Chapter 58: The Reluctant Fashion Showdown
by AfuhfuihgsClothes Shopping
As the business hours of the musical stadium came to an end, the fountain outside lit up with vibrant, colorful lights.
Staring at her reflection in the water, Joo Ahyoung meticulously checked herself over.
Was her fringe neatly arranged?
Was her outfit wrinkle-free?
Her dedication to looking impeccable rivaled someone preparing for a date.
This effort didn’t go unnoticed, as a man soon approached her.
“I don’t usually say this to strangers, but—”
“I’m seeing someone.”
“Oh.”
Deflated, the man drooped his shoulders and vanished into the night.
‘If only I could get this much attention from Unni instead of random guys.’
Pouting her lips, Joo Ahyoung sighed.
Her older sister-like figure, Hae Eung Eung, was always distant rarely reaching out unless Ahyoung initiated contact first.
This one-sided affection sometimes filled her with unease, leaving her frustrated and longing for acknowledgment.
Spotting the fountain’s playful sprays, she clenched her fingers into a tight fist, as if ready to flick her middle finger in retaliation against her sour mood.
“Hmm?”
Before she could act, a hand gently tugged her arm back.
Whoosh!
The fountain suddenly surged, sending a more powerful jet of water directly where she’d been standing.
“Unni?”
[Careful, or your clothes will get soaked.]
The calm voice behind her was none other than Hae Eung Eung.
“You have no idea how much that startled me just now! My heart’s still racing!”
It had been a while since she’d seen Hae Eung Eung. She was as composed, graceful, and effortlessly stunning as ever.
Despite the effusive compliment, Hae Eung Eung turned her head with an indifferent air, as if dismissing such flattery.
“I’m being serious…” Ahyoung muttered with a pout.
Her momentary sulk was short-lived. Without hesitation, she looped her arm through Hae Eung Eung’s and clung tightly.
“I came prepared today! You’re not going home until I’ve dressed you up in a full set! No excuses!”
[Please don’t make this harder than it needs to be.]
“We’ll see about that! You’d better behave if you want to go home early. Got it?”
Though rare, Hae Eung Eung found herself somewhat amused by Ahyoung’s enthusiastic determination.
“Ta-da! So? What do you think of this shop’s vibe?”
The store was filled with sleek, lightweight clothing that emphasized body lines and curves.
As Ahyoung’s imagination ran wild, picturing how perfectly her Unni could pull off each outfit on display,
she was met with an utterly unexpected response.
[Too thin. I don’t like it.]
“What? No way! Can’t you reconsider?
You’ve got such an amazing figure, Unni! Everything here would look incredible on you like you stepped straight off a runway!”
Despite the enthusiasm, Hae Eung Eung remained steadfast in her preferences,
even if Ahyoung’s carefully chosen store wasn’t entirely dismissed out of hand.
The ability to evaluate the beauty of clothing had been ingrained in Hae Eung Eung, whether she wanted it or not,
through her experiences in the courtesan training of the Hao Sect and the concubine education of the imperial palace.
‘Especially when it comes to understanding which clothes pose problems for me.’
Thin fabrics were the worst.
Transparent or revealing clothes? Even more dangerous.
She hadn’t needed to concern herself with such matters for a while,
but being in a clothing store brought back the memory of a restriction she could never forget.
[Restriction]
[Permanent Tattoo (Lower Abdomen)] – A permanent uterine tattoo is etched on your lower abdomen.
When internal energy is activated, it glows violet a secret you wish no one to discover.
‘Though, it wasn’t exactly a secret in the Murim world.’
The Hao Sect’s leader, who was determined to raise her as the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world,
had been shocked upon first seeing her bare body, checking for any signs of stretch marks or physical imperfections.
A disciple of the Haenam Sect shouldn’t have a tattoo, yet there it was boldly etched on her lower abdomen.
Even the stern Hao Sect leader couldn’t help but show a rare moment of pity.
– “How did you end up with such a tattoo? You don’t remember?
Then, does that mean you also have no recollection of anything before joining the Haenam Sect?”
Having been taken in by the Haenam Sect shortly after falling into the martial arts world,
Hae Eung Eung had no memories of her life prior to that point.
Of course, sharing the truth about her past in the modern world wasn’t an option she didn’t want to be branded as insane.
This led the Hao Sect leader to fill in the blanks of her story with her own imagination,
interpreting her struggles as signs of a tumultuous and tragic life.
Declaring her as a candidate for her personal apprentice,
the leader worked to shield Hae Eung Eung from the harassment and unfair treatment she faced within the sect.
‘At the time, I dismissed her actions as insincere, but looking back now, I see things differently.’
Though she could never forgive the Hao Sect leader for pressuring the Haenam Sect financially to forcefully bring her into the sect,
there were moments of genuine care.
The leader had stood behind her, protected her, and even worked to save her from the debilitating effects of the Nine Yin Meridian disorder.
