”

Jinhee clicked her tongue and muttered.

That’s fair—I can’t argue with that. We’ve barely become friends and she’s already openly throwing insults. Her true personality is completely different from her initially pure impression.

“Oh, by the way, Hansol. Have you seen the transfer student’s Instagram?”

“No, why?”

“Look at this.”

On Jinhee’s phone was an image of the transfer student wearing pink bunny pajamas.

At a glance, the number of likes and comments on the post was impressive. She could make serious money if she advertised something.

“What do you think?”

“Um… I’m jealous?”

“No, what are you talking about? Did you actually look at the photo carefully?”

“Even if you tell me to look carefully… Huh?”

Is there something else to see besides the pajamas? Thinking this, Lim Hansol examined the photo more carefully.

And at that moment, surprise spread across his face.

“Isn’t that Han Siwoo next to the transfer student?”

“Right? You see it too, don’t you?”

“Yeah, it looks like him.”

Ash-gray, almost silver hair. Sharp eyes that look like they have an attitude. Only one person has such distinctive features.

“But why is this…?”

“Hey, Lim Hansol. Are you seriously asking because you don’t know? Don’t you understand what this means?”

“Um, they’re closer than we thought?”

“Do you wear couple pajamas with people you’re just close with?”

“…That could happen, couldn’t it?”

Lim Hansol’s answer came after some genuine contemplation.

It wasn’t entirely unreasonable, as he himself played around like that with his childhood friend all the time.

“Forget it. Look at when this was posted. It was uploaded this morning! I guarantee you, they’re definitely a thing.”

“I don’t know. The person involved said they weren’t.”

“What? You knew about this too? Who did you ask? Don’t tell me… Han Siwoo?”

“Yeah, it was Siwoo, but I didn’t know about it before. It just came up in conversation, so I asked him, and he said they weren’t like that.”

“They’re not in any kind of relationship but they’re wearing couple pajamas at home? You believe that? He’s obviously lying.”

“Why would he lie to me?”

“Why would Han Siwoo be honest with you? You two aren’t even close.”

That made sense when he thought about it. So was he really just embarrassed and denied it? …But his expression seemed too serious for that. The more he dug into it, the more it felt like falling into a labyrinth.

“Well, even if they are in that kind of relationship.”

Lim Hansol stroked his chin as he continued.

“We don’t have the right to tell them what to do, right? He clearly wants to keep it private since he denied it.”

“Why would he hide it?”

“I wouldn’t know. Maybe he’s embarrassed. Or there could be something else we don’t know about.”

“Would someone trying to hide something post a photo on Instagram? And so openly?”

Even Lim Hansol couldn’t argue with that. It was a valid point.

As Jinhee said, if there was something uncomfortable they wanted to hide, they wouldn’t have posted such a photo for everyone to see.

While Lim Hansol was trying to organize his thoughts, Jinhee scrolled through Hwa Nabi’s social media and muttered.

“Ah, I’m jealous. I wish I had a boyfriend too.”

“Then get one.”

“If it were that easy to get one just because you want one, would there be any single people in this world?”

“You’ve been single all this time?”

Lim Hansol asked, surprised. Objectively speaking, Jinhee would definitely be among the top three in their class in terms of looks. Yet she’d never had a boyfriend.

Lim Hansol had asked out of pure curiosity, with no malice intended. But a dark, bleak shadow quickly fell over Jinhee’s face.

“…Why, is that not allowed?”

Then she spoke to Lim Hansol in an eerie voice dripping with sticky malice.

‘Why did I suddenly get chills down my spine?’

Lim Hansol involuntarily shuddered.

“No, I didn’t mean it’s not allowed… I was just surprised.”

“…Right, I have a terrible personality. In elementary school, my nickname was ‘Gangster’s Wife,’ and I went to an all-girls middle school, so I haven’t even held a boy’s hand at this age. So what, is that wrong? Huh? Hey, Lim Hansol. Say something. Don’t look away. I said say something! Hey, I…”

‘I stepped on a landmine.’

Cold sweat began to run down the back of Lim Hansol’s neck.

***

-Ding dong dang dong.

End of class, end of homeroom.

As soon as the homeroom teacher opened the front door and left, the classroom quickly became noisy with the murmuring of students.

