episode_0032

Although it was awkward at first, Dayoung continued to eat with a very happy expression on her face as her favorite food entered her mouth.

“Hmm, delicious. Dakgalbi is the best, as expected.”

Seeing that, I felt somehow pleased, and the food tasted even better.

“It seems to be above average for a franchise dish. Oh, didn’t your mom develop a new dakgalbi product before?”

There was a time when we released a dakgalbi lunch box at work. We tried putting it in supermarkets or small convenience store brands. Well, sales were just okay, but compared to that, this one is definitely tastier. The purpose was different from the start. The difference between a reheatable microwave product and food cooked fresh was quite clear.

“Right. Wasn’t that about 6 years ago? It’s a memory, huh?”

Come to think of it, back then, I used to bring home lunch box samples and feed them to the kids.

“Oh, I liked that. Is it still available?”

Unfortunately, it has been discontinued for over 5 years now due to mismatched sales revenue and unit price.

“It’s not available. Besides, dakgalbi is well-received as a lunch box even in franchises. They even do deliveries. That’s why it was quickly discontinued due to lack of profitability.”

Back then, the boss mentioned that dakgalbi fried rice or lunch boxes were selling well. So, we tried developing something similar. It was a shallow strategy born out of that idea.

“Ah… Like a shallow domestic cute girl collection mobile game?”

Dayoung heard my muttering and tried to explain using an analogy, but I couldn’t understand it at all.

“A cute girl collection mobile game?”

“Oh, there’s such a thing. It’s a term our room viewers often use. It’s related to the gaming industry. When someone without expertise like a CEO or top executive says ‘This is good, let’s make one too,’ employees end up doing something they don’t want to do, resulting in a roughly produced, poorly performing product, and service termination. It’s like a term that describes this pattern.”

Listening to the explanation, it did seem quite similar to the situation back then. It was certainly a plausible story.

“Anyway, the problem lies with the clueless decision-makers who act without thinking.”

It was somewhat amusing to hear Dayoung, who is now a first-year high school student, say that, but it was a fact that couldn’t be denied, so I just let out a light sigh.

“Oh, by the way, does your mom have any preferred swimsuits? I’ve thought of a few things she might like to wear, but maybe it’s best if she chooses what she wants to wear herself.”

Just for reference… Does that mean she won’t consider my choices? I thought about it.

“Just something with more coverage. I’d like to avoid anything too revealing… I’ve lived from a viewer’s perspective, but now that I’m in the position of wearing it, it feels a bit… like going out in underwear.”

Of course, there may be differences in whether it’s waterproof, how thick the padding is, the material, the design, etc., but ultimately, the area of exposed skin seems similar, doesn’t it? No, in some cases, there were swimsuits with even higher exposure.

“Hmm… Then let’s think of adding a cover-up skirt or a one-piece over the swimsuit, and let me choose the swimsuit.”

As she said that, she searched for cover-up skirts and one-pieces on her phone.

Certainly, wearing something like that would reduce the visible area, but wouldn’t it be even more revealing since what’s underneath is clearly visible…?

“It’s okay. After all, swimsuits are all like that, right? And men’s swimsuits are even more revealing because they only wear a pair of briefs. Isn’t that true? Compared to that, it’s better.”

It’s scary how accurate the wording is. Without considering realistic circumstances and just stating facts, the statement isn’t entirely wrong.

Ultimately, the root cause of feeling this pressure is the difference in attention.

Who would pay attention to what clothes a chubby man in his 40s wears? Just say, “Oh, it’s that guy.” But my current body, no matter what rag I put on, had the power to attract enough attention for people passing by to turn their heads. I’ve seen such scenes several times just in this outlet alone.

Receiving people’s gazes seems more embarrassing than one might think. Of course, there are people who enjoy such attention, but it doesn’t seem to apply to me at least.

In that sense, Dayoung, who is pursuing a career as an internet broadcaster similar to a celebrity, seemed impressive. Even though she doesn’t reveal her face, that is.

