“Wow… Nice.”

    […]

    “This… Shall we use it as our profile pictures?”

    “Mhmm, sounds good.”

    Masterful hands, experts, artisans?

    A plethora of high-quality photos flooded in without lacking in any aspect.

    “Sigh… This time was really fun. A handsome guy came saying he wanted to keep his girlfriend as a treasure, so I came, and I’m glad I accepted.”

    “A treasure…?”

    “Ahem… Come on, Ji-hye, look at this. The photo turned out really well.”

    Is he embarrassed with me but shamelessly open with others?

    I snatched my brother’s arm from the awkward place.

    “Oppa, be honest with me too. Cute. Pretty. Except for those. Want to have… or something.”

    I clearly stated my intentions.

    It’s okay to handle it however he wants.

    It might be a risky statement, but I trust my brother.

    If by any chance I get rejected… that’s a problem for later.

    “…Because you are precious.”

    “Oppa….”

    – Click

    “Oh, did I disturb the atmosphere? It’s so well-lit… I unintentionally…”

    “Ah… Haha. Should we take it slowly later?”

    “Mhmm.”

    Calming down the writer who seems unsure.

    “It’s okay. But… did the photo turn out well? Just now.”

    “It turned out incredibly well…!”

    Even capturing the wind, the hair fluttered softly. Love was reflected in the eyes shining through.

    My brother looking at me. I, pretty like a heroine, slightly moved by emotions.

    The once bright sky now subtly veiled, appearing bright yet carrying a touch of sadness.

    Sadness and happiness intertwined.

    The sight of my brother and me resembled a scene from a drama.

    “Wow….”

    “Sigh… Feels like I’ve taken a masterpiece after a long time.”

    “Thank you. I want all of these, but… how should I manage the money…”

    With this level of quality, it will surely cost a lot, but it’s worth it.

    “…? I’ll just give them to you. I didn’t plan on charging for taking them in the first place.”

    “Huh? No… You should charge for them… How can you just give them away like this?”

    “No, no. It’s fine. I enjoyed taking them, so it doesn’t matter.”

    How should I deal with this person who vehemently refuses even when trying to do something…

    “Um… Hmm? Will you post this on Instagram?”

    “Oh… I plan to select a few and post them.”

    “Then I’ll send you the files and make them into photos to send.”

    “…Yes?”

    Why am I receiving more?

    I intended to give.

    “In return, could you just mention my name when you post it? Should I call it an advertisement?”

    “Um… Is that okay? It feels like I’m getting more.”

    “Yes, it’s fine. I feel like I’m benefiting more from this.”

    “Ji-hye, how many followers do you have now?”

    I show my brother.

    Without realizing, the number had climbed close to 50,000.

    Is this how it normally goes up?

    “Um… That’s a lot.”

    “That… That’s right. When did it go up.”

    “Ahem… Do I need to pay for this?”

    The writer was now standing next to me, closely watching the rising follower count.

    “50,000 people in one photo… without a professional camera… this one is bright, this one is weak…”

    “Ugh….”

    I took the picture.

    It was originally a sticker photo….

    “If you mention my name, I’ll pay you. How does that sound?”

    “Um… That’s awkward.”

    “If you occasionally come in more of a model vibe, I can compensate you without feeling regretful.”

    “Ahaha… You’re an office worker, so….”

    “Then…!?”

    I receive a business card.

    Ju Hye-jin. Some kind of ambassador, association, photographer.

    Is this a list of credentials resembling a career?

    “Um… I am at home, but…”

    “Could it be… around two hours?”

    “I don’t mind. Do as you wish, Ji-hye.”

    “Um…”

    Surely this is how people in the world see it.

    Isn’t that what being a model is about?

    “If it’s difficult to decide now, just take it for now. Contact me later, and I’ll get it right away, so feel free to reach out anytime.”

    In some way, I ended up receiving the request even while bowing my head.

    I was told that I would receive the photos by email as they are and if I provide an address on paper, they will be sent immediately.

    After the sudden situation was over, I sat on a large rock at the end of the sandy beach, fiddling with my phone.

    “It… came out well. It’s incredibly beautiful. Incredibly handsome.”

    “Are you still hesitating?”

    “Of course. Well… after finishing the household chores, I don’t go outside and do strange things.”

    “Strange things?”

    Ah. Why.

    Even looking around seemed strangely different.

    But perhaps this is a perfect opportunity to express my feelings.

    “Ah. Ah… What kind of clothes would make Oppa excited and cover me…?”

    “Ah…?”

    “While Oppa was away, how much did I miss him…?”

    Most likely, it’s because Oppa gets distracted and things break down, isn’t it because of me?

    But I have something to say too.

    Acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged and express what feels unjust.

    Oppa comes back and gently embraces me.

