episode_0051

“It burned white… Ahaha! It was truly the best day, Bartender Miss!”

“I should be the one thanking you, Clara. Thank you for letting me have such a good experience.”

“Don’t mention it! Oh, right! You can take all the clothes you tried on home with you! Those are clothes made just for you, after all!”

“…They look quite expensive, are you sure it’s okay?”

“Haha, I’ve already been paid. In truth, compared to the new inspiration you brought me, those clothes are worth nothing at all, you know?”

Should I call this a home fashion show?

Wearing cosplay outfits, Arachne began fulfilling the contract terms by bringing in a bunch of clothes she had made and started dressing me up.

Stylish and sophisticated office looks contrasting white and black.

Red dresses with high exposure that actresses would wear to award ceremonies.

Other clothes exuding a seductive atmosphere and a different, modest vibe from the rest.

Initially, there was some dissatisfaction as I couldn’t find anything ‘masculine’ even after closing my eyes.

But from the moment I put on the first outfit, any discomfort vanished like melting snow.

…Each one just fit so well, I couldn’t help but admire them.

Was it because her clothes were so satisfying?

Before I knew it, wearing feminine clothes didn’t feel strange at all.

Realizing the aversion had disappeared, it was around the time there were roughly two outfits left to wear.

I chuckled wistfully feeling like I had lost something precious once again, but quickly brushed off the sense of loss.

Even if I fixate on what’s already gone, there’s no guarantee it will come back to me.

Anyway.

After the rather lengthy home fashion show came to an end, it was suddenly time to head back.

As I packed up the clothes I wore, Arachne, expressing regret, spoke up.

“It is indeed a pity. If you were to become an influencer, you would surely thrive.”

“…I appreciate your words, but it’s not something I’m particularly interested in. I don’t want to bear the weight of a crown.”

Despite considering seriously becoming a beauty queen or a streamer/influencer once I became a beauty, the burden of others’ attention felt overwhelming, and my desire to live a normal life prevailed, deciding early on not to pursue it.

Becoming a vampire alone felt like it could drive me crazy; handling anything more extraordinary seemed unbearable.

Excessiveness is always worse than inadequacy.

Honestly, it was hard to see it as just right… but in its own way, it suited me.

I politely declined Clara’s suggestion of becoming an influencer.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, please contact me. I’ll genuinely help you out.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Clara.”

After a heartwarming exchange, Clara bid me farewell with a bright smile.

“See you next time, Bartender Miss! I might not know when I’ll return to Korea since I’ve stayed away for so long…”

“Are you leaving far away?”

“Ahaha… Just returning to where I belong! I’ve left my place empty for too long.”

Is not wanting to go to work a universal trait among people?

Although Arachne briefly wore a melancholic expression, she regained her smile and playfully said,

“If you ever come to Italy, let me know! I know a fantastic pizza place.”

“…If I do, I’ll reach out.”

“Hehe, promise?”

With those hopeful words, Clara gave her final farewell and we, pushed by spider legs, started making our way back to the apartment.

On the first scheduled day off, which turned out to be much more fulfilling than anticipated, we shared our thoughts.

“How was your day? Not too bad, right?”

“…Yeah, it was alright.”

“Are you very tired? Why do you seem so listless?”

“I don’t know, maybe it’s because I did something unusual today.”

Despite claiming to be fine, Jaehyuk didn’t look well at all. I glanced worriedly as he walked wearily, but…

“By the way, seems like you’re quite fond of those clothes, huh? You used to dislike skirts, but now you’re wearing one quite comfortably?”

“…I don’t know, it just turned out that way.”

Dismissing my concerns, he stretched lazily and soon began teasing me with a mischievous grin.

From the perspective of someone who had heard about his aversion to skirts, my current appearance must have been rather amusing.

To navigate this awkward situation, I quickly racked my brain.

…How do I get out of this? It feels like I’m caught in a trap even if it’s a playful one?

The best way out is always to counter a jest with another jest.

With a brilliant idea in mind, I playfully retaliated by mimicking his playful gesture, reveling in my small victory.

“So, why did you ask Clara to dress you up?”

“…It’s not because I wanted to.”

“Well, aren’t you the type who wouldn’t dress up even if there was a knife to your throat? What kind of transformation led you to dress up so stylishly, hmm?”