Everyone was either forming groups to go home or hurrying to attend the supplementary classes they had signed up for.

“Hmm.”

Regular classes end at the 8th period. I didn’t need to take supplementary classes so I didn’t sign up, and night study is no longer mandatory, so I definitely have more free time.

The world has really improved. In my day, “night self-study” was more like “night forced study.”

“…”

Is this what they call being a young boomer or whatever these days? …Surely that’s not me.

Anyway. I finished organizing my desk and stood up. As I put my bag on my back and was about to head home.

“Siwoo, where are you going?”

Suddenly, a female voice asked about my destination. There’s only one person in this class who calls me by my name with honorifics.

I stopped walking and turned around.

“I’m going home. Why?”

“Do you have any plans after this?”

“No.”

If I had to specify my schedule, I would say exercise, followed by studying. This isn’t just talk—I’ve been feeling stiff after skipping workouts for a few days.

“Great. Then would you like to go somewhere with me?”

“Where exactly?”

“Hmm, it’s not just one place, so it’s hard to say specifically. First, I want to go to a clothing store.”

“To buy clothes?”

“Yes. We’re going on a school trip soon. I want to buy some things for that. Jeju Island will probably be hot.”

“It’ll be chilly in the mornings and evenings in April. And…”

It’s not like we’re going for a week—it’s only 2 nights and 3 days, so I don’t understand what she’s preparing for.

There won’t be any official dress code either. Just wear whatever, or if worst comes to worst, wear your uniform.

When I expressed this opinion, Hwa Nabi’s expression suddenly hardened.

“…Siwoo. Are you serious? It’s a rare school trip, and you’re going to spend three days in a stretched-out t-shirt and shorts?”

That’s oddly specific, and I can’t help but imagine it.

Me, looking shabby among classmates who put effort into their appearance.

…That’s definitely not a good look, even as a joke.

“I’m not saying I’ll dress like I’m lounging at home, just that I’ll dress comfortably.”

“That’s the same thing! Wait, Siwoo. Don’t tell me you’re planning to wear your uniform if nothing else works?”

“…”

Did she learn mind reading? I momentarily held my breath, thinking she had read my thoughts.

Hwa Nabi accurately caught my reaction. Her eyebrows gradually formed a figure eight shape as she looked at me.

That means she’s angry.

“This won’t do. Siwoo, come with me right now.”

“Where to?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

*

“Here we are.”

Like a triumphant general, Hwa Nabi pointed to a clothing store.

The name on the large sign was Salieri. It reminded me of the famous composer, and judging by the absence of specific brand logos, it seemed to be a store that sells a variety of items.

“Unnie, I’m here.”

While I was examining the exterior of the store, Hwa Nabi pushed the door open and entered. So I followed behind her.

-Ding.

Leaving the familiar bell sound behind, I first surveyed the interior.

The structure is quite unique. It’s a duplex, but the ceiling is strangely low. About 1.5 floors of a typical commercial building.

The overall size wasn’t very large, but with clothes packed densely all the way to the ceiling, it felt full.

“Nabi, is that you?”

I was examining a jacket placed right in front of me when suddenly a person popped out from among the clothes, startling me.

It was a woman with notably languid eyes. Probably an employee here.

“Yes. Unnie, it’s been a while since we last met. Has it been about a month?”

“Since you came in early February, it must be around that time? But Nabi, why are you here so soon? You already bought all your spring clothes. Don’t tell me you’re buying more?”

“No. Today I want to buy clothes for someone else, not for myself.”

“Someone else…?”

Hwa Nabi gestured toward where I was standing, and only then did the woman’s gaze fix on me.

Our eyes naturally met. It seems they know each other, and it would be awkward to just stand there, so I gave a slight bow.

“Oh my, I’m sorry. Your proportions are so good that I thought you were a mannequin.”

The woman was startled and covered her mouth as she spoke. I know it’s a business compliment, but it’s still praise, so I accepted it with a smile.

“Thank you.”

“Are you a student? You could be a model. Do people tell you that a lot when you’re walking down the street?”

“…Unnie. Please just recommend some clothes. You have a lot of men’s items in stock, right?”

Just as the excessive attention was starting to feel burdensome, Hwa Nabi appropriately intervened. The woman seemed somewhat disappointed and clicked her tongue softly.

