Fitting Model – 2

At the words “Okay, cut!” I felt embarrassed for thinking, “Huh, is it over already?” as the shooting continued relentlessly.

Sometimes boyish, sometimes cute.

Like those old dress-up games, Ye-rin transformed with each outfit change and matching makeup whenever I took my eyes off her for a moment.

Not only did she perfectly pull off each fashion style, but she also exuded a charm different from her usual self, making it purely enjoyable to watch. To the point where I felt I could watch her all day without getting bored.

Moreover, perhaps because my role as a totem sitting during the first shoot was acknowledged, I even had the privilege of watching Ye-rin up close when the shooting started afterward.

ㅡ Hmm, maybe being a fitting model’s companion isn’t so bad sometimes?

Around the time such complacent thoughts were starting to creep in.

Of course, they gradually began to find uses for the hands of the only male at the site.

Mainly jobs requiring strength.

…Was I too obviously just sitting there?

Being a big guy sitting conspicuously, gawking with my mouth open, they probably couldn’t help but put me to work.

Of course, I moved willingly when the aunt said she’d pay me a daily wage for helping. I was confident in my strength, after all.

But when the shooting started, like a baby crying for its mother, Ye-rin would look for me, so I’d return to my seat and repeat the cycle of enjoying the visual feast.

After repeating this several times, though I wasn’t physically tired, I started to get mentally exhausted.

“Woo-jin, was it? How long have you been working out?”

“Oh, a little over a year, I think…?”

“My, that’s been a while! Doesn’t exercising during puberty stunt your growth?”

“Hey. Did you not wear your contacts today? Look at his height and say that again?”

“Well, you’re right. Neither you nor Ye-rin look your age.”

“Ahaha, thank you. If you’ll excuse me…”

ㅡ Wow, this is killing me.

As I naturally blocked a finger poking my arm in amazement while they talked non-stop, and moved away, I heard conversation behind me.

“Wow, did he just block my finger?”

“Girl, I told you to stop flirting. Why do you keep touching someone who’s already taken?”

“How can I resist when those arms are tempting me? Oh, sorry-! I was just curious, I won’t do it again~”

“Haha, sure…”

Maybe starting conversations while working was a mistake.

As I went back and forth, chatting a few times and gradually becoming familiar with everyone, I felt like I was losing my mind to the staff members who were starting to initiate conversations and even jokes.

Conversations were fine. I enjoyed talking rather than just moving things silently like some mute worker.

But it was excruciating in many ways when they’d approach as I moved objects, curiously poking my arms or back or gently touching them.

…Especially since every time it happened, Ye-rin was watching from afar with pursed lips and crimson eyes, glaring at me while getting her makeup done.

…It’s really unfair. My only crime was working hard like a slave.

But it was also awkward to be stern with the other staff and say “Hey, that’s enough,” since they seemed genuinely amazed that someone my age had such muscles.

All I could do was join my hands in prayer toward Ye-rin and mouth “Sorry.”

Ye-rin responded by chewing her light pink lips, which were shiny perhaps from lip balm.

‘I…diot…?’

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

That’s harsh. She must have heard everything the staff were saying about my reactions.

Maybe it’s a matter of separating one thing from another.

I had to accept it. If I were in the opposite position, I would have already rushed over.

All I could do was try to make those eyebrows pointing to 10:10 point to 8:20 later.

**

“Good work everyone~”

“Thank you for your hard work-!”

After finishing the long seven-hour shoot, everyone seemed tired, with groans coming from all around.

Ye-rin appeared the same, looking more tired than usual, so I approached with a bottle of water I had prepared.

“Good job, Ye-rin.”

Pop-

After opening the cap, I handed it to her, and Ye-rin gave a weak smile.

“Ah, thank you… You worked hard too, oppa…”

“What work? It feels like I exercised and got paid for it, so it’s good.”

“Pfft, oppa, you sound like you’re addicted to exercise…”

“It is an addiction.”

Though it started to impress Ye-rin, now it was truly an addiction because if I didn’t do it for even one day, my whole body would itch with restlessness.

Ye-rin giggled and took a sip of water.

…She must have been tired.

Seeing a water droplet escape from Ye-rin’s mouth and roll down her fair jawline, I unconsciously reached out and gently wiped it away.

“Ah, than-“

“Kyaa, did you see that? Did you see?”

“How sweet~ Hey, are you two really not dating?”

“No way~! Is it because of something like being an idol trainee, so you’re dating secretly?”

“Oh, that could be it! Just tell us sisters. We’ll keep it a real secret! Hmm?”

“You crazy girl, what sister!”

