episode_0086

86

The last clothing store we entered—praying it would be the final stop—boasted a slightly more chaotic interior than the previous shops we’d visited.

To be precise, it wasn’t the interior design itself but the product arrangement that was the issue.

From the entrance to the store’s interior, the stairs leading to other floors, and the hangers lining the walls—everything was cluttered as if it were a flea market.

If I were to nitpick, it wouldn’t actually affect the quality of the clothes themselves, but from a personal standpoint, it was suffocating.

…The mirror was too far away for me to check my expression right now, but I had a feeling it wasn’t much different from Lee Jiyoon’s, who was standing next to me.

To exaggerate a bit, we probably looked like pufferfish with indigestion.

“…….”

“…….”

I kinda want to poke those cheeks.

Wonder if she’s thinking the same thing while looking at me.

“Hey, Lee Jiyoon. Come here.”

“What, why, what?”

“Try this cardigan on for me.”

“No, I can—”

“You’re not buying anything on your own, so that’s why I’m calling you over.”

“…….”

Unlike us, Lee Hayoon, with her pitch-black ponytail swaying, flitted around the store like she was right at home.

While pretending to browse clothes near the entrance to conserve energy—secretly watching her—Jiyoon was forcibly dragged away.

Somehow, around Jiyoon, Hayoon acts more like a mom than an older sister.

Meanwhile, in front of me, she’s barely even at the level where calling her “noona” would feel awkward.

The glance she shot me carried a flicker of resentment—This is your fault.

If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have to spend my weekend like this, her expression seemed to say.

So what? Sticking my tongue out playfully when Hayoon wasn’t looking, I watched as Jiyoon mumbled something under her breath before finally turning her head away.

She’s getting cuter by the day.

Guess blood really is thicker than water?

At this point, I can barely even recall the icy, aloof Lee Jiyoon from before the regression.

…Well, from what I’ve heard, she’s still that Lee Jiyoon in class.

But honestly, I much prefer this over her being kind to everyone.

It means that even if she bites everyone else’s hands, she’ll still meticulously lick mine clean.

A girl who only softens up in front of me.

What guy wouldn’t like that?

I’d probably die from happiness.

Of course, the opposite type must have its own fanbase too.

“Take that jumper off. …Now that I think about it, isn’t that the one you’ve been wearing since first year? Or am I wrong?”

“…Dunno…….”

“Anyway, take the cap off too. Oh, wait—did you even wash your hair?”

“I-I did…!”

The last part was muttered under her breath, but I heard it loud and clear.

Even the employee quietly standing behind the counter was holding back laughter watching them, so it was obvious.

…Hmm.

Is it because the employee’s a guy? For some reason, I don’t like it.

They’re my girls, so I’d appreciate it if he stopped staring.

Especially since Hayoon’s thighs are completely exposed under that plaid skirt right now.

Well, if he’s got any sense, he’ll just look discreetly and move on.

Go jerk off to that or whatever. I’ll be the one making them cosplay and fucking them all night in their bed later.

Or maybe I’ll dress them up in hero costumes and have my way with them.

While idly fiddling with a T-shirt I had no interest in, I glanced at the employee again—but only briefly.

Shifting my gaze back to Hayoon, I saw her holding up a pure white cardigan against Jiyoon’s body, the latter wearing a sullen expression.

At least her taste was decent—it suited Jiyoon surprisingly well.

“Cool, pale colors like this white suit you. Way better than the dull khaki you usually wear.”

“…Honestly, I hate that my hair turned white too, so why would I want white clothes…?”

“Your cap’s pitch black, your clothes are drab, and you only ever wear jeans underneath…”

“O-Okay, I get it…! I just don’t like it…! So just—quiet….”

“Just try it on once for me, okay? Oh—is it alright if she tries this on?”

“I said nooo….”

The employee, who had been watching them with an amused expression, nodded enthusiastically.

Come to think of it, he might be the owner.

These days, people with “owner” titles tend to be pretty young.

Either way, Jiyoon reluctantly took the cardigan from her sister and hesitantly headed toward the fitting room.

I wondered if she really needed a fitting room just to change an outer layer, but I kept that to myself.

As her figure disappeared behind the curtain, I stayed with Hayoon, recommending cute little-sister-style clothes instead of mature older-sister outfits—earning myself several pinches on the arm in the process.

Then—rustle—the sound of fabric being pushed aside.

“……What’re you staring at? Dumbass….”

I ignored the bratty remark the moment our eyes met.

Instead, I simply nodded along with Hayoon’s Ooh~ and stared intently at Jiyoon.

There’s something about a girl in an oversized cardigan.

It’s… how should I put it? Triggers protective instincts, maybe?

The way it drapes over her hands, covering everything but her fingertips unless she rolls up the sleeves—

Makes her look even more delicate than usual.

That kind of appeal.

Even though she’s usually hissing and growling like a cat on Discord or in person, dressing her up like this does make her seem more docile and composed.