‘It’s amazing how time can change the way you see even the darkest days.’
In the modern world, Hae Eung Eung had lost her family.
In the martial arts world, she had parted ways with her adoptive family, the Haenam Sect, consumed by vengeance and resentment.
Now, after returning to reality with her youth restored and a more mature perspective, Hae Eung Eung found herself reflecting.
Though her physical age had remained consistent, her mental and emotional maturity had evolved through three different phases of her life:
As a man.
As a martial artist.
And now, as a returnee.
Three lives, each forcing her to grow into an adult anew.
And yet, she suddenly found herself wondering.
‘Perhaps this is the first time I’ve truly become an adult.’
As such mature thoughts swirled in her mind, Hae Eung Eung stepped out of the fitting room only to be met with:
“Wow! Didn’t I tell you? There’s no way this wouldn’t look good on you! You look so beautiful, unni. Now, let’s try some pastel tones next. Here, try this one!”
Joo Ahyoung’s enthusiastic compliments were accompanied by ten more outfits, pre-coordinated and lined up on the automated rail system.
[Wasn’t it seven sets just now?]
“I couldn’t help it! I kept finding more clothes I wanted you to try. I even paid the extra fee for two more sets, so hurry up and put them on, unni. Please?”
If there were any sales clerks around to cast judgmental glances, Hae Eung Eung might have used that as an excuse to refuse.
But in this store, even that option was unavailable.
With just a few button presses, the automated rail system delivered the trial outfits straight to the fitting room ,
a marvel of 2050 technology that even the unrivaled warrior of the Banryo Valley, Hae Eung Eung, couldn’t escape.
‘At least she’s considerate enough to recommend long and thick clothing that suits my situation.’
That gratitude, however, quickly turned into a battle against fatigue as the queue of outfits seemed never-ending.
She had faced yokai without feeling this drained. Yet now, as her body tired, her mind wandered to memories of the past.
“From today, I am assigned to assist Hae Eung Eung-nim with her life as a concubine. ”
“I am Chohui, your palace maid.”
“How can you claim that martial robes alone are sufficient? ”
“I won’t expect you to behave like a proper concubine, but those ragged scraps of clothing are absolutely unacceptable.”
“I’m glad you’re fond of the pink cheongsam, but you can wear that as casual attire. ”
“For palace duties, you must select from the traditional red, blue, black, white, or yellow gowns suitable for court etiquette.”
There had been so many restrictions on what she couldn’t wear and so many protocols to follow.
Even choosing a single outfit required careful consideration of fabric, origin, etiquette, and tradition, all under the watchful eyes of the meticulous maid, Chohui.
Recalling Chohui’s strictness gave Hae Eung Eung the patience to endure Joo Ahyoung’s endless shopping spree.
“Unni, I’m sorry. Am I the only one having too much fun?”
[Not at all, I’m enjoying this too.]
“Phew, that’s a relief! I was about to suggest stopping here and grabbing some late-night snacks if you were tired.
In that case, I’ll add just three more sets!”
What was this? A shopping spree or a fitness boot camp?
Hae Eung Eung trudged back toward the fitting room, her steps heavy as if carrying the weight of the world.
When the shopping began, Joo Ahyoung had been feeling a little annoyed.
“Not this one either?”
[Sorry.]
For reasons unknown, Hae Eung Eung kept rejecting outfit after outfit without even trying them on.
After ten minutes of browsing without any progress, Joo Ahyoung’s frustration began to show.
“Unni, can you tell me exactly what’s wrong with these clothes?”
[Anything thin or short is a no.]
“Then how about this sweater? Feel the fabric.”
[It’s too sheer. I can’t wear it.]
“So, you’re saying it has to be thick and completely cover your entire body?”
When Hae Eung Eung nodded, Joo Ahyoung sighed in disappointment and hung the rejected outfits back on their hangers.
“I should have realized when you started wearing traditional Korean palace outfits as casual wear.
You’re really conservative, unni. Even in the Joseon-era royal court, they wouldn’t have been this strict. You’re like a total Confucian lady.”
“Well, it’s your preference after all. Since we’re here to find something you like, I’ll work with it. How about this one?”
The outfit had thick material, not a hint of exposed skin, and a dark navy color that she typically found unappealing.
It was a V-neck navy blue turtleneck sweater, one she wouldn’t normally glance at twice because it might make her look heavier than she liked.
But every reason Joo Ahyoung had for disliking the sweater was exactly why Hae Eung Eung was willing to try it on.
For the first time that day, she responded with:
[I’ll try it.]
“Will it suit you, though?”
The martial robes Hae Eung Eung usually wore were dull in color and thick in texture.
But paired with her rare beauty and the dramatic air she exuded,
they became a part of her unique style one almost impossible for others to imitate.
‘Still, I feel like the whole period-drama aesthetic is what makes her stand out so much.’