“Anyway, I’ll choose based on Mom’s opinion.”

Saying so, Dayoung finishes the remaining dakgalbi.

After the meal, we each buy a cup of coffee at the café located in the food court and head down to the second floor of the outlet. There were a few stores where you could buy swimsuits, such as sports brands or specialized swimwear stores, but Dayoung passed them all by shaking her head.

“Sports brands also sell swimsuits, but they give off a strong vibe of being sportswear necessary for swimming, and swimwear specialty stores… ultimately give off a similar feeling. So, the place we need to go is Big Bra Shop.”

“Huh? Isn’t Big Bra Shop… a lingerie store?”

As I raise my doubts, Dayoung continues with her explanation.

Generally, it’s difficult to find swimsuits that fit owners of sizes like Mom’s. So, usually, it’s proper to order from overseas or search around and buy online, but we don’t have time to purchase, receive, try on, return if it doesn’t fit, and buy again, right?

With just about a week left until the vacation, that seemed quite challenging.

“So, we’re using places like Big Bra Shop. When you think about it, it’s a bit extravagant to consider design while purchasing an H-cup offline, but if we have to choose from what’s available, let’s try to reflect Mom’s opinion.”

So, just like how a chubby person goes to a plus-size specialty store to buy clothes, it’s the same when your chest is too big. According to Dayoung, up to a C-cup is generally the most common size sold in stores, whether it’s underwear or swimwear, and beyond that, the options gradually decrease.

Thinking about it, it’s best to be average in everything. Having a large chest just makes things heavy, and you might face difficulties when buying underwear or swimsuits, like looking bloated in clothes or showing too much chest area while revealing your belly button.

In the end, having a big chest is not good for me but only for those men who sneak glances at me as they pass by. Darn.

“Well, if it doesn’t work out, let’s buy yours instead. It seems appropriate to ask Mom if there’s a place where she can buy it from her aunt.”

I’ve said it before, but the women in our house, be it my mother or younger sister, have somewhat large breasts. When I first saw my wife, I didn’t think her chest was that big. It was when I first met her in college; having commuted from the countryside up until high school and then coming to the city for university, I saw many women, but I never thought they were small compared to my mom or sister.

Maybe my mom was an E cup? I think so, and my younger sister is now an F cup. So, the women in our house were particularly well-endowed. I’ve updated all those sizes now, though.

Ah, if only I had known back then, I regret not being more understanding when my younger sister hesitated about buying underwear or swimsuits due to sizes.

“We’ve arrived. Let’s go inside.”

Upon arriving at a store with the brand name ‘NORA’ on the sign, we saw numerous female customers inside. It was a lingerie specialty store, and there was also a separate section for swimsuits.

As we were about to enter, Davin suddenly stopped.

“Wait a moment!”

When Dayoung and I turned around, Davin, with a flushed face, said:

“I… I’ll look around elsewhere and come back. You two can choose together.”

Well, naturally, since it was a lingerie store, there were only two male customers, who seemed to be with their partners, and it was understandable that Davin was flustered. So, I replied, “Sure,” but Dayoung firmly grabbed Davin’s wrist.

“Where are you going? Don’t you need help figuring out what suits your mom for swimming? Me too.”

It seemed unnecessary, but seeing Dayoung persist like this, her expression mischievous, it was clear she wanted to tease him.

Davin sent me a pleading look for rescue, but I just smiled and gently held the hand Dayoung hadn’t caught.

“Let’s go, guys.”

Davin’s expression contorted as if he’d received a death sentence. Anyway, when he gets a girlfriend later on, he’ll probably come to places like this with her, just like the men inside…

That’s all part of the experience.

Thinking that way, I pulled Davin along, but does he know? Does he understand his father’s deep intentions?

“Argh, please let go!”

In the end, despite Davin wailing, he couldn’t shake off our hands and had no choice but to step into the store with us.