Of course, it’s just a thin cardigan, so it looks a bit light for the chilly March weather.

…Anyway,

I’m buying it.

That outfit.

“Looks good on you.”

“Right?”

“…….”

Since there was no need to lie, I complimented her honestly.

Hayoon, who had been pinching my arm to stop me from picking out more cutesy clothes, grinned excitedly in agreement.

Jiyoon, standing further away, avoided eye contact and fidgeted with her cardigan instead of snapping back.

Somehow, it seems like feminine clothes like this make her uncomfortable.

Or maybe it’s just the act of being complimented for looking pretty that’s awkward for her.

Then again, this is the same girl who used to hide her entire face under a wide-brimmed baseball cap instead of dressing up.

Can’t blame her.

“Y-You really think this suits me? Seriously?”

“Yeah. Want me to ask another customer if you don’t believe me?”

“D-Don’t you dare…! I’ll freeze your mouth shut, tongue and all…!”

Covering her face with her sleeve but still managing to sound threatening, Jiyoon drew the attention of nearby customers—briefly—before they all went back to their business.

What an idiot.

Chuckling along with Hayoon, I considered teasing Jiyoon further but decided against it.

Not because I was afraid she’d kill me, but because Hayoon was right here.

For now, this distance between Jiyoon and me is just right in front of her sister.

Right now, focusing less on Jiyoon and maintaining this skinship with Hayoon is the better call.

For Jiyoon, who wants to do bad things with her sister’s boyfriend,

And for me, who wants to mess around with both sisters.

Finally arriving at that conclusion, I lightly pulled Hayoon’s waist toward me.

I ignored the weird Eeek sound she made.

“What about skirts? Still not thinking of wearing one?”

“…….”

“Jiyoon-ah?”

“…Huh, what?”

“I asked if you’ve considered wearing skirts instead of pants. Hayoon-noona and I found a few nice ones earlier.”

“…T-They flap around too much… I’m fine with just my uniform skirt….”

As she said this, Jiyoon’s gaze was fixed on my left arm—the one wrapped around Hayoon’s waist.

“Well, whatever… At least you got rid of that god-awful jumper.”

“…Is that all…?”

“Anyway, buying it? The cardigan?”

“…Gotta check the price first.”

From what I’d seen so far, even the most expensive items here barely broke 100,000 won, so how bad could it be?

Then, Jiyoon—who had been grumbling from a distance—walked over, the white cardigan swaying with her steps.

The faint wet shoeprints from her soaked sneakers caught my eye.

“Here. Hold my hair up so I can check the tag.”

“Do it yourself. Why?”

“…B-Because I don’t wanna take it off just for that…!”

Making excuses, she stepped closer, gathering her ponytail in her hands like her sister had done earlier, exposing the back of her pale neck.

……Somehow, she reminds me of a cat watching its owner play with a new kitten.

She could’ve just taken it off to check, or asked her sister instead of me.

Even that ponytail—so much like Hayoon’s—feels deliberate.

This isn’t exactly the direction I intended, but it’s not a bad flow.

Good. Let’s keep it like this.

“50,000 won. Not too expensive.”

“…Why the hell is this 50,000 won?”

“That’s normal for clothes, isn’t it?”

Honestly, I wouldn’t know.

I’ve never paid much attention to prices when shopping online.

At most, I’ve got a vague sense that T-shirts are cheap and parkas are a bit pricier.

“No way, for just this scrap of fabric…?”

“That’s how it is. Probably.”

“…50,000 won is a whole month’s electric bill in summer… Two or three deliveries… Five hours of zoning out at the counter…”

“…….”

She only pays 50,000 won a month for electricity in summer?

…Anyway.

Watching her count on her fingers, it seemed like 50,000 won was a bit steep for Jiyoon’s financial sensibilities.

What to do?

If I just offer to buy it for her, she’ll definitely snap at me for wasting money.

Options…

What are my options?

As I pondered this—partly because the outfit suited her so well—

Hayoon, who had been nestled comfortably in my arms, suddenly snapped out of her daze with a soft Hah.

“…It is a little pricey. Yeah…”

She muttered, way too late.

…Ugh.

No idea.

“…I’ll get it for you as a gift. That work?”

“…A gift? For what?”

“An academy admission gift, a belated birthday present, or—if you hate those—just think of it as friend dues. Whatever.”

“…….”

Even if it’s the same “waste of money,” slapping the word gift on it might dilute the meaning.

…Probably. Hopefully.

“So, you’re buying it for me?”

“Yeah.”

I was prepared for an outright rejection, but thankfully, instead of refusing, Jiyoon just shot me a questioning look.

Nodding in confirmation, I heard her clear her throat before she muttered something strange.

“…N-Next time… I’ll…”

“Huh?”

“Next time… I’ll treat you… to something expensive….”

In other words,

Let’s meet again.

“…Sure. Sounds good.”

“…….”

Whether that includes Hayoon or not, I’m not sure.