“…Haha, we’re not dating, like I said. We’re just close as oppa and dongsaeng.”

Couldn’t they just stop?

Once or twice would have been enough, but these staff members, no, these women, were cackling in front of us again as if we were monkeys in a zoo. I wanted to—

Ladies in the chicken coop, we’ll figure things out ourselves, so please shut your mouths, I wanted to shout. But.

For Ye-rin’s sake, and for her aunt’s sake, I endured and endured again.

Fighting the corners of my mouth that kept trying to twist, I spoke with a forced calm.

“Hey, you guys don’t know because you’re young!”

“That’s right, if you wipe another girl’s mouth like that, there’ll be trouble, you know?”

“Take it easy…”

“JUST-!!!!!!!!!!”

A scream so loud that everyone jumped in surprise made startled gazes turn behind me.

…But there was only Ye-rin behind me?

With a sinking feeling, I turned around to see Ye-rin with her fists tightly clenched, head bowed low, trembling.

“I’ve said so many times… that he’s just a close oppa…!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

As if reflecting Ye-rin’s emotions, her voice grew increasingly louder until it was practically a desperate scream at the end.

With those final words, Ye-rin turned sharply and ran out of the studio.

“Shit…”

It was all so fucked up. Everything.

It had clearly been an enjoyable day. A dazzling day where I’d filled my eyes with sides of Ye-rin I hadn’t seen before.

The thought that such a day was ruined because of those women behind me made me unbearably pissed off.

To the point where I wanted to kill them all.

No, was it even right to blame them? Self-loathing crept in as I wondered if I should have just confessed earlier.

“Um, sorry-“

“Happy now?”

“…Huh?”

“Ganging up on kids much younger than yourselves, and finally getting a definitive answer—are you happy? How does it feel, are you satisfied?”

“Well…”

“Save your apologies. The person who needs to hear them isn’t here right now.”

My body felt so hot I wondered if it was normal to be this hot, and my insides were boiling.

I had to stare at an empty corner to avoid looking at their faces because I knew I wouldn’t be able to control myself.

“Woo-jin.”

As I was gathering my belongings and Ye-rin’s things she’d left behind to follow her, I heard the aunt’s voice from behind.

“…Yes.”

“…Even with ten mouths, I’d have nothing to say. I should have stepped in to manage the staff, but I was curious too. Ha… those inexperienced girls. I’m truly sorry for not being mature toward you and Ye-rin… I’ll contact Ye-rin separately to apologize. I’ll handle things here, so hurry and go after her.”

“…I’m fine, so please apologize properly to Ye-rin. Everyone else too.”

“I will…”

Despite the aunt genuinely looking sorry and at a loss, the frustration in my heart didn’t ease at all.

I just left the studio in a hurry, hoping I’d never see any of these people again.

To find the only person who could ease this feeling.

 

Not long after leaving the studio, I was able to catch up with Ye-rin.

The joy of finding Ye-rin was brief.

Just as I was about to call out to her, seeing her back as she walked weakly under the night sky that had settled, using moonlight as her guide.

Seeing her slender shoulders shaking, I closed my mouth that was about to open and quietly followed her.

Ye-rin took two steps, I took one.

Again two steps, one step.

How much time passed like that?

The moment the distance narrowed enough for me to hear Ye-rin’s sniffling,

“…Oppa.”

“…How did you know? I was being sneaky.”

“I always know… when it’s about you…”

The violet eyes of Ye-rin who turned around saying that.

Like azaleas moistened by rain in mid-summer, they were covered with teardrops.

“Why are you crying, silly…”

Hearing my voice, Ye-rin scrunched her eyebrows and lips.

As if she was trying hard to hold it in. As if she couldn’t bear it otherwise.

“Just…”

Ye-rin opened her mouth with difficulty.

“Just, I’m so angry at myself… I can’t stand it. And the fact that you had to hear such things because of me is so upsetting…”

“How is that because of you? Don’t say nonsense-“

“No.”

Raindrops trickled down Ye-rin’s pale cheeks.

“It’s all because of me, all of it…”

“What do you…”

My mind was confused, unable to understand why Ye-rin was blaming herself to this extent.

Was there something I didn’t know?

Just as I was about to open my mouth to ask, Ye-rin spoke a beat faster.

“I’m sorry, oppa. Today, I’ll go home first today…”

Repeatedly saying she was sorry, Ye-rin left the place almost like she was running away, without waiting for my response.

Left alone desolately on the street, I looked up at the night sky, and as if to mock me,

The moonlight was bright.

Too bright, even.

“Why is the moon so beautiful tonight of all nights…”

It hurt my heart that I was looking up at this moon alone.Retry