“Tsk. Fine. So he’s a guy you’ve got your eye on? What kind of girl doesn’t even let someone say a word to him.”

“No, that’s not it! I’m actually helping you sell clothes. Don’t you want to make money? You should be working. Working!”

“Yes, yes. Please wait a moment, customer.”

“Ugh, really. Siwoo, I’m sorry. My unnie is actually a very nice person, but she always acts like this around men.”

“Customer, I can hear you from here, you know?”

Birds of a feather flock together—they both seemed to have equally vibrant personalities, like true acquaintances.

I was internally debating what to say when suddenly Hwa Nabi lightly touched my sleeve. She seemed to have something she wanted to say. I asked with my eyes.

“Siwoo. I’m asking this a bit late, but do you have money?”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

With a bit of exaggeration, I could probably buy all the clothes in this store. Though that would just take up closet space, so there’s no need.

After chatting about this and that while waiting, the woman soon approached us carrying a bunch of items.

At a glance, they were clothing items, with over ten pieces including tops and bottoms. Shirts, cardigans, slacks, jeans…

Am I supposed to try all of these on? I came thinking of buying one outfit, but this is five times more than I expected, which is quite overwhelming.

“That’s not many items. Unnie, don’t you have more besides these?”

“Try these on first. I’ll bring more later.”

“Okay. Siwoo? Please change into these clothes.”

What Hwa Nabi handed me was a white shirt, a cardigan, and slacks. It’s a common combination—you’d definitely see someone dressed like this if you walked through a busy district.

“I have these kinds of clothes at home.”

“That’s okay. Even if they look similar, each type of clothing and color has its own way of being coordinated.”

This isn’t a boast, but I have no expertise in fashion. The only coordination item I know about is fake socks, which says it all.

Since Hwa Nabi clearly knows more about this than I do, I followed her lead without argument.

“The things I end up doing.”

I took off my uniform, hung it on a hanger, and changed into the clothes I was given.

-Click.

It took less than five minutes to come out.

The reflection of myself in the full-length mirror looked strangely unfamiliar, and it’s not just my imagination. It’s the first time I’ve appeared in casual clothes instead of a uniform in front of others.

“Yes, that looks good. You can wear it just like that.”

“Really?”

It feels a bit awkward to me, but if Hwa Nabi says so, then it must be right. Whether clothes suit you is usually better judged by others than by yourself.

“Then I’ll buy this. But it feels a bit unfair if only I’m buying something. You should pick out a few things too. I’ll treat you.”

“I’d like to, but my budget is a bit tight. If I buy something here, I won’t be able to buy the next thing, so I’ll pass.”

“Then I’ll buy it for you, just pick something.”

“What? No, it’s okay. How could I accept a gift from you?”

“How much could it cost? Think of it as thanks for helping me with my clothes today.”

Normally, I would never say something like this. I can say this because not all the money in my wallet is mine. After I insisted several times, Hwa Nabi reluctantly began looking at the clothes.

But her eyes showed little interest as she browsed. Could it be that she doesn’t like that I’m pressuring her?

“You don’t dislike it, do you?”

So I approached her from behind and asked.

Perhaps because I spoke close to her ear, Hwa Nabi flinched slightly, then took her eyes off the clothes and met mine.

“No. It’s not that.”

“Then what is it? Maybe you don’t like anything here?”

“It’s not that I don’t like anything here.”

“You don’t dislike anything, so what’s the issue?”

“What I want is a different kind, or should I say, a different theme.”

“…?”

Her explanation is so vague that I don’t understand what she means. Different kind or theme—does that mean she didn’t come to buy outerwear in the first place?

“Then what did you come to buy?”

“That… Just a moment. Could you bring your ear closer?”

As if she wanted to tell me a secret, she asked for a whisper, so I bent my knee slightly to match her eye level. I wonder what she’s going to say.

“About this school trip. You know the accommodation is by the beach, right?”

This is the first I’m hearing of it, but I nodded anyway. It seemed necessary for the conversation to continue.

That’s when I let my guard down.

“So I was thinking of buying a swimsuit, but this is an outerwear store, so they don’t carry swimsuits. So, um…”

“…”

“…After we finish picking out your clothes, would you like to go to a swimsuit store with me?”