    “Oh. Oppa isn’t slow. I was just too eager to go out quickly. I… um… I just got deeply involved with you, Oppa, so I wanted to rush out. I’m really fine now.”

    “It’s not that… Thank you.”

    Oppa pulls me close with force.

    But it’s a hug that doesn’t suffocate, showing careful consideration.

    Is it sadness?

    Or is it happiness?

    I don’t really know.

    “Why… why?”

    “You made me wait too long. I’m sorry.”

    “Ah… but… I’m still very fast now…”

    “No. I’ve been feeling love for Ji-hye from the beginning. It’s just… I was afraid. I was scared. So, unknowingly, I think I pushed those feelings away.”

    So… does that mean Oppa liked me from the beginning?

    “Sigh… One Oppa knows, but the other doesn’t.”

    “Uh…? I’m just… sorry.”

    “Who did I tell not to apologize? I don’t mind. I think it’s possible. I love you. I like you.”

    Thanks to you letting me know these feelings, my first love is with Oppa.

    I’m truly fortunate.

    We continued to embrace each other until a warm breeze passed us by.

    I could slightly taste the saltiness of the sea.

    *

    “What are you doing, Oppa?”

    “I’m taking pictures of Ji-hye. I want to learn too.”

    Inside a cozy cafe with a view of the sea.

    Sitting on the second floor where the sea is clearly visible, we spend time together.

    I took off my padded jacket due to the warm air conditioning.

    “What will you do with the pictures I take?”

    “To cherish them forever.”

    Once or twice, every time a warm breeze carrying the warmth of the sun lightly passed by, it felt like Oppa was getting closer to me.

    Although spoken lightly, the weight of the words was anything but light.

    Right now, he seems focused on wanting to preserve this moment, lowering his head and taking each picture slowly with his phone camera.

    All I have to do is strike the most beautiful pose and turn it into an unforgettable memory.

    “Phew… it’s tiring.”

    Wiping his forehead with his sleeve, Oppa breathes out lightly.

    I should check that sleeve later.

    “Where should I look?”

    “Hmm… not this one.”

    “Uh? What if you work hard to take pictures and then delete them?”

    The diligent efforts vanished in an instant.

    “This… Hmm. Looks good.”

    “Hmm… It’s pretty.”

    “Yeah. I’ll use it as my profile picture.”

    My older brother tapped on his phone and showed me if he really set it as his profile picture.

    “…I’ll do it too. Get the pose right.”

    No matter how I took it, it came out well, but this time, I decided to think more.

    The direction of light, background surroundings, proportions, angles – everything.

    After taking a few shots, it seemed like I needed to take more.

    “Try a different pose. Let your face look relaxed as if something good happened seriously.”

    “What… What’s that?”

    “Ah, just try it once.”

    Snap after snap, I kept taking pictures until the battery was halfway drained.

    He’s already the most handsome and coolest boyfriend in the world, but I’m looking for an even better shot.

    “Nice. This one seems the best, right?”

    “You took it well. Looks good.”

    “Um, what about this one? How is this?”

    “Oh… It’s nice?”

    “Hmm…”

    I quickly scanned through dozens of them.

    They’re all good-looking.

    Can’t include them all, but one has to be chosen.

    “This one…”

    “They’re all good, but…”

    “Then the first one.”

    “Okay…”

    “No, the second one?”

    Despite my brother muttering how I could remember all that, well, it’s just how it is.

    They’re all different photos, so you have to remember.

    “Oh… Just changed my profile picture, and everyone’s checking if I did.”

    Suhyun unnie congratulated each other full of love.

    Sua unnie asked why I didn’t go with her but still congratulated me.

    Ji-hyuk oppa…

    “?”

    [Father suddenly burst into tears while looking at the phone. What’s wrong?]

    “Why is dad crying?”

    By the way, there’s something else that I don’t understand. Why is my brother with dad?

    [Why are you with dad?]

    [We accidentally met, so why is dad crying? What’s going on again?]

    As if feeling frustrated from writing, a call comes in immediately.

    “Hey. Dad couldn’t see it, so he called you. So why are you covering your eyes and crying? It’s my first time seeing you.”

    “Did he cry as if he was hurt? I really don’t know.”

    “No…? He was just pressing his eyes tightly.”

    “Then it must’ve been a yawn. Is yawning something new to you?”

    Seeing dad cry… I’ve seen it before, but it’s rare, I can count it on one hand.

    It was really tough when dad cried.

    “Oh… I see. But why would someone yawn while looking at the phone?”

    “You silly brother. Do you think yawning comes out because you want to?”

    In that sense, it’s really hard when dad cries.

    Right now… I wonder if he’s going through a tough time.

    “I see. Got it.”

    “You fool.”

    Dad… But I should visit him this time.

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