“…”

Avoiding eye contact as if finding it difficult to respond.

He tried to wrap things up neatly when the tables turned.

Swish –

“Another standoff? Hey, are you really so stubborn and lazy?”

“…Shut up.”

“Act like a man, huh? Fight honorably… Oh, no, my bad! I messed up, right? I messed up?!”

Unfortunately, due to the appearance of that sinister weapon that always surfaces in awkward moments, we couldn’t resolve the tension.

…What good is being handsome when your personality is such a mess?

I wondered if there was a woman out there willing to handle that filthy personality.

Watching him stride confidently forward with the weapon in hand, I let out a quiet sigh.

—–

[Trouble Alert! Our dog has hidden its bone again!!!]

Author: HeadlessGhost

Just got back from work, planning to take a short break before going for a walk.

Our Beagle has hidden its bone again, damn it…

No idea where it’s hidden this time;;

Initially, it would hide it under the bed, under the sofa, easy spots like that,

But as days go by, its hiding spots are becoming more cunning…

Do I need to boil water this time?

Anyway, recommend some hiding spots for bones.

The dog is licking it vigorously now, making me itch like crazy ㅠㅠ

Recommend 167 | Not Recommend 0

– Ugh… This time only…

ㄴ Damn bastard_(Author)

– Doggo approved

ㄴ No, I asked for hiding spot recommendations, not comments on the post;;_(Author)

– If the head is missing, how are you typing? Is this a hoax?

ㄴ If the head can’t see the body, then a 1m radius around the body is guaranteed visibility. From a third-person perspective, as long as there’s a phone near the body, communication is possible._(Author)

ㄴ What happens if you can’t find the head? Do you live without a head forever?

ㄴ If you move a certain distance away, and a certain amount of time passes, the head will return._(Author)

– Seriously, should I boil water this time?

ㄴ For real_(Author)

– Check places where the dog often sits. If it’s licking, it might be there?

ㄴ Oh…_(Author)

ㄴ Found it, damn it, phew_(Author)

ㄴ Oh, darn… It’s already soaked in drool;;;_(Author)

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.

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A fateful night.

As the busy hours passed and a quieter time approached.

After finishing the dishes and taking a breather, Junyeon rushed over to me and spoke.

“Sis, have you seen Nero? I want to give him a treat, but I can’t find him.”

“Did you ring the bell? He usually comes running when you do.”

“Of course, I tried calling out. I wandered around but can’t see where it went. Could it be that it followed a guest outside…?”

“That lazy rascal wouldn’t do that… Let me look for it first. Give me the bell.”

“Yes, sis.”

Taking over the bell from a colleague bartender and starting the search, the cocktail bar mascot.

I first went to the places where Nero often stayed and rang the bell.

Jingling –

Near the staff lounge’s beanbag, around the snack box in the hall, and up to the bar table where he often sat.

I went to all of them and shook the bell vigorously, but I couldn’t catch a glimpse of him anywhere.

…Did he really slip out among the guests? If so, that’s a real problem.

Hurrying to the owner to report that the cocktail bar mascot had disappeared, the owner immediately asked me and all the bartenders to find Nero.

And thus began the great cat search operation.

Since the chubby cat doesn’t like to move much, did it not go far and respond to the bell from the entrance?

Meow – !

Thankfully, Nero responded with a fierce meow to the sound of the bell nearby.

It seems he accidentally slipped out among the guests.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I walked towards the sound of his meows, only to see Nero fiercely punching something shaped like a ball.

Meooww – !

A harsh thud echoed in my ears.

Unable to guess the identity of the ball-like object, I cautiously approached.

…What is that? It doesn’t seem like an ordinary ball no matter how you look at it.

If it were an ordinary ball, Nero, who is generally mild-mannered, wouldn’t show such aggressive behavior.

Pushing back the other bartenders following behind me, I started advancing towards the ominous spherical figure.

And…

“I-if you don’t mind, could you please stop hitting my body… Kyaaaaahhh!!! P-please stop hitting me!!!”

“Kyaaahhhh!!!”

As soon as I confirmed the identity of the ball, I couldn’t help but scream.

…A cleanly severed human head.

He was speaking while being hit by the cat punches.