After a while, the external display panel on the fitting room changed from <Changing> to <Complete>.
Slowly, a hesitant Hae Eung Eung emerged, her steps careful and her gaze constantly darting toward her midsection.
“Wow.”
Whether it was the unfamiliar outfit or her self-consciousness, she seemed uncomfortable,
frequently glancing down at her stomach and fidgeting nervously.
Yet, the oversized sweater draped over her, paired with her bashful demeanor,
created a strangely endearing image like a young girl playing dress-up in an adult’s clothing.
“Unni, try these pants next.”
Joo Ahyoung handed her a pair of beige wide-leg trousers that complemented the navy sweater.
The words period-drama lady that automatically popped into her mind whenever she thought of Hae Eung Eung now vanished completely.
Instead, the oversized turtleneck accentuated her charm in an entirely different way.
Sliding open the door, Hae Eung Eung cautiously stepped out, tugging at the waistband of the pants as if unsure about the fit.
“Unni, be honest. Have you done modeling gigs before?”
Even with just the turtleneck and wide-leg pants, Hae Eung Eung exuded the presence of a professional fashion model, effortlessly elevating the outfit.
However, her awkward movements gave her away.
She kept glancing down at the clothes, shifting uneasily, pressing her hands against her stomach, or constantly tugging the waistband higher.
“Pfft. That’s not how you wear it!
You’ve pulled it up way too high. If the size feels loose, just tighten the elastic waistband here. Like this.”
Joo Ahyoung reached out to adjust the pants,
which Hae Eung Eung had hiked up to an almost comical height that accentuated her lower abdomen in an unflattering way.
But the moment Joo Ahyoung’s hand approached,
Hae Eung Eung swiftly leaned her body backward, avoiding the touch entirely.
“Ugh, hold still!”
Joo Ahyoung’s hand reached out again, but Hae Eung Eung leaned back slightly,
her heels pressing lightly against the ground, allowing the hand to brush past her in vain.
“What are you doing, unni? If you keep dodging, I won’t be able to fix it!
Don’t tell me you’re actually shy about having your clothes adjusted like this? You’re a grown adult!”
Treating her as one might scold a stubborn child, Joo Ahyoung teased with a playful tone.
This earned her an irritated glare from Hae Eung Eung, though the subtle flush of embarrassment betrayed her true feelings.
Even the faint annoyance on Hae Eung Eung’s face seemed so endearing that Joo Ahyoung couldn’t bring herself to feel frustrated.
The unni she was used to cold, distant, and hard to approach now revealed an unexpectedly human side, making this moment refreshing and amusing.
“Alright, alright!”
Hae Eung Eung, however, wasn’t making it easy.
She bent her waist, twisted her body, crouched down like a defensive animal, jumped backward,
spun around to avoid capture, and deflected Joo Ahyoung’s hands with swift movements.
After about five minutes of this cat-and-mouse struggle, Joo Ahyoung finally managed to catch her.
Wrapping one leg around Hae Eung Eung’s to stop her from escaping, she locked her arms around Hae Eung Eung’s waist in a tight embrace.
It was like trying to bathe a cat that hated water.
“Hah… hah… Why is this so difficult? I’m not doing this for fun! I just want to adjust your waistband!”
Hae Eung Eung, now caught, pouted with a sulky expression, clearly unhappy about her predicament.
“Let’s see… your hips are…”
Still holding onto her securely, Joo Ahyoung ran her fingers over the waistband, feeling for the proper position on her hips.
She adjusted the overly high pants until they sat perfectly at her waist, achieving a much more flattering look in the mirror.
“How does that feel, unni?”
Hae Eung Eung glared at her reflection in the mirror, her lips pursed in displeasure.
‘Huh?’
It wasn’t until now, after all the struggling and teasing, that Joo Ahyoung fully registered their current position.
Her own face was flushed from exertion, and she was slightly out of breath.
From behind, she was holding Hae Eung Eung’s body tightly, her hands lingering on the waistband of the pants,
brushing against the firm yet soft curves of Hae Eung Eung’s waist and hips.
‘Isn’t this… kind of suggestive?’
Joo Ahyoung froze momentarily, her heart racing.
But Hae Eung Eung, with her calm, unaffected demeanor, didn’t seem to notice anything unusual.
Instead, she stared back at Joo Ahyoung with an annoyed expression, as if to say, Let me go already.
“W-Whatever! The height is fine like this,” Joo Ahyoung stammered, abruptly pulling away in embarrassment.
While Joo Ahyoung was busy battling her flustered emotions, Hae Eung Eung, oblivious, wrote on her notepad:
[Can I take it off now?]
Her indifference only made Joo Ahyoung more irritable, as though she were the only one overthinking.
“Nope! Not even close. We’ve got a long way to go!”
Hae Eung Eung ended up trying on 20 outfits before she was finally allowed to leave the store.
0 Comments